MJNews Network

"The Voice of Legal Cannabis Since 2013"

You are here: Home / Archives for normalization

Majority Leader Schumer, Senate Finance Committee Chair Wyden And Senator Booker Release Discussion Draft Of Cannabis Administration & Opportunity Act

by Leave a Comment

Legislation To End The Federal Cannabis Prohibition And Unfair Targeting Of Communities Of Color

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today released a discussion draft of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, proposed legislation that would help put an end to the unfair targeting and treatment of communities of color by removing cannabis from the federal list of controlled substances and empowering states to implement their own cannabis laws. 

Ending the federal prohibition on cannabis is becoming increasingly urgent as more and more states continue to legalize adult and medical use of cannabis. Despite the fact that cannabis is illegal under federal law, the majority of Americans live in a state where cannabis is legal in one form or another and more than 90 percent of Americans believe it should be legalized for either adult or medical use.

The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act would ensure that Americans in all communities will not be arrested or barred from receiving essential services for using cannabis where it is legal. This proposal would also ensure state-compliant cannabis businesses will be able to access the essential financial services and will preserve the integrity of state cannabis laws while providing a path for federal regulation.

Importantly, this legislative proposal goes a step beyond legalizing cannabis by expunging federal non-violent marijuana crimes and allowing individuals currently serving time in federal prison for non-violent marijuana crimes to petition a court for resentencing. It will also establish a fund to reinvest in the communities that were hurt by the War on Drugs and provide restorative justice to communities of color.

Senators Booker, Wyden, and Schumer thank Senator Murray and her HELP Committee staff for their work in developing the Food and Drug Administration and public health components of the Discussion Draft.

“I am proud to introduce our discussion draft of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, a legislative proposal aimed at finally putting an end to the federal prohibition of cannabis and addressing the over-criminalization of cannabis in a comprehensive and meaningful way,” said Majority Leader Schumer. “The War on Drugs has too often been a war on people, and particularly people of color. Not only will this legislation remove cannabis from the federal list of controlled substances, but it will also help fix our criminal justice system, ensure restorative justice, protect public health, and implement responsible taxes and regulations.”

“Cannabis prohibition, a key pillar of the failed War on Drugs, has caused substantial harm to our communities and small businesses, and especially for communities of color,” said Senate Finance Committee Chair Wyden. “It’s as simple as this: Senators Booker, Schumer and I want to bring common sense to the federal government, end prohibition and restore the lives of those hurt most and set them up for opportunity.”

“For decades, our federal government has waged a War on Drugs that has unfairly impacted low-income communities and communities of color,” said Senator Booker. “While red and blue states across the country continue to legalize marijuana, the federal government continues to lag woefully behind. It is time for Congress to end the federal marijuana prohibition and reinvest in communities most impacted by the failed War on Drugs. I am proud to introduce this landmark piece of legislation with Senator Wyden and Majority Leader Schumer that will finally turn the page on this dark chapter in American history and begin righting these wrongs.”

The text of the discussion draft of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act can be found HERE, a one pager can be found HERE and a detailed summary can be found HERE.

Summary of the discussion draft of the Cannabis Administration And Opportunity Act:

The War on Drugs has been a war on people—particularly people of color. The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act aims to end the decades of harm inflicted on communities of color by removing cannabis from the federal list of controlled substances and empowering states to implement their own cannabis laws.

Federal cannabis reforms are especially urgent as more and more states legalize the adult and medical use of cannabis. To date, the adult use of cannabis is legal in 18 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam; and 37 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have advanced laws to allow medical cannabis, with nearly all Americans living in a state where some form of cannabis is legal. These changes represent a dynamic shift in public opinion and support across the political spectrum. Today, more than 90 percent of Americans believe cannabis should be legal either for adult or medical use. Despite legalization under state law and broad public support for cannabis legalization, cannabis remains illegal under federal law.

By ending the failed federal prohibition of cannabis, the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act will ensure that Americans – especially Black and Brown Americans – no longer have to fear arrest or be barred from public housing or federal financial aid for higher education for using cannabis in states where it’s legal. State-compliant cannabis businesses will finally be treated like other businesses and allowed access to essential financial services, like bank accounts and loans. Medical research will no longer be stifled.

But this alone is not enough. The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act includes restorative measures to lift up people and communities who were unfairly targeted in the War on Drugs. The bill automatically expunges federal non-violent marijuana crimes and allows an individual currently serving time in federal prison for non-violent marijuana crimes to petition a court for resentencing.

The legislation also creates an “Opportunity Trust Fund” funded by federal cannabis tax revenue to reinvest in the communities most impacted by the failed War on Drugs, as well as helping to level the playing field for entrepreneurs of color who continue to face barriers of access to the industry. Importantly, the legislation also ends discrimination in federal public benefits for medical marijuana patients and adult use consumers. The legislation preserves the integrity of state cannabis laws and provides a path for responsible federal regulation of the cannabis industry. Like with federal regulations on alcohol, states can determine their own cannabis laws, but federal prohibition will no longer be an obstacle. Regulatory responsibility will be moved from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to protect public health. Additionally, revenue generated by federal taxes will support restorative justice and public health and safety research.

U.S. Senators Cory Booker, D-N.J., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., (collectively referred to in this document as the “Sponsoring Offices”) are committed to turning the page on this sad chapter in American history and undoing the devastating consequences of current discriminatory cannabis policies. As such, they are seeking feedback from the public as they finalize their proposal. The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act discussion draft is a detailed legislative proposal meant to spur a robust discussion among stakeholders in order to inform the Sponsoring Offices as they work to craft a final legislative proposal. The Sponsoring Offices request comments from stakeholders and members of the public, including social and criminal justice advocates, industry stakeholders, members of the public health and law enforcement communities, members of Congress, federal officials, state and local officials, and others for review and comment.

Congressman Blumenauer Urges Department of Transportation to Reform Driver Impairment Testing

by Leave a Comment

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:  Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Co-Chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, released a letter urging the Department of Transportation to reform and modernize cannabis testing requirements for commercial truck drivers.

In the past two years, tens of thousands of commercial drivers have been forced out of the profession not because they are impaired on the job, but because imprecise testing practices trigger penalties for use of state-legal medical or adult-use cannabis in the days or weeks prior to testing.

“As the United States faces an unprecedented supply chain crisis, tens of thousands of commercial drivers are being disqualified from service due to past cannabis use. These disqualifications deny people the right to earn a living, reduce the workforce when drivers are desperately needed, and penalize people of color and patients who legally use medical cannabis,”Blumenauer wrote. “This crisis must be treated with urgency. Your department should rapidly reform requirements for testing drivers and returning them to service, as well as develop an accurate test for impairment.”

Read the full letter here.

Senators Merkley, Rosen Lead Bipartisan Effort to Improve Safety for Legal Cannabis Businesses

by Leave a Comment

Bipartisan Group of Senators Calls to Include the SAFE Banking Act in Compromise House-Senate Competitiveness Bill

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) led 22 of their colleagues in a bipartisan effort requesting that congressional leadership include the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2021, which would allow state-legal cannabis business to access banking services, in the final version of competitiveness legislation currently being negotiated between the House and Senate. Passage of the SAFE Banking Act, which Merkley has introduced since 2015, would help ensure that legal cannabis businesses do not have to operate in all-cash—the current reality for thousands of small businesses across the country, which has led to ongoing threats of robbery and assault for business owners and employees. 

The letter sent to Senate Leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Leader Kevin McCarthy in the House, notes the SAFE Banking Act has passed the House six times—most recently as an amendment to its version of the bipartisan competition bill, and urges leadership to ensure the text of that amendment remains in the final conferenced version of the bill to be considered by both the House and the Senate.

“The SAFE Banking Act, as included in the House-passed America COMPETES Act, would allow banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions to offer banking services to legally-operating cannabis businesses without fear of punishment by federal regulators,” wrote the lawmakers. “Currently, thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical use, and eighteen states and the District of Columbia allow adult recreational use. As a result, the cannabis industry has become a powerful job creator and a significant generator of tax revenue. However, financial institutions are often reluctant to transact with cannabis-related businesses, even in states that have some form of legalized cannabis, due to legal and regulatory risks arising from inconsistent federal and state laws.

“Allowing cannabis businesses operating legally and in compliance with state law to access financial services without federal reprisal would address public safety and compliance challenges, helping communities reduce cash-motivated crimes,” they continued. “Law enforcement organizations have publicly testified before Congress about these cash-related safety risks, including theft, robbery, and serious violence perpetrated against employees responsible for conducting what should be routine business operations.1 The same law enforcement organizations also have testified about the importance of moving these large amounts of cash in the cannabis industry into the banking system, where accounts are monitored in accordance with existing federal anti-money laundering laws and the Bank Secrecy Act. Enacting the SAFE Banking Act via the jobs and competitiveness legislation before us would support a rapidly growing industry that creates jobs, fosters innovation, supports small businesses, and raises revenue in states that have chosen to legalize cannabis, while reducing safety risks to industry employees and the public alike.”

Senators Merkley and Rosen have repeatedly advocated for the bipartisan SAFE Banking Act and have been a vocal advocates and leaders for federal action that treats Oregon’s and Nevada’s legally-operating cannabis businesses fairly.

In addition to Senators Merkley and Rosen, the letter is signed by Senators Steven Daines (R-MT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Angus King (I-ME), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Patty Murray (D-WA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Chris Coons (D-DE).

Full text of the letter can be found here and follows below:

May 12, 2022

Dear Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy,

We write to request that the final conferenced American competitiveness, jobs, and innovation package retain the text of the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act (SAFE Banking Act) of 2021 included in the House of Representatives’ American COMPETES Act of 2022. The House has now passed the SAFE Banking Act six times, including most recently as an amendment to its version of the bipartisan competition bill, and we ask you to ensure that the text of that amendment remains in the final conferenced version of the bill to be considered by both the House and the Senate.

The SAFE Banking Act, as included in the House-passed America COMPETES Act, would allow banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions to offer banking services to legally-operating cannabis businesses without fear of punishment by federal regulators. Currently, thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical use, and eighteen states and the District of Columbia allow adult recreational use. As a result, the cannabis industry has become a powerful job creator and a significant generator of tax revenue. However, financial institutions are often reluctant to transact with cannabis-related businesses, even in states that have some form of legalized cannabis, due to legal and regulatory risks arising from inconsistent federal and state laws. Allowing cannabis businesses operating legally and in compliance with state law to access financial services without federal reprisal would address public safety and compliance challenges, helping communities reduce cash-motivated crimes. Law enforcement organizations have publicly testified before Congress about these cash-related safety risks, including theft, robbery, and serious violence perpetrated against employees responsible for conducting what should be routine business operations.2 The same law enforcement organizations also have testified about the importance of moving these large amounts of cash in the cannabis industry into the banking system, where accounts are monitored in accordance with existing federal anti-money laundering laws and the Bank Secrecy Act. Enacting the SAFE Banking Act via the jobs and competitiveness legislation before us would support a rapidly growing industry that creates jobs, fosters innovation, supports small businesses, and raises revenue in states that have chosen to legalize cannabis, while reducing safety risks to industry employees and the public alike.

The House of Representatives already added the SAFE Banking Act as an amendment to the America COMPETES Act by a bipartisan a vote of 262-168, and on February 4, 2022, passed the amended America COMPETES Act by a bipartisan vote of 222 to 210. The standalone legislation on which the amendment is based previously passed the House of Representatives 321-101, garnering the support of more than three-quarters of the chamber and a majority of the members of each party. The bill’s list of co-sponsors is also bipartisan in both the House and the Senate. Given the demonstrated broad support for this measure, we ask you to ensure that the text of the SAFE Banking Act remain in the forthcoming final conferenced version of the jobs and competitiveness bill when it comes to the House and Senate for final votes. This will help cannabis-related businesses, support innovation, create jobs, and strengthen public safety in our communities. We look forward to working with you on this important issue.

Sincerely,

ACLU of Nevada Gets Blunt: Schedule 1 listing for Cannabis Is Unconstitutional

by Leave a Comment

NEVADA:  State law — and the will of Nevada voters — is clear that cannabis is legal to possess and use for medicinal and recreational purposes. Yet state agencies, including the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy, continue to list it as a Schedule I substance alongside meth, heroin, and cocaine.

Instead of treating cannabis like alcohol and removing it from the state’s list of controlled substances, Nevada is ignoring its state Constitution and the will of the people. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada Foundation on Friday filed a writ with the intent of finally ending the practice. The case, CEIC v. Nevada Board of Pharmacy, was filed in Clark County court. 

For cannabis to be classified as a Schedule I substance, the Board of Pharmacy must find that it has no accepted medical use in treatment or it cannot be safely distributed to the public. However, the Nevada Constitution explicitly allows for the “use by a patient, upon the advice of his physician, of a plant of the genus Cannabis for the treatment or alleviation of cancer, glaucoma, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome… or other chronic or debilitating medical conditions”.

The ACLU of Nevada is representing the Cannabis Equity and Inclusion Community, a nonprofit organization focused on civic engagement and policies that will make opportunities real and attainable for communities and people that were disenfranchised by the failed drug war, and an individual who was convicted of felony possession of a controlled substance for possessing marijuana after it was legalized both for medical and recreational uses.

ACLU of Nevada Attorney Sadmira Ramic said:

“Police departments and district attorneys in Nevada have wasted an immense amount of taxpayer dollars by seeking criminal convictions and penalties for small-time cannabis possession. Despite Nevada voters’ explicit desire to have cannabis treated like alcohol, it is readily apparent that they are treated very differently. The failure to remove cannabis as a Schedule I substance not only goes against voters’ will, but it violates the Nevada Constitution which unequivocally recognizes cannabis’s medical value.”

Cannabis Equity and Inclusion Community Founder A’Esha Goins said:

“We’re consistently fighting for policy changes that will ensure freedom for Black and Latinx people that choose cannabis as a treatment. It’s disheartening that we are four years after legalization and we’re still dealing with policies that can derail people’s lives over cannabis possession. The classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance must be stopped.”

HISTORY OF CANNABIS DECRIMINALIZATION IN NEVADA

For decades, the failed War on Drugs harmed our communities, but Nevadans have taken significant steps to decriminalize cannabis for medical and recreational uses.

In 2000, Nevada voters ratified an amendment to the Nevada Constitution to legalize cannabis for medical use. The amendment specifically recognized the medical value of cannabis.

In 2016, Nevadans voted to legalize possession of cannabis for recreational purposes. The law was passed because people no longer wanted resources to be used in prosecuting cannabis offenses and wanted it to be regulated in the same manner as alcohol.

NY State Senator Cooney Introduces Tax Bill to Allow Licensed Cannabis Business Owners to Deduct Business Expenses

by Leave a Comment

NEW YORK:  Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) introduced legislation that will allow future NYS licensed adult-use cannabis businesses to deduct business expenses when filing state taxes. These deductions are standard for existing non-cannabis businesses across the state. 

The recently enacted Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) legalized recreational adult-use cannabis, and provides a structure to allow New York State (through the Office of Cannabis Management) to license proprietors to legally conduct business in this new industry. However, section 280E of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code prohibits these licensed businesses from making deductions or account for expenses that come with running a business, while filing state taxes. These restrictions result in taxing cannabis enterprises at a higher rate than businesses in other industries in New York. The higher than average taxes will create an unnecessary barrier to entry and discourage or disqualify equity candidates and legacy market participants from joining the new legal market.

Senate Bill S.7518 will amend the state tax law to allow cannabis enterprises licensed by New York State to deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses. The legislation will provide tax equity to licensed businesses in the emerging industry and aims to prevent the new economy from being dominated by large corporations who can afford to pay the higher tax rates. This Bill was modeled after similar legislation in the State of California (AB-37), which passed in October of 2019.

 Senator Jeremy Cooney: 

The MRTA was crafted with a focus on equity at all stages of implementation in the new recreational adult-use cannabis market. We must ensure that this focus includes licensing and taxation of these new businesses is top of mind while we create the foundations of this new sector of the economy. I am proud to sponsor legislation that will create a more equitable taxation system to allow more small business owners and entrepreneurs to participate in the new cannabis market.”

 Allan Gandelman, Executive Founder, NYCGPA:

“The New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association fully supports Senator Cooney’s efforts to correct this prohibitionist tax law. Amending section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code is a crucial step in achieving New York’s goal of creating a truly equitable, accessible and opportunistic cannabis industry for upstate farmers and locally-owned and family-owned businesses. Without this amendment, New York’s adult-use market could become dominated by large multi-state operators who can afford to pay the higher tax rates and business costs. In order for the state’s adult-use market to reach its full and true potential, New Yorkers need to be positioned to succeed in the legal market and the effective tax rates that cannabis businesses would currently face is a significant hindrance. There is much to be optimistic about for New York’s legal market, but we must continue to be accountable and do the necessary work to establish an industry that is reflective of our state and the goals set out in the MRTA.”

Bob Duffy, President & CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce: 

“If New York State hopes to be a leader in this emerging industry, we must acknowledge the reality: outrageous taxes will discourage entry and participation in the market, cause dollars to exit our State for more competitive opportunities, and lead to an exacerbated black market that poses real dangers for our communities. I applaud Senator Cooney for leading the effort to ensure New York encourages entrepreneurship, equity, and economic vitality by sponsoring this measure.”

 Anthony M. Gaddy, Co-Founder & President/CEO, Upstate NY Black Chamber of Commerce (A U.S. Black Chamber):

“Financing and expenses should not create additional barriers for equity applicants, especially seeking to enter the cannabis industry, especially when considering how the failed ‘War on Drugs’ has already impacted the communities from which these new businesses will likely open. This new legislation will help these small businesses, especially Black-owned businesses, launch while also playing a pivotal role in helping equity applicants access this emerging economy.”

 Ken Pokalsky, Vice President, The Business Council of New York State:

“The Business Council supports this legislation as cannabis businesses operating under New York State law should not be barred by the Internal Revenue Code from taking advantage of state-level business expense deductions that are available to all other businesses. These companies should have equal access to state tax credits that promote in-state investments and job creation.”

 Steven Phan, Co-founder of Come Back Daily and Chair, Retail Committee, NYCGPA:

“For retail owners looking to break into the adult-use market, the potential effective tax rates we could deal with as a result of the 280E tax law, on top of the already-inflated rent and cost of doing business that exist in New York, could be a crippling hurdle for establishing a successful legal cannabis business. If the state truly wants to provide legacy market members, social equity applicants and diverse business owners with accessible opportunity in a legal market, Senator Cooney’s lead must be followed in amending this discriminatory law. If the cannabis industry is to be considered fully legitimate and legal in this state, it is absolutely imperative that this step be taken to lift yet another unfair barrier that will disproportionately phase out small business owners and individuals meant to be prioritized by the MRTA.”

 Glenna Colaprete, Owner, Glenna’s CBD & Spa:

“We have seen the inability to write off plant touching activities as a significant part of the barrier to entry in other states. If we truly want social and economic equity then this important legislation is paramount in order to help ensure this, especially for social equity applicants.”

 Kristin Jordan, CEO of Park Jordan, & the Founder and President of the Board of Directors of Asian Cannabis Roundtable:

“We have seen how taxation, as it stands in the cannabis market, ultimately creates inequity, stifles small business and props up the illicit market. This legislation allowing businesses to deduct expenses with the state is key to not only ensuring economic equity but that New York becomes synonymous with thriving entrepreneurship”

 Lauren Rudick, Partner/Co-Founder, Cannabis Law Practice at Hiller PC:

“Senator Cooney’s proposed amendment of this tax law is imperative to pushing forward New Yok’s key goals for its legal cannabis industry, particularly with regard to its goal of awarding 50% of cannabis business licenses to businesses which qualify as social and economic equity applicants.  Priority in licensing, however, means nothing if the business cannot be profitable, and 280E is a direct hindrance in profitability.  Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code directly contradicts the MRTA’s vision of establishing an equitable and accessible adult-use market in New York. The existing tax laws stigmatize a completely legal industry and ostracize those the MRTA was designed to benefit, all while opening the door for large multi-state operators to swoop in and take on the costs small New York-owned businesses otherwise could not afford.”

Opinion: How Cannabis Can Save The Mid Terms For Democrats in 2022

by Leave a Comment

By Stu Zakim

As we look at the narration for President Biden’s accomplishments during the first two years of his administration which don’t get the attention it deserves, the mid-terms become a real measurement of how the voters view them and the way the Senate and House guide that success.

Regardless, the GOP is widely expected to win the majority in the House and Senate in this November’s mid-term elections.  History teaches us that the party in power loses in the mid-terms as it serves as a referendum to the voters as to whether the governing party should stay in power for the next two years until the 2024 Presidential elections. In other words, as we’ve seen, the Dems seeking re-election in the House and Senate are screwed.  Many voices of reason on both sides are not running again; the cost of constant examination and negative campaigning has taken its toll for a lot of politicians who opted to serve the public to keep the US in the right in a world of wrongs.

Enter Cannabis to save the union.  First myth to destroy is that consumption and desire to see it legalized nationally is a partisan issue. This storyline show the fallacy of that assumption as Democrats and Republicans consume Cannabis and support legalization equally.

That said, the GOP has taken a back seat to reaching out to the multi generational consumers of Cannabis; they as a party still think of Cannabis as “evil weed” and “Reefer Madness.”  A majority of GOP’s on a national level still see it that way.  The perfect example is the disconnect between the House and the Senate on the big issue of banks accepting the ability of those in the Cannabis industry to get access to legal banking with the SAFE Banking Act as well as the MORE Act.  Last week, for the second time, the House approved the law; it is fully expected to be rejected by the Senate again and forcing Cannabis companies to rely on private equity to fund their growth.

This presents Democrats with an excellent opportunity to take advantage of the GOP’s outright rejection of any bi-partisan legislation toward the above issues, as well as addressing other concerns about social equity, erasing the barriers to access for those marginalized communities who bore the brunt of the failed war on drugs, expunging records for minor offenses and other matters of importance as part of their platforms and active policies.  These issues are important to many and never really addressed by politicians in the past due to the stigma around Cannabis and its community.  Having a record prevents people from getting jobs, access to federal housing, being eligible for federal and state loans, and basically creating a vicious cycle of failure rather than success for a large part of their constituency.  And, until recently in an ironic way, they were prevented from getting legitimate employment opportunities in the Cannabis industry.

Credit to NY Governor Hochul for recognizing this disenfranchised group of voters and coming up with a solution that addresses several wrongs as indicated above.  Recently, she made national news with her announcement that NY State will be issuing their first few hundred licenses for those who were incarcerated for minor Cannabis offenses.  She is in a very tight race for re-election this November.  Her GOP opponent, Lee Zeldin’s polling shows them in a dead heat.   Additionally, she has created a $200 million grant program that will help licensed equity applicants find, lease and renovate storefronts into Cannabis dispensaries, thus removing some of the many barriers to access that community faces. As of November, 2021, NY state had either expunged or in the process of expunging the records of close to 400,000 people, many of whom were disproportionately black, brown and Latino.  That’s a large group of untapped voters who can turn this close election into a smash for Hochul.  I’m not saying her actions aren’t coming from her heart; rather, I’m saying it’s also a very smart political move and one that the Democrats who find themselves in tight races, which is just about anyone running for re-election this year, should think about.

We currently have 18 states where adult-use Cannabis is legal.  When you add the states with only medical, we’re looking at 37 states.  That’s a lot of people of all ages who used the power of their vote to affect these changes and want representatives that share their opinion.  To all the Democrats running for state, local or federal office this year, embrace and mobilize this very strong and powerful voting block.  Create and promote policies that address these concerns and you’ll find a new source of fundraising as well as voters.

One of my worst nightmares during the 2020 election campaign was that with his approval ratings tanking, being impeached and in a close race for re-election, the Donald would all of a sudden come out in favor of federal legalization as his “October surprise” and be elected as a result.  Thank God that didn’t happen, but, now, with the predictions of a massacre for Democrats in November, I think the Democratic candidates have nothing to lose and everything to win so they can maintain control of the House and Senate rather than face a GOP majority that will spend its time seeking revenge rather than making policies and laws that help people’s lives.  And, certainly not help the Cannabis cause.

Let’s hope they listen.

Stu Zakim is a Strategic Communications professional with senior level experience in the entertainment, media and cannabis sectors

stu@bridgestrategic.com @stuzakim 732-754-9051

MA Cannabis Education Event to Inform and Empower Consumers

by Leave a Comment

MCR Lab’s “What’s In Your Weed: The Educated Consumer” to teach consumers what to look out for when purchasing cannabis.

MASSACHUSETTS:  Local cannabis testing laboratory MCR Labs is hosting a consumer education event aimed at empowering consumers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their cannabis purchases and consumption choices.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a presentation by MCR’s Vice President of Scientific Development Scott Churchill and InhaleMD’s President & CEO Dr. Jordan Tishler. Dr. Tishler is a Cannabinoid Specialist. 

“There is a lot of speculation out there on terms like ‘Total Active Cannabinoids’ and how factors like shelf life stability affect product quality,” said Churchill. “Our goal here is to help consumers develop a deeper understanding of cannabis so they can choose the right product for themselves.”

MCR Labs provides analytical cannabis testing services to cultivators and product manufacturers. The data produced by these services, such as cannabinoid content, is often advertised on product labels.

“It’s really important that patients understand how compounds like cannabinoids interact with their bodies,” said Dr. Tishler. “This can help them understand their medicine and work with their healthcare professionals to achieve optimal treatment.”

Through his training in Internal Medicine and years of practice as an Emergency Physician, Dr. Tishler brings his knowledge, reason, and caring to patients at inhaleMD, and through his advocacy work at the local and national levels.

“What’s In Your Weed: The Educated Consumer” will be held this Thursday, April 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at District Hall in Boston. Anyone interested in learning more or attending the event can find details on the event website

Manitoba Harvest Enters Exclusive Partnership with Whole Foods Market

by Leave a Comment

Global Hemp and Natural Foods Brand Introduces Hemp+ Matcha and Supergreens Powders Exclusively at Whole Foods

MINNESOTA & CANADA: Manitoba Harvest, the world’s leading hemp foods brand, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tilray Brands, debuts their innovative Hemp+ Matcha and Hemp+ Supergreens powders exclusively at 300 plus Whole Foods Market locations nationwide, landing on shelves throughout April 2022.Whole Foods Market - Wikipedia

“We are thrilled to be working with Whole Foods Market to launch our new Hemp+ powders, Matcha and Supergreens. Whole Foods seeks out the finest natural and organic foods available. This exclusive release is a testament to our product quality and hemp’s increasing popularity,” said Jared Simon, President at Manitoba Harvest.

Manitoba Harvest’s Hemp+ Matcha and Superfoods powders combine the power of hemp with complementary on-trend plant-based ingredients. Consumers can choose between the added benefits of Matcha-based caffeine or 8 Essential Vitamins & Minerals coming from Supergreens. Each serving contains 6 grams of plant-based protein and 2-3 grams of fiber from hemp.

“Whole Foods Market is excited to bring customers an expanded offering of innovative formats within our hemp seed segment that provides multiple benefits in one convenient product. Manitoba Harvest consistently provides well-positioned, quality products that we know will satisfy and delight our consumers,” said Megan Causgrove, Global Category Merchant, Whole Foods Market.

For a limited time, Manitoba Harvest’s Hemp+ Matcha will be exclusively available in 348 Whole Foods Market locations, while the Hemp+ Supergreens will be available for purchase in 382 stores across North America. After 90 days, both products will continue to be available at Whole Foods Market and other locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Governor Hochul Announces “Cannabis Conversations,” New York’s First Public Education Campaign on Cannabis

by Leave a Comment

“Cannabis Conversations” Public Education Campaign Includes Public Service Advertisements on Television, Radio, Transit, Billboards, and Social Media with Two More Phases to Follow This Spring

 

NEW YORK:  Governor Kathy Hochul today announced “Cannabis Conversations,” New York State’s first public health education campaign on cannabis to inform the public on the state’s Cannabis Law, including who can consume, where to consume, and how to consume safely. This wide-reaching campaign will provide parents and caregivers with tools to protect youth, remind New Yorkers of the risks of driving while impaired by cannabis, and other messages to help keep New Yorkers safe and healthy as the new industry develops. These messages will be distributed in English and Spanish through public service advertisements on television, radio, transit, billboards, and social media.

“With the ‘Cannabis Conversations’ campaign, we’re following through on our commitment to provide New Yorkers with the information they need to safely navigate the new Cannabis Law,” Governor Hochul said. “Education is the best tool to keep New Yorkers healthy as we continue to ramp up this safe, inclusive, and equitable industry.”

Public service advertisements for the “Cannabis Conversations” campaign will start today and run for approximately three months. Today’s launch is centered on a 30-second, overarching message that highlights: New York State legalizing cannabis, but only for adults 21 years old and over; not driving under the influence; keeping second-hand cannabis smoke away from other people; locking up cannabis and storing it out of reach of children and pets. As part of the campaign, additional messages will be introduced in the future to reinforce and expand on these concepts. Pictures of advertisements here and videos of the advertisements in English and Spanish are available here.

The campaign builds on the Office of Cannabis Management’s first public-outreach effort also called “Cannabis Conversations,” where the OCM held virtual outreach sessions in 10 regions across New York and an 11th session in Spanish.

New York’s Cannabis Law focuses on public health and is grounded in the principles of public safety, social justice, and equitable economic development designed to help undo the harm caused by cannabis prohibition.As part of this public policy shift, the law requires public health education campaigns that inform New Yorkers of the new law and the impact of cannabis use on public health and safety.

Cannabis Control Board Chair Tremaine Wright said, “‘Cannabis Conversations’ is our first public health campaign as we make sure New Yorkers have the initial information they need to stay safe and healthy. We have learned from other states and are excited to amplify these important messages across the State. Meanwhile, we’re hard at work building this new industry, and as it continues to evolve, so, too, will our public education efforts with future campaigns tackling a growing range of health and safety messaging.”

Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management Chris Alexander said,“Our first public health education campaign, ‘Cannabis Conversations,’ will give New Yorkers the information they need to start talking about our state’s Cannabis Law and the health and safety implications for consuming cannabis. This fact-based campaign reflects the change in how we’re approaching cannabis as we focus on evidence-based education over prosecution.”

The “Cannabis Conversations” campaign was developed by the Office of Cannabis Management following a review of education campaigns operated by other states legalized adult-use cannabis before New York state and in partnership with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the Department of Health, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

New York State Commissioner of Health Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, “The new ‘Cannabis Conversations’ campaign provides people with the facts and educates them about the new law. As cannabis becomes more widely available as a legal recreational product, its safe use is an important message.”

Commissioner of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “It’s important that New Yorkers have the key information provided by ‘Cannabis Conversations’ and is part of the necessary shift as we move from criminalization to a place of being able to educate the public. I encourage New Yorkers to take the next step and follow the campaign back to cannabis.ny.gov where they have access to more information and resources to help keep themselves healthy.”

Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “Keeping our roads safe is our top-priority and we’re proud to partner with the Office of Cannabis Management to make sure New Yorkers know that if they drive high, they’re putting lives at risk and could get arrested for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. We look forward to continuing to build on today’slaunch of ‘Cannabis Conversations’ and help protect the safety of our roads.”

Executive Director of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) Gillian Schauer PhD, said, “Educating the public about new cannabis laws is important as there can be misperceptions about what’s legal. New York’s ‘Cannabis Conversations’ campaign is a creative approach to help New Yorkers learn more about the state’s new law legalizing cannabis for adults, and the campaign can spark valuable conversations about how to stay safe and healthy. In addition to hearing from New Yorkers directly, the Office of Cannabis Management worked with CANNRA and other states to fully understand lessons learned from prior cannabis-focused campaigns, which makes this an even stronger campaign.

CHES Executive Director of the New York State Association of County Health Officials Sarah Ravenhall MHA said, “It’s encouraging to see that Governor Hochul and the Office of Cannabis Management are taking public health and health equity very seriously as the adult use cannabis program is readied for full implementation. There are health risks associated with cannabis use that require sound policy to mitigate, and the governor’s ‘Cannabis Conversations’ Campaign is a clear indication that this administration supports a thoughtful and careful approach to cannabis policy. We look forward to working with the state to monitor the program’s public health impact and to continue to find new ways to ensure New York has the safest program possible.”

Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance Kassandra Frederique said, “It is essential for New York’s Cannabis Conversation campaign to establish statewide literacy of our new cannabis policy. New Yorkers have experienced decades of prohibition, disparate enforcement, and with increasing intensity misinformation. The Office of Cannabis Management was created to serve as a central hub for cannabis policy and information. It is our hope that this is only the beginning of the state’s robust public education that not only teaches people what the law is, but includes considerations around consumption, how to become an entrepreneur, and where to get help if you need it.”

 

Happy Munkey Immersive Van Gogh Exhibition August 11 & 18 in NYC

by Leave a Comment

NEW YORK:  New York City canna-lifestyle brand Happy Munkey is taking over the Original Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in downtown New York City for a once-in-a-lifetime Cannabis experience!  The 70,000 sq. Original Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit , will be home to the Happy Munkey Tribe for 2 extravagantly smoked filled nights! The cannabis, art and music immersive experience ‘Happy Hours’ take place Wednesday 8/11 and Wednesday 8/18  at Pier 36., 299 South Street.

According to promoters, ticket sales have been brisk to this historical combination of high-end art meets high-end cannabis hospitality event, with many music, art and cannabis industry insiders expected to make the scene.

All guests must be 21 years of age or older.  Feel free to ”BYOC” (Bring your own cannabis)

Happy Munkey Co-Founder Ramon Reyes: ‘From Legacy to Legal’

Be sure to check out Marijuana Channel One‘s exclusive interview with Happy Munkey co-founder Ramon Reyes.