Virginia lawmakers invent a new method of punishing cannabis users and more marijuana news

Through Jelena Martinovic

It appears that Virginia lawmakers are looking for a way to criminalize cannabis users. Under the proposal, which accompanied a recently unveiled two-year state budget, possession of more than 4 ounces of cannabis in public would be considered a Class 3 misdemeanor, carrying a fine of up to $500 plus a criminal record.

Further offenses would be considered a Class 2 misdemeanor, with a penalty of up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.

This is the third time in 2022 that state Legislative leaders will invent new crimes related to cannabis possession, Richmond News writes.

Photo by Kelly L from Pexels

The General Assembly is scheduled to review the budget during a special session on Wednesday. The budget compromise has the support of House Speaker Barry Knight (R-Virginia Beach) and Senate Finance and Appropriations Chair Janet Howell (D-Fairfax).

Meanwhile, a GOP-led subcommittee of the House of Representatives rejected legislation that would allow recreational marijuana sales earlier this year. Republicans vowed to revisit the issue sometime next year, with the earliest retail sales beginning in mid-to-late 2023.

Thailand wants to ban public transport drivers from using cannabis before driving

Thailand’s Ministry of Health announced a few weeks ago that three types of cannabis oil have been classified as essential medicines, allowing doctors from 893 government hospitals to prescribe cannabis extract oil to patients in certain circumstances.

With the country on the verge of legalizing growing cannabis at home on June 9, the Land Transport Department is now pushing for a law that would ban drivers from using marijuana before driving, Nation Thailand reported.

Officials want to enact cannabis regulations for public transport, said the Health Department, which earlier said it will push for legalization.

RELATED: Thailand is giving away a million cannabis plants

The ministry’s deputy undersecretary, Thongchai Keeratihatthayakon, warned Sunday that marijuana use remains illegal. In addition, the ministry plans to work with the Consumer Protection Agency to prevent the advertising of cannabis products and services.

The Southeast Asian country was the first in the region to legalize cannabis for medicinal purposes in 2018, with a requirement that all households be allowed to grow and sell cannabis.

North Carolina on the way to legalizing cannabis

North Carolina, one of six states where both medicinal and recreational use of cannabis are still illegal, could be next to legalize the plant.

Senate Bill 765, introduced Monday, will advance again through the General Assembly this month, writes Port City Daily.

If enacted, the legislation would allow adults age 21 and older to possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana, or equivalent quantity of product. Those caught in possession of more than 2 ounces can face a $25 civil penalty.

Legalization of marijuanaPhoto by Olena Ruban/Getty Images

The bill would also allow the cultivation of up to two mature and two immature marijuana plants for personal use at home.

The 69-page bill requires the formation of a Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Board tasked with addressing economic inequalities for families and communities affected by excessive drug use. It would also set up a Cannabis Control Commission to oversee the “sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, use and possession” of marijuana.

In the meantime, it seems North Carolinians would welcome cannabis legalization. More than half of the state’s voters support legalizing recreational marijuana, while nearly three-quarters of residents would vote for medical marijuana, according to statewide polling data from Nexstar Media Group and Emerson College.

Will Tax Cuts Boost California Cannabis Market Growth?

Cannabis sales in California have generated nearly $4 billion in marijuana tax revenue since inception in 2018.

However, for the first three months of 2022, the Golden State generated approximately $294 million in cannabis revenue from marijuana use, cultivation and sales taxes, down from $317 million for the corresponding period in 2021 , the Department of Taxes and Fee Administration (CDTFA) reported last week.

Legislative analysts said the drop could be attributed to “amended and late filings and other tax filing adjustments.”

RELATED: California County Sheriff Requests State of Emergency Over Illegal Cannabis Growing

Nonetheless, Governor Gavin Newsom (D) recently presented an updated budget proposal that would eliminate the state cannabis cultivation tax and revise the allocation of cannabis tax revenue. The revised budget is seen as a tool to fight the government’s black market.

Marijuana DispensaryPhoto by smodj/Getty Images

Additionally, a recent study found that by eliminating the cultivation tax, California could increase legal cannabis sales and generate an overall 123% increase in monthly cannabis tax revenue by 2024.

While cannabis advocates warned earlier this year that cutting state cannabis taxes “will have an immediate negative impact on thousands of children living in poverty and children of color in our state,” the State Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) pointed out In its Thursday update, Newsom’s proposal would “use 2020-21 cannabis tax revenue to set a funding target for the programs that receive that revenue.”

Detroit Grants First Recreational Marijuana License to Growers

Detroit granted Doghouse Farms a recreational marijuana business license more than two years after the case began.

The east-town grower is now ready to begin selling to the recreational market, Crain’s Detroit Business reported.

The company has invested approximately $4 million in a 25,000 square foot cultivation facility. Doghouse has been selling medicinal cannabis for over a year.

“A (recreational license) is the only reason we came to Detroit,” Doghouse CEO Eric Slutzky told Crain’s. “The city that took this long really brought the local market to its knees, but we had faith that the city would do the right thing.”

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.

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