Feb 08 2024

US Congressmember Sends Letter to DEA Demanding Answers on Marijuana Rescheduling Review

A member of US Congress has sent a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) demanding answers on the agency’s current review of marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance.

Last month the DEA confirmed that a review of marijuana’s Schedule I status is currently underway, but they gave no further information on what the review entails or its potential timeline for conclusion. Today, Congressmember Earl Bluemauer (D-OR), co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, sent a letter to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram requesting answers to several poignant questions.

“Clear and proactive communication is critical as this formal scheduling review moves forward”, says Bluemauer in the letter. “This scheduling review is a necessary step in the work to end the federal government’s failed and discriminatory prohibition of cannabis.”
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Feb 08 2024

WA Senate Unanimously Passes Legislation to Increase Sentence for Robbing a Marijuana Store

Legislation designed to increase the sentences of those convicted of robbing a licensed marijuana store has been passed unanimously by the Washington State Senate.

(Photo credit: Tom Sydow).

Senate Bill 6133 was passed by the Senate Tuesday in a unanimous 49 to 0 vote, sending it to the House of Representatives for consideration. The measure was filed by Senators James McCune (R), Karen Keiser (D) and Mike Padden (R).

“A 12-month sentence enhancement is created for individuals convicted of robbery in the first or second degree of a cannabis retail outlet”, states the bill’s summary.
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Feb 07 2024

Washington Senate Passes Bill to Alter Possession Limit for Marijuana-Infused Liquids

Washington State’s full Senate has passed a bill to amend the legal possession limit for marijuana-infused liquids

Under current Washington law those 21 and older can possess up to 72 ounces of marijuana-infused products in liquid form, given it has no more than 100mg of THC per product and no more than 10mg THC per serving. Senate Bill 5340 would make it so that a retailer “may sell more than 72 ounces of cannabis-infused product in liquid form if the product is packaged in individual units containing no more than four milligrams of THC per unit.”

A new limit of “200 milligrams of THC within a cannabis-infused product in liquid form is established if the product is packaged in individual units containing no more than four milligrams of THC per unit.”
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Feb 07 2024

South Carolina Senate Advances Bill to Legalize Medical Marijuana

South Carolina’s full Senate has voted to advance a bill that would legalize medical marijuana, with a final vote coming as soon as tomorrow.

South Carolina remains one of just 10 states in the US that have not legalized medical marijuana. Senate Bill 423, filed by Senator Thomas Davis with a bipartisan coalition of 11 cosponsors, would change this by legalizing the medicine. Yesterday, the Senate voted 26 to 13 to advance the measure to a special order, allowing it to be quickly considered by the full chamber for final consideration. Today ,the Senate debated the measure, but delayed a final vote until tomorrow.

The measure must now be passed through one more vote of the Senate, and then through the House of Representatives, before it can be sent to Governor Henry McMaster.
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Feb 07 2024

US House Bill to Fund Psychedelics Research Gains 16th Bipartisan Sponsor

Legislation to facilitate and fund psychedelics research has gained a new sponsor in the US House of Representatives.

(Photo credit: Getty Images).

The Douglas “Mike” Day Psychedelic Therapy to Save Lives Act of 2023 (H.R. 3684) was filed in May by Congressmember Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) along with 11 bipartisan cosponsors. Since then, the measure has gained five new sponsors, with Rep Yakym the first new sponsor for the bill in almost six months.

This legislation “requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to award grants to eligible entities to research the treatment of certain members of the Armed Forces through the use of specified psychedelic substances (e.g., MDMA).”
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Feb 07 2024

Federal Marijuana Banking Act Gains Three New US House Sponsors, Now Has 103

Just one day after the SAFE Banking Act gained its 100th sponsor in the United States House of Representatives, three new lawmakers have joined as cosponsors.

Congressmembers Matthew Carthwright (D-PA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Joseph Morelle (D-NY) signed on yesterday as cosponsors for the SAFE Banking act, bringing the total number of sponsors to 103. When you take into account the Senate companion bill, the SAFER Banking, the legislation has a total of 138 sponsors in US Congress.

If passed into law, the SAFE/R Banking Acts would explicitly allow banks and other financial institutions (such as credit unions) to provide banking services to state-legal marijuana businesses. This would include allowing banks to offer debate and credit card processing and access to business loans, among other services.
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Feb 07 2024

Hawaii: Two House Committees Overwhelming Vote to Pass Psilocybin Bill

Legislation to legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin mushrooms was passed through two House committees yesterday.

Psilocybin mushroom.

House Bill 2630 was filed last month by State Representative Della au Belatti along with 13 cosponsors. Yesterday the measure was approved by the Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs Committee in a unanimous 10 to 0 vote. It was then approved through the Health & Homelessness Committee 7 to 1.

The proposed law would legalize the possession and use of psilocybin by those with a qualifying medical condition who receives a recommendation from a licensed physician.
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Feb 07 2024

US Congress: The Three Marijuana Bills Most Likely to Pass in 2024

There are numerous marijuana-related bills currently active in the US House and Senate, but only a few have even a remote possibility of being approved through either chamber this year.

To date there has only been one piece of standalone marijuana-related legislation ever passed through Congress and sent to the president; the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, signed into law by President Biden in December, 2022.

Since then, proponents of marijuana law reform have put forth multiple proposals seeking to bring further reforms, with many being far more consequential than the above-mentioned act.
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Feb 06 2024

Washington State Senate Votes 48 to 1 to Pass Marijuana Advertising Bill

Washington’s full Senate has approved legislation that restricts the Liquor and Cannabis Control Board (LCB) from regulating the size of signs and billboards put up by marijuana stores, while removing the 1600 square inch cap for retail signs.

Senate Bill 5363, filed by Senators Drew MacEwen (R) and Derek Standford (D), was passed by the Senate today in a 48 to 1 vote. The measure must now be passed through the House of Representatives before it can be sent to Governor Jay Inslee.

According to an official summary of the bill, the Liquor and Cannabis Control Board (LCB) “may not regulate the size of retail signs, whether indoor or outdoor, and billboards for licensed cannabis retailers.”
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Feb 06 2024

DEA Announcement on Marijuana Rescheduling or Descheduling Could Come This Week

Recent rumors indicate that the Drug Enforcement Administration may announce news on the potential rescheduling or even descheduling of marijuana within a matter of days.

In August the US Department of Health and Human Services sent a letter to the DEA officially requesting marijuana be reclassified as a Schedule III drug under the Federal Controlled Substances Act. Last month the DEA sent a letter to congressional lawmakers informing them that their review of marijuana as a Schedule I drug is currently underway, while noting that the agency has “the final authority” when it comes to any rescheduling effort.

Recently a DEA official said he believes marijuana will be rescheduled before the end of the summer, and now, attorney Adrian Snead, a partner at firm Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP who previous worked for Senator Jeff Merkley (D), says that an announcement regarding the DEA’s decision could come soon.
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