Cannabis news and notes: Today in cannabis

Cannabis is a growth market and 2021 is looking to be a big year for the industry. With more states than ever now opening legal markets, everyone is expecting big things from big green this year. In the meantime, here’s the top stories in the cannabis space for today: 

IDF court to ease rules on cannabis use for officers and NCOs (The Jerusalem Post)

The Post writes: “Following a recommendation by High Court Chief Justice Esther Hayut, the IDF judiciary announced on Tuesday a new reform that would equate the punishments of officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) to those of other soldiers, Walla News reported.

The decision means that officers and NCOs would no longer necessarily be at risk of criminal charges if they smoke cannabis on leave, and would have the option to receive a plea deal, as other soldiers have been entitled to receive in recent years.”

Major federal marijuana reform could hinge on outcome of two Georgia Senate races (Marijuana Business Daily)

MJBizDailywrites: “All eyes are on Georgia and two runoff races Tuesday that will determine whether the U.S. Senate flips to Democrats, an outcome that could make the upper chamber more amenable to federal marijuana reform – perhaps even legalization.

Potentially billions of dollars of business opportunities are at stake, depending on the scope and shape of any reform legislation that comes before lawmakers.

The runoff races come only a month after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a historic bill that removes marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act.”

NJ legal weed deal in the works to lessen penalties for underage marijuana offenses (Asbury Park Press)

The Press writes: “The governor’s office and Senate leaders are nearing an agreement that would remove criminal charges associated with underage marijuana possession and use, a deal that all sides hope will be the last one required before Gov. Phil Murphy signs the bills to legalize weed in New Jersey.

While negotiations are continuing, legislative sources said Monday that a deal appears likely to remove all penalties for minors — under 18 years old — found in possession of marijuana and levy fines on those between 18 and 21 years old, instead of bringing forth  criminal charges.

Cases involving minors would be handled by local police departments and the child’s family, the sources said. Underage users between 18 and 21 years old would be subject to civil penalties of $250 to $500 depending on the amount of marijuana. Details of the negotiations were first reported by Politico New Jersey.

Push To Legalize Marijuana In Minnesota Gains Momentum, But Faces Opposition In Senate (CBS Minnesota)

CBS writes: “The push to fully legalize marijuana in Minnesota will be up for debate again this legislative session.

The issue has gained momentum in the last month, with the House of Representatives passing federal legislation. It still faces opposition in the Senate. Voters in South Dakota, Montana, New Jersey and Arizona made recreational Marijuana legal in November.”

The DEA May (Finally) Allow Private Companies to Grow Cannabis for Research (Green Entrepreneur)

Green Entrepreneur writes: “After years of mostly silence on the issue, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has released the “final rules” on how to apply for a federal license to grow cannabis for research. The decision came after the U.S. Congress passed a bill urging an expansion of marijuana research.

Unlike almost anything these days, the bill received strong bipartisan support.

The DEA had issued preliminary final rules in March. It took comments from interested parties and made a few minor adjustments to the rules, according to the final rules published in the federal registry. The new rules go into effect on January 19.”