Author: princetonmays

Princeton Police report | News | timesleader.net  Princeton Times Leader
source

Studies Indicate Moderna And Pfizer Boosters Likely Offer Protection From Omicron  The New York Times
source

One of Editor & Publisher’s ‘10 That Do It Right 2021’
Cloudy. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph..
Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low 23F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.
Updated: December 18, 2021 @ 1:48 am

Sports Editor
College/Prep Sports Reporter
Recapping Saturday’s second-round area playoff action:
BENTON — Turnovers hurt Monticello early, and the sixth-seeded Sages couldn’t recover in a second-round playoff road loss to a No. 3 seed.
Monticello (8-3) trailed the host Rangers (11-0) 7-6 in the first quarter after a 98-yard touchdown pass from Joey Sprinkle to Peyton Scott.
But that was as close as the Sages would get the rest of the afternoon. Benton went ahead 21-6 at the end of the first quarter and led 35-6 at halftime.
Sprinkle finished 16 of 32 for 238 passing yards but threw three interceptions.
Jacob Tackett produced a team-high 78 rushing yards on nine carries for the Sages.
PRINCETON — A scoreless first quarter quickly turned against the visiting Hawks in a second-round playoff game.
Second-seeded Princeton (10-1) took a 13-0 lead into halftime against seventh-seeded Prairie Central (8-3) before outscoring the Hawks 20-0 in the third quarter to take a 33-0 lead into the fourth quarter and cruise to the win.
Prairie Central committed three turnovers, and Princeton outgained the Hawks 377-72 in total offense.
Drew Fehr (36 rushing yards on 16 carries) and Camden Palmore (22 rushing yards on nine carries) tried to spark Prairie Central’s run game but couldn’t deliver consistently. Both of Owen Rafferty’s passes were intercepted by Princeton.
BISMARCK — Third-seeded Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin never led, but almost mounted an epic comeback before falling a touchdown short in a second-round home playoff loss.
Sixth-seeded Nashville (10-1) enjoyed a 33-13 lead to start the fourth quarter, but the Blue Devils (10-1) cut the Hornets’ lead to 33-20 on a 3-yard touchdown run by Michael Hackman and 33-26 after a 44-yard touchdown pass from Dawson Dodd to Mason Hackman with only 1:54 remaining.
Dodd finished 14 of 23 for 296 passing yards with two touchdown passes.
Rhett Harper (71 rushing yards on 13 carries) and Michael Hackman (54 rushing yards on eight carries) also chipped in. Mason Hackman caught a team-high six passes for 141 yards and two scores.
MT. STERLING — The fifth-seeded Purple Riders (9-2) blasted out to a 21-0 first-quarter lead and never looked back in shutting down the 13th-seeded Hornets and advancing to the quarterfinals.
Arcola’s ninth consecutive win overall was powered by Beau Edwards’ 125 passing yards, 66 rushing yards and five all-purpose touchdowns. Tanner Thomas caught six passes for 116 yards and three scores, and Jed Jones rushed for 94 yards and one touchdown.
The Purple Riders will host ninth-seeded Central A&M (8-3) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the quarterfinals.
COLFAX — Kaden Farrell rushed for 193 yards on 35 carries and three touchdowns, lifting the 13th-seeded host Mustangs to a second-round playoff win over a No. 5 seed.
Carter Coffman went 2 of 3 for 63 passing yards, with both of his completions resulting in touchdowns for Ridgeview/Lexington. Farrell hauled in a 48-yard touchdown catch and Logan Friedmansky added a 15-yard touchdown reception as the Mustangs trailed 20-19 early in the third quarter before rattling off 28 unanswered points.
Ridgeview/Lexington (7-4) will host top-seeded Abingdon-Avon (10-1) at 1 p.m. next Saturday in the state quarterfinals.
ABINGDON — Eighth-seeded Iroquois West fell behind 24-0 at the end of the first quarter and could not recover in a second-round road playoff setback against a No. 1 seed.
Trystyn Schacht and Auston Miller each rushed for a touchdown for the Raiders, who added a scoring throw from Sam McMillan to Aiden Tilstra.
POLO — Angel Salinas rushed for 257 yards and four touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough as the visiting eighth-seeded Bearcats saw their season end with a quarterfinal loss to the No. 1 seed.
Sawyer Laffoon added 113 rushing yards and two touchdowns on eight carries for Milford/Cissna Park (7-4).

The Mustangs entered the postseason with a No. 13 seed and 5-4 record. They’ve since won two games by an average of 27.5 points and can take down a No. 1 seed on Saturday.
Sports Editor
Matt Daniels is sports editor at The News-Gazette. His email is mdaniels@news-gazette.com.
College/Prep Sports Reporter
Colin Likas covers Illinois football and high school sports at The News-Gazette. His email is clikas@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@clikasNG).
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.

source

Web and social media editor
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday signed a bill into law repealing a state statute that criminalized the transmission of HIV. The move make Illinois the second state to fully decriminalize HIV after Texas, which repealed its HIV decriminalization law in 1994. 
The bill Pritzker signed into law Tuesday, HB 1063, was passed by the state Senate in May, after winning House approval in April. 
“Currently, individuals living with HIV face the threat of arrest, prosecution, and incarceration due to their HIV status, regardless of whether they transmit HIV to another individual,” a news release from Pritzker’s office says. 
The news release says research has shown laws criminalizing HIV transmission don’t decrease infection rates, but do increase stigma. The goal of the new law is that HIV will be treated like other chronic health conditions. 
The new law will remove the state’s attorney’s ability to request HIV test results in order to prosecute the charge of criminal transmission of HIV. It will also amend the AIDS Confidentiality Act so an individual’s HIV-related information or health records cannot be released or made public. The law says that information “shall not be admissible as evidence, nor discoverable in any action of any kind in any court or before any tribunal, board, agency or person.”
Supporters say the measure will also help prevent the spread of HIV by reducing the stigma that discourages some people from getting tested. 
“The criminalization of HIV has harmed communities in our home state for decades. It has done nothing other than spread fear and stigma, and it discouraged people from getting tested or knowing their status,” the Illinois HIV Action Alliance said in a statement Tuesday. “This legislation was passed to bring an end to these harms and modernize how we approach this public health issue. We are very relieved to see this destructive law has finally been stricken from the books, and know this effort will help realize the priorities of the Getting to Zero Illinois plan to end the HIV epidemic in Illinois by 2030.”
Download the document below to read the bill in full. 
Web and social media editor
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Currently in Paducah

• Submit a News Tip
• Request a News Story Dub
• Send Us Your Birthday

source

Sheriff asking the public for information after body found in Williamson County, Illinois  WPSD Local 6
source

UPDATE 11 a.m., Aug. 3:
MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY — The McCracken County Sheriff’s Department has released more information regarding a vehicle pursuit that resulted in a crash that led to one death and one hospitalization Monday.
The sheriff’s office says detectives were conducting a drug investigation on a man from Cairo, Illinois, Monday. The man arrived at a hotel on the 5100 block of Cairo Road to deliver meth. When the man began pulling his vehicle out of the hotel parking lot, detectives attempted to block his vehicle with their own. The man avoided the detectives’ cars and a pursuit began.
The man, who was later identified as 27-year-old Lamont Young, began driving west on Cairo Road. As detectives attempted to catch him, the sheriff’s office says they saw Young throw items out of the car, including meth.
During the pursuit, the detectives discovered Young was the only person in the vehicle, and was not the registered owner of the vehicle.
As Young neared U.S. 60 on Cairo Road, detectives began decreasing their speed to ease the pressure on Young, the sheriff’s office says. However, Young maintained speed, and as he rounded the curve approaching U.S. 60, he crashed into another vehicle heading eastbound on U.S. 60.
The sheriff’s office says detectives immediately left their cars to check on Young and the other individual involved in the crash. 
The sheriff’s office says the other person involved was a women driving a Ford Explorer. Life saving measures were attempted to save the women, but she died.
Young was taken by an Air Evac helicopter to an out-of-state hospital. The sheriff’s office says Young has a criminal history that includes a conviction for armed robbery, and arrests for aggravated assault, battery, home invasion and murder.
The Kentucky State Police will be overseeing the investigation into the car crash, while the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office will continue its drug trafficking investigation into Young.
ORIGINAL REPORT Aug. 2:
MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY — One person was killed in a crash on U.S. 60 west near the intersection with KY 305/Cairo Road in McCracken County, Sheriff Matt Carter confirms. A second person who was injured was flown to an out-of-state hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time. 
The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that the crash happened following a pursuit. 
The two-vehicle crash happened at 1:44 p.m. at mile point 6.172 of U.S. 60 near the entrance to Barkley Regional Airport. The road was blocked to allow an Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter to land at the crash site. The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, and Concord and West McCracken County fire departments responded as well. 
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet advised drivers to avoid the area as investigators conduct crash reconstruction efforts. At about 3 p.m., the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office said U.S. 60 would be restricted to one lane at the intersection for about six hours, and eastbound traffic would be rerouted to Cairo Road. But, shortly before 6:30 p.m., the sheriff’s office said all lanes had reopened to traffic. 
Also on Monday, a deadly crash was reported on another section of U.S. 60 in McCracken County. In that crash, which happened in Southside Paducah, five people were killed. 
MORE DETAILS: Five killed in crash on U.S 60/Clarks River Road in Southside Paducah
Currently in Paducah

• Submit a News Tip
• Request a News Story Dub
• Send Us Your Birthday

source

Matthew Hamilton

UPDATE 11/30: Carbondale police have identified 29-year-old Matthew Hamilton of Carbondale as one of the suspects involved in a Nov. 16 shots fired incident.
Matthew Hamilton
On Monday, City of Carbondale police officers located and arrested Hamilton. He is being charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and aggravated discharge of a weapon.
Hamilton is being held in the Jackson County Jail.
According to Carbondale police, the investigation into the incident is active and ongoing. 
CARBONDALE, IL – The City of Carbondale Police Department is investigating an incident in which several shots were fired early Tuesday morning on the 400 block of East Chestnut Street.
At 12:05 a.m. Tuesday, Carbondale police responded to the shots fired call. Upon arriving, officers learned the suspect, a Black male, had fired several gun shots at a group of nearby people.
No injuries were reported, however, officers found a car that had been damaged from the shooting.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the City of Carbondale Police Department at 618-457-3200.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Currently in Paducah

• Submit a News Tip
• Request a News Story Dub
• Send Us Your Birthday

source

GOP Lawmakers Blast Biden And Harris Over ‘Continued Silence’ On Marijuana And Urge Rescheduling
Congressional Memo Touts Marijuana Momentum In 2021 And Lays Out 2022 Reform Priorities
Pro-Legalization Missouri GOP Lawmaker Addresses Marijuana Resistance In His Party
California AG Pushes County Prosecutors To Stop Delaying Relief For Past Cannabis Convictions
Ohio Senate Approves Bill To Allow Medical Marijuana For Any Patient Who Can ‘Reasonably Be Expected’ To Benefit
Youth Marijuana Use ‘Decreased Significantly’ In 2021 Despite State Reforms, Federally Funded Survey Finds
Allowing Legal Marijuana Dispensaries Boosts Employment Rates In Colorado Counties, Study Finds
Marijuana Helps Treat PTSD Symptoms But Federal Policy Impedes Science, VA Researcher Says
DEA Backs White House Plan To Streamline Research On Marijuana, Psychedelics And Other Schedule I Drugs
Top Federal Drug Official Says There’s ‘No Evidence’ That Occasional Marijuana Use Is Harmful For Adults
Berlin Public Transit Is Selling Edible, Hemp-Infused Tickets To Help Riders To Relax This Holiday
Seth Rogen And Sarah Silverman Partner With Marijuana Businesses To Press Senators For Legalization
Singer Melissa Etheridge And Activist Van Jones Promote Psychedelics Reform As Movement Grows
Sanjay Gupta Explains His Marijuana Reversal And Discusses ‘Very Biased’ U.S. Research With Joe Rogan
Farmers Switch From Raising Chickens For Slaughter To Growing Hemp With Help Of Animal Advocacy Group
Arizona Recreational Marijuana Sales Hit Record Monthly High, State Reports
Visa Warns Against Misuse Of ‘Cashless ATMs’ Used By Cannabis Retailers To Skirt Restrictions
IRS Official Gives Marijuana Businesses Advice On Tax Compliance
GW Pharma Scores Interim Victory In Cannabis Extraction Patent Infringement Fight With Canopy (Op-Ed)
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Partners With Marijuana Industry On Internship Program For Future Cannabis Leaders
Berlin Public Transit Is Selling Edible, Hemp-Infused Tickets To Help Riders To Relax This Holiday
Pro-Legalization Missouri GOP Lawmaker Addresses Marijuana Resistance In His Party
Ohio Senate Approves Bill To Allow Medical Marijuana For Any Patient Who Can ‘Reasonably Be Expected’ To Benefit
Illinois Announces $45 Million In Marijuana-Funded Grants To Support Community Reinvestment
St. Louis Mayor Signs Bill To Decriminalize Marijuana Possession And Cultivation
State cannabis czar takes over legalization org (Newsletter: December 16, 2021)
Fed scientists slam fed cannabis restrictions (Newsletter: December 15, 2021)
Malta set to legalize cannabis this week, a European first (Newsletter: December 14, 2021)
Visa’s crackdown on popular cannabis payments solution (Newsletter: December 13, 2021)
KY gov wants to sell cannabis to other states (Newsletter: December 10, 2021)
Published
on
By
Fed study: Youth use down as more states legalize; OH medical cannabis expansion; IL marijuana money for drug war repairs; NH 2022 legalization push
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Email address:

Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Your good deed for the day: donate to an independent publisher like Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there.

Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Marijuana Policy Project has a new leader. Toi Hutchinson most recently served as the top cannabis advisor to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D), and before that as a state senator she sponsored the legalization bill he signed into law.

A new federally funded survey found that youth marijuana use declined dramatically in 2021 even as more states enacted and implemented legalization. While COVID social distancing likely contributed to the drop, the new data provides more evidence that prohibitionists’ fears about skyrocketing teen consumption are unfounded.

The Ohio Senate approved a bill to let doctors recommend medical cannabis for any condition they “reasonably” believe could benefit from it, and to otherwise expand the program with more dispensaries and bigger cultivation operations.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D) announced a new $45 million round of marijuana revenue-funded grants aimed at helping communities that have been harmed by the war on drugs.

New Hampshire lawmakers are looking to nearby Maine and Vermont for marijuana lessons as they plan a 2022 legalization push—but they face resistance from the governor and legislative leaders.

/ FEDERAL

President Joe Biden signed executive orders imposing sanctions on foreign persons involved with the illegal drug trade and establishing a new U.S. Council on Transnational Organized Crime.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said licensed hemp businesses are eligible for its Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program.

The Senate passed a bill designating methamphetamine as an emerging threat and directing the Office of National Drug Control Policy to implement a plan to address its use.

Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) tweeted about St. Louis, Missouri’s mayor signing a marijuana decriminalization bill, saying, “Deep gratitude to you, Madam Mayor, and to the sponsors on the Board of Aldermen for your amazing leadership in delivering this legislation to repeal outdated marijuana laws in St. Louis. This will save lives and livelihoods.”

/ STATES

Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro, currently the attorney general, tweeted, “The majority of Pennsylvanians want to see marijuana legalized. Me too — it’s time to get it done.”

Texas Democratic attorney general candidate Lee Merritt tweeted, “We can’t simply legalize cannabis in Texas without taking steps to undo 50 years of damage disproportionately directed at black and brown communities. As we move toward legalization in Texas we must rebuild communities devastated by the so-called ‘war on drugs.’”

Minnesota’s House majority leader tweeted, “Expunging convictions must be a non-negotiable part of any cannabis legalization bill. Without it, legalization is barely even a criminal justice reform.”

The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee held a hearing on marijuana expungement bills.

A Florida representative tweeted about a bill she recently filed “to decriminalize the personal possession and use (not sale/production) of marijuana and other drugs to prioritize ‘treatment and safety in an effort to preserve lives rather than discard them through criminalization and incarceration.’”

An Oklahoma Supreme Court official held an initial hearing in a case in which one legalization activist is challenging other activists’ proposed marijuana ballot measures.

New Mexico regulators issued the state’s first recreational marijuana business licenses.

Colorado regulators issued an updated health and safety advisory about potentially unsafe marijuana products produced by Innovative Fusion LLC.

New Jersey regulators began accepting applications for recreational marijuana cultivation, manufacturing and testing business licenses.

New York marijuana regulators partnered with other state agencies on a new campaign urging people not to drive under the influence.

The Alaska Department of Law is pursuing felony charges against a marijuana cultivation business for failure to pay taxes.

Oregon regulators released a podcast about 2021 marijuana developments.

—
Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,300 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
/ LOCAL

Oakland, California’s mayor said in a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) that she would like a California Highway Patrol task force to direct more attention to recent robberies of marijuana dispensaries and other businesses.

Some Green Bay, Wisconsin Common Council members are pushing to lower marijuana penalties.

The San Diego, California City Council is considering a proposal to increase the number of marijuana dispensaries and loosen zoning restrictions.

The Bernalillo County, New Mexico Commission approved a marijuana ordinance that bans outdoor consumption areas.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is open to working with provinces that want to decriminalize drugs.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Science and Technology shared more details about its hemp plan.

The UK Food Standards Agency said it will soon publish details on which CBD products will be allowed to remain on the market.

A South Korean judge spared two U.S. service members convicted of bringing cannabis products into the country from serving time in prison.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “among nurses and physicians, having an oncology specialty predicted more positive attitudes toward” medical cannabis and that “physicians had a less positive attitude toward MC compared to nurses.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Texas Medical Association published a white paper about medical cannabis.

/ BUSINESS

Canopy Growth Corporation is divesting subsidiary business C³ Cannabinoid Compound Company GmbH.

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. closed on the acquisition of 27 properties leased for use as cannabis facilities in Colorado, Pennsylvania and North Dakota.

Puffco is temporarily shutting down its website to deal with a backlog of orders caused by the U.S. Postal Service’s ban on mailing vaping products.

Village Farms International, Inc. is delisting from the Toronto Stock Exchange and will remain on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Email address:

Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
Fed scientists slam fed cannabis restrictions (Newsletter: December 15, 2021)
Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 20-year veteran in the cannabis law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana. Separately, he founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Previously he reported for Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and handled media relations and campaigns for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy. (Organization citations are for identification only and do not constitute an endorsement or partnership.)
Published
on
By
Malta votes to legalize marijuana; NY psilocybin bill; MT cannabis regs approved; MO Supreme Court hears licensing secrets case
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Email address:

Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Hold on, just one second before you read today’s news. Have you thought about giving some financial support to Marijuana Moment? If so, today would be a great day to contribute. We’re planning our reporting for the coming year and it would really help to know what kind of support we can count on.

Check us out on Patreon and sign up to give $25/month today:
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Malta’s Parliament voted to legalize marijuana. President George Vella is expected to sign the legislation into law by this weekend.

Federal scientists with the Food and Drug Administration, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institutes of Health detailed in a new National Cancer Institute journal article how current restrictive marijuana policies—including Schedule I status and a lack of access to dispensary cannabis—”hinder research in several ways.”

A New York assemblyman filed a new bill to legalize psilocybin therapy, with a focus on ensuring access to the psychedelic treatment for military veterans and first responders.

The Montana legislature’s Economic Affairs Interim Committee voted to move ahead with marijuana regulations as the January 1 sales launch approaches—just days after initially rejecting proposed rules.

The Missouri Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case challenging regulators’ decision to keep medical cannabis licensing information secret.

/ FEDERAL

The Department of Justice and Attorney General Merrick Garland asked a federal court to dismiss them from a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by a black-owned Washington State marijuana business.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding a project on hemp as a cover crop.

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) tweeted, “Nevada’s cannabis industry has created new businesses and jobs, bringing millions in new tax revenue for our state. Today, I met with the Chamber of Cannabis and local leaders in the industry to learn more about their work and what I can do to ensure these businesses thrive.”

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted, “By ending nonviolent cannabis prison sentences, the #StatesReformAct will save taxpayers $571 MILLION in federal prison costs according to new impact analysis by @recidiviz.”

The House bill to require clinical trials on the medical benefits of cannabis for military veterans got one new cosponsor for a total of three.

/ STATES

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed legislation to provide funds to combat illegal marijuana cultivation.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) reiterated his concern that federal law needs to change before the state considers legalizing marijuana. Meanwhile, a representative discussed a bill she is planning to introduce to create a commission that would issue recommendations on how the state could structure a legal cannabis system in the future.

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, reacted to criticism about what she said was a joke about people sending her medical cannabis for her birthday.

New Mexico’s attorney general announced that a local credit union became the first to be certified for cannabis banking protocols by an independent organization.

Georgia’s House speaker removed a member of the Medical Marijuana Commission, a police chief who is under investigation for his department’s K-9 unit expenses.

Alabama’s House speaker said he’s open to considering any new medical cannabis legislation that regulators say they need.

New York’s Assembly majority leader said she’s not surprised by the number of municipalities opting out of allowing recreational marijuana dispensaries and on-site consumption facilities.

Virginia regulators received federal approval for the state’s hemp plan.

Colorado has generated $392.8 million in marijuana tax revenue so far in 2021—a new annual record with one month left to go. They also published updated average market rates for cannabis.

Vermont regulators issued recommendations for marijuana business code compliance and penalties.

Michigan regulators will begin printing patient and caregiver photos on their registration cards.

Wisconsin regulators are urging people to become certified as hemp inspectors to address a shortage.

Washington State regulators sent an update about transitioning to a new marijuana tracking system.

New Jersey regulators will begin accepting recreational marijuana cultivation, distribution and testing business license applications on Wednesday.

The Louisiana House House Criminal Justice Impacts of Legalizing Cannabis Subcommittee will meet on Thursday.

The Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission will meet on Friday.

—
Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,300 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—

Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Email address:

Published
on
By
St. Louis decrim signed into law; SCOTUS asked to settle marijuana insurance dispute; Clemency bill in Congress; Equity recs from former MA regulator
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Email address:

Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Free to read (but not free to produce)! We’re proud of our newsletter and the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we’re happy to provide it for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen.

If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can expand our coverage and more readers can benefit: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Malta is set to become the first country in Europe to legalize marijuana this week. Parliament is scheduled to vote on the bill on Tuesday and the president is expected to quickly sign it into law by this weekend.

The mayor of St. Louis, Missouri signed a new ordinance decriminalizing marijuana possession and cultivation of up to six plants under local law.

The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to resolve a dispute between several state courts on whether employers can be compelled to reimburse workers for the cost of medical cannabis used to treat job-related injuries.

Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Cori Bush (D-MO) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) led a coalition of lawmakers in filing a new bill to streamline the presidential clemency process, a step they say is needed to address mass incarceration that’s been driven by the war on drugs.

Former Massachusetts marijuana regulator Shaleen Title published a new report on how states can do a better job of ensuring social equity in the cannabis industry for communities impacted by the war on drugs.

/ FEDERAL

The National Institute on Drug Abuse and other federal health agencies are hosting a two-day workshop on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics next month.

The chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s hemp program will participate in a Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation webinar on Thursday.

The Government Accountability Office said the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy should better document its process for identifying duplication, overlap and fragmentation in its grants programs.

Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) voiced support for safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.

Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) tweeted about Visa cracking down on a popular marijuana business payments solution, saying, “This wouldn’t be a problem if the Senate would pass #SAFEBanking. By preventing state-legal cannabis retailers from accepting credit/debit cards as direct payment, federal prohibition not only endangers public safety but also stifles economic equity.”

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) tweeted about a company announcing it baked the  world’s largest cannabis-infused brownie, saying, “Meanwhile we have people in jail and in debt for marijuana charges. Free them all.”

Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) raised concerns about fentanyl being laced into marijuana and other drugs.

/ STATES

Oregon lawmakers sent Gov. Kate Brown a bill to provide funding to combat illegal marijuana cultivation.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) expressed openness to decriminalizing marijuana possession but said he cannot support legalization until federal law changes.

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, currently a congressman, tweeted, “As Governor of Florida I will legalize marijuana. Like and retweet to pass it on.”

Texas cannabis lawyer Susan Hays is running as a Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner.

Kansas House Democrats tweeted, “Tell your #ksleg-islators that you support: ✅Passing medical cannabis…”

A longtime New York assemblyman who championed marijuana reform is retiring.

A Minnesota senator criticized regulators’ decision to allow medical cannabis edibles.

The Arizona Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures Services Division is investigating complaints about allegedly underweight packages of marijuana products being sold in dispensaries.

An Illinois judge will hear arguments in consolidated cases challenging regulators’ marijuana business licensing decisions on Tuesday.

Montana regulators proposed rules to require assisted living facilities to have marijuana policies.

California regulators are seeking applications to serve on the Cannabis Advisory Committee.

Missouri regulators posted updated data on the number of medical cannabis businesses approved to operate.

West Virginia regulators published a list of issued hemp licenses.

Nevada regulators will hold a board meeting on marijuana business issues and a public workshop on marijuana consumption lounges on Tuesday.

Alaska regulators will discuss an administrative hold on marijuana products from Alaskan Blooms on Wednesday.

—
Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,300 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—

Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Email address:

Published
on
By
RI legal marijuana early in 2022, speaker says; NY cannabis tax relief bill; MT lawmakers stall regs ahead of legalization; AZ record sales
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Email address:

Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Before you dig into today’s cannabis news, I wanted you to know you can keep this resource free and published daily by subscribing to Marijuana Moment on Patreon. We’re a small independent publication diving deep into the cannabis world and rely on readers like you to keep going.

Join us at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Visa issued a warning about “cashless ATMs”—a workaround that some marijuana businesses use to accept credit or debit cards for purchases.

Rhode Island’s House speaker says a final marijuana legalization bill will be ready for passage early in 2022, as negotiators have just one major issue left to resolve.

A New York senator filed a bill that would allow marijuana businesses to deduct expenses from their state tax returns that are not allowed under the federal 280E provision.

The Montana legislature’s Economic Affairs Interim Committee voted to stall the marijuana rulemaking process, just weeks ahead of the scheduled January 1 launch of legal sales.

The Arizona Department of Revenue reports that recreational marijuana sales hit a record monthly high in October. Adult-use sales are still smaller than medical cannabis sales, but they are catching up.

/ FEDERAL

A former Drug Enforcement Administration special agent was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to participating in a conspiracy that used money seized in undercover drug operations to buy jewelry, cars and property.

The Transportation Security Administration published an Instagram post about an 850-pound marijuana-infused brownie.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Ag Service is hosting an event on  market opportunities and regulations for industrial hemp in Japan on Monday.

The House Oversight Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties held a hearing on law enforcement asset forfeiture practices in marijuana, drug and other criminal cases.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) said he will continue to work to build support for marijuana banking legislation.

Reps.  Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Louie Gohmert (R-TX) said a Washington, D.C. jail “reeked of marijuana and other substances which were not readily classified” when they toured the facility.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) tweeted about Portland, Oregon’s move to give relief to cannabis businesses, saying, “An important part of our local economy has been hit hard, and this is a good step from the city to help. Because of outmoded and unrealistic federal policies, people have not been eligible for other support. Passing the #SAFEBanking Act is the next step the fed gov’t should take.”

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “If you think cannabis reform isn’t a racial justice issue, you’re wrong.”

Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) tweeted, “Congrats to the cannabis dispensary workers of Curaleaf in Passyunk for voting to form a union with @UFCWLocal1776 today!” He also tweeted, “Congratulations to these Philly #cannabis workers, who will now be members of @UFCWLocal1776. I proudly voted for the #PROAct to help more workers organize, and I urge the Senate to join the House in passing it!”

Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY) tweeted, “For decades, unjust marijuana laws have been exploited to criminalize and incarcerate people of color.”

Kentucky Democratic congressional candidate William Compton tweeted, “According to the tax foundation, Kentucky has the potential to bring in $83,008,154 in taxes alone from recreational marijuana. That’s over $83 million that could be used to fund public schools, used to help our rural communities, or more.”

The House bill to legalize medical cannabis for military veterans got one new cosponsor for a total of 16.

/ STATES

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced that a special session beginning this week will include consideration of funding to address illegal marijuana cultivation.

A spokesperson for North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) said the number of people applying to have marijuana convictions pardoned has “slowed to a dwindle.”

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) included signing a marijuana legalization bill in a list of his criminal justice accomplishments.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tweeted, “Since I took office in 2015, I’ve protected the health of Pennsylvanians by:…👩‍⚕️Legalizing medical marijuana…”

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, currently the agriculture commissioner, tweeted, ” In its first year, hemp in Florida created an estimated $370M economic impact, supported over 9k jobs, and generated over $17M in federal, state, and local tax revenue!”

Illinois’s lieutenant governor tweeted, “If you’re an organization looking to heal your community impacted by mass incarceration and the war on drugs, look into @ICJIA_Illinois’s #R3 grant program.”

Ohio’s House speaker said he thinks there will be “significant opposition”to marijuana legalization bills in the 2022 session, but that there will also be “some significant support in some corners.”

Indiana’s House majority leader said it’s worth “taking a look” at medical cannabis legislation.

The Texas Supreme Court rejected regulators’ motion to remove an injunction on their ban on delta-8 THC.

California regulators proposed emergency rules to waive licensing fees for cannabis equity businesses.

Arizona regulators filed amended marijuana social equity business rules.

Colorado regulators issued a bulletin about new cannabis rules.

The Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission is investigating patient access issues under the state’s limited law.

Massachusetts regulators published a research article on equity and diversity in the marijuana industry.

New York regulators will discuss medical cannabis and hemp issues on Thursday. Separately, the director of the Office of Cannabis Management spoke about efforts to implement legalization and expunge records.

—
Marijuana Moment is already tracking more than 1,300 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—

Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Email address:

Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
Email address:

All the cannabis news you need, all in one place. Copyright © 2017-2021 Marijuana Moment LLC ® and Tom Angell
Email address:

source

Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW)
by: Megan Belcher
GIBSON CO., Ind (WEHT) There was an incident with a hazardous chemical at the Toyota plant on Friday.
Princeton Fire Department says they were called out over concerns of 4 drums of paint solution. One drum had swelled and others were discolored. Fire officials were able to determine there was no major threat.
Toyota officials released this statement:
“On the morning of October 15^th, Toyota and Princeton fire departments responded to a call to investigate a potential hazardous material incident at Toyota’s Indiana plant. The scene has been contained and no injuries were reported. Both fire departments have departed. Toyota is investigating the incident and will take countermeasures as appropriate.”
The paint department at Toyota was evacuated and firefighters depressurized the drums. None of the material was leaked and there was no risk to any employees.
Copyright 2021 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. (WEHT) – As officials in Hopkins County recently suggested a pause in supply donations to allow for allotment, one church in Dawson Springs is taking all the donations they can get.
“Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had a lot of people be generous and give stuff,” says Trent Keeton, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church. “So the donations are good, but by no means are we, like, overflowing.”
DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. (WEHT)- He may not have had any reindeer, nor did he go down a chimney. He didn’t even have a plate of cookies to snack on, but Santa made a special appearance in Dawson Springs, just days after the town was devastated by a tornado.
Santa says he has a special connection to the area and wanted to come down to deliver gifts and hope to children after the storms. He says God has allowed him to do this, help those in need, and deliver a little Christmas cheer. He says it can’t describe the feeling he got going around the Hopkins County community Wednesday afternoon.
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (WEHT) — The President is scheduled to arrive at Fort Campbell just after 10 a.m. Wednesday morning to get an update on the recovery efforts.
After a briefing on recovery efforts, President Biden will head to Mayfield to get a look at the damage for himself.

source

source