Newsletter
TX House approves cannabis bills (Newsletter: April 29, 2021)
Senate chair talks marijuana banking; RI leaders: Legal cannabis inevitable; LA gov’s “great interest” in legalization; USDA hemp cosmetics plan
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) indicated he’s walking back his insistence that marijuana banking be tied to sentencing reform. He also said he’s talking to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) about whether to incorporate it into a broader cannabis bill.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) said he has “great interest” in a marijuana legalization bill that’s advancing in the GOP-led legislature and will consider signing it if sent to his desk—a big shift from the dismissive opposition he’s previously expressed.
The Texas House of Representatives approved bills to expand the state’s limited medical cannabis law and to lower penalties for possessing marijuana concentrates. On Thursday, the body will consider legislation to decriminalize marijuana.
Rhode Island’s House speaker and Senate president both described marijuana legalization as “inevitable” in interviews this week. That said, there are questions about whether it will get done this year. In the meantime, the House Finance Committee will hold a hearing on cannabis reforms, including legalization, on Thursday.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is teaming up with a chemical manufacturing company to develop hemp-based cosmetics and other personal care products. The federal department is working on turning hemp into fuels, lubricants, adhesives, food ingredients and fiber products.
/ FEDERAL
The Biden administration is expected to announce a plan to ban menthol cigarettes this week.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement posted a solicitation for a portable cannabis analyzer device.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will participate in the NYC Cannabis Parade & Rally on Saturday.
The Senate marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 34.
/ STATES
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) said he remains opposed to medical cannabis. Separately, the House speaker said he sees a potential path forward for reform legislation even though a key bill was defeated in a committee this week.
The South Dakota Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case on the fate of the voter-approved marijuana legalization law.
The Alabama Senate defeated a marijuana decriminalization bill on a procedural motion. Separately, the House speaker said a medical cannabis bill is expected to be on the floor next week.
Louisiana’s House speaker pro tem said he will seek to use revenue generated by a tax on medical cannabis flower created through a bill he is sponsoring to fund a new Office of the State Public Defender.
A Wisconsin senator said she will file marijuana legalization and medical cannabis bills as standalone items if Republican leaders remove them from the budget.
Washington State regulators published a policy statement on THC compounds other than delta-9-THC.
Oklahoma regulators are extending the beginning inventory period for the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system through June 30.
Maine regulators filed a motion opposing a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s residency requirements for medical cannabis business owners.
Michigan regulators posted answers to frequently asked questions about marijuana potency, labeling and tracking issues.
West Virginia regulators tweeted about how physicians can become certified to recommend medical cannabis.
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/ LOCAL
Federal prosecutors said former Calexico, California officials should be sentenced to 30 months in prison with three years of supervised release after they pled guilty to accepting a $35,000 bribe in exchange for expediting a cannabis dispensary permit application.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “the number of publications collectively published on the topic of cannabis follows an upward trend” and that “over the past 20 years, the volume of cannabis research has grown steeply, which can be largely attributed to the existence of a large amount of funding dedicated to research this topic.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Twenty-three Alabama district attorneys sent a letter urging lawmakers to reject a medical cannabis bill.
The Alabama Democratic Party is sending out marijuana stickers in exchange for donations.
/ BUSINESS
Philip Morris International Inc. is considering ways to enter the marijuana industry.
Acreage Holdings, Inc. closed its agreement to divest 100% of its Acreage Florida, Inc. subsidiary to Red White and Bloom Brands, LLC.
The Valens Company Inc. submitted an application to list on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
A federal judge certified class status for former Helix TCS security guards that are suing the company for allegedly failing to pay overtime.
The Harvest Cannabis Dispensary fired an employee for refusing to get a coronavirus vaccine.
The founder and CEO of Iterable says he was fired for microdosing LSD at work.
Akerna said 4/20 was the highest sales day ever recorded for retail cannabis sales.
Canadian retailers sold $263 million worth of legal marijuana products in February.
/ CULTURE
Seth Rogen’s marijuana company Houseplant made PSAs about how to smoke marijuana.
Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke about how he used to smoke marijuana and work out with Tommy Chong.
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