The governor of Virginia suggested changes on Wednesday to bills about police reform and marijuana. The bill is set to stop police from searching people or seizing property based solely on the smell of marijuana. Governor Ralph Northam (D) isn’t asking lawmakers to amend the marijuana odor provisions of the broader proposal to reform policies for law enforcement searches. Instead, according to a press release sent by his office, he is suggesting an unrelated change to ensure police “can initiate a traffic stop when an individual is driving at night without the use of both headlights and/or without the use of both break lights.” The House and Senate will now consider the amendment and If the governor’s proposal is adopted by lawmakers without changes, the legislation will be formally enacted without needing his signature. Otherwise, it will come back to his desk for action.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 10/21/2020 12:56:34

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/virginia-bill-to-ban-police-searches-based-on-marijuana-smell-gets-governor-suggested-changes/

A New Jersey Senate committee announced on Wednesday that it would be taking public testimony on Thursday about how to implement marijuana legalization if voters approve the reform referendum next month.The Senate Judiciary Committee was set to “receive public testimony concerning the legislative implementation of Public Question No. 1 on the General Election ballot, which, if approved, would legalize cannabis for personal, non-medical use by adults age 21 years or older,”. However, the panel then canceled the event later in the day. While the legislature decided to leave adult-use legalization up to voters as a ballot measure, legislators must still develop regulations to enact the system—and the temporarily scheduled hearing appeared to be a first step in that process.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 10/21/2020 14:53:56

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/key-new-jersey-senate-committee-holds-marijuana-legalization-hearing-ahead-of-referendum-vote/

A coalition of state and local marijuana regulators sent a letter to House leadership on Wednesday, demanding that they prioritize a marijuana legalization bill that’s expected to get a floor vote following the election. The letter, which is being supported by the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), says that regulators “need comprehensive support in their individual and collective efforts to more responsibly and equitably manage challenges and develop solutions associated with cannabis and cannabis policy.” They said the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act represents a potential regulatory solution, and they urged legislators to vote in favor of it when it comes up for a vote. Nine regulators from Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco, Massachusetts and Illinois signed the letter.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 10/21/2020 16:48:15

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/state-and-local-marijuana-regulators-demand-congress-prioritize-federal-legalization-bill/

Despite pushback from some lawmakers, Massachusetts marijuana regulators are moving forward with plans to allow a new class of weed delivery business. During a three-hour meeting Tuesday, the state’s Cannabis Control Commission approved some “contentious” changes to draft regulations, allowing standalone recreational marijuana retailers without storefronts to deliver products to customers directly. Massachusetts already allows the delivery of medical marijuana. And allowing any recreational marijuana delivery, has proved somewhat controversial. However, advocates argued — and the CCC ultimately agreed — that it would help licensed businesses compete with the many black-market operators. Also, state promoted that the delivery service could potentially help promote small and minority-owned companies a delivery business which could reduce start-up costs than a brick-and-mortar retail store.

Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news, 10/22/2020 07:11:42

Open article: https://www.cannabisbusinessexecutive.com/2020/10/massachusetts-is-moving-forward-to-allow-a-controversial-new-type-of-marijuana-delivery-business/

South Dakota may be at the forefront of the green revolution as one of five states where recreational and medical marijuana legalization are up for a vote this election year. And it is the only state where both forms of legalization will be on the ballot. Matthew Schweich, the deputy director of the nonprofit group the Marijuana Policy Project, told ABC News this is the first time in U.S. history that a state has had two ballot measures to ask voters for approval for recreational and medical marijuana during an election year. There has been some opposition from Republican Gov. Kristi Noem and South Dakota business owners over the recreational ballot. However, more than 50,000 residents signed on to that initiative and more than 30,000 signatures for the medical provision.

Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news, 10/22/2020 07:54:44

Open article: https://www.cannabisbusinessexecutive.com/2020/10/how-conservative-south-dakota-could-be-at-the-forefront-of-legalizing-marijuana/