Put cannabis in trade talks, key senator says (Newsletter: May 21, 2021)

MN legalizing smokable marijuana flower; LA poll: conservative districts back legalization; Debate on peyote decrim; MS special session on cannabis

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed a medical cannabis bill into law.

• “This is certainly a sensitive and emotional issue and something that is continually being studied.”

Minnesota lawmakers sent Gov. Tim Walz (D) a health bill that includes provisions to add smokable flower and otherwise expand the state’s medical cannabis program.

Mississippi lawmakers are floating the idea of holding a special session to pass medical marijuana legislation after the state Supreme Court struck down the voter-approved cannabis program for procedural reasons.

Voters in conservative Louisiana districts that backed Donald Trump in last year’s election overwhelmingly support legalizing marijuana, new polling shows as the House prepares to take up a legal cannabis bill on Tuesday. The survey was funded by the Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity.

A debate within the psychedelics movement over whether to include peyote in decriminalization measures is heating up over concerns about overharvesting and Native American culture.

/ FEDERAL

The Federal Trade Commission took action against Kushly Industries LLC for allegedly making false or unsupported claims about its CBD products.

Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) said he thinks marijuana policy should be left to the voters and he will respect their decision, also noting that cannabis’s Schedule I status has impeded research.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D) tweeted about a new Washington State law to recriminalize drug possession as a misdemeanor, saying, “This is a great step. The failed war on drugs was a racist and flawed policy nationwide. Sending someone to prison is not the way to treat addiction or Substance Use Disorder.”

Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) tweeted, “The GOP Senate has failed our state by refusing to pass adult-use cannabis and expungement before leaving for the year. Minnesotans who have been affected by antiquated drug laws — and entrepreneurs who were ready to build new businesses — have been abandoned.”

Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) tweeted, “Glad to have @RepPerlmutter, a leader in the effort to end fed cannabis prohibition, as a cosponsor of my Common Sense Cannabis Reform for Vets, Small Biz & Medical Professionals Act. This is a bipartisan path forward to enact meaningful cannabis reform. Congress should take it.”

Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI) tweeted about an upcoming event to help people expunge their past marijuana and other convictions.

/ STATES

The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that lawmakers were incorrect to impose further restrictions on marijuana cultivation beyond what the text of the constitution allows. Separately, regulators banned delta-8-THC and other isomers from hemp extracts. Meanwhile, the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee approved a bill to extend online marijuana purchasing and the ability to get medical cannabis recommendations via telehealth.

Nevada regulators issued advertising guidance for marijuana businesses.

California regulators served a search warrant on an unlicensed marijuana dispensary in San Bernardino.

The South Dakota Board of Education Standards approved rules on medical cannabis use in schools.

Maryland regulators issued guidance on pledging a medical cannabis license as collateral for a loan.

The Indiana state chemist’s office says that about 20% of the state’s hemp crop was destroyed last year for having too much THC.

New Mexico’s Cannabis Control Division is hiring for several positions, including a director.

New York regulators posted several new fact sheets about the state’s marijuana legalization law.

West Virginia regulators published a list of hemp licensees.

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/ LOCAL

Officials of towns in Long Island, New York have been meeting to formulate plans for how to decide on whether to allow marijuana sales.

Detroit, Michigan’s mayor sent a letter asking Congress to pass marijuana banking legislation.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Nigeria’s House of Representatives is moving to legalize medical cannabis and hemp.

Malta Prime Minister Robert Abela criticized the opposition party for not submitting feedback on the government’s marijuana plan.

A Kenyan court is being petitioned to allow marijuana use by Rastafarians.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “people with fibromyalgia are deliberately substituting CBD products for conventional pain medications.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll found that 54% of Irish adults want to legalize medical cannabis, while 39% support allowing recreational use as well.

The Alabama Democratic Party tweeted, “Alabama will become the 37th state to legalize medical marijuana. 🩺🍃This is a big step forward for cannabis policy in Alabama. Let’s #legALizeit next session.”

/ BUSINESS

Rite Aid’s CEO spoke about the company’s introduction of CBD products in its stores, but dodged a question about psychedelics.

Columbia Care Inc. reportedly quarterly combined revenue of $92.5 million.

The Parent Company reported quarterly net sales of $39.9 million. The company is also making a $50 million strategic investment in GH Group, Inc. through a private placement offering by Mercer Park Brand Acquisition Corp.

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. is acquiring Los Sueños Farms, the largest outdoor cannabis grow in Colorado.

HEXO Corp. is acquiring 48North Cannabis Corp.

MedMen Enterprises Inc. closed a sale of $10 million worth of shares.

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. launched a $200 million offering of senior notes.

The Swiss National Bank owns shares in Tilray, Inc.

/ CULTURE

Master P is pushing to designate May 20 as Cannabis Freedom Day.

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