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NZ cannabis referendum trails in early results (Newsletter: October 30, 2020)
Poll: MT legal marijuana measure leads; MS court to consider cannabis challenge after election; AZ anti-legalization ads; Booker pushes referendum
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
New Zealand’s marijuana legalization referendum is trailing in preliminary results, but nearly half a million more “special votes” will be counted by next Friday, and observers expect those to trend for legal cannabis.
A new poll found that Montana likely voters support legalizing marijuana through a ballot initiative next week, 54%-38%.
The Mississippi Supreme Court said it won’t consider a last-minute challenge to the state’s medical cannabis ballot measures until after voters decide the issue on Election Day.
Arizona marijuana opponents released five attack ads ahead of the state’s legalization vote next week. The spots, which come as polls show voters poised to strongly approve the cannabis initiative, contain some misleading claims.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) released a video urging New Jersey voters to support a marijuana legalization referendum on their ballots. Meanwhile, a new campaign finance report shows legal cannabis supporters outraising opponents by more than 200 to 1.
/ FEDERAL
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Brightbill spoke about the use of unauthorized pesticides in illegal marijuana cultivation operations.
Sen. Doug Jones (R-AL) said that states should be able to set their own marijuana laws.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said she supports federal legalization only for medical cannabis, while Democratic challenger Sara Gideon wants to end federal marijuana prohibition altogether.
Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) filed a resolution to designate October as “National Substance Abuse Prevention Month.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) spoke about her view that Congress needs to pass justice-focused marijuana legislation before advancing a cannabis banking bill.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted, “If Cory Booker supports marijuana reform, why does he oppose the STATES Act???”
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted, “So much of what we’re fighting for is on the ballot this election, including:…✳️ Cannabis legalization…We can do it. We must do it. #VOTE”
Green Party presidential candidate Howie Hawkins spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana and decriminalizing other drugs.
Libertarian Party presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen spoke about her support for legalizing all drugs.
Kansas Democratic congressional candidate Laura Lombard tweeted, “If you’re for the legalization of marijuana, there’s only one candidate who’s got your back.”
/ STATES
Missouri Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nicole Galloway tweeted, “Missouri voted for medical marijuana to fund veterans services — but @GovParsonMO limited the number of available licenses and awarded many to clients of his insider friends, many of whom donated thousands to his campaign. He was never in it for veterans — only himself.”
A Pennsylvania court dismissed a complaint from a nursing student who wanted to avoid taking a drug test she would fail due to her medical cannabis use.
The Oglala Sioux Tribal Council, located in South Dakota, approved a marijuana legalization ordinance.
Wisconsin regulators are extending the state’s hemp pilot program.
Washington State regulators proposed rules on the marijuana license qualification and application process.
The Navajo Nation, located in New Mexico, is suing 33 members for allegedly violating tribal law by growing hemp, marijuana or both.
California’s Cannabis Advisory Committee will meet on Friday.
Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Review panel will issue reports on adding new qualifying conditions on Monday.
The Oregon Cannabis Commission will meet on Monday and the Cannabis Commission Patient Equity Subcommittee will meet on Thursday.
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/ LOCAL
The Santa Fe, New Mexico City Council approved an ordinance to ban no-knock warrants.
Portland, Oregon’s mayor proposed using marijuana tax revenue to create a community-led process to promote anti-racist investments and expand wealth creation and restorative justice for people of color.
Trinity County, California officials are being sued by marijuana growers who are upset their cultivation applications have not been acted on.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Dominica’s parliament approved legislation to decriminalize marijuana.
Uruguayan officials signed a decree allowing warehouses to store, repackage and ship cannabis products internationally.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found “no evidence that cannabis users experienced higher rates of work-related injuries.“
A review concluded that “evidence does not provide a strong case that cannabis use during [medication-based treatment for opioid use disorder] poses a threat to patient outcomes.”
/ BUSINESS
Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. raised more than C$46 million through a public stock offering.
Columbia Care, Inc. raised $20.4 million with add-on debt financing.
MedMen filed a lawsuit seeking to stop Pasadena, California from issuing marijuana licenses until it is reinstated into the process.
KushCo Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $26.5 million and a net loss of $7.3 million.
/ CULTURE
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow said that cannabis is a “hero ingredient of the future” for wellness and made an investment in Cann.
The Onion made fun of Jay-Z’s new cannabis line.
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