Newsletter
MT poll shows legal cannabis leading (Newsletter: October 15, 2020)
IL rakes in $100M in marijuana revenue; DC bill would let formerly incarcerated enter cannabis biz; NJ legalization ads & funding data
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Illinois Department of Revenue announced that the state has generated more than $100 million in marijuana tax revenue since legal recreational cannabis sales launched earlier this year.
- “Thanks to those who have carefully overseen this brand-new industry’s successful launch in Illinois, revenue is flowing to local governments, to drug treatment programs and law enforcement, and being reinvested in our communities hit hardest by the failed policies of the past.”
Washington, D.C. Council members filed a new bill to encourage participation and ownership in the legal medical marijuana industry by formerly incarcerated people.
- “There is no reason why those who’ve paid their debt to society should be locked out of this industry any longer.”
A new poll shows that Montana voters are poised to approve marijuana legalization ballot measures next month—but 10% of voters are undecided, and turnout by young people could make all the difference.
New Jersey activists working to pass a marijuana legalization referendum released four English- and Spanish-language ads as new campaign finance data shows supporters out-raising cannabis opponents by a nearly 130:1 ratio.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) cited marijuana legalization as an issue on which he has stood up against his own party during a debate.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) said the decision to delay a vote on his marijuana legalization bill by leadership was “the prudent choice, because they weren’t sure of the votes.”
The House bill to require the Food and Drug Administration to allow CBD as a dietary supplement got four new cosponsors for a total of 16.
Mississippi Democratic congressional candidate Antonia Eliason tweeted, “Even with my academic hat on, I’m writing about things that are key to my political campaign. The way we look at drugs domestically and internationally is problematic and we need to legalize medical cannabis as a tiny first step. Please vote for Initiative 65 (NOT 65A) on Nov. 3.”
/ STATES
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) and Democratic challenger Ben Salango debated marijuana legalization.
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor did a radio interview about his support for legalizing marijuana.
Michigan’s attorney general tweeted, “I can tell you from first-hand experience that the expungement process in our state was in serious need of reform. We needed to expand the types of offenses that could be eligible for expungement.”
Mississippi’s secretary of state published a brochure with pro and con arguments on the state’s medical cannabis ballot measures.
The contract process to run Colorado’s Hemp Center of Excellence has been reopened after a state appeals administrator determined there was a perceived conflict of interest between one of the selection panel members and the organization that initially won the contract.
A New York senator introduced a bill to create a public bank that could accept funds from marijuana businesses.
Florida’s Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee will meet on October 22.
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Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,500 cannabis 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.
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/ LOCAL
The West Norriton, Pennsylvania Board of Commissioners approved a marijuana decriminalization ordinance.
Three Colorado municipalities will vote on ballot measures to allow recreational marijuana businesses next month.
The Sacramento, California City Council voted to allow 10 new marijuana dispensaries to open, with the aim of increasing cannabis industry ownership by people of color.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is reportedly considering including a marijuana legalization question in an exit poll to be conducted on election day later this month.
Guyana’s attorney general said the government will soon begin public consultations on marijuana decriminalization.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “the benefits of cannabidiol in treating symptoms of periodontal diseases outweigh the substance’s disadvantages.”
A study concluded that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy “provided to patients with severe or extreme, chronic PTSD appears to be cost-saving while delivering substantial clinical benefit.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Colorado Democratic Party tweeted, “Like we said: Cory Gardner is all stem and no bud when it comes to cannabis.”
The Drug Policy Alliance and JustLeadershipUSA led a group of 34 organizations founded and led by people directly impacted by the criminal justice system in sending a letter urging members of Congress to support a marijuana legalization bill.
/ BUSINESS
Charlotte’s Web, Inc.’s brand CBDMEDIC signed a sponsorship deal with the Arthritis Foundation.
Stiiizy-Mission voted in favor of a contract negotiated by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.
Cresco Labs launched a line of cannabis spray tinctures and capsules in New York.
Maine retailers sold more than $250,000 worth of recreational marijuana products in the first weekend of legal sales.
In the latest in a series of 420-themed tweets, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said, “The gauntlet has been thrown down! The prophecy will be fulfilled. Model S price changes to $69,420 tonight!”
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
