The governor of Rhode Island has again included a proposal to legalize marijuana as part of his annual budget plan—and this time he also added new language to provide for automatic cannabis expungements in the state. Gov. Dan McKee (D) released his request for the 2023 fiscal year on Thursday, calling for adult-use legalization as lawmakers say they’re separately nearing a deal on enacting the reform. It appears that an outstanding disagreement between the governor and legislators concerning what body should regulate the program remains unresolved based on the new budget proposal, however. In general, McKee’s plan would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to one ounce of cannabis, though it would not provide a home-grow option. Adults could also store up to five ounces of marijuana in secured storage in their primary residence. “The governor recommends creating a strictly regulated legal market for adult-use cannabis in the state,” an executive summary states. “This proposal would create a weight-based excise tax on marijuana cultivation, an additional retail excise tax of 10 percent, and also apply sales tax to cannabis transactions.”

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 01/20/2022 17:46:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/rhode-island-governor-includes-marijuana-legalization-and-expungements-in-budget-request/

Thailand is known for some of the harshest drug laws on the planet, but no longer when it comes to cannabis. This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission. In Asia, a region notorious for its harsh drug laws, Thailand is making waves by becoming the first country in all of the region to legalize the use of cannabis medicinally as well as in food and cosmetics. They are going one step at a time while neighboring countries still impose deadly penalties for anyone caught using or selling the drug. Just this week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Thailand stated they were going to propose to remove cannabis from the controlled substances list, reports Bloomberg. If the board agrees, the next step would require approval from Health Minister Anutin Charnivirakul, before the law is active in Thailand. Should this go to plan, it would mean that Thai citizens could enjoy easier access to cannabis without worrying about going to jail or having to pay big fines.

Terry Hacienda, The Fresh Toast, 01/20/2022 15:00:00

Open article: https://thefreshtoast.com/news/thailand-fda-recommends-removal-of-cannabis-from-controlled-substance-list/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thailand-fda-recommends-removal-of-cannabis-from-controlled-substance-list

The Mississippi House of Representatives approved an amended version of the Senate’s medical marijuana bill, lowering the amount of cannabis a person can purchase each month. The House voted 104-14 in favor of the bill after over an hour of spirited debate. The bill will head back to the Senate where the changes can either be accepted or the two chambers can negotiate a compromise. “This bill has been vetted probably more than any bill in my history for sure,” said Rep. Lee Yancey, R-Brandon, chair of the House Drug Policy Committee. More: A billion joints? Lawmakers say Tate Reeves is moving the medical marijuana goal posts Yancey and Sen. Kevin Blackwell, R-Southaven, worked closely on the language of the bill through last summer and fall. Thorough vetting aside, Yancey made three changes to the bill Wednesday afternoon during an impromptu drug policy committee meeting. Yancey lowered the amount of marijuana a patient can purchase each month to 3 ounces from 3.5 ounces. A patient can still purchase 3.5 grams of marijuana at a time, but only six times a week. The decrease in the amount of cannabis a person can purchase in a given month comes after Gov. Tate Reeves repeatedly called for lawmakers to lower the amount. In December, Yancey didn’t seem open to the change, telling the Clarion Ledger he thought Reeves was playing politics.

Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news, 01/20/2022 08:15:00

Open article: https://www.cannabisbusinessexecutive.com/2022/01/mississippi-house-approves-amended-medical-marijuana-bill-sending-it-back-to-senate/