NATIONAL NEWS

from Dec. 2022 - NW Leaf

by Northwest Leaf / Oregon Leaf / Alaska Leaf / Maryland Leaf / California Leaf / Northeast Leaf

COFFEE & CANNABIS

FIVE TEXAS CITIES PASS DECRIM LAWS

VOTERS IN five Texas cities in November decided in favor of municipal ballot initiatives eliminating local enforcement of low-level marijuana offenses.

Voters in the cities of Denton, Killeen, San Marcos, Elgin and Harker Heights decided ‘yes’ on the measures. Specifically, the ordinances limit local law enforcement from making arrests or issuing citations for most marijuana-related violations. It also prohibits police in most circumstances from considering the odor of Cannabis as probable cause of a crime.

“Texans have shown that they want major Cannabis law reforms in Texas via polling, legislative engagement, and now at the local ballot box,” Texas NORML Executive Director Jax James said. “This will have a positive impact on the almost half a million people living in these cities.”

2

states – Maryland and Missouri – legalized adult-use Cannabis in November’s election.

DEC. 2022 10

years have passed since Colorado and Washington became the first two states to legalize adult-use marijuana.

MARYLAND AND MISSOURI LEGALIZE ADULT-USE CANNABIS

MARYLAND VOTERS in November overwhelmingly passed a measure making the state the twentieth to legalize marijuana for adult use. Meanwhile, 53% of Missouri residents approved a legalization measure of their own.

Under Maryland legalization, possessing amounts between 1.5 ounces and 2.5 ounces will be subject to civil fines. Possession of greater amounts will remain subject to existing criminal penalties. Adults can grow up to two marijuana plants.

Missouri’s new law allows adults to possess up to three ounces of marijuana. Adults can home-cultivate up to six flowering plants, six immature plants, and six plants under 14 inches for personal use.

MINNESOTA GOVERNOR PROMISES LEGALIZATION

INCUMBENT Governor Tim Walz (DFL) is planning for Cannabis legalization with Democrats newly in control of the Minnesota Legislature. Spark ‘em if you got them!

The governor promised it will be “one of the first” bills to pass in 2023, according to former governor Jesse Ventura. Walz called him to chat about the implications of November’s midterm election results, Ventura said.

Walz extended an invitation to former wrestling star Ventura – a longtime Cannabis activist – to the anticipated signing ceremony once lawmakers deliver a legalization bill to the governor’s desk.

“THE GOVERNOR PROMISED IT WILL BE “ONE OF THE FIRST” BILLS TO PASS IN 2023, ACCORDING TO FORMER GOVERNOR JESSE VENTURA.”

21 70% 225

states have legalized adult-use Cannabis, with two more added after the Nov. 2022 elections.

of voters in Elgin, Tex. approved a city ordinance that will officially decriminalize marijuana.

Cannabis retailers are now open in Massachusetts’ legal adult-use market.

$2.2b

in revenue was brought in by Colorado’s legal Cannabis market in 2021, making it the 2nd largest in the country behind California at $5.2 billion.

entertainment

SEAN COMBS GETS INTO THE WEED BUSINESS

Hip-hop mogul and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs is venturing into the world of Cannabis.

Combs has agreed to acquire licensed Cannabis operations in New York, “MY MISSION Massachusetts and Illinois, in a deal worth HAS ALWAYS up to $185 million. The transaction marks BEEN TO CREATE Combs’ first investment in marijuana and will OPPORTUNITIES reportedly create the country’s first minorityowned, vertically-integrated, multi-state Cannabis company. It will also reportedly be FOR BLACK ENTREPRENEURS the world’s largest Black-owned marijuana IN INDUSTRIES operation, according to a release from WHERE WE’VE Combs and the companies. TRADITIONALLY BEEN

The transaction comes after Cresco Labs DENIED ACCESS.” earlier this year agreed to purchase rival Columbia Care in a $2 billion deal. The acquisition makes Cresco the top U.S. marijuana producer. It was one of the biggest deals in the Cannabis industry, and required Cresco to divest assets in limited-license markets including New York state.

The deal includes four retail stores and one production facility in the Empire State; three retail stores and one production facility in Massachusetts; and two retail stores and one production facility in Illinois.

“My mission has always been to create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in industries where we’ve traditionally been denied access,” Combs said. “And this acquisition provides the immediate scale and impact needed to create a more equitable future in Cannabis.”