USA Roundup: Federal / TSA, Federal / Banking, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas, West Virginia

FEDERAL / TSA

Pot on a plane? TSA reverses course after briefly saying it’s OK to fly with cannabis

The official website said flying with medical marijuana was no problem – before changing its mind after 24 hours. Legally and practically, the picture is confused

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/apr/06/marijuana-tsa-airport-flying-rules

FEDERAL BANKING

5 Routes the Cannabis Industry Could Take to Get Around Federal Banking Restrictions

States that have legalized marijuana are working on regulatory fixes to allow the cannabis industry the access to banks that it needs to grow.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/291003

 

MAINE

Lawmakers split on how to regulate retail marijuana sales in Maine

The divided committee vote reflects differences in opinion about which state agency – or agencies – should license marijuana businesses.

http://www.pressherald.com/2017/04/04/committee-splits-on-how-to-regulate-retail-marijuana-sales/

AUGUSTA — A legislative committee split Tuesday over which agencies should license and regulate marijuana businesses in Maine, highlighting the difficult path ahead as the state moves toward retail sales of legal weed.

After weeks of discussion, lawmakers failed to coalesce behind a single plan for which agency should take the lead in licensing the businesses that will grow, manufacture, test and sell marijuana and cannabis products for the recreational market. While part of the committee wanted the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to handle all licensing, other members argued that the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is better equipped to at least handle licensing for cultivation, testing and packaging of marijuana.

MONTANA

Montana Legislation Would Require Legislators to Study Rec. Cannabis

 

NEBRASKA

Marijuana Legalization – Next Stop: Nebraska

http://marijuanastocks.com/marijuana-legalization-next-stop-nebraska/

A new proposal is being considered by legislators in Nebraska that would allow for the use of medical marijuana, which would make it the first heartland state to do so. A traditionally red state, Nebraska joined Oklahoma in suing Colorado after the Rocky Mountain State approved adult-use marijuana in 2014. The two states argued that growers in Colorado were illegally selling marijuana in their states. However, Nebraska now could potentially join the list of states where medical marijuana is allowed. Legislators are currently considering a proposal from State Senator Anna Wishart called the Medical Cannabis Act, which would allow use of medical marijuana in certain cases.

Wishart, a freshman member of the senate who won election last November, represents the Lincoln area. The proposal passed out of committee in March and will now go to the Senate floor. Opposition is expected by members of the Senate. The head of the Nebraska State Patrol has already testified against the bill, as has a representative of the state attorney general’s office. Governor Pete Ricketts also opposed a similar measure last year. Wishart stated she is “optimistic that members will listen to their constituents who are desperately asking them to legalize this form of treatment.”

NEVADA

Nevada GOP leaders ask Sessions for help with marijuana laws

http://www.rgj.com/story/news/marijuana/2017/04/06/legislative-leaders-ask-feds-direction-marijuana-laws/100147312/

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Ben Kieckhefer, R-Reno, and Assembly Minority Leader Paul Anderson, R-Las Vegas, sent a letter Thursday to Sessions expressing concern over the state’s current full-steam-ahead approach with the recreational marijuana industry despite the fact that marijuana is still illegal on a federal level.

“A great deal of legislative time is being dedicated to considering the regulatory structure for recreational marijuana, in addition to wholesale and retail excise tax proposals,” read the letter from the two legislators.

Bill Outlawing Cannabis “Candy” Introduced in Nevada

NORTH DAKOTA

Uncertain future for medical marijuana in North Dakota

http://www.valleynewslive.com/content/news/Uncertain-future-for-medical-marijuana-in-North-Dakota-418452433.html

In Bismarck the medical marijuana bill has been delayed, altered, altered again and now could be sent to committee to forego more changes. Although the house has loosened many restrictions the senate had suggested, the future still isn’t clear.

OHIO

APRIL MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MATERIALS NOW AVAILABLE

http://medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov/News?articleID=38

TEXAS

Texas One Step Closer To Decriminalizing Marijuana

http://marijuanastocks.com/texas-one-step-closer-to-decriminalizing-marijuana/

Texas is one step closer to eradicating the criminal penalties associated with minor marijuana possession. The House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee recently put its seal of approval on a proposal (House Bill 81) that would allow police all over the state to simply slap those people caught in possession of up to an ounce of weed with a small fine instead of dragging them to jail. The state currently deems this offense a Class B misdemeanor, which carries the potential for marijuana offenders to serve up to six months behind bars.

To ensure the proposal made its way through the first phase of the legislative process, Representative Joe Moody, who also Chairs the committee, was forced to amend the language in a manner that allows judges the right to hit habitual pot offenders with a Class C misdemeanor. Moody stated, “If you’re going to be a frequent customer, you will be moved into the criminal arena.” The proposal is now set to go before the Calendars Committee, which has the power to decide if the measure will get a fair shot in front of the full House

WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia MMJ Legislation Passes House, Heads to Governor

 

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