In the latest sign of shifting attitudes on marijuana policy in Congress, a Senate bill to protect banks that service state-legal marijuana businesses gained a notable new cosponsor on Wednesday. Susan Collins, the Republican senator from Maine who is well known as a centrist, signed onto the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act. The move is particularly notable given that just a few years ago she spoke out forcefully against a similar proposal because she didn’t want banks to “essentially finance dealers of recreational marijuana.” To that end, the latest cosponsorship may be a bellwether for the legislation, signaling that like its House companion, it stands to earn bipartisan support if advanced to the Senate floor. Back in 2015, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced an amendment to a funding bill that would bar federal regulators from using their resources to penalize banks just because they provide financial services to cannabis businesses operating in compliance with state law.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 05/13/2021 12:33:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/gop-senator-who-trashed-marijuana-banking-amendment-years-ago-is-now-cosponsoring-reform-bill/

Nearly four months after the state Supreme Court struck down Washington’s felony drug possession law as unconstitutional, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed legislation on Thursday to recriminalize simple possession, this time as a misdemeanor. The governor did partially veto one section, however. The new law, which takes effect immediately, reestablishes criminal penalties but requires that individuals be referred to a health evaluation and possible treatment for their first two violations, allowing them to avoid arrest and a criminal record. It also earmarks nearly $100 million for drug use disorder treatment, outreach, and recovery services across the state. At a signing ceremony Thursday, Inslee called the legislation “a much more appropriate and successful way to address the needs that underlie drug abuse.”

Ben Adlin, Marijuana Moment, 05/14/2021 08:28:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/drug-possession-is-officially-a-crime-again-in-washington-but-as-a-misdemeanor-instead-of-felony/

The Minnesota House voted on Thursday to legalize marijuana for adults, the furthest the proposal has ever traveled in the Legislature and a watershed moment on an issue that has long languished in St. Paul. After more than five hours of debate, the House voted 72-61 in favor of legalization, with support from nearly all Democrats and six Republicans. DFL Gov. Tim Walz supports the measure, but it still faces long odds to become law this year, with just days left in the regular 2021 session and opposition from Republicans in control of the state Senate. But supporters lauded the package as one that would bring in millions of dollars in new tax revenue to regulate the industry while beginning to address the toll marijuana policing has taken on communities of color. “This bill is a long time coming,” said DFL Majority Leader Ryan Wink­ler of Golden Valley, who shepherded the legislation through the House. “Minnesotans have decided it’s time to legalize cannabis and right the wrongs of the criminal prohibition of marijuana that has failed Minnesotans and has failed Minnesota.”

Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news, 05/14/2021 07:35:55

Open article: https://www.cannabisbusinessexecutive.com/2021/05/minnesota-house-casts-historic-vote-to-legalize-marijuana/