NATIONAL NEWS

MARYLAND HOUSE SPEAKER SUPPORTS CANNABIS REFERENDUM

Adrienne Jones, Maryland’s House Speaker, announced her support July 16 for a referendum to legalize Cannabis on next year’s ballot.

Jones, a Baltimore County Democrat, also announced a panel to study how to implement a recreational marijuana program in Maryland – if voters approve.

“While I have personal concerns about encouraging marijuana use, particularly among children and young adults, the disparate criminal justice impact leads me to believe that the voters should have a say in the future of legalization,” Jones said in a statement. “The House will pass legislation early next year to put this question before the voters, but we need to start looking at changes needed to state law now.”

5

Democratic Senators – Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y), Ron Wyden (Ore.), and Cory Booker of (N.J.) – are sponsoring the new federal legalization bill.

16

grams of Cannabis extract are allowed under New Mexico’s new adult-use legalization law. M ajority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on July 15 said on the Senate floor that he will use his clout to make legislation ending the federal prohibition of Cannabis a top priority, reports The Hill.

The legislation would also allow state-compliant Cannabis businesses to have access to financial services, such as bank accounts and loans.

The federal Controlled Substances Act lists marijuana as a Schedule I drug. That has resulted in an estimated 40,000 Americans behind bars because of Cannabis-related offenses, according to Forbes.

“I am the first majority leader to say it’s time to end the federal prohibition on marijuana,” Schumer said. “And as majority leader, I’m going to push this issue forward and make it a priority for the Senate.”

Schumer also said the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act would make “monumental change.”

Marijuana would be removed from the federal list of controlled substances. The bill would also expunge the criminal records of those with low-level marijuana offenses.

20

percent of Czech Republic citizens aged 15 to 34 admit trying Cannabis at least once.

76

percent of the St. Regis Mohawk tribe in New York voted to allow adults to use Cannabis.

12k

years ago, in China, Cannabis was first domesticated by humans, according to a new study.

245m

dollars will be generated by New York State’s marijuana industry by 2024, according to the governor’s office.

AUG. 2021

CANNABIS USERS STILL CAN’T LEGALLY BUY A GUN IN VIRGINIA OHIO LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE CANNABIS LEGALIZATION BILL

Although the adult use of Cannabis became legal in Virginia on July 1 and it is legal to possess a firearm, Virginians have to pick one or the other. They cannot legally do both, reports 6 News Richmond.

“If I smell it, I know that you’re using, it’s my decision not to sell it to you,” said Gene Landry, owner of Old Town Silver Exchange in Henrico.

“If you choose that you want to partake in marijuana, then firearms are out of the question for you,” said Sean Banks, CEO of Virginia Tactical Shooting Academy.

Banks said those looking to purchase a firearm need to fill out a federal form from ATF.

The form asks if you are an unlawful user or are addicted to marijuana, then goes on to warn that the use or possession of the drug remains unlawful under federal law, regardless of whether it’s legalized in the state.

“If they answer that question that they do or would like to, then we legally can’t sell them a firearm,” said Banks. “Whether being that it’s legal in the state of Virginia, that has no bearing on federal statutes.”

Banks said this was also the case for medical marijuana cardholders as well, saying they have had to turn customers away because of it. T wo Democratic Ohio lawmakers have drafted a new bill that would legalize and regulate sales for both personal and commercial cultivation of Cannabis, while keeping the state’s current medical marijuana program intact.

Under the bill, those medical businesses could get a license to sell recreational marijuana as well.

Those with nonviolent, low-level marijuana convictions could have their records sealed. This decriminalization could fill jobs in Ohio, while giving back resources to law enforcement, reports News 5 Cleveland.

Democratic state Reps. Casey Weinstein of Hudson and Terrence Upchurch of Cleveland said they drafted the bill to legalize cultivation – personal and commercial – and to regulate sales. It would also allow people previously convicted of low-level marijuana crimes to have their records sealed.

“We’re seeing there are dramatic economic benefits, there are medical benefits, and there’s a strong criminal justice avenue here so we can focus law enforcement on violent crime,” Weinstein said, reports The Cincinnati Enquirer.

“Right now the reality is if Ohio doesn’t act, we are falling behind,” Weinstein said.

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