This is what’s in N.J.’s landmark marijuana bill

Adult-use marijuana legalization is likely to be voted on by the entire state Legislature as soon as early next week. But since the bill was finalized Monday night, many lawmakers are concerned they haven’t been given enough time to thoroughly digest and assess its major points. What’s more, this measure is the first of its kind in the country and if it passes, could become model legislation for other states looking to legalize and set up a functioning cannabis economy. The ten other states that so far have legalized marijuana have done so by a ballot referendum or, in Vermont’s case, by legislation that didn’t allow for regulated sales.

 

New Jersey governor: Push to legalize recreational marijuana is short on votes

NEW YORK

Back in January 2019, New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed a fast-track way of legalizing marijuana in New York, by proposing an adult-use recreational marijuana law as part of the annual budget approval process. However, in a stunning turn-around, on March 20, 2019 Cuomo admits his strategy was perhaps a bit aggressive and he dropped his proposal to legalize recreational marijuana through the budget process.  Instead, Cuomo hopes that the law will be passed outside of the budget process and before legislature adjourns for the year in June.  (Good luck since us NY’ers have a part-time legislature).

Click here to read more about Cuomo’s realization — To think you can pass a complicated and comprehensive law in less time than it takes to grow a mature plant, “you got to be smokin’ somethin’, no?”

So much for Cuomo’s cliched timeline to have a law in place by “420” (Cuomo proposed to have the law in effect by the first of April 2020 (yes folks, “4/20”)).

Craig Delsack / Law Offices of Craig Delsack, LLC
Serving the Canna Business Community Corporate ∙ Technology ∙ Media ∙ Real Estate 250 West 57th Street, Suite 401 New York, NY 10107 Tel., Text, or Fax: +1 (212) 688-8944

 

RHODE ISLAND

RI law enforcement leaders disagree on marijuana legalization

https://www.wpri.com/politics/ri-law-enforcement-leaders-disagree-on-marijuana-legalization/1865184497

PROVIDENCE, R.I (WPRI) — The superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police said Wednesday he supports Gov. Gina Raimondo’s plan to tax and regulate recreational marijuana, telling lawmakers the bill addresses some law enforcement concerns about public safety.

Col. James Manni, who was sworn in earlier this month after being nominated by Raimondo, testifed before the House Finance Committee in support of Article 20, the 126-page section of the budget that addresses both recreational marijuana and changes to the current medical program.

“Rhode Island will be dealing with this issue regarding public safety because Massachusetts has already legalized marijuana to our north, and Connecticut is on track to our south,” Manni told the committee.

He praised the more restrictive elements of the legislation, including a limit on product potency and a ban on home growing.

“This policy will stifle the illicit market,” Manni said.

 

TENNESSEE

Medical marijuana sponsor says governor will sign bill, but Lee’s office says otherwise

https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/medical-marijuana-sponsor-says-governor-will-sign-bill-but-lee-s-office-says-otherwise/1864392264

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – One of the state Senate sponsors of legalizing medical marijuana says Governor Bill Lee will sign her bill, but the governor’s office carefully disputes that characterization.

“The last time I was with him, he assured me he would sign this bill,” Senator Janice Bowling told News 2 on Wednesday.

She indicated it was about two weeks ago during an economic development trip with the governor to her district.

Lee has repeatedly voiced opposition to legalizing medical marijuana or cannabis both in his campaign and most recently on Feb. 11.

“I think we ought to expand the use of low THC CBD oils first to alternative treatments before we go there,” the governor told News2 that day.

Senator Bowling says she was a “strong no” on medical marijuana before learning that so many people in her district wanted it, for diseases ranging cancer to Parkinson’s, to ease pain.

The senator thinks the governor has made the same realization.

“I think it’s important for the people to know that he pretty much has come full circle,” Senator Bowling said. “He recognizes that as the bill is written now– he can support the bill.”