The House of Representatives approved a marijuana banking bill. The SAFE Banking Act cleared the chamber three times last Congress but got blocked in the Republican-controlled Senate. Hopes are high now that Democrats run both chambers of Congress, however.
Twenty-one governors, 51 state and territory banking associations and a group of state treasurers sent letters calling on Congress to pass the marijuana banking bill.
A new Pew Research Center poll found that 91% of Americans now support legalizing marijuana for recreational or medical use.
In a new Federal Register filing, the U.S. Postal Service is instructing hemp and CBD companies about how they can potentially apply for exemptions to a new federal law that generally bans the mailing of vaping devices.
North Carolina’s Senate president pro tempore noted strong public support for medical cannabis after the body’s Rules Committee chairman filed a bill on the issue.
/ FEDERAL
The Biden administration is reportedly considering requiring tobacco companies to lower nicotine levels in cigarettes.
A federal judge denied a company’s request for an injunction to prevent Customs and Border Protection from blocking its shipments of hemp processing machines.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture tweeted about the availability of revenue protection insurance for hemp.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Barbara Lee (D-CA) spoke about why they believe Vice President Kamala Harris will advocate behind the scenes for President Joe Biden to evolve on marijuana.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) said he has a lot of concerns about marijuana legalization.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted a tribute to marijuana legalization pioneer Steve Fox, who passed away last week.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) tweeted about a new poll showing support for cannabis legalization, saying, “Your 4/19 reminder that marijuana should be legalized nationwide.”
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) tweeted, “Everything in politics seems impossible, until it happens. Time to remove cannabis from the schedule of controlled substances. Spending even one dime of taxpayer funds on federal marijuana investigations and prosecutions is dumb.”
Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA) toured a CBD lab.
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) conditionally vetoed a medical cannabis telehealth bill because he said it places “undue limitations” on patients.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) suggested that passage of a marijuana legalization bill could be delayed until next year due to disagreements among Democrats over key provisions.
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor will participate in a 4/20 rally at the state Capitol on Tuesday.
Alabama’s House speaker said it will likely be a few more weeks until a Senate-passed medical cannabis bill comes up for a floor vote.
Wisconsin’s House speaker said there is “substantial support” among Republicans for medical cannabis.
The California Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee approved a bill to let cities and counties opt into letting the state manage marijuana regulations for them.
A Florida representative who is sponsoring a bill to enact THC potency caps on medical cannabis is conceding that it is all but dead for the session.
The Washington, D.C. Council is set to vote on a bill to let formerly incarcerated people work in the marijuana industry on Tuesday.
Ohio regulators voted to more than double the number of medical cannabis dispensaries.
New Mexico regulators are accepting applications to serve on the new Cannabis Regulatory Advisory Committee. Separately, the health secretary said medical cannabis dispensary workers should be viewed similarly to pharmacists when it comes to coronavirus vaccine eligibility, a stance that undermines the state’s position in a lawsuit about taxing the product in a way that other medicines are not.
Colorado regulators issued a health and safety advisory about potentially unsafe levels of yeast and mold and lead on medical cannabis flower produced by Primal LLC.
Nevada regulators are extending the expiration of active marijuana temporary agent registration cards until June 30.
New Hampshire regulators approved a new medical cannabis dispensary to operate.
Washington State regulators posted information about potential new rules on pesticide and heavy metal testing for marijuana. They also sent a newsletter with other cannabis information. Meanwhile, the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force’s Licensing Workgroup will meet on Wednesday.
Minnesota regulators published updated data on participation in the medical cannabis program.
/ LOCAL
The Denver, Colorado City Council approved legislation to allow marijuana delivery services and social consumption areas.
The Wilmington, Delaware City Council passed a resolution endorsing a statewide marijuana legalization bill.
A new Dallas, Texas policy to avoid most marijuana arrests took effect.
/ INTERNATIONAL
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke about what he sees as the harms of marijuana and drug use.
The Philippine deputy House speaker said a proposed bill to legalize medical cannabis is dead.
Argentinian lawmakers are considering medical cannabis legislation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “phytocannabinoids have demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-acne properties by various mechanisms.”
A review concluded that “cannabis, cannabis-derived products and synthetic cannabinoids may slightly reduce disease activity in patients with [rheumatoid arthritis]” but that “its use may result in little to no difference in pain reduction and may slightly increase nervous system adverse events.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that New York voters support the state’s new marijuana legalization law, 57%-36%.
/ BUSINESS
Jushi Holdings Inc. is acquiring Nature’s Remedy of Massachusetts, Inc.
Colgate-Palmolive filed three patents for oral care formulas containing CBD.
Bespoke Financial announced it raised $8 million in a Series A financing round.
Tilray, Inc. is being sued for allegedly intentionally sabotaging a Florida nursery’s medical cannabis license application.
Parallel is investing $25 million in a new cannabis cultivation, production and retail facility in Texas.
/ CULTURE
Chelsea Handler authored an op-ed on the need for marijuana reform.
April 19th
The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a marijuana banking bill on Monday. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said President Joe Biden is already where he needs to be to get a bill to federally legalize marijuana enacted. The confusion comes down to a semantic misunderstanding about what the terms “decriminalization” and “legalization” mean at the federal level, he said.
A bipartisan coalition of House and Senate lawmakers filed bills to federally legalize medical marijuana for military veterans. The Minnesota House State Government Finance and Elections Committee became the seventh panel to approve the majority leader’s marijuana legalization bill. He expects a floor vote next month. The Washington State Senate took up a bill to decriminalize drugs but gutted and replaced it with provisions making possession a misdemeanor instead of a felony. While the House of Representatives decides what to do, drug possession is currently effectively legal under a recent state Supreme Court ruling. / FEDERAL Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) indicated they are open to supporting legislation to increase research on the potential benefits of psychedelics. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Cornyn (R-TX), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-IL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and other lawmakers discussed the shifting positions on drug decriminalization of associate attorney general nominee Vanita Gupta in a Senate floor debate. Cornyn tweeted that “she lied under oath to the Senate Judiciary about her support for decriminalizing simple possession of all drugs, including but not limited to marijuana.” Sen. Angus King (I-ME) said he’s optimistic about passing a marijuana banking bill. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “I am proud to introduce the Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act of 2021 alongside @brianschatz to empower and educate veterans about treating chronic conditions with medical marijuana where it’s legal.” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted that he is “honored to join my colleagues in both parties to introduce this critical [medical cannabis] legislation for our veterans!” Louisiana Democratic congressional candidates agreed on marijuana legalization during a debate. The Senate marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 32. The House marijuana banking bill got 17 new cosponsors for a total of 168. / STATES Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) signed a hemp legalization bill. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed a bill providing an affirmative defense for drivers who test positive for marijuana metabolites. Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed a bill establishing a hemp licensing program. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) sent a press release about the fifth anniversary of the state’s medical cannabis program. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D) attended a fundraiser for his campaign that was hosted by medical cannabis cultivators. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) tweeted, “Legalizing marijuana and regulating and taxing it much like we do alcohol is the right thing to do for Wisconsin. And according to @MuLawpoll, nearly 60% of Wisconsinites agree.” The lieutenant governor tweeted, “Seventeen states, including our neighbors in Illinois and Michigan, have already legalized medical and recreational marijuana, and the majority of Wisconsin voters think we should too. That’s why our #BadgerBounceback agenda regulates and taxes marijuana—just like we do alcohol.” The California Senate Agriculture Committee approved a bill to allow CBD as a food, beverage and dietary supplement. The Montana Senate Select Committee on Marijuana Law held another meeting to discuss legalization implementation legislation. A Massachusetts court upheld the town of Bourne’s local ban on marijuana businesses. A South Carolina senator authored an op-ed on why law enforcement is wrong to oppose his medical cannabis bill. Michigan regulators published a bulletin on marijuana testing requirements. Maryland regulators published several new medical cannabis guidance documents. New Mexico regulators are being asked by medical cannabis companies to increase plant limits. Utah regulators are seeking applications to join a medical cannabis production advisory board. Missouri regulators posted data on medical cannabis facility inspections. The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Monday.
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