KS gov want medical marijuana; WI wants IL cannabis spending; NV psychedelics. TN lawmakers: Reunite family after marijuana arrest. MN legalization
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/ TOP TIPS
Reps. Morgan Griffith (Republican-Va.) and Angie Craig, (D-Minn) introduced new bills to Congress that provide a pathway for regulation of hemp derivatives such as CBD.
Kansas Gov. After a Senate committee voted to delay action on the measure, Laura Kelly (D), is encouraging Kansas residents to press their legislators to pass a medical marijuana bill.
An analysis by the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau was done for the Senate minority leader. It shows that residents of Wisconsin purchased $121 million worth legal marijuana in Illinois in 2022. This contributed about $36 million to tax revenue to the state.
The Minnesota Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee approved and advanced a bill for marijuana legalization.
Nevada legislators introduced a bill that legalized psilocybin, encourage research into the therapeutic effects of the psychedelic, and encourage MDMA studies.
Tennessee Democratic legislators are calling on state officials to reunite the family of five children who were taken from their parents after a traffic stop where a small amount marijuana was discovered.
/ FEDERAL
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy has announced funding of $275 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program (HIDTA).
Sen. Senator Steve Daines (R,MT) stated that he isn’t sure that cannabis banking legislation will be ready in time to be introduced before the Easter recess.
Rep. Greg Casar (D. Texas) spoke at a rally supporting a local San Antonio ballot initiative to decriminalize cannabis. He tweeted that “San Antonio police officers should be focusing on solving violent crime, not arresting people for marijuana possession, or abortion cases.” “I fully support the San Antonio Justice Charter, which was on the May ballot!”
Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), tweeted: “Illegal cannabis plants found on federal land using banned insecticides hurt wildlife and consumers, as well as Forest Service agents who are tasked to clean up. @RepLaMalfa and I introduced the TOXIC Act in an effort to address the enviro-damage and health consequences of this practice.
For a total of four, the House bill to protect veterans losing federal benefits over medicinal cannabis received one additional cosponsor.
/ STATES
Michigan Governor. Gretchen Whitmer (D), announced a process that allows social equity cannabis companies to identify themselves on a government site.
Virginia Governor’s spokesperson Glenn Youngkin (R), indicated his support for the hemp regulation bill currently on his desk.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D), tweeted: “Kentuckians support medicinal cannabis and many veterans with PTSD need access to safe and effective treatment. It’s because of this that I signed an EO allowing people with certain conditions to buy medical cannabis. It’s great that legislation is moving forward. It’s long overdue.
Mississippi legislators sent Gov. Tate Reeves (R), a bill revising the rules for medical cannabis.
Maryland House of Delegates approved preliminary approval for a bill that would prohibit police from detaining anyone over the smell of marijuana.
New Mexico Senate approved a bill to amend policies relating to the expulsion of marijuana records.
The majority leader of New York’s Assembly and other legislators are currently in discussions with the office. Kathy Hochul (D), is in talks with the office of Gov. about legislation that would increase enforcement against unlicensed cannabis sellers, and make changes to marijuana tax policies.
Florida House Health and Human Services Committee approved legislation that would allow doctors to recertify cannabis recommendations via telehealth.
Representative from Minnesota spoke out about the prospects of his marijuana legalization bill in this session.
A South Carolina senator stated that he believes he has the votes necessary to pass his medical marijuana legalization bill in this year’s legislative session.
A procedural challenge to the local San Antonio ballot initiative decriminalizing marijuana, blocking enforcement of abortion laws, and making other reforms was rejected by Texas’ Supreme Court.
Pennsylvania’s court ruled that workers’ comp insurance plans can pay for medical cannabis costs.
Arkansas’ Supreme Court upheld the decision of regulators to allow additional medical cannabis cultivation licenses.
Oregon regulators have acted on rules relating to artificially derived CBN, batch tagging and marijuana plants.
Washington State marijuana regulators have launched an enforcement education program.
Massachusetts marijuana regulators claimed that they accidentally released personal information as a response to a public record request.
On Monday, the Colorado Retail Marijuana Public Health Advisory Committee (Colorado’s Retail Marijuana Public Health Advisory Committee) will meet.
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/ LOCAL
Michael Bloomberg, former New York City Mayor, wrote an opinion piece criticizing the state’s legalization of marijuana.
President of the Cheyenne City Council in Wyoming plans to file a proposal for marijuana decriminalization.
After the approval by voters of a local marijuana decriminalization measure, San Marcos police in Texas are refusing any formal policy changes.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister, stated that the government must “catch up” and support the positive sector that cannabis has become.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the government must “very carefully” examine issues related to medical marijuana before changing any policy.
Taliban rule in Afghanistan imposed a prohibition on cannabis cultivation.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, cocaine production has “jumped dramatically” in the last two years.
One lawmaker from Western Australia spoke out about the Irish momentum for cannabis reform to recognize St. Patrick’s Day.
/ SCIENCE AND HEALTH
After multiple testing, a study concluded that there were no statistically significant increases in the rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for pedestrian/cyclist injuries or motor vehicle accidents after recreational cannabis legalization.
The findings of a study “support the role cannabinoids for the treatment of patients suffering from chronic tic disorders.”
/ ADVOCACY & OPINION & AANALYSIS
The Kentucky Democratic Party tweeted that “Nine out 10 Kentuckians believe Kentucky should become the next state to legalize cannabis.” It is past time that Republican legislators get this done and send a bill to @AndyBeshearKY.
Teamsters broadcast an interview about their efforts to unionize cannabis industry.
Podcast by the American Psychological Association about psychedelic therapies
Information about energy use by cannabis facilities was posted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
/ BUSINESS
HEXO Corp. reported quarterly net revenues of $24.2 millions and a total net loss of $11.1million.
Lowell Farms Inc. will be selling its Lowell Smokes, 35s and 35s brands.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged American Patriot Brands Inc., its CEO and other entities with fraud.
Columbia Care Inc.’s executive chair is now the chairman.
In February, legal marijuana products were sold by Michigan retailers for $216.4 Million.
CULTURE
Guillermo del Toro joked, “Marijuana’s very cheap” if he could bring a statue of Oscar to life.
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