Cannabis banking bill comes back to Congress (Newsletter: March 18, 2021)

Negotiations over marijuana in New York continue. VT Drug Decrim Bill; Fmr. GOP congress staff calls for collaboration with cannabis; CO sales

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) said negotiations to legalize marijuana, despite its mounting scandals, are “making good progress” and that his staff will be “working on it” this weekend.

The Wyoming House Judiciary Committee approved a Republican-led marijuana legalization bill sponsored by the panel chairman and house spokesman. A former US Senator and Governor of Rhode Island who now lives in Wyoming testified in support.

Vermont lawmakers tabled a new bill to decriminalize drugs. This follows separate, psychedelics-focused legislation introduced in the state last month.

In a new statement on Marijuana Moment, the former Republican Chief of Staff of the House Judiciary Committee calls for bipartisan collaboration on federal cannabis reform.

“We should think of cannabis reform as a process rather than a moment.”

Colorado retailers sold more than $ 187 million in legal marijuana products in January. The state has had total sales of over $ 10 billion since the legal cannabis trade began in 2014.

/ FEDERAL

The Food and Drug Administration sent a letter warning Cannafyl not to claim that its CBD products could treat or prevent coronavirus.

The National Labor Relations Board is considering approving workers for a Denver-owned marijuana grower owned by TweedLeaf for a union certification vote with the Local 26 Chapter of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Millers Union.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “We must finally end the federal marijuana ban, advance criminal justice reform, and ensure justice for communities affected by the war on drugs. That’s why I’m working with @SenBooker and @RonWyden on legislation for major marijuana reform. “

In a keynote address, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) criticized Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta for her past stance on the decriminalization of drugs.

Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), chairman of the minority House of Representatives, criticized the new stimulus legislation: “Your money will also be sent to San Francisco, where it is being used to give alcohol and marijuana to the homeless.”

Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) said he supported the marijuana banking legislation, saying the problem “should be smoothed out” at some point in the near future.

Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) tweeted that a claim made by Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts (R) that legalizing marijuana will kill children was “totally false. Marijuana should be legalized across the country. “

Former Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson interviewed the head of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies on her podcast.

The House bill to protect military veterans from losing their advantage over marijuana received a new co-sponsor for one total.

/ CONDITIONS

The Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania cut the ribbon at a new medical cannabis dispensary. Separately, in a lawsuit, the state is paying $ 475,000 to the estate of a man who was killed when he was knocked down by a bulldozer that state police were pursuing for growing marijuana plants.

The Virginia attorney general tweeted, “I will work to address previous marijuana convictions in Virginia and find a way to ensure we have a record wipe. I know marijuana legalization passed the General Assembly, but more work needs to be done to get it properly implemented. “

Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner tweeted, “Florida Republicans’ priorities during the legislature: … Restricting access to medical marijuana … Elections are important.”

The New Mexico House spokesman is “cautiously optimistic” that a law to legalize marijuana will be passed this year. Separately, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill on reciprocity for non-state medical cannabis patients, but abruptly pulled separate laws to legalize marijuana off its agenda.

The New Jersey Senate President tweeted, “The educational programs developed by @RowanUniversity and @Stockton_edu will help teach the next generation of #marijuana entrepreneurs how to thrive in this new industry, as well as communities across #SouthJersey #Jobs to offer.”

The Idaho Senate Agriculture Committee passed a law to legalize hemp.

Vermont Senators are working on laws to increase racial justice in the marijuana industry and address concerns among smallholders.

Colorado regulators passed new rules for the decontamination and remediation of marijuana, requirements for testing water activity, and allowances for businesses to centralize their grow operations.

Montana’s political practices commissioner noted that a group that spent $ 5 million on the state’s successful marijuana legalization initiative is not required to disclose its donors.

Nevada officials will allow marijuana companies to operate under coronavirus retail store guidelines from May 1, subject to local county decisions.

Michigan regulators plan to spend $ 20 million in marijuana tax revenue to fund medical research.

A California appeals court ruled that changes to the Humboldt County’s marijuana growing tax did not properly expand its scope.

Washington State and several counties are being sued to reclaim fines paid on simple drug possession cases.

Connecticut regulators are hosting a series of hemp webinars, including one on Wednesday.

The Kansas Industrial Hemp Advisory Board will meet on Friday.

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/ LOCAL

The Justice, Safety, and General Services Committee of the Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Board of Directors approved a measure to lower the fine for owning marijuana to $ 1.

A Dayton, Ohio police recruiting reform committee is considering allowing people who have used marijuana to become civil servants.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The Moroccan Governing Council approved a bill to legalize medical cannabis production.

New Zealand’s parliament has rejected a law regulating medical cannabis.

The Justice, Legislative Studies, and Health Committees of the Mexican Senate are currently reviewing changes the Chamber of Deputies has made to marijuana legalization legislation.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

One study found that “marijuana users are more or less likely to exercise than non-users.”

/ Advocacy, Opinion & Analysis

A survey found that Mexican adults support marijuana legalization, 52% -45%.

The Washington Post editors reject calls for Virginia’s marijuana legalization to go ahead.

The Omaha World Herald editorial team urges Nebraska lawmakers to legalize marijuana.

The Dallas Morning News editors welcomed the local police chief’s move to reduce marijuana arrests.

/ BUSINESS

Amazon is being sued for allegedly violating New York City law, which in most cases bans drug testing for marijuana before hiring.

Compass Pathways is led by Dr. Bronner called for allegedly working to undermine the implementation of Oregon’s voter-approved psilocybin therapy law.

Canopy Growth Corporation laid off 75 employees.

Acreage Holdings laid off 11 employees from the company.

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