A Minnesota bill that contains provisions to provide permanent protections allowing state hemp businesses to legally market certain cannabis products—including foods and beverages infused with CBD and other cannabinoids—is heading to the governor’s desk. While adult-use marijuana legalization didn’t advance through the GOP-controlled Senate this session, despite a recent effort by the Democratic minority leader to force a vote ahead of a legislative deadline, significant hemp policy reform does appear positioned for enactment. Large-scale omnibus legislation that cleared the House and Senate contains the hemp provisions and now awaits Gov. Tim Walz’s (D) signature. What the measure would do is permanently correct a legislative drafting problem that emerged after state lawmakers sought to align Minnesota’s hemp policy with that of the federal government, which legalized the crop as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. If the bill is ultimately signed, it would make it so all hemp-derived cannabinoids including CBD could be legally sold in food items, beverages, topicals and more—as long as the products contain less than the federal limit of 0.3 percent THC.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 05/24/2022 13:21:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/minnesota-bill-to-clarify-legality-of-cbd-infused-hemp-foods-and-drinks-heads-to-governors-desk/

The Rhode Island Senate approved a bill on Tuesday to legalize marijuana in the state, and a House of Representatives vote on an identical companion measure is expected imminently. Lawmakers in both chambers recently unveiled a revised version of the reform proposal following months of negotiations with advocates, stakeholders and the governor’s office. This latest floor action comes less than a week after both bills advanced through the committee process in their respective chambers. The Senate passed the bill, sponsored by Sen. Joshua Miller (D), in a 32-6 vote. The House is debating and voting on its version from Rep. Scott Slater (D) on Tuesday as well, after which point the identical measures will still need to clear the procedural step of being transmitted to the opposite chamber for another round of floor votes before being sent to Gov. Daniel McKee (D).

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 05/24/2022 17:28:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/rhode-island-marijuana-legalization-bill-on-way-to-governor-following-senate-approval-and-imminent-house-vote/

Georgia voters have sent a marijuana message to state lawmakers, approving a ballot measure on Tuesday that expresses their support for adult-use cannabis legalization. State Democratic party leadership placed nine non-binding advisory questions on the primary election ballot to help inform the legislature on where Georgians stand on various issues, including legalization. The marijuana measure was leading by a strong margin of 80 percent to 20 percent on Wednesday morning, with 95 percent of counties having completely reported their votes—accounting for a total of 649,487 ballots counted so far. Here’s the language of the ballot question voters were asked: “Should marijuana be legalized, taxed and regulated in the same manner as alcohol for adults 21 years of age or older, with proceeds going towards education, infrastructure and health care programs?” The results of the vote don’t immediately change state law, but it stands to reason that the strong showing in favor of legalization underscores to elected officials that there is support for the reform, at least among those who vote in the Democratic primary. Georgia has open primaries, meaning that any voter was able to fill out the Democratic ballot on Election Day regardless of their party affiliation.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 05/25/2022 07:54:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/georgia-voters-approve-marijuana-legalization-ballot-question/

The Democratic governor of Delaware announced on Tuesday that he has vetoed a bill to legalize marijuana that the legislature sent to his desk earlier this month. It was no secret that Gov. John Carney (D) wasn’t keen on legalization, despite the issue’s popularity especially within his own party. But advocates were holding out hope that he would at least allow the simple measure to legalize possession and sharing of cannabis for adults 21 and older to become law. In a statement, the governor said that he supports allowing people to access cannabis for medical purposes and feels that “individuals should not be imprisoned solely for the possession and private use of a small amount of marijuana.” But he doesn’t believe Delaware should go beyond its current policies. “I do not believe that promoting or expanding the use of recreational marijuana is in the best interests of the state of Delaware, especially our young people,” he said.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 05/24/2022 12:20:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/delawares-democratic-governor-vetoes-marijuana-legalization-bill-but-lawmakers-have-votes-to-override/