Tag: the war on (some) drugs

Hedge Fund Billionaire Donates $12 Million To Defeat Florida Marijuana Legalization Measure, Calling It ‘A Terrible Plan’

A hedge fund billionaire announced on Friday that he’s spending $20 million “in support of candidates and to oppose Amendment 3” a Florida marijuana legalization proposal set to go before voters in November. Of that, a $12 million donation will go directly to the Vote No on 3 campaign.

Ken Griffin, CEO of the financial firm Citadel LLC, called the legalization initiative “a terrible plan to create the nation’s most expansive and destructive marijuana laws.”

“These investments reflect my commitment to the policies and principles that have made Florida so successful—equal opportunity, high-quality education, efficient and effective government and safe and strong communities,” Griffin wrote in a Miami Herald op-ed.

The Miami-based hedge fund manager, investor and entrepreneur described his millions in campaign donations as “investing in Florida’s future.”

“No other state is making so much progress, so quickly, on so many fronts,” he wrote. He said he’s opposing Amendment 3 “to ensure that our state’s many advantages aren’t thrown away.”

“Passage of Amendment 3 would create a monopoly for large marijuana dispensaries and permit pot use in public and private areas throughout Florida,” he claimed in the piece. “That will help no one other than special interests—and it will hurt us all, especially through more dangerous roads, a higher risk of addiction among our youth, and an increase in crime.”

Meanwhile a recent poll suggests the amendment currently has enough support to pass, with majority support across every voter demographic surveyed.

The University of North Florida (UNF) poll, released on Tuesday, found that 64 percent of likely voters back the cannabis reform measure, surpassing the 60 percent threshold required for enacting a constitutional amendment. Notably, the respondents in the survey were read the full text of the Amendment 3 summary that will appear on their ballots.

Democrats were most supportive of the proposal at 79 percent, followed by independents (63 percent) and Republicans (50 percent). There was also majority support across each race and age demographic, as well as among both those who voted for President Joe Biden (78 percent) and former President Donald Trump (50 percent) in 2020.

The new donations from Griffin narrow the gap between the legalization proposal’s supporters—who have raised far more overall, predominantly from the marijuana company Trulieve—and opponents, led largely by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who has repeatedly lashed out against legalization.

A member of DeSantis’s staff, senior analyst Christina Pushaw, posted Griffin’s op-ed on on social media, adding: “Whether you are for or against marijuana, the fact is that Amendment 3 is NOT what its backers try to back it as. Don’t California our Florida!”

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Updated Minnesota Law Allows Recreational Marijuana Smoking In Public, But Not In Apartments

Minnesota has some of the nation’s most permissive rules for smoking and vaping cannabis, being one of just a handful of states that allows public consumption. Aside from some local ordinances that are more restrictive, those 21 and older generally can smoke and vape wherever tobacco smoking is allowed.

But a date change in the state’s recreational marijuana and hemp law passed in May imposed a new restriction on private consumption that started July 1: Owners of multifamily housing must now ban smoking and vaping of cannabis. The restriction was contained in 2023’s House File 100 but it wasn’t to take effect until March of 2025.

There is a significant exception to that apartment ban, however. Medical cannabis users who are registered with the program and have a medical card must be allowed to use smokable and vapable cannabis, even in multifamily housing.

The ban was pushed last year by Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park) as one condition for his support for HF 100. Because there were no GOP votes for the bill, every DFL member’s support was needed. As a compromise with bill sponsors, the effectiveness date was set for next March. That was the same time other provisions of the recreational law were to take effect and coincided when sponsors estimated the first recreational dispensaries would open for business.

This year it was determined that the March 2025 date was unworkable for various reasons. First, in order to enforce restrictions on sales of raw cannabis flower being marketed as hemp, the Office of Medical Cannabis needed to be merged with the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) sooner. Second, so as to allow some cannabis cultivators to begin growing this fall, OCM needed to have jurisdiction over the rules governing medical cannabis cultivation right away, not next spring.

Changing the effectiveness dates of those provisions had the coincident effect of advancing the ban on smoking and vaping in multifamily housing. Existing clean indoor air laws and ordinances ban smoking of tobacco or cannabis in common areas of buildings—lobbies, hallways, laundry rooms and common outdoor areas. But until last month, apartment owners and managers could ban smoking in individual units but weren’t required to. Now they are, at least for cannabis.

Residents can still possess marijuana in multifamily housing and can likely grow plants under limits in the law. And they can use products such as edibles that don’t require combustion via smoking or vaping.

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Lesser-Known Cannabis Component CBG Linked To Improved Memory And Reduced Anxiety, First-Ever Human Trial Finds

A lesser-known cannabinoid known as CBG has surprised scientists after a first-ever human clinical trial found that it appears to improve memory, while also “significantly” reducing anxiety and stress.

The non-intoxicating cannabinoid might not be as well-known as THC and CBD, for example, but as it’s grown in popularity, researchers at Washington State University (WSU) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) set out to investigate its therapeutic potential amid anecdotal, survey-based reports about its therapeutic potential.

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports this month, found that cannabigerol, or CBG, caused a “significant overall reductions in anxiety as well as reductions in stress” among study participants compared to the placebo. “CBG also enhanced verbal memory relative to placebo,” with “no evidence of subjective drug effects or impairment.”

That finding about CBG’s effects on memory took the research team by surprise. Lead author and WSU associate professor of psychology Carrie Cuttler said in a press release that they “triple-checked to ensure accuracy, and the enhancement was statistically significant.”

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Florida Police Groups Oppose Marijuana Legalization Ballot Initiative, Claiming Reform Would Cause ‘Violent Assaults And Death’ Like Alcohol

Two major Florida law enforcement associations are calling on voters to reject a marijuana legalization initiative on the ballot this November, with one claiming it would pose a public safety risk because cannabis use is associated with “violent assaults and deaths” just like alcohol.

The Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) and the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) both came out against the marijuana measure, Amendment 3, on Tuesday. They argued that the reform would cause increases in youth use, impaired driving, illicit operations and tax costs for residents, citing dubious evidence.

The chief of FPCA, representing over 1,300 law enforcement officials, said in a press release that passing the cannabis proposal “will hurt public safety and ultimately cost Floridians tax dollars and lives. Among these impacts will be the growth of illegal markets and criminal cartels, impaired driving and traffic fatalities, homelessness and hospitalization as a result of marijuana use.”

“The use of marijuana, just like with alcohol, is also a major risk factor for victimization, violent assaults, and deaths,” Tampa International Airport Police Department Chief Charles Vazquez, the organization’s leader, said.

“Studies have shown alcohol and marijuana in similar percentages of homicide victims (37.5 percent and 31 percent respectively), with the prevalence of marijuana highest in younger victims (15-20 years, 46.8 percent),” he said. “In addition, Black homicide victims had a considerably higher prevalence of marijuana (38 percent) than white victims (23.4 percent).”

The statement did not include citations, but a growing body of research has drawn clear distinctions challenging the idea that rates of violence associated with cannabis use are comparable to alcohol. For example, an analysis of violence between intimate partners that was published recently found that legalizing marijuana for adult use “results in a substantial decrease in rates of intimate partner violence.”

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A Fetus Doesn’t Need Its Own Medical Marijuana License, Oklahoma Court Says

Oklahoma resident Amanda Aguilar was arrested after using marijuana while pregnant. Though Aguilar had a medical marijuana prescription, prosecutors reasoned that her fetus did not. They charged the mother of five with child neglect, a felony.

Now, the state’s highest criminal court says prosecutors had no basis to do that.

The ruling should be good news for women who use marijuana to help with morning sickness and other pregnancy ailments. But the opinions in this case make clear that some Oklahoma judges would like to see pregnant marijuana users criminalized.

“The baby has no medical marijuana license,” wrote Judge Gary L. Lumpkin in a dissenting opinion.

Even Judge Scott Rowland, who wrote the majority’s opinion, stressed that the court does not “condone marijuana use by an expectant mother” and urged Oklahoma lawmakers “to consider an addition to the law making clear when, if ever, the licensed use of marijuana may constitute child neglect.”

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Ohio Marijuana Officials Send Guidance To Dispensaries On Rules For Opening Day Sales Events, Advertising And More Ahead Of Market Launch

As Ohio moves closer to launching its adult-use marijuana market, regulators have distributed supplemental guidance on the rules for opening day events, advertising and more.

The Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) has been issuing the state’s first dual certificates of operation for marijuana growers, processors and testing labs in recent weeks so they can begin working with both medical and recreational cannabis. Numerous existing retail dispensaries have been granted provisional licenses as well, but so far none of them have been certified to begin operations

Things are moving forward, however, as regulators have commenced inspections of certain marijuana dispensaries to ensure they’re meeting updated compliance requirements as one of the final steps before they’re able to open shop. And in anticipation of those first openings, DCC sent applicants new guidance materials to “prepare for dual-use operations.”

One way that the division is preparing prospective dual licensees is by reminding them of what they can and can’t do to mark their opening day. For example, businesses cannot allow on-site consumption, offer samples (infused or non-infused), have music or food trucks outside the shop, promote the opening with celebratory decor on the exterior or hold a ribbon cutting ceremony outside.

However, they are permitted to have music inside as long as it’s not a live performance. They can also offer complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and promote the opening by holding a ribbon cutting ceremony inside the dispensary.

DCC also advised applicants that, until new advertising rules are enacted, all businesses must still adhere to the existing regulations in place under the state’s medical marijuana law. To help dual licensees, the division provided a template for what they can post without requiring independent approval.

Advertising material for dual licensees may include the opening date, approved dispensary name, dispensary logo, a note about adults 21 years being allowed to access the shop, location and hours of operation, the business website and social media handles and information about whether online orders, drive-thru services and curbside pickup are available.

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NFL Moves To Dismiss Player’s Lawsuit Over Penalties For Cannabis Medication Use, Saying THC Can Cause Injuries And ‘Alienation’ Of Fans

The NFL and the Denver Broncos are asking a federal court to reject a player’s lawsuit alleging discrimination over penalties he incurred due to positive THC tests from his prescribed use of a synthetic cannabinoid.

In a joint motion to dismiss filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado last week, the league and team defended their marijuana policy for players, affirming it’s their view that use of cannabis can lead to on-field injuries, poor job performance and “alienation of the fans.” And they challenged the discrimination claims from Randy Gregory, who played for the Broncos before transferring to the San Francisco 49ers.

Gregory filed his suit in a state district court last month, arguing that NFL and the Broncos violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) by penalizing him for using the Food and Drug Administration- (FDA) approved cannabis medication dronabinol to treat anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and pain. The case was moved to the federal court earlier this month.

The defendants responded by arguing that those claims are “completely preempted” by the federal Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA), and they said U.S. Supreme Court and federal circuit court precedent on collective bargaining agreements demonstrate that “Plaintiff’s claims under state law must be dismissed.”

The motion to dismiss also asserts that Gregory’s allegation that the NFL and Broncos violated Colorado’s anti-discrimination law falls flat because the statute doesn’t expressly protect workers from being penalized over marijuana use, regardless of whether its used for medical purposes in compliance with state law.

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GOP Congressman Says Marijuana Rescheduling And Banking Reform Would ‘Prop Up’ An ‘Immoral Industry’

A GOP congressman who represents California is condemning the Biden administration’s push to reschedule marijuana, as well as legislative efforts to enact bipartisan cannabis banking reform, because he says the policy changes would “prop up this immoral industry” and give a “green light to the evil that comes from drug use.”

In a brief speech on the House floor on Monday, Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) took aim at the two incremental cannabis reform proposals, while also claiming that marijuana use is linked to increased dependency on welfare benefits.

The Justice Department’s proposed rule to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) represents a step “towards legalizing marijuana by attempting to reclassify it as a lower category drug,” the congressman said, adding that he considers the administrative rulemaking process means of “going around Congress.”

“If enacted, this would increase the use of an already dangerous substance,” LaMalfa argued. While rescheduling would allow licensed cannabis businesses to take federal tax deductions they’re barred from under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code known as 280E and also remove certain research barriers, it would not legalize the plant, so it’s unclear what he means by suggesting it would increase usage rates.

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Ohio GOP Lawmakers File Bills To Restrict And Regulate Intoxicating Hemp Products, Including Delta-8 THC

As Ohioans wait to legally purchase recreational-use marijuana, Republican lawmakers in both chambers of the General Assembly are trying to regulate adult-use hemp products.

State Rep. Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton) introduced House Bill 642 on Thursday which would require the Ohio Director of Agriculture to issue recommendations for adult-use hemp products.

If the bill were to pass, the Director of Agriculture (who is currently Brian Baldridge) would conduct and issue a report to the General Assembly about the “sale and use of hemp products that could be used for intoxicating purposes.” The report would be in consultation with the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

The report could include:

  • A definition of adult-use hemp products that could include restrictions on the amount of THC allowed in adult-use hemp products based on serving size.
  • Where adult-use hemp products may be sold and how those products are stored.
  • Minimum age requirements to purchase adult-use hemp.
  • Penalties for selling adult-use hemp products to someone who is underage.
  • Testing standards and requirements for adult-use hemp products.
  • Advertising restrictions and labeling requirements for adult-use hemp products.
  • How to enforce these recommendations, which could be giving inspection authority to the Ohio Investigative Unit in the Department of Public Safety.

If the recommendations are adopted, they would be in effect for one year.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) called on lawmakers earlier this year to ban or regulate delta-8, which he called “intoxicating hemp.”

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