Multiple states advance medical marijuana in hospitals bills; NYC mayor’s cannabis tax projections; Hemp letter to McConnell; AZ cannabis smoke bill
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Department of Justice told the U.S. Supreme Court that the federal law banning marijuana consumers from owning guns should be upheld—even if President Donald Trump’s cannabis rescheduling order is finalized.
Rep. James Comer (R-KY) and Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner sent a letter urging Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to support delaying the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products that he championed before it was signed into law by President Donald Trump.
Lawmakers in Colorado, Hawaii, Virginia and Washington State all approved bills last week to allow patients to access medical cannabis in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
The Arizona Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee approved two pieces of legislation to criminalize the “creation of excessive marijuana smoke or odor,” with one that would refer the issue to voters to decide on at the ballot.
The Maryland Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on a bill to protect firefighters and rescue workers from being penalized for off-duty use of medical cannabis, with the sponsor saying marijuana provides a “safer, viable alternative” to opioids.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s (D) budget says the rise in marijuana tax revenue “has not been as rapid as the expansion in store openings” because of competition among suppliers and low prices—but projects that it will increase to $43 million by fiscal year 2030.
NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that The New York Times editorial board made several errors in a piece expressing concerns about cannabis legalization—but was correct to say the U.S. shouldn’t return to “heavy-handed criminal prohibition.”
The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission has still not settled on the process by which it will award up to 20 new marijuana dispensary licenses to applicants chosen by a lottery as early as May.
/ FEDERAL
Nebraska independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn posted a video of himself criticizing Sen. Pete Ricketts’s (R-NE) opposition to medical cannabis.
/ STATES
The Oklahoma House County and Municipal Government Committee approved a bill to allow counties to enact local medical cannabis taxes.
The Nebraska legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing on a bill to provide legal protections to doctors who recommend medical cannabis.
The West Virginia House Health and Human Resources Committee is considering a bill to allow medical cannabis edibles.
New Hampshire senators discussed legislation to change medical cannabis business rules.
Ohio regulators issued a recall on cannabis gummies that weren’t properly labeled as containing THC.
Missouri regulators launched an initiative to help consumers identify licensed dispensaries and cannabis products.
Colorado regulators published an annual marijuana regulatory and enforcement report.
California regulators sent updates on various cannabis issues.
Minnesota regulators are hosting the first event of a statewide cannabis listening tour on March 13.
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/ LOCAL
Several Oklahoma county district attorneys weighed in on Gov. Kevin Stitt’s (R) proposal to roll back medical cannabis legalization.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Malta Prime Minister Robert Abela said outstanding reports from cannabis regulators will be published soon.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “adolescent lifetime and recent cannabis use have decreased since the late 1990s.”
A case report indicated that “cannabis oil may be a promising adjunct therapeutic option in the treatment of multicentric lymphoma in dogs, aiding in the management of chemotherapy-related adverse effects.”
/ BUSINESS
Green Thumb Industries Inc. increased an existing syndicated credit facility by $50 million, bringing the total facility to $189 million.
The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.’s former CEO was ordered by a Canadian court to pay more than C$7.4 million after he allegedly engaged in a financial workaround to bypass U.S. securities regulations.
Michigan retailers sold $226.8 million worth of legal marijuana products in January.
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