AL House filibusters medical cannabis (Newsletter: May 5, 2021)

LA House Votes for Medical Marijuana Flower Legalization; Projection of Revenue from Legalization in New York; IL sees record sales; Study: Cannabis users are not lazy

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Mexican lawmakers missed the Supreme Court’s deadline of April 30 to legalize marijuana and have not requested another extension. There is now talk of a special session after the June elections – but the court could issue a new ruling in the meantime to put down the criminalization.

The Louisiana House of Representatives voted to legalize medicinal cannabis flowers under the state’s existing limited program. The panel also tabled a bill to prepare for broader legalization of recreational marijuana, as well as separate legislation to regulate hemp.

A new analysis of New York State Comptroller Projects says that marijuana legalization will generate $ 245 million in annual sales by fiscal year 2024-2025.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reported that April marijuana sales hit another monthly record, with nearly 2.5 million cannabis items purchased – valued at nearly $ 115 million.

A new study shatters lazy stoner stereotypes by finding that frequent marijuana users “engage in more physical activity than non-users”.

“Our results do not support the general perception of cannabis users as a sedentary lifestyle.”

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear appeals from marijuana companies trying to challenge their tax charges despite late filing.

The federal trial of allegations that a former Fall River, Massachusetts mayor sought bribes from marijuana companies began its second week.

The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee tweeted, “Last week @RepLouCorrea tabled bill to ensure VA applies the scientific rigor of a clinical trial framework while continuing to research cannabis use for veterans. It is important for VA to investigate whether, when, and for whom different forms and doses of cannabis can be effective. “

House Small Business Committee Chair Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) tweeted, “No legitimate and legal small business – including a cannabis company – should be excluded from support. I am working to ensure that they have access to credit that will not only help their businesses but also remove the inequalities that small business owners of colors face. “

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) noted his efforts to force roll-call votes on a marijuana banking law and other laws.

MP Conor Lamb (D-PA) tweeted: “Reforming the criminal justice system also means resetting the balance. I’ve worked with ATF agents who knew how to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them. But there were always more dollars and workers for the war on drugs. That needs to change. “

/ CONDITIONS

Tennessee’s lieutenant governor and spokesman for the House of Representatives said there is still a chance some form of medical cannabis law will be passed this year.

The Secretary of State of North Dakota told marijuana activists and other groups that due to population growth, they will now need to collect higher numbers of signatures to qualify for electoral initiatives, which is reflected in the latest census data.

The Illinois House spokesman tweeted, “For too long, color communities have been killed in the” war on drugs. ” Illinois needs fair cannabis licensing that prioritizes small vendors in communities disproportionately affected by cannabis criminalization. “

A committee from the Minnesota Legislative Conference will decide whether or not to include medical cannabis program extensions in the final draft of a bus health and personal services bill.

The Washington, DC Council is expected to examine a bill on Tuesday to help formerly incarcerated people obtain licenses for marijuana businesses.

Here’s a look at where the Colorado cannabis reform bills stand in the legislature.

The Massachusetts Supreme Court heard arguments about the scope of local marijuana regulations on one case.

New Mexico regulators have advised medical cannabis patients on how the new law to legalize marijuana will affect home growing limits. They also sent guidance on the re-licensing process for existing medical marijuana companies.

Washington state regulators have issued a clarifying statement regarding their position on Delta-8-THC.

Utah regulators have sent an update on the medical cannabis program.

West Virginia regulators sent a press release about the ability of patients and doctors to enroll in the medical cannabis program.

Nevada regulators have sent a renewal reminder on marijuana business licenses that expire late next month.

Oklahoma regulators have released an updated list of approved medical cannabis dispensaries.

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Tuesday.

South Dakota regulators will hold a hearing on May 17th on proposed medical cannabis regulations.

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/ LOCAL

The Mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, signed an ordinance banning most employers from doing marijuana testing before hiring.

Officials from San Diego, California are currently examining how equity can be increased in the cannabis industry.

Baltimore, Maryland’s attorney, spoke about her move to stop prosecuting many drug cases.

The Board of Supervisors in San Francisco, California confirmed new members to the Cannabis Oversight Committee.

Denver, Colorado regulators will hold briefings on licensing marijuana social screening Tuesday and Thursday.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The property lines in Vancouver, British Columbia’s proposal to decriminalize drugs to the Canadian federal government, have been criticized by proponents for being too low.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

One study found that “the approval of medical cannabis showed intermediate effects on opioid use that were dependent on initial opioid use” and that “larger observations of changes in [oral morphine equivalent] appear to be in patients who have received high doses of opioids. “

An upcoming study reportedly found that people with PTSD who received MDMA while on therapy experienced significantly greater reductions in the severity of their symptoms than people who received therapy and an inactive placebo.

/ Advocacy, Opinion & Analysis

A survey of doctors in Alabama found that 70% support the approval of medical cannabis and 42% support the legalization of marijuana.

The Bangor Daily News editors highlighted the benefits of a proposed law to decriminalize drugs.

/ COMPANIES

Tilray, Inc. will begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Wednesday following its merger with Aphria Inc.

Green Thumb Industries retired as a member of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois.

Organigram Holdings Inc. CEO resigns.

Acreage Holdings, Inc. and Medterra CBD, LLC are partners on a CBD company.

Aleafia Health Inc. has obtained a cannabis research license from the Canadian government.

TerrAscend Corp. completed the acquisition of GuadCo, LLC and KCR Holdings LLC.

Cresco Labs announced that the waiting period to acquire Cultivate Licensing LLC and BL Real Estate LLC has expired.

GW Pharmaceuticals plc received the UK Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2021 in the Innovation category.

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