The GOP Plays to Type and Bill Hearings Play On
1. BILL HEARINGS
Mark-up of the House Public Safety Omnibus Bill (H.F. 4608) in the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Committee is scheduled for today at 1:00PM and tomorrow at 8:30AM.
Cannabis-related provisions and amendments are summarized and tracked here.
The Senate Public Safety Omnibus Bill (S.F. 2673) has been recommended to pass by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.
Cannabis-related provisions are summarized and tracked here.
The House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee voted yesterday to refer the Supplemental Agriculture Finance and Policy Omnibus Bill (H.F. 4366) to the House Ways and Means Committee. There are no cannabis-related provisions in the bill and no cannabis-related amendments were introduced.
The House Health Finance and Policy Committee will do a walkthrough and take public testimony on the House Health Finance Omnibus Bill (H.F. 4706) today at 1:00PM. Mark-up will begin tomorrow at 1:00PM.
Cannabis-related provisions and amendments are summarized and tracked here.
2. GOP MEMBERS OF MN’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION EVEN OPPOSE MEDICAL CANNABIS RESEARCH 🙄
→ On Monday, April 4, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Medical Marijuana Research Act on a 343-75 vote. Two of the three GOP members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation–Michelle Fischbach (CD-7) and Pete Stauber (CD-8)–voted against the bill. The third, Tom Emmer (CD-6) did not vote. All four DFL members–Angie Craig (CD-2), Dean Phillips (CD-3), Betty McCollum (CD-4), and Ilhan Omar (CD-5)--voted to approve.
As detailed by Marijuana Moment, “[t]he legislation would remove barriers for researchers seeking to apply and get approved to study cannabis. It would also set clear deadlines on federal agencies to act on their applications and also make it easier for scientists to modify their research protocols without having to seek federal approval.”
3. SUPER TROOPERS PROTOTYPE RICH STANEK’S POSITION ON WEED IS THE SAME MEOW AS IT WAS THEN
→ Former Hennepin County Sheriff, current gubernatorial candidate, and [redacted for profanity] Rich Stanek appeared this week on At Issue with Tom Hauser where he said “I will not sign recreational marijuana, which is a gateway drug for many young people leading to further addiction and crime and harm in our communities.”
In 2013, Stanek said “I would not support [legalization] based on what I know today. When I look at my jail and I see 40,000 people a year booked into the front doors, 54 percent of the ones booked for violent offenses are under the influence of marijuana when they commit those violent offenses — you know, I've got to take a step back and say, wait a minute. There is a direct correlation.”
In 2009, Stanek wrote an op-ed against the legalization of medical cannabis in which he said “Make no mistake: Marijuana is an addictive gateway drug. It imperils Minnesota's children and threatens public safety in every community. Marijuana use contributes to assaults, homicides, suicide, child abuse, domestic abuse, motor-vehicle crashes and drowning.”
4. INTENSIVE HEMP FARMING COURSE OFFERED THIS WEEKEND
→ The Women’s Environmental Institute is offering a full-day intensive training class on hemp farming this Saturday, April 9, in North Branch. The instructors for the course are Angela Dawson and Davey Johnson of 40 Acres Co-op located in Sandstone, MN. 40 Acres Co-op is the first national black farmer co-op in nearly 150 years. Dawson, the co-op’s founder and president, is a fourth-generation farmer and licensed MN hemp grower. Course details and registration are available here.
Course Description: “This class offers you the opportunity to confidently explore hemp cultivation and growing for personal development or business purposes in compliance with local and federal laws. This interactive training brings a balance of both technical and practice methods covering foundational principles with some strategic guidance. Students will learn how to choose the best strategy for their site, as well as the many options for growing and cultivating this amazing plant. Trainers will take you through topics like how to set up your grow plan for success and introduce you to the methods of hemp growing used by professional growers with more than 10 years’ experience operating a hemp farm. Each student will identify a grow site (location, size, surrounding area, nearby buildings, other structures or plants), sketch the area, compile a grow plan, and identify pest (insect, disease, and weed) management strategies and other cultural practices that ensure a successful crop.”
5. HELP WANTED
→ Green Health Docs in Brooklyn Center, MN is accepting applications for a part-time, remote Medical Cannabis Telemedicine Nurse Practitioner. You can find the job description here and application instructions here.
→ While we're always sad to see curly fries go, cannabis-themed sandwich chain Cheba Hut will be a welcome addition to Uptown.