Newsletter
Trump gets list of cannabis prisoners for clemency push (Newsletter: November 26, 2020)
CT lawmakers could put legal marijuana on ballot; NJ AG: adjourn cannabis cases; Prosecutors’ memo on dropping marijuana charges
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Republican lawmakers and celebrities like Kevin Garnett sent a letter urging President Trump to free people who are serving time in federal prison for marijuana. Organizers say the office of Trump’s senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner asked them for a specific list of clemency candidates, which they attached to the letter.
Connecticut’s incoming House speaker said that if there aren’t enough votes in the legislature to pass marijuana legalization in 2021, lawmakers will put it on the ballot for voters to decide.
New Jersey’s attorney general issued a directive telling prosecutors to suspend most marijuana possession cases.
- “Fairness demands that we suspend prosecution of marijuana possession-related cases while we await direction from the Legislature on the parameters for decriminalization of marijuana and legalization of regulated adult-use cannabis. It simply does not make sense or serve justice to proceed with prosecutions on charges that may be foreclosed soon through legislative action.”
Days earlier, a New Jersey prosecutor sent a memo to colleagues across the state urging them to stop pursuing most marijuana cases while lawmakers work out the details of legal cannabis sales legislation.
- “The primary duty of a lawyer engaged in public prosecution is not to convict, but to see that justice is done.”
/ FEDERAL
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) filed a resolution condemning police brutality that recognizes that the U.S., “especially under the auspices of the wars on drugs and global terrorism, has in recent decades dramatically increased its influence on the tactics, equipment, and purpose of policing around the world.”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) tweeted, “In red and blue states alike, voters sent a clear message: we must END the war on drugs. It’s time to legalize marijuana, expunge the records of those serving time for it, and ensure BIPOC communities that have been disproportionately harmed own the profits of this new industry.”
/ STATES
Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “In PA, you can get yourself a curbside, ready-to-drink mojito the size of a gas can and a criminal record for life if you sip a little weed. That’s freedom.”
A New Jersey court said regulators erred in rejecting medical cannabis business license applications and that its process lacked transparency.
California regulators are proposing emergency rules requiring marijuana businesses to post unique QR code certificates in storefront windows and carry them while transporting or delivering cannabis.
Alaska regulators are proposing rules on reinstating marijuana business licenses after a failure to renew.
Massachusetts regulators may be facing a lawsuit over marijuana delivery rules they are poised to enact next week.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is concerned that passage of two drug policy reform ballot measures this month will cause people to forage for psychedelic mushrooms in state forests.
Oklahoma regulators published a frequently asked questions document for medical cannabis business applicants.
Michigan regulators published a list of county allocations for medical cannabis operation and oversight grants.
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/ LOCAL
New York City’s mayor tweeted, “Congratulations to @AndreaSCousins and the @NYSenDems on achieving a historic supermajority! Now’s the time to be bold — legalize marijuana and ensure the wealthiest New Yorkers pay their fair share for a real, equitable recovery for our city and state.”
Candidates for Orleans Parish, Louisiana district attorney were asked whether they would stop prosecuting marijuana possession cases.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Malawi officials said the country is ready to start producing and processing cannabis for medical and industrial uses.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “11 out of 13 studies reviewed observed varying degrees of pain relief using cannabis over opioids under certain specific conditions” and that “there appears to be some benefits in certain situations however cannabis certainly does not appear to be a drop-in replacement for opioids in chronic pain management.”
A study examined “the prevalence of cannabis use for migraine relief in a sample of cannabis users, and suggests that these migraineurs experience a high level of migraine relief from cannabis.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll found that Slovaks oppose lowering penalties for marijuana, 61%-36%.
The Los Angeles Times editorial board said California should watch and learn from the implementation of Oregon’s new drug decriminalization law.
/ BUSINESS
Vireo Health International, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $11.9 million.
Planet 13 Holdings Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $22.8 million and net income of $0.2 million.
Rubicon Organics Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$3.2 million and a net loss of C$4.3 million.
/ CULTURE
Actor Ben Affleck spoke about a bad experience he had with marijuana as a teenager.
Filmmaker Terry Gilliam said he wanted to try psilocybin mushrooms for the first time for his 80th birthday.
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