Legislative Update

Hemp & Medical Marijuana – Legislative Update

May 2019

Medical Marijuana

Pennsylvania

Advisory Board Meeting May 15th

  • Anxiety continued to be studied as next treatable condition
  • Clinical Registrant Permits to be announced by end of summer 2019
  • Next meeting August 14, 2019

U.S.

Banks from all 50 states sent a joint letter to congress urging the passing of a banking bill that would eliminate: ( https://www.marijuanamoment.net/all-50-state-banking-associations-urge-congress-to-pass-marijuana-financial-services-bill/ )

  • penalties on banks servicing mmj
  • the safety risks posed by an entirely cash business
  • complications in law enforcement
  • damage to the economy
  • excess fees in auditing requirements

The banks are joined by Attorney Generals from the majority of states who are also asking Congress to pass a safe banking bill.  https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2019/05/08/majority-of-state-attorneys-general-tell-congress-to-pass-marijuana-banking-bill/#47866108711a

The Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act of 2019 (29 co-sponsors) – sits in House Committee on Financial Services (4/18).

Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2019 – remains in the subcommittee on Crime, terrorism, and homeland security.

2 Decriminalize Marijuana bills (one from Senate with 7 sponsors and one from House with 35 sponsors) – referred to committees 5/20/19

Second Amendment  Protection Act – referred to subcommittee on Crime, terrorism, and homeland security – 5/15/19

VA Survey of Cannabis Use Act (4 co-sponsors) – Research into use of cannabis by Veterans – 5/10/19

Hemp

USDA

This notice clarifies avenues for Tribal participation under authorities in the 2014 Farm Bill to grow industrial hemp for research purposes during the 2019 growing season. Under the 2014 Farm Bill, an Indian tribe can enter into a partnership or contract with an institution of higher education or a State department of agriculture both within or in a different State than the one in which the Indian tribe is located to produce industrial hemp on the tribe’s land. For an Indian tribe to be eligible to do so, the State in which the Indian tribe is located and the State in which the institution of higher education or State department of agriculture is located both must allow the production of industrial hemp.