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NDAA and cannabis provisions delayed (Newsletter: December 6, 2022)

Biden HHS sec. tweets Marijuana Moment at 4:20; New top House Dem: Cannabis an “opportunity for common ground”; NJ banking bill; PA pardons problems…

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Biden HHS sec. tweets Marijuana Moment at 4:20; New top House Dem: Cannabis an “opportunity for common ground”; NJ banking bill; PA pardons problems

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The House Rules Committee was scheduled to take up the National Defense Authorization Act on Monday—along with possible marijuana banking and expungements provisions— but the text is not yet ready amid disagreements over a number of issues.

  • Meanwhile, the offices of several Senate Republicans met with the Department of Justice to discuss outstanding concerns about the cannabis legislation. Also, the “SAFE Plus” package will reportedly include measures on gun rights for marijuana consumers when it is formally unveiled.

Health and Human Services Sec. Xavier Becerra tweeted a Marijuana Moment article about the federal scheduling review he’s leading—at precisely 4:20PM. It’s the second time he’s shared cannabis news at the very symbolic hour of the day.

Incoming House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said marijuana is an “opportunity for common ground” and bipartisanship in the new divided Congress next year.

The New Jersey Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee approved a bill to give state-level protections to banks and insurers that work with marijuana businesses.

The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons has approved only 231 of the more than 3,500 clemency applications it received under the governor’s Marijuana Pardon Project.

The Virginia Task Force to Analyze and Make Recommendations Regarding Whether Any Statutory or Regulatory Modifications are Necessary to Ensure the Safe and Responsible Manufacture and Sale of Industrial Hemp Extracts and Other Substances Containing Tetrahydrocannabinol that are Intended for Human Consumption in the Commonwealth issued a report recommending stricter rules for businesses that sell hemp-based delta-8 THC products.

/ FEDERAL

A federal court is being asked to overturn a Maine man’s marijuana conviction on constitutional grounds.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) is scheduled to speak at a Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants cannabis summit on Thursday.

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) tweeted, “The momentum for #cannabis is real. The historic research bill signed by my friend @POTUS and @SenatorHick’s intro of #PrepareAct shows there is growing bipartisan support for a federal framework.”

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) tweeted, “Glad to see @POTUS sign this important bill into law. I helped pass it out of @EnergyCommerce and on the House floor so we can fill the gap in research on the health effects of marijuana and cannabis products.”

/ STATES

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) and the state attorney general are asking a federal judge to dismiss remaining claims in a lawsuit that is challenging the state’s ban on sales of certain hemp products.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said he supports decriminalizing fentanyl testing strips.

Florida’s agriculture commissioner tweeted, “As a champion for ending cannabis prohibition, I’m encouraged by the negotiations in Congress. More needs to be done as we move towards equitable legalization, but financial services access, expungement programs, & protecting our constitutional rights, are a great place to start.”

New Jersey’s Senate president spoke about ongoing efforts to ensure fairness and equity in the legal marijuana industry.

Nevada’s Assembly speaker-elect cheered the issuance of marijuana consumption lounge licenses under a bill he authored.

The Ohio House Finance Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on a marijuana legalization bill on Tuesday.

A Colorado representative tweeted photos of a tour she and another lawmaker took of a marijuana cultivation facility.

A New York assemblymember criticized nonprofits that offer substance misuse treatment for applying for and receiving licenses to sell legal marijuana.

A Michigan judge upheld regulators’ decision to suspend a marijuana business’s license over allegedly unacceptable levels of banned pesticides, heavy metals, mold and bacteria.

The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy filed a lawsuit alleging that businesses have been manufacturing and selling THC edibles with illegal potency levels and in shapes that could appeal to children.

Rhode Island’s top marijuana regulator spoke about the rollout of legal recreational sales, saying he doesn’t expect that cannabis use in the state will “increase noticeably.”

California regulators filed changes to rules on marijuana cultivation licenses.

Oregon regulators are considering changes to rules on marijuana plant tagging requirements.

A draft Washington State regulators’ report on marijuana potency was leaked. Separately, the Hemp Commission Task Force sent a report to lawmakers

The Virginia State Crime Commission discussed marijuana-impaired driving and other issues.

Vermont regulators will review recommendations for marijuana license approvals and social equity status on Wednesday.

The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights is hosting an event on cannabis policies on Wednesday.

New Hampshire’s Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board will meet on Wednesday.


Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 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

New York City officials posted tips about safer cannabis use.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Former Colombian President Iván Duque said he wishes he was more vocal about pushing for a demand-side solution to the war on drugs while in office.

Cayman Islands lawmakers are expected to consider advancing a marijuana decriminalization referendum this week.

The Uruguayan government is moving to allow pharmacies to sell marijuana with greater THC potency levels.

Guyana’s health minister said that a new law diverting people possessing small amounts of marijuana from incarceration to mandatory counseling has created a need to train more counselors.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “regular cannabis use appears to suppress the impact of HIV on spontaneous and oscillatory alpha deficits in the left inferior frontal cortex and [dorsolateral prefrontal cortices].”

A review concluded that “the endocannabinoid system is a prominent target for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid diseases, viral infections, neurological and psychological pathologies, and cancer.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Indiana Democratic Party tweeted, “What’s there to discuss? 80% of Hoosiers want to legalize cannabis in some form. It’s past time for discussion – cannabis legalization is a win-win economic opportunity that will create a brighter future for the Hoosier State.”

The Independent Community Bankers of America tweeted, “With the debate over ICBA-advocated cannabis banking legislation picking up as some policymakers express concerns and others confidence in the bill’s passage, ICBA urges #communitybankers to continue speaking out.”

The Washington Examiner editorial board is urging Congress not to legalize marijuana.

A Responsibility.org staffer authored an op-ed about the dangers of marijuana-impaired driving.

/ BUSINESS

NCR Corp. and other providers are reportedly moving to shut down cashless ATMs at marijuana dispensaries.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. repurchased approximately C$102.5 million worth of its convertible senior notes.

A former CannTrust Holdings Inc. director of quality and compliance said the growth of cannabis in unlicensed rooms was “very openly discussed” at the company.

Filament Health says it created medical grade ayahuasca.

Missouri dispensaries sold a record $35.56 million worth of medical cannabis products in November.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

The post NDAA and cannabis provisions delayed (Newsletter: December 6, 2022) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.

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