The Week In Weed: February 4, 2022 – Cannabis & Hemp – United States – Mondaq News Alerts

Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s
happening in the world of legalized marijuana.

The SAFE Act rises like the phoenix once again.  An Ohio
initiative heads to the legislature.  Idaho legalizes
hemp.  Illinois has more licensing problems.  And
finally, if you’re a woman who likes hemp drinks, Pepsi has a
new product just for you.

***BREAKING NEWS***

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (R) signed the medical marijuana bill into
law.

SAFE ACT

You might call it Perlmutter’s last stand.  Rep. Ed
Perlmutter (D-CO) recently announced he will not run for
re-election this year.  The long-time advocate of banking
reforms that would allow cannabis businesses to use the federal
financial system has one more trick up his sleeve before heading
home, though.  His plan is to attach the SAFE Act to the America
COMPETES Act of 2022.  The House Rules Committee began
consideration of the bill this week – further bulletins as
events warrant.

OHIO

Most states pursue either the ballot initiative route or the
legislative route to legalize marijuana.  Advocates in Ohio are going down both roads.  The
Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CTRMLA) gathered
enough signatures to mandate that the legislature consider their
reform proposal.  If the measure fails, the group can gather
additional signatures to put the matter on the 2022 ballot.

IDAHO

Hemp is now legal in all 50 states!  Idaho has started issuing licenses for
producers and handlers; so far 8 have been granted.  It’s
been a long time coming, the state’s Farm Bureau began
advocating for this 20 years ago, but the 2018 Farm Bill moved
things along.

ILLINOIS

It’s been a while since we’ve turned our gaze to the Land of Lincoln and its many
cannabis licensing problems.  Turns out, the problems have not
gone away.  The latest issue? Craft marijuana licenses.  The state Supreme Court turned
down the state’s request to grant these licenses, meaning none
will be issued until pending lawsuits are resolved.  Forty
licenses that were granted last summer will be allowed to
proceed.

AND FINALLY

If you’re a young female who’s not much interested in
energy drinks, Pepsi has a new hemp-infused beverage they’d like you to
try.  Rockstar Unplugged comes in three flavors and launched
across the country this week.  Cheers!

Stay safe and be well everyone – we’ll see you next
week!

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