Cannabis banking needs more GOP votes, Schumer says (Newsletter: November 21, 2023)

HI AG’s marijuana plan; NH gov: Legalization “inevitable”; OH Senate pres on cannabis amendments; Marijuana as effective as opioids for pain; MN raid

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said a marijuana banking bill could become law “soon” if it can secure a handful of additional Republican votes—but also said some lawmakers won’t embrace cannabis reform due to fear of blowback from constituents, “particularly the older ones.”

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said marijuana legalization is “inevitable.” While he’s “not a huge believer in the idea,” he said the state has “an opportunity to do it right” through a system of state-controlled stores that a commission is set to propose this month.

Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez (D) released a draft marijuana legalization bill—though advocates say it falls short by not expunging prior cannabis convictions, ramping up some aspects of criminalization and not including robust equity provisions.

Ohio Senate President Senate President Matt Huffman (R) revealed procedural details about his plans to amend the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law, arguing that much of the electorate simply didn’t understand some provisions of what they passed.

National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow said the “inflexibility” of forcing people into abstinence-only treatment “costs a lot of lives.”

• “To basically impose that as a reality for everyone [is] like a magical thought and not practical.”

A new study found that marijuana and opioids are “equally efficacious in reducing pain intensity,” but that cannabis also “positively affected broader pain-related factors such as emotion, functionality, and overall sense of wellbeing,” supporting “the hypothesis that [medical cannabis] alleviates pain through holistically altering the pain experience.”

A police raid of an unlicensed marijuana store on tribal land within Minnesota raises complex legal and political questions about how the state’s implementation of legalization intersects with Indian law.

/ FEDERAL

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a blog post about work-related asthma and allergies in the cannabis industry.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) spoke about her support for federal marijuana reform.

Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) tweeted, “53% of Americans now live in states with access to legal marijuana. It’s well past time for federal legalization.”

Rep. Dean Philllips (D-MN), a presidential candidate, discussed public support for marijuana legalization.

/ STATES

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) said during a visit to Australia that he is “surprised” the country hasn’t legalized marijuana yet.

Here’s a look at where Indiana gubernatorial candidates stand on legalizing marijuana.

The Maine Legislative Council rejected a bill on enforcement against illegal marijuana grow operations.

A Virginia senator said he’s “hopeful” lawmakers can pass legislation to legalize marijuana sales next session now that Democrats have a majority in both chambers.

An Ohio representative said rules on public marijuana smoking should be “no different than we do for regular smoking.”

A Wisconsin senator discussed her bill to create a psilocybin research pilot program.

Michigan regulators sent a bulletin about a voluntary recall of marijuana edibles.

A New York regulatory spokesperson dodged a question about whether mailers from Leafwell and Curaleaf offering discounted medical cannabis recommendations violate state rules.

The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission is continuing to consider a proposal to fund ibogaine research.

New Jersey regulators published a blog post on responsible and safe use of cannabis.

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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 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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/ LOCAL

The Sarasota, Florida City Commission is moving to repeal the local marijuana decriminalization policy.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction published a report about cannabis products being used in Europe.

Venezuela’s attorney general criticized other countries that are moving to legalize marijuana.

The Philippine Supreme Court rejected a petition seeking to compel officials to investigate the nation’s bloody “war on drugs.”

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study on cancer pain found that medical cannabis “can effectively improve symptoms in non-responsive patients, with favourable safety profiles for this vulnerable population.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The New Jersey State League of Municipalities’s conference featured panels on cannabis policy.

The Cato Institute included a section on marijuana and salvia laws in its “Freedom in the 50 States” report.

Lawyer David Boies discussed the federal marijuana lawsuit his firm is handling on behalf of cannabis companies.

/ BUSINESS

4Front Ventures Corp. reported quarterly revenue of $23 million and a net loss of $62.1 million.

SNDL Inc. and Nova Cannabis Inc. terminated an implementation agreement concerning their previously-announced strategic partnership.

Benzinga revoked access for a contributor who authored what was billed as an interview with Berner but which the outlet now says was “fabricated.”

New York retailers have now sold more than $100 million worth of recreational marijuana products since sales began.

/ CULTURE

Snoop Dogg revealed that his post last week about “giving up smoke” was part of an ad campaign for a smokeless fireplace, and not an indication he is quitting cannabis.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.