Cannabis ballot measures approved across the country (Newsletter: November 4, 2020)

NJ legal marijuana enabling bill within days; Biden: Drug legislation a “mistake”; MS gov slams medical cannabis; Med societies say no to legalization

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Bookmark Marijuana Moment’s Live Election Results page—sponsored by ETFMG | MJ—and keep it open all night tonight to make sure you are among the first to know how key cannabis and drug policy reform ballot measures are doing at the polls. Our team will also be publishing stories as races are called, and we’ll be tweeting live news and analysis as developments happen.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said in a radio interview that it was a “mistake” to champion punitive anti-drug laws during his time as a senator.

• “Look, unlike Trump, when I make a mistake I admit it. I admit it. And we can make it better. And I think the public’s with us.”

The chairman of New Jersey’s Senate Judiciary Committee said that he expects to file a bill to implement marijuana legalization as soon as two days after voters approve the state’s cannabis ballot referendum.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) slammed the medical marijuana measures on his state’s ballot this week, saying they are favored by “stoners” and claiming they would be “the most liberal weed rules in the US.”

The state medical societies of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania teamed up to tell governors and voters in their states not to legalize marijuana.

• “The cost to the public health system from cannabis use will likely far outweigh any revenues that states secure by legalizing marijuana. We must proceed cautiously and pay close attention to the public health impacts in states where legalization has occurred.”

/ FEDERAL

Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) reiterated a pledge to decriminalize marijuana and expunge records, as well as “making sure no one is put behind bars just because they’ve used drugs.”

Libertarian presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen  tweeted, “I will put an end to the drug war, abolish the DEA, pardon non-violent drug offenders, and empower addicts to seek help and rehabilitation rather than face prison for their victimless mistakes.”

A federal judge rejected a lawsuit from a Minnesota Legal Marijuana Now Party congressional candidate who wanted to move the election to February following the death of the former candidate.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted, “The drug war has not just been a war on drugs, but a war on people. Here in New Jersey, we can begin to end what has been a very dark and unfair chapter in criminal justice in America. Vote YES on the ballot question to legalize marijuana statewide.”

Rep. Justin Amash (L-MI) tweeted, “Trump loves to tout his record on criminal justice reform, but he appointed attorneys general that have expanded civil asset forfeiture and ended Department of Justice policies that were intended to limit marijuana enforcement and reduce harsh criminal sentencing.”

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted, “Measure 109 will offer hope in the form of a breakthrough treatment option in Oregon: psilocybin therapy.”

West Virginia Democratic Senate candidate Paula Jean Swearengin tweeted, “When I’ve asked what legislation it would take for folks to stay in WV instead of needing to leave for more opportunities, MOST responses include cannabis legalization. Let’s end unnecessary incarcerations and start creating new jobs and big revenue now.”

Here’s a look at where Kentucky congressional candidates stand on legalizing marijuana.

/ STATES

Under a new coronavirus order from Massachusetts Gov Charlie Baker (R), recreational marijuana retailers, but not medical cannabis dispensaries, must close by 9:30 PM each day.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) tweeted, “Let me be BLUNT: Legalizing marijuana is a matter of social justice, racial justice, and economic justice.”

Oregon’s treasurer tweeted, “Thank you to @OR_Cannabis for their endorsement. As Treasurer, I have helped lead @DemTreasurers in lobbying Congress to pass the #SAFEBankingAct so that cannabis businesses have access to financial services just like any other Oregon business.”

Indiana Democratic attorney general candidate Jonathan Weinzapfel tweeted, “No veteran suffering from PTSD should be locked up for using medicinal marijuana. As Indiana’s next Attorney General I will fight for common sense reforms to our criminal justice system and to protect access to affordable health care for ALL Hoosiers.”

Michigan’s Department of Agriculture & Rural Development tweeted, “Did you know Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Co., created a plastic car in 1941 which ran on hemp and other plant-based fuels? Ford had a plan to ‘grow automobiles from the soil.’”

California regulators are conducting a survey on developing a comparable-to-organics program for cannabis products.

Washington State regulators are proposing rules changes on marijuana business premise certificates of compliance.

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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.

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/ LOCAL

More than thirty California cities and counties will be voting on marijuana tax and business measures on Tuesday.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s mayor tweeted, “Important for SD residents going to the polls. IM 26 would legalize medicinal marijuana. Amendment A would change the state constitution to allow RECREATIONAL  marijuana. Ads show them as interwoven issues, but they are very different.”

/ INTERNATIONAL

Colombia’s House of Representatives will debate a marijuana legalization bill this week.

A top Mexican lawmaker filed a marijuana legalization bill.

Italy’s health ministry rescinded a move to add hemp-derived CBD preparations to a list of medicines in the country’s narcotics law.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study “demonstrated that cannabis extracts and phytocannabinoids have a promising potential as antioxidants, which can be further investigated to develop novel pharmaceuticals targeting oxidative stress therapy.”

A study of cannabis vaporizer companies’ Instagram posts found that “two-thirds (68.0 %) of posts depicted someone using the product” and that “among posts featuring a person, (83.9 %) depicted female users.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Progressive group Living United for Change in Arizona is spending money on ads urging Arizona voters to defeat the state’s marijuana legalization ballot measure.

The Natural Products Association sent comments expressing concern about the Drug Enforcement Administration’s proposed hemp rules.

/ BUSINESS

Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. is acquiring three Arizona medical cannabis business licenses as part of a settlement agreement with Devine Hunter Inc.

TerrAscend Corp. reported quarterly net sales of C$51 million.

Fire & Flower Holdings Corp. is acquiring Friendly Stranger Holdings Corp.

/ CULTURE

Musician David Crosby appeared on Canopy Growth Corporation’s podcast.

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