June 13, 2020
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Legalizes Hemp
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Ralph Torres has signed a bill legalizing hemp in the island U.S. territory, Marianas Variety reports. The measure removes hemp as a Schedule I controlled substance in the territory and allows CNMI states to regulate the industry. Like U.S. states that approve hemp legislation, CNMI states will also have to submit hemp regulation plans to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for final approval. The law specifically allows hemp to be processed into paper, clothing, textiles, biodegradable plastics, biofuel, oil, food, and health supplements. The measure includes provisions that would prevent hemp producers who violate the law three times within five years from getting any hemp license for the next five years, according to the Saipan Tribune. The legislation, however, does not criminalize these so-called “negligent” hemp producers, which are defined for low-level violations of the law such as failing to provide a legal description of the land on which the producer produces hemp, failing to obtain a license or other required authorization from the Division of Agriculture, or unknowingly producing plants that exceed the 0.3 percent THC threshold. Negligent hemp producers would have to file a corrective action plan with regulators, requiring that the producer corrects the negligent violation by a reasonable date, and to submit periodic reports to the Division of Agriculture on the compliance of the producer with the regulations over the last two years. Producers who “willfully” violate the law can face imprisonment up to one year, a $2,500 fine, or both.
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Almost all arrests for possession of marijuana would be eliminated in New Jersey if a new bill is adopted by the state legislature. The bill would not legalize marijuana — that decision is being left to the voters on Nov. 3. But the new legislation seeks to reduce cannabis users’ encounters with police. “New Jersey is ready to vote yes on recreational marijuana," said the bill’s sponsor, State Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz (D., Essex). “But until we get that up and running, we shouldn’t have laws in place that create obstacles for people, particularly for communities of color. This is important at any moment in time, but especially now.” The decriminalization bill (S2535) would allow the possession of up to a pound of marijuana without the threat of arrest.
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Nevada could become the latest state with legal marijuana sales to pardon people convicted in the past of low-level marijuana possession. Governor Steve Sisolak said Thursday he’ll ask the state Board of Pardons next week to consider unconditionally lifting non-violent criminal convictions for possession of 1 ounce (28 grams) or less of marijuana not for purpose of sale. The Democratic governor said in a statement that tens of thousands of people could be affected.
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June 12, 2020
Navajo Nation sues over hemp growing operation
The Navajo Nation Department of Justice is suing a tribal member over what authorities say is an illegal hemp farming operation in northwestern New Mexico. Navajo Attorney General Doreen McPaul said the lawsuit was filed Thursday in tribal court. The complaint names Dineh Benally, Native American Agriculture Co., and Navajo Gold Co. Benally and his businesses are accused of running an industrial hemp operation within the reservation’s boundaries and unlawfully issuing tribal land use permits to foreign entities to grow and cultivate hemp on the Navajo Nation. David Jordan, an attorney for Benally, said he hasn’t seen a copy of the complaint and declined to comment. As part of the case, tribal prosecutors are seeking a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to stop Benally's operations.
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June 11, 2020
Congressman Calls For Decriminalization Of ‘Other Drugs’ Beyond Marijuana In New Policing Reform Plan
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) released a police accountability plan on Tuesday, and it includes proposals to legalize marijuana and decriminalize other drugs to reduce over-policing of communities of color. The congressman cited statistics showing that black people are significantly more likely to be arrested over cannabis compared to white people, despite comparable rates of consumption. This pattern is part of the systemic racial injustice fueling mass protests across the country, he said.
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Marijuana legalization advocates kicked off their campaign Wednesday to convince South Dakota voters to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana in the November general election. South Dakota, where marijuana is currently illegal, would be the first state to approve both medical and recreational marijuana at the same time, if voters pass a pair of initiatives on the November ballot. In a solidly-conservative state, the proposals may serve as an indicator of how much opinions on marijuana have changed as states across the nation move to legalize a drug that is still technically outlawed by the federal government.
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The two biggest parties making up the new government on Tuesday said they would push for increased legalization of cannabis use, a week after the police minister backed easing enforcement of existing laws. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud and Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s Blue and White said in a joint statement that they would advance legislation “to resolve the issue of decriminalization and legalization,” apparently referring to recreational cannabis use. The matter will be done “via a responsible model that will be suited to the State of Israel and the Israeli population,” the statement said, without elaborating. The statement noted that the sides had also decided to push medical cannabis reforms in order to make it easier for patients to get access to treatment and for growers to get a license. The legislation will be advanced by Blue and White MK Ram Shefa and Likud MK Sharren Haskel, and will be brought to the Ministerial Committee for Legislation “at the earliest convenience and after organized groundwork.” The statement did not give a more specific timetable for the moves, but Channel 12 reported Tuesday evening that it would likely take about four months.
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June 10, 2020
After 2019 hemp rush, Oregon farmers cool to the crop
Registered hemp growers, acreage is way off the pace.
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June 10, 2020
“We’re criminalizing a generation,” says one of South Dakota’s marijuana-legalization leaders
Leaders of ballot measures to legalize marijuana for medical and recreational uses in South Dakota rolled out for reporters a list of 50 people endorsing their efforts Wednesday. Brendan Johnson, a past U.S. attorney for South Dakota, is sponsor of Constitutional Amendment A. It would allow people who were at least age 21 to use South Dakota-grown marijuana, or to grow, transport or distribute it in South Dakota to people who are at least 21. A 15 percent excise tax on sales would be levied to pay for regulation by the state Department of Revenue, with any excess revenue to be split between state aid to public schools and state government’s general fund. The Legislature could adjust the rate after November 3, 2024. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Johnson said some states have gone ahead with legalization efforts anyway, under a hands-off guidance, known as the Cole Memorandum, that took effect during President Obama’s administration. William Barr, President Trump’s current U.S. Attorney General, has informally accepted its continuation “for now.” Johnson was the federal Department of Justice’s U.S. attorney for South Dakota during much of the Obama administration, from October 2009 to March 2015. Randy Seiler succeeded Johnson in October 2015. Seiler, who retired in December 2017 and now is chairman of the South Dakota Democratic Party, was one of the people on the marijuana group’s endorsement list Wednesday. Melissa Mentele of Emery is sponsor of Initiated Measure 26 that would legalize medical marijuana in South Dakota. Mentele told reporters Wednesday the constitutional amendment would provide political protection for her proposal. The Legislature can’t change the South Dakota Constitution. Johnson and Mentele are part of the ‘Yes on A / Yes on 26’ campaign seeking a majority of voters to approve both measures in South Dakota’s November 3 general election. She said there would be a heavy focus on absentee ballots this fall. The group’s political director is Drey Samuelson. He was the career-long chief of staff for now-retired U.S. Senator Tim Johnson, who served 28 years in Congress. The former senator, a Democrat, is Brendan Johnson’s father. Samuelson promised “a very active grassroots campaign.” Also participating in the teleconference was Matt Schweich from the Marijuana Policy Project. The Legislature, dominated by Republicans, approved a law permitting low-THC industrial hemp this year that Governor Kristi Noem, a Republican, signed into law. She vetoed somewhat similar legislation last year, describing industrial hemp as a gateway to legalizing marijuana. Asked whether they thought the governor would come out against their proposals, Samuelson replied, “I’d be astonished if she doesn’t oppose it.” Johnson wasn’t willing to go that far: “South Dakota has an awful lot on its plate right now.” Mentele’s medical-marijuana measure’s estimated impact on state government’s budget looks like a wash, but Johnson’s recreational-use amendment could raise more than $10 million in the fiscal year 2022 and in excess of $29 million in the fiscal year 2024. A request has been made to Noem’s office for her position on the two measures. South Dakota voters have refused past attempts to legalize marijuana. The most recent instance was 2010, when medical marijuana failed, with 115,667 yes votes and 199,552 voting no. Johnson said Wednesday there would be another financial benefit of legalization: Fewer people sentenced to South Dakota’s crowded state prisons for ingestion of marijuana. “The concern for me is we’re criminalizing a generation,” he said. Among the 50 endorsers are Scott Heidepriem of Sioux Falls, a former legislator who was the Democratic candidate for governor in 2010; Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe President Tony Reider; Jack Billion of Sioux Falls, a former legislator and the 2006 Democratic candidate for governor; and Paula Hawks of Hartford, a former legislator and the Democrats’ 2016 candidate for U.S. House.
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June 9, 2020
Kansas Medical Cannabis Bill Stalls in Committee
A bill to legalize medical cannabis in Kansas stalled in committee during the legislature’s recent special session, as reported by Marijuana Moment.
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