Arizona Lawmakers Seek To Ban Delta-8 THC

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April 27, 2022

Arizona Lawmakers Seek To Ban Delta-8 THC

While legislation explicitly articulates that hemp can contain up to 0.3% delta-9 THC, there’s no mention of delta-8 or its limitations.

Arizona appears to be on its way to banning the production and sale of products containing delta-8 THC, a chemical component in the cannabis plant.

Backed by the Arizona Dispensaries Association, Senate Bill 1715 seeks to make the manufacturing and sales of the hemp-derived compound a felony, Phoenix New Times writes. The measure, which passed the Arizona Senate on March 15, would ban “hemp-derived manufactured impairing cannabinoids,” including delta-8.

Hemp Industries Association Urges Regulation, Not Prohibition, Of Delta-8 THC — Photo by Anastassiya Bezhekeneva/Getty Images

What Is Delta-8 THC?

A “gentler” version of delta-9 THC, the marijuana plant’s primary component for causing psychoactive effects, delta-8 THC can be chemically converted from hemp-derived CBD by utilizing new industrial methodologies.

Considering that this cannabinoid is new to today’s consumers, many states have decided to take precautionary measures in that the cannabis industry is still in the early learning stages regarding delta-8 THC’s potential therapeutic benefits and side effects.

Why Do Lawmakers Want To Ban It?

The delta-8 compound has a history of being mislabeled by companies that sell it. Some are even worried that as an unregulated psychoactive product, which is making its way into dispensaries, gas stations and head shops, delta-8 might even end up in the hands of children.

“What we’re doing is allowing psychoactive products to be in the hands of children if we allow this synthetic process to move forward,” said Sam Richard, the executive director of the Arizona Dispensaries Association.

Another issue is that products coming from the 2018 federal Farm Bill are not subject to the same testing requirements as cannabis. The bill legalized the commercial production of hemp and allowed Arizona, among other states, to grow it under the supervision of its state Department of Agriculture.

While legislation explicitly articulates that hemp can contain up to 0.3% delta-9 THC, there’s no mention of delta-8 or its limitations.

R.I.P. Delta-8 THC: Why States And DEA Want It Banned — Photo by Jeff W via Unsplash

What About Other States?

Some states have also taken similar steps.

The New York Cannabis Control Board (CCB) made it clear in November that delta-8 THC products cannot be sold, though hemp flower is allowed.

In February, the Kentucky legislature proposed a bill that seeks to ban all forms of “intoxicating products” made from industrial hemp, such as delta-8 THC. The legislation, which expands existing language in the state’s law, is also designed to outlaw other hemp-derived minor cannabinoids like delta-10 THC, THC-O, and THC-P, as per an unofficial copy of the proposal.

Last year, Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) issued a notice that “chemically modifying or converting any naturally occurring cannabinoids from industrial hemp is non-compliant with the statutory definition of ‘industrial hemp product.” This includes any process that converts an industrial hemp cannabinoid, such as CBD isolate, into delta-9, delta-8, delta-10-THC, or other tetrahydrocannabinol isomers or functional analogs.”

Marijuana And The Midterms — What You Should Know

Tom Gaffey

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April 27, 2022

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Marijuana And The Midterms — What You Should Know

The growing public support of marijuana is certainly starting to shape the way politicians approach the issue on the campaign trail.

The 2022 midterm elections are rapidly approaching and there is a lot on the line this November. Democrats may have come into 2021 with a majority, but the last year and a half has included a series of unfortunate events for the party and weak approval ratings of the President. This has left the republican party confident and optimistic going into the election cycle.

There are a lot of important issues at play in this election. The ever-looming and evolving COVID-19 pandemic and how it continues to be handled is huge on voters’ minds. The current astronomical gas prices, inflation and the economy in general are also a top priority.

While these issues can have major impacts on the daily lives of many Americans, they are not the only issues voters care about. Marijuana legalization continues to be a major political issue, and for many voters it is currently a top priority this election season. In fact, according to a recent poll, the majority of democratic voters think passing a bill to legalize marijuana is an important or top priority.

legal marijuana vote — Photo by Tara Winstead via Pexels

There are several states that may have marijuana ballot-measures in November. Maryland, Missouri, Ohio and South Dakota are just a few states where an important vote will appear on the ballot, which means marijuana legalization will likely play an even larger role in these states’ elections.

Being a democratic politician no longer guarantees the support of cannabis enthusiasts. Many voters are looking for real action, and soon. “Democrats, starting with President Biden, must lead on cannabis policy or risk ceding the very real voter enthusiasm it inspires to more libertarian voices,” according to Fortune. Time is running out for Democrats to make a strong stand on cannabis legalization before Republicans eventually do so on their own.

It is not only democrats who are interested in marijuana legalization. The latest Gallup poll data suggests that 2 in every 3 Americans support the legalization of marijuana. These record high numbers further show that marijuana is not a partisan issue. Any politician who takes a strong stance against marijuana, or one who drags their feet in the legalization process, risks being ousted from their role if their district resides in a competitive area.

Conservatives have noticed this inaction, and, according to Forbes, “some Republicans are starting to take action of their own that could eventually lead to them reaping the political rewards that will come from legalization from a Democratic party that has every opportunity to own this issue.”

Take South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace, for example. She recently introduced a republican-authored bill to legalize cannabis at a federal level. Rep. Mace is up for reelection this year. It appears as though in most states, regardless of your political party, supporting cannabis legalization, at least in some form, is looking like a more promising route to victory than campaigning to continue its prohibition.

What this means for the future of marijuana legalization remains unclear, but the growing public support of marijuana is certainly starting to shape the way politicians approach the issue on the campaign trail.

Is Smoking Weed Or Just Smoking Bad For Your Heart?

Terry Hacienda

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April 27, 2022

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Is Smoking Weed Or Just Smoking Bad For Your Heart?

Smoking cannabis has been proven to expose you to the same irritants, toxins, and carcinogens as smoking cigarettes. In addition, when smoking cannabis, users often inhale more deeply than tobacco smokers, which leads to more exposure to tar.

Cannabis has been the target of a decades-long public relations effort portraying it as a gateway drug, a drug that promotes a lackadaisical attitude, and schizophrenia, a substance that supposedly leads to a life of crime. As cannabis is being made legal in more and more states, a lot of people aren’t taking stock of these arguments any longer. And as more people use cannabis responsibly, the discussion has shifted to weed’s unique health benefits and cons, which are less alarming.

Cannabis contains cannabinoids that elevate the heart rate and make it work more intensely. It raises the heart rate and makes the heart pump faster. Some studies have shown that smoking cannabis, just like smoking cigarettes, can increase your vulnerability to heart diseases. Though it is likely your heart works harder when using cannabis, more research is needed to know for sure what exactly cannabis does to the health of your heart.

Cigarette smoking is widely recognized as one of the leading causes of heart disease. And as more states join the cannabis legalization train and more people smoke cannabis, it is worth considering how it is similar to cigarettes. Though data on the effects of marijuana on the body is limited, here is what we can gather so far about its impact on the heart.

How Cannabis Affects the Heart

Marijuana is filled with cannabinoids or psychoactive chemicals specific to the plant. A cannabinoid termed delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC is the leading cause of a person’s psychoactive effects when they ingest or smoke the plant.

Cannabinoids increase the resting heart rate and make the heart pump more than average. As shown in a 2019 study, cannabis has three significant effects on the heart:

Cannabis Arteritis: Heavy usage of cannabis can cause arteries to swell, blood vessel walls to deteriorate, and the flow of blood to the organs to be reduced.

Cannabis-induced Vasospasms: The contraction of the muscular wall of an artery, which causes the artery to become narrow and decrease the amount of blood that can pass through it, is called vasospasm.

Platelet aggregation: This is when the tiny blood cells called platelets clump together and begin to form clots, which will block blood vessels and decrease the flow of blood.

Smoking cannabis probably has more adverse effects on your heart than edibles.

A cardiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Nav Bajaj, MD, says smoking cannabis might be worse for your heart than taking it any other way, like through edibles. When you smoke marijuana, it breaks down into a variety of compounds, which, aside from cannabinoids, may have adverse effects on the heart and blood vessels, Bajaj added. However, he points out that there needs to be more research to be certain.

Smoking cannabis has been proven to expose you to the same irritants, toxins, and carcinogens as smoking cigarettes. In addition, when smoking cannabis, users often inhale more deeply than tobacco smokers, which leads to more exposure to tar.

Although Bajaj agrees that smoke of all kinds can destroy the heart and arteries, there simply isn’t enough full-scale research to observe exactly how cannabis will compare to cigarettes in heart health. Cigarette smokers are two to four times more likely than non-smokers to develop coronary artery disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Marijuana and Heart Disease

Cannabis may lead to an increased vulnerability to heart disease, as seen in a systematic review in 2019. Of the 33 people involved in the study, 28 found out that cannabis use can increase the risk of acute coronary syndrome and cardiovascular disease, which is characterized by a sudden rupture of plaque inside the coronary artery that can result in a heart attack.

Furthermore, Bajaj and his team not long ago published a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology researching how cannabis affects people who have cardiovascular disease. An estimated 2 million people with cardiovascular disease consume cannabis, although Bajaj points out that the number is likely under-reported.

smoking a bong — Photo by Volodymyr Bondarenko / EyeEm/Getty Images

Cannabis can be hurtful to people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular illnesses, or those that involve the formation of plaque in the arteries, by raising blood pressure and heart rate and rousing the sympathetic nervous system, which in turn regulates the stress response for flight or fight.

Following the study of Bajaj, this response can lead to an increase in the amount of oxygen needed by the heart. When joined with other factors of heart disease, such as the formation of plaque in the cardiac arteries, it can lead to risky heart conditions. For instance, low oxygen levels in the heart along with a blocked heart artery can lead to a heart attack.

Bottom Line

There is still a lot of conflicting information on the relationship between marijuana and some cardiovascular problems, particularly cardiac rhythm issues. For instance, some research has discovered that marijuana use is linked with a greater risk of arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. But other people have suggested that cannabis has no effect on ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia and that it may even lessen the risk of getting atrial fibrillation.

In addition, some professionals say that the use of cannabis does not pose a severe threat to people at very low risk for heart disease. But a different study discovered that young people who smoke cannabis for more than 10 days in a month are two and a half times more likely to get a stroke than non-users, even if they do not use tobacco products.

Many of these studies have not yet established any causal relationship between cardiovascular disease, cannabis use, and the occurrence of an association that does not necessarily imply that marijuana is to blame for causing a stroke or arrhythmia. Although there is still a lot we have yet to discover about cannabis and cardiovascular health, Bajaj indicates where the initial data is pointing, saying that it is known that there is evidence of some harm, but it has to be proven beyond doubt.

This article was created in partnership with Cannabis.net

Study: Antidepressants Don’t Have The Desired Effect In The Long Run

Maria Loreto

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April 26, 2022

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Study: Antidepressants Don’t Have The Desired Effect In The Long Run

A recent study found that antidepressants aren’t as effective at improving patients’ quality of life in the long run.

Antidepressants are the principal way of treating moderate to severe depression. Their use makes people feel better, equipping them more readily to deal with daily life. But a new study shows that, in the long run, antidepressants aren’t related to a better quality of life.

The study, published in the journal PLOS One, used data from a 10-year longitudinal study tracking the health services that Americans use, including people diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Through the study, over 17 million Americans were diagnosed with the condition, with 57% of them receiving antidepressant medicines.

dea schedules cannabis based drug epidiolex schedule — Photo by rawpixel.com

The study analyzed the impact of antidepressants on the mental and physical aspects of patients. The former analyzed social functioning and psychological wellbeing, while the latter referred to pain, energy levels, and the like.

Results show that the use of antidepressants was linked with an improvement in the mental part of the survey. Still, when researchers compared these results to people with depression who were not taking anti-depressants, the differences were negligible, especially after measuring these stats again following a two-year period.

Researchers make it clear that more study is necessary, and that there were some caveats in this recent study, for example, being unable to separate the varying degrees of depression and how these change from person to person. They don’t advise for people to stop taking their antidepressants, more so for researchers to look into the topic further.

“Although we still need our patients with depression to continue using their antidepressant medications, long-term studies evaluating the actual impact of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on these patients’ quality of life are needed,” explain the authors. “With that being said, the role of cognitive and behavioral interventions in the long-term management of depression needs to be further evaluated in an effort to improve the ultimate goal of care for these patients; improving their overall quality of life.”

While it’s clear that anti-depressants play a key role in the lives of people dealing with depression, there’s still a lot that’s not understood in them, especially when discussing people’s quality of life in the long term.

These New Jersey Mayors Say ‘No Way’ To Off-Duty Cops Getting High — Here’s Why

Benzinga Staff Writer

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April 26, 2022

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These New Jersey Mayors Say ‘No Way’ To Off-Duty Cops Getting High — Here’s Why

While police advocates have concurred that cannabis use by law enforcement is a legal gray area, two New Jersey mayors are adamantly against it.

By Jelena Martinovic

Adult-use cannabis sales went into effect in New Jersey last Thursday, 17 months after New Jerseyans voted to legalize it.

Like other weed enthusiasts, police officers are also welcome to buy and consume recreational marijuana in one of 13 retail locations run by the seven treatment centers.

As per a recent memo from acting New Jersey AG Matthew Platkin to police chiefs, New Jersey cops can consume cannabis without penalty while off the job. A weed-tainted urine test would not serve as cause for firing, reported Police1.com.

Platkin also emphasized that “there should be zero tolerance for cannabis use, possession or intoxication while performing the duties of a law enforcement officer.”

Two Mayors Are Not Happy With Platkin’s Decision

While police advocates have concurred that cannabis use by law enforcement is a legal gray area, two New Jersey mayors are adamantly against it.

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop tweeted last Wednesday on 4/20 that Jersey City police officers will be fired if they consume marijuana, even while off-duty, reported Hudson. He added that a directive will be issued to the city’s nearly 1,000 police officers that marijuana use “will not be permitted” and threatened that the city “will pursue termination.”

“The fact is that all of the officers/recruits attest to the federal government via (Department of Justice) + (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) paperwork when they receive their firearms that they will not use any federally prohibited drugs including marijuana,” Fulop said in the tweet. “New Jersey’s policies allowing law enforcement to smoke is an outlier nationally and one that will put our officers + community at risk with impaired judgment.”

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis followed suit. “As a retired police officer myself, I know that sworn law enforcement officers must be held to a higher standard, and I believe that allowing marijuana use by off-duty personnel would lead to lawsuits that would endanger both taxpayers and public safety by making it harder to win criminal convictions.”

Prosecutorial Misconduct- The Invisible Problem Behind The Police — Photo by Jose Maria Hernandez/EyeEm/Getty Images

The police union advises members that it’s best not to chance it, while Governor Phil Murphy is open to considering a bill barring off-duty cops from partaking if and when it ends up on his desk.

“No one knows what constitutes still under the influence,” said Pat Colligan, president of the New Jersey’s Policemen’s Benevolent Association, which has 33,000 members. “If I smoke a joint on a Saturday, I’m still going to have it in my system on Monday morning and for 30 days.”

GOP Senators Deeply Concerned

In the meantime, a group of Republican senators was eager to let Platkin know their concerns.

In their letter, the senators warned of several potential problems, conflicts, and liabilities that could arise as a result of Platkin’s memo reported Insider NJ.

They stressed that “marijuana users are federally prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms, an omission that may put officers unknowingly at risk of criminal prosecution, or that the legitimacy of DRE evidence is currently being questioned by the New Jersey Supreme Court.”

Senators further explained that the inevitable consequences of this policy for municipal and county governments include the potential loss of federal contracts or funding due to deferral prohibition of marijuana – viewing it as a Schedule I drug.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

Biden Issues First Pardons To Those With Federal Cannabis And Drug Convictions

Benzinga Staff Writer

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April 26, 2022

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Biden Issues First Pardons To Those With Federal Cannabis And Drug Convictions

Biden remains unwavering in his opposition to adult-use marijuana legalization although active discussions among top lawmakers and officials about its legal status are ongoing.

By Jelena Martinovic

President Joe Biden has finally granted clemency to dozens of individuals with non-violent federal drug convictions and commuted the sentences of 75 people who were serving time at home because of the pandemic. He also issued three pardons.

The president’s move marks his first clemency action after over a year in the Oval Office. However, according to an official White House press release, only nine of the clemencies mentioned cannabis. A mass pardon for people serving time over the plant has yet to happen, much to the disappointment of advocates and families of those incarcerated.

“America is a nation of laws and second chances, redemption, and rehabilitation,” Biden said in a statement. “Elected officials on both sides of the aisle, faith leaders, civil rights advocates, and law enforcement leaders agree that our criminal justice system can and should reflect these core values that enable safer and stronger communities.”

Biden’s move builds on Trump’s decision to sign the bipartisan First Step Act into law. Many of the people who were granted relief “would have received a lower sentence if they were charged with the same offense today,” Biden acknowledged.

Biden Opposes Recreational Marijuana

In the meantime, Biden remains unwavering in his opposition to adult-use marijuana legalization although active discussions among top lawmakers and officials about its legal status are ongoing.

What Are Lawmakers Doing To Push The Envelope?

The House of Representatives approved the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, H.R. 3617 on April 1, sending it to Senate. The MORE Act removes cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act, allowing states to legalize cannabis, its production and sale free from federal interference.

Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and fellow Sens. Cory Booker and Ron Wyden, introduced the outline of the Cannabis Administration & Opportunity Act (CAOA) in July 2021. They are seeking to file the comprehensive proposal before the August reces s, after a recent delay.

With lawmakers urging President Biden to consider cannabis legalization, many speculate on whether he will succumb to the wishes of supporters from his own party as well as many in the GOP, or if he’ll use his veto power to nix the cannabis legalization bill once it’s on his desk.

marijuana legalization — Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images

Lawmakers Continue To Push For Cannabis Legalization

In December, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) urged the president to take unilateral action on cannabis policy.

“Biden needs to lean on his executive authority now. He has been delaying and underutilizing it so far,” AOC tweeted. “There is an enormous amount he can do on climate, student debt, immigration, cannabis, health care and more. Time is running out — we need to move and use alternative paths.”

Paul Quirk, a political scientist at the University of British Columbia in Canada, recently said that Biden “would be hard-pressed to veto” legislation that supports cannabis use because he can’t allow losing the younger generation of voters, reported Newsweek.

“Legalization is favored by two-thirds of all Americans, an even higher percentage of Democrats, and the vast majority of younger people. The 18-39-year-old age group is exactly where Biden has lost the most support since his inauguration,” Quirk said.

“Vetoing marijuana legalization would make Biden public-official enemy No. 1 to many of the young voters whose support he badly needs to win back.”

Marsha Cohen, a law professor at UC Hastings partially agrees with Quirk, even though chances are slim that the bill will be approved in the Senate.

“Young people may also be those least likely to be responsive to pollsters right now because they might not care. This [bill] might ‘talk’ to them,” Cohen told Newsweek.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

Legal Weed Is Changing The Drug Testing Workplace

Terry Hacienda

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April 26, 2022

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Legal Weed Is Changing The Drug Testing Workplace

As the legal status of cannabis grows, company policymakers should begin to embrace change to ensure the most talented pool of workers aren’t kicked out or locked out of the best institutions.

Quest Diagnostics recently revealed that the number of positive drug tests in American workplaces from January to December 2021 is more than the total amounts turned in from the early 2000s to 2019. This statistic shows that Americans are using drugs more than ever. On the brighter side, marijuana accounts for a substantial percentage of these test results. According to the report by Quest Diagnostics, published in the Wall Street Journal, about six million samples were tested, and 3.9% were positive for cannabis use.

Since this report is an annual report, it was easy to compare past and present figures. A careful look at Quest’s 2020 indexes reveals that the current statistics for positive cannabis tests are at a two-decade all-time high. There’s at least a 7% increase from the pandemic year 2020. Comparing the latest statistics to the numbers recorded in 2017 or earlier would show an even wider gap. The figures for 2021 are at least 50% higher than the figures for positive drug tests in 2015.

Positive Drug Tests Hit In Workers Hit A Two Decade High — Photo via Getty

The most obvious takeaway from this data is that Americans are reorienting their attitudes toward cannabis use. The public’s perception of the drug continuously evolves in favor of marijuana. The new cannabis legislation in different states has played, and is still playing, a huge role in public cannabis acceptance.

Drug Test Policies in the Workplace

Workplace drug tests are an everyday occurrence in most developed countries. Companies in both the private and public sectors in the United States consider it an essential factor in ensuring their workers are fit to work or serve in their various units. Some companies carry out this test exercise before employing the workers and continue to test irregularly to ensure the workers keep to the company’s rules.

Federal government agencies are some of the many companies and workplaces where drug tests are incredibly crucial. A history of drug use and a positive drug test is enough to eliminate an applicant or terminate a worker’s contract. To them, it’s a matter of security.

Quest Diagnostics pointed out that with each piece of cannabis legislation added, fewer companies are testing for THC. Some cannabis legal states have cleared off cannabis from their drug test requirements. In addition to this, a few states with recreational and medical cannabis laws have approved legislation to prevent companies from testing existing and prospective employees for marijuana.

Currently, the cannabis testing requirements of workplaces are slightly different from state to state, depending on the state’s legislation and the company’s stance on cannabis use. The perception of cannabis in all nooks and crannies of the United States is still evolving, and the final straw would be a change in federal cannabis laws.

Failed Drug Tests

For now, cannabis remains illegal at the federal level. Yet, more employees in legal and non-legal states are failing their drug tests, including federal workers.

Most fingers point at the pandemic as the leading cause of the rise in these statistics. Experts explained that the lockdown period that caused a shortage of employees during the pandemic caused some employers to be more lenient. For example, if a worker fails a cannabis test today, they are let off with a warning or minimal punishment, whereas in the past, the worker had a high risk of being let off for the same offense.

It is important to note that cannabis drug tests are the only tests being handled this way. Other prohibited drugs, like cocaine and heroin, are still forbidden and thoughtfully frowned upon in all establishments. Employers are only lenient toward failed “cannabis” tests, nothing else.

Additionally, industries where workers have to handle heavy machinery, have made no move to change their drug testing policies. This is understandable because workers need to be on alert at all times. A change in policies in these establishments could result in dozens of accidents.

There are varying perceptions of cannabis in the labor market. Younger employees are the chief consumers of these products, but they are mostly cut off from employment opportunities because of drug test limits. It is also one of the reasons why the freelance sector is growing by the day—prospective and talented employees are not mandated to take any drug tests.

smoking weed at work — Photo by thamyrissalgueiro/Getty Images

Moving Forward

In the next few years, private and public companies will either choose to amend or maintain their drug test policies. This discussion of drug tests in the workplace cannot be concluded until a standard drug policy is implemented across all 50 states. Conversations will continue to shift each day.

Less than five weeks ago, the Department of Transportation proposed a new policy that would allow employees to decide which options they want for their drug tests. With this new rule, employers would have to provide at least two options for drug-testing workers. It could be urine, saliva, or even blood tests. The employee would decide.

Most companies prefer to test urine samples. This is the norm because urinalysis can detect THC use within four weeks. On the other hand, saliva tests only detect THC if used within the last 24 hours. Blood samples can spot THC use for up to six weeks. You can already guess which test workers would opt for if this new rule is passed.

The importance of drug tests cannot be overemphasized in some workplaces. In these places, workers who fail drug tests are either placed on probation or let off. These organizations have safety as their watchword. Even government organizations disclosed some weeks back that workers and contractors who are in the federal government’s employ would have their passes rescinded if they fail their drug tests. However, most companies can afford to make their drug policies less restrictive.

The reality of the country’s existence portrays cannabis as a widely accepted drug for medical and recreational reasons, hence, laws across workplaces must reflect this. As the legal status of cannabis gets stronger each day, company policymakers should begin to embrace change to ensure the most talented pool of workers aren’t kicked out or locked out of the best work institutions.

Support For Drug Decriminalization Among GOP Voters On The Rise, New Poll Reveals How Much

Benzinga Staff Writer

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April 26, 2022

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Support For Drug Decriminalization Among GOP Voters On The Rise, New Poll Reveals How Much

The number of states taking steps toward drug decriminalization is on the rise, including Vermont, Florida, Maryland, Rhode Island and Washington State, to name a few.

By Jelena Martinovic

Since Richard Nixon declared the War on Drugs nearly 51 years ago, arrests, convictions and mass incarceration have been the centerpiece of the U.S.’s drug policy approach.

The first significant breakthrough in the field of drug decriminalization came in the form of the Drug Policy Alliance’s 2020 legislative proposal “Dismantling the Federal Drug War: A Comprehensive Drug Decriminalization Framework,” which seeks to remove criminal penalties for all possession or personal-use quantities of controlled substances, shifting resources towards a public health approach.

marijuana arrest — Photo by Gleti/Getty Images

Later that year, Oregonians approved a measure that marked an unprecedented change in the history of U.S. drug policy. Measure 110, which passed with 58.8% of the vote on the November ballot, decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of all illegal drugs, including cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, methamphetamine and LSD, among others. It also creates a support program for drug abuse and addiction.

In June 2021, U.S. House Reps Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Cori Bush (D-MO), in collaboration with the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), introduced the Drug Policy Reform Act (DPRA) — a bill seeking to end criminal penalties for drugs possession at the federal level. At the time, a poll by Data for Progress and The Appeal, which analyze public opinion around drug prohibition and decriminalization, revealed that seven in ten Americans say they believe federal drug policies are not working and need to be reformed.

GOP Support For Drug Decriminalization Grows

The new survey from Data For Progress and the People’s Action Institute found that a vast majority of Americans, including most Republicans, support drug decriminalization.

While there are still 25% of those who oppose the reform, support for the proposal has increased by 10 percentage points overall since voters were asked about it last year.

The recent survey, which involved 1,260 likely voters and a margin of error of +/-3 percentage points, revealed that a majority of Republican voters (54%) agree with drug decriminalization as compared to 42% last year.

Democrats and independents back the policy change at 82% and 75%, respectively.

“Last year, the state of Oregon decriminalized the possession of small amounts of drugs. Instead of being prosecuted, a person possessing small amounts of drugs will receive a fine (like a parking ticket). A person can get the fine waived if they participate in screenings from services like treatment, housing, mental health care, and employment. Would you support or oppose a similar measure nationwide,” a new decriminalization question asked, thereby providing more specifics about the policy.

What US Government Could Learn From Oregon’s New Drug Decriminalization Law — Photo by LeszekCzerwonka/Getty Images

Overdose Prevention Centers Gain Popularity

A national poll released Friday showed that support for overdose prevention centers (OPCs) is also growing. Nearly two-thirds of those asked support safe consumption sites.

New York City became the first in the nation to open OPCs in November, where people can use illicit drugs and receive medical care and services. Three weeks after opening the OPCs, the NYC Health Department reported that the sites had saved dozens of lives by having averted at least 59 overdoses and that the sites were utilized more than 2,000 times.

With nearly two in five Americans either knowing someone who has or is struggling with addiction or overdose, OPCs are becoming a necessity.

To tackle the record number of overdoses, President Joe Biden unveiled a new strategy on Thursday for dealing with drug addiction as well as overdoses. In his plan, Biden seeks to expand access to medication for opioid overdoses, increase funding for law enforcement and expand sanctions against traffickers, reported Reuters.

In the meantime, the number of states taking steps toward drug decriminalization is on the rise, including Vermont, Florida, Maryland, Rhode Island and Washington State, to name a few.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

NY Considers Letting Restaurants Infuse Their Food With Weed

Maria Loreto

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April 25, 2022

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NY Considers Letting Restaurants Infuse Their Food With Weed

The Empire State may soon allow eateries to spike their food with cannabis. But there’s a drawback to that plan, at least for those who want to keep their liquor license.

This would certainly give “pizza joint” a whole new meaning. New York state appears to be considering the sale of edibles in pizzerias and other eateries. But there’s a big downside for these restaurants if they decide to partake.

According to a spokesman for the city’s Office of Cannabis Management, there have been discussions of possible cannabis licenses, which could be awarded to restaurants.

marijuana dispensary — Photo by RODNAE Productions via Pexels

The New York Post reports that Aaron Ghitelman, the spokesperson for the Office of Cannabis Management, has confirmed there have been discussions about awarding such licenses to food preparers. However, “the regulations regarding infused food products have not been released yet,” he stressed.

The NY Post reports that pizza makers and shops in the state have already started to think of ways of getting involved with the cannabis industry, including infused oils and sauces.

Lawmakers claim that in reality, selling edibles at these establishments is complex and something that will have to be heavily monitored since children aren’t allowed within businesses that sell cannabis. Products will also have to be packaged correctly, indicating the amount of cannabis per serving, something that can prove troublesome when talking about a slice of pizza.

But perhaps the biggest buzzkill for restaurants: They can’t sell liquor and cannabis; it has to be one or the other.

Cannabis pizza joints join dozens of businesses in the city that have started selling weed despite the fact that no recreational cannabis program is in place (the first licenses are expected to be handed out in the fall). These businesses operate under murky legal ground, taking advantage of a loophole that looks the other way when it comes to this kind of behavior. Bright green trucks, pop-up stores, and more have appeared throughout the city, taking advantage of the current relaxed regulations.

An article in The Guardian claims that New York state isn’t happy with these types of businesses. Still, cracking down on them seems like a worse outcome, with authorities believing that there isn’t much that can be done until cannabis is legalized and the appropriate rules and legislations are put in place.

For the time being, cannabis sellers and those interested in getting involved with the industry have a bit more leeway, and the opportunity to get away with things they normally wouldn’t — something that will likely change very soon.

Democratic Party In Alabama Launches ‘Free Weed’ Site: Republicans Call It ‘A Stunt,’ Is It?

Benzinga Staff Writer

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April 25, 2022

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Democratic Party In Alabama Launches ‘Free Weed’ Site: Republicans Call It ‘A Stunt,’ Is It?

In addition to advocating for adult-use marijuana legalization, the website is also promoting the state Democratic Party and its candidates.

By Nina Zdinjak

The Democratic Party in Alabama launched a new site with the idea of gathering more support for its marijuana legalization efforts. The site, launched on 4/20, is dubbed “Free Weed,” according to AP via USNews.

The site points out that prosecutions for small amounts of marijuana are wasting the state’s criminal justice resources. It also underscores that weed prohibition indiscriminately and unequally affects people of color. The group behind the website argues that legal cannabis can be economically beneficial to Alabama.

“Alabama’s Republican politicians seem hellbent on wasting money criminalizing ordinary people, ruining lives in the process,” said state Rep. Chris England, chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party in a statement, adding that “criminalizing cannabis doesn’t make us safer.”

Real Marijuana Legalization Efforts Or Just A Political Stunt?

In addition to advocating for adult-use marijuana legalization, the website is also promoting the state Democratic Party and its candidates and includes links for donations, voter registration and volunteer opportunities. It also offers “Free Weed” t-shirts and other merchandise for sale.

What About Republicans?

As expected, Alabama Republican Party chairman John Wahl called the site a stunt.

“The Alabama Republican Party supports traditional family values. It’s important to us that our society and our families stay safe, strong, and healthy. The recreational use of marijuana does not encourage these principles,” Wahl stated.

Regarding marijuana, Alabama made headlines earlier this month when its Senate approved a controversial bill that requires women between the ages of 13 and 50 to prove that they are not pregnant and not breastfeeding before being allowed to buy medical cannabis.

Something tells us this is just the beginning and that we will soon, and often, be hearing intriguing news about cannabis developments in Alabama.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

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