The Cannabis Alliance

Four cannabis-related bills were up for action Monday ahead of the first policy committee deadline Wednesday as legislators geared up for the sprint to house of origin cutoff.

Testimony on a Senate bill on cannabis concentrates was similar to the House counterpart, but some new points were made after the sponsor raised the specter of Reefer Madness.

A study of changing product tax rates based on cannabinoid content divided cannabis sector interests, while a public health official supported further evaluation of the approach.

Most supported an out-of-state ownership bill, but two people voiced concerns about the impact on social equity licensees, and a former opponent joined those testifying as ‘other.’

Lawmaker questions focused on potential risks and negative outcomes during mostly supportive testimony on 2024 cannabis home growing legislation.

Some legislators seemed eager to at least appear to be eager to earmark unapportioned cannabis excise tax revenue at the beginning of the third week of the 2024 regular session.

After a brisk week of cannabis policy committee activity in the House including consideration of several controversial bills, legislators were scheduled to address other topics until Monday.

A new bill to raise the age limit on cannabis concentrates and require additional educational resources received support from prevention groups but opposition from cannabis stakeholders.

Legislation to alter a planned transfer of cannabis lab accreditation authority was broadly praised by the sponsor, agency leaders, and cannabis sector stakeholders. 

By the end of Tuesday, Representatives tasked with oversight of the adult-use cannabis market were scheduled to have heard five bills and considered moving two in the first days of the week.