Legislative & Licensing Update: June 22, 2022
New York, Mississippi & Alabama: Rules, Regulations & Public Comments
In other cannabis news: A special legislative committee in Kansas. Plus DEA action and legislative and licensing news from Vermont, Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Michigan, and Brazil.
The Drug Enforcement Administration reported its marijuana enforcement activity increased significantly last year — chopping down 22% more plants (5.5 million), making 32% more arrests, and seizing nearly three times as much bulk processed cannabis compared to 2020.
A new study concluded that legalizing medical cannabis is tied to reduced auto insurance premiums — probably due to a substitution effect from reduced drunk driving, the researchers say.
The New York City sheriff’s office seized at least a dozen trucks operating for Weed World Candies for outstanding parking tickets totaling a half-million dollars.
New York regulators are accepting public comments on proposed rules on marijuana packaging, labeling, advertising, and testing. There will also be a New York Cannabis Control Board meeting this Thursday.
Vermont’s governor vetoed a bill on aafe drug consumption sites and harm reduction.
Mississippi regulators posted medical cannabis rules on wholesale sales, business establishments, and excise taxes.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is hosting a cannabis equity summit on Friday.
Alabama released preliminary cultivation rules.
Kansas lawmakers voted to create a special committee on medical marijuana that will work to prepare reform legislation this summer that can potentially pass when the legislature returns early in 2023.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment published a study showing that teen marijuana use dropped significantly in the state in 2021.
Arizona regulators filed amended medical cannabis rules.
Dispensaries move to temporarily halt all adult-use business in Detroit.
And in international news, the Sixth Panel (Sexta Turma) of Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice’s (Superior Tribunal de Justiça, or STJ) issued a decision allowing cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes.