Newsletter
WI GOP kills gov’s cannabis plans (Newsletter: May 3, 2023)
MN marijuana conference committee; CO online cannabis sales to gov; Germany draft legalization bill; Former Schumer aide op-ed on SAFE Banking
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Colorado lawmakers sent Gov. Jared Polis (D) bills to legalize online marijuana sales and protect working professionals from facing roadblocks to certifications, registrations or licenses due to cannabis.
The Minnesota legislature appointed a bipartisan, bicameral conference committee to iron out the differences between marijuana legalization bills approved by the House and Senate into a final proposal to send to Gov. Tim Walz (D) to be signed into law.
The Wisconsin legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance voted to remove marijuana legalization and medical cannabis provisions from Gov. Tony Evers’s (D) budget request.
Germany’s health minister circulated a draft bill to enact the first part of the government’s two-step marijuana legalization plan to cabinet officials for review.
Reggie Babin, the former chief counsel and lead cannabis policy adviser to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), explains in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed why he’s optimistic about passing the SAFE Banking Act this Congress.
Oregon’s secretary of state announced her resignation amid criticism of her marijuana industry consulting work.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) tweeted, “I’ve been pushing legislation to ensure past cannabis use doesn’t disqualify applicants from getting a security clearance. It’s time for lawmakers to enter the 21st century and loosen outdated, harmful restrictions on federal employees, and I’m all in to get it done.”
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) sent a press release about his bill to facilitate marijuana industry insurance coverage.
Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) circulated supportive quotes from members of law enforcement about his marijuana banking bill.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) spoke about racial disparities in marijuana enforcement in a House floor speech.
Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) noted in a House floor speech that an auto parts supplier in her district is using hemp as an alternative to plastic.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) spoke about his support for easing how marijuana is dealt with in security clearance reviews.
/ STATES
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed a bill to expand the state’s cannabis social equity program, a move that was praised by regulators.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) put his investments, including $1.1 million worth of stock in Green Thumb Industries, into a blind trust.
The Texas House of Representatives approved a bill to require medical examiners to classify fentanyl overdose deaths as homicides.
The chairman of the Connecticut legislature’s General Law Committee spoke about a pending bill to allow marijuana sales at festivals and other events.
Missouri regulators posted revised marijuana rules.
Massachusetts regulators announced that dispensaries can now sell marijuana seeds and clones to consumers.
A North Dakota State Patrol official spoke about efforts to prepare for marijuana legalization in neighboring Minnesota.
New York officials will host a workshop on energy and water efficiency tips for cannabis growers on Tuesday.
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/ LOCAL
The Columbia, Missouri City Council approved the implementation of a marijuana sales tax passed by voters via a local ballot measure.
Denver, Colorado’s Cannabis Cares program is launching on Thursday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombia’s National Association of Foreign Trade reported that medical cannabis exports were lower than expectations.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found “an absence of acute direct effects of exposure to cannabis-derived cannabinoids THC and CBD on testicular testosterone production.”
A study of rats examined the mechanism behind “CBD’s inhibitory effect on rewarding properties of METH.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The American Medical Association approved a code for psychedelic therapies.
The Heritage Foundation is suing the Department of Homeland Security for a copy of Prince Harry’s immigration records as part of a dispute over his admitted use of illegal drugs and an apparent lack of immigration consequences.
The Star Tribune editorial board is calling on Minnesota lawmakers to provide for more local control in the final version of a marijuana legalization bill that’s being crafted.
The president of the NAACP Illinois State Conference and the head of prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana coauthored an op-ed arguing that the NBA’s plan to allow players to use marijuana and invest in cannabis companies is “bewildering and alarming.”
/ BUSINESS
Bright Green Corporation received a Drug Enforcement Administration license to grow, manufacture and sell cannabis for research, pharmaceutical applications and affiliated import and export.
Green Thumb Industries raised wages by 50 percent during a strike by workers at Rise Cannabis dispensaries.
Cookies Retail Products dropped litigation it filed that had alleged Cookies executives tried to “sabotage” a licensing deal.
Akanda Corp. entered into a loan agreement with Veridia Canada Ltd. in the principal amount of €500,000.
Uber’s 2023 Lost & Found Index says that “from bags of weed to pre-rolls and pens—medicinal and recreational – we’ve seen a “high” increase in forgotten ganja goods” left behind in drivers’ cars.
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