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Biden touts cannabis pardons for Black community (Newsletter: November 3, 2022)

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NJ gov open to marijuana homegrow, but not yet; MD legalization hearing; CO psychedelics poll; Congressman: Psilocybin on same path as cannabis

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

President Joe Biden, pressed on what he has done to help the Black community since taking office, immediately cited his marijuana pardons proclamation—but appeared to overstate its impact by conflating the move with expungement.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said the state should “revisit” its criminalization of growing marijuana at home for personal use—but not until the commercial cannabis industry is “on its feet.”

Maryland’s House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Workgroup discussed other states’ marijuana equity policies at its final meeting before voters decide on a legalization ballot measure next week.

A new poll found that Colorado very likely voters just barely oppose the psychedelics legalization initiative on next week’s ballot, 44 percent to 43 percent, and that support has increased significantly since an earlier September survey.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) told Marijuana Moment in an interview that he believes Colorado voters will approve a ballot initiative to legalize psychedelics next week and that he “absolutely” sees parallels to the state-by-state movement for marijuana reform.

  • “It’s part of the same process.”

St. Louis, Missouri’s mayor announced her opposition to the marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s ballot next week—highlighting a divide among Black leaders over the measure.

/ FEDERAL

National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow said, “There are so many indications for which the dispensaries are selling marijuana, and yet the evidence for most of them is basically non-existent.”

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), a Senate candidate, tweeted, “We need to legalize marijuana, tax it, and use the money to invest in things like addiction treatment and keeping fentanyl out of our country.”

Louisiana Democratic Senate candidate Gary Chambers spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana.

Colorado Republican congressional candidate Barbara Kirkmeyer, currently a state senator, falsely accused Democratic opponent Yadira Caraveo, currently a state representative, of voting to legalize fentanyl.

/ STATES

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said during a debate that legalizing marijuana “could be inevitable” but states need to “be patient about how you do it.” Democratic opponent Tom Sherman, currently a state senator, said it’s time to move forward with legalization.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) tweeted, “It’s time to legalize marijuana in Wisconsin.”

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) sent a press release cheering a company’s decision to establish a facility to process hemp and other products in the state.

South Dakota state and local officials are the subjects of public records requests from activists seeking to learn whether they illegally used public resources while campaigning against the marijuana legalization initiative on next week’s ballot.

Kansas House Democrats tweeted about public support for medical cannabis.

The Missouri House Interim Committee on Veterans Mental Health and Suicide Prevention included a summary of testimony it received about the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics in a report it published, but the panel did not make any recommendations on the issue. Separately, two representatives posted videos urging voters to reject the marijuana legalization initiative on next week’s ballot.

A Wyoming representative authored an op-ed arguing for marijuana legalization.

A Pennsylvania senator discussed her legislation to protect medical cannabis patients from being charged with driving under the influence.

An Arkansas judge overruled regulators’ objections to expediting a lawsuit challenging their medical cannabis business licensing decisions.

Oklahoma’s Medical Marijuana Authority became an independent agency.

Hawaii’s Department of Taxation projected that the state could generate $50 million in revenue from legalizing marijuana.

California regulators posted a notice about changes to cannabis tax collection and remittance responsibilities.

Colorado regulators issued a compliance tip about marijuana inventory management.

Connecticut regulators posted updated stats about the medical cannabis program.


Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

/ LOCAL

New York City’s cannabis director discussed her plans for the role.

The Cranston, Rhode Island City Council approved an ordinance making it illegal to possess an unsealed container of marijuana products in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

The San Francisco, California Small Business Commission will consider a proposal to exempt cannabis businesses from transparency requirements for gates, railings and grillwork on November 14.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Thailand’s public health minister said it’s “too late” to oppose medical cannabis.

Argentina’s National Seed Institute approved new varieties of cannabis to be added to the National Registry of Cultivars.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study concluded that “medical cannabis increased overall survival rates among [cholangiocarcinoma] patients.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll found that Kansas voters support legalizing medical cannabis, 61 percent to 25 percent.

The Republican National Committee criticized Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), a Senate candidate, for pivoting to talk about marijuana legalization when asked about his position on eliminating cash bail.

St. Louis Young Democrats are opposing the marijuana legalization initiative on Missouri’s ballot.

The Idaho Statesman editorial board said it will be up to voters to legalize medical cannabis amid inaction from lawmakers.

/ BUSINESS

Green Thumb Industries Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $261.1 million.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company’s cannabis-focused Hawthorne unit reported $168.5 million in quarterly sales.

Treez is acquiring Swifter.

PAX released its latest line of cannabis vaporizer devices.

/ CULTURE

Snoop Dogg urged voters to support marijuana legalization initiatives on state ballots next week.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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