Challenge to DEA Plan to Ban 5 Tryptamines Will Get Hearing, VA Senate Approves Early Marijuana Sales, More… (2/15/22)

A marijuana legalization bill gets filed in Missouri, a marijuana decriminalization bill is filed in Wyoming, and more.

Marijuana Policy

Missouri Marijuana Legalization Bill Filed. State Rep. Ron Hicks (R) on Tuesday filed a marijuana legalization bill, the Cannabis Freedom Act. Under the act, people 21 and over can possess an unlimited amount of marijuana, grow up to 12 plants, and/or purchase marijuana from licensed retailers. The bill also contains expungement provisions and resentencing for people currently behind bars on pot charges. The state Department of Agriculture would have responsibility for setting up rules and regulations. The bill is House Bill 2704.

Virginia Senate Approves Bill to Start Legal Marijuana Sales September 15. The state Senate voted Tuesday to pass a bill allowing legal marijuana sales to begin on September 15. That bill is Senate Bill 391. Sales were originally set to begin on January 1, 2024, but this bill allows sales at existing medical dispensaries to commence in September, with a full retail market taking shape in 2024. The bill now heads to the GOP-controlled House of Delegates, where its fate is uncertain.

Wyoming Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Filed. Rep. Mark Baker (R-Green River) has filed a marijuana decriminalization bill, House Bill 106. The bill removes criminal penalties for marijuana use and possession but faces a high hurdle for passage. Because this is a budget session, the bill must get a two-thirds introductory vote in the House to be considered. The bill would decriminalize the possession of up to three ounces.

Psychedelics

Judge Grants Hearing for Opposition to DEA Proposal to Criminalize 5 More Psychedelics. A federal judge has granted a hearing to petitioners challenging the DEA's recent proposal to add five psychedelic compounds to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. The agency announced plans in January to criminalize 4-Hydroxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (4-OH-DiPT), 5-Methoxy-alphamethyltryptamine (5-MeO-AMT), N-Isopropyl-5-Methoxy-N-Methyltryptamine (5-MeO-MiPT), N,N-Diethyl-5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeO-DET), and N,N-Diisopropyltryptamine (DiPT); not just for possession, distribution, import, export or manufacturing, but even research, instructional activities and chemical analysis.Administrative Law Judge Teresa A. Wallbaum issued an order Tuesday for a May 4 hearing date after receiving four different requests from industry entities and researchers.