NY legal cannabis bill unveiled, with votes this week (Newsletter: March 29, 2021)

VA could speed up legal marijuana; NM gov calls cannabis session; MX lawmakers to legalize; NY mayor wants cannabis-funded reparations

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and top lawmakers unveiled a revised marijuana legalization bill that they intend to enact into law this week.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) formally called lawmakers into a special session for Tuesday to finish the job of getting a marijuana legalization bill to her desk “for the good of the people and future of our great state.”

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) is signaling he’ll push to legalize marijuana possession as of July 1—years ahead of the current plan. Advocates also want Northam to push lawmakers to amend the legal cannabis bill in other ways—for example to remove new penalties and speed up the legal sales date as well. His proposed changes are due to lawmakers on Wednesday, then they’ll vote on them on April 7.

• “I personally don’t think we should be arresting or penalizing somebody for something we’re getting ready to legalize.”

Meanwhile, leaders in Virginia’s House of Delegates also joined the call to move marijuana legalization up to July 1 from the original 2024 date—a reversal of the stance the chamber took in negotiations with the Senate last month.

A top Mexican lawmaker said the Senate is likely to approve a marijuana legalization bill as amended by the Chamber of Deputies and then work on potential further changes to cannabis laws through separate legislation. The deadline for passage is April 30.

The mayor of Rochester, New York is proposing using revenue from the impending statewide legalization of marijuana to fund a reparations program for black residents—including universal basic income and homeownership efforts.

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. Department of Agriculture posted a webinar on new federal hemp rules.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “BIG: Leaders in Albany just announced a deal to legalize marijuana and work to repair the harm of prohibition. I look forward to seeing leaders in equity and justice appointed to lead the new entities this bill creates. I’ll keep working to end the federal marijuana prohibition.”

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) tweeted, “Barring legal cannabis businesses from traditional banking services puts unnecessary risk on business owners & the community. I’m joining my colleagues to introduce the SAFE Banking Act to allow legal cannabis businesses owners access to banking services.”

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “It’s not enough to just legalize marijuana—we must go further to restore the lives and communities that have been destroyed by the failed war on drugs.”

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “Legal marijuana businesses in Nevada and across the country deserve full access to banking services. That’s why I’m joining the bipartisan SAFE Banking Act.”

House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) tweeted that a deal on legalizing marijuana in New York is “good news for New York. But our communities have been devastated by unjust marijuana convictions. When we legalize, we must also expunge records and use this industry to reinvest in our neighborhoods.”

Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY) said, “I have in the past smoked marijuana. I do not currently smoke marijuana, but if I did it wouldn’t be a problem.”

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted, “The federal government has lied to the people of this country about marijuana for a generation. Now, the de facto leader of the Democratic party is firing White House staffers for using it .PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS: are you happy now? Is this what you wanted?” He also tweeted, “Failing wars Joe Biden refuses to pull out of: -War in Syria -War in Afghanistan -War on Drugs”

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “No one should be prevented from getting a job, voting, or contributing to society because of cannabis use, which is now legal in states across the country. My colleagues and I called on @POTUS  to address the unfair and inconsistent policies related to cannabis.”

The Senate marijuana banking bill got one new cosponsor for a total of 31.

The House marijuana banking bill got 15 new cosponsors for a total of 124.

/ STATES

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed a bill requiring police to notify the parents of minors who are caught with marijuana or alcohol.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) excluded a marijuana decriminalization provision that her office had previously floated from a formal proposed medical cannabis reform bill she wants lawmakers to pass. Separately, the legislature’s Cannabis Caucus chair said he thinks the state can implement the voter-approved medical cannabis system on time.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) said she “feel[s] really good” about the prospects of legalizing marijuana this week. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers criticized her for holding a special session on legalization during Holy Week.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed a bill excluding hemp-derived cannabinoid products that are used for research or are approved by the Food and Drug Administration from the definition of marijuana.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) said he has an “open mind” on medical cannabis, saying, “it’s clear that it alleviates a lot of suffering.”

Hawaii Gov. David Ige (D) said he has “big concerns” about legalizing marijuana.

Florida’s agriculture commissioner tweeted, “No one using medical marijuana to avoid deadly opioids should be fired for ‘drug use’ — and definitely not our public school teachers. This is wrong.”

Indiana lawmakers sent Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) a bill to provide a defense to prosecution for people who operate vehicles with marijuana or its metabolites in their blood under certain conditions.

The North Dakota Senate defeated a House-passed bill to expand the state’s current marijuana decriminalization law.

The Montana House of Representatives unexpectedly defeated a capital gains tax proposal after one lawmaker argued it could entice out-of-state marijuana companies to come to the state. Separately, the House Business and Labor Committee held a meeting to begin examining legislation to amend and implement the voter-approved legalization of cannabis.

Maine’s Senate president is sponsoring a bill to put a moratorium on new medical cannabis regulations.

The Minnesota House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee granted a waiver for a marijuana legalization bill and other pieces of legislation that have not yet cleared all of their committee stops ahead of a deadline.

California regulators extended the public comment deadline for proposed marijuana appellations rules.

Nevada regulators are accepting public comments on proposed marijuana rules changes.

Washington, D.C. regulators will host an information session on submitting letters of intent for available medical cannabis business registrations on Monday.

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/ LOCAL

Baltimore, Maryland’s state’s attorney is making permanent a policy under which her office has declined to prosecute all drug possession, prostitution, minor traffic and misdemeanor cases.

Buffalo, New York’s mayor said he is open to using marijuana revenue to fund reparations.

Denver, Colorado’s official Twitter account tweeted, “In honor of the anniversary of the two-hour ‘prohibition’ of 2020, we encourage you today to safely & responsibly support your favorite local liquor store, watering hole, brewery, distillery, or dispensary. Happy 420, it’s five-o’clock-somewhere and TGIF.”

/ INTERNATIONAL

France launched a two-year medical cannabis pilot program.

The Canadian government is instituting new penalties on travelers who fail to properly declare marijuana.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “recreational cannabis use increased among patients with pelvic pain after legalization in Canada” and that “postlegalization, cannabis users were less likely to require daily opioids compared with cannabis users before legalization.”

A review concluded that “research points towards medicinal psychedelics as a potential new class of psychiatric treatments when used within a medically supervised framework with integrated psychotherapeutic support.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll found that Iowa adults support legalizing marijuana, 54%-39%, and back expanding the state’s limited medical cannabis law, 78%-14%.

The Wisconsin Democratic Party tweeted, “Here’s your weekly reminder that Governor Evers’ 2021-2023 budget calls for legalizing marijuana.”

/ BUSINESS

Vireo Health International Inc. closed on the first $23.5 million tranche of a loan from Green Ivy Capital affiliate Chicago Atlantic Group and a group of lenders.

Bluma Wellness Inc. obtained a final order from a Canadian court approving its acquisition by Cresco Labs Inc.

The Caucus Club Detroit restaurant told customers that “if you smell like marijuana don’t even think of stepping inside.”

/ CULTURE

Seth Rogen said not smoking marijuana “would be like saying you can’t wear clothes any more” and “would make it really hard for me to do what I need to do in the world.”

Bill Maher said that if there is a new “Roaring Twenties” it should not include a failed prohibition of drugs like the last century’s alcohol ban.

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