This week in DC
MORE ACT On Wednesday
The U.S. House is preparing to vote on a comprehensive marijuana decriminalization bill again, scheduling a hearing for the MORE Act this Wednesday. The bill passed on the House floor in December 2020, but was never taken up by the Senate. And it looks unlikely that the Senate will take up the MORE Act in this Congress given Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s plans to introduce his own comprehensive cannabis legislation in April
America Competes Act Today
The Senate is likely to act on the America COMPETES Act today, moving lawmakers closer to reconciling the two chambers' versions of long-awaited legislation meant to bolster U.S. competitiveness with China. In February the US House passed The America COMPETES Act of 2022, which includes the provisions of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act.
North Carolina Farmers
North Carolina Senate Bill 711, the North Carolina Compassionate Care Act would allow individuals with qualifying debilitating medical conditions to register to use and safely access medical cannabis through a regulated medical cannabis supply system. For businesses to get licensed, all medical marijuana companies must manage every aspect from farming to the final sale (including owning and operating storefronts) — an expensive barrier for entry and something the majority of North Carolina farmers are not ready to do. The bill also will only allow 10 licenses for the entire state of North Carolina with each applicant being required to pay a $50,000 nonrefundable fee, plus $5,000 for each production facility or medical cannabis center the applicant proposes to operate under the license. themaconcountynews.com
Maryland
Last week, a Maryland Senate committee took up a pair of House-passed bills to put marijuana legalization on the state’s November ballot and set initial rules if voters approve the reform, with some lawmakers raising concerns about the limited scope of the implementation proposal and questioning why the ballot question doesn’t contain more specific language around issues like licensing and equity. marijuanamoment.net
