Schumer Confirms Progress On Cannabis Banking Bill And More Regulatory Updates

Schumer: We're Still Working On Cannabis Banking Bill

Lawmakers are still trying to push for the passage of a bipartisan cannabis bill, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday. 

• Any action on the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act will postpone for another month due to the Congress recess in August. But Schumer isn't losing optimism.
• Furthermore, during a press conference focused on the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Thursday, Schumer said: “We’re making good progress on SAFE Banking, which, as you know, has always been a priority for me. So there’s a lot to do when we get back.”
• Don Murphy of the Marijuana Leadership Campaign told the outlet Thursday that Schumer didn’t blame the Republican lawmakers for the delays this time. “I’m looking for the silver lining, right?” Murphy said. “When the lead Democrat chooses not to blame Republicans, I take that as movement, as some progress.”
• Democratic senator Jeff Merkley has high hopes for the bill but also urged supporters to continue advocating efforts. “I am optimistic that we’re going to work through the details when we come back from the August recess,” he said. “But the [Senate Banking Committee] needs to keep hearing your voices about how important this is so it becomes an issue that cannot be ignored in the press of other businesses.”

Alabama Cannabis Commission Chair: ‘I’m Staying’

• Steven Stoke, the chairman of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, doesn’t plan to resign after the validity of his position was challenged. 
• “I’m staying. I’ve told my attorney we’re going to fight this attempt to derail the work of the Commission,” Stokes said. 
• Stokes is a member of the University of South Alabama Board of Trustees. According to Kimberly Holcomb, who filed a complaint in Montgomery Circuit Court, this violates the provision in the medical cannabis law, which bars "any public official" from serving on the commission.
• “I’m not a public official, and I qualified and had to be verified for this Commission just like the other members,” Stokes argues.
• The news comes on the heels of controversial happenings regarding the Alabama licensing program.

Detroit Lakes In Minnesota Bans Cannabis Use In Public

• While legal cannabis use officially starts Aug. 1 there are some places in the state that are starting to forbid public weed use.
• The Detroit Lakes City Council on Monday approved an ordinance banning marijuana and hemp products use in public places within city limits, setting up a $150 violation fine.
• Apartment owners can choose if they will allow the use of these products on their properties.

• Detroit Reduces Required Space Between Cannabis Shops And Other Businesses

• Detroit city council approved an amendment to its recreational cannabis ordinance reducing the space required between marijuana establishments and certain other businesses.
• The distance between pot shops and “controlled uses” like liquor stores was reduced to 750 feet from previously 1,000 feet. Furthermore, one pot business needs to be separated from another by 500 feet, which is down from 1,000 feet.

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by U.S. Senate Photographic Studio/Jeff McEvoy via Wikimedia Commons, and GreenForce Staffing on Unsplash