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Category: Marijuana Legalization

  • Sitting Presidents Have Biggest Influence Over Public Cannabis Approval

    Sitting Presidents Have Biggest Influence Over Public Cannabis Approval

    Some believe that if a Democrat takes office in 2020, federal cannabis legalization will soon follow, as all major candidates support the issue.

    A recent study found that the sitting U.S. president has a high level of influence over public perceptions around cannabis and whether the substance should be legalized on a state or federal level.

    The study, published in the journal Defiant Behavior, looked at “the relationship between the president and Americans’ attitudes toward marijuana legalization from 1975 through 2016” using data from the General Social Survey and the American Presidency Project,

    “Findings indicate that confidence in the executive branch, fear of crime, and presidential drug rhetoric predict attitudes toward legalization despite controls for other factors such as estimated levels of marijuana use and arrests,” write study authors Dr. Richard J. Stringer and Professor Scott R. Maggard. 

    Shifting Attitudes Toward Marijuana 

    Over the past decade, presidential attitudes toward the Schedule I drug have shifted from “just say no” to the current president, who has expressed a desire to leave the legalization and regulation of cannabis up to the states and focus the energy of the Justice Department elsewhere, following in the footsteps of former President Barack Obama.

    Trump reiterated this stance as recently as late August, after he was asked by a reporter whether the drug would be federally legalized while he was in office.

    “We’re going to see what’s going on. It’s a very big subject and right now we are allowing states to make that decision,” Trump said at the press briefing. “A lot of states are making that decision, but we’re allowing states to make that decision.”

    According to Marijuana Moment, the study on presidential influence over public attitudes toward cannabis found that for every percent increase in the number of words about drugs in a president’s State of the Union address, odds of favoring legalization decrease by 6%.

    At the same time, those who have high confidence in the administration “correlated with 29% decrease in supporting legalization.”

    As of October 2018, 62% of the U.S. population favored federal cannabis legalization.

    Saying No To “Just Say No”

    The data examined by researchers starts with the administration of former President Gerald Ford, who was more moderate on marijuana than his predecessor, Richard Nixon, who launched the failed “war on drugs.”

    However, Ford’s presidency did not result in much change to federal drug policy. The Reagan administration then launched the famous “Just Say No” campaign, resulting in a 27% drop in public support for cannabis.

    It’s largely expected that if a Democratic candidate takes the Oval Office in 2020, federal cannabis legalization will soon follow, as all major candidates have expressed support for this action.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Ohio Man Calls Police, Demands Return of "Prestige Weed"

    Ohio Man Calls Police, Demands Return of "Prestige Weed"

    Officers tried, with little success, to explain to the caller that weed is still illegal in Ohio.

    An Ohio man called 911 to demand the return of a small amount of marijuana that he alleged was stolen from his home by police officers.

    The Sharonville Police Department posted a recording of the call on its Facebook page, in which an unidentified man harangued a sergeant at the dispatch about the loss of four grams of his “prestige weed” – which he claimed was legally his to possess after what he described as the passage of a state law which allowed 100 grams for recreational use in Ohio.

    When informed that the law – which was, in reality, an ordinance passed in Cincinnati, Ohio – actually decriminalized possession of up 100 grams within city limits, the caller grew irate and charged the sergeant with looking into its loss.

    The Sharonville PD post concluded by noting that recreational marijuana was “still ILLEGAL… per our STATE LAW.”

    “The mother f—ers took it!”

    The New York Post broke down the remarkable exchange in its coverage, which opened with the caller claiming that two police officers had come to the hotel where he was staying in Sharonville at approximately 2:30 in the morning, and according to his wife – whom he identified as “Marilyn Manson” – made off with his marijuana without leaving a ticket for possession.

    “It was only, like, four grams, but it was, like, you know, prestige weed,” said the caller. “And the motherf—ers took it.”

    The caller then asserted that the marijuana was legally his to possess, and cited an alleged state law that allowed for the possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana for recreational use in the Buckeye State.

    Dispatch Sergeant Mark Dudleson attempted to inform the caller that he was incorrect (“Where did you get that information from?”), to which the caller said that since he was in Hamilton County – one of two counties in which Sharonville is located – he was well within state rights.

    When Sgt. Dudleson attempted to again correct the caller’s assumption, he was met with an angry response.

    “What do you mean it’s not, dude?” the caller said. “I know I’m right here, dude. Don’t try to f—ing talk to me like I’m dumb.” He then demanded to know if any officers had turned in confiscated marijuana, adding that he was willing to “take [the case] as far as you want to go.”

    When pressed for information by Sgt. Dudleson on the alleged incident, such as the name of the hotel where the theft was reported to have taken place, the caller took an abrupt about-face. “I can tell this is a losing situation,” he said, before reiterating the particulars of the supposed theft and then wishing the sergeant a good evening.

    Cincinnati Marijuana Ordinance

    In June 2019, the Cincinnati City council passed an ordinance that decriminalized possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana with no age limit, but only within the city limits.

    As WCPO coverage noted, the ordinance only affected areas within the city of Cincinnati; townships or municipalities outside of Cincinnati – such as Sharonville – would apply their own marijuana-related laws to persons found with that amount.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Illinois Set To Become 11th State To Legalize Recreational Marijuana

    Illinois Set To Become 11th State To Legalize Recreational Marijuana

    The legalization bill only needs the governor’s signature to become law.

    Illinois could become the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana, as its House of Representatives have just passed a bill with a vote of 66-47. With just a signature from the governor, a statewide commercial pot industry would become a reality and marijuana-related charges would be expunged.

    “This will have a transformational impact on our state, creating opportunity in the communities that need it most and giving so many a second chance,” wrote Governor J.B. Pritzker in a statement. Pritzker won his office on a platform that promised legalization.

    Advocates for the Illinois bill say that ending marijuana prohibition would be a step toward rectifying decades of racial injustice resulting from the War on Drugs.

    “Prohibition hasn’t built communities. In fact, it has destroyed them,” explained Rep. Kelly Cassidy. “It is time to hit the reset button on the war on drugs.”

    The bill would allow Illinois residents 21 and older to possess 30 grams of marijuana, 5 grams of concentrate, or 500 milligrams of THC if present in infused products. Non-residents are allowed to possess a maximum of 15 grams of marijuana. The bill also lays the groundwork for cultivation and dispensary licensing.

    The bill will also compel Pritzker to pardon all low-level pot convictions. Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth lauded the move as the only major policy decision in her 10 years of legislating that directly aims to help minority communities.

    With these charges lifted, anyone who has been bogged down with a marijuana charge now has an enormous range of employment or education opportunities re-opened to them.

    “If you are wearing the scarlet letter of a conviction, you are now calcified in poverty because of a mistake,” Gordon-Booth said. “Not even a mistake, a choice.”

    However, not everyone is on board. Opponents of the bill say that legalization could result in a greater rate of teenage use, more DUIs, and create potential health risks.

    “If this bill passes, a giant, big-money industry will commercialize another harmful, addictive drug in our state,” said Rep. Marty Moylan.

    As a compromise to earn greater bipartisan support, compromises were made. Only medical marijuana patients could possess home-grown marijuana. The bill would also allow employers to enact zero-tolerance policies against marijuana if they desired.

    And any local governments would be allowed to make the call on exactly where and when marijuana businesses could operate—including simply banning them outright.

    “I’m a father of three from a rural district, and I’m standing before you supporting this bill because I do not believe the current policy that we have out there right now is working,” said Rep. David Welter. “Prohibition doesn’t work, and we see that. Putting safeguards in place, taxing, regulating it, I believe provides a better market and a safer market.”

    The new industry is predicted to make $57 million in general revenue in the state in the coming budget year. The revenue will first be used to pay for costs related to expunging marijuana charges, and after that 35% of the revenue will go into state funding to community grants, mental health and substance abuse programs, unpaid state bills, law enforcement and education. 

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Marijuana Legalization Remains Low Priority For Most Americans

    Marijuana Legalization Remains Low Priority For Most Americans

    Only 2% of Americans polled said that legalization was an important issue for them when deciding who they will vote for in the 2020 election.

    While more Americans than ever are in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana, most believe that there are more pressing priorities that the government needs to focus on, according to polling. 

    Last fall, Gallup released a poll showing that for the first time ever two-thirds of Americans said that they are in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana. 

    “Like support for gay marriage—and in prior years, interracial marriage—support for marijuana legalization has generally only expanded, even if slowly, over the course of multiple decades—raising the question of where the ceiling in support might be,” the Gallup poll concluded. “As the percentage of Americans who favor legalizing pot has continued to grow, so has the number of states that have taken up legislation to allow residents to use the substance recreationally.”

    Despite that, Americans don’t seem to think that legalizing marijuana is a priority for the government right now. A recent CNN poll asked voters to rank what issue is most important to them when deciding who they will vote for in the 2020 election. Just 2% said marijuana is the most important issue for them. 

    Likewise, in a Gallup poll released in February asking Americans about the biggest problems the country faced, no respondents mentioned marijuana policy. Interestingly, the opioid epidemic also did not rate in that poll. Instead, Americans are mostly concerned about “the government/poor leadership,” immigration and healthcare. 

    A Pew poll from January asked what the government’s priorities for 2019 should be. In that poll, marijuana policy did not rank, but 49% of respondents said that addressing “drug addiction” should be a top priority. 

    Despite the fact that very few Americans believe that marijuana policy should be prioritized by the government, it has become an issue for 2020 presidential candidates and other political hopefuls.

    U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, a Democrat from California who is running for president, has spoken out in favor of legalization. 

    “Something else it’s past time we get done is dismantling the failed war on drugs—starting with legalizing marijuana,” she wrote in her book, The Truths We Hold: An American Journey. “We need to legalize marijuana and regulate it, and we need to expunge nonviolent marijuana-related offenses from the records of millions of people who have been arrested and incarcerated so they can get on with their lives.”

    The World Health Organization has also called for marijuana to be rescheduled into a less restrictive class. 

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Marijuana Legalization Flounders in New York, New Jersey

    Marijuana Legalization Flounders in New York, New Jersey

    “People are talking about [legalization] less. There is no sense of urgency,” says one drug policy expert.  

    In the beginning of 2019 it seemed almost certain that New York and New Jersey would soon legalize cannabis, allowing people in and around America’s largest city to use the the drug recreationally.

    But just five months into the year legalization efforts in both states are floundering. 

    “People are talking about it less,” Kassandra Frederique, director of the Drug Policy Alliance in New York, told The New York Times. “There is no sense of urgency.” 

    New York and New Jersey are among the first states to try to legislate a recreational marijuana marketplace. Vermont is the only state thus far to legalize cannabis through legislative action, but it does not have a marketplace, instead allowing cannabis to be grown for personal use. 

    In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo wanted marijuana legalization included in the state’s budget that was passed in April, but that effort broke down. The proposal faced opposition from minority legislators who were not satisfied with the bill’s social justice components. 

    However, the New York Times reported this week that the governor was the one who ultimately backed away from pushing legalization through the budget because he feared the political consequences. 

    “The governor walked away from it in the budget,” Senator Liz Krueger said. 

    Yet Cuomo insisted that the legislature was to blame. 

    “The facts as reported are the leaders said they don’t want to pass marijuana in the budget,” he said. 

    Krueger said that the state lawmakers are still divided about how funds from cannabis should be spent, and specifically how much of those funds should be earmarked for communities that have been disproportionately affected by marijuana prohibition. 

    She said, “Day 1, when we started to draft this bill, I told everyone the ultimate fight would be over the money and who gets it. And the last day that we come to closure and sign a bill, I will tell people the fight was over where the money went.”

    In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy cancelled a vote on legalization in March when it became clear that the measure would not pass. He later issued an ultimatum to lawmakers giving them until the end of May to pass legalization, or he would expand the state’s medical marijuana program by executive order.

    Last week, he said that New Jersey may end up allowing voters to decide directly about legalizing recreational marijuana. 

    “The referendum has always been out there as an option,” he said at a press conference on Thursday (May 9). “Only one state has done this legislatively and that’s Vermont. We have felt that this is a better way to go. It takes more courage, it’s a tough vote for many, and we understand that.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Illinois Governor Introduces Marijuana Legalization Bill

    Illinois Governor Introduces Marijuana Legalization Bill

    The bill would also expunge the records of people convicted of some marijuana-related offenses. 

    Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has introduced a measure that would legalize recreational marijuana in the state next year, including in the nation’s third-largest city, Chicago.

    “It is possible, likely that it may be available through dispensaries beginning January 1, 2020,” Pritzker said, according to ABC 7.

    According to the Associated Press, the bill would legalize recreational cannabis use for people who are 21 or older. Illinois residents would be able to possess 30 grams of marijuana (about one ounce), while non-residents could possess 15 grams (about half an ounce). Marijuana would be sold at dispensaries throughout the state.

    In addition to legalizing cannabis, the bill would also expunge the records of people convicted of some marijuana-related offenses. 

    “This bill advances equity by providing resources and second chances to people and communities that have been harmed by policies such as the failed ‘war on drugs,’” said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.

    The bill would provide low-interest loans to people from communities that have been disproportionately affected by the prohibition on marijuana, or people who have had a marijuana-related offense that would be expunged under the new law and now want to start marijuana-related businesses. 

    Still, some organizations including the Illinois NAACP oppose legalization in the state, saying that it will do more harm to marginalized communities of color. 

    Kevin Sabet, founder and president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said, “The consequences of this bill are far-reaching and will have devastating impacts on citizens, communities and youth. Illinois lawmakers must take a smart, commonsense approach, and not welcome in another addiction-for-profit industry into the state.”

    Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel seemed to support legalization, albeit with reservations. 

    “Thematically, philosophically I think I support the governor but I say it also as a father of three, that you have to do it in a way that’s not encouraging a type of behavior,” he said. 

    Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot is in favor of the bill. 

    “I think that the bill that was announced on Saturday is an important step forward, so I do support it,” she said. 

    Although Democrats control the state legislature and the bill is expected to pass, not everyone in the party is on board with legalization, said Democratic State Rep. Marty Moylan.

    “It’s important that we send a message to the state and the governor. Governor, we need more work on this. This is not a bill that we want,” Moylan said. 

    Pritzker initially said that legalizing marijuana would add $170 million in revenue to the state’s troubled budget, but later said that that number may be revised down. 

    View the original article at thefix.com