CT House speaker: “50-50” for legal marijuana in 2021; Canadian gov’t responds to psychedelics petition; PA lawmakers target lt. gov.’s cannabis flag Subscribe to receive...

CT House speaker: “50-50” for legal marijuana in 2021; Canadian gov’t responds to psychedelics petition; PA lawmakers target lt. gov.’s cannabis flag

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study shows that teen treatment admissions for marijuana fell sharply in most states with legalization—a finding that runs counter to prohibitionist claims that reform would spur youth cannabis use.

Connecticut’s incoming House speaker says there’s a “50-50 chance” the state will legalize marijuana next year, and he wants a vote on it even if it doesn’t have enough support to pass. The top lawmaker also says he has a lot of friends who go to Massachusetts to buy cannabis.

  • “I have a lot of neighbors and friends that go to work every day who take care of their families. They go to Northampton, they buy pot. They drive back, and they are still practicing responsible adults. You can’t just pretend that it’s not all around you and readily available.”

Top Canadian government officials responded to a petition calling for the decriminalization of psychedelics by noting that there are pathways for certain people to get legal exemptions to use the substances but that no broad law changes are planned.

Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers are trying to stop Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) from displaying marijuana and LGBT flags from his office balcony with a budget amendment. But he says he won’t stop until cannabis is legal and people have equal rights.

  • “It’s kinda flattering that they changed Pennsylvania law just for me. Speaking of changing laws… I’ll take them down when we get: LEGAL WEED FOR PA + EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW for LGBTQIA+ community in PA.”

Did President Trump’s failure to embrace marijuana legalization cost him votes in key states, and maybe the whole election? Marijuana Policy Project’s Don Murphy looks at the data in a new op-ed.

  • “One thing is certain: sharing your ballot with cannabis will embarrass you. In the red states, in the blue states and in the battleground states, pot is more popular than the pols.”

/ FEDERAL

The head of the Internal Revenue Service’s Small Business/Self-Employed Division said that marijuana business tax compliance enforcement is a priority.

A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration official said that more than half of positive drug tests of commercial drivers are for marijuana.

The office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) again criticized Democrats for including marijuana banking provisions in coronavirus relief legislation.

Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI) tweeted, “⬛Arizona, Montana, South Dakota and New Jersey voted to legalize marijuana. ⬛Colorado passed paid family leave and rejected an abortion ban. ⬛Nebraska voted to limit predatory lending. Progressive policies are popular in purple and red states. We have a winning message.”

Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) appeared on the U.S. Hemp Roundtable’s podcast.

The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair the harms of the war on drugs got two new cosponsors for a total of 120.

The House bill to require the Food and Drug Administration to allow CBD as a dietary supplement got two new cosponsors for a total of 24.

/ STATES

Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor said he thinks a legal marijuana industry would complement the state’s existing hemp program. He also tweeted, “Pennsylvania is *literally* the mushroom capital of the world. The micro-dosing revolution is coming with wellness through nature. People’s lives + records are ruined by criminalizing plants. PA  could use them as a balm for economics + wellness. Agriculture is our TOP industry in PA. Revolutionary Ag products that smash the absurd stigmas: hemp, legal weed, + Psilocybin mushrooms. Jobs, wellness, revenue economic development, and justice.”

North Carolina’s attorney general tweeted, “Marijuana is used at nearly equal percentages among Black and white populations in NC. However, 63 percent of convictions for simple possession of marijuana charges in NC last year were people of color, even though they are only 30 percent of our state’s population.”

Colorado marijuana businesses will remain open during the state’s increased coronavirus restrictions.

Alaska regulators will consider reinstating an expired emergency rule that allowed curbside pickup of marijuana on Monday.

Indiana lawmakers spoke about plans to file marijuana bills in the 2021 session.

A Texas representative said the time is right to advance the conversation about legalizing marijuana.

A Michigan judge denied a company’s request for an injunction on Mt. Pleasant’s marijuana licensing process.

California’s top marijuana regulator is stepping down next month.

Florida regulators discussed hemp issues with Israeli officials at a summit.

Wyoming regulators gave an update on the state’s hemp program.

Oregon regulators approved marijuana license violation stipulated settlement agreements.


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.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

/ LOCAL

The Delaware County, Pennsylvania Council enacted a marijuana decriminalization ordinance.

A report shows that Fayetteville, Arkansas marijuana arrests are going down after the approval of a lowest law enforcement priority measure.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Israel’s justice minister published a draft marijuana legalization bill for public comment.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will reportedly allow “cultivation, research, processing, and prescription of psychedelic plant-based compounds” for research.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “evidence demonstrates benefit of [cannabinoid‐based medical products] in multiple sclerosis, chronic neuropathic pain, chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, resistant paediatric epilepsy, anxiety and insomnia.” and that they “are well tolerated with few serious adverse events.”

A review examined “compelling pre‐clinical evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of [cannabinoids] to improve wound healing by modulating key molecular pathways.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The National District Attorneys Association is hosting a webinar on marijuana legalization’s “adverse impacts on youth” on December 9.

/ BUSINESS

Red Light Holland Corp. and Halo Labs Inc. signed a non-binding letter of intent to create a joint venture to become a licensed psilocybin manufacturer in Oregon.

A federal court dismissed a lawsuit from a former Ilera Helathcare accountant who claimed she was wrongfully terminated for reporting fraud.

Holistic Industries of Arkansas LLC is suing Feuerstein Kulick LLP for alleged legal malpractice.

KIND Financial launched a closed-loop payment system for cash-free mobile payments for cannabis businesses.

Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. settled a lawsuit against previous owners of Interurban Capital Group.

/ CULTURE

Rapper Wiz Khalifa and former football player Michael Strahan are being sued by one of the co-owners of their cannabis company Khalifa Kush.

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