Trump intel pick on marijuana & security clearances; IN GOP Senate leader: decrim cannabis; PA legalization; MO psychedelics; State hemp bills

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Your good deed for the day: donate to an independent publisher like Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there.Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment/ TOP THINGS TO KNOWThe Drug Enforcement Administration said in an update to an agency judge that the marijuana rescheduling process is still on hold and “remains pending” before Acting Administrator Derek Maltz, who has called cannabis a “gateway drug” that causes psychosis.

• “No briefing schedule has been set.”

Aaron Lukas, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be principal deputy director of national intelligence, said past marijuana use “in and of itself, should not be determinative in the adjudication of security clearances” but he’s “not convinced” that allowing current use “is in the best interest of national security.”

Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer (D) called out the Federal Bureau of Investigation in his State of the State speech for “stifling state-led innovation” by causing a possible delay in the launch of the state’s recreational marijuana market due to a fingerprint background check system dispute.Indiana’s Republican Senate president pro tempore said it “would be a smart move” to “decriminalize small amounts of marijuana.”

• “I don’t think that needs to be criminal at this point. Maybe it’s an infraction or something like that.”

A Pennsylvania representative said lawmakers are getting “substantially closer” to reaching a deal on marijuana legalization—and that a House committee could vote on the issue by the end of this month.The Missouri House Rules – Legislative Committee unanimously approved a bill to legalize the medical use of psilocybin by military veterans who meet certain conditions and to fund studies on the therapeutic potential of the psychedelic.A new poll shows that half of U.S. cannabis consumers say the Trump administration will lead them to consume more marijuana than they did before.The Florida Senate passed a bill to restrict intoxicating hemp products—including banning synthetic cannabinoids like delta-8 THC and allowing only stores with liquor licenses to sell hemp-infused drinks.Bipartisan Missouri senators filibustered a bill to regulate intoxicating hemp products like delta-8 THC seltzers and gummies, stalling its progress on the Senate floor.The Indiana House Courts and Criminal Code Committee approved a bill to set advertising, age-limit, licensing, packaging, testing and other requirements for hemp products, sending it to a floor vote.The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is creating a new office to regulate marijuana, a shift that was accelerated after what appeared to be a retaliatory inspection at a cannabis cultivation facility by officials with the division that formerly oversaw the industry./ FEDERALThe Government Accountability Office issued a report recommending that the Drug Enforcement Administration establish timeliness goals for processes to approve Homeland Security Investigations agent requests.Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) cited hemp as one issue where the Food and Drug Administration “has steered our citizens wrong time after time, resulting in the complete loss of trust from Americans.”Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) met with members of the U.S. Cannabis Roundtable./ STATESNevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) is supporting legislation containing provisions to change marijuana and metabolite thresholds for intoxication for drivers.Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) noted that the state House of Representatives and Senate are working to agree on provisions for legislation to restrict intoxicating hemp products.California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced that officials have seized more than $316 million worth of illegal marijuana and $474,000 in cash since January.The Ohio House of Representatives passed budget legislation that would revise how marijuana tax revenue is allocated.The Minnesota House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee approved a budget for cannabis regulators.Washington State regulators published an updated list of pesticides allowed to be used on marijuana.Missouri regulators transferred another $5.5 million in marijuana revenue to veterans, drug treatment and public defender programs.The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission sent an update on actions it is taking as it observes its fourth anniversary of being created.Maryland regulators adopted changes to cannabis rules.The Oklahoma Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Executive Advisory Council will meet on Friday.
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Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

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/ LOCALThe Wilmington, Delaware City Council is considering a marijuana business zoning proposal.The Denver, Colorado City Council Business, Arts, Workforce, Climate, & Aviation Services Committee will consider legislation to revise local marijuana rules on Wednesday./ INTERNATIONALThe Flintshire County, Wales Council passed a measure to protect medical cannabis patients from employment and housing discrimination./ SCIENCE & HEALTHA study found that “statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in overall [health-related quality of life], fatigue, and sleep disturbance were maintained over 12-months in patients prescribed medical cannabis for chronic health conditions” and that “anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain also improved over time for those with corresponding health conditions.”A review concluded that “results consistently indicate psychedelic consumption is related to enduring enhancements in…well-being, including positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment.”/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSISThe Drug Policy Alliance launched a new drug policy archive./ BUSINESSMichigan retailers sold $277 million worth of legal marijuana products in March.

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Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.