Cannabis Headline News 2021-01-08

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Private vs. State-Run Dispensaries Are Options in Rhode Island

Marijuana Moment reports that lawmakers in Rhode Island kicked off their 2021 session with a plea from Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio.

Dominick Ruggerio: “I have asked Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey (D) and Chairman Josh Miller (D) to work together to develop a framework to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana.”

On the House side, Rep. Karen Alzate told ABC 6 that passing legalization is almost a sure thing this year.

Karen Alzate: “I would say that we have like about — maybe I’m being optimistic — like a good 95 percent chance.”

Gov. Gina Raimondo has been pushing for a first-in-the-nation program consisting of state-run marijuana dispensaries. But Ruggerio told WPRI 12 he disagrees with that idea.

Dominick Ruggerio: “I don’t think the state should be in that type of business. I think that should be a private concern… very similar to Massachusetts.”

Raimondo has been tapped by President-Elect Joe Biden to become the nation’s Commerce Secretary.

Connecticut Governor Pledges to Legalize Marijuana

In neighboring Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont reiterated his pledge to legalize marijuana in his State of the State Address.

Ned Lamont: “I am working with our neighboring states and look forward to working with our tribal partners on a path forward to modernize gaming in our state, as well as the legislature on legalization of marijuana. Sports betting, internet gaming and legalized marijuana are happening all around us. Let’s not surrender these opportunities to out-of-state markets or, even worse, underground markets.”

If the effort to pass legalization through the state legislature fails to get traction, House Speaker Matt Ritter says he will attempt to put a constitutional question on the state’s 2022 ballot that would leave the matter to voters. The issue polls at over 63 percent support among Connecticut voters.

Virginia Delegate Introduces Marijuana Legalization Bill

Meanwhile, down the coast in Virginia, Democratic Delegate Steve Heretick is introducing a bill to legalize marijuana.

Steve Heretick: “Let’s at least make it safe, let’s make it predictable, let’s regulate it… and let’s benefit from it.”

Heretick’s bill would tax recreational marijuana at 9.7 percent and allow localities to add up to 5.3 percent of their own taxes.

Steve Heretick: “I think it’s time for Virginia to take a very mature, disciplined approach to analyzing what marijuana policy should be for consenting adults.”

Heretick’s bill also allows localities to ban marijuana businesses and maintains penalties for unlicensed sales.

Steve Heretick: “For those who want to continue to manufacture and sell marijuana illegally, that is, without a license, there is a still a crime attached to that.”

Iowa Lawmakers, Bracketed by Legal States, Discuss Legalization

The legalization of marijuana this election in the state of South Dakota means Iowa is now sandwiched between a legal state to the west and Illinois, a legal state to the east.

Jackie Smith: “I don’t want our law enforcement to be taxed with the responsibility of sitting at the bridge and waiting for people to come back, and I don’t want to see Iowa money leave the state and go to another state.”

That’s Iowa State Sen. Jackie Smith, who represents Sioux City, on the border with South Dakota. She was part of a Zoom roundtable of Iowa lawmakers discussing legalization.

Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker touted the economic benefits.

Stacey Walker: “We could introduce a new and sustainable market for our farmers.”

Black Hawk County Supervisor Chris Schwartz explained how a marijuana arrest destroys economic and educational opportunities.

Chris Schwartz: “All this happens disproportionately to Black and brown individuals making it a large part of the institutionalized racism that we must dismantle in our state.”

California Marijuana Workers Should Be Prioritized for COVID Vaccine, Companies Say

A coalition of marijuana businesses is asking California policymakers to specifically include cannabis workers in the next phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, according to Marijuana Moment.

Marijuana companies have been deemed essential services throughout the pandemic, and the group argues that there are unique risks in the industry because workers frequently interact with patients who might be more vulnerable to the virus because they are immune compromised or elderly.

Like grocery workers and other people eligible for vaccination in Phase 1B, they say those employed in the cannabis sector should be next in line.

Almost all states where cannabis is legal for medical or recreational purposes declared that the industry serves an essential purpose and could continue to operate amid the pandemic.

"Radical" Russ
January 8, 2021
9:16 am
No Comments
News
California, Chris Schwartz, Connecticut, COVID–19, Dominick Ruggerio, Iowa, Jackie Smith, Karen Alzate, Ned Lamont, Rhode Island, Stacey Walker, Steve Heretick, Virginia

Desperate Idaho Legislator Proposes Constitutional Ban on Marijuana Legalization

2021-01-21 11:34 No Comments

“This legislation will ensure illegal drugs stay illegal.” That’s the thrust of C. Scott Grow’s amendment to enshrine drug prohibition forever into the Idaho Constitution.

What Defending the Constitution Means

2021-01-11 08:53 No Comments

I was stunned, but not shocked. I’ve grown up among these people. This result was inevitable. I’m only surprised it’s taken until 2021 for this festering boil of unaddressed racism and willful ignorance to finally erupt in open treason.

Marijuana Activists Who Died in 2020

2020-12-30 12:10 No Comments

Marijuana activists we lost in 2020 include Subcool, Charlotte Figi, Dr. Lester Grinspoon, Jules Stobbs, Cliff Robinson, Kevin Zeese, and Dan Baum.

Idaho Marijuana Sales Top $100M in Ontario, Oregon

2020-12-21 12:42 No Comments

Data from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission show that the legal marijuana shops in the tiny Oregon/Idaho border town of Ontario have topped over $103 million in sales in just over sixteen months of operation.

LDS Church Clarifies Approval of Medical Marijuana Use

2020-12-21 11:36 No Comments

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has updated its general handbook to clarify that while it supports its faithful in their physician-approved use of medical marijuana, it “does not approve of vaping marijuana unless the medical provider has authorized it based on medical necessity.”