GOP blocks cannabis banking legislation, again (Newsletter: December 11, 2024)

Congressional report on medical marijuana rider; Court sides with Walmart on cannabis discrimination; NY sales near $1 billion; Trump marijuana memo

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Before you dig into today’s cannabis news, I wanted you to know you can keep this resource free and published daily by subscribing to Marijuana Moment on Patreon. We’re a small independent publication diving deep into the cannabis world and rely on readers like you to keep going. Join us at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) push to attach marijuana banking legislation to a government funding bill was  “openly and solely blocked” by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), a Senate source familiar with the negotiations tells Marijuana Moment. The Congressional Research Service published a new report on a policy blocking the Department of Justice from interfering with state medical cannabis laws—including an analysis of how federal courts have applied differing interpretations of the scope of its protections. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit sided with Walmart in an opinion finding that workers cannot sue over anti-marijuana employment discrimination under New Jersey’s cannabis legalization law. New York Cannabis Control Board and Office of Cannabis Management officials reported that the state will surpass $1 billion in marijuana sales by the end of this year, and they’re encouraging people to give the “gift of community” by buying cannabis locally this holiday season. NORML and the Marijuana Policy Project issued a joint memo to the Trump/Vance Presidential Transition Team recommending cannabis policy reforms that President-elect Donald Trump could support under his upcoming administration. The Ohio Senate Government Committee heard testimony from hemp industry officials and workers who say a pending bill to ban intoxicating cannabinoid products derived from the plant would destroy their businesses. A public records request to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services shows that thousands of people from neighboring Kansas have medical cannabis patient cards issued by the state. / FEDERAL President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team invited tech companies including Google, Microsoft and Meta Platforms to a meeting to discuss online sales of illegal drugs. A former Food and Drug Administration official spoke about psychedelic medicine approval. The U.S Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit heard oral arguments in a case on gun rights for cannabis consumers. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Susan Collins (R-ME) discussed their support for cannabis banking legislation. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) said President Joe Biden should pardon more people for marijuana and other non-violent offenses before he leaves office. / STATES Virginia lawmakers authored dueling op-eds about whether the state should legalize recreational marijuana sales. An Alabama senator authored an op-ed saying that the state’s medical cannabis regulatory body is a “glaring example of government waste and mismanagement.” A Massachusetts regulator discussed a new framework for cannabis cafes. Vermont regulators sent a reminder about required training for marijuana retail licensees and employees. California’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce recently seized a total of more than $19 million worth of illegally grown marijuana and illegally manufactured cannabis products during operations in Oakland and Hayward. New York regulators approved additional marijuana business licenses. The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency will hold a public meeting on Wednesday. Minnesota regulators will announce next steps for the cannabis business licensing process on Wednesday. The New York Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on Friday. —

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/ LOCAL The Richmond, Kentucky City Commission is considering a proposal to ban government workers from using medical cannabis. The Boston, Massachusetts Cannabis Board will meet on Wednesday. / INTERNATIONAL Netherlands officials announced that as of April 7, 2025, coffee shops in municipalities participating in a cannabis sales experiment will only be allowed to sell regulated marijuana. A new Italian law increasing penalties for drivers who test positive for cannabis goes into effect this month. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “CBD enhances mitochondrial metabolic activity and antioxidant defense in Caco-2 cells, making it a promising candidate for treating intestinal dysfunction.” Researchers developed a questionnaire that they say “effectively predicted both mystical-type and challenging psychedelic experiences, as well as long-term well-being outcomes such as life satisfaction and psychological richness.” / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS Transform Drug Policy Foundation launched a public education campaign featuring videos of a fictional local community watch leader “whose views on drugs are rooted in moralising and ignorance just like the UK’s failed drug laws.” / BUSINESS The Boston Beer Company is launching a new line of non-alcoholic cannabis cocktails. MMJ International Holdings submitted an Investigational New Drug application to the Food and Drug Administration for its novel cannabis-derived medication. Flora Growth Corp. appointed Verano Holdings Corp.’s co-founder as executive chairman of its board of directors. Arizona retailers sold $75.3 million worth of recreational marijuana products and $16.9 million in medical cannabis products in October.

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