Despite commitments from both major parties to improve on and regulate the marijuana industry, cannabis advocates say the General Assembly has left a flourishing industry in the weeds. Jacob Williamson grows, makes, and sells hemp-based CBD products through his family’s Hens and Hemp farm. He went through the permitting process to be a hemp farmer when it became legal in 2019, but now he is leaving the industry. “We can’t keep up with the multimillion-dollar cannabis industry coming into the state,” Williamson said. “So, we’re just gonna stop because it’s too much.” Williamson represents a group of entrepreneurs concerned about the future of the commercial hemp industry in Virginia, because of what they say is the risk and increased regulation of selling these products. Industrial hemp definition changes Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta, introduced Senate Bill 591 which originally focused on the prohibition of cannabis goods that can be easily confused with everyday treats, and that is shaped like a “human, animal, vehicle, or fruit.” “It would restrict the use of products that appeal to children through gummies,” Hanger said in committee. The Virginia General Assembly allowed farmers to grow industrial hemp starting in 2019.

420 Intel – Marijuana Industry News, 04/04/2022 20:00:00

Open article: https://420intel.com/articles/2022/04/05/legislators-have-nipped-virginia%E2%80%99s-budding-cannabis-industry-advocates-say

The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday voted in favor of a bill to federally legalize marijuana. And while the vote largely fell along partisan lines, there was at least one notable “no” on the Republican side: Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH), who supports ending prohibition and serves as a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. But shortly after the vote, the Democratic co-chairs of the panel told Marijuana Moment that there’s no reason for alarm, and the caucus remains committed to finding bipartisan ground on which to advance comprehensive reform. To be sure, Joyce’s vote didn’t come as a surprise. Not only did his office circulate a letter to other GOP offices ahead of a House Rules Committee hearing on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, outlining the reasons for his opposition after attempting to work with the sponsor on revisions, but he also penned an op-ed for Marijuana Moment going into further detail about his stance on the bill ahead of the floor vote. And, Joyce had voted against an earlier version of the legislation the first time it came to the floor in 2020.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 04/04/2022 10:14:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/democratic-cannabis-caucus-leaders-say-gop-co-chairs-vote-against-legalization-bill-is-no-reason-for-alarm/

Just days after passing a far-reaching bill to federally legalize marijuana, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote Monday on separate legislation to remove barriers to conducting research on cannabis, including by allowing scientists to access products from state-legal dispensaries. The Medical Marijuana Research Act, sponsored by the unlikely duo of pro-legalization Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and prohibitionist Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), would streamline the process for researchers to apply and get approved to study cannabis and set clear deadlines for federal agencies to act on their applications. It would also make it easier for scientists to modify their research protocols without having to seek federal approval. The move to hold a House vote comes less that two weeks after the Senate unanimously passed a different cannabis research bill. Both chambers passed earlier versions of their respective legislation in late 2020, but nothing ended up getting to then-President Donald Trump’s desk by the end of the last Congress. It remains to be seen if, following the House’s expected passage of its bill again on Monday, whether the two chambers will be able to negotiate a deal on provisions of unified legislation to send to President Joe Biden.

Tom Angell, Marijuana Moment, 04/02/2022 13:36:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/house-to-vote-on-marijuana-research-bill-on-monday-days-after-passing-legalization-measure/

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D), who listed cannabis legalization as a top priority last year and called a special legislative session to get it done, was among the first in line last Friday morning when retail stores opened across the state. “This is a big day for New Mexico!” Lujan Grisham said during a visit to Everest Apothecary in Albuquerque. The governor left the shop empty-handed, noting that she’s never before tried marijuana despite pushing hard for its legalization. But she left open the possibility that she would purchase legal cannabis products at some point. “Who knows,” she told local NBC affiliate KOB 4. “Today I don’t have to decide because it’s not ending today. It’s going to stay forever.” Opening day of marijuana sales in New Mexico—what Lujan Grisham at one point called “Cannabis Day”—drew long lines of eager residents and more than a few customers who made the trip from Texas, where the plant remains illegal. Consumers spent more than $2.7 million before stores closed the first day, Lujan Grisham said the following morning. Over the full weekend, adult-use sales ran to $5.2 million.

Ben Adlin, Marijuana Moment, 04/04/2022 08:56:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-mexico-governor-might-buy-marijuana-at-some-point-because-legalization-is-going-to-stay-forever/

Voters will decide on Election Day whether to approve a referendum legalizing marijuana possession by adults. Lawmakers on Friday gave final approval to the proposed Constitutional Amendment, House Bill 1, which asks voters: “Do you favor the legalization of adult-use cannabis in the State of Maryland?” Recent statewide polls find that between 62 and 70 percent of Marylanders support legalizing cannabis. “Maryland voters of all political persuasions agree that it is time to end the failed practice of targeting, prosecuting, and stigmatizing adults who possess and use cannabis,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “Just like voters have done elsewhere over the past decade, Marylanders will choose in favor of legalization at the ballot box and they will do so overwhelmingly.” State lawmakers also approved complementary legislation, HB 837, which defines marijuana possession limits and facilitates the automatic review and expungement of past criminal records. That bill awaits approval from Republican Gov. Larry Hogan. If approved by voters, the referendum takes effect on July 1, 2023. At that time, adults will be legally permitted to possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis and/or 12 grams of cannabis concentrates.

NORML, 04/03/2022 20:00:00

Open article: https://norml.org/blog/2022/04/04/maryland-voters-to-decide-legalization-question-in-november/