GOP House Speaker In Indiana Skeptical On Marijuana, Wisconsin Momentum, NY Fentanyl Testing Kits & More

Gov. Evers And Sen. Agard Push For Weed Legalization In WI

As the push to legalize marijuana in Wisconsin led by State Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard (D-Madison) gains momentum, Gov. Tony Evers (D) seems to be following suit with another round of pardons for those with prior marijuana convictions.

Gov. Evers took action to provide relief to 82 more individuals, bringing the total number of pardons granted under his administration to 1,111. The move follows President Biden’s announcement in Oct. 2022, that he will pardon all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession.

“It continues to be a privilege to hear about individuals’ lives, work, and what they have done to overcome their past mistakes and build positive, rewarding lives for themselves and their families,” Gov. Evers said in a press release.

MMJ Testing Requirement Faces Opposition From Maine Cannabis Providers

A recent report from the Maine cannabis regulator revealed that roughly half of the  medical marijuana (MMJ) on the market is tainted with contaminants such as yeast, mold, pesticides, or other harmful substances.

While John Hudak, director of the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy says the report’s details will push the state’s legislature to create a medical cannabis testing mandate similar to the recreational market, cultivators and caregivers have their doubts, reported The Portland Press Herald.

Some industry stakeholders have called the report into question due to its small sample size, questionable conclusions and methods, with some going as far as calling it "intellectually dishonest."

Hudak said more work needs to be done. “We need stakeholders and legislators ready and willing to come to the table to talk about the deficiencies and weaknesses.”

The state’s cannabis regulator gathered a total of 127 samples of medical cannabis during their routine inspections and subjected them to the rigorous testing procedures mandated by the recreational-use program.

Fentanyl Testing Kits Now A Reality In NY

A bill that would allow any individual in New York to obtain fentanyl testing kits from licensed, registered and authorized healthcare professionals will go into effect 30 days after it was signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul earlier this month.

Matthew’s Law, or S.2099C/A.5200B from New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, expands public access to fentanyl testing supplies, that up until now have been difficult to access across large parts of New York State.

“Families across our State have felt the immense tragedy of the opioid and overdose epidemic – it is a pain no one should ever have to endure,” Governor Hochul said in the statement. “For too long, pharmacies and other local health care providers have struggled to provide the resources proven to prevent overdose deaths.”

House Speaker Skeptical On Marijuana: What Could This Mean For Indiana?

A top Indiana lawmaker said recently that cannabis policy change is not likely during the 2024 legislative session, for which the state lawmakers are aiming to be a short one, reported IndyStar.

“No one has made a compelling case to me yet on why legalizing marijuana or having more people use cannabis in the state of Indiana is a positive thing,” said House Speaker Todd Huston (R). “Until I hear that answer, I wouldn’t expect a whole lot of change.”

Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor (D) is of a slightly different opinion. He emphasized the urgency for lawmakers to take action on cannabis in Indiana to prevent the state from lagging behind its counterparts.

Democratic lawmakers in the Hoosier State have been creative in their push to legalize cannabis as their GOP colleagues have been successfully blocking policy reform over the past few sessions.

This past spring, as part of Senate Bill 20, reviewed by House lawmakers, sought to set up a regulatory distinction for "craft hemp" products that could be sold to adults over 21.