Newsletter
Biden task force members push legal cannabis (Newsletter: June 16, 2020)
NJ decrim advances; CO lawmakers pass marijuana pardons & equity bill; CDC flooded with comments on cannabis & pain
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Former Attorney General Eric Holder, who is part of the criminal justice task force created by former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), suggested removing cocaine and opioids from the criminal justice system. Meanwhile, another former federal prosecutor who is also part of the panel publicly said the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee falls short by not backing legal marijuana.
- “If I could change anything, I’d want to take all of that stuff out of the system. I think we have the possibility now, given all the protests that we have seen.”
Colorado lawmakers sent Gov. Jared Polis (D) a bill to let the governor unilaterally pardon people with past marijuana possession convictions, removing prosecutors and judges from the process under current law that mandates they be consulted on a case-by-case basis. The provision is included in broader legislation that would provide a definition for businesses that can participate in the state’s cannabis social equity program.
The New Jersey Assembly Community Development and Affairs Committee approved a bill to decriminalize two ounce of marijuana, expunge prior records and protect people harmed by cannabis laws from employment and housing discrimination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is being flooded with feedback about the potential of marijuana and kratom as part of a public comment period on people’s experiences with pain management. The deadline to weigh in is Tuesday at 11:59 PM ET.
/ FEDERAL
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairwoman Jelena McWilliams said she is not in a position to give “blanket immunity” to banks that work with marijuana businesses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health published an overview of issues related to marijuana and the workplace.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) hosted a roundtable meeting at which the Dallas, Texas district attorney spoke in support of decriminalizing marijuana.
New York Democratic congressional candidate Adam Schleifer released a marijuana legalization plan.
/ STATES
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Ralph Torres (R) signed a hemp bill into law.
The Mississippi House of Representatives approved a hemp bill.
The Utah legislature’s Business and Labor Interim Committee discussed banking access for medical cannabis businesses.
Alaska regulators proposed regulations on overlapping marijuana premises.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
The leaders of Irish political parties released a governing document that pledges to review medical cannabis rules and “connect people who use drugs with health services and a pathway to recovery, avoiding a criminal conviction.”
Canadian regulators are considering deferring marijuana business payment due dates.
The mayor of Azcapotzalco, Mexico sent draft legislation to federal lawmakers that would legalize marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabis users self-reported significantly better [quality of life], greater health satisfaction, improved sleep, lower average pain severity, lower anxiety, and lower depression compared with controls” and that they “reported using fewer prescription medications and were less likely to have a past-month emergency department visit or hospital admission.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The New York Daily News editorial board is urging presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to endorse legalizing marijuana.
Republican donor Miriam Adelson authored an op-ed outlining her opposition to legalizing marijuana.
/ BUSINESS
4Front Ventures Corp. reported quarterly sales of $17.5 million and an adjusted loss of $5.4 million.
MJardin Group, Inc. reported $1.4 million in quarterly revenue and a net loss of $234 million.
The Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. board approved a $1.06 per share dividend.
KushCo Holdings, Inc. said it is giving all of its employees paid time off on Election Day in November.
Bluma Wellness Inc. began trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange.
/ CULTURE
Filmmaker Judd Apatow spoke about ideas he has for a sequel to Pineapple Express, including plot lines surrounding legalization.
The Wire creator David Simon spoke about the need to end the war on drugs.
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