Congresswoman: Grow cannabis in Botanic Gardens; Orgs push marijuana banking
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Top Things to Know
Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer (D) hopes that a marijuana banking legislation will be scheduled to be voted on “in the near-future” and is reiterating his plans to attach criminal justice provisions when the bill comes to the floor.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, came out in favor of legalizing pot through a state-run system of stores.
The Minnesota House and Senate Conference Committee held their first meeting on Monday to start reconciling the differences between the two chambers’ marijuana legislation bills into one proposal that will be sent to the Governor to sign into law. A new poll indicates voter support for this reform.
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, (D-DC), is asking the U.S. Botanic Garden to grow marijuana near the Capitol Building, after it recently started displaying hemp.
Several organizations–including the American Bankers Association and all 50 of its state affiliates, the Teamsters, the Independent Community Bankers of America and nine insurance groups–are calling on the Senate to pass a marijuana banking bill.
Missouri lawmakers sent Gov. Mike Parson (R), a Missouri lawmaker, introduced a bill that would allow state agencies to share information about cannabis inspections and licensing with financial institutions.
Montana lawmakers sent an assortment of marijuana reform legislation to Governor. This session, Greg Gianforte (R) received a mixed bag of marijuana reform bills. They included ones that would extend a ban on new businesses, alter testing rules, raise license fees, and restrict Delta-8-THC products.
Federal
Five former directors of White House Office of National Drug Control Policy wrote a letter to Senate Banking Committee leaders urging them to reject the marijuana banking bill.
The Drug Enforcement Administration granted the first license for growing whole psilocybin mushroom to Ohio State University, and Inner State Inc.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, suggested at a hearing during which she said that marijuana unregulated in her state was laced with fentanyl.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, (D-OR), tweeted: “Legal cannabis companies should be able access to the financial services that they need!” I’m trying to get the SAFE Banking Act finally passed.”
Sen. Steve Daines (R – MT) tweeted: “When legal businesses have to operate entirely in cash, this opens the door for violent crime & fraudulent activity.” It’s time to fix this problem for the benefit MT businesses, banks & law enforcement.”
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-AK, said that cannabis legislation is “a wildcard,” including a bill on banking.
Rep. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-CA, has appointed Dan Crenshaw (R – TX) to head a taskforce focused on “neutralizing Mexican drug cartels.”
Three new co-sponsors have been added to the House marijuana banking legislation, bringing it up to 22.
Two new co-sponsors have been added to the House bill that would seal federal marijuana records. This brings the total up to seven.
STATES
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a bill allowing medical cannabis companies to expand their cultivation facilities.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D), signed a law to decriminalize the use of fentanyl testing strips.
Colorado lawmakers sent Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat from Colorado, was sent a bill that would restrict products derived from hemp.
Wisconsin’s Senate Minority Leader tweeted: “Prohibition does not work for our state.” Let’s #LegalizeIt to make Wisconsin safer!
The Ohio Senate General Government Committee heard testimony on a bill that would expand the medical marijuana program.
New York Assembly Standing Committee on Banks conducted an hearing on the banking of cannabis.
Illinois lawmakers are examining a cannabis omnibus law that addresses issues such as changes to the craft grow canopy, curbside pick-up and transporting organisations.
At a hearing, a Pennsylvania senator asked the state’s acting secretary of health about the regulators’ oversight over doctors who recommend medical marijuana.
A spokesperson for Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services stated that the agency “moves quickly” in preparation to launch the medical marijuana program “much sooner should the General Assembly decide on speeding up its timeline.”
Oklahoma regulators have taken action against an alleged illicit marijuana cultivation operation.
Iowa’s Medical Cannabidiol Board has postponed its Friday meeting because of “late notice issues with quorum.”
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/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s Health Minister, who is also running for Prime Minister, voted in the election wearing a marijuana leaf shirt.
Former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has filed a medical cannabis bill. She is now the senior deputy speaker of the House. Separately a court dismissed the drug charge filed against a former Senator who was incarcerated in prison for six years. The outspoken critic to the bloody “war” on drugs of the country, the former senator has been in jail since 2006.
Amsterdam City Council has voted to prohibit outdoor marijuana smoking within the red-light district.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
According to a review, “numerous published studies indicate that CBD has a significant ability to modulate mammalian tissues to attenuate or reverse the notorious symptoms of chronic musculoskeletal diseases.”
/ ADVOCACY / OPINION AND ANALYSIS
According to a poll, Oregon voters are in favor of reintroducing criminal penalties for drug use. The results were 63 percent versus 33 percent.
A spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics wrote an op-ed in which he expressed his concerns regarding the marketing of marijuana towards children.
The Boston Herald’s editorial board urges states to take their time in considering the legalization of marijuana.
/ BUSINESS
Schwazze has acquired certain assets from Cannabis Care Wellness Centers LLC and Green Medicals Wellness Center No. 5, LLC.
Jushi Holdings Inc. posted quarterly revenue of $69.9 millions and a loss of $12,4 million.
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. posted quarterly revenue of 17 million dollars and a loss of $2.9million.
Lowell Farms Inc. posted a quarterly net loss of $4,000,000 and reported a quarterly net revenue $7.5 million.
Canopy Growth Corporation intends to re-file some financial statements following the identification of “material misstatements”.
CULTURE
2 Chainz went to the store with Sarah Silverman for Vice’s episode “Most Expensive.”
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The article NH Gov backs legal marijuana in state stores (Newsletter May 15, 2023) first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
