Good morning.
There’s still a lot to unpack from 4/20, including why Stephen Colbert doesn’t really think 4/20 is the real high holiday.
Let’s get to it.
-JB, JR, ZH
Today’s newsletter is 749 words or about a 5.5-minute read.
THIS NEWSLETTER MADE POSSIBLE BY:
📅 CULTIVATED CALENDAR
Upcoming Cultivated events that should be on your radar:
May 5-7 | Cultivated @ MJ Unpacked
May 28 | Midwest Cannabis Summit TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
📣 Quotable
“A total ban, in my view, is neither enforceable nor desirable, nor is it respectful of the rights of individual adults to make consumer choices that Texans wish to exercise,” Texas Sen. Nathan Johnson, a Democrat, said in support of the cannabis reform package he filed during the last session.
Johnson’s bill would create a regulated market for hemp-derived THC and decriminalize cannabis possession throughout the state.
⏩ Quick hits
Virginia legalization sponsors urge colleagues to reject governor's amendments: Sponsors of Virginia's cannabis sales bill are asking lawmakers to vote down the Governor's proposed changes, risking a veto rather than accepting what they see as unworkable terms. The standoff could delay legal sales. Read more.
Top House Democrat claims votes exist for federal reform: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority leader, says the chamber now has the votes to pass rescheduling. He says it seems to be a bipartisan issue, with most younger Republicans and the entire House Democratic caucus aboard. Whether Republican leadership actually brings it to the floor is another question entirely. Read more.
GOP bill would require study on hospital costs from cannabis use: House Republicans, led by Rep. Ted Budd, introduced legislation requiring federal agencies to study whether cannabis use increases hospital costs. It's a messaging play, but one that could shape future regulatory debates. Past research has shown that the vast majority of emergency room admits from cannabis leave fully healthy within a few hours and don’t add unnecessary stress to the healthcare system. Here’s the bill.
Arizona weighs whether cannabis users can own guns: Arizona lawmakers are revisiting the federal conflict between gun ownership and cannabis use. The tension between Second Amendment politics and cannabis normalization is getting harder to ignore — and makes for some strange political bedfellows. Read more.
Connecticut moves to limit THC in cannabis products: Connecticut is considering THC potency caps on certain cannabis products. The debate over concentration limits continues to split regulators and industry players. Read more.
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🤝 Deals, launches, partnerships
Safe Harbor Financial introduced a 401k plan for cannabis employers. The company says traditional 401k providers are not structured to work with cannabis businesses. $SHFS ( ▼ 8.38% )
Cresco Labs says it completed the first medical cannabis harvest in Kentucky. $CRLBF ( ▲ 3.16% )
🧪 Science & research
Teen use falls in Minnesota: A new government study from Minnesota officials shows teen cannabis use is lower now than before the state legalized. Another data point undermining the "what about the children" argument. Read more.
😜 One fun thing
Stephen Colbert had a little fun with 4/20 on his show, calling it the “unofficial” holiday for cannabis. He says the official holiday is Thanksgiving, which we’d agree with. Have a watch.
📰 What we’re reading
A weed bust led to my dream job – I know it isn’t fair | Green State