Marijuana Moment: Top MN lawmaker files legal cannabis bill (Newsletter: May 7, 2020)

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LA lawmakers approve medical marijuana expansion; PA poll: Legal cannabis opportunity for GOP; DC psychedelics decrim ballot petition approved

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Minnesota’s House majority leader and 33 cosponsors filed a comprehensive 222-page marijuana legalization bill.

• “Minnesotans have been loud and clear that our current cannabis laws are doing more harm than good.”

The Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee approved legislation to allow doctors to recommend medical cannabis for any debilitating condition and to legalize medical marijuana delivery services.

A poll found that Pennsylvania likely voters support legalizing marijuana, 62%-29% and that nearly a third of Democrats would be more likely to support a Republican lawmaker who backed legal cannabis.

• “While many have reported on Democratic support of legalization, a key finding of the poll was the electoral support of adult-use among Republicans. The numbers are clear: supporting legalization is a flat-out good vote.”

Washington, D.C.’s Board of Elections formally approved a psychedelics decriminalization ballot measure’s petition for signature gathering, and advocates will have an easier time qualifying the initiative thanks to a new procedural change the board also adopted.

/ FEDERAL

A House resolution filed by Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and 12 cosponsors notes that “the War on Drugs, Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, expansion of the incarceration system, and over policing of low-income refugee communities resulted in a significant number of Southeast Asian Americans coming into contact with the criminal justice system.”

Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) tweeted, “All workers at small businesses are being impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, including those at state-legal marijuana dispensaries. We cannot leave anyone behind. That’s why we’re calling on Congressional leadership to allow small cannabis businesses to receive aid from the SBA.”

Rep. Justin Amash (I-MI), who is weighing a Libertarian presidential bid, responded to a question about which drugs he would decriminalize by tweeting, “All drugs. The federal government has no authority in this area except with respect to potential regulations on commerce. States should make decisions about criminalization. Yes, I’d consider pardons over imprisonment that I believe was unjustified under our Constitution.”

Georgia Democratic congressional candidate Michael Owens spoke about his support for marijuana decriminalization during a debate.

/ STATES

Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D) issued a proclamation extending late tax penalty waivers for marijuana businesses amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Montana’s secretary of state cleared marijuana activists to collect signatures for proposed legalization ballot measures.

Florida’s Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case about a proposed marijuana legalization measure’s ballot title and summary.

Ohio marijuana activists say they are evaluating petitioning options for a proposed legalization ballot measure once the state reopens following coronavirus stay-at-home directives.

The Minnesota House Health and Human Services Policy Committee approved a health bill that contains provisions amending medical cannabis regulations.

The Montana legislature’s Children, Families, Health and Human Services Interim Committee will discuss a report on medical cannabis and chronic pain during a hearing next week.

Georgia’s medical cannabis commission hired an executive director.

Wisconsin regulators are hiring hemp inspectors.

A Rhode Island representative authored an op-ed on the need for the state to legalize marijuana.

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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis 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.
—

/ LOCAL

San Francisco, California’s Department of Public Health is giving medical cannabis, alcohol and tobacco to people quarantined or isolating in city-leased hotels to deter them from going outside to obtain the substances.

Oakland, California’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission will meet on Thursday.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have received the largest-ever donation—$9 million—focused on supporting cannabis research.

A study of dogs supported “the safety and therapeutic potential of hemp-derived CBD for relieving arthritic pain and suggests follow-up investigations in humans is warranted.”

A study developed a “simple protocol” that” provides the foundation for the development of an electrochemical-based marijuana breathalyzer.”

/ BUSINESS

Hightimes Holding Corp. hired its third CEO in a little more than a year.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company reported that its cannabis-focused Hawthorne unit generated $230 million in quarterly revenue.

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. reported $21.1 million in quarterly revenue.

Aphria Inc. announced that its subsidiary ASG Pharma Ltd. received European Union Good Manufacturing Practices certification for production of cannabis for medical and research purposes.

Cannabics Pharmaceuticals Inc. filed a provisional patent application for a method for treating colon cancer with cannabinoids.

/ CULTURE

Seth Rogen’s cannabis brand Houseplant will launch a new THC-infused beverage in the coming weeks.

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