Politics
Federal Officials Meet With State Marijuana Regulators To Discuss Legalization Impacts
A coalition of state marijuana regulators met with federal officials and members of Congress this week to discuss the potential impact that national legalization and other cannabis policy changes could have on the local programs they oversee.
The Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) organized the Wednesday meeting. While the group doesn’t take a position on legalization, it’s comprised of members whose states have ended prohibition and would be affected by any federal marijuana actions.
What does federal cannabis legalization mean for states like Colorado? Today members of our MED team will meet with federal and elected officials from 25+ states to discuss implications federal legalization may have on state regulation. https://t.co/xGcI505pU5 @CannRegulators pic.twitter.com/KsnYySw1fE
— CO Dept. of Revenue (@CO_Revenue) June 23, 2021
Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Dave Joyce (R-OH), both co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, spoke with the state regulators, in addition to staffers from other congressional offices. Representatives from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Food and Drug Administration and Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau were also present.
Andrew Brisbo, executive director of the Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency, told Marijuana Moment that the federal officials were “very receptive” during the dialogue and recognized the state regulators as “willing to be good partners in their ongoing conversations.”
“I think the primary thing we wanted to get across is, as federal policymakers are engaged in conversations and thoughtfully considering how to approach federal policy reform, that it’s critical that state regulators have a seat at the table to share our perspective,” he said.
Earlier this week, the members of CANNRA (@CannRegulators) held our first official business meeting. Today we’ll meet with federal and elected officials to discuss implications federal cannabis legalization might have on state regulation. More info here: https://t.co/t5CyF7fkX9.
— Andrew Brisbo (@MRAexec) June 23, 2021
“Obviously we all know from our experiences what has worked in state regulatory environments—probably more importantly what hasn’t worked—and we want to lend that perspective,” he added. Product labeling, testing and promoting social and economic equity are some of those issues that were discussed.
The conversation also touched on legislation to protect banks that service state-legal marijuana businesses from being penalized by federal regulators. Brisbo said that while CANNRA isn’t taking a position on legalization legislation that’s moving through Congress, that’s one “critical” issue that could be addressed in the short term.
CCB Exec. Director Klimas spoke on banking issues in a discussion with regulators from 25+ states & federal and elected officials regarding the implications of federal cannabis legalization & policy change. @CannRegulators #CANNRA #CannabisRegulatorsAssociation pic.twitter.com/G7o9gMZYQ7
— Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board (@NevadaCCB) June 23, 2021
Regulators from California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and other states were among those who participated in the meeting.
Looking forward to today's CANNRA convening where state regulators will join federal and elected officials to discuss implications of federal cannabis legalization on state cannabis regulatory frameworks. #CANNRA #CannabisRegulatorsAssociation
— Nicole Elliott (@nicolewheaton) June 23, 2021
“One particular thing we want to ensure is that there’s consideration for existing state frameworks,” Brisbo said. “There’s been a lot of time and investment and engagement with stakeholders in the various states that have legalized in their specific frameworks—and there are some differences, and those things aren’t necessarily accidents.”
“There are some deliberate measures to honor the will of the people in those states and establish structures that work on the state level,” he continued. “We want to ensure that that’s given consideration in any sort of federal policy reform—that the progress that states had made, and the things that are successful in those individual states, aren’t just overrun by a federal policy approach.”
Earlier this year, CANNRA sent a letter to congressional leaders, outlining cannabis policy priorities and offering assistance as lawmakers consider a number of reform proposals that are set to advance this session.
@RepBlumenauer and @RepDaveJoyce Thanks for joining more than 25 state cannabis regulators who are members of @cannregulators to discuss federal cannabis legalization efforts and implications for states today! #cannabis #CANNRA #cannabiscaucus
— Gillian Schauer (@gillian_schauer) June 23, 2021
Those priorities issues related to protecting states that have legalized marijuana in some form, providing banking access to state-legal cannabis businesses, promoting research into marijuana, ensuring social and economic equity in legal markets and supporting public health initiatives.
In Congress, the sponsors of a Senate bill to provide cannabis banking protections are now publicly urging a key chairman told put the legislation to a vote.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) are in the process of drafting their own legalization bill, which is expected to be released shortly.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) has already refiled his marijuana legalization bill, the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. Advocates are pushing for a vote on that measure this month, and some are hoping for a series of key revisions to enhance its social equity components.
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Photo courtesy of Philip Steffan.
