New Mexico Moves Closer To Marijuana Legalization

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April 1, 2021

New Mexico Moves Closer To Marijuana Legalization

“These important policy changes will ensure that consumers going forward will no longer suffer criminal arrest and prosecution, while also remedying past injustices caused by the drug war.” — NORML

New Mexico is one step away from becoming the 17th state to legalize cannabis for adult use and the fourth state to adopt a legalization policy by passing a bill through its state legislature. The last stop is Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk for signing. New Mexico follows New York state, which also took this route to full legalization. Illinois and Vermont chose the legislator path while 13 other states have legalized by voter initiative.

Members of the New Mexico House and Senate gave their final approval on Wednesday to two separate measures amending the state’s marijuana laws. The first legalizes and regulates marijuana possession, production, and sales for adults. The second facilitates the automatic review and expungement of the records of those convicted of low-level marijuana offenses.

“New Mexico legislators and advocates deserve a round of applause as they are on the verge of legalizing cannabis for adult use. This year is proving to be nothing short of monumental for the cannabis policy reform movement. State legislatures across the nation are recognizing the urgent need to end cannabis prohibition and are rising to the challenge,” said Steve Hawkins, executive director at the Marijuana Policy Project. MPP said in a statement that under HB 2, personal possession of up to two ounces of cannabis and home cultivation of six mature plants will be legal for adults 21 and over. Additionally, HB 2 includes measures that would encourage those who were disproportionately impacted by prohibition to enter the new industry. Legal sales would begin no later than April 1, 2022. A companion bill provides for automatic expungement.

Commenting on the bills’ passage, NORML State Policies Manager Carly Wolf said: “This is a historic day for New Mexico! These important policy changes will ensure that consumers going forward will no longer suffer criminal arrest and prosecution, while also remedying past injustices caused by the drug war. I commend lawmakers for working together to craft legislation that prioritizes social justice and inclusion. Passage of this legislation will ensure that minor marijuana possession offenders, many of them young people, are no longer saddled with a criminal record and the lifelong penalties and stigma associated with it.”

Emily Kaltenbach, Senior Director for the Resident States and New Mexico for the Drug Policy Alliance said, “New Mexicans are finally able to exhale. After many years of hard work, another whirlwind legislative session, and input from stakeholders throughout the state, social justice-centered cannabis legalization is on its way to the Governor’s desk, where she has already agreed to sign. We thank the Governor and our legislative allies for not taking ‘no’ for an answer and stopping at nothing until we were able to get justice for New Mexico communities—particularly Hispanic/Latinx, Black, Native and Indigenous—that have been immensely harmed by cannabis prohibition.”

New Mexico Regrets Not Legalizing Marijuana Pre-Coronavirus — Photo by Kate Torline via Unsplash

She added, “Today’s passage of the cannabis legalization and expungement package will ensure equitable opportunities for farmers and other small businesses, and long overdue justice—including automatic expungement—for those with past cannabis arrests or convictions. And it doesn’t stop there. We still have our work cut out for us to fully repair the damage that has been done as a result of the war on drugs, and that means coming back during the 2022 budget session to ensure funds are made available for critical reinvestment in the communities that have been most harmed.”

NORML Executive Director Erik Altieri added: “New Mexico joins an ever-growing list of states that have realized the failures of marijuana prohibition and the harms it brings to their communities and citizens. They are the third state so far this year that has approved legalization via the legislative process and we expect several more will follow suit in a short period of time. The American people are demanding an end to prohibitionist policies that have wreaked havoc on communities of color, squandered countless millions in taxpayer dollars, and wasted limited judicial and law enforcement resources on criminalizing otherwise law-abiding individuals for possession of a product that is objectively less harmful than currently legal alcohol and tobacco.

“Thankfully lawmakers at the state level are finally implementing the will of their constituents and, by doing so, they are applying further pressure on the federal government to finally deschedule marijuana nationally and end this ongoing tension between state and federal policies.”

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

Are Teen Brains More Vulnerable To Marijuana Addiction?

Maria Loreto

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April 1, 2021

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Are Teen Brains More Vulnerable To Marijuana Addiction?

A new study suggests marijuana could have a significant impact on developing brains, making it more likely for teens to become addicted.

Legal marijuana doesn’t appear to trigger more cannabis use in teens, but new research shows that some concern is warranted. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, suggests teen brains are more vulnerable to marijuana and opioid addiction, making these users more likely to get hooked on drugs when compared to young adults.

Instead of limiting the study to nicotine, alcohol and cannabis, like previous studies of this type have done in the past, researchers from the National Institute on Drug Abuse looked for a wide variety of drug use, such as painkillers, cigarettes, tranquilizers, stimulants, marijuana, alcohol and more. They specifically studied two groups of young people: ages 12 to 17 and 18 to 25.

Overall, the younger the subjects were, the more likely it was for them to grow a dependency on the substance. When comparing marijuana statistics, researchers noted that teens were 11% more likely to develop an addiction when compared to young adults, who came in at only 6%. Within three years of their initial use of the drug, 20% of adolescents were more likely to grow dependent on it. Young adults didn’t report this same behavior.

While it’s possible that people with a greater predisposition for drug addiction seek out these experiences from a young age, one of the senior authors of the study, Dr. Nora Volkow, told the New York Times that cannabis and other drugs are likely to have an impact on a developing brain, and that drugs like cannabis are more likely to alter synaptic connections in younger brains, leading to stronger memories of pleasure and reward.

As marijuana becomes legalized in more and more states, the role of teen drug use continues to remain prevalent. But, while cannabis use shouldn’t be encouraged in teens, marijuana programs across the country have proved that their existence doesn’t make it easier for teens to access these drugs. Legal marijuana is likely to limit black market marijuana, which tends to be lower quality and easier to access.

Chuck Schumer’s Cannabis Reform Plan Is Becoming Clearer

Mike Adams

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April 1, 2021

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Chuck Schumer’s Cannabis Reform Plan Is Becoming Clearer

If Senate Democrats can find a way to get a decriminalization bill through Congress, it would surely be signed into law.

The cannabis community has been sniffing around for the past month, trying to figure out what Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer means when discussing the comprehensive cannabis reform bill he wants to pass this year. All of the evidence suggests that the U.S. Senate will hear legislation aimed at legalizing the leaf nationwide.

However, the intentions of the highly anticipated bill, which Schumer says will be introduced “shortly,” are becoming clearer. And the focus seems more likely to call for “decriminalization” than legalization. When Schumer was asked recently which reform model he supported, his response suggested the two terms were one and the same. “At the federal level, you call it ‘decriminalization’ because that lets the states legalize,” he explained.

But legalization and decriminalization are not the same. As we have seen happen in several states, legalization allows for a taxed and regulated cannabis market where adults 21 and older can buy weed in a way similar to beer. Decriminalization is a term usually meant to describe the elimination of criminal penalties associated with minor pot possession. It still punishes pot offenders with small fines, and it doesn’t come with the infrastructure to grow and sell weed legally.

Interestingly, Schumer said a couple of weeks ago that the Senate’s cannabis reform plan would prevent Big Tobacco and Big Alcohol from taking over the cannabis market. There’s already been lobbying efforts that point in that direction. But Schumer claims they won’t get far under his proposal.

Still, stopping them from participating seemed unlikely if a taxed and regulated market were to unfold. It’s a free country and all, and capitalism is the name of the game. So everyone with enough money to play can have at it. But corporations wouldn’t have a leg to stand on if Senate Democrats push decriminalization. There would be no nationwide market. Presumably, Democrats hope to eliminate criminal penalties and put states at ease about legalization. Many jurisdictions have refused to legalize until the federal government relaxes its stance.

Will Chuck Schumer’s Latest Plan To Go Over GOP Heads Help Cannabis Reform? — Photo by Jonathan Ernst/Pool/Getty Images

“We don’t want the big tobacco companies and the big liquor companies to swoop in and take over,” Senator Schumer said in a video. “The legislation we have will make sure that smaller businesses, businesses in communities of color, get the advantage because communities of color have paid the price for decades. They should at least get something back. “For decades,” Schumer continued, “young men who were arrested with a small amount of marijuana in their pockets served long prison terms, and then they had a felony record and could never make themselves right.”

Perhaps the goal of the Senate Democrats’ cannabis reform bill will be to provide a safe pathway for smaller cannabis businesses to operate in their respective states without concern for the corporate takeovers that would surely arise if federal legalization were to happen. At this point, we can only speculate.

Does Democratic Senate Really Have Enough Power To Legalize Marijuana Nationwide? — Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images

All things considered, going the route of decriminalization makes the most sense. After all, President Biden supports the concept of decriminalizing marijuana. It was part of his campaign platform. So if Senate Democrats can find a way to get a decriminalization bill through Congress — something that won’t be easy considering their slim majority and the filibuster — it would surely be signed into law.

Rest assured, there are plenty of roadblocks ahead for whatever model the Democrats propose. We will just have to wait for the bill to be submitted to gain more clarity into the fine details. One thing is sure, it will be interesting to see what kind of clever scheme Senate Democrats have to push this legislation all the way.

New York Becomes 15th State To Legalize Recreational Cannabis

Benzinga Staff Writer

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March 31, 2021

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New York Becomes 15th State To Legalize Recreational Cannabis

New York lawmakers approved the bill to legalize marijuana on Tuesday night, just days following the release of the latest text.

By Jelena Martinovic

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed recreational marijuana into law today, making the Empire State the 15th in the U.S. to legalize cannabis.

The legislation allows adults 21 and older to possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis or 24 grams of marijuana concentrates and to buy recreational cannabis from licensed retailers.

The bill also permits the cultivation of up to three mature and three immature plants for personal use.

In addition, it will also help those unfairly punished for a marijuana-related activity that would now be legal.

#BREAKING: I just signed legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis.

The bill creates automatic expungement of previous marijuana convictions that would now be legal.

This is a historic day.

I thank the Leader and Speaker and the tireless advocacy of so many.

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 31, 2021

Highlights From New York Legislation: New Yorkers will be allowed to smoke marijuana publicly wherever tobacco is allowed, The New York Times reported, adding that municipalities and a new state agency could add stricter regulations.

Smoking will not be allowed in schools, at work or in cars.

New York legalized medical cannabis in 2014, capping the number of operators at 10. Medical operators in the state will now be able to enter the recreational market by paying a one-time fee, the Times reported.

Will New York Bungle Marijuana Legalization Again In 2021? — Photo by Alex Azabache from Pexels

Those 10 medical marijuana operators include the publicly traded cannabis companies Columbia Care Inc. (OTCQX:CCHWF), Curaleaf Hldgs Inc. (OTCQX:CURLF), MedMen Enterprises Inc. (OTCQX:MMNFF), Acreage Holdings Inc (OTCQX:ACRHF) and Vireo Health International Inc. (OTCQX:VREOF).

The Path To Approval: New York lawmakers approved the bill to legalize marijuana on Tuesday night, just days following the release of the latest text.

The proposal was moved through four committees Tuesday before being approved by the Senate in a 40-23 vote.

The state’s Assembly passed it by a vote of 100-49, ABC7 New York writes.

“That’s what’s good about this legislation … we’re going to turn around the lives of some of those people and help them to be able to take care of themselves, their families, and their communities,” said Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes.

Dustin Blitchok contributed to this report.

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

Concerts Making A Comeback In 2021, But Don’t Smoke The Weed

Mike Adams

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March 31, 2021

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Concerts Making A Comeback In 2021, But Don’t Smoke The Weed

According to a 2020 study, bongs, bowls and vape pens contain 50% more bacteria than a public toilet and around 90% more than a garbage dumpster.

Ready or not, live music is set to make its long-awaited return in 2021. Although the COVID-19 debacle put concerts on hold for more than a year, the word on the street is that we could see these events making a comeback in the coming months.

Bob Ruox, president of Live Nation’s U.S. concerts, recently told Rolling Stone in a statement that “all signs point to 2021 getting back to the summer concert season we all know and love. With vaccines being available to everyone in May,” he continued, “we’re confident events can return to regular capacity soon after.”

To some antsy music lovers, this news sounds like society is about to return to normal, and everything we love about live shows — camaraderie with strangers, expensive beer, free drugs — is on the fringe of a resurgence. But not so fast. While Americans will get out this summer and feed their sonically deprived ears with loud guitars and a reason to live, caution will continue to be a requirement. Most of the immunization era restrictions will come with limited seating and masks, but health pros probably won’t warn Americans about another significant health risk: Smoking marijuana with others.

Listen, marijuana and concerts have been a thing since the inception of, well, marijuana and concerts. Many of us got our first experience with weed while watching musicians perform onstage. But times are a-changing, even though Bob Dylan probably never thought his lyrics would mean that we’d have to, one day, amend the way we use pot as part of the concert experience. Even with Dr. Fauci saying that people should be able to feel safe being in an audience by “early-to-mid fall,” the science surrounding the spread of viruses remains the same. So, maybe taking a hit off the joint getting passed around the crowd isn’t the best move this year.

We know that COVID-19 travels mostly from person-to-person by way of respiratory droplets. It’s the reason everyone has been walking around faceless for the past 12 months. Other viruses, like herpes, can also spread through saliva. So whether we are talking about a virus that could have you on life support by September or just one that makes your lips look like a deleted scene of a horror film, smoking marijuana (or anything else for that matter) with others should be avoided.

Studies have shown that consuming marijuana through smoking devices is filthy business anyway. According to a 2020 study, bongs, bowls and vape pens contain 50% more bacteria than a public toilet and around 90% more than a garbage dumpster. Furthermore, the average smoking device — like the one you might have in front of you right now — has 1304% more bacteria than a dog food bowl, 530% more than a cell phone screen, 92% more than an ATM keypad, and 62% more than the handle on a shopping cart.

So, yeah, smoking marijuana in a communal setting is pretty disgusting. Some of you might even have compromised immune systems after being on lockdown for the past year. Even though many are getting vaccinated as a way to stave off the Rona — and studies have shown that vaccinations are extremely effective — they’re still willing to lick the cannabis equivalent of a toilet seat. So in the interest of a healthier America, maybe it’s better if concerts are BYOB for a while.

It’s conceivable that we might need to rethink how we use pot at concerts from here on out. Thanks to legalization in more states, that’s easier to do now than it has been in the past. There is a whole slew of cannabis products on the market these days designed for the personal pot experience. Edibles and vape pens are among some of the most popular.

Sure, a lot of old-time stoners refuse to give up smoking as their favorite consumption method, and that’s perfectly fine. We need those people to fill the air at concerts with the aroma of marijuana to let us know that the drum solo is around the corner. Just keep that soggy, fish-lipped, petri dish to yourselves.

Now, let’s rock!

Is The Cannabis Industry Racist?

Terry Hacienda

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March 31, 2021

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It’s up to entrepreneurs, activists, and various public entities to create campaigns making their local cannabis industries less exclusive and much more inclusive.

The statistics on disproportionate arrests against Black people when it comes to marijuana-related crimes are nothing short of shocking. Systemic racism plagues the industry, and cannabis crimes are just one part of it.

A recent study reveals that Black individuals have a 3.6 times higher risk of being arrested for cannabis possession compared to white people within the United States, and this racial gap only continues to grow. From 2010 to 2018, this gap increased 300% in 20 counties, and in Tennessee the gap rose by 977%.

There were 49 states participating in the study, excluding Florida, and it revealed that Montana had the highest racial disparity rates. This is where Black people have a 10 times higher risk to be arrested for cannabis crimes compared to whites; Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa and West Virginia weren’t too far behind and in these states Black people have a 7x higher risk of being incarcerated. However, in two of these states, recreational cannabis was recently legalized so it has nothing to do with the state’s overall attitudes when it came to cannabis use.

Meanwhile, Colorado had the least racial disparity rates, followed by California and Oregon. Recreational cannabis was already legal in these states during the period of data collection.

“All too often I see suspicious police reports that justify traffic stops and detentions of Black people with suspicious justifications ultimately leading to a search and seizure of their persons. It’s these kinds of suspicious justifications that I rarely see as much when the individual is white,” explained Brian Joslyn of Joslyn Law Firm. “I believe the data clearly shows that Black people are being targeted by police. It would be impossible to suggest otherwise.”

Josly tells GreenState that he believes the legalization of marijuana is necessary to remove the racial prejudice that is affecting the industry now. Until it happens, law enforcement will only continue to detain and search an unfair number of Black people for cannabis law violations. “What needs to occur are policy changes within the police departments that train and instruct officers to only pull over or detain individuals for well-established violations of law,” he says. “In addition, all officers should be equipped with both cruiser cams and body cams so their arrests can be reviewed and verified, and our state legislatures need to further work and protect individuals’ Fourth Amendment rights through the passage of laws that would raise the standards for law enforcement to search one’s person or property.”

Cannabis Business Opportunities Still Limited For Black People

Aside from that, Black people are also struggling to make it in the cannabis industry. Back in 2017, only 4.3% of marijuana business owners were Black, reported Marijuana Business Daily. Meanwhile, white people made up 81% of business owners.

But it’s a messed up situation, because while Blacks are already suffering from disproportionate arrests, having any felony convictions for cannabis crimes means you will have a challenging time getting a cannabis business license in several states. For example, in California, you can’t get a license if you have a felony involving a controlled substance within the last three years. In Colorado, license applicants shouldn’t have any felonies with controlled substances within the last decade.

Why Social Equity Matters For Cannabis — Photo by Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash

Another survey conducted by Marijuana Business Daily revealed that 19% of participants who founded a cannabis business and/or possess ownership stakes in cannabis businesses are composed of racial minorities. According to Jesce Horton, board chairman and co-founder of the Minority Cannabis Business Association, there’s a much smaller portion of minority cannabis business owners. “The biggest need and the biggest disparity and the biggest outrage has been the licensing process and the ability for small businesses to first get into the market, and then to survive after dealing with large taxes, huge licensing fees or all these other things that we fear are shaping up in opposition of minority entrepreneurship,” he says.

The racial wealth gap is difficult to overcome. Black business owners already have a hard time getting loans, so while they can make use of equity programs to some extent, Black people who obtain licenses may end up having to partner with white firms to get the financing they need. As a result, big corporations end up dominating the space because it’s so much easier for them to raise capital and afford better attorneys.

At the end of the day, there is a huge opportunity; after all, it’s been a billion dollar business for a very long time now. In fact, Blacks were primarily the ones distributing cannabis decades ago, so out of everyone, they should have the biggest advantage in terms of expertise.

the war on drugs isnt over according to data — Photo by OlegMalyshev/Getty Images

While there seems to be no legislation that will make policing more just, it’s up to entrepreneurs, activists, and various public entities to create campaigns making their local cannabis industries less exclusive and much more inclusive. The wealth gap that exists is because of so many systemic imbalances which are prevalent in the cannabis industry too. Some states have taken action, like Colorado’s Senate Bill 224, established in 2019 to create an accelerator program so that underfunded entrepreneurs can make use of existing cannabis facilities to jump-start their business while operating on a micro-license.

What can cannabis businesses do to tackle racial disparity?

There are solutions out there. The Black Cannabis Equity Initiative (BCEI) partnered with LightShade and MedPharm, Colorado-based businesses, to develop a report card that they can use to determine and improve the racial inclusivity in their business. They also offer an referral service for matching job candidates with businesses that have committed to employ people of color.

So there are these initiatives that exist, but it’s up to businesses to do the work and make a change for people of color.

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

Will Chuck Schumer’s Latest Plan To Go Over GOP Heads Help Cannabis Reform?

Mike Adams

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March 31, 2021

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Can Democrats use a third budget reconciliation to pass the comprehensive marijuana reform bill that is supposed to be introduced soon?

There’s no use in mincing words: Senate Democrats are screwed. Although they have the majority this year, it’s by such a slim margin that it will be next to impossible for them to further their agenda without some support across the aisle. And so far, nobody over there wants to play nice.

The Republicans are still sore because the Democrats won the November election and even more so with how they went about passing President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-relief bill. Capitol Hill is now full of back-biting tension, which has left Democrats scrambling for a way to work.

Unfortunately, since the Senate is split 50-50 (with Vice President Kamala Harris being the tiebreaker), Republicans can still use the filibuster to sabotage almost every bill the Democrats try to push through. The filibuster is an old Senate rule that requires a 60 vote supermajority on controversial issues. Democrats have threatened to do away with the filibuster, but they don’t really have the votes to do it. They need all 50 members of the Democratic Caucus to blow it out of the water.

Furthermore, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has said more than once that he will bring the Senate to a screeching halt the second they so much as try to amend the rule.

For now, the filibuster stays.

This means the comprehensive marijuana bill that cannabis advocates had high hopes would pass this year probably won’t go far. There’s just not enough support in the upper chamber to get it done.

Schumer has a plan, however, to help further the Democratic agenda. It will not require him to eliminate the filibuster, and it still allows the party to continue its winning streak. He hopes Section 304 of the Congressional Budget Act will allow the Democrats to pass a third budget reconciliation, requiring only a simple majority. Congress is typically only given one reconciliation per fiscal year. That one was technically used up when they approved Biden’s coronavirus plan. They want to use a 2022 budget reconciliation that covers infrastructure, jobs and climate change, and apply the third one that they believe they are owed to focus on additional issues.

Will Senate’s Marijuana Legalization Plan Work In The Land Of The Greedy? — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Photo by Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images

“I believe that big, bold action is an imperative. We must get that done. And we prefer our Republican colleagues to work with us on these things. Many of the things I mentioned are bipartisan in the sense that a majority of Republicans support them,” Schumer said last week.

“If they don’t, our caucus will come together and we will discuss the best way to produce that big, bold action. And as I’ve said before, everything, everything is on the table,” he concluded.

The big question is: Can Democrats use a third budget reconciliation to pass the comprehensive marijuana reform bill that is supposed to be introduced soon? Sadly, no. Anything related to marijuana legalization would not be achievable in this manner. This issue fits in along the lines of the $15 per hour minimum wage deal that Democrats attempted to squeeze in the latest coronavirus relief effort. They tried, but in the end, nonpartisan Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough said the increase couldn’t be done under budget reconciliation. And that was that.

It’s possible, though, that Democrats will attempt to push the boundaries of budget reconciliation once again to get some kind of cannabis reform on the books. Maybe the SAFE Banking Act — a simple bill that allows banks to do business with the cannabis industry — could be slipped in and passed with a simple majority. But the interpretation of the reconciliation and its boundaries will be up to the parliamentarian.

As for now, Democrats haven’t made any decision regarding legislative strategy. But suddenly, and very interestingly, MacDonough, whose job is to interpret the rules, has become the most influential person in the nation’s capital.

Cannabis Regulatory Update: Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota

Benzinga Staff Writer

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March 30, 2021

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Cannabis Regulatory Update: Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota

Ohio’s medical marijuana sales may reach $400M this year; South Dakota Gov. wants to limit current medical cannabis program; New Mexico Gov. pushes for adult-use cannabis legalization; and more.

By Nina Zdinjak

Kansas House Passes Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill, Sends It For A Floor Vote

After many meetings held to review a plethora of amendments to a medical cannabis legalization bill, a Kansas House Committee passed the overall measure on Monday in a 13 to 8 vote, writes Marijuana Moment.

After the House’s approval, the bill is now going to a floor vote.

Separately, lawmakers in the Sunflower State voted for a procedural motion to include the measure’s language into an unrelated Senate proposal to accelerate its discussion in the two chambers, reports the outlet.

The original bill was introduced in the committee in February and would establish a medical cannabis program for qualified patients. Among 21 conditions that would qualify patients for medical cannabis therapy were PTSD, HIV, and chronic pain. An amendment to expand the list was approved on Monday as well.

New Mexico Governor Calls For Special Legislative Session To Push For Adult-Use Cannabis Bill

The New Mexico State House approved a recreational cannabis bill, HB 12, in a 39 to 31 vote. The bill also passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and was sent over to the full Senate for discussion and a vote.

The expected Senate floor vote, however, was postponed past the deadline.

Now, as expected, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is calling for a special legislative session to try to push for an adult-use cannabis legalization bill, according to Marijuana Business Daily.

The special session is scheduled for March 30.

Previously, Lujan Grisham has advocated for cannabis legalization in an effort to end New Mexico’s dependency on oil and gas revenues.

Rhode Island Lawmakers Presented With A Bill To Decriminalize All Drugs

Last week, during a Rhode Island Senate panel, legislation on ending criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of drugs was presented, writes Marijuana Moment.

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

The bill proposes a $100 fine instead, and it is of many drug-related measures currently proposed in the state, including a cannabis legalization measure supported by the governor and the top lawmakers.

Two measures were heard during last week’s panel: S. 604, which is sponsored by Senator Tiara Mack, and S. 188, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey.

S.604 would reduce felony charges for simple drug possessions, while S. 188 would make possession of small amounts of controlled substances a misdemeanor, reports the outlet.

Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Sales May Come To $400 Million This Year

Ohio’s medical marijuana market had a prolonged start, with legalization happening back in 2016, but sales commencing early 2019.

In spite of a lagging development, medical cannabis sales in the Buckeye State are now growing at a fast pace. From weekly sales of around $2.5 million prior to the start of the global pandemic, numbers are now hitting $5 to $6 million, reports Marijuana Business Daily.

According to the “Marijuana Business Factbook,” Ohio medical marijuana sales could amount to $350 to $400 million this year. This compares to $221.5 million in 2020.

RNC Head Refuses To Answer Whether GOP Welcomes Medical Marijuana Supporters — Photo by thegoodphoto/Getty Images

The number of registered patients almost doubled from the prior year hitting 176,387 on March 19.

“It’s a potential $400 million market this year, and there’s plenty of growth in sight,” said Nate Reid, vice president of commercial strategy for Illinois-based Cresco Labs (OTC:CRLBF), which owns cultivation, processing and dispensary licenses in the state.

South Dakota Gov. Wants To Limit Current Medical Cannabis Program

South Dakota Governor, Kristi Noem, known for her passionate anti-cannabis stance, is working towards limiting the existing medical cannabis program in the state, writes Marijuana Business Daily.

Currently, she is pushing to ban people younger than 21 to smoke or vape medical cannabis. She is also trying to limit the number of plants medical marijuana patients are allowed to grow at home.

A few months ago, Noem was unhesitant to challenge the voter-approved adult-use cannabis measure, claiming it is unconstitutional. Circuit judge Christina Klinger supported that view, but the case has been appealed to the state Supreme Court.

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

Cannabis Experts Concerned About New York’s Possible THC Potency Excise Tax

Benzinga Staff Writer

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March 30, 2021

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Cannabis Experts Concerned About New York’s Possible THC Potency Excise Tax

Advocates and operators in New York’s cannabis community voiced concerns that a THC tax could turn off operators and buyers from the legal market.

By Andrew Ward

Last week, New York legislators announced a three-way agreement between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the State Legislature (Senate and Assembly) that would fast-track adult-use cannabis in the state.

Reports state that the bill expects to include a 13% sales tax with an excise tax of up to 3 cents per milligram of THC content. Most tax revenue expects to go towards government expenses and communities affected by the war on drugs. Cantor Fitzgerald analysts forecasted that tax revenue would not help ameliorate the state budget.

Relatively Uncharted Excise Tax Territory: Excise taxes are common in cannabis, breaking into three categories of basis: price, weight and potency.

The National Conference of State Legislatures January 2021 report notes that Illinois is the only state to tax on THC content, likening the approach to alcohol.

The report pushed back on the rationale, citing research that concludes THC and alcohol content does not necessarily determine potency.

Advocates and operators in New York’s cannabis community voiced concerns that a THC tax could turn off operators and buyers from the legal market. There’s also a belief that a potency tax further demonstrates the disconnect between lawmakers and the cannabis plant.

Concerns From New York: New York operators and advocates tell Benzinga they oppose a THC tax for various reasons. Ryan Lepore, deputy director of NYC NORML and member of the board of directors for Empire State NORML, doesn’t support the idea.

Believing the excise tax stands to create regulatory friction, Lepore sees the entire supply chain affected, with consumers paying higher prices for access to offset distributor-based taxes.

He believes regulators are regularly missing the mark on cannabis knowledge.

“The far-reaching constituency of chemovars, plant compounds and cannabinoids determines the efficacy of the cannabis plant, unlike other regulated substances,” said Lepore, pushing back on the THC emphasis.

Lauren A. Rudick, partner law firm Hiller, PC, called the proposed excise tax “an unnecessary exercise of political power that will discourage participation in the regulated market.”

If the tax remains in place, Rudick hopes the decision leads to further education on the entourage effect, or the effect created by consuming the whole plant profile.

The Ideal Tax Model Remains Uncertain: Morgan Fox, media relations director for the National Cannabis Industry Association, said most consumers wouldn’t be concerned with the tax structure, but rather the bottom line.

Fox noted he wasn’t a tax expert and debates about the proper cannabis tax model are ongoing. However, higher taxes do lead to unavoidable higher consumer costs.

The scenario is largely unavoidable.

“It’s pretty difficult to be able to bring high-quality products to market while cutting costs because you can’t really cut costs when it comes to taxation,” stated Fox.

Fox noted that various tax structure rollouts would continue in the cannabis space. He recommends that states and operators work together to quickly address any regulations that prove to be onerous or burdensome.

“It’s something that they should regularly look at and listen to stakeholders involved, particularly producers and retailers,” said Fox, emphasizing that regulators need to hear from operators dealing with the consumers.

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

Vaccine FOMO? Here Are 5 Ways To Cope With It

Culture
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Maria Loreto

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March 30, 2021

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Vaccine FOMO? Here Are 5 Ways To Cope With It

More and more people are getting their COVID-19 shots, which is great, but what about the rest of us? Here’s how you can cope with your vaccine FOMO.

An increasing number of states are allowing more people to be vaccinate. New York is the latest to announce that those 16-years and older will be eligible soon. This is exciting but also anxiety inducing, since, having lived through the past three months, vaccines aren’t all that easy to come by.

When people upload a photo of their “vaccinated” sticker, there’s usually two reactions: positivity, because we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, and envy, because these people will be able to hang out with everyone with practically no concerns while the rest of us are still baking bread at home alone.

Envy is normal, especially in an unprecedented life or death situation like this one. Still, this doesn’t mean you have free license to be rude to people or to question what they did to get the vaccine. Some things should be thought, not said.

Here are 5 tips to help you deal with vaccine FOMO (fear of missing out):

Accept your emotions and let them go

5 Polite Ways To Tell People You Need Alone Time — Photo by Ketut Subiyanto via Pexels

It’s okay to feel frustrated by the current moment and by people who’ve somehow managed to get vaccine appointments. Vaccine FOMO isn’t like regular FOMO, where you’re just jealous of someone else. This year has been challenging for everyone; now that many are getting vaccinated and have carte blanche to do what they want, it’s very sad for those who are exhausted of being alone and depriving themselves of the company of other people. Let yourself feel sad or angry but try your best to move past the feeling and to not let it taint your every day life. If seeing the selfies on social media upsets you, take a much needed break.

Find balance between being proactive and not losing your mind

5 Things You Shouldn't Do While On Your Work Computer — Photo by Christin Hume via Unsplash

If you desperately want to get vaccinated, use this as fuel for productivity. Stay on top of your local news since more and more states are opening up their eligibility, loosening age and comorbidity restrictions. There are also resources out there for people who want to get vaccinated but aren’t eligible, like TurboVax, an NYC Twitter account that informs people of openings for vaccination spots. There’s also Dr. B, a service that connects you with leftover vaccines.

You’re not alone

The pandemic is a global event and while you may feel like everyone and their mom is getting vaccinated, the vast majority of people haven’t been able to get their shot yet. The more time passes, the easier it’ll become for you to find a vaccine appointment.

Try your best to think about other things

outdoor gathering — Photo by Ella de Kross via Unsplash

You know when you get obsessed with something, and you can’t stop thinking about it? While this is good for getting things done, especially if there’s an expiration date, there’s no set date for the end of the pandemic. While things are looking up right now in terms of vaccination rates, it’s difficult to predict when you’ll find a vaccine appointment if you’re not constantly glued to your phone refreshing the CVS website. So try your best to think about other things. Now that the weather is changing, find safe activities you can do out in the open. We’ve all hit pandemic burn out, so try to nourish yourself by doing other things.

Have some perspective

6 Must-Have Hiking Apps For Your Upcoming Outdoor Adventures — Photo by mirsad mujanovic via Pexels

You’ve made it this far. What’s a couple of more months in the grand scheme of things?

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Vaccine FOMO? Here Are 5 Ways To Cope With It

More and more people are getting their COVID-19 shots, which is great, but what about the rest of us? Here’s how you can cope with your vaccine FOMO.

Accept your emotions and let them go

Find balance between being proactive and not losing your mind

You’re not alone

Try your best to think about other things

Have some perspective

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