Legal Weed: Delaware Weighs Clearing Drug Convictions; California Tackles Youth Safety and Banking

The Delaware House of Representatives is set to consider legislation that could wipe out records for cannabis-related convictions, while on the West Coast, California lawmakers are set to tackle marijuana-related bills affecting after-school programs, financial institutions and compassionate care facilities. These bills are on their respective states’ legislative calendars for the week of June 18, 2018.

Delaware’s SB 197 addresses criminal records to provide mandatory expungement eligibility to individuals who were convicted of the possession or consumption of cannabis before decriminalization on Dec. 18, 2015. To be eligible, individuals must have only a marijuana conviction and no other charges. SB 197 was passed by the Senate on June 12, 2018, with a vote of 20-0, with one absent senator. SB 197 was assigned to Administration Committee in House and will receive a hearing at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, 2018, in the House Majority Caucus Room in Dover. The bill, authored by Republican state Sen. Greg Lavelle, has received significant bipartisan support and will likely move through the House quickly.

California’s AB 1744 proposes to use cannabis tax revenue to fund grants for the After-School Education and Safety Program. Qualifying schools and programs must include youth development activities that promote healthful lifestyle choices and behaviors in order to prevent or reduce substance abuse, and improve school retention and performance, in order to receive grant money. After the bill passed the Senate Education Committee with a 7-0 vote Wednesday, June 13, 2018, AB 1744 is scheduled for a hearing Wednesday, June 20, 2018, before the Senate Health Committee in the Capitol in Sacramento.

California’s SB 930 proposes the creation of a state charter for privately financed banks and credit unions under a program administered by the Commissioner of Business Oversight and the Department of Business Oversight. The bill would also create the Cannabis Limited Charter Bank and Credit Union Advisory Board to include the treasurer, the controller, and the chief of the Bureau of Cannabis Control as policy directors. SB 930 passed the Assembly Banking And Finance Committee on Monday, June 18, 2018, with a 10-1 vote. SB 930 will move on to the Assembly Business And Professions Committee, where it has been scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.

California’s SB 829 would require the Bureau of Cannabis Control to issue and regulate compassionate care licenses, which are issued to those who donate medicinal cannabis or marijuana products to qualified patients who possess a physician’s recommendation. SB 829 was scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, before the Assembly Business And Professions Committee.

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