D.C. Lawmakers Hold Joint Hearing On Marijuana Legalization Bill In Anticipation Of End To Federal Ban
Biden Pardons Turkeys, But White House Has ‘Nothing New’ On Relief For Marijuana Prisoners
Elizabeth Warren Pushes Biden To Do Mass Marijuana Pardons With The ‘Stroke Of A Pen’
Marijuana Activists Ask Governors To Request Federal Protections For Interstate Commerce
DUI Protections For Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Patients Derailed Following Police Pushback
Psychedelics Use Associated With 55 Percent Decrease In Daily Opioid Consumption, Study Finds
Marijuana Legalization In Canada Did Not Result In Increased Traffic Injuries, Study Finds
Using Marijuana With Psychedelics Intensifies The Mystical Experience, Study Finds
Legalizing Marijuana Reduces ‘Race-Based Arrests,’ American Medical Association Study Finds
Government-Grown Marijuana Is Genetically Closer To Hemp Than Cannabis Sold In Dispensaries, Another Study Finds
Seth Rogen And Sarah Silverman Partner With Marijuana Businesses To Press Senators For Legalization
Singer Melissa Etheridge And Activist Van Jones Promote Psychedelics Reform As Movement Grows
Sanjay Gupta Explains His Marijuana Reversal And Discusses ‘Very Biased’ U.S. Research With Joe Rogan
Farmers Switch From Raising Chickens For Slaughter To Growing Hemp With Help Of Animal Advocacy Group
NBA Won’t Randomly Drug Test Players For Marijuana For Another Season, League Announces
Arizona Marijuana Equity Program Could Benefit Big Businesses, Critics Say
Illinois Has Sold More Than $1 Billion In Marijuana So Far This Year, State Officially Announces
Bank Of America Cancels Account Of Marijuana And Psychedelics Research Institute Registered With DEA
Americans Want To Live Where Marijuana Is Legal, Real Estate Survey Finds
Nevada Sold More Than $1 Billion In Marijuana In One Year, Officials Report
Biden Pardons Turkeys, But White House Has ‘Nothing New’ On Relief For Marijuana Prisoners
Elizabeth Warren Pushes Biden To Do Mass Marijuana Pardons With The ‘Stroke Of A Pen’
Schumer Wants To Keep ‘Big Boys’ Out Of Marijuana Industry And Says Legalization Bill Is Passable
GOP Congresswoman Says She Used Marijuana To Treat Depression After Being Raped
Biden’s FDA Pick Prescribed Cannabinoid Medicine And Recognized Marijuana’s Therapeutic Potential
Schumer talks ‘big boys’ in cannabis (Newsletter: November 19, 2021)
Congresswoman used cannabis for depression (Newsletter: November 18, 2021)
Bipartisan cannabis decrim bill in WI (Newsletter: November 17, 2021)
GOP cannabis bill officially filed in Congress (Newsletter: November 16, 2021)
Biden FDA pick prescribed cannabis meds (Newsletter: November 15, 2021)
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DEA again boosts psychedelics production; OH medical marijuana expansion bill; Study: Legalizing cannabis didn’t increase traffic injuries
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Robert Califf, President Joe Biden’s nominee for Food and Drug Administration commissioner, says he has prescribed cannabinoid drugs as a doctor and has spoken about the need to expand research on the therapeutic benefits of marijuana and its components.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is again significantly boosting 2021 legal production quotas for psychedelics like psilocybin, MDMA and DMT to be used in research—on top of separate increases recently proposed for 2022.
A bipartisan duo of Ohio senators filed a bill to massively expand the state’s medical marijuana program by allowing any patient who could “reasonably be expected” to benefit from cannabis to qualify—regardless of specific medical conditions.
A new study found that Canada’s legalization of marijuana did not result in an increase in traffic injuries, contrary to prohibitionist fears.
/ FEDERAL
More details emerged about the Drug Enforcement Administration’s seizure of cash being transported from Missouri medical cannabis dispensaries.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) tweeted, “Our country’s senseless cannabis laws have devastated Black and Brown communities. @EdMarkey and I are calling on President Biden to start righting this wrong and issue a blanket pardon for nonviolent cannabis offenses.”
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) tweeted, “We’re asking President Biden to pardon all nonviolent federal cannabis offenses.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted that the marijuana legalization bill she is introducing on Monday is a “a clean framework at the federal level. Most Americans will find something they can agree with in this thing, no matter where you land politically.” She also tweeted that she’s “been working on this bill a long time. Tried to be thoughtful about the diversity of #cannabis reforms across the US. There’s something for everyone on both sides of the aisle in this thing.”
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) spoke about the prospects for his marijuana banking legislation.
Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, currently the state’s lieutenant governor, tweeted, “State-legal cannabis ranks 5th among USA most valuable crops – trailing only corn, soybeans, hay, + wheat. In 5 states – AK, CO, MA, NV, + OR– cannabis grown for the adult-use market is the ‘single most valuable crop.’ PA’s #1 industry + farmers deserve a new ca$h crop.”
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair drug war harms got two new cosponsors for a total of 98.
/ STATES
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed a bill that allows the attorney general to appoint replacement prosecutors in places where district attorneys refuse to pursue marijuana or other cases.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) granted pardons to people convicted of marijuana and other offenses.
New Jersey Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D), who long championed marijuana legalization, was selected as the state’s new Senate president following the electoral defeat of the incumbent.
A California senator tweeted, “We’re working very hard to decriminalize psychedelics in California. Psychedelics help so many people, including veterans, & save lives. We need to stop criminalizing people for using them.”
Texas regulators adopted medical cannabis research and reporting rules.
New Mexico’s acting health secretary rejected recommendations to add ADHD, anxiety disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, tobacco use disorder, hallucinogen use disorder and stimulant use disorder as medical cannabis qualifying conditions but accepted recommendations to increase purchase limits.
Oregon regulators are proposing marijuana rules changes required by recently enacted legislation.
The chairman of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission spoke about efforts to implement legalization.
Washington State regulators withdrew a policy on marijuana laboratory certification and accreditation requirements.
Arizona regulators filed a policy statement on hemp performance based sampling.
West Virginia’s first medical cannabis dispensary opened.
Vermont regulators plan to release marijuana business licensing rules this month.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is encouraging farmers to complete a national hemp survey.
The Illinois legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules will consider cannabis regulations on Tuesday.
Michigan regulators will hold a marijuana social equity education session on Thursday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
GOP cannabis bill officially filed in Congress (Newsletter: November 16, 2021)
Top fed drug official says end ‘aura of illegality’ (Newsletter: November 12, 2021)
Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy. (Organization citations are for identification only and do not constitute an endorsement or partnership.)
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Germany moving to legalize marijuana; Congresswoman: We’re close to allowing DC sales; PA medical cannabis homegrow bill; MT relaxes CBD restrictions
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Free to read (but not free to produce)! We’re proud of our newsletter and the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we’re happy to provide it for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen.
If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can expand our coverage and more readers can benefit: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A working group of parties in Germany’s incoming government coalition have agreed to a plan to legalize marijuana. They will also allow drug checking services as a broader harm reduction measure.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a new interview with New York’s top marijuana regulator that he wants to stop large companies from controlling the cannabis industry.
Ahead of Washington, D.C. Council hearing on a bill to legalize marijuana sales on Friday, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she’s “closer than ever” to removing a federal rider preventing cannabis commerce in the nation’s capital.
A bipartisan duo of Pennsylvania senators are filing a bill to let medical cannabis patients grow their own medicine instead of having to buy it at a dispensary.
The Montana Department of Revenue is rescinding proposed rules that would have blocked marijuana industry employment for people with past cannabis convictions and restricted CBD sales.
Some Arizona marijuana reform advocates say the state’s social equity program will end up benefiting big cannabis businesses instead of small players from communities harmed by the drug war.
/ FEDERAL
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Rahul Gupta dodged questions about safe consumption sites for illegal drugs. He was also ceremonially sworn in to the new role by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).
Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Anne Milgram claimed that fentanyl is being laced into marijuana, among other drugs.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) discussed his opposition to passing marijuana banking legislation ahead of comprehensive legalization.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) spoke about her letter asking President Biden to pardon people with marijuana convictions.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) reacted to opposition to her marijuana legalization bill from the South Carolina Republican Party. She also tweeted, “#StatesReformAct will grant a second chance to non-violent cannabis-only offenders incarcerated within the federal criminal justice system, affecting approximately 2,600.”
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) tweeted, “Great meeting with @USCannabisCncl on how Congress can enact meaningful cannabis reform to improve lives & livelihoods. For years I’ve worked to protect the rights of states that have overturned arcane/discriminatory cannabis policies. It’s time for action at the federal level.”
Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, currently the lieutenant governor, tweeted, “Annual overdose deaths from THC / Weed continues at <checks notes> ZERO EVER. ✅ Remove from Schedule I. ✅ Legalize it. ✅ Expunge Convictions. ✅ Commonsense Homegrow.”
Virginia Republican congressional candidate Heerak Christian Kim tweeted, “It is necessary for @GlennYoungkin @WinsomeSears @JasonMiyaresVA to illegalize marijuana in Virginia in collaboration with @VASenateGOP & @vahousegop. Put anti-drug leaders in Virginia Department of Health & Education. Illegal aliens perpetuate drug gangs & drug use!”
/ STATES
The campaign of Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, currently a congressman, is selling a marijuana legalization t-shirt.
Indiana’s House speaker said legalizing marijuana “makes no sense,” but the majority leader said there’s “room for discussion” on the issue.
The Louisiana House Medical Marijuana Commission held a hearing.
Mississippi lawmakers said they don’t expect a special session to pass medical cannabis legislation.
Utah lawmakers are pushing back against municipalities that are punishing local workers for using legal medical cannabis.
A Texas appeals court upheld an injunction against the state’s ban on delta-8 THC.
Montana Supreme Court officials are working on creating a new drug court focused on expunging marijuana convictions.
Connecticut officials circulated a warning about reports of potential fentanyl-laced marijuana.
Colorado regulators issued a health and safety advisory about potentially unsafe levels of mercury in medical cannabis flower produced by First Class LLC.
Michigan regulators released additional information about a recall of marijuana products and published a bulletin about conducting retesting.
Alabama regulators released draft rules for how physicians can recommend medical cannabis.
New Mexico regulators issued the state’s first recreational marijuana cultivation license.
South Dakota regulators awarded the state’s first medical cannabis patient cards.
Oregon regulators issued a technical correction to proposed cannabis rules.
New Jersey regulators discussed marijuana issues at a New Jersey League of Municipalities event.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
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SD lawmakers advance legalization bill; NYC subway bans marijuana & psilocybin ads; DC farmers market cannabis amendment
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who filed a federal marijuana legalization bill in Congress this week, said she personally used cannabis to treat depression after being raped.
The South Dakota legislature’s Executive Board—led by the House speaker and Senate president pro tempore—unanimously approved a recommendation that a marijuana legalization bill be taken up in the 2022 session.
New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority banned marijuana—and psychedelic mushroom—ads on subways, buses and trains.
Washington, D.C. activists are proposing an amendment to a marijuana legalization bill being heard by the District Council on Friday that, if adopted, would allow small entrepreneurs to sell cannabis at farmers markets.
There are divides on recreational marijuana legalization within traditional Democratic and Republican partisan coalitions, a new Pew Research Center analysis shows. Still, there’s broad consensus across the ideological spectrum that medical cannabis should be legal.
/ FEDERAL
The New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area sent an alert about reports of apparent fentanyl-laced marijuana.
A since-confirmed federal judge nominee defended prior comments about marijuana reform in response to questions from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA).
The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a notice of proposed rulemaking about telepharmacy.
The Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control held a hearing on the illegal drug trade and corruption.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) tweeted about meeting with the U.S. Cannabis Council, saying, “While we work to legalize marijuana federally, expunge records, and undo decades of injustice caused by our failed drug policies, we also need to make sure that legal cannabis businesses have the legal protection they need to thrive.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “Our drug laws are outdated and are ineffective at reducing harm. We must pass comprehensive cannabis reform, so we can start lifting people up, not needlessly punishing them.”
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) tweeted, “The ‘war on drugs’ has devastated communities across the country and will continue to do so until we stop treating drug use as a criminal issue and instead treat it as a health issue. I’ve introduced legislation with @RepCori to do just that.”
Rep. Don Young (R-AK) tweeted, “Too many individuals with otherwise clean records have been incarcerated for non-violent cannabis use. This bill includes crucial provisions allowing for the expungement of federal marijuana convictions of non-violent offenders.”
The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair drug war harms got two new cosponsors for a total of 100.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
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IN Democratic Party pushes legalization; Austin removes marijuana restriction for first responders; Study: Psychedelics reduce opioid use
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A bipartisan group of Wisconsin senators and representatives filed a new marijuana decriminalization bill.
The Indiana Democratic Party is rolling out a major push for marijuana legalization, saying that if the Republican-controlled legislature fails to enact reform it will become a “hallmark issue for the 2022 state and midterm elections.”
First responder applicants in Austin, Texas will no longer be questioned about their past marijuana use after activists pushed for the local change by the Austin-Travis County EMS.
A new study found that use of psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin and DMT is associated with “55% reduced odds of daily opioid use.”
/ FEDERAL
Current former Food and Drug Administration officials spoke about ongoing efforts to consider potential CBD regulations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Injury Center tweeted, “Did you know more than 50% of states have legalized #marijuana for medical use?”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service tweeted to remind farmers to complete a federal hemp survey.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that a California man on supervised release does not have a due process right to use medical cannabis.
Sen Jeff Merkley (D-OR) tweeted, “I’ve joined @ewarren in urging President Biden to use his executive authority to pardon all non-violent cannabis offenses.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted, “Federal prohibition isn’t working and states know it. 47 have spoken and want Washington to get out of the way on #cannabis.” She also tweeted, “My hometown paper @postandcourier highlights an important part of my new legislation – states decide how they want to regulate cannabis and the feds provide a tax and regulatory framework based on what’s already legal in 47 states.”
Rep. Don Young (R-AK) tweeted, “It’s far past time to update our #cannabis laws for the 21st Century. I’m proud to help @RepNancyMace introduce the States Reform Act to protect individual liberty, expunge nonviolent records, & defend the right of states to set their own cannabis policy.”
Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) tweeted about discussing his bill to allow CBD as a dietary supplement at a hemp industry conference.
Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) tweeted, “It’s been 50 years of the War on Drugs, of addiction and mass incarceration. These stories show the humanity that can be lost in bad policies.”
/ STATES
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, a former congressman, spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana at his first campaign rally.
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, currently a congressman, tweeted about his support for federal marijuana legalization.
New Jersey Assembly committees advanced bills to allow harm reduction centers to open with approval from the state health commissioner and to decriminalize syringes.
Illinois Senate Democrats tweeted about a lawmaker attending a ribbon cutting at a new marijuana dispensary.
Washington State regulators sent guidance on transitioning to a new marijuana tracking system.
Connecticut regulators selected BioTrack to manage the state’s cannabis seed-to-sale tracking system.
Rhode Island regulators published a checklist for retailers of hemp-derived consumable CBD products.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers to complete a federal hemp survey.
South Carolina regulators published a list of permitted hemp brokers.
Tennessee’s Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Friday.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,200 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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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