DE legalization bill clears committee; SC medical cannabis revisions; Study: Legal marijuana tied to reduced opioid prescriptions; ND hemp flags reso
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) unveiled a budget proposal that includes funding to implement marijuana legalization and expungements, along with projections for cannabis sales revenue, as lawmakers work to enact the reform.
The Minnesota House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee approved a marijuana legalization bill. Senate companion legislation is set to make its first committee stop on Wednesday.
The Delaware House Revenue & Finance Committee approved a bill to legalize and regulate marijuana sales. Separate companion legislation to legalize cannabis possession is scheduled for committee action on Wednesday.
A South Carolina Republican senator revised his medical cannabis bill for the 2023 session after procedural issues with tax provisions in last year’s version caused the Senate-passed legislation to stall on the House floor.
The North Dakota House of Representatives passed a resolution urging people to buy American flags made out of hemp.
A new study using Drug Enforcement Administration data shows that marijuana legalization is tied to reduced opioid prescriptions—specifically a “26 percent reduction in retail pharmacy-based codeine distribution” in legal cannabis states.
/ FEDERAL
The U. S. Sentencing Commission posted an overview of its proposal to change guidelines on past marijuana convictions.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) discussed federal marijuana legalization.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R) suggested that “the strength of the new marijuana” could be a factor behind recent mass shootings.
/ STATES
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said he’s more focused on regulating delta-8 THC products than allowing recreational marijuana sales to begin.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R), in his State of the State address, said that fentanyl is “not your grandparents’ marijuana.”
Two New Hampshire House committees are scheduled to hold hearings on several marijuana legalization bills on Wednesday and Thursday.
Maryland lawmakers spoke about plans to consider marijuana regulation and expungements legislation this session.
Connecticut Republican lawmakers launched a push to enact new marijuana restrictions.
Missouri’s top medical cannabis regulator is stepping down.
New York’s second legal recreational marijuana dispensary opened. Separately, a top regulator discussed the ongoing implementation of legalization.
Mississippi medical cannabis sales are expected to begin this week.
Nevada regulators suspended a business’s marijuana cultivation and production licenses over various violations.
Illinois published guidance on the use of cannabis loan funds.
Michigan regulators are conducting a survey on the marijuana track and trace system.
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/ LOCAL
San Marcos, Texas’s police chief said he is frustrated with the politics surrounding the city’s voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law.
San Francisco, California police often claim they smell marijuana to justify searches of Black people, even though it is legal, an analysis shows.
Dozens of Missouri municipalities and counties are putting local marijuana tax measures on their April ballots.
/ INTERNATIONAL
British Virgin Islands Premier Natalio Wheatley said that his government has “found a way forward” on medical cannabis after talks with UK officials.
Germany’s health minister said that if marijuana isn’t legalized for 18-25 year-olds, “they’ll be the last to buy the highly toxic products on the black market.”
France’s Economic, Social and Environmental Council issued a marijuana legalization proposal.
Ireland’s Health Service Executive posted a warning about synthetic cannabinoids.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “there are no differences in vital signs or anesthetic requirements between the THC+ and THC- groups.”
A study showed that “recreational [marijuana] markets were associated with a 10% increase in motor vehicle accident deaths, on average,” but “found no evidence that recreational markets impacted suicides” and that “on average, recreational markets were associated with an 11% reduction in opioid overdose fatalities.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Kentucky Democratic Party tweeted, “Nine out of 10 Kentuckians support legalizing medical cannabis. While the Republicans still refuse to pass the bill, @AndyBeshearKY took action — providing real relief for veterans, seniors and Kentuckians with chronic health issues.”
The Indiana Democratic Party tweeted, “Cannabis should be legalized across Indiana. It is a win-win for the state’s economy and will put a stop to senseless litigation over an issue more than 80% of Hoosiers support. It’s time to #LegalizeIt and create a better future for the state.”
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies Executive Director Rick Doblin authored an op-ed explaining how the organization and its subsidiary try to “strike a balance between…public benefit and private profit.”
/ BUSINESS
Clever Leaves Holdings Inc. is winding down its operations in Portugal.
Journey Clinical raised $8.5 million in a series A funding round.
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