Tag:

Marijuana Legalization

Harford
Lifestyle
$10.4M Made In Maryland During First Weekend Of Recreation Marijuana Sales $10.4M Made In Maryland During First Weekend Of Recreation Marijuana Sales
$10.4M Made In Maryland During First Weekend Of Recreation Marijuana Sales Maryland residents flashed some green over the holiday weekend as they celebrated the legalization of recreational marijuana in a big way. Users have been puffing and passing at will since weed was legalized on Saturday, July 1, with the state’s Cannabis Administration reporting more than $10 million in retail sales over the holiday weekend. On Opening Day alone, the agency reported a total of $4,518,377 in sales (959,430 for medical use); and between Friday and Sunday, it said there have been a total of $10,429,736 in sales versus approximately $4 million during the same time frame a year…

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by Zak Failla
Capital District
Business
Cannabis Sales: Here's Where To Find 2 Of Capital Region's First Legal Pot Shops, Report Says Cannabis Sales: Here's Where To Find 2 Of Capital Region's First Legal Pot Shops, Report Says
Cannabis Sales: Here's Where To Find 2 Of Capital Region's First Legal Pot Shops, Report Says Weeks after New York’s first legal recreational marijuana dispensary opened, additional pot shops are gearing up to open in the region, WRGB reports.  Business owner Don Andrews, who runs Schenectady’s Upstate CBD on Union Street, told the outlet his store was approved to sell adult-use cannabis products by the city and the state’s Office of Cannabis Management. Andrews told WRGB he expects to be open by mid February. A second recreational marijuana dispensary is set to open in Rensselaer County, according to Josh Mirsky, who told the outlet his Stage One Dispensary will be located in…

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by Michael Mashburn
Baltimore
Politics
Election Day 2022: Governor's Seat, Marijuana Among Top Items On Ballot In Maryland Election Day 2022: Governor's Seat, Marijuana Among Top Items On Ballot In Maryland
Election Day 2022: Governor's Seat, Marijuana Among Top Items On Ballot In Maryland The polls are open for the 2022 midterm elections, and Maryland voters will have several key decisions to make on Tuesday, Nov. 8. The gubernatorial race between Republican Dan Cox and Democrat Wes Moore to replace outgoing Gov. Larry Hogan highlights the 2023 ballot, though voters will also determine whether or not the state becomes the latest to legalize marijuana for adults. Hogan, a Republican, is being forced out of office due to term limit laws, refused to endorse a candidate, but Moore has the backing of former President Barack Obama and was the final Democrat current President Joe…

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by Zak Failla
Hackensack
News
Biden Pardons 6,500 Convicted Of Simple Pot Possession, Calls For Review Of Federal Law Biden Pardons 6,500 Convicted Of Simple Pot Possession, Calls For Review Of Federal Law
Biden Pardons 6,500 Convicted Of Simple Pot Possession, Calls For Review Of Federal Law President Joe Biden granted mass pardons to an estimated 6,500 people convicted federally of simple marijuana possession and urged all of the nation’s governors to do the same. “There are thousands of people who were previously convicted of simple possession who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result,” Biden said during a video announcement Thursday afternoon, Oct. 6. “My pardon will remove this burden.” NOT pardoned are those convicted of dealing pot. Biden, 79, also emphasized that “important limitations on trafficking, marketing and underage sales s…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Middlesex MA
Police & Fire
Somerville Attorney Arrested For Allegedly Bribing Local Police Chief Somerville Attorney Arrested For Allegedly Bribing Local Police Chief
Somerville Attorney Arrested For Allegedly Bribing Local Police Chief An attorney from Somerville has been arrested for allegedly bribing a local police chief to get approval for a marijuana dispensary, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said.  Sean O'Donovan, age 54, allegedly tried bribing Medford's police chief with $25,000 to secure the approval of a recreational marijuana dispensary for one of his clients, the office reports. The client apparently enlisted O'Donovan to help them obtain a Host Community Agreement (HCA), as required under Massachusetts law, with the City of Medford in 2018. In addition, the City of Medford…

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by David Cifarelli
Hackensack
News
House Agrees To Legalize Weed, But Don’t Fire One Up Just Yet House Agrees To Legalize Weed, But Don’t Fire One Up Just Yet
House Agrees To Legalize Weed, But Don’t Fire One Up Just Yet It was only 16 months ago that the U.S. House of Representatives approved the nation’s first attempted repeal of federal marijuana laws. Then nothing happened. Over in the Senate, then-Sen. Kamala Harris introduced a similar bill that metaphorically died on the vine. The House on April Fools' Day again agreed to legalize weed, taking the nation back to lawmakers' December 2020 attempt to toss the federal pot ban. Let's be blunt: The result will most likely be the same. Only a few Republicans joined the House majority in Friday’s 220-204 House vote to remove reefer from the 1970 Controlled…

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by Jerry DeMarco
New Haven
News
Lamont Signs Legislation Legalizing Cannabis In Connecticut Lamont Signs Legislation Legalizing Cannabis In Connecticut
Lamont Signs Legislation Legalizing Cannabis In Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont made it official and signed a bill into law legalizing the adult use of cannabis in Connecticut. Lamont signed legislation on Tuesday, June 22 that will legalize and regulate the use of marijuana in Connecticut with a bill that “contains comprehensive reforms that address many areas, including equity, criminal justice, public health, and public safety.” “For decades, the war on cannabis caused injustices and created disparities while doing little to protect public health and safety,” Lamont said. “The law that I signed today begins to right some of those wrongs by crea…

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by Zak Failla
Brookfield
Politics
Measure To Legalize Recreational Marijuana Use In CT Set For Lamont's Signature To Become Law Measure To Legalize Recreational Marijuana Use In CT Set For Lamont's Signature To Become Law
Measure To Legalize Recreational Marijuana Use In CT Set For Lamont's Signature To Become Law As soon as the ink is dry on Gov. Ned Lamont's pen, marijuana will be legal in Connecticut after the Senate gave its final approval for the growth and sale of marijuana The new legislation, approved on Thursday, June 17, would allow adults 21 or older to purchase and possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana beginning on Thursday, July 1.  Commercial sales of recreational marijuana in the state would not start until May 2022. Gov. Ned Lamont, who has favored the bill, said he looks forward to signing the bill. "It's fitting that the bill legalizing the adult use of cannabis and addressin…

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by Kathy Reakes
Dauphin
News
'Joyous Occasion' Says PA Lt. Gov. John Fetterman At Capitol Rally For Legalizing Marijuana 'Joyous Occasion' Says PA Lt. Gov. John Fetterman At Capitol Rally For Legalizing Marijuana
'Joyous Occasion' Says PA Lt. Gov. John Fetterman At Capitol Rally For Legalizing Marijuana Hundreds of people gathered on the steps of Pennsylvania’s Capitol building to celebrate 4/20 and push for the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana. “Today is a joyous occasion to not only celebrate weed, but to seriously commit ourselves to full marijuana legalization and ending the War on Drugs.” said Senate hopeful and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman. The gathering on Monday came on the heels of a weekend long event in Kutztown, the 2021 Pennsylvania Cannabis Festival. The event is held annually in Kutztown although it was founded in Scranton in 2015. The goal of the event is to …

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by Jillian Pikora
Suffolk NY
Politics
Several Long Island Mayors Plan To Prohibit Marijuana Sales, Report Says Several Long Island Mayors Plan To Prohibit Marijuana Sales, Report Says
Several Long Island Mayors Plan To Prohibit Marijuana Sales, Report Says Marijuana may be legalized in New York, but some Long Island officials are planning on prohibiting cannabis in their communities. Mayors of the Long Island beach towns near the Queens border will be utilizing a clause in the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act that allows local municipalities to opt-out of allowing marijuana in their locales, according to the New York Post. Earlier story - NY Officially Legalizes Pot, Here's How Long It Will Take For It To Be Available Calling it a “gateway drug,” Village of Island Park Mayor Michael McGinty told the Post that he “feels strongly about th…

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by Zak Failla
Fairfield
News
Lamont Pushing For Legal Marijuana In CT Lamont Pushing For Legal Marijuana In CT
Lamont Pushing For Legal Marijuana In CT Gov. Ned Lamont is calling for the legalization of marijuana in Connecticut, declaring it one of his top priorities for the upcoming legislative session. On Wednesday, Feb. 24, Lamont made his pitch for legal weed in the Nutmeg State, citing a need for increased revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the traditionally disproportionate treatment of people of color who are arrested on marijuana possession charges. Lamont acknowledged that it could potentially be an uphill battle to legalize, and that he could face opposition on his proposal, saying that “this is the beginning of a discuss…

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by Zak Failla
Nassau
Politics
Cuomo Proposes Raising Taxes On Wealthiest NYers Cuomo Proposes Raising Taxes On Wealthiest NYers
Cuomo Proposes Raising Taxes On Wealthiest NYers With New York facing a record-setting $15 billion deficit amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposal includes a potential tax hike for the state’s wealthiest residents. In his budget proposal this week, Cuomo proposed raising taxes on the rich to a combined level of 14.7 percent, which would be the highest state and local tax rate in the nation as New York looks to dig out of the financial hole created during the pandemic. The top tax rate would rise to 10.86 percent, up from 8.82 percent, making it the highest income tax in the nation. It would only impact those making…

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by Zak Failla
Hackensack
News
NJ Lawmakers OK Legal Pot Under 6 Ounces, Just Needs Murphy's Signature NJ Lawmakers OK Legal Pot Under 6 Ounces, Just Needs Murphy's Signature
NJ Lawmakers OK Legal Pot Under 6 Ounces, Just Needs Murphy's Signature Doobie, doobie, done: New Jersey lawmakers were in a Garden State of mind when they approved an historic bill Thursday that sets rules and regulations for recreational pot sales.  All it needs to become law is Gov. Phil Murphy’s signature and a mechanism to oversee ganjapreneurs. If the governor signs off, 70% of the state sales tax revenue from pot purchases and a tax on growers in New Jersey will be directed to minority Garden State communities ravaged by drugs. The State Legislature also approved a bill ending arrests for possessing less than six ounces of marijuana or selling up …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Nassau
Politics
COVID-19: Some NY Lawmakers Renew Push To Legalize Marijuana Now, Citing Pandemic COVID-19: Some NY Lawmakers Renew Push To Legalize Marijuana Now, Citing Pandemic
Covid-19: Some NY Lawmakers Renew Push To Legalize Marijuana Now, Citing Pandemic Some New York lawmakers and the Legal Aid Society are calling for last-minute legislation that would legalize marijuana as the state deals with a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Earlier this year, prior to the pandemic, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that he had intentions to legalize marijuana, as it would potentially bring $300 million in revenues to the state. However, once the pandemic struck, Cuomo dedicated his time and resources to that, and the state is now facing a potential $61 billion shortfall. Earlier story - Marij…

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by Zak Failla
Pelham
Lifestyle
Marijuana Could Be Legalized In New York Within Weeks Marijuana Could Be Legalized In New York Within Weeks
Marijuana Could Be Legalized In New York Within Weeks New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is making the rounds as he prepares for the legalization of marijuana in the Empire State. Cuomo announced he would be taking trips to California, Colorado, Illinois and Massachusetts, all states where cannabis is legal for recreational use, to educate himself as he pushes for legalization. The governor said he will meet with officials in those states to discuss what worked and what didn’t work during the lead up to the legalization of marijuana.  Cuomo has previously stated he wants legalization passed by state officials before April 1, when the state budge…

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by Zak Failla
White Plains
Business
Thousands From New York, Connecticut Flocking To Massachusetts For Legal Marijuana Thousands From New York, Connecticut Flocking To Massachusetts For Legal Marijuana
Thousands From New York, Connecticut Flocking To Massachusetts For Legal Marijuana As some New York and Connecticut lawmakers continue to push for the legalization of recreational marijuana, a new report has found that area residents are taking the trek north to purchase legal weed. A recently released report stated that with legalization becoming more widespread, many from the area have been driving to nearby states - namely Massachusetts, which legalized it late last year - to purchase government-approved marijuana products and illegally taking them back over state lines. Marijuana is currently legal in Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont. In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo h…

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by Zak Failla
Suffolk NY
News
Nassau Lawmakers Vote To Opt Out If Pot Sales Legalized Nassau Lawmakers Vote To Opt Out If Pot Sales Legalized
Nassau Lawmakers Vote To Opt Out If Pot Sales Legalized Legalized marijuana may be coming to New York, but Nassau County lawmakers will be opting out if it does. On Monday, the full legislature voted against the sale of legalized marijuana within county lines if measures are passed to legalize it statewide. The vote was unanimous. The announcement comes in the wake of a new report stating that New Yorkers have been flocking to New England states such as Massachusetts - where marijuana has been legalized - to purchase products. Marijuana is currently legal in Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont. New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been pushing for m…

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by Zak Failla
Greenburgh
Politics
Latimer Takes 'Wait And See' Stance On Legalization Of Marijuana Latimer Takes 'Wait And See' Stance On Legalization Of Marijuana
Latimer Takes 'Wait And See' Stance On Legalization Of Marijuana While many lawmakers and law enforcement officials are making public statements against Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposal to legalize marijuana for adult use, Westchester County's leader is taking a "wait and see," stance. County Executive George Latimer said while he respects their decision to draw a line early on, he prefers to wait in Westchester. “While opting out may be a provision of the final bill, it should be noted that it does not affect the legal use or possession of marijuana in the County," Latimer said. "The impact that it will have is to prohibit the sales or culti…

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by Kathy Reakes
White Plains
News
New Marijuana Prosecution Policy To Take Effect In Westchester, DA Says New Marijuana Prosecution Policy To Take Effect In Westchester, DA Says
New Marijuana Prosecution Policy To Take Effect In Westchester, DA Says As lawmakers move to legalize recreational marijuana use in New York, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino Jr. announced changes to how lower level marijuana offenses will be prosecuted. Beginning on Monday, Jan. 14,  violations for marijuana possession will no longer be prosecuted and misdemeanor possession of marijuana will be prosecuted as violations. Under the new policy, the possession of small amounts (2 ounces or less) of marijuana will no longer result in a criminal conviction negating the collateral damage such a conviction might impose, Scarpino sai…

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by Joe Lombardi
Hackensack
Police & Fire
Grewal: Local Prosecutors Can't Ignore Pot Cases, But Can Use Discretion Grewal: Local Prosecutors Can't Ignore Pot Cases, But Can Use Discretion
Grewal: Local Prosecutors Can't Ignore Pot Cases, But Can Use Discretion Prosecutors in New Jersey's municipal courts “are not permitted to adopt their own policies to decriminalize marijuana,” but they can use discretion in how they handle each case, state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said Wednesday. “Municipal prosecutors cannot decriminalize conduct that the Legislature has criminalized,” Grewal said, in releasing new guidelines on how local authorities handle pot cases. “They cannot adopt blanket policies of non-prosecution.” However, he said, “municipal prosecutors can and should strive to ensure that individual justice is done in individual cases.” G…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Stamford
Police & Fire
Stamford Cops Seize Kilo Of Marijuana Butter During Raid Stamford Cops Seize Kilo Of Marijuana Butter During Raid
Stamford Cops Seize Kilo Of Marijuana Butter During Raid A Stamford man who has been busted by city police in the past was nabbed last month for having a kilo of marijuana butter, along with a pound of pot. Capt. Richard Conklin said officers from the Narcotics and Organized crime squad uncovered the drugs, along with a sophisticated grow house set-up during a Feb. 23 raid on the home of Maxx Vizioli, 23. In addition to the pot and pot butter, Conklin said the squad also seized $1,264 in cash and seven Adderall pills. Conklin said the butter seized was a potent batch made from high-grade marijuana Police also found and dismantled the grow opera…

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by Kathy Reakes