Connect with us

Newsletter

NY cannabis effort gets boost from NJ, top senator says (Newsletter: November 25, 2020)

Published

on

Lawmakers tell feds to better coordinate hemp rules; N. Macedonia PM floats legal marijuana; NY poll: Voters back legalization

Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.

Get our daily newsletter.

Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…

Wait a sec! I could use your help. We need more subscribers to ensure the best possible cannabis news coverage for when 2021 legislative sessions start. If you can kick in a few dollars a month, we’d have funding to increase our reporting capacity in time.

  • Georgi Bohrod of GBG & Associates: “Since pivoting our business niche from communications solely in the hospitality industry to the cannabis space, I’ve been reading Marijuana Moment religiously. Subscribing to the newsletter shows my support for Tom Angell and his steady flow of important news and cannabis intelligence. Since we are new to the industry, our goal is to soak up as much information as possible so that we can serve clients knowledgeably. Tom definitely is my daily source for all things new and evolving in the cannabis world.”

Subscribe to us on Patreon and gain access to our Bill Tracker, exclusive audio from our interviews and more: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

New York’s Senate majority leader said that legalizing marijuana is inevitable, and that the effort is boosted by this month’s cannabis vote next door in New Jersey.

  • “It’s not so much a matter of if, it’s a matter of when and it’s a matter of how.”

A poll found that New York voters support legalizing marijuana, 60%-32%—the highest backing ever in a Siena College survey.

Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) and Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN), Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Drug Enforcement Administration, Food and Drug Administration and White House Office of Management and Budget to stop contradicting one another with their various hemp rules and do a better job coordinating to support the industry.

North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said the country might legalize marijuana to boost tourism.

  • “The idea is to allow consumption of marijuana in cafes, both in existing and new ones, and in tourist places, including Skopje, if they respect certain standards on ventilation, proof of origin of the marijuana and so on.”

/ FEDERAL

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is awarding a contract for technical support for marijuana and public health program activities.

Former federal drug czars and other advocates sent a letter urging President-elect Joe Biden to restore the White House Office of National Drug Control policy to cabinet-level status.

/ STATES

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) issued another round of pardons for people convicted of low-level marijuana offenses.

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) coauthored an op-ed with a delegate on the need to legalize marijuana through an equity lens.

Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “Now that the PA election is in the books, I’d like to take this opportunity to point out that the Democratic Party platform is to the right of South Dakota on legal weed. Montana. Arizona. Our party’s cowardice on weed demands courage on Psilocybin mushrooms and microdosing. If you believe we should label a person a criminal for the rest of their lives for using a plant, I literally can’t wait for you to vote for Crazy McCrazypants instead of me.”

Rhode Island’s incoming House speaker said Democrats discussed marijuana legalization on a caucus call.

A New Mexico judge gave regulators two weeks to explain their position on medical cannabis reciprocity.

Georgia regulators voted to approve requests for proposals for licenses to grow and process medical cannabis oil.

Alaska regulators voted to renew drive-thru and curbside pickup capabilities for marijuana dispensaries.

California regulators reported quarterly marijuana tax revenues.

New Jersey regulators issued an additional medical cannabis dispensary permit.

Maine regulators issued new conditional marijuana business licenses.

Oklahoma regulators released updated lists of approved medical cannabis laboratories and transporters.


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 Fort Worth, Texas Police Department is no longer arresting or citing people for small amounts of marijuana.

The Detroit, Michigan City Council approved rules for recreational marijuana businesses.

Oakland, California officials posted information about availability of loans for cannabis equity applicants to purchase property.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Canada’s former minister of health coauthored an op-ed calling for drug decriminalization.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “legal recreational products’ share of Canada’s overall cannabis consumption began at 7.8% in October 2018 and grew to 23.7% by September 2019, with an average of 14.5% over the first 12 months ” and that “legal recreational products captured market share to the extent they were available, accessible, and low-priced,” while “problems with those factors slowed the initial expansion of legal product sales but also suggested ways to gradually increase their market share.”

A study concluded that “cannabis users whose purposes are medical, recreational or both tend to differ in their selected administration methods.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws is urging supporters to call a local sheriff and ask him to withdraw as a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the state’s voter-approved legalization measure.

The American Civil Liberties Union tweeted, “It’s not enough to just legalize marijuana. Elected officials must do so in a way that tackles racial disparities head-on.”

The National Cannabis Industry Association’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee sent a letter urging Illinois officials to revamp the state’s marijuana social equity licensing process.

/ BUSINESS

Jushi Holdings Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $24.9 million and a net loss of $30 million.

Tilray, Inc. announced an agreement to exchange $72.9 million of debt for approximately 6.4 million shares.

BevCanna Enterprises Inc. signed a letter of intent to acquire Naturo Group Investments Inc.

Vireo Health International, Inc. filed a preliminary prospectus to issue up to C$260 million in securities.

Nabis Holdings settled a lawsuit against its former president and CEO.

Weedmaps is an official sponsor for the upcoming Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight.

/ CULTURE

Jay-Z joined TPCO Holding Corp. as chief visionary officer.

Former hockey player Daniel Carcillo spoke about his use of psychedelics for mental health.

Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.

Get our daily newsletter.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
Become a patron at Patreon!

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.

Advertisement

Marijuana News In Your Inbox

Get our daily newsletter.

Support Marijuana Moment

Marijuana News In Your Inbox

 

Get our daily newsletter.