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NJ cannabis sales could launch soon after election (Newsletter: October 29, 2020)

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Former fed prosecutor’s SD legal marijuana ad; Poll: KS voters want legal cannabis; DEA & USPS launch “Drug Free USA Forever” stamp with Miss America

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The chairman of the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee said recreational marijuana sales could start just weeks after voter approval of a legalization referendum on Tuesday. That would happen through existing medical cannabis dispensaries under his plan.

A former federal prosecutor appears in a new ad calling on South Dakota voters to approve separate marijuana legalization and medical cannabis initiatives on the state’s ballot.

  • “One mistake—possession of even a gram of marijuana—can ruin a life. It could mean jail, a record, making it hard to get a job, an apartment or serve in the military.”

A new poll found that Kansas adults support legalizing marijuana by a three-to-one margin, 67%-22%.

The U.S. Postal Service, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Miss America, launched a new “Drug Free USA Forever” stamp.

/ FEDERAL

Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) reiterated a pledge to decriminalize marijuana and expunge records during a campaign speech in Nevada.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is funding research on “the  risks that smoking or vaping tobacco or marijuana may have on acquiring the COVID-19 infection.”

The U.S. ambassador to Jamaica accused a person who tweeted about President Trump’s account at a Chinese bank of smoking too much marijuana.

Sens. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Todd Young (R-IN) led a letter signed by eight other senators calling on the secretaries of state and the treasury to impose sanctions on senior commanders of Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion for extrajudicial killings in that nation’s “war on drugs.”

West Virginia Democratic Senate candidate Paula Jean Swearengin tweeted, “This isn’t a partisan issue- it’s a greed issue. People from all walks of life want to legalize cannabis, except for those who want to make money off our backs instead of empowering our farmers, small businesses, & working people. We need restorative #cannabis legalization NOW”

The Minnesota Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate for a U.S. House seat whose death put into question the timing of the election reportedly told a friend that he was recruited to run for the seat by Republicans in an effort to draw votes away from Democrats.

/ STATES

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) said that legalizing marijuana could help the state’s budget if Democrats win control of the state Senate.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) sent a press release touting proposed rules that would allow CBD-infused foods and drinks. Separately, the state’s lieutenant governor reiterated that marijuana legalization will likely be part of the budget next year.

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Ralph Torres (R) said he wants the territory’s legal marijuana program to roll out on a slow and steady basis.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) and his challengers debated marijuana policy. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Woody Myers tweeted, “‘It is time decriminalize Marijuana in Indiana.’ That’s it, that’s the tweet.” He also tweeted, “Indiana needs to legalize marijuana for medicinal use to treat chronic, debilitating pain and treat PTSD for veterans. Just one of the many reasons why we need to take this step and take it quickly. And with your vote, we will!”

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) tweeted, “4:20 PM. Time to legalize it.”

Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor did an interview about his support for legalizing marijuana. He also promoted the opportunity for people to get their cannabis convictions pardoned, tweeting, “Don’t allow your old cannabis-related conviction to ruin your future. Follow this link for an expedited application for a pardon through the new program we created to make pardons quicker and easier for minor cannabis offenses.”

Mississippi’s secretary of state published a video explaining how to vote on the state’s medical cannabis ballot questions.

An Illinois judge blocked regulators from rescoring marijuana business license applications while a challenge to their process is considered in court.

Missouri’s top medical cannabis regulator said he thinks marijuana legalization will be on the state’s ballot in 2022. Separately, a judge scheduled a two-day trial starting on Thursday in a case challenging regulators’ medical marijuana licensing decisions.

The Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence is conducting oversight of the implementation of the state’s hemp law.

Colorado regulators approved additional hemp seed varieties.

California regulators sent a reminder about Monday’s deadline to apply for the cannabis-funded Community Reinvestment Grants program.

Washington State regulators sent a newsletter with updates on marijuana rules.


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 Cook County, Illinois state’s attorney tweeted, “Vacating low-level cannabis convictions is just one step in righting the wrongs of the war on drugs and reforming a system that has historically over-criminalized Black and Brown communities.”

/ INTERNATIONAL

Ireland’s health minister and minister of state for natural resources backed a now-shelved plan to transform state-owned bogs into cannabis farms.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review of case reports concluded that “hemp-derived CBD in a transdermal cream provided significant symptom and pain relief for the patients described in this case series.”

A study found “no evidence of liver toxicity was observed in [cannabidiol-rich cannabis extract (CRCE) and methylsulfonylmethane] dosed mice.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll found that New York City residents support legalizing marijuana, 61%-30%.

The Mississippi Municipal League is opposing the state’s medical cannabis ballot measures.

NORML rescinded an Outstanding Cannabis Advocate award it gave to its Wisconsin chapter leader after it received a sexual harassment complaint about him.

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture filed comments expressing concerns with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s proposed hemp rules.

/ BUSINESS

4Front Ventures Corp. entered into a sale and leaseback agreement with Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. for two of its Massachusetts and Washington State cultivation and production facilities.

TILT Holdings Inc. preliminarily reported quarterly revenue of $40-$41 million

Akerna Corp. is seeking to raise approximately $12 million with an offering of 5 million shares of common stock at a price of $2.40 per share.

Canopy Growth Corporation’s Spectrum Therapeutics division made a $50,000 donation to Wounded Warriors Canada.

/ CULTURE

Actress Rosario Dawson tweeted, “As a new New Jersey voter I got to vote for both @CoryBooker and the legalization of marijuana. 21st century here we come! Ancient natural medicines should be available and I’m glad my love and my senator is fighting for it nationwide. #expungetherecords”

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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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