Cannabis Reform A Priority For Congressional Progressive Caucus And More News From South Carolina, Utah, Montana & Maine

Congressional Progressive Caucus Names Marijuana Legalization A Priority Ahead Of November Election

As the November elections approach, efforts to garner more support among voters are doubling down.

A new legislative agenda by the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) that was published last week, lists marijuana reform as one of the priorities. In terms of criminal justice reform, the CPC said it will work toward legalizing cannabis, expunging records and providing restorative justice for those with cannabis-related convictions.

CPC plans on reducing "criminalization and incarceration through sentencing reform, legalizing cannabis, expunging records, providing restorative justice, and an accelerated and reformed clemency process for people with marijuana-related convictions."

See also: Weed Could Be Biden’s Ace Up The Sleeve Against Trump If He Would Fulfill His Campaign Promises

Restrictive South Carolina MMJ Bill Gets Hearing In House Following Senate Approval

A restrictive medical cannabis bill passed by the South Carolina Senate in February, aimed at aligning the state with national trends toward compassionate care, got a hearing in a state House committee this week, reported Marijuana Moment.

Medical experts and law enforcement officials shared their testimonials with the members of the House Medical Cannabis Ad Hoc Committee. The bill from Sen. Tom Davis (R) – dubbed the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act – would strictly regulate the plant's medicinal use.

Patients, under a physician's guidance, could access non-smokable forms such as topicals, tinctures, vaporizers and edibles, marking a significant policy shift in a state with historically conservative views on cannabis.

Utah Sees Increase In Number Of Medical Cannabis Patients

The number of medical cannabis patients in Utah rose 19% year-over-year, reaching 83,000 at the end of March.

That's according to a state health department report. The state's medical market has been up and running for four years and has over 65,000 registered patients. Currently, 15 dispensaries are selling cannabis statewide, with sales hitting a $138 million mark last year, according to KSL News Radio.

Cannabis Public Policy Consulting's (CPPC) recent report showed that Utah is placed among the bottom ten states for the amount paid monthly on cannabis, while the majority (58%) of 197 surveyed patients said there "was plenty of supply of medical cannabis products." Over 70% said they "did not feel the need to travel outside of the state to get the medical cannabis products they need."

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

Montana Cannabis Revenue Bill Veto Stays In Place

In Montana, lawmakers fell short of their intention to override Governor Greg Gianforte's (R) last year's veto on the proposed redistribution of recreational cannabis tax revenues.

A recent court's decision granted lawmakers a renewed opportunity to reassess Senate Bill 442, which the governor vetoed at the 2023 session's conclusion.

However, the polling results revealed on Friday by Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen that 24 senators and 41 representatives voted in favor of overriding the veto, which is less than two-thirds of both chambers needed to pass, reported Daily Montanan.

The measure would have funneled more funds toward habitat conservation and county infrastructure.

Maine Gov. Sings Bill To Seal Pre-Legalization Cannabis Convictions

In Maine, the recently enacted bill, which was signed by Gov. Janet Mills into law earlier this month now makes it possible for people to apply to get their criminal histories for now-legal marijuana crimes sealed. LD 2236, previously advanced through the state legislature, reported Maine Morning Star.  

A separate measure, that was killed by the state lawmakers, LD 2269, would have tasked state agencies with going through criminal record information every month to seal records for crimes that are no longer considered illegal under Maine's adult-use cannabis law, which has been in effect since 2017.