12 minute read

LOCAL NEWS

Next Article
CANNTHROPOLOGY

CANNTHROPOLOGY

NEW JERSEYLEGALIZES!

Photo by Grav

t long last, New Jersey has legalized Cannabis. Nearly four months after voters passed a constitutional amendment approving adult-use marijuana in the Garden State, Gov. Phil Murphy has signed a bill establishing the state’s legal framework. Murphy also signed a decriminalization bill that will end pot possession arrests.

As reported in this space previously, state lawmakers and Gov. Murphy had been in a stalemate over the proposed legislation, stemming from the governor’s desire to see penalties for underage possession included in the bill.

While some lawmakers felt content to leave the ball in Murphy’s court and let him either sign or veto the original bills, a last ditch attempt to salvage the legislation was made and a “cleanup” bill that includes penalties for underage possession passed the state Senate and Assembly. Shortly thereafter, in late February, Murphy signed the legal framework and decriminalization bills, legalizing Cannabis in New Jersey and establishing a regulated market.

The amended legislation makes underage possession subject to a written warning.

Incredibly, more than 6,000 people were arrested for minor marijuana possession in New Jersey since voters legalized pot in November 2020. In the six-week stalemate between the governor and lawmakers, more than 2,000 people were arrested for Cannabis.

Fortunately, the day after Gov. Murphy signed the bills into law, the state’s attorney general ordered prosecutors to drop all pot possession-related cases that were still pending as of February 22.

While it clearly was not smooth sailing, the legislative hurdle has been cleared and an adult-use market established. Cannabis is now (finally) legal in New Jersey. Check back next month to find out what goes wrong next.

RETAIL POT (FINALLY) COMES TO PORTLAND

After a slow start, Maine’s biggest city is getting into recreational Cannabis in a big way. Licenses have already been approved for two adult-use pot shops to open in Portland, and 31 additional retail permits could be awarded soon.

At the moment, 59 canna-business applications are awaiting approval as retail, testing and manufacturing companies look to set up shop in Portland in 2021.

Of course, the state launched adult-use retail sales more than five months ago, on October 9, 2020. Despite some early hiccups, the program got off to a good start with thousands of transactions over the long weekend resulting in $250,000 in recreational Cannabis sales.

But Portland missed the party. That’s because, prior to the start of retail Cannabis, the city council capped the number of adult-use pot shops allowed to open. The city limited itself to 20 retail stores at the start of legal sales, in an effort to ease into the industry. However, the point system they planned to use to select those 20 stores prioritized in-state businesses. A lawsuit by an out-ofstate applicant brought the issue to court, where a federal judge ruled that the point system was unfairly discriminatory.

The federal ruling left the city scrambling for a fix but certain to miss the start of legal sales. Ultimately, residents nixed the retail shop cap through a referendum, and even chose to reduce the required distance between stores from 250 to 100 feet.

Now, five months after the official start of sales in the state – and more than four years since a tax and regulate plan was approved on Election Day in 2016 – retail Cannabis has come to Portland.

As we go to press, SeaWeed Co. and Grass Roots Marijuana Shop have

Photo by Grav already received approval to open, and a number of other Cannabis stores are expected to be licensed and operational in the coming months, according to the Portland Press Herald.

While medical Cannabis sales have dwarfed recreational sales numbers since retail kicked off in October, adult-use marijuana revenue has steadily increased each month. So far, the state has sold $9.29 million of retail pot. Portland has only received a handful of medical marijuana dispensary applications. In fact, even the state’s biggest medical pot provider, Wellness Connection of Maine, has applied to switch its Portland location over to retail sales, after operating as a medical dispensary in the city for nine years.

THE FIGHT FOR CANNABIS FREEDOM

INCONNECTICUT

Gov. Ned Lamont’s most recent legalization proposal has been met with scathing criticism on all sides. Yet, lawmakers refuse to give up on advancing marijuana-law reform in Connecticut this year. In fact, there’s even a sense of budding optimism that the legislature can put forward an adult-use bill that delivers badly needed revenue, as well as equity and long overdue reforms.

The governor, an outspoken proponent of retail pot, introduced his legalization bill with his budget proposal in February. While the bill allows for possession of up to an ounce and a half of Cannabis and establishes retail sales in Connecticut beginning in May 2022, it does not do much to address social equity or criminal justice reform.

In fact, critics believe the bill essentially turns the new adult-use industry over to established medical marijuana businesses, thanks to the head start given to those companies by delaying the implementation of an ultimately lacking equity program.

Many advocates have been left wondering how smaller, minority-owned businesses would be able to enter the industry under the proposed legislation. Lamont’s administration has tried to frame the governor’s bill as a starting point, insisting that equity is not being ignored and that the legislation can be expanded. Still, critics point to restrictions on expunging past Cannabis criminal records and outlawing home cultivation as further evidence of the legislation’s shortcomings. A group called Black and Brown United in Action even called Lamont’s bill “an insult to democracy” and “another knee on the neck of Black and Photo by Logan Weaver Brown communities.”

Nonetheless, House Speaker Matthew Ritter remains optimistic that lawmakers can advance a strong tax and regulate bill. In addition to the governor’s proposal, legislators are also considering a separate legalization measure introduced by the House Labor and Public Employees Committee, which has received support from advocates.

Speaker Ritter is spearheading a negotiating process as groups in the House and Senate work though the bills in an effort to create a unified measure with enough support to move forward.

While the governor’s bill has been met with harsh criticism from advocates who support legalization, it has also dredged up prohibitionist rhetoric about increased traffic accidents and children overdosing.

The Connecticut State Medical Society, which vehemently opposes legalization, actually likened retail sales of legal Cannabis to Big Tobacco and Big Pharma. In written testimony, the group warned, “The rush towards legalization of recreational marijuana ignores how profit-driven corporations hooked generations of Americans on cigarettes and opioids, killing millions and straining public resources.”

It’s difficult to know where to begin unpacking that statement.

Reform inRhode Island

Photo by Cambridge Jenkins IV group of Rhode Island lawmakers unveiled a novel approach to druglaw reform in the State Senate last month. Six Democratic senators introduced a bill that would replace criminal penalties for drug possession with a $100 civil fine. The goal of the measure is simply to stop arresting people for possessing drugs.

The decriminalization bill arrived amid a flurry of reform legislation in Rhode Island. Senate leaders are pushing their commercial Cannabis bill and Gov. Dan McKee recently introduced a competing adult-use plan. Former Gov. Gina Raimondo had her own legal pot proposal before leaving office to become President Biden’s Commerce Secretary. Raimondo favored a state-run marijuana industry, while McKee – who took her place – and the Senate leaders prefer a privatized commercial system.

While the decrim bill would not legalize drugs or establish a retail program, it would address one of the most pressing issues users face. Possession of small amounts of drugs can Photo by Nathan Dumlao lead to big penalties – as much as three years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. The new legislation would eliminate the threat of jail time, replacing penalties for possession with a simple $100 civil fine.

Of course, you wouldn’t get to keep your drugs if you get caught. The substances would be subject to seizure by law enforcement. And, naturally, there would be no protections for the manufacture or distribution of narcotics. Nonetheless, the drug decrim bill could have a positive impact on many lives if passed.

Rhode Island lawmakers are also considering legislation to establish safe consumption sites, which could greatly reduce drug overdose deaths. The law would allow “harm reduction centers … where persons may safely consume pre-obtained controlled substances.” The Senate has already passed the bill. Should it become law, Rhode Island would be the first state to legalize sites for safe consumption.

>> Continued from pg. 13

NY legalization update

Cannabis legalization in New York is being described Lawmakers have also made it clear that they don’t intend to as inevitable as lawmakers and Gov. Andrew enact legalization through the budget process, as Cuomo had Cuomo negotiate aspects of the state’s long hoped. awaited adult-use marijuana law. Some believe a bill Cuomo, who faces accusations of sexual misconduct and could be put forward in just a matter of weeks. inappropriate behavior from at least seven women, would no

Cuomo has included legalization in his last three doubt love to see a popular law like legal Cannabis enacted budget proposals, but previous efforts fell apart as as soon as possible. The embattled governor is facing growing lawmakers couldn’t agree on certain details – like how to calls from his own party to resign. Legalization can’t save him, spend the tax revenue raised through sales. but it could distract from his scandal. The question is, can he

This year, Cuomo again submitted a proposal for legal get out of his own way? pot: the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act (CRTA). Reports indicate discussions over the legislation have The governor has pushed for his bill to be passed through the budget process. However, the CRTA was not well received. Among other concerns, advocates are troubled by the bill’s failure to adequately address social equity issues, as well as the governor’s refusal to allow any amount of personal cultivation. According to New York activist Eli Northrup, Gov. Cuomo “is insisting that police continue to be able to use the odor of marijuana as a justification to stop/search people, even after the substance is legal.” often been contentious, with Cuomo pushing for certain law enforcement provisions. According to New York activist Eli Northrup, the governor “is insisting that police continue to be able to use the odor of marijuana as a justification to stop/ search people, even after the substance is legal.” Cuomo might want to continue fighting the war on pot after

Lawmakers and advocates prefer a separate pro-pot legalization is enacted, but the governor’s clout has been initiative, introduced by Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and significantly diminished. In addition to the ongoing sex scandal that could Sen. Liz Krueger. The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) differs ultimately lead to his removal, the legislature currently holds a supermajority, significantly from the governor’s bill, primarily in its focus on social equity giving them the ability to override a veto from the governor. Given the unique programs and criminal justice reform. The lawmakers’ bill also allows people circumstances, lawmakers should be able to create the bill they want. And to grow their own Cannabis at home. they believe they’re close. Sen. Krueger said the bill “could pass the legislature

Now, legislators and the governor are engaged in negotiations to hammer before we get to the budget.” Of course, as New Yorkers know, they’ve been out the details of a single bill that will advance. But the feeling in Albany is that close before. Legalization seemed like a sure thing in 2019. But hope springs the final legislation will look a lot more like the MRTA than Cuomo’s CRTA. eternal. Maybe this is the year.

POLLING BACKS PUSH FOR POT IN

Photo by Ahmed Zayan

NY AND CT

new poll indicates widespread support for passing a progressive tax and regulate plan in New York State. The survey, conducted by Consensus Strategies in early March 2021, found that 61 percent of New Yorkers are in favor of legalizing marijuana. The poll also found support for commercial Cannabis, as 56 percent of New Yorkers approve of retail sales in their communities and 53 percent favor delivery services. The poll found less enthusiasm in New York City, however, as 52 percent of NYC residents are against the idea of retail shops opening in their neighborhood.

Home cultivation is favored by 52 percent of New Yorkers, according to the poll. Support for home grows soars to 78 percent among New Yorkers 18-34 years old. As we go to press, personal cultivation appears likely to be included in the state’s legalization legislation.

The poll also found that 59 percent of New Yorkers support the idea of investing revenue raised through Cannabis sales tax in communities most impacted by marijuana prohibition.

In Connecticut, polling reveals overwhelming support for legal pot and criminal justice reforms. The Sacred Heart University survey, conducted in mid-February 2021, found that 66 percent of Connecticut residents favor legalization. Additionally, 62 percent of residents support expungement for potrelated criminal records.

The survey found that support for legalization in Connecticut is bipartisan, however, more Democrats (77 percent) back adult-use marijuana than Republicans (52 percent).

Encouragingly, 72 percent of residents believe Cannabis has “fewer effects” or “the same amount of effects” as alcohol. Discouragingly, 41 percent of Connecticut residents consider marijuana a gateway drug.

STEM HAVERHILL

From seed, to Stem, to you, with love.

Woman-owned, fiercely independent and crazy friendly, Stem is a rebel with a cause — working to make the Haverhill community stronger through the power of cannabis. Join the cause today, at Stem. Flower • Edibles • Concentrates Pre-Rolls • Tinctures • Artisan glass

Caroline Pineau, Owner

MENU

StemHaverhill.com

View our Menu @stemhaverhill

Welcome to Stem!

Please Consume Responsibly. This product may cause impairment and be habit forming. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children. This product has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information on the side effects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. The impairment effects of Edibles may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1. This product may be illegal outside of MA.

This article is from: