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Trump team orders cannabis activists to cease & desist (Newsletter: October 21, 2020)

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Harris makes “commitment” to decrim marijuana; Schumer puts cannabis banking in COVID bill; Poll: NJ referendum leads; TX legalization projections

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

President Trump’s reelection campaign issued a cease and desist letter demanding that Mississippi medical cannabis activists stop using his name to campaign for their ballot initiative. Trump has said, on video, that he backs medical marijuana “100%” and that he personally knows people who have benefited from using it.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA) spoke about a “commitment” to decriminalize marijuana and expunge past cannabis records if Joe Biden is elected to the White House.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) included marijuana banking language in a new coronavirus relief bill he introduced. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if cannabis provisions can make it into a COVID-19 deal that Democrats and the Trump administration are negotiating.

Another new poll shows New Jersey’s marijuana legalization referendum ahead by a solid margin. This one also finds that voters want Gov. Phil Murphy (D) to go even further by pardoning people with past cannabis convictions.

A new analysis from Vicente Sederberg LLP finds that if Texas legalized marijuana the state would see $2.7 billion in annual cannabis sales, take in $1.1 billion dollars in tax revenue per biennium and create 20,000-40,000 jobs in the industry, plus ancillary positions.

/ FEDERAL

The Drug Enforcement Administration launched a new operation to “identify and prioritize ongoing drug trafficking investigations with a nexus to violent crime.”

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) slammed Democrats’ coronavirus relief bill because it “mentions cannabis more times than JOBS.”

Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) toured a hemp business.

Florida Democratic congressional candidate Christine Olivo tweeted, “Legalize marijuana and expunge the records of people with past marijuana related convictions! #LegalizeIt”

Maryland Democratic congressional candidate Mia Mason tweeted, “I want to legalize cannabis, turn it into a cash crop for our District 1 farmers, tax the sale of cannabis & use that revenue to rebuild our infrastructure! With your support, we can do this together!”

Texas Democratic congressional candidate Lisa Welch tweeted, “In 2020, states will vote on marijuana legalization. This will generate tax revenue to combat the opioid crisis, cartels, & reduce the burden on our police/justice system. It’s time for Fed Gov to end prohibition& expunge nonviolent drug charges #vote”

/ STATES

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) appointed a new director of the state Office of Drug Control Policy.

Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) is urging voters to reject a drug decriminalization ballot measure.

New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Feltes spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana during a debate.

Utah Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Karina Brown said she opposes decriminalizing marijuana.

Montana’s House speaker expressed concerns about the state’s marijuana legalization ballot measures.

Massachusetts regulators approved changes to proposed marijuana delivery rules.

Michigan regulators cheered federal approval of the state’s hemp plan.

Virginia’s Marijuana Legalization Work Group met.

Ohio regulators published updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.


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.

/ LOCAL

The Cook County, Illinois state’s attorney has expunged hundreds of marijuana convictions this month.

Los Angeles, California regulators began accepting applications for marijuana delivery, distribution, manufacturing and testing licenses, but are facing a lawsuit over the availability of delivery licenses to only equity applicants.

The Portland, Maine City Council approved marijuana business licenses.

Boston, Massachusetts marijuana regulators will meet on Wednesday.

/ INTERNATIONAL

A London, UK police commander in charge of drug strategy has admitted to using cannabis for medical purposes and has been suspended.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “medical cannabis initiation may be associated with self-reported reductions and cessation of alcohol use among medical cannabis patients.”

A study suggested that “cannabis legalization in Canada did not increase the risk of short-term cannabis-related hospitalization among girls and older boys” but that “legalization may have contributed to an increase in the risk in boys under 15 years.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Last Prisoner Project, Cannabis Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party and Redemption Foundation teamed up on a campaign seeking the release of people incarcerated for cannabis convictions in Michigan.

/ BUSINESS

Meadow launched a CRM and text messaging platform for dispensary clients.

Employees at Eaze subsidiary Stachs voted to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

VIVO Cannabis Inc. laid off 18% of its staff.

/ CULTURE

The Onion made fun of people who give CBD to their pets.

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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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