GOP Takes Action To Legalize Cannabis In Wisconsin, Minnesota Marijuana Bill Advances & More Regulatory News

Minnesota House To Vote Next Week

• Rep. Zack Stephenson (D) says his bill to legalize adult-use cannabis in Minnesota has been scheduled for a vote in the state House on Monday.
• The measure has advanced through 16 committees so far, and it would allow 21-year-olds to purchase and use recreational marijuana.

Wisconsin GOP Takes Action To Legalize Medical Cannabis

• On the heels of Wisconsin Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard's (D) announcing "The Grass Routes Tour" to promote the legalization of cannabis, Republicans gathered to design a medical cannabis program that could stand a chance of getting bipartisan support.
• Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said that the group of lawmakers working on a new push includes only Assembly Republicans. He plans to introduce the medical cannabis measure this fall, but remains firmly against legalizing recreational cannabis.

4/20 Marks The Launch Of the New York Senate Marijuana Committee

• As New York's recreational cannabis market slowly rolls out, the state Senate has formed a special committee for marijuana, Marijuana Moment.
• The Senate Cannabis Subcommittee would "provide an outlet for entrepreneurs, advocates, industry and citizens with interest in the new marketplace."
• Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) appointed Sen. Jeremy Cooney to chair the subcommittee.

Arizona Promotes Safe Cannabis Use With New Program

• In Arizona, a new initiative — dubbed AzCANN — at the University of Arizona Health Sciences
• seeks to raise awareness about cannabis.
• The new program addresses the need for skills and education in the cannabis industry, while also promoting responsible use. It is funded through a million-dollar grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Traffic Safety Experts Discuss Cannabis Impairment In New Mexico

• Researchers from the University of New Mexico and traffic safety experts gathered at the state's first-ever Cannabis Traffic Safety Summit.
• UNM research scientist Jessica Bloom said that roughly 16% of all motor vehicle drivers killed in crashes statewide tested positive for cannabis.
• However, Ben J. Lewinger, executive director of the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, said tests are not a "good way to chemically test for cannabis impairment" while urging the state to "invest in drug recognition experts."

Pennsylvania Unveils 4 New Bills On 4/20

• Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced four bills on April 20. One bill encourages medical research universities to obtain DEA registration for clinical registrants, while another urges the federal government to remove cannabis from Schedule I classification.
• A third bill would require medical professionals who authorize the use of medical cannabis to undertake continuing education, while a fourth would allow school nurses to administer medical marijuana to eligible students.

Colorado Bill To Remove Barriers To Employment For Cannabis Convicts

• A Colorado measure that seeks to protect those with past convictions related to marijuana from being denied when applying for a license, certificate, or registration in a profession or occupation within the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) cleared the state Senate on Thursday, reported Denver 7.
• The bipartisan Senate Bill 23-265 applies for marijuana convictions within the Centennial State and nationwide.

Washington Legislature Prohibits Pre-Employment Testing

• In Washington, a bill that prohibits some employers from testing potential applicants for cannabis has passed the state legislature and is now heading to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk for signature.
• The bill, introduced in January by Democratic Sen. Karen Keiser, is expected to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. It only applies to drug testing before hiring, and excludes occupations where marijuana impairment could lead to a “substantial risk of death" (i.e., those in the aerospace and airline industries).
• Positions that demand a federal background check or security clearance are also excluded.

CannaWarriors Convene At Connecticut Capital

• CT CannaWarriors and many other marijuana advocates gathered on April 20 to show support HB 6787, a measure that would order a review of pre-legalization weed-related convictions.
• Under the bill, some convicts would be potentially discharged or released on probation.
• Republican Representative Greg Howard voted against the bill.

Cannabis Bills Discussed In New Hampshire Senate Committee

• Six marijuana bills were discussed in front of the state Senate Judiciary Committee in New Hampshire, including one that would allow for weed to be sold at liquor stores.
• After more than five hours of testimony, there was no voting.
• Former state legislator Tim Egan suggested the state could earn $30 million a year from legal sales and use it to fund education, pensions, and mental health care.
• The bills include HB 639, the right to sell and tax cannabis; HB 360, which would legalize marijuana for adults; HB 431, which would allow qualified patients to home grow for personal medical use; HB 610, which expands the definition of providers who can certify cannabis patients; HB 473, which lowers penalties for first-count controlled drug offenses; and HB 611, which addresses eligibility criteria for a therapeutic cannabis program.

Nina Zdinjak and Joana Scopel contributed to this story.

Photo: Courtesy of succo, mrkukuruznik5 by Pixabay