Michigan Attorney General Pushes Congress To Pass Marijuana Banking Bill After Issuing Warrants For Dispensary Break-Ins
The attorney general of Michigan says that a string of break-ins at marijuana dispensaries in the state underscore the need for Congress to pass cannabis banking reform. Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) said that 12 warrants have been issued for people suspected of being involved in breaking into 20 marijuana retailers last year. Their charges […]
Top Federal Health Official Says Marijuana Scheduling Review Still Needs To Go Through ‘A Few Hoops’
The secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says he’s aware that there’s significant public interest in the timeline for the administrative review of marijuana scheduling—but there are “a few hoops we need to jump through” before completing that assessment. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra took to Twitter on Wednesday to share […]
Washington House Panel Approves Senate-Passed Bill To Allow Interstate Cannabis Commerce
A House panel in Washington State took another step toward allowing interstate cannabis commerce on Thursday, advancing a Senate-approved bill that would one day enable businesses in the state to import and export marijuana products. The bill, SB 5069, from Sen. Ann Rivers (R), would give the governor the authority to enter into agreements with […]
Hawaii Senators Approve Bill To Create Psychedelics Advisory Council To Prepare For Federal Legalization
A Hawaii Senate committee approved a House-passed bill on Wednesday that would create an advisory council to look into possible regulations to provide access to federal “breakthrough therapies” like psilocybin and MDMA. The psychedelics legislation from Rep. Adrian Tam (D) advanced, with amendments, in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in a 5-0 vote. […]
D.C. Medical Marijuana Expansion Bill Eliminating Licensing Caps Becomes Law Following Congressional Review
A Washington, D.C. bill to make fundamental changes to the medical marijuana program in the nation’s capital became law on Wednesday after undergoing a congressional review period. The measure includes reforms such as eliminating cannabis business licensing caps, providing tax relief to operators, further promoting social equity and creating new regulated business categories such as […]
Hawaii Won’t Legalize Marijuana This Year Despite Senate Passage, But Advocates Look To 2024
A Hawaii Senate-passed bill to legalize marijuana has stalled out in the House for the year—but advocates are shifting focus to 2024, hoping to enact the reform in the second half of the two-year legislative session. The legislation from Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (D) cleared the Senate earlier this month, and hopes were high that […]
Lawmakers In Three States Advance Bills To Legalize Safe Drug Consumption Sites
Lawmakers in Colorado, New Mexico and New York have approved bills to authorize safe consumption sites where people can use currently illicit drugs in a medically supervised setting and receive substance misuse treatment resources. As policymakers across the country grapple with an overdose crisis, three more states are seeking to prioritize harm reduction, with legislation […]
Alcohol group backs federal cannabis legalization (Newsletter: March 23, 2023)
Top senator: “need” to pass marijuana banking “this year”; NY unlicensed sales crackdown; 1st OR psilocybin license; NH homegrow passes Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day. (function() { window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { listeners: […]
New York Governor Proposes Bill To Increase Enforcement Against Illicit Marijuana Operators As State Works License Retailers
New York’s governor is introducing legislation to increase enforcement authority to crack down on illicit marijuana retailers as the state struggles to stand up the regulated adult-use market. The action comes on the same day that Assembly Republicans sent a letter to the administration, requesting an audit of the state’s recreational cannabis program amid controversy […]
Major Alcohol Industry Association Calls For Federal Marijuana Legalization, Recommending Regulatory Framework
A major alcohol industry association is officially backing federal marijuana legalization, releasing a policy paper that lays out regulatory priorities as Congress continues to consider ending prohibition. The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) said that lawmakers should draw from the experience of alcohol regulations to develop a framework for marijuana that promotes industry […]