Election Day Cannabis Showdowns, Indigenous Leaders Summit & THC Pizza Surprise

Cannabis votes in Florida, Nebraska, and North Dakota could redefine state laws. Plus, a THC pizza mix-up in Wisconsin and a caffeine-THC ban heats up in New York.

Author

Patricio Liddle
October 29, 2024

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Happy Tuesday! Patricio Liddle here, excited to bring you today's newsletter packed with the latest in the cannabis world. As we approach Election Day, legalization is taking center stage in several states with high-stakes initiatives in Nebraska, North Dakota, and Florida. We've got all the updates from ballot debates to unexpected cannabis-infused news in Wisconsin and New York. Let’s dive in!

Let's start by briefly summarizing the latest developments surrounding cannabis ballot initiatives in Nebraska, North Dakota and Florida as Election Day approaches:

In Nebraska, families like the Gillens, who are advocating for medical cannabis to alleviate severe health issues for their loved ones, are pushing for Initiatives 437 and 438. These measures would establish a medical cannabis program, potentially offering relief for patients statewide. Despite 70% public support, opposition remains, citing legal conflicts and health risks.

North Dakota’s Measure 5, on the other hand, targets adult-use cannabis legalization with a campaign emphasizing economic benefits. Advocates have launched a new ad campaign emphasizing the economic benefits of legalization, asking voters, "Would you throw away millions of dollars?" They highlight potential tax revenue lost to neighboring Montana which has already legalized and is cashing in tax revenue from cannabis sales.

Finally, in Florida, Amendment 3 has turned into the best-funded legalization initiative in U.S. history. The airwaves are flooded with ads from both sides, each trying to sway voters in this high-stakes showdown. Governor DeSantis’s recently argued, “Even if you’re somebody who is more open to it, this is the last way that you would want to go about doing it,” claiming the initiative mainly benefits “one big weed company” rather than Floridians. It seems that DeSantis does not have many arguments left other than pointing to Trulieve.

As November 5 approaches, these states are at pivotal crossroads that could significantly impact their cannabis laws, expanding the rights of many residents and opening new business opportunities.

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Tribal Leaders Push Cannabis Reform

The third annual National Indigenous Cannabis Policy Summit is set to take place from November 13 to 15 in Washington, D.C. Hosted by the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA), the event will bring together Tribal leaders, government officials, industry professionals, and advocates.

With the theme "Tribal Cannabis Reform Moving Forward," the summit aims to develop strategies to influence cannabis reform under the upcoming administration. It will focus on preserving Indigenous sovereignty in the hemp and cannabis industries, offering networking and educational opportunities to empower communities.

Can Hemp Certifications Help Debunk Myths?

If you're keen on the latest regulatory updates around hemp, don't miss Rolando García's insightful piece where he delves into how the U.S. Hemp Authority's certification program is helping to bridge regulatory gaps, ensuring product safety and accurate labeling in an industry lacking federal oversight. Learn how certifications are helping hemp products gain market access and consumer trust, even in states without specific hemp laws. This is an excellent read for anyone interested in the dynamic hemp landscape.

It seems cannabis-infused pizzas have made a splash in unexpected places! In Wisconsin, Famous Yeti’s Pizza recently served up slices unintentionally laced with THC, creating a buzz more intense than your average cheese pie. Health officials are investigating how THC oil ended up in the dough. I wonder if this mix-up could’ve come from the same kitchen that produced that “cocaine pizza” best-seller in Düsseldorf…

Meanwhile, New York’s ban on caffeine-infused THC products adds another twist to the stimulant-cannabis combo. While I’d never heard of caffeinated cannabis before, it seems like a natural NY hybrid. Hudson Cannabis challenges the ban, pointing out that these popular THC-caffeine products are legally available elsewhere.

Stories In The Spotlight:

Our Writer Today

Patricio is a development economist with extensive experience in IT, finance, and banking. He writes about the economic and social opportunities obscured by over half a century of failed drug prohibition. Beyond his professional expertise, Pato is a committed advocate for social change, passionately working to promote harm reduction and reform drug policies.

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