Newsletter
NJ legal cannabis bills stall over dispute on provisions (Newsletter: November 13, 2020)
State marijuana regulators launch national coordinating group; Sanders & Warren cite cannabis’s ballot success; Trump admin tracked celebs’ drug views
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Marijuana officials from 19 states announced the formation of the new Cannabis Regulators Association, which aims to share best practices across jurisdictions and coordinate policies as legalization spreads.
New Jersey Senate and Assembly committees delayed consideration of marijuana legalization implementation bills as contentious details are negotiated. But a separate decriminalization proposal advanced—with a new amendment to reduce penalties for psilocybin as well as cannabis.
The Trump administration considered the marijuana and drug policy views of Seth Rogen, Joe Rogan and other celebrities when vetting potential spokespeople to appear in coronavirus prevention PSAs, internal documents show.
Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) both wrote new op-eds citing the success of marijuana legalization ballot measures in politically diverse states as an example of the popular progressive policies President-elect Joe Biden should pursue.
- “All over America, voters approved progressive policies to improve the lives of millions of people. Voters in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota voted to move away from the ‘war on drugs’ and approved legalizing marijuana.”
/ FEDERAL
A federal judge ruled that plaintiffs in a case challenging Indiana’s smokable hemp ban can file an amended complaint.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), when asked about pending marijuana legalization legislation, said, “I just don’t think that’s a priority.”
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) slammed Senate Appropriations Committee legislation that would continue blocking Washington, D.C. from spending its own money to legalize marijuana sales.
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) tweeted, “The House will vote on the #MOREAct to decriminalize #cannabis in December. Decriminalizing #marijuana and ending our country’s racist and failed war on drugs has been one of my priorities in Congress. Looking forward to this vote. #LegalizeIt”
Rep.-elect Cori Bush (D-MO) tweeted, “The base passed a $15 minimum wage in Florida. The base legalized cannabis in AZ, MT, SD, & NJ. The base re-elected 112 co-sponsors of Medicare for All. The progressive agenda wins. #EmbraceTheBase”
/ STATES
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “At the very least, we’ll see national decriminalization during Biden’s presidency. How about Pennsylvania make the sensible investment right now and put its stock in the people of the Commonwealth, who have already said they want legal cannabis?”
Rhode Island’s incoming House speaker reiterated that he is open to considering legalizing marijuana in 2021.
The chairman of Hawaii’s Senate Health Committee plans to hold a hearing on marijuana legalization next year.
A California senator said he will pursue legislation to legalize safe injection sites for illegal drugs next year.
The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that the First Amendment does not protect a self-proclaimed “ganja minster’s” right to grow more marijuana than is allowed under state law.
Ohio regulators are weighing whether the state needs more medical cannabis dispensaries.
Minnesota regulators began accepting hemp license applications.
Illinois’s top marijuana regulator spoke about efforts to implement legalization.
The Connecticut Violent Death Reporting System published a report on positive marijuana tests among fatalities, but noted that the data “does not prove any causation.”
Alaska regulators released a list of approved marijuana products.
Virginia regulators published a list of registered hemp processors.
Nevada regulators will consider marijuana licensing issues on November 17.
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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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
The mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey is calling for his city to be the only place in the state allowed to have legal marijuana sales for a period of three to five years.
The Augusta, Maine Planning Board enacted a moratorium blocking plans to sell medical cannabis from an RV.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Israel’s justice minister said the country will legalize marijuana within nine months.
Argentina’s government published regulations allowing cultivation and sale of medical cannabis products.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “nearly 20% of patients suffering from rheumatologic diseases actively consume cannabis, with an improvement in pain.”
A study found that “repeated exposure to CBD-rich cannabis can generate positive results in drug testing.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Washington Post editorial board said that passage of marijuana and drug policy reform ballot measures marks “a welcome shift in decades of destructive drug policy.”
The Minority Cannabis Business Association has a new executive director.
Fireside Project is launching a psychedelic peer support line.
/ BUSINESS
Columbia Care, Inc. reported $48.7 million in quarterly revenue and a net loss of $11.5 million.
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. reported $25.2 million in quarterly revenue and a $6.5 million net loss.
Akerna Corp. reported quarterly revenue of $3.7 million and a net loss of $4.7 million.
The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. parted ways with its CEO after reporting quarterly revenue of $5.71 million and a net loss of $76.24 million.
Organigram Holdings Inc. closed an underwritten public offering worth C$69.1 million.
MedMen Enterprises Inc. shareholders elected members of the company’s board of directors.
/ CULTURE
Musician David Crosby spoke about the time he smoked marijuana with The Beatles.
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