The constant flow of cannabis news can be daunting and keeping current can be a hassle. For this reason, Respect My Region keeps an eye out on your behalf, providing a weekly roundup of significant events in the world of cannabis decriminalization and legislation.
This week, our continued cannabis coverage focuses on a perplexing leaked Trump video, a good old fashioned standoff in Austin, TX, a not-so-friendly reminder from the US military, and updates on legalization developments across North America.
Trump Goes On A Perplexing Rant About Cannabis In Secretly Recorded Video
A secretly recorded video recently surfaced featuring President Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Trump lawyer Lev Parnas. In the video, Trump can be heard proclaiming that cannabis causes “lower IQ.” This statement goes directly against a study done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, showing no connection between cannabis use and IQ loss.
Despite this brazen and fictitious statement, the video also features Trump showing some real confusion surrounding the issue. “Do you think the whole marijuana thing is a good thing,” he asks, midway through the video. His son, Trump Jr., can be heard saying “alcohol does far more damage,” and that “you don’t see people beating their wives on marijuana.”
Trump also seemed to be unaware of the issue surrounding banking for cannabis companies. When Parnas told Trump that cannabis businesses had difficulty accessing banks, Trump asked if he was “talking about marijuana,” asking “they can’t do banking there?” When he was told that such was the case, he responded by saying that everything was “working out.”
Austin Police Chief Announces That He Will Disregard City Council’s Choice To Decriminalize Cannabis
Well, it can’t get more Texan than a good old fashioned standoff, right?
On January 20, Austin’s city council announced that low-level cannabis possession would no longer result in arrest or a ticket. The resolution states that local authorities are not to use resources to distinguish between illegal cannabis and legal hemp.
The city council explained that the decision was influenced by a desire to prioritize their resources. Ever since the legalization of hemp, police across Texas have struggled as a result of their inability to conveniently differentiate between cannabis above and below the legal .3% THC limit. Because of this, significant resources have been spent utilizing private labs to test obtained materials.
Despite the new resolution, Austin Police Chief Brian Manley announced that Austin police will “still enforce marijuana law.” He iterated that low-level possession has never been a primary concern for the department. Despite this, officers will continue to issue “cite and release” tickets to those who are caught in possession of the substance.
However, because of the city council’s resolution, these tickets will amount to nothing but meaningless pieces of paper.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador Of Mexico Announces Panel To Advise Government On Cannabis Legalization
For months, the Mexican government has been working on legislation focusing on cannabis reform. While they missed their initial deadline, lawmakers obtained a deadline extension for April 30. While the legislation struggled in its initial go around, the prevailing thought is that this second-draft bill will soon become law.
This belief was emboldened by recent statements from Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. President Obrador announced a new government panel that will research the issue of cannabis legalization. This panel will make recommendations regarding the public health aspects of the cannabis legislation ahead of the April 30 deadline.
Given President Obrador’s tone, it seems likely that the legislation will soon become law, effectively legalizing cannabis possession and cultivation in Mexico.” We are about to fulfill this recommendation of the [Supreme Court] so that it becomes law,” said President Obrador. The Supreme Court decision he referenced was a ruling that the prohibition of cannabis in Mexico was unconstitutional.
US Military Warns Members That CBD Is Still Off Limits
Since the 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp, CBD products have erupted onto shelves in stores across the country. However, the US Military has gone to great lengths to emphasize that this legal privilege does not extend to service members.
Both the Air Force and Military Health System recently warned enlisted individuals about the risks that come with consuming CBD. Namely, the risk of “appreciable levels of THC” being present within CBD products. The Air Force cited a 2017 study that claimed it found THC in 21 of 84 tested CBD products.
While the military is banning the use of CBD products, it only tests for THC. While possessing CBD products could certainly lead to disciplinary actions, a positive test for THC could be, according to Col. Stacey Zdanavage, “a career-ender.”
Continued Coverage Of State-Level Cannabis Decriminalization and Legalization Developments
In past months, the spread of cannabis decriminalization legislation progress throughout the United States has been at a fever pitch. New developments seem to surface on a daily basis, and several states are likely to implement recreational legalization in 2020. We’ve compiled a list of this week’s cannabis legislation news, allowing you to stay up to date.
New Hampshire
A New Hampshire House committee passed a bill that will allow for the consumption, cultivation, and “gifting” of cannabis among adults. However, the bill will not give any legal means by which individuals or businesses can sell cannabis.
Prior to the vote, Chairman Renny Cushing didn’t mince words regarding New Hampshire’s desire to legalize cannabis. “I think that the legalization of cannabis is more popular than the legislature itself or the governor or any other political entity in the state of New Hampshire.”
The bill will receive a vote by the full House of Representatives on February 6.
New Mexico
On January 28, a senate committee in New Mexico passed legislation that would legalize cannabis for adult use. The bill would legalize cannabis medically and recreationally, taxing recreational cannabis at 9 percent. Despite the legalization of possession and sale, home cultivation would not be legal. However, it would be decriminalized up to three plants and six seedlings, resulting in $50 fine for those who violate the law.
The bill must pass both the judiciary and finance panels before it reaches a full Senate vote. If it passes these panels and the Senate vote, it will reach Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk. Grisham has been adamant about signing the bill into law and has instructed that the Senate deliver it to her before the end of the current legislative session. Given this, it is likely that New Mexico will soon become the 12th state to legalize cannabis.
Virginia
On January 29, cannabis decriminalization legislation passed a key Senate committee in Virginia. The bill will now move to the Finance Committee, where it may experience changes before arriving at the Governor’s desk.
This bill comes at the tail of a new government panel that will be studying aspects surrounding potentially broader legalization that would allow for cultivation and retail sales. The decriminalization bill also has the potential to start expunging low-level possession charges.
The sponsor of the cannabis decriminalization bill, Sen. Adam Ebbin, believes that Virginia is moving the right direction by focusing on ending prohibition. ” It is time to recognize that the prohibition on cannabis has failed, and move together away from an outdated system that has disproportionately affected people of color in the Commonwealth.”
Missouri
Missourians for a New Approach, a pro-cannabis activist group, received official approval to begin gathering signatures for a bill that would appear on the 2020 ballot. Cannabis is currently legal only in a medical capacity in Missouri, and the new bill would allow for the purchase and possession of cannabis from licensed retailers.
While this is promising news for The Show-Me State, Missourians for a New Approach are facing a substantial task. The group must gather over 160,000 signatures by May 3. Luckily, they will receive support from the Marijuana Policy Project and New Approach PAC. These same two groups were behind Missouri’s successful bid to vote for medical cannabis legalization into law in 2018.
