Why Florida’s cannabis legalization push failed, and what’s next (Newsletter: November 8, 2024)

NH elections dim legal marijuana hopes; KY gov: “overwhelming” medical cannabis support; Study: Marijuana regs hurt environment; OR psilocybin bans

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

New Hampshire voters’ decision to elect an anti-marijuana Republican governor and expand GOP majorities in the House and Senate likely doom efforts to legalize cannabis in the last remaining prohibition state in New England for at least the next two years.

Marijuana Moment looked into why Florida’s marijuana legalization initiative failed despite an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, historically high levels of campaign funding and majority voter support at the ballot box—and whether there is hope that lawmakers could enact cannabis reform in the state in 2025.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) touted the “overwhelming support” for the state’s medical cannabis program that voters demonstrated this week by approving all 106 measures on local ballots to allow medical marijuana businesses to operate in their communities.

A new study published by ASTM International concludes that “outdated” strict marijuana packaging regulations make it “impossible” for the industry to be environmentally sustainable—and that consumer preferences toward vapes have contributed to a “a seismic event for cannabis waste.”

• “Even companies who wish to be more sustainable cannot always use less packaging and remain legally compliant.”

Voters in more than a dozen Oregon municipalities approved ballot measures to ban psilocybin services businesses from operating in their communities.

/ FEDERAL

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and other senators sent a letter calling on Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to take action to remove and prevent advertisements for illicit drugs on the company’s platforms.

/ STATES

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) appointed a new chair and vice-chair for the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board.

Massachusetts Gov. Mauara Healey (D) recommended pardons for several people with marijuana, drug and other records.

Kansas’s attorney general said, “the fact that marijuana advocates spent vast sums of money persuading voters in Nebraska to adopt an initiative does not change the law in Kansas.”

A Pennsylvania representative discussed efforts to project medical cannabis patients from facing DUI charges.

California regulators are conducting a survey in preparation for choosing a new cannabis licensing and compliance system.

The Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Board will meet on Friday.

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Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy 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.
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/ LOCAL

Voters in several Colorado municipalities decided on local ballot measures to ban, allow or tax marijuana sales.

The Ontario, Oregon city manager said 80 percent of marijuana sales are from people who live in neighboring Idaho.

/ INTERNATIONAL

An Irish marijuana legalization bill advanced through second reading.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “preclinical research has demonstrated promising results regarding CBD’s potential benefits in” Parkinson’s disease.

A study “on the public discourse on Twitter indicates that discussions about the use and marketing of Δ8-THC are present in all U.S. jurisdictions, not just those without legal recreational cannabis markets.”

/ BUSINESS

Green Thumb Industries Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $286.9 million.

Verano Holdings Corp. reported quarterly net revenue of $216.7 million and a net loss of $42.6 million.

The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $114.8 million and a net loss of $1.8 million.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company’s cannabis-focused Hawthore unit reported $80.5 million in quarterly sales.

TerrAscend Corp. reported quarterly net revenue of $74.2 million and a net loss of $21.4 million.

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