Newsletter
Virginia Senate joins House in approving cannabis decrim (Newsletter: February 12, 2020)
GOP lawmaker: Congress will undo Trump’s marijuana move; Bloomberg’s resurfaced marijuana & race comments; 10 govs push cannabis in budgets & speeches
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Virginia Senate passed a marijuana decriminalization bill, one day after the House of Delegates approved similar legislation. It will now be up to a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the proposals into a final bill to send to supportive Gov. Ralph Northam (D).
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), a top ally of President Trump, told Marijuana Moment that there is enough support in Congress to overturn a White House budget request to delete a rider protecting state medical cannabis laws from federal interference. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) also slammed the Trump move.
A new analysis from Marijuana Moment shows that at least 10 governors have used their budget proposals or State of the State addresses to pressure lawmakers to act on cannabis issues in 2020.
Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg (D), a presidential candidate, is under fire for a newly resurfaced recording in which he defends racial disparities in marijuana arrest rates.
- “We put all the cops in minority neighborhoods… Why do we do it? Because that’s where all the crime is.”
/ FEDERAL
The U.S, Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether Ohio officials violated the First Amendment by blocking proposed local marijuana decriminalization ballot measures.
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Jim Carroll is set to discuss drug issues with Mexican officials during a visit to the country this week.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a presidential candidate, continues to reiterate his pledge to legalize marijuana across the country in campaign speeches. (About 29:40 into the last linked clip).
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), a presidential candidate, debated drug legalization with Fox News host Sean Hannity.
Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) tweeted, “After finally legalizing industrial hemp, we still face a few challenges. I’m happy to join a bipartisan group of lawmakers, as well as Wisconsin agriculture groups, to ensure our farmers get the best deal possible when growing this crop.”
The Senate criminal justice reform bill that includes the Marijuana Justice Act’s provisions got one new cosponsor for a total of one.
The House bill to shield military veterans from losing benefits over state-legal marijuana use got two new cosponsors for a total of 16.
The House resolution calling on Congress to apologize for the war on drugs got one new cosponsor for a total of 21.
Indiana Democratic congressional candidate Carlos Marcano tweeted, “We need to reform the criminal justice system: ✅Treatment not incarceration ✅Decriminalize marijuana ✅Get rid of mandatory minimum sentences ✅End for-profit prison”
/ STATES
Florida’s attorney general, Senate and House of Representatives filed briefs with the state Supreme Court about a proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure.
California’s treasurer tweeted that she is “waiting for the Senate” to pass federal marijuana banking legislation.
Utah’s Senate majority leader filed a bill change several medical cannabis policies, including removing special packaging requirements and allowing qualifying patients to get prior marijuana convictions expunged.
The New York Assembly majority leader said it is “very likely” marijuana will be legalized this year.
The South Dakota House of Representatives approved a hemp bill.
The Kentucky House of Representatives passed a resolution calling on Congress to raise the THC threshold for hemp.
The New Mexico House Agriculture & Water Resources Committee approved a hemp regulation bill.
An Iowa House subcommittee approved a bill to expand the state’s limited medical cannabis law.
The Maryland House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill to expand the amount of marijuana that is decriminalized.
One of two competing Oklahoma proposed marijuana legalization ballot measures has been cleared for signature gathering.
North Dakota activists are aiming to place a marijuana legalization measure on the November general election ballot rather than the June primary one.
Vermont regulators signed a contract to use blockchain technology to track hemp.
A Pennsylvania judge is set to decide whether a woman’s medical cannabis use disqualifies her for Section 8 housing.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis 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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/ INTERNATIONAL
A Croatian lawmaker said she will soon introduce a marijuana legalization bill.
A Mexican senator published an op-ed on the need to legalize marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “in healthy volunteers, no evidence of withdrawal syndrome was found with abrupt discontinuation of short-term treatment with CBD.”
A study found that “cities with higher [city council] gender diversity are less likely to propose [a marijuana business] opt-out measure to city taxpayers.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A new report from the National Association of Realtors examines marijuana legalization’s impact on the real estate market.
The Tulsa World editorial board is cautioning Oklahoma lawmakers about adding restrictions to the state’s voter-approved medical cannabis law.
/ BUSINESS
The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc. announced it is laying off about 15% of its workforce.
Southern University plans to harvest its first medical cannabis crop next week.
Bloomberg looks at psychedelic companies that are preparing to go public.
/ CULTURE
Conan O’Brien made fun of the CBD craze.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
