Newsletter
Texas lawmakers hear 11 cannabis bills in one day (Newsletter: April 2, 2019)
Another congressional bill to shield state marijuana laws; Calif. DAs use tech to expunge cannabis convictions; Study: marijuana increases intimacy
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
There are now 999 cannabis-related bills moving through state legislatures and Congress for 2019 sessions.
Never let a marijuana bill catch you by surprise with exclusive access to Marijuana Moment’s custom-built cannabis legislation tracker for just $25/month.
- Todd Ryan of MarijuanaMarket.com: “After years of reading Tom’s articles, I couldn’t ignore their value to me and my business. His reporting and insight in our dynamic industry is second to none. I am a very proud supporter of Marijuana Moment.”
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) filed a bill to shield state marijuana laws from federal intervention.
Three Texas House committees held hearings on 11 separate bills concerning marijuana and hemp.
The district attorneys in Los Angeles County and San Joaquin County, California announced that they will use Code for America’s tech to automatically expunge past marijuana convictions for tens of thousands of people.
A study found that marijuana use increases the likelihood of intimate partner experiences.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a presidential candidate, spoke about racial disparities in marijuana law enforcement.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) spoke about how he worked with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on hemp legalization.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “We have never been closer to ending the archaic and counterproductive federal prohibition on marijuana than we are right now.”
Former Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) tweeted that recently enacted bipartisan sentencing reform legislation is “a model for other policy areas like the environment, immigration, the debt, cannabis reform, etc. This is something every American should celebrate.”
The Senate bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to study medical cannabis got one new cosponsor, for a total of four.
/ STATES
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed a hemp hill into law.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said the legislature “will get marijuana done.” He also spoke about his personal evolution on the issue.
The Iowa Senate passed legislation to lower the penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
The Montana Senate approved a bill to increase medical cannabis taxes.
The Idaho Senate passed a hemp legalization bill.
Oklahoma House and Senate committees approve hemp legislation.
New Jersey regulators released a report arguing that the state needs more medical cannabis dispensaries to serve patient needs. Meanwhile, the state Senate president is opposed to expanding medical marijuana without it being attached to a broader legalization bill.
Michigan regulators are seeking more participants for marijuana stakeholder work groups.
Arkansas lawmakers filed a marijuana decriminalization bill.
—
Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 900 cannabis bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
/ LOCAL
The Suffolk County, Massachusetts district attorney criticized the lack of diversity in marijuana business ownership.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Iceland’s government supports moves to allow safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.
The Philippine Supreme Court ordered the release of government documents about the country’s bloody “drug war.”
/ ADVOCACY
The Democratic Party of New Mexico tweeted, “The New Mexico Medical Cannabis Advisory Board has voted unanimously to approve medical marijuana for use in the treatment of opioid addiction — a huge step that will save lives!”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “older adults who used cannabis for medical purposes reported positive outcomes but highlighted difficulties in accessing medical cannabis” and that “older adults in Colorado also revealed how a stigma continues to be attached to using cannabis.”
A study found that “the top false news story claiming cannabis as a cancer cure generated 4.26 million engagements on social media, while the top accurate news story debunking this false news generated 0.036 million engagements.”
/ OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Providence Journal editorial board is critical of how marijuana legalization is going in Massachusetts.
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs Inc. is acquiring Origin House.
/ CULTURE
The theater that hosted the premiere of the film “The Beach Bum” complained about how much marijuana Snoop Dogg smoked in the green room.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
