SD poll shows cannabis measures winning (Newsletter: October 27, 2020)

PA House OKs medical marijuana DUI protection; CO gov jokes TX shouldn’t legalize; Reps slam DEA hemp rule; Expungements hinge on AZ prosecutor race

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Montana Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit claiming that a marijuana legalization initiative that’s on the state’s ballot violates the state constitution by appropriating funds. The justices didn’t rule on the merits of the claim, but said opponents failed to demonstrate the need for the high court to take it up. A lawyer for the opposition campaign said they will be pursuing the matter in a lower court soon.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved an amendment to protect medical cannabis patients from being charged with DUIs for using their legal medicine.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) jokingly told Texas not to legalize marijuana so that his own state can keep getting more cannabis tourism.

Nine members of Congress sent a letter pushing back against proposed Drug Enforcement Administration rules they say “will likely have the effect of inhibiting these nascent state hemp programs.”

• “Our offices have received countless calls from constituents involved in the hemp industry who are extremely fearful that simply following the provisions of the Farm Bill will result in criminal liability.”

The result of a prosecutor race in Maricopa County, Arizona—the state’s most populous county—will determine whether many people with past marijuana convictions will be able to get them expunged.

/ FEDERAL

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said, at a debate with President Trump, that “no one should be going to jail because they have a drug problem. They should be going to rehabilitation, not to jail. We should fundamentally change the system, and that’s what I’m going to do.” He also admitted in response to attacks from Trump about his record as a senator that “it was a mistake to pass those laws relating to drugs.”

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), in a debate, again criticized Democrats for mentioning marijuana more than jobs in their coronavirus relief legislation.

Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) said he supports legalizing marijuana and expunging convictions.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said he polled voters in Kentucky about medical cannabis.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) tweeted, “We can’t allow ourselves to be a country where people are locked up for possessing marijuana but Pharma executives get rich off fueling an opioid crisis. Big Pharma should know: your days of profiting off people’s pain are numbered. There will be justice.”

Green Party presidential candidate Howie Hawkins tweeted, “The Green Party has always been clear about the need to End the War on Drugs, starting with legalization of marijuana and reparations for the communities that have been most negatively impacted.”

Florida Democratic congressional candidate Christine Olivo tweeted, “Legalizing Marijuana is becoming more and more popular. I am 100% for the legalization as well as expunging the records of people with past marijuana related convictions! #LegalizeIt”

/ STATES

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) signed a bill that will require judges to dismiss marijuana charges if prosecutors and defendants want to do so.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said he has a “huge passion” for the state’s marijuana legalization referendum and that it will be “a gamechanger particularly for young persons of color.”

New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Feltes talked about marijuana legalization as a racial justice issue during a debate.

Utah’s attorney general spoke about his support for medical cannabis in a debate.

Missouri regulators concluded an investigation into a report of moldy medical cannabis without finding any evidence of health and safety concerns.

Here’s a look at campaign finance contributions for and against Arizona’s marijuana legalization measure.

An Oregon judge rejected a lawsuit filed by two vineyards that claimed their businesses would be damaged by a neighboring marijuana growing and processing operation.

The Michigan Parole Board granted a November 17 hearing to a man who is serving decades in prison on marijuana charges.

California’s Veterinary Medical Board discussed using cannabis products to treat animals.

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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

The Delaware County, Pennsylvania Council amended a proposed marijuana decriminalization ordinance, pushing back the timetable for being able to enact it.

The city of San Diego, California is suing a marijuana business for allegedly failing to pay taxes.

/ INTERNATIONAL

The Bahamian Economic Recovery Committee recommended legalizing marijuana.

A Brazilian judge ruled that importing small amounts of marijuana seeds is not a crime.

Italian regulators added flower-derived CBD to a table of medicines in its narcotics law.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “oil solution and sublingual wafer formulations of the extract standardised with CBD were well tolerated and achieved equivalent concentrations of CBD when compared to an available commercial nabiximols formulation.”

A study “demonstrated selective, beneficial effects of low doses of LSD on mood and cognition in the majority of observations.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry authored an op-ed opposing the state’s marijuana legalization ballot measure.

Decriminalize Nature Portland is holding an event on Sunday to highlight why it opposes Oregon’s psilocybin therapy legalization ballot measure.

Real Action for Cannabis Equity launched a campaign to push back against what it says are racist attacks against a black-owned marijuana business in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association is a new group made up of the state’s medical marijuana businesses.

The Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network published a voter guide for next month’s elections.

/ BUSINESS

Delic Corp. reached an agreement for a reverse takeover of Molystar Resources Inc.

/ CULTURE

Former basketball player Shawn Kemp is opening a marijuana dispensary in Seattle, Washington.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.