CONNECTICUT
Connecticut prosecutors drop over 1,500 marijuana cases in expansion of legalization relief
Connecticut prosecutors have dismissed more than 1,500 pending marijuana cases, while modifying about 600 others, reports Marijuana Moment.
The development follows a review as part of the state’s post-legalization criminal erasure program, which involved individualized examinations of 4,248 cases involving controlled substances.
A letter to lawmakers stated: “With 4,248 cases statewide containing this charge (2,139 pending and 2,109 in re-arrest status) this was no small task, and quite labor intensive.
“Nonetheless, given the Committee’s expressed concerns, I represented to you that resolving these cases would be treated as a priority by the Division without the need for further legislation in this area.”
US PROGRESS
Cannabis legalization update: Minnesota, Michigan, Montana, Maryland, Connecticut & Florida
Benzinga provides an overview of the latest cannabis developments in the US.
In Minnesota, cannabis is close to legalization after a Senate committee approved a bill by Sen. Lindsey Port (D)., whereas in Maryland, the state Senate Finance Committee voted 5-3 against labor peace agreements as a licensure requirement for the industry.
In Montana, lawmakers are debating two legislative proposals that have different goals and perspectives on how to distribute cannabis tax revenue, and in Wethersfield, Connecticut, its Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a proposal for recreational cannabis sales on March 21, 2023.
Finally, Michigan will be holding the 4th Annual Cannabis Cup with more categories, brands and retailers.
GERMANY
Germany might pivot to ‘cannabis legalization light’ amid EU pushback
MJ Biz Daily reports that German officials are considering a “cannabis legalization light” model amid concerns that nationwide legalization could violate European law.
Instead of its initial plans to legalize, the country may now implement a trial model similar to the one Swiss city of Zurich, under which recreational cannabis sales would be confined to certain parts of the country for three to five years.
The publication highlights that the suggestion has been put forward on the basis that comprehensive legalization in Germany “is obviously not feasible in the short term” because of European legalities.
Constantin von der Groeben, managing director of Berlin-headquartered cannabis company Demecan, told MJBizDaily: “We have been expecting this result – a ‘model’ project – for several months and are therefore not surprised. Anything else would have been too difficult to align with EU regulation.”
