US Cannabis Policy Updates

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) recently wrote a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) arguing the chamber should prioritize a measure to permanently schedule fentanyl-related substances under federal law over the SAFER Banking Act, which would normalize cannabis banking.

A federal judge has blocked an Arkansas state law that sought to ban hemp-derived THC products. The move prevents any enforcement actions under the ban and will keep thousands of employees, farmers, business owners, and consumers from being made into criminals “despite no change in federal law.”

The majority of government employees in Michigan are no longer subject to pre-employment drug testing for cannabis under new rules that took effect over the weekend.

A group of more than 20 attorneys general sent a letter this week urging Congressional leadership to pass the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act, which passed a key Senate committee on Wednesday and moves next to the full Senate floor.

Lawmakers in the North Carolina House unanimously passed a bill to regulate the sale of hemp-derived consumables and kratom.

The Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act passed the Senate Banking Committee today and is set for consideration by the full Senate. The bipartisan proposal seeks to normalize banking for state-legal cannabis companies.

Congressional Democrats have reintroduced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which seeks to decriminalize cannabis at the federal level and implement criminal justice reforms.

Nearly 70 New York state lawmakers sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul urging her to sign the Cannabis Crop Rescue Act, which lawmakers approved in June to allow licensed cannabis farmers to sell their products to dispensaries located on Tribal lands.

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability last week advanced a bipartisan measure to let cannabis consumers qualify for security clearances and become federal employees.

Two Wisconsin Democrats last week introduced an adult-use cannabis legalization proposal, noting that “69% of Wisconsinites” support the reforms.

The Pennsylvania Senate last week passed a proposal that would allow more licensed medical cannabis companies to operate as dispensaries — currently, just five of the state’s 25 cannabis companies are allowed to retail medical cannabis products.

Fourteen Republican lawmakers have sent a letter to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, urging the agency to reject the recent Department of Health and Human Services recommendation to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law.

The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission is considering the use of ibogaine, a naturally occurring psychedelic, as a treatment for opioid addiction after hearing from more than a dozen people about their personal and professional experiences with the substance.

A draft bill in Wyoming would ban hemp-derived THC products and any other hemp products meant for consumption; the proposal is the result of concerns about minors using delta-8 THC products.

Alaska lawmakers are considering changing the state’s cannabis tax system from a per-ounce tax (cannabis is currently taxed at $50 per ounce) to a sales tax.

The Minnesota Supreme Court this week affirmed that cannabis odor is not enough reason for police to conduct a warrantless vehicle search.

California lawmakers have passed a bill to allow cannabis cafes in the state, sending the proposal to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for final approval.

Cannabis advocates in Nebraska are making the state’s third attempt to legalize medical cannabis via a voter ballot initiative.

A recent poll found that 60% of Floridians support legalizing adult-use cannabis in the state, while 83% said they supported the state’s current medical cannabis program.

California lawmakers gave final approval to a proposal to decriminalize the personal possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms and several other plant-based psychedelics including DMT and mescaline. The measure moves next to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for his signature.

Citizens of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina voted on Thursday to legalize adult-use cannabis.

Activists with Decriminalize California are seeking to put a psychedelic mushroom legalization question before voters in 2024. The initiative would legalize the cultivation, possession, and consumption of unlimited amounts of psilocybin mushrooms for adults aged 21+.

According to a recent poll, a 59% majority of Ohioans support the upcoming ballot initiative to legalize adult-use cannabis. If approved, Ohio would be the 24th U.S. state to pass a cannabis legalization proposal.

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) introduced a proposal last week that would withhold some federal funds from states and tribes that have legalized cannabis for adults.