VA marijuana commission to shape legal sales; FL gov signs cannabis patient punishments; PA cannabis bill filed; DE legal sales launch date
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, told Marijuana Moment that the group still hasn’t held a meeting during the current legislative session — with one-quarter of the 119th Congress now already elapsed.
The new Virginia Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Retail Cannabis Market will hold its first meeting next week to begin work preparing the state to legalize recreational marijuana sales after this year’s gubernatorial election.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill to revoke medical cannabis patient and caregiver registrations from anyone convicted of certain drug crimes.
Bipartisan Pennsylvania senators filed a new bill to create a Cannabis Control Board to oversee the existing medical marijuana program and that could also oversee the adult-use market if broader legalization is enacted.
The Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner announced that recreational cannabis sales will begin on August 1, with Gov. Matt Meyer (D) saying the “new industry will generate critical revenue to strengthen our schools, infrastructure and public health systems, while creating real opportunities for entrepreneurs.”
Americans for Safe Access’s Steph Sherer argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that President Donald Trump’s proposal to delete a federal medical cannabis rider from spending legislation “reveals not only the fragility of patient protections but also exposes Congress’s failure to fulfill its promise” to patients.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) approved emergency medical cannabis rules allowing regulators to begin accepting license applications but blocking patients from accessing marijuana flower, infused food or drinks and any products administered by smoking or vaping.
The New Mexico legislature’s Interim Courts and Criminal Justice Committee held a hearing on cannabis regulators’ efforts to step up enforcement against illicit operations.
/ FEDERAL
Former Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Derek Maltz tweeted about the “dangerous truth about marijuana advocates don’t want you to know,” pointing to research about its alleged harms and saying that “Chinese criminal networks that are running grow operations all over the country and spraying Chinese pesticides on the plants.”
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) said that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s support for psychedelics therapy is “helping to mainstream what could be a groundbreaking shift in mental health.”
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) published a blog post about legislation to increase military veterans’ access to medical cannabis.
Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI) tweeted, “Great news! → The House passed legislation this week to support our military and veteran community, including critical funding I fought and secure for:… ✅ Breakthrough PTSD psychedelic treatment… We stand with those who served. 🇺🇸”
The House bill to designate psychedelic innovative therapies centers of excellence got one new cosponsor for a total of nine.
/ STATES
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) used a line-item veto to reject budget provisions to change the marijuana tax structure.
Colorado’s attorney general announced a settlement that permanently bars a company that allegedly marketed marijuana products as federally legal industrial hemp from participating in the state’s cannabis industry.
The Iowa Supreme Court upheld the conviction of a man who was carrying both marijuana and a pistol in his car.
An Alabama judge rejected a request for a temporary restraining order against certain parts of the state’s hemp product restriction law.
A new Idaho mandatory minimum fine for marijuana possession took effect this week.
A California marijuana tax increase took effect on Tuesday.
A Minnesota law to increase in marijuana taxes took effect on Tuesday.
Utah regulators are accepting applications for a new medical cannabis pharmacy license.
Massachusetts regulators issued an order shutting down a cannabis testing lab over alleged violations.
Vermont regulators said errors with a cannabis inventory tracking form have been fixed.
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