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Senate hemp bill aims to loosen restrictions (Newsletter: March 27, 2023)

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MD legal sales vote; OR interstate marijuana commerce suit; NV psychedelics; Canada dispensary study; Congressman: protect patients from pesticides

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Mike Braun (R-IN) filed a new bipartisan bill to ease testing and sampling requirements on industrial hemp producers who grow the crop for purposes other than cannabinoid extraction.

Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) argued at a House Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee hearing that his bill to combat the use of banned pesticides at illegal marijuana grow sites will protect the health of consumers—especially medical cannabis patients.

Maryland’s Senate president said the chamber will vote on a bill to regulate marijuana sales this week. Meanwhile, regulators released new reports to help the state prepare for legalization’s launch.

The Nevada Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing on a bill to legalize psilocybin—hearing testimony from many advocates, including an Assembly lawmaker who described his own experiences with psychedelic therapy.

An Oregon marijuana business challenging the state’s ban on interstate cannabis commerce is asking a federal judge to allow its lawsuit to be heard in court and reject state officials’ motion to dismiss the case.

A new study of Canada’s legal marijuana industry found that “59% of neighbourhoods were within a 5-minute drive of a cannabis store” and that the market has “expanded enormously over the first 4 years” following legalization.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) vetoed a bill that would have allowed hemp products in process to have up to 5 percent THC.

The Montana Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee rejected House-passed bills to ban most marijuana advertising and require warning labels for pregnant women on cannabis products.

Virginia lawmakers are considering amending a hemp product restriction bill to accommodate the concerns of patients who say it may impede their access to CBD medicines.

/ FEDERAL

The Drug Enforcement Administration released a report with recommendations on improving the effectiveness and integrity of the agency’s foreign operations.

A U.S. Air Force official spoke about the branch’s marijuana enlistment waiver program during testimony at a Senate hearing.

A new resolution from Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) commemorating National Poison Prevention Week notes the issue of accidental edible cannabis ingestion.

/ STATES

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed a bill to regulate delta-8 THC products. Separately, he signed an emergency regulation banning the sale of products containing tianeptine.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a bill allowing regulators to embargo and destroy marijuana if “health, safety, or welfare of the public imperatively requires emergency action.” Separately, the Senate confirmed the governor’s nominations to serve on the Natural Medicine Advisory Board.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed legislation to add new medical cannabis qualifying conditions, prohibit doctors from issuing recommendations to pregnant and breastfeeding women and restrict them from having certain financial relationships with medical marijuana businesses.

Missouri Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Eigel, currently a state senator, spoke about his opposition to marijuana legalization.

The Oklahoma Senate passed a number of bills amending medical cannabis rules.

North Carolina senators filed a bill to ban delta-8 and delta-9 THC products from schools and school-sponsored events.

A South Carolina senator expressed frustration in a Senate floor speech about his medical cannabis legislation being blocked from consideration.

A California senator tweeted, “Our bill to decriminalize possession & use of psychedelics (SB 58) passed the Senate Public Safety Committee. It’s time for CA to move away from criminalizing these substances, which are not addictive & which have so much potential for mental health & substance use treatment.”

Minnesota representatives discussed a bill to create a psychedelics task force.

A Pennsylvania senator said he’s “not a big fan of” the idea of putting marijuana sales in state-run stores.

New York regulators adopted rules on marijuana packaging, labeling, marketing, advertising and laboratories.

Washington State regulators are considering extending the application deadline for social equity cannabis retail licenses.

Vermont regulators updated the list of cannabis products registered for sale.

Oregon regulators posted a series of forms that people must fill out before receiving psilocybin services.


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.

/ LOCAL

The St. Louis County, Missouri Council is considering enacting a ban on smoking marijuana at county parks.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Toronto, Ontario, Canada’s government expanded its drug decriminalization proposal to cover young people in addition to adults, as well as all drugs.

The leader of the Irish Labour Party said the government should license the sale of cannabis at music festivals.

A Bogota, Colombia economic development official participated in a cannabis event.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “oral fluid tests showed the most promise for use in roadside screening for blood THC levels over legal limits,…urine tests are generally inadvisable, and observational tests require sensitivity improvements.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll of Britons found that 55 percent said they could definitely identify the smell of cannabis.

A poll of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania residents found that 22 percent support arresting drug users and 27 back allowing safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.

RTI International is holding an event on cannabis equity on Thursday.

/ BUSINESS

atai Life Sciences reported a quarterly net loss of $45 million.

Altria Group Inc.’s CEO said the company is considering expanding into cannabis products.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. received notification that it is not in compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirements.

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. is delaying its earnings call scheduled for Tuesday.

Ascend Wellness Holdings LLC is being sued by a former employee who says he was improperly fired after being incorrectly blamed for theft.

MedMen Enterprises Inc. changed its auditor.

Canadian retailers sold C$395.5 million worth of legal cannabis products in January.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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