NH legalization bill amended; MO psychedelics hearing; MD lawmakers vote to fund legal marijuana implementation; MI local drug decrim effort
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia of violating international law by blocking consular access to American basketball player Brittney Griner, who is being detained after allegedly being caught with cannabis vape cartridges at an airport. But the case is also highlighting the fact that American laws continue to jail people for marijuana.
The New Hampshire House Ways & Means Committee amended and approved a bill to legalize marijuana and conduct sales through state-run stores. The legislation, which recently got surprising praise from anti-legalization Gov. Chris Sununu (R), now heads back to the House floor for a second vote before potentially going to the Senate.
The Maryland House Appropriations Committee approved budget provisions for millions of dollars to help implement legalization of marijuana with the expectation that separate legislation to end prohibition will be enacted this year.
The Missouri House Health and Mental Health Policy Committee held a hearing on a bill to legalize a wide range of psychedelics for therapeutic use at designated care facilities while further decriminalizing low-level possession in general.
A group of students is leading a campaign to convince the Ann Arbor, Michigan City Council to pass a resolution decriminalizing drugs.
/ FEDERAL
The Environmental Protection Agency, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, released information it submitted to the White House in response to a Trump administration request for “data demonstrating the most significant negative trends” about marijuana.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “The struggles of Black business owners in the cannabis industry show how deeply seeded structural racism is in all institutions. It’s time for the federal government to step up and legalize cannabis and level the playing field for Black business owners.”
Rep.Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) tweeted about robberies of marijuana businesses, saying, “This has to stop. These are legal, legitimate businesses that shouldn’t have to worry about this type of public safety threat. It’s time for the Senate to take up and pass #SAFEBanking.”
Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) praised Minnesota regulators’ move to clarify CBD rules, tweeting, “Defining CBD as a non-controlled substance will help to clarify our laws and keep small business owners in Minnesota out of legal limbo. This is a big win for Minnesota’s hemp producers.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted, “Always looking for new organizations to join our coalition to pass the #StatesReformAct. If you or your staff would like to reach out to our office to meet, email our cannabis staff.”
/ STATES
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Cranley, a former Cincinnati mayor, tweeted that incumbent Republican Gov. “Mike DeWine thinks marijuana should be a crime, I think it should be a business. My plans to legalize recreational marijuana in Ohio will generate revenue and create jobs.”
Michigan’s attorney general and state lawmakers will speak at the Hash Bash event on April 2.
Washington State’s treasurer continued to point to robberies against marijuana businesses as a reason Congress should pass cannabis banking legislation.
Florida Democratic attorney general candidate Daniel Uhlfelder tweeted, “Floridians deserve an Attorney General like me who advocates *for* legalizing marijuana instead of the current Attorney General who *twice* took it upon her office to advocate against Florida voters even getting to vote on marijuana legalization.”
The Texas Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in a case challenging the state’s ban on smokable hemp on Tuesday.
A Georgia judge issued a restraining order against the Gwinnett County district attorney from prosecuting people for selling or possessing delta-8 and delta-10 THC extracts.
A New Hampshire representative authored an op-ed on her concerns about marijuana legalization.
A Maryland delegate tweeted, “Md is 1 of the states w the highest cannabis arrest rates in the country. It is not enough to legalize & expunge records. We must repair the harm done. Any legislation to legalize cannabis must include an equitable framework & reparations. The MGA has work to do before Sine Die.”
A New York assemblymember tweeted, “It’s time we pass medical #psilocybin in New York State.”
Arkansas regulators filed proposed amendments to medical cannabis rules.
Louisiana regulators amended hemp rules.
Minnesota’s Task Force on Medical Cannabis Therapeutic Research met.
Utah regulators sent an update on the medical cannabis program.
Connecticut regulators published data on the cannabis business licensing lottery.
New Jersey regulators are expected to vote on letting existing medical cannabis dispensaries sell recreational marijuana on Thursday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
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/ LOCAL
The Detroit, Michigan City Council is expected to vote on a proposal to allow recreational marijuana sales on Tuesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Rwanda’s government designated 134 hectares of land for cannabis production.
The Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Crime Prevention Council endorsed legalizing drugs.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “when cannabis was used in conjunction with standard medical treatment, many patients experienced an improved quality of life, pain, the ability to cope with pain, and better sleep quality.”
A study concluded that “immediate acquisition of a medical marijuana card increased the incidence and severity of cannabis use disorder (CUD) and resulted in no significant improvement in pain, anxiety, or depressive symptoms, but improved self-reported sleep quality.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of U.S. adults found that 33 percent have tried a product with CBD in it, 20 percent have consumed THC-infused foods and 15 percent have tried THC drinks.
ASTM International launched a standard symbol for intoxicating cannabis products.
The U.S. Cannabis Council organized lobbying meetings for marijuana company CEOs on Capitol Hill last week.
/ BUSINESS
Akerna reported quarterly revenue of $6.6 million and a net loss of $19.5 million.
Cresco Labs Inc. opened its 50th retail store.
Arizona retailers sold $115 million worth of recreational and medical marijuana products in January.
/ CULTURE
Mayim Bialik swatted down false claims that she has endorsed CBD products.
David Simon’s new HBO limited series We Own This City depicts police corruption in the war on drugs.
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