Top Pennsylvania Official Says State’s Farmers Can Grow Better Marijuana Than New Jersey’s

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) said on Wednesday that farmers in his state can grow better marijuana than people in New Jersey—and that’s one reason why the state should expeditiously legalize cannabis before voters next door in the Garden State enact the policy change this November.

The top state official made the quip during a marijuana reform rally, where Gov. Tom Wolf (D) also reiterated his call for the legislature to advance adult-use legalization legislation.

“New Jersey is going to vote to legalize marijuana, and 40 percent of our population will live within 30 minutes drive or less of legal marijuana,” Fetterman said. “The governor and I think our legal marijuana is better. We think our farmers would grow better legal marijuana than New Jersey. We think we should reap the benefits, not New Jersey.”

Much of the focus of the two top officials’ speeches concerned these regional considerations.

“To date, eleven states in the United States and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for adult use, and many more are giving serious consideration to legalization proposals, including our next door neighbor New Jersey,” Wolf said. “They have a referendum scheduled to be on the ballot in November 3. New Jersey citizens are going to vote in that referendum, and if they vote to legalize it, we will have given up the opportunity to gain the revenue that will definitely go across the border to New Jersey.”

Wolf and Fetterman both argued that implementing a legal cannabis program would be especially helpful as a revenue generator to aid in Pennsylvania’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

A Serious policy.

With Serious solutions.

For Serious times.

Legalize it.

— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) September 16, 2020

“Pennsylvanians are not the only ones who see the benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana,” the governor said. “Right now more than ever, states and municipalities all across the country have a desperate need for the economic boost that cannabis can provide.”

I'm with @FettermanLt to again ask the PA legislature to take action on adult-use marijuana.

I'm pro-legalization. Profits could help small businesses recover from #COVID19, boost historically disadvantaged businesses, and restore justice to those harmed by criminalization. pic.twitter.com/sUSzuFRxaV

— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) September 16, 2020

“I urge the legislature to join me in building a foundation now to strengthen Pennsylvania’s economy by legalizing cannabis for adult use,” he said.

Focusing on the benefits of restorative justice and revenue generation, @GovernorTomWolf and @FettermanLt again today called on the legislature to take up legalization of adult-use cannabis.https://t.co/3kTK8CE12Q

— Office of the Governor (@GovernorsOffice) September 16, 2020

Fetterman said that legalizing marijuana is “serious policy for serious times.”

“Now, I have put this challenge out again to the legislature,” he said. “We’re talking about generating billions in long-term revenue for Pennsylvania. We’re talking about generating tens of thousands of jobs. We’re talking about substantial criminal justice reform that leads to over 20,000 arrests of our fellow Pennsylvanians every year. We’re talking about freedom.”

“I don’t understand why this is even an issue, especially during this pandemic,” he said. “Let’s get serious. Let’s implement a serious policy that’s going to address all the areas that Pennsylvania needs addressed right now through legalizing cannabis here.”

Earlier in the day, Rep. Jake Wheatley (D) and Sen. Sharif Street (D) discussed their support for legalization at a rally with activists.

We want the revenue, but legalizing recreational marijuana is about letting people decide how to live their own lives, and about removing the criminal stigma from a failed War on Drugs. pic.twitter.com/qzArkA4fmx

— Jake Wheatley (@RepWheatley) September 16, 2020

Joined @NORML and Legalize PA to call for colleagues in the PA House and Sen to finally end the prohibition of cannabis in Pennsylvania.

End the war on drugs, end the war on people. #coronavirus#CannabisCommunitypic.twitter.com/0SdAVyELVy

— Sen. Sharif Street (@SenSharifStreet) September 16, 2020

The governor has on several recent occasions pushed for marijuana legalization. Earlier this month, he took a shot at the GOP-controlled legislature for failing to get the job done earlier this month, for example. He also floated the idea of passing a bill that would allow the state itself to sell the cannabis to consumers.

While Wolf initially opposed adult-use legalization, he came out in support of the policy change last year. That shift came after Fetterman led a statewide listening tour last year to solicit public input on the issue.

Shortly after the governor announced that he was embracing the reform, a lawmaker filed a bill to legalize marijuana through a state-run model.

A majority of Senate Democrats sent Wolf a letter in July arguing that legislators should pursue the policy change in order to generate revenue to make up for losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to state shelter-in-place and social distancing mandates, Wheatley announced that he would be introducing a revised legalization bill for the session.

The lawmaker, who filed a similar bill last year, wrote that his proposal will be “the most comprehensive and well-vetted legislation providing for a legal adult-use cannabis industry.” It would also provide for expungements and releasing people from prison for non-violent drug offenses.

Outside of Pennsylvania, other leaders are recognizing that taxing and regulating marijuana can provide a much-needed economic boost amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) said in May that the state needs to explore every option for economic relief, and that includes passing cannabis legalization. She made that point again last week.

New Jersey’s governor said in July that legalizing cannabis could simultaneously help the state recover economically from crisis while also promoting racial justice.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) was asked in May about whether marijuana legalization could serve as a tool for economic recovery and he expressed support for the proposal, stating that while the legislature hasn’t yet accomplished the policy change, “I believe we will” down the line.

Illinois (Yet Again) Breaks Monthly Marijuana Sales Record

Photo courtesy of Philip Steffan.

Cory Booker Says Medical Marijuana Access Should Be Prioritized Amid Coronavirus

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said on Wednesday that access to medical marijuana for patients should be prioritized amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Asked about reported shortages of cannabis at dispensaries in his home state of New Jersey, Booker said “I’m one of the leaders on lifting the federal restrictions on marijuana usage” in the Senate and “I’ve been pushing for it in the state.”

While the former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate then said that “of all the things I’m concerned with right now, access to marijuana is not one of them” he quickly pivoted to clarify that is true “except for to the extent that it is something that people need for their health and wellbeing like all prescription drugs.”

Senator Cory Booker responded to Kyle Mazza's questions on the issue involving Bergen County Jail with immigrants during the #COVID19 Outbreak and a question involving medical marijuana dispensaries running low on medicine amidst #Coronavirus@CoryBooker@SenBookerpic.twitter.com/7MFOvcTJHX

— Kyle Mazza (@KyleMazzaWUNF) April 8, 2020

“Again, we have a lot to do in New Jersey to visit upon this issue, but for people that need it for their post-traumatic stress, for the seizures that they may have, for serious medical conditions, I’m hoping we prioritize those people so they can get the medicine they need,” Booker said.

While New Jersey patients are experiencing longer lines and limitations on how much they can purchase from dispensaries due to COVID-19, a top regulator said last week that there are no product shortages.

In November, New Jersey voters will decide on a recreational marijuana legalization referendum placed on the ballot by the legislature.

While Booker said that his focus is on prioritizing patient access, most states that have legalized recreational marijuana are also allowing retail shops to continue operating, and some have implemented policies to allow or encourage curbside pickup and delivery services amid calls for social distancing.

A majority of Americans agree that medical cannabis dispensaries should be considered essential, according to a recent poll.

Also on Wednesday, a coalition of marijuana industry groups sent a letter to governors and regulators, thanking them for deeming dispensaries to be essential services. Additionally, they said states should allow home deliveries, curbside pickup, and recommendations via telemedicine while removing or reducing caregiver application fees, among other steps during the pandemic.

Marijuana Industry Groups Ask States For Coronavirus Relief Loans That Feds Won’t Provide

Photo courtesy of Senate Democrats.

Congresswoman Wants Ban On DC Marijuana Sales Lifted Through Coronavirus Legislation

A congresswoman is calling on the government to end a policy prohibiting Washington, D.C. from legal marijuana sales, arguing that the jurisdiction is in particular need of tax revenue from cannabis commerce due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has repeatedly condemned the congressional rider barring the District of Columbia from allowing retail sales that has been extended each year since 2014, shortly after local voters approved a ballot measure to legalize low-level possession and home cultivation. But given the need for resources to combat the pandemic, she said a reversal of the provision should be included in the next COVID-related relief bill.

“At this moment of unparalleled need, D.C. should be able to collect tax revenue from all available sources, like every other jurisdiction, including from recreational marijuana, which is believed to be widely used in the District,” the congresswoman said in a press release on Friday, adding that D.C. was shorted in the last stimulus because Congress treated it as a territory rather than a state.

“While I am working for a retroactive fix in the next coronavirus bill, it is imperative that Congress also repeal the D.C. recreational marijuana commercialization rider in the next bill to help D.C. shore up its finances,” she said. “It is beyond unreasonable that congressional interference keeps only the District from commercializing recreational marijuana, while all other jurisdictions are free to do so.”

The next #coronavirus bill is the time for Congress to finally permit DC to commercialize recreational marijuana. It is legal to possess two ounces but #DC can’t tax it.

Commercialization would help DC in this moment of great need for revenue. https://t.co/xhEOyY1mbSpic.twitter.com/3haXv1L8Wf

— Eleanor Holmes Norton (@EleanorNorton) April 3, 2020

“Bringing the District in line with other jurisdictions would create a critical source of tax revenue in our time of need.”

Last year, the House approved an appropriations bill that excluded the D.C. rider, but it was included in the Senate version and ultimately made its way into the final package that the president signed. The cannabis commerce ban was also included in President Trump’s budget proposal earlier this year.

“True to form, Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton continues to be one of the best allies to the cannabis reform movement,” Justin Strekal, political director for NORML, told Marijuana Moment. “During this unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak, it is critical that lawmakers analyze and reform any and every aspect of public policy to mitigate the health crisis and build a foundation for a strong recovery.”

“As the majority of states that regulate cannabis have deemed the industry essential to the continued functioning of their jurisdictions, the continued congressional prohibition of the District of Columbia enacting it’s own adult-use program becomes even more ridiculous,” he added.

Norton, in an interview about her push, said that the congressionally mandated prohibition on sales doesn’t prevent people from accessing cannabis but does block the city from collecting tax revenue.

“You can buy two ounces but, by the way you’ve got to do that on the black market,” she told WUSA-TV. “But there’s nobody to tax it. And I’m simply trying to get the taxes the District is due for merchandise, in this case marijuana that’s being consumed readily in the District of Columbia.”

🟢🟢 LEGALIZING COMMERCIAL MARIJUANA IN D.C. 🟢🟢 I spoke to D.C.'s Delegate @EleanorNorton She's pushing for fully legal commercial marijuana sales in the District in a 4th Congressional stimulus package. Why? The District needs the money. And people are smoking weed anyway. pic.twitter.com/PL9yoDKlrj

— Adam Longo (@adamlongoTV) April 3, 2020

Legislative priorities for Congress have shifted significantly as lawmakers attempt to address the outbreak, and that’s meant putting some reform efforts on hold. However, the issue isn’t being ignored entirely, and it’s possible that other members may look to attach modest marijuana proposals to additional coronavirus legislation.

For example, Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) said this week that U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs policy preventing its doctors from recommending medical cannabis in legal states puts service members at risk in Massachusetts because the state is shuttering recreational shops (but not medical dispensaries) and some veterans fear registering as patients out of concern that they could lose federal benefits.

Eleven senators wrote a letter to Appropriations Committee leadership asking that they allow small cannabis businesses to access federal loans and disaster relief programs. While the lawmakers said it should be enacted through an annual spending bill, advocates have argued that the policy change should be pursued through coronavirus legislation since these businesses are facing challenges just like those experienced by many other companies during the pandemic.

Eleven Senators Push To Let Marijuana Businesses Access Federal Loan Programs

Photo courtesy of WeedPornDaily.