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RI legal cannabis heads to gov’s desk to be signed into law (Newsletter: May 25, 2022)
DE gov vetoes marijuana bill; MN hemp & CBD protections approved; Study: Cannabis strain labeling system unreliable
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Rhode Island House of Representatives and Senate passed identical bills to legalize marijuana, sending the legislation to the desk of Gov. Dan McKee (D), who supports legalizing cannabis and plans to sign the reform into law on Wednesday.
Delaware Gov. John Carney (D) vetoed a bill to legalize marijuana possession—but lawmakers have the votes to potentially override him.
Minnesota lawmakers sent Gov. Tim Walz (D) a bill to clarify that hemp-derived products—including CBD-infused foods and drinks—are legal in the state.
A new study found that the commonly used marijuana strain labeling system—including categories like indicia and sativa—doesn’t generally correspond to the actual cannabinoid and terpene content of cannabis in a meaningful way.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking a contractor to provide an upgraded greenhouse LED lighting system “suitable for production of vigorous high-quality hemp and vegetable plant genetic resources.”
Congress.gov reported that a federal marijuana legalization bill was the sixth-most-viewed piece of legislation last week.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) tweeted, “I support the bipartisan #SAFEBankingAct. It’s time the federal government stopped forcing Arizona’s cannabis businesses to operate as cash only and gave access to basic financial services. This is a common sense, pro-business effort that would improve safety and livelihoods.”
Reps. Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Cliff Bentz (R-OR) coauthored an op-ed claiming that Attorney General Merrick Garland’s comment on cannabis enforcement have “encouraged drug cartels to produce cannabis ‘grows’ in pro-cannabis states farmed by thousands of migrants illegally trafficked across the southern border.”
Wisconsin Democratic Senate candidate Mandela Barnes, currently the lieutenant governor, tweeted, “Every day that passes without marijuana legalization in Wisconsin is a day that injustices go uncorrected and our economy misses out on a $33 billion industry.”
/ STATES
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed a bill prohibiting discrimination against medical cannabis patients in housing and education. Separately, regulators recalled certain medical marijuana products following alleged rules violations by a testing laboratory.
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, tweeted, “I have been fighting for medical marijuana patients for a long time and legalization for even longer. We need DC to move. For decades people have tried to move the country on legalization to no avail.”
Kansas lawmakers sent Gov. Laura Kelly (D) a bill to allow federally approved cannabis medicines, but a provision to decriminalize fentanyl test strips was removed.
The Louisiana Senate Judiciary C Committee approved legislation to make it easier for people to expunge marijuana convictions, lower penalties for cannabis paraphernalia and bar police from searching homes over the small of marijuana.
The Indiana Legislative Council voted to create summer study committees on marijuana.
The North Carolina Senate Agriculture Committee considered hemp legislation. Separately, senator filed a marijuana legalization bill.
The West Virginia legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary discussed workplace issues for medical cannabis patients.
An Ohio representative said a delay on a marijuana legalization ballot measure until next year may remove pressure on lawmakers to enact medical cannabis expansion legislation this session.
Mississippi regulators filed proposed medical cannabis tax rules.
California regulators are proposing additional modifications to marijuana smoke and THC exposure warnings.
Michigan regulators issued an advisory bulletin about increased criminal activity and social engineering attacks against marijuana businesses.
Maryland’s top medical cannabis regulator took a job at a law firm that has a marijuana practice.
New Jersey regulators approved additional marijuana business licenses.
Vermont regulators approved additional marijuana cultivation licenses.
Washington State regulators are accepting registrations for cannabis businesses to receive security assessments.
Oregon regulators published a guide list on pesticides and cannabis.
The Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Friday.
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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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania city controller recommended that police develop a formal policy for marijuana arrests.
Ridgeland, Mississippi activists are collecting signatures to place a measure on the ballot to overturn a local ban on medical cannabis businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Argentinian President Alberto Fernández announced the enactment of a medical cannabis and hemp law.
Canada’s health minister met with counterparts from Uruguay and New Zealand to discuss legal cannabis and other issues.
Malaysian and Thai officials discussed cannabis and other issues.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study indicated that “CBD and its derivatives could be promising agents for the prevention of human colorectal cancer.“
A study found that “heavy and chronic cannabis addiction does not impact motor function.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association expressed concerns about marijuana legalization legislation.
The Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund is a new organization that seeks to “help strengthen Indigenous communities’ efforts to preserve traditional medicines.”
/ BUSINESS
MedMen Enterprises Inc. received a summary judgment in its favor on all counts in a lawsuit filed against the company by Whitestar Solutions, LLC.
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. appointed a new chief people officer.
New Jersey retailers sold $24 million worth of recreational marijuana products in the first month of legal sales.
/ CULTURE
Bill Maher spoke to Killer Mike about how he used to sell marijuana.
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