Newsletter
Texas cannabis bills advance to House floor (Newsletter: April 19, 2019)
Congressional bill would allow marijuana in public housing; FDA receives hundreds of CBD comments; Boehner could cash in big with Acreage/Canopy deal
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) filed a bill that would allow people to use marijuana in public housing.
More than 400 people have already submitted CBD regulation comments to the Food and Drug Administration ahead of an upcoming public hearing on the topic.
Three major Texas cannabis reform bills—to decriminalize marijuana, legalize hemp and expand medical cannabis—have cleared committees and are on their way to the House floor.
/ FEDERAL
Former House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) reportedly stands to make nearly $20 million from a deal involving the marijuana firm he is a board member for.
Former Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) tweeted, “When will Congress catch up with the American people on #cannabis? Representatives like @RepDaveJoyce and @mattgaetz are leading the way.”
/ STATES
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) said that a marijuana sales legalization bill would need to allow roadside saliva testing in order to win his support.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) is not on board with a proposal to send most of the revenue from legal marijuana to municipalities.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) and regulators announced the launch of a hemp pilot program. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives approved legislation to block unlicensed marijuana businesses that remain open after June 1 from becoming licensed for a year.
The Colorado House of Representatives passed a bill to defelonize drug possession.
The Oklahoma House of Representatives approved bills concerning medical cannabis disposal and businesses in foreclosure or bankruptcy.
The Florida House of Representatives approved legislation to expand syringe exchange programs around the state. Separately, the House State Affairs Committee advanced a hemp bill.
Wisconsin representatives filed a marijuana legalization bill.
Oregon regulators approved six marijuana violation settlement agreements and indicated they would consider stiffening penalties in the future.
Arkansas medical cannabis sales are expected to begin on May 12.
Washington State regulators certified a lab to test for heavy metals in marijuana. Separately, here’s a look at where cannabis bills stand in the legislature.
Guam’s marijuana regulatory board has been formed and will meet soon.
Montana activists are working to qualify a marijuana legalization measure for the state’s 2020 ballot.
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/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “life satisfaction at age 21 was not associated with cannabis cessation,” suggesting that “the predictive value of life satisfaction in cannabis use is questionable and may be accounted for by other behaviors, such as tobacco and alcohol use.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of Americans found that 53% support legalizing marijuana and 76% back medical cannabis.
A poll found that Louisiana residents support legalizing marijuana, 55%-42%.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corp. plans to acquire Acreage Holdings Inc. in a $3.4 billion deal that will be triggered when cannabis is federally legalized in the U.S.
Eaze is donating $4.20 for every delivery on April 20, up to $100,000, to Code for America’s efforts to expunge drug convictions.
Lyft is offering $4.20 rides in Massachusetts on 4/20.
New England Treatment Access is being sued for alleged trademark infringement in its logo by Boise Cascade Company.
/ CULTURE
Rapper Kodak Black was arrested for possessing marijuana and a firearm at the U.S.-Canada border.
The office of Denver’s CBS affiliate received a mistaken delivery of a large box of marijuana products.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
