Newsletter
House announces federal cannabis legalization vote (Newsletter: November 10, 2020)
NJ marijuana sales bills advance; RI leaders: Time to legalize; Poll: Legal cannabis support highest ever; What Biden’s win means for reform in 2021
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) announced that the body will hold a floor vote on a bill to federally legalize marijuana and fund programs to repair the harms of the war on drugs in December. This comes after Democrats planned and then cancelled a September vote on the cannabis proposal.
A new Gallup poll found that 68% of Americans now support legalizing marijuana—the highest number ever recorded since the firm began surveying the issue in 1969—including majorities in every age group for the first time.
- 83% percent of Democrats are on board, as are 72%of independents. But Republican backing for legal cannabis actually dipped from last year’s bare majority of support and now stands at 48% in favor to 52% against.
The New Jersey Senate Judiciary and Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committees approved legal marijuana sales implementation legislation following last week’s voter passage of a legalization referendum. The panels took extensive testimony from advocates who laid out concerns that the bills do not sufficiently center equity, ban homegrow and fund police.
- The Senate committee also advanced a separate short-term decriminalization proposal, and other panels are set to take up the sales enabling legislation on Thursday.
Rhode Island’s Senate majority leader said it’s time to legalize marijuana, and the body’s president and incoming House speaker also expressed more openness to ending cannabis prohibition than previously now that the state is seeking revenue to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
Marijuana Moment put together a deep dive on what Joe Biden’s presidential win means for cannabis in 2021—whether the Senate flips to Democratic control or Republicans maintain their majority.
/ FEDERAL
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted, “Successful ballot propositions point to the many areas that unite Americans rather than divide us, especially on cannabis. As we enter a difficult period of transition and healing, government action should capitalize on these critical and unifying issues.”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) tweeted, “Voters in states across the country also overwhelmingly decided to legalize marijuana—joining the growing list of places throughout America who have already done the same.”
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “✅Marijuana legalization ✅$15 minimum wage ✅Paid family and medical leave ✅Higher taxes on the wealthy Progressive policies were winners all across the country this week, from California to Arizona to Florida. The American people agree with our economic message.”
Rep.-elect Cori Bush (D-MO) tweeted, “Legalizing cannabis is half of the equation. Restorative justice is the other—expunging records, releasing those detained, ensuring that those who’ve suffered the most also profit the most.”
/ STATES
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) spoke about her concerns as state works to implement the voter-approved legalization of marijuana.
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “It’s legal for you if Pennsylvania legalizes it. Let’s just start there. Please call your legislators and tell them it’s time. Our Pennsylvania farmers will surely grow better cannabis than New Jersey.”
Florida regulators are hosting a National Hemp Regulatory Conference on Thursday and Friday.
California regulators released modified proposed regulations for comparable-to-organic cannabis standards.
Alaska regulators adopted rules on administrative hold and seizure of marijuana products.
Nevada regulators issued an automatic extension of marijuana temporary agent registration cards.
A Tennessee state trooper is being sued by a woman for allegedly twice improperly arresting her for transporting legal hemp.
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/ LOCAL
The Maricopa County, Arizona attorney’s office is dismissing all pending marijuana possession and paraphernalia charges.
A Des Moines, Iowa task force issued recommendations on making marijuana possession the lowest law enforcement priority.
The San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a one-year tax reprieve for marijuana businesses on Tuesday.
New York City’s comptroller tweeted, “We can’t let @NJGov smoke us on this. Legalizing cannabis in New York is common sense. This is a chance for us to right the wrongs of the War on Drugs—we can’t afford to wait any longer.”
Cook County, Illinois’s state’s attorney tweeted, “As we continue to combat the failed war on drugs, legalization must include relief to the disproportionately impacted Black and Brown communities hurt by low-level, non-violent convictions — Just as I helped fight for here. The time for justice is NOW.”
/ INTERNATIONAL
An Israeli government committee is expected to recommend legalizing marijuana this week.
Bermuda Premier David Burt said that a cannabis licensing bill would be on the agenda this legislative session.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabinoids have an anti-proliferative and apoptotic effect on canine lymphoma cells” and “can be developed as a potential anti-cancer agent for the treatment of canine and human B cell lymphoma.”
A study concluded that “patients consistently using full-spectrum, hemp-derived products may have positive test results for THC-COOH on a urinary drug screen.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The New Jersey Society of CPAs is calling on the state to decouple its tax code from that of the federal government so that marijuana businesses have access to more deductions for expenses.
/ BUSINESS
Canopy Growth Corporation reported quarterly net revenue of $135.3 million and a net loss of $96.6 million.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $67.8 million and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $57.9 million.
Tilray, Inc. reported $51.4 million in quarterly revenue and a $2.3 million net loss.
Organigram Holdings Inc. launched new holiday-themed cannabis edibles.
Vireo Health International, Inc. secured an option to purchase land to expand its New York operations.
/ CULTURE
David Attenborough is upset that CBD companies are falsely claiming he has endorsed their products.
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Photo courtesy of M a n u e l.
