GOP lawmakers in the Virginia House of Delegates are taking their first stab at legislation to open the retail marijuana market, introducing bills that would lower the tax rate on sales and redirect proposed social equity funding to school infrastructure. But leadership in the chamber stressed that the effort remains very much a work in progress and that they expect plenty of changes as the legislation makes its way through the committee system. “We’ll come up with something,” said Garren Shipley, a spokesman for House Speaker Todd Gilbert, said last week. “There will be a bill. There may be multiple bills. But something is going to come out of this chamber.” Republicans unanimously opposed legalization when Democrats voted last year to allow people to grow and possess small amounts of marijuana. But Democratic lawmakers’ decision to leave it until this year to finalize the particulars of how a legal retail market would work—combined with the loss of their House majority in November—has left the once-reluctant GOP with a key role in deciding how to proceed. Gilbert said that while his caucus opposed legalization, he views it as imperative to come up with a mechanism for legal sales, complaining that the legal framework left in place by Democrats has only empowered the black market. The party has so far left the heavy lifting on that front to Del. Michael Webert, R-Fauquier, who was among a handful of GOP lawmakers to support reducing penalties for marijuana possession two years ago and is the only member of the party to introduce a comprehensive bill governing retail sales.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 01/24/2022 11:23:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/virginia-gop-lawmakers-begin-forming-plans-for-marijuana-sales-launch/

Massachusetts is officially collecting more tax revenue from marijuana than alcohol, state data shows. As of December 2021, the state took in $51.3 million from alcohol taxes and $74.2 million from cannabis at the halfway point of the fiscal year. Overall, Massachusetts has seen $2.54 billion in adult-use marijuana purchases since the market came online in November 2018. Regulators first reported that the state achieved the $2 billion sales milestone in September. The news about cannabis overtaking alcohol in terms of tax revenue, which WCVB-TV first reported, is a welcome development for advocates who have been arguing that the plant is less harmful than liquor and could be used as a substitute. Illinois also saw cannabis taxes beat out booze for the first time last year, with the state collecting about $100 million more from adult-use marijuana than alcohol during 2021. States that have legalized marijuana have collectively garnered more than $10 billion in cannabis tax revenue since the first licensed sales started in 2014, according to a report released by the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) earlier this month. And in those adult-use states, regulators are doing what they can to ensure that the tax dollars are effectively invested. For example, Illinois is dedicating portions of tax revenue to mental health services, as well as local organizations “developing programs that benefit disadvantaged communities.” In July, state officials put $3.5 million in cannabis-generated funds toward efforts to reduce violence through street intervention programs.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 01/24/2022 11:23:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/massachusetts-marijuana-tax-revenue-now-exceeds-alcohol-by-millions/

If politicians can set aside their differences to successfully pass German adult-use cannabis, Europe will become a competitive rival to the U.S. market within five years. By Michael Sassano, CEO of Somai Pharmaceuticals The new German coalition has indicated one of its many priorities is the legalization of cannabis for adult use. Those familiar with the United States’ cannabis policy climate will recognize a similar struggle underway in Germany between liberal and conservative political positions. Interestingly, both liberals and conservatives in countries like the U.S. and Germany want legalization, but differ on how to enact it. Let’s look at the state of adult-use cannabis in Germany and examine the international examples that would best inform market entrant strategy for this burgeoning industry. Politic Divides Must Not Muddle Market Priorities The German liberal coalition — consisting of the Social Democrats (SPD), the Green Party, and the Free Democrats (FDP) — have the legalization of adult-use cannabis on their docket as well as an entire suite of progressive initiatives such as phasing out coal by 2030, increasing voters’ rights, raising the minimum wage, and streamlining immigration.

Benzinga Staff Writer, The Fresh Toast, 01/23/2022 07:00:00

Open article: https://thefreshtoast.com/marijuana-legislation/how-germany-can-enter-the-adult-use-cannabis-market-successfully/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-germany-can-enter-the-adult-use-cannabis-market-successfully