Newsletter
Virginia gov won’t sign cannabis sales bill (Newsletter: March 28, 2024)
German legalization officially signed; Congressional marijuana letters; Poll: only 1/10 Americans opposes legal cannabis; DE banking; MA psychedelics
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Sens. Romney (R-UT), James Risch (R-ID) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) sent a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration raising concerns that moving marijuana to Schedule III could violate U.S. international treaty obligations and have “diplomatic implications” that could undermine “our ability to ensure other countries continue to enforce their own drug controls…including for deadly narcotics like fentanyl.”
Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) sent a letter telling Attorney General Merrick Garland it’s “unacceptable” that the Justice Department has not reissued “overdue” federal marijuana enforcement guidance to discourage interference in state cannabis laws, leaving Americans in a “legal limbo.”
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said he doesn’t “plan on signing” a bill to legalize recreational marijuana sales that lawmakers sent to his desk.
- “Anybody who thinks I’m going to sign that legislation must be smoking something.”
Germany’s marijuana legalization law was officially signed by Bundesrat President Manuela Schwesig and will go into effect on Monday.
A new poll from the Pew Research Center found that only one out of ten Americans wants to keep marijuana completely illegal—with a majority saying cannabis legalization bolsters local economies and makes the criminal justice system more fair.
The Delaware House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee approved a bill to provide state-level protections to banks that service marijuana businesses.
A New Hampshire House Finance subcommittee rejected a marijuana legalization bill amendment to enact a franchise system overseen by the state that would bring the overall proposal more in line with the wishes of Gov. Chris Sununu (R), who reiterated this week that he sees legalizing cannabis as “inevitable.”
The Massachusetts legislature’s Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a hearing on a measure to legalize psychedelics that may appear on the November ballot if lawmakers don’t enact it first.
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura is launching his own cannabis brand, fulfilling a “lifelong dream.”
- “I can’t tell you how truly amazing this feels. To finally be able to LEGALLY share with you, products from a plant that has had such an amazing impact on my life.”
Minnesota lawmakers are considering a number of bills to make changes to the state’s marijuana laws—including measures to increase medical cannabis homegrow limits and amend equity business licensing rules.
Arizona retailers sold more than $1.4 billion worth of legal marijuana products in 2023, with recreational sales making up a growing share of the market compared to medical cannabis.
/ FEDERAL
The Department of Energy awarded funding to support the development of hemp-based insulated siding.
The Senate approved a resolution commemorating National Poison Prevention Week that cites “accidental edible cannabis ingestion” as a key issue.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) refused to answer questions about a marijuana banking bill.
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a press release decrying the inclusion of a rider blocking Washington, D.C. from legalizing recreational marijuana sales in a funding bill.
The House marijuana banking bill got two new cosponsors for a total of 108.
/ STATES
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) discussed efforts to name a top marijuana regulator for the state.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) signed a bill to legalize xylazine test strips.
Indiana Republican gubernatorial candidates spoke about their positions on marijuana policy during a debate.
A Kentucky representative discussed his opposition to adding new medical cannabis qualifying conditions.
A New York senator spoke about his concerns with marijuana legalization at the United Nations Global Conference for a Drug-Free World.
An Oklahoma representative authored an op-ed on efforts to crack down on illegal marijuana operations.
A Texas Republican House candidate authored a blog post about his support for marijuana reform.
Officials with a Florida marijuana legalization campaign authored an op-ed on how their proposed ballot initiative “balances freedom and regulation.”
The Connecticut Appellate Court upheld an employer’s right to discharge a worker for being impaired on the job from medical cannabis.
New Jersey regulators posted information about the benefits of medical cannabis in treating conditions that affect women.
Ohio regulators posted updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,400 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.
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/ LOCAL
An Mobile, Alabama City Council member said he will be filing a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
Costa Mesa, California police returned more than 100 pounds of cannabis products seized from a licensed business.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the country will not legalize drugs under his leadership.
Swiss officials released initial results of a regional marijuana legalization pilot program in Basel-Stadt.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada police said seizures of small amounts of drugs have dropped at a “dramatic” rate since the province enacted a decriminalization policy.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review affirms “the potential of CBD as a promising treatment option for pediatric patients with” Dravet syndrome.
A study found that “when isolating the impact of cannabis use by excluding women who use other recreational drugs and those who discontinue cannabis during pregnancy, no significant association between antenatal cannabis use and [small for gestational age at] birth was found.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The United Food and Commercial Workers discussed support for a federal marijuana banking bill in a newsletter.
/ BUSINESS
Schwazze reported quarterly revenue of $43.3 million and a net loss of $29.4 million.
MediPharm Labs Corp. reported quarterly revenue of C$9.1 million and a net operating loss of C$2.9 million.
Organigram Holdings Inc. announced pricing for an overnight marketed public offering of shares for total gross proceeds of approximately C$25 million. It is separately investing $2 million in Steady State LLC.
Eaze workers voted unanimously to join Teamsters Local 150.
/ CULTURE
Former football player Ricky Williams is launching a psilocybin services facility in Oregon.
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