Some Professions May Lose Employment Protections Over Medical Marijuana Use In South Dakota, Iowa Expands Offerings & More Updates

Vermont: House Supports Overdose Prevention Centers As Lawmakers Consider Eliminating THC Caps 

Vermont's House of Representatives voted in favor of legislation to establish and fund overdose prevention centers in the state.

Overdose prevention centers are safe spaces for people to consume pre-obtained drugs in controlled settings under the supervision of trained staff. Users will have access to sterile consumption equipment, tools to check their drugs for the presence of fentanyl, and connections to health care, counseling and referrals to health and social services, including drug treatment.

This is the second push by state regulators for the establishment of these facilities following Gov. Phil Scott's (R) veto on a similar proposal in 2022, writes Marijuana Moment.

Additionally, the Vermont Cannabis Control Board is urging regulators to remove potency caps on certain cannabis products.

"By limiting potency to 60%, you're creating a perverse effect of giving the black market a monopoly on a product," said Dave Silberman, co-owner of FLORA Cannabis in Middlebury. "It's a niche product — it's maybe 4% or 5% of the entire market — but you're giving them a monopoly on it."

Medical workers, however, are concerned about the health impacts of the proposed change, reported Valley News.

Iowa: Lawmakers Consider Including Flower To Medical Marijuana Program 

A three-member Iowa subcommittee advanced House Study Bill 532 seeking to amend the state's definition of "medical cannabidiol" in such a way as to include forms of oral, topical and inhalable marijuana, including raw cannabis flower, reported Iowa Capital Dispatch. 

Dane Schumann, a lobbyist with MedPharm Iowa, highlighted that the change could help reduce high expenses for medical marijuana patients.

"We are the only state really left in the country that is requiring extracts in their products," Schumann said. "The reason other states have moved away from requiring that is because of what I just described, it's very expensive to make patients have to buy that."

New Jersey: Cannabis Commission Greenlights 70 Licenses And Consumption Lounge Rules 

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) approved 70 adult-use dispensary, manufacturing, cultivation, wholesaling, deliveries, distribution, licenses and consumption lounge rules which should take effect in February, writes Heady NJ.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Business Action Center tapped 25 instructors as it prepared to officially launch its new, free training program to help diverse entrepreneurs establish its presence in the state's marijuana industry.

South Dakota: Senate Panel Says Yes To Bill Enabling Employers To Fire Specific Workers Over Medical Marijuana Use 

South Dakota Senate Commerce and Energy Committee advanced Senate Bill 12 in an 8-1 vote on Thursday, sending it to the Senate floor. The legislation aims to change certain provisions of the law to allow for employees in "safety-sensitive" positions to be fired or refused employment if they test positive for cannabis, writes Keloland. 

Oregon: GOP Lawmakers Want To Place Misdemeanor Penalties For Drug Possession 

Oregon House Republican regulators on Thursday introduced legislation that would end Measure 110 by imposing misdemeanor penalties for drug possession and treatment to avoid jail time, reported Oregon Capital Chronicle.

With this bill, lawmakers want to make possession of small amounts of fentanyl, heroin and meth a class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by a year in jail or a fine of up to $6,250 or both. Jail time can be avoided with mandatory addiction treatment.

 Related Links: 

Cocaine, Meth Decriminalization In Maine, NY Weed Market Expands, Cannabis Reg Updates In AR And FL 

Conservative SC Lawmaker Says He Is Committed To MMJ Program And More Cannabis Updates

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