May 25 2023

Minnesota Governor Signs Bills to Allow Drug Consumption Sites, Create Psychedelics Task Force

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed into law legislation that will fund the creation of safe drug consumption sites and will establish a psychedelics task force to study a pathway to legalization.

(Photo credit: Sound Publishing)

The proposals allowing for safe drug consumption sites (also referred to as “overdose prevention centers”) and creating a psychedelic task force were passed by the legislature as part of larger omnibus bills that cover a variety of topics related to health and human services. The governor also signed a harm reduction bill that legalizes the possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Psychedelic Medicine Task Force, consisting of 23 members, will be tasked with advising lawmakers on “the legal, medical, and policy issues associated with the legalization of psychedelic medicine in the state.” The task force will focus on psilocybin, MDMA and LSD, and is being funded with a two-year appropriation of around half a million dollars.
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May 24 2023

California Psychedelic Legalization Bill Passed by Full Senate

A California bill to legalize the personal possession of several psychedelic substances, including magic mushrooms (psilocybin), has been passed by the full Senate.

The Senate voted 21 to 16 today to pass Senate Bill 58. The measure would legalize the possession of up to two grams of DMT, 15 grams of ibogaine, two grams of psilocybin (or up to four ounces of “a plant or fungi containing psilocybin”) and two grams of psilocyn (or up to four ounces of “a plant or fungi containing psilocybin”).

SB 58 would legalize the “possession, preparation, obtaining, transfer, as specified, or transportation” of the above-mentioned substances” for personal or facilitated use”. It would also allow for “group counseling and community-based healing” and would legalize “any spores or mycelium capable of producing mushrooms or other material which contain psilocybin or psilocyn.”
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May 24 2023

Colorado Governor Signs Bill Establishing Framework for Legal Psychedelics With No Possession Limit

Legislation to legally regulate certain psychedelics has been signed into law by Governor Jared Polis.

Legal Psychedelics

Governor Polis signed Senate Bill 23-290 into law today, three weeks after it was sent to him by the state’s legislature. It passed the House 45 to 18 and the Senate 25 to 11.

SB 23-290 places no specific possession limits on the personal use of psilocybin, ibogaine, mescaline, DMT and psilocyn for those 21 and older, while establishing a legal framework for obtaining them. The bill was introduced in response to a voter-approved initiative that legalized certain psychedelics while tasking state lawmakers with establishing regulations.
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May 24 2023

Maine Bill Would Almost Double Marijuana Tax Rate

Legislation filed in the Maine Legislature would significantly increase the tax rate for legal marijuana sales.

Filed by State Representative Matthew Moonen, Legislative Document 1946 has been assigned to the House Taxation Committee in the House and the Senate Taxation Committee in the Senate.

The proposed law would increase the tax rate for marijuana sales from 5.5%, to 10%. The change would take effect on October 1 of this year.
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May 24 2023

Louisiana Marijuana Expungement Bill Passed by House 69 to 30

Louisiana’s full House of Representatives has passed a bill to allow for the quick expungement of marijuana possession convictions.

House Bill 286 was passed yesterday 69 to 30 through the House of Representatives, sending it to the Senate for consideration. The proposal allows those with a misdemeanor conviction for marijuana possession to file a motion to expunge the charge 90 days following their conviction. First-time offenders would be exempt from processing fees.

The measure was filed by Representative Delisha Boyd with 22 cosponsors.
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May 24 2023

Oregon: $1 Billion in Marijuana Taxes Made Since Start of Legal Sales

Oregon has made roughly $1 billion in tax revenue from legal marijuana, according to data released by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

Since the start of legal marijuana sales in October, 2016, the state has made $952 million in tax revenue from the legal distribution of $5.6 billion worth of marijuana and marijuana products. This does not count the over $80 million in additional tax revenue garnered by cities who have established a local tax, meaning the total marijuana tax revenue garnered throughout Oregon is now over $1 billion.

Oregon marijuana stores sold $80,748,638 worth of marijuana in April, roughly on par with the $81 million sold in March but a decrease from the $90 million sold in April, 2022.

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May 24 2023

Legislation Filed in US House to Direct VA to Research Medical Cannabis

Legislation that directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs “to conduct and support research on the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis” was filed this week in the US House of Representatives

House Bill 3584 was filed by Congressmember Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican from Iowa. The measure has been assigned to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

According to its title, the measure is designed “To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct and support research on the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis, and for other purposes.”
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May 23 2023

Ohio Bill to Legalize Marijuana Filed in State House, Given Committee Assignment

Legislation to legalize marijuana in Ohio has been given an official committee assignment in the House of Representatives.

House Bill 168 was filed on May 8 by State Representative Jamie Callender along with 11 cosponsors. Interestingly Callender is a Republican, whereas all 11 cosponsors are Democrats. Today the measure received its first committee assignment – the House Finance Committee.

House Bill 168 would create a legalized and regulated market for recreational marijuana. Those 21 and older would be able to purchase and possess up to five ounces of marijuana flower, 15 grams of hash, eight grams of marijuana concentrates like oil and wax, and they could grow up to 12 plants for personal use.
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May 23 2023

California Made Over $215 Million in Marijuana Taxes in Q1, 2023

According to data released by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, California Made $216 million in tax revenue from legal marijuana between January and April of this year.

As of May 16 California made $216.2 million from the legal distribution of roughly $1.2 billion worth of marijuana and marijuana products including hash, tinctures and edibles. $104.3 million came from the state’s marijuana excise tax, while $111.9 million came from the state sales tax.

The $216 million made in Q1, 2023 is a 12% decrease from the $248 million made during the same quart last year. It’s also less than the $320 million made in Q1, 2021, but is roughly on part with the $218 million in Q1, 2020, and more than the $131 million made in Q1, 2019.
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May 23 2023

North Carolina Marijuana Legalization Effort Sponsored by 21 Lawmakers

Last month legislation to make recreational marijuana legal in North Carolina was passed through its first reading and given a committee assignment in the House of Representatives. Since then, the bill has garnered 10 additional sponsors.

House Bill 626 was filed on April 17 by State Representative Johnnie Autry along with three cosponsors. A little over a month later although the bill has yet to advance out of the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee, 10 additional lawmakers have signed on to officially sponsor the bill. Now over 10% of the entire 120-member House of Representatives is sponsoring the proposal.

A companion bill – SB 346 – was filed in March with just one sponsor. It’s now sponsored by almost 15% of the full Senate, at seven. This brings the total number of sponsors in the legislature to 21.
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