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Aug 3, 2022

Do you have a drug policy-related tip/lead that you think deserves attention but isn’t being reported? Here’s your friendly reminder that we’re always eager to hear from you (and will ensure anonymity if requested). DMs open, email/cell in bio, also on Signal.

Minnesota's governor says he will sign the marijuana legalization bill at a "big" ceremony next week. Also, the state has already launched a website for the Office of Cannabis Management, which technically won't even be formed until July.

Minnesota Governor Says He’ll Sign Marijuana Legalization Bill Next Week, As State Launches New...

The governor of Minnesota has reaffirmed that he will sign a marijuana legalization bill that lawmakers sent to his desk over the weekend, and the state has already launched a website providing...

May 19

Minnesota is one vote away from sending a marijuana legalization bill to the governor. Today the Senate will take that final steps after months of extensive committee work. Catch up on yesterday's House vote to pass the bill: marijuanamoment.net/watch-live-min

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Senator Lindsey Port

@Lindsey_Port

May 19

Who's ready to pass adult-use cannabis legalization and expungment? Minnesota is ready. I'm ready. The Senate is ready. Today is the day. Legalize. Regulate. Expunge. twitter.com/zackstephenson…

May 19

I’ve covered a lot of advocacy/stakeholder letters to lawmakers on SAFE Banking. But the reactions to/discussion around this latest one have been especially interesting:

Groups Push Senators To Add Marijuana Business Stock Exchange Access To Banking Bill

A coalition of marijuana advocacy groups is asking that a bipartisan marijuana banking bill be expanded to include provisions ensuring that cannabis businesses have access to all forms of financial...

May 17

NEW: House Oversight Committee Chairman

@RepJamesComer

tells DC

@MayorBowser

that he will be "researching" the federal ban preventing the District from regulating marijuana sales. He said her testimony on public safety concerns "caught my attention."

Key GOP Congressman Says He’ll Review Federal Ban On Marijuana Sales In D.C. After Mayor Raises...

A key Republican lawmaker signaled on Tuesday that he’s interested in reassessing the federal ban that has blocked Washington, D.C. from legalizing, regulating and taxing recreational marijuana...

May 17

DEA official says new rules are coming to clarify that synthetic cannabinioids like delta-8 THC are banned substances. He also said synthetic CBD with <0.1% THC will be decontrolled.

DEA Official Says New Rules Are Coming For Synthetic Cannabinoids, Including CBD And Delta-8 THC

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will soon be proposing new rules to clarify that synthetically manufactured cannabinoids like delta-8 THC are prohibited controlled substances. At the...

May 16

Lol someone must have put me on the wrong PR media list because, in the last week, companies have mailed me bottles of weight loss supplements and like a $50 thing of “body gloss” oil. And no, they are not CBD infused. Just random, unsolicited beauty products 🤷‍♂️

May 16

Salem, Massachusetts lawmakers have voted to decriminalize magic..... mushrooms. 🧙🧹🍄

Salem, Massachusetts Lawmakers Vote To Decriminalize Psilocybin Mushrooms

Salem, Massachusetts lawmakers have approved a resolution to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms. Members of the City Council voted unanimously on Thursday to pass an activist-led measure making it...

May 12

NEW: New Hampshire's Republican governor has come out in support of legalizing marijuana through state-run stores. "I stand ready to sign" such legislation, he said. The announcement comes one day after the NH Senate defeated a legalization bill.

New Hampshire Governor Backs Marijuana Legalization Through State-Run Stores After Senate Defeats...

Just one day after the New Hampshire Senate defeated a marijuana legalization bill, the Republican governor announced that he would sign an alternative proposal to enact legalization through a system...

May 11

JUST NOW: Once again, the New Hampshire Senate has defeated a House-passed marijuana legalization bill. The bill from bipartisan House leadership was deemed "inexpedient to legislate" in a 14-10 vote.

New Hampshire Senate Rejects House-Passed Marijuana Legalization Bill

The New Hampshire Senate has rejected a House-passed bill to legalize marijuana. Just two days after receiving an unfavorable recommendation from the Senate Judiciary Committee, the full chamber...

May 11

In a new interview with MM, Wisconsin Senate Minority Leader

@SenatorAgard

spoke about cannabis legalization efforts and GOP opposition as Wisconsin becomes an island of prohibition surrounded by states with legal markets.

Top Wisconsin Senator Talks Marijuana Legalization Fight Amid GOP Opposition

Wisconsin’s Democratic Senate minority leader keeps a U.S. map in her office, color-coded to show the status of state marijuana laws around the country. Lately, that map has been growing greener and...

Inbox: Sen.

takes victory lap after confronting SAM CEO @KevinSabet at Senate Banking Committee hearing on marijuana industry financial barriers.

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May 11

"The people in states across this country have spoken—and it's abundantly clear that the status quo is not only untenable, it's very dangerous," SAFE Banking Republican sponsor Sen.

@SteveDaines

says.

U.S. Senate Committee Holds Marijuana Banking Hearing

A key U.S. Senate committee convened on Thursday to discuss marijuana banking issues and bipartisan legislation that seeks to resolve the industry’s unique financial challenges. Members of the Senate...

It's Senate Banking Committee time. Watch the hearing on cannabis banking issues live: #SAFEBanking

U.S. Senate Committee Holds Marijuana Banking Hearing

Anyone have some advice for a journalist trying to find an agent/house for their first book? Nonfiction/political/in my drug policy beat. I feel like I'm 18 years old again sending cringey pitches to The New Yorker with these queries. Is there a better/streamlined strategy?

They are:

As well as representatives of

@UFCW

and

@DamaFinancial

Senate Committee Adds New Witnesses For Marijuana Banking Hearing This Week

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee has added new witnesses who will testify at a hearing on bipartisan marijuana banking bill this week. In addition to the top bipartisan sponsors of the Secure and...

JUST IN: New witnesses have been added for tomorrow's Senate Banking Committee hearing on cannabis industry financial issues. Read about them here:

Senate Committee Adds New Witnesses For Marijuana Banking Hearing This Week

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee has added new witnesses who will testify at a hearing on bipartisan marijuana banking bill this week. In addition to the top bipartisan sponsors of the Secure and...

Love these girls 🖤

New Jersey governor signs bill allowing licensed marijuana businesses to take state tax deductions—a partial fix to tax problems the cannabis industry faces under IRS 280E.

New Jersey Governor Signs Bill To Let Marijuana Businesses Claim State Tax Deductions As Partial...

The governor of New Jersey has signed a bill into law that will allow licensed marijuana businesses to deduct certain expenses on their state tax returns—a partial remedy as the industry continues to...

Casablanca gambling? I'm shocked!

Classic Casablanca sceneRick: How can you close me up? On what grounds? Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here! [a c...

Lol sent this to a source and they replied: “I hear there is gambling in Casablanca.”

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POLITICO

@politico

May 7

When two senators sponsored a bill that would cut red tape for farmers who grow hemp, industry insiders were thrilled but not surprised. The reason: They had been intimately involved in crafting the legislation themselves. politico.com/news/2023/05/0

TODAY: Oregon has approved the nation’s first license for a psilocybin service center where people can receive facilitated psychedelic treatment. “This is such a historic moment as psilocybin services will soon become available in Oregon.”

Oregon Approves Nation’s First Psilocybin Service Center For Adults To Receive Psychedelic Treatment

Oregon regulators have approved the nation’s first license for a psilocybin service center where people will be able to use the psychedelic in a supervised and facilitated environment. The Oregon...

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May 5

The hearing was officially scheduled hours after Banking Committee Chairman

@SenSherrodBrown

told reporters that senators planned to "move quickly" on the legislation, which was refiled last week. Things are, indeed, moving quickly.

Key Senate Committee Officially Schedules Hearing On Marijuana Banking Bill For Next Week

A key Senate committee has officially scheduled a hearing for a bipartisan marijuana banking bill for next week. The Senate Banking Committee will take up the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE)...

BREAKING: The U.S. Senate Banking Committee will hold hearing on marijuana banking next week, May 11. The hearing is titled "Examining Cannabis Banking Challenges of Small Businesses and Workers." #SAFEBanking

Key Senate Committee Officially Schedules Hearing On Marijuana Banking Bill For Next Week

A key Senate committee has officially scheduled a hearing for a bipartisan marijuana banking bill for next week. The Senate Banking Committee will take up the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE)...

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TODAY: Texas Senate leader blocks an amendment from Sen.

@RolandForTexas

that would've let voters decide on marijuana legalization as part of a broader resolution.

Texas Senate Leader Blocks Democrat’s Attempt To Let Voters Decide On Marijuana Legalization

A Texas Democratic senator brought the issue of marijuana legalization to the Senate floor on Thursday, seeking to attach to an unrelated resolution an amendment that would’ve allowed Texans to vote...

BIG: Senate Banking Committee Chairman

@SenSherrodBrown

says marijuana banking bill could receive hearing as early as next week. He says senators plan to "move quickly on it." marijuanamoment.net/key-senate-com h/t

@lizbrownkaiser

@JulieNBCNews

Key Senate Committee Chairman Says Marijuana Banking Bill Hearing Could Be Held Next Week

A key Senate committee chairman said on Thursday that a hearing on a bipartisan marijuana banking bill could be scheduled as early as next week, adding that lawmakers are going to “move quickly on...

JUST NOW: Washington State

@GovInslee

signs bill allowing interstate marijuana commerce, pending a federal policy change. All three western coastal states—CA, OR, WA—are now aligned and ready to engage in cannabis imports/exports.

Washington Governor Signs Interstate Marijuana Commerce Bill Into Law

The governor of Washington State has signed a bill to allow interstate marijuana commerce, pending a federal policy change. The legislation from Sen. Ann Rivers (R) cleared the legislature last...

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Thanks, I want one

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CNN

@CNN

Sand cats may look adorable -- but new research has found they are lethal killers that feed on venomous snakes and rely on the blood of their prey for fluid. cnn.it/42GJlp9

Harker Heights already voted to decriminalize last year, but the city council repealed it. The new initiative is worded somewhat confusingly. Voters who support decriminalization should vote "no" on Proposition A to repeal the repeal.

Texas Voters Will Decide On Marijuana Decriminalization Ballot Measures In San Antonio And Harker...

Days after the Texas House of Representatives passed a marijuana decriminalization bill that is now pending in the Senate, voters in two cities in the state will head to the polls on Saturday to...

TEXAS: San Antonio and Harker Heights voters will decide on local marijuana decriminalization at the ballot this Saturday.

Texas Voters Will Decide On Marijuana Decriminalization Ballot Measures In San Antonio And Harker...

Days after the Texas House of Representatives passed a marijuana decriminalization bill that is now pending in the Senate, voters in two cities in the state will head to the polls on Saturday to...

May 3

NEW: Maryland governor signs marijuana regulations bill, setting the state up to launch adult-use sales starting July 1.

Maryland Governor Signs Marijuana Regulation Bill Into Law, With Sales Set To Begin July 1

Maryland’s governor has signed a bill to regulate marijuana sales, setting the stage for statewide legalization. House and Senate lawmakers reached an agreement on the cannabis legislation last...

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Kyle Jaeger Retweeted

Reginald Babin

@Reginald_Babin

May 2

“With the window still open and a viable compromise on the table, the critical question is not whether this time will be different but what can be done to ensure that it is.” Thanks,

@tomangell

, for letting me share my thoughts on #safebanking and federal #cannabis reform.

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Reggie Babin, the former chief counsel and lead cannabis policy adviser to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), explains in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed why he's optimistic about passing the SAFE Banking Act this Congress. marijuanamoment.net/former-top-sch

May 2

“It is unfortunate that Republicans again chose to ignore the will of the majority and remove cannabis legalization from the state budget," Senate Minority Leader

@SenatorAgard

tells MM.

Wisconsin GOP Lawmakers Strip Marijuana Legalization From Governor’s Budget In Joint Hearing

Wisconsin Republican lawmakers have removed proposals to legalize marijuana for recreational and medical use from the governor’s executive budget for the 2023-2025 biennial. At a hearing of the...

JUST IN: Wisconsin Republicans vote to strip marijuana legalization from governor's budget request... again.

Wisconsin GOP Lawmakers Strip Marijuana Legalization From Governor’s Budget In Joint Hearing

Wisconsin Republican lawmakers have removed proposals to legalize marijuana for recreational and medical use from the governor’s executive budget for the 2023-2025 biennial. At a hearing of the...

Found this new

op-ed really interesting/insightful. Reggie Babin, Schumer's former chief counsel and lead cannabis policy adviser, discusses the political dynamics under a divided Congress that could advance SAFE Banking this session.

Former Top Schumer Staffer Highlights Reasons To Be Optimistic About Marijuana Banking Passing This...

“The cost-benefit analysis of deciding how to allocate floor time actually tilts in favor of cannabis this Congress in a way that it didn’t before.” By Reggie Babin, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld...

Apr 30

Luna had lots of feels today

Happy, dramatic husky sisters enjoying their Saturday 🖤

Show this thread

Kyle Jaeger Retweeted

Senator Jacky Rosen

@SenJackyRosen

Apr 29

Legally operating cannabis businesses deserve full access to

@SBAgov

resources. It's time to pass the bipartisan SAFE Banking Act to protect NV jobs, support small cannabis businesses, and increase public safety.

Bipartisan U.S. House And Senate Lawmakers Reintroduce Marijuana Banking Bill

Bipartisan Senate and House lawmakers have refiled a much-anticipated bill to free up banking services for the marijuana industry. Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Steve Daines (R-MT), along with Reps....

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Apr 28

One thing I love about MM is how we often cover some of the wonkiest, most nuanced policy developments… stuff that some editors would shut down as too niche. But we prove month after month that thoughtful reporting drives traffic all the same. People are smarter than clickbait.

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Another strong month for Marijuana Moment web traffic, and April isn't even over yet. DM me for info about advertising opportunities to reach our way-larger-than-any-other-cannabis-news-site audience.