AL gov hopes to sign medical cannabis bill (Newsletter: May 10, 2021)

Feds set standard THC dose; MN legalization heads to floor; KS medical marijuana stalls in Senate; Cop backs cannabis banking; TX hemp scam arrest

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is setting a standard dose of 5 mg THC for marijuana research, effective immediately.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) reacted to lawmakers sending medical cannabis legislation to her desk, saying, “I hope, after thoroughly reviewing it, we can sign the bill.”

The Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee approved the majority leader’s marijuana legalization bill. That’s the 12th—and final—panel stop for the legislation before it hits the floor. The session ends on May 17 and the vote could be this week.

Kansas’s Senate president indicated that although a medical cannabis bill passed the House in a strong bipartisan vote, the issue is unlikely to be considered in his chamber this year and may have to wait until 2022.

Sen. Steve Daines(R-MT) released a video of a Montana sheriff who says his marijuana banking bill will help keep the public and police safe. The SAFE Banking Act already passed the House and is cosponsored by more than a third of the Senate.

A top aide to Texas’s agriculture commissioner was arrested for an alleged scheme that involved soliciting money and campaign contributions in exchange for hemp licenses.

/ FEDERAL

Bipartisan House and Senate lawmakers are reportedly nearing a deal on new policing reform legislation.

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “Legal marijuana businesses in Nevada and across the country don’t have access to the same banking services as other industries. That needs to change. It’s why I joined the SAFE Banking Act.”

Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) tweeted, “When it comes to Cannabis, it’s time our Fed Govt join the ever growing states’ movement. Legalize!!!”

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted, “…It’s marijuana legalization or the filibuster…”

/ STATES

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed an executive order winding down coronavirus restrictions that says medical cannabis patient registrations that have been extended will expire on August 1,

Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted about the Texas House approving a psychedelics research bill, saying, “Years ago, when I suggested that Pennsylvania, as the literal mushroom capital of the world, embrace research of psychedelics/micro-dosing revolution they told me you’re crazy.🍄 🤪”

Michigan’s attorney general is hosting a series of expungement fairs to help people clear past marijuana and other convictions from their records.

Mississippi’s secretary of state said signature gathering for a proposed marijuana legalization ballot initiative will be delayed due to an error in the process for notifying the public about the measure.

A Washington, D.C. Council member withdrew a bill that would have given medical cannabis business licensing priority to formerly incarcerated people.

A Wisconsin Republican representative said there is a “path forward for some type of medical marijuana.”

A Rhode Island senator who is sponsoring a marijuana legalization bill said it is too early in negotiations to commit to specific social equity provisions.

Arizona regulators released draft marijuana social equity business rules, along with a survey about them.

Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division has a new senior director.

New Mexico regulators released the names of people who applied to serve on the Cannabis Regulatory Advisory Committee.

Washington State regulators published updated statistics on the medical cannabis program.

Oregon regulators released an updated list of approved marijuana businesses.

California regulators published tips on starting a marijuana business.

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/ LOCAL

The Little Rock, Arkansas City Board will consider a proposal to make misdemeanor marijuana offenses the lowest law enforcement and prosecution priority on Tuesday.

The Sonoma County, California district attorney settled a false advertising claim for CBD products with Cannacraft, Inc.

Minneapolis, Minnesota’s mayor tweeted, “The war on drugs was a failure that disproportionately targeted people of color for decades. I applaud the House DFL for bringing legalization and expungement to the floor for the first time in state history. It’s time for the MN Senate GOP to follow suit.”

Denver, Colorado regulators released a location guide for marijuana businesses.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The attorney general of the Bahamas said a revised medical cannabis bill is close to being filed.

New Zealand’s health minister said there are no plans to offer amnesty to people illegally supplying medical cannabis, and a leaked government document says that officials will not even consider expanding the current law to allow more people to qualify as legal patients.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that fibromyalgia “patients have commonly used [medical cannabis], with more than half continuing use. Reported symptom relief was substantial.”

A study found that “CBD does not impact the daily activity of adult dogs, but may exert an antipruritic effect.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll found that Hawaii voters support legalizing marijuana, 43%-42%.

The Republican Party of Louisiana sent an alert asking people to pressure their lawmakers to oppose a marijuana legalization bill expected to get a House vote on Monday.

The Kansas Democratic Party tweeted about the House’s passage of a medical cannabis bill.

The Wall Street Journal looks at the growing number of lobbyists working on marijuana issues.

/ BUSINESS

Maryland NORML filed a complaint with state regulators seeking to revoke licenses of Culta, LLC for allegedly violating advertising guidelines.

Cronos Group Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $12.6 million and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $37.1 million.

A federal judge ruled in favor of Nerds maker Ferrara Candy Co.’s trademark infringement lawsuit against Tops Cannabis for its Medicated Nerds Rope product.

Holistic Industries plans to open Michigan’s first marijuana social consumption lounge.

/ CULTURE

Elon Musk joked about smoking marijuana on Joe rogan’s podcast during his Saturday Night Live monologue.

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