Congressional Committee Backs MMJ Research, Psychedelics, NJ's Hearing & More Regulatory Updates

Congressional Committee Advances Amendments Funding Research On MMJ & Psychedelics

• GOP-led the House Armed Services Committee approved Wednesday amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would fund research on the effect of medical marijuana psychedelics, writes MJBizDaily.
• The measures from Reps. Nancy Mace (R) and Morgan Luttrell (R) are now heading to the House floor for consideration. 
• The NDAA must be approved annually by Congress.

Nebraska: Senators Urge Governor To Simplify Marijuana Pardon Process 

• State Senators Danielle Conrad, Terrell McKinney and Justin Wayne urged the Nebraska Pardons Board ( that includes Governor Jim Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilger) to reconsider second chances, reported Nebraska Examiner.  
• In a letter, they asked the governor and the board to create “an administrative process to encourage eligible people to seek pardons for simple marijuana possession convictions. This type of thoughtful and restorative relief is consistent with your support of historic and meaningful smart justice reform efforts, such as LB 50 just this past session.” 

New Hampshire: Lawmakers Agree On Commission To Study State-Run Cannabis Sales Model

• New Hampshire House-Senate conference committee members reached an agreement Wednesday to create a commission that will research the practicality of legalizing cannabis via a state-run model, Marijuana Moment reported.
• The members voted to incorporate the commission agreement into legislation that should be approved on the floor of both chambers by June 29. 
• If the bill ends up law, the commission’s work will be due December 1.

Maryland: Council Member Wants To Help Launch Legal Market 

• As July 1st approaches, and with it the launch of the legal cannabis market in Maryland, Howard County Council makes its own partitions.
• Council member Opel Jones presented two bills this week to form a cannabis work group to study short-term issues and a cannabis advisory panel to help with longer-term issues for the local adult-use market, writes Baltimore Sun.
• The workgroup would be in charge of recommendations on the country’s zoning laws related to cannabis businesses. It should also propose uses for revenue from marijuana taxes and more.

New Jersey: Stack, Scutari Confirm Public Hearing On Recreational Cannabis Law

• Senator Brian Stack and Senate President Nick Scutari confirmed Thursday that the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing Friday to debate challenges around the implementation of the adult-use cannabis law, reported InsiderNJ. 
• “New Jersey legalized recreational cannabis over two years ago, but the state still suffers from a lack of retail dispensaries, a lack of product variety, and high cannabis prices, which often force consumers to the black and gray markets,” said Senator Stack, the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “We have also been concerned with the lack of diversity in the cannabis marketplace, especially in the retail space.”
• The committee should hear testimonies from marijuana industry professionals, social justice groups, and the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
• Scutari highlighted many complaints the lawmakers already heard regarding the commission’s approval process for cannabis licenses.

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels