280E passed by Congress; psilocybin approved for use in Washington; online marijuana sales approved in Colorado; PA’s safe consumption; NJ reverses Curaleaf; NM gov vetoes drug reform
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Top Things to Know
After 15 panel stops in this session, the Minnesota House Ways & Means Committee has approved a bill legalizing marijuana. The Senate Taxes Committee has advanced a companion bill that still needs to clear one hurdle before it can be considered on the floor of that chamber.
Washington State lawmakers sent Gov. Jay Inslee’s (D) bill creating a therapeutic psilocybin program and forming three new state agencies to prepare for wider legal access to psychedelics.
Rep. Rep.
The Colorado House of Representatives has passed a bill that allows online marijuana sales.
The Pennsylvania Democratic Senators who support legalizing marijuana have filed a brief to prevent the opening of a drug consumption facility that is “legal under federal law”. This is despite the fact that the cannabis they are seeking to allow on a state-level remains federally prohibited.
New Jersey regulators reversed the decision that Curaleaf was denied a license to sell recreational cannabis, but with certain conditions.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, vetoed a pair of sentencing reforms that would have prevented New Mexico from incarcerating individuals for simple drug possession.
Five children removed from their families following a traffic check in which a small quantity of marijuana was discovered have now been returned to them amid an outcry about Tennessee officials’ actions.
Federal
Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, wrote an op/ed in which she speculated about a possible cure for substance abuse disorders.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA, tweeted a link that said legal marijuana was turning New Yorkers “zombies,” adding “I saw them while I was there to protest the weaponization by a George Soros-funded DA against President Trump.”
/ STATES
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, signed a bill clarifying marijuana revenue allocations.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s (R) proposal is to transfer medical cannabis regulation from the Board of Pharmacy, to the Department of Commerce.
Pennsylvania’s Senate Majority Leader said that he would like to see the federal marijuana laws amended before state legislators address the issue.
Wisconsin’s Senate Minority Leader tweeted: “Support for #cannabis is growing across the Midwest and Nation – right here in Wisconsin, with 69% Wisconsinites supporting legalization.”
Tuesday, the Colorado Senate Finance Committee is holding a hearing to discuss a bill that would restrict hemp products. Separately regulators released a health-and-safety advisory regarding marijuana products that may contain dangerous levels of Aspergillus, mold and yeast. The Natural Medicine Advisory Board’s Emergency Response, Safety, Ethics Subcommittee is meeting on Wednesday.
The Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee heard testimony on a proposal to reduce the legal working age in the marijuana industry, from 21 to 19 years old.
A New Jersey Senator is trying to dissolve the Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
A California Senator posted a link of an op/ed written by a veteran who had benefited from psychedelics. He said, “So many sufferers from PTSD & mental health problems can benefit from psychedelic therapies — e.g. this vet for whom traditional meds lead him to heroin addiction.” He was able to escape that trap with psychedelics. We still criminalize psychedelics. “I’m a sponsor of SB 58, which would decriminalize them.”
A Missouri representative spoke on the therapeutic potential of psychoedelics.
Oklahoma legislators are examining several medical marijuana reform bills.
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/ LOCAL
Portland’s City Council is hosting a “Cannabis Dollars Working Session” at its meeting on May 30.
International
Helen Clark, former New Zealand prime minister, discusses her support for the legalization of drugs.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice has reiterated that the government is opposed to marijuana decriminalization.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
The review concluded that there was “no significant association” between legalization of cannabis and CUD treatment admissions. CUD admissions also decreased during the study period.
According to a study on mice, “CBDA has anti-[Alzheimer’s disease] effects” and can mitigate memory loss.
/ ADVOCACY / OPINION AND ANALYSIS
According to a poll, South Dakota voters are in favor of legalizing marijuana by 49 percent to 41 per cent.
The Maryland Association of Counties has published an overview of the impact of recent marijuana legislation on local governments.
The Cannabis Regulators Association wrote to congressional leaders urging them to create a regulatory framework to regulate hemp-derived cannabinoid product.
The Last Prisoner Project, McCann New York and the National Marijuana Policy Initiative launched a “Pen to Right History Campaign” to urge President Joe Biden to act and state governors to release marijuana prisoners.
The New York Daily News editorial staff is calling for the state attorney general’s office to focus its efforts on shutting down cannabis retailers who are not licensed.
BUSINESS
On Tuesday, Uber Eats & Leafly launched a partnership in British Columbia Canada to deliver cannabis via Uber Eats.
Jack in the Box is partnering with Weedmaps on a marketing stunt for 4/20.
Carl’s Jr. has launched a snack bag for $4.20.
CULTURE
Rapper Future talked about the new cannabis products that he supports.
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The article MN legal marijuana bill reaches House floor (Newsletter for April 18, 2023) first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
