The European continent has served as a hotbed for medical cannabis policy reform and the emerging cannabis industry in recent years. This year the conversation among lawmakers in Europe has shifted dramatically towards adult-use legalization, with countries like Germany and Luxembourg consistently making headlines for their legalization efforts. However, a lesser-known country could beat both of those countries to the legalization punch. Malta, an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast, is very close to legalizing cannabis for adult use. So close, in fact, that it could occur any day. Sailing Through Parliament The effort to legalize cannabis for adult use in Malta is not new, yet a recent measure has gained a lot of traction and sailed through the committee stage of the political process last week. The measure is currently awaiting a final reading in Malta’s parliament, which historically has served as nothing more than a formality. The passage seems imminent according to many political observers in Malta. Cannabis legalization in Malta, assuming that the current measure is adopted, would legalize the possession of up to 7 grams of cannabis by adults that are 18 years or older.

Johnny Green, Cannabis & Tech Today, 12/09/2021 06:00:00

Open article: https://cannatechtoday.com/europes-most-beautiful-island-might-legalize-adult-use-cannabis/

In Congress, a new version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) did not include cannabis banking reform and the cannabis industry is pretty ticked off. The House originally passed its initial version of the NDAA in September that included the language that would protect banks that work with state-legal cannabis businesses. The new Act did not include those provisions. In a sort of hail mary pass, Rep. Perlmutter filed an amendment in committee to attach the marijuana language to the legislation— but he ultimately didn’t insist on a vote. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH), who is not on the Rules Committee but who is a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, said it is “incredibly disappointing” that the cannabis language was taken out of NDAA. Marijuana Moment also reported that “the new defense bill also excludes an NDAA amendment filed by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) that would have streamlined the application process for researchers who want to investigate cannabis as well as manufacture the plant to be used in studies. It also doesn’t include a separate Schatz-led amendment to federally legalize medical marijuana for military veterans who comply with a state program where they live.”

Nia Foxx, Green Market Report, 12/08/2021 13:10:00

Open article: https://www.greenmarketreport.com/industry-not-happy-that-safe-banking-got-canned/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=industry-not-happy-that-safe-banking-got-canned