Utah Considers Defunding Agencies That Discriminate Against Medical Marijuana Patients, Arizona Wants To Sell Weed Across State Lines & More Cannabis Regs

Arizona Wants To Sell Cannabis Across State Lines

A new Arizona measure seeks to allow cannabis to be sold across state lines, though House Bill 2770 from Rep. Justin Wilmeth is contingent on the legalization of cannabis on the federal level, reported ABC15 Arizona.

"What this measure is trying to do is trying to get Arizona to that point to where they can be at the start line so that when the feds wave the flag they can start competing and start selling immediately across state lines," said Wilmeth, who chairs the House Commerce Committee.

The Arizona move follows Oregon, Washington and California which have similar legislation in place pending federal policy change.

"So when the feds eventually, and the experts say within the next 3-5 years for sure, we will be able to have our business be able to compete immediately when this happens," Wilmeth said.

See also: Arizona: Social Equity Licensing Struggles & Concerns Over Unintended Cannabis Exposure Among Children

Rhode Island Gov. Aims To Ease Tax Burden On Cannabis

Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee is seeking to separate state and federal tax policy for the cannabis industry. Some states already opted to bypass the IRS code known as 280E under which cannabis operators are not eligible for tax deductions for businesses as they work with Schedule I and Schedule II drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

McKee pushed for cannabis industry tax relief last week in his budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year. His budget proposal was reviewed by the House Finance Committee last week, reported Marijuana Moment.

Under the legislation, legal cannabis businesses would be eligible for tax deductions in "the amount equal to any expenditure that is eligible to be claimed as a federal income tax deduction but is disallowed under 26 U.S.C. § 280E."

Now read: Cannabis Taxes 101: Internal Revenue Code Section 280E

Virginia Marijuana Sales In Sight?

In Virginia, two lawmakers behind competing bills that would set up marijuana sales, have come to an agreement that all retailers could be allowed to get into the cannabis business by March 1, 2025.

That's three months later than previously announced, writes Cardinal News' Markus Schmidt. However, the two measures – SB 448 from Sen. Aaron R. Rouse (D) and HB 698, from Rep. Paul Krizek (D) – propose a differing approach to which businesses should be granted priority when it comes to kicking off the cannabis sale.

Krizek pushed for allowing sex existing medical cannabis companies to launch sales this July, with another six micro-businesses launching sales on Jan. 1, 2025 through an acceleration program backed by operators that already kicked off sales.

Rouse is opposing Krizek's provision arguing it would give an advantage to marijuana companies over smaller companies and startups.

Utah Bill Targets Cities Defying Medical Cannabis Laws

In Utah, a measure that would strip cities from funding as a result of refusing to allow medical marijuana as a valid remedy is advancing through the state legislature, reported Fox 13 News.

Senate Bill 233, from Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla (D) and Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers (R) is addressing the issue of cities that refused to abide by the state's medical cannabis law, in place since 2018.

Escamilla said officials in some cities even inquired about city employees’ medical cannabis cards and punished those who possess them.

“At the end of the day, they are in violation of state law,” Sen. Escamilla said. “It's very clear you don't get to force people to tell you they're using controlled substances as a prescription. This is a recommended, prescribed medication and they're treating them differently. That's what we're trying to prevent.”

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