Marijuana business is one of the most important topics on the mind of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), who spoke up about his views on cannabis on Wednesday.
The conversation took place last week at an online event, hosted by the National Cannabis Roundtable (NCR) and Leafly, focused on the cannabis workforce.
According to its website, “Leafly is the world’s online destination to learn about cannabis, find cannabis strains and products, and buy them from legal, licensed retailers. More than 100 million people visit us each year because of our proven commitment to education and science-based information.”
The event was hosted to share Leafly’s latest ‘Cannabis Jobs Count: the 2021 Leafly Jobs Report’, and Senator Wyden, a stalwart supporter of hemp and marijuana business, was in attendance along with other federal staff and cannabis activists.
Adult-Use Cannabis Implementation Bill Approved in Montana
Over six months after voters approved Initiative 190, a ballot measure that would legalize adult-use marijuana in Montana, Gov. Gianforte (R) has signed a policy outlining how cannabis will be regulated and taxed in the state.
“Since January, we’ve been focused on implementing the will of Montana voters in a safe, responsible, and appropriately regulated manner. House Bill 701 accomplishes this,” Gov. Gianforte said following the signing of the legislation.
Under House Bill 701, adult-use marijuana sales in Montana are set to begin on January 1st, 2022. However, adult-use dispensaries are only permitted to operate in counties where the majority of voters supported Initiative 190. In counties where the I-190 failed, a local election must be held in order to approve the sale of adult-use cannabis.
Medical Marijuana Legalized in Alabama
Following Alabama’s state House passing the legislation last month with a vote of 68-35, Alabama Gov. Ivey announced on Monday that she has signed off on Senate Bill 46 – making Alabama the 37th state to legalize medical marijuana.
When the bill arrived on the governor’s desk, she had a few options: sign the bill, veto the bill, or propose amendments to the bill for lawmakers to review. Based on Gov. Ivey’s comments following the House’s contentious floor vote on the bill–expressing minor concerns over legalization–many advocates for reform were expecting the Republican governor to suggest changes.
As global demand for tobacco decreases, some African nations are looking to diversify into cannabis in order to fill the economic gaps caused by shrinking tobacco sales.