Despite the confirmation nearly two weeks ago that the DEA is rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III, both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have remained notably silent on the matter.

The DEA’s decision to reschedule marijuana followed a recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which concluded a nearly year-long review initiated by a 2022 executive order from President Biden. Despite Biden prompting this review, both he and Vice President Harris have maintained a notable silence on the matter.

Neither Biden nor Harris have issued any social media posts, press releases, or official statements, despite the significant potential implications of the DEA’s decision legally and politically.

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Today, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram announced the release of the 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA). In it the agency warns about the shift away from plant-based drugs to synthetic drugs.

The NDTA is the DEA’s “comprehensive strategic assessment of illicit drug threats and trafficking trends endangering the United States.”

In a press release announcing the new assessment, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram says that “The shift from plant-based drugs, like heroin and cocaine, to synthetic, chemical-based drugs, like fentanyl and methamphetamine, has resulted in the most dangerous and deadly drug crisis the United States has ever faced.”
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Vermont’s Legislature has given final approval to House Bill 72, which “proposes several provisions relating to harm-reduction and criminal justice responses to drug use.”

The proposal was given approval by the Senate on May 2 by a vote of 21 to 8, with the House of Representatives voting on Tuesday to give the measure final approval. The vote in the House was 96 to 35. The proposal will now be sent to Governor Phil Scott, who says he will veto the measure, just as he vetoed a recent bill that would have allowed legal marijuana sales.

If Governor Scott does veto the measure, the legislature could override it with a 2/3rds majority. The measure was passed with over 70% support in both chambers, indicating that there may be enough support to do so.
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The Colorado Legislature has overwhelmingly approved a bill designed to “address efficiency in the regulation of existing marijuana licensees.”

Senate Bill 76 was approved by the Senate on April 29 with a 33 to 1 vote. On May 7, the House of Representatives passed the bill 52 to 9, incorporating minor amendments. Following this, the Senate concurred with the House amendments on May 8 by a vote of 33 to 1. The bill now proceeds to Governor Jared Polis, who is expected to sign it into law.

Once enacted, the measure will incorporate a series of changes to the regulation of marijuana businesses, including:
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Vice President Kamala Harris plans to strongly advocate for the legalization of recreational marijuana once the rescheduling process is complete, according to a campaign official.

On April 29, it was reported that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be rescheduling marijuana, following an over eight-month review prompted by a Department of Health and Human Services recommendation. This development was confirmed by an official with the Department of Justice the following day.

Now, a campaign official tells us that once the move to Schedule III is complete, Vice President Harris plans to put her full support behind efforts to deschedule and legalize marijuana. This includes publicly endorsing and advocating for the recently-introduced Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA) in the Senate, and the MORE Act in the House of Representatives.
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New Hampshire’s Senate Judiciary Committee has given approval to a bill to legalize recreational marijuana, which has already been passed through the full House of Representatives.

The Judiciary Committee’s passage of House Bill 1633 —by a vote of 3 to 2— marks the first time a Senate committee in New Hampshire has ever given approval to a marijuana legalization bill. HB 1633 was passed by the House of Representatives last month with overwhelming support, with the vote being 239 to 136.

Filed by State Representative Erica Layon (R), the proposed law would allow those 21 and older to possess and use marijuana for recreational use. The measure would establish a system of licensed, taxed and regulated marijuana retail outlets, with marijuana taxed at 10%. The Senate Judiciary Committee amended the bill to alter the specifics of the legal marijuana industry, meaning it will need to go back to the House for another vote if it passes the full Senate.
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Legislation that would establish the “Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group” has been passed through Vermont’s full House of Representatives.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms.

Senate Bill 114 was given approval today by the state’s House in a unanimous voice vote. The measure has already been passed through the Senate, but will need to go back for another vote before it can be sent to Governor Phil Scott for consideration, given it was amended in the Senate.

The proposed law would establish the Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group “to examine the use of psychedelics to improve physical and mental health and to make findings and recommendations regarding the advisability of the establishment of a State program similar to other jurisdictions to permit health care providers to administer psychedelics in a therapeutic setting and the impact on public health of allowing individuals to legally access psychedelics under State law.”
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Legislation offering grants to states and localities to ease the expungement of nonviolent marijuana offenses has been filed in the United States Senate.

Senate Bill 4161 —the HOPE Act of 2024— was filed recently by Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV). The proposal is a companion bill to House Bill 2677, also referred to as the HOPE Act.

In the Senate, the measure was filed with no cosponsors. The House version of the bill is sponsored by a bipartisan coalition of five lawmakers.
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