Wednesday 6 February 2019 – State By State Digest: Federal, Iowa, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, Texas

FEDERAL

Congressional Democrats Plan Hearing And Vote On Marijuana Business Banking

Newly empowered congressional Democrats reportedly plan to hold a House hearing next week on marijuana businesses’ difficulties accessing banks—signifying renewed momentum for cannabis issues on Capitol Hill following years of blockades by the former Republican leadership of the chamber.

Party leaders are also laying the groundwork to vote on a marijuana banking bill soon, Marijuana Moment has learned.

Politico first reported on Monday night that the House Financial Services Committee was planning a hearing on the topic, which cited “sources familiar with the matter” as saying it could be scheduled for Wednesday, February 13—though nothing is formally on the calendar yet.

Congressional Democrats Plan Hearing And Vote On Marijuana Business Banking

IOWA

Proposed Iowa Bill Would Raise THC Levels of Medical Marijuana

The maximum level of THC allowed could be raised from 3 percent to 13 percent.

DES MOINES, Iowa (WOI) – Republicans and Democrats are working together in an effort to reform medical marijuana legislation in the state.

Currently, the maximum level of  THC allowed is 3 percent. However, a bill that’s been proposed would raise that number to 13 percent.

https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/iowa-may-raise-thc-limit-medical-marijuana/?utm_campaign=PCT+eNews+-+Main+-+Default&utm_source=PCT+eNews&utm_medium=email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.cannabisbusinesstimes.com%2fiowa-may-raise-thc-limit-medical-marijuana.aspx&utm_content=138424&isid=27F15B

 

MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi lawmakers reject move to let farmers grow hemp

Mississippi lawmakers are turning back an attempt to legalize growing industrial hemp in the state.

The House Drug Policy Committee, on a tie vote Monday, rejected an amendment that would have changed state law to allow farmers to grow hemp.

Changes to the state list of illegal drugs were proposed as House Bill 1547 .

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article225539570.html

OHIO

MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING – AGENDA

February 7, 2019 Vern Riffe Center – 31st Floor – Room South B & C

Agenda

OREGON

Is proposed Oregon marijuana export plan a solution to state’s cannabis glut – or a pipe dream?

The head of an Oregon marijuana trade group hopes to convince state legislators to permit local cannabis companies to export crops and products to other states, but MJ attorneys said the plan faces huge legal obstacles.

To shrink Oregon’s massive marijuana surplus, Adam Smith, the founder of the Craft Cannabis Alliance, is working with state lawmakers to pass a law allowing licensed cannabis companies to ship to other states with legal MJ programs by 2021.

Is proposed Oregon marijuana export plan a solution to state’s cannabis glut – or a pipe dream?

Study: Oregon Has 6.5 Years of Cannabis Oversupply

 

Portland delays action on zoning rules for marijuana-related businesses

The City Council postpones a vote at the request of Councilor Belinda Ray, who plans to offer 2 amendments but missed the meeting because of an illness.

…./…

Hannah King and Malina Dumas, of the law firm Drummond Woodsum, said the amendments would streamline the land use approval process and change setbacks from residential areas.

One amendment, co-sponsored by Ray and City Councilor Kimberly Cook, would change the setback from 200 feet from property line to property line to 300 feet from a residential property line to a marijuana cultivation, manufacturing and testing facility.

Mark Barnett, owner of Higher Grounds on Wharf Street and a member of the Maine Craft Cannabis Association, a group of marijuana enthusiasts and entrepreneurs, spoke in support of Ray’s amendment to allow marijuana retail stores to sell products that do not contain marijuana. That amendment would only allow people 21 and over to enter a marijuana retail store.

https://www.pressherald.com/2019/02/04/portland-tables-action-on-zoning-rules-for-marijuana-related-businesses/

 

TEXAS

From..

Yesterday afternoon, we reported the troubling news that Ft. Worth prosecutors were threatening to arrest CBD users. 

Just a few hours later, State Rep. Stacy King introduced House Bill 1325 — relying on the Roundtable’s model legislation — that would solve the issue and establish a full hemp program in the Lone Star State. Rep. King’s bill would allow Texas to join 41 other states in hemp cultivation, bring the state into full compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill, and clarify beyond any doubt that hemp products such as CBD could be sold at retail. 

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