Marijuana sentencing reform approved; German legalization update; AR medical marijuana gun bill passes; WA psilocybin; Senate drug reforms; MO taxes
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/ TOP TIPS
Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D–NY) will be speaking at a marijuana event inside the U.S. Capitol Building on 4/20.
The U.S. The U.S. Sentenncing Commission approved guidelines amends that suggested federal judges should treat prior marijuana possession offenses with more respect when deciding on sentencing. The reform will be effective November 1, if Congress doesn’t block it.
Germany’s health minister stated that the government would unveil its marijuana legalization bill shortly after Easter. He seems to be denying recent reports that it will be reduced, and stating that “legalization has been planned throughout the country.”
Senator Mike Lee (R.UT) and Dick Durbin (D.IL) were the leaders of a bipartisan group that filed new bills to reduce mandatory minimum sentences in nonviolent federal drug convictions. They also sought to protect those facing such charges from being placed under pre-trial detention.
Arkansas House of Representatives approved a bill clarifying that patients who use medical cannabis can get concealed carry licenses to purchase firearms.
After defeating a GOP-led attempt to restore its original provisions, which allowed broad legal access to the psychotropic drug, the Washington State House Appropriations Committee sent the Senate-passed bill for research on the therapeutic effects of psilocybin (Senate-passed) to a floor vote.
Voters in Missouri’s dozens of counties and municipalities approved ballot measures for local marijuana taxes.
/ FEDERAL
The Department of Justice has rejected any suggestion that federal prison inmates be allowed to live at home as a result of drug convictions.
Researchers from the National Institutes of Health discussed the creation of a new Psychedelic Science and Medicine Interest Group.
Rep. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), argued that Colorado’s legalization has resulted in homelessness.
/ STATES
Richard Nelson, a Louisiana Republican governor candidate, said that the argument for legalizing cannabis is not about whether it is good, or bad. He is currently a state representative. It is better to have a controlled product, with known ingredients, that was purchased from a legitimate company and taxes to offset any harm than street drugs that only fund drug dealers or cartels. Prohibition doesn’t end drug use. It just funds violence and undermines faith in the government, much like alcohol. Supporting limited government, free markets and individual liberty is consistent with ending prohibition.
Kentucky’s Senate President spoke out about the newly enacted medical marijuana law. He said he wasn’t “for it or against” it, but that he was satisfied with the outcome.
An investigation into corruption into whether bribes were used to influence the licensing of marijuana businesses will lead to the arrest of a former speaker in Michigan’s House.
Wisconsin’s Senate Minority Leader tweeted that the National Basketball Association’s marijuana policy reform “sounds great to me.”
Arkansas House Management Committee approved a resolution asking regulators to reduce the medical cannabis patient registration fee by half and increase the validity of patients’ cards from one to two years. In separate news, the state has accumulated $97.2 million in medical marijuana revenue since 2019.
Senator from Pennsylvania said that he met with members of the Cannabis Caucus and the Department of Health to discuss legalization.
Virginia Court of Appeals affirmed regulators’ revocation of PharmaCann Virginia LLC’s conditional permit to operate a cannabis processing facility.
According to Vermont’s top cannabis regulator, President Joe Biden’s pardons for marijuana “are largely symbolic”, “don’t move anyone out federal prison” or “don’t mitigate any harms that convictions have caused.”
Connecticut’s Social Equity Council approved four additional marijuana equity joint ventures and four workforce development plans. It also approved a social equity plan.
The Montana regulators have posted an updated list with regional cannabis inspectors.
Minnesota regulators reminded that applications for hemp cultivation and processing are due by April 30.
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/ LOCAL
Anchorage, Alaska voters approved a ballot initiative to use marijuana revenue for child care and early education.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors, California approved an ordinance that sets tax rates for cannabis businesses located in unincorporated areas.
Two marijuana facilities in Phoenix, Arizona are under investigation by authorities after complaints of odors.
/ INTERNATIONAL
India’s Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue is looking into the possibility of decriminalizing drug use.
In Thailand, the Civil Court issued an injunction prohibiting a politician campaigning against the Bhumjaithai Party over its cannabis policy. This was in anticipation of the outcome of a lawsuit.
According to reports, Prince Harry of the UK was honest about his past drug use in relation to his U.S. visa application.
/ SCIENCE AND HEALTH
An analysis of marijuana dispensaries revealed that the “age verification rates” were high.
MAPS Public Benefit Corporation announced that participants to a study of MDMA-assisted therapy (PTSD) “demonstrated a lasting response at least 6 months and in some cases a full year after their final session.”
/ ADVOCACY & OPINION & AANALYSIS
The Kentucky Democratic Party tweeted that “Just a few month after @AndyBeshearKY’s historic executive action allowing medical marijuana use, the legislature finally submitted a legalization bill on his desk.” Gov. Governor Beshear leads Kentucky forward.”
/ BUSINESS
Paychex will no longer provide certain services to cannabis-related businesses.
Hightimes Holding Corp. has been sued for failing to settle a dispute over the sale of the domain 420.com.
SC Labs and ACT Laboratories launched a standard for cannabis testing certification.
In March, Illinois retailers sold legal recreational marijuana products worth $134.8 Million to customers.
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The post Schumer speaks at Capitol’s 4/20 Cannabis Event (Newsletter: April 6,2023) was first published on Marijuana Minute.
