Cannabis News Today

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And that is a wrap until Monday.




STATES
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed a bill replacing the word "marijuana" with "cannabis" in the state's legal code

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) signed legislation legalizing fentanyl test strips, creating a database to track opioids and increasing penalties for manufacturing and selling fentanyl.

Spokespersons for Rhode Island's House speaker and Senate president pushed back on the administration of Gov. Dan McKee's (D) claim that the proposed regulatory structure in a marijuana legalization bill would violate separation of powers principles.

An Iowa senator authored an op-ed arguing for marijuana legalization.

A Pennsylvania senator tweeted, "People in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania are ready for #Marijuana legalization. A Franklin & Marshall College survey found that 60% of Pennsylvanian's support legislation for adult usage."

An Illinois judge lifted an injunction that has prevented regulators from issuing craft marijuana cultivation licenses.

Utah regulators filed amended medical cannabis rules.

Minnesota regulators clarified that hemp products with trace amounts of delta-9 THC are legal.

California regulators filed a notice to readopt emergency rules consolidating cannabis regulations.

Oregon regulators published guidance on marijuana testing requirements.

Connecticut regulators began accepting lottery applications for marijuana product packager licenses.

Nevada regulators published a demographic study of the state's cannabis industry.

North Carolina's Department of Justice is hosting a cannabis webinar series starting on Friday.

Tennessee's Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Friday.
 
Cannabis News for Monday March 21



TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Reps. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) teamed up on a bipartisan resolution calling on the Biden administration to “use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States” to deschedule marijuana from an international drug treaty and treat it "similar to other agricultural commodities."
Bipartisan members of Congress honored Cannabis Caucus co-chair Rep. Don Young (R-AK), who passed away on Friday. He was one of just five Republican House members to vote for a cannabis legalization bill in 2020.
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO)acknowledged that the fears he had that led him to campaign against Colorado’s legalization of marijuana when he was governor were misplaced.
  • "I was pretty surprised that the data overwhelmingly showed again and again” that youth use didn’t increase.
The Connecticut legislature’s Public Health Committee approved a bill to create a system to provide certain patients with access to psychedelic-assisted treatment with substances like MDMA and psilocybin.
Colorado Treasurer Dave Young (D) spoke to Marijuana Moment about the need to pass cannabis banking legislation and the conversations he had with fellow state treasurers and members of Congress about the issue during a trip to Washington, D.C. last week.
An Alabama senator filed a bill that would require women to provide a negative pregnancy test in order to purchase medical cannabis.
 
Moar News….



/ FEDERAL
White House Domestic Policy Council senior policy advisor for criminal justice Erin Murphy reportedly met with a cannabis industry official to discuss possible marijuana reforms.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, "The War on Drugs has been a war on people—particularly people of color. Our bill will end the federal prohibition, make criminal justice reforms, and invest in the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs."

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman **** Durbin (D-IL) tweeted, "The Senate can and must right the wrongs of the war on drugs by passing the EQUAL Act and finally ending the crack & powder cocaine sentencing disparity."

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, "It was great to see the @USCannabisCncl & discuss how Nevada's cannabis industry continues to create new businesses and jobs, bringing millions in revenue for our state. I'll continue to work at the federal level to allow this industry to reach its full potential."

Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) described a bill she filed as a "straightforwardapproach to make the hemp industry more profitable and more equitable."

Louisiana Democratic Senate candidate Gary Chambers spoke about the economic potential of legalizing marijuana.
 
That’s all Folks!



STATES
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed six medical cannabis and hemp reform bills into law, including a measure to place a limit on medical marijuana home cultivation.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) included revised fiscal projections associated with marijuana legalization provisions in his supplemental budget recommendations.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said he's "not fully committal" on his position against legalizing marijuana.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed a new deputy director of public affairs for the Department of Cannabis Control. Separately, a senator filed a bill to establish a tax credit for marijuana retailers.

Washington State's treasurer blamed robberies on marijuana businesses on Congress's failure to enact cannabis banking legislation. He tweeted, "This is exactly why I am in DC this week to urge Congress to pass #cannabisbankingthis year. This was preventable and we all agree on the solution. Congress cannot delay in passing cannabis banking reforms any longer."

Illinois's attorney general will host an information session on cannabis expungements and social equity opportunities on Monday.

North Carolina's House speaker said he would be surprised if the Senate passed a medical cannabis bill. A senator responded by tweeting, "Medical marijuana is a very popular idea. These powerful right wingers do not represent the people of NC. They consistently block progress." A representativetweeted, "North Carolinians are ready for legal, regulated, and taxed marijuana. Opposition to medical marijuana is harming our citizens in so many ways."

The Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee held several hearings on a medical cannabis bill.

Pennsylvania lawmakers plan to file legislation to allow hemp in animal feed.

Nebraska activists hosted more than 100 signature gathering events for a pair of proposed medical cannabis ballot measures in over 35 cities and towns.

The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that the state Department of Revenue can be considered a “victim” entitled to restitution when a defendant has evaded marijuana excise taxes.

Connecticut regulators filed changes to proposed medical cannabis testing rules.

New Mexico regulators are readying for the launch of recreational marijuana sales on April 1.

The North Carolina Department of Justice held the first in a series of cannabis webinars it plans to host.

Vermont regulators will consider draft guidance on marijuana packaging requirements on Monday.

Guam regulators will consider marijuana banking and other issues on Monday.

Nevada regulators will hold a public workshop about marijuana consumption lounges on Tuesday.
 
That’s all Folks!



STATES
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed six medical cannabis and hemp reform bills into law, including a measure to place a limit on medical marijuana home cultivation.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) included revised fiscal projections associated with marijuana legalization provisions in his supplemental budget recommendations.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said he's "not fully committal" on his position against legalizing marijuana.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed a new deputy director of public affairs for the Department of Cannabis Control. Separately, a senator filed a bill to establish a tax credit for marijuana retailers.

Washington State's treasurer blamed robberies on marijuana businesses on Congress's failure to enact cannabis banking legislation. He tweeted, "This is exactly why I am in DC this week to urge Congress to pass #cannabisbankingthis year. This was preventable and we all agree on the solution. Congress cannot delay in passing cannabis banking reforms any longer."

Illinois's attorney general will host an information session on cannabis expungements and social equity opportunities on Monday.

North Carolina's House speaker said he would be surprised if the Senate passed a medical cannabis bill. A senator responded by tweeting, "Medical marijuana is a very popular idea. These powerful right wingers do not represent the people of NC. They consistently block progress." A representativetweeted, "North Carolinians are ready for legal, regulated, and taxed marijuana. Opposition to medical marijuana is harming our citizens in so many ways."

The Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee held several hearings on a medical cannabis bill.

Pennsylvania lawmakers plan to file legislation to allow hemp in animal feed.

Nebraska activists hosted more than 100 signature gathering events for a pair of proposed medical cannabis ballot measures in over 35 cities and towns.

The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that the state Department of Revenue can be considered a “victim” entitled to restitution when a defendant has evaded marijuana excise taxes.

Connecticut regulators filed changes to proposed medical cannabis testing rules.

New Mexico regulators are readying for the launch of recreational marijuana sales on April 1.

The North Carolina Department of Justice held the first in a series of cannabis webinars it plans to host.

Vermont regulators will consider draft guidance on marijuana packaging requirements on Monday.

Guam regulators will consider marijuana banking and other issues on Monday.

Nevada regulators will hold a public workshop about marijuana consumption lounges on Tuesday.
All good. Congress needs to remove Marijuana from the class 1 drug status to allow interstate banking. Local and States have to back off the amount of taxes associated with marijuana purchases. Also I would like to see the stats on the states that have legalized marijuana for things like DWI, 911 home issues, increased medical issues, work place and alike.
 
This mornings cannabis news




TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House of Representatives could vote on a federal cannabis legalization bill next week, with a congressional staffer and a key advocate telling Marijuana Moment it’s being discussed at high levels. Nothing is official yet, but an announcement could be imminent.

National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow surprised Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) at a hearing by informing him that teen marijuana use is not increasing in states that have enacted legalization.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed a bill to create a task force to study and make recommendations on the therapeutic use of psychedelics such as psilocybin for treating mental health disorders. The measure passed the full legislature with only two lawmakers voting against it.
The Maryland Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on House-passed marijuana legalization bills, with some lawmakers criticizing the lack of detail on issues like licensing and equity—as well as the idea of putting the issue on the ballot at all.
The Hazel Park, Michigan City Council unanimously passed a measure to decriminalize psychedelics—with the sponsor discussing his own psilocybin use before the vote. Meanwhile, the Board of State Canvassers approved the language of a broader legalization initiative that activists are seeking to qualify for November's statewide ballot.
Colorado Springs, Colorado activists have been cleared to collect signatures to place an initiative to legalize recreational marijuana sales on the local November ballot.
 
Moar News


FEDERAL
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy is expected to issue its overdue drug control strategy soon.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture tweeted about the availability of hemp revenue protection insurance.

Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) said he anticipates that marijuana legalization will become a "more important conversation in Indiana."

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) criticized Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for saying that a convicted drug seller had "no victims."




STATES
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) tweeted, "We're legalizing cannabis & through it we're paving the way for a diversified economy that will create thousands of good paying jobs for years to come."

A group of Arkansas activists plans to drop its effort to place a marijuana legalization initiative on this November's ballot and will instead target 2024 with a new measure.

The Louisiana House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee held a hearing on a bill to increase penalties for juvenile marijuana possession.

A Kentucky senator asked the House to delay consideration of his bill to ban delta-8 THC products while he works on an amendment to the Senate-passed legislation so that it would simply prohibit sales to people under 21.

A Pennsylvania senator authored an op-ed arguing against the legalization of marijuana.

Alabama's top medical cannabis regulator said rules for the program are expected to be filed this summer, with the state on pace to start accepting dispensary applications by September.

New Mexico regulators filed amended cannabis rules.

New Jersey regulators are expected to approve the first batch of conditional marijuana cultivation and manufacturing license applications on Thursday.

Texas regulators are accepting public comments for a review of rules for the state's limited medical cannabis program.

Oregon regulators published an updated marijuana sampling and testing guide.

Arizona regulators are preparing to hold a lottery to award marijuana social equity licenses next month.

Washington State regulators sent a reminder to apply for hemp licenses by the March 31 deadline.

North Carolina's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services tweeted, "Five farmers in our state have started producing hemp fiber as new and emerging crop. From clothing to building materials, hemp fiber can be used in a variety of ways."

Georgia medical cannabis regulators delayed a scheduled Thursday meeting until March 30.

Florida's Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee and Hemp Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday.
 
Todays Pot News




TOP THINGS TO KNOW
House of Representatives leadership formally included a federal marijuana legalization bill in a list of legislation they plan to take up for floor votes next week.
The Senate unanimously approved a bill to remove barriers to marijuana research.
Washington State officials are stepping up the push on Congress to pass a marijuana banking bill following a recent spate of deadly robberies on cash-intensive cannabis businesses in the state.
The Hawaii Senate Health Committee approved two resolutions calling for the formation of a psilocybin working group to explore the therapeutic potential of the psychedelic—but the measures were amended to make patient access provisions contingent on federal approval.
Nebraska activists are scrambling to raise money and enlist volunteers after a large donor who committed to fund their signature drive to place two medical cannabis initiatives on the ballot is no longer able to help due to “a personal and tragic circumstance.”
Sponsor Message
 
Moar Weed News


FEDERAL
The Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals reversed a judge's ruling that a man could receive a security clearance even after using marijuana subsequent to applying.

Customs and Border Protection is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit claiming its seizures of hash oil during temporary traffic checkpoints were unconstitutional.

The Drug Enforcement Administration said it is taking steps to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for people with opioid-related substance use disorder.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, "As Senate Majority Leader: Comprehensive federal cannabis legalization with justice for the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs—especially for communities of color—is a Senate priority. We will move forward."

Ten Senate Republicans have signed onto a bill to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine, likely clearing its way to passage.

Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) coauthored an op-ed cheering Virginia lawmakers' failure to pass a marijuana commercialization bill this session.




STATES
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed two medical cannabis reform bills into law.

Kentucky's Senate president said leadership in his chamber is not interested in hearing a presentation from the sponsor of a House-passed medical cannabis bill. Meanwhile, the majority floor leader said he believes the bill is "done for the year."

The Oklahoma House of Representatives approved more than a dozen medical cannabis reform bills.

The Minnesota House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved a bill on tribal medical cannabis programs.

The Ohio House Government Oversight Committee held a hearing on a bill to expand medical cannabis access.

A Florida senator authored an op-ed saying that it's time for the state to legalize marijuana.

A spokesperson for a California senator defended his bill aimed at increasing medical cannabis access from criticism by some advocates who say it could inadvertently restrict delivery services.

Oregon Democratic House candidate Kaliko Castille highlighted his work in the cannabis industry in his first campaign ad. (Disclosure: Castille supports Marijuana Moment's work with a monthly pledge on Patreon.)

New Jersey regulators delayed a vote on allowing current medical cannabis dispensaries to sell recreational marijuana, but approved 68 conditional licenses for adult-use cultivators and manufacturers.

Georgia officials are asking a judge to lift a temporary hold placed on a local prosecutor's ability to go after sellers of delta-8 THC products.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board said beer and wine licensees cannot sell CBD-infused edibles.

Connecticut regulators began accepting lottery applications for marijuana transporter licenses.

New Mexico regulators said there is enough marijuana produced to meet consumer demand when adult-use sales launch on April 1.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced the recipients of grant funding that will be used to expand hemp fiber processing capacity.

Alabama officials are focusing on raising awareness about delta-8 THC products as part of National Poison Prevention Week.

Texas regulators published a list of registered hemp laboratories.
 
Todays Pot News




TOP THINGS TO KNOW
House of Representatives leadership formally included a federal marijuana legalization bill in a list of legislation they plan to take up for floor votes next week.
The Senate unanimously approved a bill to remove barriers to marijuana research.
Washington State officials are stepping up the push on Congress to pass a marijuana banking bill following a recent spate of deadly robberies on cash-intensive cannabis businesses in the state.
The Hawaii Senate Health Committee approved two resolutions calling for the formation of a psilocybin working group to explore the therapeutic potential of the psychedelic—but the measures were amended to make patient access provisions contingent on federal approval.
Nebraska activists are scrambling to raise money and enlist volunteers after a large donor who committed to fund their signature drive to place two medical cannabis initiatives on the ballot is no longer able to help due to “a personal and tragic circumstance.”
Sponsor Message
the Cannabidiol and Marihuana Research Expansion Act. It cleared the full chamber unanimously, without debate.
wow, that’s one for the record. And at least it’s something…
 
Not sure I want Congress to legalize the stuff. They see how much the states are making on the pretense of protecting users and want some of that free cash flow. If you think it's expensive now, just wait until the feds get in on it.
 
That's the problem the Feds can show up any time BC It's still a class 1 substance and you're in trouble.
Ya know, taking it off the scheduled drug list would be enough. If it ain't on the list, it ain't illegal, right?
 

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