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TX & LA govs signal they’ll sign cannabis bills (Newsletter: June 14, 2021)

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CT legal marijuana special session this week; WY ballot measures filed; Fed court hears cannabis case against DEA; CA uses marijuana money for grants

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) both signaled they’re going to sign marijuana bills that are on their desks.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said he will be disappointed if lawmakers don’t send a marijuana legalization bill to his desk during a special session that is set to begin on Wednesday.

Wyoming activists filed two proposed marijuana ballot initiatives for 2022: One to legalize medical cannabis and another to decriminalize adult-use possession and cultivation.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit heard oral arguments in a case where researchers are suing the Drug Enforcement Administration over its Schedule I classification of marijuana. One judge called the case “really odd.”

The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development announced it is using marijuana tax revenue to fund $29 million in grants aimed at repairing the harms of the war on drugs.

/ FEDERAL

The National Institute of Standards and Technology published a blog post about one of its intern’s experience working to extract cannabis compounds.

Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams said he is concerned about “normalizing” marijuana use by offering free joints to people who get coronavirus vaccines.

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS) filed a bill that includes a provision requiring states that have legalized recreational or medical cannabis to consider launching programs to “to educate drivers regarding the risks associated with marijuana-impaired driving.”

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “Restorative justice for those who have been impacted by our tragically broken criminal justice system is an essential part of any marijuana reform.”

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted about Washington State allowing marijuana businesses to give free joints to people who get coronavirus vaccines, saying, “Meanwhile, countless people of color are arrested for doing the same thing. End the war on drugs.”

North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Jeff Jackson posted a video about why it’s time to legalize marijuana.

Ohio Democratic congressional candidate Nina Turner tweeted, “No one should be in jail for smoking marijuana. No one should lose their job (or have a criminal record) for having smoked it. Legalize it.”

/ STATES

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and top lawmakers failed to make appointments to the state’s new marijuana regulatory body by the end of the legislative session, raising questions about when the legalization law can begin being implemented.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed a bill requiring regulators to seek input from stakeholders on hemp rules.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) spoke about the possibility of a special session to enact medical cannabis after the state Supreme Court struck down the voter-approved program.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (D) budget proposal includes funding to help military veterans and people formerly incarcerated on drug convictions launch medical cannabis businesses.

Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate Johnathan Wichmann supports legalizing marijuana.

Virginia’s attorney general tweeted about the state’s new marijuana website.

The New Jersey Senate Health Committee approved a bill to require certain state-funded prescription drug plans to cover the cost of medical cannabis.

California regulators are proposing rulemaking on hemp licensing eligibility and criminal history.

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade touted the passage of legislation to provide loans, grants and technical assistance for marijuana entrepreneurs.

Arizona regulators published updated monthly data on marijuana licensing and sales.

Washington State regulators sent a marijuana newsletter.

Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,100 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 Bronx, New York district attorney is moving to dismiss more than 6,000 misdemeanor marijuana cases.

New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is being sued by a bus driver who was demoted after failing a drug test, which he says was from drinking hemp tea.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Israel’s coalition governing document says the government will pass legislation decriminalizing marijuana and introduce legislation to fully regulate the cannabis market.

Two Portuguese political parties introduced separate marijuana legalization bills.

Seven British Columbia, Canada mayors are endorsing Vancouver’s push to gain federal approval to decriminalize drugs.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “two-weeks of nightly sublingual administration of a cannabinoid extract is well tolerated and improves insomnia symptoms and sleep quality in individuals with chronic insomnia symptoms.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The South Dakota Democratic Party tweeted, “Listen legislators…. 54% voted FOR Amendment A, 70+% voted FOR Medicinal Cannabis. We didn’t vote for you all to twist and tweak those ballot items.”

Turning Point USA cofounder Charlie Kirk said the availability of marijuana delivery services is “actually slavery.”

The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation will host a webinar on advancing opportunities for small and minority-owned marijuana businesses on Thursday.

/ BUSINESS

atai Life Sciences B.V. launched an initial public offering.

Columbia Care Inc. completed its acquisition of Green Leaf Medical, LLC.

Flower One Holdings Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $9.6 million.

The U.S. Department of Labor found that the Hunt Farm, which grows hemp and tobacco, failed to properly compensate and reimburse workers as well as attempted to impede an investigation.

The Ontario Securities Commission placed a cease trade order on Avicanna Inc.

/ CULTURE

Mixed martial arts fighter Nate Diaz smoked a joint of his own marijuana brand Kill 4209 at a press conference.

Former basketball player Paul Pierce posted a video of his company’s marijuana cultivation facility.

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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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