Marijuana Moment: House to vote on protecting state cannabis laws this week (Newsletter: July 29, 2020)

[Tokeativity]

Senate leaves marijuana banking out of COVID bill; Cannabis Caucus chair votes against DNC legalization amendment; Poll: NJ cannabis referendum leads

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The House Rules Committee cleared the way for an amendment protecting all state, territory and tribal marijuana laws from federal interference to be considered on the floor this week. The panel also blocked separate measures that would have stripped funds from certain legal cannabis states.

The Senate’s new package of coronavirus relief legislation does not contain any marijuana banking provisions, whereas the most recent House COVID bill included language to let banks service the cannabis industry. It remains to be seen if any senators will push amendments on the issue or if it can be advanced by bicameral negotiators later in the process.

Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined former top Obama administration officials and other establishment figures in voting to defeat an effort to put marijuana legalization in the 2020 Democratic platform.

A poll found that 68% of New Jersey likely voters support a marijuana legalization referendum that’s on the November ballot. They also back cannabis delivery services, social consumption lounges and expunging past convictions.

/ FEDERAL

The House of Representatives approved an amendment to restrict the use of funds to support aerial fumigation of drug crops in Colombia.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded a $200,000 grant to study THC levels in hemp.

Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) criticized Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA)’s recent evolution on marijuana legalization during a debate.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) again criticized Democrats for passing a coronavirus relief bill that “mention ‘cannabis’ more than it mentions ‘research’ or ‘jobs.’”

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) spoke about racial disparities in marijuana enforcement in a House floor speech.

Mississippi Democratic congressional candidate Antonia Eliason tweeted, “I believe that both medical and recreational marijuana should be legalized, and strongly support Mississippi taking the first step, to legalize medical marijuana. Vote for Initiative 65 in November to legalize medical marijuana, NOT for Initiative 65A.”

West Virginia Democratic congressional candidate Hilary Turner tweeted, “What do we have if no major party supports things that the majority of people want?  The Democratic Platform Committee is out of touch. I vow to continue to fight for single-payer universal healthcare, and legalizing cannabis, regardless of the party platform.”

/ STATES

Nebraska’s secretary of state reported that medical cannabis activists turned in more than 196,000 raw signatures in support of their ballot measure.

North Carolina Democratic agriculture commissioner candidate Jenna Wadsworth tweeted, “Cannabis legalization in NC will benefit farmers & rural tourism, generate tax for public education, & combat an opioid epidemic. Plus, it holds the promise of social justice for communities of color through decriminalization & dismissal of past misdemeanor possession charges.”

Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (I) tweeted, “Not that I would vote for a Democrat, but can someone explain the party platform? Turns out they’re actually anti-marijuana when #cannabis is LEGAL in over half the country.”

The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that the smell of marijuana, on its own, does not give police probable cause for a search.

A Nevada judge is considering a motion to issue a temporary restraining order preventing regulators from settling with some litigants in a case challenging the state’s marijuana licensing process.

California regulators posted warnings about the health impacts of marijuana smoke and THC.

Alaska regulators voted to extend rules allowing marijuana curbside and window pickup through November 15.

The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission’s Industrial Hemp Industry Development Work Group met.

California lawmakers are considering a marijuana banking bill.

Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday.

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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,500 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.

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/ INTERNATIONAL

Mexican regulators published draft medical cannabis rules.

Scotland’s first medical cannabis prescription has been made.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “CBD treatment was shown to enhance bone healing, but needs validation in clinical trials” and that “while research shows that [endocannabinoid] activity protects against bone loss, studies on CB1 and CB2 agonists in bone regeneration models are lacking.”

Researchers developed a method to that “converts nearly 100% of the hemp plant into useable components, such as cellulose fiber for use in textiles and construction, resinous lignin for use in bioplastics, sugars for use as sweeteners, and extractives for use in wellness products.”

/ BUSINESS

Medically Correct announced it has decided against pursuing a proposed acquisition by Schwazze.

Organigram Holdings Inc. launched a new cannabis-infused chocolate bar.

/ CULTURE

Run the Jewels launched a new line of marijuana products.

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