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This week, the Transportation Security Administration changed its cannabis policy to allow passengers to bring some forms of CBD oil on flights, “as long as it is produced within the regulations defined by the law” under the 2018 Farm Bill. Elsewhere, in Arizona, the state Supreme Court decided a crucial appeal by siding 7-0 with patients and state voters on marijuana resin extracts.
Here, we’ve rounded up the 10 headlines you need to know before this week is over.
- Federal: The Transportation Security Administration has changed its cannabis policy to allow passengers to bring some forms of CBD oil, plus an FDA-approved marijuana-based drug, on flights. The CBD oil is allowed “as long as it is produced within the regulations defined by the law” under the 2018 Farm Bill, which federally legalized hemp and hemp derivatives. Read more
- New Jersey: The New Jersey Assembly approved the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, which would simplify the process for patients to qualify for, purchase and consume cannabis for medicinal purposes. The measure would legalize cannabis-infused edibles and allow for easier patient access to the program. Read more
- New York: A revised Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act was introduced by Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and others May 24. The initial act was proposed in January, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo also proposed legalizing marijuana back when the budget was being proposed. Read more
- Iowa: Gov. Kim Reynolds vetoed a bill that would have lifted a cap on the potency of medical marijuana products available in the state. Reynolds said that the state must proceed cautiously in any expansion of its medical marijuana program, and that she could support future, more limited efforts to increase the potency of products. Read more
- Colorado: Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 13 to allow doctors to recommend medical marijuana for any condition meriting a painkiller prescription. The new law is scheduled to go into effect on Aug. 2. Read more
- Polis also signed off on legislation that would allow businesses in the state to apply for licenses for social marijuana use areas. The measure “authorizes marijuana hospitality spaces” in “which marijuana may be consumed on site and retail marijuana hospitality and sales establishments in which retail marijuana, retail marijuana concentrate, and retail marijuana products may be sold and consumed on site in the establishment's hospitality space.” Read more
- Missouri: The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the department tasked with regulating the state’s medical marijuana industry, has posted final rules on the department's website, a move long awaited by people hoping to use, make or sell medical marijuana and related products. The rules take effect June 3, a day before the deadline by which the department was required by law to finalize its regulations. Read more
- Arizona: The state Supreme Court decided a crucial appeal on Tuesday by siding 7-0 with patients and state voters on marijuana resin extracts. Parties in the case of State of Arizona v. Rodney Christopher Jones received word Tuesday that Jones had won his appeal and that the state’s medical marijuana patients can legally use marijuana concentrates. Read more
- Maryland: Maryland’s attempt to promote diverse ownership in its medical cannabis industry has attracted more than 160 applications from firms seeking to score one of the state’s 14 new licenses. Competition will be fierce for the four cannabis growing licenses and 10 for processing the plant into medical products. Read more
- Alabama: An Alabama House committee has approved a bill that would establish a commission to develop legislation and regulations for medical cannabis—a step back from a much more ambitious Senate version, but one that is more likely to the pass the House. “It’s at a point where we can all work with it,” said Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence), the sponsor of the bill. “It’s a big step and everybody is stepping out of their comfort zone.” Read more
