Newsletter
GOP & Dem voters back legal cannabis, poll says (Newsletter: November 5, 2021)
DEA delta-8 comments embolden hemp industry; MI law ends marijuana conviction ban for licensing; AR legalization ballot measure
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A new Gallup poll found that 68 percent of Americans support legalizing marijuana—including majorities of Republicans, Democrats and independents. Overall, U.S. adults back legalizing cannabis by a more than two-to-one margin.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed a bill removing the ban on medical cannabis business licensing for people with past marijuana convictions.
Arkansas activists filed a new marijuana legalization initiative they hope to put on the state’s 2022 ballot. It’s the third legal cannabis effort in the state to announce plans to qualify a measure to go before voters next year.
Recent comments from Drug Enforcement Administration officials signaling that hemp-derived delta-8 THC is not a federally illegal controlled substance are being seized on by industry advocates pushing back against state bans.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration Museum reopened after renovations.
The Transportation Security Administration’s Southwest division tweeted a picture of seized cannabis, saying, “Many states allow marijuana use but Texas isn’t one of them. As a reminder, ignorance of the law excuses no man. @TSA officers found these illegal items @SATairport security checkpoint. Know what’s in your bag before you travel.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “The War on Drugs has been a war on people—NY is taking an important step to address its harms. I’m working with @SenBooker and @RonWyden to pass our Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act to end marijuana prohibition & undo the harms of the War on Drugs at the federal level.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) pressed President Joe Biden’s nominee to serve as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives about the possibility that Hunter Biden provided false information about illegal drug use on a federal form he had to fill out when purchasing a gun.
The House bill to protect gun rights of cannabis consumers got one new cosponsor for a total of three.
/ STATES
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed a new deputy director of government affairs for the Department of Cannabis Control.
New York’s lieutenant governor spoke at a cannabis conference and tweeted, “As a Senator, I was proud to support the MRTA because it promoted equity & opened up new avenues of business for NY. As Lieutenant Governor, I was honored to open up the expo this year & I look forward to working with @nys_cannabis to develop this important industry in our state.”
Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, tweeted, “A commonsense new bill from @JeffreyBrandes would allow out of state visitors who have access to medical marijuana at home to continue to exercise that right here in FL. Good ideas don’t come with a partisan label – and I’m proud to support this one.”
Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rushern Baker, is calling for marijuana legalization.
An Oklahoma senator filed a bill to remove the agricultural sales tax exemption for medical cannabis growers.
Missouri regulators proposed loosening advertising restrictions on medical cannabis businesses.
Idaho regulators filed temporary and proposed hemp rules.
An Illinois judge approved a schedule for plaintiffs to join a lawsuit challenging regulators’ marijuana licensing processes.
Ohio regulators are now accepting applications for provisional medical cannabis dispensary licenses.
Washington State regulators sent an update about progress toward switching to a new marijuana tracking system.
New Mexico regulators are conducting a marijuana social equity survey.
Nevada regulators published a monitoring list for pest control products used in cannabis cultivation.
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/ LOCAL
The Gates, New YorkTown Board voted to opt out of recreational marijuana sales.
Santa Cruz, California voters approved a ballot measure to direct marijuana tax revenue to children’s programs.
Here’s a look at how voters in several Colorado municipalities decided on local marijuana ballot questions.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The UK House of Commons held a second debate on medical cannabis in as many days.
The chairman of Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Drugs and Narcotics said the panel will not support a marijuana legalization bill.
Australian regulators are still considering possible standards for medical cannabis imports after months of reviews.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “in Norway, adolescents who have parents with higher university education, may be protected from getting a drug charge, even though they report similar levels of drug law infractions as other adolescents.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
New crowdfunding organization CrowdLobby has as one of its first projects an effort to pass New York legislation that would require public high schools to teach students about the state’s good samaritan law that provides legal immunity for people who call 911 when witnessing or experiencing a drug or alcohol overdose.
A U.S. Pain Foundation official authored an op-ed on the need to make medical cannabis more affordable.
/ BUSINESS
AFC Gamma, Inc. reported quarterly net income of $7.9 million.
Greenlane Holdings, Inc. projected quarterly net sales of between approximately $40 million and $41 million.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
