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VA gov won’t overturn legal cannabis, but sales unclear (Newsletter: January 4, 2022)

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KY Dems says medical marijuana a 2022 priority; WY cannabis ballot measures aim for 2024; TX gov candidate touts legalization support

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Virginia Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin (R) confirmed in a new interview that he “will not seek to overturn” the legalization of marijuana possession—but he’s sending more mixed signals on allowing commercial cannabis sales to launch.

Kentucky Democratic House and Senate leaders are including legalizing medical cannabis as a top legislative priority for 2022.

Wyoming activists are turning their attention to qualifying marijuana decriminalization and medical cannabis legalization initiatives to the 2024 ballot instead of 2022 as initially hoped—and they’ll pressure lawmakers to enact reform legislation in the meantime.

Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke is touting voters’ support for marijuana legalization—an issue he has long championed since his days as an El Paso city councilmember.

/ FEDERAL

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality posted an infographic about how medical cannabis “can reduce some types of chronic pain” but can have adverse effects as well.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted, “The #StatesReformAct is the long overdue, common sense cannabis legislation Americans are looking for. It allows states to do what they have always done (or not) and provides a federal framework to allow what’s already happened in 47 of 50 states.”

North Carolina Democratic congressional candidate Steve Miller tweeted, “One of my top issues is Federal decriminalization of marijuana.”

/ STATES

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) reiterated his concerns with purchase limits in medical cannabis legislation.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) tweeted, “We’ve been busy delivering for #NM: … ✅ Legalized cannabis… 2022 is here and we’re not done yet.”

Ohio’s secretary of state said activists did not initially turn in a sufficient number of valid signatures for a marijuana legalization initiated statute and must now collect more to force lawmakers to consider the measure.

Louisiana smokable medical cannabis flower sales launched.

New Hampshire lawmakers will vote this week on overriding Gov. Chris Sununu’s (R) veto of a bill to let medical cannabis companies reorganize as for-profit operations.

Indiana’s Senate president pro tem said he’s “going to be very, very, very slow to support legalization” of marijuana.

South Dakota lawmakers filed more than two dozen marijuana reform bills for the new session.

Florida lawmakers have introduced several marijuana legalization bills.

A Montana representative tweeted, “It’s great that cannabis is legal again in MT. But we owe an apology (and automatic expungement of past convictions) to Montanans whose rights were trampled upon, and whose lives were ruined by public officials who chose hysteria over real public safety.”

The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission issued a report on the illegal marijuana enforcement grants program.

Washington State’s Department of Ecology published a report on cannabis testing.

Michigan regulators sent an advisory bulletin about annual financial statement requirements for marijuana businesses.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture tweeted about the state’s hemp plan going into effect.

New Mexico regulators published a checklist for marijuana retail business applicants.

Vermont cannabis regulators will meet on Tuesday.


Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 800 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

Marathon County, Wisconsin Board of Supervisors committees will consider a marijuana decriminalization proposal on Wednesday.

The Lebanon County, Pennsylvania district attorney will begin reducing some marijuana possession charges next month.

San Luis Obispo, California is being sued by a cannabis company that says its retail permit was improperly revoked.

/ INTERNATIONAL

London, England’s mayor will reportedly introduce a plan to divert some people into drug education classes or counseling as an alternative to arrest.

Malta’s minister for equality, research and innovation spoke about implementation of a newly enacted marijuana legalization law.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “in patients with [tuberous sclerosis complex], long-term add-on CBD treatment was well tolerated and sustainably reduced seizures through 48 weeks, with most patients/caregivers reporting global improvement.”

A study concluded that “hempseed cake seems a suggestable source of polyunsaturated fatty acids for dogs.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Indiana Democratic Party tweeted, “@DAbbottStateRep on cannabis legalization: ‘I don’t think there’s support. Sounds like the State Rep. hasn’t spoken with the 80% of Hoosiers who support legal marijuana in some form.  That’s the @indgop: putting partisanship ahead of opportunity.”

The Los Angeles Times editorial board said California officials should resist pressure to allow marijuana billboards.

/ BUSINESS

Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. accused MedMen Enterprises Inc. of materially breaching an investment agreement.

/ CULTURE

Logan Paul said he is experiencing “pretty nasty withdrawals” after quitting smoking marijuana.

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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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