A Virginia Senate committee held an initial hearing on Friday on a bill to legalize marijuana that was introduced with support from the governor just two days ago. The legislation’s quick consideration by the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee is an early sign that lawmakers intend to advance it expeditiously. Two additional hearings are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in a newly formed subcommittee of the panel that’s specifically focused on cannabis policy. The bill, which is being carried by top Senate and House leaders, would create a system of regulated and taxed marijuana sales and production, and allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to four plants for personal use, two of which could be mature. After the bill is considered by the new marijuana-focused subcommittee next week, the full Rehabilitation panel is expected to hold a vote next Friday to refer it to the Senate Judiciary Committee. After that panel considers the legislation, it would head to the Finance Committee before coming to the full Senate floor.

Tom Angell, Marijuana Moment, 01/18/2021 06:12:00

Open article:https://www.marijuanamoment.net/virginia-senate-holds-first-marijuana-legalization-hearing-with-more-scheduled-next-week/

President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is a strong backer of marijuana legalization—the latest example of a nominee holding cannabis policy reform views that go further than the incoming president’s. If confirmed by party leaders on Thursday, as is expected, former South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jaime Harrison will be responsible for coordinating Democrats’ national political activities. To that end, a push from the chair to emphasize marijuana reform, which is overwhelmingly supported by Democratic voters, could be broadly influential. Harrison made a 2020 run for a Senate seat held by outgoing Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) but didn’t prevail. During his campaign, he stressed the need to legalize marijuana as a means to promote racial justice.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 01/18/2021 09:29:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/biden-taps-marijuana-legalization-supporter-to-lead-democratic-national-committee/

A renewed effort in Washington State to allow adults to grow marijuana at home had its first hearing in Olympia last week, with a House committee considering a bill that would permit individuals to cultivate up to six cannabis plants for personal use. A committee vote on the proposal could come as soon as this Friday. Though Washington was among the first states in the nation to legalize commercial marijuana, growing the plant at home for recreational use remains a felony. Lawmakers have repeatedly rejected past personal cultivation proposals in the years since voters approved a 2012 legalization initiative, citing obstacles to enforcement and a worry that homegrown cannabis would be sold on the illicit market. If last Friday’s hearing is any indication, however, this year could be different. Public testimony on the new home grow bill, HB 1019, was relatively low-key, and most questions from lawmakers focused on minor details, such as how home grow would compare to home beer brewing and whether landlords should be able to prohibit plants in rental units.

Ben Adlin, Marijuana Moment, 01/19/2021 08:14:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/washington-state-marijuana-homegrow-bill-draws-smooth-reception-at-initial-hearing/

The French parliament will launch an online questionnaire today to better understand public opinion towards recreational cannabis use. The questionnaire, which will have five or six questions, will be available on the Assemblée nationale website for around one month. MP for Essonne and leader of the project, Robin Reda, told AFP that a report detailing the results would be available towards the end of March or beginning of April. He said: “The goal is to inform the debate as much as possible. The success of the survey will depend on the largest number of people possible participating.” Government inquiries into medical marijuana The parliamentary group behind the project will also give conclusions on its studies into the use of medical marijuana (including products such as cannabidiol and CBD) in mid-February.

Sean Hocking, Cannabis Law Report, 01/15/2021 19:45:00

Open article: https://cannabislaw.report/french-government-to-ask-public-opinion-on-recreational-cannabis/