Courthouse News Service reports The First Circuit gave strong indications Thursday that it would strike down a Maine law that says only in-state residents can own for-profit medical marijuana dispensaries. Maine’s defense of the law hinges on marijuana’s continued status as illegal at the federal level, saying this means there can be no national market for cannabis. The law was challenged as discriminatory, protectionist legislation that violates the Commerce Clause. U.S. Circuit Judge Sandra Lynch pressed Christopher Taub, Maine’s chief deputy attorney general, on that position. “There’s some irony in saying the market is illegal when your state and 33 other states have entered the market, and you’re not just entered it but regulated it in a way that discriminates against other states. That’s a basic flaw in your approach here,” Lynch said. Taub readily conceded that the goal of the law was “to promote local business” but said “the point is not whether this is fair or not, or equitable,” but whether Maine can get away with protectionism due to the federal prohibition. “No,” Lynch responded. “You’re asking us to say that Congress’ intent is that there be no market while Maine is busy exploiting the market.

Cannabis Law Report, 05/11/2022 23:21:00

Open article: https://cannabislaw.report/maine-first-circuit-poised-to-approve-interstate-cannabis-investment/

While speaking at a marijuana parade and rally in New York City last Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer revealed that he had so far talked to half a dozen Republican senators about his upcoming federal legalization bill for marijuana. The annual NYC Cannabis Parade and Rally attracted notable attendees such as Jerrold Nadler, the chair of the Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Nadler’s bill seeking to end cannabis prohibition federally was approved by the full House in April. During his speech at the rally in his home state, Schumer reassured event attendees that he was committed to seeing marijuana legalized federally. To this end, the lawmaker revealed that he had sent out invitations to every lawmaker in the upper chamber of Congress so that these individuals can discuss with him any objections they may have to his upcoming comprehensive bill aimed at ending marijuana prohibition at the federal level. He added that so far, he had interacted with half a dozen Republicans and there was a chance that he could win over 10 of them so that his bill can get at least 60 votes on the floor, the number needed to get this legislation approved

CannabisNewsWire, 05/12/2022 04:20:00

Open article: https://www.cannabisnewswire.com/420-with-cnw-schumer-has-talked-to-six-gop-senators-about-bill/

The world is aflutter with changing cannabis regulations. The Americas are certainly pretty green, and Europe is opening up more and more as well, including legalization measures (or the direct plans for one) in Malta, and Switzerland, and tons more getting close, like Germany. Not only that, countries like Georgia, Thailand, and Lebanon, are setting firsts for their regions in terms of legalization policies. One of the more interesting stories right now when it comes to legalization, is a bill to possibly re-legalize cannabis in the country of Nepal. A bill to re-legalize cannabis in Nepal would get the country back to where it was before it was pressured by the US to change laws. Thanks for dropping by our independent news publication focusing on cannabis and psychedelics stories. Stay with us by signing up for the THC Weekly Newsletter, which also puts you in first place for deals on tons of cannabis products, like vapes, edibles, and smoking equipment. Plus, we’ve got loads of cannabinoid products on offer including the highly popular delta-8 THC. As always, *cannabinoid products are not liked by everyone. We do not promote a consumer buy a product they are unhappy with.

Sarah Friedman, CBD Testers, 05/10/2022 20:00:00

Open article: https://cbdtesters.co/2022/05/11/to-re-legalize-or-not-to-re-legalize-nepal-will-soon-decide/

A New York Assembly committee on Tuesday advanced a bill to establish a statewide safe consumption site program, allowing regulators to authorize facilities where people could use currently illicit drugs in a medically supervised environment. The legislation from Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D) was reported out of the Assembly Health Committee, with a few Democrats joining the Republican minority in voting against it. The bill now heads to the Codes Committee before potentially moving to the floor for consideration. Under the proposal, the New York Health Department and local agencies would have the ability to authorize safe consumption sites and regulate the facilities. The intent of the legislation is to prevent overdose deaths by having medical professionals on-site at places where they can use pre-obtained controlled substances without facing the threat of arrest or incarceration. People would also be given treatment resources. Further, the bill would require facilities to provide syringe exchange services where people could obtain sterile hypodermic needles and also safely deposit used syringes.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 05/10/2022 15:42:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-york-lawmakers-approve-bill-to-authorize-safe-drug-consumption-sites-in-committee/