Marijuana Sales Ban In D.C. May Get A Second Look, MN On Verge Of Legalizing Weed & More Cannabis Reg Updates

Final Vote On Marijuana Legalization In Minnesota Legislature Imminent

As Minnesota lawmakers sprint toward the finish line of this year's legislative session, a bill to legalize recreational cannabis is awaiting a final vote in the state House.

Rep. Zack Stephenson (D), who is behind a House version of the measure, said on Tuesday that he signed a finalized conference report following the meeting of bipartisan negotiators on Monday, reported Marijuana Moment.

Stephenson tweeted, "Sometime later this week (or over the weekend), the House and Senate WILL VOTE on this bill."

Kentucky Cannabis Center Awards First Grants To Support Research

The University of Kentucky recently launched a center focusing on cannabis research. On Wednesday, the center announced its first grant recipients "to support innovative and collaborative cannabis research."

According to a press release, the first four recipients include researchers at the university's the College of Nursing, College of Public Health, College of Pharmacy and the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration.

The awards range between $75,000-$100,000 and are projected to fund studies for a period of 14 months.

Shanna Babalonis, Ph.D., director of the UK Cannabis Center, shared her enthusiasm. "We are excited for this opportunity to expand and accelerate cannabis science in the UK and conduct studies focused on the public health impacts of cannabis that can directly affect the lives of Kentuckians," she said.

GOP Lawmaker Exploring Federal Ban on Marijuana Sales In DC After Mayor's Safety Warning

A federal prohibition that has prevented Washington D.C. from legalizing, taxing and controlling the sale of recreational marijuana may get another look, House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) signaled recently, reported Marijuana Moment.

During a committee hearing on Tuesday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) spoke about the "public safety impact" of the ban. The men and women of the police department are battling gray market cannabis sales daily that, if we had a tax and regulate system, we could implement a more safe system," she said.

Comer said he wasn't aware of the law prohibiting D.C. from using its local tax dollars to legalize and implement recreational sales, adding they are "researching that."

Colorado Cannabis Sales Continue To Drop

Colorado's cannabis sales have additionally plunged in March to $139.6 million worth of recreational and medical marijuana products sold. That's roughly the level of February 2020 and the spring of 2019, reported KDVR, citing the Colorado Department of Revenue's data.

Consequently, total taxes and fees collected from the industry have also dropped to $25 million, compared to an all-time high of $40 million in August 2020.

California Bill Prohibiting Marijuana Packaging Appealing To Children Gains Momentum

A measure that seeks to restrict marijuana products with packaging that appeals to children is advancing in the California legislature, with the bill currently pending an Appropriations Committee vote, reported the California Globe.

If enacted, Assembly Bill 1207, from Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), would amend the state's cannabis law to include provisions that forbid the sale or production of cannabis products that are attractive to children as well as their advertisement and marketing in a way that is attractive to children.

Irwin said earlier that her push aims to address pediatric exposures to cannabis.

"These exposures are heavily influenced by the use of features on cannabis product packaging that are explicitly attractive to children," she said. "Children who unintentionally consume cannabis consistently require poison control treatment, and in many cases, they can also expose their fellow elementary and middle school peers to cannabis."

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