GOP Cannabis Rescheduling Bill in Congress (Bulletin: February 1, 2023)

Truckers quitting their workforce because of marijuana; Booker on banking operations; DC medical cannabis expansion signing; MN legalization vote; Drug decriminalization in BC

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/ THINGS TO KNOW

Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) introduced a new bill in Congress to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. The proposal comes as the Biden administration conducts a review of the status of cannabis programming.

New Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data shows that more than 40,000 truckers tested positive for marijuana in 2022, an annual increase of 32%. Meanwhile, more than half of commercial drivers who have tested positive for the drug have not entered the return-to-work process due to labor shortages.

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) spoke of the “cannabis crisis” caused by a continued lack of banking protections and said enacting reform “will be more difficult, but not impossible” under House Republican control.

Mayor of Washington, DC Muriel Bowser (D) signed a bill to remove medical marijuana license caps, give operators a 280E tax break, prioritize equity firms and allow on-site consumption facilities while providing enforcement against sellers without license. The legislation also codifies that people can self-certify as medical cannabis patients without needing a doctor’s referral.

Minnesota House State and Local Government Finance and Policy Committee approved a marijuana legalization bill while rejecting a number of GOP-led amendments to add new restrictions to the legislation, including one to raise the legal age from 21 to 25.

British Columbia, Canada the federally approved drug decriminalization policy has gone into effect, but proponents say it falls short by including too low possession thresholds and leaving the supply chain unregulated.

A Republican Representative from Missouri said his new legislation to provide therapeutic access to psilocybin to people with serious mental health conditions may be particularly helpful for veterans.

Sponsored post: Peter Su from Green Check Verified details what he says are the top five cannabis banking myths.

/ FEDERAL

A Food and drug administration the cannabis-focused senior public health adviser spoke about the issues around CBD regulation and the review of marijuana programming.

Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed penalties on Mexicans accused of trafficking fentanyl.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled that activist NJWeedman lacked standing to sue New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) to strike down the state’s marijuana legalization law.

Several senators and representatives reacted to the Food and Drug Administration’s announcement that it will not issue regulations for CBD products without further action from Congress.

/ STATES

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee’s (D) office backtracked on its commitment to appoint members of the Cannabis Control Commission by the end of January, saying the background check process is still ongoing.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly (D) posted a link to an op-ed from a cancer patient who used medical cannabis, saying, “In my #SOTS address last week, I shared how the legalization of medical marijuana would have made David Auble’s last days a lot. More comfortable. Take a second and read her story in her own words from last May.

The Confederate Tribes Board of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, located in Oregonvoted to legalize marijuana on the reservation.

The North Dakota The House of Representatives has rejected bills allowing medical cannabis edibles.

A Virginia House General Laws Subcommittee deposit two bills that would have allowed regulators to begin taking steps to kick-start recreational marijuana sales.

The Wyoming House Education Committee introduced a bill that would have penalized the sale of synthetic THC-derived products to people under 21.

The washington state The Senate Labor and Trade Committee held a audience on a bill to legalize psilocybin services. Separately, regulators will host a meeting of the Cannabinoid Science Working Group on Wednesday.

Kansas senators deposit a bill on the legalization of medical cannabis.

Georgia lawmakers are considering legislation that would ban delta-8 THC products.

New Hampshire the senators discussed their views on the legalization of marijuana.

A Indiana representative spoke about the marijuana reform legislation he sponsors.

Illinois regulators have filed revised cannabis tax rules.

newly revealed Pennsylvania data shows that anxiety disorders were a factor in 60% of medical cannabis recommendations issued in 2021.

New York regulators announced the first class of the new cannabis compliance training and mentorship program.

New Jersey marijuana regulators have launched a new blog.

Oklahoma regulators released an overview of pending marijuana reform legislation.

The Arkansas The Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Thursday.


Marijuana time is track hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug bills in state legislatures and in Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, access our interactive maps, charts, and audience calendar so they don’t miss a thing.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a support on Patreon to gain access.

/ LOCAL

Killeen, from Texas The mayor said she has yet to be served in a potential lawsuit by Bell County officials over the city’s voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law.

Los Angeles, California regulators have released a report on the “gradual” application of cannabis.

/ INTERNATIONAL

from Canada The Minister for Mental Health and Addictions has said the government will launch a dashboard to track the effects of British Columbia’s drug decriminalization policy.

malaysia the deputy prime minister said the government was leading discussions on the medical uses of cannabis and kratom.

Costa Rican lawmakers held a hearing on a marijuana legalization bill.

Australian Lawmakers plan to introduce marijuana legalization legislation within the next two months.

A top Mexican The senator said lawmakers may consider marijuana legislation this session.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “phytocannabinoids may show promise topical antimicrobial agents when searching for new therapeutic candidates for different skin conditions.

One review concluded that “cocaine has been shown to reduce the severity of depression and anxiety.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Prohibitionist groups Smart Approaches to Marijuana and Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions will hold a conference in Washington, DC on 04/20.

The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation published recommendations on cannabis testing in the workplace.

20 best cannabis companies spent a combined $5.43 million on federal lobbying efforts in 2022, analysis shows.

The New York Daily News Editorial Board calls on state regulators to enforce the legal marijuana market and take action against unlicensed sellers.

/ BUSINESS

High tide inc. reported quarterly revenue of C$108.2 million and a net loss of C$52.5 million.

/ CULTURE

Seth Rogen and his cannabis company Houseplant are partnering with Airbnb on a promotion where people can stay in a house and hang out with the actor, though the company clarified that “guests are not permitted to smoke in the house” and that “no cannabis products will be made available or provided to guests during stays”.

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