The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a large-scale defense spending bill that includes an amendment to shield banks that work with state-legal marijuana businesses from being penalized by federal regulators. Now advocates and industry stakeholders are left wondering: what’s the fate of the reform in the Senate? And can it make it to the president’s desk? New comments from Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)—who’s helping lead the charge to advance comprehensive marijuana legalization and who has been severely critical of efforts to enact banking reform first—a signal that the path to passing the incremental policy change through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) could be in jeopardy in the Senate. Other key senators have also expressed skepticism about the reform’s prospects through this process. For supporters, things may have been more simple if the Senate had moved to include cannabis banking reform in its own version, but the text of NDAA released by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday does not contain that language. That means the matter will need to be settled in a bicameral conference committee after the full Senate formally passes its bill. At that point, negotiators from both chambers will work to resolve differences between their separate proposals.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 09/23/2021 21:00:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/house-officially-passes-defense-bill-with-marijuana-banking-protections-but-key-senators-may-block-path-ahead/

Oklahoma marijuana activists have finalized the language of initiatives to legalize adult-use marijuana and remodel the state’s existing medical cannabis program that they hope to place on the 2022 ballot. Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) released draft versions of the proposals earlier this summer, and the group has been soliciting feedback on how best to refine the measures. The group announced on Tuesday that after taking that input into account, they’ve arrived at the final text. Under the recreational legalization measure, adults 21 and older would be able to possess up to eight ounces of marijuana that they purchase from retailers, as well as whatever cannabis they yield from growing up to 12 plants for personal use. Marijuana sales would be subject to a 15 percent excise tax, and the initiative outlines a number of programs that would receive partial revenue from those taxes. The money would first cover implementation costs and then would be divided to support water-related infrastructure, people with disabilities, substance misuse treatment, law enforcement training, cannabis research and more. The measure also lays out pathways for resentencing and expungements for those with marijuana convictions. Oklahoma voters approved medical cannabis legalization at the ballot in 2018.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 09/22/2021 12:14:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/oklahoma-activists-finalize-language-for-two-2022-marijuana-ballot-initiatives/

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Wednesday announced her final two appointees to regulate the state’s adult-use marijuana market—a key step toward implementing the legalization law signed by her predecessor. Hochul named two additional Cannabis Control Board members weeks after the Senate confirmed previous appointees earlier this month. The newly named regulators—Reuben McDaniel III of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York and Jessica García of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union—do not require confirmation by lawmakers. “New York’s cannabis industry has stalled for far too long—I am making important appointments to set the Office of Cannabis Management up for success so they can hit the ground running,” the governor said in a press release. “I am confident Mr. McDaniel and Ms. Garcia will serve the board with professionalism and experience as we lead our state forward in this new industry.” Hochul, who replaced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) last month after he resigned amid a sexual harassment scandal, has been supportive of the legislature’s passage of the adult-use legalization bill this year. And while her predecessor faced criticism as negotiations with legislators on potential appointments stalled, Hochul has now taken the helm and is working with leaders on how to move the process forward.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 09/22/2021 15:59:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-york-marijuana-regulatory-board-is-officially-completed-with-governors-final-appointments/

About 300 Oklahoma medical marijuana businesses, all with the same co-owner, suddenly lost their licenses recently, prompting numerous legal battles. Attorney Rachel Bussett filed cases on behalf of three marijuana growers that were recently notified their licenses have been revoked by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA). The owners of the three businesses–located in McClain, Le Flore, and Delaware Counties—all moved from out-of-state to capitalize on Oklahoma’s budding marijuana industry. “This is their livelihood. I mean they literally gave up everything to come here to do it,” Bussett said. “The more that I work with these people, it’s clear they weren’t given proper advice and guidance.” All three businesses had one thing in common: one former law firm employee, Kathleen Windler, was listed as a co-owner. The businesses hired the Tulsa-based firm Jones Brown Law for help obtaining licenses and legal advice upon moving to Oklahoma, Bussett said. State law requires one or multiple Oklahoma residents to make up 75% of the ownership of medical marijuana businesses.

Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news, 09/23/2021 08:24:00

Open article: https://www.cannabisbusinessexecutive.com/2021/09/oklahoma-marijuana-growers-sue-omma-after-agency-revokes-300-licenses-tied-to-single-owner/