Re-filing of the SAFE bill by both parties in Congress, MN legal cannabis reaches Senate floor, TX House approves cannabis decrim and ME interstate sale bill
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Top Things to Know
U.S. Senate Republicans have blocked a motion that would have encouraged the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to investigate the medical benefits of cannabis for veterans with PTSD or chronic pain.
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The Senate Republicans’ unwillingness to allow other marijuana reforms to progress, such as banking reforms, is raised by the failure of a simple measure that would have studied the medical benefits cannabis can provide to veterans with war wounds.
Bipartisan lawmakers from the House and Senate have re-filed a marijuana banking measure that they hope will be passed this Congress. The bill’s sponsors stated that the bill would be sent to the Senate Banking Committee by itself and could then be combined with gun rights and cannabis expungements measures.
The Minnesota Senate Finance Committee has approved a bill to legalize marijuana. It will now be voted on by the Minnesota Senate floor, which is expected at the end of this coming week. On Tuesday, the House approved a companion bill to legalize marijuana.
Texas House of Representatives gave initial approval to the decriminalization of marijuana bill. A separate, broader bill to legalize and control cannabis sales was also heard by a committee.
Maine’s representative has filed a bill that would legalize the interstate sale of marijuana. California and Oregon have already passed similar laws, and Washington’s Governor is currently considering a bill that lawmakers sent to him in this month.
Federal
The Drug Enforcement Administration Museum has posted a video on a flag that is dedicated to agents killed in the line-of-duty.
Rep. Lori Chavez DeRemer (R – OR) sent out a press statement about co-sponsoring the two marijuana reforms bills. She said, “Many States have adopted common-sense cannabis reforms and Congress must act to reflect that reality.” I am proud to support both the HOPE Act & PREPARE Act in order to help states prepare for an eventual end to the cannabis prohibition.
Rep. Warren Davidson, R-OH, tweeted: “The SAFE Banking Act has passed the House seven times – but the Senate is still inactive.” This bill is supported by 100% of Democrats, and about half of Republicans. “Senate Banking Chairman Brown and Senate Banking have done nothing.”
Two new co-sponsors have been added to the Senate bill that legalizes medical cannabis for veterans.
Seven new co-sponsors have joined the Senate bill that directs Veterans Affairs to examine medical cannabis. This brings the total to nine.
/ STATES
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, tweeted: “Great news for the recreational cannabis industry.” New Mexico is ranked fifth for the most jobs added over the past year. More than 2,500!
New York’s Assembly Majority Leader said that existing medical cannabis businesses in New York should be allowed to participate on the recreational marijuana market.
A representative from Idaho said that she was not optimistic about the prospects of marijuana reform in Idaho.
The Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that will prevent the opening of safe consumption sites where illegal drugs can be consumed.
Georgia regulators have issued licenses for the first medical marijuana dispensaries in the state.
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/ LOCAL
Denver, Colorado officials are hosting an event on May 4 to celebrate the launch the Cannabis Cares Program.
International
Belizean Prime Minster John Briceno has called for an investigation to determine the origins of the marijuana-infused candy that led to multiple hospitalizations.
Singapore executed a man who was convicted of conspiring with others to traffic marijuana. The United Nations Human Rights Office urged the country to “urgently revisit” the plan.
/ SCIENCE AND HEALTH
One study found that low dose oral THC could affect neural indices for fear learning and memories in adults who have experienced trauma. This “may be helpful for future therapeutic interventions” aimed at improving fear extinction memory and learning.
In a study, “in vitro or in vivo findings indicate that CBD exerts cellular-specific effects that can be exploited in order to enhance bone metabolism,” which indicates that “CBD use in an osteoporotic community may positively impact the bone morphology and warrants further research.”
/ ADVOCACY / OPINION AND ANALYSIS
The Los Angeles Times editorial staff said that tougher penalties on fentanyl would be a failure strategy, just as it has been with other substances in the past of the “war against drugs.”
/ BUSINESS
POSaBIT System Corporation reported a quarterly revenue of $24.9 Million.
Arkansas dispensaries have sold 25 million dollars worth of medical marijuana products in March. This is a monthly record.
CULTURE
U.S. Olympic long-jumper Tara Davis Woodhall received a one-month ban and her indoor national title was stripped after she tested positive for marijuana metabolites.
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The article Senate Republicans blocks cannabis research bill (Newsletter for April 27, 2023) first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
