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AL medical marijuana bill advances; SC senator will block other bills for medical cannabis vote; TX lawmakers hear marijuana & hemp bills

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate approved Gov. Ralph Northam’s (D) amendment to launch the legalization of marijuana this summer instead of in 2024.

The Alabama House Judiciary Committee amended and approved a medical cannabis bill that has already passed the full Senate.

A South Carolina senator said that if other lawmakers block his medical cannabis legislation from getting a floor vote, he will personally hold up “every single other bill on this calendar” and bring the legislative process to a halt.

Texas lawmakers are considering several marijuana decriminalization, medical cannabis expansion and hemp reform bills at committee hearings this week

/ FEDERAL

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has reportedly been holding meetings with marijuana advocacy groups.

The federal sex trafficking investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) reportedly involves a trip he took to the Bahamas with Medical Marijuana Physicians Association cofounder and board chair Jason Pirozzolo.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) tweeted, “The Virginia General Assembly just voted to finalize the legalization of marijuana, making us the first former Confederate state to do so. Last month, we became the first state in the South to abolish the death penalty.  Don’t let anybody tell you progress isn’t possible.” He also tweeted, “Another big progressive win here in Virginia. I hope my colleagues in the House and Senate will join me in supporting the MORE Act to legalize marijuana nationwide.”

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) tweeted, “Marijuana was illegal even for medical use in Virginia when @GovernorVA took office. The General Assembly’s votes today mean it will be fully legalized this July. It’s a big step forward on criminal justice reform for the Commonwealth, and a major accomplishment for the Governor.”

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “Cannabis should be legal and records should be expunged. It’s time for Congress to catch up.”

/ STATES

New York Gov, Andrew Cuomo (D) said the new marijuana legalization law is a “big, big progressive score” for the state. He also tweeted, “Legalizing recreational cannabis will help us rebuild and renew New York by: Reinvesting in communities hurt the most by the failed prohibition of marijuana Creating new jobs & new businesses  Raising $350 million a year for education & more.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is asking lawmakers for $4 million to support lab testing of medical cannabis.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) spoke about how she wants lawmakers to address medical cannabis during a June special session. Separately, the state Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments in a case on the fate of the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law for April 28.

Virginia’s attorney general tweeted, “It is time we legalize marijuana and we expedite cannabis reforms because of the negative impact current marijuana legislation has on Black and brown Virginians. I am proud of the progress we have made but there is still more work that needs to get done before full legalization.”

Coordinators of the signature drive for a Nebraska campaign to legalize medical cannabis are being sued by donors over alleged campaign finance missteps.

The Oklahoma House Common Education Committee approved legislation to allow charter schools to receive medical cannabis tax revenue.

North Carolina lawmakers filed marijuana legalization and medical cannabis bills.

Ohio lawmakers are working on legislation to overhaul the state’s medical cannabis system.

Mississippi’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee met.

Missouri regulators urged a federal court to reject a case seeking to overturn the state’s residency requirements for medical cannabis business ownership.

Georgia regulators are expected to award medical cannabis productions licenses next month or in June.

The Washington State Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force’s Disproportionately Impacted Communities Workgroup will meet on Tuesday.

—
Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 900 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 Tucson, Arizona City Council voted to loosen restrictions on marijuana dispensaries.

Grand Junction, Colorado voters approved a ballot measure to allow marijuana businesses.

St. Johnsbury, Vermont voters approved a measure to allow marijuana sales.

The Denver, Colorado City Council is considering allowing drive-thru and walk-up marijuana sales to continue after coronavirus measures expire.

Baltimore, Maryland’s police commissioner spoke about the department’s response to the state’s attorney’s decision not to prosecute most drug cases.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Mexican lawmakers are floating the idea of requesting yet another deadline extension from the nation’s Supreme Court so they have even more time to finalize marijuana legalization legislation.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study on psychedelic microdosing found that “conscientiousness increased, while neuroticism decreased.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Alabama Democratic Party tweeted, “Legalizing medical marijuana is just the tip of the iceberg in when it comes to how we legislate cannabis. Alabama is long overdue for comprehensive marijuana and criminal justice reform.”

/ BUSINESS

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. completed its acquisition of EMMAC Life Sciences Limited and secured an investment of $130 million from a single strategic institutional investor in exchange for 31.5% equity stake in Curaleaf International.

Mydecine Innovations Group announced psilocybin-based and other psychedelic preparations it believes to be its leading novel drug candidates ahead of meetings with the Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada.

VICE examined debates about ethics in the psychedelics industry.

/ CULTURE

Willie Nelson announced a marijuana convention that will benefit HeadCount’s Cannabis Voter Project.

Lil Wayne’s lifestyle brand GKUA signed a deal to host annual 4/20 events at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

The post VA is officially legalizing cannabis in July (Newsletter: April 8, 2021) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.

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