One thing most people agree on: Federal marijuana legalization is coming. It’s just a matter of when — and how it will impact existing state markets, such as the one currently growing in Michigan. With the inconsistent patchwork of state laws across the nation regarding medical and recreational marijuana, the implications of federal legalization, accompanied by new taxes, is creating some anxiety. “Opening up interstate commerce would destroy Michigan’s cannabis industry and leave us with nothing but multi-state operators to purchase from,” said Rick Thompson, a Michigan cannabis pioneer and director of the Michigan chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). Thompson said everyone he knows “stands in opposition to at least some of the” current version of the proposed federal legalization plan. Some of the worry centers on marijuana surpluses in Canada and other states, like Oregon, where producers would benefit greatly from the ability to dump cheap products into the Michigan market, undercutting existing businesses along the way.

420 Intel – Marijuana Industry News, 09/23/2021 20:00:00

Open article: https://420intel.com/articles/2021/09/24/prospect-federal-marijuana-legalization-doesn%E2%80%99t-have-everyone-michigan-industry

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Wednesday announced her final two appointees to regulate the state’s adult-use marijuana market—a key step toward implementing the legalization law signed by her predecessor. Hochul named two additional Cannabis Control Board members weeks after the Senate confirmed previous appointees earlier this month. The newly named regulators—Reuben McDaniel III of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York and Jessica García of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union—do not require confirmation by lawmakers. “New York’s cannabis industry has stalled for far too long—I am making important appointments to set the Office of Cannabis Management up for success so they can hit the ground running,” the governor said in a press release. “I am confident Mr. McDaniel and Ms. Garcia will serve the board with professionalism and experience as we lead our state forward in this new industry.” Hochul, who replaced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) last month after he resigned amid a sexual harassment scandal, has been supportive of the legislature’s passage of the adult-use legalization bill this year. And while her predecessor faced criticism as negotiations with legislators on potential appointments stalled, Hochul has now taken the helm and is working with leaders on how to move the process forward.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 09/22/2021 15:59:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-york-marijuana-regulatory-board-is-officially-completed-with-governors-final-appointments/

Tuesday marked the fifth time that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation to protect banks that work with state-legal marijuana businesses. And the lead sponsor of that reform, Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), tells Marijuana Moment that he does think “the fifth time is the charm” to finally get the measure through the Senate and onto the president’s desk. The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act has previously passed as standalone bills and as provisions tucked into broader bills. On Tuesday, the House attached it to large-scale defense spending legislation in a voice vote, raising hopes that the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) could be a vehicle to actually advance cannabis banking reform into law. In a phone interview on Wednesday, Perlmutter spoke to Marijuana Moment about next steps for the legislation, the barriers that need to be overcome and even joked about how to spell “superfluous,” a term that some members said this week might apply to a marijuana banking amendment in the context of defense spending legislation.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 09/22/2021 17:58:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-banking-sponsor-discusses-path-through-senate-after-house-approves-reform-for-fifth-time/