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Todays Pot News April 26 , 2023




TOP THINGS TO KNOW
In a new 101-page report, the Congressional Research Service deeply analyzes the growing state-federal marijuana policy gap, looking at issues like banking, research barriers, tax revenue, youth use, impaired driving, hemp, international implications and more.
​
The Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee reported that the state generated more tax revenue to the general fund from legal marijuana sales than from tobacco and alcohol combined last month.
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Austin, Texas voters can now begin casting their ballots on a measure to decriminalize marijuana and ban no-knock warrants. In-person early voting runs through May 3 and Election Day is on May 7.
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Two new polls of U.S. adults showed broad support for marijuana reform, with 69 percent backing legalization, 92 percent in favor of medical cannabis and 61 percent saying they are more likely to vote for pro-reform politicians. Other questions focused on marijuana banking and military veterans' access to medical cannabis.
​
 
Moar Pot News



FEDERAL
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is accepting public comments on barriers to and solutions for providing data on drug-impaired driving.

A spokesperson for Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) said he supports veterans- and banking-focused marijuana bills and is continuing to "closely evaluate" broader reforms.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) tweeted, "Last week, my team and I stopped by @yambamarket, the first Black-owned recreational cannabis dispensary in Cambridge. Black & brown folks have been devastated by the failed War on Drugs & it's critical that they reap the financial rewards of our expanding cannabis industry."

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted, "My #StatesReformAct is gaining momentum across the aisle, and would federally de-schedule marijuana."

Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) tweeted, "More than 600,000 Americans are still arrested each year on cannabis charges, despite reform laws passed in 47 states. That’s why I voted YES on #WeNeedMORE.I urge the Senate to pass this important legislation soon."


STATES
South Dakota's agriculture secretary said the CBD oil market has "tanked."

Kansas Senate Democrats tweeted, "Medical marijuana has faced a rocky road in the #ksleg, and many Senate Republicans have expressed little-to-no interest in helping Kansans legally access proven palliative care."

A Wisconsin representative who is sponsoring a restrictive medical cannabis bill said he would be willing to consider amendments to allow smoking.

New Jersey's top marijuana regulator spoke about the launch of legal recreational sales.

Alaska regulators proposed changes to rules on marijuana waste.

Louisiana regulators filed proposed hemp rules.

New York regulators are considering allowing pizzerias and other restaurants to sell cannabis-infused foods.

Montana regulators launched a new system for marijuana cultivation businesses to submit applications to increase their tier.

The Washington State Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force will meet on Tuesday.

California regulators will hold an information session to get feedback on the development of cannabis equity fee waiver and deferral regulations on Wednesday.
 
The Hump Day Pot News





TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Joe Biden began commuting the sentences of people who have served time in federal prison for marijuana and other drug offenses. The clemency for 75 people falls short of the mass cannabis pardons he promised on the campaign trail, but advocates see it as a first step.
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Attorney General Merrick Garland reiterated during a Senate hearing that prosecuting marijuana possession is not "an efficient use of the resources given the opioid and methamphetamine epidemic”—but didn’t directly answer a question on reinstating federal cannabis guidance that was rescinded during the Trump administration.
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Kansas House and Senate leaders appointed lawmakers to a bicameral conference committee to hammer out the details of a medical cannabis bill that activists now believe could pass as soon as this week.
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Reps. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) hosted a roundtable on labor union organizing in the cannabis industry. They spoke to Marijuana Moment about the importance of the push in advance of the event.
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Washington State activists are preparing to launch a signature gathering drive to place a drug decriminalization initiative on the November ballot after a revised version of their measure survived a legal challenge.
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Activists in Denton, Texas announced they believe they have enough signatures to qualify a marijuana decriminalization measure for the local November ballot. The news comes as Austin is doing early voting on a similar cannabis measure for next month's election.
​
 
Keep on humping in the not so free world.




FEDERAL
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Drug Testing Advisory Board will hear a presentation on employment drug testing for marijuana on June 21.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, "NEWS: @POTUS has taken action to grant clemency for dozens of people with federal cannabis and drug convictions. In the Senate, we will continue the work to end the federal prohibition on cannabis and undo the harms caused by the War on Drugs."

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, "I applaud @POTUS on commuting the sentences of 75 people for nonviolent, drug-related convictions. This is a step in the right direction to end the war on drugs. We must keep fighting to deliver justice to all those who have been impacted."

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) approached him about a forthcoming marijuana legalization bill.

Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) tweeted, "I'm glad to see President Biden commute these sentences -- but it's time to go further. That's why I reintroduced the MORE Act to decriminalize marijuana and expunge non-violent convictions."

Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) tweeted that while President Joe Biden's acts of clemency "signals a shift in the right direction, 14+ million Americans continue to suffer from cannabis-related convictions at the state/local level. That's why I introduced the #HOPEAct with @RepAOC to provide millions with a true second chance to achieve their American dream."

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) tweeted, "I thank @POTUS for taking this step toward repairing the damage that the failed 'War on Drugs' has done to our country, especially our most vulnerable communities."

Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA) tweeted, "This is the right move by @POTUS. That the vast majority are nonviolent drug offenses says one thing loud and clear: we must do more to remedy the injustices of the failed war on drugs."

Rep. Eleanor Homes Norton (D-DC) expressed disappointment with the Biden administration's moves on marijuana in a speech at the National Cannabis Festival.

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) tweeted, "State-legal businesses and their employees are put at risk everyday. We need the #SAFEBankingAct to get cash off our streets and help protect our communities."
 
The last of the Hump.

No more humping.


STATES
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) issued a line-item veto to parts of a medical cannabis research bill.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) and the House speaker expressed concerns about licensing additional medical cannabis businesses.

Nebraska gubernatorial candidates discussed medical cannabis at a debate.

Pennsylvania's agriculture secretary spoke at a statewide hemp summit, highlighting how the state is investing in strengthening the industry.

The Connecticut House of Representatives approved a bill to limit marijuana "gifting."

The Tennessee House of Representatives approved a bill to add quadriplegia as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis oil.

The South Carolina senator who is sponsoring a medical cannabis bill authored an op-ed urging the House to approve the measure. Separately, a representative sent letters encouraging President Joe Biden and congressional leaders to prioritize marijuana reform.

Illinois regulators adopted rules changes to remove cannabis products from the definition of "electronic cigarette" for tax purposes.

Virginia regulators adopted changes to rules on medical cannabis product labeling requirements and on determining eligibility to access facilities.

West Virginia regulators issued a consumer warning about illegal hemp and cannabis products.

Ohio regulators published updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.

Tennessee's Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Wednesday.

Washington State regulators will host a discussion on evaluating THC compounds on Wednesday.
 
The News never stops , it just keeps coming and coming.




TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Kansas House and Senate negotiators held the first conference committee meeting to begin reaching an agreement on a medical cannabis bill that advocates believe could pass soon.
​
Georgia voters will get a chance to decide on a marijuana legalization question during the primary election next month. The results of the advisory measure won’t be binding, but could send lawmakers a message about public support for cannabis reform.
​
Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) sent a letter urging House leaders to fight to keep marijuana banking language in the final America COMPETES Act conference committee report.
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The Colorado Senate Health & Human Services Committee advanced a House-passed bill to legalize MDMA in the state when it gets FDA approval.
​
A new study found that driving under the influence of marijuana is "lower in recreational and medical cannabis states compared to states without legal cannabis.” Researchers say consumer education—labeling information and PSAs, for example— in legal states could be playing a role.

New Jersey dispensaries sold almost $2 million worth of recreational marijuana products to more than 12,000 customers on the first day of legal sales last week.
 
Moar News than a human can possibly read!





FEDERAL
Sen Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) tweeted, "I've been calling on the President to use his executive authority to pardon cannabis offenses. And he just used it. This is a good first step. Let's keep it going."

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman **** Durbin (D-IL) tweeted, "Policy actions like these are critical to undoing the decades of harm that the failed ‘war on drugs’ caused—particularly in communities of color. I commend President Biden for a plan that upholds the values of dignity, fairness, and belief in second chances."

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) reacted dismissively to a question about marijuana legalization.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) said she plans to push Republican leadership to advance marijuana reform if the party takes control of Congress.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, "It’s time for the Senate to step up and pass the #MOREAct and end the failed War on Drugs that has destroyed Black and Brown families."

Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) tweeted, "The “War on Drugs” damaged our criminal justice system. We must work to repair it. One Nevadan has served a decade of a 14+ year prison sentence but, thanks to a commutation today from @POTUS, will be under supervised release starting in a year."

Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) tweeted, "I applaud @POTUS for his decision. For too long we have allowed the "war on drugs" to over-criminalize Black, Brown, and Latino communities. We can reunite more families and help heal communities through the profound power of second chances."

Indiana Democratic Senate candidate Thomas McDermott, currently the mayor of Hammond, tweeted, "How about we use the tax money Indiana would make from the sale of legal cannabis & use it to battle potholes across our state?"

The Senate bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to study medical cannabis got one new cosponsor for a total of four.



STATES
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) appointed a chair of the Medical Cannabis Commission.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) spoke about the social justice reasons for legalizing marijuana.

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, celebrated the second anniversary of the state's hemp program.

The Virginia Senate rejected Gov. Glenn Youngkin's (R) proposed amendments to a cannabis bill that would have recriminalized possession of more than two ounces of marijuana and sent the overall legislation, which was aimed at restricting cannabinoid products, back to a committee. The lieutenant governor, as part of a tie-breaking vote, voted against the governor's proposal.

The Connecticut House of Representatives passed a bill to allow physicians assistants to recommend medical cannabis.

The Louisiana House Health & Welfare Committee approved a bill to add new medical cannabis cultivation licenses and transfer authority for the program to the Department of Health.

The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that a marijuana grinder is not considered drug paraphernalia.

Georgia regulators are being sued over alleged "conflicts of interest" in the medical cannabis licensing process.

New York's top marijuana regulator said she expects recreational sales to begin by this fall.

Washington State regulators approved a proposal for expedited rulemaking to replace the word “marijuana” with “cannabis” in state code.

The California Cannabis Control Appeals Panel held a strategic planning session.

Colorado's Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations to serve on the Hemp Advisory Committee.

Nevada will hold a public workshop on marijuana consumption lounges on Friday.
 
The News never ends!




TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The New Hampshire Senate defeated separate House-passed bills that would have legalized marijuana sales through state-run stores and allowed limited home cultivation.
​
Kansas House negotiators offered a medical cannabis compromise proposal to Senate counterparts during a conference committee meeting. Just a handful of outstanding issues remain, and advocates believe something could pass soon.
​
Major food companies like Pepsi, General Mills and Kellogg are asking Congress to help stop the proliferation of marijuana-infused copycat products that mimic their well-known brands.
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The American Bankers Association and bankers groups representing all 50 states and one U.S. territory sent a letter urging Senate leaders to accept House-passed marijuana banking provisions into the America COMPETES Act.
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The Louisiana House Health & Welfare Committee approved a bill to add medical cannabis cultivation licenses. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers—who smoked a blunt in an ad—testified. Separate legislation on reciprocity for out-of-state patients also passed the full House.
​
 
Moar News




FEDERAL
The Food and Drug Administration is proposing to ban menthol-flavoredcigarettes as well as all characterizing flavors other than tobacco in cigars.

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) said he would like to see President Joe Biden "evolve a little further on marijuana," which he called a "very powerful electoral issue."

Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI) tweeted, "I’m grateful that @POTUS has begun to use his executive authority to pardon incarcerated Americans serving long sentences for non-violent marijuana offenses. It’s time to end the failed war on drugs, decriminalize marijuana and bring our loved ones home."

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) spoke about the prospects for her marijuana legalization bill and separately announced that Insurance Agents & Brokers of South Carolina endorsed the legislation.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) tweeted a video of Rep. Fred Keller describing substance misuse as a health issue, saying, "I'm glad some of my GOP colleagues have finally recognized that addiction needs to be treated as a health issue and not a criminal issue. I look forward to Rep. Keller cosponsoring my Drug Policy Reform Act to have the @HHSGov address addiction instead of the @TheJusticeDept."

Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) tweeted, "Our border crisis is not just at the border. In #CA25, transnational criminal orgs. continue to run illegal marijuana grows. They are stealing water & land, harming the environment, & threatening residents. This problem is fueled by @SecMayorkas failing to secure the border."

Former Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) spoke about the parallels between cannabis and cryptocurrency.

Louisiana Democratic Senate candidate Gary Chambers posted a video of himself accepting an award at the National Cannabis Festival.

Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, currently the lieutenant governor, tweeted, "Legal Weed: Is supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans and has caused ZERO overdose deaths like ever. GOP + Joe Manchin: BuT ReeFeR MaDneSs"

Ohio Republican congressional candidate Michael Morgenstern said he supports moving marijuana to Schedule III.



STATES
Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) allowed bills authorizing marijuana home delivery, expanding medical cannabis caregiver protections and letting people with prior marijuana convictions work in the industry to be enacted without her signature. Separately, a law that blocks regulators from independently enacting new medical cannabis rules took effect.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) suggested that lawmakers should revisit a bill to regulate cannabis products that he sought to amend by reinstituting criminal penalties for possessing more than two ounces of marijuana. Meanwhile the Senate president pro tem tweeted about the failure of the governor's cannabis criminalization amendment, saying, "I told you marijuana was more popular than Glenn Youngkin."

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said his office has received more than 1,100 emails on medical cannabis since he began accepting input on the issue last week and that he plans to take some kind of executive action this summer.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) toured a hemp processing facility.

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, announced that her department will host a cannabis equity summit in June.

The Missouri House Special Committee on Government Oversight approved a Senate-passed bill to allow medical cannabis businesses to deduct expenses on their taxes.

The Louisiana House Agriculture Committee approved a bill to make it easier for people with criminal records to work in the medical cannabis industry. Separately, the House Judiciary Committee rejected legislation to create a system of taxes and regulation for recreational marijuana in the event it is legalized.

The Ohio House Government Oversight Committee held another hearing on a Senate-passed bill to broadly expand medical cannabis access.

A New York assemblymember filed a bill to require local governments and county health officials be responsible for inspecting cannabis businesses.

New Jersey lawmakers are planning to file a bill to require school bus drivers to be drug tested twice a year.

California regulators published emergency CBD rules and are accepting public comments.

Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture tweeted, "Pa.’s first home made out of ‘hempcrete’ was unveiled last Friday in New Castle. 🌿🏠 The material is made from just three ingredients, hemp hurd (the inner woody core of the industrial hemp stalk), lime and water."
 
Hippie420 said:
Banning menthol cigarettes? Be prepared to watch major cities burn this summer.
Click to expand...




oh man those Newport and Kool addicts are some mean mother truckers!





C7321DB0-64AE-4CC6-AA8D-5D7CC030EC10.jpeg


1CEFA0F0-B81D-4AA2-BF85-64D574785584.jpeg






I know , I know…..






306EF58C-3245-4747-A612-7CDD5D49F195.jpeg





oh man , lighten up , get them panties out of a wad , remove that burr in the saddle , let your hair hang down





 
Hippie420 said:
Banning menthol cigarettes? Be prepared to watch major cities burn this summer.
Click to expand...
Menthol butts are already banned here in Massachusetts. I used to smoke cigs and loved my Newports. If I get diagnosed with sumpin’ terminal, I am heading to New Hampster to pick up some Newports. I didn’t think about burning cities when they enacted the ban. When they banned ‘mean looking guns’, that is a different story…
 
Start Mondays off by reading the News






TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) chief counsel spoke about the state of a pending marijuana legalization bill and when it might make sense to allow incremental reforms like cannabis banking to advance.
​
Ohio activists filed a lawsuit to protect their ability to place a marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot. Republican legislative leaders are suggesting the measure may need to be bumped to a future cycle on procedural grounds.
​
The Colorado Senate sent Gov. Jared Polis (D) a bill to legalize MDMA prescriptions in the state when it gets FDA approval.
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Florida Agricultural and Consumer Services Commissioner Nikki Fried, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, explained her lawsuit on Second Amendment rights for medical cannabis patients in a discussion with gun violence prevention activists. Marijuana Moment spoke to the father of a Parkland shooting victim, who organized the meeting and who supports the effort.
​
Pennsylvania House lawmakers filed a new marijuana banking and tax relief bill after the Senate passed its own version this month.
​
 
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