What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

marijuana winning big at the polls. CO/MASS/wash pass (2 Viewers)

The New Jersey AG just ordered an adjournment of all pot-related court cases until Sept. 4. Apparently Jersey City municipal government has ordered its police to stop arresting people for simple possession and the state AG is trying to find a compromise position before this issue gets completely out of control. Things are complicated by a state legislature that is moving pretty deliberately on weed, contrary to the new governor's wishes (he wants to get legalization going ASAP).

In 2016, 32,000 of NJ's 36,000 drug arrests were for simple possession of small amounts of weed. 

 
The New Jersey AG just ordered an adjournment of all pot-related court cases until Sept. 4. Apparently Jersey City municipal government has ordered its police to stop arresting people for simple possession and the state AG is trying to find a compromise position before this issue gets completely out of control. Things are complicated by a state legislature that is moving pretty deliberately on weed, contrary to the new governor's wishes (he wants to get legalization going ASAP).

In 2016, 32,000 of NJ's 36,000 drug arrests were for simple possession of small amounts of weed. 
When the local police around here came out and said they would no longer be arresting people for small amounts of weed, that's when I knew legal weed had won even before the vote.

 
What the hell is Mass doing? They were supposed to be up and running 4 weeks ago under the longest timelines. 

I'm sure there are a number of interests pushing to delay, but you'd think the money lined up from groups that are licensed to sell would push retail shops to open ASAP.

ETA: Apparently a projected $63 million in tax revenue is going up in smoke from their inability to get retail doors open.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
A goodly number of towns in Mass have taken upon themselves to ban retail shops. Others (like my town) have put a temporary moratorium on retail sales...

Slowburn

Across the state, at least 190 communities – more than half of all municipalities – have slapped moratoriums or outright bans on marijuana retail stores within their jurisdictions. Some have gone further and banned any kind of marijuana-related business, meaning cultivators or even testing facilities can’t set up shop. And while many moratoriums were set to expire at the end of this year, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey raised fears last week that they could go on longer after approving one town’s request to extend its weed freeze by an additional year.

 
Beans, what am I missing here? So many towns banning weed businesses is annoying and stupid but can't retail stores operate outside of city limits in Mass? 

 
A goodly number of towns in Mass have taken upon themselves to ban retail shops. Others (like my town) have put a temporary moratorium on retail sales...

Slowburn

Across the state, at least 190 communities – more than half of all municipalities – have slapped moratoriums or outright bans on marijuana retail stores within their jurisdictions. Some have gone further and banned any kind of marijuana-related business, meaning cultivators or even testing facilities can’t set up shop. And while many moratoriums were set to expire at the end of this year, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey raised fears last week that they could go on longer after approving one town’s request to extend its weed freeze by an additional year.
Can the municipality institute it's own tax? I'd think that the few areas that are cool would rake in the proceeds from sales taxes.

 
In my county in California, there are plenty of towns with bans on marijuana businesses as well.  Plenty of dispensaries still operate, they just have to do it in the unincorporated parts of town.  It would be cool if it weren't the case, but it doesn't impact my ability to get what I need/want, so it's not a tragedy.

I type this as I enjoy some Girl Scout Cookies.  :)

 
In my county in California, there are plenty of towns with bans on marijuana businesses as well.  Plenty of dispensaries still operate, they just have to do it in the unincorporated parts of town.  It would be cool if it weren't the case, but it doesn't impact my ability to get what I need/want, so it's not a tragedy.

I type this as I enjoy some Girl Scout Cookies.  :)
Same in Colorado. 

 
U.S. official: Canadian marijuana users, workers and investors risk lifetime border ban

We are truly a nation of idiots

Canadians who work in the marijuana industry — and those who invest in the booming pot sector — risk a lifetime ban on travel to the U.S., according to a senior official overseeing U.S border operations.

As Canada prepares to become the world’s only major industrialized nation to legalize retail marijuana sales starting Oct. 17, the Canadian cannabis sector is projected to generate billions of dollars of revenue in coming years and Canadians have flocked to take jobs and buy stocks in the burgeoning industry. But the move has potential to disrupt border crossings between the U.S. and Canada for travelers who run afoul of American drug laws, even if their activities are legal in Canada.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency will continue to apply long-standing U.S. federal laws and regulations that treat marijuana as a banned substance — and participants in the cannabis industry as drug traffickers — who are inadmissible into the U.S. Although some U.S. states have eased marijuana laws, the U.S. continues to maintain a federal prohibition that applies at the border, said Todd Owen, executive assistant commissioner for the Office of Field Operations, who gave POLITICO a detailed preview of how CBP will apply longstanding rules.

***

If a traveler admits to past use of any illegal drugs, including marijuana, the traveler will be found to be inadmissible into the United States. CBP typically will allow them the opportunity to “voluntary withdraw” from the border — or face an “expedited removal.” Whether or not the traveler enters the U.S., a record will be kept by CBP and that traveler will not be allowed to return to the U.S. The traveler will have the opportunity to apply for a waiver from a lifetime ban, which costs U.S. $585 and requires several months to process. The waivers are issued at the discretion of CBP.

CBP agents commonly ask travelers what they do for a living. Canadians who work in the marijuana industry will not be permitted to enter the U.S. “If you work for the industry, that is grounds for inadmissibility,” Owen said.

Likewise, investors in marijuana companies are considered inadmissible. “We don’t recognize that as a legal business,” Owen said. Already, marijuana investors from other countries, such as Israel, have been denied entry into the U.S., he noted. CBP did not specify any minimum level of investment that could trigger a ban.

“Facilitating the proliferation of the legal marijuana industry in U.S. states where it is deemed legal or Canada may affect an individual’s admissibility to the U.S.,” Owen said.

 
U.S. official: Canadian marijuana users, workers and investors risk lifetime border ban

We are truly a nation of idiots

Canadians who work in the marijuana industry — and those who invest in the booming pot sector — risk a lifetime ban on travel to the U.S., according to a senior official overseeing U.S border operations.

As Canada prepares to become the world’s only major industrialized nation to legalize retail marijuana sales starting Oct. 17, the Canadian cannabis sector is projected to generate billions of dollars of revenue in coming years and Canadians have flocked to take jobs and buy stocks in the burgeoning industry. But the move has potential to disrupt border crossings between the U.S. and Canada for travelers who run afoul of American drug laws, even if their activities are legal in Canada.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency will continue to apply long-standing U.S. federal laws and regulations that treat marijuana as a banned substance — and participants in the cannabis industry as drug traffickers — who are inadmissible into the U.S. Although some U.S. states have eased marijuana laws, the U.S. continues to maintain a federal prohibition that applies at the border, said Todd Owen, executive assistant commissioner for the Office of Field Operations, who gave POLITICO a detailed preview of how CBP will apply longstanding rules.

***

If a traveler admits to past use of any illegal drugs, including marijuana, the traveler will be found to be inadmissible into the United States. CBP typically will allow them the opportunity to “voluntary withdraw” from the border — or face an “expedited removal.” Whether or not the traveler enters the U.S., a record will be kept by CBP and that traveler will not be allowed to return to the U.S. The traveler will have the opportunity to apply for a waiver from a lifetime ban, which costs U.S. $585 and requires several months to process. The waivers are issued at the discretion of CBP.

CBP agents commonly ask travelers what they do for a living. Canadians who work in the marijuana industry will not be permitted to enter the U.S. “If you work for the industry, that is grounds for inadmissibility,” Owen said.

Likewise, investors in marijuana companies are considered inadmissible. “We don’t recognize that as a legal business,” Owen said. Already, marijuana investors from other countries, such as Israel, have been denied entry into the U.S., he noted. CBP did not specify any minimum level of investment that could trigger a ban.

“Facilitating the proliferation of the legal marijuana industry in U.S. states where it is deemed legal or Canada may affect an individual’s admissibility to the U.S.,” Owen said.
JFC

 
The New Jersey AG just ordered an adjournment of all pot-related court cases until Sept. 4. Apparently Jersey City municipal government has ordered its police to stop arresting people for simple possession and the state AG is trying to find a compromise position before this issue gets completely out of control. Things are complicated by a state legislature that is moving pretty deliberately on weed, contrary to the new governor's wishes (he wants to get legalization going ASAP).

In 2016, 32,000 of NJ's 36,000 drug arrests were for simple possession of small amounts of weed. 
That is absolutely ridiculous in every possible way.  What an idiotic waste of resources.

 
The New Jersey AG just ordered an adjournment of all pot-related court cases until Sept. 4. Apparently Jersey City municipal government has ordered its police to stop arresting people for simple possession and the state AG is trying to find a compromise position before this issue gets completely out of control. Things are complicated by a state legislature that is moving pretty deliberately on weed, contrary to the new governor's wishes (he wants to get legalization going ASAP).

In 2016, 32,000 of NJ's 36,000 drug arrests were for simple possession of small amounts of weed. 
That is absolutely ridiculous in every possible way.  What an idiotic waste of resources.
Indeed. @roadkill1292 - any update? Sept 4 has passed...

 
Indeed. @roadkill1292 - any update? Sept 4 has passed...
I'm not finding much in the way of updates on this, probably weak Google fu on my part. But the state Senate President says that he has the votes to pass a full legalization bill this fall.
I thought I saw something about a possible vote by the end of this month.  They were just cleaning up some wording in the bill before the vote.

From an August 9th article on NJ.com:

Sweeney said they hope to have a final draft next week, hold hearings after that, and have the Legislature vote in September. 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Here are the details of N.J.'s new legal weed bill, including delivery and smoking lounges

State lawmakers have finally written the latest bill that would legalize marijuana and lay the foundation for a commercial weed industry in New Jersey — a bill they believe has a real chance to pass.

NJ Advance Media obtained a copy of that plan this week. It calls for what could be the lowest marijuana taxes in the nation, weed delivery and places for users to smoke outside of their homes, among other provisions.

We reported on several of these items last month, but the draft of the bill contains more specifics.

The basics

Essentially, the bill would legalize the possession and personal use of small amounts of marijuana for people at least 21 years old. It also would create, regulate and tax a commercial marijuana industry in the state.

This bill provides amendments to a legal weed plan introduced by state Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, in June.

N.J. could have the lowest pot tax in the country

If the bill is approved the way it's written, New Jerseyans would pay perhaps the lowest marijuana tax in the country: 10 percent.

Previous legalization bills floated taxes that rose to 15 percent and 25 percent after starting lower. This bill would keep the tax at 10 percent.

Politico New Jersey reported this week that Gov. Phil Murphy was not happy with the tax being lower than expected, so this could change after negotiations.

Murphy said during an unrelated news conference on Tuesday that his administration has "not hardened a position on taxes."

“We typically don’t talk about legislation while they’re getting baked,”(<--- :P ) the Democratic governor said. “We’re not ruling anything out. We want to get it right.”

There could be legal places to smoke

In many states with legal weed, the only place to legally consume marijuana is at a private residence. But New Jersey would be different if the bill passes as-is.

Business with a marijuana retail license would be able to apply to have a consumption space on the same premises as, but separated from, their dispensary. Retailers would have to get local approval for the consumption space in addition to getting permission from the state, the bill says.

You'd be able to get your weed delivered

People in New Jersey could soon be getting marijuana delivered, as the bill allows for weed deliveries. Businesses with a marijuana retail license would be able to get permission from the state to deliver cannabis products to customers.

Murphy has indicated that he supports delivery. Not all states allow marijuana to be delivered, but California, Nevada and Oregon do.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It's all starting to crumble. I won't apologize even a little for an overtly political remark today -- law enforcement is gonna have to come up with new ways to keep jailing minorities because them having three seeds in their glove compartment won't cut it any more.

 
Here are the details of N.J.'s new legal weed bill, including delivery and smoking lounges

State lawmakers have finally written the latest bill that would legalize marijuana and lay the foundation for a commercial weed industry in New Jersey — a bill they believe has a real chance to pass.

NJ Advance Media obtained a copy of that plan this week. It calls for what could be the lowest marijuana taxes in the nation, weed delivery and places for users to smoke outside of their homes, among other provisions.

We reported on several of these items last month, but the draft of the bill contains more specifics.

The basics

Essentially, the bill would legalize the possession and personal use of small amounts of marijuana for people at least 21 years old. It also would create, regulate and tax a commercial marijuana industry in the state.

This bill provides amendments to a legal weed plan introduced by state Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, in June.

N.J. could have the lowest pot tax in the country

If the bill is approved the way it's written, New Jerseyans would pay perhaps the lowest marijuana tax in the country: 10 percent.

Previous legalization bills floated taxes that rose to 15 percent and 25 percent after starting lower. This bill would keep the tax at 10 percent.

Politico New Jersey reported this week that Gov. Phil Murphy was not happy with the tax being lower than expected, so this could change after negotiations.

Murphy said during an unrelated news conference on Tuesday that his administration has "not hardened a position on taxes."

“We typically don’t talk about legislation while they’re getting baked,”(<--- :P ) the Democratic governor said. “We’re not ruling anything out. We want to get it right.”

There could be legal places to smoke

In many states with legal weed, the only place to legally consume marijuana is at a private residence. But New Jersey would be different if the bill passes as-is.

Business with a marijuana retail license would be able to apply to have a consumption space on the same premises as, but separated from, their dispensary. Retailers would have to get local approval for the consumption space in addition to getting permission from the state, the bill says.

You'd be able to get your weed delivered

People in New Jersey could soon be getting marijuana delivered, as the bill allows for weed deliveries. Businesses with a marijuana retail license would be able to get permission from the state to deliver cannabis products to customers.

Murphy has indicated that he supports delivery. Not all states allow marijuana to be delivered, but California, Nevada and Oregon do.
This new legal bill, is also the 'old' legal bill.  Scutari has been a driving force for expanded cannabis access in Jersey, since before Gov. Murphy was even a strong candidate.  

 
Oh, Cannabis!

Congrats, Canadian FBGs. You continue to serve as the good example that we stubbornly resist emulating. We'll need a couple of more decades before we can talk enough of our fellow citizens into copying your superior health care systems and drug laws.

 
Congratulations Canada.  Hopefully NJ isn't far behind.

Marijuana could be legal in New Jersey by late October

During a Facebook live interview, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy says he is a step closer to making good on a big campaign promise he made. Murphy says legislative leaders may call for a vote to legalize marijuana as soon as Oct. 29.

Murphy says there will be several pieces to the legalization bill, including expanding medical marijuana coverage and legalizing some recreational use.

"Most importantly this is social justice. We have the largest white/non-white gap of persons incarcerated in America. Low end drug crimes are not the only reason, but it's a big driving part of the reason. We aren't inventing marijuana, it exists right now,” Murphy said.

New Jersey Senate President, Steve Sweeney says he wants to add a 12 percent tax to recreational marijuana, but some fellow Democrats say they'd like to see something higher. Many New Jersey Republican lawmakers say they are strongly against legalization.

<snip>

If the marijuana bill passes on Oct. 29, Governor Murphy didn't say if he will sign it into law that day or soon after.

 
Meanwhile, in-fighting among NJ Dems is delaying the process.

Why the delay on legal weed? Murphy and Sweeney point fingers on final support

It's mid-October, and one of the priorities since January for Gov. Phil Murphy and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney -- passing a law legalizing marijuana use for people 21 and older in New Jersey -- is still the subject of painstaking private negotiations.

This week, Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and Murphy, a fellow Democrat, engaged in some trans-Atlantic finger-pointing over who is responsible for the delay.

Sweeney told NJ Advance Media he still does not have the necessary 21 votes to pass the legislation in the 40-member Senate, and some of the holdouts are members of his own party. 

"The governor needs to help. It's time for him to try pushing votes, too," Sweeney said. "He has influence over a handful of senators who are strongly opposing this at this point."

Asked to respond to Sweeney's remarks during a trade mission to Germany on Friday, Murphy replied that he was waiting on Sweeney for some direction. 

Gov. Phil Murphy discussed legal marijuana a day after the state Senate president said he's willing to go no higher than 12 percent on a tax rate on weed.

"He and I had a very good conversation on this a week -- eight days ago -- and he said 'I need you to help me whip some votes, we're not there yet.' And I said, 'You give me the list and I'm all in,'" Murphy said.

"I've not gotten any list, but I'm really happy to do that," the governor said. "We are basically two guys who share a common objective trying to get it over the goal line."

Sweeney said he told the governor who he thought the no-votes were.

"But if he wants a list, I'll write it down for him," he said. 

Democrats and marijuana industry sources privately say the no votes who  potentially could be persuaded include Sens. Nia Gill, D-Essex, Shirley Turner, D-Mercer, Richard Codey, D-Essex, and Nicholas Sacco, D-Hudson.

Sweeney also acknowledged part of the problem is there are two unresolved issues with the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, and he's loathe to move ahead with hearings until a compromise is reached with the Murphy administration. He declined to discuss the sticking points.

But three sources who are familiar with the negotiations said Sweeney will not agree to set a sales tax rate higher than 12 percent to encourage people to stop buying marijuana illegally. Murphy wants a higher tax rate, but he has not publicly said what he is willing to accept.

The two sides also differ on the level of power that would be given to a newly created cannabis commission to control the issuance of licenses and other aspects of the new industry, the sources said.

Sweeney said he remains optimistic the negotiations will happen.

"If all three branches of government (administration, the Senate and the Assembly) weigh in, we will get the votes."
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Polls on legalizing recreational marijuana in MI are showing 57-41 approval ?
MI farmers in the bad axe area should be preparing to market and bank on being the “green thumb” of the country....but they will likely get in their own way being too conservative up there.....

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Go get 'em, Michigan. I hope this gets out the blue vote and that, if they win, that they won't, uh, forget to vote in 2020. There will still be work to be done.

 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top