Newsletter
VA gov calls for legal cannabis in 2021 (Newsletter: November 17, 2020)
NJ Senate passes marijuana decrim; RI House speaker: “very close” to majority support for legal cannabis; TX GOP may block Dems’ marijuana bills
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) endorsed marijuana legalization as a legislative study commission issued recommendations for how the state can regulate a legal cannabis market. The group projected that legalization could generate more than $300 million in annual tax revenue and create 11,000 jobs.
Rhode Island’s incoming House speaker said the chamber is “very close” to having majority support for legalizing marijuana, and he’s “absolutely” open to enacting it in 2021. The comments follow the Senate majority leader calling for legal cannabis this month.
The New Jersey Senate passed a bill to decriminalize six ounces of marijuana, but the Assembly pulled a planned vote on it over a controversial psilocybin provision that was attached in committee. Meanwhile, leaders are nearing agreement on taxes in separate cannabis sales legislation.
Texas Republican leaders seem poised to block Democratic-backed marijuana reform bills.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit heard oral arguments in a case on whether the Department of Justice can prevent a safe consumption site for illegal drugs from opening in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) said he is “very disappointed” in South Dakota voters for approving marijuana legalization.
Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM) tweeted, “I’m glad to see more & more states legalize marijuana. This will go a long way to ensuring minor drug offenses don’t ruin people’s lives.”
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) tweeted, “NJ was the vanguard of criminal justice reform measures adopted around the country with its legalization of marijuana referendum. Good to see that Americans are rethinking their interaction with the justice system at the ballot box.”
/ STATES
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’s Senate president prefiled legislation to remove marijuana from pre-employment drug testing for government jobs.
A South Carolina senator said he will work to push a medical cannabis referendum if the legislature is unwilling to pass a bill on the issue.
A New Jersey senator who opposes marijuana legalization is calling for a racial impact study on legislation to implement a legal cannabis market.
California regulators awarded nearly $30 million in grant funding to support research on marijuana.
The Michigan Parole Board will consider freeing a man serving a 42-to-60-year prison sentence for selling marijuana on Tuesday.
West Virginia regulators said the state will continue to operate under the hemp pilot program provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill for the 2021 growing season.
Nevada regulators launched an online application process for marijuana business worker cards to help speed approvals.
Oregon regulators are circulating draft marijuana testing requirements.
Hopes for legalizing marijuana in New Hampshire have been diminished after Republicans took control of the legislature in this month’s elections.
Ohio regulators issued updated medical cannabis patient and caregiver numbers.
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/ LOCAL
The San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee advanced legislation to ban smoking tobacco or marijuana in apartment buildings of three or more units.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Namibian Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is heading a task force charged with crafting marijuana reform legislation.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that cannabis sativa seed flour “can be used as a natural anti-obesity agent.”
A review concluded that “label inaccuracies and contaminants are found across a spectrum of cannabinoid-based products.”
/ BUSINESS
Schwazze reported $7.4 million in quarterly revenue and a net loss of $2.9 million.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. closed a $172.5 million public offering.
Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. sold its Arkansas medical cannabis dispensary assets.
Vireo Health International, Inc. sold its equity in Pennsylvania Dispensary Solutions, LLC to a subsidiary of Jushi Holdings, Inc.
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