With several new states having legalized marijuana in 2021—in addition to some modest congressional developments—reform advocates put some wins on the board this year. Now a congressional memo is laying out priorities to build upon those successes for 2022. Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), longstanding champions of reform, released the memo on behalf of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus that they co-chair. It lists the numerous pieces of marijuana legislation that have been filed this on Capitol Hill this session, including some that did advance, and then explains what to watch for next year. While the lawmakers’ memo—which was shared exclusively with Marijuana Moment ahead of its release—highlights momentum that has developed behind cannabis reform in the House this year, it also notes that the Senate still has a lot of work to do. In the meantime, arguably the most consequential reforms of 2021 did not take place in Congress. Instead, as the new report acknowledges, it was the record number of states that legalized marijuana for adult use, as well as Alabama legalizing medical cannabis.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 12/15/2021 19:00:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/congressional-memo-touts-marijuana-momentum-in-2021-and-lays-out-2022-reform-priorities/

More Ohio dispensaries could sell medical marijuana, cultivators could grow more of it, and more conditions would qualify for using it under legislation passed Wednesday by the Republican-led state Senate. The measure also calls for regulation of medical marijuana dispensaries to move from the pharmacy board to a new Division of Marijuana Control in the Commerce Department. The legislation now moves to the state House. Republican Rep. Steve Huffman, the Tipp City physician who proposed the changes, said they’re aimed at improving the program developed since Ohio legalized medical marijuana in 2016. The legislation outlines a goal of one dispensary for every 1,000 of the first 300,000 registered patients, then adding more dispensaries as needed. The list of conditions qualifying for treatment with marijuana would expand to include terminal illness, Autism spectrum disorder, chronic muscle spasms, and opioid use disorder.

Mmp News Author, Medical Marijuana Program Connection, 12/15/2021 23:58:00

Open article: https://mmpconnect.com/bill-to-expand-medical-marijuana-program-passes-ohio-senate/

The General Assembly’s Cannabis Oversight Commission has agreed to recommend that Virginia speed up the timeline for retail sales of recreational marijuana to 2023. Under a Democratic-controlled state legislature, Virginia legalized simple possession and limited home cultivation for adults earlier this year. However, retail sales were delayed until 2024, with lawmakers including a reenactment clause to the bill requiring that a second vote be held during the 2022 legislative session to move forward with the legal market. During a meeting on Thursday, members of the Cannabis Oversight Commission raised the possibility of accelerating legal sales to July 1, 2022, with the state’s Board of Pharmacy overseeing the market. Staff helping the commission informed members that the Cannabis Control Authority, the regulatory agency set up under the legislation, would need until at least 2023 to set regulations for the legal market.

Mmp News Author, Medical Marijuana Program Connection, 12/16/2021 21:42:00

Open article: https://mmpconnect.com/virginia-general-assembly-panel-votes-to-recommend-speeding-up-retail-marijuana-sales-to-2023/