President Biden’s commerce secretary deflected a reporter’s marijuana question on Monday, saying that the issue is “so far afield from anything that I’m working on” for the administration as she focuses on other priorities like trade and supply chain management. During an interview with Politico on the Biden agenda, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was asked about the president’s unfulfilled promise to decriminalize cannabis, as well as concerns that some stakeholders have voiced about the market impact of broad descheduling when it comes to opening up interstate commerce. The cabinet member gave a short answer, saying the issue is not currently a part of her workload and so she doesn’t have “any updates for you on that.” Raimondo, who left her job as governor of Rhode Island to join the Biden administration, used to put significant thought into marijuana policy, backing a plan in her budget request to legalize cannabis for adult use through a state-run model. Her successor, Gov. Dan McKee (D), recently proposed legalization in his budget that would fund a more conventional adult-use market. But the apparent lack of attention to cannabis policy in her new capacity is a disappointment for advocates, serving as another signal that the president and its administration are not prioritizing an issue that’s widely popular among Americans, particularly Democrats. Vice President Kamala Harris used to frequently talk about marijuana reform during her 2020 presidential campaign, for example, but she’s remained relatively silent on the topic since entering the White House. She said last year that the administration isn’t focused on following through on its marijuana reform pledges because it’s too overwhelmed with responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 02/02/2022 08:58:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/commerce-secretary-says-bidens-marijuana-pledges-are-so-far-afield-from-her-work-priorities/

The House of Representatives is set to vote once again on providing protections to banks that work with state-legal marijuana businesses.Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), the sponsor of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, filed the text of his bill as an amendment last week. On Tuesday, the House Rules Committee determined the proposal to be in order, meaning it will be taken up by the full House for consideration to be attached to large-scale legislation on research and innovation in the tech and manufacturing sectors that is advancing. The floor vote is expected later this week. If approved, it would mark the sixth time that Perlmutter’s cannabis measure has advanced through the House in some form. The congressman’s last attempt to get the reform enacted through a massive defense bill, it was attached to the House legislation only to be stripped out following bicameral negotiations. Perlmutter put much to blame for that defeat on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who has insisted that comprehensive legalization, like a bill he’s expected to file soon, should move first before the incremental banking policy change. On Tuesday, Perlmutter told the Rules Committee, of which he is a member, that he’s planning to offer the SAFE Banking Act as an amendment to “every single bill I possibly can until it’s passed” and he acknowledged that his colleagues are probably “becoming all too familiar with” the legislation in light of his repeated advocacy for it. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), the panel’s ranking member, chimed in to say that he supports the measure and looks forward to voting for it on the floor.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 02/01/2022 20:09:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-banking-reform-cleared-for-house-floor-again-following-committee-action-on-large-scale-bill/

Medical cannabis consumption in Israel grew to 43 metric tons last year, from 28.5 million tons in 2020, according to the Health Ministry. Israel’s medicinal cannabis market was valued at around $264 million in 2021, roughly $7 million less than the entirety of Europe, according to Prohibition Partners, an industry analysis firm. Despite the numerous Israeli companies producing medical marijuana, Israel imports more than half of its supply. Golan Bitton, chief executive of Univo, said much of the locally grown supply is low quality that does not meet the expectations of Israeli consumers. “The Israeli consumer is very, very selective,” said Bitton, a retired commando. Last year, he said his company had to incinerate around 600 kilograms (1,300 pounds) of cannabis that didn’t meet the grade. Univo began importing marijuana from Canadian cannabis titan Tilray to pick up the slack. Univo is one of a few companies in Israel that has full vertical integration from farm to pharmacy. His company’s facility is housed in a nondescript warehouse in the industrial zone of the southern city of Ashkelon. The clean rooms where buds are processed are heavy with resinous pungency.

AJC.com: Atlanta Georgia News, AJC Sports, Atlanta Weather, 02/02/2022 02:14:00

Open article: https://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/israeli-bigwigs-eye-profits-from-cannabis-legalization/V3UOQSPYGNANZDA34UI7QXVSE4

Minnesotans registered in the state’s medical cannabis program will be able to buy dried flowers for smoking from dispensaries beginning in March. The Minnesota Department of Health says those interested in smoking cannabis can make an appointment for a consultation with a dispensary pharmacist beginning on Feb. 1, as they will need to be pre-approved to buy pre-packaged dried flower and joints. Appointments for any patient changing the type of medical cannabis they receive. “Patients need to weigh the risks of smoking medical cannabis, including those related to secondhand smoke and lung health, with any potential benefits,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm, in a statement. “Smokable cannabis may not be right for everyone; patients should have a conversation with their health care practitioner for guidance.” Last year, a bill passed with bipartisan support, expanding the state’s cannabis program to include more ailments in an effort to make the program more economically viable. Part of that legislation allowed for the smoking of dried cannabis flowers in early 2022. To participate in the state’s program, Minnesotans need to have certain underlying conditions that are certified by a health care provider.

420 Intel – Marijuana Industry News, 02/01/2022 19:00:00

Open article: https://420intel.com/articles/2022/02/02/minnesota%E2%80%99s-medical-marijuana-program-include-flowers-smoking-next-month-0

Hemp Today have the latest on the Costa Rican legislation that’s stalled at the president’s desk Costa Rica looks poised to ban the home growing of marijuana for medical patients but provisions proposed to govern industrial hemp will remain in place, according to changes requested by President Carlos Alvarado. Alvarado late last week partially vetoed a proposed cannabis law that had passed the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly on a slim 29-28 vote earlier this month. All plant parts The proposed law covers cultivation, harvesting, processing, storage, and transport of medical marijuana and hemp, and would make all hemp components legal for food and industrial purposes. Alvarado said he is sending the bill back to the Legislative Assembly with recommendations for changes that would eliminate three provisions related to the “self-cultivation and self-consumption” of marijuana for medical purposes. Despite rejecting the legalization of controlled home growing of marijuana by medical patients, Alvarado said he “categorically” supports regulated medical cannabis. For ‘economic recovery’ “And I also support industrial hemp, because it will help agricultural production and economic recovery.

Cannabis Law Report, 02/01/2022 19:06:00

Open article: https://cannabislaw.report/hemp-today-report-hemp-provisions-to-be-retained-in-costa-rican-cannabis-bill/