American Democracy Is Under Assault By The Drug Warriors

Opinion

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May 17, 2021

American Democracy Is Under Assault By The Drug Warriors

So-called conservatives are not only opposed medical marijuana, they are doing everything possible to thwart the will of the voters after the initiatives pass with overwhelming majorities.

***Disclaimer:* *The views expressed in this article solely belong to the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Fresh Toast.***

The only thing Americans seem to agree on is that our democracy is in danger. Was the election stolen by Joe Biden, or is Donald Trump trying to undermine the electoral process?

In the last few years, the so-called “progressives”, with the partial exception of Biden, have discovered that they have always been in favor of legalizing marijuana, after they finally read the polls. African American leaders, historically influenced by their clergy, who opposed marijuana legalization, are demanding economic preference for the victims of their policies. 

SEE: Don’t Mention The Drug War. We Must Decriminalize Being Black Because Black Freedom Matters

Democratic Senate Leaders Announce Plan To Federally Legalize Marijuana in 2021 — Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the so-called “conservatives” wave the flag and talk about “freedom” and denounce vaccines and face masks as satanic. They not only opposed medical marijuana in various referendums, they are doing everything possible to thwart the will of the voters after the initiatives pass with overwhelming majorities.

In South Dakota, almost 70% of the voters supported medical marijuana, but the prohibitionists are doing everything possible to block it. One state representative even said that she had just come from the conferences of South Dakota fire chiefs and law enforcement and that the chiefs want “a seat at the table regarding marijuana.”

Nebraska’s Governor Pete Rickett, who has been called the “Trumpiest Trumpster of the bunch,” has proclaimed, “If you legalize marijuana, you’re gonna kill your kids”. 

SEE: Nebraska Governor Says There Is No Such Thing As Medical Marijuana  AND: I Wonder If Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts Has Heard of the Nine Commandments AND FINALLY: Nebraska Sheriff Blocks Medical Marijuana Initiative With Anonymously Funded Lawsuit Against the Consent of the Governed

Meanwhile, in Trump’s new home state, “Miami’s city government has rejected cannabis dispensaries since Florida voters approved the creation of a full-fledged medical marijuana marketplace in a 2016 referendum that amended the state Constitution. Instead of creating zoning restrictions to regulate where dispensaries can open, or outright banning them, Miami has created no new laws and relied on an internal legal opinion that the change to the Florida Constitution was moot because federal law continues to categorize marijuana as an illegal substance with no medicinal value.

“By contrast, Miami Beach, Coral Gables and other local governments approved zoning regulations that dictate where dispensaries can go, even if they did so begrudgingly.”

Why Does Congress Need Two Years To Federally Legalize Marijuana? — Photo by matt_benoit/Getty Images

But it gets worse. Slate reports, “On Thursday, the Florida Supreme Court—probably the most conservative state high court in the country–concluded that the state’s voters could not be trusted with a ballot initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana for adults. By a 5–2 vote, the court tossed out the initiative, denying Florida residents the opportunity to vote on it. To justify its action, the majority seized upon a dubious rationale: It asserted that the ballot summary implies that the initiative will somehow legalize marijuana under federal law, rendering it ‘affirmatively misleading.’ Because of this putative defect, the court denied Floridians an opportunity to repeal state laws banning recreational weed.”

Meanwhile in our nation’s capital, Mitch McConnell and Joe Mancin will decide whether the Senate can even vote on any federal cannabis legalization. Ironically, the “founding  fathers” were afraid of too much democracy, but they could always go home to their hemp farms. 

SEE: Will Prohibitionists Tie The New Conservative Movement To Trump?

Richard Cowan is a former NORML National Director and author of Potential Benefits Of Cannabidiol For Athletes.

State Governments Are Starting To Ban Delta-8 THC

Terry Hacienda

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May 17, 2021

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State Governments Are Starting To Ban Delta-8 THC

Last month, a warning was raised by a chemist on the constituents of delta-8 THC, its production techniques, and other unknowns.

Delta-8 THC is fast becoming an ever-present compound. While this may seem like good news, it is a thing of concern. There seems to be a lot of misinformation about this compound, with a lot of concerns about the production, labeling, and marketing strategy.

Colorado has recently banned sales of delta-8 THC products, and other states like Vermont have already removed it from the shelves.

Demand Is Booming For Delta-8 — Photo by Hector Roqueta Rivero/Getty Images

Delta-8 THC is commercially produced by different companies., with each company having its unique technique for preparing d8 isolates. These techniques have no regulations and most times third-party tests are not done. Because to this, some companies are introducing unhealthy compounds like heavy metals when creating these isolates.

This poses a huge risk to consumers that constantly purchase food items containing delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol. Not to forget that these items can be found almost everywhere. More so, producers and vendors are actively marketing these products.

The question that remains is: How safe are these products? The marketers don’t seem to know, neither do the vendors. If they do, they are not giving any proof.

Four weeks ago, a warning was raised by Josh Swider on the constituents of the delta-8 THC, its production techniques, and other unknowns.

Who Is Josh Swider?

He is a chemist whose drive is to obtain considerable knowledge about the workings of science. He is well versed in the medical properties and benefits of cannabis and is always on the hunt for deeper knowledge on the subject.

This is why he is inclined to know why there is a limited amount of research, as well as public awareness about delta-8 infused products.

RELATED: Demand Is Booming For Delta-8

It is worthy to note that he is one of the co-founders of Chemical Analysis Labs, also called Infinite CAL. CAL was established in 2016 by Mr. Swider and fellow chemist David Merlius.

The mission statement of the company reads: “to provide the cannabis industry with accurate and timely analytical services of the highest quality while meeting or exceeding their clients’ expectations.”

Why A Caution Flag Is Needed On The Race For Delta-8 THC

A few weeks ago during an interview, Swider, who emphasized that he wasn’t an attorney, stated clearly that the World Health Organizatin (WHO) guidelines on the production of delta-8 weren’t clear enough.The synthesis of one cannabinoid to another is classified illegal by the WHO.

On one hand, we have “synthesis” and on the other, “conversion”.

Delta-8 Vs Delta-9: What's The Difference? — Photo by Ndispensable via Unsplash

According to the oxford dictionary, conversion is the process of changing the form, character, or function of a compound. While synthesis is the process of producing a new chemical compound from simpler materials through chemical reactions.

However, this is not so clear.

Only a well-versed chemist can understand the WHO paper on the synthesis of cannabinoids. A non-informed individual would get confused with the terminologies used therein.

Mr. Swider also clarified that there are various ways to convert CBD to delta-8, but none of these methods can give a 100% yield of pure delta-8 isolates. The output always comes out with some unknown variety of compounds. The percentage of these unknown compounds varies depending on the method used.

The WHO can instead point out efficient and cleaner methods of isolating delta-8 from these cannabinoids, because companies are usually left with the task of identifying the unknown compounds, as well as determining how to separate them from the needed d-8 isolates.

What Can Marijuana Strain Names Tell You About A Product? — Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

The problem now is that several companies rather than look for ways to separate these unknowns, invalidate their presence instead. Hence, the ubiquitous consumables filled with unhealthy compounds found everywhere in the market.

And example is when CBD is converted and the result is 70% delta-8 THC and 30% unknown. The chemist is meant to convert these unknowns into a more pure product, because the 30% unknown can make or mar a product.

Looking at it from a consumer perspective

Swider pointed out that he had no discrimination about the delta-8 compound, seeing that some people were preparing it efficiently. However, there are questions regarding production techniques that need to be clarified.

Commercial producers of these isolates are only concerned about making it in time and enough quantify, pushing aside the health and safety of the consumer.

All consumables must be efficiently tested, with their quality modified to fit consumption.

Nowadays, these companies claim they carry out tests. But there is a lot of doubt cast over the genuineness of these test sites. Not to mention the authenticity of the results. These companies seem to uphold profit over ethics when it should be the other way around. It is quite absurd that these test results are not questioned.

What Are Heirloom Marijuana Strains, Exactly? — Photo by Elsa Olofsson via Unsplash

During the interview, Swider reiterated that first and foremost, his biggest issue about the delta-8 topic is public safety.

Unlike delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC is naturally scarce. It can be found in very limited quantities in some plants. The process of extracting this compound is also complex. Suffice to say, these chemical processes are necessary to create d8 isolates.

Safety of D-8 Products

At this point, there is no way to generally classify these products as safe.

Some tips to follow before and after purchasing these products include:

Speaking with a medical professional to guarantee its safety
Take little doses of a product at once
Call into the producer’s company to make inquiries.
Check out other reviews on the internet
Fish out and study lab tests of the product before use

Licensed delta-8 products have labels with advice such as “do not operate heavy machinery” when you’re not sure of the product’s effects.

All of these safety measures and more should be adhered to to ensure the drug is fit for consumption, as well as ensure the consumer is safe after using.

Bottom Line

The forced reactions when converting CBD to delta-8 isolates have been proven to yield unknown compounds. To ascertain the purity of these products, tests are needed to first determine the exact composition of these unknowns.

As more research is being carried out, the reactions yielding unknowns might be discovered and corrected. Several DIY chemists are working on these conversions, alongside professional laboratories.

Before purchasing your delta-8 THC products, do well to carry out informative research about the brand and the product also.

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

5 Best Apps To Find Audiobooks

Maria Loreto

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May 16, 2021

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Audiobooks are an incredibly popular platform for publishing. Here are some of the best apps to find a new favorite.

Audiobooks are a fast growing area of publishing. Providing ample options and convenience to consumers, audiobooks are the ideal companions for any type of activity, from cooking to commuting. Like podcasts, they’re digestible and convenient and they’re not going away any time soon.

Here are some of the best apps where you can find audiobooks:

Audible

heres how you can fall asleep while listening to music without draining your iphones battery — Photo via freestocks.org

With over 200,000 titles in its library, Audible is the powerhouse of audiobooks. The app provides users with great playback features, sleep mode and the capacity to multitask, being a malleable option for listeners of all types. Readers of Kindle books can also now find titles with Audible features, meaning that they can own the digital copy of the book while also having listening features for when you’re driving, cooking or busy doing something else.

Apple and Google Play Books

For Apple and Android users, these apps allows you to have audiobooks without the need of a third party app, just as if they were buying songs from their usual app store.

Hoopla

College Students Seek CBD For Pain And Stress Management — Photo by tortugadatacorp via Pixabay

Being one of the few free apps on this list, Hoopla provides you with your local library on your phone. This means that you get audiobooks, but also movies, television shows, ebooks, comics and more. You only need to sign up with your library card.

Realm

What Will Comic Books Look Like In 2018 — Photo by Lena Orwig via Unsplash

For those who are interested in content that leans more towards sci-fi, Realm is an interesting choice. Providing original programming, their audio content provides listeners with bite-sized selections that range from Thor: Metal Gods to the continuation of Orphan Black. The first episode is free and following installments cost $1.99 per episode.

Libro.fm

Best Independent Bookstores — Photo by freddie marriage via Unsplash

Providing support for your local bookstore, Libro.fm splits the profits they earn from audiobooks with the independent bookstore of your choice, something that is much needed after the pandemic. You can pay via a monthly membership that costs $14.99 per month or by buying individual titles.

What Ever Happened To All Of That Fentanyl-Laced Marijuana?

Mike Adams

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May 16, 2021

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What Ever Happened To All Of That Fentanyl-Laced Marijuana?

It might have begun as a fluke, a scare tactic, and eventually spiraled out of control and frightened the nation into thinking they might die a horrible death from smoking weed.

Right before the world got hammered with a pandemic that infected millions of people, put even more out of work, and led to months of lockdowns that convinced the population that life was never going to be the same; there was allegedly another savage scourge showing up all over the United States threatening to kill drug users: fentanyl-laced marijuana.

As early as 2017, reports began to surface, suggesting that black market drug dealers were selling cannabis mixed with the dangerous opioid. Law enforcement and even the White House warned this bizarre mixture could potentially kill thousands of Americans. Yet, those reports are now virtually non-existent.

marijuana fentanyl opioids — Photo by Roxana Gonzalez/EyeEm/Getty Images

It all began with some local yokels out of Ohio claiming that they “have seen fentanyl mixed with marijuana.” Even though a DEA spokesman said at the time that he wasn’t familiar with any cases of pot being mixed with the synthetic opioid, he told the press that “there could be some.”

What the DEA failed to mention, however, was that those potential cases would likely only entail marijuana users purposely combining pot with fentanyl to produce a unique high. Pot users have been known to mix weed with various chemicals (even embalming fluid) to enhance their buzzes. But it is doubtful that marijuana was ever being laced with weed in the black market. It just doesn’t make financial sense in any capacity to do so. But considering the huge body count that had been reported over the years from fentanyl-related overdoses, people freaked out.

By spring of 2018, even the federal government bought into the madness. Former Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar told a group of young people at the White House that marijuana was being laced with fentanyl. Later, NIDA director Nora Volkow backed up this claim, saying, “Fentanyl is being used to lace a wide variety of drugs, including marijuana.” In 2019, Kellyanne Conway, who served as the Trump Administration’s czar on the opioid epidemic, revealed that people were “unwittingly” ingesting marijuana laced with fentanyl. “It’s laced into heroin, marijuana, meth, cocaine, and it’s also just being distributed by itself,” she said.

But none of those claims appear to be true. There is no doubt that the opioid crisis was and still is a national killing machine — taking out around 70,000 people every year. But a DEA chemist eventually came forward to say that if there was a problem with fentanyl-laced pot, the death toll would be much more devastating. Presumably, more casualties than the COVID debacle.

Nevertheless, law enforcement kept coming out from time to time to report fentanyl-laced weed in their neck of the woods. Police in parts of New York were perhaps the most vocal about the alleged scourge. “With fentanyl-laced marijuana now confirmed to be in New York state, I am extremely concerned for the safety of anyone using marijuana,” Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol told the Oneida Daily Dispatch. Still, there hasn’t been a single report of fentanyl-laced marijuana since 2019.

So, where did it go? Did all the black-market drug dealers suddenly muster some scruples and decide to jettison all underhanded practices that involved selling weed dosed with deadly opioids? Probably not. It’s more plausible that the shoddy details of marijuana-laced fentanyl just got its 15-minutes of fame.

But now it is played out, just like every other piece of fake news that floats to the surface. It might have begun as a fluke, a scare tactic, and eventually spiraled out of control and frightened the nation into thinking they might die a horrible death from smoking weed. In reality, we would hear a lot more about these mishaps if they were actually happening — even if only occasionally. No, while some folks may have experimented with fentanyl-laced pot over the years, it doesn’t seem to be a trend worthy of 2021.

Nice try.

Can You Work From Home Forever? A Lot Of People Want To

Culture

Maria Loreto

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May 16, 2021

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Can You Work From Home Forever? A Lot Of People Want To

After a year of remote work, a lot of people aren’t ready to return to the office.

The pandemic has forever changed how and where we work. According to research conducted by the PEW Research Center, 71% of people who didn’t work remotely in the past found themselves working from home for the majority of 2020. While hitting a few roadblocks along the way, working from home has proven to be relatively easy and profitable for the majority of offices.

With the vaccine in circulation, the return to the office is one of the most discussed topics for a variety of people. While a lot of workers are happy about this, especially parents who cherish an office space for getting their work done, a subset of people don’t think that returning to the office is necessary. 2020 proved that remote work is possible and effective and that it allows people to spend more time with their families than before.

COVID-19 Pandemic Increasing Global Demand For Marijuana, Says United Nations — Photo by Ivan Samkov via Pexels

A survey conducted by Harvard Business School found that 81% participants who had worked from home during the past year preferred a hybrid model or to continue to work from home.

“As we’re preparing to get back to business as usual, it seems professionals don’t want ‘business as usual,'” said Patrick Mullane, Harvard Business School online executive director. “They want flexibility from their employers to allow them to maintain the new work/home balance and productivity they have come to enjoy.”

Despite the difficulty of adapting to a work from home schedule and the fact that there’s many distractions around, the majority of people prefer a hybrid model, something that would allow them to work on the office some days and work from home on others.

How To Improve Your Internet When Working From Home — Photo by Thought Catalog via Unsplash

One thing is sure: many changes in the work force are coming.

“The great resignation is coming, “Anthony Klotz, associate professor of management at Texas A&M University, told Bloomberg. He explained that, due to last year’s uncertainty, a lot of people stayed in their jobs despite being unhappy or wanting to do something different with their careers. He said there’s a lot of uncertainty coming for both companies and employees.

In the article “How to Quit Your Job in the Great Post-Pandemic Resignation Boom,” Bloomberg states that “Companies are figuring out how to maintain their cultures and employees, so many are offering multiple options: Do you want to come back full time? Work remotely? In-office three days a week? Four days? One day? It will be unclear whether these options will be permanent, making it difficult for employees to decide whether to stay or go.”

In the coming months, a lot of workers will find themselves weighing their options. Big changes are coming and employees will have some leverage with their companies, allowing them some breathing room and perhaps an adoption of a hybrid model or the chance to work from home. The way in which companies adapt will determine the happiness of their employees.

Bongs And Pipes What’s The Best Option For New Smokers

Maria Loreto

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May 15, 2021

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Bongs And Pipes What’s The Best Option For New Smokers

Bongs and pipes are great first steps for any marijuana enthusiast. They’re a natural progression for someone who’s smoked some weed with friends and wants to develop a deeper relationship with cannabis.

New cannabis smokers face many exciting first steps. Whether to buy sativa or indica, consume edibles, smoke joints or vapes, and which rolling papers to use. It can all be very overwhelming. One of the more exciting indoctrinations is purchasing your first smoking piece; should you go for a bong or a pipe? They both have their pros and cons.

Bongs and pipes are the most traditional routes for smoking. If you have one of these, you only need some weed and hopefully a grinder. Here’s a breakdown of the two:

Pipes

Pipes are the most comfortable and portable option. They’re discreet and don’t ask for any skill when trying to smoke. You pack your bowl and you’re all set. Pipes are generally cheaper and last for longer periods of time. If it falls and it breaks, it’s very easy to replace and not a lot of tears will be shed.

Pipes are a good option for someone who is experimenting with cannabis. It’s a simple and cheap commitment. The pipe can be put away when it’s not in use and won’t take up much room in your place. It’s also a good option when living with parents or conservative roommates. Pipes range from one hitters, to disposable and elaborate pieces.

Bongs

Bongs are not portable or easy to disguise, but they are one of the first and most popular investments to which a cannabis person commits. Since they’re water pipes, they make for a smoother hit, keeping some of the ash in the water and preventing your lungs from feeling like they’re on fire. Bong users generally love their bongs and prefer smoking from them over any other pieces or methods.

While slightly intimidating for those who have never used them, bongs are easier to control than hits from other devices. Still, since they’re a bit more expensive than the average pipe, they’re worth thinking over and doing some research since there’s tons of options out there. They’re delicate and not discreet, making it tough to hide them and put them in a place where they can’t be found.

What Is Vasodilation And Why Does It Happen When You Smoke Weed? — Photo by Alessandro Zambon via Unsplash

Bongs and pipes are great first steps for any marijuana enthusiast. They are the natural progression for someone who’s smoked some weed with friends and wants to develop a deeper relationship with cannabis. In the end, it’s all up to your personal preference and whether you want something that can be carried on the go or smoked comfortably indoors.

Cannabis Is Stealing Workers From Just About Every Other Industry

Julie Aitcheson

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May 15, 2021

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Cannabis Is Stealing Workers From Just About Every Other Industry

Unsurprisingly, California comes in first in the number of total cannabis jobs at 58,000, with Colorado and Florida nearly tied for second.

Job growth for the United States in April 2021 might not have quite matched expectations with a disappointing increase of 266,000 jobs and an unemployment rate rise for the first time since 2020, but executive search and staffing firm Cannabiz Team’s latest Cannabis Industry Salary Guide for Q2 2021 tells a different story for the cannabis market.

With 320,000 full-time cannabis jobs in the U.S., the cannabis industry ranks as the fastest-growing industry in America. As cannabis legalization spreads, projections have cannabis hitting $35 billion dollars in sales and providing 500,000 full-time jobs by 2024. Cannabiz’s report covers the rising demand for skilled staff, how this is driving compensation, and how big-name MSO’s are starting to scout outside of the industry for top-dollar talent.

Increased Demand For Top Talent As Cannabis Industry Salaries Continue To Surge — Photo by
Darren415/Getty Images

At present, adult-use cannabis is legal in 17 states and D.C. and medical marijuana is legal in 36, with Connecticut, Minnesota, and Hawaii poised to follow suit. This not only means heightened demand for products, more growing operations, and production facilities coming online, and more business owners applying for licenses, but more jobs all around. Cannabiz’s Q2 jobs guide highlights where the “hot jobs” are in this expanding market, including those within supply chain management, large-scale cultivation, product and brand development, finance and accounting, administrative infrastructure, and retail.

Cannabis salaries are up across the board in these sectors and others, with double-digit increases for experienced managers and C-suite executives. The report attributes these increases to competition and a shortage of employees with specialized cannabis experience or transferable skills.

New recruits from outside the industry are coming from all corners of the U.S. economy, most significantly from the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, agricultural, medical supply, CPG, technology, and retail industries. John Deere, Proctor and Gamble (NYSE: PG), and Tesla are among the country’s largest companies from which multi-state cannabis operations are sourcing recruits.

Unsurprisingly, California comes in first in the number of total cannabis jobs at 58,000, with Colorado and Florida nearly tied for second with 35K and 31K total cannabis jobs respectively. Oklahoma and Pennsylvania hover at the bottom of the “Top Cannabis Jobs” list by state with 17K and 16K respectively.

With a cannabis company’s Chief Financial Officer’s earning potential placed at a high of over $400,00 a year according to Cannabiz data, it’s easy to see where those double digit increases fall, especially since jobs at the public-facing retail end, say for a budtender, top out at a high of around $40,000 a year. Lower-paying jobs did see a salary increase as well, though only in the single digits — a gap that stands to narrow as legalization, investment, and expansion maintains momentum for the cannabis industry.

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report and has been reposted with permission.

Marijuana Reform: Free Allen Russell

Jesse Mondry

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May 14, 2021

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In 2019, Mr. Russell was caught up in a local raid and the police seized 43 grams of marijuana. He’s now been sentenced to life in prison.

The insanity of the war on drugs needs to stop. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for adult recreational use. Roughly 40% of Americans live in jurisdictions where some form of marijuana use is legal– that’s over 130 million people. Marijuana companies trade on stock markets.

Former Congressman John Boehner, once a staunch opponent of legalization (“unalterably opposed” were his own words), now makes millions promoting marijuana. The industry generates billions of dollars of revenue and taxes and employs thousands of people. Susan Collins now supports providing marijuana businesses access to banking through the SAFE Act, and banks can hardly wait to start making money on fees, etc.

Legalization activists are winning the war. But lives are still lost daily.

Seventeen years ago, Allen Russell pleaded guilty to burglary charges and became a felon. After serving over 8-years in prison, Mr. Russell pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a weapon, which added another felony to his record, and he served a couple more years in prison.

In 2019, Mr. Russell was caught up in a local police raid and the police seized 43 grams of marijuana.

Forty-three grams of marijuana. That’s roughly 1.5 ounces. Here, in Oregon you can possess 8 ounces of marijuana in your home and up to an ounce on your person without any worry of legal trouble from state or local police.

Life sentence without eligibility for probation or parole.

That was the sentence imposed by the trial court in Mississippi.

That was the sentence affirmed by the Mississippi Supreme Court earlier this week, on May 11.

illinois pot offenders how to get your marijuana offense wiped clean — Photo by FatCamera/Getty Images

You read that right: this happened a week ago. Mr. Russell is going to spend the rest of his life in prison, with no chance of release, because of 43 grams of marijuana. The sentencing court relied on his two prior felony convictions to conclude that Mr. Russell was a “violent habitual offender” and thus deserving of a life sentence with no eligibility for probation or parole. That ruling was found correct on appeal. Make no mistake, the prior felonies are no small matter. But 43 grams of marijuana. That’s all it took for a court to decide that Mr. Russell should spend the rest of his life in prison.

No matter how hard you squint, you won’t glimpse justice in this sentence. But the institutionalized racism of the war on drugs rests in plain sight.

Mr. Russell is not even 40 years old. He’s going to be in prison for the rest of his life: watching the country legalize marijuana, watching Mr. Boehner get richer, watching Wall Street make money on marijuana stocks, watching banks profit from marijuana, watching it all from a prison cell. All because he was a felon found with 43 grams of marijuana.

This is cruel and unusual punishment.

Jesse Mondry is an attorney at Harris Bricken and this article was originally published on the Canna Law Blog and was reposted with permission.

Minnesota Votes To Legalize Adult Use Cannabis

Green Market Report

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May 14, 2021

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Minnesota Votes To Legalize Adult Use Cannabis

For Minnesotans, this is the first time any cannabis legislation for adult use has been approved.

On Thursday, Minnesota’s House of Representatives voted in favor (72-61) of HF 600, a bill that would legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over. Unfortunately for the state’s residents, the next step for the bill is getting Senate approval and Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R) has said the Republican caucus is strongly opposed.

This is despite the fact that a recent poll shows that there’s growing support for legalization in the state. Seventy percent of Minnesotans said they were in favor of legal cannabis, which has grown from just 30% in 2014. Eighty-five percent of Democrats want legal marijuana, while only 37% of Republicans say yes. Thirty-eight percent of Republicans in the state have just said no.

Minneapolis Mayor On Canada Marijuana Legalization: We Want In — Photo by Flickr user Doug Kerr

Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies at the Marijuana Policy Project said, “Minnesotans have suffered far too long under prohibition. Rather than continuing to waste resources on enforcing this failed policy, the Senate should heed the will of the voters and pass legislation to legalize cannabis for adults. Legalization would create thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenue, and it would reduce unnecessary stops, searches, and arrests that unfairly and unequally target Black Minnesotans.”

The legislation was sponsored by House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler and it would legalize possession and cultivation of limited amounts of cannabis, while setting up an equitable, regulated system for cannabis sales. It includes funding for community renewal along with cannabis industry training and start-up funding. The grants would focus on individuals facing barriers to education or employment, areas with elevated rates of poverty, workers with less than three years of experience, and farmers.

For Minnesotans, this is the first time any cannabis legislation for adult use has been approved. The Democrat-controlled House chamber voted to approve the measure, thus sending the bill to the Republican-majority Senate for further consideration. Still, the bill had received approval from 12 separate legislative committees.

“It’s time for Minnesota to become a leader in the midwest when it comes to sensible marijuana policy,” said NORML State Policies Manager Carly Wolf. “Not only would the passage of this bill allow police and courts to reprioritize their limited resources toward fighting serious crime rather than interacting with otherwise law-abiding Minnesotans over low-level possession offenses, but it would also provide relief to thousands suffering the collateral consequences of a marijuana arrest and conviction. I strongly encourage members of the Senate to follow the will of their constituents, a majority of whom support this policy change, and consider this common-sense remedy to the failed policy of prohibition.”

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report and has been reposted with permission.

GOP Congressmen File Marijuana Legalization Bill, But Don’t Get Too Excited

Mike Adams

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May 14, 2021

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GOP Congressmen File Marijuana Legalization Bill, But Don’t Get Too Excited

It remains to be seen how Democratic lawmakers plan to deal with the cannabis debate in 2021. But rest assured, the battle won’t be easy.

Although Republicans are expected to make it a challenge this year for cannabis reform on Capitol Hill, a couple of Congressmen of the GOP in the House of Representatives have come forward with a bill aimed at legalizing marijuana nationwide.

Before you get too excited, it’s not the super-hyped comprehensive cannabis reform measure that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has been promising to introduce “soon.” This one is a seemingly competitive measure aimed at helping military vets, enhancing research, and making weed a legitimate part of national commerce.

Somebody Should Let Federal Government Know Americans Want Legal Marijuana — Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

U.S. Representative David Joyce (R-OH) and Don Young (R-AK), both members of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus (CCC), recently submitted the Common Sense Cannabis Reform for Veterans, Small Businesses, and Medical Professionals Act. The bill is designed to end federal marijuana prohibition, yet it emphasizes medical marijuana research, access for veterans, and opening interstate cannabis commerce where permitted. It would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, allowing it to be taxed and regulated like other legal drugs. The Food and Drug Administration and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau would oversee the industry. Marijuana would basically be treated like beer and cigarettes.

Lawmakers with the CCC say it is time.

This cannabis “legislation answers the American people’s call for change and addresses our States’ need for clarity by creating an effective federal regulatory framework for cannabis that will help veterans, support small businesses and their workers, allow for critical research and tackle the opioid crisis, all while respecting the rights of States to make their own decisions regarding cannabis policies that are best for their constituents,” Joyce said in a statement. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this bill signed into law so that we can enact sensible and meaningful cannabis reform that will improve lives and livelihoods.”

Why 2021 Should Prove The Year Of Federal Cannabis Legalization — Photo by gradyreese/Getty Images

With the latest Pew poll showing 91% of the American population in support of full-blown legalization, cannabis advocates hope that Congress will finally get serious about revamping pot policy. “With an overwhelming majority of Americans supporting the end of cannabis prohibition, it’s clear that our country has a mandate to create a legal industry that supports both medical and adult-use,” said Steve Hawkins, executive director at the Marijuana Policy Project.

Unlike the bill that Schumer and crew have promised, the CCC’s measure doesn’t touch on expunging past pot convictions and repairing damages brought on by the drug war. That’s something the advocacy groups hope will be reconsidered as the bill makes its way through the legislative process.

“MPP is hopeful that subsequent negotiations and versions of this bill will include robust social justice and equity provisions to address the devastation caused by prohibition and the failed War on Drugs,” Hawkins said. “Federal legalization must be drafted and regulated to provide social and economic justice for the millions of lives upended by discrimination and unequal enforcement. By including those most harmed, we can build an equitable, well-regulated, and inclusive cannabis industry from the ground up.

Congress Looks At Bill To Research Marijuana Legalization — Photo by wildpixel/Getty Images

The Common Sense Cannabis Reform for Veterans, Small Businesses, and Medical Professionals Act has a good shot at passing the House of Representatives. Although by a slim margin, the Democrats still control the lower chamber, and they’ve passed a cannabis-related measure (SAFE Banking Act) in the past month. The problem is the bill is going to meet some resistance if it reaches the Senate. Majority Leader Schumer seems rather focused on the cannabis reform concept he’s got up his sleeve, so he might not want to complicate things by putting a competing proposal on the docket.

Although the Senate is also dominated by Democratic control, it is by an even slimmer margin than in the House. It’s a 50-50 split with Vice President Kamala Harris being the tiebreaker. This makes passing a cannabis reform measure of any kind extremely difficult. Primarily because of the filibuster — an old Senate rule requiring a 60-vote supermajority on controversial issues.

It remains to be seen how Democratic lawmakers plan to deal with the cannabis debate in 2021. But rest assured, regardless of whether it is the Common Sense Cannabis Reform for Veterans, Small Businesses, and Medical Professionals Act or whatever bill Schumer proposes, the battle won’t be easy.

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***Disclaimer:* *The views expressed in this article solely belong to the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Fresh Toast.***

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