{"id":54509,"date":"2022-04-27T02:11:12","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T10:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2022\/04\/27\/bidens-first-act-of-cannabis-clemency-newsletter-april-27-2022\/"},"modified":"2022-04-27T19:46:52","modified_gmt":"2022-04-28T03:46:52","slug":"bidens-first-act-of-cannabis-clemency-newsletter-april-27-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2022\/04\/27\/bidens-first-act-of-cannabis-clemency-newsletter-april-27-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Biden\u2019s first act of cannabis clemency (Newsletter: April 27, 2022)"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Attorney general talks marijuana; KS medical cannabis movement; Lawmakers push industry unions; WA drug decrim initiative advances<\/em><\/p>\n

Subscribe<\/a>\u00a0to receive Marijuana Moment\u2019s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It\u2019s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.<\/p>\n

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Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible\u2026<\/b><\/p>\n

Your good deed for the day:<\/b> donate to an independent publisher like Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Support our work at <\/span>https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/a>\/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW<\/b>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>President Joe Biden<\/span><\/a> began commuting the sentences of people who have served time in federal prison for marijuana and other drug offenses. The clemency for 75 people falls short of the mass cannabis pardons he promised on the campaign trail, but advocates see it as a first step.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Attorney General Merrick Garland<\/span><\/a> reiterated during a Senate hearing that prosecuting marijuana possession is not \u201can efficient use of the resources given the opioid and methamphetamine epidemic\u201d\u2014but didn\u2019t directly answer a question on reinstating federal cannabis guidance that was rescinded during the Trump administration.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Kansas House and Senate leaders<\/span><\/a> appointed lawmakers to a bicameral conference committee to hammer out the details of a medical cannabis bill that activists now believe could pass as soon as this week.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Reps. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Mark Pocan (D-WI)<\/span><\/a> hosted a roundtable on labor union organizing in the cannabis industry. They spoke to Marijuana Moment about the importance of the push in advance of the event.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Washington State activists<\/span><\/a> are preparing to launch a signature gathering drive to place a drug decriminalization initiative on the November ballot after a revised version of their measure survived a legal challenge.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Activists in Denton, Texas<\/span><\/a> announced they believe they have enough signatures to qualify a marijuana decriminalization measure for the local November ballot. The news comes as Austin is doing early voting on a similar cannabis measure for next month\u2019s election.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>\/ FEDERAL<\/b>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The <\/span>Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration\u2019s Drug Testing Advisory Board<\/span><\/a> will hear a presentation on employment drug testing for marijuana on June 21.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)<\/span><\/a> tweeted, \u201cNEWS: @POTUS has taken action to grant clemency for dozens of people with federal cannabis and drug convictions. In the Senate, we will continue the work to end the federal prohibition on cannabis and undo the harms caused by the War on Drugs.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)<\/span><\/a> tweeted, \u201cI applaud @POTUS on commuting the sentences of 75 people for nonviolent, drug-related convictions. This is a step in the right direction to end the war on drugs. We must keep fighting to deliver justice to all those who have been impacted.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND)<\/span><\/a> said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) approached him about a forthcoming marijuana legalization bill.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY)<\/span><\/a> tweeted, \u201cI\u2019m glad to see President Biden commute these sentences \u2014 but it\u2019s time to go further. That\u2019s why I reintroduced the MORE Act to decriminalize marijuana and expunge non-violent convictions.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH)<\/span><\/a> tweeted that while President Joe Biden\u2019s acts of clemency \u201csignals a shift in the right direction, 14+ million Americans continue to suffer from cannabis-related convictions at the state\/local level. That\u2019s why I introduced the #HOPEAct with @RepAOC to provide millions with a true second chance to achieve their American dream.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)<\/span><\/a> tweeted, \u201cI thank @POTUS for taking this step toward repairing the damage that the failed \u2018War on Drugs\u2019 has done to our country, especially our most vulnerable communities.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA)<\/span><\/a> tweeted, \u201cThis is the right move by @POTUS. That the vast majority are nonviolent drug offenses says one thing loud and clear: we must do more to remedy the injustices of the failed war on drugs.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Rep. Eleanor Homes Norton (D-DC)<\/span><\/a> expressed disappointment with the Biden administration\u2019s moves on marijuana in a speech at the National Cannabis Festival.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO)<\/span><\/a> tweeted, \u201cState-legal businesses and their employees are put at risk everyday. We need the #SAFEBankingAct to get cash off our streets and help protect our communities.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>\/ STATES<\/b>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Kentucky<\/span><\/a> Gov. Andy Beshear (D) issued a line-item veto to parts of a medical cannabis research bill.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Louisiana<\/span><\/a> Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) and the House speaker expressed concerns about licensing additional medical cannabis businesses.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Nebraska<\/span><\/a> gubernatorial candidates discussed medical cannabis at a debate.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Pennsylvania\u2019s<\/span><\/a> agriculture secretary spoke at a statewide hemp summit, highlighting how the state is investing in strengthening the industry.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The <\/span>Connecticut<\/span><\/a> House of Representatives approved a bill to limit marijuana \u201cgifting.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The <\/span>Tennessee<\/span><\/a> House of Representatives approved a bill to add quadriplegia as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis oil.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The <\/span>South Carolina<\/span><\/a> senator who is sponsoring a medical cannabis bill authored an op-ed urging the House to approve the measure. Separately, a <\/span>representative<\/span><\/a> sent letters encouraging President Joe Biden and congressional leaders to prioritize marijuana reform. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Illinois<\/span><\/a> regulators adopted rules changes to remove cannabis products from the definition of \u201celectronic cigarette\u201d for tax purposes.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Virginia<\/span><\/a> regulators adopted changes to rules on medical cannabis product labeling requirements and on determining eligibility to access facilities.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>West Virginia<\/span><\/a> regulators issued a consumer warning about illegal hemp and cannabis products.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Ohio<\/span><\/a> regulators published updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Tennessee\u2019s<\/span><\/a> Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Wednesday.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Washington State<\/span><\/a> regulators will host a discussion on evaluating THC compounds on Wednesday.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n\u2014
\nMarijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,000 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills<\/a> in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters<\/a> pledging at least $25\/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don\u2019t miss any developments.<\/strong>
\n\"\"<\/a>
\nLearn more about our marijuana bill tracker<\/a> and become a supporter on Patreon<\/a> to get access.
\n\u2014<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\/ LOCAL<\/b>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Seattle, Washington\u2019s<\/span><\/a> mayor tweeted, \u201cEvery small business deserves security and stability, and every employee deserves to be safe at their place of work. CM @Lisa_Herbold and I agree \u2013 we need federal action now to pass the #SAFEBankingAct and improve safety for retail cannabis stores and their workers.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>San Francisco, California<\/span><\/a> received a $4.5 million state grant to promote equity in the cannabis industry.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>\/ INTERNATIONAL<\/b>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Thailand\u2019s<\/span><\/a> Food and Drug Administration has received 4,700 applications for licenses to import, possess, and cultivate cannabis.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The <\/span>Canadian<\/span><\/a> government is accepting applications to fund research on psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>\/ SCIENCE & HEALTH<\/b>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>A review concluded that \u201cthe <\/span>anti-inflammatory and antiviral<\/span><\/a> potential are shown not only by well-known cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), but also secondary cannabinoids, such as cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and terpenes, emphasizing the role of all of the plant\u2019s compounds and the entourage effect.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>A study concluded that \u201chemp extract, thanks to its <\/span>antioxidant properties<\/span><\/a>, increased the activities of key antioxidant enzymes that protect the bee\u2019s organisms against free radicals and thus delay the aging processes.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>\/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS<\/b>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The <\/span>Kentucky Democratic Party<\/span><\/a> tweeted, \u201cWhy legalize medical cannabis in Kentucky? \"⚕\" Research shows it\u2019s effective at treating chronic pain, PTSD and other debilitating conditions \"💊\" It can be a pain relief alternative to opioids, which are highly addictive \"📊\" 90% of Kentuckians support it\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The <\/span>Alabama Democratic Party<\/span><\/a> tweeted, \u201cLegalization will face tough opposition but with enough grassroots support, we can get closer to our goal of legalizing recreational cannabis.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Several <\/span>cannabis businesses and organizations<\/span><\/a> filed federal lobbying disclosures.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Law Enforcement Action Partnership<\/span><\/a> defended the substantial amount of funding it has received from tobacco company Reynolds American.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The <\/span>Attorney General Alliance<\/span><\/a> recognized the launch of a cannabis financial service certification program.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The <\/span>American Bankers Association<\/span><\/a> tweeted, \u201cThe #SAFEBanking Act will help stop the public safety issues that result from the conflict between state and federal law when it comes to banking cannabis. ABA urges the Senate to pass this bipartisan, commonsense legislation.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>\/ BUSINESS<\/b>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Canopy Growth Corporation<\/span><\/a> is instituting cost-saving measures, including layoffs.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>4Front Ventures Corp.<\/span><\/a> closed its acquisition of Island Global Holdings, Inc.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Fire & Flower Holdings Corp. <\/span><\/a>\u00a0reported quarterly revenue of C$42.7 million and a net loss of C$19.5 million.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Akerna<\/span><\/a> reported that cannabis sales on 4\/20 broke all previous records, with a total of $154.4 million in adult-use and medical sales.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>\/ CULTURE<\/b>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Jaleel White<\/span><\/a> said he was inspired to get into the cannabis industry when he saw Leonardo DiCaprio hitting a vape pen at the Golden Globes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure to\u00a0subscribe<\/a> to get Marijuana Moment\u2019s daily dispatch in your inbox.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis \/\/ Side Pocket Images.<\/em><\/p>\n

The post Biden\u2019s first act of cannabis clemency (Newsletter: April 27, 2022)<\/a> appeared first on Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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