Illinois sold a billion dollars in cannabis in 2020 (Newsletter: January 5, 2021)

Half a million IL marijuana expungements; House Dems cite legalization vote as civil rights win; NH court backs religious psychedelic use

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that he thinks the movement to federally legalize marijuana can make “progress” even if Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) maintains control.

• “It’ll move a lot faster,” if he himself is installed as majority leader, Schumer said. “But on the issue of marijuana, I believe even–god forbid—I’m not majority leader, I believe that the pressure on McConnell is going to increase and we could make some progress.”

House Democratic leaders included the passage of a bill to federally legalize marijuana in a list of Congress’s top civil rights wins—alongside police reform, voting rights, District of Columbia statehood, removing the Equal Rights Amendment ratification deadline and the Emmett Till Antilynching Act.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) issued more than 9,000 more marijuana pardons and announced that nearly half a million cannabis arrest records have been expunged.

The New Hampshire Supreme Court unanimously ruled in a favor of the religious freedom to use psilocybin mushrooms as long as it doesn’t “disturb the peace.” 

/ FEDERAL

The Federal Trade Commission tweeted, “Avoid being cheated by a “miracle” CBD cure. Considering alternative medical treatments containing CBD? Before you act: Don’t stop taking your prescriptions without asking your doctor.”

Rep. Justin Amash (L-MI) tweeted, “Restore justice to our justice system: End the drug war. End civil asset forfeiture. End qualified immunity.”

Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff said he is ready to vote to federally legalize marijuana on day one of his possible term.

Ohio Democratic congressional candidate Nina Turner tweeted, “#WithTheseHands we’ll send a bold message to Congress. The people of #OH11 want us to:… 🙌🏿 Dismantle our racist CJ system… 🙌🏾 Legalize marijuana…”

/ STATES

Montana Gov.-elect Greg Gianforte (R) said he will “will work with legislative leaders to safely implement” the state’s voter-approved marijuana…