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These states almost legalized cannabis in 2022 (Newsletter: December 1, 2022)

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Marijuana banking prospects; NV cannabis scheduling ruling appeal & lounge licenses; Berkeley psychedelics decrim; LA employment protections

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) spoke about the prospects for his marijuana banking bill being enacted this year, saying he’s an “eternal optimist” but also a “realist” who has “been disappointed before” by Senate inaction.

The Nevada Board of Pharmacy is moving to appeal a court ruling that found its ongoing classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug under state law to be unconstitutional.

Nevada’s Cannabis Compliance Board held lottery drawings to award marijuana consumption lounge licenses, with half going to social equity businesses.

The Berkeley, California Community Health Commission approved a psychedelics decriminalization measure that includes LSD but which has some limitations that certain advocates oppose.

Marijuana Moment compiled a look at states that almost legalized cannabis in 2022. In addition to the three states that succeeded in legalizing recreational marijuana and one that approved medical cannabis this year, there are several others where bills passed one chamber and then stalled—putting those states at the top of the list where reform stands the best chance of advancing in 2023.

In a new Marijuana Moment op-ed, Minority Cannabis Business Association President Kaliko Castille argues that cannabis banking legislation must pass by the end of the year—and that several amendments to aid minority entrepreneurs are achievable.

Louisiana’s Employment and Medical Marijuana Task Force met as members face a December 21 deadline to issue recommendations on workplace protections for medical cannabis patients.

/ FEDERAL

The White House has formally received the marijuana research bill that the Senate approved last month. President Joe Biden has until December 10 to act on it.

The House of Representatives approved a bill to provide retroactive relief to people harmed by the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.

/ STATES

Staff for Washington State’s treasurer reportedly discussed marijuana banking issues in a White House meeting.

The Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee approved a bill to decriminalize fentanyl testing strips.

A South Carolina representative said he opposes legalizing medical cannabis because “we’ve got enough drugged up people in America as it is.”

A Texas representative discussed growing support for marijuana reform.

Rhode Island’s top marijuana regulator spoke about work to prepare the launch of recreational sales on Thursday.

Minnesota regulators added irritable bowel syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder as medical cannabis qualifying conditions, but rejected petitions to add gastroparesis and opioid use disorder.

New Mexico regulators filed rules on marijuana sales being subject to the gross receipts tax.

Nevada regulators posted proposed changes to marijuana tax rules.

The California Cannabis Control Appeals Panel is proposing rules changes to automatically stay the effect of adverse administrative actions pending resolution of appeals.

Missouri regulators began accepting applications for the new Chief Equity Officer position created by the voter-approved marijuana legalization initiative.

Alaska regulators are seeking proposals for a marijuana and alcohol licensing and enforcement database.

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands regulators published budgetary information about the territory’s Cannabis Commission.

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Thursday.


Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy 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 Shakopee, Minnesota City Council is expected to consider a proposal to regulate THC edibles on Tuesday.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health issued a directive deeming businesses that offer cannabis-smoking spaces to be illegal.

Costa Rican lawmakers held a hearing on a marijuana legalization bill.

An Irish lawmaker spoke about the need to decriminalize drugs and enact harm reduction policies.

A Canadian member of Parliament discussed the need to expunge, and not just pardon, marijuana convictions.

A French lawmaker is proposing to institute a €1,000 fine for people who consume marijuana or other illegal drugs.

A Scottish lawmaker tweeted, “The war on drugs has failed and has increased the stigmatisation and demonization of people who use drugs, making them less likely to seek treatment.  We need a new compassionate approach, one which afford them their dignity and treats them like human beings.”

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study concluded that “elderly individuals (age 60 and older) benefit from medical marijuana legalization in terms of better mental health, whereas legalizing recreational marijuana produces negative mental health effects for younger individuals (below age 35).”

A review concluded that “pre-clinical evidence supports CBD as a potential treatment for stress or anxiety disorders resulting from previously stressful events, particularly by reducing fearful behavior and promoting extinction of contextual fear memories, which are hallmarks of PTSD.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Minnesota Grassroots – Legalize Cannabis Party lost its designation as a major party as it did not have a statewide candidate receive at least 5 percent of the vote in last month’s elections. The separate Legal Marijuana Now Party will retain major party status, however.

The Indiana Democratic Party tweeted, “About 80% of Hoosiers support legal marijuana in some form. It’s past time to #LegalizeIt.”

The American National Standards Institute is accepting comments on a International Organization for Standardization proposal for a new technical committee focused on “safety, security and good production practices of cannabis facilities and operations.”

The New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association, New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association and Connecticut Medical Cannabis Council published a report raising health and safety concerns about marijuana products in the unregulated market.

/ BUSINESS

Curaleaf laid off approximately 220 employees.

POSaBIT Systems Corporation reported quarterly revenue of $10.3 million and a net loss of $1.2 million.

TerrAscend Corp. announced that it reduced its outstanding debt by $30 million.

Ben & Jerry’s praised Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s (D) cannabis clemency act, tweeting, “It’s high time we see more marijuana pardons. Thank you to Governor Brown, and thank you to organizations like the @ACLU for fighting for marijuana justice.”

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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