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Biden campaign trashes Trump on marijuana; SAFE Banking; TX gov opposes local decrim; NH legalization amendments; KS medical cannabis vote; ND ballot
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign said in an email that “Trump and his administration took marijuana reform backwards, withdrawing guidelines to limit prosecutions of marijuana offenses that were legal under state laws”—even though the current administration hasn’t reinstated the enforcement guidance.
Congressional leaders have decided not to pursue enacting marijuana banking legislation by attaching it to a must-pass aviation bill—though they are assessing other vehicles for the reform—according to the U.S. Cannabis Council.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) said in a leaked audio recording that she was “offended” when Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas reacted to her concern about Customs and Border Protection agents seizing marijuana products from licensed businesses in her state by saying, “Who cares? They make a lot of money.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) criticized cities that are moving to enact local marijuana decriminalization policies such as the proposal on Lubbock’s May 4 ballot—saying it will lead to “chaos” as municipalities “pick and choose” the laws they want to abide by.
The New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a House-passed marijuana legalization bill—with the Senate president and other lawmakers pushing for a number of changes, including adding THC limits and removing provisions allowing noncommercial sharing of cannabis.
The Kansas Senate rejected a motion to advance a stalled medical cannabis legalization bill to the floor.
The California Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee narrowed the scope of a bill to remove marijuana-related employment protections from people who work in certain law enforcement positions.
North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe (R) approved the format of a marijuana legalization initiative, clearing activists to begin collecting signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot.
/ FEDERAL
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced that the Biden administration is delaying a proposed rule to ban menthol cigarettes.
Customs and Border Protection tweeted, “Heading across the border for the @NFLDraft in #Detroit? Don’t travel with Marijuana! Marijuana is a controlled substance under U.S. Federal law. Transporting marijuana or any illegal substances across the border is a bad idea.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) included marijuana banking in a list of legislation he would like to pass this year.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) tweeted, “It’s been 18 months since @POTUS called on the DEA to review the classification of marijuana, which is currently in the same category as heroin & a more dangerous category than fentanyl. Lawmakers & I are calling on the DEA to act now & legalize marijuana.”
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) tweeted, “Federal legalization of marijuana is not a matter of IF — it’s a matter of WHEN. The bare minimum should be to reschedule marijuana. This week, I pushed to do exactly this with a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives.”
Rep. Babara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “By descheduling cannabis, @POTUS has the chance to reverse more than 50 years of failed, racially discriminatory cannabis policy. As #CannabisCaucus Co-Chair, I’m calling on him & the DEA to take action.”
/ STATES
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) directed regulators to issue notices addressing the sale and distribution of illegal hemp products. Separately, regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to the presence of aspergillus and because of inaccurate labeling.
Nebraska’s attorney general is suing a company for allegedly selling “mislabeled, contaminated and harmful THC products to children.”
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court overturned a ruling that found reimbursing an injured worker for medical cannabis would violate federal law.
New York regulators are asking a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit claiming that their marijuana business licensing process discriminates against white males.
Alaska regulators filed rules on marijuana special investigator hiring standards.
Michigan regulators hired a director for the state’s new cannabis reference laboratory.
Virginia State Police have carried about a series of searches and seizures at cannabis-related stores.
Missouri regulators window for marijuana microbusiness license applications closes on Monday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,400 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.
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/ LOCAL
The Los Angeles, California City Council approved a motion aimed at limiting criminalization of employees who are unaware they are working at unlicensed cannabis businesses.
A judge overseeing litigation about Menominee, Michigan’s marijuana business licensing policies scolded lawyers in the case.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Thailand’s public health minister signed a directive allowing use of psilocybin and opium for medical treatment and research.
Germany’s health minister tweeted, “The largest and methodologically best study to date on the legalization of cannabis in 24 US states clearly shows that legalization has not led to an increase in consumption among young people. This confirms other studies and is an important finding.”
British Columbia, Canada officials are moving to recriminalize public drug use.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “use of tetrahydrocannabinol is associated with an increase in survival time in palliative cancer patients.”
A study of rolling papers concluded that “exposure estimates indicate that the concentrations of several elements in some products, particularly Cu, Cr, and V, may present a potential hazard to frequent users.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Republican National Committee tweeted, “‘I just don’t think people should have to go to jail for smoking weed,’ says Kamala Harris — who oversaw 1,900+ convictions for marijuana-related offenses as district attorney.”
The Drug Policy Alliance is hosting an event series on drug war profiteering.
Elon Musk tweeted, “I’ve heard that Ayahuasca can lead to deep personal insights.”
/ BUSINESS
MedMen Enterprises Inc. entered bankruptcy proceedings, and its board of directors and CFO resigned.
A threat letter from Tootsie Roll Industries led Lions Labs to change the name of a product as well as its logo, packaging and marketing materials.
Arkansas dispensaries sold $44.8 million worth of medical cannabis products in February and March.
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