Cannabis tax relief bill in Congress (Newsletter: January 3, 2023)

CT clears marijuana records; VA cannabis sales bill changes equity provisions; Study: Legalization tied to employment boost; MA nears $4B in sales

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced that the state has now erased 42,964 marijuana convictions from people’s records as of the start of the new year—a development that comes just days ahead of the launch of legal recreational cannabis sales.

A Virginia Republican delegate filed a bill that would finally allow the state to move ahead with legal recreational marijuana sales—but some advocates have concerns about changes it would make to previously enacted equity provisions.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced a bill to undo the 280E tax penalty on marijuana businesses by letting them take deductions that are available to companies in any other industry.

A new study found that legalizing marijuana “is associated with an increase in agricultural employment, consistent with the opening of a new licit market.”

Massachusetts retailers have sold nearly $4 billion worth of recreational marijuana products since legal sales began.

/ FEDERAL

Former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director John Walters criticized the launch of legal marijuana sales in New York.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) tweeted, “We MUST legalize marijuana, expunge records, and end the War on Drugs once & for all.”

/ STATES

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) commuted the sentences of several people, including some convicted of marijuana and other drug offenses.

Iowa’s state auditor tweeted, “Our laws should treat marijuana mostly the same way we treat alcohol.”

A Pennsylvania Republican senator who is taking on a new role as chair of the Senate Majority Policy Committee said he will continue pushing to legalize marijuana.

A Kentucky representative plans to file a marijuana decriminalization bill on Tuesday.

A Nebraska senator said she will again push to legalize medical cannabis in the new session.

A New York assemblymember spoke about growing momentum for psychedelics policy reform.

A Kansas representative tweeted, “I agree it is time for the (majority party) in the #ksleg to listen to the people. Kansas Legislature, listen to the people on Medicaid expansion, marijuana and more.”

Vermont’s top marijuana regulator said he can “imagine a time” when growers will be able to sell marijuana directly to consumers, and the vice chair of the House Ways and Means Committee supports the idea.

Oklahoma’s top medical cannabis regulator spoke about efforts to oversee the industry.

California regulators received approval for rulemaking on large cannabis cultivation licenses and conversion to large and medium cultivation licenses.

Oregon regulators began accepting license applications for psilocybin service centers, manufacturers, laboratories and facilitators, as well as for worker permits.

Michigan regulators published an advisory bulletin on annual financial statements that must be submitted by marijuana businesses.


Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

/ LOCAL

Kansas City, Missouri’s mayor said the city should consider removing the restriction on marijuana use by 911 dispatchers in order to help with a staffing shortage.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The head of the Italian Defence Industries Agency spoke about the Army’s cannabis cultivation efforts.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “patients treated with [cannabis-based medicinal products] for refractory symptoms of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis demonstrated a short-term improvement in [inflammatory bowel disease]-specific and general [health-related quality of life].”

A study suggested that “a single, moderate dose of psilocybin significantly reduces depressive symptoms compared to a placebo condition for at least two weeks” and that “no serious adverse events were recorded.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report on reducing racial inequalities in the criminal justice system notes that marijuana legalization is associated with reduced police stops and arrests.

Conservative commentator Bill O’Reilly expressed concerns about marijuana use by young people.

/ BUSINESS

Columbia Care is laying off employees at its Saxton, Pennsylvania cultivation facility.

Missouri dispensaries sold $35.6 million worth of medical cannabis in November.

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