May 17 2024

New York Legislation Filed to Allow Licensed Cannabis Events

New York Senator Michelle Hinchey has introduced a legislative proposal aimed at regulating cannabis events across the state.

Senate Bill 9679, if passed, will amend the existing cannabis law by adding Section 130-a, which establishes a framework for cannabis event permits.

The bill defines a “cannabis event” as an event where licensed retailers of adult-use cannabis can sell their products outside of their licensed premises. These events can take place at various locations such as theatrical productions, concerts, sporting events, exhibitions, private venues, or any other location authorized by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Additionally, these events may include educational activities, music, and other forms of entertainment.
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May 17 2024

Louisiana Governor Receives Bill to Extend Medical Marijuana Program to 2030

The Louisiana Legislature gave final approval this week to a bill that would extend the sunset period for Louisiana’s medical marijuana pilot program, sending it to Governor Jeff Landry.

Senate Bill 228 passed through its third and final reading in the House of Representatives on May 13 by a vote of 89 to 1. The following day, the Senate gave final approval to the bill, also with just one “No” vote (37 to 1). Yesterday, the measure was officially sent to Governor Landry, giving him a 10-day window to sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.

Filed by Senator Patrick McMath, the measure would extend the state’s medical marijuana pilot program—established in 2022—until July 1, 2030. Under current law, the program is set to expire on January 1, 2025.
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May 17 2024

US Congress: Defense Bill Includes Ending Marijuana Testing for Military Recruits

A federal defense bill expected to be passed by the US Congress in the coming weeks would end marijuana testing for military recruits and prospective officers.

(Photo credit: Bumble Dee/Shutterstock)

A defense bill released this week—which must be approved to continue funding the nation’s defenses and military operations—includes a provision prohibiting the military from requiring a cannabis test for enlisting or commissioning. This provision coincides with the federal government’s move to reschedule marijuana and comes at a time when 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 38 have legalized marijuana for medical use.

The provision aims to address dwindling military recruitment numbers. A Gallup poll released last month found that 12% of Americans aged 18-29, the prime demographic for military recruiting, reported using marijuana regularly (defined as at least 10 days per month).
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May 17 2024

New Jersey Bill Would Require Workers’ Comp and Health Insurance to Cover Medical Marijuana

Legislation that “Requires workers’ compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances” has been filed in the New Jersey Legislature.

Assembly Bill 4371 was filed yesterday by Representative Herbert Conaway (D). The measure has been assigned to the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurances Committee.

“Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of this section, an employer or workers’ compensation insurance carrier or private passenger automobile insurance carrier shall provide coverage for costs associated with the medical use of cannabis pursuant to P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) except that an employer or carrier shall not be required to provide coverage for costs associated with the medical use of cannabis upon intervention by the federal government to enforce the “Controlled Substances Act”.
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May 17 2024

Nationwide Fox News Poll Finds 69% of Voters Support Legalizing Marijuana

According to a new Fox News Poll, roughly seven out of every 10 registered voters in the United States support legalizing marijuana.

The poll found majority support for marijuana legalization among all political affiliations, including 81% of Democrats, 65% of independents and 55% of Republicans.

The poll found that a majority supported legalization across all races, ages, income levels, education levels and geographic region. Those identified as “very conservative” were the only group to oppose the move.
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May 17 2024

Public Comment on Marijuana Rescheduling Begins Tuesday, May 21

Yesterday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) published its proposed rules for rescheduling marijuana. These rules will be officially published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, initiating the legally required 60-day public comment period.

The notice published yesterday by the DEA states that the agency plans to reclassify marijuana from its current status as a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. The notice’s publication coincided with a social media video announcement by President Biden and Vice President Harris.

The DEA now states that the notice will be officially published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, May 21. This will mark the start of the 60-day public comment period, during which anyone can provide remarks and feedback on the proposed change. The proposed change is currently listed on the Federal Register’s website with the disclaimer, “This document is unpublished. It is scheduled to be published on 05/21/2024.”
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May 16 2024

New Hampshire Senate Approves Recreational Marijuana Bill

For the first time ever, the New Hampshire Senate has given approval to legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana.

House Bill 1633 passed the full Senate today through its second reading by a vote of 14 to 9. It will now go to the Senate Finance Committee and then to a third and final reading by the Senate, expected next week, before it can be sent back to the House of Representatives. The House passed the bill last month by a vote of 239 to 136. However, since it was amended in the Senate, the House will need to concur with the changes before the measure can be sent to Governor Chris Sununu.

If the House disagrees with the Senate’s changes, a conference committee consisting of members from both chambers will be established with the hopes of reaching a consensus.
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May 16 2024

Maryland Governor Signs Psychedelics Bill Into Law

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed into law legislation that establishes a psychedelics task force.

Psilocybin (top left), mescaline (top right), DMT (bottom left), and psilocin (bottom right), the four substances that will be covered by the new task force.

Senate Bill 1009 was passed unanimously through the full legislature, with the vote being 137 to 0 in the House of Representatives and 45 to 0 in the Senate.

The new law will establish a “Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances to study and make recommendations related to the use of natural psychedelic substances; and requiring the Task Force to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before July 31, 2025.”
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May 16 2024

The DEA Has Published Rules to Reschedule Marijuana: Here’s What Comes Next

Today, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officially published its proposed rules that would move marijuana to Schedule III. Here’s a look at the next steps to make the change final.

The 92-page notice published today by the DEA (a branch of the Department of Justice) states that the federal government plans to move marijuana from its current status as a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug, based on its currently accepted medical value. The notice’s publication coincided with a social media video announcement by President Biden.

The DEA publishing the proposed rules in the Federal Register indicates that they’ve received approval from the White House Office of Management and Budget. Now that the notice has been published, it initiates a 60-day public comment period, which is legally required for any changes to the Controlled Substances Act.
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May 16 2024

119th US Lawmaker Joins as Sponsor to SAFE Banking Act

119 members of the United States House of Representatives are now sponsoring the SAFE Banking Act to allow marijuana banking.

(Photo credit: GETTY Images).

Yesterday, Congressmember Chris Deluzio (D-PA) signed on as a cosponsor for the SAFE Banking Act, bringing the total number of sponsors to 119 (109 more than when it was filed last April). The proposed law would allow banks and credit unions to provide financial services to marijuana businesses that are licensed under state law. A Senate version of the measure —the SAFER Banking Act— currently has 36 sponsors and has been passed through the Senate Banking Committee.

The SAFE Banking Act would also remove an IRS rule that prohibits marijuana businesses from taking standard tax deductions even if they’re legal under their state’s laws.
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