MN Gov talks signing; MD Gov lets marijuana odor bill become law. CT Cannabis resentencing. OH Local Decrim. NV Police Hiring
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Top Things to Know
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), said that he will likely sign into law a marijuana legalization measure at a ‘big’ ceremony following Memorial Day next year. However, the state already launched a new website for its Office of Cannabis Management which is being created to regulate this market.
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), and officials from the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency have expressed concern that a section of the marijuana banking bill that is not widely known could compromise the ability of financial regulators to combat fraud and money laundering.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, has allowed a bill that would prevent police officers from using the smell or marijuana to justify searching vehicles or people to become law.
The Connecticut House of Representatives has passed a bill that will require courts to reduce sentences for marijuana convictions in a wider variety of cases and release those who are currently imprisoned on these charges.
Helena voters in Ohio approved a local ballot initiative to decriminalize cannabis. Over three dozen cities have now adopted similar reform measures in the state. A statewide cannabis legalization initiative is also on track to appear this November.
Nevada Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission proposes to stop blocking police officers from being hired because of prior marijuana convictions. Marijuana is now legalized in the state.
Federal
Customs and Border Protection reminded travelers that marijuana is still illegal on the federal level in the United States and that they should not try to cross the border.
Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Debbie Stabenow(D-MI), and John Boozman(R-AR) discussed potential hemp reforms through the Farm Bill.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, (D-OR), wrote in an email to constituents that “bipartisan support exists to add restorative Justice provisions” to his marijuana bank bill.
Rep. Rep.
Rep. Donald Payne, (D-NJ), tweeted that he met with the chairman of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
/ STATES
Oregon lawmakers sent Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat from Oregon, introduced a bill that would ensure middle and high schools students are taught about fentanyl and fake pills as well as the laws of good samaritans.
New Jersey’s Senate President said that during a commencement speech at Hudson County College, graduates “probably won’t remember who [he] is but you might take away that I was the one who legalized pot in New Jersey.”
Pennsylvania legislators have introduced a bill that will protect medical cannabis users from DUI charges.
Former Illinois Senator, who is now a regulator, wants to allow marijuana businesses the ability to sell their interest to investors.
Massachusetts regulators have canceled a pilot program for marijuana social consumption in favor of drafting broader regulations.
Tennessee regulators have published an announcement on the taxability for sales of cannabinoid-derived hemp products.
California’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce has announced that they have seized over $52 million worth of unlicensed marijuana in the first quarter of 2023.
The University of Kentucky Cannabis Center has awarded Kentucky State-funded marijuana grants.
Arkansas regulators have delayed making a decision about whether or not a medical marijuana dispensary could move.
Michigan regulators have published a report every month on the disciplinary actions taken against cannabis businesses.
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LOCAL
Denton, Texas Police continue to enforce marijuana laws on a racially disparate basis, while refusing the implement a local decriminalization legislation approved by voters.
The federal appeals court has dismissed a lawsuit filed against a Hamilton County deputy sheriff in Tennessee who recorded a colleague allegedly forcing a woman caught with marijuana to be baptized by him.
International
The leader of the Canadian Conservative Party criticised British Columbia’s policies of supplying illegal drugs in a safe manner to consumers.
Cook Islands officials will visit New Zealand in order to learn more about the medical cannabis program.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
According to a study, “adjuvant CBD treatment in adult patients with drug resistant focal epilepsy is effective, safe, and well tolerated. It also leads to a significant improvement in the quality of their lives.”
A study of rats found that “cannabidiol alleviates right ventricular fibrosis by inhibiting the transforming growth factor b pathway in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension.”
ADVOCACY / OPINION, ANALYSIS & OPINION
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, along with other organizations, has launched a global study on psychedelic usage.
BUSINESS
The chief financial officer of TILT Holdings Inc. has left the firm.
Canopy Growth Corporation has filed a revised Proxy Statement that includes updates about its strategy to speed up entry into the U.S. Market through Canopy USA LLC, the holding company.
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The article Dem Senator’s Cannabis Banking Concerns (Newsletter for May 23, 2023) first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
