Weekly Legislative Roundup 6/14/19

Originally published at blog.NORML.org

Welcome to the latest edition of NORML’s Weekly Legislative Roundup!

The U.S. House of Representatives’ Small Business Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday on the challenges and opportunities small businesses face in the cannabis industry. Another hearing is scheduled for Thursday, where the Veterans Affairs Committee will discuss various bills that are pending regarding medical cannabis programs and veterans access.

Governor John Bel Edwards (D) of Louisiana signed legislation into law giving patients the option to inhale medical cannabis through vaporization.

Governor Doug Ducey (R) of Arizona signed legislation into law to establish medical cannabis testing standards.

Governor Janet Mills (D) of Maine signed legislation into law facilitating reciprocity for out-of-state medical cannabis patients visiting Maine.

Governor Kay Ivey (R) of Alabama signed legislation into law to create a commission to study medical CBD.

Activists in Mississippi have collected approximately two thirds of the needed signatures to qualify a medical cannabis ballot initiative in 2020.

Ohio’s State Medical Board denied petitions to add depression, insomnia and opioid use disorder to the state’s list of medical cannabis qualifying conditions. The Board delayed consideration of adding autism and anxiety.

At a more local level, the Cincinnati, Ohio city council approved a measure to decriminalize up to 100 grams of cannabis possession.

Following are the bills that we’ve tracked this week and as always, check NORML’s Action Center for legislation pending in your state.

Don’t forget to sign up for our email list, and we will keep you posted as these bills and more move through your home state legislature and U.S. Congress. Another great way to stay up to date is Marijuana Moment’s daily newsletter, which you can subscribe to HERE.

Your Highness,
Carly

Actions to Take

Federal

The Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and to provide funding for the expungement of criminal records for those with past marijuana convictions.

Send a message to your federal lawmakers in support of this important legislation

California

Legislation is pending, Senate Bill 34, which would exempt compassionate care programs from paying state cannabis taxes when they are providing free medical cannabis to financially disadvantaged people living with serious health conditions.

Update: SB 34 was heard and approved by the Assembly Business And Professions Committee on 6/11/19.

CA resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of compassionate care programs

Legislation is pending, Senate Bill 305, to permit qualified patients the ability to access medical cannabis preparations while in health care facilities.

Update: SB 305 is scheduled for a hearing in the Assembly Health Committee on 7/2/19.

CA resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of expanded medical access

Legislation is pending, Senate Bill 51, to assist financial institutions in safely conducting transactions with licensed cannabis businesses.

Update: SB 51 is scheduled for a hearing in the Assembly Banking And Finance Committee on 6/24/19.

CA resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of banking access

Delaware

Legislation is pending, Senate Bill 24, to expand access to medical cannabis in the state.

The measure would give doctors the discretion to recommend medical cannabis to any patient for whom they believe will benefit from its therapeutic use.

Update: SB 24 is scheduled for a hearing in the Health & Social Services Committee on 6/17/19 at 2:30pm in the Senate Hearing Room.

DE resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of letting doctors, not politicians, decide

New Hampshire

Legislation is pending, House Bill 459, to amend the state’s existing industrial hemp law to be in compliance with the new federal hemp regulations.

Update: The House disagreed with the Senate’s amendments to HB 459, so the bill now heads to conference committee for reconciliation.

NH resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of industrial hemp production

North Carolina

Legislation is pending, Senate Bill 315, to amend the state’s existing industrial hemp law to be in compliance with the new federal hemp regulations.

Update: S. 315 was heard and approved by the Committee on Judiciary on 6/11/19, and was then heard by the Committee on Finance on 6/12.

NC resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of industrial hemp production