Indopedia All Things Marijuana
California and Ohio are the only two states with noteworthy marijuana legislation scheduled to be heard during the week of May 21, 2018.
On Tuesday, two California bills will go before the Senate Appropriations Committee. One proposal seeks to reschedule cannabidiol (CDB) while the other looks to create a network of state banks to handle deposits from California’s legal cannabis industry.
Despite US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell threatening to cancel the August recess for Congress to keep Democrats from going home to campaign, the legislative roots of marijuana reform continue to strengthen.
Tuesday Legislative Hearings
A proposal to amend the California Uniform Controlled Substance Act to allow Californians to use and possess cannabidiol (CBD), when federal law will permits it, will receive a hearing Tuesday morning. AB 710, introduced by Democratic Assembly member Jim Wood, was scheduled to be heard at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 22, 2018, before the Senate Appropriations Committee in the John L. Burton Hearing Room at the Capitol in Sacramento.
SB 930 proposes to create state-licensed banks to handle deposits from California’s legal cannabis businesses. The bill would create the Cannabis Limited Charter Bank Advisory Board, which would include the treasurer, controller, and the Chief of the Bureau of Cannabis Control. The bill was scheduled for hearing at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 22, 2018, before the Senate Appropriations Committee in Sacramento.
Legislation that would require Ohio’s medical marijuana patients and dispensaries to utilize specific designated financial institutions for their transactions was scheduled to be discussed Tuesday, May 22, 2018. Attempting to establish a closed-loop payment system for Ohio’s medical marijuana patients and dispensaries, HB 495 would mandate patients purchase their medicine with a medical marijuana debit card. The proposal has been scheduled for a 1 p.m. hearing Tuesday, May 22, 2018, before the House Criminal Justice Committee in Columbus.
Wednesday Legislative Hearings
Licensed distributors found to violate state cannabis delivery requirements would receive a $500 fine under California’s proposed LAB 2255. The bill on legal cannabis distribution, deliveries, and violations was scheduled to be heard at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2018, before the Assembly Appropriations Committee in Sacramento.
California AB 2914 would prohibit an licensed alcohol seller from selling cannabis or cannabis products, including cannabis-infused alcoholic beverages. The proposed legislation would require the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to suspend or revoke licenses of violators. The bill was scheduled to be heard at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2018, before the Assembly Appropriations Committee in Sacramento.
Friday Legislative Hearings
SB 1273 would make it an infraction for drivers and passengers in California to use cannabis in motor vehicles. Introduced by Democratic state Sen. Jerry Hill, the bill would also make it an infraction for individuals younger than 21 to have any detectable quantity THC in their bodies.” It was scheduled for a hearing Friday, May 25, 2018, before the Senate Appropriations Committee in Sacramento.
SB 1294, a bill to allow greater parity in the cannabis application process for people of color, women, low-income individuals, veterans, and individuals with criminal records, was scheduled to receive a hearing on Friday, May 25, 2018, before the Senate Appropriations Committee in Sacramento. The bill would require the California Bureau of Cannabis Control to establish a cannabis equity task force, and would require the bureau to assist state and local applicants and licensees with gaining access to reduced-interest and interest-free loans and grants effective Jan. 1, 2019.
SB 1409 would change the definition of industrial hemp under the California Uniform Controlled Substance Act to a fiber or oilseed crop. The bill, introduced by Republican state Sen. Scott Wilk has received bipartisan support and would also delete the requirements that industrial hemp seed cultivators be certified before January 1, 2013, in order to be included on the list of approved cultivators. The industrial hemp bill was scheduled to receive a hearing Friday, May 25, 2018, before the Senate Appropriations Committee in Sacramento.
