Architecting trust to ensure revenue realization for federal, state, and local governments.
Mark Cuban’s prescription drug company, known for “cutting out the middle man,” is in conversations with hospitals around the nation to identify the most common drug shortages.
Read MoreLast year, the DEA issued a Public Safety Alert on the widespread drug trafficking of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills in American communities.
Read MoreThe 80-pound hexagon-shaped aircraft, about 5½ feet in diameter, is nimble enough to make deliveries in highly populated areas such as Boston, Atlanta and Seattle.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, Oklahoma regulators proposed the nation’s first detailed rule to control temperatures during shipping, according to pharmacy experts.
Read MoreMexico reigned supreme as the United States’ top trading partner for the second consecutive month in September, as total trade with the U.S. was at $67.4 billion, representing a 23% year-over-year increase.
Read More“So the dosage in Cameron’s pill was 11,000 micrograms. So what we were told is that’s 9000 micrograms above the absolute death level,” Firine said. “He didn’t have a prayer. He didn’t have a prayer.”
Read MoreThe FDA criticized the five relatively unknown companies — Wizman Limited, Shenzhen Fumot Technology, Shenzhen Quawins Technology, Ruthless Vapor and Moti Global for products that look like toys or food.
Read MoreEli Lilly’s stock tanked 6% over just one day late last week, wiping billions of dollars from its market cap amid a single tweet from a fake account that was verified by Twitter.
Read MoreA 53-year-old man residing in Brownsville has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of trafficking one kilogram of meth, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Read MoreThe global anti-counterfeit pharmaceuticals and cosmetics packaging market was valued at $81.1 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $182.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2021 to 2030.
Read MoreA New York federal judge has signed off an agreement to block a pharmacuetical wholesaler from using certain trademarks belonging to Johnson & Johnson unit Janssen including ones relating to a series of HIV medication.
Read MoreCVS and Walgreens have tentatively agreed to pay a combined $10 billion to settle lawsuits brought by states and local governments alleging the retailers mishandled prescriptions of opioid painkillers.
Read MoreTwenty-three individuals in Massachusetts have been charged in connection with a North Shore-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) that allegedly manufactured and distributed tens of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills containing narcotics.
Read More"The backup of container ships off Southern California’s coast that was at the heart of U.S. supply chain congestion during the Covid-19 pandemic has effectively disappeared."
Read More"Authorities seized about 12,000 pills believed to contain fentanyl that a person tried to bring in candy boxes through a security checkpoint at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday morning."
Read MoreAccording to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Irina Sadovsky, 53, of Calabasas, the owner and pharmacist-in-charge of Five Star RX doing business as Five Star Pharmacy (Five Star Pharmacy) and Ultimate Pharmacy Inc. (Ultimate Pharmacy), engaged in a health care fraud and black market prescription drug diversion conspiracy that began in or around September 2016, and continued through in or around April 2017.
Read MoreThe U.S. Strategic National Stockpile is a multibillion dollar inventory of medical countermeasures—medication, supplies, and more—that can be used in emergencies. COVID-19 underscored its importance.
Read More"The global authentication and brand protection market in 2021 was valued at US$2.88 billion. The market is expected to reach US$4.91 billion by 2027. Market is expected to flourish at a CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period of 2022-2027."
Read MoreDefendants Allegedly Conspired to Divert Oxycodone Worth at Least $24 Million
Read MoreWalmart is getting into clinical trials with the launch of the Walmart Healthcare Research Institute, as the retail giant focuses on high-margin businesses in healthcare.
Read MoreJiangsu Well Biotech Co., Ltd. is recalling COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Devices because they were distributed to U.S. customers without authorization, clearance, or approval from the FDA.
Read MoreFebruary 2019, the town of Albion, Ind. — population 2,500 — welcomed its first pharmacy in more than a decade. The Pill Box Pharmacy opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a plaque to commemorate a special milestone: It would be the state’s first telepharmacy.
Read MorePro-access states, including Massachusetts last month, have enacted measures to protect providers of abortion care from legal penalties.
Read More"The share of counterfeit medicines in the Russian pharmaceutical market has declined to minimal figures in the last five years, which was mainly due to efforts that have been made by the state, according to a recent report published by the Russian pharmaceutical regulator Roszdravnadzor and some local media, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent."
Read More"Although importing drug paraphernalia is illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the United States Court of International Trade (CIT) recently held that cannabis paraphernalia could be lawfully imported into Washington state pursuant to a statutory exemption never before recognized by a federal court."
Read MoreThe company has started doing drone deliveries to select Intermountain Healthcare patients in the Salt Lake Valley area. For now, it can only do drops for local communities within several miles of its distribution center.
Read MoreChain says automated drug-filling centers cut pharmacist workloads by 25% and ease pressure on understaffed stores
Read MoreAccording to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Echols utilized the Dark Web to order MDMA from the Netherlands. Echols shipped the drugs through the U.S. Postal Service in August 2019 to an unwitting individual in Mascoutah, Illinois.
Read MoreOne person was arrested and approximately 15,000 fentanyl pills were seized as part of an ongoing investigation into a fentanyl trafficking organization. The fentanyl pills, in various colors, were destined for distribution throughout New York City and had been concealed in a LEGO box to deter law enforcement attention.
Read MoreChain says automated drug-filling centers cut pharmacist workloads by 25% and ease pressure on understaffed stores
Read More"In this webinar, hosted by the HDA Pharmaceutical Cargo Security Coalition, representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division — which monitors the promotion and maintenance of competition in the American economy — will provide background on their division while describing recent events and the dangers they pose to downstream businesses."
Read More“Unveiling the Kenvue brand is a defining moment for our stakeholders and an important part of the planned separation,” said Thibaut Mongon, CEO Designate, Kenvue, the planned New Consumer Health Company.
Read MoreThe risk to manufacturing, agriculture and distribution sectors in Florida is rapidly intensifying as powerful Hurricane Ian takes aim at the state’s southwest coast. But the economic ripple effects are likely to be felt well beyond the storm zone.
Read More"The Nigerian Federal Government is deploying an Integrated Secure Track and Trace Solution - operated by SICPA in partnership with another company - to boost revenue through excise and tax collection."
Read More"DEA Warns that International and Domestic Criminal Drug Networks are Flooding the United States with Lethal Counterfeit Pills"
Read MoreThe Biden administration will help set up a clearinghouse of medical supplies with other nations to fight Covid-19, and will expand a “test-to-treat” program in 10 countries to distribute therapeutic drugs, a senior State Department official said.
Read MoreDoctors at online and brick and mortar primary care companies are slowly starting to prescribe medication abortion pills via telemedicine in states where it’s still legal following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision ending the constitutional right to the procedure.
Read MoreSome pharmaceuticals produced at the plant had visible particles that the company failed to thoroughly look into, investigators with the US Food and Drug Administration said in a report released Tuesday. Catalent received 179 complaints about particles over two years, the agency said.
Read More"The FDA presents six common questions and answers about supply chain security requirements of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act."
Read More"Technological aviation trends have changed the aviation sector over the past few years. In addition, this is to make operations more seamless. Moreover, when the pandemic hit, there was an urge for new technology to make air travel easier due to the restrictions."
Read MoreFamily Dollar is initiating a voluntary retail level product recall of certain products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that were stored and inadvertently shipped to certain stores on or around May 1, 2022 through June 10, 2022 due to product being stored outside of labeled temperature requirements.
Read More"After more than two decades of violating state law, the Nevada Board of Pharmacy must remove cannabis from a list of controlled substances deemed to be highly abused, a Clark County District Court judge ruled on Wednesday."
Read More"Vermont issued its first retail adult-use cannabis business licenses, with at least one store aiming to open Oct. 1."
Read MoreTwo months later, the district attorney in Aguilar’s mostly rural county near the Kansas border charged her with child neglect, a felony. She has decided to fight the charge, and recently declined to comment on the advice of her public defender
Read Moreone of the most common responses is high taxes. As the industry stands now, Hawaii’s cannabis market is worth about $240 million. With estimates that it could climb to $354 million upon recreational legalization.
Read More"Left Coast Extracts’ drive to expand continues beyond its product line, recently getting into the growing Nevada cannabis market. Although the market is nowhere near the size of California’s, with sales that hit short of $700 million for 2019-2020, Sin City’s well-known tourism industry makes it a unique market with high potential for cannabis sales."
Read MoreA Nixa, Mo., physician was sentenced in federal court today after taking bribes from a drug manufacturer in exchange for prescribing its fentanyl drug to his patients so often that he ranked highest in the state in net sales of the product.
Read More"The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to receive input from the public as CISA develops proposed regulations required by the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA)."
Read More"Border Patrol agents from the Laredo South Station working together with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) discovered a human smuggling stash house in Laredo, Texas."
Read MoreThe Association of American Railroads has released a report projecting the economic impact of a nationwide railroad strike could be more than $2 billion a day.
Read MoreU.S. aviation regulators have given design approval to the first drone built specifically for package deliveries, a major step forward for the fledgling industry.
Read More"In the largest methamphetamine seizure in port history, CBP, Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers at Del Rio Port of Entry seized methamphetamine valued at $11.9 million within a tractor trailer."
Read More"Mail theft is on the rise, and it often involves criminals robbing mail carriers, according to testimony from a Congressional field hearing held Wednesday."
Read More"Senate Republicans are signaling early resistance to attaching billions of dollars for Covid and monkeypox aid in a must-pass government funding bill, a troublesome sign for a White House that says vaccine money is rapidly running out."
Read More"A new blog details key topics and advice shared during the online forum, which kicked off on August 11, as speakers from HDA member companies and GS1 US discussed DSCSA compliance."
Read More"The U.S NSA and CISA recently shared tips to secure the entire software supply chain. This is certainly a welcome move. The recommendation document covers security across four areas."
Read More"When it comes to identifying attackers’ constantly changing tactics and the best defense strategies, information is power."
Read MoreThe agency said Wednesday in a notice that it will extend the provisions, which give some relief to hours of service requirements, through Oct. 15. The 45-day extension is shorter than the three-month ones the FMCSA issued throughout 2022.
Read MoreGov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has filed a lawsuit alleging that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not complied with a public-records request about the state’s proposed program to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.
Read Moreto see if the levels of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the medicines could serve as a proxy for whether they were falsified for substandard.
Read More"A Mexican citizen pled guilty to the federal felony offense of fraud regarding a visa, permit, or other immigration document."
Read MoreUNICEF and partners have announced a milestone moment in efforts to tackle the global counterfeit medicines industry as Rwanda and Nigeria became the first countries in Africa to authenticate vaccines using GS1 barcoding technology.
Read MoreMore Americans now openly admit that they smoke marijuana or eat cannabis-infused edibles than say they’ve smoked cigarettes in the past week, according to recently released data from Gallup
Read More"Small business owners spend a lot of time and money building their businesses and growing their brands. But sometimes, what they don’t know or understand can jeopardize everything they create."
Read More"Investors have pinned their hopes on “green gold” turning a fortune ever since Canada legalized recreational cannabis in 2018. Unfortunately, the legal cannabis industry has been burned by volatile supply and sales issue, a plethora of confusing (and occasionally contradictory) regulations, and good old-fashioned hype."
Read More"A Curaleaf bottling plant in Portland mixed up drops of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, with CBD wellness drops. Made from hemp, CBD is widely available in grocery stores and doesn’t usually include the ingredient that gives users a high."
Read MoreA Cheektowaga woman was sentenced to three years of probation for selling fake COVID-19 vaccine cards to an undercover trooper.
Read More"The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said it will be sending a total of $21,000 to cover the costs of Kushly Industries LLC products that were “deceptively marketed” to 576 consumers. People will be refunded about $36 each."
Read MoreCurrently, there have been four reported cases of fake money being used at businesses in the region. However, Crime Stoppers said they are sure there are private sale cases that go unknown.
Read More"Airports deploy a vast array of facial scanners, biometric readers and security devices to process passengers faster."
Read MoreThe officers intercepted the shipments from Hong Kong in Cincinnati, CBP said in a news release earlier this month. They contained more than 800 knock-off Cartier bracelets and 13 Rolex watches. The bracelets were addressed to a private residence in Virginia and the watches to a business in Texas.
Read MoreRetail marijuana sales in Lowell might be considered a cash crop, but that apparently hasn't stopped a flourishing black market, if a recent crackdown on an illegal, large scale Woburn-based distribution network is any indication. The most recent Lowell City Council meeting reported that Lowell hauled in about $1.4 million in revenue from legal pot sales during the fiscal year that ended in June.
Read More"Danish biotech firm Bavarian Nordic (BAVA.CO) said on Thursday it has signed up a U.S.-based manufacturer to package its Jynneos monkeypox vaccine and the production is expected to begin later this year."
Read More"The federal government has moved to permanently allow employers to review Form I-9 identification documents remotely, according to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to be formally published Aug. 18."
Read More"Operation Lascar, with the United Kingdom (U.K.), is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) first bilateral initiative focused on the movement of illicit FDA-regulated products."
Read MoreOn August 12, 2022, the U.S. Congress voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, HR 5376 (the Act), which includes a new 1% excise tax on stock repurchases by certain publicly traded corporations (the Excise Tax).
Read MoreThe tax revenue came from nearly $80 million customers spent on legal recreational marijuana between April 21 and June 30, the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission announced in a statement Friday. It includes more than $219,000 in social equity excise fees.
Read More"A Pfizer clinical trial is underway for a new Lyme disease vaccine."
Read More"U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), along with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are joining forces to educate students, parents, and teachers about the dangers of counterfeit goods and how to spot them, just in time as kids prepare to go back to school. "
Read MorePoisonings by synthetic cannabinoids, often known by trade names such as K2 or Spice, are significantly lower in states with legal marijuana access, according to a new study using data from the National Poison Data System (NPDS).
Read More"U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) believes fully digitizing and automating export-related filings prior to outbound departure from the United States can save the trade community critical time and money."
Read More"Implementation of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) continues to transform the pharmaceutical supply chain. HDA’s annual Traceability Seminar brings together healthcare supply chain leaders to learn more about upcoming DSCSA implementation milestones."
Read More"The only drug available to treat monkeypox is so difficult to access that just a fraction of the nearly 7,000 patients in the United States has been given it. Health officials have designated tecovirimat, also called Tpoxx, an ""investigational drug,"" which they say means it cannot be released from the strategic national stockpile without a series of convoluted bureaucratic steps."
Read More"The illicit drug market continues to become more treacherous. Illicit drugs killed more than 107,000 Americans in the last 12 months, the most on record, and are now the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45, more than firearms, car accidents, and Covid-19."
Read More"Three men, suspected in at least five cargo thefts worth more than $1 million, were caught in the act and jailed, according to the Florida Highway Patrol."
Read MoreThe federal government will spend more than $1.4 million to study how the concentration of marijuana compounds in people’s breath changes over time after consuming it, part of an ongoing effort to create a reliable roadside test to screen drivers for recent cannabis use.
Read More"The global trade in counterfeit Mercedes-Benz products continues to increase. In 2021 alone, more than 1.86 million counterfeit products were seized in over 650 raids. This is a significant increase of around six per cent compared to the previous year, 2020."
Read More"Document and content management are issues for almost all organizations but are even more pressing for those like the DMV that must protect vast amounts of personally identifiable information (PII), says IDC Group Vice President Holly Muscolino. Starting May 3, 2023, REAL ID-compliant identification will be required to enter federal facilities, and U.S. travelers must present a REAL ID to fly domestically."
Read MoreMarqVision has built an AI-powered intellectual property (IP) protection platform that monitors both e-commerce marketplaces and digital content, automatically detecting counterfeits and removing them from online sales and distribution. And now, the startup has raised $20 million in Series A funding to continue expanding its platform.
Read MoreEnter “buy Cytotec online cheap” into Google and the first four results are sites that illegally offer to ship abortion pills without a prescription.
Read MoreOklahoma cannabis regulators have placed a two-year moratorium on issuing licenses for new medical pot businesses in the state.
Read MoreBut less than a year after Cohen’s business — Doobba — made the city’s first legal cannabis delivery, he shut it down.
Read MoreDespite that he didn’t create it, a media company co-founded by LeBron James is looking to get trademark protection for the phrase “Shut Up and Dribble.”
Read MoreThe Hawks have pounced on two businesses which sold counterfeit Ford and VW vehicle parts. The two businesses in Gauteng were targeted after a search warrant of the companies was issued to the Hawks.
Read MoreOfficers from the Border Guard and Customs and Tax Office conducted a joint investigation into illegal production, smuggling and trade in tobacco products without Polish excise stamps.
Read MoreThe U.S. Justice Department unveiled a $1.2 billion healthcare fraud crackdown on Wednesday, revealing criminal charges against 36 defendants for alleged fraudulent billing schemes tied to telemedicine, genetic and cardiovascular testing, and equipment.
Read MoreFrom fake COVID-19 tests to hazardous erectile dysfunction tablets, the 94-country Operation Pangea XV targeted illicit pharmaceuticals and medical products traded online.
Read MoreU.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Area Port of Norfolk-Newport News, Va., certainly do not suffer from cold feet when it comes to enforcing intellectual property rights laws, especially not after they just seized nearly 120,000 pairs of counterfeit cotton foot coverings on Wednesday. The diabetic socks would have had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,897,056 if they were authentic.
Read MoreEvery day, advertisements for medicines invade the Internet, posted on social media networks or other websites. However, behind this slick marketing often lies fraudulent products that threaten consumers’ health instead of healing them.
Read MoreAmazon is taking legal action against the administrators of more than 10,000 Facebook groups, the BBC has learned. It says the groups are generating fake reviews on Amazon marketplaces in the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Japan. The tech giant says the groups offer money or free goods in exchange for reviews being posted on Amazon.
Read MoreU.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Area Port of Norfolk-Newport News, Va., seized nearly 120,000 pairs of counterfeit cotton socks on Wednesday.
Read MoreNew Zealand said on Sunday it is extending the duration of cuts in fuel excise tax, road user charges and public transport fares by five months until the end of January, as families struggle with higher living costs amid strong inflationary pressures.
Read MoreAmazon Confirms It ShAmazon has acknowledged that it does not always ask for the consent of the owner when sharing Ring smart doorbell videos with law enforcement agencies. The tech giant made the confession in a letter to Senator Edward Markey, a prominent privacy advocate who asked the company for more clarification about its data collection and sharing policies.
Read MoreIn Spain, agents have arrested 86 people and have seized 191 vehicles in Algeciras, Alicante, La Junquera, Madrid and Malaga
Read More"U.S. stores are still struggling to stock baby formula despite monthslong efforts by manufacturers and the Biden administration to boost supplies."
Read More"Senior Biden administration officials announced Wednesday that they are reminding tens of thousands of pharmacies around the country that they risk violating civil rights laws if they refuse to fill orders for contraception or abortion medication or discriminate based on a person’s pregnancy status."
Read More"Nearly 800,000 more doses of monkeypox vaccine could be ready for distribution in the United States by the end of July following a Food and Drug Administration inspection of a Danish vaccine plant and the expected authorization of the facility, part of an effort to control a record U.S. outbreak of the disease, according to the federal government."
Read More"New York regulators publicly identified the 52 allegedly illicit marijuana stores that were sent cease-and-desist letters earlier this year and reiterated how such shops undercut the state’s equity goals."
Read More"Backers of a measure to legalize a recreational marijuana market in North Dakota said they have submitted 25,762 signatures by the July 11 deadline. That’s 10,000 more than the 15,582 signatures required to qualify the referendum for the state’s November ballot."
Read More"The up-to-date research report on Supply Chain Security market analyzes the previous and current business scenario, and offers credible forecasts for the upcoming years to assist stakeholders drafting robust action plans."
Read More"The All England Lawn Tennis Club (the “Club”) has owned multiple registered trademarks for the famous Wimbledon name and other prominent signs for some time."
Read MoreThis week, a federal grand jury indicted a Florida man for allegedly selling more than $1 billion of counterfeit Cisco networking equipment to several individuals, hospitals, schools, government agencies, and even the military.
Read MoreThe Prince William County Police Department seized over 20,000 counterfeit pills they found in a fire extinguisher. According to NBC Washington, authorities found the pills on Friday while searching the car of a suspected drug dealer.
Read More"More than 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine were seized this week after authorities in San Diego County tracked and intercepted a truck that crossed the US border from Mexico, officials said Friday."
Read More"California’s licensed cannabis businesses are getting a tax cut — and they are disappointed about it."
Read More"With their fiscal year 2023 starting July 1, a number of states have seen scheduled increases in gas taxes take effect."
Read More"Port infrastructure, goods movement training, clean trucks and other supply chain-related spending are set to see capital injections with California Gov. Gavin Newsom signing off on the state’s budget."
Read More"In the fiscal year 2021, CBP agents seized more than 27,000 shipments. Had it all been authentic, it would have generated $3.3 billion. In Indianapolis, agents seized about 1,600 items in 2021. This year, they have already hit that mark and expect to surpass it."
Read More"The federal government won or negotiated more than $5 billion in healthcare fraud judgments and settlements in its 2021 fiscal year, the largest amount ever in the history of the HHS and Department of Justice’s fraud and abuse enforcement program."
Read More"Air cargo shipment of medical products necessitates meticulous logistical planning and execution. If these shipments are mishandled or the temperature of the product changes while being shipped, the company's integrity may be jeopardised."
Read More"Canada and Mexico are our largest trading partners and thousands of cross-border shipments move every day. This workshop will cover the differences between the laws and regulations governing shipments to and from our neighbors as well as the practices and procedures that you need to know to ensure an efficient supply chain for these goods and avoid potential problems."
Read MoreAround one in 10 medical products in circulation in low- and middle-income countries is substandard or counterfeit, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), reports The Pharma Letter’s Latin American correspondent.
Read MoreTwo men have been arrested after police said they counterfeited checks with the Department of Labor’s account information totaling $22,643.07.
Read MoreNYC authorities seize 250 pounds of drugs worth $24M in a major bust: About 110 kilograms of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, in addition to 50 pounds of crystal meth and up to another 75,000 counterfeit pills believed to contain fentanyl were confiscated from a stash apartment in the Mount Hope neighborhood, authorities said
Read MoreFeds bust alleged gang accused of tri-state drug pilfering spree: Federal prosecutors on Wednesday unveiled a sprawling 18-count indictment charging 12 men with an enormous criminal conspiracy to rob pharmacies all over the tri-state area of controlled substances and then flip them on the open market. The men, allegedly part of a gang called the "Route Boys," were hit in the Eastern District of New York on June 28 with conspiracy to commit burglary, distribute drugs, and rob banks, along with various firearms charges. Prosecutors requested that the defendants be held without bail
Read More"California lawmakers approved a preliminary $300 billion state budget this month, but they left several marijuana business issues unresolved – the latest sign of the industry’s lack of influence at the state Capitol in Sacramento."
Read MoreMarqVision, a next-generation, AI-powered IP protection platform, today announced that it is the recipient of a coveted 2022 Innovation Award from LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). The company was recognized in the Data and Artificial Intelligence Special Mention category at this year’s Viva Technology show in Paris, which took place June 15-18. As a winner, MarqVision has been invited to join the LVMH accelerator program, La Maison des Startups, at the Station F incubator.
Read More"It takes years to develop unique products and bring solutions to market to consumers, with a tremendous amount of IP involved. This is why it’s crucial for everyone — especially for smaller companies — to have the resources in place to protect their property and in some cases even their livelihood."
Read MoreIt was not uncommon for businesses to furlough and lay off their anti-counterfeiting and brand protection personnel as non-essential staff, and government interest in policing counterfeiting seems to have decreased over the last two years.
Read MoreMicrosoft also grabs headlines by sunsetting its facial analysis software, though the actual biometrics market impact will likely be modest. A panel discussing how governments can tackle fraud with an updated approach to digital identity was hosted by Socure, while profiles of leaders with MOSIP and Ethiopia’s digital ID authority explore another massive growth area.
Read More"The Internal Revenue Service announced on June 24, 2022, that it has posted frequently asked questions (FAQ) on the Superfund chemical excise tax. The FAQs detail what the Superfund chemical excise tax is, how the tax is computed, and who may be liable for the tax."
Read MoreThe app will verify the customers’ information using mobile ID technology powered by Thales to compare against each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles records or the passport’s embedded NFC chip. It will store the customer’s American Airlines Mobile ID on their mobile device until they choose where and when to share it.
Read More"A tectonic shift is underway in the area of brand protection and brand elevation. Technologies such as blockchain, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the like are creating new opportunities for brands in the metaverse—while, at the same time, raising challenging legal questions related to brand protection."
Read More"Effective June 1, 2022, and continuing through December 31, 2022, the following taxes on motor fuel and highway diesel motor fuel are suspended: excise tax; prepaid sales tax, and state sales and use taxes; and the additional state sales and use tax imposed in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD)."
Read More"Although NFT technology is relatively new, the intellectual property laws governing it are not. Nevertheless, increased popularity of innovative technologies like NFTs, as brands expand their presence in the metaverse, can raise novel legal questions."
Read More"With the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning competing in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) and the National Hockey League (NHL) are reminding sports fans to beware of purchasing counterfeit sports-related merchandise and apparel during the championship series."
Read More"As more money is poured into the development of the metaverse, it's essential to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect your brand. Metaverse platforms that fail to take security seriously could quickly become hotbeds for phishing scams and other malicious activity."
Read MoreAmazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Cartier today announced two joint lawsuits against a social media influencer and eight businesses (collectively, the “defendants”) for advertising, promoting, and facilitating the sale of counterfeit luxury goods through Instagram and other websites, infringing on Cartier’s registered trademarks and violating Amazon’s policies.
Read More"We provide causal evidence that recent suspensions of state gasoline taxes in three states were mostly passed onto consumers at some point during the tax holiday in the form of lower gas prices: Maryland (72 percent of tax savings passed onto consumers), Georgia (58 percent to 65 percent) and Connecticut (71 percent to 87 percent). However, these price reductions were often not sustained during the entire holiday."
Read More"In addition to the CT scanners, TSA also recently installed Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) at Lihue Airport (LIH) on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. There are currently four units in use that are able to confirm the validity of a traveler’s photo identification and confirm flight information in real-time. When travelers approach the travel document checking podium and CAT is in use, they need to hand over their photo identification to the TSA officer. CAT units are designed to identify fraudulent documents and those that have been tampered with."
Read More"The White House is showing signs that it is more seriously considering a federal gas tax holiday, sources tell The Hill. President Biden's economic team has discussed the gas tax holiday recently and is expected to meet later this week for further talks. The White House is under political pressure to do something to provide relief to Americans dealing with high inflation and rising gas prices. The economic storm has created serious headwinds for Democrats ahead of the midterms, where the party is worried about a shellacking."
Read More"In the case of AK Futures LLC v. Boyd Street Distro, LLC, the Court held that AK Futures’ possession and sale of delta-8 THC products are permitted under federal law, meaning its brand used in connection with these products may be entitled to federal trademark protection."
Read More"The Center for Data Innovation spoke with Mary Beth Westmoreland, Vice President of Brand Protection at Amazon. She discussed how Amazon uses analytics and data to identify bad actors on its platform and protect consumers from counterfeits."
Read More"North Carolina’s state Senate on Thursday gave its initial approval to a restrictive, limited-license medical marijuana bill by an overwhelming vote of 35-10, moving that state a step closer to becoming the 40th in the country to legalize MMJ. The strong support came despite concerns by activists and one of the senators that the state’s homegrown hemp growers, processors and retailers could be shut out and threatened financially by the medical cannabis industry."
Read More"The value of the U.S. illicit cannabis market is about $100 billion, but may dwindle over time as legal sales to adults gain traction in California and other states, Matt Karnes of GreenWave advisers said in a research note published this week. After reviewing government data on cannabis confiscations by state and federal agencies, Karnes said illicit cannabis sales growth ""seemingly outpaced that of the legal market post pandemic and is much greater than we originally assumed."""
Read More"Working closely with its strategic partner, INX International, VerifyMe has successfully developed and qualified its proprietary covert ink technology, VerifyInkTM to run on continuous inkjet printers. When used in combination with VerifyMe's proprietary and patented reading devices, smart phone integration, dynamic serialization, and cloud-based authentication services, the CIJ VerifyInkTM solution will allow brands around the world to easily launch world class brand protection solutions."
Read More"With the increasing demand for legal cannabis and heightened participation of various states, the need for comprehensive and rigorous testing solutions has now become vital. Considering a lot of individuals use cannabis products for medical purposes, they should have to worry about falling ill from consuming pathogenic infested cannabis products."
Read More"Rhode Island has become the newest state to legalize adult-use marijuana. Following a majority vote of legislators in both the state's House of Representatives and Senate, the marijuana legalization bill was signed Wednesday afternoon by Governor Dan McKee. As expected, based on his previous vocal support for legalization, Gov. McKee signed the measure into law. As a result, Rhode Island, the smallest state in the U.S., has become the 19th to have a legal recreational market."
Read More"Colorado regulators expanded a product recall for marijuana flower produced by a vertically integrated business in Boulder. Because of testing issues, the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) said March 18 that it’s unsafe to consume Fresh Baked cannabis produced before Feb. 25, 2022."
Read More"The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority has recalled some products because of testing violations. The department completed several inspections at Scale Laboratories in Oklahoma City and realized that the testing lab did not accurately report results."
Read More"California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new budget priorities include a proposal to eliminate the state’s cannabis cultivation tax, offering licensed marijuana growers relief from high costs that insiders say are threatening the viability of the regulated pot industry. Newsom unveiled his budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year on Friday, showing a record surplus of nearly $100 billion for the state’s coffers."
Read More"Two-thirds of Americans want recreational marijuana use to be legal under federal law and in their own state. As more states move to legalize marijuana, most people say they wouldn't mind if a licensed marijuana business opened in their neighborhood. "
Read MoreFinancial police from the Rome Provincial Command carried out a raid on an alleged counterfeit cigarette plant in the industrial zone of Pomezia, a town just south of the Italian capital Rome, on Thursday.
Read MoreThe legislators who wrote the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, created by that law have made a concerted effort to get folks from communities affected by the War on Drugs—particularly Black and Brown people, and people from disadvantaged areas
Read MoreThree people have been arrested by the police in Tirana after being accused of throwing counterfeit banknotes of 50 dollars in the market, deceiving various commercial entities.
Read MoreOn March 29, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers at the port of Vicksburg/Jackson, MS selected for inspection a shipment from China containing 250 women’s brooches.
Read MoreThe study, commissioned by the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) and conducted with international total quality assurance provider Intertek, lab-tested 47 counterfeit products for dangerous chemicals or heavy metals.
Read MoreIndeed, the threat of going out of business lies at the heart of the company’s plea to investors today. Acacia said 2021/22 sales were lagging behind expectations – because Covid – and that to reach breakeven.
Read MorePresident Joe Biden unveiled a $5.8 trillion budget request designed to appease moderate Democrats on Monday, with a proposal that emphasized deficit reduction, additional funding for police and veterans, and flexibility to negotiate new social spending programs.
Read MoreJailed council worker Lucy Parker who used 20 fake IDs to swindle £275k in benefits ordered to pay money back by summer
Read MoreStarting May 2023, you will need to show a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card, or other federally approved identification — like a passport — at TSA airport checkpoints nationwide or to visit secure federal facilities
Read MoreThe White House will unveil a new minimum tax targeting billionaires as part of its 2023 budget Monday, proposing a tax on the richest 700 Americans for the first time.
Read MoreEntourage Effect Capital Managing Partner Matt Hawkins joins Yahoo Finance Live to talk about the potential Congressional vote on marijuana legalization, the cannabis industry, and how cannabis companies are taxed.
Read MoreNovak said state regulators seem to have been well-intentioned as they created a recreational cannabis industry, but setting up his dream business hasn’t been a straightforward affair.
Read MoreThe Department of Justice (“DOJ”) recently announced federal charges against a Pennsylvania man for his involvement in a scheme to defraud the U.S. government by submitting materially false U Visa applications for noncitizens.
Read MoreSo the bill they're voting on next week is the House's decriminalization bill, the More Act. And it passed already in December of 2020. So when people are looking at this bill and saying, wow, this is an exciting new move.
Read MoreThe US Food and Drug Administration gave the official green light Thursday to several tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products from Logic Technology Development LLC.
Read MoreRussia's National Settlement Depository (NSD) on Friday said Clearstream, one of the world's biggest settlement systems, had informed it that it was blocking its account and waiting for a decision from regulatory authorities in Luxembourg
Read More"With a patchwork system for cannabis legalization state by state, at SICPA North America, a leading provider of regulatory compliance solutions, we were curious about what expectations consumers have about safety assurances and labeling information on the products they may consume. We thought if there’s a lack of confidence and confusion, it’s helpful for operators and regulators to know how consumers feel so they can take steps to enhance their procedures and improve consumer confidence."
Read MoreWith the support of Europol’s European Financial Economic Crime Centre (EFECC), a massive illegal cigarette factory has been raided and shut down this week by Belgian Customs.
Read More"The cannabis industry is pushing lawmakers to get a marijuana reform bill to President Biden’s desk before the November midterms, fearing that a Republican takeover of Congress could doom its chances. In an in-person lobbying blitz last week, more than 20 chief executives of top cannabis companies urged lawmakers in both parties to pass the SAFE Banking Act, a bill to allow them to work with U.S. banks that the industry is confident will win enough GOP support to pass the Senate."
Read MoreOn 1 March 2022, Europol supported the Spanish National Police and the Spanish regional Catalan Police to dismantle an organised crime group involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit euro banknotes and drug trafficking.
Read MoreU.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at ports of entry in El Paso, west Texas and New Mexico seized a wide variety of items during the last seven days to include drugs, unreported currency, prohibited food products and more.
Read MoreThis spring, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to announce a national ban on menthol-flavored cigarettes and cigars with a characterizing flavor, an attempt to limit tobacco consumption, and, as a result, improve public health.
Read MoreAn FDA approval for Johnson & Johnson and Legend Biotech’s CAR-T therapy may be three months later than originally expected, but it still came through for the partners. Having watched first-in-class Bristol Myers Squibb stumble with supply during its own CAR-T rollout, the two companies have devised a game plan to ensure a smoother launch.
Read MoreLocking and suspending domain names attacks the problem at its root. When a domain name is “suspended,” it no longer points to any hosted content and ceases to function. Consumers cannot access the website using the domain name.
Read MoreOne of the most common counterfeited items that is seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are watches. On September 10, CBP officers in Louisville seized 2,168 counterfeit designer watches with a MSRP of $57.84 million.
Read MoreFor those in the retail industry, the impact of counterfeit goods has been obvious. Now the numbers that demonstrate this impact are finally available thanks to the Buy Safe America Coalition’s new report, “The Counterfeit Silk Road – Impact of Counterfeit Consumer Products Smuggled into the United States.”
Read MoreOn the menu today: President Biden is about to break his oft-repeated promise to never raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000 per year by doubling the taxes on cigarettes and hiking taxes steeply on all other tobacco products; the Pentagon warns that ISIS-K in Afghanistan could have the capability to attack the United States in as little as six months, and that it has the intention to do so; and noting that “shutting down the virus,” as the president pledged, requires the most anxiety-ridden Americans to accept that the pandemic ending.
Read MoreIn about one year — by October 2022 — Vermont's retail cannabis market is scheduled to go into place, and the state's Cannabis Control Board has already made some key decisions that will shape Vermont’s legal marijuana marketplace.
Read MoreCigarette sales rose last year for the first time in two decades, providing more evidence that more Americans took to smoking amid the stresses of pandemic lockdowns, and spending on cigarette advertising and promotion increased 2.9% to $7.84 billion, according to annual reports from the Federal Trade Commission on the tobacco industry released Tuesday.
Read MoreNatural Healing Center founder Helios Dayspring has pleaded guilty to bribery and filing a false income tax return.
Read MoreColorado marijuana regulators are reassessing taxes on wholesale marijuana transactions as the likelihood of federal legalization increases.
Read MoreFacebook updated its brand safety tools available to merchants, who can now search Instagram accounts and posts for content that infringes on their intellectual property, according to a company blog post published on Thursday.
Read MoreRecreational marijuana users in Denver pay some of the highest taxes in the nation — and it's only going to get more expensive if voters approve two November ballot measures.
Read MoreThe Berkeley Police Department was awarded a grant in July from the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program, operated by the California Highway Patrol, or CHP, to fund additional training, education and enforcement initiatives related to impaired driving.
Read MoreClark County commissioners approved a measure to give up to $2 million in cannabis industry sales tax revenue annually to help the homeless population.
Read MoreThere is an axiom that reads — never let a crisis go to waste. In this instance the crisis is a pandemic that has been extraordinarily challenging for communities and families. And unfortunately, it is criminals that are taking advantage of this crisis by flooding third-party marketplaces with counterfeit goods — much of it direct from China — that undermine legitimate U.S. businesses and put consumers in harm’s way.
Read MoreIn an effort to raise revenue, House Democrats have proposed increasing federal tobacco taxes and creating a new tax on other nicotine products in the Build Back Better Act. While the proposed increase on cigarettes is dramatic, it is relatively simple: an additional dollar per pack of 20 cigarettes.
Read MoreThird-party marketplaces like the one created by Amazon.com Inc. are flooding the U.S. market with imitation goods, according to a report commissioned by a group of retailers and manufacturers.
Read MoreNevada retailers sold more than $1 billion in medical and recreational marijuana over a one-year period, state officials announced on Wednesday.
Read MoreFor the first time, the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday authorized an electronic cigarette, saying R.J. Reynolds’ vaping device can help smokers cut back on conventional cigarettes.
Read MoreFollowing the release of the House Democrats’ proposed Build Back Better Act, federal tobacco and nicotine taxation has been a hot topic in the United States. In an effort to raise roughly $100 billion, the House proposal would double cigarette taxes and increase all other tobacco and nicotine taxes to comparable rates—a strategy with severe unintended consequences.
Read MoreFor years, King George County officials have wondered how many packs of cigarettes have been sold within their borders, particularly from the many tobacco outlets that dot the landscape on U.S. 301 north of Dahlgren.
Read MoreDemocrats want to pay for Biden’s agenda with a tax on cigarettes. Now, trade associations supported by tobacco giants are pushing back.
Read MoreOn October 4, Governor Gavin Newsom approved a 12.5 percent excise tax on vaping products in California.
Read MoreCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 395 into law on Oct. 4 to impose an additional excise tax on the retail cost of vaping products on top of the existing wholesale tax.
Read MoreAmid concern over widespread teen vaping, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday approved a new 12.5% excise tax on electronic cigarettes to be paid by California consumers to boost public health and education programs.
Read MoreArizona collected more than $20 million in medical and adult-use marijuana tax revenue in August, data released by the state this week shows.
Read MoreLoudoun will join its surrounding states and localities in levying a tax on cigarettes, at the state-allowed maximum of 40 cents per pack, beginning Nov. 1.
Read MoreHealth economists warned that taxes on e-cigarettes and vape products alone would not be enough to keep teenagers from using other risky tobacco products such as regular cigarettes.
Read MoreA long-debated bill to establish new hemp rules in California – but which drew the ire of business owners in both the hemp and marijuana sectors – has gained final approval from state lawmakers.
Read MoreSen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) says Congress is “making progress” toward ending the drug war and federally legalizing marijuana, and it helps that more states are enacting the reform in the meantime.
Read MoreSince Aspen voters approved a tax on tobacco sales four years ago, the city has collected almost $1.3 million in revenue, which can be used to finance mental wellness programs, health and human services and substance use and addiction
Read MoreCalifornia officials on Thursday announced that they are soliciting concept proposals for a program aimed at helping small marijuana cultivators with environmental clean-up and restoration efforts.
Read MoreCalifornia consumers would pay a new 12.5% excise tax on purchases of electronic cigarettes under a bill sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday.
Read MoreAs part of an effort to curb tobacco use in New Mexico, especially among high school students who are increasingly using e-cigarettes, several lawmakers expressed support Thursday for increasing taxes on all tobacco products.
Read MoreA woman attempting to use a fake COVID-19 vaccine card with the shot maker listed as "Maderna," instead of Moderna, was arrested in Hawaii and is facing up to $5,000 in fines and potential jail time.
Read MoreEarlier this month, a TikTok user who goes by “TizzyEnt” spotted an Instagram post that caught his attention. A woman with the handle “AntiVaxMomma” was advertising coronavirus vaccine cards with “real serial [numbers]” available to “be mailed to any state.” The price: $200 apiece.
Read MoreThe legal cannabis industry in California is big. As it should be: California is very big—more people live there than anywhere else in the United States—and California has the oldest and most well-established marijuana industry of any other state.
Read MoreATLANTA—A National Institutes of Health-funded study by nine health economists, including Georgia State University’s Michael Pesko, suggests the Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2021 before Congress may not benefit public health – particularly among youth – because it is likely to induce substitution towards more lethal combustible tobacco products.
Read MoreMedical cannabis business owners in Arkansas are complaining about inaccuracies in the state-mandated, seed-to-sale tracking system.
Read MoreA ballot question is going before Colorado voters in November that, if successful, would raise the state taxes on recreational marijuana products and potentially create a new barrier for adult-use sales.
Read MoreTORONTO -- The Doug Ford government will unveil a COVID-19 vaccine passport system this week, a senior government source confirms.
Read MoreThe launch of Alabama’s medical cannabis program could be delayed until 2023.
Read MoreIn a wide-ranging letter to members of Congress, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser warned there could be “potential resulting disruption” to the existing state-legal marijuana markets if federal legalization isn’t structured carefully.
Read MoreNew York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who took over this week for embattled Andrew Cuomo, pledged to move forward with the state’s multibillion-dollar adult-use marijuana program as quickly as possible.
Read MoreThe Augusta County Board of Supervisors is holding a public hearing Wednesday at 7 p.m., regarding a new ordinance that would impose a 30 cent cigarette tax per pack.
Read MoreEstablishing a new tax on cigarettes dominated discussions at Tuesday’s meeting of the Washington County Board of Supervisors. On first reading, the board voted 6-1 to hold a public hearing to potentially establish a cigarette tax across Washington County.
Read MoreArizona brought in about $21 million in medical and adult-use marijuana tax revenue in July, state officials reported on a new webpage that enables people to more easily track how the industry is evolving.
Read MoreColorado voters will decide on an initiative in November that would raise marijuana taxes to fund programs that are meant to reduce the education gap for low-income students. The secretary of state confirmed on Wednesday that the campaign behind the measure collected more than the required 124,632 valid signatures to make the ballot.
Read MoreWhen an excise tax hike was levied on cigarettes, New York City taxi drivers who smoked were one and a half times more likely to cheat their customers by overcharging the fare than those who didn’t smoke. That finding comes from forthcoming research in Accounting, Organizations, and Society.
Read MoreProhibitions against commonplace substances almost always hurt the group they seek to aid.
Read MoreTax revenue from tobacco sales could increase by $324,000 this fiscal year after the Department of Revenue identified an inconsistency in the application of the price on which taxes should be calculated.
Read MoreCalifornia’s cigarette tax and escrow requirements apply to inter-tribal sales of cigarettes, held the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in Big Sandy Rancheria Enterprises v. Bonta. Big Sandy Rancheria Enterprises (“BSRE”), a federally-chartered corporation wholly-owned by the Big Sandy Rancheria Band of Western Mono Indians, brought the case to challenge California’s application of its tobacco directory, licensing, and tax laws to BSRE’s sales of native-manufactured cigarettes to other Indian tribes.
Read MoreNelson County residents will have a chance to weigh in on whether the county should participate in a regional cigarette tax. The Nelson County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Aug. 10 to hold a public hearing on the topic during its September evening meeting.
Read MoreThe owner of a suburban Chicago prescription drug wholesale distribution company purchased more than $57 million worth of diverted, unregulated prescription drugs and re-sold them to unsuspecting pharmacies and other wholesalers, according to a federal indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago.
Read MoreMedical cannabis-derived tax revenues in Oklahoma increased 56% from 2019 to 2020 to more than $66 million.
Read MoreAfter adjusting for revenue collected in June but is owed this fiscal year, the state took in nearly $3 billion in revenues for the recently completed fiscal 2021 year.
Read MoreWith the support and standards of GS1 US, the pharmaceutical manufacturer fulfills customer needs for an additional system to ensure safe use of medication on a unit-of-use level.
Read MoreA company that sold dyed kerosene for heating oil must return a nearly $1.6 million tax refund because it wasn't taxed twice on the fuel, the Internal Revenue Service told a…
Read MoreAs soon as the FDA issues a full approval for a COVID-19 vaccine, there will be "a flood" of vaccine mandates at businesses and schools across the nation, Dr. Anthony Fauci told USA TODAY's Editorial Board on Friday.
Read MoreRaising recreational marijuana taxes could help reduce the state’s education gap, but at what cost?
Read MoreSmokers will pay $0.25 per pack more for cigarettes in Tazewell County starting Jan. 1 2022.
Read MorePueblo County, Colorado is awarding more than $2 million in cannabis excise sales tax scholarships to local institutions, including $1 million to Pueblo Community College.
Read MoreThe use of fake license plates to evade tolls has prompted the agency in charge of New York and New Jersey’s interstate crossings to take action.
Read MoreFederal and state authorities have been working to track those who are selling fake COVID-19 vaccine cards. As more vaccine mandates roll out, the question remains – what happens if you make one for yourself?
Read MoreAfter adjusting for revenue collected in June but is owed this fiscal year, the state took in nearly $3 billion in revenues for the recently completed fiscal 2021 year.
Read MoreCollege students are willing to pay a lot of money to get their hands on vaccination cards. The cards, of course, are free as proof that a person has had the COVID-19 vaccine. But students are using the fakes to provide that proof and circumvent campus requirements that they either get the shot or submit to regular testing.
Read MoreThe Connecticut Office of Fiscal Analysis says marijuana tax revenue is expected to bring in more than $70 million by 2025.
Read MoreCompared to other continents, Africa has recorded fewer infections per million and lower mortality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite having a skeletal health system and a heavier health burden from malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, which currently take priority in budgets.
Read MoreState revenue collections cleared a low bar for July, coming in $28.1 million above estimated tax collections of just $277.68 million — the lowest revenue estimate for any month since February 2018.
Read MoreTwo airline passengers have been fined nearly $16,000 each for using fake vaccination cards to fly from the United States to Canada.
Read MoreCompared to other continents, Africa has recorded fewer infections per million and lower mortality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite having a skeletal health system and a heavier health burden from malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, which currently take priority in budgets.
Read MoreA Colorado campaign appears to have submitted enough signatures to place a ballot initiative before voters in November that would raise marijuana taxes to fund programs that are designed to reduce the education gap for low-income students.
Read MoreCongress will inevitably relax decades-old federal restrictions on cannabis, West Michigan industry experts say, but how and when lawmakers will act are key unanswered questions that could determine who gains access to the market.
Read MoreCongress will inevitably relax decades-old federal restrictions on cannabis, West Michigan industry experts say, but how and when lawmakers will act are key unanswered questions that could determine who gains access to the market.
Read MoreThousands of fake temporary license plates are being used by criminals to literally try to get away with murder and other crimes, according to NYPD officials.
Read MoreThe Connecticut Office of Fiscal Analysis says marijuana tax revenue is expected to bring in more than $70 million by 2025.
Read MoreBuoyed by pent-up consumer demand and federal stimulus payments, Iowa tax revenues in June increased 15 percent compared with the previous June, and state revenue for the most recent 12 months is up 17.4 percent.
Read MoreGrowth is inevitable in legal cannabis markets, as a worldwide $200-billion legacy market moves regulated channels. But results will vary as regulators in each new market experiment to find the right formula for free and legal – but taxed and licensed – markets.
Read MoreThe Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will take another look at its 2019 ban on the sale of vaping products that haven't been reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, cannabis vaping products, and flavored tobacco in unincorporated areas.
Read MoreSICPA has named Greg Dunn CEO of its North America business. Dunn, who previously served as CFO of SICPA for the past eight years, also held roles as president of STA Technologies, a SICPA Company, and as president of SICPA Securink Corporation.
Read MoreTaking responsibility for your cannabis company’s environmental and social impact isn’t just a “nice to have.”
Read MoreThree of the largest pharmaceutical wholesalers and a major drug maker reached a $26 billion deal to settle lawsuits filed by state governments accusing the companies of fomenting the opioid crisis, which has claimed half a million lives over nearly two decades.
Read MoreThe explosive growth of e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic has propelled new interest in acquisitions involving direct-to-consumer cannabis delivery.
Read MoreAn Ohio man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.
Read MoreArizona is on track to outpace Colorado in marijuana sales just months after it became legal for recreational use in the Copper State, with total annual sales expected to surpass $1 billion by the end of this year, according to state data.
Read MoreA new nicotine tax and an increased tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products in Colorado generated more than $34 million in their first five months, according to a data analysis by The Colorado Sun.
Read MoreA new database aims to cut the number of counterfeit wines ripping off Australian producers.
Read MoreArizona has seen $74,386,952 in marijuana tax revenue since businesses were approved to begin selling the drug recreationally in late January, the Arizona Department of Revenue said.
Read MoreCombined with more people having foodservice delivered and the rise of electric vehicles, store visits can take a big hit over the next 12 months.
Read MoreIn the past, forgers have targeted currency, artworks, even wine. Now, COVID-19 vaccines are in their sights. In July, CNN reported thousands of people had fallen prey to a scam selling fake coronavirus vaccines in India, with doctors and medical workers among those arrested for their involvement. At least 12 fake vaccination drives were held in or near the financial hub of Mumbai. Around 2,500 people who thought they were being administered a legitimate AstraZeneca dose were in effect receiving saline – and paid for the privilege. Another fake vaccination camp had been exposed a few days earlier in June by the Times of India, this time involving the Russian Gamaleya vaccine.
Read MoreThe province needs to develop a basic, opt-in COVID-19 vaccine passport as proof of vaccination is increasingly required for foreign travel and other activities, Toronto Mayor John Tory said Wednesday.
Read MoreFor the first time in history, some Senate Democrats on Wednesday moved to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, proposing to the remove cannabis from the federal list of controlled substances.
Read MoreAs COVID-19 vaccine rollouts continue and the numbers of those fully vaccinated increase, some regions in Canada and internationally are already starting to use or consider vaccine-based identification for certain services or to facilitate travel.
Read MoreLots of people opened up bottles of wine on Zoom visits in isolation. And, 2020 saw rising wine sales and digital scams to match. Researchers at Recorded Future and Area 1 Security witnessed an increase in wine-themed domain registrations and phishing emails beginning in the spring of 2020. Take a look at numerous attack campaigns preying on wine lovers.
Read MoreIt was a little bit of bureaucratic box-ticking that was heard around the world. On Friday July 2, Vladimir Putin signed a law prohibiting all use of the Russian word "champanskoящ" (Cchampagne in Russian) in the Cyrillic alphabet for all sparkling wine bar the local Russian sparkling wine, better known as "Rossiiskoящ champanskoящ" (Russian Champagne) or "Sovietskoящ champanskoящ" (Soviet Champagne). Champagne, which has a long history of defending its name at all cost, lost its mind.
Read MoreMarijuana regulators in Michigan issued a recall for 10,000 cannabis-infused chocolates because the products didnТt undergo proper inspection.
Read MoreSICPA’s SICPAGUARD HDSense Receives 2021 Red Dot Award - Covering the Printing Inks, Coatings and Allied Industries - Ink World (inkworldmagazine.com)
Read MoreA U.S. Senator from Oklahoma requested $4 million in federal funds to help the state fight illegal cannabis operations.
Read MoreNevada reappointed three members to the compliance board that oversees the state's cannabis industry.
Read MoreLos Angeles County authorities announced the seizure of the largest illegal crop of marijuana in state history, worth an estimated $1 billion.
Read MoreGerman-grown medical cannabis is available for purchase and sale by local pharmacies for the first time, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) announced late Wednesday.
Read MoreWhen Connecticut approved the legalization of adult-use marijuana last month, it became the latest state to institute a ban on hemp-derived THC products, including delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC, for companies without a license to sell them.
Read MoreHolidays are not time off for hackers. Over the July 4th weekend, a sophisticated cyberattack on a software supplier sent multiple ransomware notices to companies across the world.
Read MoreThe Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics says criminal marijuana growing operations have been moving to the Sooner State in record numbers over the last eight to 10 months.
Read MoreOfficials say an order that prevents a new marijuana tracking program from going into effect will remain in place.
Read MoreAn alliance of state marijuana regulators got face-to-face with federal administrators. As well as members of Congress this past week to speak on the possible influence that national wide cannabis legalization and could have on the local programs they oversee. In addition to other forms of policy change in regards to marijuana legislation.
Read MoreThe Mackinac Center for Public Policy today released its annual estimate of state cigarette tax evasion and avoidance across the country.
Read MoreKeegan Skeate was working the night shift when he first heard about the scam. The 26-year-old was only a few months into his new job at Praxis Laboratory, a Washington state lab that conducts consumer safety tests and THC potency analysis for legal cannabis products. During one quiet shift in 2018, a fellow lab technician walked over to Skeate and told him that she thought someone was manipulating her test results. She said that the numbers in her spreadsheets looked irregular and the recorded THC potency values were higher than she remembered measuring.
Read MoreThe state Motor Vehicle Commission tweeted this month that new driver’s licenses and non-driving ID cards being issued have arrived with a new feel, in addition to a slightly new look.
Read MoreA La Puente man faces up to 22 years in federal prison for his role in a scheme to manufacture and ship counterfeit lithium-ion batteries for laptops and cell phones from China to the United States, officials said Tuesday.
Read MoreAs we approach the one-year anniversary of the coming into force of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) on July 1, 2021, we reflect on the changes that the CUSMA brought about for brand owners, particularly at the Canada-U.S. border. Previously, Canadian customs officials could detain only commercial shipments of suspected counterfeit goods destined for Canada. With the passage of the CUSMA, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is now empowered to detain in-transit commercial shipments of suspected counterfeit goods travelling through Canada enroute to their final destinations.
Read MoreVaccination rates are on the rise and several countries, including the United States, are relaxing public health restrictions as they steer toward a full reopening. Digital health certificates, or vaccine passports, are part of these efforts as a number of organizations are requiring proof of vaccination, including commercial airlines, employers, colleges and universities, and retail establishments. But while digital health certificates may facilitate a safer reopening and faster economic recovery, technological solutions to vaccine verification also raise valid concerns about the privacy of personal health data and their potential to exacerbate racial and socioeconomic inequities. If implemented without needed privacy protections, the vaccine passports could foreclose economic and social opportunities for those without immunization proof.
Read MoreThe detection of fraudulent travel documents to prevent the international movement of criminals and terrorists was the focus of a training course involving border control officers, immigration representatives, document experts and forensic document examiners from Brazil.
Read MoreOwners of a shop caught with 409 bottles of fake wine sold the store via a Facebook Marketplace advert prior to a licensing review hearing.
Read MoreFort Wayne police are calling it the largest haul of fentanyl pills the department can remember. This week, an 18-year-old woman was charged with narcotic drug dealing and misdemeanor marijuana possession after police pulled her over in a traffic stop and found nearly five pounds of pills containing fentanyl in two bundles wrapped in a hoodie sweatshirt under the driver's seat floorboard.
Read MoreCustomers wanting to wine, dine and unwind to live music at the City Winery's flagship restaurant in New York must show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to get in. But that's not required at most other dining establishments in the city. And it's not necessary at other City Winery sites around the U.S.
Read MoreHealth experts are calling on the Biden administration to do more to encourage and promote the use of vaccine mandates and passports.
Read MoreThe city of Houston is out roughly $1.7 million after buying more than 900,000 defective masks.
Read MoreWondering how vaccine passports will be used for global travel in the future? A recent survey found that more than seven in 10 British Columbians (73%) endorse the idea of a vaccine passport for international travel. However, some Canadians refuse to roll up their sleeves.
Read MoreUN wants global marijuana ad ban; RI House speaker on legalization disagreements; FDA head won’t say if cannabis or tobacco more dangerous
Read MoreCalifornia’s gas tax prices are among the highest in the nation, and are quickly approaching $5 per gallon in many areas of San Diego County. And to top it off, California’s excise tax on gas is set to rise again on July 1st.
Read MoreThough you likely already consider a variety of factors when purchasing a bottle of wine and judging its relative value, a new study has revealed how much every state taxes wine – and one state is way out in front.
Read MoreKeynote session at Anti-Counterfeiting World Law Summit outlines importance of tech for combating fakes
Read MoreKanye West has been a very successful CEO of his fashion brand "Yeezy." It is a known fact that his pieces are sold for hundreds of dollars, and it sold out within hours of launching. Recently, the Grammy-winning rapper's team had noticed that the retail giant Walmart has been selling counterfeit products of his for a relatively lower price. So today, West is taking legal action to save his business from downfall.
Read MoreRep. Warren Davidson is introducing a bill Thursday to ban the federal government from issuing vaccine passports, severely restrict states from doing so and ban private businesses from requiring proof of COVID vaccination, arguing that such requirements represent "an inherent violation of civil liberties."
Read MoreHoly Name Medical Center, based in Northern New Jersey, announced today its partnership with global security firm SICPA, with U.S. headquarters in Springfield, Virginia, to provide the CERTUS® myHealth Pass digital solution to its patients, including those receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at its Teaneck and West New York Vaccination Centers. Holy Name is the first healthcare center in the United States to offer this secure digital platform to its patients, specifically designed to provide forgery-proof medical records that meet the highest levels of data security and personal privacy protection.
Read MoreTwo proposed ballot questions got a tentative thumbs up from the Sitka Assembly last night: — an excise tax on motor fuels and sales tax on retail marijuana.
Read MoreCounterfeiting, fraud and other risks associated with the manufacture, sale and transport of dietary supplements give rise to a variety of legal, regulatory and practical considerations.
Read MoreAfter three days of jury selection, opening arguments began Thursday in the jury trial of nine Idahoans accused of a years-long scheme to sell counterfeit cellphones and accessories online.
Read MoreNearly half a million dollars of unapproved vaping products were confiscated by customs officers before they could get into Metro Atlanta stores and into your hands.
Read MorePhilip Morris International Inc. (PMI) (NYSE: PM) is calling for public and private representatives to jointly combat illicit trade as a new report produced by KPMG was released on the consumption and flows of illicit cigarettes in 30 European countries—the 27 European Union (EU) member states, as well as U.K., Norway and Switzerland. The study estimates that, while total cigarette consumption continues to decline, the share of illicit cigarettes increased by one half of a percentage point to 7.8% of total consumption in 2020, reaching 34.2 billion cigarettes consumed across the EU 27 member states (EU27). The increase of illicit cigarettes—which consist of contraband, counterfeit, and illicit whites—was driven by an unprecedented 87% surge in counterfeit consumption. The tax loss for governments in the EU27 now amounts to approximately €8.5 billion.
Read MoreA survey has found that 28 per cent of consumers could consider sourcing a COVID-19 vaccine online, particularly if they were able to buy it from an official source.
Read MoreThe easing of Canadian travel restrictions this week came with news that proof of vaccination would soon be required by those arriving in the country and would need to be inputted into the federal ArriveCAN app.
Read MoreAfter Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed the state legislature's bill legalizing recreational marijuana on Tuesday, eyes are now on Rhode Island and New Hampshire as the final holdouts in New England to legalize cannabis.
Read MoreIn a historic move, the Rhode Island Senate passed a bill Tuesday night that would legalize recreational marijuana use in the state. The vote marked the first time such a bill reached the floor of either legislative chamber in the state.
Read MoreA bipartisan effort to legalize marijuana for medical use in North Carolina has received a legislative committee hearing.
Read MoreColorado Attorney General Phil Weiser had strong words for people who might be making, selling, buying or using fake COVID-19 vaccination cards. “If we can find people here in Colorado who are engaging in the sale of fake vaccine cards, we’ll go after them,” he said. “That is a scam. It’s wrong, and it will hurt public trust at a time when we need it so desperately.”
Read MoreThe COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all American adults, and the proof can be found in the numbers. Currently, nearly 45 percent of U.S. citizens have gotten arm pricks.
Read MoreThe easing of Canadian travel restrictions this week came with news that proof of vaccination would soon be required by those arriving in the country and would need to be inputted into the federal ArriveCAN app.
Read MoreDozens of people used fake documents to get a Florida driver’s license, and most of them were granted at the same DMV in Southwest Florida.
Read MoreMarijuana legalization is sweeping states from Connecticut to New Mexico. The writing is on the wall.
Read MoreA Black farmer with ties to doing business in Florida will be at the head of the line for a long-awaited batch of medical-marijuana licenses in an application process that state health officials will launch soon, senior aides to Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
Read MoreEuropean Union Digital COVID certificates (EUDCC) have now been issued to citizens in 17 countries.
Read MoreEarlier this year, New York passed legislation legalizing the adult use of cannabis. New Yorkers can now legally possess three ounces for any use, and can smoke marijuana in any publically-designed area where tobacco smoking is allowed, although home cultivation is still not permitted. Importantly, certain convictions – possessing up to 16 ounces or selling up to 25 grams of marijuana – will be automatically expunged from criminal records.
Read MoreDespite disagreements on how anticipated tax receipts from the sale of legal marijuana should be used, an ordinance on the matter is expected to go to second reading in July, clearing the way for the implementation of the tax.
Read MoreIn today's fast-paced news environment, it can be hard to keep up. For your weekend reading, we've started in-case-you-missed-it compilations of some of the week's top USA TODAY Opinion pieces.
Read MoreDid you know in two weeks marijuana laws in Virginia will change? It will be legal for adults to smoke some and grow some. Starting July 1st, people in Virginia can smoke marijuana in the privacy of their home, but it will still be illegal to do that in a public space. It is also still banned on school property and in vehicles.
Read MoreDon't call it a vaccine passport, but California now offers something that's awfully close. The state's Departments of Public Health and Technology unveiled a website Friday that lets users who verify their identities get digital copies of their Covid-19 vaccination record.
Read MoreA Kings Heath off-licence showed 'total disregard' for the health of its customers by supplying counterfeit bottles of wine, it has been revealed. And Tim's Wine Cellar on Haunch Lane should lose its licence, police have argued, after 409 bottles of the counterfeit wine were seized from the premises.
Read MoreA GOP-ordered audit of 2020 ballots in Arizona’s most populous county is scheduled to restart this week, even as it is fueling an escalating fight among Republicans in the state. Republicans in Arizona’s senate ordered the audit of roughly 2.1 million ballots cast in Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, that began in April. Democrat Joe Biden won Arizona by just over 10,000 votes out of more than 3.3 million cast statewide, in part due to a roughly two-percentage-point victory in Maricopa. Critics, including some Arizona Republicans, say the audit has been mismanaged and run by an unqualified contractor and that it could undermine confidence in the voting system by amplifying unproven allegations. The dispute is the latest example of divisions within the party over how to reckon with President Biden’s election win. In a recent letter sent to Karen Fann, the Republican president of Arizona’s senate, the GOP-majority Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and other county officials said the audit wasn’t being conducted in good faith. “Your ‘audit,’ no matter what your intentions were in the beginning, has become a spectacle that is harming all of us,” they wrote. “Our state has become a laughingstock. Worse, this ‘audit’ is encouraging our citizens to distrust elections, which weakens our democratic republic.” Ms. Fann said the audit isn’t intended to overturn the county’s election results, which were certified for Mr. Biden. Instead, she said many voters still have questions about the integrity of the voting system and that the audit is meant to provide answers. She also said that the audit will help lawmakers determine whether there are reasons to change Arizona’s election procedures to ensure the security of the system.
Read MoreThe state of Tennessee brought in $1.6 billion in tax revenue in May, which was 38% more than the budgeted estimate.
Read MoreIn the wake of the 2020 presidential election, Republicans have pushed sweeping changes to voting laws across the country, using false claims of voter fraud as their justification. Even in Florida, a state Donald J. Trump won easily, Republicans enacted a more targeted overhaul of elections law in lock step with Mr. Trump’s allegations. Several voting rights groups have sued the state, claiming that the new measures disenfranchise voters in the name of appeasing the former president. Representative Byron Donalds, a newly elected Florida Republican, believes the reaction to the new law is misguided and overblown. In an interview with The New York Times, he sought to explain Republican actions as distinct from Mr. Trump’s false claims, and in line with voter concerns. He argued that his state’s new law, and similar ones across the country, would inspire renewed confidence in the election process. Mr. Donalds won his House seat after serving in the Florida Legislature. He grew up in Brooklyn and worked in finance and banking before entering politics. The interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. What did you think of how the 2020 election went in Florida? Did you think it was administered properly, with no evidence of fraud?
Read MoreAirlines are already offering digital platforms that contain passenger health information. Several governments are opening borders if travelers can prove they’ve been vaccinated or tested negative for Covid-19 but it’s unclear if digital credentials will be required. Italy, Iceland, Greece and Spain now allow or are opening their borders to people who’ve been vaccinated or who recently tested negative for Covid-19. The European Union has agreed to open its borders to more vaccinated tourists, including from the U.S. The question is: How will individuals prove their vaccine or Covid status? As of Wednesday, almost half of the total U.S. population had received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose. New Covid infections in the country continue to drop. As of Thursday, the seven-day average of daily new Covid infections is at its lowest level since June 22, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. That trend is helping people return to pre-pandemic activities — from concerts to indoor dining to live sporting events and even international travel. Vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks or physically distance indoors or out, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said earlier this month. Retailers like Walmart and Costco and hotel chains including Hyatt dropped their mask requirements for vaccinated customers this month, unless it’s required in local rules. U.S. officials have said they are largely relying on people being honest about their vaccine status, and retailers and hotel chains have said they don’t plan to check for a proof of a vaccine.
Read MoreHB 1957, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, sets new standards on what can be labeled as a Texas wine.
Read MoreMany fashion companies that produce knitwear, or more specifically cashmere, make impressive claims about sustainability but there’s one brand that is planning to show exactly which goat herd a garment came from.
Read MoreA Las Vegas man today pleaded guilty to distributing opioids that resulted in the overdose death of another person.
Read MoreOregon lawmakers are considering a measure that could potentially allow cities and counties to more than triple their marijuana tax.
Read MoreA tax originally intended to curb teen tobacco use may be stretched to include vapes used to smoke marijuana — angering cannabis retailers who believe the measure was pitched and passed with an explicit exemption for weed.
Read MoreThe Joe Biden administration is worried about the security of the US medicines supply chain, and is taking steps to tackle weaknesses in the system.
Read MoreA California hemp bill that would provide a long-awaited green light for hemp-derived CBD products has cleared the lower chamber – but the progress has set up a cannabis clash in the world’s largest state market.
Read MoreIllinois State Police arrested a Chicago man after they say they found 275 cartons of cigarettes missing the sales tax stamp during a traffic stop on Interstate 57 in Kankakee County earlier this week.
Read MoreThe Flavored Tobacco Product Prohibition Amendment Act of 2021 (B24-0020) under consideration by the D.C. City Council would, as the name suggests, ban all flavored tobacco product sales in the District. That means banning the majority of cigarettes being sold, since more than 50 percent of the market is menthol flavored, which could have a significant impact on tobacco excise tax collections. The bill is scheduled for a hearing before the full Council this week.
Read MoreThe European Union is about to launch a digital pass system that will let residents prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19, recovered from the disease or recently tested negative for the virus, allowing them to travel freely among all 27 member nations.
Read MoreThe Lakewood City Council passed the tobacco tax measure discussed in this article on first reading, as part of a broader consent agenda package, at the Monday, June 14 council meeting. It now moves on to public notice, and public comment at the Monday, June 28th regular council meeting.
Read MoreNow is not the time to put an additional financial burden on Maine residents, Maine retailers, Maine small business owners. Our state legislature is continuing to examine the benefits of doubling the tax rate on all tobacco products in this year’s legislative session. Instead of a $2 per pack tax on a pack of cigarettes, it would double to $4.
Read MoreThe City of East Lansing is directing money made from Michigan's marijuana tax into resources for people struggling with drug abuse.
Read MoreThe state tax on cigarettes would double to $4 for a pack under a measure recommended by the majority of the legislature’s Taxation Committee.
Read MoreTen states that have legalized the use of marijuana for recreational purposes collected almost $2.7 billion in taxes on pot products last year as sales surged and more regulatory structures came online.
Read MoreStates that have legalized marijuana for adult use have collectively generated nearly $8 billion in tax revenue from cannabis since legal sales first began in 2014, according to a new report from the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP).
Read MoreKen Newburger felt like he’d been blindsided. He knew a legal challenge had been mounted against the medical cannabis ballot initiative he’d worked on last year in Mississippi. He knew the state’s Supreme Court had taken up the case. But the argument against Initiative 65 was so nonsensical that Newburger had zero doubt the court would rule to uphold the measure. He was wrong: The court overturned it, and with it the will of the 74 percent of Mississippi voters who approved it last fall. “It was not how I felt the decision would go,” Newburger says of the May 14th ruling. “I didn’t even conceive of it because after the overwhelming support that we had last year, I didn’t think the court would throw out an election.” Newburger was working as the director of field outreach for Initiative 65 last year when Mary Hawkins Butler, the Republican mayor of Madison, Mississippi, filed a lawsuit arguing the measure was illegal. Hawkins said she opposed Initiative 65, which would have legalized the prescription of cannabis for a variety of conditions, because she didn’t want “pot shops” in Madison. Her lawsuit hinged on the state constitution’s requirement that ballot initiatives be filed with signatures from five congressional districts. It would have been pretty difficult for the Initiative 65 campaign to gather these signatures, though, as the state has only had four such districts since the 2000 Census. The constitution’s language around ballot initiatives, which was written prior to that redistricting, had never been updated. “It was almost surreal, as if it didn’t happen,” Newburger says of learning about the challenge ahead of the election. “A plethora of initiatives had been filed already and never challenged. I thought we had done everything right.”
Read MoreJoe Mathieu: Daniel, let’s start with the recent criminal conviction of disgraced former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia, who among other things, was convicted of extorting prospective marijuana business owners in his city. How did those alleged shakedowns work? Daniel Medwed: Correia was charged and convicted of basically demanding cash, often through an intermediary, in return for issuing what’s called a “non-opposition letter” from City Hall. Those letters are essentially required in order for businesses and municipalities to enter a “host community agreement,” and that agreement in turn is required for someone to set up shop within city limits. Massachusetts law gives a tremendous amount of local control in terms of whether a particular city or town wants to welcome the marijuana industry, and arguably that process is open to potential abuse, as we saw with Correia. Mathieu: I imagine that Correia’s behavior is an extreme example of how the process might be abused. Is that case an aberration or is it the tip of the iceberg? Medwed: It’s certainly an egregious example of how one local leader took advantage of the rules to line his own pockets, and I’m not aware of any comparably blatant misconduct. But the rules do allow for municipalities, if not politicians themselves, to extract all sorts of concessions in exchange for a host community agreement. For instance, a study of 460 host community agreements conducted by the Cannabis Business Association and UMass Boston earlier this month found that municipalities collectively received nearly $2.5 million above the legal limits for these agreements, often through local charity donations or reimbursements. On the one hand, many of these concessions are designed to help the communities — a business asked to contribute $5,000 to an American Legion Hall in one instance, and that’s very different from Correia. These officials seem to be helping their towns, not themselves. On the other hand, the effect seems to be that it’s a hard for smaller players to break into the industry — that you have to be somewhat well-heeled to gain entrée — and that seems to aggravate some of the longstanding concerns about equity and, in particular, ensuring that communities of color have a seat at the table.
Read MoreBold white vinyl lettering covers the window of a smoke shop on Albany’s Central Avenue. In all-caps, 51Vape advertises a suite of smoking-related accessories, including “hookah” and “vaping devices.” It also lists both “hemp” and “CBD”. Non-smokers might be surprised at hemp references in head shop windows, as the plant is also gaining prominence in the U.S. as a source of fiber for products like textiles and rope, while its seeds are a protein-rich grain that can be made into cooking oil or eaten in health food snacks. But hemp flower is also a prime source of CBD, or cannabidoil, one of the chemical compounds in cannabis plants and an active ingredient in both drugs and wellness products. Lynn West, a 55-year-old from the Buffalo region, who recently retired from her 32-year career selling office furniture, learned about CBD a few years ago from an older friend who used it to ease his “aches and pains." West appreciates its pain-relief potential, but finds it is most useful to tackle anxiety-related issues – “for stressful situations, I found it knocked me down a notch,” she said.
Read MoreRepublicans in Arizona are still in denial about the results of the 2020 election. The GOP has launched yet another vote recount. Some 2.1 million ballots are being reviewed. Ben Giles of member station KJZZ in Phoenix joins us to talk about it. Hi, Ben. BEN GILES, BYLINE: Good morning, Rachel. MARTIN: Why is this recount happening? GILES: Well, to be clear, the results here in Maricopa County here in Arizona were already certified, but this audit is being conducted on behalf of the Republican-led state Senate. They tapped a private Florida-based cybersecurity company to lead this review. Maricopa County officials here have broadly spoken out against it in increasingly forceful ways. They say the review is being conducted by grifters. There's concerns that have been expressed by the U.S. Department of Justice. There's concerns about the voting machines, the ballots that are being kept by these private firms. They've still got about 1.5 million ballots to get through of 2.1 million votes that were cast in Maricopa County last fall. MARTIN: And I understand the audit is not open to the public, but there is a rotating pool of reporters who can observe it. And you were there last night, right? What'd you see? GILES: Yeah, I was at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. There's about a few dozen tables laid out on the floor where basketball games used to be played, people at tables counting all of those hundreds of thousands of ballots. They're looking at votes for the presidency and the U.S. Senate; both those races were won by Democrats in Maricopa County and Arizona at large. There are some observers other than reporters. There are some staffers, some experts recruited by the Democrat secretary of state to observe the process from the floor, and they've seen a lot of issues that that they don't like. MARTIN: Who's paying for the audit, Ben? GILES: Well, the state Senate allocated $150,000 for this contract with these firms. But we know it's going to be far more expensive because outside groups are trying to raise millions of dollars to support the costs. Many of those outside groups are allies of Donald Trump who have also spread baseless claims of election fraud. And we don't know who the donors are because they're shrouded by nonprofit exemptions from disclosure. And it kind of raises the question, who are these firms that - the Cyber Ninjas is the lead firm. Who are they beholden to? MARTIN: So you've explained how the recount came to be, but what is the justification? How do Republican officials justify this additional recount when the vote has already been certified? GILES: Yeah, broadly, they say, what's the harm? You know, we're just looking and hopefully there'll be no issues, but better to check. It'll boost confidence in the election. But that stance is so dismissive of the process that are already in place under state law to check the accuracy of elections. And meanwhile, Cyber Ninjas, the lead firm on the job, has never done anything like this before. And yet Republicans say they - this private company should be trusted. Leadership of the audit has, since it started over a month ago, blasted out explosive claims about deleted data by the county, which Trump and his supporters have picked up on only to be wrong. But that claim is out there still. So there's information leaking from the audit that is undermining confidence in the election process. And some Arizona lawmakers are proposing new ongoing election security funding, so these types of ongoing audits could become the norm.
Read MoreListening to Republican defenders of the raft of Jim Crow-style voting laws winding their way through state legislatures, one might think they are only about voter-ID. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) insists they are only about making elections more secure and have nothing to do with making it harder for Black Americans to vote. But let’s look at what’s in some of these bills. In Michigan, a voter transportation law bars “anyone from hiring transportation for bringing voters to the polls unless the voters are physically unable to walk.” This has nothing to do with security at all. It allows rich people to call an Uber to go to a polling location, but it would bar churches from hosting “souls to the polls” events, a common turn-out-the-vote practice used by African American communities. This is straight voter suppression aimed at the poor, the elderly and African Americans. Georgia and Florida have both banned the distribution of water or food to anyone waiting in line to vote (though they still allow poll workers to provide these items). Again, this does nothing to make voting more secure; it makes it more arduous, especially in African American-majority precincts where wait times are longer than in whiter precincts. Democracy Docket found that “every single county in the Atlanta metro area saw an average wait time of 45 minutes or more, meaning the region as a whole saw some of the longest wait times in the state. The most densely populated and majority Black region of the state was also where it was hardest to vote early in 2020.”
Read MoreVaccine passports quickly became a political lightning rod, but they offer a simple and effective way to end confusion about who is vaccinated and who still ought to wear masks in public spaces or workplaces. Rather than waste any more time squabbling over passports, which aren’t going to be created at a national level, let’s ramp up use of the next best thing: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccination cards. More than 160 million Americans have been vaccinated, which means nearly 50 percent of the population has the cards they were given when they got their shots. These cards are not perfect, but they are a good step — and they could be pressed into service immediately. Airlines, employers, stadiums and schools can start requiring patrons or students to show proof of vaccination. Already, in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara County is requiring all employers to track the vaccination status of their employees, and workers are presenting their vaccination cards to verify their status. But government doesn’t have to be involved; private businesses can simply start making checks mandatory. The CDC cards are universal, so there won’t be variation in the type of documentation from employer to employer or state to state. The recent CDC guidance that people who are fully vaccinated can go without masks frees vaccinated Americans to resume more normal lives. It provides an incentive to get vaccinated, but the concern is that many who remain unvaccinated will also forego masks.
Read MoreIt’s unlikely that everyone in the United States will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19. But while vaccinations will continue to be a personal choice, there may be circumstances when people need to provide proof of vaccination. Neither state officials nor the federal government currently require vaccination against any disease, and the Biden administration is on record opposing mandatory vaccination of private citizens or even requirements that people be compelled to carry a vaccination “passport” or similar credentials. Private companies, however, can and are requiring proof of vaccination — such as presenting an original copy of their CDC vaccination record — to take part in certain activities. They aren’t necessarily the only ones either. Here’s a look at some situations when people might be needed to provide proof they’ve been vaccinated.
Read MoreThe City of Radford is increasing its tax on cigarettes and tobacco products by 25 cents. This comes after council voted unanimously to do so Monday night.
Read MoreQuality of life in New Jersey has returned to pre-pandemic levels as the coronavirus outbreak wanes, according to a new poll. And the legalization of marijuana — an issue that took the state Legislature years to sort out as some argued it would negatively affect children and communities — has had nearly no impact on how residents view quality of life in the state. Released Monday by the Monmouth University Polling Institute, the survey found the quality of life index stands at +25. It can range from minus-100 to 100. The number is down from +37 in April 2020, when the state had come together under strict social distancing measures to fight COVID-19. But it’s in line with a poll conducted in September 2019 and scores from the past decade. About 6 in 10 New Jerseyans said the state is either an excellent or good place to live, while 27% rated it as fair and 14% deemed it a poor place to live. Last year, 68% of people rated New Jersey positively. The quality of life index is lower in urban areas, but up from the past year, the polling institute found. There, the number was +20, similar to +18 score from early 2020. “Perceptions of New Jersey’s quality of life have returned to more normal levels after experiencing a brief rally effect when the pandemic struck last year,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute. “However, the fact that ratings in urban communities held steady from that spike is worth watching. It may be a blip, but it could also signal increased optimism among these residents,” The index is derived from five questions — overall opinion on the state, on a town or city, local school performance, environmental quality and feeling safe, according to pollsters. The survey also asked respondents if they would visit Jersey Shore this year. Just under 60% of residents surveyed said they planned to travel to the Shore this summer. That’s a number lower than the usual 60 to 70% of people who have planned trips in the past, but higher than the 27% who last year said they would go as the coronavirus crisis continued.
Read MoreMultiple sources told Marijuana Moment that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) plans to refile his federal cannabis legalization bill this week. The legislation, which comes as senators are finalizing their own bill, will have changes from the version that passed in 2020. The Texas Senate approved House-passed bills to lower penalties for marijuana concentrates and to require the state to study the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for military veterans. Because the body adopted amendments to both measures, they must head back to the House for final votes before they can be sent to Gov. Greg Abbott (R). Meanwhile, the fate of a medical cannabis expansion measure hangs in the balance as the end of the session approaches. Ohio activists qualified the first of what they hope will be dozens of local marijuana decriminalization measures on ballots across the state this November. The Illinois House Executive Committee approved a bill aimed at expanding equity in marijuana business licensing, and it now heads to the House floor. Oregon officials are awarding $20 million in grants to support substance misuse treatment, harm reduction, housing and employment programs—all stemming from funds made available under the drug decriminalization measure that voters approved in November.
Read MoreThe 2020 Presidential election is over. President Joe Biden was declared the winner. In Arizona, there is still controversy, and now it involves the integrity of voting systems from Maricopa County in future elections. The state senate ordered an outside audit and hired a Sarasota-based cybersecurity firm called Cyber Ninjas. According to critics and the Associated Press, the company has no election audit experience. A representative for Cyber Ninjas told 10 Tampa Bay the company was not doing interviews but would answer questions. Asked about any prior experience with election audits, the representative wrote: "No one has experience with this level of audit because it has never been done. What’s important to remember is that Cyber Ninjas is the coordinating firm of four companies conducting various components of the audit. In each component, the company administering that work has election experience in that area. Each member of the team has been part of election audits, including Cyber Ninjas, which was part of election audits in Michigan and in Georgia." Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (D) wrote a letter to Maricopa County leaders telling them to replace any machines touched by the company or its subcontractors after she says the machines are compromised after leaving the chain of custody of election administrators.
Read MoreA partisan election audit in Maricopa County, Ariz., is turning into a lesson in how not to manage cybersecurity and elections. The review began under a cloud. The GOP-controlled state Senate launched it despite the objections of top county officials and hired Cyber Ninjas to conduct it — a company with no election audit experience and whose CEO Doug Logan has echoed false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. Since then, the audit has been beset by unforced security errors including laptops with election information being left unattended and WiFi routers connecting to laptops that contain vital election information. Ballots themselves were also left unattended in poorly secured storage facilities and ballot images are being taken with cameras that seemingly haven’t undergone security vetting or been certified by a government body. “In more than a decade working on elections, audits and recounts across the country, I’ve never seen one this mismanaged,” Jennifer Morrell, a partner at the Elections Group consulting firm and a former local election official in Colorado, wrote in a Post op-ed.
Read MoreKian Glenn, Minneapolis MARIJUANA Solvable without legalization. Let me see if I've got this right ("Legal pot bill focuses on second chances," front page, May 12): 1.?Black people are five times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession in Minnesota — so, we change the law instead of changing the police? 2.?Decriminalizing marijuana will address the disproportionate impact of drug offenses on people of color — but could we just reduce sentences? Issue small fines instead of incarcerating people; make it retroactive. 3.?Some of the revenue generated by the cannabis industry would be used to train law enforcement to recognize drug impairment during traffic stops — so we create a problem, then use the proceeds to try fix the problem we've created. Hmm. Drug impairment? Do we know what we're getting into? 4.?Legalization would address racial economic disparities — and revenue could assist those with marijuana-related criminal records, and minorities, to get into the cannabis industry. Hmm. Solve one problem and create another? Are there other mechanisms for job creation? Do we encourage recovering alcoholics to work in breweries or liquor stores for rehabilitation? Some marijuana users become addicted.
Read MoreA lush green plant is creating buzz in Texas as the cannabis industry is booming, despite federal and state law banning marijuana. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp plants, which contain extremely low concentrations of the psychoactive compound Delta 9 THC. That's the THC typically found in pot which gives users a high. Entrepreneurs are now extracting any compound they want from the hemp plants and have narrowed in on Delta 8 THC. They're making products including edibles, tinctures, and smokables with it. Delta 8 THC isn't as strong as Delta 9 THC. You'll likely spot the Delta 8 products in stores around the Greater Houston like at HydroShack Hydroponics on West 20th Street in The Heights which sells Oilwell Cannabis products.
Read MoreFor the first time ever, a bill to legalize recreational marijuana will get a vote on the floor of the Minnesota House later this week. That bill is expected to pass with bipartisan support. In the Republican-controlled Senate, it’s not likely to get a chance at a vote. However, as Esme Murphy reports, even in conservative circles, the times are changing. Guthrie Theater To Reopen In July, With Shows Starting In October. The driving force towards legalization is rapidly shifting public opinion. A 2014 Star Tribune/MPR News poll found 30% of Minnesotans were for legalization, 63% were against. Six years later, just before the pandemic in February 2020, the same poll found the numbers flipped with 51% in favor and 37% against. Republican Rep. Nolan West represents Blaine. Asked how his constituents feel about the issue, he said, “overall, I would say they are definitely supportive. The majority of most people realize alcohol and tobacco are already legal and far more dangerous.” Democrats have extra incentive to pass legalization. Since 2019, two marijuana parties have had major party status. Those parties are widely believed to siphon more votes from Democrats than Republicans.
Read MoreNearly a decade ago, Linda Greene was having dinner with some of her friends when she heard that marijuana had been legalized for medicinal use in Washington, D.C. Having lived through the 1960s counterculture, she saw an opportunity. Greene opened Anacostia Organics in 2019. The push to open the medicinal marijuana dispensary began after Greene saw that of the 15 original cultivator and dispensary licenses issued by the district’s Department of Health, none had been awarded to residents of the U.S. capital, and only two had been awarded to people of color. Anacostia Organics became the first medical marijuana dispensary east of the Anacostia River, located in a poverty-stricken area that was also home to the majority of the city’s patients registered to buy marijuana for medicinal purposes. Greene, who aims to uplift the community in which her dispensary is located, said the drug has been misunderstood. “This is not a stoner industry,” she told ABC News. “It’s been misconceived. ... It’s the industry of healing.” Greene is one of over 320,000 Americans who work in the cannabis industry. The drug, which has been legalized for recreational use in 17 states and Washington, D.C., accounted for $17.5 billion in sales in 2020. Yet, even as revenues from cannabis continue to grow across the country, the drug remains a federally prohibited Schedule 1 controlled substance -- in the same category as heroin, ecstasy and LSD. That may change, though. Ninety-one percent of Americans surveyed believed marijuana should be legalized, according to a Pew Research Center survey from last month. Of those participants, 60% said it should be legalized both recreationally and medicinally. Only 8% said it should not be legal for any adult use. The survey was conducted amid a heightened push by lawmakers to decriminalize the drug at the federal level and provide restorative justice to those who’ve been incarcerated for certain marijuana offenses. The House recently passed the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would make it easier for cannabis companies to operate in states where sales of the drug are legal.
Read MoreNearly five years after launching a pilot program, Minnesota’s hemp industry is taking root. A plan to govern the production and regulation of hemp in the state received USDA approval on Monday. "I think that the USDA approval is a win for the Department of Agriculture in that we have these clear regulations and requirements that we are going to implement," said Whitney Place, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Assistant Commissioner. Banned in the U.S. for decades by the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act, hemp production was revived by the 2018 Farm bill. From clothing to food to CBD oil, the plant is used to make a variety of products. At one time, it was the fastest growing crop in U.S. agriculture. "We really see hemp as this really great opportunity for lots of farmers to be able to get in to," said Place. Industrial hemp and marijuana are both types of the same plant, but there's a difference. "So that’s how industrial hemp is defined, as separate from cannabis and marijuana is that it’s under 0.3% THC," said Place. Since it is a highly regulated crop, a license is required from the state to grow, process, research or breed hemp. This year the MSA received 454 applications for licenses. In 2020 there were 542 applicants -- a record. "Our next step in the process will be to write our state rules for the industrial hemp program," said Place. The federal government approved the state's original plan last summer, but asked for a revised plan. Some changes in the new plan include random sampling of fields and remediation is now allowed if hemp plants exceed the THC threshold.
Read MoreSenators clashed over voting rights and election procedures in a contentious committee meeting on Tuesday to consider amendments to S.1, the For the People Act, a massive bill that Democrats claim is necessary to counter new voting restrictions being considered by multiple states. But Republicans argued that the bill is a naked power grab, and voted down an amendment that would have made several changes to the legislation based on feedback from state and local election officials. The House approved the For the People Act by a vote of 220 to 210 in March, with one Democrat joining all Republicans in voting against it. The bill would overhaul government ethics and campaign finance laws, and seek to strengthen voting rights by creating automatic voter registration and expanding access to early and absentee voting. It also includes some measures that would require states to overhaul their registration systems, limit states' ability to remove people from voter rolls, increase federal funds for election security and reform the redistricting process.
Read MoreGovernment officials say they have been working around-the-clock to help mitigate the ramifications of a cyber attack on a major U.S. pipeline, which has sparked concerns about a potential fuel shortage. “Right now there is not a supply shortage. We are providing for multiple contingencies because that’s our job,” Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall said Monday. She noted the White House has offered support to Colonial Pipeline, the target of the attack, and is communicating with members of the energy industry about the attack. The FBI confirmed Monday that a cybercriminal group known as DarkSide was responsible was deploying the malicious software that disrupted Colonial Pipeline's systems. The incident marks one of the highest-profile cases of a growing hacking trend in which cybercriminals lock up computer systems in exchange for a ransom, a technique known as ransomware. The number of ransomware attacks against critical services including hospitals and schools has skyrocketed over the past two years, causing alarm in both industry and government circles. In recent months the Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security and White House have all launched initiatives to help combat the rise in attacks using the malicious software. While Colonial voluntarily shut down its systems to prevent additional damage, critical businesses are often thrust into an impossible choice by ransomware attacks. The Colonial Pipeline attack highlights the need for a more cohesive government policy in instructing victims on how to deal with such attacks, experts says. “There should be some guidelines — not necessarily regulations — especially for critical infrastructure organizations,” said Tobias Whitney, vice president of Fortress Information Security, which works with grid operators and vendors. “Those decisions have downstream implications to them.”
Read MoreAs the UK lifts its on foreign travel, there is a way for holidaymakers to prove they have been vaccinated against Covid-19. It’s an imperfect and perhaps rushed solution, but the United Kingdom’s existing National Health Service (NHS) app will double as a “vaccine passport” for fully vaccinated residents of England beginning Monday. That happens to be the date when the UK’s ban on foreign travel is lifted, and British holidaymakers will once again be allowed to take trips abroad. “Being able to show that you’ve had a jab is going to be necessary for people to be able to travel,” British Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News. “So we want to make sure people can get access to that proof, not least to show governments of other countries that you’ve had the jab if they require that in order to arrive. Residents across the UK can already use the NHS app to refill prescriptions, arrange appointments to see their doctor and view their medical records. Now the app is being adapted to include vaccine verification. “Demonstrating your Covid-19 vaccination status allows you to show others that you’ve had a full course of the Covid-19 vaccine when traveling abroad to some countries or territories,” according to the NHS website. “A full course is currently 2 doses of any approved vaccine.” As “vaccine passports” go, the NHS app will have some notable limitations as the first British travelers set off on international trips this year. While all four UK countries — England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland — have been discussing a joint digital system, initially only residents of England aged 13 and up will be able to use the vaccine verification feature of the NHS app. While the NHS app is already equipped to display vaccine statuses, including Covid-19 vaccination status, this feature must be enabled by an individual’s doctor before it appears on the app. The app will eventually also show Covid-19 test results, but that feature will not be available next week. The NHS website advises that people register to use the app at least two weeks before traveling. For people without access to a smartphone, a paper vaccine certification will also be available. English residents can call the NHS helpline to request it at least five days after a second vaccine dose and can take five days to arrive.
Read MoreA paper version will also be available - by calling 119 but not through a GP. Both will be available from Monday, 17 May, when the ban on foreign travel is eased. The NHS app is separate to the NHS Covid-19 app, which is used for contact tracing. People can already use the NHS app to: request repeat prescriptions, arrange appointments to see their doctor, view medical records. It can also show vaccine statuses, including for coronavirus, but currently this feature must be enabled by a GP before it appears on the app. The new update will contain a separate feature to display coronavirus vaccine records, so the government said there should be no need to contact GPs. The app will not show coronavirus test results, but the NHS plans to incorporate this in the future, the government website said. It advised people to register to use the app at least two weeks before travelling.
Read MoreLate last fall, as Joe Biden prepared to take office and act on his promise to restore America’s global leadership, Samantha Power had something to say. It was all well and good for Biden to declare “America is back.” But nothing would prove it more, after four years of Donald Trump, than a show of sheer American competence. “The United States can reenter all the deals and international organizations it wants,” Power wrote in an article in late November for Foreign Affairs magazine, “but the biggest gains in influence will come by demonstrating its ability to deliver in many countries’ hour of greatest need.” The coronavirus pandemic, she argued, provided just such an opening. By spearheading global vaccine distribution, the United States could beat China at the biggest soft-power contest in generations, regain its reputation as the world’s “indispensable” nation and, not incidentally in Power’s view, do good.
Read MoreMany of the nation’s medical marijuana holdouts are giving in as pot activists make inroads this year with conservative strongholds — and are poised to notch more wins in the coming weeks. Medical marijuana bills are advancing in the Republican-controlled legislatures of North Carolina, Alabama and Kansas for the first time. Efforts to expand limited medical programs in bedrock conservative states like Texas and Louisiana also appear close to passage. “Medical cannabis is where we see the most common ground between Democrats, Republicans and Independents,” said Heather Fazio, a pro-marijuana advocate in Texas, where lawmakers are considering a major expansion of the state’s strict medical pot program. Cannabis is already available to more than 230 million Americans for medical use and, according to an April survey by Pew Research, 91 percent of residents believe marijuana should be legal for that purpose. Even in states without a medical program like North Carolina and South Carolina, recent polls have shown support topping 70 percent. Many elected officials, however, have hesitated to follow suit. And even in a year when cannabis boosters saw big, broad wins on recreational legalization in places like New York and New Jersey, some states that have embraced full prohibition remain firmly planted. “Every state that does not already have a medical marijuana law had something introduced” this year, said Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies for pro-legalization group Marijuana Policy Project. “Most of them have died.”
Read MoreDue to a publishing error, a Mississippi cannabis legalization proposal to make smokable cannabis legal wherever cigarette smoking is allowed in the state has been delayed. This unusual cannabis initiative would have been one-of-a-kind, but now, the state has a chance to push forward with full legalization and offer more opportunity for a growing industry or go backwards and not legalize at all. Now, instead of the originally passed Initiative 65, which was approved last November by Mississippi voters, Initiative 77 would let state residents decide whether to fully legalize cannabis, including cultivation, possession, and use. If passed, Initiative 77 would add a 7 percent sales tax to cannabis products, so that the state would be able to benefit from the increased revenue that cannabis sales can bring. And, similar to what Initiative 65 would have done, smoking cannabis would become legal in all the areas in which smoking tobacco is legal.
Read MoreKey elements of the baseless assertion that the 2020 election was stolen from President Donald Trump took shape in an airplane hangar here two years earlier, promoted by a Republican businessman who has sold many things, from Tex-Mex food in London to a wellness technology that beams light into the human bloodstream. At meetings beginning late in 2018, as Republicans were smarting from midterm losses in Texas and across the country, Russell Ramsland and his associates delivered alarming presentations on electronic voting to a procession of conservative lawmakers, activists and donors. Briefings in the hangar had a clandestine air. Guests were asked to leave their cellphones outside before assembling in a windowless room. A member of Ramsland’s team purporting to be a “white-hat hacker” identified himself only by a code name. Ramsland, a former congressional candidate with a Harvard University MBA, pitched a claim that seemed rooted in evidence: Voting-machine audit logs — lines of codes and time stamps that document the machines’ activities — contained indications of vote manipulation. In the retrofitted hangar that served as his company’s offices at the edge of a municipal airstrip outside Dallas, Ramsland attempted to persuade Republican candidates to challenge their election results and force the release of additional data that might prove manipulation. “We had to find the right candidate,” said Laura Pressley, a former Ramsland ally whose own claim that audit logs showed fraud had been rejected in court two years earlier. “We had to find one who knew they won.” He made the pitch to Don Huffines, a state senator in Texas. Huffines declined.
Read MoreThis week, the Democrat-controlled Minnesota House is expected to vote on a bill legalizing marijuana — and it is expected to pass. It’s a very different situation in the Republican-controlled Senate, where powerful leaders are in a position to kill the bill and make sure its doesn’t even come up for a vote. But Republicans are beginning to move on this issue. Some point to the conservative state of South Dakota, where voters have voted for legalization. And at the legislature, some House Republicans are indicating their support. House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler has led the push for legalization. He was a guest on WCCO Sunday Morning. “We’ve been all over this state and I have seen Republicans, Independents, Democrats express support,” Winkler said. “This is not a partisan issue.” Democrats have a particular incentive to vote for legalization. There are now two political parties in the state devoted to making pot legal, and in the 2020 legislative elections it’s widely believed that Marijuana party candidates siphoned votes away from Democrats — allowing Republicans to retain control in the Minnesota Senate and pick up more seats in the House.
Read MoreThe Senate Rules Committee will hold a markup Tuesday of the For the People Act, a massive voting and elections bill. Democrats claim the bill is necessary to counter new voting restrictions being considered by multiple states, while Republicans decry it as federal overreach. Committee Chair Amy Klobuchar announced last month that the committee would hold a markup on the bill on May 11, after a hearing on the bill in late March. During a markup, members of the committee may propose changes or amendments to the bill, followed by a final vote on whether to advance the bill to the Senate floor. The House approved the For the People Act by a vote of 220 to 210 in March, with one Democrat joining all Republicans in voting against it. The bill would overhaul government ethics and campaign finance laws, and seek to strengthen voting rights by creating automatic voter registration and expanding access to early and absentee voting. It also includes some measures that would require states to overhaul their registration systems, limit states' ability to remove people from voter rolls, increase federal funds for election security, and reform the redistricting process. Klobuchar has proposed a manager's amendment. The large amendment contains multiple individual amendments offered by the senator managing debate on the bill and proposes changes in response to some criticisms about the bill's scope. Republicans unanimously oppose the bill, arguing that it amounts to a federal takeover of state-run elections. Some critics have called for breaking up the bill into smaller parts, and discarding some provisions. County election clerks and local election officials from both parties have also warned that some of the bill's provisions relating to election administration would be too difficult and expensive to implement.
Read MoreThose vaccinated in Los Angeles County have been getting digital records of their COVID-19 shots to download to their iPhones, and the company behind them says they can be used to prove vaccination, but they don’t work like a scannable “vaccine passports.” The digital records have been sent out to more than 2 million people in L.A. County, according to Healthvana, a health portal that’s also been sending some Angelenos their coronavirus test results. A link to the vaccine record arrives in text messages and emails from Healthvana sometime after people get their shots. The linked page prompts the user to enter their name and date of birth, then click to add the record to their Apple wallets just as they would with plane or concert tickets. The record lists the person’s name, type of vaccine they got, the dates each dose was administered and includes L.A. County’s seal and a QR code. But when scanned, the codes go to a static informational page on Healthvana’s website, not to a different unique page with personal information on the holder. It can’t be scanned by a venue to verify the proof of vaccination like the Excelsior Pass app New York is using but does explain what it is if a business does scan it. “We don’t view this as a passport,” Healthvana CEO Ramin Bastani told KTLA. “We view this first and foremost as your medical record protected by HIPAA.” The digital record has less information than the CDC vaccine card everyone gets after being inoculated, Bastani emphasized. “If you’re going to a party, or you’re going to a particular event, or your employer makes you, you can show your digital vaccination record, or your card, and they’ll compare it to a government issued ID,” he explained. “You’re showing it to whoever you want, if you ever want to,” he said.
Read MoreThe rally at the state capitol on April 20, the unofficial holiday for pot aficionados, brought out green-wigged supporters ringed in wisps of smoke. These days, they are far from the only people advocating for the legalization of marijuana. Black Lives Matter activists, who are seeking business opportunities for minority communities and say they have been hit hard by drug laws, joined the Hartford rally, as did labor organizers who want to see the industry unionized. More broadly, cannabis companies, banks and new marijuana trade organizations are deploying platoons of lobbyists to state capitals and Washington, D.C., to help shape the ground rules for the industry as more states legalize use, and as Congress weighs measures that could further legitimize the market. A decade ago, a handful of pro-pot companies and interest groups spent less than a half-million dollars on federal lobbying. By 2019, there were dozens of supporters, and they spent more than $8 million to hire about 130 registered lobbyists, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of public lobbying disclosures. Federal lobbying on cannabis declined last year amid the coronavirus pandemic and presidential election, but this year’s first-quarter reports show spending is rebounding. Banks including Morgan Stanley, as well as tobacco and alcohol companies, are beginning to weigh in on federal cannabis policy, according to lobbying records.
Read MoreCovid-19 vaccination record cards can easily be forged, and US law enforcers are keenly aware. For weeks, the FBI has warned the public against making, selling or encouraging printouts of fake versions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's white record card. And more than 40 state attorneys general last month warned social media and online shopping platforms to crack down on sales of blank or fraudulently completed cards. So, what's prompting the warnings?
Read MoreA California bar owner has been arrested for allegedly selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards in what's believed to be the first thwarted scheme of its kind. Undercover agents with the state's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control bought the bogus cards for $20 each during multiple visits to the Old Corner Saloon in Clements, a small town in San Joaquin County. The agents were told to write their names and birth dates on sticky notes and watched as employees cut the cards, added phony vaccination dates and laminated them, the Associated Press reported. "On the back where they put the two dates when you were vaccinated, they used two different color pens to make it look like it was two different times," supervising agent Luke Blehm told the AP. "So they went to some effort to make it look authentic." The owner, Todd Anderson, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with identity theft, forging government documents, falsifying medical records and having a loaded unregistered handgun, San Joaquin County District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar said in a statement this week.
Read MoreA California bar owner was arrested this week on charges that he had sold fake Covid-19 vaccination cards at his business, prosecutors said. The owner, Todd Anderson, 59, of Acampo, Calif., was arrested on Tuesday and charged with identity theft, forging government documents, falsifying medical records and having a loaded unregistered handgun, Tori Verber Salazar, the San Joaquin County district attorney, said in a statement this week. “It is disheartening to have members in our community show flagrant disregard for public health in the midst of a pandemic,” Ms. Salazar said in the statement. “Distributing, falsifying or purchasing fake COVID-19 vaccine cards is against the law and endangers yourself and those around you.”Mr. Anderson declined to comment on Friday. His arraignment is set for May 18. Agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control began their investigation into Mr. Anderson after they received a complaint stating that fake cards were being sold at his business, the Old Corner Saloon in Clements, Calif., which is about 40 miles southeast of Sacramento.
Read MoreThe lesson we have learned all too well from the COVID-19 pandemic is to “follow the science” when formulating health policy. Yet, science is unfortunately taking a back seat as state houses across the country hastily approve marijuana legalization laws. Last month, for example, legalization in New York State coincided with the publication of a new study by the National Institute on Drug Addiction (NIDA) showing that, among teenagers, cannabis can be nearly as addictive as prescription opioids — a finding that failed to compel Albany lawmakers to strengthen safeguards. As more and more states line up to legalize, a closer look at the New York law reveals how legalization is weighted in favor of the increasingly powerful cannabis industry — rather than protecting vulnerable populations, including young people. While the law does focus on such worthy goals as marijuana decriminalization and achieving social equity and criminal-justice reform — in addition to helping communities disproportionately harmed by the failed War on Drugs — it is weak on regulating the soon-to-boom marijuana market.
Read MoreAfter narrowly failing to pass a wider-ranging medical cannabis decriminalization bill, advocates for the legislation struck an agreement with opponents in the Tennessee legislature for a watered down version. The bill flew through six specially called House committees and a Senate committee Tuesday, one of the final days of the legislative session, after members from both chambers who were for and against an earlier measure reached a deal. It narrowly passed the Senate on a vote of 20-12, with some members who voted against arguing the legislation did not go far enough. Others remained strictly opposed to any form of marijuana legalization. In the House, the bill passed much easier on Wednesday, 74-17.
Read MoreLeading voices in Congress say the nation's top cybersecurity agency needs better resources to handle growing threats to critical services like water and power. One step: centralizing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's authority to track vulnerabilities in industrial control systems that power the nation's critical infrastructure, Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) said yesterday. The top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee touted legislation he helped introduce earlier this year that would grant CISA leadership the authority to coordinate federal response to such vulnerabilities. Concerns about cybersecurity threats to the systems powering America's critical infrastructure have escalated after a cybercriminal attempted to poison a water plant on Oldsmar, Florida earlier this year. A series of foreign attacks on popular software used by critical systems, including SolarWinds and Microsoft exchange, have also underscored the need for better protective efforts. Katko and other leaders stressed the agency will need significant additional resources to expand its mission. Katko has urged Congress to give CISA a $5 billion budget, a number more than double its current budget. In the interim, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging Congress to infuse $400 million into th agency on top of the $650 million it received in the March coronavirus relief package.
Read MoreWhen we asked readers how they feel about carrying a digital passport to COVID-19 vaccination, we received more than 1,000 responses via survey and social media. What we learned: readers are divided on the issue. Passport programs are in development and being rolled out nationwide and worldwide. The White House said in March that it will not create a central vaccination database or mandate vaccine passports and Gov. Charlie Baker said he’s focused on vaccinating people right now and doesn’t want to talk about vaccine passports. In New York, an app called “Excelsior Pass” displays proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test and has been used at restaurants, weddings, and venues such as Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium, according to The New York Times. While about half, 53 percent, said they welcome vaccine passports for peace of mind when traveling and attending crowded events, 44 percent of our survey respondents said they are against using a vaccine passport because it infringes on their rights. The remaining three percent said ‘it depends.’ “It’s unbelievable that people don’t see the dangerous precedent this would set,” wrote B from Watertown. “Once having to ‘show your papers’ starts, when will it end? Will you need to show you’ve never been treated for mental illness, or never been arrested or incarcerated to enter a venue? After all, some would say the mentally ill or those with a criminal record are ‘dangerous.'” “It’s fine if you don’t want to get vaccinated,” wrote Dan Dever. “But be ready to pay the consequences when you start getting refused airline boardings, restaurant reservations, and basically anything that has to do with mass gatherings. Cuz, it’s coming! Then what will you do?” Ahead, readers explain their stance on vaccine passports.
Read MoreOne month after 45 state attorneys general pleaded with e-commerce sites to ban ads for fake CDC vaccination cards, some of the sales have migrated to the encrypted social media app Telegram. “Keep your family and loved ones safe by not letting them get injected with this Covid vacccines [sic],” wrote one Telegram user who identified himself as a doctor. “Inbox us and we’ll get you the cards without any vaccine.” Another Telegram account, which called itself a pharmacy, posted a picture of a blank CDC card with the caption, “Clients who want only vaccination record cards – Now available.” When the I-Team asked the pharmacy account for a sample vaccination card with no name on it, the seller quoted a price of $89 plus shipping — with payment in the form of an iTunes gift card. After the I-Team sent the gift card, the seller said a real person’s name would be required to produce the sample CDC card. After providing the name of an I-Team producer, the Telegram pharmacy account produced a counterfeit CDC card that included not only our producer’s name, but what appeared to be a real Moderna lot number alongside a real New Jersey pharmacy. The I-Team never requested real vaccine information to be included on the card. But the digital purchase demonstrates just how easy it is for people to obtain what seem to be real COVID vaccination records without ever getting the shot.
Read MoreJust hours before he was set to board a flight home to Argentina on Saturday, Santiago Solans Portillo received some news that appeared to throw a wrench in his travel plans: His coronavirus test had come back positive, authorities say. But when the 29-year-old arrived at the airport in Miami, he made no such disclosure to the American Airlines agents checking him in, instead presenting a medical certificate that said he was fit to fly. It was only the following day, when he landed in Buenos Aires and health officials took his temperature, finding he had a fever of 101.3 degrees, that he made his confession: He probably had covid-19 — and should not have boarded the plane. “Due to this irresponsible, selfish behavior, 200 people are at risk despite having done the right thing while traveling,” Florencia Carignano, Argentina’s top immigration official, told reporters this week.
Read MoreMichael has struggled with kidney disease since he was in his early 20s serving in the military. The high stress of the job ultimately put him in the hospital, and he was not able to return to the service due to his condition. The 37-year-old Virginia Beach resident, who requested his name be changed because of concerns about retaliation from future employers, said that a nurse mentioned during that hospital stay that marijuana could help alleviate many of his symptoms, like nausea and vomiting. But at the time, the substance was not legal in Virginia. In order to pursue that treatment, Michael had a relative send him marijuana from a state where it was legal. But police tracked the package back to Michael, and he was arrested and charged with felony possession and intent to distribute in 2015. He was convicted and sentenced to three years of probation. At the time, Michael was working in an administrative role for a federal government contractor, and having two felonies on his record prevented him from advancing in his job.
Read MoreThe D.C. Council will vote later Tuesday on legislation that would reserve some new medical marijuana business licenses for people who were previously incarcerated for drug-related offenses — the latest effort by city lawmakers to bolster equity in the expanding industry. The bill, introduced by Council member Robert White (D-At Large), comes as Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) is considering legislation passed last month that allows people with felony convictions to work at medical dispensaries, cultivation centers or testing labs. The council unanimously approved that legislation, which also makes it legal for people with felony convictions to own and operate medical cannabis businesses if they haven’t been convicted of certain crimes within three years of filing an application. White says his bill goes a step further by instructing the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration, which oversees the medical cannabis program, to reserve at least one dispensary license, one cultivation center license and one testing lab license for businesses that are majority-owned by people who were previously incarcerated for drug crimes whenever new licenses are next approved.
Read MoreCorporations including HP, Levi Strauss, Microsoft and Patagonia are expressing concern about proposed changes to voting rules in Texas, where the Republican-controlled legislature is backing bills that would make it harder for some residents to cast ballots. "We stand together, as a nonpartisan coalition, calling on elected leaders in Texas to support reforms that make democracy more accessible and oppose any changes that would restrict eligible voters' access to the ballot," the companies and other groups stated in a letter released Tuesday by Fair Elections Texas, a recently formed group that includes former Dallas mayor Ron Kirk. Signed by more than 50 entities, including a number of Texas chambers of commerce, the missive urged business and civic leaders to "call upon lawmakers to uphold our ever elusive core democratic principle: equality."
Read MoreWith some of the country’s largest swing states passing new laws that restrict how voters can cast ballots - and Texas potentially on the verge of joining them - good government watchdogs and voting rights groups have sounded alarms about partisan “solutions in search of problems.” Significant voting restrictions signed into law - or currently advancing through legislatures - in dozens of states include making it more onerous to obtain mail ballots, less convenient to submit mail ballots, and easier for partisan groups to both have a presence at the polls and challenge election counts. Most of the proposed restrictions poll poorly across the general electorate, but the news isn’t ubiquitously bad, either, for those who want it to be easier to cast a ballot.
Read MoreOver 60 U.S. stadiums and other venues are deploying an app from Clear to verify people’s COVID-19 status, placing the New York company known for its airport security fast lanes at the forefront of a national debate over “vaccine passports.” Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants and New York Mets are among the first big businesses to demand guests prove they tested negative for the virus or are immunized against it. While the teams welcome paper proof, they encourage downloading records onto Clear's Health Pass feature for convenience. As with mask mandates, such requirements are under attack from Republican politicians and anti-surveillance activists, as un-American intrusions on civil liberties. They fear businesses will discriminate against the unvaccinated and unnecessarily amass personal data. Republican governors including in Florida and Texas last month moved to bar some establishments from asking about immunization status, though legal experts say door-checks are lawful to protect public health.
Read MoreNeeding documents to travel is nothing new — after all, checking in for a flight requires some form of ID, and if you’re bound for somewhere foreign, it’ll have to be a passport. The same goes for car or train trips that cross the U.S. border, where from 2023 you’ll need that blue booklet or a state-issued Real ID. But a passport to simply check into a hotel or board a cruise ship? It’s a distinct possibility in this age of pandemic-related restrictions. The idea of so-called vaccine passports proving inoculation against Covid-19 is gaining momentum in some quarters, as consumer interest in travel and tourism picks up along with the pace of vaccination. Nearly half, or 46%, of vaccinated Americans plan to travel this summer, according to marketing software company Redpoint Global. And once more travel restrictions are lifted, 79% of them plan to travel as often or more as they did pre-pandemic. With more than 105 million Americans fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that means that more than 48 million could be traveling soon.
Read MoreSix months after Costa Mesa voters resoundingly approved Measure Q — a move to legalize retail cannabis sales and delivery — city officials on Tuesday adopted legislation intended to regulate such businesses while weeding out bad actors. “Out of humility I’ve said it’s not perfect, and that’s probably true,” Mayor John Stephens said of an ordinance that will allow dispensaries in commercial zones but institute a 1,000 barrier from sensitive uses, such as K-12 schools, playgrounds, child daycare centers and homeless shelters. “But we’re never going to get perfect, and we shouldn’t have the perfect be the enemy of the good,” Stephens continued. “And these ordinances drafted are very good, very well thought out and very considered by staff and by the council.” The law will also prohibit pot shops from opening within 600 feet of youth centers, where children socialize; buffer distances will be measured, in a straight line, even through what some claim is the impenetrable barrier that is the 405 Freeway. Costa Mesa will impose a 7% tax on all cannabis goods — a move that’s estimated could bring in $3 million to the city annually but which, on top of sales tax and a state excise tax, will constitute a 30% levy customers will have to pay. While no cap will be placed on the number of businesses in town, any property where an illegal business has operated in the past cannot be granted a retail permit until at least one year has passed. A recommendation by the city’s planning commission to prohibit dispensaries from doing business within 500 feet of one another was overruled by a set of recommendations made by an ad hoc subcommittee just prior to an April 20 first reading and approved in a 5-2 vote.
Read MoreTennessee lawmakers didn't agree to make medical marijuana legal in the state this year but did pass legislation that could pave the way in the future. On the final day of this legislative session, members reached an agreement on a bill that would form a special commission to study the legalization of medical marijuana in Tennessee. The legislation would also decriminalize the possession of cannabis oil containing 0.9% or less of THC for patients with specific medical conditions. The committee, made up of nine members appointed by the leaders of both houses and the governor, would study laws and legislation regarding the medical use of cannabis. The members would be tasked with preparing recommendations on how best to "establish an effective, patient-focused medical cannabis program in this state and include proposed legislation in its recommendations." A growing number of states have approved the use of marijuana for those with serious health problems and those whose conditions are terminal. The new legislation says people with nine debilitating medical conditions could possess and use the specifically defined cannabis oil if they have a letter from a doctor. Those illnesses include Alzheimer's disease; ALS; end stage cancer; inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; epilepsy or seizures; multiple sclerosis; Parkinson's disease; HIV or AIDS; and sickle cell disease. The letters from the doctors would only be good for six months, and the patients would have to obtain the oil from out of state because it cannot be sold in Tennessee. Governor Bill Lee still has to sign the bill before it becomes law. Sen. Becky Duncan Massey (R-Knoxville) sponsored a bill this session that would have decriminalized the use of cannabis for people with those same debilitating diseases. It failed to pass, but she believes support is growing in the state. “That the attitudes toward marijuana, I think are changing,” said Massey in an interview last month with WBIR.
Read MoreLawmakers need to start with prevention if they want to stem the growing threat of cyberattacks in which cybercriminals seize computer systems for ransom, witnesses told the House Homeland cybersecurity subcommittee yesterday. “A dollar spent to prevent crime will be more effective than a dollar spent to recover from it,” said Megan Stifel, executive director of the Americas at the Global Cyber Alliance. Lawmakers have in recent months stressed the urgency of finding policy solutions to address what former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency director Chris Krebs called “a global digital pandemic.” Over the past year thousands of critical services, including hospitals, schools and police departments, have been shutdown by cyberattacks using malicious software known as ransomware. Payment demands from cybercriminals have skyrocketed during that time. Estimates show cybercriminals made more than $300 millions off the attacks last year, more than three times the year prior. Criminals have also increasingly turned to leaking victims' data, something that can lead to further damage.“These attacks are more than a mere inconvenience,” said subcommittee chair Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.). “They are a national security threat.” Witnesses at the hearing emphasized a need for strengthening resources for preparing for and recovering from attacks. John Davis, vice president at public sector at Palo Alto Networks, told lawmakers the United States needs to lead by example by developing a clear framework for ransomware mitigation, response and recovery. He said precise security standards aimed at preventing attacks is the most important step toward reining in the ransomware crisis. “The adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is especially true in the case of ransomware, because once you've been hit, you've already lost the battle and can only play a painful catch up game," he said.
Read MoreLawmakers in Texas were set to vote on Republican-sponsored election legislation Thursday after Florida’s Republican governor signed that state’s election bill into law. Republicans say the laws include new measures that will increase election security, while Democrats contend they will restrict voting access, particularly for minority communities. The Texas bill has received pushback from civil-rights groups and corporations. The White House criticized the Florida law after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it, and several groups jointly sued in federal court, arguing the law would impede voters’ access to the ballot box. The Texas bill and Florida Law follow a Georgia law, passed in March, that included new identification requirements for mail-in voters and set limits on drop boxes. The Texas House is expected to vote on a bill that would increase criminal penalties for some voting irregularities. If it passes, it could be harmonized alongside a bill already passed by the state Senate that limits early voting hours, prohibits drive-through voting and allows partisan poll watchers to photograph people voting.
Read MoreAfter weeks of debate and political maneuvering, the nation's next showdown over state voting rights lands in Texas on Thursday, when the Republican-backed House Bill 6 -- which seeks to revise the state's election laws -- heads to a floor vote. As written, HB 6 states the path to ensuring "election integrity and security" will come through "increasing criminal penalties" and "creating criminal offenses," which Democrats and voting rights activists said amounts to voter suppression tactics that would disproportionately affect communities of color. "We predict that if these provisions become law, that you're going to have Anglo-watchers-slash-vigilantes disrupting polling places in primarily places where people of color vote (from) inside the polling place, and that voters will feel so uncomfortable that they will simply leave without casting their ballot," said Nina Perales, who serves as vice president of litigation for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, during a Wednesday press call. In its current form, the bill makes it a state felony for election officials to send out mail-voting applications to voters if they did not individually request the forms. HB 6 also requires people who help voters cast their ballots to submit documentation describing why the voter needed help, even if the voter needed assistance due to medical reasons. The person assisting the voter is also required to submit their own personal contact information and must include their relationship to the voter. Additionally, the bill expands the access granted to poll watchers within polling places, and states that a poll watcher can only be removed "if the poll watcher engages in activity that would constitute an offense related to election fraud."
Read MoreThe Biden administration on Wednesday threw its support behind a controversial proposal to waive intellectual property protections for coronavirus vaccines, with liberals framing it as a necessary bid to speed the shots to billions in the developing world, while the drug industry warned of devastating effects to vaccine production. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the United States will now move forward with international discussions to waive the protections for the duration of the pandemic. U.S. officials helped block a World Trade Organization proposal that was introduced last year to stop enforcing patents for coronavirus-related medical products. Dozens of developing countries have pushed for the proposal, arguing that it would allow them to rapidly produce their own generic vaccines, rather than wait months or years for sufficient doses. “This is a global health crisis, and the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic call for extraordinary measures. The Administration believes strongly in intellectual property protections, but in service of ending this pandemic, supports the waiver of those protections for COVID-19 vaccines,” Tai said in a statement. The decision to go forward with the waiver after weeks of internal deliberations was finalized at a White House meeting on Tuesday with President Biden, said senior administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the deliberations. Staff at the meeting included Tai, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients, and Bruce Reed, deputy chief of staff for policy, all of whom supported the decision. But Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who had concerns about the waiver, was not included in the meeting, the people said. The Commerce Department declined to comment. Liberals had lobbied Biden to move quickly as coronavirus cases are surging in India and around the world. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and colleagues celebrated Biden’s decision as a necessary step for saving lives while restoring America’s position on the global stage.
Read MoreTodd Anderson, the San Joaquin County bar owner accused of selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards, is set to appear in court May 18 in Lodi. His suspected actions may be shining a light on a bigger problem. Investigators with the Alcoholic Beverage Control, or ABC, said they were first tipped off by the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, which led to an undercover operation, then to the discovery of fake cards, laminators, and then Anderson in handcuffs. The FBI has warned that selling or buying counterfeit vaccination cards is illegal and the use of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Health Department's seals is considered identity theft. While real cards are easy to fake, Ginger Manss, with the Community Medical Centers (CMC) said actual data is not so easy to hack. "It's not just the card, there's backup documentation that coincides, and if you can't prove that, that card doesn't help you at all,” said Manss, who is the chief nursing officer with CMC. Manss explained that backup documentation will exist in a state database. For imposters, it's not just the law you're breaking. You may be putting lives in danger. "You're a safety risk to anybody who may be immuno-suppressed, if they get COVID, the concern with not getting vaccinated does go back to the variants. Viruses by nature mutate,” Manss explained. ABC has said there is a second person involved who may be facing charges. A spokeswoman with the San Joaquin County District Attorney's office said this is all part of an ongoing investigation. KCRA attempted to speak with the manager of The Old Corner Saloon but he declined an interview.
Read MoreAlabama's State Legislature voted to legalize medical marijuana late Thursday, becoming the most recent state to possibly approve its use amid ongoing talks over revamping cannabis laws. The measure would create a medical cannabis commission to regulate, license and oversee distribution of medical marijuana. Doctors could prescribe medical marijuana for several conditions including cancer, a terminal illness, epilepsy and chronic pain. Patients would receive medical cannabis cards, and vaping or smoking of medical marijuana would be prohibited while products including gummies, oils or creams are allowed. The House version of SB 46 passed 68-34 in the chamber with bipartisan support Thursday after a vote on the measure had been blocked by Republicans during a nearly nine-hour debate in the chamber Tuesday night. The Senate, which initially passed the measure in February, approved of amendments to the legislation made by the House on Thursday night by a 20-9 vote, with one abstention. The legislation now heads to Gov. Kay Ivey's desk for her signature. Gina Maiola, press secretary for Ivey, told CNN in an email Thursday that "as with any piece of legislation that reaches the governor's desk, we look forward to thoroughly reviewing it." "We appreciate the debate from the Legislature on the topic," Maiola continued. "This is certainly an emotional issue. We are sensitive to that and will give it the diligence it deserves."
Read MoreIdaho has become the last state to legalize industrial hemp, more than two years after the passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) legalized it as a commodity crop. On April 16, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 126 into law, legalizing the production, processing, research and transportation of industrial hemp with up to 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the state, beginning with the spring 2022 growing season, the legislation states. Since the passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill) and the 2018 Farm Bill, the conversation of hemp legalization in Idaho has been an ongoing debate. The state focused on how it could create a bill that would provide Idaho farmers the opportunity to grow hemp while still maintaining an enforceable drug policy, said Braden Jensen, the deputy director of governmental affairs and national affairs coordinator at the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, a grassroots organization affiliated with the American Farm Bureau Federation that advocates for the agricultural community. "The state wanted to be methodical, careful and cautious as they went forward with legalization," he said. “That was kind of the balance that attempted to be struck with the bill that passed this year, and we have seen different variations of the bill over time that have tried to have that appropriate balance." Compared to other state's hemp laws, Jensen said the bill is very "narrowly tailored," as it only applies to licensed growers and processors. He also notes that the sale of hemp products containing any amount of THC to Idaho consumers is still prohibited, as was the case before the law passed. The bill permits hemp to be grown and processed in the state, outlining regulations in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) final rule and the 2018 Farm Bill, he said. A state management hemp plan and state regulations must be in place before hemp cultivation can begin in Idaho, and the state is already working to construct both, he said. "We see them putting together a hemp website on their webpage, and anybody interested in participating in that can sign up to receive notifications of when those rulemaking meetings would happen—that is specifically for the state regulations and rules," he said. "But when it comes to the state management [hemp] plan, there is a state house bill that was passed that specified the [hemp] plan has to be put together in consultation with a law enforcement officer, the governor's office and the Idaho agriculture industry." The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) must prepare and submit a state management hemp plan that complies with the 2018 Farm Bill rules and regulations no later than Sept. 1, 2021, as previously reported by Hemp Grower.
Read MoreOf all the flaws in the perplexing “audit” of the 2020 election in Maricopa County, Arizona, the hypocrisy shines through most clearly. As Donald Trump and his allies grasped at straws to cast doubt on the results of last year’s presidential race, they settled on a few common complaints. They said that the election process was tainted by procedures that had been hastily changed in the lead-up to voting, that it was run by partisan hacks, that outside observers were provided insufficient access to oversee the process, and that the election was corrupted by private money given by philanthropists to boards of elections to help them adapt to the pandemic. Now, more than six months after the election, the circus in Arizona, ordered by the state Senate, has become the last stand of the denialists. The review has attracted the close attention of Trump himself, who has fired off repeated, blustery statements about the count from his Mar-a-Lago exile. But Arizona is committing all the same sins that Trump’s supporters have been denouncing, using a brazenly partisan process run by apparently unqualified parties, with procedures kept secret and subject to change. Observers are being asked to sign nondisclosure agreements, reporters have been kicked out of the site, and the exercise is being largely funded by interested outside parties—even though the Arizona legislature recently passed a law that prevents local boards from accepting outside funding. If this is what it takes to conduct the count, the cure is worse than the disease—except that there is no disease, because there’s no evidence of widespread fraud in Maricopa County, and this is no cure. The point of election audits is to make voters feel more secure about the state of elections, but this one is certain to leave people feeling less confident about the process. “The goalposts keep moving,” Tammy Patrick, a senior adviser at the Democracy Fund, told me. “There will never be satisfaction, because the answer is not going to change. Joe Biden won Arizona free and fair and he is our legitimate president. There’s a portion of our electorate that will not believe that, because they continue to be told that the election was stolen.” The Maricopa exercise is a badly flawed process built atop a fatally flawed premise. The premise is that the 2020 election was tainted by fraud, but despite frantic efforts, Trump and his allies have failed to produce evidence of widespread fraud. (In one of the few proven cases of individual fraud, a Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty this week to voting absentee for Trump in the name of his late mother. Arizona, and Maricopa County in particular, has already been under close scrutiny, because narrow victories in the state helped Joe Biden secure the presidency and sent Mark Kelly to the Senate. In November, Maricopa conducted a hand count of a sample of ballots under state law and found no discrepancies in the county. Earlier this year, Maricopa County also ordered a forensic audit of votes, which was conducted by three separate firms, including a certified public accountancy and two voting-systems labs accredited by the federal Election Assistance Commission. The audit searched for hacking of machines, vote-switching, and malicious software, and found none. All of this was done under the law as laid out by the Arizona legislature.
Read MoreRep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) is requesting about $250 million — approximately double the current budget — for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's center for detecting risks to critical infrastructure and the telecommunications supply chain. The request is just one part of the $2.5 billion the House Homeland Security Committee's ranking Republican is seeking for the nation's top cybersecurity agency during the appropriations process. The overall 25 percent increase is a nearly half billion dollar increase to the funds suggested for the agency in the Biden administration proposal sent to Congress last month. Lawmakers have pushed for greater funding for the agency in the wake of a massive Russian hack that infiltrated nine federal agencies, a Chinese hacking campaign that left thousands of small businesses and local governments vulnerable and a surge of ransomware attacks. (Both China and Russia have denied involvement in the hacking campaigns.) “It is imperative that we put CISA on track to be a $5 billion agency within the next five years — to fully live up to its mandate as the nation’s lead civilian cybersecurity agency,” Katko said in his request. “A 25 [percent] annual increase will continue this rightful trajectory. With this funding will naturally come enhanced scrutiny and oversight to ensure that Congress sees a robust [return on investment] in this critical investment.”
Read MoreIn order to minimise errors during vaccination registration, the CoWIN system has introduced a “4 digit security code” from May 8. Now, after verification if the beneficiary has been found as eligible, before administering the vaccine dose, the verifier or vaccinator will ask beneficiary about his or her 4 digit code and then enter the same in the CoWIN system to correctly record the vaccination status. "It has been noticed in some instances that citizens that had booked their appointment for Covid vaccination through the CoWIN portal, but did not actually go for vaccination on the scheduled date, have received notification through SMS that a vaccine dose has been administered to them. Upon examination, it has been found to occur largely on account of the Vaccinator wrongly marking the citizen as vaccinated, i.e. an instance of a data entry error by the vaccinator," said the government on Friday. This new feature will be applicable only for citizens who have done an online booking for a vaccination slot. The “4-digit security code” will be printed in the appointment acknowledgement slip and will not be known to the vaccinator. The four-digit code will also be sent in the confirmation SMS sent to beneficiary after successful booking of appointment. The Appointment acknowledgement slip can also be saved and shown from the mobile.
Read MoreThe Old Corner Saloon fashions itself as a small-town institution. Sitting on a historic plot of land in California’s Central Valley, the bar offers free pool, weekend karaoke and a regular “Ladies Night” — “the place where old friends return,” its website says. But lately, state authorities allege, patrons have visited the establishment for a service unmentioned on its social media accounts or in its overwhelmingly positive Google reviews: to buy a fake coronavirus vaccination card. Agents with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control arrested Old Corner’s owner on Tuesday, charging 59-year-old Todd Anderson with three felony crimes, including identity theft, forging government documents and carrying an unregistered firearm. He was also charged with falsifying medical records, a misdemeanor. Authorities suspect another bar employee in the case, but the investigation is ongoing. It is the California agency’s first arrest for the sale of fraudulent vaccine cards, said spokesman John Carr. State and federal officials say they aren’t aware of any others elsewhere in the country, either. If it is the first case of its kind nationally, it would represent a watershed moment in the coming fight against the forgeries that security experts have long warned about.
Read MoreTexas' medical cannabis program, one of the most tightly regulated in the nation, may be expanded this year by the Texas Legislature — but time is running out. One of the proposals with the most momentum took a step forward May 20 when it was referred to the Senate State Affairs committee. House Bill 1535 would allow thousands, if not millions, more patients access to low-THC medical cannabis — and boost a nascent sector of the state economy. The bill would expand the ailments treatable by cannabis from seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, autism, terminal cancer and a few other diseases to include chronic pain, post traumatic stress disorder and all forms of cancer. The state's medical cannabis program, called the Compassionate Use Program, had just 5,413 patients as of April. That's up from 1,863 patients in April 2020. “We thank the [lieutenant governor] for giving the Senate an opportunity to weigh in on this important legislation that could help millions of Texans," said Morris Denton, CEO of medical cannabis dispensary Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation. HB 1535 also proposes increasing the amount of THC allowed in the medicine from 0.5% to 5%. That is still far below the level of tetrahydrocannabinol found in recreational pot, which can be greater than 15%. The bill was initially received from the House on May 3 but didn't see any movement for more than a week. On May 17, the Texas Legislature's website showed that the bill had been co-sponsored in the Senate by Brownsville Democrat Eddie Lucio Jr., Georgetown Republican Charles Schwertner, Houston Republican Paul Bettencourt and San Angelo Republican Charles Perry. But by May 18 the co-sponsors had disappeared. Cristie Strake, a staffer in Sen. Bettencourt's office, said May 18 that the removal of the Senate co-sponsors was due to a clerical error; a bill is not permitted to have Senate sponsors and co-sponsors before being referred to committee. Strake added that Bettencourt did intend to sponsor the legislation and that "all the sponsors that were there are still accurate." Representatives for Sen. Perry and Sen. Lucio, Jr. confirmed May 18 that both intended to remain as co-sponsors of the bill. Efforts to reach Sen. Schwertner were unsuccessful. Both Lucio and Schwertner sit on the state affairs committee, which has already considered other cannabis-related legislation this session. House Bill 2593 — which would reduce penalties for possession of cannabis-infused products, such as edibles, and treat them more like traditional marijuana — was reported favorably out of committee on May 20 and is awaiting a Senate vote.
Read MoreA bill to ban the sale of psychoactive cannabinoids synthesized from hemp – such as Delta-8 THC – at shops not licensed as cannabis retailers in Michigan is headed to the House after passing the Committee on Regulatory Reform, MLive reports. The bill expands the definition of cannabis to include THC “regardless of whether it is artificially or naturally derived” and put regulation of the cannabinoids under the state’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency. Currently, the products can be found at some traditional retailers in the state, such as convenience stores. Republican state Rep. Pat Outman said the unregulated cannabinoids remind him of other “sketchy substances that are working their way into gas stations and other retail places” and that there are “no consumer protections or any sort of regulatory structure” for the products. Dave Crabill, a spokesman for trade group iHemp Michigan, said hemp that can be used for Delta-8 has “the highest value right now” for producers.
Read MoreI have seen many letters to the editor and references to the election process recently, and while I know it is impolite to brag – Ohio gets it right. We are lucky to live in a state that has consistently executed successful elections. It starts with strong leadership at the top, but more importantly, the process has been successful because of our hardworking, bipartisan election officials. Our friends and neighbors – both Democrat and Republican – work together tirelessly to protect the integrity of our elections. During my six years on the Medina County Board of Elections, I saw the amazing work our “team” does! It has been my pleasure to work on the Ohio Election Security and Modernization Act with my fellow state representative Bill Seitz. Our mission: to codify our current procedures with the goal of making it easy to vote – but hard to cheat. In addition, we looked at the recommendations of Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and our Ohio Association of Election Officials. After all, just like a successful business, we can’t rest on our laurels. We have to innovate and improve. Those improvements include: · Securely requesting an absentee ballot online.·Making it easier to register or update your voter registration when you visit the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). · Expanding the definition of voter activity to include petition signatures or BMV activity to reduce the probability of active voters from being removed from the voter rolls.
Read MoreArizona’s top elections official on Thursday urged the state’s most populous county to replace hundreds of voting machines that have been examined as part of a Republican-backed review of the state’s November election. The request added fuel to charges by impartial election observers and voting rights advocates that the review, ordered in December by the Republicans who control the State Senate, had become a political sham. In a letter to officials of Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, the elections official, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, said it was unclear whether companies hired to conduct the review had sufficiently safeguarded the equipment from tampering during their review of votes. Ms. Hobbs, a Democrat, recommended that the county replace its 385 voting machines and nine vote tabulators because “the lack of physical security and transparency means we cannot be certain who accessed the voting equipment and what might have been done to them.” The advisory, in a letter to the county’s board of supervisors, did not contend that the machines had been breached. But Ms. Hobbs wrote that she had “grave concerns regarding the security and integrity of these machines, given that the chain of custody, a critical security tenet, has been compromised.” She added that she had first consulted experts at the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the national authority for election security issues.
Read MoreThe partisan 2020 “audit” in Arizona may not only erode public confidence in the election process—it could literally compromise the security of voting systems in the state. Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs warned Maricopa County officials on Thursday that in turning over voting machines to Republican legislators and Cyber Ninjas, the private firm hired to oversee the recount, the integrity of the equipment has been jeopardized and it must be replaced. “Once election officials lose custody and control over voting systems and components, those devices should not be reused in future elections,” Hobbs wrote in a letter. “Rather, decommissioning and replacing those devices is the safest option as no methods exist to adequately ensure those machines are safe to use in future elections.”
Read MoreThe Covid-19 pandemic introduced a wave of challenges for organizations worldwide. In an instant, they had to build and secure vast, remote environments to support home working while users remained isolated from enterprise cybersecurity defenses. Cybercriminals quickly took advantage of this much larger and often poorly secured attack surface. Since the start of the pandemic, most organizations reported an increase in targeted cyberattacks. Threats came in all forms, from ransomware to email phishing campaigns leveraging Covid-19-related lures. Now, with the end of the pandemic in sight, cybersecurity teams face another potential headache — the vaccine passport.Designed to prove that a traveler is vaccinated or recently tested negative for Covid-19, many are touting vaccine passports as the best way to revive travel around the U.S. and beyond. However, they also represent an attractive target for cybercriminals. Vaccine passports will be an email phishing lure — and if they can be monetized, then they'll certainly be a target. A bad actor simply needs to set up a website with convincing branding, and it can trick unsuspecting phishing victims into revealing their credentials and other personal information.
Read MoreLouisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, expressed his belief that marijuana will soon be legalized in his state, while asserting that he still has concerns about allowing people to consume the plant. The Louisiana state legislature was considering a bill that would have taxed cannabis as lawmakers there pushed for legalization. But that legislation was rejected in the state House on Tuesday, making it unlikely that cannabis will be legalized in the southern state this year. However, Edwards suggested in a live radio interview on Wednesday that he believes marijuana will be legalized in the near future. "In the past, as a legislator and as governor, I've been opposed to legalizing recreational marijuana," he said on the monthly program Ask the Governor broadcast on local radio. "I will tell you, I have come to believe that it is going to happen in Louisiana eventually." "I'm not quite comfortable yet," the governor added, "but I understand we're likely to get there in the next several years."
Read MoreA study published in the scientific journal Addiction provides evidence of the association between recreational cannabis laws in U.S. states and responses in the illegal markets for cannabis, heroin and other drugs. The study found that the implementation of recreational cannabis laws was associated with a decrease illicit cannabis prices, and an increase in the prices of heroin and oxycodone, the news and information source Newswise reported. Following were some of the reported responses in the illegal drug market in those states studied: 2% decrease in street/illegal cannabis prices. 5% decrease in low-quality street/illegal cannabis prices. 64% increase in heroin prices. 54% increase in heroin potency. 3% increase in street/illegal oxycodone prices. 1% increase in street/illegal hydrocodone prices. 93% decrease in law enforcement seizures of street/illegal cannabis >50% decrease in law enforcement seizures of heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodone. Angélica Meinhofer, assistant professor of population health sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine, told Newswise that the findings suggest that markets for illegal drugs may not be independent of legal cannabis market regulation. “As more states move towards legalization and additional post-(recreational cannabis law) implementation data become available, we’ll need to do more research to determine whether recreational cannabis laws cause those changes in the illegal market and what happens in the long-term,” Meinhofer said. The study used crowdsourced data from Price of Weed and StreetRx on the price and quality of illegal drugs, which may be subject to error and sampling bias.
Read MoreWith less than two weeks left in Texas’ legislative session, medical marijuana advocates are ratcheting up pressure on Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who they say is blocking an effort to expand the state’s Compassionate Use Program. House Bill 1535, by state Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, would expand the state’s medical cannabis program to include those with chronic pain, all cancer patients and Texans with post-traumatic stress disorder. It would also authorize the Department of State Health Services to add additional qualifying conditions through administrative rulemaking. Current law requires the Legislature to pass a bill to expand eligibility. The Texas House voted 134-12 last month to send the proposal to the state Senate, where it has languished in a legislative purgatory. The upper chamber received the bill May 3, but it has not yet been referred to a committee, let alone voted on and sent to the floor. Wednesday is the last day the Senate can take up bills. Patrick, who leads the Senate, has the final say on which bills are considered and to which committees they’ll be referred. His office did not respond to a request for comment. “It’s difficult to come up with any explanation that makes sense as to why the lieutenant governor would block this legislation,” said Heather Fazio, director of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy. She added that the legislation is a “carefully crafted and moderate expansion” with wide bipartisan backing. Fazio said state Sens. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, and Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, who are both doctors, have voiced support for HB 1535. Spokespeople for Schwertner and Campbell did not respond to requests for comment. Nick Etten, founder of the Veterans Cannabis Project, said in a statement that the medical marijuana expansion would provide “a vital lifeline to military veterans.”
Read MoreArizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs told Maricopa County officials in a letter Thursday that her office may not allow the county to reuse hundreds of vote-counting machines that the county gave the state Senate for its general election audit. The county broke the chain of custody, or the procedures for properly securing and tracking the machines, when it was required to give the machines to the state Senate under subpoenas, Hobbs wrote in a May 20 letter to the county's Board of Supervisors, Recorder and Elections Department director. Because the machines could have been tampered with while out of the county's custody, she wrote, they should not be used again. Hobbs wrote that if the county tries to use the machines again, even if it performs a full analysis in an attempt to determine whether the machines were still safe to use, her office would "consider decertification proceedings." In Arizona, voting systems must be certified to be used in elections. Replacing the machines would cost the county millions. The county leases its voting machines from Dominion Voting Systems under a 3-year, $6.1 million agreement that runs through December 2022. The county pays Dominion monthly under the agreement, so it may still owe about a third of that cost. Add that to the millions that the county would need to spend to lease or buy new machines.
Read MoreAfter President Donald Trump and his Republican allies singled out Georgia and Arizona in falsely claiming that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, both states recounted their votes and found no significant problems. That’s not so easy to do in New Jersey after each election. It’s one of just six states that do not require a paper trail that allows election officials to check that voting machines were not hacked and the results not tampered with. “New Jersey is increasingly behind the curve here,” said Mark Lindeman, acting co-director of Verified Voting, a national nonprofit election verification organization. While New Jersey could do an audit last year because so many ballots were cast by mail, that was a one-shot deal due to the coronavirus pandemic. Going forward, the Garden State will remain an outlier unless the state comes up with the estimated $60 million to $80 million needed to replace county voting machines. “That’s totally the problem,” said Eileen Kean, a Monmouth County elections commissioner. “It’s really a very, very expensive undertaking.” Voting experts said that a paper trail will do more for election security than all of the voting restrictions being enacted by Republican state legislatures, including both Georgia and Arizona. The new laws focus on voter identification to curb in-person ballot fraud, which studies have shown is virtually non-existent, or making it harder to vote by mail despite an election that Trump administration officials said was the most secure in history even with expanded absentee voting. Through March 24, legislators in 47 states have introduced 361 bills seeking to restrict voting, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University. Nine of those bills were proposed in New Jersey. This follows an election in which Trump falsely claimed voter fraud, a majority of House Republicans voted to reject state-certified electoral votes, and supporters of the former president stormed the Capitol Jan. 6 in a failed attempt to stop the congressional counting that would make Joe Biden the next U.S. president. The paper trails allowed election officials in disputed states to disprove evidence-free charges that ballots were cast illegally, machines were programmed to switch votes from one candidate to another, and systems were hacked.
Read MoreDespite good progress on vaccinations in the U.S., the Biden administration and most officials are weary of requiring "vaccine passports" to prove inoculation. William Brangham discusses the related concerns with Dr. Georges Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association, and Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown University Law Center. That's right, Amna. There's already a slew of different cards and apps that allow you to prove your vaccination status. In some countries, they're expected to become mandatory in order to travel, or do business, or even enter crowded indoor spaces. In the U.S., a number of companies are working on similar products. And while many argue these tools will help us get back to normal quicker, others have concerns over privacy, over equity, and whether this is one step closer to mandating vaccination. We look at some of those arguments now with Larry Gostin — he's a professor of global health law at Georgetown University Law School — and with Dr. Georges Benjamin — he's the executive director of the American Public Health Association. Gentlemen, thank you both very much for being here. Larry Gostin, to you first. I know you have in the past been supportive of this idea of some kind of proof of vaccination. Make the case.
Read MoreIowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law that will withhold state grants and contracts from local governments or businesses that require customers to prove they have received the COVID-19 vaccine. The new law, House File 889, would also prevent state and local governments from including a person's COVID-19 vaccination status on a government-issued identification card. It goes into effect immediately. Reynolds signed the legislation on Thursday a little more than six weeks after publicly saying she intended to "take a stand" against the use of the so-called vaccine passports. In the early morning hours, Reynolds had also signed a law prohibiting school districts from requiring masks and banning local mask requirements in cities and counties that apply to public property, like businesses. That law also took effect Thursday. "Vaccine passports" are identification systems people could use to show they have received their COVID-19 shots. The idea has sparked a political divide and Republican lawmakers and governors in several states have been working on proposals to ban them. The White House has said the federal government will not roll out its own system requiring Americans to carry vaccine credentials. Iowa Republicans have said the law is needed to protect medical privacy and prevent businesses from discriminating against customers based on their vaccination status. Some Democrats have said they could support the restriction on government-issued vaccine passports, but they don't agree with the way the law approaches restrictions on businesses. Iowa's new law prohibits the state or any political subdivision in Iowa from including a person's COVID-19 vaccination status on a government-issued identification card.
Read MoreMarijuana sales are set to begin in Montana in January of 2022, according to new legislation signed by Republican Governor Greg Gianforte. Gianforte on Tuesday put his stamp of approval on House Bill 701, which will implement and regulate a recreational marijuana program in the state, according to KTVH. Residents overwhelmingly voted to legalize adult-use cannabis in a ballot initiative during the 2020 election, with the measure getting nearly 57 percent support. Montana was one of five states to approve a marijuana reform initiative in November. The I-190 ballot initiative legalized the possession and use of marijuana for adults over the age of 21, imposed a 20 percent tax on marijuana sales, required the Department of Revenue to develop rules to regulate cannabis businesses, and allowed for the resentencing or expungement of marijuana-related crimes. Under Bill 701, existing medical marijuana providers will be allowed to get licensed to sell the drug recreationally. Montana legalized cannabis for medical use in 2004. The first legal sales of recreational marijuana will start on January 1, 2022. For the first 18 months, only current marijuana providers will be allowed to enter the market. Marijuana businesses can operate in Montana counties where a majority of voters supported the November ballot initiative. But the counties or cities also have the option to "opt out" of allowing the stores through a vote. In areas of the state where a majority of voters rejected the I-190 measure, recreational sales will not be allowed unless a local election is held to opt into the market.
Read MoreAn upstart effort to legalize marijuana in Louisiana is dead for this year, but a bill to decriminalize weed remains very much alive and an expansion of the medical pot program is almost certain, signaling shifting attitudes toward the drug in the state. Legalization was led by an unlikely champion in young Republican Rep. Richard Nelson of Mandeville, an Eagle Scout who said he never smoked weed in his life but who argued prohibition has failed and the product should be legalized, regulated and taxed. But late Tuesday the full House rejected Nelson's bill to tax the drug if it was legalized 47-48, a test vote showing he couldn't get the 53 votes needed for his legalization bill to pass. "Our goal was to drive the conversation forward and we really did that," said Nelson, who cited multiple polls that show the majority of Louisians support legalizing pot. "It was always a long shot. "But it wasn't long ago that people thought Louisiana would never legalize marijuana. Now it seems clear it's not a matter of if we will legalize it, but when we will legalize it." Nelson also said his legalization bill helped pave the way for Democratic Shreveport Rep. Cedric Glover's bill to decriminalize weed to clear the House. Glover's House Bill 652 wouldn't legalize pot, but it would make possession of 14 grams or less — about half an ounce — a misdemeanor in all cases and limit the fine to $100 with no jail time.
Read MoreThe Colorado health department recently issued a notice stating “chemically modifying or converting any naturally occurring cannabinoids from industrial hemp is non-compliant with the statutory definition of ‘industrial hemp product’.” The regulator was propelled to make an announcement due to the rising popularity of psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) isomers, specifically delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC, Westword reports. The novel THC isomers are typically converted from federally legal hemp-derived CBD, permitted through the 2018 Farm Bill. Exploiting a loophole to sidestep the ban on delta-9 THC, the cannabinoids are particularly popular in jurisdictions where cannabis is still tightly regulated or illegal. However, as the bill was passed on the basis that hemp is not intoxicating, artificially creating mind-altering compounds from CBD is against the spirit of the law and throws the industry’s reputation into disrepute.
Read MoreWhen Arizona’s secretary of state asked me whether I would serve as an observer of the Arizona Senate’s audit of Maricopa County’s ballots, I anticipated that I would see some unusual things. Post-election audits and recounts are almost always conducted under the authority of local election officials, who have years of knowledge and experience. The idea of a government handing over control of ballots to an outside group, as the state Senate did when hiring a Florida contractor with no elections experience, was bizarre. This firm, Cyber Ninjas, insisted that it would recount and examine all 2.1 million ballots cast in the county in the 2020 general election. So I expected it to be unconventional. But it was so much worse than that. In more than a decade working on elections, audits and recounts across the country, I’ve never seen one this mismanaged. I arrived at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum on the morning of May 4. Security was conspicuously high: At three stations, guards checked my ID and my letter from the secretary of state. No bags were permitted on the floor, and I had to surrender my phone, laptop and smartwatch. I was allowed a yellow legal pad and red pen to take notes, and provided with a pink T-shirt to wear so I would be immediately identifiable. The audit observers hired by Cyber Ninjas, in orange T-shirts, followed me wherever I went and reported random things about me they found suspicious. Several times someone asked to test my pen, to ensure it really had red ink. Once, they even demanded that I empty my pockets, in which I carried that pen and a pair of reading glasses. I was allowed only to ask procedural questions of the Cyber Ninjas attorney; I couldn’t talk to anyone else performing the work. The atmosphere was tense.
Read MoreSince the Texas House and Senate passed different versions of election bills, decisions on what one will look like will be hammered out in what is known as a conference committee. Five Senators and five House members will comprise it. The Senate has named conferees, while the House has not yet. “I think we are going to see a final bill, I hope by the end of this week,” said Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola.) Hughes is the committee chairman. He authored the Senate version, which eliminates drive-through voting, and limits early voting hours. The House bill didn't include those measures.
Read MoreA majority of Canadians say they are willing to embrace a vaccine passport to enable a return to travel but are less open to using them for things like restaurant reservations, according to polls. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said a vaccine certification aligned with other countries makes sense, and two government officials said talks with international partners about standards are ongoing, particularly among G7 countries. The European Union is working on a certificate with a digital Quick Response (QR) code and has agreed to welcome fully vaccinated tourists, while Britain plans to use a phone app and other countries may rely on a paper document. In Canada, the mainly French-speaking province of Quebec is sending a QR code to those who get vaccinated, though so far it has not been activated to reveal anyone’s vaccination status when scanned. About three-quarters of Canadians are in favor of some sort of proof of vaccination when it comes to travel, according to an EKOS poll conducted between April and May, but only about 40% supported being screened to get a table for indoor dining. “The vast majority of the public believe that this is a good idea for accelerating the path to safety and for keeping everybody safe who wants to go on a plane or wants to go to a ball game,” said Frank Graves, president of polling company EKOS Research and a member of the federal vaccine confidence task force.More than 46% of almost 38 million Canadians have been administered a first shot, but less than 4% are fully vaccinated, as Canada has extended the gap between shots to give more people a first jab. More than 85% of Canadians are willing to get vaccinated , according to the EKOS poll. Canada is receiving some 4.5 million doses of vaccine this week, and expects 9 million Pfizer/BioNTech doses in July, Trudeau said on Tuesday. He has said Canada will have enough doses to fully inoculate all who want a shot by September. The possible day-to-day uses of a vaccine passport remain unclear because of privacy and ethical concerns.
Read MoreThe Louisiana House rejected a bill Tuesday that would have taxed recreational marijuana if the state ever legalized it. The decision on the tax bill likely dooms the prospect of legalized marijuana in the state this year. It also likely dooms the approval of legalized weed next year, since tax bills cannot be brought up in 2022, as it is not a fiscal session then. The bill needs two-thirds of the House, or 70 votes, for approval. The vote was 47 in favor and 48 against. It would have taxed the sale of marijuana at 50 percent, with half of that going to the state's general fund and the other half to local governments. Twenty percent of the local share would have gone to law enforcement. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Richard Nelson, a Republican from Mandeville, has said the tax bill, along with a separate bill to legalize marijuana, could have brought in over $100 million in tax revenue a year. He said Tuesday he would not bring up his legislation to legalize marijuana after the tax measure failed. Despite being a red state, multiple polls show a majority of Louisianians support legalizing marijuana. This year marked the first time legislation to legalize recreational marijuana advanced out of a legislative committee. But Nelson's bill faced opposition from the politically powerful Louisiana Sheriff's Association, along with the state district attorneys association. During a committee hearing, Warren Montgomery, district attorney for St. Tammany and Washington parishes, cited multiple studies that reviewed the detrimental effects of legalized weed. During Tuesday's floor debate, Rep. Ted James, D-Baton Rouge, pointed out sheriffs may lose money if fewer people are jailed because marijuana is legal. Rep. Bryan Fontonot, R-Thibodaux, urged his colleagues on the House floor to vote against the bill, saying he thought experts should study how to divide up the tax revenue before approving the prospect to collect it. On the House floor, Nelson pitched that the tax bill provided the opportunity for the state start collecting and spending tax revenue on public services, if marijuana gets legalized this year or next. "Right now, all this money, we have zero. It's nothing. It's all going to the drug dealers. We don't pass this bill, it's going to go to the drug dealers this year, it's going to go to the drug dealers next year," he said. Louisiana does have legalized medical marijuana, which the legislature approved in 2015, though it was not made available to patients until 2019. Nelson has said he would push for legalization in the future if his attempt fails this year. However, he's said, 2023 may be a difficult year to get the measure passed since it is an election year.
Read MoreA bill that seeks to improve social equity in the state’s fledgling marijuana market and modify the rollout of legal pot sales has been approved by the Vermont House. The legislation, S.25, which was approved in a voice vote Tuesday afternoon, would establish a fund to help people of color and others affected by past marijuana laws to open businesses in the new marijuana market. The bill was first passed by the Senate in March. The bill would create the “Cannabis Business Development Fund,” and charge state officials designing a system of providing loans and grants to “social equity applicants” — that is, people who were disproportionately hurt by marijuana criminalization. The Senate introduced these provisions earlier this year after Gov. Phil Scott and others said that last year’s bill legalizing marijuana sales didn’t do enough to address social equity in the new marketplace. “Many, including the governor, did not believe that Act 164 went far enough in creating a cannabis market that was equitable and just,” said Rep. John Gannon, D-Wilmington, referring to last year’s marijuana law. It remains unclear who will qualify as a social equity applicant. Under the legislation, the Cannabis Control Board, the newly minted regulator of the industry, and Vermont’s director of racial equity will propose social equity criteria for lawmakers to consider next year. The bill also introduces some advertising restrictions for marijuana businesses.
Read MoreFox News has asked a Delaware court to dismiss a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit brought against it by Dominion Voting Systems over the network's coverage of the 2020 vote count, arguing it "threatens to stifle the media's free-speech right to inform the public about newsworthy allegations of paramount public concern." Dominion filed its suit in March, saying that Fox News personalities spread lies on air about its voting machines and software that "recklessly disregarded the truth" and resulted in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. In its filing to dismiss the suit on Tuesday, Fox News said it was within the bounds of the First Amendment to air the claims about Dominion and that the company has failed to back up its allegations of "actual malice." "The news media has the right in a democracy to inform citizens by reporting and commenting on a President's allegations challenging the security of our elections," court documents say. The conservative cable news outlet also alleges it "truthfully" sought to present the public with both sides of the legal dispute led by former President Donald Trump and his legal team as it contested the outcome of the election. "Fox hosts responsibly covered the controversy, repeatedly pressing the President's attorneys, Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, for evidence substantiating their allegations," the network said, noting that Dominion agreed to appear on air to dispute the claims.
Read MoreAlmost exactly a year ago, software developers rushed to build technologies that could help stop the pandemic. Back then, the focus was on apps that could track whether you’d been near someone with covid. Today the discussion is about digital vaccine credentials, often called “vaccine passports,” designed to work on your smartphone and show that you’ve been inoculated. The latest launch came on May 17 in England, with the National Health Service’s new digital credential for crossing borders. Here’s what we know about it: It’s only for people going out of the UK from England (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are not yet using the app, although it could expand to them soon). It’s just for crossing borders. Using it at places around town (like pubs) has been suggested by some, but that remains a controversial idea. Not many countries accept proof of vaccination as an alternative to quarantining or showing a negative covid test, so those using the app still need to check the rules for their particular destination. It’s an upgrade of an NHS app that connects people to their doctors’ offices and medical records—and not an addition to the NHS’s much-debated contact tracing app. Right now it can only show vaccination status, not other information such as negative test results, although that could be added. People without smartphones can request a letter that verifies they’ve had both doses of the vaccine. Experts are already keeping an eye on whether the NHS pass expands beyond its current scope. Imogen Parker of the Ada Lovelace Institute notes that there's already been resistance to a pass that would need to be shown at places like pubs and shops. “It will be important to monitor whether Monday’s rollout is a prelude to more extensive use,” she says. “But it’s welcome that the government appears to be treading very carefully.”
Read MoreA bill to federally legalize marijuana and promote social equity in the industry was reintroduced in the House on Friday. The legislation, sponsored by Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), was filed with a number of changes compared to the version that was approved by the chamber last year. The bill—which would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), allow people with cannabis convictions to have their records expunged and create a federal tax on marijuana with the revenue going to support community reinvestment and other programs—comes as Senate leadership is preparing to introduce a separate reform proposal with similar objectives. The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act passed the House but did not advance in the Senate under GOP control. But this time around, advocates are optimistic that the policy change could be enacted now that Democrats run both chambers and the White House, and as more states are moving to enact legalization. “Since I introduced the MORE Act last Congress, numerous states across the nation, including my home state of New York, have moved to legalize marijuana. Our federal laws must keep up with this pace,” Nadler said. “I’m proud to reintroduce the MORE Act to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, remove the needless burden of marijuana convictions on so many Americans, and invest in communities that have been disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs.”
Read MoreLegal marijuana appears to be moving closer to reality in Connecticut with top lawmakers and key staffers for Gov. Ned Lamont reporting progress in negotiations on a legalization bill. Asked during a Thursday press briefing if he would partake if Connecticut legalized recreational cannabis the Democratic governor replied, “time will tell.” Lawmakers are moving closer to agreement on a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Connecticut as the General Assembly heads toward its June 9 adjournment. “My 50-50 has gone up to 57-43,” House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said Tuesday of the odds a marijuana legalization bill will be passed this year. Top lawmakers and key players in the Lamont administration have been meeting frequently to discuss the issue. “We’re optimistic we’re going to come to a deal,” said Max Reiss, the governor’s chief spokesman. “Talks have remained constructive.” Ritter said the good news about the negotiations with Lamont has won over some skeptics. “As word gets out that the majority leader’s working group is making progress with the governor’s office, I’m struck by the number of people who I thought were ‘nos’ previously or ‘maybes’ who are king of getting there,” he said. Negotiators are trying to merge pieces of separate bills that passed the judiciary and labor committee earlier this spring. House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, said the equity component of the legislation will be key. “The whole conversation around equity is about ensuring that entrance to the [legal marijuana] marketplace is able to be accessed by communities ... that have been most impacted by the war on drugs,” he said.
Read MoreLegislation to close a gap in Michigan marijuana law that has allowed some untested products similar to marijuana to be sold passed Thursday in the state House. The legislation would include all THC products in the legal definition of marijuana, therefore subjecting all such products to the same level of testing, regulation and restrictions. THC is the main compound in cannabis and marijuana products that gets users high. The scientific name for THC is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, so when Michigan looked to include THC in its laws it explicitly said “delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.” Due to the current narrow definition of marijuana in state law, gas stations and smoke shops in Michigan have been able to sell other hemp-derived products, which have similar intoxicating effects. That allowed untested and unregulated THC products to be purchased by people who shouldn’t, including minors, bill sponsor Rep. Yousef Rabhi said during a recent House Regulatory Reform Committee meeting. The state puts growers and processors through rigorous testing processes, Steve Linder, executive director of the Michigan Cannabis Manufacturers Association, said at the meeting. Linder said companies in the association are happy to comply with the process because they all create medicinal products. “Any product considered medicine should adhere to the same health and safety standards as medicines dispensed in pharmacies,” Linder said. Michigan legalized medical marijuana in 2008 and recreational marijuana in 2018. The bills received bipartisan approval. They now go to the state Senate and then to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for consideration.
Read MoreStarting this weekend, early voting for Virginia’s June 8 primary elections will be easier, with Saturday hours at walk-in sites and several counties extending their weekday hours and installing ballot drop boxes for people who don’t want to wait in line. While those extra options were a necessity last year amid heightened concerns over the coronavirus that made early voting a go-to option for voters, how much they’re needed now that the region is reopening remains to be seen, officials say. So far, the steady trickle of early ballots cast for the primaries since early voting began on April 23 — both in person and absentee ballots mailed back — has been nothing like last year, when eased state restrictions and concerns about the virus led to a record 2.7 million Virginians turning in early ballots for the presidential election, officials say.
Read MoreThe Senate will take up S. 1, a sweeping voting rights and campaign finance reform bill, at the end of June, signaling that Democrats are pressing forward with their agenda despite the threat of filibuster by Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a letter to colleagues that the Senate will vote on the "For the People Act" in the last week of the June work period. But the bill is unlikely to move forward in the Senate, as most legislation requires 60 votes to advance, and Democrats have a 50-seat majority. Republicans oppose S. 1, meaning that a vote to end debate on it is all but certain to fail. The bill would revise government ethics and campaign finance laws, and try to strengthen voting rights by creating automatic voter registration and expanding access to early and absentee voting. The legislation would also require states to overhaul their voter registration systems, limit states' ability to remove people from voter rolls, increase federal funds for election security, and reform the redistricting process.
Read MoreThe Biden administration is taking “a very close look” at the possibility of vaccine passports for travel into and out of the United States, the homeland security secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, said on Friday. The Transportation Security Administration, which safeguards the nation’s transportation systems, is housed under Mayorkas’s department. Like so many other public health measures meant to mitigate Covid-19’s spread, vaccine passports have drawn support and ire. Some welcome the fast pass to normalcy, sick of extended quarantines and tedious testing requirements. Others harbor unsubstantiated concerns that the certificates could chip away at their privacy. Still others worry about vaccine inequality, with the life-saving shots going disproportionately to residents of the world’s wealthiest nations. Mayorkas told ABC that one of his guiding principles throughout the pandemic has been “the value of diversity, equity and inclusion and making sure that any passport that we provide for vaccinations is accessible to all and that no one is disenfranchised”. “Everyone should get vaccinated,” he added. In the US, as states have reopened their economies, some – such as New York and California – have turned to verification of vaccination as a viable way to safely allow large gatherings and social events. Others, including Florida and Texas, have gone so far as to ban the certificates. In the past, the Biden administration has said it does not intend to launch a nationwide vaccine passport and denied plans for a federal vaccination mandate. “The government is not now, nor will we be, supporting a system that requires Americans to carry a credential,” the White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, said last month. Already, the European Union, some Asian governments and the airline industry are scrambling to develop Covid-19 vaccine passports. They are working on systems that would allow travelers to use mobile phone apps to prove they have been vaccinated, helping them avoid quarantine requirements at their destinations. Groups involved with the passports say they are also considering alternatives for travelers who do not have access to smartphones, according to the Associated Press.
Read MoreThe Department of Homeland Security is "taking a very close look" at vaccine passports for Americans traveling abroad, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Friday. Asked whether the U.S. would use vaccine passports for travel in or out of the country as international trips increase this year, Mayorkas said, "We’re taking a very close look at that" and "making sure that any passport that we provide for vaccinations is accessible to all and that no one is disenfranchised." He then added that, "There’s an underlying point here, of course, which is everyone should get vaccinated." The concept of "vaccine passports" has been the subject of conservative backlash in the United States, with numerous states having already acted to curtail or ban documentation of Covid-19 vaccinations. Internationally, the European Union, some Asian governments and the airline industry have been working on systems for travelers to prove they've been vaccinated in order to cut down on travel restrictions.
Read MoreNew Hampshire residents overwhelmingly support legalizing marijuana and setting up a tax-and-regulate model for cannabis sales, according to a new poll. As broad reform legislation has languished in the GOP-controlled legislature, the survey published by the University of New Hampshire (UNH) on Tuesday found that three in four people back adult-use legalization. And 78 percent said that they favor allowing adults to buy marijuana from licensed retailers if it is legalized. Majorities of Democrats (86 percent), independents (83 percent) and Republicans (62 percent) said they support legalizing cannabis. The same trend was seen when it came to the question about allowing retailers to sell marijuana, with 87 percent of Democrats and 67 percent of Republicans favoring that model. In contrast, only 51 percent of New Hampshire residents say they have a favorable opinion of Gov. Chris Sununu (R), who is opposed to legalization. Support for cannabis reform has steadily grown over the nine years that UNH has been conducting the survey with the legalization question. In 2013, for example, only 49 percent of respondents said marijuana should be legal for adult use, compared to 45 percent who stood opposed to the policy change. This latest survey involved interviews with 1,824 people from May 13-17. Despite the increased support for marijuana reform, that has not translated into legislative action to end prohibition so far.
Read MoreThe U.S. Postal Service literally delivered the 2020 election. As millions of voters cast their ballots by mail during the coronavirus pandemic in November, postal workers labored to make sure those ballots reached voters and then were sent back to election officials on time. This came in the face of aggressive efforts by then-President Donald Trump to cast doubt about the legitimacy of mailed ballots, while Louis DeJoy, who became postmaster general under Trump, enacted a series of policy changes that dramatically slowed down overall mail delivery times. Now President Joe Biden has appointed three new members to the board that oversees the USPS, and one, Amber McReynolds, was clearly selected with these troubles in mind. She is the only postal governor in the agency’s recent history with a deep background in running elections, and she told HuffPost that repairing the damaged faith in the Postal Service’s role in carrying out the functions of democracy is her priority. “I do think it’s the greatest risk in security for our elections,” she said in a recent interview. “Disinformation and lies.”
Read MoreHong Kong’s legislature approved the biggest overhaul of its political system in the quarter century since British rule on Thursday, in a decisive step to assert Beijing’s authority over the autonomous city. The move was quickly denounced by the United States, which accused China of undermining Hong Kong’s democratic institutions and said decreasing electoral representation of residents of the territory would not foster long-term stability. The changes will reduce the proportion of seats in the legislature that are filled by direct elections from half to less than a quarter. A new body will vet candidates and bar those deemed insufficiently patriotic towards China from standing. “These 600-or-so pages of the legislation come down to just a few words: patriots ruling Hong Kong,” said Peter Shiu, a pro-Beijing lawmaker. Most of the changes were announced by China in March, though Hong Kong authorities later contributed further details, such as redrawing constituency boundaries and criminalising calls for ballots to be left blank. The measures were passed with 40 votes in favour and two against. The pro-Beijing government has faced no opposition in the legislature since last year, when China disqualified some pro-democracy lawmakers and others resigned in protest.
Read MoreAs more people get vaccinated and concerts, sporting events, and large gatherings re-open, it’s becoming likely patrons will have to digitally convey their Covid vaccination or testing status. Biometric security company CLEAR, which ranked No. 19 on this year’s CNBC Disruptor 50 list, recently released a product called Health Pass that links Covid-19 health information to biometric identifiers such as your face, eyes and fingerprints. It has been used by the NBA and Walmart, and received investment from a venture arm of the NFL and Danny Meyer. CLEAR, a New York City-based company that specializes in biometric security and originally got its start speeding travelers through growing airport lines in the post-9/11 era, now sees a major opportunity as the country exits lockdown from the Covid-19 pandemic. CLEAR recently released a product called Health Pass that links Covid-19 health information to biometric identifiers such as your face, eyes and fingerprints. Since Health Pass launched, it has made significant inroads, particularly with stadiums that hold sporting events and need to check the status of many people quickly. In February, 100 vaccinated health-care workers were able to attend the Super Bowl by verifying their status through Health Pass. A third of NBA teams are using the app to enforce their Covid protocols for fans. People attending NHL hockey games in Arizona use Health Pass too. The post-pandemic innovation helped CLEAR rank No. 19 on this year’s CNBC Disruptor 50 list. “What we realized in March of 2020 was that there was going to be a new card in your wallet that was a vaccine card or test results,” CLEAR co-founder and CEO Caryn Seidman-Becker said on CNBC’s “TechCheck” on Wednesday. “So connecting you to your health insights that are Covid-related was just always part of our mission in what we were doing, right aligned with it.”
Read MoreThere's good news and bad news for Americans who have been itching to take a European vacation. Spain reopens to vaccinated tourists on June 7. Greece, Germany, France, Italy, Croatia and other countries are opening up again soon. But in order to go, travelers will have to show proof that they've been vaccinated, and it's not yet clear how they'll do that. That's causing a lot of confusion among those with pent-up wanderlust, as demand for air travel has been soaring in recent weeks. The Transportation Security Administration reports that 1.87 million people went through the nation's airport security checkpoints on May 23. That's the highest number of air travelers since the pandemic began and 90% of 2019 levels. "The last couple weeks, we have seen a really big pick up [in inquiries and bookings] and it's completely tied to vaccinations," says travel adviser Kendra Thornton, owner of Royal Travel and Tours in Chicago's northern suburbs. "As more and more people get vaccinated, we have more people being comfortable booking travel and planning travel." Most of Thornton's clients have been booking vacations to Florida's beaches, Hawaii and other domestic destinations, but with much of Europe opening up soon, some are eager to cross the Atlantic.
Read MoreMinority entrepreneurs may soon have a better shot at getting into the marijuana industry, thanks to legislation that just passed the Illinois House of Representatives. HB 1443 creates more than 100 new pot shop licenses, and gives people of color a fair shot at winning them during the lottery process. The state is running almost a year behind on those new licenses, and those delays continue – with the state’s social equity plan still a work in progress more than a year into legalization. Gov. JB Pritzker applauded the House proposal. “As a state that values making our laws reflective of our diverse communities, we must ensure that social justice is at the center of everything we do — and today, that means building upon our work of passing the most equity-centric cannabis law in the nation,” Pritzker said in a news release. “By authorizing additional lotteries that are focused on social equity applicants, we’re ensuring that communities that have been left out and left behind have new opportunities to access the cannabis industry. This legislation further ensures those least likely to have already had a foot in this industry will see a bigger piece of the pie. I want to thank Representative La Shawn K. Ford, all of the cosponsors and the many advocates for seeing this legislation through the House. I look forward to the Senate’s support in this step toward the Illinois our residents deserve.”
Read MoreIllinois decriminalized marijuana in 2016. Then, in 2019, the state legalized it for recreational use. As of Jan. 1, 2020, that legalization kicked in. Some thought legalizing it would reduce the black market and, in turn, stop illegal drug deals. "We anticipated to see this drop," Springfield Police Chief Kenny Winslow said. "So, it's not shocking or surprising to us." Winslow said the drop was expected, but legalizing cannabis has not lowered illegal sales. "No, we have not seen any reduction in the black market," Winslow said. Ward 2 Alderman Shawn Gregory said it's on him and other community leaders to help dealers figure out ways to sell inside the framework of the law. "We want people to be successful and not have to result to things that are illegal, especially when there is a legal way to do it," Gregory said. Winslow was asked if he thinks the streets of Springfield are safer since the legalization.
Read MoreThe Texas Senate approved an expansion of the state’s medical marijuana program on Tuesday, but only after scaling back the version that had been approved by the House. The Texas program is one of the most restrictive in the nation, only available to acute patients suffering from a handful of diseases or conditions, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and terminal cancer. The Senate agreed to add other qualifying conditions to the list including allowing patients with all stages of cancer to participate as well as those with post-traumatic stress disorder. Patients receiving treatment through an approved research program would also be eligible. But the Senate cut other expansions out of the legislation before voting unanimously to pass it. A version of House Bill 1535, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, has now passed in both chambers. The House will have to agree with the Senate’s changes or object and send it to a committee made up of members of both chambers to settle the differences. “To see some of the amendments that were made leaves us advocates disappointed and somewhat dismayed,” said Heather Fazio, director of advocacy group Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy.
Read MoreMichigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat who served as the chief election official in Michigan in 2020, said she is "deeply concerned about the future of our democracy" as Republican lawmakers continue to propagate "the big lie" about election fraud and push legislation that could undo policies that led to historic voter turnout in 2020. In an interview with the Associated Press, Benson said she felt that those who continue to spread disinformation surrounding voter fraud in 2020 will ramp up their efforts in upcoming elections. "I feel very strongly that the battles that we saw around 2020's election...was just the beginning of what is clearly turning out to be a multi-year, strategic, nationally coordinated, partisan assault on the vote in our country and on our democracy," she said. "We will see another battle in the 2022 elections around that truth and around the security of the vote, around access to the vote."
Read MoreFederal leadership on Covid-19 vaccine credentials, through guidance, would minimize risks and advance their development, say Crowell & Moring LLP attorneys and a director with C&M International. That guidance must address accuracy, privacy, and security, and ethical uses of credentials, or we risk unintended consequences that will slow down a safe return to “normal,” they say. As of May 25, over 164 million Americans had received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and over 131 million are fully vaccinated. With an increased focus on re-opening the economy, governments and industry are moving quickly to develop and use Covid-19 vaccine credentials—sometimes called “vaccine passports.” But the risks of moving too quickly are significant. The Biden administration has said the federal government will neither issue vaccine credentials nor implement a requirement for proof of vaccination. It also will not create a federal vaccination database. However, given the varied state and private sector responses to Covid-19 policies and practices, federal leadership on vaccine credentials, through guidance, would minimize risks and advance the development of Covid-19 vaccine credentials to drive the successful re-opening of the economy. That guidance must address accuracy, privacy, and security, and ethical uses of credentials. Otherwise, we risk unintended consequences that will slow down a safe return to “normal.”
Read MoreBoarding pass, suitcase, passport and... digital vaccination certificate? Keen to avoid losing another summer of holiday revenue to the coronavirus pandemic, the European Union, some Asian governments and the airline industry are scrambling to develop so-called Covid-19 vaccine passports to help kickstart international travel. They’re working on systems that would allow travelers to use mobile phone apps to prove they’ve been vaccinated, which could help them avoid onerous quarantine requirements at their destinations. But the multiple efforts underscore the lack of one central international system to electronically verify vaccination status. The projects also face technical challenges in working together, while questions about privacy and vaccine inequality linger. Vaccination passports would add another digital layer to the multitude of existing coronavirus health and contact tracing apps many countries and U.S. states have rolled out. Their use domestically to reopen local economies has been hotly debated, with many opposed to requiring them for pubs, concerts and sporting events. However, there’s more momentum to use them for international travel, especially as countries like Iceland open their borders to vaccinated visitors and others like Saudi Arabia start allowing vaccinated citizens to travel abroad. The E.U.’s decision last week to open its borders to fully vaccinated travelers adds even more urgency. Here’s a look at how vaccine passports work: Official efforts: The first part of a vaccination passport is the user’s official or approved electronic immunization record. The European Union, China and Japan are all working on their own digital vaccination certificates for cross-border travel. The U.K., meanwhile, updated its National Health Service app last week to let fully vaccinated users prove their status when traveling abroad, coinciding with an easing of travel rules.
Read MoreThe use of flower, or bud, in the Minnesota medical marijuana program is expected to be approved Monday by the Legislature. Right now, the two companies licensed to distribute medical cannabis in Minnesota can only do so in liquid or pill form. Patrick McClellan is active in the medical marijuana program and has lobbied lawmakers for the expansion of flower into the program for nearly a decade. He told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the flower provision has passed the House and Senate Conference Committee, which, in his opinion, is historic. “It’s historic because it now makes the state’s medical marijuana program feasible and something that can be sustained into the future,” McClellan said. “There are more than 34,000 people who are active in the program, but there are thousands more who do not participate because they cannot afford it and the flower form of distribution will probably cut costs in half.” McClellan said producing the liquid or pill form of the cannabis is very expensive and the use of an independent lab to verify the product just adds to the higher costs which he said makes Minnesota’s medical marijuana program one of the costliest in the nation. “I know families who have to spend $900 a month just to have their children enrolled into the program right now,” said McClellan. “The use of flower will be much cheaper and it will allow the state to have more than two licensed distributors and that will allow more dispensaries around the state, too.” The Legislature is expected to pass the use of flower in the medical marijuana program Monday as part of the Human Services Finance Omnibus Bill, and it has the support of Gov. Tim Walz.
Read MoreWhile lawmakers in Connecticut and Rhode Island explore ways to legalize adult-use cannabis and also ensure social equity, regulators in Massachusetts are pushing further with their own programs to enable people disadvantaged by previous marijuana laws to benefit from the economic possibilities offered by legalization. One bill in Connecticut would create a “social equity council” as well as a “Cannabis Equity and Innovation Account,” funding workforce development programs and offering grants with cash from potential cannabis excise tax revenue. Meanwhile, a bill in Rhode Island would create a “social equity assistance fund” to provide no-interest loans to business owners affected by past cannabis prohibition laws. Both would create some form of commission akin to one in Massachusetts, designed to issue retail licenses. Another goal is to assist disadvantaged groups in getting a foothold in an industry where 81% of the founders or owners are white, according to a 2017 survey done by Marijuana Business Daily. The social equity program is one of the Massachusetts commission’s most prominent efforts. Launched in 2018, the SEP provides classes and training for people looking to get into the industry, hailing from backgrounds affected by previous marijuana laws, including the nation’s “war on drugs.” Black, brown and formerly incarcerated residents, as well as those from ”areas of disproportionate impact,” are eligible for the program, which works to meet a mandate in the Legislature’s 2017 law that amended the voter-passed measure legalizing recreational cannabis in the commonwealth. Despite a pandemic, a temporary freeze on the state’s industry due to the shutdown, and having to go remote, the commission reported the program saw at least 280 participants make up its second cohort in 2020-21, up from last year’s 143, who completed various courses in entrepreneurship, management and more.
Read MoreFifth-generation farmer Mark Davidson spent his entire life in chronic pain — until he tried CBD oil, and it changed his life. Davidson jumped on board when Indiana legalized growing hemp for CBD, a non-psychoactive chemical in the cannabis plant that is used for relieving pain, anxiety and other health issues, hoping to help others who were suffering. But then his best-laid plans went up in smoke. Literally. In 2019, Davidson was forced to burn 1.5 acres of his hemp crop. “We had to burn more than $100,000 worth of product, which was heartbreaking and disheartening,” he said. “It was like seeing all this medicine going up in smoke.” Davidson’s hemp crop had tested “hot,” meaning it contained more than the legal amount of THC, the chemical in cannabis that gets people high. Per rules from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, if the cannabis plant has 0.3% THC or less, it’s considered hemp and legal in the state of Indiana. Any higher, it’s illegal.
Read MoreLast November’s election results in Myanmar were “by and large, representative of the will of the people,” an independent election monitoring organization said Monday, rejecting the military’s allegations of massive fraud that served as its reason for seizing power. While there were flaws in the election process, “there were a number of procedural safeguards implemented throughout the polling process, which … was found to be transparent and reliable,” the Asian Network for Free Elections said in a report. It noted, however, that Myanmar’s electoral process is “fundamentally undemocratic” because its 2008 constitution, written during army rule, grants the military an automatic 25% share of all parliamentary seats, enough to block constitutional changes. Large sectors of the population, most notably the Muslim Rohingya minority, are deprived of citizenship rights, including the right to vote. Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party won a landslide victory in the Nov. 8 polls, which should have secured it a second five-year term in office. Its 2015 victory moved Myanmar along a path toward democracy after more than five decades of direct and indirect military rule. But on Feb. 1, the military arrested Suu Kyi and dozens of other top officials. It prevented elected lawmakers from convening a new session of Parliament, declared a state of emergency and said it would run the country until new elections were held in a year — a deadline it later indicated could be delayed an additional year. Security forces have used lethal force in an attempt to suppress huge popular opposition to the military coup. Hundreds of protesters and bystanders have been killed in the crackdown.
Read MoreThe White House maintained that the federal government will not support a system requiring Americans to carry a so-called "vaccine passport," while suggesting the matter will be left to the private sector amid the new guidance on masks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new mask guidance last week, which says fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks indoors or outdoors, or physically distance. The CDC, though, still advises that fully vaccinated individuals wear masks while in crowded indoor settings, such as while riding public transportation and in hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters.
Read MorePresident Joe Biden plans to send an additional 20 million doses of U.S. coronavirus vaccines abroad by the end of June -- including, for the first time, shots authorized for domestic use, where supply is beginning to outstrip demand. Biden will announce Monday that he’ll export 20 million doses of vaccines from Pfizer Inc., Moderna Inc. or Johnson & Johnson, on top of 60 million AstraZeneca Plc doses he had already planned to give to other countries, according to a senior administration official familiar with the plan. The official, who asked not to be identified ahead of planned remarks from the president, stressed that the measures are only a first step as the U.S. pivots its attention to quelling the pandemic abroad. Biden has previously pledged that the U.S. would soon become an “arsenal” of global vaccine supply. Biden will also announce that he is putting Jeff Zients, who has served as the White House coronavirus response coordinator, in charge of his effort to beat back the pandemic globally, the official said. Zients will work with the National Security Council and other agencies to steer doses abroad.
Read MoreA once-banned crop is now being called a miracle, and it could hold the future to farming. Only on CBS3, reporter Alicia Roberts takes you to a Bucks County farm where the hemp business is booming. “You’ve got this gross misunderstanding,” said Fred Hagan, owner of Sugar Bottom Farms. The future of a plant known to be among the oldest grown by man must first overcome its soiled past. “Hemp is truly one of the most miraculous plants ever planted,” Hagan said. Hemp, a non-intoxicating form of cannabis and cousin to marijuana, is grown for its fibers, stalks and seeds, and is used to produce everything from clothing, construction materials, paint, paper, biofuel, plastics and medicine. Hagan, a historian and owner of Sugar Bottom Farm in Bucks County, is on a mission to cultivate a new image for this ancient crop. “Our government made the fatal error of viewing it as a controlled substance,” he said. While hemp can be traced back to 8000 B.C. in Asia, and was first brought to North America on the Mayflower in 1606, its production was outlawed in the United States in the 1930s. “There was a sort of paranoia surrounding anything cannabis,” said Shannon Powers, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Pennsylvania and Kentucky were the first two states to re-legalize hemp production in 2015. “We are all in on hemp,” Powers said.
Read MoreThe Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division doesn't want Delta-8 THC to gain a foothold in dispensaries, and on May 14 notified marijuana business owners that modified or synthetic versions of THC derived from industrial hemp aren't allowed in this state's stores. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) comes in several different isomers: molecular compounds with the same number of atoms of certain elements but distinct arrangements of those atoms. The isomer that marijuana plants naturally produce in large amounts is Delta-9 THC, which is banned by the federal government. However, chemists have discovered other forms of THC that are chemically different yet carry similar intoxicating effects, like Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC. Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC aren't explicitly outlawed by the Controlled Substances Act, and can be produced with industrial hemp, a plant now legally grown at the federal level. This is done by extracting cannabidiol from industrial hemp and then converting the CBD into the "new" forms of THC with acetic acid. Although these products still flag drug tests, the legal loophole enabled a new, growing gray market online and at certain independent retail outlets, such as smoke shops and gas stations, which aren't regulated by the MED.
Read MoreThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is warning that terrorists may attack as coronavirus restrictions ease in the U.S. DHS in a press release on Friday advised that the country is facing threats from domestic terrorists, individuals and groups that are influenced by foreign terrorist organizations. The department cited social media platforms and online forums used by perpetrators to spread their violent rhetoric. “Today’s terrorism-related threat landscape is more complex, more dynamic, and more diversified than it was several years ago. We know that providing timely and useful information to the public is critical as we all work together to secure the homeland. With the issuance of today’s NTAS Bulletin, we are advising the public to be vigilant about ongoing threats to the United States, including those posed by domestic terrorism, grievance-based violence, and those inspired or influenced by foreign terrorists and other malign foreign influences,” DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in the statement.
Read MoreJust under two months ago, New York lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo legalized the recreational use of marijuana in the state with legislation that spans more than 170 pages. But the “Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act” (S845A), as it formally is known, is less cumbersome to decipher in a bullet-point synopsis provided by the office of state Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston, a supporter of legalization. The synopsis, which follows, lays out significant points of the law, which is to take full effect in January 2022. Governing office, boards: The law provides for the establishment of the Office of Cannabis Management along with a governing board and advisory board. The governing board will consist of five members, three directly appointed by the governor and one each by the state Senate and Assembly. The board will be responsible for establishing social and economic equity plans to make sure a certain percentage of licenses for selling cannibas go toward communities impacted by the war on drugs, distressed farmers and service-disabled veterans. The Office of Cannabis Management will review and process applications for cannabis licenses and create a public health campaign. Specifics, local opt-outs: New Yorkers must be 21 or older to purchase and consume recreational marijuana. Retail dispensaries must be at least 200 feet away from houses of worship and at least 500 feet from schools. Cities, towns and villages will be able to opt out of having retail dispensaries and on-site consumption licenses within their municipalities with the adoption of a local law, which would be subject to a permissive referendum. Municipalities will be able to adopt a local law to opt out by Dec. 31, 2022, or within nine months of the bill becoming law, but can opt back in at any time.
Read MoreThe Township Council is again looking to ban recreational and medical marijuana shops as well as businesses that manufacture, sell or dispense weed-related paraphernalia from operating here. The council unanimously approved an ordinance earlier this week that would amend the "prohibited uses" section in the land development code. The ordinance would prohibit all classes of cannabis establishments, distributors and delivery services, whether for medicinal or recreational purposes, including those establishments that manufacture, sell or dispense cannabis related paraphernalia, from operating in the township. The ordinance also says that marijuana or cannabis cultivation facilities, production or manufacturing facilities, testing facilities, wholesale or retail stores, dispensaries and delivery services, which are related to cannabis or marijuana for medical purposes, and such facilities or stores that manufacture, sell or dispense marijuana related paraphernalia for medical purposes, are prohibited from operating anywhere in the township.
Read MoreThe Minnesota House voted 72-61 Thursday night to legalize cannabis for adult use — a significant step for the legislation. But Minnesota is unlikely to join more than 15 other states in making marijuana legal because majority Republicans in the state Senate will likely prevent it from becoming law this year. Under the bill, Minnesotans 21 and older would be allowed to possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis in public and up to 10 pounds in their personal residence. The bill creates a regulatory and tax framework for cannabis. A new Cannabis Management Board would oversee the regulation and also take charge of the state’s existing medical cannabis program. A recent change in the bill would direct excess tax revenue from adult-use cannabis into a tax relief account. The DFL-controlled House held 12 hearings on the legalization bill; the Republican Senate held none and has no plans to take it up before the session ends Monday. House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said the bill addresses two of the DFL’s key priorities: racial equity and criminal justice reform. Black Minnesotans are more often prosecuted for marijuana crimes than whites, even though usage rates are similar. “Criminalizing a product that most people think should be available, and continuing our legacy of racial injustice, is simply not defensible anymore,” Hortman said. The prohibition of cannabis does not work, said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, the bill’s author. “We have this bill before us today because Minnesotans have decided that it is time to legalize cannabis and right the wrongs of the criminal prohibition of cannabis that has failed Minnesota,” Winkler said. “It has failed Minnesotans, and it’s time for it to change.”
Read MoreSix months after a majority of Lacey voters supported legalizing recreational marijuana for adults, the Township Committee has voted to block all weed businesses — with the exception of medical marijuana firms — from opening within the municipality. The Committee passed an ordinance Thursday that blocks cannabis establishments, cultivators, manufacturers, wholesalers, delivery services and other weed businesses from operating in Lacey for up to five years. Medical marijuana businesses will be allowed in certain industrial zones. The prohibition, which could be rescinded sooner, is permitted under New Jersey's new Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement, Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act.
Read MoreThe issue of whether the U.S. government is doing enough to tackle international cybercriminals moved to center stage this week after the high-profile attack on a major East Coast energy supplier. Even though Colonial Pipeline has restarted operations, there are still lingering questions about the group that executed the attack and how to prevent future assaults on critical infrastructure. In a news conference yesterday, Biden emphasized the U.S. government's belief that the cybercriminals behind the pipeline company attack are based in Russia – which has become a safe harbor for such groups – but do not work directly for the Russian government. U.S. intelligence and researchers have also noted extensive ties between some criminal hacking groups in Russia and Russia's intelligence services. “We have been in direct communication with Moscow about the imperative for responsible countries to take decisive action against these ransomware networks,” Biden said. “We're also going to pursue a measure to disrupt their ability to operate.” Russia has denied any involvement in the cyber attack. Biden reiterated calls from the U.S. government for stronger international cooperation to take down international cybercriminals and said he intended to bring up the topic with Russian President Vladimir Putin when the two are expected to meet in June.
Read MoreCommunities along the East Coast continue to face gas shortages after the Colonial Pipeline Co. fell victim to a cybersecurity attack. Social media users are using the breach to resurrect unfounded claims about election fraud. “If you can hack a pipeline, you can hack a voting machine,” claims a May 10 post. Other accounts posted memes with the same claim. Examples of those posts are visible here and here. These posts draw a misleading comparison between the Colonial Pipeline hack and unfounded allegations about hacked voting systems in the November 2020 election. Investigations around election infrastructure have repeatedly found no evidence of such interference in November. USA TODAY reached out to the posters for comment. When Colonial Pipeline announced it had been hacked on May 7, the company said a ransomware attack affected its information technology systems. Ransomware attacks are cybercrimes that typically involve hackers encrypting important data, making it inaccessible until the target pays a high ransom in digital currency. These cyberattacks usually target corporations, but several hospitals have been victimized by ransomware attacks over the past year as well. “In response to the cybersecurity attack on our system, we proactively took certain systems offline to contain the threat, which temporarily halted all pipeline operations, and affected some of our IT systems," the company wrote in a May 10 statement. "To restore service, we must work to ensure that each of these systems can be brought back online safely."
Read MoreIf you have been fortunate enough to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, you also possess an essential, high-tech tool for proving your immunity to others. Just kidding, it’s a piece of cardstock. On the flimsy rectangle that all Americans get with their shots, doctors and pharmacists record dates of administration, vaccine type, and lot number. Some scrawl the information by hand with a pen; others apply a preprinted sticker. The cards offer no special marker to prove their authenticity, no scannable code to connect to a digital record. At three by four inches, they’re even too awkwardly sized to fit in a wallet. A mid-century polio-vaccine card doesn’t look too different from today’s COVID-19 vaccination records. Distributed by the CDC to those administering the vaccines, these cards are supposed to help recipients get the correct second dose, if needed, and offer a personal record, Jason Schwartz, a Yale public-health professor, told me. But they’ve taken on a considerably grander importance as pandemic restrictions have eased in the United States—especially now that the CDC has okayed vaccinated people going maskless in most places—because they’re the only thing available to all Americans that shows someone has been vaccinated. When you get a COVID-19 shot, the information goes into a digital record kept by the state where it was administered, and that’s the end of the road. The CDC does not hold records of individual vaccinations, and the White House has indicated that it has no plans for a federal database. (Neither the CDC nor the Department of Defense, which ran the Operation Warp Speed vaccine program, responded to my requests for comment.)
Read MoreNews that people vaccinated against COVID-19 can take off their masks when indoors could be a shot in the arm for vaccine passports. Thursday’s announcement from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention means that retailers and restaurants could let vaccinated customers inside without masks — but may first want to see proof of vaccination. The paper cards from the CDC may be enough for some businesses. But several US states have introduced electronic versions that are secure and not vulnerable to forgery. These secure systems typically are either a smartphone app that confirms vaccination by displaying a QR code on the phone, or a website where a user can print the code on a piece of paper. Massachusetts health officials haven’t made a move yet, but vaccine passes are coming soon to the private sector, as well, including from Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens, the retail chains that have provided shots to thousands of state residents.
Read MoreA proposal to legalize marijuana for adults is up for a vote in the Minnesota House for the first time in state history. The measure is expected to pass in the DFL-led chamber on Thursday and has the backing of Gov. Tim Walz. It faces long odds in the Senate, where Republicans in control have said it is not a priority this session. But supporters say the historic vote marks shifting attitudes toward marijuana in Minnesota and across the nation, where 16 states have already voted to legalize the drug and are generating new tax revenue. Minnesota's proposal allows adults 21 and older to buy and possess marijuana, while spelling out safety requirements and setting up a marketplace to sell it. It dedicates funding to youth access prevention and substance abuse treatment programs. The centerpiece of the bill are racial equity provisions that supporters say will begin to address the disproportionate toll marijuana policing has taken on communities of color. Black people are more than five times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession in Minnesota, despite comparable usage rates, according to a 2020 report from the American Civil Liberties Union. The bill would automatically expunge low-level marijuana convictions and create a special board to review others. Opponents to legalization testified in committee hearings that they feared unsafe highways, increased substance-abuse problems and confusion over how to handle people who are high in the workplace.
Read MoreRepublican lawmakers introduced legislation this week that would federally legalize and regulate marijuana, saying the proposal was necessary to ensure "individual liberty" and protect states' rights. Representative Dave Joyce, a Ohio Republican, introduced the proposed legislation to end the longstanding federal prohibition of marijuana along with Representative Don Young, an Alaska Republican. The bill would remove cannabis from the Federal Controlled Substances list; instruct the government to create a regulatory framework for marijuana similar to the alcohol industry; allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to prescribe medical cannabis; and protect financial institutions dealing with marijuana distributors and growers.
Read MoreWhen state Rep. Bobby Kaufmann of Iowa spoke in February in support of a restrictive voting bill he was sponsoring, he made what might once have been a startling acknowledgment: He could not point to any problems with November’s election that demonstrated a need for new rules. But many Iowans believed there had been problems, he said. And that was reason enough to allow less early voting, shorten Election Day polling hours, put new limits on absentee balloting and forbid counties to have more than one ballot drop box. “The ultimate voter suppression is a very large swath of the electorate not having faith in our election systems,” Kaufmann, a Republican, said in defense of his bill, which was signed into law in March. “And for whatever reason, political or not, there are thousands upon thousands of Iowans that do not have faith in our election systems.” Former President Donald Trump’s monthslong campaign to delegitimize the 2020 election didn’t overturn the results. But his unfounded claims gutted his supporters’ trust in the electoral system, laying the foundation for numerous Republican-led bills pushing more restrictive voter rules.
Read MoreA group of election security experts said after a deep dive into Australia’s electronic voting systems that they have “serious problems” with the accuracy, integrity and privacy with elections run by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Electoral Commission. The team of four cybersecurity professionals concluded that the ACT e-voting system errors did not impact any election outcomes, but could potentially sway future vote counts if left uncorrected. Dr. Andrew Conway, Dr. Thomas Haines, Prof. Vanessa Teague and T. Wilson-Brown aren’t accusing anyone of intentionally sabotaging the Australian electronic voting and counting system (EVACS), but are asking for more transparency from the government into the system’s current source code. “We believe that the internet voting system is new, and that the voting, paper-ballot scanning and counting modules have been completely rewritten since 2016,” they said. “But we cannot be certain, because we have not seen any of the 2020 source code.” The researchers also recommended the use of paper ballots and the suspension of internet voting. “Secretive, unverifiable systems like the ones used in the ACT 2020 election make it relatively easy to change the recorded list of votes cast, in a way that observers cannot notice,” they said. “It also makes accidental errors more likely to remain undetected.”
Read MoreMichigan Republican lawmakers took additional steps Thursday to ban the government from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations, despite having no indication that any state or local agency is pursuing such a requirement. The House Oversight Committee approved an overhauled version of a measure prohibiting a governmental entity from producing or distributing a vaccine passport. The measure also disallows a governmental entity from fining someone for not getting a COVID-19 vaccine. The passport concept garnered substantial discussion last week during a hearing that devolved into lies and conspiracies about the pandemic and vaccines in general. Moments after the House committee voted 6-3 to approve the bill, the full Senate voted 20-15 to change a proposed budget for the Department of Health and Human Services to add language that would ban public funding for vaccine passports.
Read MoreThe state launched its inter-island “vaccine passport” program Tuesday with few problems ? and rave reviews from travelers. But behind the scenes, the program is running into some hiccups. Specifically, Gov. David Ige said Wednesday that vaccine cards are being manually checked to ensure they’re authenticate and that the traveler is actually fully vaccinated. The state still hopes to automate the process ? potentially by June 1. “Right now the verification of vaccine status is being done manually,” Ige said. “We are working with the Safe Travels program to provide access to the state vaccination record and vaccination information. In some of our early testing, we did notice that there was some lag for some of the providers so that’s what we are working on.” Under the program, inter-island travelers can bypass quarantine by uploading their vaccine cards instead of getting tested. Currently, only residents are allowed to participate. Officials said that’s because the state only has access right now to Hawaii vaccination records. The manual nature of checking vaccination cards is in contrast to the state’s system for verifying that travelers have uploaded negative COVID-19 test results in order to skip quarantine. That process is all automated, with travelers getting a QR code that speeds their exit from the airport. The state hasn’t said when a vaccine passport could be expanded to include trans-Pacific travelers ? residents or otherwise. “Our biggest concern is for states that have very low vaccination rates,” he said. “Being able to verify that someone who says they’ve been vaccinated has in fact been vaccinated is an important consideration.”
Read MoreThe thrill of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is giving way to apprehension for many would-be summer travelers, as uncertainty continues to swirl concerning when, whether and where to travel internationally. One of the biggest areas of confusion surrounds so-called vaccine passports, which would grant travel and other freedoms to fully vaccinated people. Although everyone on social media seems to have an opinion about vaccine passports, actual facts about them remain thin. The truth is, we know very little about vaccine passports or how proof of vaccination will affect international travel. Despite a widespread need to verify vaccination status, few clear plans for how to carry out this task have come to light. Still, there are a few things that vaccinated travelers should know at this stage. Key takeaways: You’ll need to prove your vaccination status to travel to many countries. It’s not yet clear how this verification process will work. Your paper vaccine card might be good enough. Many destinations will require proof of vaccination. The European Union will ease restrictions for vaccinated U.S. travelers by late June, according to a proposal from the European Commission. And while the proposal touts the EU’s “Digital Green Certificate” vaccine passport, it concedes that, “Member States should be able to accept certificates from non-EU countries based on national law.”
Read MoreAfter years of failed attempts, recreational marijuana will go up for a vote in the Minnesota House on Thursday. It's the furthest a pot bill has ever gone in the Minnesota legislature, but the big question is... will it pass? State DFL leaders say they've put a lot of time and energy into researching what legalizing recreational marijuana could do for Minnesota, and they say they have no doubts that this bill will be passed during Thursday's scheduled 4:30 p.m. vote. "We have suffered under the myth and the lie of reefer madness for way too long," said House Majority Leader, Rep. Ryan Winkler. The legalize adult-use cannabis in Minnesota bill would allow anyone over 21 to buy marijuana from a licensed retailer, and expunge records for those with past misdemeanor marijuana convictions. It's being called a gamechanger. "The only thing that will be radically different is that fewer people will be incarcerated and more people will be able to make responsible adult decisions about cannabis," said Rep. Winkler. Recreational marijuana sales is an industry generating millions in tax revenue for the states that have legalized it. Last year alone, states like Colorado and Washington brought in more than $300 million in revenue according to the Tax Foundation. "Our preliminary estimates based on our tax numbers are something like $60 million a year, that could move up overtime," said Rep. Winkler. For years now, DFL legislators have been pushing similar bills, while being met with opposition from republicans. "They don't want to vote, they don't want to pass it that is the only thing that is standing in the way," said Rep. Winkler. In a statement, Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said legalizing marijuana isn't a state priority: “We are focused on the Minnesota Priorities that balance the budget without raising taxes, safely reopen schools and businesses to recover our economy, and support families. I would not consider legalizing recreational marijuana as a Minnesota priority.
Read MoreSen. Chuck Schumer said that he would be introducing a marijuana bill "shortly," one that would not only legalize the drug but would expunge past records. "Here’s the immediate time frame," the New York Democrat told podcast host and former South Carolina representative Bakari Sellers. "The three people working on a comprehensive bill are myself, Senator [Ron] Wyden and Senator [Corey] Booker, and we will be introducing our bill shortly." "It is not just legalization but a deal for the injustices of the past expungement of the records making sure that the money that’s made from marijuana goes to the communities, communities of color, poor people communities, that have paid the price for this ridiculous scheduling of marijuana," Schumer said. "We’re going to get some support from the right on this, we hope," Schumer continued. "It’s going to take a little while, we’re going to need a mass campaign, but there’s real excitement in the country to do this right now." Asked last month if the president could support the forthcoming bill, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said President Biden’s position hasn’t changed, and he supports "decriminalization." The House passed legislation to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level in December, the first time either chamber ever voted to do so. New York became the 16th state to legalize cannabis at the end of March, and New Mexico is expected to do so soon.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved the state of Minnesota’s revised hemp production plan. The plan governs the production and regulation of hemp in Minnesota and needed federal approval as part of USDA’s U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. “We thank USDA for their work on this new federal hemp program, and we are grateful they have approved Minnesota’s revised plan,” said Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Assistant Commissioner Whitney Place in a press release issued Monday. “This is a major step forward, and we’re pleased that modifications have been made at the federal level that can ensure Minnesota’s hemp growers and processors are successful in this fledgling industry.” This will be the first year Minnesota’s program will be operating under a new, federally approved state plan that governs production and regulation. When the 2018 Federal Farm Bill legalized hemp as an agricultural commodity, it also required states and tribal nations to submit plans to the USDA if governments wanted to oversee their own commercial program. In July 2020, USDA approved the state’s original plan. USDA then made modifications to their rule which required Minnesota to submit a revised plan for approval.
Read MoreWhen it comes to illegal grow operations, Southern Oregon law enforcement agencies have their hands full and have asked lawmakers to get involved. What that involvement will look like in practical terms has yet to be determined however Oregon Rep. Lily Morgan (R-Grants Pass) says she is doing what she can to procure her region with more resources at the state level. "I'm working with OLCC and Oregon Department of Agriculture as well as other legislators to try to increase awareness and support financially for enforcement of the illegal grows in Southern Oregon," she said during an interview on Tuesday. Though she is supporting bills relating to enforcement and regulation of the cannabis industry, she said she is not limiting solutions to what can be accomplished through those measures. "The legislature approves the budget so through the process we can allocate money towards enforcement, towards the support of the agencies that do the enforcement and licensing, and towards the grants that go to Southern Oregon," she said. "By bringing the awareness, by bringing the support we are trying to allocate what resources that we can. if the Governor is able to divert any resources she currently has that is appropriate as well. Residents in Josephine County have taken their complaints about the issue to lawmakers as well, sending a letter that denounced what they deem as a lack of enforcement that has caused illegal grows to proliferate in recent years. Complaints range from environmental to concerns over traffic and increased noise and light pollution. Morgan said she understands these concerns and realizes how big of an issue this has become in her own backyard. "It's the entirety of the situation from clearcutting our natural resources to bulldozing over creekbeds to stealing water, there is human trafficking going on, there is more serious violent crimes going on and quite frankly it is overwhelming our rural areas and it's not the culture of what Southern Oregon is," she said. Local code and water rights agencies say they have seen complaints about these violations go up since the legalization of cannabis in Southern Oregon.
Read MoreRouters serve as the mail carrier of a computer network: They deliver messages using maps of networks and computer addresses. Think of it like a mail carrier who relies on maps and addresses to get mail to the right place. Given access to the mail carriers' — or routers' — information, it would be easier for a bad actor to get access to a person's mail, or to target the information inside the network. That's an analogy one tech expert – Matt Bernhard, a research engineer at Voting Works, a nonpartisan nonprofit that advocates for open source election technology — gave while explaining the importance of keeping Maricopa County's routers secure. Arizona Senate Republicans are trying to get access to the county's routers and administrative passwords to the county's voting machines, and to provide that to private contractors they've hired to audit the county's 2020 election results, which began April 23. Bernhard said providing access to the routers is a "pretty specific risk" to the county. Also, he and other election security consultants across the country are unsure why exactly the auditors would need the routers to audit the election results. Senate liaison Ken Bennett has said they are needed to check whether the county's voting machines were connected to the internet during the election. But a county spokesperson said that the auditors already have the information and machines to perform that check, and a previous independent audit commissioned by the county proved they were not.
Read MoreIt’s a simple enough concept as the world begins its recovery from the pandemic: storing COVID-19 vaccination records online so they can be easily accessed on smartphones and other devices. Backers see it as a much more efficient proof of vaccination than the paper slips issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But these so-called vaccine passports have faced an unexpected backlash in some corners of America, where distrust of government and wild social media claims during the pandemic have sparked anger and protests. In some cases, the opposition has been led by people who last year battled against mandatory mask wearing and other COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the government. The intensity of the debate was evident Tuesday in Orange County, where hundreds of protesters descended on a Board of Supervisors meeting to oppose a pilot “passport” program. Despite assurances from officials, some opponents insisted the passports could be used to “track” people and reveal private healthcare information, and enable the county to favor residents who chose to get vaccinated. “I will not be bullied, coerced, harassed in any way, shape or form ... into participating into a massive human experiment in order to fit in,” one woman told the board. County officials repeatedly rejected the claims and expressed frustration at how they have spread. This is not about vaccines; this is about something else,” Supervisor Katrina Foley said. “We should not cater to people who are spreading misinformation and lies.” Orange County — which has for years tried to shake its reputation as a haven for political extremism — was a hotbed of opposition to mask rules and other government-imposed restrictions last year, with Gov. Gavin Newsom sparring with some officials over temporary plan to close beaches. And while cases of COVID-19 have eased considerably in the county and the rest of California, grass-roots skepticism about masks, vaccines and government remains a looming force. Some protesters Tuesday were hostile toward a Times photographer because he was wearing a mask. LAGUNA BEACH, CA - March 30: Amid pleasant weather, visitors take photos and take in the scenic view of Main Beach in Laguna Beach Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Orange County is moving into the state's less-restrictive orange tier as COVID-19 cases continue a downward trend and a windfall of vaccines rolls in. ``The numbers look good, and -- barring anything unforeseen -- we expect (Tuesday) to be on the orange tier list,'' Orange County CEO Frank Kim said. The state updates its weekly averages on Tuesdays based on statistics reported as of Sunday -- so if the numbers county officials have are accurate, the county could qualify for the orange tier on Tuesday and officially move into it on Wednesday. (Allen J. But even in the public health world, there are nuanced views about passports and the prospect of tying vaccinations to some activities.
Read MoreThe state’s vaccine passport program launched Tuesday for inter-island travelers as Hawaii works out how to expand it to trans-Pacific passengers. It applies only to people who got their shots in Hawaii. The passport program allows fully vaccinated individuals to skip a COVID-19 test or travel-related quarantine. Residents and businesses were delighted about the launch of the new program. “it makes it a little easier. We don’t have to get that quarantine from the county of Kauai anymore,” said Roy Shioi, who was traveling inter-island Tuesday. Pratt Kinimaka agreed. “It’s much less work. You have to do online and you have to just bring the two pieces of paper so it’s a lot easier.” The state says 40% of Hawaii’s population is now fully vaccinated and can participate in the program.
Read MoreEurope seems poised to set the global standard for vaccine passports, now that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has signaled that vaccinated Americans will be allowed to travel to the continent this summer.
Read MoreIn this column, I will examine whether cannabis legalization is likely to eliminate the black market, deprive violent criminal groups of money, and reduce criminal violence.
Read MoreThe national market is set to reach $30.6 billion by 2025.
Read MoreThe Senate Supplemental Funding initiatives include nearly $2 million for an upgrade to Florida’s election hardware.
Read MoreThe E.U. is planning to allow fully vaccinated Americans to visit and travel within its borders this summer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the New York Times Sunday.
Read MoreSenator Sharon Hewitt has proposed a bill to create a commission that would oversee the selection process of new voting machines. The Secretary of State has had to halt his search for machines twice and now there are hopes this commission can ensure voter trust in the process.
Read MoreThe governors of Texas, Florida and Arizona have announced executive orders to curtail the use of so-called vaccine passports, or documentation of Covid-19 vaccinations.
Read MoreThe arrival of delta-8-THC—which is being sold in various places as a tincture, in vape pens, added to food, and sprayed on hemp flower so that it can be smoked—coincided with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, in which Congress repealed the federal prohibition on hemp and its byproducts.
Read MoreA recent poll found that approximately one-quarter of U.S. adults said they had used cannabis within the last year.
Read MoreSome states have already introduced their own digital health passports with assistance from the private sector, while others are still in development. But the idea is entirely off the table in several states. As a result, vaccine passports have created something of a flashpoint.
Read MorePfizer Inc. PFE +1.31% says it has identified in Mexico and Poland the first confirmed instances of counterfeit versions of the Covid-19 vaccine it developed with BioNTech SE, BNTX +3.48% the latest attempt by criminals trying to exploit the world-wide vaccination campaign.
Read MoreCounterfeit versions of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine have been identified in Mexico and Poland, a Pfizer spokesperson confirmed to ABC News -- adding to the running tally of scam attempts in the U.S. and internationally.
Read MoreThe Federal Cannabis Regulations Working Group released its Principles for FederalCannabis Regulations and Reform, outlining what a federal regulatory framework—grounded in justice and social equity—should look like. The working group was convened by the Drug PolicyAlliance at the beginning of this year.
Read MoreOne listing offered eBay customers an “Authentic CDC Vaccination Record Card” for $10.99. Another promised the same but for $9.49. A third was more oblique, offering a “Clear Pouch For CDC Vaccination Record Card” for $8.99, but customers instead received a blank vaccination card (and no pouch).
Read MoreA bipartisan group of 11 state election chiefs last week asked the Department of Homeland Security to do more in coming elections to push back against foreign disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining the U.S. democratic process.
Read MoreAs the number of people vaccinated rapidly climbs and we plan for a return to “normal,” a thorny issue is emerging: whether employers and managers of other public places can or should require COVID shots for entry and, if so, how best to verify someone has been vaccinated.
Read MoreThe structure of the new laws in states likes Virginia, New Jersey, and New York—to name a few—have put centerstage a recognition that the war on drugs was and is a racist institution that purposefully harmed communities of color for decades.
Read MoreCurrently, Americans are issued a white paper card as evidence of their Covid-19 shots, but these can easily be forged, and online scammers are already selling false and stolen vaccine cards.
Read MoreAs COVID-19 vaccination rolls out in parts of the world, many countries have started to implement or are considering the use of COVID-19 “vaccine passports” – paper or digital forms certifying that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19 – for purposes of international travel.
Read MoreSenate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says a bill to federally legalize marijuana that he’s planning to introduce will be brought to the floor of his chamber “soon.”
Read MoreThe Biden administration announced a range of retaliatory measures against Russia on Thursday, including sanctions and diplomatic expulsions, in response to Moscow’s alleged election interference, a widespread hacking campaign and other malign activity.
Read MoreMany businesses view some sort of vaccine verification system as key to getting back to normal. But in the absence of federal leadership, a confusing patchwork approach is likely to pop up.
Read MorePfizer CEO Albert Bourla said people will “likely” need a third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine within 12 months of getting fully vaccinated.
Read MoreThere was alarm that Delta 8 was essentially unregulated and could be available to children.
Read MoreFrom January to March, Illinois generated about $86,537,000 in adult-use marijuana tax revenue, compared to $72,281,000 from liquor sales.
Read MoreTotal marijuana sales in Colorado reached $167 million in February, the state’s revenue department announced on Friday.
Read MoreMuch of the “election integrity” legislation in Georgia and around the country would actually weaken our election systems and reduce their capacity to recover from a technological problem, whether a malfunction or an attack.
Read MoreCould such passports dictate where we work and play, whether we can go to school, or how we travel? Who would have the legal authority to issue them or require their use? Is the data that would back them up accurate and secure? Would a system involving vaccine passports be inherently unfair?
Read MoreFans attending Buffalo Bills games this upcoming NFL season will have to show proof they've been vaccinated for Covid-19 using New York's Excelsior Pass vaccine passport system—a phone app where users can upload proof of vaccinations—making the Bills the first team to enact such a policy as the NFL eyes a return to full capacity for games this fall.
Read MoreNew Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday signed two bills that, together, legalize the use and possession of cannabis and expunge previous cannabis related criminal records.
Read MoreThe County of Mendocino’s cannabis cultivation permit program is currently closed to new applications, and just what the process and regulations will look like for new applicants has been the source of much debate over the past several months.
Read MoreMr. Biden is planning to nominate Jen Easterly, a former senior counterterrorism and cybersecurity official at NSA with experience at the Obama White House, to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. CISA is an arm of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for election security and protecting civilian government networks from hackers, as well as securing the nation’s critical infrastructure from both physical and cyber threats.
Read MoreA political debate has erupted over the idea of requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry into certain settings. While politicians argue over equity and privacy concerns, some businesses and institutions are moving ahead and developing apps for people to prove their status easily and securely.
Read MoreAccordingly, policymakers will have to design secure and efficient ways to facilitate international travel and individuals’ access to in-person public events and gatherings, as well as places of higher education and certain businesses.
Read MoreYet it’s another matter how people prove they’ve had their shots or are COVID-19-free. Republican politicians and privacy advocates are bristling over so-called vaccination passports, with some states moving to restrict their use.
Read More"States should mandate voting systems that produce voter-verifiable paper ballots. The voter-verifiable ballot should be the ballot of record for any audit or recount."
Read MoreThe Montana House has passed largely along party lines three different proposals to regulate and tax recreational marijuana. Lawmakers faced a looming procedural deadline Thursday and are now handing the policy debate over to the Senate.
Read MoreThe Cannabis Regulatory Commission will hold its first meeting April 12, marking the official launch of a powerful state agency that will be tasked with rulemaking and licensing for New Jersey’s adult use industry.
Read MoreVaccine "passports" are making headlines and eliciting emergency measures by governors in a handful of states.
Read MoreRegardless of where you live, vaccine passports on the horizon promise to fast-track our safe return to public spaces. But only if people are able to access and trust them. And that’s a big if.
Read MoreThere's a growing debate over "vaccine passports" — proof that you've gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. Some businesses and even cruise lines are demanding them but opposition is building over privacy and other concerns.
Read MoreSenate File 363, which passed unanimously in February, regulates and adds a hefty licensing fee and sales tax on retailers that sell glassware and metal designed for inhaling tobacco and other substances. The bill forces the retailer to have an annual permit that costs $1,500 on top of a 40% tax purchase on the price of the pipe. An additional annual permit would be required to mail products, also $1,500.
Read MoreThe Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, a unit of the Treasury Department, has been meeting with groups including the Drug Policy Alliance and the National Cannabis Roundtable to talk about cannabis regulations.
Read MoreBut the study’s authors said the California’s still vibrant world of unlicensed retailers is the biggest problem when it comes to selling cannabis to underage consumers. Statewide, the illicit market remains three times larger than the legal market, since the lack of taxes and regulations allows unlicensed shops to sell cheaper products to anyone who comes shopping — including minors.
Read MoreA bill that would legalize recreational marijuana cleared its first hurdle Tuesday when the judiciary committee approved it by a narrow margin.
Read MoreThere is not yet an available, standardized way to prove you’ve been vaccinated; we can expect further guidance to come from the CDC and/or the Biden administration.
Read MoreGov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday that it's too early for Massachusetts to start thinking about "vaccine passports" or making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for state employees, saying instead that the state needs to concentrate on getting as many people as possible vaccinated voluntarily.
Read MoreThe Virginia House of Delegates and Senate have both accepted the governor’s amendment to their respective versions of legislation to legalize marijuana in the state, including a revision that will push up the timeline to allow adults to possess and cultivate cannabis for personal use this summer instead of in 2024.
Read MoreAdams says those devices that are being distributed to 120 county clerk’s offices are called Yubikey. These devices will help improve cybersecurity for future elections.
Read MoreThe Mercury News reports that San Francisco public health officials are behind the mandate — which is the only one of its kind. So far.
Read MoreIn the process, a new question is emerging: Should governments and the private sector embrace the idea of a digital vaccine passport for travel and even for everyday life?
Read MoreWhite House press secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday ruled out the Biden administration playing any role in a "vaccine passport" system as Republican governors in particular balk at the concept.
Read MoreGrowing conservative backlash to the idea of "vaccine passports" — proposed by some private-sector industries to promote a safer environment as states begin to ease coronavirus restrictions — could make Republicans even less likely to get their shots, experts warned.
Read MoreCountries across the globe have begun announcing “vaccine passports,” allowing their citizens to use proof of vaccination to travel once again.
Read MoreThe World Health Organization (WHO) does not currently support the use of "vaccine passports" for travel because of concerns of equity, an agency official said Tuesday.
Read MoreNortheastern University announced Tuesday that it will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all students returning to campus this fall.
Read MoreA vaccine passport would show a person has been vaccinated, allowing them to travel domestically and internationally or attend large gatherings if they're required.
Read MoreNew Mexico isn’t wasting any time setting up its adult-use marijuana market, with regulators launching a website to provide information about the state’s impending new cannabis policy before the governor has even signed a legalization bill into law.
Read MoreNew stores, stimulus checks, warming temperatures and tourists combined to help drive Illinois recreational cannabis sales to yet another monthly record with $109 million in purchases in March.
Read MoreThe messaging war over new voting laws has led to a rise in exaggerated or misleading claims at a time when trust in elections is already fragile after a contentious 2020 campaign.
Read MoreNew Mexico isn’t wasting any time setting up its adult-use marijuana market, with regulators launching a website to provide information about the state’s impending new cannabis policy before the governor has even signed a legalization bill into law.
Read MoreNew stores, stimulus checks, warming temperatures and tourists combined to help drive Illinois recreational cannabis sales to yet another monthly record with $109 million in purchases in March.
Read MoreThe messaging war over new voting laws has led to a rise in exaggerated or misleading claims at a time when trust in elections is already fragile after a contentious 2020 campaign.
Read MoreNew York’s Excelsior Pass, developed by IBM, is essentially a simple digital wallet that can be accessed on mobile devices, which holds three items: your name, a QR code and a green check mark.
Read MoreNew York’s Excelsior Pass, developed by IBM, is essentially a simple digital wallet that can be accessed on mobile devices, which holds three items: your name, a QR code and a green check mark.
Read MoreAfter years of stalled attempts, New York State has legalized the use of recreational marijuana, enacting a robust program that will reinvest millions of dollars of tax revenues from cannabis in minority communities ravaged by the decades-long war on drugs.
Read MoreOklahoma’s House Bill 2646 would make minor changes to the state’s already established medical cannabis guidelines and regulations. It would clear up any uncertainty and provide more regulation for the growing industry.
Read MoreNew Mexico House lawmakers approved a revised marijuana legalization bill on Wednesday, sending the proposal to the Senate, where lawmakers are scheduled to consider it later in the day.
Read MoreAhead of the voter referendum that legalized adult-use marijuana sales in Massachusetts, proponents argued open and regulated cannabis sales would eliminate the black market. So four years after that referendum was approved, it may seem discouraging that a November report estimated about 68 percent of marijuana sales in Massachusetts in 2020 would be on the black market.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security is undertaking a series of “sprints” to enhance American cybersecurity in the wake of major attacks.
Read MoreThe Department of Homeland Security is working on a proposal for a "cyber response and recovery fund" to provide additional cybersecurity assistance to state and local governments through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Wednesday.
Read MoreInstead, the Biden administration has decided to leave it to the states and the private sector to figure this out, with the federal government setting some baseline guidance.
Read MoreAs the coronavirus vaccine becomes more readily available, leaders in travel, tech, and politics are increasingly talking about vaccine passports — documentation of coronavirus vaccination or recent negative Covid test, according to an AP article published by Insider.
Read MoreThe Biden administration said this week that it won’t build a national vaccination app, leaving it to the private sector to create mobile digital passports that can prove people have been vaccinated for Covid-19.
Read MoreRepublicans are up in arms over the possibility that businesses and local governments may require vaccine passports for people to get access to certain activities, buildings or events.
Read MoreAfter years of stalled attempts, New York State has legalized the use of recreational marijuana, enacting a robust program that will reinvest millions of dollars of tax revenues from cannabis in minority communities ravaged by the decades-long war on drugs.
Read MoreOklahoma’s House Bill 2646 would make minor changes to the state’s already established medical cannabis guidelines and regulations. It would clear up any uncertainty and provide more regulation for the growing industry.
Read MoreNew Mexico House lawmakers approved a revised marijuana legalization bill on Wednesday, sending the proposal to the Senate, where lawmakers are scheduled to consider it later in the day.
Read MoreAhead of the voter referendum that legalized adult-use marijuana sales in Massachusetts, proponents argued open and regulated cannabis sales would eliminate the black market. So four years after that referendum was approved, it may seem discouraging that a November report estimated about 68 percent of marijuana sales in Massachusetts in 2020 would be on the black market.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security is undertaking a series of “sprints” to enhance American cybersecurity in the wake of major attacks.
Read MoreThe Department of Homeland Security is working on a proposal for a "cyber response and recovery fund" to provide additional cybersecurity assistance to state and local governments through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Wednesday.
Read MoreInstead, the Biden administration has decided to leave it to the states and the private sector to figure this out, with the federal government setting some baseline guidance.
Read MoreAs the coronavirus vaccine becomes more readily available, leaders in travel, tech, and politics are increasingly talking about vaccine passports — documentation of coronavirus vaccination or recent negative Covid test, according to an AP article published by Insider.
Read MoreThe Biden administration said this week that it won’t build a national vaccination app, leaving it to the private sector to create mobile digital passports that can prove people have been vaccinated for Covid-19.
Read MoreRepublicans are up in arms over the possibility that businesses and local governments may require vaccine passports for people to get access to certain activities, buildings or events.
Read MoreCannabis is now a growing medical and recreational industry that generates about $15 billion a year in annual sales and rising. Those sales provide tax revenue to governments while generating broader economic activity, such as job creation and an influx of new spending in communities.
Read MoreBritish Columbia is pressing Canada’s federal government to revamp the country’s home medical cannabis cultivation program, calling some instances of authorized home production a significant source for the illegal market.
Read MoreTo help local election officials prepare for and respond to cyber threats, the National Institute of Standards and Technology has published a draft framework that takes NIST's pre-existing cybersecurity best practices and applies them to the voting equipment and information systems supporting elections
Read MoreA new report shows that national sales boomed during the COVID pandemic in 2020, including in Washington, leading to growth in revenue and jobs.
Read MoreWyoming is inching closer to legal marijuana, as HB02029 is working its way through the statehouse.
Read MoreGovernment officials in Hawaii aren’t speaking – not on the record, anyway – but a vaccine passport to visit the state could be ready by May and announced as soon as this week, according to the Honolulu Civil Beat.
Read MoreAnyone who wants to fly to America must present evidence that they’re negative for COVID-19, and with over 400 million vaccinated against the insidious virus worldwide, ‘vaxications’ are on the rise. But photos or print-outs of vaccination records are easily lost or faked – and often illegible. So it’s no surprise that tech companies are jumping into the fray to provide solutions.
Read MoreVaccine verification apps could play a key role in helping us get back to normal. But the companies behind them may first need to convince millions of Americans -- scarred from years of headlines about data scandals -- that these apps don't pose significant privacy risks.
Read MoreThe Biden administration and private companies are working to develop a standard for a "vaccine passport" that could be used as the country tries to reopen in the coming months.
Read MoreStarting Monday, travellers who lie about carrying marijuana over the Canadian border could face fines.
Read MoreNew York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that the state will expand its vaccine passport program beyond a pilot phase, enabling all state residents to display proof that they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 on their phone.
Read MoreNew York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s three-year effort to legalize cannabis for adult recreational use appeared to have succeeded Thursday, amid reports of an agreement with lawmakers that could lead to a vote as soon as next week.
Read MoreRepublicans in the Georgia legislature have passed a sweeping elections law that would add an ID requirement to absentee ballots, shorten runoffs in the state after two high-profile Republican losses and strip the secretary of state off of the state election board.
Read MorePart of this effort included the formation of the Election Security Group (ESG) with the NSA. “The ESG ensured that intelligence informed whole-of-nation efforts to harden defenses and prevent or disrupt threats to the U.S. elections,” Gen. Nakasone indicated.
Read MoreGreece is at the forefront of a bid to revive travel with the help of so-called vaccine passports—certificates or digital cards testifying to the apparent low-risk status of their holders—which is gaining traction in tourist-reliant economies from the Caribbean to Thailand.
Read MoreTravel industry trade groups, airlines and other organizations are developing so-called vaccine passports to make it easier to navigate changing rules. Most are in early stages or only used in certain destinations, though their creators say they are working to expand use. What’s less clear is whether any will emerge as a standard accepted broadly worldwide.
Read MoreNews that holograms could be ‘printed’ on food shows how innovation continues to push the technology’s boundaries, says the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA). This follows reports from the USA that scientists have moulded edible holograms onto chocolate. Currently the process only works for certain types of confection, but the development could open-up a host of exciting future possibilities around the control and labelling of food, says the IHMA.
Read MoreCannabis Regulatory Update: Senators Reintroduce SAFE Act, Maryland Cannabis Bill Fails, Michigan Sales Soar
Read MoreN.Y. Pot Legalization Gets Fast Track on Cuomo-Lawmaker Deal
Read MoreUS marijuana reform a ‘tall order’ for Congress, new MJ coalition chief says
Read MoreMarijuana Legalization Bills Died In Three States This Week As Others Move Forward
Read MoreNew Harris County voting machines provide backup paper ballots
Read MoreVaccination passport apps could help society reopen – first they have to be secure, private and trusted
Read MoreBuilding a Covid Travel Passport Is a Serious Tech Challenge
Read MoreHere's how much vaccines are selling for on the illegal market
Read MoreStatistics Canada released December retail sales for the country this morning, with cannabis sales growth decreasing sequentially
Read MoreLegislation to legalize cannabis in New Mexico advanced Thursday toward a decisive Senate floor vote under a framework that emphasizes government oversight of pricing and supplies and social services for communities where the criminalization of pot led to aggressive policing.
Read MoreWhile the bill avoids some of the worst fears of marijuana legalization advocates — such as tracking how much pot recreational users purchase — it makes sweeping adjustments to how revenue generated by a 20% tax on cannabis would be allocated
Read MoreDespite the decentralized initial approach and the practical challenges of implementing a universally recognized system, the idea of vaccine passports is likely to become reality in the near term, says Gianfranco Casati, Accenture’s chief executive officer in growth markets.
Read MoreRussians are reportedly using the messaging app Telegram to buy and sell counterfeit COVID-19 vaccination certificates for around $25.
Read MoreThe Falmouth Board of Health voted Monday to revise two local tobacco regulations regarding exposure and sales. One regulation further restricts the sale of tobacco and other nicotine delivery products, while the other prohibits smoking and vaping in workplaces and public places, including parks, town beaches and public streets. The new regulations fall in line with Massachusetts General Laws that prohibit the sale of tobacco or nicotine products to a person under 21 years old. They also cap the number of retailers allowed to sell tobacco products in town at 35. Smoking and vaping is prohibited in any location open to the public. Retailers that sell tobacco products must post a sign stating that “No person younger than 21 years old is permitted on the premises at any time." The new regulations also require businesses that sell e-cigarettes to have a sign stating that “the use of e-cigarettes at indoor establishments is prohibited by local law,” according to the new regulations. Smoking and vaping is prohibited in any location open to the public. That includes public transportation, playgrounds, indoor and outdoor events and outdoor areas where food or beverages are served, such as restaurants, bars and taverns. Smoking bars, such as cigar or hookah bars, are also prohibited in town under the new regulations.
Read MoreLess than a month after New Jersey legalized weed, the state is already considering a host of changes pressed for by different interests in the Garden State's quickly expanding marijuana universe. The changes include scrapping a provision barring police officers from contacting parents of minors caught with marijuana on a first offense. Police officers, joined by parents and elected officials, have argued it unfairly binds the hands of law enforcement and leaves parents in the dark. Another change would give employers more flexibility in targeting workers believed to be consuming weed on the job, or are otherwise impaired. Discussions include creating a process whereby certain critical employers, such as police departments, can bar their workers altogether from using weed, officials told the USA TODAY Network New Jersey. Still another notable revision — one on the radar of legal weed proponents for years — would open the door to home cultivators in a limited way. So-called "home grow" has long been a feature in other states where marijuana is legal.
Read MoreA push to make New Mexico the latest state to legalize recreational cannabis for adults users is still alive at the Roundhouse. With time running out on this year’s 60-day legislative session, a key Senate committee voted 5-4 early Thursday morning to send a retooled House-approved legalization bill to the full Senate for consideration. The Senate Judiciary Committee vote, which came after nearly four hours of debate that stretched well past midnight, put the measure on track to win legislative approval by Saturday’s adjournment.
Read MoreNew York is “extremely close” to legalizing recreational marijuana, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins told PIX11 Tuesday. “It is a matter of when, not if.” After years of political negotiations and failed deals, New York’s Assembly, Senate and governor are now all working together on the imminent legalization of recreational marijuana. “We’re looking at trying to get it done before we pass the budget,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie explained. The current deal will be finalized once lawmakers come to an agreement on a how to officially determine if a person is driving while impaired from marijuana. Lawmakers have already agreed to address criminal justice concerns in communities of color, “making sure that these communities have the opportunities to really benefit from the economies and the industry that will be created,” Stewart-Cousins said. When smoking marijuana becomes legal for adults, Legal Aid Society Attorney Anne Oredeko believes the state should also automatically remove past marijuana convictions from a person’s criminal record. “If we don’t have automatic expungement, many people are going to walk around still having that scarlet letter on their backs,” she said. A Siena College poll released this week showed 59% of New Yorkers support legalizing recreational marijuana. The New York State PTA has vocalized their opposition to legalization, saying marijuana would have a negative impact on young people if they gain access.
Read MoreMany U.S. companies loudly championed voter access in 2020 and recoiled at the stolen-election myth that fueled the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. Now that Republican state lawmakers across the country are using the same debunked claims to advance unprecedented ballot restrictions, those businesses have fallen mostly silent. The reluctance to take a public stand against the measures is starkest in corporate headquarters-rich Georgia, where Republican lawmakers are proposing dramatic voting curbs that would especially affect Black voters. Ballot-rights advocates are pushing companies -- including Coca-Cola Co, Delta Airlines Inc., AFLAC Inc., Home Depot Inc., United Parcel Service Inc. and Southern Co. -- to oppose the bills. The activists, who helped deliver control of the U.S. Senate to the Democrats, are also putting pressure on President Joe Biden to support an overhaul of federal election laws that would shield voters’ rights from statehouse Republican efforts to undermine them. For weeks, the corporate response has been to issue anodyne statements extolling democracy and broad voter access, but calling for a balance with “election security” -- effectively legitimizing the discredited voter-fraud allegations Republicans are using to justify making it harder to vote.
Read MoreAirlines and others in the travel industry are throwing their support behind so-called vaccine passports to boost pandemic-depressed travel, and authorities in Europe could embrace the idea quickly enough for the peak summer vacation season. Technology companies and travel-related trade groups are developing and testing various versions of the vaccine passports, also called health certificates or travel passes. It is not clear, however, whether any of the passports under development will be accepted broadly around the world, and the result could be confusion among travelers and disappointment for the travel industry. Here are some key questions about the health credentials.
Read MoreThe European Commission has proposed creating Digital Green Certificates to let people prove their vaccine status, and allow them to travel freely across the European Union by this summer. Despite a shaky vaccine rollout, Europe is eager to reopen to travelers this summer. The European Commission is outlining plans for something it calls a Digital Green Certificate. It's a document that they say will make it easier for EU residents to travel. But as Rebecca Rosman found out, the idea is not popular with everyone. REBECCA ROSMAN, BYLINE: Europeans are divided on the question of vaccine passports. Tourist-dependent Mediterranean countries like Greece, Spain and Croatia love the idea. But their northern neighbors, including Belgium, Germany and France, are a bit more wary.
Read MoreLegislators said March 18 they crafted the bill based on what has been done in the 14 states that have already legalized marijuana – many plagued by out-of-state corporate interests and heavy regulation that cut into local profits.
Read MoreAfter several stalled attempts, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and top lawmakers say a deal to legalize marijuana for adult use is closer than ever before. The Democratic governor and legislative leaders have all told reporters in recent days that negotiations over a marijuana-legalization bill have resulted in major progress. On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers, said a deal is "extremely close." “We have continued to ... have negotiations and really have ironed out a lot of what we think would be important in terms of making sure we do this right," she said. The impasse right now is over marijuana use as it relates to impaired driving, said Stewart-Cousins. But she added: “I’m optimistic that it will be resolved sooner rather than later.” Word of an impending deal comes amid recent polling showing broad support of marijuana legalization in New York. In March, a Siena College poll found that nearly 60% of New York voters who responded supported legalizing recreational marijuana. About 30% opposed it and 8% said they either had no opinion or did not know. In New York, some earlier proposals for marijuana legalization were stymied as pro-cannabis activists and Democratic lawmakers said that Cuomo had rejected measures to ensure enough money went to communities of color disproportionately harmed by enforcement of marijuana prohibition. Sweeping legalization has also seen opposition from law enforcement, physicians and educational groups. But New York still approved a law decriminalizing small amounts of possession of marijuana in 2019.
Read MoreThe legalization of adult use recreational cannabis may soon receive funding. Included in the New York State Budget is funding to create the Office of Cannabis Management, which is a needed first step in legalization. Local experts say a standalone bill to legalize cannabis could be voted on as early as next week, which has potential growers excited for the future. "It gives opportunities to micro businesses, on terms consumption, at-home delivery, its really a great bill for industry," Castetter Cannabis Group CEO Kaelan Castetter told 12 News Tuesday. "It also takes into account equity applicants, economic equity, social equity or disadvantaged farmers," he said. Castetter says he'd expect commercial purchases to be available by the end of 2021 or next year if the legalization bill is passed.
Read MoreUnder legislation now under consideration by Florida lawmakers, county elections supervisors would be able to withhold information about the ever-present possibility of systems being hacked and voter records being altered. Those dangers came close to happening in at least four Florida counties in 2016, according to federal intelligence reports. Voting rights groups, government watchdogs and members of Florida’s congressional delegation have pushed for greater transparency in disclosing those security breaches, but ameasure by Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, would go the opposite direction. “We’ve seen in past elections a real invasion from outside sources to try to intimidate and change certain information,” Broxson said Tuesday in introducing the bill (SB 1704). “It happened in my county.” In its first committee hearing, the bill was cleared without debate or objection. It has two more committees before it reaches the Senate floor. Because the bill expands an existing public records exemption, it will need a two-thirds vote for final passage. The measure has the full backing of the statewide Florida Supervisors of Elections association, which has made it a legislative priority.
Read MoreIn sharp contrast to bitter partisan battles being waged elsewhere over election laws, Republicans and Democrats in Kentucky moved closer Tuesday toward loosening the state's voting access laws to make limited early voting a fixture. A measure overwhelmingly approved Tuesday in the state Senate would give Kentucky voters three days of no-excuse, early in-person voting — including a Saturday — before Election Day. But it backed off from the temporary, pandemic-related accommodations made last year that allowed widespread mail-in absentee balloting. The bill also seeks to strengthen election security protections. The legislation passed the Senate by a 33-3 margin, sending it back to the House to consider changes made to it. Republicans dominate both chambers, but Senate Democrats joined in voting for the bill. However, the measure didn't come up for a potential final vote before the House adjourned shortly before midnight. That means supporters will have to wait until lawmakers reconvene for a two-day wrap-up session in late March to take up the measure. If it clears the legislature, it would be sent to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. “If it passes and becomes law, not only will it transform the way in which Kentucky elects its public officials, but also ensure that we have one of the best voter integrity laws in the country,” Republican Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer said. Kentucky is accustomed to bare-knuckled partisan fights, but its top elections official noted the mild tone in the state, especially compared to the bitter debates on election law changes in other states. It echoed the tone set before last year's primaries, when Beshear and Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams hashed out emergency voting measures during the pandemic that helped Kentucky largely avoid the long lines and other problems encountered elsewhere. Adams noted this week that while other states are “trying to make it harder to vote,” Kentucky lawmakers are “improving both voter access and election integrity.” He has called it Kentucky’s “most significant election-reform legislation” in nearly three decades. Across the country, Republicans have introduced a flood of legislation to restrict voting access after President Joe Biden beat former President Donald Trump in November. Many of the proposals target absentee voting after Trump repeatedly made false claims about fraud in mail voting.
Read MoreSen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) urged his congressional colleagues to pass legislation aimed at expanding voting access in his first speech from the Senate floor on Wednesday as a number of Republican-led state legislatures across the country, particularly in Georgia, have advanced bills that advocates say would make it more difficult to vote. Warnock said hundreds of what he referred to as “voter suppression bills” have been filed in his state and others “using the big lie of voter fraud as a pretext for voter suppression” since January, when he and Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff (Ga.) unseated two incumbent Republicans in a pair of races that shifted control of the upper chamber to their party. Warnock, who is co-sponsoring the “For The People Act,” a sweeping elections reform bill that passed the House earlier this month, urged Congress to pass the voting bill as well as the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in order to protect voting rights.
Read MoreThe first digital “vaccine passports” for post-pandemic travel have been designed as easy-to-use applications that will one day merge into other travel platforms, like airline apps, their developers say. Though popularly known as vaccine passports, the apps also include information like Covid-19 test status, and are in trial runs in several places around the world. Clear, the trusted-traveler program that helps fliers get through airport security more quickly, is testing a Covid-19 test or vaccination-verification app on some flights into Hawaii as part of a pilot program with the state. Clear’s Health Pass app is already being used by some sports leagues and museums to verify the Covid-19 status of ticketholders, the company said. Other organizations, like the nonprofit Commons Project Foundation and the International Air Transport Association or IATA, are introducing their own apps that also aim to let passengers quickly prove they have had the Covid-19 test or vaccination required to cross a border. The apps would save travelers the trouble of uploading health documents to the immigration website of each destination country.
Read MoreThe European Union on Wednesday launched a closely watched effort to create a joint vaccination passport for its more than 440?million citizens and residents, embarking on a tightrope walk between economic pressures, discrimination fears and concerns over Europe's slow vaccination progress. Supporters hope the “digital green certificates” will be ready by June, which could help to salvage the European summer tourism season and even serve as a model that could be extended to the United States and other countries. But E.U. countries lag far behind the United States in vaccinations, which has raised concerns that the passport plan could be launched prematurely. The passes are expected to be digital or paper documents for travelers to prove that they have been vaccinated, that they recovered from the virus or recently tested negative for it. In many cases, this could free travelers from quarantine obligations.
Read MorePeople who get Covid-19 shots at thousands of Walmart and Sam’s Club stores may soon be able to verify their vaccination status at airports, schools and other locations using a health passport app on their smartphones. The retail giant said on Wednesday that it had signed on to an international effort to provide standardized digital vaccination credentials to people. The company joins a push already backed by major health centers and tech companies including Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce, Cerner, Epic Systems, the Mitre Corporation and the Mayo Clinic. “Walmart is the first huge-scale administrator of vaccines that is committing to giving people a secure, verifiable record of their vaccinations,” said Paul Meyer, the chief executive of the Commons Project Foundation, a nonprofit in Geneva that has developed health passport apps. “We think many others will follow.”
Read MoreIt's been a wild ride toward legalized marijuana in South Dakota. In the November election, South Dakota voters approved two separate measures to do away with the state's nearly century-old prohibition on pot. Initiated Measure 26 legalized medical marijuana with about 70% of ballots cast in favor. At the same time, Constitutional Amendment A to legalize recreational marijuana also earned support from a majority of South Dakotans, with about 54% of all ballots cast favoring the end of pot prohibition in the state. But a future in South Dakota with legalized marijuana quickly came under fire by Gov. Kristi Noem, who used the courts to block recreational marijuana and the influence of her office to pressure the Legislature to stand in the way of medical marijuana. Today, IM 26 stands to take effect this summer, and Constitutional Amendment A is tied up in court. Barring a special session of the state Legislature and subsequent action, legal medical marijuana will become a reality in about 100 days. Based on codified law currently on the South Dakota rule books, the Department of Health has 180 days, or six months, from July 1 to open up an application process for both medical marijuana cards and licenses for both commercial growers and sellers of medical cannabis.
Read MoreLast month, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed three bills making it official: marijuana will soon be growing legally in the gardens of the Garden State for anyone over 21 to enjoy. The bills follow through on a marijuana legalization ballot initiative that New Jerseyans approved overwhelmingly last year. New Jersey is now one of a dozen states, plus the District of Columbia, which have let loose the magic dragon — and more states, like Virginia, may be on the way. It's been almost a decade since Colorado and Washington legalized marijuana. That's given economists and other researchers enough time to study the effects of the policy. Here are some of the most interesting findings: Legalization didn't seem to substantially affect crime rates — Proponents of legalizing weed claimed it would reduce violent crimes. Opponents said it would increase violent crimes. A study by the CATO Institute finds, "Overall, violent crime has neither soared nor plummeted in the wake of marijuana legalization." Legalization seems to have little or no effect on traffic accidents and fatalities — Opponents of marijuana legalization argued it would wreak havoc on the road. A few studies have found that's not the case. Economists Benjamin Hansen, Keaton S. Miller & Caroline Weber, for instance, found evidence suggesting it had no effect on trends in traffic fatalities in both Colorado and Washington.
Read MoreThe legal marijuana industry’s struggle to find banks willing to offer loans and account services was widely reported when states legalized the drug for recreational and medicinal purposes in recent years. Marijuana’s opaque legal status — it remains prohibited under federal law — means most financial institutions won't touch it. But those troubles also extend to hemp, which also comes from the cannabis plant and found itself in similarly murky legal terrain until the 2018 Farm Bill fully legalized the crop. Ohio lifted its hemp prohibition in 2019. Even so, hemp farmers and processors say they have to call dozens of banks before they find one willing to loan money or let them open an account. The few financial institutions willing to serve hemp growers and entrepreneurs generally charge higher fees.
Read MoreThe breaches of SolarWinds and Microsoft software, which collectively ensnared the data of federal and local governments as well as thousands of other U.S. organizations, have renewed a longstanding debate: Should companies be required to report cybersecurity breaches to the government? Lawmakers have debated the issue for more than a decade without much success in passing legislation. What's different this time is companies are actively urging Congress to take swift action. They say failure to do so puts national security at risk. “I don't think there's ever been more organizations breached at one time. We're at a world record right this minute,” says Kevin Mandia, chief executive of cybersecurity firm FireEye. “So obviously we have got to do something differently than what we're doing … Whatever is currently in place has led us to a situation that's the worst I've ever seen in my career.”
Read MoreAre Democrats in Congress and their good government allies going to blow it again on voting rights? It sure looks like they could — by portraying the 791-page For the People Act, or H.R. 1, as the only hope to save American democracy from a new wave of Republican voter suppression. This mammoth bill has little chance of being enacted. But a more pinpointed law, including one restoring a key part of the Voting Rights Act, could make it out of the Senate to guarantee voting rights protections for all in the 2022 and 2024 elections. In the wake of former president Donald Trump’s relentless false attacks on the integrity of the 2020 elections, Republican lawmakers throughout the country have proposed over 250 bills to make it harder for people to register and vote. Although the sponsors tout these bills as measures to deter fraud or promote voter confidence, the history of similar laws shows that they do neither. Laws requiring people to make copies of their driver’s license to prove their identities when voting absentee, for example, prevent no appreciable amount of fraud because there is not a lot of impersonation voter fraud overall. Nonetheless, some of these state laws are likely to pass, and some will probably survive court challenges, thanks to a Supreme Court that has proved to be less protective of voting rights over time. This means that many of the gains in voting rights in the fall, prompted partly by the coronavirus pandemic, may be rolled back by the next time Americans choose members of the House, the Senate and the White House.
Read MoreThe federal government shouldn't be involved in verifying that people have been vaccinated against COVID-19, the White House says, but whatever process is developed should be free, private and secure. "It's not the role of the government to hold that data and to do that," Andy Slavitt, White House senior adviser for COVID-19 response, said in a briefing Monday. While Americans need a way to reliably demonstrate that they’ve been vaccinated, the government shouldn’t be the one issuing such a certification, Slavitt said. “It should be private. The data should be secure. Access to it should be free. It should be available both digitally and in paper and in multiple languages. And it should be open source,” he said. As more people are vaccinated, both here and around the world, it will likely become more important to provide proof of vaccination – to get on a plane or a cruise ship, hold certain jobs or even enjoy a night out.
Read MoreAfter getting both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, I stored my appointment card in a safe. As a lead instructor for NATO special forces training, I'll need to prove my vaccination status before traveling to NATO headquarters in Belgium when in-person learning resumes, most likely this summer. But my vaccine card, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will actually not be enough to prove that I am fully vaccinated, especially for international travel. The cards are too easy to forge. With more than 335 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine administered around the world so far, according to the World Health Organization, the race is on to develop a Covid-19 “vaccine passport.” While planning for my NATO trip, I soon learned an official form wasn’t readily available in the U.S. yet — and may not be soon. Vaccine passports that could determine what people can and can’t do come loaded with ethical considerations. Vaccines are still not easily available around the world and people would be divided into “haves” and “have nots.” Earlier this week, Dr. Mike Ryan, director of WHO's emergencies program, said using vaccine certification as a requirement for travel “is not advised.” Proof-of-immunization cards already exist for yellow fever, and I’ve used one for years to travel to Colombia, Ecuador or anywhere around the globe as needed. Countries such as Iceland, Poland, Portugal and Cyprus have already announced plans for proof-of-vaccination certificates. The European Union expects to present a “digital green pass,” which will combine information on vaccination, recovery from the illness and results from a test for people who aren’t yet fully vaccinated, possibly as soon as this week. And Qantas airline has started its first customer trial of a CommonPass digital health app, which allows people to upload their negative coronavirus test results or proof of vaccination for international flights.
Read MoreState legislators are at a stalemate regarding popular efforts to legalize marijuana in New Mexico with less than a week remaining to send a bill the governor. A state Senate panel pulled cannabis discussions off its agenda minutes before a Sunday hearing. Legislators are searching for common ground among advocates for legalization who say the industry would help New Mexico’s economic recovery from the pandemic. Divergent views on marijuana taxation, licensing and pardon procedures for past convictions are complicating efforts to bring a final bill to a crucial Senate vote. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has set cannabis legalization as a high priority this year as her administration looks for new sources of employment as an antidote to high rates of poverty. In one camp, Republican state Sen. Cliff Pirtle of Roswell is advocating for a streamlined approach to taxation and regulation aimed at stamping out the illicit market for marijuana and providing easy entry for entrepreneurs. Successful legislation also is likely to include social justice provisions within a House-approved bill from Democratic state Rep. Javier Martínez of Albuquerque that emphasizes aid to communities adversely affected by marijuana criminalization. The House-backed bill provides automated pardon and expungement procedures for past marijuana possession charges and convictions. It also would set aside public funds in the future to to underwrite vocation training for cannabis workers, education to prevent substance abuse, and an array of social services in communities battered by policing against illicit drugs. Legislators have until the close of the regular annual legislative session at noon on March 20 to send bills to the governor. Several diehard opponents to legalization were ousted from the state Senate in 2020 elections.
Read MoreA House-passed package overhauling voting, improving election security and reforming campaign finance laws is now in the Senate, where deep partisan divisions spell an uncertain fate for the landmark bill. H.R. 1, also known as the For the People Act of 2021, is sponsored by Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Towson, and co-sponsored by every House Democrat. The measure passed the House March 3 on a 220-210 party-line vote. Sarbanes wrote in a letter on his website that H.R. 1 was “a once-in-a-generation reform effort to protect and expand the right to vote, clean up corruption in Washington and restore trust, transparency and integrity in government.”
Read MoreThe White House is ramping up coordination with the private sector to address the ongoing fallout from a major breach of Microsoft software leaving thousands of American organizations vulnerable to hackers. That includes for the first time including private companies in the meetings of an interagency taskforce dedicated to the incident, a senior administration official told reporters Friday. “We still believe that public-private partnership is foundational in cybersecurity and we want to ensure we're taking every opportunity to include key private-sector participants early and directly in our remediation efforts,” a senior administration official said. It's a major step towards transparency for the Biden administration, which is stressing strengthening relations between the private and public sector in the fallout from the Russian SolarWinds hacking campaign that infiltrated at least nine government agencies and about 100 companies.
Read MoreVirginia Beach health officials are looking for medical professionals who can help ease the burden of volunteers who have been doling out COVID-19 vaccine shots for months. Licensed doctors, physician’s assistants, nurses and paramedics are “urgently needed,” the city said in a news release Monday. Public health officials are working to vaccinate Virginia Beach residents four to six days a week, they said. “This more intensive schedule is taking a toll on volunteers who comprise about half of the vaccination clinic’s operational staff,” the city wrote in the statement. “Additionally, as vaccine supply increases, more vaccinators will be required to continue to quickly and efficiently inoculate Virginia Beach residents.”
Read MoreMarijuana may be legal in New Jersey now, but Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian is pushing to keep weed out of the family-oriented beach town. Gillian introduced an ordinance on Thursday to City Council that would prohibit marijuana sales and cultivation anywhere in Ocean City. Council voted unanimously in favor of the ordinance, and next there will be a public hearing and a final vote on April 8. The move comes just weeks after the state of New Jersey legalized recreational marijuana use for people 21 and older. Council members opposed to New Jersey's legalization law say it will bring more people to the beaches to smoke pot and encourages underage consumption. This ordinance would replace a similar one banning marijuana in the city that passed two years ago, when politicians in Trenton were previously trying to legalize recreational marijuana. Ocean City's original ordinance became invalid – as were similar pot-sales prohibitions in dozens of other New Jersey towns– after Gov. Phil Murphy signed the new pot bills into state law Feb. 22, the Press of Atlantic City reported. "I have asked City Council to adopt a new ordinance to reinstate these prohibitions," Gillian wrote in his Friday update on March 5. "The new legislation gives municipalities 180 days to do so." Ocean City's ordinance, in addition to prohibiting the sales and cultivation of pot, would also stop the sale of marijuana paraphernalia.
Read MoreBitter partisan battles are underway in statehouses following the 2020 presidential that culminated with the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the nation’s Capitol. Allies of former President Donald Trump continue to question the security of the election, and Republicans are rolling out legislation that critics say is an effort to suppress the numbers able to vote. Alabama lawmakers have rolled out more than two dozen bill dealing with issues like no-excuse absentee voting and early voting. Thus far, a few of the GOP-backed bills have advanced in the Republican-controlled Legislature, while Democrats angle for public hearings on proposals they believe will increase ballot access.
Read MoreAssembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes is confident recreational marijuana will be legalized in New York during this legislative session. “I'm actually more confident than I have been in the past,” said Peoples-Stokes. In years past, the assemblywoman has proposed bills to legalized marijuana, but all died before being approved. In 2020, the bill was pushed back for more pressing legislation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. “I've just finished with a few phone calls from staff that are still in the process of negotiating both with the senate staff, as well as the governor's team,” said Peoples-Stokes with how active negotiations are with the bill. While she believes this bill will help future entrepreneurs, she is more concerned with the legislation helping the people who have already been criminal prosecuted for low-level drug offenses. “It will provide opportunities to invest in the lives of literally thousands of people, whose lives have been negatively impacted by incarceration. All social scientists will tell you that when people are incarcerated it has a negative impact on your children, on their families, and clearly on their communities where they live,” added People-Stokes.
Read MoreMexico is on the verge of creating the world’s largest legal marijuana market, a move that could pressure President Joe Biden to embrace weed, too. Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies passed landmark legislation Thursday morning, ahead of a April 30 deadline set by the country's Supreme Court to legalize recreational sales. The Senate is expected to back the bill in the coming days. “It’s historic,” said Luis Armendáriz, a cannabis attorney with the Hoban Law Group who works with companies that are looking to enter the Mexican market. “You have the end of prohibition of more than 100 years.” President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whose party strongly backs the proposal, is expected to sign the bill, sandwiching the U.S. between the world's two biggest legal marijuana markets. With a population of nearly 130 million people, Mexico would become the largest country in the world to legalize cannabis at the national level. By comparison, the two other countries that already took that step — Canada (37.6 million) and Uruguay (3.4 million) — have a combined population that adds up to less than a third of Mexico's. The specter of legal marijuana markets on the United States' northern and southern borders is expected to put new pressure on the federal government to loosen restrictions on marijuana. "My guess is at some point that drives the push to decriminalize or legalize,“ said Andrew Rudman, director of the Mexico Institute at the Wilson Center, pointing out that a majority of U.S. House members now represent states with legal markets. "I think Mexico probably gives more impetus to something that might have happened anyways.”
Read MoreGov. Dan McKee is proposing to legalize recreational marijuana use in his budget for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. The program would roll out with 25 retail-store licenses offered in the first year — the winning businesses determined by lottery — with five of those licenses set aside for qualifying minority businesses. (Dozens of additional store licenses would be offered in future years based on market demand.) The governor’s plan would add a 10% cannabis tax on top of the state’s regular 7% sales tax on all purchases. And it would also tax those retail stores’ suppliers — the state’s 60 or so licensed cultivators — based on the weight of product they grow. The Office of Cannabis Regulation within the Department of Business Regulation would license private business applicants and enforce compliance with the state’s packaging, labeling, security and safety requirements for marijuana products. (A separate legalization plan, put forth this week by Senate leaders, would create an appointed five-member Cannabis Control Commission that would regulate the new industry, including determining who qualified for retail licenses.) Once the program is fully ramped up, McKee’s budget predicts that recreational, or “adult use” of marijuana in Rhode Island would generate $16.9 million in various taxes in fiscal year 2023. The plan would also create a “Cannabis Reinvestment Task Force,” which would make recommendations on how marijuana revenues could be used in job training, providing capital for small businesses, and community development in such areas of affordable housing and health equity.
Read MoreMexico turned a bunch of heads this week with the news that, finally, recreational cannabis is being seriously considered. The House supports it, and the president is expected to sign it into a law. Now, the country has also announced what the cannabis regulations will be if it passes. While the bill still has to make it through the Senate, it is expected to pass, as the MORENA party, who are pro-cannabis, also control the Senate. “One of the most important aspects is that the National Commission Against Addictions will have the mandate of the regulation of the industry,” Jorge Rubio Escalona, local industry insider and Nabbis Group Co-Founder, explained about the new regulations. “The Ministry of Agriculture will regulate seeds, hemp and growth planning.” Additionally, the new regulations state that the National Seed Agency will regulate all seeds, which will be allowed for personal grows, collective grows, retail, research, and a separate category for hemp. Collective grows will consist of two to 20 people with a limit of 50 plants per group, and no option for reselling.
Read MoreThe barrage of election lawsuits aimed at Georgia in recent months bombed in the courts. Their allegations of widespread voter fraud wilted under scrutiny. Their legal arguments failed. Out of nearly two dozen lawsuits filed by former President Donald Trump, his supporters and Republican Party officials, not one persuaded a judge to overturn the presidential election or to change voting rules for the January U.S. Senate runoffs. But if they failed in the courts, the lawsuits’ claims helped convince many Georgians that widespread fraud cost Trump the election. Now, Republicans in the General Assembly cite their constituents’ doubts as the rationale for a slew of bills that could make it harder to vote in Georgia.
Read MoreDominion Voting Systems lost a sale of more than 1,400 new machines on Wednesday after commissioners for Stark County, Ohio, voted down the purchase — against a recommendation from the county's board of elections. The decision was celebrated by Look Ahead America, an organization created by former Trump campaign staffers, which called on the public to oppose the purchase. The three-person board of commissioners cited "trustworthiness" and "public perception or concern regarding a vendor's long-term viability, regardless of the cause or reason" in their decision. "This board is obliged, in totality of the circumstances to exercise sound discretion on behalf of the citizens of Stark County to conduct the business of the county with due diligence when spending their hard-earned money, without rubber stamping recommendations that come before it, and to seriously investigate the cost, trustworthiness, long-term viability, and other aspects of any voting system to be purchased to ensure Stark County is obtaining the best value; and whenever there exists a potential cloud," reads the commissioner's resolution.
Read MoreComing up on the Biden administration's agenda now that the massive coronavirus relief bill has passed: A major infrastucture and jobs package. The House's new $312 billion infrastructure bill, as part of that push, aims to secure the country's most critical infrastructure – and increase the cybersecurity of essential services, including hospitals, broadband and the electric grid. A recent string of high-profile cyberattacks pushed long-neglected cybersecurity issues to the center of national policy discussions. “The infrastructure in the United States is in sore need of updates and the fact that Congress is now recognizing the importance of upgrading not just physical infrastructure but cybersecurity infrastructure is a sign of a new importance and awareness of cybersecurity,” says John Gilligan, president and CEO of the Center for Internet Security, a cybersecurity nonprofit. Key cybersecurity-related investments in the bill include $10 billion to help hospitals guard against cyber criminals and roughly $3.5 billion for electric grid security. Mounting high-profile cybersecurity incidents have made the problem hard to ignore. “Over the last year, we’ve seen the devastating results of inaction: major power outages, water shortages, health care facilities stretched to the limit, and communities left behind due to the digital divide,” Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) said in a statement introducing the bill. In February, Florida police revealed that a hacker tried to poison the water supply of the town of Oldsmar. And although not the result of a cyberattack, the fallout of a mass grid failure in Texas raised alarms from researchers and lawmakers about cybersecurity weaknesses in America's power systems that could lead to a much worse outage.
Read MoreOn march 7th, after six months of selling takeaways, the beer was once more flowing in the pizzeria at Bet Romano in Tel Aviv. The bar and restaurant upstairs were packed. Most patrons carried proof that they had received a double dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, but no one asked to see it. At nearby establishments that were trying harder to verify vaccination status, people queued with pieces of paper and smartphones. These contained authorisations from health-care providers; immunisation certificates from the health ministry; and the “green pass”, a government app that confirms vaccination and which is illustrated with a picture of a family frolicking across a verdant landscape. Israel’s covid-19 vaccination programme has been the world’s fastest. Over half of adults have had at least one jab, and 90% of those over 50 have had both. Anyone aged 16 or over is now eligible for the vaccine. But rather than wait for herd immunity—in which resistance becomes widespread enough to curtail the spread of the virus—the government has, since February 21st, allowed the vaccinated to return to gyms, concert halls, theatres and other indoor venues.
Read MoreAs more Americans get vaccinated, there is increasing talk of “vaccine passports.” There are strong emotional reactions to this idea, positive and negative, but my attempt at a more analytical view leads me to a conclusion that is not entirely satisfying (even to me): America should work to develop vaccine passports but never actually require them. First, I am not impressed by the criticisms that vaccine passports will create an unfair two-tier society. Covid-19 already has done that. Not only are the 500,000 dead already in a highly disadvantageous “tier,” but the U.S. has been divided between those who can work at home — often higher earners — and those who cannot. If a vaccine passport system can help clean up this mess and accelerate recovery, it is likely to increase fairness on average. The biggest advantage of vaccine passports is that they would encourage people to get the vaccine. Many people who are indifferent about getting it but want to be able to fly or attend a sporting event would have a strong inducement to hurry up and claim their doses. Getting vaccinated would also boost their health and job prospects, as well as protect others. So far, so good. What are the problems?
Read MoreThe leaders of the United States, Australia, Japan and India pledged to work closely on COVID-19 vaccine distribution, climate issues and security after a meeting on Friday that is seen as part of an effort to counter China’s growing influence. “We strive for a region that is free, open, inclusive, healthy, anchored by democratic? values, and unconstrained by coercion,” the so-called “Quad” countries said in a joint statement. The group will form a vaccine partnership aimed at accelerating the end of the coronavirus pandemic by expanding vaccine manufacturing and help Indo-Pacific countries with vaccination, according to a fact sheet from the group. The United States will finance increased capacity to support Indian drugmaker Biological E Ltd’s effort to produce at least 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2022, it said. Japan is in discussions to provide concessional yen loans to India to expand manufacturing for COVID-19 vaccines for export. The Quad countries also formed a working group to tackle climate issues, including to strengthen implementation of the Paris climate accord, as well as a working group for critical and emerging technology, the statement said. The latter will develop a statement of principles on technology development and use and encourage cooperation on telecommunications deployment and diversification of equipment suppliers.
Read MorePresident Joe Biden and fellow leaders of the Indo-Pacific group known as the Quad have announced a plan to expand coronavirus vaccine manufacturing capacity in India. The effort to expand production and promote access to the vaccine in the region was unveiled Friday following a virtual meeting of the leaders of Australia, India, Japan and the United States. It comes as the Biden administration is putting greater emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region in the face of growing economic competition from China. Biden described the effort as “an ambitious new joint partnership that is going to boost vaccine manufacturing ... to benefit the entire Indo-Pacific” region. “We?will combine our nations’ medical, scientific, financing, manufacturing and delivery, and development capabilities and establish a vaccine expert working group to implement our path-breaking commitment to safe and effective vaccine distribution," the Quad leaders said in a joint statement. The effort by the group to pump up India’s vaccine manufacturing also comes as the Biden administration and leaders of other wealthy nations have faced calls from France and some global health advocacy groups to donate a small percentage of vaccine produced in the U.S. and other industrialized nations to poor countries. Biden has also fielded requests from allies, including Canada and Mexico, to buy vaccines made in the United States. But the Biden administration has remained steadfast that, at least for now, it is focused on making sure that all Americans are first vaccinated even as China and Russia have engaged in vaccine diplomacy, sending badly needed vaccines to other countries. Administration officials have noted the United States' $4 billion commitment to COVAX, an international effort to bolster the purchase and distribution of coronavirus vaccines to poor nations. Biden was joined Friday by Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top national security aides for the virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan. The effort by the Quad is projected to allow India to increase manufacturing capacity by 1 billion doses by 2022, according to a White House statement.
Read MoreLawmakers in Mexico approved a bill Wednesday night to legalize recreational marijuana, a milestone for the country, which is in the throes of a drug war and could become the world’s largest cannabis market, leaving the United States between two pot-selling neighbors. The 316-to-129 vote in Mexico’s lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, came more than two years after the Mexican Supreme Court ruled that the country’s ban on recreational marijuana was unconstitutional and more than three years after the country legalized medicinal cannabis. The chamber approved the bill in general terms Wednesday evening before moving on to a lengthy discussion of possible revisions introduced by individual lawmakers. In its final form, though, the measure is widely expected to sail through the Senate before being sent to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who has signaled support for legalization. The measure, as of Wednesday night, would allow adults to smoke marijuana and, with a permit, grow a small number of cannabis plants at home. It would also grant licenses for producers — from small farmers to commercial growers — to cultivate and sell the crop.
Read MoreThey don’t make cannabis products like they used to, and there’s an increasing number of Colorado lawmakers who think that’s problematic. As recently as 2014, the vast majority of medical and recreational cannabis sold in Colorado was flower and only 11% was the high-potency concentrates consumed through dab rigs or vape pens. By 2019, concentrates took up a third of the market and flower was below 50%. With the rising popularity of high-THC concentrates, which are several times more potent than flower and edibles, come worries among deep-pocketed political groups and their statehouse allies that teenagers have too much access to it without enough knowledge of the effects. Lawmakers are working on what could be the biggest marijuana legislation in Colorado since recreational cannabis was legalized in 2012 — a bill that would more tightly regulate the state’s industry with a range of proposals, including a possible THC potency cap, a requirement that people seek medical cards in person only and improved data collection aimed at stricter enforcement of purchasing limits.
Read MoreThe Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee on Thursday unanimously voted to send the House-passed industrial hemp legalization bill to the full Senate. HB 126 would amend Idaho’s list of controlled substances to differentiate between hemp, which has no more than 0.3% THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and its more potent cousin. It would authorize the production, research, processing and transportation of industrial hemp by those licensed in Idaho, and allow the legal possession and transportation of the product in and through the state. "House Bill 126 is a farming, processing, trucking and research bill," said Braden Jensen, lobbyist for the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, during Thursday's public hearing. "House Bill 126 is not a CBD, THC or medical marijuana bill."
Read MoreGovernment officials and cybersecurity experts are scrambling to stem the damage from a security flaw in Microsoft Exchange that has allowed hackers to infiltrate the servers of at least 30,000 U.S. organizations. The growing number of hackers taking advantage has just made that task much more difficult. Since Microsoft and cybersecurity firm Volexity first attributed the breach to Halfnium, a group of hackers they tied to China, cybersecurity researchers say there are more groups getting in on the action. “It’s a frenzy,” says Steven Adair, president of Volexity, which first discovered the problem. Adair described the race to take advantage of the tens of thousands of servers that have not yet been secured as “a golden opportunity.”
Read MoreVoting technology companies, like Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems, are using billion-dollar defamation lawsuits to try to repair damage to their brands and bottom lines from conspiracy theories that alleged they were involved in stealing the 2020 election for President Joe Biden. Some see these legal fights as another way to take on viral misinformation, one that’s already starting to show some results. “This goes beyond hoping to stop the disinformation,” said attorney Steve Skarnulis. “The goal that we have is to hold people accountable.” Skarnulis represents Dominion employee Eric Coomer, who remains in hiding after being threatened and falsely accused of manipulating election results. Coomer filed the first defamation lawsuit related to the 2020 election. Skarnulis hopes that in addition to helping Coomer clear his name and return to a normal life, the suits will also serve as a warning. “I hope that it will shock media and other personalities who have the platforms they do, enough that they will be much more cautious about spreading disinformation.”
Read MoreA vaccine passport is an electronic record that shows that an individual has had a recent negative test for the coronavirus, or, increasingly, has been vaccinated against the disease. Why is the travel industry pushing passports? The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says, “To re-open borders without quarantine and restart aviation, governments need to be confident that they are effectively mitigating the risk of importing COVID-19. This means having accurate information on passengers’ COVID-19 health status.” To the travel industry in general and the airlines in particular, electronic proof of vaccination is key to re-opening the world. While airline officials insist that flying is safe (a Harvard study says safer than grocery shopping) U.S. international flights are now at 20% of capacity, due to worldwide quarantines and passenger reluctance. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce says the airline will not fly internationally until October. When it does, Qantas said all passengers must be vaccinated. US airline industry group Airlines for America (A4A) has proposed a ‘temporary COVID-19 health credential’, or CHC. A4A sent a letter to the White House COVID-19 Recovery Team noting that today’s “diverse and fragmented digital health credentials…risk causing confusion, reducing compliance and increasing fraud.” The airline group hopes that involving the Centers for Disease Control will help establish federal guidelines for COVID-19 health credentials, to increase protections against the virus while improving “airline efficiency and safeguarding privacy.” Airlines support the pass concept as it means far less hassle getting passengers through quarantines. The dream is a packed airliner (including middle seats) full of fully vaccinated people. Indeed, when I finally got my first shot this week, I was so excited I put my new vaccination card inside my actual passport. What is the difference between “temporary COvID-19 health credentials” (CHC) and a “vaccine passport”? A4A’s SVP Legislative and Regulatory Policy Sharon Pinkerton said, “A passport is something you MUST HAVE to travel. I don’t think policy makers are contemplating a mandate that you have a vaccine passport. We are talking about a digital health credential—a mechanism to make it easier to travel.” When I mentioned to Pinkerton I finally got my first dose, she asked, “Did you get a little piece of paper when you got vaccinated? Do you know how many types of cards there are? No one know what all the little cards look like. The testing certificates all have the same problems. It is not a standardized process.” Asked about privacy and data security issues, Pinkerton said, “It’s the difference between an actual passport vs. digital credential on your phone. Carriers do not want to have your medical information. All you are showing is something like a QR code. You are sharing your information with whoever you choose to. We are asking for standards and want it to be interoperable as well.” Will a passport be necessary to get on a plane? “No, but it will make it a lot easier to travel if you sign up for the program,” says Pinkerton. “A digital system with a certified registry of labs, it’s a lot harder to lie. There are going to be people who don’t have a smart phone, there will be accommodations.” Airlines, hotels and destinations do not want to miss another summer travel season as infections drop and vaccinations ramp up. With Europe’s relatively slow vaccine rollout, “This summer could resemble something out of an E. M. Forster novel, with vaccine-rich Americans and Brits taking over southern Europe’s holiday hotspots, while locals are forced to stay at home.”
Read MoreEurope's tourist industry has taken a beating during this pandemic, spurring Denmark to introduce vaccine passports as a way to boost travel. The digital documents will provide proof of a traveler’s COVID-related health, eliminating the need to quarantine upon arrival in a new country. But opponents fear this could create billions of second-class citizens. Malcolm Brabant reports.
Read MoreTwo competing proposals to legalize marijuana in New Mexico — one from a Republican, the other from a Democrat — have emerged from a bargaining session among legislators on Tuesday, amid efforts to balance demands of incumbent medical marijuana producers with calls for new economic opportunity. Two other competing proposals were abandoned, and a Senate committee advanced a legalization proposal from Republican state Sen. Cliff Pirtle of Roswell that promises independent regulatory oversight by a Cannabis Control Board, with minimal license fees and taxes on pot sales along with limitless crops and business licenses. Pirtle asked Senate colleagues to let the free market for marijuana thrive and produce low-priced marijuana to stamp out the illicit market. Small industry players would be guaranteed shelf space at retail outlets, he said. At the same time, the administration of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has stepped in to broker a compromise with an alliance of medical marijuana producers that want the state to extend its cap on cultivation to guard against a supply glut if pot is legalized. Linda Trujillo, the governor-appointed superintendent of regulation and licensing, authored new provisions to a House-approved bill that allows state intervention when “market equilibrium” is reached to restrict the number of cannabis plants grown and new licenses. “We are putting in here the possibility that the department could, in fact, limit the plant count, but it would require the department to do an analysis,” Trujillo told a committee.
Read MoreHawaii state senators on Tuesday advanced a slight increase to the minimum wage and another measure that would legalize recreational pakalolo for anyone 21 years and older. While this is the first year a recreational pot measure has cleared a full floor vote, it appears dead on arrival in the House of Representatives. A key House chairman said he may not hear the measure. The House meanwhile advanced measures allowing certain nurses to perform abortions after significant debate on the floor. Those bills are among hundreds that crossed over between the House and the Senate on Tuesday. More stringent gun control laws also drew some attention during floor debates. And the new federal stimulus bill may spell death for certain tax credit proposals.
Read MoreTwo competing bills to legalize recreational cannabis in New Mexico moved forward Tuesday at the Roundhouse, setting up a high-stakes showdown that will play out during the final days of this year’s 60-day legislative session. Both bills approved by a Senate committee were revised in recent days as backers worked to address trouble spots and shore up support, while several other cannabis legalization measures were withdrawn in an attempt to avoid a marijuana backlog.
Read MoreThe House is poised to vote this morning on a $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus package that includes nearly $2 billion in funding to secure and improve aging government technology that has crippled efforts disperse relief to struggling Americans. The legislation is the first coronavirus package to highlight cybersecurity as a key part of the economic recovery. State and federal governments are gearing up for another wave of stimulus checks and emergency benefits – after their systems buckled under the demand for increased services last year. Technology failures left many Americans waiting on benefits during the crisis, and opened the door for cybercriminals and other fraudsters to steal the money. “This $1 billion investment will enable federal agencies to better respond to the coronavirus pandemic and future national emergencies as well as meet the urgent economic needs of American families,” Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.) said in a statement.
Read MoreSenate Rules Committee Chairwoman Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on Wednesday reintroduced legislation to designate funding to provide cybersecurity training to election officials. The Invest in Our Democracy Act would establish a $1 million grant program to cover up to 75 percent of the costs of tuition for cybersecurity or election administration training for state and local election officials, along with their employees. The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) would oversee the grant program, with EAC employees also eligible to receive funding for training. The bill was originally introduced in 2019 by Klobuchar and Collins but did not advance in the Senate. Klobuchar has been a key senator involved in spearheading election security legislation over the past several years, and before becoming chairwoman she served as the ranking member of the Senate Rules Committee, which has jurisdiction over federal elections and other related issues. “Our intelligence officials have made clear that our election systems continue to be a target for foreign adversaries,” Klobuchar said in a statement on Wednesday. “While federal and state officials have agreed that the 2020 election was ‘the most secure in American history,’ we must continue to do everything in our power to protect our democracy from the ongoing threat of foreign interference.”
Read MoreLeading airline and business groups are asking the Biden administration to develop temporary credentials that would let travelers show they have been tested and vaccinated for COVID-19, a step that the airline industry believes will help revive travel and hospitality spending decimated by the pandemic. Various groups and countries are working on developing so-called vaccine passports aimed at allowing more travel. But airlines fear that a smattering of regional credentials will cause confusion and none will be widely accepted. "It is crucial to establish uniform guidance" and "the U.S. must be a leader in this development," more than two dozen groups said in a letter Monday to White House coronavirus-response coordinator Jeff Zients. However, the groups said that vaccination should not be a requirement for domestic or international travel.
Read MorePresident Biden confirmed Wednesday that his administration plans to secure an additional 100 million doses of the single-shot vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson at a Wednesday meeting with executives from the pharmaceutical giant and Merck. The additional doses will reinforce the supply needed to offer all American adults a vaccine by the end of May, Biden said. The announcement comes just over a week after Biden’s administration said it had helped broker a deal between the two rival companies to speed up the production of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine. “I’m doing this because, in this wartime effort, we need maximum flexibility,” Biden said.
Read MoreThe economy-opening potential of “vaccine passports” is quickly attracting a global following — but count Prime Minister Justin Trudeau among the hesitant. After a year of sheltering at home, a growing number of Canadians are getting Covid-19 vaccines. Businesses and lawmakers are anxious to fire up economies, just not for everyone. Some countries, like Israel, Estonia and Denmark, believe digital proof-of-vaccine certification is key to creating confidence in people that it’s safe to fly, shop and even squeeze into concerts. President Joe Biden issued an executive order in January instructing U.S. officials to study the feasibility of adding Covid-19 vaccination records to international immunization cards, and have them digitized. The momentum building for Covid-19 vaccine credentials is accompanied by fears that any passport — basically an all-access pass — would compromise privacy, equity and human rights. "Is this the new world that we're going to live in forever?" asks Françoise Baylis, a bioethics expert who has been been consulted on the issue by Canadian and global authorities. "Governments have an obligation not only to decide what they will allow, but also what they will not allow." Trudeau has yet to embrace the idea and is taking his time, insiders say. He shot down the vaccine passport idea during a January interview with Reuters, arguing it was “fraught with challenges.” He said he was worried about creating “knock-on, undesirable effects” in communities since there are many reasons why someone might not get a shot. Trudeau recently showed more receptiveness, saying he had heard “pros and cons.” Asked if he had a change of heart, he noted how experts’ recommendations have evolved on Covid matters throughout the pandemic. At home, Trudeau’s trepidation stands in contrast to the governments in Canada’s two most populous provinces, Ontario and Quebec, which are charging ahead.
Read MoreWith millions being vaccinated against Covid-19 every day, some political and business leaders are suggesting nations can help get life back to normal by rolling out a so-called vaccine passport: an easily accessible and verifiable certification that a person’s been inoculated. Private companies are already beginning to look at making shots mandatory for people who want to get on planes, cruise ships or attend events such as concerts. A handful of projects from governments, private firms and international associations are currently underway. But the idea raises scientific and ethical questions. 1. What’s the idea behind vaccine passports? At the moment, many countries and airlines require proof that international travelers aren’t infected with SARS-CoV-2, but regulations vary from place to place and so far there’s no systematic requirement that people be vaccinated. The idea of a vaccine passport would be to create an updated version of the so-called yellow card, more formally known as the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, a World Health Organization-approved booklet documenting your past inoculations. Given the prevalence, contagiousness and devastation of Covid-19, many are suggesting the need for a more modern, digital and secure record. Ideally, it would provide proof of vaccination status and document recent virus test results, which would both reassure border agents and safeguard fellow travelers or event-goers. The demand for such proof has led to falsified and counterfeit paper versions of vaccine certificates, according to WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris.
Read MoreTwo-thirds of Marylanders — more residents than ever — support the legalization of recreational or adult-use cannabis, according to new polling data released Tuesday by Goucher College. Public support for legalizing recreational marijuana has grown steadily across Maryland, which has been home to a legal medical cannabis market since 2016. Although polls have consistently shown that a majority of residents in the state favor fully legalized sale and use of the drug, the most recent poll showed the strongest level of support recorded since the Goucher College Poll started measuring legalization opinions in October 2013. Two years ago, Goucher polling showed 57% of Maryland residents supported legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, and 37% opposed it. Those percentages have shifted to about 67% in support, and 28% opposed in 2021. Notably, this year is also the first that legalization support broke the 50% mark among the state's Republican party, which has historically demonstrated the lowest levels of support for the issue. "Some clear divisions in support along partisan lines remain, but more Republicans than not now support legalization for the first time on a Goucher College Poll," Goucher wrote in a report on the latest polling data. The poll was overseen by the Sarah T. Hughes Field Politics Center at Goucher College. It collected responses from 725 adults in Maryland in February, via random digit dialing phone surveys. It has a reported margin of error of plus or minus 3.8%.
Read MoreThe number of Marylanders who support legalizing recreational marijuana continues to grow, according to the latest Goucher College poll, which also found 50% of Republicans support legalization for the first time. Two-thirds of those polled said they support legalizing marijuana — the highest number to say so since the Goucher poll began measuring opinions on the topic in 2013. Twenty-eight percent said they oppose legalization. Those numbers have shifted since just two years ago when the same poll found that 57% of Marylanders supported legalization and 37% opposed it. "This number will continue to grow," said Mileah Kromer, the director of the Sarah T. Hughes Field Politics Center. "Younger Marylanders and younger Americans are overwhelmingly supportive. As these individuals age and take up larger proportions of the overall population, the support for legalized cannabis is going to continue to increase." For the first time, more Republicans polled said they support legalizing marijuana than oppose it. Half of Republicans said they support legalization, while 47% said they are opposed. Democrats and independents were more strongly in favor: 77% of Democrats and 60% of independents said they support legalization. The polling comes as the Maryland General Assembly is poised to consider legalizing recreational marijuana this session. Other states in the region are moving quickly to legalize cannabis, which could push Maryland to keep up. Marijuana is now legal in New Jersey, and the Virginia legislature voted last week to legalize recreational weed.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has signed off on regulations for the hemp industry, which are to take effect later this month. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack approved the regulations after a recent review of the work done on the hemp program under the previous U.S. administration. “The rule has now been cleared by Secretary Vilsack to move forward as published in the Federal Register,” Bill Richmond of USDA’s Domestic Hemp Production Program, wrote in an email to hemp stakeholders on Monday. USDA released the long-awaited final regulations in January, indicating clear guidance for stakeholders but also raising concern about some policies, including requirements for testing of hemp plants. Stakeholders have said delayed enforcement of some provisions regarding sampling and testing would allow producers a period to adjust to the new rules. And many have objected to a role for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the hemp program, noting the U.S. Farm Bill’s express removal of hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. The drug agency has aggressively and persistently asserted itself in matters affecting the hemp industry, to the dismay of stakeholders. Under the rules, THC testing must be carried out at DEA certified laboratories beginning Dec. 31, 2022. Final authorization by the USDA means the rules won’t be changed ahead of the March 22 effective date, but those unhappy with the rules said they’ll continue to advocate for improvements.
Read MoreThe League of United Latin American Citizens in Iowa sued the state’s leadership Tuesday over a restrictive voting law passed the day before, the first in a wave of legal clashes expected to take place as Republican-led state legislatures ready an onslaught of voting bills that critics say will result in widespread voter suppression. A voter marks his ballot at a polling place on November 3, 2020 in Richland, Iowa. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Monday that makes numerous changes to the state’s elections, including shortening periods for requesting and returning absentee ballots; curbing the use of ballot drop boxes; shortening the length of time polling places are open on Election Day and prohibiting third parties from helping people fill out and return their absentee ballots. The bill is the first major Republican state voting bill to pass since the 2020 election, according to Democratic Party voting rights attorney Marc Elias, who is representing the plaintiffs in the Iowa lawsuit. The lawsuit filed Tuesday in the state’s district court alleges the legislation violates a number of rights guaranteed under the Iowa constitution, including the right to vote, “the liberty of speech” and equal protection guarantees. Iowa’s new voting restrictions will have a “substantial, severe, and unnecessary” effect, the lawsuit argues, describing the legislation as “largely a grab-bag of amendments and new restrictions that lack any unifying theme other than making both absentee and election day voting more difficult for lawful Iowa voters.” The bill “lacks any cognizable justification for these burdensome effects” the restrictions will have on voters, the lawsuit argues, noting that while legislators say the bill is to restore voters’ faith in the state’s “election integrity,” officials from both parties have previously praised the state’s existing election security measures. Iowa Attorney General Thomas Miller, who was named as a defendant in the lawsuit along with Secretary of State Paul Pate, declined to comment on the litigation. 1.7 million. That’s the number of Iowans who voted in the November election, according to the lawsuit, representing more than 75% of registered voters. Of those voters, 63% cast their ballots by mail. “Each provision of the Voter Suppression Bill challenged in this lawsuit burdens Iowa voters, making the voting process more difficult and making it less likely that every vote will be counted,” the lawsuit alleges. “Taken as a whole, the Bill targets and restricts virtually every aspect of the voting process—registering to vote, requesting and submitting absentee ballots, and even in-person voting on election day.” Iowa’s law is part of a broader wave of GOP-backed voting legislation that aims to curb access to the ballot box, which Elias told reporters last week has become “the defining feature of the Republican Party” in the wake of the November election. Republicans have used the specter of voter fraud in the last election—which there is no credible evidence to support—to institute a new push for “election integrity” measures, with the Brennan Center for Justice reporting more than 250 voting bills in 43 states had been introduced as of Feb. 19. In addition to Iowa’s bill, the Georgia state Senate also passed omnibus voting legislation Monday that would impose significant restrictions, including restricting absentee ballot eligibility, while legislators in Florida proposed Tuesday to eliminate the state’s ballot drop boxes. Elias, who led Democrats’ opposition in court to states’ voting restrictions ahead of the November elections, has vowed to fight the deluge of GOP voting restrictions in court.
Read MoreIn states such as Georgia and Arizona, there are fierce partisan battles going on right now over voting proposals. But in Kentucky's Republican-led legislature, a bill to boost voter access and election security has gotten widespread support from both parties. The legislation is now at the Senate after passing the House 93-4 late last month. The proposal would preserve some of the policies Kentucky implemented last year to ensure voter access during the coronavirus pandemic, including a short period during which people can vote early, and allowing people to "cure" mail-in ballots that were improperly signed. But it also includes election integrity measures typically favored by Republicans, like a ban on so-called ballot harvesting and making it easier to remove people who have moved out of Kentucky from the state's voter rolls.
Read MoreCybercriminals are flooding potential victims with scams using the pending coronavirus relief plan as bait. That's according to a new report by researchers at cybersecurity firm Proofpoint. Stimulus checks outlined in the bill, which is expected to be passed by the House as early as today, have not been sent out yet. But already last week researchers discovered a campaign of thousands of emails that sought to trick Americans into filling out a phony form to “apply” for American Rescue Plan checks from the Internal Revenue Service. The emails encouraged recipients to download an Excel sheet which, once downloaded, launched a malicious software known as a Dridex that steals personal banking information and other login credentials. In reality, the payments are calculated and sent by the government automatically based on your taxes. This is just the latest example of how the global coronavirus crisis has spawned more scams than any other event in the past decade. “Pandemic-themed attacks remain ever-present, and we’ve never observed such a convergence around a single social engineering lure for such an extended time,” Sherrod DeGrippo, senior director for threat research and detection at Proofpoint, writes in the report. “These campaigns transcend borders, languages, and industries.” The Proofpoint report also notes that hackers are playing on uncertainties around the pandemic and vaccine distribution to try to steal tax forms including W2, W9 and 1099 from businesses. Other emails that researchers found contained malicious software purported to be from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the World Health Organization (WHO), and delivery company DHL.
Read MoreVaccine passports. They give those vaccinated against COVID-19 access to places the unvaccinated can't get into — gyms, bars, schools. But is it a reasonable public health tool, or an erosion of civil liberties? What does Israel's vaccine passport program allow the country to do that it otherwise couldn't? Ruth Faden: “It's not entirely clear, actually. The intent is to be able to open up the economy and also open up people's lives with less public health risk, so that's the objective. We get small businesses, large businesses recovering more quickly, more safely from this from the standpoint of the pandemic by limiting access to public venues to people who have some proven immunity, at least for the short term. The other objective, of course, relatedly, is that people be able to enjoy their lives more than they have. … Whether or to what extent the passports will actually achieve those objectives is something we need to interrogate.”
Read MoreEU countries are being offered fake COVID vaccines via shadowy groups claiming to be intermediaries of drug companies. Europol, the bloc’s law enforcement agency, is even assisting one EU member state in investigating a case of counterfeit vaccines found in the country’s black market. “It’s the very first case,” Europol spokesperson Jan Op Gen Oorth told VICE World News. He said that as the investigation is ongoing he could not provide specific details or identify the country. “It seems to be a counterfeit product. And it seems to be very, very close to the original product.” After a slow initial rollout, some EU member states have taken it upon themselves to diverge from the region-wide vaccination programme and look for vaccines elsewhere. Austria and Denmark are in talks with Israel, while Slovakia has recently signed a deal with Russia for over 2 million doses. Additionally, Hungary has previously pursued such a policy with both Chinese and Russian vaccines. Up to a billion fake COVID-19 vaccines have been offered to EU countries, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has previously warned. Now experts are warning that the black market for fake vaccines and COVID test certificates in the EU will only grow if the vaccination programme continues to stall across the region.
Read MoreA GOP congressman representing Virginia is urging the state’s governor to reject a bill to legalize marijuana that was sent to his desk last month. Freshman Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) argued that legalization is the wrong move, in part because he subscribes to the theory that cannabis is a “gateway” to other drugs and believes that federal law accurately classifies marijuana as a strictly controlled substance. “I write to you today to express my strong opposition to legalizing marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” he wrote to Gov. Ralph Northam (D), specifically citing the measure that was recently approved by the state House and Senate. “This legislation would undermine the rule of law. ” Good argued in the Thursday letter that “if marijuana is legalized, those who have been profiting from its sale in the current illegal drug trade will undoubtedly refocus and intensify their efforts in the sale and distribution of more dangerous drugs, as has happened in other states that have legalized cannabis for recreational use,” and this “is assuredly why a large majority of states have still not moved to legalize marijuana.” “Not only would efforts to legalize marijuana undermine the rule of law and federal law enforcement, it is also harmful to families. Legalizing recreational use of marijuana, even if limited to adults, will likely expose more children to drug use at young impressionable ages. Marijuana is often the ‘gateway’ drug, and its legalization will increase experimentation with it and other drugs. Surely, we can all agree that facilitating more Virginians trying and using addictive, behavior-altering, recreational drugs is not good for individuals or the Commonwealth as a whole.”
Read MorePerhaps someone's just asking — for a friend: Now that New Jersey has legalized recreational marijuana, can your boss still fire you for smoking weed? Answer: It's complicated. Under the New Jersey marijuana legalization laws enacted last month, employers can no longer fire employees simply because they use marijuana. With few exceptions, this protection generally applies so long as the employee is on their own time, according to the law. Not so clear is when these provisions actually take effect, and how they apply to workers bound by other laws, contracts and agreements. Employment lawyer Michael Riccobono said the protection falls away when the worker is on the clock or on the employer's property. "The law is clear that employers can still prohibit the employees from the use, possession and being under the influence of marijuana at the workplace," said Riccobono, with the Ogletree Deakins law firm in Morristown. He added: "But marijuana users in New Jersey are essentially a protected class. You can't fire someone solely because they are a marijuana user." It still isn't clear when the marijuana laws' provisions over employees' use become "operative."
Read MoreThe Idaho House has voted 44-26 in favor of HB 126, to legalize the production of industrial hemp in Idaho. "Idaho is the only state that has not legalized the production of industrial hemp in any form," Rep. Clark Kauffman, R-Filer, told the House. "We've been considering this for the last several years. ... Though it may be seen as a bit constricting, it's a lot less constriction than what we have now, which is no production." Rep. Dorothy Moon, R-Stanley, spoke against the bill, saying it didn't go far enough because it didn't also legalize CBD oil with less than 0.3% of THC. "We need to remove hemp from Schedule I as all the other states have," Moon said. Rep. Laurie Lickley, R-Jerome, said, "We're really ready to give our farmers and our processors the ability to have an option. We have a company in the Magic Valley that is ready. ... Their production lines are ready to roll the minute this bill is signed by the governor." She said, "Let's give our farmers an alternate crop." Rep. Caroline Nilsson Troy, R-Genesee, said, "My daughter and her son are going to be able to grow hemp because they lease land from the Nez Perce Tribe. But my ground that's very close to their ground is not going to be able to produce any hemp, a legal commodity in the United States of America that this body is denying our farmers the right to grow. It's time to allow our farmers, all of our farmers, the right to grow this legal crop."
Read MoreHeritage Action for America, a conservative nonprofit tied to the right-leaning think tank The Heritage Foundation, on Monday will announce that it plans to spend at least $10 million on efforts to tighten election security laws in eight key swing states. The details of the effort, first obtained by Fox News, will include digital and television ads, volunteer issue advocacy campaigns and lobbying state legislatures directly. Heritage Action will target Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, Texas and Wisconsin, all considered key swing states after the 2020 election. The $10 million will be an initial seed investment with more likely to come, Fox News is told. "Fair elections are essential for every policy debate in the future," Heritage Action Executive Director Jessica Anderson said in a statement. "We are working to help state lawmakers restore trust in our elections, ensure transparency, and protect the rights of every American to a fair election. This is our number one priority, and we are committed to doing whatever it takes."
Read MoreAfter 15 years allowing voters to cast absentee ballots without excuses, Georgia Republicans say the practice has got to go. The Republican-controlled state Senate votes Monday on a package of legislation that would, among other things, limit mail-in voting primarily to Georgians who are elderly, disabled or out of town on Election Day — one of dozens of restrictive election-related measures under consideration in state legislatures. Supporters of the measures, who include allies of former President Donald Trump and those who stood up to his bogus allegations of fraud after Joe Biden upset decades of Republican dominance to win the state, say the bills are commonsense election security efforts. Democrats, voting rights advocates and civil rights groups say something else is going on. "It's pathetically obvious to anyone paying attention that when Trump lost the election and Georgia flipped control of the U.S. Senate to Democrats shortly after, Republicans got the message that they were in a political death spiral," state Rep. Renitta Shannon, a Democrat from Decatur, said during a floor debate over the Republican proposals in Georgia last week. "And now they are doing anything they can do to silence the voices of Black and brown voters specifically because they largely powered these wins."
Read MoreA hacking campaign with Chinese ties and a growing victim count poses a fresh wave of cybersecurity challenges for the Biden administration.The White House and U.S. intelligence officials have issued increasingly urgent warnings for organizations to patch a critical vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange servers. The company says a group of Chinese government hackers it dubbed Hafnium has been exploiting it to gain access to the servers of public and private entities, and cybersecurity firms have confirmed at least four unnamed groups are also using it. “This is a significant vulnerability that could have far-reaching impacts. First and foremost, this is an active threat,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday.
Read MoreThe United States has identified three online publications directed by Russia’s intelligence services that it says are seeking to undermine Covid-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna, a State Department spokeswoman said on Sunday. The outlets “spread many types of disinformation, including about both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, as well as international organizations, military conflicts, protests, and any divisive issue that they can exploit,” the spokeswoman said. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) first reported on the identification of the alleged campaign on Sunday. A Kremlin spokesman denied the U.S. claim Russia was spreading false information about vaccines to the WSJ. Russia’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Russia approved its Sputnik V vaccine in August, before a large-scale trial had begun, saying it was the first country to do so for a Covid-19 shot. Peer-reviewed trials months later proved it was almost 92% effective in fighting the virus. Pfizer, headquartered in New York, and Germany’s BioNTech, produced the first vaccine that was authorized in the United States, which regulators approved in December. The second, made by Moderna, headquartered in Massachusetts, was authorized later that month. The State Department’s Global Engagement Center, set up to counter propaganda and disinformation campaigns, identified the three outlets, the spokeswoman said.
Read MoreThe European Union’s rumored plans to develop a transnational “vaccine passport are now a definite reality. EU officials confirmed that they’re working on a European “digital green pass” and the European Commission is expected to publish a draft of the legislation by March 17, according to Euronews. While still controversial, vaccine passports would enable those who’ve been fully vaccinated to move more freely between countries within the bloc, hopefully reenergizing the severely depressed travel sector in the process. The scheme would allow fully vaccinated travelers to bypass member states’ current restrictions, such as 10-day quarantine and mandatory testing measures. Vaccine passports would potentially link to not only official vaccination certificates, but recent COVID-19 test results and/or documented evidence of previous recovery from COVID-19. The European Commission’s forthcoming draft proposal will set out the details for a common format that can be accepted across the EU and lay the groundwork for the technology’s future interoperability.
Read MoreThe newly confirmed head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has given final approval to a federal rule laying out regulations for the hemp industry, despite outstanding concerns from advocates about certain provisions. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who is widely considered an ally of the hemp industry, signed off on the rule following a departmental review that began during the presidential transition. It will take effect on March 22, as originally planned.
Read MoreFor the first time in a decade, a proposed bill legalizing the use of marijuana flower for medicinal purposes has passed a Minnesota Senate committee. Advocates for the bill think it will eventually gain full approval from the Senate. Patrick McClellan told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS he was surprised the bill passed on a unanimous vote in the Senate's Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee on March 1. "I could never have imagined that it would pass with a unanimous vote," McClellan said. "I believe this is a historic moment in the Minnesota medical cannabis program, and it moves us one step closer to actually fixing what has been broken for years." Right now, medical cannabis, or marijuana, is only allowed in pill or liquid form. Use of the plant's flower, or leaf, is illegal. McClellan said allowing the use of the plant's flower will make it cheaper to manufacture and easier for "thousands of Minnesotans to afford and enter the program." "I have to take nine additional medications, in addition to the medical marijuana pill, and it is very expensive and can be cost-prohibitive for many people," McClellan said. "The flower will really open things up, and it will allow someone like me to get rid of the nine other pills I have to take." Senator Matt Klein, DFL- Mendota Heights, is a physician who also sits on the Senate's Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee. He voiced support for the flower bill, but did so with a word of caution. "I do hear from my addiction medicine friends that there is no evidence to support this in the medical literature, so it is not an evidence-based approach," Klein said. "On the other hand, the testimony does have a point that the margin of toxicity in cannabis is extremely low and our burden of illness with opioid addiction is extremely high and very dangerous."
Read MoreRussian intelligence agencies have mounted a campaign to undermine confidence in Pfizer Inc.’s and other Western vaccines, using online publications that in recent months have questioned the vaccines’ development and safety, U.S. officials said. An official with the State Department’s Global Engagement Center, which monitors foreign disinformation efforts, identified four publications that he said have served as fronts for Russian intelligence.The websites played up the vaccines’ risk of side effects, questioned their efficacy, and said the U.S. had rushed the Pfizer vaccine through the approval process, among other false or misleading claims. Though the outlets’ readership is small, U.S. officials say they inject false narratives that can be amplified by other Russian and international media. “We can say these outlets are directly linked to Russian intelligence services,” the Global Engagement Center official said of the sites behind the disinformation campaign. “They’re all foreign-owned, based outside of the United States. They vary a lot in their reach, their tone, their audience, but they’re all part of the Russian propaganda and disinformation ecosystem.”
Read MoreMexico is inching closer to becoming the world's largest legal cannabis market as lawmakers prepare to debate a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana. The Chamber of Deputies, Congress' lower house similar to the U.S. House of Representatives, will take up the issue early next week, Martha Tagle Martínez, a member of the chamber's health committee, said in a series of tweets. The Senate approved the legalization of medical marijuana almost four months ago, and two months later, the Health Ministry published rules to regulate the use of medicinal cannabis. Former President Vicente Fox, who is on the board of global medical marijuana company Khiron Life Sciences Corp., said he sees the potential for Mexico to cash in on much-needed job creation, economic investment and medical advancements. A regulated market could also help to lessen the cartel violence that has become synonymous with the country. "Many great things will happen," he said. "We're taking away this beautiful plant from criminals and putting in the hands of retailers and farmers."
Read MoreRepublicans in the Minnesota Legislature want to dramatically limit the number of people who can vote by mail and require a photo ID at the polls, as they join conservative lawmakers across the nation in a tidal wave of proposals to tighten access to the democratic process. In Minnesota, and in states like Georgia and Arizona that were key to delivering the White House and Congress to Democrats last year, Republicans argue the new policies would instill confidence in the U.S. voting system following the 2020 election, which saw former President Donald Trump promote baseless allegations of widespread fraud. With a Democratic governor and state House majority, all major election law changes are unlikely in Minnesota this year. But Republicans who lead the state Senate have sprung off concern among conservatives over Trump's claims to renew their own long-standing push for stricter voting rules. "It's been quite visible in terms of some of those concerns. The answer to that is transparency," said Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, a former secretary of state who is planning a public hearing on questions related to the 2020 election. "When folks ask these questions we should try to get them answered." Courts from coast to coast, state and federal election officials and the nation's law enforcement and intelligence communities gave last year's vote the stamp of approval as one of the most secure elections in the nation's history.
Read MoreCannabis website Leafly released its 2021 jobs report this week, noting the United States added about 77,000 full-time jobs in the cannabis industry. Legal cannabis now supports 321,000 full-time jobs in America. Leafly offered this perspective on how many jobs that is: “In the United States there are more legal cannabis workers than electrical engineers. There are more legal cannabis workers than EMTs and paramedics. There are more than twice as many legal cannabis workers as dentists.” Leafly says it creates these reports in partnership with labor economists at Whitney Economics, using publicly available sales data compiled by state cannabis regulatory agencies, as well as cannabis employee license data, median state salary statistics, and cannabis job salary surveys.
Read MoreSome Virginia companies are racing to sell marijuana for recreational use - just as soon as they get the green light. Virginia lawmakers decided sales can begin in three years. “Everything we do in Virginia, takes place in Virginia,” said Adam Goers of Columbia Care. The medical marijuana manufacturer has a location in Portsmouth, where they craft a variety of products. “It’s tested and it’s trusted. We go through a pharmaceutical quality process to cultivate the cannabis [and] grow it,” he explained. They then create products for people in Virginia who have a valid prescription. When the year 2024 comes, the company will be able to sell its products to anyone 21 and over, with or without a prescription. “I’m hopeful and I’m pleased Virginia has now chosen to be the 16th state in which to legalize marijuana,” Gov. Ralph Northam said Thursday. He supports the idea that lawmakers just passed. He says, though, there’s some work to do before the rollout.
Read MoreFor the third year in a row, South Dakota lawmakers have decided to go farther on industrial hemp than the governor wants. State senators voted 27-6 Thursday to change state laws on growing and processing the low-THC plants. Governor Kristi Noem had people from her administration testify against HB 1228 at a Senate hearing. The legislation now returns to the House for a decision whether to agree with minor changes made by the Senate committee. The House had approved its version 58-11. Overriding a governor’s veto requires 2/3 majorities of 47 in the House and 24 in the Senate. Caleb Finck wants to allow outdoor plots as small as a half-acre. The law currently sets the minimum at 5 acres. He also wants to allow greenhouses that are at least 2,880 square feet. Indoor growing isn’t allowed now. Some licensing requirements also would change. And the measure makes adjustments the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggested during its review and approval of South Dakota’s state plan. Decades have passed since industrial hemp was last grown legally in South Dakota. “There will be a growing season for hemp in 2021,” Brock Greenfield said Thursday. “Not passing this bill hinders our farmers, processors and seed salesmen.” Helene Duhamel opposed the bill. One reason was that marijuana could be hidden when hemp is transported. “Enforcement of hemp is critical to its success in South Dakota,” she said. Casey Crabtree said a yes vote was “a vote for economic development” in South Dakota. Greenfield said senators shouldn’t buy into the argument that was made against it. “I just ask us to keep our eye on the ball,” he said. “It didn’t come from the bureaucracy. It’s coming from the legislators.”
Read MoreWith voting rights legislation that passed the House this week marching toward a likely death in the Senate, activists are readying for a fight to save it: they're taking on the bill-slaying filibuster, the Senate rule requiring 60 votes to end debate on a measure. In an evenly split 50-50 Senate, it will always be a struggle to win over 10 senators from the other side. "Those who won the election, who have the majority are going to be faced with a choice: do they protect voting rights or do they protect the filibuster rule?" said Stephen Spaulding, senior counsel for public policy & senior adviser at Common Cause. "I don't think saying, 'Oh, but the filibuster,' is going to cut it." The "For the People Act," known as HR1, is a broad bill that would create automatic, same-day, and online voter registration nationwide. It includes some measures that would require states to overhaul their registration systems. It would expand absentee voting, limit the states' ability to remove people from voter rolls, increase federal funds for election security and reform the redistricting process.
Read MoreThe battle over voting rights in the US is a drama that's playing out concurrently in the Congress and state legislatures across the country. On one side are Republicans in state capitols, intent on passing laws curtailing when and where their citizens can vote - citing allegations of voting fraud repeatedly made by Donald Trump in the months after his presidential defeat to Joe Biden. On the other are Democrats in Washington, DC, who are pushing legislation to take those decisions out of the hands of state politicians by setting federal rules for conducting elections. At the centre of the debate is a question of what is the greatest threat to American democracy. Is it the security of an election process that in 2020 relied heavily on early and mail-in voting? Or is it a system, corrupted by the influence of big donors and powerful interests, that makes voting more difficult than necessary, particularly for historically disadvantaged groups?
Read MoreMany publicly traded companies are leaving investors in the dark on important cybersecurity risks, a new report suggests. That includes vulnerabilities like the ones that allowed Russian hackers to exploit SolarWinds and other firms to infiltrate nine federal agencies and at least 100 companies. The study's authors found that many publicly traded companies fail to provide investors with some of the most basic information required by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Instead, many companies rely on boilerplate legal statements like “[c]yber-attacks could have a disruptive effect on our business,” an analysis of annual and quarterly reports for publicly traded organizations showed. That tells investors nothing about how a company would handle the growing threat of ransomware attacks or hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in a third-party supplier, explains Kevin Gronberg, vice president of policy and government affairs at SecurityScorecard.
Read MorePolice in China and South Africa have seized thousands of fake doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, the global police organisation Interpol said on Wednesday, warning this represented only the “tip of the iceberg” in vaccine-related crime. The Lyon-based agency Interpol said 400 vials – equivalent to around 2,400 doses – containing the fake vaccine were found at a warehouse in Germiston outside Johannesburg in South Africa, where officers also recovered fake masks and arrested three Chinese and a Zambian national. In China, police successfully identified a network selling counterfeit Covid-19 vaccines in an investigation supported by Interpol, which has 194 member countries, it said. They raided the manufacturing premises, resulting in the arrest of around 80 suspects and seized more than 3,000 fake vaccines on the scene, it said.
Read MoreCanada is getting a fourth vaccine to prevent COVID-19, approving the Johnson & Johnson shot that works with just one dose. Health experts are eager for a one-and-done option to help speed vaccination. Canada has also approved vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca. Health Canada is the first major regulator to approve four difference vaccines. Canada doesn’t have domestic production and has struggled with a shortage of vaccines. The U.S. isn’t exporting locally made vaccines, so neighbors Canada and Mexico must get vaccines from Europe and Asia. Canada has pre-purchased 10 million Johnson & Johnson doses, with options to buy another 28 million. The U.S. approved the Johnson & Johnson vaccine last month. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says one dose was 85% protective against the most severe COVID-19 illness in a massive study that spanned three continents.
Read MoreTHC, a molecule that affects the human mind and body, is not “the” active ingredient in marijuana (there are hundreds). But since THC is the best known cannabis compound—and since THC helps get you completely ripped—THC is the most important ingredient in weed for state and federal lawmakers skeptical of legalization. That would be why pushes to limit the amount of THC allowed in legal cannabis products are gaining momentum in the states, and why future federal legalization proposals are likely to include some kind of THC cap. As The Daytona Beach News Journal reported this week, state legislators in Florida have proposed a 10 percent THC limit on smokeable cannabis flower and a 16 percent THC limit on edibles sold in the state’s medical-marijuana marketplace. And the idea of limiting THC in (legal) cannabis is catching on in Congress. On Wednesday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who jointly chair the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, released a report in which they proposed various regulations on legal cannabis to protect “public heath and safety.”
Read MoreIllinois pot shops unloaded nearly $2.9 million worth of recreational weed each day in February, outpacing a record set just a month earlier. Average daily sales in February hit a new high of roughly $2.88 million, up from the $2.86 million a month earlier, according to figures released this week by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. All told, dispensaries sold more than $80 million in recreational pot products last month. That marked a drop from the record $88 million in sales recorded in January, when there were three more days of sales. In the first full year of legalization, recreational pot sales reached nearly $670 million. Based on this year’s first two months, total sales in 2021 are on pace to eclipse $1 billion. The sales figures are reported separately from medical marijuana tallies, which are reported later in the month. Despite the eye-popping numbers, cannabis consultant Andy Seeger said sales might start to level off. Without more cultivation space, more stores or new, pricier products, there’s only so much the industry will be able to grow. Meanwhile, the state’s outstanding cannabis licenses — including 40 craft cultivation permits and 75 new dispensary licenses — have all been delayed indefinitely amid an ongoing controversy. Still, Seeger acknowledged that shops have been able to streamline operations over the past 14 months and adapt their processes in the wake of the pandemic. “The average dispensary can only handle so many customers each day, especially with current health conditions. There aren’t exactly lines but sales are going to be relatively steady with seasonal and weekly trends,” said Seeger, noting that shops in Colorado typically do better business in the summer months and most places have lower sales numbers on Mondays.
Read MoreA sweeping elections bill passed by the House on Wednesday night would boost cybersecurity measures and focus on countering foreign interference efforts like the kind that affected the 2016 and 2018 elections. The bill, which the House passed on a mostly party-line vote of 220-210, marks a major effort by Democrats to tackle both voting reforms, such as increasing access to the polls through use of mail-in ballots, and cybersecurity upgrades. Among issues included in H.R. 1 is a requirement that states use voter-verified paper ballots as part of the election process, a move supporters have pointed to as a vital safety net to check votes in the event of election tampering. It also allocates funding to enable the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to give grants to states to replace outdated and potentially insecure voting machines, along with authorizing funds for states to carry out election audits. Further, states would be required to take steps to strengthen the security of voter registration databases against cyberattacks, test voting systems nine months before each federal general election, and mandate the director of national intelligence to submit a report to both Congress and each chief state election official detailing cybersecurity threats prior to federal elections.
Read MoreThe head of the FBI renewed calls for special law enforcement access to encrypted technologies in response to recent acts of domestic extremism. FBI director Christopher A. Wray and other FBI officials made the argument to senators over two days of hearings about law enforcement efforts leading up the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. They highlighted the use of the technology by the pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitola as some of the perpetrators used encrypted technology to plan and execute the assault. “We … are moving more and more in a direction where if we don't come up collectively with some kind of solution it's not going to matter how bulletproof the legal process is or how horrific the crime is or how heartbreaking the victims are we will not be able to get access to the content and the evidence that we need to protect the American people,” Wray told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. “I think, we will all rue the day.” The warnings come as Capitol Police warn of a possible plot by a militant group to today breach the Capitol, Tom Jackman, Matt Zapotosky, Michael Brice-Saddler and Craig Timberg report. Some followers of the extremist ideology QAnon falsely claim that former president Donald Trump will return to the White House on March 4. While online chatter around the event is less than that around the Jan. 6 attack, researchers aren't ruling out smaller attacks being planned on encrypted channels, my colleagues report. Wray's first major jab at encryption under the Biden administration is just the latest marker in a years-long struggle between tech companies and the government over whether law enforcement should have special access to secure data. Wray and other law enforcement leaders charged that “end-to-end” encryption limits their ability to access critical evidence and detect crimes. That risk has gotten worse as more and more tech companies adopt the technology, which protects data so only the sender can access it. No third party, including the tech company offering the service that sent the data, has access to the material.
Read MoreAn Illinois Senate bill introduced by Senator Darren Bailey would require the use of hand-marked paper ballots for elections. The bill also requires software to be implemented that detects security vulnerabilities in the state’s voter registration rolls. Bailey says the two requirements would help ensure the security of elections.
Read MoreMany international travelers will likely need to prove they are vaccinated or free of Covid-19 if they plan trips later this year, after the European Union and China both said they would move ahead with plans for “vaccine passports.” China is working toward launching certificates that will declare a person’s vaccination status or recent test results, according to its foreign ministry. Similarly, the European Commission plans this month to present proposals for a “digital green pass” for EU citizens, which will specify if someone has been vaccinated, and if not, carry details of their test results. EU leaders expect it to take three months to get the program running. “The aim is to gradually enable them [EU citizens] to move safely in the European Union or abroad—for work or tourism,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. Last week, the U.K. said it, too, was looking at the pros and cons of digital passports, after initially ruling them out.
Read MoreGovernments and businesses are looking at ways for people to prove they've been vaccinated against COVID-19. So-called vaccine passports or immunity certificates could let people travel, stay at a hotel or even visit a bar. Israel just rolled out its "green pass." Could they be the ticket back to a more normal post-pandemic life? Roxana Saberi reports from London.
Read MoreHundreds of fake COVID-19 vaccines and “a large quantity of fake 3M masks” have been seized by South African authorities, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) said Wednesday. Approximately 400 vials, which is the equivalent of around 2,400 doses, were apprehended in the bust, which was supported and facilitated by Interpol’s Illicit Goods and Global Health program. Three Chinese nationals and one Zambian national were arrested. In China, police also seized more than 3,000 fake vaccines after a raid at a manufacturing facility, which was operated by a network. Around 80 suspects were arrested. “The Chinese government attaches great importance to vaccine security,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Public Security said. “Chinese police are conducting a targeted campaign to prevent and crack down on crimes related to vaccines, proactively investigating and combating crimes related to vaccines in accordance with law,” the spokesperson said, adding that the country is cooperating with Interpol agents in the prevention of such crimes.
Read MoreVaccine maker Moderna Inc and IBM Corp said on Thursday they would work together on technologies to track COVID-19 vaccine administration. The companies will focus on using technology to help governments and healthcare providers address potential supply chain disruptions through information sharing. Organizations can also use IBM’s Digital Health Pass tool to verify health credentials of employees, customers and travelers, according to a joint statement. Earlier this year, Salesforce.com Inc, as part of a large coalition to digitize COVID-19 vaccination records, said it was launching a new product to help governments and healthcare providers maintain and manage such records.
Read MoreNow that vaccination clinics are happening around the world, proving you're vaccinated status may become a new requirement for travel or work. A new card is being developed called a vaccination passport. Now that shots are going into arms across the globe, day-to-day activities once considered a risk are beginning to slowly resume once again. "We want to get back to work. We want to get back to traveling, seeing our friends and family, eating in restaurants, all of that fun stuff. And we think this is kind of the last piece of returning to some level of normalcy." said Dick Flanigan, senior vice president at Cerner. A coalition of companies including Cerner are now working on an initiative to verify a person's vaccinated status. They're doing it with a card that can share the information with a simple scan. "It points to some other uses of this digital technology that might make all of our record-keeping simpler," Flanigan said. Mark Ebbitts, the owner of Shelton Travel of Kansas City, said that while these vaccination cards are not yet a requirement to travel, he anticipates that may change mid-year. "The negative, if there is a negative, might be privacy issues, that said Cerner is very conscious about those issues, maybe more so than the travel agencies in New York that are contemplating this passport health card," Ebbitts said. Cerner said the plan for the cards is to make them available free of charge to anyone who has received the COVID-19 vaccine. It estimates the card rollout will happen sometime this summer.
Read MoreFirst came the fake medical-grade masks and coronavirus tests. Now, a new threat has emerged, global police organization Interpol warns: fake doses of the coronavirus vaccine. Interpol said Wednesday that police in China and South Africa have seized thousands of doses of fake vaccines — a cache it said was just the “tip of the iceberg.” South African authorities recently seized 400 vials, which held around 2,400 doses, of counterfeit vaccines from a warehouse outside Johannesburg, Interpol said in a report Wednesday. The illicit stash also included fake 3M masks. South African officers apprehended three Chinese citizens and one Zambian national in relation to the raid. In China, police seized a large cache of fake vaccine and arrested about 80 suspects during a recent raid on a manufacturing site, Interpol said. “Whilst we welcome this result, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine related crime,” said Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock in a statement. “Following our warning that criminals would target the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, both on and offline, Interpol continues to provide its full support to national authorities working to protect the health and safety of their citizens.” In December, Interpol warned of a likely growing threat of crime related to coronavirus vaccines, “with the pandemic having already triggered unprecedented opportunistic and predatory criminal behavior,” the statement said.
Read MoreInterpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, announced on Wednesday it had broken up a global criminal network smuggling vials of fake COVID-19 vaccines around the world. Around 2,400 doses of counterfeit coronavirus vaccine were seized from a warehouse outside of Johannesburg, South Africa, along with counterfeit 3M masks. Three Chinese nationals and a Zambian national were arrested. Around the same time in China, law enforcement agents arrested 80 people they say are connected to the counterfeit products, and uncovered an additional 3,000 vials of fake vaccine. Authorities said the counterfeit vaccine was made from saline solution.
Read MoreDoes Vice President Kamala Harris still support legalizing marijuana? According to a short passage buried in a new Bloomberg report about efforts to appoint a new top White House drug policy official, the answer seems to be no. Harris, who sponsored a comprehensive Senate bill to end federal cannabis prohibition in 2019, has now reportedly adopted the same position as President Joe Biden, who opposes legalization, the outlet reported on Monday. There have been signs that might be the case, as Harris has stepped back her calls for broad reform in recent months, opting instead to push for cannabis decriminalization and expungements in line with the president’s agenda. She spent significant time during her own presidential campaign making the case for federally legalizing marijuana, but that specific narrative has been largely abandoned since she joined Biden’s presidential ticket in August. Decriminalization and expungements is the favored policy of Biden, who also backs medical cannabis legalization, modestly rescheduling the plant under federal law and letting states set their own policies on the issue. Bloomberg reported that an aide Harris’s team said her “positions are now the same as Biden’s,” though the source asked not to be named because the vice president hasn’t announced the policy shift. Marijuana Moment reached out to three press staffers in the vice president’s office for clarification, but they did not respond by the time of publication. The lack of specificity leaves rooms for the possibility that the staffer was referring to Biden changing his position and embracing legalization as Harris has. But considering that the vice president’s rhetoric on the issue has shifted—with her reaffirming an administration commitment to simply “decriminalizing marijuana” and expunging records, rather than legalize the plant—it appears more likely that it’s Harris whose views have changed.
Read MoreNew York finally appears poised to legalize adult-use cannabis. However, to get there, Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Democratic state legislature must resolve a raging debate over social equity goals that address the consequences of the decades-long war on drugs. Members of Congress who dream of federal legalization should pay close attention to these negotiations. On January 16, Governor Cuomo introduced his plan to legalize adult-use cannabis, called the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA). Preliminarily, it’s important to understand why cannabis legalization appears to be inevitable in New York in 2021 – and even in the face of the multiple scandals currently buffeting Governor Cuomo. During each of the last two years, Governor Cuomo tried unsuccessfully to push for adult-use cannabis legalization, but, this year, the political calculation changed. Neighboring New Jersey voted to legalize last year, setting a precedent in the tri-state area. Additionally, New York is facing a reported $4 billion budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2020-21. Although tax revenues from legal cannabis sales would not plug the budget deficit, they would dent it. And 60% of New York’s voters support cannabis legalization, according to a November 2020 Sienna College survey. In sum, legalization would be a no-brainer for New York lawmakers.
Read MoreKiley Klug, flanked by her 13-year-old son, Owen, in a wheelchair, stood before Kansas lawmakers last month and pleaded to let her treat her son’s hundreds of daily seizures with legal medicinal marijuana. At one point, she paused to tend to one of the boy’s seizures before resuming her testimony. “He, as you can see, suffers from a rare, relentless seizure monster called Dravet Syndrome,” she said. “He, at his worst, has struggled through up to 200 to 300 seizures a day.” Klug was speaking in favor of a bill that’s a new effort this year to legalize medicinal marijuana. She said her son has shown significant improvement using products containing limited THC, which falls in a gray area under Kansas law, and they want the option to try other cannabis treatments. “We need the flexibility to explore different strains and ratios,” Klug said, “in order to find the combination that’s most effective to combat these seizures.”
Read MoreWith 1 in 3 Americans now living in a state where adult pot use is legal, Virginia is no longer sitting on the sidelines. Over the weekend, local lawmakers narrowly approved compromise legislation that would make it the first state in the south to allow recreational marijuana. The bill now goes to Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D), who supports legalization, for his signature. Fine print: The law would legalize the use of cannabis by people over the age of 21. It would also allow possession of up to an ounce by anyone over 21 and establish an agency to oversee regulation of the cannabis market. The state is hoping that its commercial recreational marijuana program could generate nearly $1.5B in annual sales within five years of the scheduled start on Jan. 1, 2024. Specifics of the regulations were punted until next year, when they'll be decided by the legislature. Under discussion is the framework and criminal penalties for several offenses, including underage use and public consumption of marijuana. Currently, people under the age of 21 would face a $25 civil penalty and have to undergo treatment. More details: Part of the bill is aimed at ending disparate treatment faced by people of color in the criminal justice system. The legislation calls for 30% of marijuana tax revenue to go to a fund aimed at communities historically over-policed for marijuana-related crimes. Some lawmakers and advocacy groups also complained the years-long waiting period needlessly extends unjust treatment, though others argued that going ahead without regulations could boost illegal pot sales.
Read MoreAs Congress begins debate this week on sweeping voting and ethics legislation, Democrats and Republicans can agree on one thing: If signed into law, it would usher in the biggest overhaul of U.S. elections law in at least a generation. House Resolution 1, Democrats' 791-page bill, would touch virtually every aspect of the electoral process — striking down hurdles to voting erected in the name of election security, curbing partisan gerrymandering and curtailing the influence of big money in politics. Republicans see those very measures as threats that would both limit the power of states to conduct elections and ultimately benefit Democrats, notably with higher turnout among minority voters. The stakes are prodigious, with control of Congress and the fate of President Joe Biden's legislative agenda in the balance. But at its core, a more foundational principle of American democracy is at play: access to the ballot. “This goes above partisan interests. The vote is at the heart of our democratic system of government,” said Fred Wertheimer, president of the nonpartisan good government organization Democracy 21. “That’s the battleground. And everyone knows it.” Barriers to voting are as old as the country, but in more recent history they have come in the form of voter ID laws and other restrictions that are up for debate in statehouses across the country. Rep. John Sarbanes, a Maryland Democrat who sponsored the bill, said that outside of Congress “these aren't controversial reforms.” Much of it, he noted, was derived from recommendations of a bipartisan commission. Yet to many Republicans, it amounts to an unwarranted federal intrusion into a process that states should control. “It imposes from Washington, D.C., a one-size-fits-all regulatory scheme on each state,” Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said Monday during a hearing on the bill. “What’s worse, it does this even though states have been traditionally allowed to generally run elections however they see fit.” Citing Congress’ constitutional authority over federal elections, Democrats say national rules are needed to make voting more uniform, accessible and fair. The bill would mandate early voting, same-day registration and other long-sought changes that Republicans reject.
Read MoreA bill to restrict ballot drop boxes, require more ID for absentee voting and limit weekend early voting days passed the Georgia House on Monday amid protests that the proposals would make it harder for voters to participate in democracy. The House voted along party lines, 97-72, on the sweeping elections bill supported by Republicans who want to impose new voting requirements after losing presidential and U.S. Senate races in Georgia. Democrats opposing the legislation said it creates obstacles for voting that will do more to reduce turnout than increase election security. The bill now heads to the state Senate, where a committee voted Monday to end no-excuse absentee voting, which would require most voters to cast ballots in person. That legislation could receive a vote in the full Senate within days. Georgia is at the center of a nationwide debate over election access and security, brought on by Republican Donald Trump’s false claims of election fraud. Election officials, including Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, have said there’s no evidence of widespread fraud that could have changed the election, and the results were verified by recounts and audits.
Read MoreLawmakers in Virginia have reached a deal to make the state the 16th in the nation and the first in the south to legalize recreational marijuana use. But the compromise bill is receiving blow back from some legalization advocates who say it falls short of racial justice aims. Lawmakers in both the House and Senate passed the bill in a Saturday legislative session in a party line vote of 48 to 43 in the House and 20 to 19 in the Senate. The legislation would legalize the use of cannabis by people over the age of 21 starting in 2024, when retail markets would be established. The law would also allow possession of up to an ounce by anyone over 21 and establishes a state agency to oversee regulation of the cannabis market. Specifics of the regulations were punted until next year, when they'll be decided by the legislature. The bill calls for 30% of marijuana tax revenue to go to a fund aimed at communities historically over-policed for marijuana-related crimes. Under the legislation, people under the age of 21 would face a $25 civil penalty and have to undergo treatment. Marijuana legalization had been a priority for Democrats in the state, who have cited disparities in how people of color are penalized for possession and use. Lawmakers had already decriminalized possession of smaller amounts last year. Gov. Ralph Northam — who announced his intentions to legalize marijuana use late last year — is expected to sign the measure into law.
Read MoreThe Virginia Legislature approved adult-use marijuana legalization Saturday in a historic vote marking the first state in the Old South to embrace full legalization. The House passed the measure in a 48-43 vote, and the Senate approved it in a 20-19 vote. Not a single Republican voted for the bill in either chamber. "This, to me, is a justice bill," Del. Charniele Herring, a sponsor of the legalization bill and the Democratic majority leader, said on the floor. "While it has flaws and it is not the perfect bill ... I think this moves us a step in the right direction." The vote came after a conference committee struck a deal on Saturday to reconcile different versions of the bill that passed in both chambers earlier this month. The impact: Virginia is the 16th U.S. state to pass an adult-use marijuana legalization law, though sales would not start until 2024. Only two other states — Illinois and Vermont — have passed legislation to legalize, tax and regulate recreational marijuana through the legislature. The move puts pressure on neighboring states such as Maryland, where an adult-use legalization bill got its first hearing this month. New Jersey also recently enacted legalization, after voters overwhelmingly backed a referendum in November. Under the compromise legislation, marijuana possession would not become legal until January 2024, when regulated sales are scheduled to start. The state would start setting up a marijuana regulatory agency this July.
Read MoreProponents of legalizing recreational marijuana in New York are putting their weight behind a bill in the state legislature, saying they prefer it to the competing framework that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has included as part of his proposed $193 billion budget. Associations representing growers and medical marijuana companies that operate in the state as well as the Drug Policy Alliance, which supports legalizing the drug for social-justice reasons, issued a rare joint statement in support of the pending Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, or MRTA. Their focus comes as the Democratic governor grapples with federal inquiries into the state’s handling of Covid-19 deaths in nursing homes and accusations that he sexually harassed two former female aides. Mr. Cuomo’s spokeswoman has denied a claim detailed Wednesday by Lindsey Boylan, who worked for the state from 2015 to 2018. The governor said in a Saturday night statement that he never acted inappropriately toward Charlotte Bennett, a 25-year-old former aide who said Mr. Cuomo asked questions about her sex life that made her uncomfortable. On Sunday, Mr. Cuomo said he was sorry his actions had been interpreted as unwanted flirtation. State lawmakers have spent the past two weeks considering ways to be more assertive over matters of policy, which Mr. Cuomo has dominated since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic a year ago. The course they choose could have consequences on the contours of marijuana legalization in the state.
Read MoreRepublican-led legislatures in dozens of states are moving to change election laws in ways that could make it harder to vote. Many proposals explicitly respond to the 2020 election: Lawmakers cite public concerns about election security — concerns generated by disinformation that then-President Donald Trump spread while trying to overturn the election. The Brennan Center, a nonprofit that tracks voting laws, says that 43 states — including key swing states — are considering 253 bills that would raise barriers to voting, for example by reducing early voting days or limiting access to voting by mail. Lawmakers in a different set of 43 states have proposed expanding voter access, but Republicans have prioritized new security requirements and shorter voting periods. In Georgia, which President Biden won by nearly 12,000 votes, legislators are considering multiple bills to restrict voting. The most significant, House Bill 531, is before a committee chaired by Republican Rep. Barry Fleming. He said Democrat Stacey Abrams campaigned to expand voter access after losing a governor's race in 2018, and now Republicans want their own changes. The bill is "an attempt to restore the confidence of our public," he said, because "there has been controversy regarding our election system."
Read MoreJust a month after leaving office, Donald Trump on Sunday broke with the practices of past former presidents and took on the man who beat him in the 2020 election. During a keynote address in Orlando, Fla., that lasted an hour and a half — and began more than an hour late — to the friendly Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, Trump blasted President Biden's tenure so far. He called it "the most disastrous first month of any president in modern history" and hit Biden on many fronts — from immigration to national security to Biden's coronavirus pandemic response. The main thrust of Trump's criticism, though, was on immigration policy. He claimed Biden was "eliminating our [southern] border," triggering "a massive flood of illegal immigration" that was letting criminals pour out onto U.S. streets.
Read MoreIs legalizing cannabis sales the way to a better D.C.? Mayor Muriel Bowser thinks it may be. She’s proposed the Safe Cannabis Sales Act of 2021. Under the legislation, cannabis sales would be limited to those 21 and older, and be taxed at 17%. Tax revenue from cannabis sales would be put back into the low income communities of color she said have been disproportionately harmed by the criminalization of cannabis. “This is about safety, equity, and justice,” Bowser said in a news release. “Through this legislation, we can fulfill the will of D.C. voters, reduce barriers for entering the cannabis industry, and invest in programs that serve residents and neighborhoods hardest hit by the criminalization of marijuana.” If the legislation passes this year, sales of adult-use cannabis could begin by Oct. 1, 2022. Key provisions of the Safe Cannabis Sales Act of 2021, as outlined by the mayor:
Read MoreTensions over a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in Virginia have been brewing for weeks, and as of Friday evening, with a just hours left on the legislative clock, House and Senate Democrats had not resolved their differences. The inklings of a deal had started to come together Friday morning, with lawmakers agreeing to set up a new state agency to create and regulate the new marijuana market this summer and legalize possession in 2024 - all under the condition that the legislature come back next year to finalize the regulatory framework, as well as new civil and criminal penalties tailored to check legalization. The tentative agreement had soured by Friday afternoon, according to multiple sources in both chambers. The roadblock is a provision the Senate approved to conduct a statewide, nonbinding referendum this fall to gauge the public’s support for marijuana legalization. Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, one of the negotiators, is arguing for the referendum to stay in the bill, according to Democratic sources in the House and the Senate. "We have a one-vote margin in the Senate to get a bill through. Notwithstanding my personal views, we need to make sure we propose a bill that has enough votes to pass," Surovell said. "We tried to come up with a proposal that would garner enough votes in the Senate. I'm personally supportive of legalization of marijuana with or without a referendum."
Read MoreAn effort to legalize marijuana in Virginia is coming down to the final days of the General Assembly session, as House and Senate negotiators try to reconcile competing plans.
Read MoreMarijuana legalization will get another chance in the Pennsylvania Legislature thanks to a new bipartisan bill. State Sens. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, and Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia, this week introduced a bill that would allow those over the age of 21 to buy and use marijuana.
Read MoreWith weed now legal in New Jersey, municipalities across South Jersey are starting to take a look at where and how — if at all — cannabis could best work in the community. Gov. Phil Murphy signed three bills into law on Monday legalizing the possession and use of marijuana by adults over 21, as well as the purchase and sale of marijuana.
Read MoreThe New York State Department of Health is now accepting applications from businesses seeking to operate as cannabinoid hemp processors, retailers or distributors — a move that could effectively level.
Read MoreThe Department of Homeland Security is making cybersecurity one of its top priorities for funding this year, underscoring the Biden administration's growing focus on it as part of national security. A new plan released yesterday outlines several areas of investment.
Read MoreRepublican lawmakers unveiled a bill Thursday that would make several changes to Kentucky’s elections, including instituting three days of no-excuse early voting and giving absentee voters a chance to fix their ballots if they sign them incorrectly.
Read MoreFor years, Democrats in Pennsylvania’s legislature have introduced bills to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use. But without any Republican support, those bills were dead on arrival. On Wednesday, the landscape shifted. State Sen. Dan Laughlin, a Republican from Erie, proposed new legalization legislation — but with a conservative stamp.
Read MoreWith only about a month left before Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York legislature must agree on a budget for the next year, the two parties are still far apart on a proposal to legalize adult use marijuana.
Read MoreInfighting among a group of minority pot shop applicants drafting legislation to resolve the state’s troubled licensing rollout came to a head Tuesday when a downtown news conference effectively devolved into a sparring match. The ad hoc coalition of social equity applicants — a designation created to diversify the state’s white-dominated weed industry — has splintered into two factions pushing dueling proposals and battling over specifics.
Read MoreStates should take a closer look at their election laws to protect against fraud in mail-in voting, Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said Wednesday.
Read MoreRepublican lawmakers unveiled a bill Thursday that would make several changes to Kentucky’s elections, including instituting three days of no-excuse early voting and giving absentee voters a chance to fix their ballots if they sign them incorrectly.
Read MorePresident Biden's new executive order to boost U.S. chip production has been met with praise from an unexpected source: Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei.
Read MoreA bill essentially legalizing recreational use of cannabis in Maryland would be an important step toward addressing social equity and racial injustices, advocates said.
Read MoreRecreational weed is finally legal in New Jersey after years of failed legislative attempts. While the historic law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy Monday allows for the possession of up to six ounces of marijuana, it will take time for Garden State residents 21 and older to be able to legally purchase weed.
Read MoreAfter years of false starts and failed attempts, Gov. Philip D. Murphy on Monday signed into law three bills that effectively permit and regulate the use of recreational marijuana in New Jersey, making it the most populous state in the Northeast to fully legalize the drug
Read MoreIowa’s 2020 election was one for the record books — with 1.7 million people marking ballots. It was an impressive turnout in Iowa; 76% of Iowa’s eligible voters took part.
Read MoreGovernor Ron DeSantis and his legislative posse have added another non-issue to their list of top lawmaking priorities for 2021. This time, it’s aimed at more security for elections, even though they’ve been bragging for months that Florida’s elections were the most secure and successful anywhere.
Read MoreA bill to eliminate early voting and abolish voting machines is being withdrawn. Tullahoma Republican Senator Janice Bowling pulled the bill Tuesday after expressing her concerns for election security. Tennessee isn’t the only place where a slew of election reform bills are popping up across Republican controlled legislatures.
Read MoreThe Republican leaders of the Legislature's budget committee said Thursday they would throw out central parts of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' budget, including his plan to legalize marijuana, raise the minimum wage and overhaul the state's juvenile correctional system. .
Read MoreIt's been 107 days since New Jerseyans — more than two-thirds of them — voted to legalize marijuana. But due to protracted, sometimes heated negotiations and disagreements among legislators, legislative leaders and Gov. Phil Murphy, weed remains just as illegal in New Jersey as it was before Election Day.
Read MoreNew York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes believes 2021 is the year that the Empire State will get marijuana legalization done. "It is my hope and desire that New York will legalize adult-use of cannabis this current session in 2021," the assemblywoman told Cheddar.
Read MoreUnraveling marijuana laws could be a long, tedious process, but some lawmakers have said they're ready to try.
Read MoreGovernor Ron DeSantis is proposing new legislation to make Florida elections more transparent. “Last November, Florida held the smoothest, most successful election of any state in the country,” DeSantis told reporters.
Read MoreFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a slate of voting proposals Friday that he wants lawmakers to pass in their upcoming legislative session, including restricting the mass mailing of mail-in ballots and access to ballot drop boxes
Read MoreDemocracy works best when every American voter can fully participate in the process of electing their leaders, no matter where they live, the color of their skin, or how much money they make. We saw this firsthand during the 2020 election, when despite the risks of a deadly global pandemic, Democrats and Republicans turned out in record breaking numbers, overcoming obstacles that stood in their way to the ballot box. Now that the election called by many bipartisan officials one of the "most secure elections in American history," is over, it is critically important for Congress to ensure that the attacks our democracy have suffered on several fronts over the past decade are addressed. Our democracy needs repair, and the For the People Act does just that. It would address some of the most serious challenges to our nation’s democratic systems. These reforms are drawn from bills that have bipartisan political support at both the federal and state levels. They include implementing automatic voter registration, expanding same-day and online voter registration, and creating independent redistricting commissions to eliminate gerrymandering. Automatic voter registration has been successfully adopted and implemented in more than a dozen states, including the traditionally red states of West Virginia, Georgia, and Alaska with bipartisan support. In Illinois, it passed unanimously across party lines and was signed into law by the state’s Republican governor. The For the People Act would provide vote-by-mail access to all Americans — access that has been traditionally available in states like Arizona, Idaho and Kansas. This legislation allows eligible voters to request a mail ballot without providing an excuse and makes the process more secure, easier to understand, and effective. Twenty-nine states, including Florida, Georgia, and Nebraska, currently permit no-excuse absentee and mail voting with appropriate provisions to ensure ballot security. Additionally, the bill would crackdown on the growing influence of secret money in our political campaigns. Voters have a right to know who is trying to influence their vote, and who is trying to influence our government.
Read MoreThe battle to legalize recreational marijuana gained new life at the Minnesota Capitol on Wednesday after a measure to permit adult cannabis use survived its first committee test.
Read MoreMinnesota lawmakers have given their first-ever endorsement to a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana. Members of the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee voted 10-7 Wednesday to advance the measure. DFL members supported the measure while Republicans did not.
Read MoreDefeating individuals who reject truth and democracy is "the struggle for our time," University of Michigan regent Jordan Acker declared during a speech at a Thursday board meeting.
Read MoreThe Biden administration is plunging ahead in a pair of high-profile cybersecurity investigations into North Korean and Russian hackers, shedding light on how it plans to crack down on foreign hackers after the Trump administration downplayed the issue in the 2016 election and its aftermath.
Read MoreCornbread Hemp co-founder Jim Higdon said Thursday that while there are steps President Biden can take to advance cannabis legalization unilaterally, there appears to be substantial support in Congress, as well.
Read MoreSouth Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Thursday she would likely veto any bills that allow recreational marijuana use this year, despite some GOP lawmakers weighing whether to move forward with legalization.
Read MoreA state representative from Northern Kentucky has filed legislation that would legalize adult recreational use of marijuana.
Read MoreMaking medical marijuana legal in South Dakota got more support statewide in the November election than either big name for U.S. president. Strong popularity is why Republicans who control the Legislature, and the Republican governor who campaigned against its passage, promise South Dakota will have a medical marijuana program.
Read MorePartisan tension over the topic of election integrity finally erupted in the House of Delegates on Friday after simmering for weeks in the background.
Read MoreAt a House committee meeting Thursday morning, Republican lawmakers outlined their goals to pass legislation aimed at statewide election reform.
Read MorePresident Biden will sign an executive order in the coming weeks to address a shortage of semiconductor chips used by U.S. industries, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters yesterday.
Read MoreCannabis industry stocks soared on Tuesday as industry leaders made groovy predictions about their financial prospects and marijuana legalization in Washington. Shares in Canadian grower Tilray finished up more than 40 percent on Tuesday after Chief executive Brendan Kennedy mused to Bloomberg Television that he now expects more state and possibly a federal legalization within “the next 12 to 18 months.”
Read MoreWith marijuana now legalized for recreational use in Montana, a Fort Benton lawmaker is advancing legislation intended to protect the state’s industrial hemp crop from running afoul of federal law.
Read MoreAfter Hughes County judge Christina Klinger ruled against the legality of Amendment A, lawmakers are now left to wonder how they should approach the issue of marijuana moving forward.
Read MoreThe House Homeland Security Committee will today hold its first cybersecurity hearing of 2021. The hearing comes as scrutiny heats up of the government's response to a massive Russian hack of government systems exposed in December.
Read MoreRep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), the new chair of the House Homeland Security Committee’s cyber panel, said she plans to tackle a wide range of cybersecurity challenges, but with an early focus on bolstering election security and responding to a massive hack that has compromised much of the federal government.
Read MoreAn influential group of Minnesota legislators is renewing a push to legalize recreational marijuana this year, as more neighboring states allow and reap the financial windfall from legalized cannabis sales. "The ability for Minnesotans to drive across the border to get cannabis is going to increase significantly," House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, said at a news conference on Monday.
Read MoreTwo bills seeking to add New Mexico to the ranks of Western states that have legalized recreational cannabis for adult users were introduced in the state Senate on Monday, and additional proposals could be filed in the coming days.
Read MoreThe growing movement to legalize marijuana is eyeing its first real foothold in the Old South. Once a deeply conservative state where Republicans dominated elected office just a decade ago, Virginia has seen a more liberal crop of politicians come to power, with Democrats now holding every statewide office and controlling both chambers of the Legislature.
Read MoreWith more than 3,000 bill draft requests filed, just a few over 300 have been introduced in the 2021 Montana Legislature so far. This means much of our time now is spent analyzing, researching, and talking to sponsors and agencies here in Helena to better understand the intent and ramifications of potential bills before they're heard in committee. We work proactively to suggest improvements, ask for changes, and help ensure that when and if a bill is introduced, it will be positive for Montana's agriculture industry.
Read MoreFormer Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cyber chief Suzanne Spaulding, a key official involved in the response to Russian interference efforts in 2016, is pushing hard for more to be done to combat disinformation and promote civics education as the nation reels from the fallout of the recent election.
Read MoreAfter a volatile election cycle marred by unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud, a group of experts is recommending that President Biden form a commission to boost Americans' confidence in elections and to propose ways to increase security by 2022.
Read MoreRepublicans, of all people, should understand the laws of supply and demand. The Hill reported last week: “More than 30,000 voters who had been registered members of the Republican Party have changed their voter registration in the weeks after a mob of pro-Trump supporters attacked the Capitol — an issue that led the House to impeach [President Donald Trump] for inciting the violence.”
Read MoreMetrc has lost a second court challenge against the state of Missouri as the company pushes for the right to charge medical cannabis providers for each RFID tracking tag.
Read MoreOn Dec. 14, President-elect Joe Biden secured his victory after he received 306 votes from the Electoral College, per USA TODAY. Recently, though, social media users have shared a meme with statistics that they claim discredits his victory.
Read MoreAfter the president's and his allies’ failed attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in courtrooms and statehouses across the battleground states, state legislatures are now setting their sights on the 2021 session to attempt to roll back expanded access to the polls.
Read MoreThe foreign cyberattacks that so many intelligence officials feared didn’t upend the 2020 elections — but this year’s contests nonetheless showed how much the nation still needs to do to fix its security weaknesses.
Read MoreWhile the legitimacy and outcome of the 2020 presidential election have long been beyond reproach, some could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. A few weeks ago, the Republican U.S. Senators from Georgia requested that the state’s Republican Secretary of State resign despite overwhelming evidence that the state’s presidential election results are sound. After ignoring the Justice Department’s longstanding policy and authorizing federal prosecutors to investigate “specific allegations” of voter fraud before the results of the presidential race were certified, Attorney General William Barr announced that the U.S. Justice Department had uncovered no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could change the outcome of the 2020 election.
Read MoreThe suspected Russian hackers blamed for breaking into a series of U.S. government agencies and cybersecurity company FireEye also made a failed attempt to hack into cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, the Sunnyvale, California-based company said in a blog post. CrowdStrike said that it was alerted by Microsoft on Dec. 15 that the hackers had tried to read CrowdStrike’s emails using a Microsoft reseller’s account “several months ago.”
Read MoreState Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, of Orlando, introduced a bill in the Florida House this week that would make marijuana available for use by adults over 21 without needing a medical marijuana card, as part of a round of legislation that would also review certain marijuana-crime convictions.
Read MoreTwo days after a Senate panel approved changes to a marijuana legalization bill that would delay retail sales a year past the governor’s proposed target date, the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services committee advanced the legislation in another party-line vote.
Read MoreReps. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and John Katko (R-N.Y.) on Friday reintroduced legislation intended to cut down on foreign disinformation and propaganda spread on social media, in particular following a spike in the content after the presidential election and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MorePresident Biden's decision to begin his term with an order to investigate Russian hacking and election interference is a dramatic elevation of cybersecurity issues in U.S. national security policy. As Biden seeks to extend a treaty limiting the world's largest nuclear arsenals – with just days before it expires – he is also preparing to punish Russia for its behavior in cyberspace. He's asking the newly-installed director of national intelligence to investigate the extensive Russian hack of at least eight government agencies tied to the SolarWinds breach and Russia's interference in the 2020 election to inform this decision.
Read MoreA new year means new marijuana legalization bills in the Kansas legislature. On Wednesday, a medical marijuana bill was introduced with the support of the Kansas Cannabis Industry Association.
Read MoreFour states voted to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in November, and in early December, the U.S. House voted to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. But as several constitutional amendments are likely headed to Florida voters in 2022 – and as state lawmakers look to consider a bill this year that would make it available for adults
Read MoreAs legal hemp cultivation in Kansas enters its third year, licensed farmers can look forward to growing the crop commercially in 2021 rather than participating in the pilot program that has been in place since 2019.
Read MoreThe top federal prosecutor in Harrisburg, Pa., announced Friday that his office has closed an investigation into nine discarded ballots found in the northeastern part of the state that President Trump had touted to support his unfounded claims of election rigging, saying in a statement that the probe had found “insufficient evidence to prove criminal intent on the part of the person who discarded the ballots.”
Read MoreLong-time leader Yoweri Museveni had a commanding lead in Uganda’s presidential election according to preliminary results on Friday though his main rival Bobi Wine said there had been widespread fraud.
Read MoreIncoming Senate Intelligence Chair Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) says Congress will consider whether to require companies – or even government agencies – to disclose when they have been breached.
Read MoreVirginia took one step closer to legalizing marijuana sales Wednesday due to legislation proposed by Gov. Ralph Northam’s team. Backed by state Sens. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, the legislation would allow licensed people 21 and older to sell the drug starting on Jan. 1, 2023.
Read MoreA push to create 75 additional cannabis dispensary licenses fell short on Wednesday, further stymying state lawmakers’ lofty goal of diversifying Illinois’ overwhelmingly white weed industry. Though state senators approved the measure earlier Wednesday, their counterparts in the House failed to call it for a vote before the lame duck session ended. State Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Chicago Democrat who was part of a legislative working group that contemplated the additional licenses, said the bill fell flat because legislators “failed at the art of compromise.” “Because of that the state of Illinois continues to lock Black people out of an emerging economy,” said Ford, who previously said the state’s social equity efforts have amounted to “an epic failure.” Ford said the major sticking point was the prospect of allowing existing medical dispensaries to relocate without losing their ability to sell recreational weed — something some major pot firms have long been pushing for. Industry insiders have estimated the state is missing out on roughly $100 million in tax revenues by blocking dispensaries from moving.
Read MoreAn Indiana senator introduced two new bills last week, which would legalize and regulate marijuana in the state. Sen. Karen Tallian introduced SB 87 and 223 which would allow for the regulation and legalization of marijuana.
Read MoreUgandans voted Thursday in a presidential election tainted by widespread violence that some fear could escalate if security forces try to stop supporters of leading opposition challenger Bobi Wine from monitoring the process. Internet access remained cut off. Long lines of voters snaked into the distance in the capital, Kampala. “This is a miracle,” mechanic Steven Kaderere said. “This shows me that Ugandans this time are determined to vote for the leader they want. I have never seen this before.” But delays were seen in the delivery of polling materials in some places, including where Wine voted. After he arrived to the cheers of a crowd and cast his ballot, he made the sign of the cross, then raised his fist and smiled. “Everybody was scared, they thought I would not cast my vote. Here I am coming from the polling station,” Wine told local broadcaster NTV Uganda.
Read MoreJust a few months after the election, state lawmakers have been voicing their concerns with election security. One in a series of bills adds and extends voter eligibility requirements.
Read MoreCybersecurity experts praised the choice of Anne Neuberger to join the Biden administration in a new cybersecurity-focused role at the White House. President-elect Joe Biden's transition team announced yesterday that Neuberger, the cybersecurity director at the National Security Agency, will become the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology on the National Security Council.
Read MoreDemocrats taking control of the Senate — decided Wednesday by Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff's win over GOP Sen. David Perdue in the Georgia Senate runoff election — significantly changes the prospects for passing cannabis legislation in the new Congress.
Read MoreTwo legislative committees Thursday approved a bill (A5211) that seeks to address issues in bills to legalize and set a market for marijuana (A21) and decriminalize weed (A1897). The votes by the Assembly Appropriations Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee set up both bills for full floor votes in the Senate and Assembly Monday. If passed, they go back to Murphy’s desk to become law.
Read MoreThe emails obtained by The Sun were included in lawsuits filed in Denver District Court and federal court against Gov. Jared Polis and backed by the discount cigarette company Liggett Vector Brands Inc. seeking to invalidate a minimum-price clause in Proposition EE
Read MoreDebates Indiana lawmakers have been having for years will once again surface in the 2021 session, including whether to raise the state’s cigarette tax. But that issue may find new life thanks to viewing it through a new lens: the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreThe months of disinformation on social media generated by President Trump and his allies and supporters about the outcome of the election "is directly tied to the domestic terrorism we saw at the Capitol," says CBS contributor David Becker, an election law expert. Becker said that the storming of the U.S. Capitol Wednesday by pro-Trump rioters who had been spurred on by the president as Congress tallied Electoral College votes was "a shameful episode in American history."
Read MoreDominion Voting Systems, one of the biggest election equipment manufacturers in the U.S. and the subject of numerous incoherent conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, has sued lawyer Sidney Powell, who pushed President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn election results, for defamation.
Read MoreThe violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is intensifying scrutiny over security at the upcoming inauguration ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden, which already has been reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic and President Donald Trump’s decision not to attend. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will take the oath of office from the Capitol’s West Front, one of the locations where a mob overpowered police and stormed the building on Wednesday.
Read MoreThe U.S. government's ability to protect itself from Russian hackers has gotten worse, according to a majority of experts surveyed by The Cybersecurity 202. That assessment of 63 percent of The Network, a panel of more than 100 cybersecurity experts who participate in our ongoing informal survey, came in the wake of the most significant breach of federal agencies in years. (You can see the full list of cybersecurity experts here.)
Read MoreGovernor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that he will introduce a proposal that would finally legalize marijuana in New York state. “I’m announcing a proposal to legalize cannabis and create an equitable adult-use cannabis program in NYS,” Cuomo tweeted Wednesday.
Read MoreEvery ballot initiative involving the decriminalization or legalization of marijuana passed in the 2020 election. Voters in New Jersey and Arizona chose to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use. Mississippi voted to legalize medical marijuana use, and South Dakota legalized the drug for both recreational and medical use.
Read MoreAfter years of attempts, could 2021 be the year local Del. Steve Heretick’s marijuana legalization bill passes in the Virginia General Assembly? Heretick (D-Portsmouth), who’s proposed both decriminalization and legalization bills in the past, reintroduced his signature legislation to “legalize the cultivation, sale, and consumption of marijuana in Virginia.”
Read MoreU.S. Sen. Ron Wyden took to the Senate floor Wednesday to criticize Republican blocks to on election security bills.
Read MoreThe top Democrats in Congress called on Thursday for President Trump’s immediate removal from office for his role in urging on the violent mob that overtook the Capitol a day before, disrupting the ratification of President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s electoral victory. Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senator Chuck Schumer of New York called on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment, which allows him and the cabinet to wrest the power of the presidency from Mr. Trump. If Mr. Pence declines to act, they said, Democrats were prepared to impeach Mr. Trump for a second time. “While it’s only 13 days left, any day can be a horror show for America,” Ms. Pelosi said, calling Mr. Trump’s actions on Wednesday a “seditious act.”
Read MoreOver the four years of Donald Trump's presidency, people in charge of elections in both major parties have warned that his continued peddling of falsehoods about elections could one day lead to violence. Now, as a mob took over the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, those predictions have come true.
Read MoreLawmakers and congressional staff were ushered into secure locations as a mob backing President Trump violently stormed the U.S. Capitol in hopes of overturning the election he lost. The assault – which only temporarily delayed the certification of president-elect Joe Biden's win – left many unanswered questions about security at the Capitol, including its cybersecurity
Read MoreGov. Andrew M. Cuomo renewed his vow on Wednesday to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in New York, proposing a new office to regulate the market and licensing opportunities for communities most affected by the disparate enforcement of drug laws.
Read MoreNew York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is calling for the legalization and regulation of marijuana for recreational use by adults, his third attempt in as many years to get the drug fully legalized in the state. Cuomo, a Democrat, planned to announce his proposal Wednesday as part of his upcoming State of the State agenda for the year.
Read MoreHere’s what you need to know about the future of marijuana legalization in the United States, from its racist beginnings to today.
Read MoreThe latest push to legalize recreational marijuana in New York kicked off Wednesday with Gov. Andrew Cuomo announcing his third attempt since 2019 to allow adults to use the drug. Cuomo's proposal called for the creation of a new state Office of Cannabis Management that would issue licenses for producers, distributors and retailers.
Read MoreAs Congress meets on Wednesday to certify Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s victory in the November election, President Trump and his supporters continue to spread rumors, conspiracy theories and misinformation about the vote. Here are six false voter fraud claims that may be repeated during the proceedings on Wednesday...
Read MoreThe governor’s office and Senate leaders are nearing an agreement that would remove criminal charges associated with underage marijuana possession and use, a deal that all sides hope will be the last one required before Gov. Phil Murphy signs the bills to legalize weed in New Jersey. While negotiations are continuing, legislative sources said Monday that a deal appears likely to remove all penalties for minors – under 18 years old – found in possession of marijuana and levy fines on those between 18 and 21 years old, instead of bringing forth any criminal charges. Cases involving minors would be handled by local police departments and the child’s family, the sources said. Underage users between 18 and 21 years old would be subject to civil penalties of $250 to $500 depending on the amount of marijuana. Details of the negotiations were first reported by Politico New Jersey. That legal weed threshold is also in place for adults over 21 years old, but they remain subject to a fourth-degree crime if found in possession of more than 6 ounces.
Read MoreThe push to fully legalize marijuana in Minnesota will be up for debate again this legislative session. The issue has gained momentum in the last month, with the House of Representatives passing federal legislation. It still faces opposition in the Senate. Voters in South Dakota, Montana, New Jersey and Arizona made recreational Marijuana legal in November. “Public support is growing for legalizing and expunging criminal records for cannabis,” House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler said. Winkler will again sponsor a bill for legalization, and explains there are two elements to it. “We want to create a safe, regulated marketplace where people can buy cannabis, know what they’re getting, where law enforcement knows where cannabis is coming into the community,” Winkler said. He said addressing the criminal justice aspect of marijuana is paramount. “There are obviously big racial biases in the criminal justice system, very different arrest rates, very different incarceration depending on your race. The big hurdle is not really trying to convince people that cannabis is good. Nobody is trying to say that. What we’re saying is the current system fails every test of a good public response to a drug that has some adverse effects and has some positive benefits,” Winkler said. Ahead of last years’ session, Winkler held town hall listening sessions around the state. He heard the benefits from people, including how it would help those that can’t access the current medical marijuana program. He admits there are drawbacks, including risk involved with driving while high. “There’s always a balance of harms, and I think impaired driving is a relatively smaller harm compared to the harms we’re creating through prohibition,” Winkler said. WCCO wanted to know what he thinks the chance of getting it passed in Minnesota this next session. “I really see Senate leadership as being the number one obstacle. I think if they would agree to put this on the ballot in 2022, I think it would pass overwhelmingly,” Winkler said. A Senate spokesperson told WCCO: “With a divided government returning to the capitol in 2021, I don’t think recreational marijuana will have a different outcome than last legislative session.”
Read MoreWhen Morris Denton talks about cannabis regulations in Texas, he often refers to a basic phrase: "crawl, walk, run." “In a state like Texas, with conservative leadership, with conservative governance, with a conservative legislature and only a chance to expand the laws every other year, each session is really important,” said Denton, CEO of Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation, which is based in Austin. Compared to most of its U.S. peers, Texas is continuing to crawl. After gaining approval from state lawmakers in 2015, Texas launched a highly regulated medical cannabis program for people with intractable epilepsy that limited the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, in the plant to 0.5%. Last year, lawmakers expanded the program to allow people with a handful of other chronic medical conditions, such as terminal cancer, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis, to get prescriptions.
Read MoreA Missouri lawmaker wants to legalize recreational marijuana in hopes of bringing more revenue to the state and getting rid of the black market. Lawmakers are returning to Capitol later this week to kick off the 2021 legislative session. For the first time ever, a Missouri Republican representative is pushing to legalize recreational marijuana. If it passes, it would even clear the records of those with previous marijuana charges. Rep. Shamed Dogan, R-Ballwin, is sponsoring the proposed constitutional amendment, House Joint Resolution 30 (HJR 30). “We spend more time and more law enforcement resources going after marijuana smokers than all the other drugs combined,” Dogan said. “Ten percent of the arrest in the state of Missouri right now are from marijuana possession.” Sixteen states have already legalized marijuana, but Dogan said it’s time for Missouri to craft its own regulations and restrictions that make sense for Missouri. “I think alcohol prohibition taught us that trying to prohibit something this way, the way we’ve gone about marijuana prohibition, it backfires,” Dogan said. The proposed amendment would allow Missourians 21 and older to use cannabis. The amendment would remove marijuana from the state’s list of controlled substances. “And it automatically lets out of prison anybody that is still serving a prison term for marijuana-only offenses and then expunges from your record if you have a non-violent marijuana offense,” Dogan said. “If you are currently incarcerated [more than] a marijuana offense, so if you have a marijuana offense but you also committed a robbery, you don’t get out.”
Read MoreAs Maine enters its fourth month of adult-use marijuana sales being legalized, licensed purveyors still face competition from the black market. This trend could change as more sellers are approved for the adult-use marketplace and their supply increases. Overregulation has put Maine in a conundrum with the black market, Eben Sumner, a founding board member of Maine Growers Alliance, told The Center Square in an email. “Maine has been a pioneer and could be considered to have one of the best medical programs in the country,” Sumner said. “However, the cumbersome adult-use legislation has now created a major barrier of entry into the industry by adopting Metrc track and trace, which is a very expensive and time-consuming system.” Sumer also serves as CEO and founder of 1780, a medical cannabis cultivation business in North Berwick, and co-founder/CEO of Casco Bay Hemp in Portland. According to data from the Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP), Maine collected $128,386 in sales taxes in November, the most recent month for which figures are available. The November sales amount was roughly $1.3 million, generated from 19,015 transactions. It’s still illegal under federal law to sell or possess marijuana. “If there was more widespread industry involvement in our rulemaking process, the laws would be better suited to small businesses, which is what Maine needs most,” Sumner said. “It outwardly appears like the government is looking for one or two national companies to come in and take over the market, at least this is what is reflected with the legislative involvement and rulemaking process.” Among proposals under consideration are three bills submitted late last month by the Maine Craft Cannabis group, Sumner stated.
Read MoreSenator Tim Scott (R-SC) on Tuesday announced that he will not oppose certification of Electoral College results cementing President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory during Wednesday’s Joint Session of Congress. Scott is breaking with many House republicans and a few Senate republicans who plan to object to the results in some states where Biden won. However, Scott understands that “in nearly every election across this great country, there is some modicum of error. Some errors are merely mistakes, while some are intentional, and therefore fraud.” In the case of Trump’s opposition to the results, “Thus far, no justice, judge or fact finder has found evidence indicating the election results in those states should be overturned.” In a statement, Scott said that he is “grateful for all of the work President Trump has done for the people of this country, and [he] was proud to work with him” on multiple endeavors. But in his reading of the Constitution, he found “no constitutionally viable means for the Congress to overturn an election wherein the states have certified and sent their Electors.”
Read MoreThe Michigan Department of State has created a fact-checking website section to provide facts and information regarding the 2020 election. From details about absentee ballots to how the list of Michigan's registered voters are maintained to election security, the section goes into detail on a variety of election topics. One part of the site also explains false claims of election fraud: Claims of "wrongdoing" in Detroit and elsewhere in Michigan have been explained, typically as standard election procedureNumerous claims of wrongdoing or “irregularities” have been made about Detroit’s election and absentee counting board. However, these have all been answered by election officials, including Chris Thomas, the former Michigan Bureau of Elections director, who oversaw state elections for decades under both Republican and Democratic secretaries of state, and served as a senior advisor to the Detroit clerk’s office ahead of and during the 2020 general election. Additionally, the claims have been rejected by multiple judges in the state.
Read MoreLet’s take advantage of the last few weeks of our 2020 vision and keep an open mind regarding new data, research and comparisons about marijuana for Virginians. Although some think marijuana is the same as it was in the 1960s, in reality marijuana remains a Schedule 1 drug with no definitive medical benefit, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. Currently, marijuana is intentionally grown with triple and often quadruple levels of the psychoactive chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that dwarf the low levels from decades ago. Marijuana oils and waxes can have even greater levels of THC that range from 32-99%. This increasingly potent drug has even increased in appeal over the decades. Vaping marijuana and nicotine have more than doubled among 19-22-year-olds between 2017 and 2019. Their current annual prevalence rate of 43% is the highest level seen in the past four decades. In 2019, more than one-in-seven non-college 19-22-year-olds used marijuana on a daily or near-daily basis. This use pattern makes it harder for them to return to academics due to marijuana’s detrimental effects on cognitive functioning and mental health, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The Journal of Adolescent Health reported in September that during the pandemic, national data cited an increase in marijuana use by adolescents: 49% used marijuana alone, 32% used with peers while on their devices, and 24% used in person.
Read MoreThe Federal Trade Commission and Food and Drug Administration are cracking down on CBD companies making false or misleading health claims about their products in an action they are calling Operation CBDeceit.
Read MoreRegulatory uncertainty has made it more difficult to process, and sell, hemp.
Read MoreMore than a month ago, Eric Coomer went into hiding. The voting conspiracy theories that have led millions of Republicans to feel as though the election was stolen from them, which are still spreading, have also led to calls for Coomer's head. Coomer oversees product strategy and security for Dominion Voting Systems, the Denver-based company that has suddenly found itself at the center of many of President Trump's false claims about November's election, spread by allies and pro-Trump media. Some of Trump's supporters have focused on Coomer as the supposed evil mastermind. "I actually am in fear for my safety," Coomer said recently, speaking by video call from an undisclosed location to Colorado Public Radio. "I'm in fear for my family's safety. These are real, tangible things coming out of these baseless accusations." On Tuesday, Coomer sued the Trump campaign and a number of allies, alleging defamation. It's just the latest example of how people's lives are being upended and potentially ruined by the unprecedented flurry of disinformation this year. The problem grows. As people experience their own individual Internet bubbles, it can be hard to recognize just how much misinformation exists and how the current information ecosystem compares with previous years. But companies that specialize in the subject said it is getting exponentially worse. NewsGuard, which vets news sources based on transparency and reliability standards, found recently that among the top 100 sources of news in the U.S., sources it deemed unreliable had four times as many interactions this year compared with 2019.
Read MoreAn election systems worker driven has filed a defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s campaign, two of its lawyers and some conservative media figures and outlets. Eric Coomer, security director at Dominion Voting Systems, said he was driven into hiding by death threats after being named in false charges as a key actor in “rigging” the presidential election. There has been no evidence that the election was rigged. An election systems worker driven into hiding by death threats has filed a defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s campaign, two of its lawyers and some conservative media figures and outlets. Eric Coomer, security director at the Colorado-based Dominion Voting Systems, said he wants his life back after being named in false charges as a key actor in “rigging” the election for President-elect Joe Biden. There has been no evidence that the election was rigged. His lawsuit, filed Tuesday in district court in Denver County, Colorado, names the Trump campaign, lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, conservative columnist Michelle Malkin, the website Gateway Pundit, Colorado conservative activist Joseph Oltmann, and conservative media Newsmax and One America News Network. “I have been thrust into the public spotlight by people with political and financial agendas but, at heart, I am a private person,” Coomer said in a statement. “While I intend to do everything I can to recapture my prior lifestyle, I have few illusions in this regard,” he said. “And so, today, I put my trust in the legal process, which has already exposed the truth of the 2020 presidential election.”
Read MoreScientists at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a new anti-counterfeiting technology they say can better ensure the authenticity of high-value products such as jewelry, electronics and pharmaceuticals.
Read MoreADVA (FSE: ADV) today announced that StarHub is harnessing its FSP 3000 ConnectGuard ™ Optical Layer 1 encryption technology to power the StarHub SDS Secured Service.
Read MoreESKO--A collaborative content creation platform for packaging, label, and marketing collateral. Esko | Brand Solutions provides a platform that equips packaging, branding, regulatory, and marketing teams to increase productivity, reduce costs, and save time in their content processes.
Read MoreThe challenges posed to brand protection programs by counterfeit and illicit trade are pervasive, numerous and ever-evolving. Unraveling these challenges is a complicated task that the Alliance for Gray Market and Counterfeit Abatement (AGMA).
Read MoreAll those details would come later in “enabling legislation,” a package of laws that would also outline broad rules controlling a future commercial weed industry.
Read MoreFive years after Texas legalized medical marijuana for people with debilitating illnesses, advocates and industry experts say the state’s strict rules, red tape and burdensome barriers to entry have left the program largely inaccessible to those it was intended to help.
Read MoreMissouri Rep. Shamed Dogan, R-Ballwin, prefiled a measure to amend the state constitution to legalize recreational cannabis. In addition to allowing adults 21 and older to use the drug, Dogan said, his proposal would be an important step toward criminal justice reform.
Read MoreOhio Gov. Mike DeWine on Sunday declined to endorse Republican efforts to overturn the results of the presidential election but disagreed sharply with his CNN interviewer on what has undermined confidence in the electoral process. “We have not seen anything that rises to the level that would have changed the outcome of the election,” the Republican governor said.
Read MoreMany states surrounding Wyoming have legalized marijuana in one form or another, with South Dakota and Montana voting to legalize the schedule one drug in the 2020 election for recreational use. Wyoming’s willingness to follow suit and the implications of the potential legalization in the state remain unclear and worrisome to local law enforcement.
Read MoreHemp was supposed to be the next big thing for Maine farmers, an easy-to-grow cash crop capable of fetching as much as $250,000 an acre when sold for CBD, the non-psychedelic derivative of cannabis that can now be found in almost every prominent wellness product line in the world. But after three years of rapid expansion, Maine’s emerging hemp industry has all but collapsed before it even had a chance to mature,
Read MoreGov. Mike DeWine avoided a critique of President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress who plan to challenge election results while calling for a bipartisan look at "voter security" during an appearance Sunday morning on CNN.
Read MoreSen. Mitt Romney of Utah accused Republican colleagues planning to object to President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory of a playing dangerous game of political ambition in defiance of common sense and the Constitution.
Read MoreIn the final hours of 2020, Gov. JB Pritzker announced that about a half million marijuana convictions have been pardoned or wiped from the records in Illinois. That forgiveness is part of the state law that legalized pot sales last year.
Read MoreThe Cuomo Administration has provided details for its plan to regulate and tax adult-use recreational cannabis in its budget plan. The Governor says it could generate $350 million in revenue a year once matured.
Read MoreLocalities that don’t wish to have marijuana retailers in their jurisdictions may be able to opt out via referendum, according to a recommendation from a Senate panel examining a proposal to legalize the drug in Virginia.
Read MoreSome changes could be coming to how North Dakota regulates hemp. The law requires the state to sample and test hemp products.
Read MoreAfter overseeing a successful 2020 election, tested by both the COVID-19 pandemic and extra national attention on election security, South Dakota’s Secretary of State Steve Barnett wants to add another service for current and future voters.
Read MoreU.S. counterintelligence chief William Evanina stepped down from his position Wednesday, ending a decades-long career in the intelligence community combating leaks and raising the alarm about foreign election interference.
Read MoreThe brand-new Biden administration is already thinking about how to counter a sweeping Russian-led hacking campaign that breached several federal agencies.
Read MoreAs legal weed becomes a reality in every corner of the U.S., Idaho is putting up a fight. State lawmakers on Friday moved forward with a proposed constitutional amendment that would bar the legalization of marijuana in Idaho in an attempt to keep the growing nationwide acceptance of the drug from seeping across its borders.
Read MoreOn Thursday, a Senate panel endorsed legalizing the possession of recreational marijuana in Virginia by this summer, though legal sales could take much longer. The change was suggested as members of the Senate Judiciary Committee continued to debate a lengthy and complex bill in which few provisions are final.
Read MoreAs lawmakers and Gov. Phil Murphy debate change to a bill that will launch legal marijuana sales in New Jersey, one Republican senator has introduced a bill that would allow residents to grow up to six weed plants at home. Sen. Gerald Cardinale, R-Bergen, is the primary sponsor of S3407, introduced Thursday.
Read MoreAfter weeks of fruitless negotiations on penalties for underage marijuana use and with a deadline to sign two marijuana reform bills looming, Gov. Phil Murphy and lawmakers inched closer to a compromise Thursday. Talks resulted in a new cleanup bill to address the issue and discussions are continuing, according to two sources with knowledge of the negotiations.
Read MoreThe market for cannabis products, both recreational and industrial, seems to be on the verge of major growth. Though China dominates global supply, its grasp over the market might weaken if companies consider moving supply chains out of the country, as they have throughout 2020. This sentiment likely won’t last and must be taken advantage of...Rhea Chakraborty may never have heard of Harry Anslinger and has definitely never met him.
Read MoreEuropean, U.S., British and Canadian law enforcement teamed up to yesterday take down one of the biggest international cybercrime groups, Europol announced. The Emotet takedown shows that law enforcement is getting more aggressive against international hackers. But keeping them offline comes with enormous challenges, cybersecurity experts say.
Read MoreThe Office of State Procurement has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) to secure new voting equipment to replace the state’s current stock of approximately 10,000 machines. These machines have long served the voters of Louisiana without major incident.
Read MoreSome have suggested that the best way to defend our elections is to strengthen cybersecurity. While doing so is important, the recent presidential election was the most secure in U.S. history. In practice, many of the most serious dangers to democracy stem from, or are worsened by, social media and online political advertising — no breaches or hacks necessary.
Read MoreSen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) introduced legislation that would change the legal definition of hemp, raising the limit of THC to 1% from 0.3%. The Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan (HEMP) Act of 2020 also would mandate testing of the final hemp-derived product rather than the hemp flower or plant itself, require hemp shipments to contain a copy of the seed certificate showing the plant was grown from 1% THC seed and define a margin of error for testing THC levels. Hemp farmers and processors in Kentucky are in favor of raising the THC limit; per current laws and regulations, the paper said, crops testing above 0.3% must be destroyed. The bill has received support from activists and farmers in Kentucky and national groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation. The Kentucky Hemp Association and Vote Hemp also expressed support for the legislation.
Read MoreA task force formed to ensure the security of the November election in Texas’ biggest county has found no evidence of wrongdoing after finishing its work. The Harris County Election Security Task Force was made up of the Harris County Precinct 1 constable’s office, the district attorney’s office, the county attorney’s office and the county clerk’s office. In a report published Friday, the task force said it "received approximately 20 allegations of wrongdoing that needed to be elevated to the level of a formal investigation.” "Despite claims, our thorough investigations found no proof of any election tampering, ballot harvesting, voter suppression, intimidation or any other type of foul play that might have impacted the legitimate cast or count of a ballot,” the report says. Harris County, home to Houston, was the epicenter of the voting rights battle that led up to the Nov. 3 election in Texas, with state GOP leaders battling the county clerk, then Chris Hollins, over his proposed changes to election procedures due to the coronavirus pandemic. The fallout is still underway, with authorities arresting a former Houston police captain on Tuesday for his role in an elaborate plot to find evidence for a false conspiracy theory of widespread voter fraud across the county. And while the task force returned no evidence of wrong doing, the district attorney, Kim Ogg, announced last week that a grand jury had indicted three people for allegedly trying to illegally influence races in two Houston-area state House districts. Two face allegations that they submitted paperwork for a candidate under a fake name in a Democratic primary. A third was accused of sending threats to a Democratic legislator in hopes of scaring her into dropping her bid for reelection.
Read MoreElection security was the cybersecurity story dominating 2020, and it is likely to dominate 2021 as well. That reflects an old saw about cybersecurity — that it is a race without a finish line. Some things went well this year: years of tireless work by state and local officials kept November’s presidential election safe from foreign hacking or major technological snafus. But faith in the election was battered by President Trump’s baseless claims that his loss was illegitimate. And the government’s cybersecurity chief, Christopher Krebs, who did more than anyone in the federal government to shepherd states’ election security work, paid with his job when he wouldn’t endorse Trump’s baseless claims. “This time we won the battle but still managed to lose the wider war,” Jon Bateman, a former Defense Intelligence Agency analyst and now a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace cybersecurity fellow, told me. “We protected the integrity of the election, but a huge number of Americans fell for a disinformation campaign that aimed to delegitimize the election result in a way that’s much more serious and dangerous than anything that happened in 2016.” That all means one the biggest cybersecurity stories of 2021 is likely to be whether Republicans and Democrats can unite behind a plan to give voters confidence their ballots were recorded accurately and guards against the distortion efforts of sore losers. Or, if bipartisanship fails again, whether Trump’s baseless post-election claims become the norm. Here’s a rundown of four other big cybersecurity stories from this year and the year ahead.
Read MoreN.J. lawmakers OK bills to create legal marijuana industry and approve bill to stop weed arrestsN.J. lawmakers OK bills to create legal marijuana industry and approve bill to stop weed arrests; New Jersey legislators approved three bills Thursday that radically change how the state approaches drug use involving marijuana. The state’s Senate and Assembly voted first to create a new and legal marijuana industry from scratch and called for new regulations to be written within six months. Both houses also approved a bill that decriminalizes possession of up to six ounces of cannabis. That second bill is designed to stop arrests and expunge criminal records of low-level marijuana offenses. The third bill, meanwhile, will reduce penalties for possessing psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, from a felony charge to a disorderly persons offense. “This is an historic day, the culmination of years of work,” said Amol Sinha, executive director of the ACLU of New Jersey, on the vote to legalize marijuana for all adults. “The decriminalization bill is among the most progressive in the country.” Gov. Phil Murphy, who campaigned on a platform to legalize marijuana, is expected sign the bills into law as soon as next week. Business news and analysis sent straight to your inbox every Tuesday morning.
Read MoreAn audit conducted Thursday of the votes cast in the November presidential election in Antrim County, the heart of a conspiracy theory about Dominion Voting Systems, affirmed the outcome with a net gain of 12 votes for Republican President Donald Trump, out of 15,962 votes cast, officials said. The hand tally of every vote cast for president in Antrim County in the November general election could put the conspiracies to rest after state and local election officials have spent more than a month explaining that the incorrect unofficial results reported by the county on election night stemmed from human error. The recount affirmed Trump's victory in Antrim. The county's certified results showed Trump won the county. A total of 15,949 votes were cast, of which Trump won 9,748 votes while President-elect Joe Biden won 5,960, according to the certified results. According to the preliminary results of Thursday's hand recount, Biden had 5,959 votes, or one fewer than the certified results showed. Trump had 9,759 votes, or 11 more than the certified results showed, giving him a net gain of 12 votes. It is typical for hand-tallied totals to differ slightly from the machine-tabulated results, the Secretary of State's Office said. The Michigan Bureau of Elections and the Antrim County Clerk's Office were joined by a bipartisan team of clerks to conduct the "risk-limiting audit." The audit is one of several postelection audits underway and upcoming. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said the audit was conducted "to assure the public of what countless officials from both parties at the federal, state and local levels have already confirmed — that this was the most secure election in our nation’s history and the certified results are an accurate reflection of the will of the voters."
Read MoreElection Day marked a turning point in the United State’s war on drugs, as Oregon decriminalized possession of drugs, Mississippi approved medical marijuana, and New Jersey passed its Question 1 proposed constitutional amendment legalizing cannabis. As the year draws to a close, however, just what needs to be done to make weed legal in the Garden State? The Election Day vote was, apparently, the easy part — 65 percent of voters cast a ballot for a constitutional amendment that legalizes a recreational cannabis market for adults 21 and older. It was up to legislators, then, to figure out what exactly that would look like. An initial set of bills outlining this plan included one pertaining to legalization and another detailing decriminalization. The whole plan hit a wall in November, though, when the State Senate voted to add psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound in psychedelic mushrooms, to the decriminalization bill — a move that postponed the final vote on the legislation. That decision conceded with a call to add more social justice initiatives to the legalization bill, a move that would provide aid for the communities that have been negatively impacted by the war on drugs. (For example, the ACLU reports black people are 3.64 times more likely to get arrested for marijuana charges than white — even though both use cannabis at similar rates — so largely black communities are statistically in need of more aid.) Then, as they say, it was back to the drawing board. Legislative leaders finally announced they had agreed on a proposed plan on December 4th in a joint statement from Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nicholas Scutari, and Assembly Majority Conference Chair Annette Quijano: “We’ve reached an agreement on legislation providing the framework for legalization, which is a critical step in reducing racial disparities and social inequities that have long plagued our criminal justice system. This legislation will accomplish our shared goals of delivering restorative justice and ensuring that the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs see the economic benefits of the adult-use cannabis market. While there is still much work ahead, we are one step closer to building a new, promising industry for our state.” That legislation will be sent to the floor for the final vote on Thursday, December 17th. So, then, what’s next? And what, exactly, are they voting on?
Read MoreRichmond Mayor Levar Stoney wrote a letter to Gov. Northam supporting marijuana legislation. In the letter, Stoney says the first priority is to have ‘complete and total expungements’ for those who have been criminalized or incarcerated for marijuana possession. The second priority is to have costs associated with ensuring the movement operates within a regulatory framework built on best practices and pragmatic progressivism. “I join cannabis legalization advocates everywhere in looking forward to the 2021 legislative session,” Mayor Stoney said in the letter to Northam. “Legalization opens many doors to restore justice in our underserved communities. Let’s give it the intentionality it deserves and meet this moment with plans for a solid foundation upon which to build a more just Virginia.” Stoney also states, “the Commonwealth must invest in a legalization timeline that is equitable and fiscally responsible.” Stoney said the funds should also be an investment into Virginia families, particularly at the preschool level. “Not only will we see long-term improvements in children’s outcomes, but we will also see a short-term boost to maternal employment and economic participation,” he said.
Read MoreAs the 12th state to legalize cannabis, New Jersey is positioned to learn from a decade’s worth of experiences to create a racially and socially just industry. As currently written, New Jersey’s bill to implement legalization repeats some of the mistakes that have led to an inequitable cannabis industry in state after state, including my home state of Massachusetts. New Jersey must create an inclusive and diverse industry from the start, by lifting the financial barriers to entry for applicants who have borne the greatest injustices of the drug war. Because of the early inattention to meaningful equity policies, the cannabis industry as a whole mirrors the vast majority of other industries – controlled by wealthy white men and corporate interests. Many states are now attempting to insert equity and community reinvestment into the existing marketplace. New Jersey has the opportunity to get it right from the start. Since New Jersey voters overwhelmingly approved cannabis legalization in November, advocates at multiple legislative hearings have delivered hours-long testimony with a unified message: for equity, lawmakers have to put their money where their mouth is. We need legislation that advances social justice not just symbolically but in reality. Massachusetts, where I am the co-founder and CEO of Major Bloom, LLC, a Certified Economic Empowerment Marijuana business, provides an object lesson in the limits of well-meaning policies that tried and failed to include those most harmed by the drug war in the new cannabis industry. Ultimately, the state’s failure to provide adequate access to start-up resources doomed those programs to become window dressing, incapable of countering a deeply inequitable status quo.
Read MoreFormer election security chief Christopher Krebs said he has not seen anything that would change his opinion that the 2020 election was secure and urged Republicans to call out baseless claims of widespread voter fraud. "This is not the America I recognize. It's got to stop. We need everyone across the leadership ranks to stand up," Krebs said during a testimony Wednesday before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. "I would appreciate more support from my own party, the Republican Party, to call this stuff out and move on … We have to move on." Krebs also defended local and state election officials who have been the subject of threats and harassment for refusing to back claims of massive fraud. He singled out Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Gabriel Sterling, the state's voting implementation manager. "These are Republicans that are putting country over party," Krebs said. "They are being subjected to just horrific threats as a result." Krebs, who presided over an elaborate election security effort by the Department of Homeland Security, was fired by President Donald Trump last month as part of a post-election purge of top national security officials. Krebs' ouster follows the agency's declaration that the general election was the most secure in U.S. history.
Read MoreRepublican senators on Wednesday further perpetuated President Donald Trump’s baseless claims of widespread voter fraud, two days after Democrat Joe Biden’s victory was sealed by the Electoral College. Lawmakers bickered heatedly at times during a committee hearing as Democrats pushed back against the unfounded allegations and a former federal cybersecurity official who oversaw election security said continued attempts to undermine confidence in the process were corrosive to democracy. The session, held by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee over Democratic protests, elevated the groundless claims of fraud to the highest levels of government and provided two of Trump’s lawyers with one more public opportunity to make the false assertions after repeatedly losing in court. The hearing mimicked those held in some battleground states with local lawmakers, where Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani led some Republicans in airing their election grievances without any proof. Those hearings were held after consistent legal defeats.
Read MoreA major Russian breach is prompting fears the government's cybersecurity protections have fallen dangerously behind. Lawmakers and experts are sounding alarms that billions of dollars' worth of custom-made government cybersecurity systems aren’t equipped to spot the most nefarious Russian hacker activity. And they’re warning the government is poorly organized to respond to such breaches once they come to light. “This really reinforced the need to double down on our cyber defensive strategy,” Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), co-founder of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, told me. The breach is highlighting how years of efforts to create state-of-the-art cybersecurity protections within government have nevertheless failed to keep out sophisticated Russian hackers who’ve also been improving their game. Notably, the government has fallen behind at keeping tabs on the vast supply chain of technology that runs its computer systems, making it more vulnerable to attacks such as the recent one, which began with Russian hackers breaking into the Texas software company SolarWinds. The hackers then sent corrupted updates to customers including the State, Treasury, Commerce and Homeland Security departments, and probably to many other government agencies and companies as well. “It’s going to take far too long for the executive branch to inventory precisely where Orion [the SolarWinds system] is deployed and utilized and that demonstrates the critical importance of supply chain security,” Langevin said.
Read MoreThe Superior Court for the County of Sacramento approved an agreement between the parties in its case which will suspend the Jan. 1, 2021 date of enforcement until, at the very least, after the signatures are verified for a ballot measure proposal that seeks to repeal the law.
Read MoreThe effort to decriminalize and tax cannabis, which finds strong support among Massachusetts lawmakers and advocates, could cut into the federal deficit to the tune of $7 billion over the next decade. On top of addressing what many Massachusetts Democrats and cannabis advocates describe as racist drug laws that disproportionately impact communities of color, the decriminalization bill that recently passed in the House of Representatives could shave about $1.2 billion off the ever-increasing federal deficit by 2025, and possibly $7.3 billion by 2030, according to recent analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Proponents of the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act are pressing to expunge federal marijuana convictions and free up states to create their own laws and build new economic opportunities. Leading reformers hope the big jump in revenues and hefty deficit cut could help draw support from Republicans in the U.S. Senate. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and Reps. Jim McGovern, Ayanna Pressley, Joe Kennedy III, Katherine Clark, Lori Trahan and Seth Moulton all co-sponsored Senate and House versions of the bill. The Democrat-led House passed the bill last week 228-164, with Reps. Bill Keating and Stephen Lynch joining their Massachusetts colleagues by voting in favor. Only five House Republicans voted for the law; just six Democrats voted against. “It was sad that my Republican colleagues were unable to understand why we voted to reform our failed prohibition of cannabis,” Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from Portland, Oregon, said in a statement. “They don’t care about honoring the will of the people and they are unable to grasp the enormity of the racial injustice and damage by selective enforcement against young Black and Brown Americans. But the CBO score may have some other reasons for them.”
Read MoreAttorney General Mark Herring participated in a summit on Thursday focusing on the importance of legal and regulated adult cannabis use in Virginia. According to a release, he was part of the “Legalize It: The Path to Cannabis Equity in Virginia” summit, which was put on by Virginia NORML and the Tom Tom Foundation. The summit aims to address the future of marijuana legalization in the Commonwealth, and Herring says it's a matter of public safety, justice, equity and economic opportunity. “We have a real opportunity now to bring equitable cannabis legalization to the Commonwealth and we have all the tools and information at our disposal to make sure that we come up with the best plan for Virginia that meets our public safety and equity goals,” said Herring. “My office can bring a unique perspective and play an integral role in helping with this process through our focus on consumer protection, acting as counsel for state agencies, and our experiences with criminal justice reforms to make sure that we come up with a suitable plan. I look forward to working with Virginia NORML and our other partners in the House, the Senate and other advocacy groups as we move Virginia ever closer on our path towards legalization.” The release says Herring noted that his office has been charged with protecting consumers and the need to make sure the industry is safe under proper regulations and making sure products are advertised accurately. The Attorney General’s Office will serve as counsel to state agencies and guide any agencies that are created to handle the cannabis industry. This year, the General Assembly decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Read MoreIn a disappointing twist for advocates of drug policy reform, Mexico will not legalize cannabis in 2020. The country’s Supreme Court accepted a formal petition from the Lower House of Congress on December 10, requesting an extension until April 30, 2021, on a looming deadline for a vote on a proposed legalization bill. The court had previously ruled that the legalization bill must be voted on by December 15. The petition from the Lower House of Congress claimed that the “complexity of the issues at hand” and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic "has made it difficult for the legislative process to consider with the depth and care that any process of formation and reform of the laws implies." The Supreme Court obliged, also citing COVID as the reason they accepted the petition for postponement. Cannabis enthusiasts had been optimistic that the bill — while flawed — would pass the various levels of government by the December deadline. In November, Mexico's Senate voted to pass the bill, leaving the Lower House of Congress as the only roadblock to legalization. “It’s disappointing that the two legislative bodies couldn’t have coordinated better the drafting of this bill in order to ensure that they would have complied with the dates set by the Supreme Court,” said Zara Snapp, a legalization activist and co-founder of the Mexican research and advocacy organization Instituto RIA. The recent Supreme Court decision is the fourth time that the governing body has allowed the deadline to be extended since ruling in 2018 that the prohibition of the personal use and cultivation of cannabis was unconstitutional. However, Snapp expressed hope that lawmakers will use the additional time to alter the bill to remove remaining criminal penalties and sanctions, and expand opportunities for communities who have been affected by prohibition.
Read MoreMatthew Masterson, the senior election security advisor at the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), will depart the agency, a move that comes just weeks after President Trump fired the agency's director. Masterson confirmed to The Hill that he intends to leave CISA for a job outside the federal government on Dec. 18. The agency serves as one of the key federal groups responsible for securing elections and other critical infrastructure. The Wall Street Journal first reported that Masterson intends to leave CISA. According to CyberScoop, Masterson will take up a position at the Stanford Internet Observatory, which is led by former Facebook chief security officer Alex Stamos and researches security issues including election security. Trump last month fired former CISA Director Christopher Krebs, and shortly afterward former CISA Deputy Director Matthew Travis and top cybersecurity official Bryan Ware resigned after being asked to do so by the White House. All three were pushed out after CISA, along with a coalition of state and local officials, put out a statement in the days after Election Day describing the 2020 election as “the most secure in American history,” and after CISA stood up a “rumor control” web page meant to debunk disinformation and misinformation around the general election. Trump has repeatedly claimed without evidence that the vote was rigged, and that there are multiple instances of widespread fraud that swung the vote to President-elect Joe Biden.
Read MoreMichigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will be allowed to take part in an Antrim County election lawsuit that allies of President Donald Trump hope can upend the state's election results. Judge Kevin Elsenheimer of the 13th Circuit Court ruled Thursday afternoon that Benson could intervene in a lawsuit filed by local resident William Bailey. While Bailey purportedly filed the lawsuit to settle the outcome of a local marijuana proposal, his attorney Matthew DePerno made much broader electoral claims. During a procedural hearing that was supposed to focus on whether Benson had a stake in the election lawsuit, DePerno alleged a team of Trump-aligned investigators had found "significant errors" during a recent review of 22 voting machines in the county. Last week, Elsenheimer — a Republican who served in the state Legislature in the late 2000s — approved a request from Bailey's team for an injunction. He ordered Antrim County to preserve and protect machines for forensic images and/or other information gleaned from the forensic investigation. DePerno did not provide any of this evidence during the hearing, saying the results of the review are preliminary. The only specific allegations he mentioned involved voting machines having unsecured data ports or not having magnetic security tape. He didn't provide proof for the statements, and even if they were true, they would not be evidence of fraud. But DePerno said the preliminary results are enough to justify overturning Michigan election results. "We believe the results in Antrim County are uncertifiable, the canvassing board was incorrect. The only option would be to decertify the election in Antrim County," DePerno said. "And if that happens, under (the U.S. Constitution), the Michigan results must go to the state Legislature.” DePerno did not immediately respond to questions emailed Thursday. On Monday, DePerno he told "The Steve Gruber Show" he is not working for the Trump campaign, but he is "happy to cooperate" with them.
Read MoreK-12 schools have been hit by a barrage of ransomware attacks so far this school year, worsening a learning environment that’s already strained nearly to the breaking point by the coronavirus pandemic. Those attacks lock up school computer systems until the district pays a ransom, which affects in-person schooling and can make distance learning impossible for days on end. Such attacks have prominently hit schools in Baltimore, Miami and Toledo. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Among ransomware attacks reported to a government-funded center that tracks such attacks on state, local and tribal governments and schools, 57 percent hit K-12 institutions in August and September, according to an alert from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. That’s up from just 28 percent during the period from January to July. The spike underscores how hackers have sought to profit by attacking the most strained and vulnerable institutions during the pandemic, including hospitals and local governments in addition to schools. It's also a heavy burden on students who are already starting the academic year behind after the coronavirus wreaked havoc on last year’s schooling. “It adds insult to injury. It disrupts teaching and learning even more than the pandemic has, so kids fall further behind,” Douglas A. Levin, founder of the K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center, told me. “It just adds stress upon stress because when kids are already learning from home, there’s no Plan B.”
Read MoreVietnam's national tobacco control strategy aims to reduce the rate of smoking among male adults from 45% in 2015 to 39% by 2020. The aim of this paper is to assess what contribution cigarette tax increases under Vietnam's current excise tax plan can be expected to make to this target, and to discuss what additional measures might be implemented accordingly
Read MoreFederal agricultural funding grantors are asking for hemp operators working toward transformational changes in the U.S. food and agriculture system to apply for research money to help develop the hemp supply chain.
Read MoreHydrofarm Holdings Group Inc.’s initial public offering topped the company’s own pricing expectations, showing just how much investors want a piece of the cannabis action -- but without the actual cannabis. Trading on Thursday started at $46 a share, well above the $20 price set in Wednesday’s offering. What's moving markets: The maker of hydroponics equipment has benefited from growth in the marijuana market, which accounts for as much as 70% of Hydrofarm’s end users, according to Chief Executive Officer Bill Toler. And since the 43-year-old company doesn’t actually “touch the plant” -- investor-speak for businesses that keep a distance from the marijuana itself, thus avoiding legal concerns -- Hydrofarm has drawn interest even from large institutional backers. “The marijuana stigma has gone the other way -- there’s more interest,” Toler, the former CEO of munchies-maker Hostess Brands Inc., said in an interview. Hydrofarm offers investors a “picks and shovels play” that isn’t tied to the success of any one cannabis brand or retailer, he added. The public debut comes just weeks after five more U.S. states voted to legalize cannabis and only a few days after the House of Representatives passed legislation to legalize marijuana at the federal level. While the latter bill isn’t expected to pass the Senate, an incoming Democratic presidential administration has lifted hopes in the industry that U.S. legalization isn’t far off. That enthusiasm buoyed Hydrofarm, which surpassed expectations in its initial pricing. The company raised about $173 million in proceeds from Wednesday’s offering, after saying earlier that it expected as much as $159.3 million and an initial price of $17.50 a share. Funds raised will be used to build brands, with potential acquisitions in nutrients and grow media, Toler said. Unlike many cannabis companies, which have gone public in Canada or through maneuvers such as reverse takeovers, Hydrofarm’s offering looked like a mainstream IPO, and it counted JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Stifel Financial Corp. as leading book-running managers. While institutional investors have shied away from cannabis due to ambiguous rules and federal prohibitions on loans and banking, ancillary plays have caught their attention. For instance, large firms hold more than half the shares of hydroponics retailer GrowGeneration Corp., according to Bloomberg data, while institutional investors account for less than 1% of Curaleaf Holdings Inc., the biggest multistate operator in the U.S. GrowGeneration’s stock has soared this year, making it a top cannabis stock of 2020. Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Hawthorne business has also boomed with a similar, competing business in hydroponics. With the cannabis industry maturing rapidly, Toler said there’s potential for his company to serve customers from small, craft growers to massive greenhouses. “It’s like the beer business,” he said. “You have Miller and Anheuser-Busch at the top, but you also have 1,000s of craft beers. We think you’re going to have that kind of a structure here.”
Read MoreOn Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed a bill that will make it easier for states where cannabis is legal to carry out research on the drug. This bipartisan decision followed on the heels of another groundbreaking House bill which could end federal marijuana convictions and erase some past ones. Closer to home in New Jersey, voters on election day decided to amend the state constitution and legalize cannabis statewide. What are the chances of these federal bills passing through the Senate and could New Jersey set the standard for the future legal status of cannabis in the region? New Jersey Senator NICHOLAS SCUTARI starts off our hour with an update from his state. Then, POLITICO states cannabis policy reporter MONA ZHANG gives us a look at the pending federal legislation.
Read MoreAs the New Jersey Legislature crafts legislation that will put meat on the bones of the successful cannabis legalization ballot initiative, one topic has received increasing public attention. Once called a “non-starter” by some legislators, the right of New Jerseyans to cultivate (or “home grow”) a limited number of cannabis plants has become a real possibility. In my role as founder of the international organization Doctors for Cannabis Regulation (DFCR), and as a founding steering committee member of New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform (NJUMR), I have supported people’s right to home cultivation both here and around the country. The possibility that New Jersey would not allow home grow is a perplexing one. Every one of the 11 states that have legalized cannabis for adult use also legalized home cultivation for medical and/or personal use. Among the four states that voted to legalize adult use in last month’s election, only New Jersey has threatened to prohibit all home cultivation. There are compelling public health, personal liberty and social justice priorities that explain every other state legislatures’ unanimity on this issue. Given that a Rutgers-Eagleton poll showed that 60% of New Jerseyans support home cultivation, it’s more of a “no-brainer” than a “non-starter.” We voted overwhelmingly to end cannabis prohibition in the Garden State last month because of its devastating effect on low-income communities and communities of color. Banning our citizens from growing their own cannabis will only perpetuate the harms caused by overzealous policing. Just as Black New Jerseyans are far more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than their white counterparts, they would surely be disproportionately targeted for the simple act of growing a few plants for medical or personal use. The cultivation of psychoactive cannabis is far from trivial. While it’s easy enough to plant a seed and watch it germinate, the production of usable cannabis flower requires specific temperature and soil conditions. Cannabis will only flower if the plant is female and lighting conditions are carefully adjusted over the lifetime of the plant. This is why the great majority of cannabis consumers would prefer to buy their cannabis than try to grow it. In the same way, most New Jerseyans choose to purchase beer or wine rather than engage in the sophisticated art of making their own, even though it is perfectly legal for adults to do so. Thus, home cultivation barely makes a dent in the legal cannabis market. However, for low-income adults who have a greater abundance of time than money, a ban on home grow would infringe upon their liberty and prevent their enjoyment of a legal substance that is generally less harmful than alcohol and tobacco. Opponents of home cultivation claim that police will be unable to enforce laws against unlicensed commercial cannabis cultivation. However, home cultivation laws have worked well in other states, as regulations specify a strict personal allowance averaging 5 to 6 plants that must be kept in a secure location. This should pose no impediment to law enforcement, as police can quickly and easily verify that households don’t exceed the small number of home-grown cannabis plants when called upon to do so. Physicians like me recognize a public health argument for allowing home cultivation. Medical cannabis patients often find that only a few specific strains are effective and well-tolerated. Those who need a particular strain should be able to grow it if it isn’t available in dispensaries.
Read MorePresident Trump’s barrage of losses in court cases trying to undermine the election has not stopped Republicans from turning to battles they might be able to win — attempts to limit or undermine the future use of the vote-by-mail ballots that so infuriated Mr. Trump. Absentee ballots constituted nearly half the votes cast in the 2020 election, and the experiment in mass voting by mail has been viewed by election experts as a remarkable success, one that was less prone to errors than expected and had almost no documented fraud. But that has not stopped Republican critics eager to follow the president’s lead. This week in Georgia, as the president rages against the election he lost and the members of his party who oversaw it there, Republican state senators promised to make getting and casting mail ballots far more difficult. The Georgia state senators pledged on Tuesday to eliminate no-excuse absentee voting, require a photo ID to obtain a ballot, outlaw drop boxes and scrap a court agreement to quickly tell voters about signature problems on ballots so that they could be fixed. Republicans were pressing that cause on other fronts as well: The national and state parties filed a lawsuit in Atlanta seeking to curtail the use of drop boxes in next month’s runoff elections for the U.S. Senate. The suit claimed it was illegal to let absentee voters deposit ballots after business hours. Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican and a frequent target of Mr. Trump for not taking steps to overturn the election results, renewed an earlier call for a recheck of signatures on mail ballots after a Trump volunteer falsely claimed at a State Senate hearing that a video showed workers retrieving “suitcases” of ballots from under a table after observers left. Election officials said the video showed routine tabulation work.
Read MoreMissouri and Kansas have joined a Texas-led lawsuit seeking to overturn the presidential election results in four swing states that went for President-elect Joe Biden. The lawsuit, which recycles baseless claims of illegal voting, asks the U.S. Supreme Court to hear arguments for overturning results in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan in an effort to swing the election to President Donald Trump, who refuses to concede. The lawsuit stands virtually no chance of success. Earlier this week, the court refused to hear a similar case focused on Pennsylvania. But the Texas action has won vocal support from Trump and numerous GOP officials in the Kansas City region. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced plans to join the case Tuesday evening. He organized an amicus brief of 17 red states in support of Texas’ lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday. “The stakes of protecting our Constitution, defending our liberty and ensuring that all votes are counted fairly couldn’t be higher. With this brief, we are joining the fight,” Schmitt said Wednesday. Schmitt’s Tuesday announcement came on “safe harbor day,” the date established by federal law as the deadline for all state-level election challenges to be completed. Among the Republican attorneys general signing on to the brief was Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a potential contender for the state’s governorship in two years. “Kansas ran its elections honestly and by the rules that are supposed to apply evenly to all of us. Texas asserts it can prove four states violated the U.S. Constitution in an election that affects all Americans, so Texas should be heard,” Schmidt said in a statement. The decision to join the Texas case comes after both Schmidt and Schmitt signed onto another lawsuit focused on Pennsylvania’s mail ballots. Both Kansas and Pennsylvania accepted mail ballots for three days following the Nov. 3 election. But Kansas’ deadline for late-arriving ballots was set by the Legislature, while Pennsylvania’s was set by a state court. However, Biden would still easily win Pennsylvania by a bigger margin than Trump won it in 2016 even if the late-arriving ballots were disqualified. The lawsuit has been roundly criticized by election law experts as a political effort rather than a serious legal challenge. “It is signaling fidelity and allegiance to Trump to a Republican electorate that will be looking at whether or not to vote for these AGs to some office soon,” said Rick Hasen, an election law expert at the University of California, Irvine School of Law. That seems to be the case in Kansas. Schmidt is weighing a run for Kansas governor in 2022, according to two sources close to the attorney general. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly will be the only Democratic incumbent up for re-election that year in a state Biden lost. Trump’s support could heavily influence the GOP primary.
Read MoreAttacks on the voting company Dominion and the integrity of the election by President Trump and his allies are posing a conundrum for election security advocates. On one hand, they’ve long battled with Dominion and other top voting machine vendors to take security more seriously and be more transparent about their operations so they can be vetted by outside security experts. “If there’s one positive piece that comes out of this it would be greater oversight of election vendors,” David Levine, elections integrity fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, told me. Dominion, along with two other major vendors, control about 80 percent of the U.S. market for election systems. “If there’s a successful cyberattack against one of them, that could have devastating consequences,” he said. On the other hand, the attacks by Trump and his supporters are basically made up out of whole cloth and contrary to all available evidence. Security pros worry these conspiracy theories that go far beyond any legitimate concerns will corrode public faith in elections and convince people it’s not worth turning out to vote. “Unfortunately, there’s a danger that the entire effort to increase cybersecurity in elections will get tarred by the unfounded rantings of a few people,” Lawrence Norden, director of the Election Reform Program at New York University's Brennan Center for Justice, told me. “There are legitimate things that need to be done to improve the security of our election systems and they should be done regardless of what some crazy people are alleging.” There's a potential silver lining as election security is likely to remain a hot topic in Washington after 2020. The fact that it's entered the discourse at such a high level among Republicans – even because of dubious circumstances – suggests there could eventually be a more bipartisan focus on ensuring future elections are conducted securely and transparently. Election security has improved considerably since 2016 with the addition of paper ballots for millions more voters and a surge in post-election audits But there’s still a lot more to be done. Security advocates now have to thread an important political messaging needle as the debate gets incredibly polarized. The issue was already precarious following the 2016 election when Democrats' fears about Russian hacking were high – but Trump often reacted to discussion about election security and Russia’s efforts to undermine the 2016 contest as suggesting that his victory over Hillary Clinton was illegitimate. That Russian effort included the hacking and leaking operation at the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign and probing election systems in numerous states, intelligence agencies said, but there's no evidence Russian hackers compromised actual voting systems or changed votes.
Read MoreThe U.S. House of Representatives on Friday voted to decriminalize marijuana. Most Democrats supported the bill that would enact that change. Most Republicans did not. The bill is unlikely to gain traction in the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate. Was Congress’ historic vote an early sign of momentum to legalize marijuana across the United States? Or is was it a low-stakes move on a splashy issue that’s unlikely to go anywhere? Florida is home to plenty who are interested in the answer. “We talk all the time on the right about the need to empower people and empower states,” U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, said in an impassioned speech on the House floor in support of the bill, the MORE Act. “Right now, the federal policy on cannabis constrains our people. It limits our states.” Gaetz, who helped author Florida’s very first medical marijuana program as a state representative in 2014, was one of just five Republicans to support the bill. Another Florida Republican, Brian Mast, R-Palm City, also voted for the measure. Mast’s office did not respond to requests for comment for this story. In addition to essentially legalizing marijuana at the federal level, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act establishes a federal tax on cannabis products. That tax money would be set aside in a trust fund for people and businesses that have been affected by the federal war on drugs. A 2020 study by the American Civil Liberties Union showed that Black Americans are nearly four times more likely than white Americans to be arrested for marijuana possession, despite using the drug at a similar rate.
Read MoreIn September, the House postponed a vote on the MORE Act (H.R.3884), which would de-schedule cannabis. Now that this legislation has passed the House and moves onto the Senate, safety leaders must again warn lawmakers to exercise caution. While the MORE Act includes some provisions that would not cause workplace safety concern, such as the removal of punitive actions for drug violations, any de-scheduling of cannabis must be done with care. Steps toward legalization need to include an evaluation of the impact that legalized cannabis use will have on transportation and workplace safety. We have an obligation to protect workers and all who use our roadways, and cannabis use can create serious risks in both environments. Data should always drive policy decisions. Cannabis is an impairing substance whose use has been on the rise, and a substance without clear and scientifically defined levels of impairment. Unfortunately, no cannabis test currently exists that correlates well with impairment level such as breath alcohol or blood alcohol. At this time we know little about cannabis impairment, the side effects or long-term health implications, as well as the implications for workplace safety. These questions can only be answered through rigorous research. We know that cannabis has the ability to impair, and on-the-job impairment can have serious consequences, particularly for workers in safety-sensitive positions and all those around them. It is difficult to ascertain if a worker may be impaired, when they last used cannabis and whether they pose a risk to co-workers, customers or the general public. This is akin to the potential for “driving under the influence” for those operating commercial aircraft, trucks, trains, buses, cranes and forklifts. One troubling trend during the pandemic has been an increase in impaired driving, including from cannabis. Potential mishaps can also result from impairment of a worker on the floor of a chemical plant, at a construction site, warehouse or other operation with inherent risk.
Read MoreFour more states voted to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in November, and late Friday, the U.S. House voted to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. One, if not two, legalization amendments are likely to make the 2022 ballot here in Florida, and a powerful state senator has filed a bill to keep control of marijuana in the Legislature’s hands. Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota all voted to legalize recreational marijuana this past November. That brings the total to 15 states nationwide. Florida could vote on not one, but two referendums in 2022. Nick Hansen is leading one of them. “There is an economic need for this. Folks understand that this is a tremendous economic driver in these states that have implemented it correctly and well. And it can really bolster those states’ coffers for things like education,” said Hansen.Polls suggest two out of three voters support legalization.
Read MoreSouth Dakota’s industrial-hemp program will soon be off the ground. The Legislature’s Rules Review Committee gave final clearance Monday to regulations proposed by two of state government’s departments. The vote was 5-1. No one testified as an opponent. But watching from the audience was Representative Nancy York, a Watertown Republican who voted against the legislation. Lawmakers said yes to hemp whose THC content doesn’t exceed 0.3%. Governor Kristi Noem signed the measure into law March 30 after vetoing a somewhat similar bill in 2019. The state Department of Agriculture received approval of South Dakota’s plan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture before proposing the rules. The state Department of Public Safety also has enforcement roles.
Read MoreThe U.S. election and cybersecurity official who was fired last month by President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit Tuesday over threatening remarks by a lawyer for the president that prompted a wave of death threats against him. Christopher Krebs says in the suit that he has been “bombarded” with threats since attorney Joseph diGenova appeared on the pro-Trump TV network Newsmax and called for Krebs to be killed. “The defendants’ threats have upended plaintiff’s life, as well as his family’s security, and caused serious fear, distress, suffering, and even physical damage,” he said in the lawsuit, filed in diGenova's home state of Maryland.
Read MoreJocelyn Benson, Michigan’s top election official, had just finished hanging Christmas decorations with her young son on Saturday night when a crowd demanding November’s presidential election result be reversed gathered outside her home to denounce her as a “traitor” and a “criminal.” The demonstrators, some armed and holding up placards saying “Stop the Steal”, clustered on the sidewalk outside Benson’s Detroit home as security and police officers looked on, video broadcast live on Facebook by one of the participants showed. “Through threats of violence, intimidation, and bullying, the armed people outside my home and their political allies seek to undermine and silence the will and voices of every voter in this state,” Benson, Michigan’s Democratic Secretary of State, said in a statement on Sunday. The demonstration was the latest of what election authorities across the United States describe as a tide of intimidation, harassment and outright threats in the charged aftermath of the Nov. 3 election, which Republican President Donald Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump has made unsubstantiated claims of widespread electoral fraud and is trying but failing to overturn Biden’s victory, challenging the outcome in court in multiple states while also pressing state officials, lawmakers and governors to throw the results out and simply declare Trump the winner. Courts have so far rejected those requests. Supporters of Trump in recent weeks have staked out election officials’ offices in Georgia, mounted armed protests in Arizona and left menacing telephone messages for election officials across the country, producing political turmoil unlike any other in modern U.S. history.
Read MoreRansomware cyberattacks are expected to pose a growing threat to hospitals and schools next year, putting pressure on Congress to draft a legislative response. At the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, the Biden administration will have its own set of challenges, mainly building a new cybersecurity leadership team at the federal level and taking stock of what aspects of election security from 2020 should be replicated in the future. Here’s what to watch for in 2021. Ransomware attacks. Cyber criminals have steadily stepped up attacks on critical institutions over the past two years, increasingly turning to ransomware to extort vulnerable groups for funds. The issue has been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic, with hackers targeting stressed hospital networks and school districts that have moved online, along with local governments that are more likely to pay a ransom to ensure networks are running again as quickly as possible. Targets in recent months have included hospital systems in Vermont and New York, and school districts in Miami Dade County, Fla., and Baltimore County, Md. In all cases, operations were significantly affected, slowing critical services. Key leaders on Capitol Hill say they are aiming to take action to address these concerns next year. “Getting federal resources to state and local governments for their cybersecurity efforts will be one of our top priorities next year,” House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) told The Hill.
Read MoreChristopher Krebs, the former U.S. head of cybersecurity, said it was “corrosive” to free elections for President Trump to refuse to acknowledge the outcome of the 2020 election. “I do think it’s corrosive to confidence in the election” for the president not to acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, Krebs said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “I do think the point of elections, it’s often been said by election officials, is you’re trying to convince the loser that they lost. But to do that, you have to have willing participants that are honest brokers, and we’re just not seeing that right now.” “Any fraud claims, any security claims, any sort of things along those lines, we’re just not seeing supporting evidence, and again, it is time to move on,” Krebs added. Trump fired Krebs as director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency shortly after Krebs assessed the 2020 election as the most secure in the nation’s history. Krebs has stood by his assertion in interviews and statement since. “This point cannot be emphasized enough: The secretaries of state in Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania, as well officials in Wisconsin, all worked overtime to ensure there was a paper trail that could be audited or recounted by hand, independent of any allegedly hacked software or hardware,” he said in a Washington Post op-ed published last week.
Read MoreThe Democrat-led US House made history Friday when members voted 228-164 in favor of decriminalizing and taxing marijuana at the federal level, while wiping away old convictions and investing the spoils in communities hit hardest by the war on drugs. There was, predictably, much rejoicing by the cannabis industry and marijuana advocates. And it wasn’t entirely undeserved. Let’s not give the Blue Team too much credit, though. First of all, House leaders had originally planned to yea-or-nay the measure, called the MORE Act, back in September. But a handful of centrists up for re-election in purple districts complained the bill made them vulnerable to attacks by their Republican proponents in the critical weeks leading up the November election. Leadership obligingly pulled the plug, long after the date of the vote had been announced. Then November came around and — whoops! Voters all over the United States easily approved marijuana legalization ballot measures, including those in blood-red Montana and South Dakota, purple Arizona, and deep-blue New Jersey. Oklahoma, another red state, apparently now has “the hottest weed market in the nation,” and voters in progressive areas such as Oregon are moving on and decriminalizing other drugs, a push that will soon come to Massachusetts and elsewhere. Meanwhile, the most recent polls show support for legalization nearing 70 percent among Americans, with more than 90 percent (yes, really) backing legal medical marijuana and fewer than 10 percent saying the drug should remain completely illegal. So while I’m not rooting for any particular policy here, I am wondering why political consultants on both sides of the aisle aren’t grabbing their clients by the collar and shouting, “what are you waiting for?! The drug war is over! Drugs won! Scoreboard, bro!”
Read More“The president’s statements are false, they’re misinformation,” said Gabriel Sterling, a voting system official in Georgia. “They’re stoking anger and fear among his supporters,” Sterling said. “We’ve never found systemic fraud, not enough to overturn the election,” said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in an interview on ABC. While speaking at a rally in Valdosta, Georgia yesterday, President Donald Trump reiterated false claims that the presidential election was “stolen.” Republican election officials in Georgia on Sunday continued to rebut Donald Trump’s false claims of voter fraud, as the outgoing president tries to pressure the governor to help overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s win in the state. “The president’s statements are false, they’re misinformation,” Gabriel Sterling, voting system implementation manager for Georgia, told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday morning. “They’re stoking anger and fear among his supporters.” “This undermines democracy,” said Sterling, who is a Republican. “We have got to get to a point where responsible people act responsibly.” Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger also countered the president’s baseless claims of election fraud on Sunday morning in an interview on “This Week” with ABC. “We’ve never found systemic fraud, not enough to overturn the election,” he said. The Republican election officials made their comments a day after Trump appeared at a rally in Valdosta, Georgia, where he was campaigning for Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue who face runoff elections. There, he continued to claim without evidence that the election was stolen from him. The event was intended to encourage turnout for the Jan. 5 runoffs, which will determine the balance of power in the Senate.
Read MoreThere’s a renewed push to legalize medical and recreational marijuana in Nebraska, lawmakers say they plan to obtain 250,000 total signatures to get both medical initiatives on the ballot in 2022. Nebraska voters are already weighing the pros and cons to both proposals. “There's a negative propaganda about it and I think... people should look deeper into it,” said Nick Hancke. “There’s a positive aspect to it than what’s been said about it.” “I think everything has its limitations,” said Princess Brown. “So as long as it’s not something that is going to be abused, which we all know people do that, I do think it would be beneficial.” Nebraska State Senator Adam Morfeld said many voters are on board with medical and recreational marijuana, so that is why he’s pushing to legal both. “I also know of a lot of Nebraskans who have decided to not stay and live in Nebraska, or not come to Nebraska simply because we have such ‘behind the times’ medical or adult-use marijuana laws,” said Morfeld. The decision to legalize medical marijuana was nearly in the hands of voters this year, but Nebraska's supreme court pulled it from the 2020 ballot. Voters say this new effort is giving them hope. “If it’s not for you then don’t it,” said Brown. “But if there is someone who needs it, if it’s going to be beneficial to them and do it as a recreational choice then so be it." “It would make it so that a bunch of Nebraskans who are already using marijuana would not be using it illegally,” said Morfeld. “It would allow people who have medical conditions to also use it." Governor Pete Ricketts has long opposed legalizing medical marijuana. Ricketts said cannabis decreases productivity, while making workplaces less safe.
Read MoreTexas (The Texas Tribune) - With a state budget devastated by the coronavirus, some Democratic lawmakers are hoping the economic crisis could become an opportunity to coax Texas into joining a growing number of states opting to legalize — and tax — recreational marijuana use. The chances are slim. State Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio and state Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso filed bills this week in advance of the 2021 legislative session that would legalize, regulate and tax personal cannabis use. State Rep. Terry Canales of Edinburg has proposed putting the question of legalization to Texas voters. The coronavirus pandemic has blown a $4.6 billion hole in the state budget, according to the comptroller’s latest estimate, and the lawmakers argue that a legal marijuana industry could bring in hundreds of millions in tax revenue and create tens of thousands of jobs. Voters in more and more states, they note, have legalized recreational cannabis use, including four more this month bringing the total to 15. At the same time, marijuana arrests and prosecutions across Texas have been plummeting, largely because a bill passed last year that legalizes hemp has thrown prosecutions into disarray, and some cities have already eased off on pursuing small pot cases. “As we see a number of states engaging around the country in a retail market, this is no longer an experiment,” Moody said. “It is also no secret that we are heading into some rough economic waters and we need to explore every possible revenue stream.” But changes to marijuana laws still face powerful opposition at the Texas Capitol. The handful of legalization proposals filed in recent years have received little to no attention from lawmakers. And even less controversial measures, like lowering criminal penalties for marijuana possession, have fallen flat in the Texas Senate. With Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a staunch conservative, at the helm of the upper chamber, it remains unlikely that a legalization bill will make it out when the Legislature reconvenes in January.
Read MoreThe constitutional amendment authorizing recreational marijuana in New Jersey takes effect on New Year’s Day, but the Garden State’s Democratic-led Legislature has been at an impasse over measures decriminalizing marijuana. Late Friday, Gov. Phil Murphy and legislators said they did reach an agreement on setting up the new recreational marketplace, but did not disclose details. Lawmakers and lobbyists expressed cautious confidence that the measures will move forward, but the logjam comes even though the top two legislative leaders and the governor largely agree on how to move forward more than a year after the trio announced their support for legalization. Legislators penciled in Dec. 17 for the final voting sessions of the year. Voters overwhelmingly said yes to a constitutional amendment that legalizes a recreational marijuana market for people 21 and older. But the amendment doesn’t specify what that market would look like, beyond tasking the Cannabis Regulatory Commission with overseeing it. The amendment also does not address laws on the books that outlaw marijuana offenses, like possession and distribution. Neither does any state law address a cannabis marketplace. The Legislature has always known it would need to step in.
Read MoreThe MORE Act would decriminalize cannabis and marks the first time that Congress has ever voted on the issue. The bill would erase non-violent federal marijuana convictions. It stands almost no chance in the Senate, which means it has no chance of becoming law right now. The historic vote reflects public opinion, and a Gallup Poll showed 68% of Americans support the legalization of cannabis. This week became historic for the “legalize marijuana” movement, with the House of Representatives passing the MORE Act by a vote of 228-164 on Friday. The bill would decriminalize cannabis and marks the first time that Congress has ever voted on the issue. The MORE Act would erase non-violent federal marijuana convictions. It stands almost no chance in the Senate, which means no chance of becoming law. Arun Kurichety, the chief operating officer and general counsel for Petalfast, told “The News with Shepard Smith” that the MORE Act is more of a symbolic step in the right direction. Petalfast is a first-of-its-kind full spectrum sales and marketing agency for the cannabis industry. “The passage of the MORE Act is a great step in terms of recognizing the injustices present in the criminal justice system, but unfortunately, this is all largely symbolic as the bill has little chance of passing the Senate - until and unless - the Democrats are able to secure a majority in the Senate,” Kurichety said. “Hopefully, this act will help continue to shed a light on reversing injustices and promote additional growth in the industry as reflected by the public support and passage of various state laws legalizing cannabis.” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., took a jab at the bill during a floor speech. He said, “the House of Representatives is spending this week on pressing issues like marijuana. You know, serious and important legislation befitting this national crisis.?
Read MoreThe Democratic-controlled House on Friday approved a bill to decriminalize and tax marijuana at the federal level, reversing what supporters called a failed policy of criminalization of pot use and taking steps to address racial disparities in enforcement of federal drug laws. Opponents, mostly Republicans, called the bill a hollow political gesture and mocked Democrats for bringing it up at a time when thousands of Americans are dying from the coronavirus pandemic. “With all the challenges America has right now, (Republicans) think COVID relief should be on the floor, but instead, the Democrats put cats and cannabis” on the House floor, said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. “They’re picking weed over the workers. They’re picking marijuana over (providing) the much-needed money we need to go forward? to address the pandemic. McCarthy’s comment about cats referred to a separate bill approved by the House to ban private ownership of big cats such as lions and tigers, a measure boosted by the Netflix series “Tiger King.? That bill, approved by the House on Thursday, would allow most private zoos to keep their tigers and other species but would prohibit most public contact with the animals. Democrats said they can work on COVID-19 relief and marijuana reform at the same time and noted that the House passed a major pandemic relief bill in May that has languished in the Senate. Supporters say the pot bill would help reverse adverse effects of the decades-long “war on drugs” by removing marijuana, or cannabis, from the list of federally controlled substances while allowing states to set their own rules on pot. The bill also would use money from an excise tax on marijuana to address the needs of groups and communities harmed by the drug war and provide for the expungement of federal marijuana convictions and arrests. “For far too long, we have treated marijuana as a criminal justice problem instead of as a matter of personal choice and public health,? said Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and a key sponsor of the bill. “Whatever one’s views are on the use of marijuana for recreational or medicinal use, the policy of arrests, prosecution and incarceration at the federal level has proven unwise and unjust.? The vote comes at a time when most Americans live in states where marijuana is legal in some form, and lawmakers from both parties agreed that national cannabis policy has lagged woefully behind changes at the state level. That divide has created a host of problems — loans and other banking services, for example, are hard to get for many marijuana companies because pot remains illegal at the federal level. Four states, including New Jersey and Arizona, passed referendums allowing recreational cannabis. Voters made Oregon the first state in the nation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., called the House bill an important racial justice measure. Lee, who is Black, said the bill is the product of years of work by a range of advocates and is long overdue. The bill “is a major step, mind you, a major step toward ending the unjust war on drugs and racial inequities that are central to these laws,? Lee said.
Read MoreThe House on Friday passed sweeping legislation that would decriminalize marijuana and expunge nonviolent marijuana-related convictions, as Democrats sought to roll back and compensate for decades of drug policies that have disproportionately affected low-income communities of color. The 228-164 vote to approve the measure was bipartisan, and it was the first time either a chamber of Congress had ever endorsed the legalization of cannabis. The bill would remove the drug from the Controlled Substances Act and authorize a 5 percent tax on marijuana that would fund community and small business grant programs to help those most impacted by the criminalization of marijuana. The legislation is, for now, almost certainly doomed in the Republican-led Senate, where that party’s leaders have derided it as a superficial distraction from the work of passing coronavirus relief, as lawmakers inched toward bipartisan compromise after spending months locked in an impasse. But the bill’s passage in the House amounted to a watershed moment decades in the making for advocates of marijuana legislation, and it laid out an expansive federal framework for redressing the racial disparities in the criminal justice system exacerbated by the war on drugs. “The effects of marijuana prohibition have been particularly felt by communities of color because it has meant that people from the communities couldn’t get jobs,” Representative Jerry Nadler, Democrat of New York and the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said in an interview. Mr. Nadler, who spearheaded the legislation with Senator Kamala Harris, Democrat of California and the vice president-elect, described the collateral consequences of a conviction for marijuana possession as creating “an often-permanent second-class status for millions of Americans.” The idea behind the legislation is “you want to make whole these communities, and you want to compensate,” he said. “You want to shed light on what was done.” The legislation intends to give states power and incentives to enact their own reforms, and its passage came as states around the county, including some conservative-leaning ones, have become increasingly open to decriminalizing marijuana amid a growing consensus that the war on drugs has been destructive. Fifteen states have legalized recreational cannabis, and voters in five states last month voted on legalization issues, bringing the number of states where medical marijuana is legal to 35. The law would require federal courts to release those serving sentences for nonviolent, marijuana-related offenses, and set up grant programs focused on providing job training, legal aid and substance use treatment, as well as grants for small businesses in the marijuana industry led by low-income and minority business owners. Physicians with the Department of Veterans Affairs would also be allowed for the first time to recommend medical marijuana to their patients.
Read MoreMexico is potentially on track to become the third country in the world to legalize recreational-use cannabis. New laws currently under discussion might make Mexico the world’s largest legal market for marijuana. Following the examples set by Uruguay and Canada, Mexico’s Senate has already voted to approve a bill that would start the process for creating a legal framework for a licit market for marijuana. Up until now, the driving force behind the push to legalize marijuana in Mexico has been the Supreme Court, which ruled that marijuana use falls under protected modes of individual self epression. Support from the MORENA party of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was essential for passing a legalization bill in Mexico’s Senate. President Lopez Obrador, a perplexing politician who promotes the values of individual liberty, rails against “conservatives” and yet also promotes traditional, family values and has strong ties to Mexico’s conservative religious groups, has not talked much about the issue of legalization. Up until now he has mostly stayed on the sidelines, letting Mexico’s courts interact with the legislative branch. Overall, the potential opportunity to create a legal market for recreational-use marijuana is an important development in Mexico. Marijuana was once at the center of the business model for many organized crime groups in Mexico. But, with U.S. states such as California and Colorado now operating legal markets for locally-produced marijuana, Mexico’s cartels have already diversified into producing crystal meth and fentanyl and into other rackets such as extortion. It’s still not totally clear what effect marijuana legalization would have on organized crime and violence in Mexico. The U.S. has long backed marijuana eradication efforts in Mexico, but it’s unclear how the incoming Biden administration would react to Mexico creating a legal, nation-wide marketplace for marijuana. The legislation is still be written and debated in Mexico, and lawmakers still have a lot of work to do to create a clear set of rules that will allow companies to invest and start operating cannabis producing operations in Mexico. Provisions requiring market participants to implement rigorous seed-to-sale tracing protocols might create hurdles for small companies and rural growers. But, in the near future it could be possible for cannabis companies operating in Mexico to send legal exports to the U.S. and Canada. While Mexico does appear to be moving towards legalizing marijuana, potential investors in the sector still need to wait to see the details of pending legislation and look at the structure and design of the institutions that will regulate the sector. Investors need a clear regulatory framework in place and will need to do serious due diligence and political risk analysis before financing projects in Mexico’s nascent legal cannabis sector. The details of the pending legislation are very important. Investors need to understand potential risks from any ambiguities in the regulatory code and also need to analyze security issues and political dynamics in the specific areas where they are considering operating. To get a sense of what’s ahead, I reached out to Elias Lisbona Jassan, a lawyer at Perez Ferrer Abogados, who works advising companies and investors interested in Mexico’s fledgling legal cannabis market. Nathaniel Parish Flannery: What's the current status of the push to legalize marijuana in Mexico? Elias Lisbona Jassan: Right now, Mexico’s Senate has approved a bill that permits industrial, own- use and cultivation, investigation and adult use sales of cannabis. Support from President Lopez Obrador’s MORENA party was key to passing the bill in the Senate. Now we’ll see if they can replicate the outcome in the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies. There’s still a long process to approve the bill and legislators are under pressure because of a Supreme Court deadline, which is on December 15. Overall, there's still a lot to be discussed and codified into clear policy proposals in order for Mexico to have a truly functional marijuana legalization bill. But, we are making progress towards building a legal marketplace for cannabis, and that’s an important achievement for Mexico. Parish Flannery: How likely is it that Mexico will introduce a functioning legal market for cannabis by the end of 2021? Lisbona Jassan: It’s quite possible that we will have some kind of basic medical marijuana market in the near future. We have pending regulations that will not take long to be implemented. Medical regulations are set to be published by the end of 2020 after being put on hold since 2017. But, lawmakers in Mexico still have a lot of work to do. They need to develop the Mexican Institute for Cannabis Regulation and Control, which is expected to start operating just six months after the law is enacted. We need to train public servants on how to regulate the sector. It's a huge task. I think that in a best-case scenario for harvesting and processing non psychoactive marijuana will be legal in Mexico by August or September of 2021. For adult use, the current draft of the legalization bill foresees an 18-month period to approve the licenses after the institute is created and the Law has full effect, so I wouldn’t bet on having an adult use legal market before 2022. I don’t think it’s likely that a legal market for recreational-use marijuana will exist in Mexico before the end of 2021. People can consume the day after the legalization law is passed, but we won’t have clear guidelines for the market for several more months. Right now, Mexico’s legislature has to work to develop a clear regulatory pathway for marijuana to be produced, sold, and consumed legally.
Read MoreIn a matter of hours on election night, recreational cannabis measures got the go-ahead in four more states: Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota. That doesn't mean that people in those locations can legally buy weed for non-medical use just yet. Although the moves at the ballot box further bolster the $19 billion US cannabis industry, the passages are early steps in an often complex and lengthy process. History shows that it could take months or, in some cases, years for the first regulated sales to take place. It takes time to develop regulatory programs; establish testing, tracking and safety protocols; build supply chains; license operators; and, of course, grow the plants. And in two states, legal challenges have been filed against the ballot initiatives, meaning legalization efforts there could be potentially overturned. Here's a look at where things stand in the latest adult-use states -- and when people might be able to purchase cannabis there. The Garden State is garnering the lion's share of attention among the newly legal states. The market size could be fairly significant. It's the first of the Mid-Atlantic states to legalize recreational cannabis, establishing a potentially large regional canna-tourism hub, given its proximity to Philadelphia and New York City. New Jersey is also viewed as a catalyst for other neighboring states to push through legalization plans. The new law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2021, and if the legislative and regulatory efforts move expeditiously, adult-use sales could start by the end of next year, said Steven Hawkins, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, a legalization advocacy organization, told CNN Business.
Read MoreThe Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed legislation legalizing marijuana at the federal level Friday, the first time either chamber of Congress has voted on the matter. The bill, the MORE Act, passed by a mostly party-line 228-164 vote. The Republican-controlled Senate is unlikely to take up the legislation. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., would remove marijuana from the federal list of controlled substances and expunge some marijuana-related criminal records. It would still be up to states to pass their own regulations on the sale of marijuana. Nadler said in a statement the legislation would help address the "mistake" of marijuana's criminalization and its "racially disparate enforcement." "This long-overdue legislation would reverse the failed policy of criminalizing marijuana on the federal level and would take steps to address the heavy toll this policy has taken across the country, particularly on communities of color," he said. Trump's pardons:Could Trump pardon family members and other close associates? His prior pardons may set the stage for more. Nadler has highlighted provisions in the MORE Act that fund community programs to benefit people previously convicted of marijuana-related offenses. He told USA TODAY in September the provisions were about "making people whole from harms suffered directly as a result of the marijuana ban," which he said disproportionately affected racial minorities. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., one of a handful of Republicans to vote for the legislation and the only Republican cosponsor of the legislation, said on the House floor the bill was necessary because current federal prohibitions on marijuana "constrains" the states. "If we were measuring the success in the 'war on drugs,' it would be hard to conclude anything other than the fact that drugs have won" because Americans no longer supported harsh laws on drugs, Gaetz said. Advocates see the vote as a part of a move toward "justice." "With this vote, Congress is recognizing the disproportionate impact enforcement has had on our communities and calling for the unjust status quo to be disrupted," said Maritza Perez, director of the office of national affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance, a group advocating for the decriminalization of drugs. An ACLU report analyzing marijuana-related arrests from 2010 to 2018 found that Black people were 3.64 times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession. The bill's likely passage comes as more states have legalized marijuana and public opinions on the topic have shifted. Four more states passed marijuana legalization measures in the November elections, bringing the total number of states with legal marijuana use for adults to 15. Medical marijuana is legal in 36 states. President-elect Joe Biden has called for the decriminalization of marijuana and the expunging of convictions for marijuana use, though he expressed skepticism about the legalization of the drug during the Democratic presidential primary. Biden's campaign website said he supported the legalization of medical marijuana and would leave decisions on recreational use up to the states. A planned vote on the legislation was shelved in October following backlash from moderate Democrats, who had expressed concern about the effort to pass the marijuana legalization bill before the election and amid the impasse on COVID-19 stimulus negotiations.Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., a moderate Democrat who faced a close reelection race this year, voiced a similar concern Tuesday, as Congress remains deadlocked over a stimulus bill. He wrote on Twitter that while marijuana decriminalization was important, House Democrats' focus should be on "nothing else" besides COVID-19 relief. Republicans have also criticized Democrats for moving on marijuana legalization despite other major concerns before Congress. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters Thursday that Democrats were "focused on cats and cannabis instead of COVID." And Senate Republicans quipped Democrats had decided to "'puff, puff, pass' on job-saving PPP and COVID relief." More:Vice President Pence remains silent on election outcome while campaigning for Georgia runoff.
Read MoreBrandon Wales, the nation's new top federal cybersecurity official, said Thursday that his agency intends to leave up its “rumor control” webpage that pushes back against election misinformation and disinformation until after the Georgia Senate runoff elections in January. Wales, who took over as acting director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) after former Director Christopher Krebs was fired by President Trump, said the webpage was “an important way for us to put out accurate information about the security of voting infrastructure.” “What I’ve told our staff is that our election security mission, particularly associated with the Protect 2020 effort, will continue until all the elections are complete,” Wales said at the Aspen Institute’s virtual Cyber Summit. “We will keep issuing rumor control entries as we think that the situation warrants it and where we can actually have an impact, and will we do that through the end of this cycle, which hopefully will happen sometime in early January,” he added. The Georgia Senate runoff elections, which will determine control of the Senate, are set to take place the first week of January. CISA's “rumor control” page was updated to include two new items Wednesday, with CISA detailing ballot protection efforts that prevent destruction, and outlining the lengthy process voting systems go through to be certified for use by state and federal testing programs. The website recently came under fire by President Trump, as the page helped to debunk voter fraud and election interference concerns Trump voiced in the days after the election. Trump’s concerns around the website led in part to Krebs being fired and to former CISA Deputy Director Matthew Travis and Bryan Ware, a former top CISA cyber official, being forced by the White House to resign. Wales formerly served as the executive director of CISA, the third in seniority. Trump also took issue with a statement put out a few days after Election Day by CISA and state and local election officials describing the 2020 election as the "most secure in American history.” Wales said Thursday that CISA “stands by” that statement, and that “as of right now, we do not have any specific evidence of systems being compromised.”
Read MoreThursday, a Georgia Senate Judiciary subcommittee heard new jaw-dropping allegations of alleged election fraud in the state from several people including President Donald Trump's attorney, Rudy Giuliani. The supposed video tape evidence alleges proof of ballots being counted without oversight. A subcommittee comprised of both Republicans and Democrats held a hearing at the State Capitol for perhaps the biggest bombshell presented to lawmakers from inside State Farm Arena. For the first time, the president's legal team, led by Giuliani, presented surveillance video from the state's larges voting center. The video allegedly shows people taking out at least four boxes of ballots from underneath a table, and then counting them after hours with no election supervisors present. "The same person that stayed behind, the person that cleared the place out under the pretense that we are going to stop counting is the person who put the table there at 8:22 in the morning. I saw four suitcases come out from underneath the table," Attorney Jacki Pick said.
Read MoreFormer New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was in Georgia on Thursday to make claims of widespread voter fraud at one of two Senate committee hearings held on election security. Giuliani and his team presented experts and witnesses who testified about vulnerabilities in the voting system and cases where someone reported having seen voting impropriety, much of the testimony based on debunked conspiracy theories or unverifiable hearsay. Giuliani urged legislators in the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee not to certify the election results and said that Georgia’s senators could use their constitutional power to appoint Georgia’s electors. “You are the final arbiter of who the electors should be and whether the process is fair or not,” Giuliani said. “The other way to look at it is, it’s your responsibility if a false and fraudulent count is submitted to the United States government. And it’s clear the count you have right now is false.” Many of the claims made Thursday have been disproven or shot down in the courts of other battleground states, and some of the testimony was not even specific to Georgia. In an earlier hearing before the Government Oversight Committee, representatives for the secretary of state’s office defended the state’s election system and fielded questions from mostly Republican lawmakers on the process. “If your constituent says something, please pass it on. Because a rumor doesn’t help,” said Ryan Germany, general counsel for the secretary of state. Giuliani renewed a call from President Donald Trump and his supporters for a signature audit of all absentee ballots, claiming without proof that tens of thousands of ballots were mailed in illegally. He also cast further doubt on the security of the Dominion voting system used for the first time in Georgia this election cycle. “The problems with the Dominion machines – and also just a piece of advice – you have a big election coming up. I think you would be very ill-advised to use this company or their machines,” Giuliani said. “When you test their record of the last 10 to 12 years, you will find they’re one of the more insecure companies in this business.” Similar claims were made at a pro-Trump rally Wednesday. This sort of rhetoric from high-profile Republicans has led some GOP voters to say they have been discouraged from voting in January’s U.S. Senate runoffs.
Read MoreRepublicans at the national level have mostly stayed quiet during President Trump's monthlong baseless crusade against November's election results. But at the state and county level, it has been a different story. Local election administrators, most of whom are elected along partisan lines, are in charge of the nuts and bolts of voting in America's decentralized elections system. In many cases, it has been Republican officials who have held firm in their position that the results were not tainted by a widespread cheating scheme, despite a pressure campaign by the president unlike any in American history. "This was unprecedented scrutiny," said Martha Kropf, an elections administration expert at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. "For two reasons: the amount of pressure that Donald Trump has been putting on the election officials, but also for the unprecedented amount of things those officials had to do to prepare for this election." The officials Trump is targeting oversaw a shift toward more voting options this year to reduce the risk of people getting sick while voting during the pandemic.
Read MoreCigarette smokers in Indiana may be asked to pay a 200 percent higher state excise tax on their cigarettes if lawmakers move ahead with a recent proposal from legislative leaders. The current state tax rate is 99.5 cents per pack but the proposal would increase this rate to $3 per pack.
Read MoreIf a cigarette tax increase is going to happen, there must be a plan in place, according to state legislators who support such an increase. Some state legislative leaders who support the idea of raising cigarette taxes say the plan needs to detail how the tax revenue gained will be used.
Read MoreHouse and Senate leaders are noncommittal about whether you might pay more for cigarettes next year. Business and health groups have argued for years the state could cut smoking rates by raising the tax. The tax of just under a dollar a pack is the 12th-lowest in the country, and hasn’t gone up in 13 years.
Read MoreIt was 2018, Democrats were about to gain control of the House of Representatives, and cannabis justice advocates knew they needed to get to work. Every two years, a handful of new states were joining those that had already legalized cannabis, either recreationally or medicinally. Federal decriminalization was inevitable. If advocates wanted to have any say in what legislation would look like, the first Democratic House majority since 2011 was their best chance to make inroads. “Anybody who’s doing work on drug policy and criminal justice could see that it was only a matter of time before the federal government legalized [cannabis],” says Martiza Perez, national affairs director of the Drug Policy Alliance. “We wanted to make certain that when they did it they did it right.” The result, two years later, is the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, which the House will vote on this week. It’s the first time either chamber of Congress will take up a bill to legalize cannabis, but the MORE Act goes far beyond simply decriminalizing it. Included in the bill are several social and criminal justice measures that would help lift up the communities of color ravaged by the War on Drugs, while helping build an equitable cannabis industry in which the people of color disproportionately impacted by prohibition have a seat at the table. “I’ve been working on this issue longer than any politician in America and can confidently say that the MORE Act is the most comprehensive federal cannabis reform legislation in U.S. history,” Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), founder of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, said in a statement. “Congress must capitalize on this momentum and do our part to end the failed policy of prohibition that has resulted in a long and shameful period of selective enforcement against communities of color.” Federal cannabis legalization has been a long time coming. A Pew Research Center study published in November of 2019 found that 67 percent of the nation supports legalization, including a majority of Republicans. As of this November, 15 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation or voter initiatives to legalize recreational cannabis, while 38 states and D.C. allow some form of it for medicinal purposes. Every cannabis measure up for a vote last month passed convincingly. One in three Americans now live in states that have legalized recreational use.
Read MoreSan Francisco city officials this week voted to ban all smoking inside of apartments, with the exception of smoking marijuana. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 to approve the move on Tuesday. The legislation bans smoking inside of buildings with three or more units and in all common areas, although it does not apply to “adult-use” or medical marijuana, CNN reported. The measure is targeted at protecting apartment residents from secondhand smoke. The president of the city’s Board of Supervisors, Norman Yee, who authored the legislation, tweeted Wednesday that “Secondhand smoke causes harm & everyone should have clean air to breathe where they live." The San Francisco Department of Public Health is set to enforce the measure. Officials must first try to educate people who smoke inside of apartment buildings and help residents who smoke tobacco quit, The Associated Press reported. Residents who are repeatedly caught smoking inside could be fined up to $1,000 a day. The original legislation also sought to ban residents from smoking marijuana in their apartments. However, it is already illegal under California state law to smoke cannabis in public places, and activists pointed out that the proposal would remove the legal place to smoke marijuana.
Read MoreGood morning Fight to Vote readers, Hope you all had a safe and healthy Thanksgiving break. I’m particularly thankful that I came back to a slightly more optimistic week for voting rights. First, there’s the fact that Donald Trump finally said he would leave the White House if the electoral college confirmed Joe Biden as president on 14 December. Then, there’s the surprising about-face from William Barr, the attorney general. Is Barr … good now? I wouldn’t go that far. But Trump’s top justice official announced on Tuesday that his department had not uncovered any instances of voter fraud that would change the outcome of the election. This, of course, marks a departure from Barr’s boss, the president, who has been claiming the election was rigged against him and that illegal votes were counted. It’s also a departure from Barr’s own previous statements that mail-in voting was vulnerable to fraud. Nevertheless, there was never any evidence of widespread voter tampering, and now Trump’s ardent ally has confirmed that. Trump’s election integrity battle remains ugly. Trump’s campaign lawyer Joe DiGenova was condemned for his violent remarks on a podcast about Chris Krebs, a top election security official whom Trump recently fired. “Anybody who thinks the election went well,” DiGenova said, “like that idiot Krebs who used to be the head of cybersecurity, that guy is a class-A moron. He should be drawn and quartered. Taken out at dawn and shot.” The Georgia secretary of state’s office is continuing to resist the White House rhetoric. After Brad Raffensperger, the Republican secretary of state, pushed back on Trump’s false claims of voter fraud in Georgia, another official spoke up. Gabriel Sterling, a Republican who oversees the state’s voting system, called out the president for inciting violence. “Mr President, it looks like you likely lost the state of Georgia,” Sterling said at a press conference on Tuesday, during which he became visibly angry. “We’re investigating, there’s always a possibility, I get it. You have the right to go to the courts. What you don’t have the ability to do – and you need to step up and say this – is stop inspiring people to commit potential acts of violence. Someone is going to get hurt, someone is going to get shot, someone is going to get killed, and it’s not right. It’s not right.”
Read MoreA volley of violent threats against election workers will only make it harder to administer elections safely and securely in the future, experts fear. The threats, many of which were sparked by baseless claims of fraud by President Trump and his allies, could make it tougher to staff polling places. The threats could also make it harder for people who do show up to focus on the complexities of their work – or force officials to make election work less transparent and accessible because of security concerns. “The danger of intimidation is that it become a downward spiral,” Edward Perez, an executive at OSET Institute, a nonprofit election technology organization, told me. “Whether you have scared election officials who hunker down and are perceived as less accessible, or poll workers who don’t show up to staff polling places, the net effect can be an election that fewer people have confidence about. And that is a security issue,” said Perez, who formerly worked for Hart InterCivic, one of the top election machine vendors. The threats have targeted all aspects of election administration and could produce a chilling effect for years to come. They have targeted everyone from top state election officials in Georgia, Arizona, Michigan and Vermont to front-line workers who maintain voting machines. One 20-year-old contractor for Dominion Voting Systems was besieged with online attacks after QAnon supporters falsely claimed a video showed him manipulating voting data, as my colleagues Michelle Lee and Emma Brown report.
Read MoreThe coronavirus vaccine inching toward approval in the U.S. is desperately anticipated by weary Americans longing for a path back to normal life. But criminals are waiting, too, ready to use that desperation to their advantage, federal investigators say.
Read MoreThe new technology has been developed in collaboration with pharmaceutical industry innovator Gallarus and engagement from life science industry experts SeaVision.
Read MoreFour newly unveiled ID document and barcode scanning products promise improved efficiency, privacy, and security while addressing the growing demand for contactless solutions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreThe push to legalize recreational weed in New Jersey includes a new “social equity” tax that would benefit communities of color disproportionately affected by drug laws. Bills by both the Senate and Assembly allow the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to levy an optional “social equity excise fee” for programs aimed at alleviating racial disparities. “We’ve spelled out the communities that we look for this money to be invested in,” Senate President Stephen Sweeney said during a roundtable discussion Monday, according to NJ.com. “I think we made our intentions very clear in the Senate.” The legislation initially proposed that marijuana sales would be subjected to the 6.625 percent state tax — but the amount was boosted to 7 percent last month, the Asbury Park Press reported. The Senate wants 70 percent of the sales tax revenue, plus all of the social equity fee, to go toward funding community programs, while the Assembly version only calls for the sales tax being put toward those programs, NJ.com said. The social equity funding was sought by the state Legislative Black Caucus and other advocates. “A key component of cannabis legalization is addressing social justice concerns,” Assemblyman and caucus member Jamel Holley said in a statement last month. “The fact that Black New Jerseyans are 3 or 4 times more likely to be arrested on cannabis charges has contributed to the disenfranchisement of (Black) communities.”
Read MoreVirginia should establish a Cannabis Cabinet to steer its effort to legalize marijuana, according to a work group that released nearly 500 pages of recommendations Monday. The report, ordered by law last year, adds that the cabinet should learn from the efforts of 10 states where it’s legal to sell recreational marijuana, with a focus on how a new industry can correct for racism in drug enforcement. “What it means is that this is being taken seriously, that we know this is coming, and that Virginia wants to do it right,” said state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who plans to sponsor a bill to legalize marijuana. The 23-member work group interviewed federal leaders, state regulators, law enforcement, addiction specialists, and community advocates. It found that Black Virginians are approximately three times as likely to be arrested for marijuana charges than their white counterparts; the ratio is higher in some places including Arlington, where Black Virginians are eight times as likely to be arrested for marijuana-related charges than white residents. Jenn Michelle Pedini, executive director of the pro-legalizing organization Virginia NORML and a member of the work group, said those statistics informed the group’s approach. “What we are hearing resoundingly time and time again is that it’s not enough to simply legalize cannabis. Virginia must equitably legalize cannabis,” Pedini said. Pedini, who uses the pronoun they, said Illinois, in particular, provided an example of best practices. The state created a $20 million low-interest loan program to help lower barriers of entry in the marijuana industry to people who meet certain criteria, including having a marijuana-related criminal record or living in an area that has a high rate of arrests and incarceration for marijuana-related offenses. Illinois also created a method for expunging marijuana-related records. Other states that legalized recreational cannabis were retroactively adding similar measures, Pedini said.
Read MoreAttorney General William P. Barr told the Associated Press on Tuesday that he has “not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election,” undercutting claims that President Trump and his allies have made — without evidence — of widespread and significant voting irregularities. In an interview, Barr suggested the FBI and Justice Department have looked into some fraud claims, and seemed to take particular aim at one, by attorney Sidney Powell, who alleged a grand conspiracy involving election software changing voting tallies. “There’s been one assertion that would be systemic fraud and that would be the claim that machines were programmed essentially to skew the election results. And the DHS and DOJ have looked into that, and so far, we haven’t seen anything to substantiate that,” Barr told the Associated Press, referring to the departments of Homeland Security and Justice. Though, privately, Justice Department officials have for weeks said that there was not evidence to substantiate the claims of Trump and his allies, Barr’s publicly breaking with the president is particularly significant. Before the election, Barr had warned repeatedly and forcefully about possible fraud that might come with mass mail-in voting, echoing the president’s attacks on the practice. Afterward, he reversed long-standing Justice Department policy and authorized prosecutors to take overt steps to pursue allegations of “vote tabulation irregularities” in certain cases before results are certified — drawing criticism that he was trying to magnify Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud. That memo, though, only authorized actions in cases which could change the outcome of the election, and officials have previously told The Washington Post they were aware of no such investigations or evidence that would warrant them.
Read MoreA lawyer for President Donald Trump's campaign has attacked the former top cyber official at DHS, after he spoke out against the president's claims that the election was fraudulent. Joe diGenova said that former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Chris Krebs "should be drawn and quartered, taken out at dawn and shot." DiGenova, speaking on the conservative outlet Newsmax, said that Krebs was an "idiot." "Mail in balloting is inherently corrupt and this election proved it," diGenova told host Howie Carr. "This was not a coincidence, this was all planned. Anybody who thinks that this election went well like that idiot Krebs," he said. "That guy is a Class A moron," diGenova said. "He should be drawn and quartered, taken out at dawn and shot." Krebs was fired by the president last month after repeatedly speaking out against the president's various claims, saying the election had been the most secure in U.S. history. "The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud," Trump said in a tweet. "Therefore, effective immediately, Chris Krebs has been terminated as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency."
Read MoreThe Supreme Court may be ready to rein in the nation’s main anti-hacking law, which Congress hasn't revised since 1986 and which has bedeviled cybersecurity researchers almost since the birth of the Internet. The high court heard arguments yesterday for the first time in a case challenging the broadest interpretations of that law, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, Those interpretations have left cybersecurity pros fearing jail time for doing basic Internet detective work. Critics say the CFAA is vaguely worded and that its Reagan-era concerns haven't translated well to modern technology. When the law's language is interpreted narrowly — as in many U.S. court jurisdictions — it just criminalizes malicious hacking, such as breaking into a computer to steal credit card information. But other jurisdictions interpret the law more broadly to make it a federal crime whenever someone breaks a website's terms of service or a company's workplace computer rules. That could criminalize innocuous acts, such as lying about one's height on a dating app or checking personal email at work. It also produces a chilling effect for cybersecurity researchers who routinely skirt strict terms of service and company policies when they investigate technology for bugs that cybercriminals could exploit. “Right now, there’s just a lot of uncertainty as to what’s illegal,” Orin Kerr, a law professor at the University of California at Berkeley, who focuses on computer crimes, told me. “So, we need some clarity about what this law means.” The justices expressed severe concerns about CFAA's ambiguity during the 80-minute hearing. Computer law experts were cautiously optimistic they'll rule it should be interpreted narrowly.
Read MoreA South Dakota sheriff and a colonel in the state highway patrol on Friday filed a lawsuit challenging a voter referendum legalizing recreational marijuana use in the state. In the lawsuit, Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom and South Dakota Highway Patrol Col. Rick Miller claimed the constitutional amendment at issue violated rules against amending more than one subject at once, according to a report in Dakota News Now. They argued that the amendment, Amendment A, incorporates legalizing marijuana, regulating its recreational use, taxing it, ensuring access to medical marijuana and requiring that state lawmakers pass laws regulating hemp. The lawsuit further claims that the initiative is a “revision” rather than an amendment, that is, a fundamental change to the state constitution that requires a three-quarters vote from both chambers of the legislature. “Our constitutional amendment procedure is very straightforward,” Miller said in a statement. “In this case, the group bringing Amendment A unconstitutionally abused the initiative process. We’re confident that the courts will safeguard the South Dakota Constitution and the rule of law.” Amendment A passed with 54 percent support in the Nov. 3 election while a separate question on legalizing medical marijuana received nearly 70 percent, according to the outlet. Gov. Kristi Noem (R) is among the high-profile opponents of the measures, calling them “the wrong choice” in a statement released two days after the election. “We are prepared to defend Amendment A against this lawsuit. Our opponents should accept defeat instead of trying to overturn the will of the people,” South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, the group that backed the amendment, said in a statement in response to the filing. “Amendment A was carefully drafted, fully vetted, and approved by a strong majority of South Dakota voters this year.”
Read MoreCould legalizing marijuana in Virginia help address social disparities and inequities? That’s one of the topics the state’s legislative watchdog agency explores in a new report examining how the commonwealth could legalize marijuana. The Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission report was published shortly before Gov. Ralph Northam announced he will support legislation to legalize marijuana in the Old Dominion. Virginia decriminalized marijuana possession earlier this year and reduced possession penalties to a $25 civil penalty and no jail time for amounts up to an ounce. In the past, possessing up to half an ounce could lead to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail. Northam said legislation should address five principles including public health and social, racial and economic equity. The report addresses the establishment of a commercial marijuana industry that protects minors, prosecutes illegal sellers and maintains the state’s medical marijuana program. JLARC director Hal Greer said the study also examines ways legalization could benefit individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by past enforcement of marijuana laws. “As a first step in that effort, we analyzed data on marijuana arrests across the state in the last decade,” Greer said. “The data revealed a deeply troubling finding that Black individuals are being arrested for marijuana offenses at a much higher rate than others.” The commission found that from 2010 to 2019 the average arrest rate of Black Virginians for marijuana possession was more than three times higher than that of white residents for the same crime—6.3 per 1,000 Black individuals and 1.8 per white people. This is despite the fact that Black Virginians use marijuana at similar rates as white residents. The conviction rate was also higher for Black individuals with marijuana possession charges.
Read MorePresident-elect Joe Biden announced several picks for top jobs in national security and foreign relations, and is also expected to name Janet L. Yellen as treasury secretary, according to three people in close communication with aides to the president-elect. The nominations announced Monday are: Alejandro Mayorkas to head the Department of Homeland Security, the first immigrant in that position; Avril D. Haines as director of national intelligence, the first woman in that position; and former secretary of state John F. Kerry as special presidential envoy for climate. In Michigan, a four-member canvassing board certified the election results, effectively awarding the state’s 16 electoral votes to Biden, who defeated President Trump with a margin of more than 155,000 votes. Meanwhile, House Democrats are in a standoff with General Services Administration head Emily Murphy over when the agency will brief lawmakers on the delayed presidential transition.
Read MoreThe ongoing turmoil over the 2020 election is increasingly leading to threats of violence against state election officials. Georgia’s voting systems manager Gabriel Sterling described threats to his safety, attempts to hack his email and police protection at his home on Twitter this weekend. State and federal law enforcement are investigating the threats, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. Sterling’s tweet came as President Trump and his legal team continue to lob baseless accusations that President-elect Joe Biden’s narrow victory in Georgia was due to a grand fraud scheme that election officials are ignoring or complicit in. The threats underscore the real-world dangers of efforts by Trump and his supporters to sow unfounded doubts about the integrity of the election. And the danger extends well beyond Georgia. Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (D) described similar threats against herself, her family and staff members in her office. She warned the president and lawmakers who were spreading disinformation about the election results that it is “well past time that they stop” and that “their words and actions have consequences.” A PBS “Frontline” investigation found threats against local election workers in five hotly contested states that helped deliver Biden’s election victory over Trump. In addition to Georgia and Arizona, the states were Pennsylvania, Michigan and Nevada. Matthew Masterson, senior cybersecurity adviser at the Department of Homeland Security, called the threats “vile and unacceptable” on Twitter. “These public servants have earned our appreciation & support, not this harassment,” he wrote.
Read MoreMexico’s Roman Catholic Church on Sunday criticized a vote in the Senate to legalize the possession, cultivation and use of small amounts of marijuana. It would legalize the possession of up to an ounce (28 grams) of marijuana by adults as long as they did not consume it in front of children. The bill also would authorize a person to grow up to six pot plants, and open the way for establishing a system of licensing for larger-scale production and sale. The Mexican Bishops Council said in a statement Sunday that Chamber of Deputies should modify the bill “to emphasize health and public safety.” “The bill that was approved does not address the health damages that arise from an ever increasing use of marijuana, does not address the effects on families due to young people's consumption of drugs, and does not contribute the to reducing and inhibiting exposure to drugs,” the council wrote. The church said that wit the approval of the bill, “public health and welfare are no longer the priority, and cede to the tastes of individuals, even though they may damage others. The demands for irresponsible liberty for a few, are placed above the common good and health." Supporters of the measure argue it will help take the marijuana trade out of the hands of the country's violent drug cartels, for whom it is still a source of huge illicit profits.
Read MoreWinning a constitutional right for adults to smoke pot in New Jersey was, apparently, the easy part. The ballot question drew overwhelming support on Election Day, despite a muted pandemic-era campaign that had minimal financial backing from the national cannabis industry. But creating a legislative pathway to reach proponents’ goals — establishing New Jersey as the dominant East Coast marijuana market, right next to New York, while ending the disproportionate rates of arrest in minority communities — is proving to be far more complicated. Many of the pitfalls were anticipated. A battle over psychedelic mushrooms was not. Last week, the state Senate amended a decriminalization bill to include psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound in so-called magic mushrooms, or “shrooms,” snarling the time-sensitive negotiations over a separate legalization bill. That bill creates a framework for the constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana, which takes effect Jan. 1. The mushroom amendment was tacked on just as social justice advocates were spotlighting what they saw as an overarching flaw in the legalization bill: a lack of guaranteed benefit to Black and Latino communities that have suffered most from criminal enforcement of marijuana laws.
Read MoreThe bill adopted tSince New Jersey voted to legalize recreational marijuana earlier this month, lawmakers and vendors alike have been working around the clock to create a new marketplace. For some medical dispensaries, expansion is on the docket not just for New Jersey – but across the country. New Jersey voters approved the constitutional amendment on Nov. 3, with about 67 percent voting to legalize recreational marijuana. The measure doesn’t go into effect until Jan. 1, 2021. “New Jersey has done a phenomenal job in leading the way,” said CEO of Harmony Foundation, Shaya Brodchandel, in a recent interview with NBC New York.his past week must still go to the lower house of Congress for a vote. Harmony Foundation is a medical cannabis dispensary located in Secaucus. With over 50 years of experience, the members of this cultivation team grow just under 4,000 pounds of marijuana per year. Although this may seem like a healthy amount, it is not nearly enough to support a surge of expected new customers, according to Brodchandel. “It’s certainly not going to be enough to service an entire adult use market – on top of patient growth. We have 92,000 patients in the state of New Jersey,” he explained. Harmony Foundation is in the works of expanding past the Secaucus location to meet the heightened demand. Brodchandel envisions consumers shopping for cannabis as they do for wine. “It’s very similar to the wine industry in terms of people looking at different strains -- focusing on terpenes, flavors, tastes, effects and heritage,” he said. With more commercial products, marijuana will be drawn to a more affordable, premium market.
Read MoreA New Jersey Assembly voting session that had been scheduled for Monday and was to include a measure setting up the new recreational marijuana market has been canceled, Speaker Craig Coughlin said Friday. Coughlin, a Democrat, said it was clear the legislation wouldn’t get final approval because of differences between his chamber’s bill and one in the Democrat-led Senate. “The Assembly’s approach for producing fair and responsible legislation is to be thoughtful and deliberative,” he said in a statement. The Senate had also planned a Monday session but it was canceled late on Thursday, with lawmakers citing the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Lawmakers had aimed to fast-track the legislation after voters overwhelmingly approved legalizing recreational marijuana for those 21 and older in the Nov. 3 election. Committees in both chambers passed measures on Thursday, but they differed. Lawmakers must iron out those differences before a final vote. So far, a deal on legislation has eluded legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. A key sticking point is whether the number of licenses for cultivators should be capped. The Senate legislation calls for zero caps, but the Assembly is seeking to have 37, which is up from 28 in an earlier version of the bill. Another sticking point has been whether to include an excise tax, but legislators seemed to move beyond that stumbling block on Thursday. Both versions of the measure included language saying the Cannabis Regulatory Commission may levy such a tax, which was a late addition. Both chambers also want to levy another tax they say amounts to increasing the state’s 6.625% sales tax to 7%.
Read MoreGeorgia’s elections have received a lot of unfair and unwarranted criticism over the past two years, much of it spurred by disinformation. The successful November election and the smooth hand recount have proved our critics wrong. Since I took office, we have made great strides in improving election security, reliability and efficiency in Georgia. After years of disastrous elections in Fulton County, we effectively eliminated voting lines. This Election Day, voters waited on average only three minutes statewide. In the months since covid-19 upended elections, the state of Georgia built the infrastructure to accommodate record levels of absentee voting by mail and record early in-person voting. Georgia’s voting system has never been more secure or trustworthy. A newly implemented statewide voting system gave Georgia voters paper ballots for the first time in nearly 20 years. This month, voters could review those paper records and verify that their choices were correct before casting their ballots. Partnerships with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Georgia Cyber Center at Augusta University, experts from Georgia Tech and election security specialists from around the country help ensure that Georgia’s election system remains secure from whatever threats loom on the horizon. In Georgia, signatures for absentee ballot voters are verified twice to ensure that each voter gets one vote — and only one vote. Voters who request an absentee ballot through the state’s new online portal provide a driver’s license number for verification. Voter rolls are maintained to ensure that only living and qualified voters remain on the registration lists — and, importantly, that each ballot goes to the correct address.
Read MoreThis has been a year full of reckonings that have prompted our society to take a close look in the mirror and begin to really tackle inequalities in all aspects of our lives. It has brought to the forefront issues that are, and have been, disproportionately hurting communities of color for generations. We have had reckonings over systemic racism, police brutality and health disparities for communities of color. If we are going to create and sustain meaningful change, we need to act big and be bold. We can’t tinker around the edges and act as though we are being transformative. One way to do this is to finally fully legalize marijuana and recognize it for what it is: a civil rights issue. Why is it a civil rights issue? For too long, marijuana laws have been disproportionately enforced in Black and brown communities. Disguised under the thin veil of social policy, these laws have not been applied equally or fairly. They became part of the failed “war on drugs” — the same one that went after communities of color at higher rates than their White counterparts even though there is no evidence to suggest communities of color use these substances at higher rates. As a result, Black and Latino Virginians have been disproportionately affected by the criminalization of marijuana. Black Virginians are 3.5 times more likely to be arrested and 3.9 times more likely to be convicted of marijuana-related offenses. Similarly, Latinos are also more likely to be arrested for marijuana than their White counterparts. All of this despite research indicating similar rates of marijuana use by Black and White Virginians. Thanks to the work we did in Virginia to elect Democratic majorities in the General Assembly, we were able to pass a law decriminalizing simple possession of marijuana while we studied legalization. This was a great step, but it’s important to understand that historic inequities live on and can’t be eliminated completely. They don’t end with an arrest, a dismissal or a conviction, or at the end of a probation sentence. A marijuana charge has a litany of effects that have handicapped Virginians and their families for generations. Employment, housing and education can all be on the line for folks who are charged with marijuana offenses until we take the necessary steps to legalize it. We need to be bold. As we continue discussing legalizing adult-use marijuana, equity must be at the forefront of the conversation. It is essential that communities and populations that have been the most affected by criminalization and enforcement of marijuana are front of mind, involved in the conversation and given meaningful opportunities to benefit from this effort. That means we have to put in the work and do this the right way, not the easiest or the fastest way. This includes expunging prior convictions for possession of marijuana and eliminating barriers to education and employment so that Virginians can get back to being active participants in our society.
Read MoreIf conservative states like South Dakota and Mississippi are relaxing their marijuana policies, will politically purple North Carolina be far behind? Legalization initiatives triumphed in elections across the country this month, and those hoping North Carolina will follow suit have tempered expectations. While they see promise in a notable endorsement from the state, they know marijuana laws don’t change easily in the Tar Heel State. Last week, the N.C. Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice recommended decriminalizing possession for up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana. The task force, created by Gov. Roy Cooper and led by the state’s top law enforcer, Attorney General Josh Stein, cited data showing North Carolinians of color are disproportionately arrested for marijuana possession. Holding small amounts of weed would still be a civil offense, but charges would no longer appear on criminal records. The task force also suggested studying the effects of legalizing the drug altogether.
Read MoreA new medical marijuana dispensary opened its doors in New Jersey Tuesday morning, becoming the 13th in the state. The state Department of Health announced it had awarded TerrAscend, a Canadian cannabis company, its permit to dispense marijuana from its Phillipsburg storefront, The Apothecarium. The dispensary planned to begin serving patients by appointment Tuesday, and to hold a grand opening on Nov. 30. It’s the first of three dispensaries TerrAscend plans to open in North Jersey in 2021, in addition to their growing facility in Boonton Township, according to the company. “With production at our Boonton cultivation and manufacturing facility scaling up, we have assembled a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality cannabis products and brands to serve this rapidly growing market,” Greg Rochlin, CEO of TerrAscend Northeast, said in a statement. “As with all of our Apothecarium dispensaries, we are committed to providing patients with quality medical cannabis in a welcoming environment with empathy, education, and ongoing personal support.” The dispensary will offer flower, oils, pre-rolls, capsules, tinctures and topicals, according to TerrAscend. TerrAscend received one of six highly competitive licenses to open a medical facility in 2018. But now that New Jersey voters have approved a ballot question to legalize marijuana, the dispensaries also have a shot at selling to a legal marijuana market, which many estimate could include more than 1 million customers.
Read MorePennsylvania and Nevada, two key battleground states, certified President-elect Joe Biden’s wins Tuesday, even as President Trump continued to fight results in court and insisted that he will “never concede.” Meanwhile, Biden introduced several foreign policy and national security picks at an event in Wilmington, Del., calling them a team that will “make us proud to be Americans.” Trump made a brief appearance at the White House to tout that the Dow Jones industrial average reached 30,000 points for the first time in history. He took no questions. Biden’s vote total crossed 80 million Tuesday, by far the most votes received by a presidential nominee, crushing the record set the last time he was at the top of the ticket as Barack Obama’s running mate. Obama won in 2008 with nearly 70 million votes, a record that he didn’t beat in 2012, when he won by just under 66 million votes. Four years later, Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton also didn’t surpass Obama’s 2008 total, winning 63 million and 66 million votes respectively. Trump, despite losing this year, also eclipsed Obama, winning almost 74 million votes. That the losing candidate would also break the record is a testament to how many more Americans participated in the 2020 election. Part of that was because of enthusiasm on the Democrats’ side to vote Trump out of office. But, as The Washington Post’s Philip Bump writes, there’s also the fact that America’s population has grown, adding about 25 million citizens of voting age.
Read MoreThe Trump administration on Monday paved the way for the transition to a Joe Biden presidency, as the federal agency charged with overseeing transition resources ascertained Biden as the “apparent winner” of the Nov. 3 election. Emily Murphy, who heads the General Services Administration, told Biden Monday that his transition team may now receive funds and services the federal government provides incoming administrations before taking office, according to a letter obtained by CNN. Marking the first signal that the Trump administration acknowledges Biden’s victory, Murphy’s move comes as court losses and election certifications in battleground states pile up against President Donald Trump. It also comes more than two weeks after the Associated Press and other news outlets called the presidential race for Biden, and after lawmakers, including some Republicans, urged the GSA to move forward with the transition. “Because of recent developments involving legal challenges and certifications of election results, I have determined that you may access the post-election resources and services,” Murphy wrote to Biden, noting her decision did not follow “any direction to delay” from any officials. The Trump campaign has amassed more than 30 court defeats in ongoing efforts to challenge the election results. Several judges, citing a lack of standing or evidence, have blasted Trump campaign claims of widespread election fraud or significant irregularities. CNN reported on Murphy’s letter shortly after the state of Michigan, where Biden won by more than 150,000 votes, certified its election results, closing the door on Trump’s attempts to claim the state’s 16 Electoral College votes by filing lawsuits and pressuring state lawmakers and local election officials. Georgia officials certified the state’s results a few days ago, also handing Biden 16 electoral votes. A slate of states are expected to move forward with certifications this week. Biden, the former vice president, stands to win 306 electoral votes compared to Trump’s 232. AP made the call based on votes tallied and reported by bipartisan teams of local poll workers and bipartisan election officials in every state.
Read MoreAmazon will work with the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Centre, which is a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to combat the issue and protect consumers.
Read MoreAhead of the holidays, officials want shoppers to beware of what they buy, and if a deal on anything — clothes, electronics and even medication or a coronavirus vaccine — is too good to be true, it's probably a fake
Read MoreU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans seized 51,000 counterfeit items valued at more than $16.7 million during a holiday-related intellectual property rights surge operation.
Read MoreCounterfeit drugs are substandard and falsified drugs and it is a global problem. Counterfeit Drug Detection Devices are the medical devices that are used to detect the counterfeit chemical composition of the drugs and counterfeit packaging and labeling of the drug.
Read MoreOn the heels of a telephonic hearing for the Motion for Preliminary Injunction re: Trademark Infringement on November 16, Judge Mark C. Scarsi has sided with Nike in recently-initiated legal battle against Warren Lotas.
Read MoreTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey lawmakers advanced legislation setting up a new recreational marijuana marketplace, which voters overwhelmingly approved on the ballot this month, but differed on key details. The Assembly Appropriations Committee and the Senate Budget Committee passed legislation on Thursday, but the changes mean the two Democrat-led chambers will have to iron out their differences before going to a floor vote. Lawmakers were hopeful the bill could get a floor vote next week, but the Senate session was canceled Thursday evening. It’s unclear how soon it will be rescheduled. Lawmakers have have been negotiating over amending the measure since it stalled last week. A key difference between the Senate and Assembly bills involves caps on the number of licenses: The Senate version eliminates caps, while the Assembly bill increased the number to 37 from 28. A commonality, but an addition since last week is an excise tax, which applies to specific goods or services and which consumers ultimately pay. The bill calls for a tax of one-third of 1% on marijuana sales. The state's 6.625% sales tax will also apply. The bills also allow the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to levy an optional additional excise tax. The proceeds would go toward “social equity” programs aimed at alleviating racial disparities, stemming from decades of Black residents being likelier to face marijuana-related charges than white people. Such funding was explicitly sought by the state's Legislative Black Caucus and other advocates. Assemblymember Jamel Holley, a member of the caucus, said the measure gives some in New Jersey the chance for a clean slate. “A key component of cannabis legalization is addressing social justice concerns,” he said in as statement. “The fact that Black New Jerseyans are 3 or 4 times more likely to be arrested on cannabis charges has contributed to the disenfranchisement of (Black) communities.” But some advocates like the Rev. Charles Boyer, the pastor of Bethel AME Church in Woodbury, called on lawmakers to require the additional excise tax, instead of making it optional. “Basically, it gives us a tremendous amount of beautiful window dressing,” he said during Thursday's hearing, adding that the tax was not yet a guarantee. It's not clear exactly when the marketplace will be up and running. The Assembly legislation calls for lengthening the transitional period until a full, recreational marketplace is in place from 18 months to two years. Under the Assembly bill, the main significance of the period is that it caps the number of cultivator licenses at 37, up from 28 in an earlier version. If the optional excise tax were applied, it will be tethered to the price per ounce of marijuana. If the price is $350 or more, the tax would be $10 per ounce, climbing in intervals to $60 an ounce if the price is under $200 an ounce. The measure also calls for the regulatory commission to give priority to businesses owned by minorities, women and disabled vets who seek licenses.
Read MoreState lawmakers on Thursday advanced legislation that would launch a legal marijuana industry in New Jersey, but the plan to get it through both houses of the Legislature Monday fell apart because of differences between the Senate and Assembly bills. The Assembly Appropriations Committee approved the legislation (S-21/A-21), 8-4, Thursday after nearly three hours of testimony. The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee voted 8-4 with three abstentions to pass the legislation just before 6 p.m. But the bills that emerged from committees did not match one another, as the Senate committee voted to remove a provision that would limit the number of licenses for growers in the marijuana industry’s early years and made a few other changes. The sponsors of the legislation in both houses will have to work out agreements to pass full floor votes and move it to Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk for his signature. “We are reviewing the Senate’s amendments,” Kevin McArdle, a spokesman for Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, said in a statement Thursday evening. “We have no further comment at this time.” They had hoped to hold voting sessions to pass the legislation next week, but without total consensus, the legislation will be delayed again. Senate President Stephen Sweeney late Thursday canceled the Senate voting session for Monday. The legislation is necessary to implement a ballot question voters passed on Nov. 3, which amends the state constitution. There is urgency to pass the 216-page bill and get it signed by Murphy before the constitutional amendment takes effect on Jan. 1. “We have got to get this done by the end of the year,” Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, who sponsored the legislation, said during the Assembly hearing. “If we don’t, we’re going to run into a myriad of other problems.”
Read MoreState Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, is well aware of the uphill battle he will face on his marijuana legalization bill he has filed, when the Texas legislature reconvenes. Last session, Moody authored House Bill 63, which would have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. That bill passed with a supermajority in the Texas House of Representatives, but was never taken up in the Senate, failing to even be assigned a committee - the step needed before even being brought to the floor for discussion. This session, the prosecutor-turned-lawmaker is going further by filing a bill that would outright legalize marijuana if passed. "In the past, I worked heavily on decriminalization. I think that’s an effort that’s still worthy of robust debate, and last session we voted it out of the House with a supermajority of the votes, so there’s a lot of momentum behind that policy," Moody said. "Quite honestly, the public opinion on having a retail market for cannabis in Texas is moving in favor of. This is the right time, particularly with the economic downturn we’re in due to the pandemic. This is the right time to advance this conversation." Moody filed House Bill 447, which would make recreational marijuana legal for adults at least 21-years-old. If passed, this would outlaw driving while under the influence of marijuana, while also creating a taxable market. Under this bill, the state would tax cannabis products 10 percent, with the revenue going towards cities, counties, and the Teacher Retirement System. "We can learn from the mistakes from other states, and we should. This is no longer an experiment. There’s a significant amount of data out there we can rely upon," Moody said. "If you overly tax or overly regulate the market, then you probably haven’t done anything to eliminate the black market, or you probably create a grey market. That’s important, just to make it effective and efficient." Through the years, Texans have increasingly supported legalization of marijuana, beyond simply decriminalization. A 2019 poll by UT and Texas Tribune revealed a small majority - 54 percent - supported legalization of marijuana. This is compared to their 2015 poll, which showed only 42 percent were in support. Despite this growing support, Joshua Blank - the research director for The Texas Politics Project at The University of Texas at Austin - said there are so many factors working against passing Moody's bill or any other meaningful marijuana policy reform. In addition to having to compete with higher priority issues like COVID-19 response and redistricting, Blank said the political battlefield may end up ultimately holding up any meaningful marijuana legislation, despite growing public support.
Read MoreWashington County recently received its monthly tobacco tax spreadsheet from the Oklahoma Tax Commission, and it shows that collections are up this month.
Read MoreThe Trump campaign’s latest effort to overturn the election results pits the allure of conspiracy theories against years of efforts to create the most secure and auditable election in U.S. history. Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell presented no evidence for their claims during a lengthy news conference that the election was rigged by faulty voting machines, foreign powers and an opaque cast of corrupt politicians. Officials who ran the election and are preparing to certify it, meanwhile, have spent years improving security protections, testing technology and ensuring there are paper records of votes that can be audited after an election to prove they were tallied correctly. Indeed, the same day President Trump’s lawyers lobbed their baseless accusations, Georgia completed a hand count audit of its votes that found no evidence of fraud and upheld Joe Biden’s narrow win in that state. “It’s very easy to assert nefarious connections and to cast doubt,” Edward Perez, global director of technology development at OSET Institute, a nonprofit election technology organization, told me. “We’d like to believe that official statements from all national election officials and from agencies including DHS about the integrity of the election and the absence of deleted votes or compromised machines should make a difference. It should be enough, but clearly it’s not.”
Read MoreHouse and Senate Democrats wrote a letter to General Service Administration (GSA) Administrator Emily Murphy, demanding she personally brief leadership on why the GSA has not started the transition process. Letters from both Democratic House and Senate members request Murphy brief them by Monday regarding her “ongoing refusal to grant the Biden-Harris Transition Team access” to information, funding, and services. The House letter states they will then determine whether a hearing is necessary. “Your actions in blocking transition activities required under the law are having grave effects, including undermining the orderly transfer of power, impairing the incoming Administration’s ability to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, hampering its ability to address our nation’s dire economic crisis, and endangering our national security,” the House members wrote. Trump has yet to concede to President-elect Joe Biden, falsely claiming that the election was stolen. The GSA, a government agency key to Biden taking office in January, has not taken initial steps for transition, and has delayed millions of federal funding dollars and use of resources for the new administration. The letter from Senate Democrats called the delay "unprecedented." “We have been extremely patient, but we can wait no longer,” the House members added. “As GSA Administrator, it is your responsibility to follow the law and assure the safety and well-being of the United States and its people—not to submit to political pressure to violate the law and risk the consequences.” After a week-long hand recount of Georgia’s presidential election results, the Georgia secretary of state's office reaffirmed Thursday night President-elect Joe Biden won the state and its 16 electoral votes. A "risk-limiting audit" found Biden won Georgia by 12,284 votes, a narrower margin than the 14,196-vote lead he held immediately following the election. Local election administrators identified uncounted ballots in four counties. Each was the result of human error.
Read MoreAmid ongoing legal challenges to Michigan’s election results and a dramatic certification process in Michigan’s largest county, three county clerks spent more than three hours working to assure state lawmakers that from their standpoint, the Nov. 3 election was secure. During a joint House and Senate oversight committee hearing Thursday afternoon, Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons and Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum - both former members of the Michigan Legislature - and Antrim County Clerk Sheryl Guy fielded questions about Michigan’s election process and offered up thoughts about how it could be improved. At various points during the hearing, all three testified to the security of the election process in their county, even in Antrim, where a failure to properly update the voting software initially resulted in incorrect reports of unofficial results. The error was flagged by a citizen the morning after polls closed, but the canvassing process would have eventually caught the issue regardless, Guy said. “I cannot express how very unfortunate it is that the human error has called into question the integrity of Antrim County’s election process,” she said. Lawmakers grilled the clerks on the nitty-gritty details of ballot counting, processing and canvassing in their counties as they relayed the additional challenges they faced administrating the election this cycle due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an exponential increase in absentee ballots. “Gone are the days we will have all of our results by midnight on election night,” Lyons quipped. But Lyons said there’s no reason to mistrust the election results in Kent County: “Our city and our township clerks, our election workers, they brought their A-game, they rose to the challenge, they did a great job.” Despite the ongoing partisan rhetoric and allegations of irregularities, Michigan voters “should rest easy knowing that their votes were counted, and their voices were heard,” Byrum said, calling the state’s election administrators the “unsung heroes of our electoral process."
Read MoreIn what could be a temporary victory for California's legal cannabis industry, a judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to overturn a state rule allowing home deliveries statewide, even into communities that banned commercial marijuana sales. The court challenge raised a fundamental question in the nation's largest legal pot market: Where can you buy it? The state earlier ruled a licensed delivery can be made into "any jurisdiction" within California. But a group of local governments behind the court challenge argued that the state was usurping their authority to regulate marijuana sales within their borders. While the cities argued that the state rule "removes local regulatory power," Fresno County Superior Court Judge Rosemary McGuire agreed with state that the regulation and local ordinances "do not occupy the same field and are not in conflict." Without a conflict, "this matter is not ripe for adjudication," she concluded in a Tuesday order. McGuire agreed with the state that the regulation applies to state cannabis license holders, not local governments that filed the lawsuit. The state regulation "does not command local jurisdictions to do anything or preclude them from doing anything," she added. "It does not command local jurisdictions ... to permit delivery. Nor does it override their local ordinances prohibiting or regulating delivery."
Read MoreNew Jersey lawmakers advanced legislation setting up a new recreational marijuana marketplace, which voters overwhelmingly approved on the ballot this month, but differed on key details. The Assembly Appropriations Committee and the Senate Budget Committee passed legislation on Thursday, but the changes mean the two Democrat-led chambers will have to iron out their differences before going to an expected floor vote next week. Lawmakers have have been negotiating over amending the measure since it stalled last week. A key difference between the Senate and Assembly bills involves caps on the number of licenses: The Senate version eliminates caps, while the Assembly bill increased the number to 37 from 28. A commonality, but an addition since last week is an excise tax, which applies to specific goods or services and which consumers ultimately pay. The bill calls for a tax of one-third of 1% on marijuana sales. The state's 6.625% sales tax will also apply. The bills also allow the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to levy an optional additional excise tax. The proceeds would go toward “social equity” programs aimed at alleviating racial disparities, stemming from decades of Black residents being likelier to face marijuana-related charges than white people.
Read MoreIn a win for California’s struggling cannabis industry, a Fresno judge has dismissed a lawsuit by 24 cities seeking to invalidate state regulations allowing delivery of cannabis to homes in communities that have outlawed sales in shops. Fresno County Superior Court Judge Rosemary McGuire said in a ruling made public Wednesday that she agreed with attorneys for the state Bureau of Cannabis Control that the state regulation does not prevent cities from enforcing local ordinances restricting home delivery. “On the basis of that conclusion, the court finds that this matter is not ripe for adjudication, and dismisses the action as to all plaintiffs,” McGuire wrote in the ruling signed on Tuesday. Attorneys for the cities were not immediately available for comment on whether they would appeal the court ruling. Santa Cruz County and 24 cities including Agoura Hills, Beverly Hills, Covina and Riverside had filed the lawsuit asking the judge to invalidate the state regulation that allows delivery in all cities, including those that ban pot shops. The cities argued the regulation undermined their local planning powers. The lawsuit by the cities also said the state regulation allowing delivery everywhere in the state violates a promise of Proposition 64, the 2016 initiative that legalized the sale of cannabis for recreational use. The cities say that ballot measure promised that local governments would have veto power over the sale of cannabis in their jurisdictions. The challenged regulation adopted by the state Bureau of Cannabis Control “directly conflicts with local autonomy,” J. Scott Miller, an attorney for the cities, told the judge during a court hearing on Monday. He noted that the state regulations affect cities, including Agoura Hills, that prohibit all cannabis deliveries. In defense of the bureau, the state attorney general’s office said that the regulation allowing state-licensed cannabis firms to deliver throughout California is legal. Deputy Atty. Gen. Ethan Turner told the judge that cities can still require firms that deliver in their jurisdiction to get a business license from the city and obey local ordinances. But attorneys for the cities said the law needs to be clarified by the courts because any city that tries to ban deliveries by companies they have not licensed will be sued. In approving home delivery in all cities, Bureau of Cannabis Control chief Lori Ajax cited a provision of a law approved by the Legislature that says “a local jurisdiction shall not prevent delivery of cannabis or cannabis products on public roads” by a state licensee. But Steve Churchwell, an attorney for the cities, argued that delivery vans using public roads can’t stop and have a person walk up to the front door of a home to provide cannabis to a purchaser. “We agreed with the [state] Legislative Analyst that it allowed delivery through the jurisdiction and not a delivery to a physical address, which this regulation allows,” Churchwell told the judge. The case was closely watched by California’s licensed cannabis retailers, who say they have not made the inroads they expected when the initiative was approved in 2016.
Read MoreIn their first action on the issue since the chamber’s leaders signaled support for legalizing recreational marijuana, Rhode Island senators on Wednesday night began considering a proposal to set up a system for legalized cannabis in Rhode Island. The proposal — made by Gov. Gina Raimondo in her pre-pandemic budget proposal in January and heard by the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday night — is to keep recreational cannabis under complete state control, with state-run shops akin to New Hampshire’s liquor outlets, and to ban home-growing of the plant except for those authorized under the medical marijuana program. Members of the committee expressed skepticism about the state-run model compared to allowing private businesses to sell the drug, but the tone of the meeting indicated the committee is trying to figure out how — not if — they will advance legislation to legalize recreational marijuana next year. The soon-to-be chairman of the panel, Sen. Ryan Pearson, said afterwards he anticipates the committee will take up the matter in January, rather than waiting to include it in the fiscal year 2021-22 budget, typically passed in June. (The General Assembly still hasn’t passed a budget for the current fiscal year, which started in July, but may return to pass that measure in December.) “I certainly do think we will act on the issue, whether it’s more private or whether it’s more state,” Pearson told 12 News. “I’m optimistic to take this up early in the next session.” The Raimondo administration’s proposal would create a revenue-sharing model similar to how the state runs casinos, with the state keeping 61% of the net revenue from sales at the stores, giving 29% to one or more contractors who operate the stores, and 10% to municipalities. Even cities and towns who ban marijuana shops would get a share, though those who host the stores would get more. Administration officials gave two reasons for the unique model, which Pamela Toro from the R.I. Department of Business Regulation said no other state uses for cannabis: it would give the state a tight grip on the recreational industry, with a goal of eliminating the black market, and it would potentially bring in more revenue than a taxation model. Massachusetts uses the latter model, with private businesses opening their own stores licensed by the state, and the state getting revenue through taxes and fees.
Read MoreMASSACHUSETTS HEMP FARMERS are lobbying for a seemingly simple change in state policy that would vastly expand the market for their product. But the change – which would let hemp products be sold in marijuana dispensaries – carries complex policy implications that highlight the unusual regulatory system governing different aspects of the cannabis plant. On Wednesday, the Senate adopted a budget amendment sponsored by Sen. Ryan Fattman, a Sutton Republican, to let marijuana dispensaries buy Massachusetts-grown hemp. Fattman called the amendment “a crucial first step” towards revolutionizing the Massachusetts hemp industry. “Unless this necessary first step is taken, Massachusetts hemp farmers and processors will continue to be unfairly locked out of the market here and face financial and personal ruin,” Fattman said. Hemp, like marijuana, is a kind of cannabis plant. Unlike marijuana, hemp cannot get a person high. By law, hemp must have less than 0.3 percent THC, which is the psychoactive compound in marijuana. Hemp is typically used to make fabric, fibers, lotions, oils, and, more lucratively, for the extraction of CBD oil, which has some therapeutic qualities. Massachusetts legalized hemp along with marijuana in 2016. In December 2018, Congress passed a farm bill that legalized hemp federally. The federal government is still finalizing the rules governing hemp production. There are now 79 Massachusetts farmers with state licenses to grow hemp and 19 hemp processers. However, there are significant restrictions on how hemp can be used. Federal law prohibits selling CBD products as food or dietary supplements. The state Department of Agricultural Resources prohibits the sale of raw hemp flower, which could be smoked. The state agency says it banned the sale of flower because it could easily be confused with marijuana and because hemp testing measures average THC content across a large crop, so individual plants could exceed the legal limit. The issue being addressed by the budget amendment is a provision in state marijuana law that restricts marijuana dispensaries to buying products that contain cannabinoids – which are the chemicals in the cannabis plant – only from other companies licensed by the Cannabis Control Commission, such as marijuana growers or manufacturers. Fattman’s amendment, which now heads to a budget conference committee, would amend that law to let marijuana establishments also buy hemp products made by farmers or processors licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. “We’ve had several dispensaries reach out to us to carry our products, and we had to tell them they weren’t allowed to,” said Laura Beohner, president and cofounder of The Healing Rose in Newburyport, which sells hemp body care products and oils.
Read MoreThe consensus among top election officials was that the Nov. 3 election was the most secure in history. But the president disagreed. In the days since President Donald Trump fired one of those officials — Christopher Krebs, who he had appointed two years earlier to lead the newly formed Cyber & Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA — security experts and lawmakers of both parties have spoken out in defense of the nation’s top election security official. “Chris Krebs is an extraordinary public servant and exactly the person Americans want protecting the security of our elections. It speaks volumes that the president chose to fire him simply for telling the truth,” said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. In the run-up to the election and in the days after, while the Trump campaign was waging legal battles contesting results on multiple fronts, Krebs was combating disinformation with a rumor control website that knocked down many of the claims that the election had in one way or another been stolen, including claims made by the president and his surrogates.
Read MoreSidney Powell, a lawyer on President Trump’s election legal team who represented the former national security adviser Michael T. Flynn, has been a major source and promoter of viral conspiracy theories about vote switching. Since the election, Ms. Powell has advanced claims of voluminous voter fraud and a rigged election. She falsely claimed that a supercomputer called Hammer hacked votes, that Mr. Trump won the election by “millions of votes” and that voting software company Dominion Voting Systems altered the tallies. Last week, she promised that coming evidence would overturn the election’s results and said she would “release the Kraken,” a reference to the 1981 movie “The Clash of the Titans,” reprising a catchphrase that began trending on Twitter. On Monday, Ms. Powell posted some of her so-called evidence on Twitter. It consisted of three screenshots of an affidavit that she said was signed by a former military official from Venezuela about elections there. The screenshots were incomplete and did not include a name or signature, and Ms. Powell did not respond to requests to view the full document. But according to her and excerpts from the affidavit, the elections software company Smartmatic helped the Venezuelan government rig its elections by switching votes and leaving no trail. The military official said in the excerpts that the U.S. election was “eerily reminiscent” of what happened in Venezuela’s 2013 presidential election, though no evidence was provided that votes had been switched in the United States. Ms. Powell promoted the affidavit and its claims in interviews on conservative media that have amassed at least four million views on YouTube. Smartmatic does not provide technology to the battleground states that sealed President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s victory. And electronic voting security experts said they were unimpressed with what Ms. Powell presented. “The essence of the affidavit is that voting machines could have been hacked. This is not news,” said David Dill, a computer scientist at Stanford University and founder of the Verified Voting Foundation. “Every single vote that has been counted by computer in the U.S. in the last 50 years was counted by a computer that ‘could have been hacked.’ So far as I know, none of them actually were.”
Read MoreWill the Commonwealth soon see legalized weed? Monday, Gov. Ralph Northam said he will introduce legislation to legalize marijuana in Virginia. “It’s time to legalize marijuana in Virginia,” said Gov. Northam. “Our Commonwealth has an opportunity to be the first state in the South to take this step, and we will lead with a focus on equity, public health, and public safety. I look forward to working with the General Assembly to get this right.” The announcement comes as Northam's Office prepares to release a report on the impact of legalizing adult-use marijuana; the report was compiled with input from government officials, policy experts, healthcare professionals and community leaders. Gov. Northam says his adminstration is working closely with lawmakers to finalize the legislation ahead of the 2021 session of the General Assembly. While Northam says he will support legislation that legalizes the plant in the Commonwealth, he said any legislation to legalize adult-use marijuana would need to address the following principles: Social equity, racial equity, and economic equity. Marijuana prohibition has historically been based in discrimination, and the impact of criminalization laws have disproportionately harmed minority communities as result. A report of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) issued today found that Black Virginians are arrested and convicted for marijuana use at more than three times the rate of white Virginians. Legislation should focus on undoing these harms by including initiatives such as social equity license programs, access to capital, community reinvestment, and sealing or expunging records of past marijuana-related convictions. Public health. Legislation should include substance abuse prevention efforts in schools and communities. Protections for young people. As a pediatrician, Governor Northam will require any legislation include protections for Virginia’s youth, including age limits, mandatory ID checks, and education campaigns.
Read MoreAs Congress considers potentially legalizing marijuana, or at least removing it from the list of schedule 1 drugs deemed to have “no accepted medical use,” the growing number of states that allow marijuana use are unifying. Michigan marijuana licensing officials joined up with counterparts from 19 other states to form a national marijuana regulators association, the state licensing agency announced last week. Dubbed the Cannabis Regulators Association, the group now includes representatives from across the nation and is meant to be a sounding board for member states, as well as a resource for others considering legalization. The group started “informally meeting and sharing best practices and as we all got to know each other, we realized there were lessons to be learned from different states,” Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency Director Andrew Brisbo said. “We expect (the number of members) to climb as more states are legalizing for personal or adult use purposes and certainly those conversations are evolving in some of those states and some of the perspectives on the national lever are starting to shift as well...“It’s of critical importance to consider how we all could work together to ensure the safest possible access for consumers.” Much of Michigan’s regulatory system, from the seed-to-sale tracking and inventory system to the testing regulations, are borrowed from states with more mature marijuana markets. “We looked at what issues we saw burgeoning in other states that have more mature markets and dealt with those head on,” Brisbo said. “So when we implemented the adult-use program, things like delivery services, designated consumption establishments and temporary events, those are things that were part of the conversation that were bubbling up in other more mature states.”
Read MoreState lawmakers on Monday defeated a bill putting greater restrictions on the sale of smokable hemp and other CBD products in Wyoming following outcry by producers across the state who feared new regulations could potentially stall the state’s burgeoning hemp industry. However, lawmakers remain open to pursing a tightened version of the bill this winter to restrict the sale of smokable hemp at the request of law enforcement, who still have difficulty discerning between CBD products – which contain no psychoactive properties – and marijuana, a similar looking and smelling plant that remains highly illegal for recreational and medical consumption in Wyoming. Introduced to a legislative committee by Sen. R.J. Kost, R-Powell, at the request of local law enforcement, the bill as originally written would have outlawed the smoking of hemp as well as a number of other non-FDA approved retail products containing CBD, a therapeutic and non-psychoactive extract of the hemp flower. While Wyoming already closely regulates the processing of hemp and CBD products under the rules of an industrial hemp program implemented earlier this year, Kost said the state’s lack of more robust regulation on hemp and CBD products has essentially handcuffed police officers in the field who can’t tell the difference between the substance and marijuana.
Read MoreBill Stocker could be considered the archetype of a conservative voter: He's a retired Marine and former police officer who voted for President Trump. But he's also among the majority of South Dakota voters who broadly legalized marijuana this month. Stocker, 61, said enforcing marijuana laws gets in the way of pursuing other drug crimes and called warnings about the ills of marijuana "a bunch of baloney" that even people in a Republican stronghold like South Dakota no longer believe. South Dakota's values of "personal responsibility and freedom" won out, said Stocker, who lives in Sioux Falls. The 2020 election helped prove how broadly accepted marijuana has become throughout the United States, with measures to legalize recreational pot also breezing to victory in progressive New Jersey, moderate Arizona and conservative Montana. Fifteen states have now broadly legalized it, while 36 states allow medical marijuana. Voters in Mississippi overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana this month, giving the drug another foothold in the South. A Gallup Poll released Nov. 9 indicated that 68% of Americans favor legalizing marijuana - double the approval rate in 2003. That wide margin was evident in the election, with marijuana measures passing with strong bipartisan support. In South Dakota and Montana - where Republicans swept to victory in the key races - recreational marijuana passed with at least 16 percentage points more support than Democratic President-elect Joe Biden received. South Dakota also approved medical pot, which outpolled Mr. Biden by 34 percentage points. "We've waged a war against this plant for a century and by any reasonable metric, that war has been an abject failure," said Matthew Schweich, deputy director of the Marijuana Policy Project, which favors legalization. "All it's done is incarcerate millions of Americans, it has perpetuated racism in this country, and perhaps the worst injustice of all is that it's deprived us of medical marijuana research." Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, hurting veterans who can't be prescribed medical pot at Veterans Affairs clinics, he said. They "come home with chronic pain and we're pushing them to opioids," Schweich said. "That's crazy. That's unpatriotic and it's a disgrace."
Read MoreIn the very important, high-stakes fight for tristate area coolness, New Jersey rarely has the upper hand. (The tristate, for those without a Northeast-centric worldview, has traditionally referred to New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.) But two weeks ago, New Jersey residents voted to amend the state constitution and legalize recreational marijuana, something New York and Connecticut have not done. The spunky underdog sneaked in a powerful left hook. The amendment kicks in on Jan. 1, 2021. The full-fledged plan for opening up the New Jersey market and distributing licenses is making its way through the state legislature in the form of a 216-page bill, alongside a more pressing one that will decriminalize possession of marijuana up to six ounces. (New York lawmakers have worked to decriminalize marijuana; possession of up to two ounces is considered a violation, not a crime.) “New Jersey is definitely the new cool kid on the block,” said Alex Todd, 41, the owner of the California cannabis company Saucey Farms and Extracts and a former celebrity jeweler for celebrities including Jay-Z and Rihanna. “We’re excited about getting into the New Jersey market,” Mr. Todd said. “It’s going to be gigantic. Possibly the largest in the U.S. besides California.” Transporting marijuana across state lines is illegal. Nonetheless, many business owners were matter-of-fact about the potential that the New Jersey market would include customers from neighboring states.
Read MoreVirginia Gov. Ralph Northam said Monday that he supports the legalization of marijuana, following the release of a study that found Virginia could generate $300 million in taxes from the sale of the substance. Northam (D) plans to work with the General Assembly on legislation during the regular session that convenes in January, although the process could take two years to play out. The legislature passed a bill this year that decriminalized possession of marijuana, creating a $25 civil penalty for a first offense. That measure, which passed with bipartisan support and which Northam signed into law, also mandated a study on the issue of legalization by members of Northam’s Cabinet and staff. That group plans to issue its report at the end of the month but supports legalization. The governor had campaigned on the issue of decriminalization when he ran in 2017 but had not previously expressed support for full legalization. He called a news conference Monday to discuss the topic. “We are going to move forward with the legalization of marijuana in Virginia,” Northam said. “I support this, and I’m committed to doing it the right way.” He added that “the time is right” and pointed out that Virginia would be the first state in the South to legalize marijuana. Northam said that he has never personally tried marijuana but that he has come to support legalization after learning about how communities of color are disproportionately affected by its criminalization. He said studies have shown that minority and White populations use marijuana in similar rates but that people of color are three times as likely to be arrested for it. He also said he has seen the benefits of marijuana-derived substances in treating children with epilepsy and other disorders in his practice as a pediatric neurologist. And he said he has followed public opinion polls that show increasing support for legalization.
Read MoreWith a state budget devastated by the coronavirus, some Democratic lawmakers are hoping the economic crisis could become an opportunity to coax Texas into joining a growing number of states opting to legalize — and tax — recreational marijuana use. The chances are slim. State Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio and state Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso filed bills this week in advance of the 2021 legislative session that would legalize, regulate and tax personal cannabis use. State Rep. Terry Canales of Edinburg has proposed putting the question of legalization to Texas voters. The coronavirus pandemic has blown a $4.6 billion hole in the state budget, according to the comptroller's latest estimate, and the lawmakers argue that a legal marijuana industry could bring in hundreds of millions in tax revenue and create tens of thousands of jobs. Voters in more and more states, they note, have legalized recreational cannabis use, including four more this month bringing the total to 15. At the same time, marijuana arrests and prosecutions across Texas have been plummeting, largely because a bill passed last year that legalizes hemp has thrown prosecutions into disarray, and some cities have already eased off on pursuing small pot cases. “As we see a number of states engaging around the country in a retail market, this is no longer an experiment,” Moody said. “It is also no secret that we are heading into some rough economic waters and we need to explore every possible revenue stream.” But changes to marijuana laws still face powerful opposition at the Texas Capitol. The handful of legalization proposals filed in recent years have received little to no attention from lawmakers. And even less controversial measures, like lowering criminal penalties for marijuana possession, have fallen flat in the Texas Senate. With Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a staunch conservative, at the helm of the upper chamber, it remains unlikely that a legalization bill will make it out when the Legislature reconvenes in January. In 2019, Patrick said he and other Senate Republicans opposed the bill that would have lessened penalties for possession, calling it a “step toward legalization of marijuana.” A spokesperson for Patrick did not respond to questions on his current stance on legalization efforts. Nor did state Rep. Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican expected to be the next House Speaker, or a spokesperson for Gov. Greg Abbott.
Read MoreState officials are weighing legalizing adult-use cannabis, as a growing number of states have, to serve as a potential revenue source to help offset the state’s estimated $50 billion budget deficit over two years related to the COVID-19 pandemic. New York is expected to legalize adult recreational use of marijuana this year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Nov. 5 — two days after Election Day when voters in neighboring New Jersey approved a ballot measure legalizing cannabis. The state’s mounting budget deficit and changing marijuana laws in border states will pressure lawmakers to reach a deal on recreational marijuana usage, Cuomo said. “I think this year it is ripe because the state is going to be desperate for funding — even with Biden, even with the stimulus,” Cuomo said during a Nov. 5 radio interview on WAMC. “Even with everything else, we’re still going to need funding, and it’s also the right policy. … I think we’re going to get there this year.” Benjamin Dobson, founder and chief executive officer of Hudson Hemp — a Hudson-based hemp processor that partners with several hemp farmers in Columbia, Dutchess and Ulster counties — called for intelligent legislation that would ensure an adequate, affordable cannabis supply chain in poor rural areas and underrepresented urban areas. “It’s high time this gets legalized,” Dobson said. He said amnesty must be granted and records must be expunged for people with previous marijuana possession charges or convictions — especially widespread among people of color and poor Black and brown communities. “White suburban kids weren’t getting stopped and frisked and no more or less of them were smoking weed,” Dobson said. “These communities have been unfairly targeted by cannabis. This governor is in the process of leaving out the very people who it most negatively affected. If they’re going to legalize cannabis in a time where Cuomo says he cares about Black lives, he cares about the New York state economy and wants to legalize cannabis, all those things can be connected. “There’s business and revenue potential, which could help revitalize these communities if they don’t just put this in the hands of big business,” Dobson added. State lawmakers have introduced various versions of a bill to enact recreational marijuana regulation and taxation since 2013. The most recent for the 2019-20 session include a Democratic-sponsored bill, which was amended and recommitted to the Senate Finance Committee on March 12, and an Assembly bill which was amended and recommitted to the Codes Committee on March 11.
Read MoreFollow live updates from Globe staff and wire reports as Joe Biden has been projected as the winner of the election. Joe Biden defeated President Trump in the 2020 presidential race, according to national news organizations, with a win in Pennsylvania. Other races are being called by the Associated Press as results come in. See the full presidential results here. A second Georgia county has uncovered a trove of votes not previously included in the election results, but it doesn’t change the overall outcome of the presidential race, the secretary of state’s office said Tuesday. Fayette County failed to record 2,755 votes on a single memory card, said Gabriel Sterling, a top official in the secretary of state’s office. That doesn’t change the overall outcome of the race, in which Democrat Joe Biden leads Republican President Donald Trump. President Donald Trump’s long-shot effort to get the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn his election defeat faced its first test Tuesday with a key hearing in Pennsylvania, in which campaign lawyer Rudy Giuliani claimed without evidence that Democrats nationwide conspired to steal the election. U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann began hearing arguments on Pennsylvania’s motion to dismiss the Trump campaign’s lawsuit seeking to block certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s projected victory in the state. Giuliani, who had been granted permission to participate just before the hearing began, quickly launched into a tale of several cities, including Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta and Phoenix, where he said Democratic officials took advantage of the pandemic to push “dangerous” mail-in ballots susceptible to fraud.
Read MorePresident-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday announced the hiring of nine senior White House officials, including close confidants from his winning campaign, as he forged ahead with his transition, even as President Trump continues to hold up a normal process and falsely claim that he won the Nov. 3 election. Biden also received a national security briefing from experts outside the government, given that Trump has blocked the Democrat’s access to administration officials. Trump has no events on his public schedule, as he largely stays out of public view and tweets grievances about the election.
Read MoreEfforts to protect U.S. elections from disinformation are proceeding amid reports that the head of the agency in the Department of Homeland Security that oversees election security expects to be fired soon by the White House. Christopher Krebs, director of DHS' Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, spearheaded an agency campaign to counter rumors about voter fraud and election irregularities. It was intended primarily to target foreign disinformation but has ended up instead rebutting many of the rumors and baseless allegations about the election being spread by President Trump and his campaign, and it has apparently drawn the ire of the White House. As of Friday, Krebs was still on the job, and CISA officials held a regularly scheduled meeting with private sector members of a coordinating council set up after the 2016 election to work with the agency to protect U.S. elections against cyberattacks and other disruptions. That council, along with a separate one representing state and local elections officials, put out a joint statement Thursday calling the 2020 election "the most secure in American history." It added, in boldface, that "there is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised."
Read MorePresident-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday named several senior staffers for his White House, while his top coronavirus advisers warned President Donald Trump’s stalling of the official transition could compromise the country’s pandemic response. Democrat Biden has been preparing to take over the presidency on Jan. 20, meeting with advisers and mapping out his plans to combat the disease, despite Republican Trump’s increasingly dubious effort to reverse the outcome of the Nov. 3 election. Campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon, the first woman to lead a winning Democratic presidential bid, will serve as deputy chief of staff in the Biden administration, his transition office said in a statement. Longtime advisers Mike Donilon and Steve Ricchetti will join as senior advisor to the president and counselor to the president, respectively. Dana Remus, the campaign’s top lawyer, will be counsel to the president. Another close adviser, Ron Klain, was already named chief of staff. U.S. Representative Cedric Richmond, who was a national co-chair of Biden’s campaign and former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, will vacate a House seat in Louisiana to join as a senior adviser and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. The five-term lawmaker has some experience bridging gaps between the parties, which could help Biden advance his priorities in Congress. Biden could still be weeks away from naming his Cabinet. His administration will face an intensifying pandemic that has killed more than 247,000 people in the United States and shows no sign of slowing. Trump’s refusal to concede has put the normal transition to an incoming administration in limbo, with federal funding and office space still on hold until the administration recognizes Biden as election winner.
Read MoreAfter four months in which the inter-ministerial committee for the regulation of Israel's cannabis market had been convening every week, it published its conclusions on Thursday and handed them over to the Justice Ministry. Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn said that a legal memo will be drafted in the coming days for government approval, and that a bill could come to the Knesset floor for an initial reading even before the end of 2020, with the entire legislative process expected to take around nine months. After receiving government approval, the bills will be rewritten into a new law under the supervision of Blue and White MK Michal Cotler-Wunsh, chairwoman of the Knesset's Special Committee on Drug and Alcohol Use. "I see great importance that these two bills [for decriminalization and legalization] be put forth as a single bill, which will be a responsible, holistic step for Israel without compromise. I am committed to leading, advancing and supervising the application of these recommendations for reform, while doing the preparations required in the memo on time," Cotler-Wunsh said. In a special discussion on Thursday, Deputy Attorney-General Amit Merari presented the main conclusions of the extensive and in-depth staff work done by the committee and the experts who appeared before it on the subject of regulating cannabis. The recommendations were formulated after an in-depth study of the successes and failures in the implementation of cannabis legalization and decriminalization policies in the countries where the field was regulated. FIRSTLY, anyone who was expecting to be able to smoke a legal joint will have to wait until some time near the final quarter of 2021, since there are still certain areas of both research and legislation which the various government offices need to prepare.
Read MoreA week after New Jerseyans voted to legalize cannabis, Gov. Phil Murphy and state lawmakers are at odds over legislation that would allow the state to become the only adult use market between Washington, D.C., and Massachusetts. On Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee advanced the legalization bill, NJ S21 (20R) / NJ A21 (20R), after roughly six hours of cumulative testimony. The measure was introduced and placed on the legislative fast track last week, just days after two-thirds of the state’s voters backed a ballot question that amended the state’s constitution to legalize the sale and use of cannabis.While the state’s leading Democrats have all said they’d like to move enabling legislation as quickly as possible — the drug will remain illegal until they do — Murphy, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Steve Sweeney aren’t on the same page when it comes to cannabis tax policy. Coughlin issued a statement Monday afternoon calling for an “an additional user fee on cannabis consumers.” That could potentially violate the constitutional amendment, which caps retail taxes on cannabis sales at 6.625 percent, the current state sales tax. Local governments can impose an additional 2 percent tax on all cannabis transactions, including wholesale and cultivation-related transactions. Murphy praised Coughlin’s position during his regular Covid-19 press conference on Monday, noting that he has supported an excise tax, albeit at the cultivation level, “from day one.” The ballot question’s tax language only referred to retail sales and local taxes. Shortly after Murphy’s press conference, Sweeney issued a joint statement with lead sponsor Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) and Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), drawing a line in the sand on new cannabis taxes. “We should not impose any additional taxes that will put the cost of legally purchasing marijuana out of reach for the communities that have been impacted the most,” they said. Similar disagreements contributed to delays in moving last year’s legalization bill, NJ S2703 (18R), which is the foundational text for the current enabling legislation. This time around, lawmakers and administration officials are working against the clock on the constitutional amendment’s Jan. 1, 2021 effective date. In the meantime, pressure is mounting on lawmakers and the Murphy administration to halt cases and arrests relating to cannabis.
Read MoreWith a state budget devastated by the coronavirus, some Democratic lawmakers are hoping the economic crisis could become an opportunity to coax Texas into joining a growing number of states opting to legalize — and tax — recreational marijuana use. The chances are slim. State Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio and state Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso filed bills this week in advance of the 2021 legislative session that would legalize, regulate and tax personal cannabis use. State Rep. Terry Canales of Edinburg has proposed putting the question of legalization to Texas voters. The coronavirus pandemic has blown a $4.6 billion hole in the state budget, according to the comptroller's latest estimate, and the lawmakers argue that a legal marijuana industry could bring in hundreds of millions in tax revenue and create tens of thousands of jobs. Voters in more and more states, they note, have legalized recreational cannabis use, including four more this month bringing the total to 15. At the same time, marijuana arrests and prosecutions across Texas have been plummeting, largely because a bill passed last year that legalizes hemp has thrown prosecutions into disarray, and some cities have already eased off on pursuing small pot cases. “As we see a number of states engaging around the country in a retail market, this is no longer an experiment,” Moody said. “It is also no secret that we are heading into some rough economic waters and we need to explore every possible revenue stream.” But changes to marijuana laws still face powerful opposition at the Texas Capitol. The handful of legalization proposals filed in recent years have received little to no attention from lawmakers. And even less controversial measures, like lowering criminal penalties for marijuana possession, have fallen flat in the Texas Senate. With Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a staunch conservative, at the helm of the upper chamber, it remains unlikely that a legalization bill will make it out when the Legislature reconvenes in January.
Read MoreThough races remain undecided up and down the ballot both here in New York and across the nation, there was one clear winner this past Election Day: cannabis. In what some have dubbed the “green wave,” voters in New Jersey, Montana and Arizona all approved legalization of adult-use cannabis, while South Dakota made history by becoming the first state in the country to simultaneously green light both adult-use and medical cannabis. Fifteen states — both red and blue — now have laws that allow adults to buy cannabis through a regulated, safe program that generates funds for government. New Jersey’s “yes” vote in particular upped the ante for surrounding states — especially New York — that stand to lose out on a significant new revenue stream if the Garden State beats them to the punch in getting its adult-use program up and running. Despite multiple public polls that show widespread support for doing so, New York lawmakers have failed for two years running to reach a deal on an adult-use legalization bill. With the pandemic-induced economic fallout punching a multibillion-dollar hole in the state budget, and no federal stimulus bailout on the horizon, the Empire State can’t afford to wait any longer. Gov. Cuomo has not always been the biggest fan of cannabis legalization, but he clearly recognizes the revenue-generating benefit it holds as the state faces a financial crisis. In a radio interview last week, Cuomo predicted that “this year (2021) it is ripe” for legalization because the state is “going to be desperate for funding." According to the Cuomo administration, a New York adult-use market, once fully built out, would generate $300 million in annual tax revenue. We think that is a very conservative estimate. A 2019 analysis from the Rockefeller Institute of Government found that a $1.7 billion adult-use industry could generate an economic output of $4.1 billion, while generating 30,700 jobs and attracting hundreds of millions of dollars in capital investment.
Read MoreWith a state budget devastated by the coronavirus, some Democratic lawmakers are hoping the economic crisis could become an opportunity to coax Texas into joining a growing number of states opting to legalize — and tax — recreational marijuana use. The chances are slim. State Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio and state Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso filed bills this week in advance of the 2021 legislative session that would legalize, regulate and tax personal cannabis use. State Rep. Terry Canales of Edinburg has proposed putting the question of legalization to Texas voters. The coronavirus pandemic has blown a $4.6 billion hole in the state budget, according to the latest comptroller's estimate, and the lawmakers argue that a legal marijuana industry could bring in hundreds of millions in tax revenue and create tens of thousands of jobs. Voters in more and more states, they note, have legalized recreational cannabis use, including four more this month bringing the total to 15. At the same time, marijuana arrests and prosecutions across Texas have been plummeting, largely because a bill passed last year legalizing hemp has thrown prosecutions into disarray, and some cities have already eased off on pursuing small pot cases. “As we see a number of states engaging around the country in a retail market, this is no longer an experiment,” Moody said. “It is also no secret that we are heading into some rough economic waters and we need to explore every possible revenue stream.” But changes to marijuana laws still face powerful opposition at the Texas Capitol. The handful of legalization proposals filed in recent years have received little to no attention from lawmakers. And even less controversial measures, like lowering criminal penalties for marijuana possession, have fallen flat in the Texas Senate. With Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a staunch conservative, at the helm of the upper chamber, it remains unlikely that a legalization bill will make it out when the Legislature reconvenes in January.
Read MoreDonald Trump’s attacks on the credibility of Joe Biden’s election win through meritless lawsuits could undermine Americans’ trust in voting and could pose an immediate threat to the security and safety of the country, experts have warned. Trump’s campaign has unleashed a stream of lawsuits in states key to Biden’s electoral college win, none of which are expected to affect the outcome of the election. The US attorney general, William Barr, has authorized the Department of Justice to investigate voting irregularities, in a highly unorthodox move, and Republican state representatives in Pennsylvania are calling for an audit of the election, though they have no evidence of fraud. University of Southern California (USC) law professor Franita Tolson said she was concerned that these actions, which would not change the trajectory of the election, were meant to call into question the legitimacy of the result. “What does that do to our democracy as we play out this process? What does it do to the belief in the system when 70 million people think the election was stolen,” Tolson said, referring to the popular vote total for Trump. “To me that’s the danger of this narrative, that’s the danger of this litigation.” Top election officials in every state, representing both political parties, told the New York Times there was no evidence that fraud or other irregularities played a role in the outcome of the race. A coalition of hundreds of journalists from more than 150 newsrooms also found no major problems, in ProPublica’s collaborative election monitoring project Electionland. “Legal people can say this litigation has no merit, but what do everyday Americans think?” Tolson said. “And they may actually think the president is being treated poorly and he won this election and the system is trying to take it from him.” Only a few Republicans have publicly acknowledged Biden’s win, but behind the scenes, many Republicans have reportedly accepted the results. Some White House aides have told reporters anonymously that the president’s refusal to concede the election is an embarrassment. Peter Feaver, who worked on national security in Republican George W Bush and Democrat Bill Clinton’s administrations, said that while the president is within his rights to ask for recounts and investigate reasonable allegations of misbehavior, leveling false charges of fraud without evidence has serious consequences. “The messaging coming from the campaign, and particularly from the president himself, is far more extreme than that and it’s more reckless messaging and I think it does complicate America’s standing in the world,” said Feaver, a professor of political science and public policy at Duke University.
Read MoreDominion Voting Systems, which makes software that local governments around the nation use to help run their elections, is now at the center of baseless claims that “software glitches” led to mistakes in vote tallies in Michigan and Georgia last week. The Dominion software was used in only two of the five counties that had problems in Michigan and Georgia, and in every instance there was a detailed explanation for what had happened. In all of the cases, software did not affect the vote counts. In the two Michigan counties that had mistakes, the inaccuracies were because of human errors, not software problems, according to the Michigan Department of State, county officials and election-security experts. Only one of the two Michigan counties used Dominion software. Issues in three Georgia counties had other explanations. In one county, an apparent problem with Dominion software delayed officials' reporting of the vote tallies but did not affect the actual vote count. In two other counties, a separate company’s software slowed poll workers' ability to check-in voters. “Many of the claims being asserted about Dominion and questionable voting technology is misinformation at best and, in many cases, they’re outright disinformation,” said Edward Perez, an election-technology expert at the OSET Institute, a nonprofit that studies voting infrastructure. “I’m not aware of any evidence of specific things or defects in Dominion software that would lead one to believe that votes had been recorded or counted incorrectly.” Right-wing voices across the internet this week have claimed incorrectly that Dominion was responsible for mistakes in vote counts, and President Donald Trump shared a Breitbart article on Twitter that incorrectly tied the Michigan issues to separate problems in Georgia. The president tweeted about Dominion on Thursday morning, which Twitter quickly flagged as “disputed.” Trump tagged far-right-wing One America News Network, an outlet highly sympathetic to Trump, in the tweet. Many of those people have said, contrary to evidence, that Dominion software was used to switch votes. Some people even suggested that the company was doing the bidding of the Clintons, a conspiracy theory that was shared on Twitter by Trump. On Wednesday, Rudy Giuliani, the president’s lawyer, said he was in contact with “whistleblowers” from Dominion, though he did not provide evidence. Dominion, originally a Canadian company that now has its effective headquarters in Denver, makes machines for voters to cast ballots and for poll workers to count them, as well as software that helps government officials organize and keep track of election results.
Read MoreAmerica’s decades-long war on drugs has failed, simultaneously causing huge harms — fueling drug-related violence around the world and funneling millions of people into jails and prisons — and not preventing drug epidemics, including the worst overdose crisis in US history with the opioid epidemic. But now Oregon has declared a truce of sorts, and it’s showing the rest of the US what an end to the drug war might look like. On November 3, Oregon voters elected to decriminalize all drugs, including heroin and cocaine, so possessing small amounts of these substances no longer carries the threat of jail or prison time. The state’s voters also approved another ballot measure to legalize psilocybin, the main psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, in supervised therapeutic settings. Oregon voters had previously legalized marijuana for recreational and medical purposes, but it’s the first state in modern American history to legalize psilocybin and decriminalize some drug possession. This amounts to a fundamental rejection of America’s modern war on drugs. The central pillar of the country’s drug war is criminal prohibition — even simple possession of illegal substances carries the threat of jail or prison time. Oregon is chipping away at that regime, if not dismantling it entirely: Drug possession no longer carries the threat of incarceration, and some drugs are even allowed for therapeutic or purely recreational purposes. The value of Oregon’s moves, both symbolically and practically, is hard to overstate. I’ve been reporting on the war on drugs for years, and have long imagined the end of the US drug war as a three-legged framework: legalizing marijuana, decriminalizing other drugs, and allowing psychedelics for therapeutic purposes. Ten years ago, marijuana legalization was widely described as unpopular and controversial, with more Americans opposing it than not. But Oregon has now approved all three legs. On Election Day, Drug Policy Alliance executive director Kassandra Frederique described the Oregon measures passing as “a huge victory taking on a cornerstone of the drug war.” Oregon, like other states that have relaxed their drug laws, didn’t do so because political leaders woke up to the problem and pushed serious reforms. The three major steps Oregon has taken, instead, were all done through ballot initiatives. The same is true for 13 of the 15 states that have legalized marijuana so far; only two states have legalized cannabis through their legislatures. Oregon’s example shows that even if politicians remain reluctant and cautious on the issue, the public can take action on its own terms. Less than half of states don’t have an open-ended ballot initiative process. But ballot initiatives can ultimately inspire action beyond state borders; political leaders in New York, which doesn’t have an open-ended process, and surrounding areas started to talk up legalization after Massachusetts and Maine legalized, and they’ve already become more vocal after New Jersey voted to legalize this year.
Read MoreSupport is growing for legal marijuana in Texas, but there are two key differences in what some lawmakers are trying to accomplish. Voters in four states last week approved legalizing recreational marijuana, which has many wondering if Texas could follow suit. State Representative Roland Gutierrez out of San Antonio is proposing a bill to legalize marijuana. He says the industry would create 30,000 new jobs in Texas and bring in more than $3 billion in revenue. Texas State senator Jose Menedez and District 27 Rep. Ron Reynolds have also proposed legislation to expand the use of medical marijuana. Right now, it can be used in Texas to treat a very limited number of conditions, such as epilepsy, and the level of THC, the psychoactive element of marijuana, can't be higher than 0.5% "The legislature didn't really change with this last election, so I'm not optimistic that there will be full-fledged legalization. I'm practical about that. I would favor that. I would vote in favor of that," Reynolds said. "But I think this medical...I think there's enough. Some of my conservative colleagues are compassionate for people's medical health. They may be open to supporting this legislation." "It boggles my mind in so many ways that Texas can be a state that, 'We respect your liberties, your liberty to carry a gun, do all these other things,' but liberty to use medical therapy," Menendez said. "You and your doctor say it's best for you, we say, 'Oh no, time out, only a few people can do that.'" Gov. Greg Abbott has not shown support for recreational marijuana. He would have to sign any new marijuana bills if they pass.
Read MoreBackers of a push to add New Mexico to the list of states that have legalized recreational cannabis for adult users say 2021 could be the year they break through, after years of hitting dead ends at the Roundhouse. Several influential legislative opponents of marijuana legalization were defeated in this year’s primary election, improving the odds a revised bill might make it to the Senate floor for a vote. In addition, voters in Arizona and three other states approved cannabis legalization measures last week, which could give added urgency to passing similar legislation in New Mexico. “Legalization is coming,” said Rep. Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, during a Tuesday legislative committee hearing. “Here in New Mexico, I think people are ready for it.” Martinez said he plans to introduce legislation during the 60-day session that starts in January that would be similar to a bill filed last year. While he said the bill would be slimmed down from last year’s version, it would still contain several provisions aimed at protecting New Mexico’s medical cannabis program, which had more than 98,000 enrolled members as of September. Specifically, some of the money generated by recreational cannabis sales would be used to eliminate the gross receipts tax on medical marijuana products and create a new assistance fund for low-income patients, Martinez said. Bills to legalize recreational cannabis have stalled in the Senate in each of the last two years. Last year’s defeat came after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham created a marijuana legalization working group to study the issue and come up with recommendations. Since last year’s session, however, five moderate incumbent Democrats were ousted by more progressive challengers in the June primary election, and three of those progressive Democrats went on to win election to the Senate in last week’s general election. One of the defeated incumbents is Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, who declined to hold a vote on a 2019 legalization bill, saying it did not have the votes necessary to pass his committee. House Speaker Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, told reporters last week he expects the House will pass a cannabis legalization bill during the upcoming 60-day session and said it appears the bill will get a “much friendlier” reception in the Senate. “I think its chances are much improved,” Egolf said.
Read MoreTOP THINGS TO KNOW: The Senate Appropriations Committee introduced federal spending bills and related reports that include provisions pushing back against restrictive U.S. Department of Agriculture hemp rules, protecting state medical cannabis laws from federal interference, blocking the District of Columbia from legalizing marijuana sales and pointing out that cannabis’s Schedule I status impedes research. Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) sent a letter urging congressional colleagues to support passage of a federal marijuana legalization bill when it comes to the House floor next month. “The recent success of cannabis reform in states around the country should give us a new sense of urgency to ensure Congress catches up with the American people.” In a state Supreme Court filing, Mississippi’s attorney general and secretary of state slammed a mayor’s “woefully untimely” lawsuit that seeks to overturn a voter-approved medical marijuana ballot measure. Texas lawmakers have already pre-filed at least 13 marijuana bills for the 2021 session, including proposals to legalize and decriminalize, as well as expand the state’s existing limited medical cannabis program. “Texas will be facing tremendous budgetary challenges next session. My bill would create 30,000 new jobs for our state and produce $3.2 billion in new revenue WITHOUT raising taxes on everyday Texans!” A bill to ban Virginia police from conducting searches or seizing property based on the smell of marijuana became law after the legislature signed off on Gov. Ralph Northam’s (D) unrelated changes. The cannabis odor policy formally takes effect on March 1. FEDERAL: The Biden-Harris Transition named members of review teams for specific federal agencies, including the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Department of Justice. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) filed a bill to stop forced separations of immigrant families that includes a provision to exempt low-level marijuana offenses and state-legal cannabis activity as a factor in denying secondary reviews for adjustment of their status. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “Voters in four more states just voted to legalize adult recreational use of marijuana. It’s past time to end the federal prohibition on marijuana and work to undo the harms done by the War on Drugs, particularly in Black and brown communities.” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) cited marijuana legalization measures’ success at the ballot as an example of an issue that Democrats should embrace.
Read MoreDominion Voting Systems, which makes software that local governments around the nation use to help run their elections, is now at the center of baseless claims that “software glitches” led to mistakes in vote tallies in Michigan and Georgia last week. The Dominion software was used in only two of the five counties that had problems in Michigan and Georgia, and in every instance there was a detailed explanation for what had happened. In all of the cases, software did not affect the vote counts. In the two Michigan counties that had mistakes, the inaccuracies were because of human errors, not software problems, according to the Michigan Department of State, county officials and election-security experts. Only one of the two Michigan counties used Dominion software. Issues in three Georgia counties had other explanations. In one county, an apparent problem with Dominion software delayed officials’ reporting of the vote tallies, but did not affect the actual vote count. In two other counties, a separate company’s software slowed poll workers’ ability to check-in voters. “Many of the claims being asserted about Dominion and questionable voting technology is misinformation at best and, in many cases, they’re outright disinformation,” said Edward Perez, an election-technology expert at the OSET Institute, a nonprofit that studies voting infrastructure. “I’m not aware of any evidence of specific things or defects in Dominion software that would lead one to believe that votes had been recorded or counted incorrectly.” Right-wing voices across the internet this week have claimed incorrectly that Dominion was responsible for mistakes in vote counts, and President Trump shared a Breitbart article on Twitter that incorrectly tied the Michigan issues to separate problems in Georgia. Many of those people have said, contrary to evidence, that Dominion software was used to switch votes. Some people even suggested that the company was doing the bidding of the Clintons, a conspiracy theory that was shared on Twitter by President Trump. On Wednesday, Rudolph W. Giuliani, the president’s lawyer, said he was in contact with “whistle-blowers” from Dominion, though he did not provide evidence. Dominion, originally a Canadian company that now has its effective headquarters in Denver, makes machines for voters to cast ballots and for poll workers to count them, as well as software that helps government officials organize and keep track of election results. Georgia spent $107 million on 30,000 of the company’s machines last year. In some cases, they proved to be headaches in the state’s primary elections in June, though officials largely attributed the problems to a lack of training for election workers.
Read MorePresident Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, John Bolton, said Republicans should urge the president to concede the election and accused GOP lawmakers of “coddling” Trump while he “trashes the U.S. electoral system.” Trump has refused to concede his loss to Democrat Joe Biden, falsely suggested there was widespread fraud and directed his campaign to challenge the results in court. In a stinging Washington Post opinion piece, Bolton said Trump has not provided any evidence to support his claims of fraud and is causing “grievous harm” to Americans’ confidence in the country’s constitutional system. Bolton said Republicans are kowtowing to Trump because they want to win the two U.S. Senate seats in Georgia, which will be decided in a Jan. 5 runoff. But, he argued, the GOP’s refusal to stand up to Trump will do short- and long-term damage to the party. “Coddling proponents plead that an enraged Trump will jeopardize the chances of victory in the Georgia runoffs,” he wrote. “But that is true only if party leaders do not speak up, explaining to voters what the real facts are. Do we in the GOP not trust our own base enough to absorb the truth?” “ … The more Republican leaders kowtow, the more Trump believes he is still in control and the less likely he will do what normal presidents do: make a gracious concession speech; fully cooperate with the president-elect in a smooth transition process; and validate the election process itself by joining his successor at the Jan. 20 inauguration,” Bolton writes. He said it’s a matter of U.S. national security to begin the transition process and said Republicans’ “passivity risks additional negative consequences for the country,” pointing to Trump’s decision to fire his Defense Secretary Mark Esper earlier this week. He said Washington is "filled with rumors" that FBI and CIA leaders are next on Trump's chopping block.
Read MoreLawmakers have advanced bills that will implement legalization of marijuana and end many arrests, moving swiftly to reform marijuana prohibition in New Jersey after voters last week passed a referendum to legalize it. Committees in both the state Senate and Assembly approved the implementing legislation (S-21/A-21) Monday following simultaneous, hours-long hearings. It largely mirrors previously legislation introduced by Sen. Nick Scutari, D-Union, to legalize marijuana. When lawmakers failed to muster enough votes to pass the bill, they moved instead to put the issue on the ballot. The legislation is necessary to implement the referendum, which amends the state constitution. The bill aims to guide a licensing process and regulate how marijuana will be sold. Racial justice advocates have expressed frustration with the bill. While the legislation sets aside 15% of licenses to racial minority applicants and another 15% to women and veterans, it did not direct tax revenue from marijuana sales back into communities hurt by the drug war. “What this market does, and the way it is written now, is give 70% of the licenses, the finances and the economic windfall, quite frankly, to white men," Rev. Charles Boyer, founder of the racial justice group Salvation and Social Justice, said during a testimony in the Assembly Committee on Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations. Sarah Fajardo, policy director for the ACLU-NJ, also questioned the lack of racial justice commitments and asked for “explicit” wording to show tax reinvestment in communities during the Senate hearing. “We just need to let this marketplace get off the ground,” Scutari said. “My Republican colleagues could probably agree we don’t want to overtax and overburden a product before it is even being sold, because we are already competing with the black market. My number one priority is to get rid of drug dealers. If it’s overpriced, no one will buy it."
Read MoreA bill to remove federal penalties on marijuana and scrap some cannabis-related records will receive a vote on the House floor in December, according to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. In a letter to colleagues Monday, Hoyer outlined the legislative schedule for the lame-duck session in November and December. "The House will vote on the MORE Act to decriminalize cannabis and expunge convictions for non-violent cannabis offenses that have prevented many Americans from getting jobs, applying for credit and loans, and accessing opportunities that make it possible to get ahead in our economy," the letter read. Hoyer's letter did not specify which week the vote will come up, but the House is scheduled to be in session Dec. 1-4 and Dec. 7-10. What's the background? The House was scheduled to vote on the bill in September, but some Democrats in tight races worried that voters would not look kindly on a marijuana legalization vote when a deal on coronavirus aid remained elusive. At the time, Hoyer promised the bill would still come up for a vote after the election. Momentum is growing on marijuana policy. More than a third of Americans now live in states with full legalization, and a record 68 percent support federal cannabis legalization, according to Gallup. This past Election Day, five states passed medical or recreational legalization referendums — including staunchly conservative states such as Montana and South Dakota — bringing the total number of legal states up to 15. On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted that it‘s “past time to end the federal prohibition on marijuana.“ “With the success of all the cannabis ballot measures across the country last week, it’s more important than ever for Congress to catch up," said Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), after Hoyer's office announced the vote. "We’re going to continue building momentum so that Congress takes action to end the failed prohibition of cannabis before the year is out. Too much is at stake for communities of color.”
Read MoreThe prosecutor in Arizona's largest county is dropping all pending charges for recreational marijuana use by adults after Arizona voters legalized it in the November election. "Instead of continuing to spend resources on these cases, this office will begin implementing the will of the voters immediately," the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said in a written statement Monday. Proposition 207 passed last week with 60% of the vote. In addition to decriminalizing most recreational use, it allows past marijuana convictions to be expunged.
Read MorePresident Trump and many of his supporters complained over the weekend that “software glitches” undermined the vote counts in Michigan and Georgia and argued that the problems portended wider issues in other counties and states that used the same software. But issues in the unofficial vote counts in Michigan’s Antrim and Oakland counties were caused by human error, not software glitches, according to reviews by the Michigan Department of State, county clerks and election security experts. Officials concluded that they were isolated cases that did not signal wider issues with vote counts elsewhere. And in Georgia, software issues only affected how poll workers checked in voters in two counties and delayed the reporting of results in another. The issues did not affect the counts. “Anyone trying to falsely connect the situations in the two states is spreading misinformation in an effort to undermine the integrity of our elections system,” said Tracy Wimmer, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of State.In Antrim County, Mich., a Republican stronghold, unofficial results initially showed President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. beating Mr. Trump by roughly 3,000 votes — a sharp reversal from Mr. Trump's performance there in 2016. Local officials caught and fixed the error. In the revised count, Mr. Trump beat Mr. Biden by roughly 2,500 votes. The problem, election security experts and state officials concluded, was that an election worker had configured ballot scanners and reporting systems with slightly different versions of the ballot, which meant some results did not line up with the right candidate when officials loaded them into the system. In Oakland County, Mich., the result of one local race was changed after election officials spotted an error in the unofficial counts. The first tally said an incumbent Republican county commissioner had lost his seat, but the corrected tallies showed he kept it. County election workers had mistakenly counted votes from the city of Rochester Hills, Mich., twice, according to the Michigan Department of State. The workers later spotted the error.
Read MoreFrom its sprawling new war room inside Fort Meade, not far from Baltimore-Washington International Airport in Maryland, United States Cyber Command dived deep into Russian and Iranian networks in the months before the election, temporarily paralyzing some and knocking ransomware tools offline. Then it stole Iran’s game plan and, without disclosing the intelligence coup behind the theft, made public a part of Tehran’s playbook when the Iranians began to carry it out. Now, nearly a week after the polls closed, it is clear that all the warnings of a crippling cyberattack on election infrastructure, or an overwhelming influence operation aimed at American voters, did not come to pass. There were no breaches of voting machines and only modest efforts, it appears, to get inside registration systems. Interviews with government officials and other experts suggest a number of reasons for the apparent success. One may be that the United States’ chief adversaries were deterred, convinced that the voting infrastructure was so hardened, Facebook and Twitter were so on alert, and Cyber Command and a small group of American companies were so on the offensive that it was not worth the risk. But there is another explanation as well: In the 2020 election the distinction between foreign and domestic interference blurred. From early in the campaign, President Trump did more to undermine confidence in the system’s integrity than America’s rivals could have done themselves. And in the aftermath, Mr. Trump’s baseless accusations, amplified by conservative news media outlets, have only intensified, leaving the Russians and the Iranians with the relatively easy task of bouncing his messages back into the echo chamber of social media. “A lot of the disinformation that voters consume originates from within our own country,” said Jeh C. Johnson, a secretary of homeland security under President Barack Obama. “All foreign adversaries need to do is aid and abet and amplify.” Mr. Trump and his allies, it turns out, were the chief purveyors of the kind of election misinformation that the F.B.I., the Department of Homeland Security and American intelligence officials were warning about. He was also the one actor they could not mention, much less try to neutralize. That was left to the online platforms, mostly Twitter, which placed warnings on many of his posts.
Read MoreIt isn't legal to smoke a joint just yet, but the ball is officially rolling on marijuana legalization in New Jersey after Tuesday's election. During a Friday news conference in Trenton, Gov. Phil Murphy announced his appointments to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC), the agency that will help shape the future of legal weed in New Jersey. Dianna Houenou, a senior policy advisor in Murphy's office and former ACLU-NJ counsel, was appointed as chair of the CRC. Jeff Brown, who currently serves as assistant commissioner of health in charge of the state's division of medicinal marijuana, was appointed as executive director. The governor will also appoint Krista Nash as a member of the commission, upon the recommendation of Senate President Steve Sweeney. As part of the general election, voters chose to legalize recreational cannabis in the Garden State. The amendment will take effect on Jan. 1, 2021. But state lawmakers and the CRC will still need to hammer out the legal framework for some key issues, including criminal justice, how much marijuana people will be allowed to legally possess, and whether people will be allowed to grow cannabis at home. The CRC was created as part of the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Act, which greatly expanded the state's medical marijuana program. It will take over the reins from the Department of Health, and oversee both the medical and recreational cannabis programs in New Jersey. The commission will be made up of five members appointed by the governor, with one each recommended by the state Senate president and Assembly speaker. During his news conference, Murphy said that he voted in favor of legalization himself, making him one of the many residents who "overwhelmingly" approved to end decades of cannabis prohibition. According to Murphy, marijuana legalization in New Jersey passed with a greater margin than in any other state where it's appeared on the ballot.
Read MoreGov. Phil Murphy on Friday named two appointees to a commission that will oversee the new legal marijuana industry in New Jersey. The chair of the commission will be Dianna Houenou, associate counsel and senior policy adviser to the governor. She previously served as policy counsel for the ACLU-NJ. And Jeff Brown, the current assistant commissioner of the Department of Health who oversees the medical marijuana program, will serve as the executive director of the commission. “The legalization of adult use marijuana is a matter of social justice, economic justice and racial justice," Murphy said Friday during the announcement, noting he and his family had voted in favor of the question. “It is a matter of criminal justice reform. It is a matter of common sense.” “But now that this event has passed, the work begins to ensure that it is implemented fairly, justly and swiftly," he said. Voters approved a referendum Tuesday to amend the state constitution and legalize marijuana. But the election night victory didn’t automatically usher in change. Lawmakers must still pass a bill to implement the question and regulate the marijuana industry, and another to decriminalize possession. That implementing legislation come Friday, too. Sen. Nick Scutari, D-Union, who sponsored a previous bill seeking to legalize marijuana, said he planned to introduce a tweaked version as soon as Thursday. It could be up for hearings next week, and voted on by both chambers as soon as Nov. 16. But the commission will need to be seated and ready before dispensaries can begin to open, too. The naming of members to the commission was expected earlier this year. The 2019 Jake Honig Compassionate Use Act revamped the medical marijuana program and established the commission to oversee the program and remove it from the state Department of Health. It required Murphy to appoint three members and gave one each to Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. The law set a deadline of January 2020 for the commission to create its new rules and regulations. But by February, only Sweeney had his appointment, choosing Krista Nash, a social worker from South Jersey. When pushed on the delay, Murphy said he did not make appointments sooner because he wanted to wait for legalization and put the administration’s energy there until after the election.
Read MoreElection security advocates are pushing for up to $3 billion from Congress they say is vital to help protect election systems against hacking. But that money will be far more likely to come through in a Biden administration. Joe Biden has described election security as a major challenge and pledged to impose consequences on Russia or other adversaries that interfere in U.S. elections. That’s a big shift from President Trump, who has paid little attention to the topic, repeatedly questioned intelligence agencies’ conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election and spread disinformation about the 2020 contest, including unfounded claims of fraud. Last night he charged without evidence that he’d won a majority of “the legal vote,” though there’s no evidence of illegal votes being cast. Officials are still determining the winner in five states that will determine who wins the presidency — Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Nevada and Arizona. The Trump campaign has filed a slew of lawsuits to toss ballots or halt vote counting in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia. If Trump wins reelection, advocates and many Democrats fear he could halt progress on election security improvements or degrade faith in the credibility of elections with more spurious claims. “Those who seek to undermine our free and fair elections will continue their threats with increased frequency,” California Secretary of State Alexander Padilla (D), chair of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State, told me. “We didn’t rest on our laurels after a successful 2018 election to get us through 2020 and we can’t rest on our laurels after a successful 2020 election and assume all will be okay in 2022.” Even if Biden wins, it will be difficult to deliver the large sums security advocates are seeking if Democrats don’t take control of the Senate. That is looking less likely, however, with Republicans winning reelection in the hard-fought states of Maine and Iowa, and it will likely depend on runoff elections for Georgia’s two Senate seats in January. Absent Democratic control of that chamber, it probably will be impossible to mandate that states make specific improvements such as using paper ballots and meeting minimum cybersecurity standards, which Democrats have long sought but Republicans have opposed. The likeliest scenario is a repeat of the past two years, during which Republicans ultimately agreed to about $1 billion in funding to help election administrators protect against hacking and respond to challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. But they consistently rebuffed Democratic efforts to deliver far more money and to couple it with cybersecurity mandates for states.
Read MoreThe Latest on the presidential campaign (all times local): 3:30 p.m. Top Republican officials in Georgia say they are confident the secretary of state will ensure that ballots are properly counted. The statement Friday from GOP Gov. Brian Kemp and others came a day after President Donald Trump alleged without any details or evidence that election officials are trying to "steal the election" from him. Trump said Thursday that the "election apparatus in Georgia is run by Democrats," even though the top election official is a Republican whom he endorsed. Democrat Joe Biden was leading Trump in Georgia by about 1,500 votes midday Friday. The Associated Press has not called the race for either candidate yet. HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE: Democrat Joe Biden is pushing closer to the 270 Electoral College votes needed to carry the White House, securing victories in the battlegrounds of Wisconsin and Michigan and narrowing President Donald Trump's path. Read more: — Trump predicts a 'lot of litigation' to decide the White House race — ANALYSIS: Trump delivers a diatribe that's both shocking and unsurprising — EXPLAINER: States still in play and what makes them that way — Trump and his Republican allies made significant inroads with Latino voters
Read MoreIt can take a while to determine the victor in a presidential election. But one winner was abundantly clear on Election Day. Drugs, once thought to be the scourge of a healthy society, are getting public recognition as a part of American life. Where drugs were on the ballot on Tuesday, they won handily. New Jersey, South Dakota, Montana and Arizona joined 11 other states that had already legalized recreational marijuana. Mississippi and South Dakota made medical marijuana legal, bringing the total to 35. The citizens of Washington, D.C., voted to decriminalize psilocybin, the organic compound active in psychedelic mushrooms. Oregon voters approved two drug-related initiatives. One decriminalized possession of small amounts of illegal drugs including heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines. (It did not make it legal to sell the drugs.) Another measure authorized the creation of a state program to license providers of psilocybin. Election night represented a significant victory for three forces pushing for drug reform for different but interlocking reasons. There is the increasingly powerful cannabis industry. There are state governments struggling with budget shortfalls, hungry to fill coffers in the midst of a pandemic. And then there are the reform advocates, who for decades have been saying that imprisonment, federal mandatory minimum sentences and prohibitive cash bail for drug charges ruin lives and communities, particularly those of Black Americans. Decriminalization is popular, in part, because Americans believe that too many people are in jails and prisons, and also because Americans personally affected by the country’s continuing opioid crisis have been persuaded to see drugs as a public health issue.
Read MoreVoters in various states across the country approved a series of statewide ballot proposals on Election Day legalizing the use and distribution of marijuana for either medical or adult-use purposes. Their voices were unmistakable and emphatic. Majorities of Americans decided in favor of every marijuana-related proposition placed before them — a clean sweep. Specifically, voters legalized the possession of marijuana by adults in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota. The measures in Arizona, Montana, and South Dakota each permit adults to possess and cultivate marijuana for personal use and establish a regulated retail market. In New Jersey, voters decided on a public ballot question. Garden State lawmakers must now enact enabling legislation in order to amend state law to comport it with the voters’ decision. Additionally, voters approved the legalization of medical cannabis access in two states, Mississippi and South Dakota. In Mississippi, voters chose between two dueling initiatives — favoring a measure placed on the ballot by patient advocates and rejecting a more restrictive alternative measure placed on the ballot by state lawmakers. Voters’ actions last evening were an unequivocal rebuke to the longstanding policy of federal marijuana prohibition, and is an indication that marijuana legalization is far from a fringe issue, but rather one that is now embraced by mainstream America, As was the case in 2016, when voters in deep red states like Arkansas and North Dakota joined voters in deep blue states like California to reform their cannabis laws, last night’s results once again affirm that marijuana legalization is a uniquely popular issue with voters of all political persuasions — with majorities of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans consistently endorsing legalization in national polls. The results also continue a multi-decade long trend of marijuana legalization advocates achieving success at the ballot box. Prior to this election, voters had decided affirmatively on 28 separate ballot measures legalizing cannabis (18 measures legalizing medical marijuana, 10 measures legalizing adult use).
Read MoreMontana voters passed two ballot initiatives Tuesday, paving the way for the state to legalize recreational marijuana use. Both ballot measures were required to pass in order for recreational marijuana use to be permitted in the state. Just because the measures passed, though, doesn't mean you can go out and buy it just yet. The state will still need to set up rules, regulations and begin the process for applications for dispensaries. As of the measures passing, here's what we know about recreational marijuana in Montana. The passage of complementary ballot initiatives I-90 and CI-118 has legalized the recreational use of marijuana for adults in the state over the age of 21. I-90 creates rules for marijuana use, as well as a 20% tax on sales of recreational marijuana by licensed vendors. It also allows the option for individual counties to prohibit dispensaries through a public vote.
Read MoreFederal officials say the 2020 presidential race has been one of the most secure in the nation's history. But some Americans are still concerned about potential election meddling and foreign interference. Former Assistant FBI Director and former U.S. attorney Greg Brower joined CBSN's Lana Zak to discuss this year's heightened election security efforts.
Read MoreThree and a half years of election security upgrades, training and government information sharing appeared to pay off on Election Day as voting unfolded with the usual technical glitches but no evidence of successful cyberattacks. The electronic poll books used to check in voters failed in several counties, one results reporting website suffered a brief outage and the internet failed in the election office of one of Florida’s most important counties. But as of Wednesday morning, there is no evidence that hackers were responsible for those incidents or any other disruptive activities, despite months of preelection warnings that Russian cyber operators were probing potential targets throughout the U.S. political system. Federal officials and independent observers attributed the thus-far hack-free election to a successful partnership with state and local officials, who reported suspicious activity and enacted backup procedures when technology failed. “This coordination is the most unheralded intergovernmental success story,” said Matthew Weil, the director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Elections Project. “Voters have had their confidence shaken in the elections process this year, but it is more secure and professional than at any point in our history.” The security of the election machinery across U.S. counties and states remains far less than ideal in much of country, and breakdowns in newly purchased devices contributed to chaos and long lines during some of this year’s presidential primaries. But government leaders praised Americans for not overreacting to glitches or assuming the worst about them, saying voters seemed to recognize what officials have said for years: that foreign adversaries will do whatever it takes to undermine confidence in U.S. elections, and that jumping to conclusions does that work for them.
Read MoreColorado has passed Proposition EE which will place a tax on nicotine products across the state for various health and education programs. The Associated Press is projecting this will pass by a large margin of 68.5 percent to 31.5 percent.
Read MoreVoters approved a proposal to increase Oregon’s cigarette tax by $2 per pack and to create a tax on e-cigarettes Tuesday night, according to unofficial returns. Measure 108 will increase the state’s cigarette tax from $1.33 to $3.33, create an entirely new 65% tax on e-cigarettes and increase taxes on premium cigars.
Read MoreBetween the presidential election, governor races, and down-ballot contests, this year’s election features a lot of important choices. Among those, voters in five states will have a chance to legalize marijuana for recreational or medical uses. In Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota, voters could legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. In Mississippi and South Dakota (in a ballot initiative separate from the full legalization measure), voters could also legalize medical marijuana. If all these measures are approved, the United States would go from having 11 states in which marijuana is legal to 15. Counting by population, that would mean more than one-third of Americans would live in a state with legalized marijuana, up from more than a quarter today. The ballot initiatives represent a massive shift in drug policy. A decade ago, zero states had legalized marijuana. Then, in 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first two states to legalize cannabis for recreational use and sales — and many others followed. Despite the success of state measures, marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. But since the Obama administration, the federal government has generally taken a hands-off approach to states’ marijuana initiatives. There are still hurdles — banking is a challenge for marijuana businesses under federal prohibition — but for the most part the federal government has not interfered in states’ laws since 2013. That policy may reflect a change in public opinion: As it stands, public opinion surveys show that even a majority of Republicans, who tend to take more anti-marijuana views than their Democratic and independent peers, support legalization. In that context, legalization advocates are optimistic about their prospects this year, even in historically red states like Arizona, Montana, and South Dakota. If all these measures are successful, the US will have taken a major step forward both in undoing its drug war, and in undoing some of the damage it has done to communities of color.
Read MoreThe Garden State could turn green on Election Day. New Jersey residents are voting Tuesday on a constitutional amendment to allow legal recreational pot sales. The measure would legalize the possession and use of marijuana for people age 21 and older, as well as legalize the cultivation, processing and sale of retail marijuana. If approved, New Jersey would become the 12th state to legalize pot. The issue seems poised to pass — voters supported the move two-to-one in a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll last month. It found that 61 percent of likely voters intended to vote, or have already voted, yes, compared to 29 percent who will vote or have voted no. Marijuana legalization enjoyed the most support from Democrats (71 percent), men (66 percent) and 18- to 34-year-olds (77 percent). Cannabis purchases would be subject to 6.625 percent sales tax and likely an extra 2 percent tax levied by municipalities where it’s sold, NorthJersey.com reported. The state previously estimated that legalization would spur nearly $1.8 billion in annual sales — and just over $210 million in state taxes. People outside of New Jersey could also buy weed in the state — though federal laws technically prevent them from crossing state lines with a legally obtained stash. If the referendum does pass, there are still finer details New Jersey would have to hammer out, including how much weed a person could buy and who would be allowed to sell it. In Colorado, for example, people 21 years or older can legally possess 1 ounce of marijuana, while medical patients can have up to 2 ounces. The rule is the same in Illinois, the most recent state to legalize pot, where those 21 and older can legally possess 30 grams. It’s also unclear where people would be permitted to smoke marijuana, though other states where it’s legal limit consumption to private property. Some states have also opened cannabis lounges for on-site consumption. That means it could be months or even years before legal sales begin taking shape. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission would likely license new operators, according to NJ.com, which noted that the commission is slated to take over the state’s booming medical marijuana program from the Health Department.
Read MoreThe presidential election isn't the only big race on the ballots this year—five states are voting on major marijuana (cannabis) legalization initiatives. Cannabis is currently regulated at the federal level as a Schedule I drug, which is the most restrictive classification. Not only does that make the use and possession of cannabis illegal according to federal law, but it also makes it difficult for researchers to study the drug. However, at the state level, cannabis is legal for medical use in 33 states and for adult use in 11 states. The research we have now suggests that cannabis can be useful in managing certain conditions, particularly chronic pain, chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, and multiple sclerosis–related muscle spasms. So legalizing cannabis use can directly affect people's health and well-being. Additionally, we know that the legal and criminal aspects of cannabis regulation disproportionally affect communities of color, particularly Black and Latinx people. That has lead to mass incarceration and police violence over the past several decades. Legalizing cannabis—and, ideally, expunging criminal records and implementing other equity measures—can help repair some of the harms of the war on drugs for those most affected by it. During the 2016 campaign, it seemed like Donald Trump would be open to the idea of letting states decide how they wanted to handle cannabis legalization. But since then it's clear that President Trump has become a staunch opponent of the concept. In February one of his top spokespeople explicitly stated that cannabis and other illegal drugs “need to stay illegal.” Although former Vice President Joe Biden hasn't spoken publicly too often about his views on cannabis legalization, it appears his opinion on the issue has evolved considerably recently. And with Senator Kamala Harris as his V.P. pick, it's safe to say a Biden administration would be much friendlier to the idea of legalization than Trump's. Harris is a vocal supporter of the MORE Act, which would decriminalize cannabis at the federal level by removing it from the federal scheduling system.
Read MoreSeven days before Election Day, state Sen. Nick Scutari surprised many when he optimistically forecast adult-use marijuana purchases would begin by the end of 2020. “We might be able to flip the switch and people might be able to get marijuana, legally, right after the vote,” he said during a live Q&A on NJ.com’s Facebook page Oct. 27. The interview was a part of NJ Cannabis Insider’s two-hour industry webinar, “Countdown to Legalization” presented by Brach Eichler. Jeff Brown, assistant commissioner of the state Health Department, was quick to say Tuesday that none of the dispensaries are ready to supply. Later in the week, Brown doubled down: “I could say unequivocally that opening up sales even a few months after the election would be a disaster and would really hurt access for patients who need this as medicine.” During the webinar panel that focussed on the outlook of the cannabis industry, industry leaders were also reluctant to back the senator’s rosy picture. So how will the industry shape up? These experts say licensing issues, the need to establish social justice provisions and a lack of clarity around legislation all need to be addressed as priorities for the process to move forward smoothly. We still don’t know the specifics of legislation: Without enabling legislation, there are still questions as to what the industry will look like — particularly from local governments. Alixon Collazos, a public affairs strategist at The BGill Group, said a main priority for the industry should be clarity. Scutari’s sudden and quick timeline surprised her, given the complicated nature of passing legislation and seating the committee to oversee the industry.
Read MoreGovernment officials have spent the year touting Tuesday's election as potentially the "most secure" in the nation's history. Fewer voters are set to use the riskiest machines — electronic systems that leave no paper record — as compared to four years ago, and there is a whole-of-government approach to election security that never existed before. "My confidence in the security of your vote has never been higher," said Chris Krebs, the director of the Department of Homeland Security's cybersecurity arm, in an election security video featuring a number of top national security officials released last month. But a hard truth remains: many of the same vulnerabilities exposed in Russia's attack on the 2016 election have not disappeared. In the wake of discoveries about that episode, security experts recommended the U.S. spend billions of dollars to improve systems across the nation. Congress allocated just a fraction of that. And while social media companies have worked to control influence operations and lies that spread on their platforms, the federal government has declined to regulate those changes. Experts say bad information is still spreading rapidly online — helped by many Americans users who have helped to sustain the explosion of questionable material. Now, four years removed from an election that the intelligence community and bipartisan congressional committees agree was marred by an unprecedented level of interference, the U.S. is set to conclude another round of voting on Tuesday. Here are some of the vulnerabilities that remain. The votes themselves: While many Americans remain worried about the possibility that a foreign adversary could manipulate vote totals, there is no evidence this has ever happened in an American election — even in 2016 when Russian attackers were able to hack into the registration databases of a number of states. Experts agree that actual votes themselves would probably be the most difficult part of an election to successfully hack. The problem has only gotten tougher. In 2016, nearly 28 million voters cast ballots that did not have a corresponding paper trail: a major cybersecurity red flag.
Read MoreVoters are heading to the polls to cast their ballots on Election Day, although more than 100 million Americans have already voted early or by mail. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has an aggressive day of campaigning ahead while President Donald Trump takes a lower-key approach as they try to rally supporters in the final hours before polls close. From long lines to long speeches, and all the tweets in between, NBC News is following the vote live as it unfolds across the country. President Trump's campaign asked at least three counties in Pennsylvania for a rundown of highly specific election security plans — including ballot storage locations and transportation details — according to an email obtained by NBC News. The Pennsylvania secretary of state has advised counties not to disclose election security information to any third parties and has reached out to the FBI. Election officials in Cumberland, Mercer and Montour counties — all counties that are delaying mail-in ballot canvassing until Wednesday morning — received the email from a Gmail address connected to a Trump campaign volunteer. Cumberland County Commissioner Gary Eichelberger said that in his 16 years in office, he has "never seen anything like" the Trump campaign's request. A spokesperson for Trump's campaign said that the request was made to evaluate the differences in voting processes across jurisdictions. Citing a "slew of Democrat efforts to change election rules at the last minute, and the resulting pressure on election officials," the spokesperson wrote that the Trump campaign is seeking to "understand how and what officials are planning as a result."
Read MoreWhat Russia — or any other foreign power — might do to disrupt the 2020 US election has loomed over the entire race. Russia and other actors are using social media to sow discord. US intelligence officials announced in October that Russia (and Iran) had gained access to voter registration data. And the New York Times reported last month that Russia has plans to interfere in the last few days of the election or just after November 3, primarily to help Trump. How big Russia’s impact will be is impossible to know right now, though it did have an impact on the outcome in 2016, says Dov Levin, an expert on foreign election interference and author of Meddling in the Ballot Box: The Causes and Effects of Partisan Electoral Interventions. Russia and the US have a long history of intervening in each other’s politics, going back and forth dozens and dozens of times since the end of World War II. And foreign attempts to meddle in US elections have occurred since its founding, though that time the blame went to the French. But whatever the time period, foreign actors rarely just meddle for meddling’s sake. Levin argues that a country’s leaders have to believe that one side’s victory in a particular foreign election would be untenable for their interests — and they need to know that the opponent might be interested in getting their assistance. When those conditions exist, hello foreign interference. I called up Levin to talk more about why countries decide to intervene in other countries’ elections, how he sees Russian and other foreign interference playing out in 2020, and what kinds of interference we may see more of in the future. Our conversation, edited for length and clarity, is below.
Read MoreFour more states could choose to legalize recreational marijuana through ballot measures this Election Day. Voters in Republican-led Arizona and South Dakota and Democrat-led Montana and New Jersey will consider proposals to legalize recreational marijuana. Another red state, Mississippi, is weighing a pair of ballot questions to legalize medical marijuana. Currently, 11 states have legalized full, adult marijuana use. All but two did so by ballot initiative, which poses the question directly to voters. Polls show that the ballots initiatives have support in Arizona, Montana and New Jersey. "It's really showing the kind of breadth of acceptance that we're seeing around the country with respect to cannabis," said Steven Hawkins, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, an advocacy group that works with many of the ballot initiatives. Not every effort to get marijuana on the ballot this year was successful, though, with the coronavirus pandemic and early stay-at-home orders having scuttled signature drives to gather enough support to place the questions on some states' ballots. "We lost the time needed to gather signatures or else there would be six states," Hawkins said, counting the states considering full adult-use legalization this year.
Read MoreOn Election Day, New Jersey will vote on a ballot question to decide whether the state will allow the sale of marijuana for recreational use to those over age 21. But like other races, when we know the outcome of the ballot question will depend on voter behavior. The more voters who cast their ballots early, the sooner we may have an answer. But if a large percentage of voters wait until Election Day and cast a paper provisional ballot, the count will take longer. As of Thursday, more than 3.1 million mail-in ballots had been received by county election officials, and many counties have already started counting. County election officials will release preliminary vote counts sometime after 8 p.m. on Election Day, but those results will not be final. Election officials will continue to accept ballots with a postmark of Nov. 3 up until Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. Once they receive and count the final ballot, they can start to signature-verify, cross-check and count the ballots that were cast in person. But it’s still possible that we will have an answer on the ballot question sometime on Tuesday night. It will depend on the margins. “If a candidate is leading by more than the margin of outstanding ballots, presumably that race can be called,” said Alicia D’Alessandro, spokeswoman for the secretary of state. “If there are still more outstanding ballots than the margin of votes between two candidates, then it will take as long as it takes to count them and get a result for the election.”
Read MoreNew York regulators have proposed quality control standards and a licensing program for hemp-derived CBD products that have gained widespread popularity in products such as tinctures, salves and lotions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday. The state Department of Health proposed the regulations in accordance with legislation passed earlier this year establishing a Cannabinoid Hemp Program. There are federal regulations for growing hemp but not for processing cannabinoid products. New York's proposed regulations require laboratory testing and labeling to ensure consumers are getting what they pay for, without harmful contaminants. “These regulations are the next step toward regulating the growing hemp industry in New York in a way that protects consumers and helps ensure the industry’s long-term viability,” Cuomo said in a statement announcing the proposal.The regulations have been anxiously awaited by industrial hemp farmers and processors across the state, as well as hundreds of businesses that make consumer products from CBD, or cannabidiol, extracted from hemp. At media events around the state last month, industry leaders urged Cuomo to issue rules before the temporary state program they've been operating under expires at the end of October. An industrial hemp pilot program was launched in New York in 2015 in hopes of spurring economic development and providing farmers with a lucrative new crop. There are now about 700 hemp growers and 100 manufacturers of hemp products across the state. In addition to setting quality standards, the regulations create a system for allowing hemp-derived cannabinoids to be used in certain foods, beverages, topicals and dietary supplements. Processors are prohibited from making claims suggesting the products will treat or prevent disease.
Read MoreMichigan election officials are working hard to prevent a cyber attack ahead of Tuesday’s election. The concern over potential cyber attacks on our election system has been building for years. Hackers and disinformation campaigns have gotten more and more sophisticated, and technology is more advanced than ever. Then in March, the world was hit with the coronavirus pandemic. In the United States, that has resulted in uncharted waters in terms of the ways people are voting, which creates a lot of uncertainty. As a swing state, Michigan could be a very attractive target for cyber threats during the election. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Michigan has done a lot to prepare for this. That includes working closely with federal agencies to coordinate efforts to combat attacks. Benson noted recently on WDET’s Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson, that in addition to security protocols and training for election workers, Michigan also benefits from having a decentralized election system. “The good thing about Michigan is that we have 1,520 different township and city jurisdictions where elections are managed at the local level,” Benson said. “So there’s also limited impact compared to other states that have a more centralized system." Some security experts point out that a decentralized election system is a double-edged sword, however. It’s also harder to make sure all election workers on the ground level understand the risks of threats and how to avoid them as well. By and large, cybersecurity experts are cautiously optimistic about what the state has done to keep the election secure. They say the state has done a lot to prepare for threats, including an emphasis on paper ballots. Michigan is also going to be one of just eight states expected to do a risk-limiting audit (RLA) after the election to catch any major discrepancy between paper ballots and the machine counted tallies. Cybersecurity experts have been pushing states to do this for years because they say this audit could suggest whether there was widespread tampering with votes or voter fraud. While voter fraud has been proven time and again to be very rare, this kind of audit is one way to make sure that cyber attacks don’t move into that territory. There isn’t a high likelihood of voter infrastructure being attacked, said Andrew Dold, lead security analyst for Wayne State University and member of the Michigan Cyber Civilian Corps (MiC3). But one area the does have cybersecurity experts concerned is voter misinformation. As we saw in the 2016 election, social media is riddled with falsehoods, bots and organizations trying to influence American voters and their votes. “Websites spread misinformation that could incite people,” Dold said. “People kind of believe what they want to believe. All they need is a close reason nowadays, right? So, that’s the kind of thing that worries me more. The erosion of public trust with the government or the results. But I think as far as tabulating votes, I think we’re in really good shape.”
Read MorePresident Trump’s goal for the election is unambiguous — grab four more years in the White House by any means necessary. Law enforcement and elections officials must take the president, who is emboldening voter intimidation and suppression, at his word. Luckily, in Massachusetts, this has not escaped officials’ notice. “My office has been involved with regular election security meetings with state and local law enforcement, the Executive Office of Public Safety, first responders, secretary of state’s office, as well as civil rights groups to make sure we have a secure and safe election,” Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey told the Globe editorial board. Her office has set up an election protection hotline that will be “fully staffed” on Election Day. “If anyone experiences any sort of verbal or physical harassment or threat while they’re attempting to vote, or any interference with their right to vote, people can call the hotline and speak directly to our civil rights division,” Healey said. For weeks, Trump has called on his supporters to enlist as an “army” of poll watchers. He intentionally tosses around militaristic terms, with their unsubtle hints of warfare and violence. Jim Lyons, Massachusetts Republican Party chairman, has also called on poll watchers to “minimize any risk of fraud,” despite the fact that voter fraud is exceedingly rare. Trump and too many in the GOP are evoking a not-too-distant past when threats of racist violence at the polls denied many Black people their full participation in democracy. The president wants fewer people to vote; that, he seems to believe, is his best path to reelection.
Read MoreCannabis legalization is on the ballot in five states this Tuesday, and polling shows it’s likely to pass in most of them by a clear majority. What’s less clear is what happens to all the prisoners already incarcerated for possessing something that’s now legal. It’s an increasingly accepted view that you can’t have people serving time in jail for something that companies are freely profiting from. Especially when the prisoners are mostly Black, and the companies are primarily run by White executives. Black people are arrested for marijuana possession at 3.7 times the rate of White people, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. And it’s even higher in some of the states voting on legalization this coming Tuesday: In Montana, it’s 9.6 times; in South Dakota, it’s 5 times. Voters who back legalization for its tax benefits and the promise of new jobs are increasingly supporting changes to the law around past marijuana crimes. But when the handful of states vote on legalization this Nov. 3, expungement isn’t on the ballot, except partially in Arizona. Rather, any criminal justice reform will have to come via the legislative or rulemaking system, and that’s a lengthy process. More than half of N.J. voters support expunging all marijuana offenses. Note: Data from survey of around 500 New Jersey voters. Even if a state passes an expungement law, there’s the added challenge of actually locating prisoners. Some county-level records are still in paper form, said Sarah Gersten, executive director of the Last Prisoner Project, a non-profit that estimates there are 40,000 U.S. cannabis prisoners and aims to free every one of them. Meanwhile, prisoners still languish in jail in states that have already legalized sales. “There are thousands of people still incarcerated for cannabis offenses in California, Michigan, Colorado and Oregon,” Gersten said, citing around 2,000 alone in Michigan as of this year relates to If States Legalize, Expungement Is Next Still, Gersten said, her group finds that local jurisdictions are often eager to help. Why? Follow the money: The cost of mass incarceration in the U.S. is around $182 billion a year, and even for non-violent marijuana offenders, it can be $40,000 annually just to keep them in jail, Gersten said. The reason some people want to help with something as controversial as prisoner releases, she observed, can be self-serving: “They know it’s an economic benefit.”
Read MoreElection Day is almost here, and many are wondering if we'll know the results Tuesday night. If not, how long will the wait be? Some voters say they're stressed and angry just thinking about possible recounts and a long, drawn-out fight before a winner is announced. A steady stream of voters braved the elements in Massachusetts to drop off their ballots on a rainy Sunday night in New England. "I think everyone should have their voice be heard during this election," one woman said. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is expected to discuss election security Monday, as security remains a big worry, particularly following an incident in which a ballot box outside the Boston Public Library was set on fire. The voter turnout has been high, though, with the Secretary of the Commonwealth saying Saturday that the number of ballots cast already in this election is equal to nearly 68-percent of everyone who voted in 2016. But what does that mean on Election Day? Each vote cast is another vote to be counted on Nov. 3. But when will we know a winner? That remains a big question.
Read MoreNordstrom, the high-end department store chain, said it planned to board up some of its 350 stores and hire extra security for Election Day on Tuesday. Tiffany & Company, the luxury jeweler, said that “windows of select stores in key cities will be boarded in anticipation of potential election-related activity.” Saks Fifth Avenue said it was “implementing additional security measures at certain locations in the event of civil unrest due to the current election.” In Beverly Hills, the police said they would take a “proactive approach” and close Rodeo Drive, a renowned strip of luxury retailers, on Tuesday and Wednesday, citing the likelihood of increased “protest activity.” The police, working with private security companies, said they would also be on “full alert” throughout Beverly Hills starting on Halloween and continuing into election week. The nation is on edge as the bitter presidential contest finally nears an end, the latest flashpoint in a bruising year that has included the pandemic and widespread protests over social justice. Anxiety has been mounting for months that the election’s outcome could lead to civil unrest, no matter who wins. In the retail industry, many companies are not simply concerned about possible mayhem — they are planning for it. In a show of just how volatile the situation seems to the industry, 120 representatives from 60 retail brands attended a video conference this week hosted by the National Retail Federation, which involved training for store employees on how to de-escalate tensions among customers, including those related to the election. The trade group also hired security consultants who have prepped retailers about which locations around the country are likely to be the most volatile when the polls close. “I am 50-plus years old, and I didn’t think I would live to see this,” said Shane Fernett, who owns a contracting business in Colorado Springs and has been stocking up on plywood to board up his retail customers. “You read about this in third-world countries, not America.”
Read MoreIn the middle of August last year, just after midnight on a near-empty stretch of sand along the ocean, a Beach Haven police officer saw what appeared to be someone using a lighter. Smoking is illegal on the beach, so the officer investigated. The cop found two young adults, a man and woman, and saw the man try to hide something. During questioning the man handed over 8.36 grams of marijuana and smoking implements. The suspects, both college kids, were charged with possessing less than 50 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Such cases are heard in a town’s municipal court, but the suspects' lawyers filed an action to have the cases dismissed by a county’s chief judge, arguing among other things, it was a minor drug bust and would create harm to the college students, who had high grade point averages, and have bright educational and professional futures. And they won, in January. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, however, appealed the January dismissal, arguing the judge, Ocean County Assignment Judge Marlene Lynch Ford, was wrong to dismiss the cases as “de minimis,” or minor, infractions and she’d abused her discretion.
Read MoreNew Zealand has decided against legalizing the recreational use of cannabis, bucking a trend toward liberalization among some of its western peers. In a referendum on whether to allow the use and sale of cannabis, 53% of voters said no and 46% were in favor, according to preliminary results released by the Electoral Commission Friday in Wellington. In a separate referendum, New Zealanders agreed to legalize euthanasia with 65% voting yes. The verdict on cannabis contrasts with moves away from prohibition in Canada and the U.S., where multi-billion dollar industries have sprung up to meet demand for legal weed. Canada legalized the drug at a national level in 2018. In the U.S. it’s been approved for recreational use in 11 states so far and several others, including New Jersey, are poised to follow suit. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden may decriminalize cannabis at a federal level if elected. One of Australia’s territories, the ACT, decriminalized pot this year. While cannabis cultivation and use is widespread in New Zealand, warnings that legalization would make the drug more accessible to children struck a chord with many voters in debates before the referendums, which were conducted in conjunction with the Oct. 17 general election.
Read MoreMore than $2 million in donations have been directed at groups engaged in New Jersey's ballot question battle over whether to legalize marijuana, with all but $10,000 going to groups backing the measure, according to the most recent campaign finance reports. NJ CAN 2020, the main proponent of marijuana legalization, reported nearly $1.1 million in fundraising as of Oct. 23, including in-kind contributions, such as salaries and research paid by others, according to campaign disclosure reports released Thursday by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. Another ballot question committee, the Building Stronger Communities Action Fund, has raised just over $1 million, according to ELEC. The only formal opposition campaign is Don't Let N.J. Go to Pot, which has raised a little over $9,900 to date. It isn't unusual for legal weed proponents to outspend opponents. Nationwide, opposition campaigns have been outspent $103 million to $24 million in marijuana legalization campaigns since 2012, according to various states' campaign finance data. In other states where marijuana legalization was successful, the level of spending correlated with the results: The more money one side spends, the more votes they get. And the closer the gap in spending, the smaller the margin of victory. What is uncommon is the relatively modest amount spent on the ballot question in New Jersey. Some experts predicted the question to generate the kind of multimillion-dollar campaigns seen in other states, where airwaves were flooded with commercials by both sides. As it stands, total spending is below that of every other campaign except the successful Alaska campaign and the failed campaigns in North Dakota in 2018 and Oregon in 2012. Oregon voters approved a marijuana legalization campaign two years later. The legal weed question is the third-cheapest among all New Jersey ballot question campaigns in the last 44 years when accounting for inflation, according to ELEC. Of course, none of the previous campaigns coincided with a worldwide pandemic on par with the novel coronavirus. "Keep in mind that marijuana interests already have spent $4.1 million on lobbying between 2017 and 2019," said Jeff Brindle, ELEC executive director. "The industry’s overall political investment in New Jersey already has topped $6 million."
Read MoreThe Navajo Nation is suing nearly three dozen people, accusing them of illegally growing hemp or marijuana on the reservation. The lawsuit filed earlier this week in the Shiprock District Court in northwestern New Mexico says the operations are contaminating the tribe's water, land and other natural resources. It's the second such lawsuit the tribe's Department of Justice has filed this year. The tribe does not have a regulatory system for industrial hemp on the vast reservation that spans parts of Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.
Read MoreThe Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity division is mounting the largest operation to secure a U.S. election, aiming to prevent a repeat of Russia’s 2016 interference and to ward off new threats posed by Iran and China. On Election Day, DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will launch a 24/7 virtual war room, to which election officials across the nation can dial in at any time to share notes about suspicious activity and work together to respond. The agency will also pass along classified information from intelligence agencies about efforts they detect from adversaries seeking to undermine the election and advise states on how to protect against such attacks. “I anticipate possibly thousands of local election officials coming in to share information in real time, to coordinate, to track down what’s real and what’s not, separate fact from fiction on the ground,” said Matt Masterson, CISA’s senior cybersecurity adviser, who has helped lead election preparations. “We’ll be able to sort through what’s happening and identify: Is this a typical election event or is this something larger?” The operation will run for days or weeks until winners are clear in most races — and potentially until the election is formally certified in December. “We’ll remain stood up until the [election] community tells us, ‘Okay, we’re good, you can stand down,’ ” Masterson said. The wide-ranging operation is the culmination of four years during which CISA has grown from a backwater agency that was largely unknown outside Washington to the main federal government liaison to a nationwide ecosystem of officials running the elections. CISA’s growth is especially notable because it has happened despite an abiding lack of interest in election security from President Trump. He has held only one Cabinet-level meeting on the topic during his presidency and generally views discussion about Russian interference as threatening the legitimacy of his 2016 victory over Hillary Clinton, even though there’s no evidence actual votes were changed.
Read MoreAldermen and business leaders have accused Mayor Lori Lightfoot of being caught flat-footed this summer when civil unrest triggered by the death of George Floyd devolved into two devastating rounds of looting. It won’t happen again if there is more trouble triggered by Halloween or the outcome of the election Tuesday. On Friday, Lightfoot unveiled a 10-day “preparedness and safety plan” focused on Election Day but continuing all of next week. Once again, it relies on a heavy police presence bolstered by Illinois State Police and Cook County sheriffs officers and the use of as many as 300 heavy trucks to block neighborhood commercial corridors. Lightfoot acknowledged emotions are running high going into the election Tuesday and the outcome of the presidential election and control of the U.S. Senate may not be known for days. But she appealed to Chicagoans to “channel your emotions” into peaceful, productive means of expression. “We need to de-escalate from this long, difficult year,” Lightfoot told a news conference at the city’s 911 emergency center. “There may be some people — win or lose — who are unhappy with the results. But we have to honor those results. … One of the big lessons from this year, and there are many, is that we don’t have a right to take out our frustration, our anger on someone else.” Well aware that Chicago businesses have already endured two devastating rounds of looting, Lightfoot said she is prepared to do whatever it takes to avoid strike three. That includes “shutting down parts of the city” or even the CTA, if need be. “In the heightened days of June, when we were seeing massive protests and many of those protests turning violent … we had people trying to take over buses. … We had people trying to take over trains. … The transit unions were reaching out to me in a panic and asking for us to do things that were necessary to protect the workers, including shutting down transit,” she said. “I hope that we never see again in this city that kind of violence, but if we do and if there is a reason for us to take those extreme measures. I’m not gonna hesitate to do that.” Working closely with federal partners, Chicago Police Supt. David Brown there are “no incidents on the horizon based on our latest intelligence.” Police officers will “work to de-escalate, to calm tensions” so everyone is comfortable exercising their right to vote. But he warned “lawlessness” would not be tolerated. “Don’t loot in Chicago. If you do loot, you will be held accountable. If you escape, we will find you and bring you to justice,” Brown said. The security plan is the product of months of preparation and several table-top exercises to plan for all contingencies. Key parts of the plan: Canceling days off for all Chicago police officers for Halloween and Election Day. Days off will also be canceled for the next 10 days for “selected citywide teams,” Brown said. Using at least 60 and as many as 300 snowplows, salt spreaders and other heavy trucks to protect “neighborhood commercial corridors and critical businesses” in the event civil unrest spreads beyond the downtown area. Activating the city’s emergency operations center and opening a first-ever “Business Operations Center” inside the city’s 911 emergency center. The new center will allow businesses and their private security officers onsite to “exchange real-time information,” provide “situational awareness” and enhance the city’s ability to “distribute accurate information.”
Read MoreA strong majority of Kansas residents support legalizing marijuana for adult use by a three-to-one margin, according to a new poll. While cannabis reform might not be on the state’s ballot next week as is the case in five other states, the survey shows that about two-thirds of Kansans (66.9 percent) are in favor of enacting the policy change, compared to 22.2 percent who are opposed and 10.9 percent who are undecided. That represents a nearly four percentage point increase in support since voters were polled on the question last year in the same annual Kanas Speaks Survey conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University. Opposition has also dropped about four points since 2019. Kansas lawmakers introduced a bill to legalize medical marijuana during a short special session earlier this year, but it ultimately died in committee. There weren’t any specific conditions listed in the legislation that would have qualified patients for legal cannabis access. Rather, the bill stated that marijuana could be recommended for a temporary or permanent disability or illness that “limits the ability of the individual to conduct one or more major life activities” or “may cause serious harm to the individual’s safety or physical or mental health.” Certain legislators have indicated that they plan to pursue the reform again. For her part, Gov. Laura Kelly (D) backs medical cannabis legalization, stating earlier this year that she felt the legislature could enact the policy despite complications from the coronavirus pandemic. “I think that it probably would pass the legislature,” she said in April. But she added, “I think the issue of recreational marijuana is still not on the table.” While the governor said at the beginning of the year that she considers medical cannabis reform a priority, she would be inclined to sign an adult-use marijuana legalization bill if it arrived on her desk. “This is something where what the people want is probably more what I will want on something like that,” Kelly said. “I don’t have a personal ideology regarding it. If the folks want it and the legislature passes it, would I sign it? Probably.” And based on the last two Kansas Speaks surveys, what the people want is legalization. The latest poll—which involved interviews with 417 adults from September 21 to October 1—framed the question around the economics of taxing and regulating cannabis.
Read MoreNew Jersey's ballot question on legalizing recreational marijuana has led to more than $2 million in campaign fundraising, mostly by groups in favor of cannabis, the state's Election Law Enforcement Commission said Thursday. The campaign already ranks in the top 10 costliest ballot questions in state history, according to the commission. By far, most of the fundraising is benefitting groups that support legalization. The two groups that have raised the most are NJ Can 2020 and Building Stronger Communities Action Fund. NJ Can 2020 is a social welfare group consisting of a coalition of organizations, including the ACLU of New Jersey, the Latino Action Network, Drug Police Action and the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association among others. The action fund's main donor is the Scotts Company, which makes Miracle-Gro. All but some $10,000 has been raised by groups that support legalization, according to the commission. New Jersey would become the 12th state, along with the District of Columbia, to legalize recreational marijuana, if the question succeeds. Supporters are optimistic, pointing to polls showing more than three-fifths of voters support legalization. Opponents are nonetheless holding out hope that they can persuade voters against adopting the change. Both sides have launched campaigns. Nearly 3 million ballots have already been received by county offices across the state ahead of Election Day because of the state's first-ever nearly all mail election. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy ordered the mail-in election because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Read MoreNew York regulators have proposed quality control standards and a licensing program for hemp-derived CBD products that have gained widespread popularity in products such as tinctures, salves and lotions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday. The state Department of Health proposed the regulations in accordance with legislation passed earlier this year establishing a Cannabinoid Hemp Program. There are federal regulations for growing hemp but not for processing cannabinoid products. New York’s proposed regulations require laboratory testing and labeling to ensure consumers are getting what they pay for, without harmful contaminants. “These regulations are the next step toward regulating the growing hemp industry in New York in a way that protects consumers and helps ensure the industry’s long-term viability,” Cuomo said in a statement announcing the proposal. The regulations have been anxiously awaited by industrial hemp farmers and processors across the state, as well as hundreds of businesses that make consumer products from CBD, or cannabidiol, extracted from hemp. At media events around the state last month, industry leaders urged Cuomo to issue rules before the temporary state program they’ve been operating under expires at the end of October. An industrial hemp pilot program was launched in New York in 2015 in hopes of spurring economic development and providing farmers with a lucrative new crop. There are now about 700 hemp growers and 100 manufacturers of hemp products across the state. In addition to setting quality standards, the regulations create a system for allowing hemp-derived cannabinoids to be used in certain foods, beverages, topicals and dietary supplements. Processors are prohibited from making claims suggesting the products will treat or prevent disease. The regulations are subject to a 60-day public comment period.
Read MoreIn Georgia, a database that verifies voter signatures was locked up by Russian hackers in a ransomware attack that also dumped voters’ registration data online. In California and Indiana, Russia’s most formidable state hackers, a unit linked to the Federal Security Service, or F.S.B., bored into local networks and hit some election systems, though it is still unclear why. In Louisiana, the National Guard was called in to stop cyberattacks aimed at small government offices that employed tools previously seen only in attacks by North Korea. And on Tuesday night, someone hacked the Trump campaign, defacing its website with a threatening message in broken English warning that there would be more to come. None of these attacks amounted to much. But from the sprawling war room at United States Cyber Command to those monitoring the election at Facebook, Twitter, Google and Microsoft, experts are watching closely for more “perception hacks.” Those are smaller attacks that can be easily exaggerated into something bigger and potentially seized upon as evidence that the whole voting process is “rigged,” as President Trump has claimed it will be. The phrase comes up every time Christopher Krebs, the Department of Homeland Security official responsible for making sure voting systems are secure, talks about the biggest vulnerabilities in this election. His worry is not a vast attack but a series of smaller ones, perhaps concentrated in swing states, whose effect is more psychological than real. Perception hacks are just one of a range of issues occupying election officials and cybersecurity experts in the final days of voting — and their concerns will not end on Election Day. One theory gaining ground inside American intelligence agencies is that the Russians, having made the point that they remain inside key American systems despite bolstered defenses and new offensive operations by Cyber Command, may sit out the next week — until it is clear whether the vote is close. The Russian play, under this theory, would be to fan the flames of state-by-state election battles, generating or amplifying claims of fraud that would further undermine American confidence in the integrity of the election process. The Iranians would continue their playbook, which American intelligence officials see as more akin to vandalism than serious hacking, filled with threats in mangled English.
Read MoreThe Republican Party of Wisconsin on Thursday said hackers had stolen $2.3 million as part of a recent cyberattack. “Cybercriminals, using a sophisticated phishing attack, stole funds intended for the re-election of President Trump, altered invoices and committed wire fraud,” Wisconsin GOP Chairman Andrew Hitt said in a statement provided to The Hill on Thursday. “These criminals exhibited a level of familiarity with state party operations at the end of the campaign to commit this crime,” Hitt said. “While a large sum of money was stolen, our operation is running at full capacity with all the resources deployed to ensure President Donald J. Trump carries Wisconsin on November 3rd.” According to Hitt, the Wisconsin GOP discovered it had been the victim of a successful phishing attack on the night of Oct. 22, and that the party notified the FBI the next day of the attack. Hitt noted that the hackers stole the funds through the use of doctored invoices labeled as being from “WisGOP vendors.” There is no evidence that any sensitive data was stolen or accessed by the hackers beyond the money that was taken. A spokesperson for the FBI declined to comment on or confirm an investigation into the hacking incident. The disclosure of the attack comes less than a week before Election Day, and as concerns around election security have ramped up. Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and other federal officials announced last week that Iranian and Russian actors had gained access to U.S. voter registration data, and that the Iranian individuals were using this data to send threatening emails to voters in at least three states.
Read MoreFor many folks, the fragrance of weed is unmistakable. But the mere smell of pot can still prompt cops to search a vehicle in Illinois — despite the state fully legalizing the drug at the start of the year. In an article published Monday by the Illinois State Bar Association, a former prosecutor and a public defender raised questions about what exactly constitutes probable cause for a search when a cop or drug-sniffing dog smells marijuana. Earlier this month, lawmakers in Virginia passed two bills preventing officers from conducting similar warrantless searches that are currently awaiting approval from the state’s governor. While the law that legalized pot across Illinois prohibits the use of cannabis in a vehicle and requires that weed is transported in an “odor proof” container, one of the article’s authors warned that problems could potentially arise for folks who have gotten high elsewhere. “It’s just like a cigarette. That smoke smell lingers,” Emily Fitch, a public defender in Marion County, told the Sun-Times. “They could just be smoking it in their home and it just sticks to their clothing and they just reek like cannabis.” In fact many strains of today’s high-powered weed are commonly known as “loud” based on their overwhelming sensory effects. Fitch and her colleague, former Fayette County Assistant State’s Attorney Brenda Mathis, note in the article that there are different legal precedents for establishing probable cause in Illinois. If a drug-sniffing dog detects the smell of weed in as much time as it would take to write a ticket, that’s enough for officers to search a vehicle. But if a cop smells weed, there needs to be other factors that prompt a search. The precedent for police officers was established in a case decided by the Illinois Supreme Court earlier this year. The defendant in that case, Charles Hill, was found with a small rock of crack cocaine when a Decatur police officer searched his vehicle after smelling marijuana and spotting a small “bud” in the back seat. The court ultimately ruled that the search was acceptable based on the “totality of the circumstances” — and marijuana still being illegal in some situations, the attorneys wrote. But they claimed the ruling failed to “determine whether the odor of cannabis alone constitutes probable cause to search.” “The Hill case is a crucial case for prosecutors and defense attorneys alike as it will provide clear guidance in cases involving the smell of cannabis as a basis for a search and seizure,” Fitch and Mathis wrote. “Although this area of law is far from settled, this case provides insight as to what is coming in the future.” Ultimately, the attorneys wrote that “multiple issues” would be clarified through further case law and additional legislative action.
Read MoreIt’s been almost two years since Missouri voters legalized medical marijuana and by the beginning of next week, there will be four total dispensaries open in the state. Voters in the Show Me State passed an amendment in 2018 legalization medical marijuana. Missouri was the 33rd state to legalize cannabis as medicine, but why, two years later, is there less than five dispensaries open? The director the state program said it’s due to the lack of product. “I think it’s 12 facilities that are ready to sell, they are just waiting on the product,” said Lyndall Fraker, director of the section of medical marijuana with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said. “By industry standards, we were the fifth-fastest state to get up and going out of 33.” Fraker said Missouri issued 358 business licenses out of the 2,200 applications. Some of the dispensaries are already open and he said they are selling CBD products or other things while they wait for medical marijuana. “And those minimums are 60 cultivation facilities, 86 manufacturing facilities, and 192 dispensaries,” Fraker said. “Those minimums were based on projections of what they thought the needs of Missourians would be.” He said COVID has played a role in some of the delay in facilities opening. “Three dispensaries that are selling produce: two in St. Louis and one in Kansas City,” Fraker said. “COVID has delayed some, now it really didn’t delay us on our end, but it certainly delayed facilities.” Next week, another dispensary is set to open in Springfield, but what’s the holdup? There are two cultivators that are producing and selling the product in the state,” Fraker said. “Nine that have been approved but they are growing, but only two are harvesting. The rest of them are growing so the product is not ready yet.” He said it takes between 90 and 120 days to grow the plant. “So once it’s harvested in a bud form, in a flowering form, then that product would be sent to a testing facility if it’s going to be sold directly to a dispensary as a flowering product,” Fraker said. “It has to be tested at the final stage before it goes to the dispensary.” Fraker said all medical marijuana sold in the state, is grown here in Missouri. “IF we would have issued a license for everyone that asked for one, there were 578 cultivation applications I believe, just cultivation, we issued 60,” Fraker said. “If we would have issued one to everybody, then they would have produced over 8 million pounds of marijuana a year. That would have served over half of our state population, about 3 million Missouri patients.” Patients in Missouri can receive up to four ounces of medical marijuana a month unless they receive a second opinion from a doctor and doctor request more.
Read MorePolitico recently noted that the hemp industry “hasn’t panned out” and that hemp hype has died down. This assertion is naive at best. The article noted that: (1) the USDA had only approved 29 out of 41 submitted state hemp plans; (2) the numbers of acres planted are down; (3) many states had not submitted plans to the USDA; (4) the lack of FDA movement on permanent CBD guidelines. This analysis is misplaced, misguided, and based on a fundamental failure to understand what it takes to develop a new agricultural market, while ignoring the real progress in the hemp industry. This seems to be a case of “you ain't gonna learn what you don’t want to know.” There is currently tremendous restraint imposed on the industry because relevant federal agencies (i.e., the FDA, the USDA, and to a lesser extent the DEA) have not issued permanent appropriate market-based guidance by way of regulatory enactment — let alone communicated amongst themselves to fully implement the 2018 Farm Bill regarding industrial hemp. Make no mistake about it: the 2018 Farm Bill was the most sweeping and groundbreaking cannabis reform ever enacted in the United States at the federal level. So we cannot expect that these will move swiftly and concertedly on such a landmark policy change. This is all new to the FDA and the DEA, but less so for the USDA, and great tension exists between the federal agencies and the states seeking to move forward with responsible hemp regulatory policy. It has been documented that there are six core elements of an agricultural transformation plan. The brand new agricultural sector of industrial hemp has yet to specifically identify market-driven opportunities for farmers based on crop productivity. Industrial hemp is a versatile crop that can service multiple verticals. The gauntlet that's been thrown in front of us is to move away from a single-purpose, cannabinoid-driven hemp industry. To do so, “change agents” must be “identified and mobilized,” which will occur with the right “enabling policies.” This requires a cogent, stable government regulatory and legislative framework, something lacking to date. As a result, much of the market restraint is because of the absence of government policy advancement. This isn’t a bad thing and doesn’t eliminate the hype surrounding hemp, but bolsters it.
Read MoreForeign interference is a very old problem, but most Americans didn't used to worry much about it and the security of elections. Now, lessons learned about the Russian attack on the 2016 presidential election have brought the most intense focus ever on the U.S. information environment, elections practices, voter databases and other parts of the infrastructure of democracy. With seven days to run until the end of voting in this year's election, here's what you need to know. Is the election under attack? Yes — but it's important to understand exactly what that means: Foreign nations probably cannot affect the casting and counting of ballots, U.S. officials say, meaning that voters can feel confident about submitting their choices and the practices involved with tallying them. What foreign nations, especially Russia and Iran, are trying to do is chip away at Americans' confidence about that process. They're also trying to create an environment in which citizens don't feel they can believe what they see or accept that the results of the race are legitimate. Complicating matters is the help given to those efforts — knowingly or not — by real Americans who say publicly that the race is "rigged" or likely to be plagued by "fraud." How are foreign nations trying to interfere? There are two big strategies: changing votes and changing minds. Actually affecting ballots is difficult, and U.S. officials say it's unlikely that any foreign nation could tamper with, for example, a state's correct tally of ballots. Changing minds is simpler, and that is where much of the energy is focused by governments hostile to the United States. There are two big sub-themes within this category: sowing doubt about the conduct of the election and spreading false or misleading information to influence voters.
Read MoreFederal judges have so far declined to halt $400 million in grants to city and county election administrators from Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, despite a conservative law firm's efforts to overturn them. The grants from the Facebook founder and his wife, delivered by the nonprofit Center for Technology and Civic Life, are aimed at helping cash-strapped counties hire more poll workers, provide personal protective equipment and manage a surge in mail voting during the pandemic. Lawyers for the Thomas More Society don’t object to those goals, but they argued the grants were strategically awarded to boost voter turnout in urban centers and Democratic strongholds and to disadvantage Republicans. But federal judges have declined to halt the funding to counties in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Iowa and South Carolina, saying they see no partisan tilt in the grants, which were also given to many rural and Republican counties. CTCL delivered the grants to more than 2,300 election departments using a formula that links funding to the district’s voting population. “The truth is that plaintiffs — like all residents of the counties — stand to benefit from the additional resources for safe and efficient voting provided by CTCL grants,” Judge Amos L. Mazzant III noted in denying an injunction on grants to counties that include the cities of Houston and Dallas. The suits are drawing attention to a flood of funding from rich donors this year aimed at helping counties fund basic election administration tasks that they can’t afford themselves. In addition to Zuckerberg, actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenneger (R) is offering grants to nearly 6,000 counties aimed at keeping polling places open in southern states. Many election pros applaud the donations even as they worry that private funding could eventually taint the election process. Florida State University law professor Michael T. Morley called the grants a reasonable but “extraordinary response to the extraordinary circumstances” of running an election during a pandemic. But he warned such fixes should not become the norm. “You don’t want a presidential election brought to you by Pepsi,” he said. “At the end of the day, these are quintessentially public functions, and if the government is funding anything it ought to be elections.” Such grants have played a minimal role in past elections. But they've surged this year because of a combination of inadequate state and federal funding, the outsize challenges of the pandemic and intense partisan interest by supporters of President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. “From a legal perspective, it’s hard to see what law was violated here, but from a public policy perspective, this probably isn’t the way we want to fund election administration,” Duke University law professor Guy-Uriel Charles told me. He compared the grants to other instances in which donors have helped fund police departments and raised thorny questions about who those departments are beholden to.
Read MoreBarak Govani says he was kicked off the site after being falsely accused of selling fakes. Accounts like his prompted a House panel to accuse Amazon of mistreating its merchants.
Read MoreWith an expected increase in online shopping and customers potentially focusing more on price this year given the pandemic, some shoppers may fall victim to merchants selling fake goods. That can harm the real brands, Daniel Shapiro, vice president of strategic partnerships and brand relationships at Red Points, stated.
Read Morehe Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) is cracking down on the luxury counterfeit market. The number of fake goods being sold has seen a surge of 204 percent when comparing January to August of last year to this year.
Read MoreCannabis reform may be stalled at the federal level, but the number of states that have legalized it in some capacity continues to grow. Heading into the 2020 election, 33 of them and the District of Columbia permit medicinal use. Eleven of these states, as well as D.C., have also legalized recreational use. On November 3rd, four more states — Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota — will vote on initiatives that would legalize recreational cannabis, while a fifth — Mississippi — will decide whether to allow doctors to recommend it to patients. Polling indicates the measures will pass in all five states. This shouldn’t be surprising. A Pew Research Center study conducted last September found that 67 percent of Americans feel cannabis should be legal, while 91 percent feel it should at least be legal for medicinal purposes. The issue is no longer just a liberal hobbyhorse, either. A majority of Republicans also believe cannabis should be legal, and as more conservative states continue to vote accordingly, it’s going be harder and harder for federal legislators to rationalize opposing reform at the federal level. “Most lawmakers are going to respond for their constituents,” Steven Hawkins, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, tells Rolling Stone. “That’s why the work [we do] around changing laws at the state level is really part and parcel of how we will win at the federal level. Every state that passes adult use means you’re going to gain members of Congress, you’re going to gain two U.S. senators. Even if they don’t become champions, they’re not going to vote no for something their constituents have come to embrace.” The House of Representatives was set to vote on a federal decriminalization bill, dubbed the MORE Act, in September, but the vote was delayed until after the election. Though the bill would probably not have made it through the Republican-controlled Senate, it’s beginning to feel like it’s only a matter of time before the MORE Act or a similar piece of legislation is going to garner broad bipartisan support. This year’s ballot initiatives should help move the needle, as it’s looking like come November 3rd a few more Republican senators are going to find themselves representing constituencies that support legalization. More are sure to follow.
Read MoreIn an effort to win broader voter backing ahead of the November presidential election, supporters of legalizing marijuana are presenting their case to the American people through an economic lens. Advocates argue new legal sales and excise taxes would help states weather economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic -- a marked shift from previous messaging that focused on social and racial justice. Residents of five states are set to assess seven associated ballot measures, and proponents of legalization are touting cannabis as a new source of revenue for state governments, hoping to win over holdouts. Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., is a supporter of the popular Proposition 207 ballot measure -- or the Smart and Safe Arizona Act -- which would allow adults 21 and older to possess as much as an ounce of marijuana, approve sales at 130 medical marijuana dispensaries, and allow those previously convicted of crimes that would no longer be illegal under the act to have their records wiped clean. According to The Arizona Republic, Prop. 207 would also place a 16% excise tax on sales and provide 26 retail licenses to "those historically disadvantaged by marijuana laws." “From a criminal justice perspective, the revenue that we should be worried about is the fact that we’re not going to be destroying a lot of young men’s lives for carrying a small amount of marijuana,” Gallego told The Hill on Friday. "I do think our marijuana laws are used by police to target young males of color, particularly Black men.” Arizona began early voting on Oct. 7 and has seen record turnout.
Read MoreNew York could legalize adult-use marijuana as a way to generate revenue and help with the state's coronavirus-fueled, multi-billion-dollar budget deficit, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo's comments on the future of recreational marijuana came during a virtual event held Oct. 15 to promote his new book, American Crisis, which details his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Democratic governor was interviewed by Bravo television personality and producer Andy Cohen for viewers who paid $35 for a signed book and the right to watch the event. Cohen asked Cuomo: When is New York going to legalize marijuana? "Soon, because now we need the money," Cuomo said in response, according to a recording of the event obtained by the USA TODAY Network New York. "I’ve tried to get it done the last couple years," Cuomo continued. "There are a lot of reasons to get it done, but one of the benefits is it also brings in revenue, and all states — but especially this state — we need revenue and we’re going to be searching the cupboards for revenue. And I think that is going to put marijuana over the top.” Marijuana advocates and some Democratic lawmakers have been pushing the state for years to allow recreational use of the drug in New York, following the lead of 11 states that have already done so. Cuomo entered office in 2011 as an opponent of legalization both for medical and recreational purposes. In 2014, he reversed his position on medical marijuana and signed a bill into law legalizing it. By the end of 2018, Cuomo reversed his position on recreational marijuana, too, vowing to push for a new law legalizing and taxing the drug. Since then, Cuomo and the Democrat-led Senate and Assembly have struggled to reach consensus on a statewide system for regulating marijuana, with Cuomo and lawmakers disagreeing over how the revenue should be spent. Assembly Democrats have pushed to reserve much of the marijuana revenue for communities of color, who have been charged with drug crimes at a far higher rate than white communities. Cuomo has pushed a proposal that would give his administration more control over the revenue and how it's spent. The governor's budget office has projected a $60 billion budget shortfall through the 2024 fiscal year, though that figure is based on outdated, pre-coronavirus revenue projections from January. Legalizing marijuana would provide a relatively small revenue boost in New York, where the state budget exceeds $175 billion a year. Last year, Cuomo's office estimated a recreational-marijuana program would bring in $300 million a year in state revenue when it's fully phased in, which under the governor's prior proposal would take well over a year.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released—and then promptly rescinded—a notice on providing federal loans for hemp processors. After the crop was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, USDA announced that regulations were being developed to offer direct and guaranteed loans to the industry. The federal agency unveiled those guidelines in April and then issued a new notice this month notifying applicants about the policy change ahead of the planned expiration of the earlier 2014 hemp pilot program. The next day, however, it posted an “obsoleting notice” invalidating the prior document. The new guidance “was developed with the understanding that operators would no longer be authorized to produce hemp under the 2014 Farm Bill Pilot Program,” USDA said. However, because Congress approved a continuing resolution that extends the program until September 30, 2021, the loan policies are not currently applicable. That pilot program extension came at the behest of numerous stakeholders, advocates and lawmakers who have been pushing USDA to make a series of changes to its proposed hemp regulations. As those rules are being reviewed and finalized, they said it was necessary to keep the 2014 program in place. The president signed the continuing resolution late last month, so it’s not clear why the notice on loan policy changes was released weeks later, which then necessitated a follow-up recision. But in any case, it’s another example of the fluidity and challenges of rulemaking for the non-intoxicating cannabis crop following its legalization. It stands to reason that the loan processes outlined in the now-invalid notice will likely be consistent with what’s ultimately released next year, assuming the pilot program does expire then. The primary rule change concerns licensing requirements for borrowers. After the 2014 regulations are no longer in effect, hemp loan applicants must be licensed under a USDA-approved state or tribal hemp program, or under the agency’s basic regulations if the jurisdiction the business operates in has not submitted its own rules.Borrowers who are not licensed to grow hemp will be considered in non-monetary default and any losses will not be covered. For direct and guaranteed loans, hemp businesses must have a contract with USDA’s Farm Service Agency laying out termination policies and their ability to repay the loans. As of this month, USDA has approved a total of 69 state and tribal hemp regulatory proposals—mostly recently for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Oklahoma and South Dakota. Illinois and Oklahoma were among a group of states that USDA had asked to revise and resubmit their initial proposals in August.
Read MoreActive Russian cyberattacks are targeting a wide swath of American government networks, including those involved with the ongoing election, federal authorities revealed Thursday. The focus of the effort, from the notable Russian hacking group sometimes known as Energetic Bear or FireFly, includes "U.S. state, local, territorial, and tribal government networks, as well as aviation networks," according to a new bulletin from the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. It continued: "As this recent malicious activity has been directed at ... government networks, there may be some risk to elections information ... However, the FBI and CISA have no evidence to date that integrity of elections data has been compromised." U.S. officials said separately that systems in two local government jurisdictions had been accessed, granting attackers admission to some limited data about voters. But they were also adamant that the attackers were not in a position to actually affect results. "We're not aware of any activity that would put them in a position to come anywhere near a vote," said Chris Krebs, the director of the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. At a briefing Thursday afternoon, Krebs said he saw the announcement as more of a broad cybersecurity statement rather than one specifically focused on election security, since the attacker's intentions were not clear based on the broad number of agencies and organizations targeted. Cyber attackers are "opportunistic," Krebs said, and in this case they were able to use vulnerabilities in the fairly simplistic county government infrastructures to move within a number of offices inside a single government. In at least one of the cases, that led them to some publicly available voting data.
Read MoreJoe Biden drew a firm line on Russian election interference during the final presidential debate, while President Trump continued to misstate and mislead about that threat. The disparity was especially stark as U.S. officials say the presidential race is being increasingly rocked by foreign interference from both Russia and Iran. The former vice president called it “overwhelmingly clear” that not only Russia but also China and Iran are interfering in the current election. “They will pay a price if I’m elected,” he pledged. Trump not only made no such pledge, but he also fundamentally mischaracterized the public statements of his own intelligence community by claiming Russia does not want him to be reelected. Debate moderator Kristen Welker asked Trump about intelligence community allegations this week that Russia and Iran have both obtained U.S. voter data and that Iran has already used it to harass and mislead Democratic voters. Trump replied that Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe told him “the one thing that’s common to both of them, they both want you to lose because there has been nobody tougher to Russia … There has been nobody tougher on Russia than Donald Trump.” In fact, U.S. intelligence officials have concluded Russian President Vladimir Putin prefers Trump's reelection, while China and Iran favor his defeat. That was just the latest mischaracterization after four years during which Trump has repeatedly wavered on whether Russia interfered in the 2016 election and evaded the topic of election security, which he appears to view as undermining the legitimacy of his 2016 victory.
Read MoreThe report “States on the cusp” explores the complex ways in which the illicit trade in otherwise licit goods (including alcohol, pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, cigarettes, electronics, and much more) threatens the stability, security, and prosperity of vulnerable states around the world, especially in the Global South.
Read MoreWith an expected increase in online shopping and customers potentially focusing more on price this year given the pandemic, some shoppers may fall victim to merchants selling fake goods. That can harm the real brands, Daniel Shapiro, vice president of strategic partnerships and brand relationships at Red Points, stated.
Read MoreCounterfeit watches that would have been worth more than $8.8 million if they were authentic were seized by Customs and Border Patrol officers at their Port of Cincinnati office located in Erlanger.
Read MoreCustomers plan to spend money online this Black Friday, but take a dim view of e-commerce platforms that sell counterfeit items.
Read MoreA look at the history of counterfeiting and new measures being taken to target the $250 billion that industrial businesses lose annually to these illegal activities
Read MoreIn some parts of the world, there is no such thing as a trademark, patent or even intellectual property. This is likely a very foreign concept to you, as company branding aligns very closely to perceived value.
Read MoreThe Ontario government released an action plan to make government services simpler, easier to use, and more convenient and accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Read MoreInstagram said that by prompting the people behind accounts to confirm their information, it will be able to better understand when accounts are attempting to mislead their followers, hold them accountable, and keep our community safe.
Read MoreThree discount cigarette manufacturers on Thursday filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent a key element of Proposition EE from taking effect if the measure on the November ballot is approved by voters.
Read MoreBaltimore City Council President Brandon Scott is proposing a tax on electronic cigarettes as a way to discourage smoking and boost revenue as the coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate the city’s economy.
Read MoreTwo measures the Oregon Legislature placed on the Nov. 3 ballot for Oregonians to vote on include limiting campaign contributions and increasing tax on cigarettes, as well as creating a tax on electronic cigarettes.
Read MoreThe price of cigarettes in Amherst County is set to go up in mid-2021 through a newly approved tax, a measure county officials estimate will yield $1 million or more in annual revenue.
Read MoreWhile ruby red South Dakota may not be a swing state in the presidential election -- it may be at the forefront of the green revolution as one of five states where recreational and medical marijuana legalization are up for a vote this election year. And it is the only state where both forms of legalization will be on the ballot. Matthew Schweich, the deputy director of the nonprofit group the Marijuana Policy Project, which has been running campaigns across the country to legalize, told ABC News this is the first time in U.S. history that a state has had two ballot measures to ask voters for approval for recreational and medical marijuana during an election year. While there is some opposition from Republican Gov. Kristi Noem and South Dakota business owners over the recreational ballot, Schweich noted that more than 50,000 residents signed on to that initiative and more than 30,000 signatures for the medical provision. "I think that COVID has absorbed a great deal of the public's attention from marijuana reform, but there is still interest in the issue," he told ABC News. "It's remarkable since South Dakota has always been seen as this strong conservative state." Schweich and other experts say that the ballot initiatives in South Dakota as well as Montana, Arizona, New Jersey and Mississippi, could have major outcomes for the rest of the country since it would put pressure on state and national leaders to address their antiquated drug laws. "If we're successful it will send a message to Congress that they need to address the discrepancy between the state and federal laws on marijuana," Schweich said.
Read MoreSan Diego has filed its first lawsuit based on a failure to pay the city’s cannabis tax, a new stream of revenue that city officials expect to climb to nearly $30 million annually during the next five years. The city filed suit against Grizzly Peak Farms for failure to pay tax on cannabis products the company delivered to dispensaries within the city from its cultivation facilities in Oakland between January 2018 and June 2019. With penalties and interest, San Diego officials say the company owes nearly $10,000 to the city. The city’s tax rate on cannabis businesses increased from 5 percent to 8 percent in July 2019. The new revenue stream from cannabis taxes could help soften budget cuts the city is expected to face in coming months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has sharply reduced sales tax and hotel tax revenue because of decreased tourism. Dave Gash, a San Diego developer and the owner of Grizzly Peak, said Wednesday that failure to pay the tax was an oversight resulting from confusion, and that the company planned to pay its city tax bill immediately. “It really kind of slipped through the cracks,” Gash said. “It’s legitimate, but it’s a weird city tax. We never heard about it, so it was weird to us.” Gash is referring to San Diego’s cannabis tax extending beyond businesses selling and cultivating cannabis within the city. The tax also must be paid by cannabis businesses located elsewhere, if they supply cannabis products to businesses within the city. Leaders of the local cannabis industry say San Diego taxing out-of-town suppliers has led to lots of grumbling, but that Grizzly Peak appears to be the first company to fail to pay the tax. Gash said he only got one notice that his company owed cannabis tax to the city. “They haven’t been calling us about this or sending us notices,” he said. San Diego’s approach to cannabis taxes, which some other cities also use, forces cities to use a process called “apportionment” to divide up a cannabis company’s revenues so each city can tax the appropriate portion of the revenue. Jessica McElfresh, one of San Diego’s leading cannabis lawyers, said San Diego’s cannabis tax legislation has some confusing elements, partly because it was modeled on legislation from other cities. But McElfresh said the city treasurer’s office, which handles collection of the tax, has been friendly and helpful with cannabis businesses during the early years of the tax, which was approved by city voters in November 2016. Gash had been planning to open an indoor cannabis cultivation facility in Kearny Mesa, which would have allowed Grizzly Peak to supply the city’s dispensaries with cannabis grown locally. But he said delays and other problems prompted him to sell the site. Gash said he still plans to open a cannabis distribution facility in Kearny Mesa, possibly by this winter. In addition to out-of-town suppliers, the city’s cannabis tax applies to more than 20 licensed dispensaries in San Diego and more than a dozen licensed cultivation facilities. Dispensaries must charge a sales tax to recreational marijuana customers and remit that tax to the state, county and city. Medical cannabis customers with a state identification card don’t have to pay sales tax. In addition to Grizzly Peak, Gash also owns Gold Coast Design, which did notable remodels on the sports arena’s Arena Club in 2009 and the Spreckels Theatre downtown.
Read MoreMillions of Americans will head to the polls in the coming days and cast votes on whether or not to legalize the use of marijuana in their states. If past is precedent, most — if not all — of these statewide ballot measures will be enacted into law. Beginning with California in 1996, voters in multiple jurisdictions nationwide have voted well over two-dozen times on Election Day in favor of marijuana legalization measures. Currently, 34 states and the District of Columbia have laws on the books regulating the production and dispensing of medical cannabis to qualified patients. Eleven of these states — encompassing one-quarter of the U.S. population — also have legalized the possession and use of marijuana by anyone over the age of 21. In nine of these 11 states, adult-use legalization measures were enacted by a direct vote of people. About half of all statewide medical cannabis laws were enacted via voter initiative. This long and consistent history of success at the ballot box should hardly be surprising. According to nationwide polling data compiled by Gallup, two-thirds of Americans — including majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents — believe that marijuana consumption by adults ought to be legal in the United States. On the issue of legalizing cannabis for medical use, support is even stronger. National polling data compiled by Quinnipiac University found that 91 percent of voters believe that adults should access and use medical marijuana when their physician authorizes it.
Read MoreAs the Garden State heads into this pivotal election more than just the presidency hangs in the balance — this year, voters will finally have the chance to say whether the state should legalize adult-use cannabis. Polling continues to show strong support for legalization in New Jersey, but given the challenges of vote-by-mail and many voters unaware of referenda on the back of their ballots, nothing is certain. Still, if New Jersey does embrace legalization, the question of what it will look like will end up in the hands of legislators and regulators. With this in mind, on Oct. 27 NJ Cannabis Insider will host “Countdown to Legalization” presented by Brach Eichler, a virtual forum focused on the challenges and opportunities awaiting legislators, regulators, entrepreneurs, patients and consumers if legalization finally becomes a reality. Sponsors supporting this event include, The Cerealia Group, Foley Hoag and The BGill Group. The two-hour program begins at 1 p.m. Reserve your tickets here. State Sen. Nicholas Scutari, the state lawmaker who’s been advocating for the expansion of medical marijuana, legalization of adult-use cannabis and a force behind ensuring social justice prevails after the plant is legalized in the Garden State, will launch the program with prepared remarks and a Q&A with event host Justin Zaremba, NJ Cannabis Insider’s lead reporter. The remainder of the program are discussions framed around what New Jersey could learn from states where recreational cannabis is already legal, and where the industry can go once the state adopts regulations to sell cannabis to adult consumers.
Read MoreApril Curatti invested thousands of dollars into a plot of hemp at her Marysville farm only to be told she couldn’t sell the crop after a test showed its THC levels were too high. “We know all the risks involved,” Curatti said, but she still described the experience as devastating. Her story isn’t uncommon as Ohio’s first hemp crops approach maturity. Under state and federal law, hemp must contain less than .3% of THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, the intoxicating ingredient in marijuana. Otherwise, the crops must be destroyed. As of Oct. 13, the Ohio Department of Agriculture had tested 284 hemp samples, 20 of which came back “hot,” meaning they surpassed .3% THC level. Six samples were retested at the request of the farmer, and three of them tested under .3% the second time around.
Read MoreIran and Russia have both obtained information about American voter registrations and are trying to influence the public about the upcoming U.S. presidential election, national security officials said Wednesday night. “Iran and Russia have taken specific actions to influence public opinion related to our elections,” said Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe at a hastily scheduled press conference. “First we have confirmed that some voter registration information has been obtained by Iran and separately by Russia,” Ratcliffe said at the briefing, which comes less than two weeks before Election Day. “This data can be used by foreign actors to attempt to communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will cause confusion, sow chaos and undermine your confidence in American democracy.” Specifically, Ratcliffe said, Iran has been sending “spoofed emails designed to intimidate voters, incite social unrest and damage President” Donald Trump, who is facing former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee, in the election. “Additionally Iran is distributing other content to include a video that implies that individuals could cast fraudulent ballots even from overseas,” he said. “This video and any claims about such allegedly fraudulent ballots are not true,” Ratcliffe said.
Read MoreDirector of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said Wednesday both Iran and Russia have obtained US voter registration information in an effort to interfere in the election, including Iran posing as the far-right group Proud Boys to send intimidating emails to voters. Ratcliffe, appearing alongside FBI Director Chris Wray, said at a hastily arranged news conference Wednesday evening that Iran was responsible for the email campaign, made to look like it came from the Proud Boys, as well as spreading disinformation about voter fraud through a video linked in some of the emails. "This data can be used by foreign actors to attempt to communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will cause confusion, sow chaos and undermine your confidence in American democracy," Ratcliffe said. "We have already seen Iran sending spoof emails designed to intimidate voters, incite social unrest and damage President (Donald) Trump," Ratcliffe added. "You may have seen some reporting on this in the last 24 hours, or you may have even been one of the recipients of those emails."
Read MoreWhile addressing an online launch event for the Global Digital Asset and Cryptocurrency Association, U.S. Representative Bill Foster explained the importance of a “secure digital identity.”
Read MoreBuying a counterfeit driver's license or passport used to require a secret meeting with some shady characters. More recently, it meant having a connection to the dark web. But today, all you need is an internet connection and a search engine, says a Michigan State University researcher.
Read MoreSince 2012, 11 states have legalized marijuana use for adults — which voters nationwide are considering on their ballots this year. Researchers are just beginning to understand the effects of those laws. Colorado and Washington were the first states to legalize the drug, and California, the most populous state in the nation, followed them. Among the most pointed concerns with legalization are whether it has caused more young people to use the drug and whether more people are dying in auto crashes caused by impaired drivers. Data show little change in either area. Surveys of young people in Colorado, for example, show a slight decline in the percentage of middle and high school students using the drug. In Washington, the rates have remained the same. Opponents of legalization say the risk is too great if young people are given the impression that marijuana is not harmful, or if drivers become lax about getting behind the wheel when they are high. States with legalized marijuana are finding more drivers impaired by the drug, but that comes in part because they are looking harder for it. Colorado, for example, did not track the level of marijuana impairment of drivers suspected of using it until 2016. Washington saw an increase in drugged driving before legalization that continued after the drug was permitted, and has seen more fatal accidents with people on multiple substances. California data shows an increase in people driving while on drugs involved in fatal accidents.
Read MoreThe U.S. marijuana industry will take a turn for the better if Democrats find a way to sweep the November election, but investors should be selective about their stock picks, CNBC’s Jim Cramer said Tuesday. While Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is not in favor of legalizing cannabis, investors can expect the regulatory environment to be loosened for weed operations if he wins the White House and his party gains control of the Senate, the “Mad Money” host said. Biden calls for decriminalizing marijuana use and expunging all prior cannabis use convictions as part of his criminal justice plan. “If you want to bet on a blue wave in two weeks, a Democratic wave could make things much easier for the marijuana industry,” he said. As for the stocks to play in the space, Cramer recommends investors pass on most of the Canadian cannabis producers because he expects there would be a boom in domestic production. He did, however, recommend Ontario-based Canopy Growth, which is backed by alcohol giant Constellation Brands and has an interest in the U.S. grower Acreage Holdings. “Just remember, stick to the picks and shovels plays or the vertically integrated operators that are actually profitable,” Cramer said. A picks and shovels investment strategy is where investors buy stock in companies that supply tools and services that businesses use to produce products. The strategy is a play on suppliers.Cramer recommended GrowGeneration, which sells hydroponic equipment, and real estate investment trust Innovative Industrial Properties, which leases to medical marijuana facilities. “Basically it’s Lowe’s or Home Depot for anyone who’s looking to grow something indoors,” Cramer said of GrowGeneration. “If you think we’ll see a boom in cannabis production, don’t bet on a grower, bet on the grower’s landlord,” he said of Innovative Industrial Properties. Wall Street has upped its bets on the odds of a sweep since a controversial presidential debate between Biden and President Donald Trump, analysts have found. The former vice president has a 65% chance of winning the White House and there’s a 55% chance his party could take a majority in the Senate, according to research from Raymond Jones, to give Democratscontrol of the entire Congress for the first time since losing the chamber in the 2010 midterm election.
Read MoreThe U.S. government is mounting a major effort to prevent a repeat of 2016 — when federal agencies were slow to address Russia’s attempts to manipulate the presidential election — and is taking a range of actions despite the disinterest of President Trump, who questions intelligence that the Kremlin is intent on undermining American democracy. Top security agencies are coordinating actions to thwart foreign hackers, prevent Russia-linked individuals from entering the United States and freeze any of their assets subject to U.S. jurisdiction. They are also passing intelligence to social media firms, and helping state and local election officials shore up their defenses. For months American military cyber-operators, aided by intelligence from the National Security Agency, have been targeting Russian spies in order to disrupt their plans by repeatedly knocking them off the Internet, confusing their planners and depriving them of their hacking tools. The goal is to prevent them from attacking American voting systems, according to security officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the matter’s sensitivity. The State Department this year has revoked the visas of two Ukrainians deemed to be engaged in activities designed to influence the election and advance Russia’s interests. The Treasury Department imposed sanctions last month on four Russia-linked individuals — including one of the Ukrainians who was labeled an “active Russian agent” — to prevent them from interfering in the electoral process — the first time that the U.S. government has taken such an action before an election. A vital missing ingredient, however, has been messaging from the top, such as a declaration from the president that the United States will not tolerate efforts — in particular from the Kremlin — to interfere in the election. And disinformation experts say that Trump has reinforced Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attempts to stoke American social divisions with Trump’s inflammatory and unfounded remarks about racial and cultural issues, the novel coronavirus and the security of voting by mail. “We get better at exposing Russia’s activity, and when the president denies it or calls it into question, that gives Putin the space and opportunity he doesn’t deserve,” said H.R. McMaster, Trump’s former national security adviser, in an interview. He wrote about Putin’s “playbook” in his new book, “Battlegrounds.”
Read MoreWith two weeks until election day and more than 35 million votes already cast, NPR's Miles Parks and Pam Fessler answer your questions about voting, ballots and election security. For more information on voting this year, NPR's Life Kit has a guide to help you out. Read at npr.org or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.
Read MoreTraceLink, Inc., the leading digital platform company for the life science supply chain, today introduced Serialized Product Intelligence™, a new cloud application that uses serialization data to provide actionable intelligence and drive operational excellence. As more compliance mandates continue to emerge around the world, Serialized Product Intelligence simplifies the complexity of managing data across companies' serialization operations. Now, companies can proactively monitor serialized operations, identify supply chain issues early, avoid costly delays and maintain timely product delivery to market.
Read MoreFact: If a product is popular, it will be counterfeited. Finding those counterfeits is critical to getting them off the market and protecting your customers. What if you could scale a counterfeit discovery program to your entire customer base—at maximum “crowdsourced” impact for minimal cost? And once this type of program is established, the data-enriched benefits you and your consumers will receive are limitless. Let’s explore this concept.
Read MoreUK luxury clothing brand Burberry has teamed up with IBM to develop a blockchain-based prototype system to provide product traceability. The system – called Voyage - involves identifying a product through scanning a near-field communication (NFC) tag or entering a product identifier code, which is used as an anchor to link the item to the blockchain and allow it to be traced through the supply chain. The project was carried out as part of IBM’s Extreme Blue internship programme under the topic of ‘sustainability in fashion.” The aim was to allow the purchaser of a garment to trace its “production journey and lifecycle, while learning more about the processes involved in its creation.” The system was trialled for integration with Burberry’s mobile app.
Read MoreVerifyMe, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRME) (“VerifyMe,” “we,” “our,” or the “Company”), a software technology solutions provider specializing in brand protection functions such as counterfeit prevention, authentication, serialization, data mining, consumer engagement and track and trace features for labels, packaging and products, is pleased to announce that its Global Product Authentication Service Program Agreement with Micro Focus (NYSE: MFGP) has been renewed for 3 years.
Read MoreNew Jersey voters are deciding whether to add an amendment to the state constitution that will legalize “a controlled form of marijuana called cannabis” for adults 21 and over. The measure appears as a question on this year’s election ballot. The measure has overwhelming support by a ratio of 2 to 1, several polls show. But if the measure passes, then what? The ballot question provides no details about how legalization would be put into practice. A legal industry will take time to build, and will be determined by laws and regulations that have yet to be written. We spoke with advocates, attorneys, lobbyists, and state politicians about what to expect. There are several organizations that don’t think it’s a good idea. The New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police is concerned that more people will be driving intoxicated. The New Jersey Psychiatric Association believes cannabis lowers cognitive performance in teenagers and disrupts processes for motivation. In a statement, the NJPA said marijuana impairs verbal learning, memory, and attention, and increases risk for psychosis. The New Jersey Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (NJCCAP) warns that habitual users have “a greater risk of decreased academic performance, increased school dropout rates, decreased overall educational attainment and decreased workplace productivity.” The Medical Society of New Jersey agrees with NJPA and NJCCAP, but also worries that marijuana poses a risk to fetal development, and could aggravate respiratory diseases and other health conditions. If approved, what happens next? The state legislature must draft and pass a law — and then create regulations — that would govern the new recreational marijuana industry. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, the Senate, and the Assembly must appoint a total of five members to a Cannabis Regulatory Commission that would oversee both the current medical program and the new industry. Legalization would officially occur on Jan. 1 2021, but that doesn’t mean arrests will end or that weed will be available for purchase by all adults.
Read MoreA handful of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have asked that Massachusetts marijuana regulators scrap the proposed delivery license that would let operators buy marijuana wholesale from cultivators and manufacturers, store it in a warehouse and deliver it to consumers at home. The Cannabis Control Commission is expected Tuesday morning to consider feedback and hold a final discussion about its draft delivery policy, which would create two distinct delivery license types: a “limited delivery license” that would allow an operator to charge a fee to make deliveries from CCC licensed retailers and dispensaries, and a “wholesale delivery license.” But in a letter last week, 19 state lawmakers told the CCC that they “believe that the wholesale delivery license category proposed in the draft regulations was not contemplated, nor supported, by the enabling legislation” and asked the commission to reconsider its plan to take a final vote on the regulations next week. The lawmakers -- including former Marijuana Policy Committee co-chair Rep. Mark Cusack -- said the successful 2016 legalization question and the ballot law as amended by the Legislature in 2017 “deliberatively and intentionally created a license that made clear delivery of marijuana to consumers is directly and only linked to marijuana retail establishments” and that “a wholesale delivery license direct to consumers is clearly not contemplated in the law.” “Instead, the draft regulations create a shadow direct to the consumer marketplace not governed by the licensing requirements and regulations of marijuana retailers. These draft regulations also significantly change the landscape for cities and towns after many had already engaged in intensive community-wide conversations about the number and types of marijuana establishments their communities wished to host,” the lawmakers wrote. “Further, the proposed draft regulations have not had the opportunity to be sufficiently reviewed and may result in unintended consequences to our municipalities.” The concerns about local control mirror those raised in a letter from the Massachusetts Municipal Association, which told the CCC that it “is extremely concerned with the definition of marijuana wholesale delivery license within the draft regulations ... specifically that a marijuana wholesale delivery license is not considered to be a Marijuana Retailer.”
Read MoreAfter months of delays prompted by the COVID-19 outbreak, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx quietly started expunging 1,200 additional cannabis convictions. Starting Oct. 6, Foxx’s office began expunging roughly 300 minor pot convictions each week, according to spokeswoman Sarah Sinovic. Foxx’s push to wipe clean pot-related records comes as she’s locked in a contentious re-election fight with Republican Pat O’Brien, a former Cook County judge who’s outraising the incumbent. “Felony convictions can follow people long after their time has been served and their debt has been paid,” Foxx said in a statement. “As we work to reform the criminal justice system and develop remedies to systemic barriers, I am proud that justice continues to be served in Cook County, for one, by vacating these low-level cannabis convictions to help move individuals and communities forward.” Gov. J.B. Prtizker and fellow Democrats pushed recreational cannabis legalization as a conduit for change and a means to create diversity in the state’s cannabis industry, which is overwhelmingly controlled by white-owned firms. But the implementation of the watershed legislation, including the provisions to expunge convictions for possessing 30 grams or less, has largely been put on hold amid the coronavirus shutdowns. Foxx previously motioned last year to vacate just over 1,000 similar convictions. Now, her office is clearing additional cannabis convictions that stretch from Jan. 1, 2013, to Dec. 31, 2019, the day before recreational weed was legalized. Individuals with eligible convictions don’t have to take any action to set the process in motion and will simply receive a notice from the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County saying their record has been cleared. Peter Contos, who hosts expungement events as the advocacy coordinator of the Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition, lauded Foxx’s latest effort as he raised other concerns about how the process is playing out in Cook County. Contos noted that individuals currently petitioning for expungment are facing lengthy wait times because there aren’t enough judges to review cases. Contos added that the clerk’s office has also failed to provide resources for the public to track those cases, which he said “has a considerable impact on someone’s belief in the process.” “Frankly, for the second-largest county in the country, it’s unacceptable that we don’t have transparency and we don’t have a more expedient process,” he said.
Read MoreTexas stands to generate billions of dollars in marijuana tax revenue and create tens of thousands of jobs if the plant is legalized, according to a new economic analysis. While the legislature has been resistant to pursue the policy change, the report from Vicente Sederberg LLP makes a compelling case for legalizing and regulating cannabis sales in the state, at least from an economic perspective. It finds that, given the estimated adult-use marijuana market, there would be $2.7 billion in cannabis sales annually in Texas. And if the state followed Colorado’s tax model, it could bring in more than $1.1 billion in marijuana tax dollars per biennium. Further, the comparative analysis projects that 20,000-40,000 jobs would be directly created in the legal industry, in addition to ancillary positions for “contractors and construction firms, electrical and water service providers, HVAC manufacturers and installers, processing equipment producers and retailers, and other professionals.” “We also expect it would bolster the hospitality industry, which would benefit communities that rely on tourism; especially those that have recently been severely impacted by the novel coronavirus, such as San Antonio, Houston, and Corpus Christi,” the report states. Beyond tax revenue from cannabis sales, Texas could also see an extra $10 million annually if business licensing fees are set at $5,000. “In addition to generating revenue and creating jobs, regulating cannabis for adult use would also realize significant criminal justice savings,” the report says, adding that Texas would save an estimated $311 million per year in criminal justice resources if marijuana was legalized. “States across the country are seeing the benefits of legalizing and regulating cannabis,” Shawn Hauser, a partner at Vicente Sederberg, said in a press release. “It is inspiring lawmakers in prohibition states to reexamine the efficacy and costs of their current policies and take a closer look at the alternatives.”
Read MoreA week after Microsoft Corp. led a global attack against one of the world’s most prolific malware groups, the company says it’s winning an ongoing battle to temporarily destabilize the malicious botnet ahead of the U.S. presidential election. When Microsoft and its coalition of partners attacked the infrastructure supporting the popular Trickbot malware, they identified 69 servers and routers hosting the botnet around the world. As of Oct. 18, they’d compromised 62 of them, according to a Microsoft statement. A botnet is a network of computers infected with malware. In response, Microsoft observed Trickbot’s operators attempt to add 59 new servers to try to salvage their botnet. But those, too, were successfully infiltrated by Microsoft’s team within hours of adoption, according to the company. In all, Microsoft officials said they’ve “taken down” 120 of those 128 systems. “As we expected, the criminals operating Trickbot scrambled to replace the infrastructure we initially disabled,” according to Microsoft’s statement. “We fully expect that Trickbot’s operators will continue looking for ways to stay operational. What we’re seeing suggests Trickbot’s main focus has become setting up new infrastructure, rather than initiating fresh attacks.” Microsoft and its partners started their attack on Oct. 9 after winning a court order to disrupt Trickbot, known for infecting and stealing troves of data before exposing victims to ransomware attacks. Cyber-attackers use ransomware to lock users out of their own computers, while demanding payment in exchange for a key to regain access. The threat of ransomware in the days leading up to the Nov. 3 presidential election remains a credible cybersecurity threat against voting systems, according to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, part of the Department of Homeland Security.
Read MoreThe Department of Justice filed an antitrust suit against Google on Tuesday, alleging that the tech giant has used its dominance in the search business to become a "monopoly gatekeeper" of the internet.
Read MoreIn September eBay launched its Authenticity Guarantee for every watch sold over $2,000 on its US marketplace. Now, the platform has confirmed the service will cover all sneakers/trainers that sell on the platform for over $100 (either new or pre-owned) by early 2021.
Read MorePresident Donald Trump has asked for legislative proposals to be drawn up that would make e-commerce companies accountable for counterfeit goods sales through fines and civil penalties.
Read MoreNew Zealanders are poised to decide on two landmark social issues during an election Saturday: whether to legalize recreational marijuana and whether to legalize euthanasia. A “yes” vote on both referendums would arguably make the nation of 5 million one of the more liberal countries in the world. Polls indicate the euthanasia referendum is likely to pass while the result of the marijuana measure remains uncertain. The two referendums are being held at the same time as people cast votes for lawmakers and political parties. As a result, the referendums have been somewhat overshadowed both by the political campaigns and this year's coronavirus outbreak. In the political race, popular Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appears set to win a second term in office, with her liberal Labour Party polling far ahead of the conservative National Party led by Judith Collins. The euthanasia measure, which would also allow assisted suicide, would apply to people who have terminal illnesses, are likely to die within six months, and are enduring “unbearable” suffering. Countries that allow some form of euthanasia include The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Canada, Belgium and Colombia. The marijuana measure would allow people to buy up to 14 grams (0.5 ounce) a day and grow two plants. Other countries that have legalized recreational marijuana include Canada, South Africa, Uruguay, Georgia plus a number of U.S. states. Lara Greaves, a lecturer in New Zealand politics at the University of Auckland, said she thinks the marijuana referendum is destined to fail. “I think the problem is that we would be going from criminalization, and a bit of medicinal use, to full-on recreational use,” she said. “Probably what needed to happen to get the public on board was to have a phase of decriminalization.” She said a large turnout of younger voters would be necessary for the measure to have any hope of passing but that was far from certain. Another factor is that Ardern has declined to say how she intends to vote, saying she wants to leave it for people to decide. Greaves said that made a big difference, as people tend to follow their leaders. The prime minister did admit during the campaign to smoking marijuana when she was younger. One vocal proponent of the marijuana referendum has been former Prime Minister Helen Clark. A position paper from her foundation argues that indigenous Maori have faced disproportionate and excessive punishment from the legal system when caught with the drug.
Read MoreAlmost 50 years ago, the so-called war on drugs nearly destroyed marginalized communities in the United States. When President Nixon declared the “war” in 1971, it not only further stigmatized certain illegal substances, it also created a deeper tension between Black communities and law enforcement through the increased presence of federal drug control agencies and measures such as mandatory sentencing and no-knock warrants. Since the inception of these systemically racist policies, Black and brown people in America have faced disproportionately higher incarceration rates for nonviolent drug offenses. Fast forward to 2020 and we find that there has been some progress in decriminalizing certainsubstances — however, racism and unequal treatment under the law are problems that remain unsolved. Yahoo Life spoke with some power players in the cannabis industry who are working to dismantle oppressive systems meant to incarcerate people of color and prohibit them from finding success in what is now a multibillion-dollar industry. Alex Todd, Saucey Farms & Extracts co-founder; Jim Jones, hip-hop artist and Saucey Farms & Extracts co-founder; Jessica Jackson, chief advocacy officer of the Reform Alliance; and Cedric Haynes, director of public policy and partnerships for Weedmaps sat down with Yahoo Life to discuss how to reform the cannabis industry. Watch the full video above to learn about their efforts.
Read MoreSouth Dakota farmers will be able to plant hemp in the 2021 growing season, thanks to approval by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) submitted its industrial hemp plan to the USDA back in early August. As soon as emergency administrative rules to establish the program are in place, hemp processor and grower license applications will open. “I am excited the SDDA has an approved plan and am looking forward to working with industrial hemp producers and processors in South Dakota,” Derek Schiefelbein, SDDA Industrial Hemp Program Manager said. “The SDDA has been working diligently to create a reliable, responsible, safe and efficient program that will be in place prior to the 2021 growing season.” The industrial hemp bill passed during the 2020 legislative session after a battle between Gov. Kristi Noem and the state legislature. Noem opposed legalizing industrial hemp, stating that it could open the door for legalized marijuana, whereas legislators supported it as another option for farmers. The industrial hemp bill was one of the final bills to pass during the 2020 session.
Read MoreAccording to hempindustrydaily.com, Connecticut's hemp farmers have new rules to abide by in 2021. Instead of being part of a pilot program, hemp growers will now have to fall in line with USDA regulations under the new program. In 2014, hemp was finally removed from the schedule one narcotics list, which opened up the door for smaller Connecticut growers. According to the Hartford Courant, the new bill that Governor Lamont signed into law aligns the state's pilot program with federal requirements. It also opens up the state to additional processing and manufacturing of hemp. What is hemp? Hemp is defined as any part of the Cannabis sativa L, including seeds, extracts, and derivatives, with a lowTHC concentration, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Because hemp plants contain only 0.3 percent of THC, it is not considered a controlled substance. Marijuana is also a cannabis plant, but it's grown for its psychoactive properties, as you may already know. Unlike the hemp plant, the seeds and stalks of the marijuana plant aren't used commercially like hemp. Marijuana is grown for its flower, which contains an abundance of cannabinoids and THC. Interested in starting up your own hemp farm? CBD oil made from hemp does contain high CBD concentrations but a meager amount of THC, which cannot exceed the legal 0.3 percent limit. Clearly stated, you won't get high from the CBD oil derived from hemp. CBD oil from marijuana can act as a strong pain killer, relaxant, and anti-depressant. For an excellent read on the differences between hemp and marijuana and the CBD oil made from each, visit royalcdb.com.
Read MoreNew York’s hemp and cannabis industry, facing a potential shutdown at the end of the month, has been given life for another year. The state’s two-year-old hemp pilot program will be extended through the end of September 2021.
Read MoreMassachusetts law enforcement officials say they have a plan to address any issues of security, fraud, violence or foreign interference during the Nov. 3 election or in the days that follow. "Responders have been planning for this election for a long time," said Terrence Reidy, undersecretary for law enforcement in the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. "There is going to be a higher level of coordination among law enforcement. I think we are prepared in Massachusetts." That coordination includes a centrally located command center that will gather intelligence from around the state about potential disruptions to the election or possible violence following the election results, Reidy said. That center will work with the Boston Regional Intelligence Center or BRIC, the state police intelligence operation known as The Fusion Center and intelligence offices in Worcester and Springfield. Boston Police Commissioner William Gross is also in talks about election security. Gross says officers will be at the polls on November 3rd, as they are in every election, to "help facilitate the voting process." Boston police will work with federal and state law enforcement agencies, but Gross said they'll also need help from the community. "We need the eyes and ears of the people," Gross said. "Contact BPD. Contact us. The message that we want to send to those who are hell-bent on hate and intimidation, especially during elections, is that we're all working together." Federal agencies will work on this as well. United States Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling said plans are being made for federal poll monitors and a federal law enforcement command center to gather intelligence about potential problems. As part of that, Lelling said law enforcement will closely monitor social media. "It won't surprise anybody and it's not a state secret to say that we've done quite good forensic analysis of social media platforms," Lelling said. "That's a lot of what fusion centers do. We get streams of intel from the fusion centers, from places like the BRIC on what's going on out there on social media. And it helps us isolate where there might be problems." The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association met with the FBI Thursday to discuss statewide election security measures, according to the association's president, Hampden Police Chief Jeff Farnsworth. He says extensive preparations are ongoing and law enforcement is "planning for everything." "There is a very coordinated effort across all fronts," Farnsworth said. " What our posture is exactly is not something that we would typically share. But what I can assure everybody is that it is well vetted and well thought out. We love to plan for the worst and hope for the best. Our hope is that we have a lot of people (on election night) who are eating pizza and are bored."
Read MoreElection security is often top of mind, so what is being done to protect your vote, and keep you safe during a pandemic? NBC 5 political reporter Julie Fine spoke with Keith Ingram, the director of the elections division at the Secretary of State’s Office.
Read MorePennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf is urging legislators to legalize the adult-use of marijuana. Pennsylvania officials say the legalization of adult-use cannabis will provide a new revenue stream to direct toward economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling additional funding for grants for small businesses. Wolf was at The Mountain Center in Tobyhanna Tuesday, discussing the legalization of marijuana’s potential benefits. He is urging the General Assembly to take up legislation regarding marijuana’s legalization which they have not done despite multiple requests from Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman this fall. “This year, I again went to the General Assembly and asked them to make legalizing adult-use cannabis a priority for the fall as we work to find ways to overcome the economic hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Wolf said. “To date, there has been no movement to advance legislation. So, I’m here today to ask again, and to focus on two particular benefits of legalization – potential economic growth and much-needed restorative justice.” Wolf, joined by state Rep. Maureen Madden and hemp farmer Eric Titus White, discussed how “legalizing cannabis offers the same potential for economic growth that the historic farm bill of 2018 did for hemp farmer following decades of government prohibition of the industry.” Hemp, a once widespread crop in Pennsylvania, was cultivated in the state for more than 250 years. It was grown for seeds, fibers and extracts. Hemp and marijuana are two different varieties of the same plant species, but hemp does not contain high levels of THC, which makes marijuana a controlled substance. “Much of our knowledge about how to grow, process and use hemp was lost after industrial hemp was regulated and banned along with marijuana in the 1930s,” Wolf said. “And Pennsylvania lost the benefits of an industry with a long history of providing jobs and resources here in the commonwealth. When hemp and marijuana were banned, we didn’t just lose jobs, we lost decades of research opportunities, innovation and economic growth.”
Read MoreThe federal Small Business Administration (SBA) is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make a series of changes to its proposed hemp rules that in their current form threaten to “stifle” the newly legal industry. The agency’s independent Office of Advocacy said that while it appreciates that USDA reopened a public comment period on its Interim Final Rule for the crop, small businesses “remain deeply concerned about the impact this rule will have on their ability to legally grow hemp should the rule be finalized without any modifications.” “The rule has already stifled the industry as many farmers have chosen not to grow hemp this year until they are certain about what the requirements are, and whether they can produce compliant crops without the risk of a total loss of their investment due to mandatory destruction of hot crops,” it said in a comment submitted on Thursday, referring to plants that exceed allowable THC limits. “In some instances, [businesses] have noted that the rules are so stringent that they feel as though they are being set up to fail.” USDA announced it was reopening the comment period last month, citing intense demand from stakeholders who have expressed concern about a number of specific regulations. The department outlined 12 areas where it was seeking additional feedback, including several that industry representatives have identified as very consequential. SBA subsequently sent a letter to the agency asking it to lengthen a public comment period from 30 to 60 days, but that wasn’t heeded and the feedback period closed again last week. In its latest comment, SBA focused on five proposed rules that it hopes USDA will revise. That includes regulations concerning prescribed hemp sample collection methods, disposal requirements for so-called “hot hemp,” the 15-day harvest window and the requirement that crops be tested only by labs registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “Advocacy appreciates [Agricultural Marketing Service] reopening the comment period to consider additional comments and recommendations in advance of issuing a final rule,” SBA wrote. “Advocacy is concerned that if finalized without modification the rule will inhibit small business growth. Advocacy urges AMS to give full and thorough consideration to the above issues and proposed regulatory alternatives.” SBA’s nine-page letter suggests that USDA’s restrictive rules will benefit large businesses while forcing smaller operators out of the market. “Because hemp is a nascent industry, it has the potential to attract new farmers provided the regulations are not so restrictive as to inhibit industry growth,” it says. “Only those businesses with adequate capital and capacity for large-scale operations would be able to survive and comply with the requirements of the rule.”
Read MoreToday, Governor Ned Lamont will sign a bill on the state's hemp production plan. This bill revises the state’s hemp program to comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations for hemp production. By law, the state Department of Agriculture (DOAG) commissioner must prepare a state hemp production plan and submit it to the USDA for approval. Gov. Lamont announced in September 2019 that the state had licensed 82 hemp growers, 2 processors, and 21 manufacturers under a new pilot program he signed into law that June. The law allowed for the cultivation, harvesting, processing, and manufacturing of hemp plants and by-products in the state. As of that time, there were 294 acres of land being used to grow hemp in Connecticut. The pilot program requires the state DOAG to study the growth, cultivation, and marketing of industrial hemp by licensed entities in Connecticut. In accordance with federal law, the state agency is responsible for ensuring that the production is only taking place at sites certified by, and registered with, the state.
Read MoreWith less than a month to go until the election, cannabis executives, investors, and activists are focused on five key states. On November 3, New Jersey, Arizona, South Dakota, and Montana are set to vote on legalizing cannabis for all adults over the age of 21. South Dakota also has a medical-cannabis measure on the ballot, and Mississippi is voting on a medical-marijuana program. Since Colorado and Washington broke ground in 2012 as the first US states to legalize recreational cannabis, nine states and Washington, DC, have joined them. Medical marijuana is legal in 33 states, meaning that a majority of Americans now have some form of access to legal marijuana. Ballot initiatives like the ones voters are considering on November 3 have played a major role in the spread of legal cannabis. Nine of the states that legalized recreational marijuana did so through referendums. Business Insider put together a ballot tracker to help you understand everything you need to know about the far-reaching implications of the cannabis measures voters are weighing. To put the tracker together, we tapped a variety of sources to explain the nuances of each state's ballot measures and where polling stands, including analysts from the investment bank Cowen.
Read MoreBy Leanne Watt, Clinical psychologist, Richard Painter, former chief ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush, and Philip B. Stark, associate dean of mathematical and physical sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. Americans are scared. Regardless of what the polls suggest, they understand that our elections and democracy are under attack. And a power grab is still unfolding, marked by legal games, voter suppression, a crippled postal system and a politicized Supreme Court, which may decide a disputed election. Meanwhile, all electronic voting machines, whether directly connected to the internet or not, remain vulnerable to hacking and fraud. Despite these serious challenges, there is a way to make America’s 2020 election results trustworthy. Our nation can have an evidence-based presidential election if voters and election officials act now. In this op-ed, we discuss three simple but essential tools that will produce strong, verifiable evidence that the reported winner really won, despite any fraud or malfunction. This means generating a dependable record of votes on paper ballots, keeping that paper trail physically secure, and auditing the reported results against that paper. Whenever possible, we recommend voting by hand on paper ballots. This first step prevents fraud at the front-end of the election process. Hand-marked paper cannot be hacked. If you plan to vote in person, don’t assume your state provides hand-markable paper ballots. Check this easy-to-read map to make sure. If your state or jurisdiction does not provide paper ballots at polling places, you can instead request a provisional ballot (most states offer them) or request a vote-by-mail ballot.
Read MoreMexico’s marijuana revolution is on display steps from the nation’s Senate, where for the last nine months activists have maintained a fragrant cannabis garden. Each day, hundreds of people stroll amid a labyrinth of towering green plants, freely lighting joints and getting high. Their wafting smoke is meant to serve as a reminder to senators, who have to walk through the plumes to get to work. Lawmakers have until Dec. 15 to pass pot legislation under orders from the Supreme Court, which two years ago struck down a marijuana ban as unconstitutional. After decades of restrictive drug policies that fueled deadly cartel wars, Mexico is poised to become the biggest legal cannabis market in the world. The looming deadline has intensified debate over exactly what legalization should look like and whom it should benefit. Among the questions dogging lawmakers: How easy or difficult should it be for users to buy and consume pot? And should the estimated 200,000 families growing it now be protected from competition with the large, foreign marijuana firms that have been jockeying for influence? “You have a broad spectrum of people who want to be involved,” said Avis Bulbulyan, a Glendale-based consultant who has advised several U.S. weed companies looking to expand to Mexico. “The question becomes: ‘Who gets to profit off this?’” A bill that would allow private companies to sell marijuana to the public is likely to pass in the Senate within two weeks and then go to the lower house of Congress, said Senate leader Ricardo Monreal.
Read MoreRegardless of the challenge, whether fires, floods or tornadoes, Texas county government rolls up its sleeves and gets to work. Election Day is no different. County election officials have been preparing for months to make sure November’s elections are accurate, safe and secure. Texans can vote with confidence because county election officials will count every vote and take every step to keep every voter safe. There’s a lot to worry about this year, but voters can have faith in the election results. Much is being made of election integrity threats, both real and imagined. Year in and year out, county government makes sure elections are efficient and fair. November 3 will be no different. Whether they’re on social media or coming from politicians, attempts to erode the public’s trust in the election process do a disservice to our democracy. County officials take allegations of voter fraud and election irregularities seriously and will thoroughly investigate them to ensure nothing undermines the election process and voters’ trust. They will follow and enforce all state and federal election laws. County clerks and elections administrators have been planning all year for Nov. 3, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. As soon as the last election ends, work begins on the next. County officials use every election to learn and improve. They’re checking mail ballots, conducting cybersecurity audits, taking public health precautions, testing voting equipment and training poll workers. From ballot marking to tabulation, the accuracy and privacy of a voter’s selections will be protected. To reduce the risks of COVID-19, election officials can, and in most cases will, require poll workers to wear face masks or shields. While voters aren’t required to wear masks at the polling place, election officials request they do so to safeguard the health of poll workers and other voters. Curbside voting is available at every polling place during the early voting period and on Election Day for anyone physically unable to enter the polling place, or who is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or has health and safety concerns. All signs point to a record-setting turnout, so voters should expect long lines on Election Day. Being prepared is important. A new state law eliminated the option to vote straight ticket. Voters will have to choose candidates race by race, which will take more time. County election officials encourage voters to take advantage of the expanded early voting period that begins Tuesday and runs through Oct. 30 or apply now for a ballot-by-mail if they’re eligible.
Read MoreMicrosoft announced legal action Monday seeking to disrupt a major cybercrime digital network that uses more than a million zombie computers to loot bank accounts and spread ransomware, which experts consider a major threat to the U.S. presidential election. The operation to knock offline command-and-control servers for a global botnet that uses an infrastructure known as Trickbot to infect computers with malware was initiated with a court order that Microsoft obtained in Virginia federal court on Oct. 6. Microsoft argued that the crime network is abusing its trademark. “It is very hard to tell how effective it will be, but we are confident it will have a very long-lasting effect,” said Jean-Ian Boutin, head of threat research at ESET, one of several cybersecurity firms that partnered with Microsoft to map the command-and-control servers. “We’re sure that they are going to notice, and it will be hard for them to get back to the state that the botnet was in.” Cybersecurity experts said Microsoft’s use of a U.S. court order to persuade internet providers to take down the botnet servers is laudable. But they added that it’s not likely to be successful because too many won’t comply and because Trickbot’s operators have a decentralized fall-back system and employ encrypted routing. Paul Vixie of Farsight Security said via email “experience tells me it won’t scale — there are too many IP’s behind uncooperative national borders.” And the cybersecurity firm Intel 471 reported no significant hit on Trickbot operations Monday and predicted “little medium- to long-term impact” in a report shared withThe Associated Press. But ransomware expert Brett Callow of the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft said a temporary Trickbot disruption could — at least during the election — limit attacks and prevent the activation of ransomware on systems already infected. The announcement follows a Washington Post report Friday of a major — but ultimately unsuccessful — effort by the U.S. military’s Cyber Command to dismantle Trickbot beginning last month with direct attacks rather than asking online services to deny hosting to domains used by command-and-control servers. A U.S. policy called “persistent engagement” authorizes U.S. cyberwarriors to engage hostile hackers in cyberspace and disrupt their operations with code, something Cybercom did against Russian misinformation jockeys during U.S. midterm elections in 2018. Created in 2016 and used by a loose consortium of Russian-speaking cybercriminals, Trickbot is a digital superstructure for sowing malware in the computers of unwitting individuals and websites. In recent months, its operators have been increasingly renting it out to other criminals who have used it to sow ransomware, which encrypts data on target networks, crippling them until the victims pay up.
Read MoreSome 80% of its population has used it, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, even though it’s against the law. But New Zealand might say no to legalizing recreational cannabis in the general election on Oct. 17. Two major opinion polls show support waning for a non-binding referendum to end the prohibition. Why would a country where “weed” is widely used turn down the opportunity to acknowledge its ubiquity and reject laws turning users into criminals? In public discussions and debates, the focus seems to be on the next generation. 1. What’s the proposal? From the age of 20, a person would be allowed to buy as much as 14 grams (about half an ounce) of dried cannabis a day from licensed outlets, and to grow two plants at home (with a limit of four plants per household). There would be shops selling pot of different varieties and strengths, and eventually other products such as edibles, though not gummy bears or anything resembling children’s sweets. Smoking or vaping in public areas or buildings would be prohibited, except in specially licensed cafes. Advertising of cannabis products would be banned. Medicinal cannabis, which requires a doctor’s prescription, has already been legalized in New Zealand. 2. And the arguments? Advocates say the change would reduce harm from cannabis by eliminating illegal supply from gangs, regulating its quality and safety and blocking access to those under 20. It would raise awareness of the health risks, including requiring warning labels. They also say indigenous Maori are disproportionally criminalized by cannabis prohibition, as they are three times more likely to be arrested and convicted for possession of the drug than non-Maori. Opponents say cannabis is a serious drug that harms mental health, particularly among adolescents, and legalizing it will send a message to children that it’s OK. In the run-up to the election, this has emerged as a reason many parents give for voting no despite having smoked pot themselves.
Read MoreVoter suppression techniques are legion and beyond belief. Some election theft attempts include slowing the mail, allowing only one (!) ballot drop-off box per county as in Ohio and Texas, voter intimidation threats (“stand by”), eliminating hundreds of polling places largely in African-American and Hispanic districts, as was done in Texas, and fraudulently claiming that mail-in ballots will be illegitimate. As a clinical psychiatrist, I try to help people understand and evaluate the validity of their anxieties. I believe that Americans are creating a phobia, an irrational fear, of voting in person. If we can go to food stores, doctors’ offices, hair salons and gyms, and send children to schools, then many millions can vote in person. If we don’t, Joe Biden’s litigious opponent will file lawsuits in an attempt to steal the election, most likely by disenfranchising millions who vote by mail. Yes, there should be mail-in ballots for the old and the vulnerable who wish them. For those of us who can, vote in person. Take a mask or double mask, and gloves. My wife and I are 74, and we’re going to vote in person. Somehow we must bring our beloved country back from the brink of authoritarianism. Please, let us think clearly and drop the phobia.
Read MoreVermont will become the 11th state in the nation to allow sales of marijuana for recreational use after Gov. Phil Scott (R) said this week he would not veto a measure passed by the state legislature Scott had vetoed an earlier marijuana legalization bill that did not include specific funding directives he had sought. But in a letter to legislators this week, Scott said he would allow the latest bill to become law without his signature. He said the measure included a sufficient amount of funding to education and prevention campaigns designed to keep children off marijuana, and the implementation of a roadside saliva test aimed at curbing driving under the influence. Scott said more work remained. He called for further legislation that would open the legal market to more minority- and women-owned businesses. Vermont will now begin crafting the regulatory structures that will lead to legal pot sales. The legislation creates a cannabis control board that will establish the rules, along with a significant 14 percent excise tax on all marijuana products. The first marijuana shops are likely to open by 2022, after the new rules are finalized. Vermont is the first state where marijuana has been legalized by an act of the legislature. A similar push in New Jersey, backed by Gov. Phil Murphy (D), stalled earlier this year. Vermont would be the third New England state to legalize recreational pot, after Massachusetts, where recreational stores are already open, and Maine, with stores likely to open soon. Voters in those states, as well as in Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, passed ballot measures legalizing recreational marijuana sales. The number of states where recreational marijuana is legal is likely to increase after November’s election. Voters in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota will decide on legal marijuana measures; a recent survey of Arizona voters indicated that their measure, Proposition 207, would pass by a wide margin. Voters in Mississippi will decide whether to legalize marijuana for medical use next month. Most other states have legal medical marijuana regimes on the books. Scott, a centrist Republican who voted against President Trump in this year’s GOP primary, has been negotiating with the legislature over legal marijuana for years. He is unlikely to pay any political price, either for his Republican apostasy or for allowing legal pot to become law — a Vermont Public Radio survey conducted in September found Scott leading his Democratic rival, Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, by a 55 percent to 24 percent margin.
Read MoreAfter years of anticipation, legal sales of adult use marijuana begin in Maine Friday. It comes four years after the state voted to legalize recreational pot through a referendum vote. Adults 21 years of age or older with a valid ID will be able to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of a combination of marijuana and marijuana concentrate that includes no more than five grams of marijuana concentrate. It remains illegal to consume marijuana in public spaces. "As soon as those doors are opening, there's nothing more rewarding than seeing people who are really stoked to come in and buy legal cannabis," Theory Wellness Market Director Thomas Winstanley said. Theory Wellness, a Massachusetts-based company run by two Colby College graduates, is one of just eight stores that have received an active license from the state allowing them to open. "For us, it's incredibly exciting because we do love this state, and it's exciting to see the proliferation on a broader scale of cannabis legalization," Winstanley said. While Theory Wellness is set to open its South Portland location on the Maine Mall Road, more than 200 other hopeful shops are still in the in the licensing and application process. "It would be a slower launch, but a launch none the less," Maine Office of Marijuana Policy Director Erik Gundersen said. With shops licensed and ready, Gundersen says he expects supply to be low, and demand could be high. "That's pretty much par for the course in every jurisdiction that's launched a program has seen those type of shortages and it'll mature over time," Gundersen said. Gundersen says it will mature as more shops, cultivation sites, extraction locations and manufacturing facilities open. One of those is JAR Cannabis Company, which is looking to open multiple shops. "We have to make sure the cultivation centers are licensed and online, our manufacturing and extraction facility is ready to go. And then at that point once those licenses are in order, we'll be ready to open up the retail stores," JAR Co-owner Joel Pepin said. Pepin believes that when more stores are licensed and operating, Maine could be positioned to be one of the premiere designations for recreational marijuana. "I believe Maine has a high number of talented cultivators. There's some tremendous extraction artists and coupled with retail shops across the state, I think Maine's gonna be known nationally to visit for adult use marijuana," Pepin said.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, Gov. Phil Scott decided to let a bill establishing a marijuana marketplace become law, making Vermont the 11th state in the nation to legalize recreational marijuana sales. Over the next few years, state officials will stand up a regulated statewide market for marijuana and issue licenses to marijuana cultivators, product manufacturers, testing labs and dispensaries. Recreational marijuana dispensaries could open as soon as October 2022. And the state’s existing medical dispensaries can receive licenses to sell their products to the public starting in May 2022. Here’s what the rollout of the new cannabis marketplace will look like. The Cannabis Control Board is the new three-member body that will regulate Vermont’s cannabis industry. The governor will appoint the board in consultation with a Cannabis Control Board Nominating Committee composed of members of the governor’s administration, three members of the Vermont House and two Vermont state senators. The board is expected to be in place by January 2021. But Scott said Wednesday he thinks the law’s timeline for setting up the panel is “too aggressive and may need to be extended.” Once appointed, the control board will have authority over licensing, regulation and enforcement of Vermont’s nascent cannabis industry. In April, it will also make recommendations to the Vermont Legislature about additional policy changes and resources the state needs to have in place before the market opens up. These will include recommended policies around cannabis-related advertising, land use and efficiency requirements for cannabis businesses. In his letter on Wednesday, the governor asked lawmakers to make several changes before dispensaries start setting up shop in Vermont. Scott wants the Legislature to pass policies to improve racial equity in the marijuana industry. He wants legislators to ban the sale of marijuana vaping products, which currently would be allowed. And he wants them to prohibit businesses from advertising marijuana products in a way that would appeal to children. In June 2021, the board will begin the rulemaking process — writing the regulations that will govern cannabis establishments. Vermont has five medical marijuana dispensaries, and the new law gives these companies a head start. They can apply for licenses and sell products to the public about five months earlier than the new retail sales companies. Medical dispensaries could start selling marijuana to people without prescriptions as soon as May 2022. Scott criticized the marijuana legislation for giving medical dispensaries “an unfair head start on market access.” He said this gives the existing dispensaries an unfair advantage over women-owned and minority-owned business applicants and other small growers and entrepreneurs trying to break into the industry. Rep. John Gannon, D-Wilmington, who helped craft the legislation in the House, said medical dispensaries will be limited to one retail location each.
Read MoreNew York State Police are investigating after thousands of dollars worth of hemp plants were stolen from a farm near Mayfield. The plants, which are worth an estimated $11,000 to $17,000, went missing on September 18. Officers believe the suspects were stealing marijuana plants, which are related to hemp, to process and then sell as the drug. Anyone with information regarding this incident or the sale of “fake” marijuana, most likely in the Mayfield, Gloversville, Amsterdam area, is asked to contact (518) 630-1700.
Read MoreA private security company is recruiting a “large contingent” of former U.S. military Special Operations personnel to guard polling sites in Minnesota on Election Day as part of an effort “to make sure that the Antifas don’t try to destroy the election sites,” according to the chairman of the company. The recruiting effort is being done by Atlas Aegis, a private security company based in Tennessee that was formed last year and is run by U.S. military veterans, including people with Special Operations experience, according to its website. The company posted a message through a defense industry jobs site this week calling for former Special Operations forces to staff “security positions in Minnesota during the November Election and beyond to protect election polls, local businesses and residences from looting and destruction.” The prospect of armed guards outside election sites alarmed election officials in the state. It is illegal in Minnesota for people other than voters and elections staff — or those people meeting the requirements to be a registered election “challenger”— to be within 100 feet of polling sites. There are also laws against voter intimidation that could prevent armed civilians from being in the area even if outside the buffer, according to election officials in Minnesota. During the last presidential debate, President Trump encouraged his supporters to stand watch at polling sites and told the Proud Boys, a far-right group known for street fighting, to “stand back and stand by.” A Trump campaign spokesperson said the campaign had never heard of Atlas Aegis and that it was not involved in the effort.
Read MoreFor D.C. Board of Elections Chair D. Michael Bennett, the presidential voting underway in the nation’s capital is a chance at redemption. He recalls feeling frustrated, even tearful, on June 2 as he watched long lines of voters face unprecedented delays during the primary election. A combination of technical difficulties, poor communication and challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic left some city residents without mailed ballots and unable to vote in person. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) and other politicians demanded accountability, and one city lawmaker called on Bennett to resign. Instead, he launched a series of improvements, hoping to avoid similar problems in the much higher-profile general election. The city mailed ballots to every registered voter this time around, and ballot drop boxes and voting supercenters are among the new additions. But it’s not yet clear how these new tools will fare at a time where election security, public health and the board’s capabilities remain prominent concerns for voters. Bennett, 65, knows he’s being watched closely by the District’s executive and legislative branches as the city hurtles toward a general election that will be like no other. “I see this as a mission I’ve got to complete,” he said. “I looked around the country, and everyone struggled to make this work amid a pandemic. I feel good about our plan, and I feel we’ve done everything we can do.”
Read MoreProposition EE would increase the tax on cigarettes and all other nicotine and tobacco products incrementally over the next seven years, providing funding for a universal preschool program that would also target resources toward families whose children would benefit most.
Read MoreLast year, Oregon lawmakers referred a $2-a-pack increase in Oregon's cigarette tax to the November 2020 ballot—and backers of the tax hike started amassing a war chest to fight off the deep-pocketed tobacco industry. Yes for a Healthy Future remains the statewide campaign with the most money.
Read MoreThe New York State Department of Health has released new statistics showing a large percentage of cancer survivors continue to smoke, putting their lives and health at further risk.
Read MoreBackers of Measure 108 hope broad, bipartisan support and a well-funded campaign will push the effort to increase taxes on cigarettes and create a tax on vapes to victory in November.
Read MoreOregon voters will weigh in on taxation of tobacco and nicotine products next month. If voters pass Measure 108, the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Tax Increase for Health Programs Measure, it would increase taxes on cigarettes and cigars and introduce a new tax on vapor products beginning January 2021.
Read MoreThe Amherst County Board of Supervisors discussed the possibility of a 27 cent tax to a pack of cigarettes. "Every penny counts," Paul Chona, a local business owner. Chona owns Campbell Food Store in Elon and for him, a tax increase on cigarettes would result in a hit for his entire business.
Read MoreVermont is legalizing marijuana sales. Gov. Phil Scott (R) on Wednesday announced he’ll allow a marijuana sales legalization bill passed by the legislature to take effect. Vermont previously legalized marijuana possession and growing. The latest bill allows and builds a commercialized, tax-and-regulate system, similar to other legalization states’. The legislation is set to take effect this month, but state regulators will have until October 2022 to start issuing licenses for retailers — meaning legal sales could still be as much as two years away. Separately, Scott signed another bill into law that seeks to automate the expungement process for past marijuana convictions, freeing people from their criminal records for marijuana. People who get expungements will receive a notification by mail. The governor’s decision makes Vermont the 11th state to legalize marijuana sales for recreational purposes. A decade ago, zero states had done so. Several other states, including New Jersey and Arizona, will vote on marijuana legalization this November.
Read MoreNew Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy plans to make a virtual appearance on Thursday with an organization looking to end the prohibition of marijuana within the state, for those who are 21 or older. Local officials have fallen short of the necessary votes to pass a legalization bill in the House and Senate several times. Lawmakers have now turned the matter over to voters with a ballot amendment that will be decided this November. New Jersey has been one of the hardest-hit states with regard to the opioid/heroin epidemic. Many cannabis activists have argued marijuana is a useful alternative to powerful narcotics like OxyContin, Percocet, or Fentanyl. It is also said to have less physical side effects and can be less physically addictive than painkillers. "NJ CAN 2020," is a statewide coalition of weed advocates that includes doctors, attorneys, and cannabis business owners who will host the virtual forum at 4:30 p.m., to lobby for the Constitutional amendment, according to NJ.com.
Read MoreIn the fertile northeast corner of the Navajo Nation, fields that only months ago were traditional open-air corn farms are now stuffed with hundreds of industrial-size greenhouses, each glowing with artificial lights and brimming with emerald cannabis plants. Security cameras ring the perimeters and hired guards in flak jackets patrol the public roads alongside the farms. Every weekday throughout the summer, a group of local kids woke at sunrise and arrived at the farm by 7:30, ready for a 10-hour shift of hard labor under the high desert sun. Many were teenagers, 13- and 14-year-olds lured by offers of quick cash. A few were as young as 10. Joining them were scores of foreign workers — an estimated 1,000 people, many of them Chinese immigrants brought to New Mexico from Los Angeles, according to Navajo Nation Police Chief Phillip Francisco. Seven-foot-tall black fencing shields the activities inside these greenhouses, but farmworkers, neighbors, and law enforcement officers have provided an inside view. Chinese managers oversee the day-to-day logistics, they say, bringing in diesel generators on freight trucks to power the greenhouses, installing dozens of cheaply built trailers to house the immigrant workers, and drilling unpermitted wells to irrigate thousands of thirsty cannabis plants.
Read MoreThe adult-use marijuana club of the United States just grew to 11 with the addition of Vermont on Wednesday.
Read MoreWashington state regulators shut down El Rey de La Kush, a Riverside-based cannabis grower, for allegedly sending marijuana across state borders.
Read MoreRep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) on Wednesday accused Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe of politicizing election security intelligence on behalf of President Trump and urged him to take a number of steps to improve transparency. Slotkin, a former CIA officer and former special assistant to the director of national intelligence, pointed to serious concerns over Ratcliffe’s decision last month to declassify a letter citing unverified Russian intelligence that claimed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton approved a plan to “stir up scandal” against President Trump during her 2016 presidential campaign. “Recently, you declassified information—which the Intelligence Community cannot corroborate—as part of an apparent effort to undermine the past assessments of nonpolitical career intelligence analysts,” Slotkin wrote in a letter to Ratcliffe on Wednesday. “Press reports indicate that you released this information despite concerns from the leadership of both the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency.” Slotkin noted that “the uncorroborated claims, which you hastily briefed to Republican Senators on September 29, were subsequently repeated by the President during the first presidential debate in a further attack on the patriotic, hard-working women and men of the Intelligence Community which you lead.”
Read MoreThings may go green in four states this fall, as voters will decide on legalizing and taxing marijuana. Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota all have measures up for a vote to legalize and levy recreational marijuana. Thus far, 11 states have legalized recreational pot: Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington state. Levying legal weed is looking attractive at a time when states are anxious to boost their coffers. Jurisdictions often slap an excise tax, along with a state general sales tax, on pot sales. Just don’t count on legalized marijuana to singlehandedly save state budgets. That’s because the amount of revenue they can collect will depend on the structure of the tax and the ease of obtaining a license for growing and selling the product, according to Ulrik Boesen, senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation. “You can have a good tax system, but if your regulatory system isn’t effective, you won’t see the revenue,” he said. Boesen pointed to Oregon as an example of a state that’s been relatively successful at legalizing and levying marijuana. “Oregon has a low tax rate and a flexible licensing system, so there are a lot of growers and retailers,” Boesen said. The Beaver State applies a 17% excise tax on the retail price of pot, generating $102 million in tax revenue during the 2019 fiscal year.
Read MoreIt’s October, which means for outdoor cannabis cultivators in Canada, it’s also harvest season. Nearly 50 firms across the country are licensed to grow outdoors, but just one can say its first harvest has been in the works for nearly seven years. Despite the perception of Canada as a cold and snowy landscape, cannabis has been grown outdoors here for generations, long before prohibition was lifted in 2018. In Rock Creek, a small town in British Columbia’s Okanagan region, an area adored for its long, dry summers and endless rows of wineries and fruit orchards, a portion of a sprawling 2,200-acre ranch once dedicated to ginseng and cherries is now filled with rows upon rows of cannabis and hemp. It’s quite the sight for SpeakEasy founder Marc Geen, whose family has grown fruit trees in the region for 120 years. His father, Merv, former chairman of the board at food and beverage manufacturer SunRype, was on board with the idea when Marc and brother Pat approached him and suggested taking up a new crop might be a good business move after they had seen how private medical growers in the area had taken advantage of its fertile soil and arid climate...In 2013, shortly after federal regulations were introduced to allow for the commercial cultivation of medical cannabis but long before federal politicians had even uttered the word ‘legalization,’ the Geens founded SpeakEasy Cannabis Co. with the goal of growing cannabis outdoors, and their wait began. At this time, no provisions for outdoor cultivation were in place, and the first outdoor license wouldn’t be awarded until 2019.
Read MoreA Hammond woman was ordered to repay $381,000 and was sentenced to two years in prison after allegedly stealing the money from her job at a Gary trucking company, federal prosecutors said. A Hammond woman was ordered to repay $381,000 and was sentenced to two years in prison after allegedly stealing the money from her job at a Gary trucking company, federal prosecutors said. Cox worked for Corico Inc., 2250 E 15th Ave., as a “trusted employee” in the accounts payable department since 1992, according to federal court filings. Later, around 2016, she took over as its controller left, as head of accounts payable and the office manager. Prosecutors allege between May 2011 and July 2018, Cox created a scheme where she used the Comdata payment system to authorize check numbers for truck drivers to pay for fuel. She got the authorization codes and made out the checks or cash advances to herself, then altered years of bank statements. Cox put through around 400 unauthorized transfers, prosecutors said. Over time, she allegedly diverted more money after her promotion. It started with $2,500 in 2011, then ballooning from $27,000 in 2016 to $189,000 from January to July 2018, according to court documents. Within one day in July 2018, she put in a request at a Pilot truck stop in Gary for $996. Within 17 minutes, she put in another request at a Pilot station in Highland for $990, records show. In July 2018, Comdata told Corico’s owner that Cox has been stealing money for years. The owner confronted Cox who “left Corico and never returned,” according to an affidavit. The owner later found another box of payroll checks Cox hid at her mother’s house, filings state. “When an employee takes advantage of an employer’s trust to steal for the employer, the consequences can have a trickle-down effect for the employer and the other employees, costing jobs and causing economic hardship,” Kirsch said. “My office is dedicated to prosecuting fraud schemes like this and will continuously work with our law enforcement partners on these investigations.” Assistant United States Attorney Philip C. Benson prosecuted the case. It was investigated by the FBI.
Read MoreAmid President Trump's scorched earth efforts to discredit the results of next month's upcoming election in advance, a bipartisan group of former cabinet secretaries and members of Congress announced a $20 million public education campaign Wednesday, to stress the security of the upcoming election and that "all citizens' votes must be counted, regardless of whom they vote for." The National Council on Election Integrity plans a $4 million ad buy to run in the competitive states of Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Digital ads will begin running in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. "Americans have always found a way to vote and make their voices heard," the ad proclaims. "Help make sure every vote is counted — no matter who you voted for... While this election might feel different, we all call America home." Among the former officials behind the effort is Trump's one-time Director of National Intelligence, Dan Coats. "The most urgent task American leaders face is to ensure that the election's results are accepted as legitimate," Coats, who served in the Trump administration until last year, said in a statement. "Electoral legitimacy is the essential linchpin of our entire political culture." Trump has frequently attempted to cast doubt on the integrity of the upcoming election, baselessly claiming everything from mail in ballots have been "dumped in rivers" to arguing the election will be "rigged" and refusing to say he will abide by the outcome. Former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle, a Democratic member of the group, said "This election is about more than who's on the ballot. The integrity of our democratic system is at stake. That's why the National Council on Election Integrity is sponsoring a new, bipartisan public education campaign to ensure that every vote cast in accordance with applicable laws is counted in 2020." Meanwhile, FBI Director Chris Wray and other Trump administration national security figures released a video explaining their efforts to safeguard the November 3rd election. "We're not going to tolerate foreign interference in our elections or criminal activity that threatens the sanctity of your vote or undermines public confidence in the outcome of the election," Wray says. "At the FBI, we're working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to share information, bolster security, and identify and disrupt any threats."
Read MoreMore than half of U.S. states are using Cloudflare’s election website security service, CEO Matthew Prince told CNBC’s Jim Cramer on Tuesday. Athenian Project offers local and state governments free enterprise products to defend election infrastructures, including voter data and election return information, from cyberattacks, a critical component in a fraught political environment. The San Francisco based cloud cybersecurity provider launched the initiative in the wake of the divisive 2016 election cycle. “We’ve been able to thwart a number of attacks, but we see everything is going very smoothly,” Prince said in a “Mad Money” interview. “Registrations are happening and we’re doing everything we can to ensure that the election, which is coming up, will be free and fair and ... that cyber attacks will not be the lead story at the end of the day.” Cloudflare in January expanded free access to its online security tools to political campaigns, both domestic and foreign, to help fend off hackers looking to breach online election systems. The firm says its goals are to protect voter data and election integrity, keep websites running during peak traffic and preempt website defacement. Two notable clients include the Trump and Biden campaigns. The November contest between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden is four weeks away, though some voters have already mailed in ballots or voted in person, as early voting programs in multiple states are underway. “We provide services for both of the campaigns,” said Prince, founder of Cloudflare. “We’re not picking sides here at all, and we brief the campaigns as well as other government officials on what we’re seeing in terms of cyberattacks.” The Department of Homeland Security found that nearly half of U.S. states had been targeted for cyberattacks during the 2016 election cycle, which was clouded by concerns of voter influence and misinformation campaigns on social media sites, designed to sow doubt about the U.S. election process. Many state and local governments are limited by what they can do, given tight resources and budgets. Businesses use Cloudflare for its applications to fight distributed denial of service, or DDos, attacks that attempt to throw websites offline by sending malicious traffic their way. Hackers have reportedly doubled down on their efforts to breach Trump campaign and business sites. “We have seen cyberattacks that are targeting the campaigns, but part of what we think is important is delivering our services ... inexpensively or, in some cases, free,” Prince said. Shares of Cloudflare slipped 1.47% in Tuesday’s session to a $42.23 close. The stock is up 148% year to date.
Read MoreFour weeks ahead of Election Day, senior national security officials provided fresh assurances about the integrity of the elections in a video message Tuesday, putting them at odds with President Donald Trump’s efforts to discredit the vote. “I’m here to tell you that my confidence in the security of your vote has never been higher,” Chris Krebs, the director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said in the video message. “That’s because of an all-of-nation, unprecedented election security effort over the last several years.” The video appeared to be aimed at soothing jangled nerves of voters ahead of an election made unique by an expected surge in mail-in ballots because of the coronavirus pandemic. Though Trump was not mentioned during the nine-minute video, the message from the speakers served as a tacit counter to his repeated efforts, including in last week’s presidential debate, to allege widespread fraud in the mail ballot process and to preemptively cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election. The video was released as U.S. officials have revealed ongoing foreign efforts to interfere in the election, including Russian attempts to denigrate Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. A recent blog post by Microsoft described election-related hacking attempts by Russian, Chinese and Iranian agents. William Evanina, the U.S. government’s chief counterintelligence official, said in Tuesday’s video that foreign adversaries are spreading disinformation, engaging in influence operations, conducting cyber activities with the intent of gaining access to election infrastructure and trying to collect derogatory information on candidates, campaigns and prominent Americans. “Despite these nefarious efforts, our election system remains resilient,” said Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. “To be clear, it would be very difficult for adversaries to interfere with or manipulate voting results at scale.” The officials conceded that the Nov. 3 election will be different than past ones because of the millions of Americans expected to vote by mail. But they offered no support for the idea that mail-balloting will be tainted by fraud or foreign interference as they detailed the steps their agencies are taking to safeguard the vote. “No matter which method you choose, your voice is important,” said FBI Director Chris Wray. “Rest assured that the security of the election, and safeguarding your vote is, and will continue to be one of our highest priorities,” Wray said.
Read MoreFive justice organizations — ACLU of Vermont, Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform, Middlebury Showing Up for Racial Justice, Women’s Justice and Freedom Initiative, and the Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana — issued a statement today urging Gov. Phil Scott (R) to sign S. 234 and S. 54 into law. It notes, “Taken together, these bills will make huge strides towards addressing the racist legacy of cannabis prohibition and disparate enforcement of our current cannabis laws.” The coalition quotes a Friday statement from former state Representative Kiah Morris and her organization, Rights & Democracy, calling S. 54, “one of the most comprehensive and forward thinking attempts, addressing and repairing the historical harms of the war on drugs, and the devastating impacts on our nation.” They urge Gov.Scott to sign this bill into law, and, as the bill is implemented, ensure that the promises of racial justice are given full effect. S. 234 would automatically expunge more than 10,000 low-level cannabis convictions and decriminalize an amount modestly exceeding the possession limit. S. 54 would legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis sales while prioritizing licensing of small-scale cultivators and minority-owned businesses and women-owned businesses. An overwhelming majority of Vermonters support this legislation. A poll commissioned by the Marijuana Policy Project in February 2020 found that 76 percent of Vermont residents support allowing adults 21 and over to purchase cannabis from regulated, tax-paying small businesses.Gov. Scott has until Wednesday to sign or veto S. 54, or it would become law without his signature. S. 234 has passed the legislature, but has not yet been transmitted to the governor’s desk. Full Coalition of Justice Organizations’ Statement on S.234 and S.54 We urge Gov. Scott to sign the package of cannabis policy reform bills on his desk — S.234 and S. 54 — into law. Taken together, these bills will make huge strides towards addressing the racist legacy of cannabis prohibition and disparate enforcement of our current cannabis laws. S. 234 would expunge the misdemeanor cannabis convictions of tens of thousands of Vermonters and free them from the devastating collateral consequences of those convictions in employment, housing, and social services. S. 54 would create a system of taxed and regulated sales of cannabis that will promote the interests of individuals who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition, create economic opportunity, and promote consumer safety. We share the concerns and goals of advocates urging lawmakers to advance further racial justice initiatives when developing the tax and regulate system but disagree with the call to veto the bill and start over. That would be a big setback for racial justice. As former State Rep. Kiah Morris recently stated, “S. 54 is a bill that will change the national conversation around the legalization of cannabis and our entry into a regulated market. It is one of the most comprehensive and forward thinking attempts, addressing and repairing the historical harms of the war on drugs, and the devastating impacts on our nation.” We join Rep. Morris and Rights and Democracy in asking Gov. Scott to sign this bill into law, and, as the bill is implemented, continue to engage the communities most harmed by cannabis prohibition to ensure that the promises of racial justice are given full effect.
Read MoreBaltimore County Council delayed a vote on whether to enact restrictions on local hemp farms to allow officials more time to consider the concerns reported by farmers and the residents surrounding the fields. Hemp is a strain of cannabis that looks and smells much like the plant that’s smoked recreationally and medicinally. But hemp contains only a very small amount of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which causes the psychoactive effects associated with cannabis. The plant mostly contains cannabidiol oil, or CBD, which is used in pills, creams and consumable products. CBD’s popularity is growing because scientists discovered it stimulates a reaction in the body that reduces pain and inflammation. Hemp fields release an odor from late summer until early November, when the plant is harvested, and residents living near one of the county’s five farms have voiced health concerns over the stench. Baltimore County Councilman Wade Kach responded to complaints by sponsoring a bill that would prohibit hemp farms within 2,000 feet of a residential property. The Cockeysville Republican’s proposal would also require harvesting facilities to be set back at least 500 feet from the farm’s property line. Hemp farms would be prohibited from operating within 2 miles of another hemp farm. The bill would also require prospective hemp farmers to obtain a special exception and public hearing in the county, on top of the existing state permit and inspection to grow hemp. Farmers and agricultural advocates opposed the bill because they feared it would “virtually eliminate” hemp production on small farms. The opponents also said it would interfere with local and state right-to-farm laws. The council voted unanimously Monday night to delay the vote on the bill to Nov. 2. “There’s no doubt in my mind that this situation is leaving people uncomfortable, but my major concern is, ‘Is it putting anybody’s health at risk?’ and I don’t have an answer to that question,” Kach said. Kach said the county’s attorney is worried the county could face lawsuits if the bill is enacted as written. Kach also said there are farms in the county that are surrounded by neighbors who have never complained about odors. He acknowledged there could be different strains of cannabis that may not put out strong odors that are being grown at other farms in the county. “The question is how close are these residences where there are no complaints and the answer I got, in one case, is the nearest residence is 500 feet,” Kach said.
Read MoreRecreational pot sales in Illinois have generated quit a bit of green for the states bottom line. According to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the recreational marijuana industry remains a hot commodity in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, as statewide sales surpassed $67.6 million in September. Officials said adult-use cannabis sales in August climbed nearly 5.8 percent over July, when the state had nearly $64 million in sales. Marijuana dispensaries were deemed essential businesses in Illinois during the pandemic, allowing them to remain open during a time when most businesses were forced to close. So far this year, recreational marijuana dispensaries in Illinois have sold nearly 9.5 million marijuana products worth a total of more than $431 million.
Read MoreFederal authorities reaffirmed their confidence in the U.S. election system Tuesday, despite the persistent foreign threat and President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that the process is “rigged” and vulnerable to mass voter fraud. William Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center said the "election system remains resilient" in a video message with directors of the FBI, National Security Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. "To be clear, it would be very difficult for adversaries to interfere with, or manipulate, voting results at scale," Evanina said. Evanina and his colleagues acknowledged that foreign adversaries were continuing to spread disinformation while engaging in operations in attempts to sway voters. "There’s been a lot of talk about efforts to hack our elections over the last four years and some of you might be wondering whether the 2020 elections will be secure," said Chris Krebs, director of the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency. "Well, I'm here to tell you that my confidence in the security of your vote has never been higher. "That’s because of an all-of-nation, unprecedented election security effort over the last several years," Krebs said. The officials made no reference to the repeated criticisms from Trump, who during last week's debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden, referred to the mail-in voting system as "a disaster." The president has made the integrity of the election a constant theme of his re-election campaign, despite no evidence that the system has been compromised by large-scale fraud, and declining to commit to a peaceful transfer of power should he lose. Last month, FBI Director Christopher Wray told a congressional committee that authorities had "not seen, historically, any kind of coordinated national voter fraud effort in a major election, whether it's by mail or otherwise." Wray's testimony rankled White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who called for a closer examination of election-related complaints. In Tuesday's video, Wray maintained that federal authorities were working closely with state and local officials and would "aggressively investigate and work with our partners to take appropriate action, including seeking criminal charges where warranted." "Rest assured that the security of the election – and safeguarding your vote – is and will continue to be one of our highest priorities," Wray said.
Read MoreFlorida Secretary of State Laurel Lee said Tuesday the state will grant a brief extension of its voter registration deadline following several outages of an online registration system Monday, which left numerous users unable to file before the original deadline. In a press release, Lee said Floridians will now have until 7 p.m. Tuesday to register to vote, both online and in-person at the offices of county elections supervisors, tax collectors’ offices and Department of Motor Vehicles locations. Mailed registration forms postmarked by Tuesday, Oct. 6, are also still being accepted. Lee said Monday evening that outages and delays reported by people attempting to access the site, RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov, were the result of high demand ahead of the Nov. 3 election, and that her office took steps to increase the capacity on its servers. In Tuesday’s press release, she said she met with Gov. Ron DeSantis about the voter registration website and next steps. “This morning I met with Governor DeSantis to brief him on the status of the online voter registration system and the challenges we encountered last night due to unprecedented volume and traffic to our website,” Lee said. “We are working with local Supervisors of Elections and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to ensure that all eligible registrants have the ability submit a voter registration application by 7:00 p.m. this evening.” Lee also said that at one point Monday, the voter registration website was receiving as many as 1.1 million requests per hour. She also said state and federal law enforcement agencies are investigating to confirm that the outages were not the result of malicious activity. Florida is a big purchaser of Albert monitors, the network-intrusion devices sold to state and local governments by the Center for Internet Security, the federally backed nonprofit group that runs the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center. Still, the state has seen its share of election-security incidents, notably that Russian military hackers in 2016 successfully accessed two counties’ voter-registration files. While there’s been no evidence of malicious activity related to Monday’s outages, the incident quickly led to allegations of voter suppression and calls by legal groups and Democratic officials to extend the voter-registration period by at least 24 hours. “It is the State’s duty to ensure the website works as anticipated, to allow Floridians to exercise their constitutional rights,” Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried wrote in a letter to DeSantis, a Republican and close White House ally. “With hours taken away from the deadline due to errors, we have witnessed a potential violation of those rights.”
Read MoreA federal grand jury has indicted a North Dakota man accused of participating in a scheme to manufacture counterfeit clothing overseas that was then sold to the U.S. military and other buyers, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.
Read MoreWhile brands have been putting livestreaming on a pedestal since COVID-19, the issue of fake traffic has been growing alongside the boom of this new $14.1 billion (96 billion yuan) market.
Read MoreIn the latest sign luxury companies can’t ignore the booming secondhand market, Gucci and luxury consignment site The RealReal today announced a new partnership. ... The relationship between luxury and its resellers hasn’t always been smooth.
Read MoreFor two years, New Jersey lawmakers had failed to mobilize enough support to pass a bill to fully legalize marijuana. Instead, they agreed in December to put the question directly to voters: “Do you approve amending the Constitution to legalize a controlled form of marijuana called ‘cannabis’?” Then March roared in, and the world turned upside down. The coronavirus took a firm hold in the United States and Black Lives Matter protesters filled streets from coast to coast. More than 16,000 New Jersey residents have since died from the virus. Unemployment has soared. Ballots for November’s election, which is being conducted almost entirely by mail, have already begun to arrive at voters’ homes. And a dominant conversation in the nation now centers on race and policing, giving a core argument among supporters of legalization new potency in a state where Black residents are more than three times as likely as white residents to be charged with marijuana possession. “The big thing that’s changed,” said Axel Owen, campaign manager for NJ Can 2020, a coalition that supports legalization, “is people are having a discussion about the role of policing.” A Monmouth University poll in April found that 64 percent of New Jersey voters supported legalizing the possession of marijuana for personal use; 61 percent of respondents said they intended to vote “yes” on November’s ballot question. The use of marijuana for approved medical conditions is legal in 33 states, including New Jersey. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to make it legal to smoke marijuana recreationally, without a medical justification. Nine additional states and Washington, D.C., have since legalized adult use of marijuana, and New Jersey is one of four states where voters will be asked in November if they support legalizing recreational use of the drug. Arizona, Montana and South Dakota have similar ballot initiatives. If voters approve all four, one in three Americans will live in a state or city where recreational use of marijuana is legal, even before federal legislation advances. “We’ve seen this complete evolution in thinking,” said Steven Hawkins, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, a nonprofit that supports legalization. “New Jersey is one of the bluest states in the nation and South Dakota is one of the reddest — and they both have ballot initiatives in November.” Opponents say they fear the long-term effects of the drug, its potent levels of THC — the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana — and the potential glut of licensed distributors in struggling cities. Still, they are facing strong headwinds at a time when the nation is focused on police killings of Black residents that have shined a spotlight on systemic bias. What was once an argument centered mainly on the bottom-line benefits of taxing and regulating a product widely in use has been reframed as one with equity — and the disproportionate rates of arrest in minority neighborhoods — at its heart. If approved, New Jersey — densely populated and bordered by states that have not legalized marijuana, New York and Pennsylvania — is expected to quickly become one of the biggest new cannabis markets in the country. Gov. Philip D. Murphy, a Democrat and a proponent of legalization, argues that expanding the industry is a smart way to help the state rebound from the long-term financial devastation of the pandemic. “You have the bridge, two tunnels,” said Joseph Casper, the manager of a medical marijuana dispensary in Montclair, N.J., about the state’s proximity to New York. “People are just going to be shooting back and forth all day.” Curaleaf, the world’s largest cannabis company, operates a medicinal marijuana dispensary in South Jersey and was just licensed to open a second outlet in the state. Joe Bayern, the company’s president, says Curaleaf is building a 100,000-square-foot grow facility in Winslow, N.J., with an eye toward being able to quickly pivot into the adult-use market if the ballot initiative passes.
Read MoreInvestors who won a chance for a license to sell recreational marijuana in Illinois have filed a lawsuit asserting it’s illegal to give other applicants a second chance. The legal action sets up a potential court battle over when to hold a lottery to award 75 new retail licenses. Three finalists filed a petition asking the Illinois Supreme Court to order that the licenses be awarded without recent changes to the application process they say were made because of “political expediency.” Last month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced new procedures that would allow applicants to correct any deficiencies in their applications and get rescored for a second chance at qualifying for the license lottery. The lawsuit was filed Monday, as the Tribune first reported, by SB IL, Vertical Management and GRI Holdings IL, all limited liability corporations that received perfect scores on their applications. They were among 21 businesses that qualified in September for the license lottery. They are suing Pritzker and officials from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which oversees the licensing of cannabis dispensaries. Pritzker changed the application process after applicants complained of inconsistent scoring and handling of applications. The governor allowed applicants to be notified of any deficiencies in their applications and given 10 days to correct any problems. Those applications are to be scored again to see who else might qualify for the lottery. David Scott, owner of People Cab Co. and People Loan Club in Bellwood, said his group Vertical Management earned its score and deserves a shot at the lottery without potentially hundreds of more contestants. In any competition, he said, players must follow the rules. Even if a referee makes a bad call in a basketball game, he said, once the game is over, there are no do-overs. Winning applicants also took exception to the characterization that they are not legitimate social equity applicants because some have politically connected or wealthy white co-owners, or are already involved in the cannabis industry. GRI’s investment group, for instance, includes restaurant owner Phil Stefani, while another firm, EHR Holdings, includes former Chicago police Superintendent Terry Hillard, who is African American and helped enforce the laws that legalization seeks to reverse. The law did not include preferences for any racial group, out of concern that would be discriminatory. But all of the finalists were given a preference as social equity applicants, meaning most lived in designated poorer areas with many marijuana arrests and convictions, or had low-level marijuana convictions themselves or in their family -- which state officials said in effect favored minority applicants. Of the 21 applicants, state officials said, 13 are majority owned and controlled by people of color and 17 have at least one owner who is a person of color. Scott said his group has five African Americans out of eight owners. “If you want minorities involved, you got 'em,” Scott said.
Read MoreMaryland’s budding hemp industry is growing despite concerns from some Baltimore County residents about living near a crop that was outlawed for several decades. Hemp is a strain of cannabis that looks and smells much like the plant that’s smoked recreationally and medicinally. But hemp contains only a very small amount of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which causes the psychoactive effects associated with cannabis. Instead, hemp mostly contains cannabidiol oil, or CBD, which is used in pills, creams and consumable products. CBD’s popularity is growing because scientists discovered it stimulates a reaction in the body that reduces pain and inflammation, said Darren O’Brien, a hemp farmer in Baltimore County. “People who are growing hemp are not hippies,” O’Brien said. "It’s helping tens of thousands of people.” O’Brien manages the Hemp Hills Farm and Family Care CBD shop, but he stressed hemp isn’t just about CBD. The plant has been “a major crop” in Canada and Europe for decades, he said, because its fibers can be used to produce clothing, shoes or paper, among other things. Maryland has seen the industry blossom since starting a pilot program in 2018. There are nearly 100 farms statewide — a roughly 50% increase this past year. And new state regulations for the industry will take effect Nov. 1. But as more farmers view the crop as a gateway to the lucrative CBD market, some neighbors are fuming. And at least one county government — Baltimore County — is considering restrictions on the crop. “The people that have contacted me have said that they’ve had problems with some of their children who have respiratory issues [that] are made more complicated by hemp. People who have asthma find that their conditions are more agitated from the hemp,” said Baltimore County Councilman Wade Kach, who has sponsored a bill to limit hemp farms. The council held a hearing Tuesday on Kach’s proposed legislation, and Kach also held a virtual meeting Thursday for both sides to discuss the issue. The council is scheduled to vote on the bill Monday night, though Kach has said he may seek to postpone a vote. One of Baltimore County’s five hemp farms is located off Broadway Road, just north of Stevenson, and it’s surrounded by suburban homes. Vince Piccinini, the farmer whose name is listed on the state registration for the Broadway Road hemp farm, could not be reached for comment. While the land has long been used for farming, Kach aide Ryan Fried said a barrage of complaints followed Piccinini’s decision to grow hemp there. Like any other hemp farm, its fields release an odor from late summer until early November when the plant is harvested. Residents have voiced health concerns over the stench. Kach’s bill would prohibit hemp farms within 2,000 feet of a residential property. The Cockeysville Republican’s proposal would also require harvesting facilities to be set back at least 500 feet from the farm’s property line and hemp farms would be prohibited from operating within 2 miles of another hemp farm. The county council is expected to vote on the bill this week and, if approved, it would take effect Oct. 19. Residents from the Sparks and Lutherville-Timonium communities testified in support of the proposal last week. They said approximately 32 homes are within 1,000 feet of the Piccinini farm, which is listed in the state as GPS Nurseries. “This is frightening," Lutherville resident Michele Pearlman said. “Council, you have our health in your hands. Please protect us by passing this bill.” Another resident, Richard Sciacca, reiterated that neither the U.S. Food and Drug Administration nor Maryland allows CBD to be added to edible products, even though it’s happening. Dr. Jefferson Lee of Lutherville said the FDA says on its website that pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers shouldn’t be exposed to cannabis or cannabis-derived products. “It is incredibly disturbing, the idea of my young children becoming guinea pigs for future research on long-term health hazards from cannabis exposure at home," Lee said. But Kevin Atticks of the Maryland Hemp Coalition said there are no studies showing negative health effects from inhaling hemp. "You may not like the smell, but it’s not dangerous,” Atticks said. Right now, the hemp dispute appears to be limited to Baltimore County. But agriculture advocates are worried about the county council bill’s impact on farmers.
Read MoreA crush of lawsuits in key swing states is boosting uncertainty as Election Day approaches and as absentee and early votes are already being cast in some states. The lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, Texas and elsewhere are raising the chances of last-minute changes that could confuse voters and poll workers and damage confidence in the election’s outcome. They’re also ramping up tension as President Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis has prompted increased concerns that foreign adversaries will be emboldened to interfere in the election. Trump himself, meanwhile, has continued without evidence to question the election’s legitimacy, and the FBI and Justice Department are increasingly concerned about violence disrupting voting, Matt Zapotosky and Devlin Barrett report. Indeed, legal battles could proliferate while the nation awaits vote counts that could take days or weeks to complete in some states. Election experts are already sounding alarms about the potential for post-election lawsuits based on the divergent handling of ballots by different counties in the same state, such as different standards for rejecting mail ballots or different varied processes for verifying signatures.
Read MoreNew Jersey voters will decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana next month, after the Democratic-led state legislature fell short of enough votes to get it done. The ballot measure, if passed, would amend the state constitution to allow people ages 21 and older to use marijuana. It would also allow the state to establish a regulated market to grow, distribute and sell the drug. All registered voters will be sent ballots this month that they can either mail in or drop off at specific sites. There is no early in-person voting in the state. If the measure is approved, New Jersey would become the 12th state in the U.S. along with Washington, D.C., to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. The state has already legalized medical marijuana. The ballot question became the fallback option for advocates of legalization after legislation stalled in Trenton. The New Jersey Senate, controlled by Democrats, scuttled a scheduled vote on a bill legalizing the substance in 2019 after lawmakers failed to secure enough support to pass it. The Democratic-led state Assembly also demurred when it became clear there was no path to approval in the Senate.
Read MoreIf two markets are pretty much guaranteed to make money over the next decade separately it's artificial intelligence and cannabis. Together, the pair could form a perfect storm thanks to COVID-19 driving demand. Cannabis is more popular than ever thanks to lockdowns and vape technology and the market is predicted to be worth $76.3 billion by 2027). A.I. adds new business benefits for the industry that the COVID boom could mean big changes ahead for regulation. Adrian Holguin, CEO of CannaShark Consulting, started consulting for cannabis companies in 2017, and in three years he says the changes have been dramatic. Previously a Silicon Valley alum working in intellectual property and patents and trademark work, Holguin, now works with entrepreneurs and startups entering the cannabis industry and is bullish on the impact that AI is having: "The use of A.I. sensors allows us to keep track of every element of the cultivation process such as water level, P.H. level, temperature, nutrient feed, etc. A.I. will also help in a lot of the automation process. Indoor growing has a history of heavy resource consumption for water and electricity, Artificial Intelligence and robotics allow the cultivating process to be more efficient and effective." Holguin, believes the future of the pairing will help not only with environmental controls and quality control but A.I. also offers more business operations benefits; "A.I. can help with cost-benefit analyses of purchasing manufacturing equipment or analyzing risks before implementing new techniques into the grow-process. If the use of A.I. in cannabis continues to go down the same path as big agriculture, it will ultimately help to reduce the costs of labor." Big issues face the cannabis industry from different fronts. Legally, cannabis continues to see roadblocks, regulation changes, and challenges from across the political divide. For example, CBD, THC, and CBN are all given different National Institute on Drug Abuse classifications even though they come from the same plant. There are more than just regulatory issues for cannabis. One of the most unmentioned surrounds banking, many institutions simply don't want cannabis companies as clients. The same comes with A.I. startups, thanks to the big guns scooping them all up (Google, Facebook etc). A brain drain is happening at a cost to fill 10,000 AI related jobs budgeted more than $650 million for salaries. Some forecasts in Canada have been downgraded. COVID-19 may change this but banking and societal views remain big barriers for scaling businesses. Research and testing also remain an issue for the industry although this is a key area that AI can assist in. As does, state voting; Vivien Azer, Managing Director, Cannabis; Consumer – Beverages, Tobacco for Cowen believes that if New Jersey voters choose to legalize the drug, it could cause a domino effect in neighboring states like New York, Pennsylvania, and others to adopt similar standards.
Read MoreSetting Chicagoans up for a safe and secure election is a tall order in a year beset by a pandemic, post office woes and concerns about voter intimidation. But Chicago Board of Elections Chairwoman Marisel Hernandez says they’re up to the challenge – and she encourages all those who want to vote to make sure they’re registered, right up until Election Day. “Any resident of Chicago who’s a U.S. citizen and will turn 18 by Nov. 3 can register to vote online, (at) early voting sites, and on Election Day,” she said. “Our early voting site at the Loop is open and running, the other 50 early voting sites will be open as of Oct 14. You’ll also be able to register to vote online until Oct. 18.” On the first day of early voting, voters formed a socially distanced line outside the building to cast their ballots. Masks, hand sanitizer and Plexiglas dividers were used there — as they will be at all polling locations — to keep poll workers and voters safe. Hernandez says that nearly half a million people have requested vote-by-mail ballots, and she urges those who plan to vote by mail to return their ballots as soon as possible to avoid delays in counting. Voters whose primary language is Spanish can visit the Board of Elections site for information in Spanish; information in several other languages is also available. After Gov. J.B. Pritzker expressed concerns that some people might attempt to disrupt the election, Hernandez says the Board of Elections is ready for that, too. “I want voters to know that the board regularly meets with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Chicago Police Department and other governmental entities to prepare for this election period, including Election Day,” Hernandez said. “And on Election Day, we will have all of these agencies assisting us along with community organizations and attorneys who will monitor polling places. So we feel confident that we have the security in place for voters to come out and safely vote.”
Read MoreMany of the concerns about this year’s election focus, rightly, on the voting — the casting and counting of ballots. But officials in Virginia and elsewhere are taking precautions against another threat, that of intimidation at the polls and the potential for violence around the election. These are not idle worries, and Virginians should take some measure of comfort in knowing steps are being taken to protect voters and keep the peace between now and the presidential inauguration in January. Last week, at the request of Del. Marcus Simon, D-Falls Church, Attorney General Mark Herring issued an advisory opinion to clarify some of the commonwealth’s rules about the election process and the safety of voting sites. Simon made a request following an incident at an early-voting site in Fairfax on Sept. 19. Supporters of President Donald Trump gathered for a demonstration, which unnerved some voters and local election officials, who opened part of the government building to allow people to stand inside while waiting to cast their ballots. The demonstrators did nothing illegal. They did not violate the law against electioneering near a polling site, staying about 100 feet from the building, and did not block people from walking up, per reporters on the scene. But voters have a right to participate in our elections free from intimidation. Casting a ballot should be a cause for celebration, not something to fear.
Read MoreAbout a quarter of a million people currently work part-time or full-time in the cannabis industry according to Leafly.com and those numbers are expected to grow significantly as marijuana legalization expands into new states and as nascent markets become more established.
Read MoreSeveral states have increased gas taxes in recent months to make up for sudden shortfalls in revenue devoted to road repairs.
Read MoreTo secure elections, paper ballots and risk-limiting audits are needed and systems have to be established to contain the spread of misinformation, a recent Indiana University Bloomington study has found.
Read MoreGiven the regulatory nature of elections, it may be difficult for government and private sectors to work in tandem, especially at this late stage of the election cycle. However, this summer, Election Systems & Software, the top U.S. manufacturer of voting technology, announced that it would allow outside security experts to test its systems -- a first for the security industry. Until further collaboration occurs, pentesters may still be at arm's length. But that doesn't mean there aren't key insights into election security vulnerabilities that security professionals can learn from.
Read MoreCanopy Growth Corp., the cannabis company that attracted Corona beer producer Constellation Brands of Chicago as an investor, is moving to bring cannabis beverages to the U.S. in 2021.
Read MoreMore than 5,000 pounds of cannabis illegally cultivated in the backyard of a Menifee home was seized and the property owner arrested during a law enforcement raid that uncovered some of the product loaded into the back of a truck, authorities said Wednesday.
Read MoreDrivers in New Jersey purchased nearly 40 percent less gas between March and May as businesses and schools closed and more people began working from home.
Read MoreMonterey elected officials and the public on Wednesday had the chance to weigh in on the issue of allowing cannabis operations in the city, allowing City Council members to give city staff direction on additional information needed and questions they want answered the next time the issue comes around.
Read MoreWith the green light given for a cannabis testing laboratory to begin operations, Missouri’s medical marijuana program supply chain is now complete and will soon be serving patients. Last week’s approval of EKG Labs in St. Louis comes nearly two years after voters legalized the medicinal use of cannabis with the passage of a constitutional amendment in November 2018.
Read MoreAccording to NORML, the main provisions of the proposed law – which would help marijuana businesses gain access to banking services – were included in the Democrats’ bill.
Read MoreAs public opinion changes and state regulators learn from those who have gone before them, the time it takes from the approval of medical marijuana by voters or lawmakers to the first recreational sales in a market is getting shorter.
Read MoreA bill has been drafted in the Wyoming Legislature that would tighten regulation of cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp products in retail settings and restrict the variety of these products that can be sold.
Read More“We'd looked at the experience of other states and the bottom line is that we think the revenue potential from a 20% sales tax on legalized recreational cannabis, but the size that revenue varies. It's roughly between $45 and $52 million per year, which is comprised of a resident share and a tourist share which is expected to grow in the coming years.”
Read MoreSince the state’s first dispensary opened about 16 months ago, Arkansas patients have purchased more than $131 million worth of medical marijuana. These sales have generated more than $13 million in state tax revenue, contributing to the state’s goal of achieving a coveted cancer institute designation for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Read MoreElection officials from around Utah said Monday they are confident that elections here next month will be secure, safe and fraud-free. But they’re not so confident about the rest of the nation.
Read MoreThe new identity card includes a number of new embedded security features where one’s personal details will be safely captured on a polycarbonate card, which will make it extremely difficult to forge or tamper with, without leaving signs of attack.
Read MoreTokenWorks, a company driving advanced driver's license scanning and age verification solutions, has introduced the newest product in its line of ID scanners: AgeVisor Contactless, the easiest and safest way to scan IDs following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreAn AUGENTIC / INCM partnership has been chosen to support the Republic of Cameroon in the modernization of the biometric passport and its issuance process.
Read MoreNational digital identity projects involving biometrics made up the theme of the week’s top news on Biometric Update, with Thales and an Augentic-INCM partnership winning major ID document contracts in Sweden and Cameroon respectively, and Idemia, Mühlbauer, HID Global and Aisino Corporation bids needing to be refiled in Nepal.
Read MoreThe lieutenant governors of Illinois and Michigan recently gave their counterpart in Pennsylvania some advice on how to approach marijuana legalization in his state.
Read MoreMany state and local agencies are now expecting revenue shortfalls, or, at the very least, battling uncertainty and hesitation. As we respond to these challenges and plan a path forward, it can be helpful to look back at similar situations and the tools used in the past.
Read MoreSix months after medical marijuana became legal for purchase inside Utah for the first time, the program has already surpassed enrollment projections.
Read MoreA Texas company that sells software that cities and states use to display results on election night was hit by ransomware last week, the latest of nearly a thousand such attacks over the past year against small towns, big cities and the contractors who run their voting systems.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission on Thursday approved draft regulations that would create licenses for adult-use cannabis delivery companies in the Commonwealth.
Read MoreFirefighters battling the state’s largest wildfire braced for the change in weather by constructing fuel breaks on Friday to keep the flames from reaching a marijuana-growing enclave where authorities said many of the locals have refused to evacuate and abandon their maturing crops.
Read MoreBut taking a big step back and putting the November 2020 presidential election aside for a moment (which is hard to do, I know), some experts are already looking around the world for the answer to the simple questions: How can we do secure voting better? Where is the best model to follow? Can we bring elections into the 21st century?
Read MoreThe Cannabis Control Commission filled in the blanks Thursday of its long-discussed marijuana home delivery rules, agreeing upon a framework that creates two types of delivery licenses and settling on a timeline that would have new cannabis industry rules in place in about a month. The CCC adopted draft delivery regulations Thursday that would create two distinct delivery license types: a “limited delivery license” that would allow an operator to charge a fee to make deliveries from CCC-licensed retailers and dispensaries, and a “wholesale delivery license” that would let an operator buy marijuana wholesale from cultivators and manufacturers and store it in a warehouse. The licensees would augment retail stories and serve as a new means for people to acquire recreational marijuana. “What we’ve done in addition to creating those two license types is also to establish new fees and fee structures, to require warehousing for wholesale delivery licensees, to authorize white labeling for wholesale delivery licensees, we’re defining specific operational requirements that will be in addition to the general operational requirements, and we are amending existing relevant regulations to incorporate the license types and the activities that they can undertake,” Commissioner Britte McBride, who led the regulation writing process, said. McBride said the limited delivery license “isn’t much of a change at all from the delivery-only license that had been included in our regulations.” When it started this latest round of regulatory revisions earlier this year, the proposed rules would have limited delivery operators to a courier role, sourcing marijuana and marijuana products from CCC-licensed retailers and making same-day deliveries. Several prospective cannabis delivery operators told commissioners during a public hearing that the framework for delivery would not work as initially written.
Read MoreHopes were at an all-time high for sweeping cannabis policy reform and industry expansion as 2019 turned into 2020. With widespread, and bi-partisan, public support, the MORE ACT passing the House Judiciary Committee, and the prospect of nearly a dozen cannabis policy votes in 2020, there was plenty of reason for optimism. I even wrote in this column that “2020 was shaping up to be the biggest year ever for marijuana policy reform.” All bets were off when the Covid-19 pandemic plunged us into global uncertainty this past spring. Individuals, families, and corporations were left scrambling towards a proverbial “new normal,” with the majority of policy initiatives taking a backseat to the public health crisis demanding our attention. This meant that qualifying ballot initiatives became vastly more challenging, with traditional signature gathering, and the amount of social contact it requires, no longer considered acceptable or safe. Montana ordered 150,000 pens so each petition signer could have their own. Other states, however, weren’t so lucky, with Arkansas unable to meet their July 3rd signature deadline for adult- use cannabis legalization and Idaho preemptively anticipating the same fate, opting to suspend their medical cannabis campaign in early April (they needed 55,057 by May 1 to qualify). California, Missouri and Nebraska also saw cannabis related policy efforts halted by Covid-19. Efforts to legalize cannabis in state legislatures similarly suffered, with state legislatures shutting down for months at a time, and most only reconvening virtually to handle essential business. Anticipated legislative pushes to legalize in states like New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Mexico all stalled due to Covid-19 related legislative paralysis.
Read MoreThe Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors disagreed, in whole or in part, to all but two of the 12 findings in a highly critical grand jury report on cannabis regulation and said only one of the report’s 19 recommendations would be implemented. Although 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann took issue with the reply to Finding 11, she agreed with the overall response to the report as recommended by staff and joined in the unanimous vote approving it. Finding 11 essentially said odor has not been controlled at cannabis cultivation boundaries, leading to a significant public outcry about odor, quality of life and health. The board partially disagreed with that. While acknowledging odor control has been a challenge in regulating cannabis, the board’s response said permitting and business licensing processes come with stringent requirements for odor control. It also said business licenses mandate annual reviews, and a significant portion of those will consider odor control compliance. “There are, to my knowledge, no odor control requirements on AG-2 properties,” Hartmann asserted. “[The response] implies there are odor control requirements across the board.” Planning and Development Department Director Lisa Plowman agreed odor control is not required on properties zoned Agriculture 2 and said her staff will work with the County Executive Office to clarify odor control requirements in the response. The board said it will not implement the recommendation that unpermitted cannabis cultivation be suspended until operators prove odor is controlled at the property line because that action is not warranted. “I still believe technology will eventually improve this situation,” 1st District Supervisor Das Williams said. Findings 6 and 7, which both criticized using affidavits to certify legal nonconforming use status without requiring proof, were the only two the board agreed with.But the response said the accompanying recommendations — suspending unpermitted legal nonconforming operations pending proof of prior cultivation — were unreasonable and would not be implemented. The boardpartially disagreed with Finding 9 that the county treasurer/tax collector “was not included in the creation of the tax portions of the cannabis ordinance,” noting the treasurer concurred with two board letters on cannabis taxes. But it said the treasurer would be involved in creating any future tax-related ordinances. Of eight people who spoke during public comment, three with industry connections supported supervisors for “choosing facts over emotion,” saying the grand jury report didn’t reflect the process and was written from the viewpoint that cannabis should not be legal. The rest supported the grand jury’s “exhaustive investigation” and “thoughtful recommendations” and criticized the board using some of the report’s assertions, including that the board granted unfettered access to cannabis lobbyists, developed ordinances outside public scrutiny, allowed the industry to operate unchecked, failed to control odor and permitted an excessive number of cannabis operations. Responding to the comments, 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino said representatives of the cannabis industry had no more access than anyone else.
Read MoreDespite a delay in the U.S. House of Representatives vote for a bill that would seek to legalize cannabis at the national level, the legal cannabis market in the U.S. still stands to substantially grow as more states plan to let voters decide whether they want to legalize it. According to a new report from cannabis market firm New Frontier Data, state ballot measures slated for 2020 in five states — Arizona, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota — could be the green light for adding $9 billion dollars to the size of the nation’s legal cannabis market if all are approved by voters this November. “The 2020 election could be one of the most consequential and historical events to change the landscape of the legal U.S cannabis industry,” New Frontier Data CEO Giadha DeCarcer said in a release. “With $9 billion in new revenue from 2022-2025, should all five states ballot measures pass, New Frontier Data estimates that revenues from all legal U.S. markets will reach $35.1B in 2025.” In a way, the upcoming state votes could have a more immediate impact on legal cannabis in the U.S. than even the delayed House vote on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act would have since it’s not expected to be taken up as long as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell remains atop the Republican-controlled chamber. In Arizona, Proposition 207 would legalize recreational adult-use in the state in non-public places. With an estimated 1.2 million cannabis consumers in the state, New Frontier Data estimates that annual revenues for legal adult-use cannabis will exceed $1 billion in Arizona by 2024 if the proposition passes. Polling remains close, however, with only 51% support at last clip — roughly in-line with where support was when a similar initiative failed in 2016. In New Jersey, potentially the largest new state market if voters approve the similar ballot initiative there, annual sales of legal adult-use cannabis could reach $1.8 billion by 2024, according to New Frontier Data. The state would become the first Mid-Atlantic state to approve recreational cannabis and could draw significant demand from neighboring states. The latest polling on the ballot initiative shows nearly two-thirds of likely voters approve of legalizing cannabis. And in a sign of the times, even South Dakota is looking poised to approve legal cannabis use in some form — whether it be medical or recreational — through two separate ballot measures that both appear poised to pass. With an estimated 97,429 current cannabis consumers in the state, New Frontier Data estimates that annual sales of legal adult-use cannabis in South Dakota will exceed $122 million by their fourth year. Whether or not all state measures, past momentum at the federal level has clearly mounted. As Cowen Managing Director Vivien Azer recently noted, “it was inconceivable four years ago that the House would vote to legalize cannabis. The safe position for a Democrat in 2016 was to oppose legalization. Today it is to support legalization.” As odds of Democrats retaking control of the Senate rise, so too do the odds of cannabis legalization at the federal level. As Curaleaf CEO Joe Lusardi told Yahoo Finance earlier this year, Democrats taking the Senate could set up a quick move to legalize marijuana at the federal level even if President Trump wins re-election.
Read MoreTobacco products are still on track to become more expensive in Kodiak, as the Kodiak Island Borough has been discussing the idea of raising the excise tax on tobacco for the past several months.
Read MoreThe state imposes a 17-cent tax on a pack of cigarettes — the lowest in the nation — just a fraction of the $2.98 rate charged across the Mississippi River in Illinois. Missouri’s rate likely won’t change any time soon. Voters in 2016 rejected competing ballot questions that would have raised the tobacco tax.
Read MoreGov. Phil Murphy and his fellow Democrats who lead the New Jersey Legislature have agreed on a state budget deal that raises taxes on high-income earners and HMOs while extending a 2.5-percentage point surtax on corporations with over $1 million in income.
Read MoreIt’s not the main reason Oregon’s budget future is shaping up better than expected, but data and forecasts released Wednesday show the positive effect of a large and sustained increase in cannabis sales since Covid-19 hit.
Read MoreThe Vermont House of Representatives has approved a deal on a bill that would allow for the legal sale of marijuana, as well as taxation on those sales. The legislative conference committee report passed the House by a vote of 92-56 on Thursday, the Bennington Banner reported. It now heads to the state Senate, where a vote is expected next week.
Read MoreStanding before a field of thigh-high hemp plants last week, a pair of candidates running for seats in the West Virginia House of Delegates previewed a marijuana legalization bill they plan to introduce if elected in November. Rusty Williams and Chris Yeager, Democrats running in West Virginia House Districts 35 and 14, respectively, announced the planned legislation, titled “The Normalization of Cannabis Act,” in a video streamed Friday on Facebook from Yeager’s hemp farm in Mason County. “I think that this bill is a great draft,” said Yeager, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and owner of Appalachian Cannabis Co., which makes products from CBD derived from his farm’s hemp. “It gives us a starting point.” The proposal is being supported by WV Can’t Wait, a political advocacy group that asks candidates to sign a pledge to reject corporate campaign donations and sign on to an array of policy positions, including broadband internet for all, infrastructure investment, small-business support, a workers bill of rights and “full cannabis legalization.” Williams, who became involved in medical marijuana legalization efforts after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, according to his campaign website, helped successfully advocate for the state’s medical cannabis bill, signed into law in 2017. He described his new proposal in Friday’s video as “the first piece of comprehensive cannabis legislation that we intend to introduce should we both be fortunate enough to win in November.” A copy of the draft bill wasn’t immediately provided by WV Can’t Wait organizers, who instead pointed Marijuana Moment to a bulleted list of provisions, included in full at the end of this article. “People hear the term ‘comprehensive cannabis’ and want to know what that means,” Williams said on the live stream. “What that means is this bill will decriminalize the cultivation, production and personal use of cannabis for all West Virginia adults over 21.” Under the proposal, all adults 21 and over could grow up to 12 cannabis plants for personal use. While the bill would establish a “framework for taxation of commercial sales,” the candidates stressed that big business isn’t their goal. Instead, the proposal would allow so-called micro permits, which would license small, vertically integrated marijuana businesses. “One of the major criticisms we’ve had with the Medical Cannabis Act is that the entire industry was going to be run by ten companies,” Williams said. “When we end prohibition, we have got to make sure that we clear a path for small businesses and small farmers to get into the game and participate in this industry, and that’s exactly what micro permitting will do.” Permits would be discounted 50 percent to applicants convicted of past nonviolent cannabis crimes, Williams said, “as a means of restorative justice. I can’t stress it enough, here in West Virginia we have got a lot of wrongs to right when it comes to cannabis.” The prospective bill would also expunge the records of nonviolent cannabis convictions dating back to 1937, when prohibition first began, Williams said. “Not only will we release people from jail who are wrongfully incarcerated for possessing or using a plant, but this bill also provides for transitional services for people released, so we can help them with schooling, education, housing, anything that we can help them with to get them back into society, which is where they should be in the first place,” he said.
Read MoreFairness in cannabis - that has always been the goal with legalized recreational marijuana in Illinois. The social equity portion of the state's law is aimed at bringing stronger diversity to the industry. However, many feel the cannabis dispensary lottery wasn't fair with only 21 groups initially moving forward for 75 licenses. 937 groups sent in nearly 2,600 applications combined. Gov. JB Pritzker went back to the drawing board with members of his administration to find a solution for hundreds of applicants who lost out earlier this month. Those groups will soon get a second chance to apply for licenses. "As governor, I'm not interested in protecting a process that people are afraid to trust," Pritzker said Tuesday. "I'm interested in doing everything we can to advance the priority we all share, and that's fairness." Social equity applicants who failed to hit a perfect score (252 points) during the initial process will receive a deficiency notice explaining why they lost points. They can then submit revised applications or ask the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to rescore their documents in case of errors. "This was never about the first round, the first year, or the next election. This is about the next generation," said Toi Hutchinson, Pritzker's Senior Cannabis Advisor. "That's why I'm so proud to stand with Gov. Pritzker and the entire administration to see this through." Getting it right: The cannabis law requires IDFPR to evaluate the marketplace after the first 75 licenses are awarded. Pritzker said this could help bring new ideas to the General Assembly to improve equity and inclusion in the industry. "We want to make sure we get this right from the outset," Pritzker added. "The more costly thing, of course, would be getting it wrong and awarding licenses in a way that's not fair, and ending up with an industry that's not truly diverse." Even with the second shot at a license, many will come out empty-handed. As written in the law, the Pritzker administration can only give out 75 licenses before December 31. However, Hutchinson says more opportunities will sprout this year. "Whether or not you own the dispensary or you own the cultivation center, there are all kinds of vendors that go into each dispensary. There's supply chain," Hutchinson explained. "There's all different kinds of ways that this industry is going to grow with a population of people who now see a place for themselves in it." Applicants will have 10 days to respond to the deficiency notices from the administration. Pritzker hopes the lottery process will wrap up later this fall. "We do not want a world where people who absolutely earned points that they should have received are denied those points," Hutchinson added. "So, we're going to take our time to make sure that this is as thorough, and equitable, and fair as we possibly can make it."
Read MoreThe world crossed a red line this month when police directly tied a woman’s death to a cyberattack in Germany. Prosecutors in the German city of Cologne have opened a negligent homicide investigation in the case in which an ailing woman was turned away from a hospital in the grips of a ransomware attack and couldn’t help her. She died on the way to another hospital. It was the most concrete evidence to date of the real-world consequences of digital hacking. And it’s a scenario that’s likely to play out again and again as technology becomes more deeply entwined in people’s daily lives and security protections fail to keep up. “This is something people have been warning about for a long time now and you’re going to see more and more of it,” Peter Singer, a senior fellow at the New America think tank who focuses on cybersecurity, told me. The case is especially noteworthy because after years of fears about potential life threatening cyberattacks from Russia, Iran or North Korea that could resemble a “cyber 9/11” or “cyber Pearl Harbor,” the first attack directly linked to a death came from common criminals who may not even have known they were targeting a hospital. Indeed, the hackers who locked up the hospital’s IT systems seem to have been targeting Heinrich Heine University, which is affiliated with the hospital, rather than the hospital itself, according to a note the hackers sent demanding a ransom payment, the Associated Press reported. That scenario of a criminal hack accidentally cascading into a life-threatening situation is only going to become more common. “Human life is more tied up with cyberspace now than it was before because of this ongoing march of digitization and the interconnection of networks with all human activities,” Jon Bateman, a former Defense Intelligence Agency analyst and now a cybersecurity fellow for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told me. “Hospital are more online than they were before, and that’s true of many industries. So it stands to reason that cyber incidents with life-and-death consequence will be happening more and more.” Just because this death was probably an accidental consequence of a cyberattack doesn’t mean future such deaths won’t be deliberate. That will become especially likely with the proliferation of a slew of things connected to the Internet and vulnerable to hacking such as medical devices, driverless cars and connected home features.
Read MoreThe Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago teamed up with Verizon to help deliver secured elections in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus a global pandemic. This was just six days away from Chicago’s scheduled presidential primary. Implementing additional health and safety measures to protect voters and poll workers in such a short amount of time was a hurdle in and of itself. Adding to this complexity was the introduction of a brand new voting system for over 2,000 precincts across 230 squares miles. Even without pandemic factors, being able to provide secure electronic elections across multiple voting sites comes with its own challenges, unique to each state, county and city. Three critical factors for secure electronic elections are: Protect the integrity of voter choices on a digital ballot; Guard against hacks and cyberattacks when those choices are electronically transmitted across the network; Ensure that every vote is accurately counted and accounted for Proper planning is essential when preparing for something as critical as an election. As early as 2006, when problems with the then-new voting equipment began to surface, the Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago (“Board”) had already initiated preparations for improving network security and efficiency, which included upgrading its electronic poll books in 2014. When the Board decided to upgrade its voting equipment and network in 2018, it was dealing with an infrastructure that hadn’t been updated since 2006. This meant replacing the old-school voting equipment with more modern equipment featuring robust capabilities and security. Whereas before, the equipment merely performed a tally of votes without preserving the ballot itself, the new system actually scans and saves every single ballot, both electronic and paper. “The added advantage about these new vote scanners is that you can see the logic the scanner used to count or not count the vote so that there can be an immediate adjudication if there’s an issue of how the image appeared that reflects the voter’s intent,” said Jim Allen, former Communications Director, Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. But shifting from a purely count-based tally to one that is accompanied by verifiable scans of actual ballots requires not just a massive increase in bandwidth, but also a pipeline that is reliable and scalable.
Read MoreMarijuana businesses impacted by recent natural disasters or that have experienced financial distress due to the coronavirus pandemic would be eligible for federal relief programs under new legislation introduced in the House of Representatives and Senate on Thursday. Because cannabis remains federally prohibited, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has explicitly denied the industry—and businesses that work indirectly with it—access to its relief programs like other markets. That means, for example, marijuana farmers in states like California and Oregon that have seen their crops destroyed by wildfires are fully dependent on state and local assistance. The new Small Business Disaster Relief Equity Act would resolve that problem, stipulating that disaster- or COVID-related services, grants, loans and tax benefits that are made available through federal agencies or congressional legislation cannot be denied to cannabis businesses solely because of the nature of their work, as long as it is in compliance with state law. What’s more, the bill states that the the heads of federal agencies that administer disaster relief such as SBA “shall, to the greatest extent practicable, allow State-legal cannabis businesses to retroactively apply for such disaster assistance.” Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) filed the companion bills. “Cannabis businesses in Oregon hurt by the blazing wildfires or any other disaster shouldn’t be shut out from federal relief simply because the federal government is stuck in yesteryear,” Wyden said in a press release. “These legal small businesses employ thousands of workers and support our struggling economy. If they need federal support, they should get it. Full stop.” SBA recently confirmed to Marijuana Moment that while it opened a disaster relief loan program for Oregon businesses damaged or destroyed by the wildfires, the cannabis industry isn’t eligible. People working in the state-legal market whose primary residences were impacted could still apply, however, but not if they conduct their business from home.
Read MoreThe civil rights groups behind this summer's Facebook advertiser boycott are joining other critics to pressure the social network to do more to counter hate speech, falsehoods about the election and efforts to delegitimize mail-in voting. The coalition is launching a weekly livestreamed meeting, starting next week and running through the November presidential election, to discuss "the most urgent issues including voter suppression, election security and misinformation" on Facebook. Participants include the NAACP, Color of Change and the Anti-Defamation League, which together organized the Stop Hate for Profit campaign. It saw over 1,000 companies pause advertising on Facebook to protest its handling of harmful content. They are joined by others, including Roger McNamee, an early Facebook investor who has become one of the company's loudest critics, and Yael Eisenstat, who ran Facebook's election integrity operations for political ads in 2018. "We are deeply concerned that Facebook is now being weaponized, will be weaponized in the coming weeks and possibly even after November 3rd ... to drive anti-democratic dynamics and undermine the results of the vote," Shoshana Zuboff, professor emerita at Harvard Business School and a member of the group, told NPR. "Facebook is already being used to suppress the Black vote in 2020 and we've seen all sorts of attacks on Black voters across the country," said Rashad Robinson, Color of Change president, in a statement. "We're seeing an unprecedented amount of disinformation and misinformation traveling across the platform." The group is a project of the U.K.-based The Citizens, an activist organization founded by journalist Carole Cadwalladr, who broke the story of the Cambridge Analytica scandal. She said billing the group the "Real Facebook Oversight Board" is a "deliberate troll" of the actual independent oversight board the company created to review decisions over what content it allows on its platform and make policy recommendations. After lengthy delay, Facebook's board said on Thursday that it would launch in "mid to late October." The board will review cases submitted by users challenging content that has been removed, as well as decisions referred to it by Facebook. Its review process can take up to 90 days, meaning it is unlikely the board will weigh in on urgent election-related issues. Critics say the constraints on the board, the fact that it will not review ads or content in groups, and the small number of cases it expects to review each year mean it will have little impact on issues of misinformation, hate speech and urgent harm, which have become flashpoints for Facebook. The company has often been slow to remove content even when it breaks its rules, which has had real-world consequences.
Read MoreThis week, the president declined to commit to a peaceful transfer of power should he lose the election. Facebook is preparing for this and other scenarios following the Nov. 3 vote. Our editorial board talked Tuesday with Nick Clegg, a former British deputy prime minister who is the company’s head of global affairs and communication, and Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, about measures they're taking leading up to and out of the election. "We've recruited a bunch of very specialized folks to help us as a company do the most meticulous form of scenario planning that we possibly can, from the non-scenarios to some extremely worrying ones," Clegg said. "We now have relationships with election authorities on the ground in all the states across the country."
Read MoreDemocrats are writing a blueprint for post-Trump elections as the president is boosting his efforts to undermine faith in the current one. House Democrats released yesterday a sweeping package of reforms they hope to make if Joe Biden wins in November with an election integrity section that reads like a direct rebuke to President Trump. It explicitly bans candidates from accepting from foreign sources anything that might influence an election, such as “opposition research, polling, or other non-public information.” That’s a jab at Trump, who’s speculated openly that he might accept dirt about a political opponent from a foreign government. The bill also mandates that campaigns notify the FBI and the Federal Election Commission about foreign contacts and threatens up to five years in prison and $1 million in fines for violations. The architects of the bill, which also includes measures to strengthen Congress’s ability to check executive power abuses, are informally calling it the “post-Trump reforms,” Karoun Demirjian reports. Trump, meanwhile, refused during a news conference to commit to ensure a peaceful transition of power after November's election, replying, “We’re going to have to see what happens.” He went on to condemn “ballots” — a seeming reference to mail-in ballots, which he’s routinely attacked without evidence — and to suggest that if states back off using mail ballots it will ensure both a peaceful transition of power and his reelection. “Get rid of the ballots, and you’ll have a very — we’ll have a very peaceful, there won’t be a transfer, frankly. There’ll be a continuation,” Trump said. “The ballots are out of control. You know it. And you know who knows it better than anybody else? The Democrats know it better than anybody else.” The comments underscored the stark contrast between Democrats’ efforts to raise public confidence in elections and Trump’s efforts to undermine that confidence with less than six weeks to go before Election Day. They marked an escalation — even by the standards of Trump’s caustic rhetoric. The remarks could help prompt unrest if there are disputes about the election outcome or even if it takes longer than usual to tally preliminary results, which is highly likely because of the dramatic increase in mail voting during the pandemic. The comments come as a handful of states have already sent out mail ballots and numerous others are preparing to do so in the next week. Election officials from both parties have generally declined to follow Trump’s lead in attacking mail ballots. That’s been the case even when the president has rejiggered his criticism to focus narrowly on states opting to send such ballots directly to all the state’s registered voters during the pandemic, such as California, Nevada and New Jersey. The Trump campaign lost a legal battle to halt Nevada's plan and backed off a similar lawsuit in California. A New Jersey legal fight is ongoing. Benjamin Hovland, chair of the Election Assistance Commission, disputed there’s any tangible difference between mail ballots that voters request and ones that are sent automatically during a panel discussion I moderated yesterday sponsored by the Advanced Technology Academic Research Center and the Information Technology Industry Council.
Read MoreFBI Director Christopher Wray said Thursday that the bureau has not seen evidence of widespread voting fraud, an assertion that undercuts President Donald Trump’s recent warnings. “We have not seen, historically, any kind of coordinated national voter fraud effort in a major election, whether it’s by mail or otherwise,” Wray told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Wray’s remarks come a day after Trump again claimed, without evidence, that mail-in voting is susceptible to massive fraud, perhaps by foreign adversaries. The president refused Wednesday to commit to a peaceful transition of power if Democratic nominee Joe Biden wins the November election, citing concerns about “the ballots.” Wray told lawmakers the FBI has seen voter fraud at the local level “from time to time” but disputed the possibility of fraud at the national level. “To change a federal election outcome by mounting that kind of fraud at scale would be a major challenge for an adversary,” Wray said. At a White House briefing on Thursday, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany defended Trump’s concerns surrounding election security: “As Attorney General Barr has said, we’ve never had an election where we’ve done mass mail-out voting like this before.” Wray also had advice for Americans in dealing with a flood of disinformation on social media. “I would encourage people to be critical thinkers and to get their news from a variety of sources and make up their own mind and be a skeptical, discerning electorate, which is what I think is the best defense against malign foreign influence,” Wray said. Last Thursday, Wray warned the committee that Russia is actively interfering in the upcoming U.S. presidential election by spreading misinformation about Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Trump later criticized Wray for his remarks. Wray on Thursday maintained the FBI will continue to monitor election-related threats and threat actors. “We’re in uncharted new territory,” Wray said. Trump appointed Wray to lead the FBI in 2017, after the president fired former Director James Comey.
Read MoreA bill to legalize marijuana sales in Vermont and another to provide automatic expungements for cannabis convictions are heading to the governor’s desk following a final Senate vote on Tuesday. The legislation, which previously passed both chambers in differing forms, was recently merged into a compromise by a bicameral conference committee and then sent back to both chambers of the legislature for consent. The House of Representatives approved the negotiated legislation last week and the Senate followed suit with a 23-6 vote.
Read MoreA day after giving losing applicants a second chance to qualify for a lottery to determine the winners of the next round of pot shop licenses, Gov. J.B. Pritzker declined Tuesday to give a date when the permits would be issued, only saying it would happen “this fall.” Under heavy fire from scorned hopefuls and lawmakers, Pritzker on Monday announced that candidates who didn’t receive perfect scores would be able to revise their applications and challenge the grades they received from the state. Only 21 of more than 900 applicants had advanced to the next round.
Read MoreMarijuana arrests in South Dakota are common, costly and carried out on a racially disproportionate basis, a new report released by advocates for a legalization measure on the state’s November ballot shows. In fact, nearly one in 10 of all arrests in the state in 2018 were for cannabis offenses, with 95 percent of those cases concerning simple possession. There were 31,883 marijuana arrests in South Dakota from 2009 to 2018. That’s according to an analysis of federal crime data, which was published by South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws on Tuesday.
Read MoreI recently wrote that Mark Zuckerberg is the most powerful unelected man in America. His and Facebook’s efforts to try to combat election-related disinformation on its platform, however comforting, were merely “an admission of a great power that should make Americans uncomfortable,” I said. Some readers argued I had it wrong. First, criticizing the helpful efforts of Silicon Valley are counterproductive at a time when we need all hands on deck, they wrote. Second, I was too narrowly focused on one man. Mr. Zuckerberg and Facebook are far from the only powerful entities who could, with a few executive decisions, meaningfully affect the 2020 election.
Read MoreThe daily rundown — Between Sunday and Monday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 1,685 (0.2 percent), to 685,439: total hospitalizations went up 90 (0.2 percent), to 42,543; deaths rose by 21 (nearly 0.2 percent), to 13,317. The agenda — Well, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican leaders of the Florida Legislature announced Monday that the were teaming up together on legislation for the 2021 session. No, it had nothing to do with the state’s battered unemployment system or with the state’s looming budget shortfall that will likely result in large spending cuts.
Read MoreThe Trump campaign is batting close to zero in its effort to halt states from sending ballots directly to all their registered voters before November's election. The harshest blow yet came yesterday when a federal judge threw out a case that aimed to stop Nevada from mailing ballots directly to voters. The judge said the campaign had no legal standing to make its arguments and that the issue should be resolved by state lawmakers, not in a court fight. That case, which President Trump's campaign filed with much fanfare in August, marked its best chance to roll back mail voting in a state that's even remotely competitive.
Read MoreOfficers detained a shipment of 43 boxes that appeared to have counterfeit N95 respirator masks on Sept. 2.
Read MoreThree U.S. Senators are demanding that Amazon "immediately stop selling any AmazonBasics products that are defective, notify consumers that are in possession of these products, and work with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to conduct swift and thorough recalls to remove these dangerous products from homes."
Read MoreFans everywhere are hoping to snatch up any remaining Redskins-branded memorabilia they think may be worth money someday, which in turn is putting them at risk of purchasing knockoff items.
Read MoreTOP THINGS TO KNOW: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) seems pleased with the process that led to a new marijuana sales legalization bill that just passed the House—though he stopped short of committing to sign it. One more vote in the Senate this week will put it on his desk.A new poll found that a majority of U.S. voters—including most Republicans—support a federal marijuana legalization bill that House Democratic leaders delayed a vote on over fears about the reelection prospects of their moderate lawmakers in key districts. A new report from the Congressional Research Service highlights four major consequences of federal marijuana prohibition. From consumers to researchers to banks, the current ban on cannabis is causing problems for a lot of people and institutions, the Capitol Hill office showed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said hemp farmers can finally participate in a coronavirus relief program that they’d been ineligible for until now. Four separate federal agencies are now accepting public comments on cannabis issues ranging from marijuana research to hemp and CBD rules to workplace drug testing—with the deadline to send feedback on one proposal coming up on Monday. FEDERAL: The Drug Enforcement Administration’s proposed hemp rule is being challenged in a lawsuit by the Hemp Industries Association and RE Botanicals. Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) sidestepped a question about whether she supports her state’s marijuana legalization ballot measure, saying, she’ll “let the Arizona voters decide that.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) spoke about how she is trying to get Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to evolve on marijuana legalization. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) tweeted, “The MORE Act is critical for ending the failed War on Drugs. The public deserves a vote on the MORE Act and we will continue to build support to meet our objective of passing it in the House & sending it to the Senate until it is the law.” The House bill to deschedule marijuana and fund programs to repair the harms of the war on drugs got two new cosponsors for a total of 113. The House bill to allow CBD as a dietary supplement got two new cosponsors for a total of three.
Read MoreA coalition of advocacy groups and marijuana businesses have unveiled a unique plan to legalize interstate cannabis commerce regardless of ongoing federal prohibition. The Alliance for Sensible Markets campaign will be pushing governors from legal and likely soon-to-be legal marijuana states to enter into an interstate compact—a constitutionally recognized agreement between two or more states—establishing a framework for cannabis to be transported and marketed across state lines. Such an arrangement hasn’t been tried before for marijuana, but if the new effort succeeds in getting at least two states to sign on, the compact would then be transmitted to Congress, where lawmakers would have the choice to codify the agreement. It could be passed as standalone legislation or attached as an amendment or rider to a broader bill. Perhaps the best example of an interstate compact is the Port Authority, which was created in 1921 to regulate regional transportation and infrastructure in New York and New Jersey. Those two states are actually being targeted by the Alliance for Sensible Markets, despite not having legalization on the books just yet. California and Oregon are the two other states the campaign hopes to bring on board. Part of the logic in choosing these states is that California and Oregon are considered producer states with high volumes of marijuana whereas New York and New Jersey are more traditionally consumer states, where the climate is less friendly to large-scale, outdoor cultivation. By opening a market that would allow for interstate commerce, it would “immediately increase valuations significantly for thousands of farms and businesses on the West Coast, which will spur investment expansion and jobs,” Adam Smith, founder and president of the Alliance for Sensible Markets, told Marijuana Moment. “And in consumer states—states that don’t traditionally grow their own cannabis—we have seen the length of time it takes to get state-siloed production industries up and running and supply chains stable.” “Let’s set up the industry in the newly legalizing states in a way that reflects reality and reflects what the future of this industry is so we can actually grow the industry without wiping a whole bunch of people out,” he said.
Read MoreA Texas ban on smokable hemp products hit another roadblock in court last week when a state judge barred officials from enforcing the prohibition until an industry challenge can be heard in court. A group of four hemp producers sued the state last month over the ban, which began when lawmakers passed a hemp legalization bill last year that explicitly forbade the production of products intended for smoking or vaporization. State health authorities extended its reach earlier this year to prohibit the sale and distribution of such products made outside Texas, a move the hemp companies claim was an unconstitutional overreach of their authorities. In a ruling issued Thursday, Travis County Judge Lora Livingston wrote that the hemp companies may have a point. Writing that the plaintiffs “have demonstrated a probable right to relief,” Livingston granted a temporary injunction that effectively voids the ban on production, distribution and sale of the products until the conclusion of a trial set to begin in February. Livingston had previously issued a temporary restraining order in the case last month that had a similar but shorter effect, preventing the statefrom enforcing the ban for a matter of weeks. The new ruling freezes the ban for at least four months, and potentially longer. Opponents of the ban said that while the issue is far from over, Livingston’s recent decisions are a sign the challenge could ultimately succeed. “So far, the rulings relating to this lawsuit are very encouraging,” said Heather Fazio, director of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, which opposes the ban and has organized hundreds of supporters to submit comments to regulators. “Advocates in Texas have remained vigilant, with both legislative engagement and regulatory oversight,” Fazio said in an email to Marijuana Moment. “Now, Texas businesses are challenging our state’s poorly designed policies in the courts. And they’re winning!” Plaintiffs are challenging both the legislature’s initial ban on production and processing of smokable hemp as well as the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) added ban on distribution and sale, which they claim violate the state constitution’s protections for economic freedom. They also maintain that DSHS lacked the authority to extend the production ban to retail sales.
Read MoreThe next Supreme Court justice could play a key role in determining rules of the road for cybersecurity and privacy in the digital age ? regardless of whether they're appointed by President Trump or Joe Biden. The high court has just barely begun the process of sorting out how thorny questions about privacy, police searches and self-incrimination have been upended by computers, smartphones and other digital technology. And a slew of such cases are sure to hit the court in coming decades ? falling into the lap of whoever replaces Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Small differences in whether the next justice leans toward supporting individual privacy rights vs. broad law enforcement powers or tech companies vs. digital rights advocates could make a big difference. The court is already scheduled this fall to weigh in for the first time on the nation’s main anti-hacking law, which cybersecurity experts say has been weaponized by companies to punish researchers who point out digital bugs in their products and websites and keeps on the market products vulnerable to hacking. Other cases may soon reach the court that would determine when border guards can search people’s cellphones and if and when criminal suspects can be forced to unlock encrypted devices such as cellphones and laptops. “There are huge cases coming from a cybersecurity perspective and this vacancy could very well make a difference,” Jeffrey Vagle, a Georgia State University law professor who focuses on cybersecurity and technology, told me. “These all tie together in how we think about computers and how much they’re like everything else.” Technology and privacy have been less partisan topics for the high court than voting rights and abortion and are getting comparatively little attention during the nomination fight. Republican leaders are pushing to install a Trump-appointed justice before the end of the year, despite having blocked then-President Obama’s appointment of Merrick Garland during a presidential election year in 2016. Democrats, meanwhile, say the next justice should be appointed by the president who’s elected in November and warn that an appointment this year could worsen partisan divisions.
Read MoreWith a major piece of pro-cannabis legislation now likely to be heard after the U.S. presidential election, the industry is turning its attention to a new hope: a domino effect in the Northeast. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, known as the MORE Act, won’t go to the U.S. House this week, and is instead expected to go to a vote sometime in the lame-duck session between the Nov. 3 election and inauguration on Jan. 20. The bill would take marijuana off the list of controlled substances and expunge prior convictions for it. While the initiative has gained traction -- it has more than 100 co-sponsors, including a few Republicans -- it has become a victim of the electoral season. But hopes remain high that major regulatory changes are coming within the next few years. “The electability of cannabis is clear –- Americans overwhelmingly support this issue and members of Congress shouldn’t shy away from it,” said David Culver, a vice president at Canopy Growth Corp. Speaking during an online discussion last week on cannabis, Culver said that Democrats were concerned about the optics of reaching a decision on cannabis legislation before Covid-19 relief is approved. He downplayed the concerns, citing the industry’s potential to create jobs and give states a much-needed source of tax revenue. Erik Huey, a government affairs executive at lobbying firm Platinum Advisors, who spoke alongside Culver, added that politicians have a “moral imperative” to act, since studies show that Black people are disproportionately arrested for marijuana-related offenses. Regardless of timing, the initiative’s main obstacle would be a Republican-controlled Senate, so the industry is watching to see if Democrats can wrest control in November. Democrats have a majority in the lower house that they are expected to maintain in the next session. Still, the bill isn’t the only way to move legalization forward. Since the pandemic, there’s more talk about a domino effect in the Northeast. It could go like this, according to investors and cannabis executives: If New Jersey passes an initiative to legalize recreational use this November, then Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island could follow shortly after. That’s because states have an added incentive amid the pandemic to prevent cannabis users from crossing state lines and potentially spreading Covid-19. Recreational use in New Jersey “would serve as more than enough of a catalyst” for the domino effect, Cowen & Co. cannabis analyst Vivien Azer said in a research note last week. Nearby states could legalize over a period of around two years, she said. If this were to happen, it would put almost half of the U.S. population in states where recreational use is legal. As a result, this would boost companies’ sales and lift the U.S. market for cannabis by roughly $6 billion to a total of $40 billion by 2025, Azer said. Multi-state operators like Green Thumb Industries Inc., Curaleaf Holdings Inc. and Cresco Labs Inc. would be big beneficiaries, she said.The MORE Act is still likely to be approved by the House this year, Azer said in a Sept. 18 research note, calling support of legalization the “safe position” for Democrats -- a major turnaround from 4 years ago. While legalization would ultimately be good news for investors and companies, there’s a catch, said Matt Hawkins, a founder at cannabis investment firm Entourage Effect Capital. If legalization moves too fast while many cannabis companies remain small, he said, big pharmaceutical or tobacco companies are more likely to deploy their sizable resources to build their own businesses and take over the sector. If that were to happen, it could decimate the industry, he said in a phone interview. A more methodical march toward legalization, meanwhile, could let companies grow stronger. “In a perfect world, it would be best for a lot of the companies out there to get larger so they’re more attractive acquisition targets,” he said.
Read MoreUntil the enactment of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, industrial hemp was a significant agricultural crop in the United States. Clothing and flags were made from it, it was a nutrient-dense source of grain, and Henry Ford built a car out of hemp that was fueled by it. That year federal law stopped commercial cultivation of cannabis, which included industrial varieties of the plant. Thus began the era of cannabis prohibition in the United States. While many associate prohibition with the outlawing of psychoactive marijuana, the burgeoning momentum of 20th Century American hemp farmers was equally disrupted. Yet reputable publications touted its uses and benefits. In 1937, “Popular Mechanics” described it as the new billion-dollar cash crop (back then, a billion dollars went a lot further than today). “Mechanical “Engineering” called hemp the “most profitable and desirable crop that can be grown.” With this in mind, I can’t help but ask - did we derail social progress by ending marijuana usage in the U.S.? Since the roots of cannabis prohibition were based in racism, xenophobia, elitism, and corporate protectionism – all issues we’re still reckoning with today – the answer seems fairly obvious. Spin forward to the 2014 Farm Bill, when industrial hemp was defined separately from “marihuana’” under federal law. The most sweeping cannabis reform in American history was spearheaded by deep conservatives, such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Go figure. It was then in 2018, under the Trump administration that industrial hemp’s legality was further cemented with the enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill. Well before that, in November 2012, Colorado became the first state to reintroduce hemp cultivation to the American farmer, offering commercial industrial hemp legalization, regulation, and production. Colorado’s Department of Agriculture (CDA) introduced rules and oversight of the industrial hemp industry. In 2013, Colorado’s Ryan Loflin became the first farmer in over 50 years to cultivate a major commercial hemp crop in the United States.
Read MoreAll eyes are on the race between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, but South Dakotans have much more at stake on the ballot than just the presidential race. Marijuana has remained a big conversation all over America with several states legalizing it in recent years. In November, South Dakota voters will decide whether they want it legal. There are two proposals. Amendment A would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana and require the Legislature to pass laws regarding hemp as well as laws ensuring access to marijuana for medical use. Supporters said it would only be for adults 21 and older and would bring new revenue to the state, create new jobs, and would reduce arrests and criminal prosecutions. Opponents argue that marijuana is highly addictive and can have long-term health consequences. In the ballot, The South Dakota State Medical Association said, “Marijuana will create a steep cost for society and taxpayers that far outweighs its tax revenues.” Initiated Measure 26 focuses on legalizing medical marijuana. Supporters said it will help people with health conditions. The state medical association argues that the drug carries safety risks and claims it’s not a “legitimate medication.” Amendment B wants you to bet on the future of Deadwood. Right now, only certain games are legal in Deadwood, including card games, roulette, and slot machines. If passed, it would authorize the Legislature to allow you to bet on sporting events in the Old West town. The amendment’s sponsor said it would boost tourism and add new tax revenue to help local cities, schools, and the state. South Dakota’s Speaker of the House is arguing against the amendment. He said sports betting would be a “stumbling block” for people overwhelmed by gambling addiction. He said, “The few dollars that would come from sports betting pales in comparison to the damage it causes.”
Read MoreThe 2020 election is underway. Not just the campaign — the actual voting has already begun. States are recruiting and training poll workers, identifying the final list of polling places and early voting locations and mailing out ballots. The pandemic presents a huge challenge, but we can still ensure a safe and accessible vote this November. Here are six ways to make that happen. 1. Every voter must make a plan to vote. Now. Voters should start by checking their registrations by going to canivote.org. They should find out whether they can vote early, but in-person — that option will ease the burden of counting ballots on Election Day, since most states don’t allow for the early counting of absentee ballots. If they plan to go to the polls on Election Day, they should try to go in the middle of the day, when lines are less likely. If they plan to vote by mail and live in a state that is not mailing ballots to every voter, they should apply for absentee ballots as soon as possible. Then they must decide how to return that ballot — by mail, in a drop box, at a county office, or at a polling place — and track their ballots if their state provides a website to do so. In most years, absentee voters wait until the last minute to return their ballots, resulting in a backlog as Election Day approaches. Because 2020 may see three times more mail ballots cast than in any previous election, this backlog threatens to become gridlock. To avoid that, we need to “flatten the absentee ballot curve,” as our colleague Richard Hasen says. Voters should return their ballots as soon as they can. This will help make sure that a rush of ballots does not hit election offices at the last minute — or even worse, too late to be counted. 2. Work the polls. In surveys of battleground states by our organization, healthyelections.org, well over half of respondents indicate they will vote in person this year. We should remove any pandemic-related obstacles from their path. Local election officials need poll workers, because their usual corps of senior citizens are less likely to serve, given their heightened Covid-19 risk. The job requires long hours, but this year, to sweeten the deal, many local jurisdictions are offering hazard pay. Poll workers need training, so the time to sign up is now. Anyone interested should contact their state election office for information or go to the websites of the National Association of Secretaries of State, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and Power the Polls. Ohio has developed a helpful dashboard describing the poll worker shortages in each county — something every state should provide so outside groups can focus their recruitment efforts. 3. Keep watch over the post office, but rebuild confidence in the mail. Voters’ confidence in the postal system must be restored. The long-term financial woes of the U.S. Postal Service, coupled with decisions this year to cut overtime for postal workers, remove certain equipment and eliminate extra trips to deliver the mail have magnified concerns that the Postal Service was not up to the task in the election. The Postal Service has warned that it cannot meet certain state mail ballot deadlines, meaning last-minute voters risk not having their votes counted. A federal court in Washington State has now ordered the Postal Service to undo some of its moves and enjoined them from making more. The postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, also backtracked from these changes in his congressional testimony. However, the damage to public confidence may already have occurred; 43 percent of likely voters in a recent Citizen Data poll are not confident that the post office will properly deliver mail ballots.
Read MoreThe warnings sound one state or city at a time. This will be an Election Day like no other. In Denver, the capital of hotly contested Colorado, intimations of approaching trouble come early. Workers coughing at a ballot-printing facility are the first sign — an outbreak of coronavirus, right before ballots are set to go out. Elsewhere in town, protests force the closure of an early voting site on a college campus, and an autumn blizzard renders some other voting centers unusable. A nameless malefactor falsely claims to have hacked the voter rolls, sowing unease in a critical hour. And many poll workers fail to show up, fearing COVID, leaving enormous lines of frustrated voters snaking down city blocks. Across the nation, preemptive legal challenges are launched by both parties. Mailed in ballots pile up; some arrive too late to be counted, and others are thrown out over tiny mistakes. Rival, surly factions collide near polling places and government offices, as voting sites in Black, Latino, and immigrant neighborhoods report harassment and intimidation. Will federal officers move to intervene? It is a nightmare scenario — nothing that has happened, or necessarily will. It is not a prediction, but rather a sum of the fears of those who closely track how the combination of pandemic and partisan extremes could test this country’s fragile election system as never before. The Globe’s Washington Bureau staff fanned out last month and consulted voters, voting advocates, officials, and experts all over, including those who “gamed out” the Denver scenario. They see much to worry about, but also voiced optimism that elections officials and average Americans will take steps now to make sure votes are properly cast and counted, laying the groundwork for a peaceful and credible democratic outcome.
Read MoreDemocrats in the House of Representatives postponed a planned vote next week on marijuana legalization following a backlash from moderate Democrats. The legislation, the MORE Act, would legalize marijuana at the federal level and expunge some marijuana-related criminal records, though it left the decision on the sale of marijuana up to the states. According to a senior Democratic aide, lawmakers in tough re-election contests wanted the House to first pass COVID-19 relief before acting on marijuana legalization.
Read MoreMedicinal cannabis companies have been cleared by the UK’s financial regulator to float on the London Stock Exchange but firms that sell marijuana to recreational users will still be banned. The Financial Conduct Authority said businesses that grow and sell recreational cannabis, even in countries such as Canada where it is legal, cannot list in London because of the Proceeds of Crime Act. Income from the sale of cannabis and cannabis oil outside the UK could constitute “criminal property” under the act, because it covers conduct abroad that would constitute a crime if it happened in the UK. But the regulator said UK medical cannabis firms could float in London, as could overseas firms, although they would have to satisfy the regulator that they should be allowed to do so because of the more nuanced legal position. The rules for overseas firms are complicated by the UK’s restrictive regulatory environment for medicinal cannabis, legalised in 2018. Cannabis growers require a licence from the Home Office, while any imports of the drug require patients to get a prescription first. The FCA said regulations, which limit the extent to which medicinal cannabis is being used in the UK, meant overseas firms could not automatically be granted the right to list in London, even if they only sold a medical product. While firms might have a licence to sell in other countries, that did not mean they would be able to secure the same permissions from the Home Office, the regulator said. “For medicinal cannabis and cannabis oil companies with overseas activities, the company will need to satisfy us that their activities would be legal if carried out in the UK,” the FCA said. “We will also need to understand the legal basis of the company’s overseas activities, for example the nature of the local licensing and the licences the company holds.” Despite the complex position for overseas producers, the fast-growing cannabis industry is expected to celebrate the clarity from the markets regulator, which will help firms tap funding from new investors. Roby Zomer, co-founder and managing director of the pharmaceuticals firm MGC, said: “MGC started the process of looking to list on the London markets over a year ago. During that time we have struggled with the pace of the process but have continued to push forward, with a view to being one of the first UK-listed medical cannabis companies.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Friday that it is expanding its coronavirus relief program for farmers—and this time around, hemp cultivators are eligible for benefits. In May, USDA said it would be making $19 billion available for agriculture producers to assist them amid the pandemic. But it excluded hemp and several other crops, stating that they don’t qualify because they didn’t experience a five percent or greater price decline from January to April.rop’s legalization, highlighted the policy change.
Read MoreSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Thursday accused Senate Democrats of furthering election interference goals of foreign adversaries by downplaying the U.S. progress on election security. In a four-page letter to Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), McConnell wrote that Democrats are “sowing the kind of divisions” in U.S. society about the Democratic process that the leaders of Russia and China have aimed to do by expressing repeated concerns around the security of elections.
Read MoreEurope's largest security organization said Friday that it has drastically scaled back plans to send as many as 500 observers to the U.S. to monitor the Nov. 3 presidential election and now will deploy just 30 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe — which has observed U.S. elections since 2002 but is better known for monitoring voting in countries such as Belarus or Kyrgyzstan — has spent months trying to figure out how to safely keep tabs on an election it worries will be "the most challenging in recent decades" as Americans pick a president in the throes of a global health crisis.
Read MorePennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman are making another push for the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state. The governor said Wednesday that Pennsylvania needs the money that taxing adult-use cannabis would bring in. "I thought last year was the right time to do it. It's still the right time to do it and, if anything, there's even more urgency now because of where we are with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreRetail cannabis businesses are closer to being welcomed within Redwood City limits as planning commissioners approved zoning guidelines permitting storefronts in various areas of the city. After a nearly two-year-process to regulate how walk-in cannabis stores would be allowed to open in Redwood City, the Planning Commission voted to recommend the City Council approve zoning amendments permitting the business to open, by right, in zoning districts where general retail is allowed.
Read MoreThe Vermont House of Representatives on Thursday approved a finalized version of a bill to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana sales in the state. While both the House and Senate had previously passed the bill, S. 54, a bicameral conference committee had to be convened to resolve differences between their respective versions. And following a series of meetings and compromises, negotiators on the panel reached a deal on Tuesday, sending the final proposal back to the floor of both chambers for final consent. The House approved the compromise legislation in a 92-56 vote.
Read MoreCannabis farmers, processors and business leaders urged the Cuomo administration Tuesday to release long-awaited draft regulations that will set quality standards, labeling requirements and other rules for selling hemp products in New York. Key context: With the new hemp regulations set to take effect in January, the New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state health officials to immediately share the proposed rules.
Read MoreElection officials in Kentucky are already warning voters about misinformation as the state’s mail-in voting process kicks off this week. But minimizing confusion around the mailers and text messages sent with incorrect voter registration information is even more difficult as state officials grapple with uncertainties from the coronavirus pandemic. The state’s second-most populous county closed its election office for two weeks after a positive coronavirus case. Other counties also reported confirmed coronavirus cases among employees in their county election and clerk’s offices. Kentucky’s struggles show how the general-election voting season is off to a bumpy start.
Read MoreThe greatest peril posed to American elections is that the cloud of fear and uncertainty about them will cause citizens to stop believing they matter, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned Congress on Thursday. Wray was asked in a House Homeland Security Committee hearing about his No. 1 concern as the FBI and other agencies work to quash the manifold foreign threats posed to this and future elections. He said the worst danger isn't something within the power of a foreign government.
Read MoreThe Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray announced Thursday that Russia is actively interfering in the 2020 election. This comes as FBI agents from the field office in Salt Lake City say they play a major role in protecting voter rights and election security, and also that the community is a part of that effort, as well. The SLC field office covers investigations throughout Utah, Idaho, and Montana. Leading up to a big election, agents say they need the public's help by watching out for anything that would threaten the election security.
Read MoreWHEN IT COMES to the debate over marijuana legalization in Massachusetts, the horse has left the barn. Voters legalized recreational marijuana sales via a 2016 statewide ballot question, and pot shops are becoming part of the landscape. But just because storefront weederies are legal doesn’t mean they are necessarily desirable. That’s the argument some are putting forward in the debate over a proposed pot store in Nubian Square in Roxbury. There was lots of support for a dispensary in the business district during a virtual community hearing on Tuesday night — but also opposition from a well-known activist who has spent decades working to uplift the neighborhood. The Boston Herald reports that Sadiki Kambon, chairman of the Nubian Square Coalition, spoke strongly against the proposal. “We have many families and students in the immediate area, along with visitors and shoppers, and do not want the visual of individuals standing in line to purchase … marijuana in order to get high,” Kambon said. The proposal needs approval first from a city cannabis review board and then must go to the state Cannabis Control Commission, which licenses marijuana businesses. Legalization proponents have argued that marijuana laws had a particularly devastating effect on black communities, where lots of people got criminal records for pot offenses that held them back from employment and educational opportunities. Indeed, the state cannabis commission’s website says it is “committed to an industry that encourages and enables full participation by people from communities that have previously been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement.” That social equity argument was on full display at last night’s hearing, where Brian Keith, one of four co-owners of the company looking to open a store in Nubian Square, spoke about building “generational wealth” through a business “that’s 100% people of color owned and 100% people of color invested.” There may be a generational divide to the issue. Kambon, a veteran of decades of activism, is both a figurative — and now literal — greybeard of the Roxbury community. The only other person the Herald quotes speaking against the proposal is 78-year-old Alvert Owens. Voters “should never have made it legal because people start out with marijuana and then go on to some other drug,” Owens said. “There’s enough of that around here.”
Read MoreIn the latest developments between legalized hemp and illegal marijuana, the DEA recently released proposed rules for hemp and CBD just this month. With the agency explaining how it plans to redefine marijuana to exclude hemp, the DEA's new interim final rule has some in the CBD industry questioning the DEA's motives. "The federal government description, legal definition of hemp, is it contains less than 0.3% THC content. Thereby, not making it marijuana," said Dante Sorianello, the assistant special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in the San Antonio district. Ever since hemp has been legalized, CBD has become a popular ingredient lately. Businesses are selling CBD products made into lotions, capsules, gummies so long as its THC concentration is less than 0.3%.Those who use it, claim it can alleviate pain or other conditions such as anxiety, depression and insomnia. But according to the DEA, it's impossible to tell the difference between marijuana and hemp with the naked eye. "If the THC content exceeds that, it is considered marijuana in a controlled substance," said Sorianello. There are 2 species of the cannabis plant, one that produces hemp, the other, marijuana. The difference amounts to how much of the psychoactive compound THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, they contain. "THC is the chemical properties of the marijuana plant that give you the different influence behavioral patterns," said Sorianello. A concern the hemp and CBD industry has is how much the DEA is taking matter into their own hands with their proposed rules. But according to the DEA, the problem is that some are finding new ways to mix weed with legal hemp and selling it for more. "Most of what we're seeing is, it's really not CBD they're disguising it. It's high THC content, edibles, oils and other things that come in from places such as Colorado where I recently was, and it's just absolutely amazing to see the marijuana dispensary, dispensaries on virtually every other corner," said Sorianello. Trying to differentiate between the two, requires testings from a lab and drug traffickers are figuring out, not everything is going to be tested. In your neighborhoods, on the streets, Fox San Antonio and the DEA will keep you informed and safe.
Read MoreThe House on Wednesday unanimously passed bipartisan legislation intended to boost research into the security of election infrastructure. The Election Technology Research Act would establish and fund a Center of Excellence in Election Systems at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to test the security and accessibility of voting equipment, along with authorizing NIST and the National Science Foundation to carry out research on further securing voting technology. The bill is primarily sponsored by Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio) along with House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), ranking member Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), and almost a dozen other bipartisan sponsors. Sherrill said on the House floor Wednesday that it was “incumbent” on Congress to pass legislation enhancing election security given the increasing concerns around election interference efforts. “Amidst a global pandemic, targeted attacks on our democracy by our adversaries and political unrest, Americans deserve to know that our elections are secure,” Sherrill said. The House Science, Space and Technology Committee approved the bill last year. Both Johnson and Lucas spoke in the bill’s favor on the House floor, with Johnson arguing the bill was necessary “to help modernize and secure our election systems and ensure they are accessible to all.” “The security and integrity of elections is fundamental to American democracy and should not be a partisan issue,” Lucas added. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the House Administration Committee with jurisdiction over federal elections, issued a statement expressing support for passage of the legislation and describing the bill as a “commonsense step to ensure the safety and reliability of our election systems.” “I am pleased the House is considering this legislation to authorize new research on cybersecurity and other important issues concerning the security of voting systems at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, foster collaboration between NIST and state and local governments, and authorize new federal grants for research on voting systems,” Lofgren said. “This research will help to inform our efforts to modernize voting systems and strengthen election practices.” Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), the ranking member of the House Administration Committee, expressed reservations about the legislation on the House floor Wednesday, saying that his panel had not held a markup or hearing on the bill and noting concerns about the legislation potentially undermining work by the Election Assistance Commission. “This House should work in a real bipartisan fashion to create the election reform the American people deserve. I am willing and ready whenever my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are willing to do this,” Davis noted. The timing for consideration of the bill in the Senate is unclear.
Read MoreSenate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Wednesday called for the establishment of a bipartisan Senate committee to examine election security and integrity ahead of the November election. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Schumer and Sanders advocated for such a committee to be composed of “equal representation from both parties” to examine issues including the safety and security of mail-in voting and post-election scenarios. “As you know, there is a great deal of concern about possible confusion and chaos in the upcoming November 3rd election,” the senators wrote. “Sadly, there are some who are systematically undermining public confidence in the voting process, and irresponsibly fanning suspicions and conspiracy theories about the legitimacy of election results.” “At this historic moment we believe Democrats and Republicans in the Senate must come together to guarantee the integrity of our election process,” Schumer and Sanders added. They advocated for a bipartisan panel to hold hearings to examine processes in place to ensure the November election would take place securely and safely, with the hearings including testimony from state and local election officials such as secretaries of state. Topics for the committee to consider include ensuring U.S. voters are aware that vote tallies may take longer this year due to a surge in mail-in ballots in order to avoid disinformation around the election process and to prepare for post-election scenarios that could involve violence. “We believe this issue is above partisan politics,” the senators wrote. “It is about the very essence of American democracy. Let us come together, Republicans and Democrats, to ensure the security of our elections and assure Americans’ confidence in the result.” A spokesperson for McConnell did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment on the letter. McConnell pushed back against concerns over mail-in voting during a speech in Kentucky last month, noting that “the election is going to be fine” and that states including Oregon, Washington and Colorado have previously voted successfully by mail for years prior to 2020. Sanders and Schumer applauded McConnell for his recent comments, describing his stance as “precisely the kind of reassurance that American voters need going into this election.” Concerns over election security have ramped up in recent months as President Trump and other officials have made unsubstantiated claims about the mail-in voting process. In addition, a senior official released an assessment in August that Russia, China and Iran are actively interfering in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, while Microsoft announced last week that it has seen efforts by hackers in the same three countries to interfere in elections.
Read MoreElection officials’ worries about misinformation have escalated since the coronavirus pandemic brought unprecedented change to how elections are run around the country — presenting a choice opportunity for interference by America’s adversaries overseas and new possibilities for voter confusion as rules shift. But in the past few days, election officials in some states have raised the alarm about false guidance for voters they say is coming from within the government bureaucracy — specifically, from the U.S. Postal Service. And at least one federal judge has agreed. The suggestions included requesting mail ballots “at least 15 days before Election Day,” adding postage to return envelopes “if needed” and mailing voted ballots at least a week before the deadline. But this information is not accurate in at least nine states and the District of Columbia, where officials either already conduct their elections fully by mail — or are proactively sending out ballots this year as a public health measure. It’s prompting an outcry that the latest agency communications are confusing and may end up disenfranchising voters who will follow the wrong rules as a result. “Confusing voters about mail ballots in the middle of a pandemic is unacceptable,” tweeted Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat who sued on Friday night to block further delivery of the mailer to state residents. “It can undermine confidence in the election & suppress votes. I will do everything in my power to stop @USPS from sending misinformation to voters.” The flap underscores just how complex the voting landscape is this year as officials prepare for a surge in mail voting. While Colorado has been holding statewide mail elections since 2013, California, New Jersey, Vermont, Nevada and the District of Columbia will proactively send ballots to voters for the first time in November. Another 10 states decided to send request forms for mail ballots. And around the country, states from New York to Alabama are allowing voters who fear contracting or spreading the coronavirus to vote by mail. The Post recently published an interactive guide on how to vote in every state, both by mail and in person. The project — which involved collecting more than 2,000 data points — underscores the diversity of states’ voting policies, from whether they offer same-day voter registration, to whether they allow the use of ballot drop boxes, to whether they allow mail ballots to be counted before Election Day. We are regularly updating the tool to reflect changes to deadlines, rules for obtaining and returning your mail ballot and ballot verification practices like signature-matching. These updates will continue through Nov. 3, as litigation over voting rules continues around the country. Election officials are facing serious challenges as they inform the public about fast-changing rules this year. While polls point to an increased appetite for mail voting this year, only just over 3 in 10 registered voters say they are “very confident” that their vote will be counted accurately if they cast a mail ballot, compared with nearly 7 in 10 who say the same about voting in person on Election Day, according to a recent Washington Post-University of Maryland poll conducted by Ipsos. President Trump has also repeatedly and without evidence attacked mail voting as vulnerable to massive fraud, heightening the challenge for election officials as they try to build confidence in voting systems that will rely more than ever on the mail this year.
Read MoreThe last major court dispute over Utah’s controversial Proposition 2, legalizing medical marijuana, is over — for now. Patient advocates announced Monday they were ending what remained of a lawsuit filed against the state Legislature’s 2018 move to replace the voter-approved Utah Medical Cannabis Act with its own House Bill 3001. A spokeswoman for Together for Responsible Use and Cannabis Education in Utah confirmed the group, which had brought the legal case along with the Epilepsy Association of Utah, would file in state court to withdraw the matter. TRUCE founder, brain tumor survivor and longtime cannabis activist Christine Stenquist said the case was being pulled due to their inability to keep paying legal costs in their two-year battle. Groups first sued after state lawmakers altered Prop 2 despite its 2018 passage by 53% of state voters. “While this lawsuit is coming to an end, the fight for a real medical cannabis system for the state of Utah, which will meet all patient needs, continues,” Stenquist said. A spokesperson for the Utah Attorney General’s Office declined to comment on the case Monday. Sen. Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City and the sponsor of HB3001, did not respond to an inquiry seeking comment. Stenquist says the case, brought against Gov. Gary Herbert and other state leaders over HB3001, eventually forced Utah legislators to remove key portions of the revamped law — rules that Proposition 2 proponents claimed were designed to curtail marijuana distribution in Utah against the public’s will. “We did get a big win out of that. We absolutely crushed it,” said Stenquist, who noted that legislators later deleted the requirement that state and local health departments serve as cannabis outlets in a hastily convened special session.
Read MoreFor the first time, a bill to legalize marijuana at the federal level will soon go to the floor of the U.S. House for a vote. “The MORE Act would actually erase past convictions for marijuana offenses, opening the door to opportunities to jobs, housing, education, things that could help people, but it would also make it so people will no longer be denied federal benefits because of marijuana activity,” said Maritza Perez, Director of the Drug Policy Alliance.
Read MoreA proposal for a cannabis shop on George Street ran into a roadblock at city council on Monday. In a rare four-four tie vote, city council defeated a temporary use permit for a recreational cannabis store proposed by Epik Products Inc. at 356 George St. The city had received 20 letters from local businesses and the public opposing the proposed store, as well as 13 letters of support from nearby businesses.
Read MoreIs it marijuana or hemp? Do we prosecute or drop charges? Those are questions prosecutors around Texas have been wrestling with since the legislature legalized hemp in 2019. In Harris County, they now have answers. Well, sort of. A new testing method being used by the Houston Forensic Science Center can measure whether delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the controlled substance in the cannabis plant that causes a “high,” is above or below 1 percent. This will allow the laboratory to differentiate illegal marijuana from legal hemp in specific circumstances.
Read MoreIn the lead-up to the 2020 US elections, the nonpartisan global technology association ISACA surveyed more than 3,000 IT governance, risk, security and audit professionals in the US in January and again in July. Results show that confidence levels in securing the election are low—and declining. While federal, state and local governments continue to harden election infrastructure technical controls and security procedures, 56 percent of respondents are less confident in election security since the pandemic started—signaling the need for greater education of the electorate and training of election personnel to drive awareness and trust.
Read MoreTHIS YEAR, there have been at least 200 lawsuits across 43 states concerning election procedures and the pandemic. Many of the cases are relatively narrow in scope, like requests from candidates to reduce the number of signatures needed to appear on the ballot. But some cases concern statewide voting rules and deadlines. As judges hand down decisions, it’s become difficult to keep track of what to expect in each state in the run-up to Election Day.
Read MoreSeptember 11: ... According to new data ... 66% of consumers are at least moderately concerned about purchasing a counterfeit item — despite only 17% reporting that they have done so.
Read More22 percent of people who purchase a counterfeit hold that brand responsible for not taking action against the seller when they are disappointed by the product. ... these consumers are also susceptible to writing negative reviews on a brand’s website when they are unaware the purchased item was unauthentic
Read MoreAccording to AAFA president and Chief Executive Steve Lamar, however, the ongoing off-shoring of apparel and footwear manufacturing from China means that the explosion of fake goods since the pandemic broke out is not just a China problem.
Read MoreThe presidential election and the coronavirus outbreak have largely overshadowed New Jersey’s highest-profile ballot question this year, but the state could be the latest to legalize recreational marijuana if voters say yes to a constitutional amendment. Ballots are about to go out to all registered voters in New Jersey's first-ever mostly vote-by-mail election. In addition to voting for president, U.S. Senate and House, New Jerseyans will also decide whether to amend the state constitution to permit those 21 and older to use marijuana. The amendment also allows for the state to set up a regulated market for the drug. New Jersey would become the 12th state, along with the District of Columbia, to legalize recreational marijuana, if the question succeeds. Supporters are optimistic, pointing to polls showing more than three-fifths of voters support legalization. Opponents are nonetheless holding out hope they can persuade voters against adopting the change. Both sides have launched campaigns. NJ Can 2020 is planning digital ads in support of the question. The social welfare group is a coalition of organizations including the ACLU of New Jersey, the Latino Action Network, Drug Policy Action and the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association, among others. The group argues that legalization will boost the economy by creating jobs and bringing in tax revenue for the state. They also point to the disparities in marijuana arrests, with Black residents facing arrest more than three times as much as white people in New Jersey, and say that legalization will right a social injustice. “New Jersey has a pivotal opportunity to advance racial justice and move the state forward through marijuana legalization this November," said Amol Sinha, the executive director of the New Jersey ACLU. Don't Let NJ Go To Pot is opposing the question. Gregg Edwards, the group's executive director, said the racial justice argument is persuasive, but it doesn't mean legalization is necessary. “The way to deal with that is to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana,” he said. Edwards also questioned whether an estimated $165 million in revenue would really help with a nearly $40 billion state budget. He raised concerns over the potency of marijuana as well. New Jersey seemed on track to pass legislation legalizing cannabis last year, with support from Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and fellow Democrats Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Steve Sweeney. But the effort went up in smoke when legislative leaders couldn’t wrangle enough support from lawmakers. Instead, the Legislature voted in December to put the question to voters this year. Legalizing marijuana was a prominent campaign promise of Murphy's and was one of the biggest looming issue before New Jersey became a hotspot of the coronavirus outbreak that struck the state in March. If the measure is approved, the state's commission overseeing the medical marijuana program would be in charge of setting up the new recreational-use market. Along with the age restriction, cannabis would be subject to the state's 6.625% sales tax. The amendment also authorizes the Legislature to enact a law letting towns and cities to collect a tax on cannabis of up to 2%. It’s unclear, though, how soon after the amendment passes that marijuana could hit the market. Lawmakers are wrestling with whether to enact legislation before the public weighs in in order to speed up when the market can open.
Read MoreA federal lawsuit filed by two companies over Illinois’ handling of marijuana licenses could be dropped if the state agrees to certain changes to the licensing process, officials familiar with the matter said Sunday. The state previously announced 21 of 700 “social equity” applicants will proceed to a state lottery for 75 available marijuana licences later this month. These “social equity” licenses are meant to benefit individuals from under-developed communities impacted the most by the war on drugs. “The Illinois legislature with the governor’s support felt it was a good idea to legalize marijuana to eliminate some of the disparities and give people a chance at an economy that will allow them to have a business in Illinois selling cannabis,” Illinois state Representative La Shawn Ford said. However, Ford and some social equity applicants are alleging those selected for the lottery are “politically-connected insider companies.” A federal lawsuit filed by two companies who were rejected is currently pending. “These licences are worth millions of dollars and will be life-changing for applicants who earned them,” Ford said. “That excitement has now turned in frustration and bitter disappointment.” Southshore Restore and Heartland Greens didn’t make the cut and are suing the state’s Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which oversees dispensaries, and Bret Bender, Deputy Director of the Cannabis Control Section. On Sunday, Ford said attorneys are willing to dismiss the lawsuit if the playing field is “leveled” through changes to what’s called a “deficiency notice procedure.” Under the proposed changes, applicants would be given a 10-day period to fix any problems on their forms. Ford said some applicants were never given the opportunity to correct any errors. “Many did not learn their applications were deemed insufficient until they received notice on September 3rd that they did not win,” Ford said. Another concern is reports of inconsistencies in the way scores have been calculated. “Teams that submitted identical exhibits sometimes received different scores,” Ford said. Ford adds those who feel they weren’t given a fair shake, have no recourse. “Among 700 social equity applicant teams invested so much time and borrowed money and are in debt right now, and they deserve a fair process,” Ford said. Governor Pritzker’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Sunday evening.
Read MoreJulie Doran stood between two neat rows of chest-high hemp plants on a 5-acre plot in Westerville last week and explained what the crop is used for and how it grows. While the farm tour was intended to educate the public about the intricacies of hemp cultivation, there was another important message aimed squarely at the three members of the Ohio House of Representatives who toured the farm. Ohio’s hemp laws, Doran said, must be loosened to give farmers the leeway they need to grow the crop, which is used in products ranging from nutritional supplements to rope and bags. The crop is planted in the spring and harvested in the fall. The passage of Senate Bill 57 last year legalized hemp in Ohio, giving the state’s farmers access to a potentially lucrative market. Kentucky’s hemp processors made more than $57 million last year. Nearly 200 Ohioans have a license to grow hemp so far, and this year’s crop will serve as a trial run for both farmers and the regulators. The Ohio Hemp Farmers Cooperative, which Doran heads, is lobbying the state to regulate hemp the way it regulates other crops. But hemp, state officials counter, isn’t like other crops because of its close relationship to marijuana (both plants come from cannabis), which is still illegal under federal law. Ohio’s regulations, they say, are necessary to keep the state’s hemp program in line with federal guidelines and ensure that no one is growing marijuana. Marijuana cultivation is licensed through the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program. The visiting lawmakers seemed receptive to Doran’s message Tuesday. “I want to make sure that what we’ve placed into law can really be effective to the (farmers) we want to help,” said Rep. Juanita Brent, D-Cleveland, who is on the House Agriculture Committee. Farmers are required to grow at least 1,000 hemp plants under state law. Brent and Rep. Erica Crawley, D-Columbus, who also toured the farm Tuesday, agreed that the requirement is too big a barrier for many aspiring hemp farmers, particularly urban farmers with few acres. “Having to have 1,000 plants would be difficult for a lot of people,” Crawley said. She added that farmers in her district told her the requirements are too stringent. Senate Bill 57 left it to the Ohio Department of Agriculture to create the rules governing hemp farming. The agency looked to other states and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for guidance. Minimum planting requirements were based on Kentucky’s rules and are meant to ensure that hemp production is commercial, David Miran, director of the agriculture department’s hemp program, said in a statement. A $500 licensing fee is intended to pay for the inspectors, laboratory staff and office staff the agriculture department needs to oversee hemp production, Miran said. “ODA’s licensing fees are on average with other states,” he said. Federal law governs one of the most stringent restrictions. If hemp crops contain more than 0.3% THC the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana those plants must be destroyed. Under state law, which takes its cue from a 2016 farm bill that created national guidelines for hemp production, any cannabis that exceeds that threshold is considered marijuana. Doran would like farmers to have a little more leeway on the THC limit. The Westerville farmer has several growing locations for hemp, each featuring a different variety, and must pay the state $500 to inspect each of them. On top of that, she needs three to five workers to tend to the crops to ensure they’re growing correctly and aren’t exceeding the THC limit.
Read MoreIt's election season, peak time for the power of negative thinking. With voters making their decisions about what to do when the polls open in October — just a month from now — politicians aren’t talking about solving problems. They’re all about their disagreements. They’re not after what they have in common. They're chasing the differences between them and their opponents. That's why you're not hearing appeals to people who support law enforcement and also believe Black lives matter. You’re hearing appeals that make those principles seem incompatible and that, instead, hide them behind social media hashtags used to mark our political tribes. The same approach to politics explains why it took so long to get elected leaders to put masks on — to stymie the coronavirus and to encourage the rest of us to do the same. A false choice between community health and personal freedom turned protective facewear into a political marker. That faded, at least in the ranks of the elected class, when the coronavirus began its summer surge in May and June. He almost never does it publicly, but even President Donald Trump wears a mask sometimes. But the divisions remain; you can find them at your nearest grocery store or gas station. Even the way you vote has become a dividing line in Texas. Other states have solved this one, holding secure elections without impeding their voters. Texas isn’t there yet, and arguments over the security of absentee voting and the safety of in-person voting during a pandemic found new fuel in the president’s attacks on voting by mail. He does it himself, even while saying expanded voting by mail increases chances of fraud. In Texas, Democrats have been pushing for expanded voting by mail, saying it’s safer than voting in person during a pandemic, and also arguing that age shouldn’t be used to qualify Texans for the right to vote absentee. Current law allows four groups to vote by mail: People 65 years old and older, who cite a disability or illness, who are in jail but eligible, or who will be outside their home county while the election is conducted. Everybody else has to show up to cast a vote. Republicans, including state officials, have argued that the state’s voting-by-mail laws shouldn’t be stretched because of COVID-19 anxieties. The governor added almost a week to early voting to thin the crowds. But many leaders have picked up the president’s argument that voting by mail is a boon to fraudsters.
Read More— Health care cybersecurity and CISA’s goals will both get attention on the opening day of CISA’s annual cybersecurity summit beginning this week, based on a MC sneak peak at some of the opening day speeches.. — Exclusive: Approximately 70 different names from the security research community and elsewhere took issue with mobile voting company Voatz for siding against narrowing the main federal anti-hacking law. — The House is scheduled today to take up an internet of things security bill, as well as an election security measure. ‘WHERE BITS AND BYTES MEET FLESH AND BLOOD’ — The third annual CISA National Cybersecurity Summit begins on Wednesday with a kickoff speech focused on health care followed by a keynote from Director Chris Krebs to begin the day. Unlike past editions, the event isn’t compressed into a day or three at an off-site location, but will instead take place once a week for four weeks and will be entirely virtual. — The agenda: Each week of Wednesday webinars has a theme, and the Sept. 30 focus on diversity — a topic that often gets less attention than, say, election security, even at a conference where it’s a devoted subject — is a big deal, said Joshua Corman, CISA senior adviser for Covid and safety critical issues. “We need as diverse a set of backgrounds, skills and personalities as humanly possible to make sure we leave no stone unturned,” Corman told MC. “Conventional thinking is not going to get us there.” Before that, though, first up is “Key Cyber Insights,” followed by “Leading the Digital Transformation,” “Diversity in Cybersecurity” and “Defending our Democracy.” — Summit opener: That Corman — who specializes in health care cybersecurity as a founder of the grassroots hacker organization I Am the Cavalry — is speaking first signals the dedication the conference will have to that issue, he said. He’ll talk about the “circumstances and gravity of the Covid crisis and the role that cyber plays in subordination of that.” There had been plenty of “wakeup calls” on health care cybersecurity before, Corman said, like the 2017 WannaCry cyberattack hampering the U.K. National Health Service or the NotPetya attack costing pharma giant Merck more than $1 billion in damages. It’s all the more important now, with government-industry initiatives like Operation Warp Speed seeking to develop Covid-19 vaccines and treatments, and with researchers threatened by foreign nation hackers. “Even a one month delay could affect 5 million people at current infection rates,” Corman said. ”The world is depending on us more than ever to get this right.” But he’s seeing progress on the need to deepen ties between government and the private sector; whereas once he said, “the cavalry isn’t coming,” Corman now believes “the cavalry is forming.” — Krebs excerpt: An excerpt of Krebs’ first day keynote speech shared with MC emphasizes the role of CISA as “the nation’s risk adviser” bringing people together and giving them information, and its goal of being a “force multiplier.” CISA manages 2.3 million connected devices across the federal government, Krebs is expected to say, and captures 7.2 terabytes of net flow records daily, with 100 million malware submissions every day, too.
Read MoreA whistleblower's allegation that he was pressured to suppress intelligence about Russian election interference is the latest in a series of similar accounts involving former Trump administration officials, raising concerns the White House risks undercutting efforts to stop such intrusions if it plays down the seriousness of the problem. There is no question the administration has taken actions to counter Russian interference, including sanctions and criminal charges on Thursday designed to call out foreign influence campaigns aimed at American voters. But Trump's resistance to embracing the gravity of the threat could leave the administration without a consistent and powerful voice of deterrence at the top of the government heading into an election that U.S. officials say is again being targeted by Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin "is not deterred," said Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes, a Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee. Himes said Putin feels "empowered, probably inoculated in the U.S. because of the president's behavior." Brian Murphy, the former top intelligence official at the Department of Homeland Security, alleges in the complaint made public Wednesday that he was instructed to hold back intelligence on Russian interference because it "made the president look bad." That follows reports that Trump berated his then-intelligence director after a congressional briefing about Moscow's interference, and that the president sought the firing of another official who told Congress he supported intelligence agencies' assessment that Russia had interfered in 2016 with a preference for Trump. The department denied Murphy's allegation, and the White House issued a statement describing instances in which it said the president had it taken action against Russia. "This president has been resolute that any foreign adversary seeking to disrupt our elections will face tremendous consequences," White House spokeswoman Sarah Matthews said. Senior Trump administration officials have been eager to focus more on China in discussing election interference, asserting that Beijing is the more potent danger. Though career intelligence officials do say China is a major espionage concern, there is also bipartisan consensus, including in a Republican-led Senate intelligence committee report, that Russia directly interfered in 2016 with the goal of helping Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. This year, intelligence officials say, Russia is working to denigrate Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Read MoreIn 2016, the US election resulted in a green wave as cannabis legalization measures passed in eight out of nine states. Now, the industry and its supporters are hoping for another big win in November. This year, voters in five states will decide whether to adopt either new medical or recreational cannabis laws -- or, perhaps, both in the case of one state. As it stands now, 33 states have legalized medical cannabis, and of those, 11 states have legalized cannabis for adult recreational use. If more states join that list, it could serve as a huge opportunity for industry growth as legalization supporters believe successful ballot initiatives could have a domino effect on other states -- especially those looking to address budgetary and social justice issues. "We've seen public support continue to grow every year," said Karen O'Keefe, director of state policies for the Marijuana Policy Project, the legalization advocacy group backing several of the measures. Cannabis sales in states that have legalized the plant for medical and recreational purposes totaled about $15 billion in 2019, and are expected to top $30 billion by 2024, according to data from BDS Analytics, which tracks dispensary sales. Below is a look at the five states voting on legal cannabis this November. Four years ago, residents in the Grand Canyon State narrowly defeated an initiative to legalize recreational cannabis. It failed by fewer than 67,100 votes, with 51.3% of voters saying no. The 2016 measure was hotly contested, attracting a combined $13 million from high-profile donors such as soap company Dr. Bronner's, which was in favor of the measure, and opponents such as billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, tire retailer Discount Tire, and pharmaceutical company Insys. This time around, the backers of the recreational cannabis initiative include some of the biggest names in the US cannabis business -- an industry that has matured significantly during the past four years. State election finance records show that contributors supporting Proposition 207 include multi-state cannabis producers and retailers such as the Tempe, Arizona-based Harvest Health & Recreation (HRVSF) and firms such as Curaleaf (CURLF) and Cresco Labs (CRLBF), which have cultivation and retail operations in Arizona's medical cannabis industry. Still in staunch opposition are Governor Doug Ducey, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a national organization that opposes the legalization and commercialization of cannabis.
Read MoreThe Vermont House of Representatives passed a bill Friday that would automatically expunge all criminal records for past low level cannabis possession offenses. The bill would also decriminalize possession of cannabis in amounts that are up to twice the legal limit for adults, as well as reduce some cannabis penalties. The bill will require a final vote from the House and Senate before it moves to Gov. Phil Scott's desk for approval. House and Senate negotiators also appear to be heading toward a final agreement on legislation that would legalize, regulate and tax cannabis sales.
Read MoreTechnology and financial companies, including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Mastercard Inc., and Microsoft Corp., are pushing to accelerate digital identification systems, hoping to eradicate massive data breaches and overreliance on Social Security numbers. The Better Identity Coalition, a coalition of the companies advocating for the technology, has nudged policymakers and floated possible measures for government action for months. A new House bill, introduced Friday, would encourage development by creating an interagency task force, technology standards, and grants. Colorado also is leading the way, unveiling a state-authenticated, digital driver’s license stored in a mobile app. Paperwork and aid applications for Covid-19 pandemic programs have added urgency to calls from financial services, technology, security, and healthcare companies to broaden digital identity adoption. Companies and states are tinkering with different formats. If widely adopted, the technology could cut down on massive regulatory costs involved in identity verification and legal costs following breaches. But privacy concerns and issues surrounding technology standardization will have be resolved before widespread use. The pandemic moved many ordinary transactions online, from commerce and lending to unemployment benefits and business formation. That trend has increased fraudulent activity, said Richard Bird, chief customer information officer at Ping Identity Holding Corp., a security software maker that’s part of the coalition. Identity fraud losses pre-pandemic amounted to nearly $17 billion in 2019, with many instances tied to fraudulent account openings and takeovers, according to a 2020 report by Javelin Strategy & Research. “We have all this stuff that’s moved to the digital, except for our identities, which is the big gap,” Bird said. Getting governments and businesses on the same page about accepting digital ID “has the potential to reduce the amount of overhead and manual processes,” he said. It could also help curtail theft of government funds, such as the more than $550 million in Washington state unemployment benefits believed to have been siphoned off by a Nigerian crime ring during the pandemic, Bird said. Government Authority The coalition, whose members also include Equifax Inc., Norton LifeLock Inc., and Wells Fargo & Co., has maintained that state and federal governments must drive the initiative by providing digital formats of physical government-issued IDs such as driver’s licenses or passports. “Government is the only authoritative provider of identity, but its systems are stuck in the paper and plastic world,” said Jeremy Grant, the coalition’s leader. Colorado created a mobile app for digital driver’s licenses that are legally accepted for transactions in the state. Colorado had nearly 64,000 accounts using the digital ID app as of Sept. 8, and has seen a 6% to 7% monthly growth rate for new accounts since February, a state government spokeswoman said. Nearly 1,500 people have renewed their license through the app while many motor vehicle departments were shuttered during the pandemic. But most states lack the resources to overhaul their information technology infrastructure to offer digital IDs, Grant said. The coalition estimates it would cost DMVs nationwide from $2.5 billion to $3 billion to offer digital IDs, Grant said. Legislative Effort The coalition has also supported privacy and cybersecurity standards and the interoperability needed to ensure digital IDs are accepted across borders and industries. The bipartisan Improving Digital Identity Act, introduced Friday, aims to address some of the issues. The legislation, spearheaded by Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.), would provide grants to states to implement digital IDs. It would create a group of state and federal policymakers, housed within the White House, to coordinate a national approach to digital identity for use in the public and private sectors. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) would be tasked with developing privacy and security standards for governments offering services for digital ID verification. The legislation would also require, for the first time, a comprehensive review of all government regulations mandating the use of SSNs. “So much of peoples’ daily lives are spent conducting business online—whether it’s banking, investing, shopping, or even communicating with doctors,” Foster said in an emailed statement. “It’s become vitally important to ramp up safeguards to protect against identity theft and fraud, so that both consumers and businesses can have confidence in online transactions and the peace-of-mind of protecting sensitive information.” Given the legislative timing, the bill is unlikely to get enacted this year, although there has been a tremendous amount of interest in digital ID since the pandemic started, Grant said. The legislation emphasizes the government sector but would “have a cascading effect” on industry, Bird said. “When you drive out doubt about the user and you’re certain they are who they say they are, I can guarantee you’ll begin to uncover all the other problems that are downstream in that particular issue,” he said. Privacy First The bill’s focus on privacy standards is critical, said Joe Stuntz, a former White House cyber and national security policy staffer and now director of federal and platform at Virtru, a digital privacy and encryption company. The main concern is “linkage,” where people’s medical, financial, tax, education, location, and social media data could be interconnected, Stuntz said. The ability of organizations to have access to a single identity that taps into all those data pools, even for legitimate purposes, “is scary from a privacy perspective,” he said. Digital ID creators need to balance efficiency and the ability to use the same credential in a way that halts oversharing and ensures anonymity, Stuntz said. NIST has the expertise and prior experience to help find that balance, he said. Rethinking Verification Creating digital IDs goes beyond replacing physical ones, said Christine Leong, global lead for decentralized identity and biometrics at Accenture. Many regulations still require in-person interaction for identity verification, which is difficult when government agencies are shuttered or operating remotely, she said. The House legislation would push governments to think through some of those procedures, and whether they can be updated, Leong said. Governments can also foster cross-sector collaboration, she said. A bank and a telecom company could use customer information to help one another authenticate the same person, she said. “It isn’t something that one organization can necessarily do by themselves, because it requires everybody to accept it and to trust it,” Leong said. (Story updated to reflect that the House digital ID bill was introduced.)
Read MoreA free-market think tank said Illinois lawmakers should make the state's adult-use cannabis industry more equitable by lifting the limits on how many licenses are available. About 700 businesses applied to get one of the 75 licenses available in the state's upcoming license lottery, which was delayed by more than four months. Of the 21 entities that made it through to the lottery that could lead to a coveted cannabis business license, more than half are owned by people of color, state officials said. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said this week that the outcome was not perfect
Read MoreNebraska voters won’t get the chance to legalize medical marijuana this year after the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the measure set to appear on the November ballot is unconstitutional. The court’s ruling was a win for social conservatives, including Gov. Pete Ricketts, who argued that the state shouldn’t legalize a drug that isn’t approved by federal regulators. The court also ruled that a measure to allow casino gambling can appear on the ballot, despite opposition from Ricketts and other conservatives who say it will contribute to gambling addiction and bankruptcies.
Read MoreProducts promising to alleviate a beloved pet’s pain with CBD oil or THC have long been available to consumers - but Michigan veterinarians are currently operating in a legal gray area when talking about those products with pet owners. Many Michigan lawmakers are hoping to change that. This week, a bill that would let veterinarians consult with pet owners about the use of marijuana or industrial hemp products for their animals passed the Michigan House unanimously. Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Houghton, sponsored the bill after learning from veterinarians in his district that while clients often have questions about how products containing CBD or THC could affect their pet’s health, state law doesn’t explicitly allow veterinarians to discuss the pros and cons of the products with pet owners.
Read MoreFour years after Russian agents launched a sweeping, multifaceted operation targeting the 2016 presidential elections through a hacking and disinformation campaign, the Pentagon is pressing ahead with a cyber strategy to ensure the nation is better defended this time around. General Paul Nakasone, who is both the military’s top commander for cyber-operations as head of U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) and director of the National Security Agency, says the U.S. has deployed forces to eastern Europe in order to thwart any attempt to interfere in elections or other cyberattacks. “We realized that Cyber Command needs to do more than prepare for a crisis in the future; it must compete with adversaries today,” Nakasone writes in a recent op-ed for Foreign Affairs along with his senior advisor Michael Sulmeyer. “Inaction poses its own risks.” Last year, CYBERCOM and NSA formed a unit called the Election Security Group. Teams of American on so-called “hunt forward missions” are working to uncover adversaries’ techniques and tactics before they go after U.S. systems.
Read MoreThe Virginia Department of Elections announced the launch of “Defending Democracy” as a part of the Department’s new marketing campaign– focused on it’s commitment to election security. The “Defending Democracy” campaign includes a series of communications featuring members of Virginia’s elections community, including local and state election workers who are key to helping administer elections. The campaign also includes radio, digital video and banners, and social advertising that similarly conveys the Department’s commitment to ensuring election integrity. Examples of the ads from the campaign can be seen here. The Department of Elections has worked to remove unsecured voting systems from service at the local level and promoted the transition to a modern voting systems using voter verified paper-based balloting. The equipment voters use to cast their ballots in Virginia are not connected to the Internet.
Read MoreAs losing applicants for new pot shop licenses continued to raise alarms about the application process and an upcoming lottery to determine the winners, two Democratic lawmakers outlined plans Wednesday to formally review the scoring system and introduce new legislation to “make sure that true social equity is achieved.” During a Zoom call with a group of scorned social equity candidates, state Reps. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) and Kathleen Willis (D-Northlake) said they are formulating a “trailer bill” to introduce during the fall veto session that will reflect the litany of concerns from would-be pot shop operators
Read MoreThe Nebraska Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that a medical marijuana legalization initiative cannot appear on the state’s November ballot following a legal challenge. Activists turned in enough signatures in July to qualify the measure, but Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner filed a challenge against the secretary of state’s office last month, arguing that the proposal violates the state’s single-subject rule for ballot initiatives and would confuse voters. While the state rejected that argument, the local police official took it up in court. Lawyers for both the sheriff and supporters of the measure—including state Sens. Adam Morfeld (D) and Anna Wishart (D)—made their respective arguments during a hearing last week.
Read MoreParticipants in New York State's budding hemp industry are nervous about changes in state and federal regulations that they say could have catastrophic consequences just as it is starting to thrive. Though hemp cultivation was legalized nationally in the federal farm bill of 2018, New York initiated an industrial hemp pilot research program four years earlier, a provision of the 2014 federal farm bill. The state's program has grown from two growers and 30 acres in 2016 to more than 500 producers and 20,000 acres this year, but is set to expire on Oct. 31. The 2018 farm bill authorized a national licensing system for hemp cultivation under United States Department of Agriculture jurisdiction.
Read MoreA soon to be published book by author Bob Woodward, who found fame after reporting on the Watergate scandal, named St. Lucie as the second Florida county that was supposedly hacked by Russians in 2016. Washington County in the Panhandle was previously identified. The book, “Rage,” is re-igniting concerns over election security in Florida. In May 2019, Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed that two counties had been penetrated in 2016 but said he was sworn to secrecy. “I’m not allowed to name the counties. I signed a disclosure agreement,” said DeSantis. Nearly six months later, Secretary of State Laurel Lee, the U.S. Attorney, the FBI and others went public with their intent to protect and secure.
Read MoreDaniel Coats, a former head of the intelligence community, warned Wednesday that the Trump administration’s move to roll back in-person briefings to Congress on foreign threats to the 2020 election undermines the agencies’ mission and efforts to safeguard the vote. “It’s imperative that the intelligence community keep Congress fully informed about the threats to our elections and share as much information as possible while protecting sources and methods,” the former director of national intelligence said in an interview. Coats’s stern warning came in response to Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe’s notifying Congress a week and a half ago that he was suspending in-person briefings to lawmakers, though the Senate Intelligence Committee’s acting chairman said his panel will continue to receive such updates
Read MoreWarren County in North Carolina has only three full-time staff members, and none of them are computer specialists. That could matter in a year in which foreign governments are eyeing ways to disrupt the November election. So the county’s election director, Debbie Formyduval, has welcomed cybersecurity experts from the state’s National Guard to help shore up the systems. “I'm a small county," Formyduval said. "And it allows me — it affords me the opportunity to feel comfortable with my IT and where I am compared to a larger county in the state." The National Guard is often associated with more physical tasks such as helping with disaster relief, or in recent months, responding to protests over police brutality against Black Americans.
Read MoreLocal forensic labs in Harris County can now determine whether a leafy green is hemp or marijuana following a state policy that legalized some uses of the cannabis plant. The Houston Forensic Science Center and the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences will use the test on samples that could contain illegal amounts of THC, the results of which could be used to prosecute criminal cases. THC is the main active ingredient in cannabis.
Read MoreA coalition of activists and experts is readying to roll out a campaign to legalize marijuana in New Jersey for those over 21, framed through a racial justice lens seeking to end arrests for weed use and address the damage caused by the war on drugs. NJ CAN 2020 formed in March, just a week before the state began shutting down to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Since, the landscape of an election has changed drastically — no going door-to-door to spread the word, no rallies with motivational speakers to rouse voters. And the get-out-the-vote message has shifted to getting the ballot in the mailbox on time, as New Jersey plans to send mail-in ballots to all of its registered voters.“As people are self-isolating, quarantining, we need to go where people are,” said Axel Owen, NJ CAN 2020?s campaign manager. “Since we can’t go to their door, that means we have to go to their phone.” The coalition includes members of the ACLU of New Jersey, Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, the Latino Action Network, the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, the NAACP New Jersey State Conference and the NJ CannaBusiness Association. It also has the support and funding of The coalition will take a virtual-first approach to reaching voters and educating them about the ballot question seeking to legalize marijuana. They will host online forums, live broadcasts and posts on social media as well as phone banking and text alerts. Despite a years-long battle to legalize marijuana, coalition members say the need to educate voters remains. “There are many people in New Jersey who think that we have already legalized,” said Amol Sinha, executive director of the ACLU of New Jersey and a coalition member. “I think we need to educate voters that no, it’s not done. And it’s going to be on the ballot.” With a decade-old medical marijuana program and three years worth of calls by Gov. Phil Murphy to legalize, many people wrongly assume the Garden State has already passed legislation. But the state Senate fell short of the number of votes needed to pass a legalization bill several times over the past two years; lawmakers have also let legislation that would decriminalize anywhere from two ounces to one pound of marijuana languish. Meanwhile, police continue to arrest nearly 100 people for possession of marijuana each day, and the illicit market thrives. That’s the main point the coalition wants to drive home to voters. This isn’t just about making it easier to purchase marijuana for recreational use, but about stopping the thousands of annual arrests that disproportionately impact Black communities. Weedmaps, individual donors and New Jersey advocacy group, including the ACLU.
Read MoreOver the past few years, cannabis has been increasingly accepted into the mainstream as an effective therapy that can produce fewer side effects than other prescription drugs in many patients. This acceptance is reflected in the rapid evolution in legislation surrounding cannabis around the world. However, due to current regulations, pharmacies in Canada are limited to dispensing medical cannabis via online channels. On a larger scale, even other countries where cannabis has been legalized for therapeutic purposes may be limited in their methods of legally distributing the drug. Furthermore, many pharmacists and other healthcare professionals are reluctant to dispense, and sometimes even prescribe, medical cannabis. This isn’t because they doubt its efficacy in treating certain symptoms, which has been long proven, but because of the potential variations and inconsistencies that come with working with plant medicine versus more traditional pharmaceuticals. That reluctance is understandable. Accustomed to rigorous testing, fixed doses, and universally applicable information, healthcare workers may be hesitant about undertaking the responsibility of providing this ground-breaking and unique form of treatment based solely on patient reviews, instinct, and vague descriptions from licensed producers. Unfortunately, that reluctance — along with the foot-dragging of regulators to allow pharmacies to dispense cannabis as they would any other drug — renders medical cannabis less accessible than other medications for vulnerable patients. It also leaves pharmacies on the sidelines of what could potentially represent a massive financial windfall for the industry as a whole. But despite the apparent challenges faced by pharmacies in dispensing cannabinoid-based medicine, there is a solution. Blockchain technology can be implemented to help pharmacies worldwide adopt the sale of cannabis products, be they high in tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC, the intoxicating cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant), the increasingly popular cannabidiol (or CBD, a psychoactive but non-intoxicating compound in cannabis), or other therapeutic elements derived from the plant. As the legalization of cannabis continues its rapid spread across the globe, legislators and healthcare workers are increasingly looking for a means of providing citizens and patients with safe, accountable access to effective, cannabis-based medications.
Read MoreThe future of regulations on the hemp industry is up in the air as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reconsiders a slate of proposed rules ahead of the 2021 growing season. These include directives on the testing and disposal of hemp that growers and even some U.S. senators have said could stunt the growth of the industry that was created by the 2018 Farm Bill. On Sept. 4 the USDA announced that it would reopen the comment period for the interim final rule (IFR) on domestic hemp production, seeking input from the public on a variety of provisions. At the center of the issue are two regulations -- one that requires labs testing farmers' hemp to be registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration(DEA) and one that would require disposal of hemp plants with non-compliant levels of THC (the active chemical in marijuana that is found in much lower levels in hemp) to happen with law enforcement involved. Both of those rules had their implementation delayed until October 2021 earlier this year, but still have been the subject of criticism, including from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who wants the USDA to delay the implementation further into 2022. "When it comes to an industry as promising as industrial hemp in Upstate New York, the feds must do everything they can to nurture its potential. Regulating this rapidly-emerging industry is a must, but the timing of new regulations is important and the current economic crisis must be considered," the minority leader said. "Delaying new regulations will help pull New York along in the recovery process as the nation deals with the impacts of the pandemic.” Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats, have led the push to change and delay the implementation of the regulations of the industry that's thrived in their state. "We note that there are no laboratories listed for Oregon, despite the state having the fourth highest number of hemp producers in the country and the state's hemp acreage ranks fifth nationwide this year," they said in a letter from late July. "We therefore recommend UDSA remove both the DEA laboratory registration requirement and the requirement for a DEA-registered reverse distributor or law enforcement to dispose of non-compliant plants in the final rule."
Read MoreSenate Republicans dismissed concerns this week about the Trump administration’s decision to effectively cut off the Democratic House of Representatives from in-person briefings on election security — and they expressed confidence that the GOP-led Senate Intelligence Committee will continue to hold such sessions in the run-up to Election Day. GOP senators also defended John Ratcliffe, the director of national intelligence, in the wake of his order to end in-person briefings on election-security matters due to a recent spate of classified leaks. “[It] is a chronic problem around here. People go into the SCIF and they get a classified briefing and next thing they come out and start telling everything they heard to the press,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), an Intelligence Committee member, referring to the secure facility in the Capitol where lawmakers view and discuss classified information. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), a member of GOP leadership and the Intelligence panel, said it would be “totally inappropriate” to cut off the Senate committee but said he does not believe Ratcliffe has done that, despite Ratcliffe’s letters to congressional leaders last month informing them of his decision. “I think it’s also inappropriate for every member of the Congress who has chosen not to try to serve on that committee to think that they need to know everything that people on the Intel Committee know,” Blunt added. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), the acting chairman of the Intelligence Committee, had organized a series of briefings for all members of the Senate earlier this year. Blunt suggested that Ratcliffe’s new posture was justified because “that information didn’t stay in the room.” Despite ODNI’s directive, Rubio said he fully expects that the Senate Intelligence Committee will still have the opportunity to question U.S. intelligence officials in person about their assessments on election security, including on efforts by foreign actors to interfere in the campaign.
Read MoreThe Democratic-controlled House will vote on legalizing marijuana at the federal level for the first time in the chamber's history later this month, a hurdle Democrats and advocates are celebrating as Congress grapples with a host of pressing issues before the November election. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said the House would vote on the MORE Act during the week of Sept. 21. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., would remove marijuana from the federal list of controlled substances and expunge some marijuana-related criminal records, though it would still be up to states to pass their own regulations on the sale of marijuana. "It's about time," Nadler told USA TODAY, calling it a "historic vote" marking the beginning of the end of the federal government's "40-year, very misguided crusade" against marijuana. Maritza Perez, director of the office of national affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance, a group advocating for the decriminalization of drugs, said her organization was "thrilled," saying the bill would "begin to repair some of the harms caused by the war on drugs in communities of color and low-income communities." The House's vote comes as views of marijuana have changed in Washington and increased numbers of Americans support the legalization of the drug, whether for recreational or medicinal purposes. And while this bill is likely to fail in the Republican-majority Senate, advocates still saw the vote as a step forward. "I don't even know if two years ago, I would have said that an act like this would have passed," said Adam Goers, the vice president of corporate affairs at Columbia Care, which operates marijuana dispensaries across the country. According to a 2019 Gallup survey, 66% of Americans supported legalization, though support did differ by party. More than three-quarters of Democrats said they supported legalization, as opposed to about half of Republicans. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., told USA TODAY, "the country has moved" its views on marijuana. With Congress' action, "there's a recognition of where the states are, and we're not going to put the genie back in the bottle when it comes to cannabis," he said, referring to the states who have already legalized marijuana in some form. "And we just need to move forward with these pieces of legislation and get the federal and state laws to align with each other." Marijuana is currently regulated by a patchwork of laws at the state and federal levels, and Goers said legalization at the federal level would add "normalization" for businesses and states by legalizing marijuana at the federal level. Eleven states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana, and 33 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have legalized medical marijuana, but marijuana is still illegal at the federal level.
Read MoreThe Democratic-controlled House will vote on legalizing marijuana at the federal level for the first time in the chamber’s history later this month, a hurdle Democrats and advocates are celebrating as Congress grapples with a host of pressing issues before the November election. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said the House would vote on the MORE Act during the week of Sept. 21. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., would remove marijuana from the federal list of controlled substances and expunge some marijuana-related criminal records, though it would still be up to states to pass their own regulations on the sale of marijuana. “It’s about time,” Nadler told USA TODAY, calling it a “historic vote” marking the beginning of the end of the federal government’s “40-year, very misguided crusade” against marijuana. Maritza Perez, director of the office of national affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance, a group advocating for the decriminalization of drugs, said her organization was “thrilled,” saying the bill would “begin to repair some of the harms caused by the war on drugs in communities of color and low-income communities.” The House’s vote comes as views of marijuana have changed in Washington and increased numbers of Americans support the legalization of the drug, whether for recreational or medicinal purposes. And while this bill is likely to fail in the Republican-majority Senate, advocates still saw the vote as a step forward. “I don’t even know if two years ago, I would have said that an act like this would have passed,” said Adam Goers, the vice president of corporate affairs at Columbia Care, which operates marijuana dispensaries across the country. According to a 2019 Gallup survey, 66% of Americans supported legalization, though support did differ by party. More than three-quarters of Democrats said they supported legalization, as opposed to about half of Republicans. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., told USA TODAY, “the country has moved” its views on marijuana. With Congress’ action, “there’s a recognition of where the states are, and we’re not going to put the genie back in the bottle when it comes to cannabis,” he said, referring to the states who have already legalized marijuana in some form. “And we just need to move forward with these pieces of legislation and get the federal and state laws to align with each other.”
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Friday that it is reopening a public comment period on hemp regulations following months of intense pushback from stakeholders on its original proposal. While the federal agency already received more than 4,600 comments during the initial comment period that closed in January, it is now encouraging “additional input on several topics identified by commenters.” This seems to a sign that USDA is willing to provide more flexible regulations, as many interested parties—from industry operators to members of Congress—have requested. USDA listed 12 areas where they’re especially seeking additional feedback, including several that industry representatives have identified as very consequential. Here are the titles, as listed in the department’s new Federal Register notice: 1. Measurement of Uncertainty for Sampling 2. Liquid Chromatography Factor, 0.877 3. Disposal and Remediation of Non-Compliant Plants 4. Negligence 5. Interstate Commerce 6. 15-day Harvest Window 7. Hemp seedlings, microgreens, and clones 8. Hemp breeding and research 9. Sampling Methodology – Flower vs. Whole Plant 10. Sampling Methodology – Homogenous Composition, Frequency, and Volume 11. Sampling Agents 12. DEA Laboratory Registration. This is a welcome development as far as stakeholders are concerned, giving hope that USDA could ultimately revise some of the more onerous restrictions that they’ve indicated could hamper the industry’s potential. For example, producers have argued that the proposed rule mandating that hemp be tested only at DEA-certified laboratories will have an unnecessary bottlenecking effect and they should be able to have a wider range of labs to use. That was one policy USDA temporarily lifted earlier this year, and now it wants to hear from the public on whether it “should be permanently removed.” Another rule that USDA paused due to feedback concerns disposal and remediation of non-compliant hemp that contains excess THC. The agency’s Interim Final Rule stipulated that so-called “hot hemp” must be eradicated under law enforcement supervision. Farmers have complained about that restriction and said they should be allowed to remediate the crop using a number of techniques. USDA wants to hear more about that proposed alternative.The department is also open to amending the 15-day testing window and is requesting information about why many industry participants feel a 30-day window would be more appropriate, as many said during the past comment period.
Read MoreMore than a dozen House Democrats are pushing leadership to use must-pass legislation this month as a cudgel to compel the intelligence community to resume election security briefings for Congress. Eighteen Democratic lawmakers are calling on House leaders to include language in either a spending bill or the annual reauthorization of intelligence programs that would force the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to reinstate regular election security briefings. Both measures are expected to receive floor votes in September. “Congress should consider all remedies available to enforce regular intelligence briefings in advance of the elections, up to and including withholding of funds from the ODNI entirely,” the lawmakers, led by Reps. Mark Pocan (Wis.) and Gerry Connolly (Va.), wrote in a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). Democrats are furious that Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, a former House GOP lawmaker, decided recently to do away with in-person briefings for members of Congress, saying the move was necessary to prevent leaks of classified information. Democratic leaders have hinted at possible subpoenas or targeting ODNI funds, but have not yet threatened to pursue either approach. Pelosi, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.), a top appropriator who oversees defense spending, warned in a letter this week that they would “consider the full range of tools available to compel compliance” if Ratcliffe didn’t reinstate the briefings. A Pelosi spokesperson pointed to the Speaker’s previous missive to Ratcliffe on Tuesday when asked about the letter from Democrats calling for conditioning legislation to fund or authorize ODNI on the briefings. Neither Pocan nor Connolly went as far as declaring they would oppose a stopgap government funding bill if it didn’t include provisions to resume the briefings. But they argued that the funding should be an arrow in House Democrats’ quiver. “The power we have as Congress is the power of the purse,” Pocan, a Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair, told The Hill. “We need to push back as Congress to make sure that we're having our ability to have the necessary oversight.” Connolly suggested a proposal in which Ratcliffe’s office would be directly targeted while leaving intelligence-gathering programs intact. “Given the fact that this defiance came directly out of ODNI, we need to respond. And one of the tools the Constitution explicitly, clearly, and unambiguously gives Congress is the power of the purse,” Connolly said. Such a proposal is all but certain to be opposed by the Trump administration and congressional Republicans. It’s also unlikely to be included in any government funding legislation now that Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have informally agreed to a clean continuing resolution, meaning it would be free of any controversial policy riders. Ratcliffe informed lawmakers late last week that the intelligence community would provide written updates on election security leading up to the November elections instead of in-person congressional briefings.
Read MoreA chamber of Congress will vote to remove cannabis from the federal list of controlled substance for the first time in the nation’s history. The U.S. House of Representative confirmed its historic vote will occur during September work period and would effectively decriminalize cannabis nationwide. The legislation in question, known as the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement Act (MORE Act), would not legalize marijuana at the federal level.
Read MoreGov. Tom Wolf on Thursday renewed his push for the legalization of marijuana for recreational use by adults, making an appeal for the economic windfall and the criminal justice reforms that would result were the Commonwealth to join the ranks of states that have decriminalized cannabis. “I am renewing that call,” said Wolf, who was joined by Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and state Sen. Sharif Street of Philadelphia.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved hemp regulatory plans for Maine, Missouri and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians on Wednesday. The total number of federally approved hemp plans across states, territories and tribes now stands at 58.
Read MoreColorado’s Secretary of State Jena Griswold recently announced that her administration would launch a Rapid Response Election Security Cyber Unit, or RESCU for short. The goal of the unit, composed of highly trained election security specialists, is to protect the state’s elections from cyberattacks and interference from nation states as well as respond to any issues that arise during the process. As the RESCU announcement put it, the unit is “charged with securing Colorado’s elections by assisting counties with their cybersecurity in the field and combating cybersecurity incursions and disinformation.”
Read MoreTwo secret wars are underway simultaneously over attack and defense of the 2020 presidential election. This week, each one broke into the open again. The first war is an intelligence and national security operation aimed at protecting American election infrastructure, political campaigns and the U.S. information environment from foreign interference. The second one is a political struggle over how much Americans learn about the first. Events this week further underscored how far the U.S. has traveled since the infamous 2016 election, which played out without much appreciation in real time about how events were roiling behind the scenes. That understanding only developed in retrospect through official investigations.
Read MorePresident Donald Trump said North Carolina voters who mail in ballots for November’s election should go to the polls and attempt to vote a second time to verify whether the ballots sent via the U.S. Postal Service were counted. The president’s suggestion could lead to voters violating the law if they attempt to cast a second ballot, and his comments mark his latest salvo in his denunciation of mail-in voting, an option expected to be used by far more Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. He argues that voting by mail carries a risk of fraud and would put his Republican Party at a disadvantage.
Read MoreA chamber of Congress will vote to remove cannabis from the federal list of controlled substance for the first time in the nation’s history. The U.S. House of Representative confirmed its historic vote will occur during September work period and would effectively decriminalize cannabis nationwide. The legislation in question, known as the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement Act (MORE Act), would not legalize marijuana at the federal level. Instead it would remove cannabis from its Schedule I drug classification, which the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) defines as “drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” Once removed, states could then decide whether to legalize cannabis for medical or recreational use. The bill would also expunge cannabis records for some and create a fund to support individuals impacted by the enforcement of marijuana laws. "Passage of the MORE Act is essential in order to truly right the wrongs of federal marijuana criminalization, and to once and for all allow the majority of states that have legalized cannabis for either medical or adult-use to embrace these policies free from the threat of undue federal prosecution or interference," said NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano. It’s unknown whether the MORE Act will have enough votes to carry the Democrat-controlled House. Even if it does, the Senate is not expected to vote on the bill considering the long-held opposition by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Republicans, who control the Senate, have not show support for ending cannabis prohibition in recent weeks. The head of the Republican National Committee would not answer whether medical marijuana supporters had a place in the GOP in a recent interview. And President Donald Trump told a Republican crowd earlier this month not to allow cannabis legalization ballot if they want to win.
Read MoreGov. Tom Wolf on Thursday renewed his push for the legalization of marijuana for recreational use by adults, making an appeal for the economic windfall and the criminal justice reforms that would result were the Commonwealth to join the ranks of states that have decriminalized cannabis. “I am renewing that call,” said Wolf, who was joined by Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and state Sen. Sharif Street of Philadelphia. “Now more than ever, specially right in the middle of a pandemic, we have a desperate need for the economic boost that the legalization of cannabis could provide.” The governor noted Washington and Colorado, which in 2018 generated hundreds of millions of dollars in state revenue as a result of legalized recreational marijuana. Washington added $319 million to its treasury; Colorado $266 million. Both states are much smaller than Pennsylvania, the governor noted, and the figures do not factor in the secondary economic impact of jobs creation and additional money circulating throughout the economies. Wolf called for the revenue from such a program to be earmarked to benefit historically disadvantaged businesses and restorative justice programs, in particular giving priority to repairing the impact the criminalization of marijuana has had on hundreds of thousands of individuals and the justice system. Fetterman noted that according to state police data, on average over the last few decades, roughly 20,000 state residents are arrested each year for marijuana related offenses. “If you go over the span of decades we are talking nearly a quarter of a million Pennsylvanians that now have some affiliation with the criminal justice system for nothing more than consuming a plant that’s actually legal in 12 jurisdictions across this country,” Fetterman said. “That’s counter productive.” Fetterman pointed out the uneven racial enforcement of marijuana laws, with Blacks and Latinos disproportionately arrested or imprisoned. The lieutenant governor also stressed the economic impact of such a proposal. “I would pitch this as a jobs bill as much as anything,” he said. “Legalizing marijuana would create tens of thousands of jobs that require no subsidy. No kind of guidance other than to rewrite the law and allow this business to flourish in Pennsylvania. It’s a turnkey solution and I would challenge anyone, my most intensely opposed critics to name one other policy decision that could have so much immediate impact and so much unambiguous benefits both in terms to our treasury, to our employment statewide. To our social justice concerns.”
Read MoreColorado’s Secretary of State Jena Griswold recently announced that her administration would launch a Rapid Response Election Security Cyber Unit, or RESCU for short. The goal of the unit, composed of highly trained election security specialists, is to protect the state’s elections from cyberattacks and interference from nation states as well as respond to any issues that arise during the process. As the RESCU announcement put it, the unit is “charged with securing Colorado’s elections by assisting counties with their cybersecurity in the field and combating cybersecurity incursions and disinformation.” Looking back at the 2016 elections, which were teeming with misinformation campaigns and confirmed Russian meddling, Colorado is taking a positive step toward ensuring greater election integrity. I believe other states should take note and consider a similar approach, especially as they face resource constraints as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Besides much publicized voting challenges -- from outdated, vulnerable voting machines, to mail-in ballots and the manipulation of social media to share misleading information -- voter registration databases could be the target of ransomware attacks in the run-up to the election, killing confidence in the outcome. These are tangible risks, and according to an article by Reuters, “the local governments that store and update voter registration data are typically ill-equipped to defend themselves against elite hackers.” Even as congressional funds are available for states to replace outdated, vulnerable machines and lawmakers work to ensure reliable mail-in voting, we’re seeing a long term underinvestment from the federal government. There are a few exceptions, one being work funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which awarded $10 million to Oregon-based company Galois in March 2019 to create a new voting machine from the ground up. With the wider goal to building an open source model for developing secure and resilient hardware, this effort represents the kind of investment and activity the voting system badly needs, but as it stands, it is too little too late. Mail-in ballots may be a reasonable, safe path forward in the short term, but longer term, a few things must happen. Existing machines must be replaced with more modern units that employ methods that allow the unit to be monitored when atypical or likely adversarial behavior occurs. Government entities must also standardize and improve their email security posture. While the voting machines are only rolled out periodically, continuously used state and local email is often left unprotected. If local governments are compromised by an email phishing scam or malware, hackers could move laterally through their networks and gather sensitive information about the agency and citizens. This opens the door to bad actors spreading misinformation and manipulating voter registration data, potentially impacting election integrity. To prevent this type of attack, local governments should be running adaptive authentication, which uses behavior analytics to help detect the use of compromised credentials. While Colorado’s effort to protect the integrity of the voting system will be judged after the election when we can see whether the state’s efforts have successfully modeled how to preserve voting integrity, its plan to fight cyber attacks and disinformation is a very positive step that we hope other states will follow.
Read MoreTwo secret wars are underway simultaneously over attack and defense of the 2020 presidential election. This week, each one broke into the open again. The first war is an intelligence and national security operation aimed at protecting American election infrastructure, political campaigns and the U.S. information environment from foreign interference. The second one is a political struggle over how much Americans learn about the first. Events this week further underscored how far the U.S. has traveled since the infamous 2016 election, which played out without much appreciation in real time about how events were roiling behind the scenes. That understanding only developed in retrospect through official investigations. This year, Americans are aware as never before about foreign schemes, official countermeasures and the second-order efforts by U.S. politicians to shape the public's impressions about it all. Facebook spikes Russian scheme: On Tuesday, Facebook announced it had disrupted an influence operation linked with Russia's "Internet Research Agency," a professional disruption and trolling mill, that sought to sow agitation in the U.S. election. The Russian specialists were using Facebook accounts to entice U.S. journalists to contribute to a left-wing website, the company said, in a project the social media giant called "largely unsuccessful" in its official report. Facebook's ejection of the Russian users followed a tip from the FBI. That dynamic was the product of years of sometimes awkward relationship-building between Silicon Valley and officialdom following the 2016 experience, in which both sides have since said they were too slow to recognize the magnitude of the influence operations playing out across Americans' social networks. Facebook, Twitter and other platforms have spent the intervening years not only deepening their relationships with law enforcement and intelligence officials, but also routinely scrubbing their own operations in order to prevent foreign interference specialists from building up a critical mass of agitation at any one time. The companies have kicked off scores of fake accounts and also quashed or "down-ranked" other content associated with agitation, they've told Congress, which in some cases has prompted foreign governments to change their tactics and even move their messaging that targets the United States into overt accounts. This week's case from Facebook was another example: With pressure evidently too great to sustain a 2016-level of disinformation and agitation on Facebook itself, the IRA evidently only sought to use it to solicit real Americans to post real content on another website. Pushing the activity away from the platform with the biggest audience reduces the reach of the influence operation. Russian influence specialists also used independently created websites in 2016 including "DCLeaks," which was one avenue through which the military intelligence agency GRU posted emails stolen via cyberattacks from American political targets. Internet users the world over, however, this year are on guard about Russian cyberattacks, as a separate flap showed.
Read MorePresident Donald Trump said North Carolina voters who mail in ballots for November’s election should go to the polls and attempt to vote a second time to verify whether the ballots sent via the U.S. Postal Service were counted. The president’s suggestion could lead to voters violating the law if they attempt to cast a second ballot, and his comments mark his latest salvo in his denunciation of mail-in voting, an option expected to be used by far more Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. He argues that voting by mail carries a risk of fraud and would put his Republican Party at a disadvantage. “On your ballots,” Trump said during a visit to Wilmington, N.C., on Wednesday, “if you get the unsolicited ballots, send it in and then go make sure it counted and if it doesn’t tabulate, you vote. You just vote, and then if they tabulate it very late, they’ll see you voted and it won’t count. “Send it in early and then go and vote,” Trump added. “And if it’s not tabulated, you vote and the vote is going to count.” North Carolina does allow provisional voting, a process that allows for additional scrutiny of ballots if there are questions about a person’s eligibility, including whether someone has already voted. Trump didn’t specifically mention provisional voting in his remarks. While Trump won North Carolina in 2016, a Fox News poll released on Wednesday had his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, ahead in the state, 50% to 46%. In an interview with CNN on Wednesday, Trump’s attorney general, William Barr, said state and local officials were “playing with fire” if they sent out tens of thousands of mail-in ballots for the election. “We haven’t had the kind of widespread use of mail-in ballots that’s being proposed,” Barr said. “Now what we’re talking about is mailing them to everyone on the voter list when everyone knows those voter lists are inaccurate.” He offered no evidence for his assertions. For years, some Republicans have been raising alarms about widespread voter fraud in the U.S., despite a lack of evidence, and they have used those warnings to promote laws that require people to show identification at a polling place and other restrictions.
Read MoreVirginia Democrats are making headway in the efforts to reform the commonwealth’s criminal justice system, even if, on issues such as qualified immunity for police officers, it takes a couple of tries to get moving in the right direction. But they are still not ready to fully embrace one issue: marijuana legalization. Virginia did enact marijuana decriminalization. While possession and consumption remain illegal, getting caught now merits a $25 civil fine. Not everyone was pleased with the move. The Virginia ACLU led a coalition opposed to decriminalization. In a letter to Gov. Ralph Northam (D), the groups said decriminalization “does nothing to end racist pretextual stops by police.” Instead, the coalition urged an end to marijuana prohibition. The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus put legalizing marijuana on its list of priorities for the special session. And there’s even a bill to achieve part of that goal. Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-Prince William), who is running for governor, is the chief patron of HB 5141, a measure that would legalize “simple possession of marijuana.” While it does away with the civil penalty, prevents law enforcement from using the hint or suspicion of marijuana use to conduct searches and seizures and more, it doesn’t end prohibition. That step would allow adults to buy and consume the product legally and companies to grow and process it. Full legalization would also require governments to regulate and tax marijuana. Eleven states have legalized recreational marijuana use. Twenty-two have legalized it for medical use. More states will decide the issue this November. Carroll Foy’s bill won’t add Virginia to those lists. Instead, it’s a bow to political reality: Prohibition may be bad, but Virginia just isn’t ready to give in that sort of sin and debauchery. Never mind the state-sanctioned gambling and lottery. Or the state-owned liquor monopoly. Or centuries of tobacco farming. In its letter to Northam, the ACLU and others said, “study is needed before Virginia can consider or implement an equitable system to regulate the legal sale of marijuana.” If we do a little homework, we quickly discover legalization is no panacea. Yes, the tax revenue can be very good — but it takes time to reach scale. Then there are the health issues. As the New York Times’s Jack Healy reported on Colorado’s experience, “More people here are visiting emergency rooms for marijuana-related problems.” At the same time, “state surveys do not show an increase in young people smoking pot.” A Washington State University study showed officers surveyed did not want to recriminalize marijuana. But they said states considering the idea should first conduct “broad public educational programs, emphasizing juveniles and drivers, and how the law affects them,” and, “expanded officer training, especially on the regulatory rules governing growing cannabis.”
Read MoreA Republican congressman says he will be a “yes” vote on a bill to federally legalize marijuana that the House of Representatives is set to take up this month. But he also argued that certain social equity provisions—which he described as “reparations”—go too far and will make the legislation unpalatable to the GOP-controlled Senate. Advocates celebrated the recent announcement from House leadership that the chamber will vote on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is the sole GOP cosponsor on the bill, and he said in a podcast released on Tuesday that while he supports the proposal in principle, a component that would distribute a portion of cannabis tax revenue to communities most impacted by the war on drugs amounts to “reparations,” and he views that as untenable. “I believe in cannabis reform in this country. The federal government has lied to the American people for a generation about cannabis,” the congressman said on the latest episode of the “Hot Takes with Matt Gaetz” podcast. “What are we going to do about it? The MORE Act.” Gaetz applauded the main provisions of the bill, namely removing marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and ending federal prohibition. He said he’s also in support of a proposal to provide expungements for prior cannabis convictions, recognizing racial disparities in marijuana-related arrests. “I think the war on drugs was uniquely harmful to urban communities, to communities of color, and I think that some restorative justice for people that saw just extended convictions or that are currently serving extended time in prison ought to be visited through legislation, so I support that,” the congressman said.
Read MoreWhen Oregon voters legalized recreational cannabis in 2014, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission was given the responsibility for the licensing and regulation of cannabis businesses. Unlike other states, Oregon was meant to have a non-competitive licensing system with no limit on the total number of licenses issued. This approach was intended to encourage existing medical cannabis growers and dispensaries to enter into the regulated market and allow women, minorities and other entrepreneurs the opportunity to participate in the new cannabis economy. While the licensing system initially worked well, the system has essentially ground to a halt. According to the OLCC’s website, the agency is just now processing applications to grow recreational cannabis that were filed in February 2018. It’s not much better for those seeking licenses to process, sell or distribute cannabis. The agency is just now getting to applications filed in June 2018. That means the OLCC is more than two years behind in issuing licenses and there is no point in filing a new application for eligible business types. As a lawyer in this space since before legalization, I know that those waiting for licenses include small businesses that have been stretched thin by the delays. They have built out facilities to comply with regulations, paid rent each month, accepted money from investors and now have little hope that they will ever be able to operate. One client, Adam Dunn, filed for a processor’s license two years ago, spent $300,000 on security and construction and has been paying rent since 2018. With the current backlog, he will likely still wait years to receive approval. This is the same story I hear over and over as desperate applicants find themselves in permanent limbo. The OLCC is not even able to provide any timeline to applicants, denying them the ability to make informed decisions about crucial issues such as whether to keep a lease or buy equipment. As the agency communicated to me in a recent email, “We do not have a way of giving any sort of accurate estimate as to when a certain new application may receive an assessment of its readiness to be assigned.” At the same time, the OLCC has prioritized change-of-ownership applications, which favor large businesses that can afford to buy an established operation – and its license. This prioritization has created a secondary market for licenses ensuring that large, and often multi-state operators can grow their companies while others lose months, years, and in some cases, everything they have while they wait. In contrast to the backlog on new licenses, the OLCC is working on change of ownership applications submitted in 2020 with the average wait time being 157 days, according to a public records request. It is time for the OLCC to turn all its attention and resources to addressing this crisis. The agency does not have the statutory authority to unilaterally stop issuing new licenses that were lawfully applied for. If the OLCC cannot or will not turn their attention to this enormous and years long backlog, the governor’s office should immediately intervene. The Legislature also should mandate strict timelines for the issuance of licenses as well as make sure that the commission is sufficiently funded to provide rapid licensing services for all applicants.
Read MoreThe world's top cybersecurity experts worry about how to protect election systems from hackers. But one thing they're not concerned about is mail-in ballots. Mail-in and absentee voting systems are resilient and secure because they generate paper trails that can be audited, said Christopher Krebs, director of the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Mail-in and in-person voting both use similar methods to count votes, but not all electronic voting booths generate a paper back-up for each vote. Each state is responsible for its own election process, said Krebs, which makes it hard for hackers to meddle with votes on a national level. While manual paper vote-counting can be time-consuming, even if the tabulation process goes awry in some areas, paper ballots help auditors verify accurate results. "If you're able to detect any sort of anomaly or something seems out of the ordinary, you want to be able to roll back the tape," Krebs told CNET. "And if you've got paper, you've got receipts. So you can build back up to what the accurate count is." His office is coordinating with private cybersecurity researchers and state governments to identify and report digital vulnerabilities. CISA recently released guides designed to help states identify election vulnerabilities by partnering with both the federal government and election security experts in the private sector. Krebs rolled out the election security plan in August at the annual Black Hat cybersecurity conference, which was held virtually. "Disclosure is the key part in improving the cybersecurity of [election] services and systems," Krebs said. "Our goal is if [election officials] discover any sort of vulnerability or gap in the security posture, [they] have a process that you can work to close out that vulnerability." Other high-profile security researchers also affirmed the value of mail-in systems at Black Hat. In his virtual keynote address, Georgetown Law professor Matt Blaze said that while mail-in and absentee voting systems are not foolproof, the systems are reliable, widely available, and lack many of the risks that plague digital voting systems. "[Absentee voting] is available everywhere and it's a fairly predictable, well-established concept in general," said Blaze. Blaze emphasized that every election can be exploited by bad actors, and that while mail-in voting is safe it is also logistically challenging and would require states to scale up election infrastructure in a short period of time before the general election. "I don't think I've ever encountered a problem that's harder than the security integrity of civil elections," said Blaze. "In fact, every current voting system that's been examined is terrible in some way and probably exploitable." Jake Braun, a Black Hat presenter and the executive director of the University of Chicago's Cyber Policy Initiative, also spoke at the conference in support of mail-in voting. "Beyond the obvious social distancing benefits of absentee voting in a COVID environment, absentee voting extends the amount of time people have to vote from a few hours on Election Day to weeks," Braun told CBS News. "It ensures voters avoid long lines caused by technical problems with touch-screen voting machines and electronic poll booths like we saw in Georgia and Wisconsin" during the primaries. Braun also expressed concern that state voting sites could be targeted with a variety of attacks, including ransomware designed to disrupt voting machines and state computers, and hacks that display false information like an incorrect election date on state websites. "Ransomware attacks on voter registration databases a week or two before the election would cause chaos tracking and counting absentee ballots," said Braun. "Attacks on official government election websites that alter information about voting procedures or even election results would also cause chaos."
Read MoreThe voter information of millions of Americans has been posted on criminal underground forums containing Russian- and English-language content, but the data was not hacked and represents no threat to the November election, state and federal election officials said Tuesday. Such data is publicly available, the state officials added. The Russian newspaper Kommersant on Tuesday reported that the registration data and voter history of 7.6 million Michigan voters as well as residents of other states were put up on the “darknet” by a hacker who goes by the handle of Gorka9. Kommersant also found the hacker had made available voter databases from Connecticut, Arkansas, Florida and North Carolina. In a joint statement, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said they have seen no cyberattacks this year on voter registration databases or voting systems. Officials from Michigan, Connecticut and North Carolina echoed their federal colleagues, and urged voters to remain confident in the security of personal records. Voter information is public in all the states mentioned, with some requiring a public records request and a fee, they noted. In North Carolina, State Board of Elections spokesman Patrick Gannon warned voters to be wary of reports from foreign, non-Western media about the security of elections, which might be the result of misinformation or attempts to undermine public confidence. Either way, the effect could be to undermine trust in elections, “and it’s a tragedy if that’s the result,” said Gabe Rosenberg, spokesman for Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill. Gannon and Rosenberg stressed that dissemination of the public information, including names, dates of birth and addresses, poses no threat to election security — such as the possibility of counterfeit mail ballots being sent to local election officials, as both President Trump and Attorney General William Barr have claimed is possible. Ballots in most states, including Connecticut and North Carolina, are printed on specialty paper with special ink, much like currency, and counterfeits would not be readable with the optical scanners that election officials use. In addition, with the majority of registered voters likely to vote in the Nov. 3 presidential election — in 2016, the figure was about 77 percent in Connecticut and about 69 percent in North Carolina — any broad counterfeiting attempt would result in duplicate ballots, which would be detected quickly and easily, both said. “We would know almost immediately,” Gannon said. “There is no way that any kind of absentee counterfeiting scheme of any scope could go undetected.” However, the public data does increase the risk of identity theft, Rosenberg said — which is one reason Merrill has proposed limiting the kind of data that is made public. “We encourage voters to look to trusted sources of information, in this case state election officials who have correctly pointed out that a lot of voter registration data is publicly available or easily purchased,” the FBI and CISA said in the statement.
Read MoreA federal judge on Monday ordered California state cannabis regulators to turn over to to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) records related to an alleged international marijuana-oil trafficking scheme, according to court records. Since August 2019, the DEA has been hounding the state Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC) for records related to three individuals and three businesses that hold BCC licenses, which are required to sell recreational cannabis products in the state.After first requesting the records via email—a request that was refused—the DEA issued the BCC a subpoena in January, which up until now the state has fought in court. According to the DEA’s filing, the BCC has records related to “possible importation/transportation of a controlled substance (marijuana ‘crude oil;) from Mexico” by three state-licensed cannabis companies and three individuals who owned or worked for these companies.News of the subpoena first became widespread in July, after the DEA asked a judge to force the BCC to comply. And on Monday, after some back-and-forth in court, federal judge Linda Lopez did just that and issued a order that the BCC must comply with the subpoena, as legal newspaper The Recorder first reported. Whether the BCC will cough up the records remains to be seen. Alex Traverso, a spokesman for the agency, said the BCC would have no comment. But at this point, the BCC has only two options: appeal the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal (and, eventually, the Supreme Court), or continue to defy the DEA and risk serious consequences.
Read MoreThe U.S. House of Representatives will vote this month on legislation that would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and expunge some criminal records. The Hill reports the MORE Act would not legalize the drug, but would still be a “historic step” in reducing legal penalties for the drug. Legalizing the drug for recreational use would be left up to individual states.
Read MoreA chamber of Congress will vote to remove cannabis from the federal list of controlled substance for the first time in the nation’s history. The U.S. House of Representative confirmed its historic vote will occur next month and would effectively decriminalize cannabis nationwide. The legislation in question, known as the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement Act (MORE Act), would not legalize marijuana at the federal level. Instead it would remove cannabis from its Schedule I drug classification, which the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) defines as “drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”
Read MoreU.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said she expects federal agriculture officials to work with hemp farmers and possibly even delay new regulations that New York says are “unreasonable.” State regulators say they won’t try to regulate hemp production themselves because of the new federal rules. Farmers say that leaves them unprotected from strict regulations that could make them criminals for a bad batch of hemp. But Gillibrand says she has bipartisan support, including from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, to protect the hemp industry.
Read MoreThe Colorado hemp harvest began last week. After 80 years of prohibition, building an industry from the ground up is anything but the “American dream” for hemp farmers, and last year it came to a disastrous crash. It turns out supply and demand rely on a supply chain – which doesn’t exist yet for hemp. And demand? No one knew the demand of a product that had been illegal for decades. Hemp is the less potent cousin of marijuana. Both come from the cannabis plant. And even without THC — the legally restricted compound in marijuana — hemp has a variety of potential.
Read MoreGrowing numbers of elections offices across the U.S. are using electronic devices to sign voters in at the polls — a shift that has occurred with little scrutiny despite a host of security questions and a history of balloting meltdowns. Problems with the devices, known as electronic pollbooks, caused long lines during this year’s presidential primary in Los Angeles County and contributed to chaos and hours-long waits during Georgia’s primary in June.
Read MoreWith Election Day just over two months away, Americans will begin casting ballots in a few weeks. The U.S. intelligence community has already warned of multiple attempts by foreign powers to intervene in the November election. But now comes word of changes in how top U.S. intelligence officials will brief Congress about the threats. Lisa Desjardins and Nick Schifrin join Judy Woodruff to discuss.Judy Woodruff: Americans will begin casting ballots in this fall's general elections in just a couple of weeks, and Election Day itself is just a little more than two months away.
Read MoreA landmark bill that would decriminalize marijuana use at the federal level is up for vote soon. The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on the legislation in September, according to an email sent out on Friday by Majority Whip James Clyburn. Politico first reported on the pending vote. The "Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019" -- also called the MORE Act -- would officially remove cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances. It would also expunge federal marijuana convictions and arrests, and approve the allocation of resources for communities affected by the war on drugs, according to the bill's text. "A floor vote on the bill would be the greatest federal cannabis reform accomplishment in over 80 years," the Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce said in a statement Friday. The House Judiciary Committee passed the bill, introduced by Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and co-sponsored by more than 50 lawmakers, by a vote of 24-10 in November. "These steps are long overdue. For far too long, we have treated marijuana as a criminal justice problem instead of a matter of personal choice and public health," Nadler, the committee's chairman, said in a statement at the time. "Whatever one's views on the use of marijuana for recreational or medicinal purposes, arresting, prosecuting, and incarcerating users at the federal level is unwise and unjust." The MORE Act would remove marijuana as a Schedule I substance, a category that also features other drugs, such as heroin, LSD, ecstasy and peyote, and leave states to regulate it. Eleven states and the District of Columbia have already legalized cannabis for adult recreational use, and 33 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical cannabis. "States have led the way -- and continue to lead the way -- but our federal laws have not kept pace with the obvious need for change," Nadler said. "We need to catch up because of public support and because it is the right thing to do." Pew Research Center and Gallup polls last year both found that about two-thirds of Americans support legalizing marijuana, with Democrats more supportive of the move than Republicans. The issue has gotten "greater urgency," one Democratic lawmaker said, amid calls for social justice reform during the recent Black Lives Matter protests. "As people across the country protest racial injustices, there's even greater urgency for Congress to seize this historic opportunity and finally align our cannabis laws with what the majority of Americans support, while ensuring restorative justice," Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said in a social media post Friday sharing news on the upcoming vote.
Read MoreA congressman introduced a bill on Friday that would create a variety of programs and grants to help people enter the hemp industry and build their businesses. It would also require a federal study into potential alternative uses for the crop as well as challenges faced by the market. Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA) filed the Hemp Opportunity Zone Act. As the title implies, the main component of the legislation clarifies that farmers who cultivate the crop can receive tax benefits if they operate in an area designated as an “opportunity zone” by the Treasury Department. Opportunity zones are census-designated low-income areas that are considered economically distressed. The governor of a state can make the designation, and Treasury then decides whether to certify it. The program is designed to promote investments in communities that might typically be overlooked by allowing investors to defer capital gains taxes if they put money into an opportunity zone business. “We are reviewing the legislation now, but if it indeed serves to open up investment in hard-hit farming and small business communities, it would be welcome relief for an industry that has been struggling through the COVID pandemic and federal burdens imposed by FDA, USDA and now the DEA,” Jonathan Miller, general counsel for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, told Marijuana Moment. Treasury Sec. Steven Mnuchin earlier this year weighed in on eligibility for the opportunity zone program with respect to the marijuana industry and said “it is not the intent of the opportunity zones that if there is this conflict [between state and federal marijuana laws] that has not been cleared that, for now, we should not have those businesses in the opportunity zones.” In addition to clarifying eligibility for hemp-focused businesses, Riggleman’s new bill would also create a “hemp farmer start-up tax credit” equal to 10 percent of the cash rent paid for land used for production or 15 percent of the “crop share rent so paid by the taxpayer.” To be eligible, farmers would need to have less than $25 million in gross receipts for the last taxable year.The legislation would further establish a “small hemp farmer credit” that would enable businesses with less than $250,000 in gross receipts for the previous taxable year to obtain a credit “equal to 30 percent of the basis of hemp farming property placed in service.” “Hemp farming is a new and thriving industry,” Riggleman, who lost his primary renomination bid this year and only has a few months left in Congress, said. “By providing these tax incentives hemp growers in Virginia and the 5th District are primed to lead based on their historic production of tobacco.”
Read MoreThis week, Hawaii took a step forward in legalizing industrial hemp, something the agricultural committee says would be a big boost to the state's economy. But while 11 other states, including all of the West Coast have legalized recreational marijuana, Hawaii has still been hesitant to take that step, despite our status as a strongly blue state. "Law enforcement has been against it, conservative groups have been against it," explains former State Senator Will Espero. But he says the pandemic has changed the game. With record unemployment and calls to diversity our tourism-heavy economy, Espero says he believes lawmakers will be more willing to take another look next session. In other states like Nevada for example, marijuana tax revenue brought in $70 million the first year alone. Espero says if legalization were to pass, Hawaii would already have the infrastructure in place to support the industry. "We have people already growing, and who know to grow," he says. He says while other states may have been first, Hawaii could easily position itself as the best in the industry. "There's no reason Hawaii couldn't market itself as having the best product in the world," he says.
Read MoreThe Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) told Congress that it would no longer deliver in-person election security briefings, a move that’s angered lawmakers as Election Day approaches. The change could make it more difficult for members of Congress to ask detailed questions about election security or press officials on their findings, a worrisome proposition for oversight in a year when foreign meddling has already been confirmed. Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, a Trump loyalist confirmed to the position in May, informed members of the House and Senate Friday of the change, noting they will continue to provide members with written updates. Ratcliffe explained to congressional leaders that the move is to prevent “unauthorized disclosures,” a.k.a. leaks, of sensitive information by members of Congress, which he suggested was taking place. (He didn’t explain why verbal briefings would be subject to leaks but written briefings would not.) “I believe this approach helps ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that the information ODNI provides Congress in support of your oversight responsibilities on elections security, foreign malign influence, and election interference is not misunderstood nor politicized,” Ratcliffe wrote in a letter dated August 28. “It will also better protect our sources and methods and most sensitive intelligence from additional unauthorized disclosures or misuse.” CNN, citing an ODNI official, reported that other intelligence entities that play a role in election security, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, will continue to brief lawmakers. But lawmakers directly pushed back against Ratcliffe’s decision, with most of the criticism came from Democrats who called the decision “outrageous.” “The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has an obligation to brief Congress on threats to our elections. Director Ratcliffe’s outrageous decision to stop providing briefings to Congress is an unprecedented attempt to politicize an issue — protecting our democracy from foreign intervention — that should be non-partisan,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said in a statement. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), chair of the House Intelligence Committee, said in a joint statement that the DNI’s decision is “a shocking abdication of its lawful responsibility to keep the Congress currently informed, and a betrayal of the public’s right to know how foreign powers are trying to subvert our democracy.” They added that the ODNI had canceled an election briefing for lawmakers scheduled in mid-September. As for Republicans, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) said the change was being “blown out of proportion.” Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), the acting chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee also accused member of Congress of leaking and politicizing information, but said in a statement that that “does not release the intelligence community from fulfilling its legal requirements to respond to Congressional oversight committees and to keep members of Congress fully informed of relevant information on a timely basis.”
Read MoreLegislation removing the federal prohibition on marijuana, taxing the drug to provide to communities hardest hit by the war on drugs, and expunging cannabis-related convictions will come before the U.S. House when it returns from its August recess. The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee on a bipartisan vote in November, and had been waiting action by the full House. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or More Act, would remove the federal ban on marijuana, currently scheduled as a Class 1 controlled substance. That would give states carte blanche to legalize it, give banks the ability to offer credit cards and checking accounts to legal cannabis businesses, and make it easier to study any medicinal benefits of pot. The legislation also would require federal courts to expunge prior marijuana convictions, tax marijuana to fund job training and other programs and loans to minority-owned small businesses wanting to enter the cannabis industry, and provide aid to communities hardest hit by the war on drugs as so many residents were arrested and jailed for possessing weed. The announcement by House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., was welcomed by proponents of legalizing cannabis. “After many months of hard work and collaboration, we finally have a chance to end the failed policy of prohibition that has resulted in a long and shameful period of selective enforcement against people of color, especially Black men,” said Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.
Read MoreAfter failing to convince Nebraska’s secretary of state to keep a medical marijuana initiative off the state’s ballot, a local police official is now going to court to try to prevent voters from getting a chance to decide on the measure. Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner filed the case on Friday, just one day after Secretary of State Bob Evnen rejected his arguments that the ballot proposal “cases confusion,” “creates doubt about what will be authorized after the election” and violates the state’s single-subject rule for initiatives. That filing was made by a law firm that refused to disclose the sheriff as its client. Now the top county cop has revealed himself in the new lawsuit filing, and the state Supreme Court will take up the dispute, with arguments expected on Thursday. A decision will need to be made in the case by September 11, which is the deadline to certify items for November ballots. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana submitted nearly 200,000 signatures last month, well beyond the 121,669 required to qualify for the ballot. Under the proposal, physicians could recommend cannabis to patients suffering from debilitating medical conditions, and those patients would then be allowed to possess, purchase and “discreetly” cultivate marijuana for personal use. Sens. Anna Wishart Adam Morfeld, cochairs of the legalization campaign, and other legislators have tried for years to pass medical cannabis bills in the legislature only to be blocked by opposition from leadership. But with help from the Marijuana Policy Project and other advocacy groups, they decided to put the issue directly to voters. On Saturday, Morfeld recalled pressing Wagner about the relative dangers of marijuana, alcohol and other drugs during a Judiciary Committee hearing. “I asked Sheriff Wagner how many people had died from drug and alcohol overdoses in his career?” the senator tweeted. “He said too many to count. How many from marijuana? Zero.”
Read MoreIn September, the House will vote on removing cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act as well as erasing some marijuana criminal records, The Hill reports. The bill would not legalize cannabis. That choice would still be left up to states. Even though the vote will not legalize the drug, it will still be a historic step to reduce legal penalties related to cannabis. Marijuana is currently legal in 11 states. The September vote is set to be the first taken by either chamber of Congress to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act. As of right now, cannabis is listed as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. This means there is no benefit to medical use and a high chance for abuse of the drug. If the drug were removed from the act, federal prohibition of the drug would be eliminated, but state laws that make it illegal would remain in place.It would also remove criminal records and give grant funding to people negatively affected by the enforcement of marijuana laws. House Judiciary Chair Jerry Nadler first introduced the bill last year which passed the panel by a 24-10 vote in November. With the votes of GOP Reps. Matt Gaetz (Fla.) and Tom McClintock (Calif.), it passed the committee. It is unlikely that the bill will pass the Republican-controlled Senate. The vote will happen during a time of national reckoning over systemic racism and police brutality, with racial justice advocates calling to attention the disproportionate enforcement of marijuana laws against people of color in the US.
Read MoreBy the time Pete Frates tried medical marijuana, he and his family felt as if they had run out of options for treating his anxiety. The Boston College graduate, diagnosed with ALS years earlier, was already seeing top psychiatrists and therapists at Massachusetts General Hospital. He had tried every anxiety drug made available to him. All his family wanted was something — anything — that would ease the anxiety Frates felt as his diagnosis left him trapped inside his own body. “Pete was always super on edge before we started to use marijuana, like anything could be a trigger for him,” said his wife, Julie Frates. “You know, if his hands weren’t moved correctly, or something wasn’t done the right way, and he’s not able to communicate with us exactly what it is he needs. All of those things were just constantly a battle for us.”...For Jonsson, that’s the frustrating part about the federal status of cannabis: While patients like Frates can tout the benefits of medical marijuana, cannabis companies are limited in what they’re allowed to say. Marijuana remains federally illegal, and cannabis has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for use in a drug that treats rare, severe forms of epilepsy. Hemp — a cannabis plant similar to marijuana, but with lower levels of THC — is federally legal, but cannabis companies have been warned by the FDA not to make unapproved medical claims about the benefits of any cannabis plant. As recently as last summer, Curaleaf was asked to remove social media posts and articles in which it claimed its CBD products could treat cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic pain, and anxiety.
Read MoreThe Office of the Director of National Intelligence has informed the House and Senate Select Committees on Intelligence that it'll no longer be briefing in-person on election security issues, according to letters obtained by CNN. Instead, ODNI will primarily provide written updates to the congressional panels, a senior administration official said. The official added that other agencies supporting election security, including the Department of Justice, Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security, intend to continue briefing Congress. Still, the abrupt announcement is a change that runs counter to the pledge of transparency and regular briefings on election threats by the intelligence community. It also comes after the top intelligence official on election security issued a statement earlier this month saying China, Russia and Iran are seeking to interfere in the 2020 US election, a warning that prompted some backlash from Democrats on Capitol Hill who have continued to push for the public release of more information about the nature of those efforts. US officials charged with protecting the 2020 election also said last week that they have "no information or intelligence" foreign countries, including Russia, are attempting to undermine any part of the mail-in voting process, contradicting President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly pushed false claims that foreign adversaries are targeting mail ballots as part of a "rigged" presidential race. Specifically, a senior intelligence official discounted the possibility of foreign actors mass producing fake ballots to interfere in the November elections, again breaking with Trump who has continued to insist that mail-in voting poses a significant threat to election security. "We have no information or intelligence that any nation state threat actor is engaging in activity ... to undermine any part of the mail-in vote or ballots," the official told reporters on Wednesday. Trump said Saturday that Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe "got tired of" information leaking "so, he wants to do it in a different form."
Read MoreFor municipal officials interested in dipping their toe into the cannabis industry, Tuesday’s online forum by NJ Cannabis Insider laid out the biggest issues facing towns and the industry moving forward. The 90-minute webinar, “Cannabis Legalization and Your Town,” examined the state of efforts to pass the upcoming ballot referendum on adult-use cannabis legalization, the state of the medical cannabis program during the pandemic, potential tax and employment benefits and issues for municipalities, and whether cannabis companies can force their way into town.
Read MoreThe House will vote on legalizing marijuana next month. States would still have to vote to legalize the drug. Marijuana is already legal in 11 states. The MORE Act would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and erase some cannabis criminal records. The vote will come during the September work period, according to an email Majority Whip Jim Clyburn’s (D-S.C.) office that was sent to members Friday. The email also asked members to indicate if they would support the MORE Act by Sept. 3. Why is this important? Neither chamber of Congress has ever voted on removing marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act.
Read MoreThe U.S. House Homeland Security Committee queried a bipartisan duo of state officials in charge of overseeing elections over preparedness to maintain the integrity of the vote in face of security and funding concerns. Online actors have tried to penetrate Kentucky’s election systems, Secretary of State Michael Adams, a Republican, told lawmakers on the panel Friday.
Read MoreAfter Florida election offices were hacked four years ago, unprecedented millions flowed to the states to shore up electoral systems against future attacks. Florida officials pulled a shroud of secrecy over how that money was spent, forcing election supervisors to sign confidentiality agreements before they could get their money. Six months ago, USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida reported in general terms that the money went to both cyber and physical security improvements.
Read MoreVerifyMe, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRME), a digital technology solutions provider specializing in brand protection functions such as; counterfeit prevention, authentication, serialization, track and trace features for labels, packaging and products, and Corsearch, Inc., a brand clearance and protection leader, are pleased to announce a collaboration that will support brands to reduce the global multi-billion dollar economic impact resulting from counterfeiting and piracy activities.
Read MoreActivists behind a campaign to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska announced on Wednesday that the secretary of state’s office has informed them they collected enough signatures to qualify their initiative for the November ballot. Meanwhile, a law firm representing unnamed state residents filed a last-minute legal challenge attempting to prevent voters from having a chance to decide on the measure. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana said in an email blast that while the secretary of state has not formally certified the initiative, office staff informed them that they submitted enough valid signatures to make the cut.
Read MoreThe Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently released proposed rules for hemp and CBD—but while the agency claimed the regulations would simply put its procedures into compliance with federal law, some industry players suspect that they’re really setting the stage to crack down on the newly legal market. Some background is necessary: the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and its derivatives, shifting control of the substances from DEA to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Read MoreMail-in voting for the November presidential election is safe from foreign intervention, intelligence and election security officials said on Wednesday, saying that standard security measures and decentralization make the United States’ election system extremely difficult for a foreign power to penetrate and change the results. The assessment contradicts President Trump’s attacks on mail-in voting and comments by Attorney General William P. Barr that have also sowed doubt about its security.
Read MoreIt's not just Election Day that the Department of Homeland Security is worried about: A surge in mail ballots and early voting is forcing government officials to prepare for a longer battle to protect the democratic process against hacking and disinformation. DHS ran a war room on the night of the 2018 midterms where election and campaign officials, social media companies and voting-machine vendors compared notes about possible cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
Read MoreThe report comes amid an ongoing row over the US Postal Service, which is tasked with handling mail-in ballots for the November presidential election. A vast number of Americans are expected to vote by post due to the pandemic. Mr Trump has for months alleged, without evidence, that large-scale mail voting will lead to voter fraud. On Wednesday, a senior national intelligence official told reporters: "We have no information or intelligence that any nation-state threat actor is engaging in any kind of activity to undermine any part of the mail-in vote or ballots." It contradicts Mr Trump's remarks that voting by mail - which he himself has done - is susceptible to foreign interference.
Read MoreOhio Secretary of State Frank LaRose began worrying about the 2020 election on New Year’s Day, he told WCPO in an exclusive interview. That was the day his team recorded the year’s first targeted attacks on online election security. The approach he’s chosen to address the problem is common in private industry, but a first for a state election system: Get ahead of outside hackers by recruiting your own. “Bad news doesn’t get better with time,” LaRose said.
Read MoreAs part of a fall legislative proposal, Governor Tom Wolf called on the Republican-controlled legislature to legalize recreational marijuana to help existing small business grants and restorative justice programs. "We've had a little more time to see what's happened in places like Colorado for revenue," Wolf said near Harrisburg Tuesday. "This might be one way to fill a hole."
Read MoreOfficials in American Samoa are considering legalizing medical marijuana to generate funds for a government health care program in the U.S. territory. The proposal was originally floated by the jurisdiction’s Medicaid director, Sandra King Young, who said enacting the policy change could help fill a revenue gap that’s preventing the territory from accessing federal dollars for health care.
Read MoreForeign governments such as Russia and China continue to try to interfere in the upcoming U.S. election, but officials have seen no evidence of countries trying to manipulate or manufacture mail-in ballots, officials said Wednesday. With less than 70 days left until Election Day, federal authorities are ramping up their efforts to keep state and local election systems secure, particularly in light of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race,
Read MoreTop federal officials within multiple agencies on Wednesday warned of ongoing efforts by foreign adversaries to sway elections including through scanning for vulnerabilities in election infrastructure. The officials, however, also emphasized the strong measures that will be put in place to thwart these efforts.
Read MoreThe FBI says it has no evidence of any coordinated fraud schemes related to voting by mail this year, undercutting repeated claims by President Trump and his camp about what they've called security problems. That disclosure was made in an election security briefing for reporters on Wednesday by high-ranking officials from the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Read MorePennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf is asking state legislators to legalize recreational marijuana, saying the government could use the tax revenue to support small businesses and to fund restorative justice programs. The governor's call to legalize the sale and use of marijuana is part of a broader plan that Wolf says will help Pennsylvania's economy, which is suffering from months of shutdowns and slowdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreAs lawmakers in the House and Senate attempt to hammer out a deal on legislation to create a legal marketplace for pot, they are also poised to pass a major expansion of the state’s marijuana expungement laws. Leaders in the House and Senate say they support a measure that would automatically expunge the criminal records of those convicted of possessing two ounces or less of the drug. It would also decriminalize possession of up to two ounces of the substance — currently, possession of only up to one ounce is legal.
Read MoreHemp represents a growth opportunity for Hoosier farmers, but how should its production and sale be regulated? That question came up at the Lt. Governor Debate on Agriculture last week. All three candidates support the growing of hemp but differ widely on how the crop should be regulated. Democrat Linda Lawson said only certain types of hemp should be permitted.
Read MoreSenate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) and Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34) on Monday, introduced Senate Bill 10, legislation to expand voter access, implement greater efficiencies within Pennsylvania’s voting process and maintain election security. The bill expands upon the most significant Pennsylvania election reforms in 80 years, which were passed by the Legislature and signed into law last fall, according to Scarnati and Corman.
Read MoreIf Florida steers into recount territory for the presidential election again this year, supervisors of elections in the state’s most populous counties, including Miami-Dade and Broward, have agreed to preserve the digital ballot images of all votes cast.
Read MoreFour state attorneys general and a broader group of law enforcement professionals are calling on Congress to pass a marijuana legalization bill next month. Plus, a new poll shows majority voter support for the proposal to deschedule cannabis and fund programs to repair the harms of the war on drugs—even from Republicans...
Read MoreOnce upon a time, Worcester had been forecast to be the cannabis capital of Massachusetts, as its number of licenses grew. The state’s industry regulators even moved their headquarters from Boston to the state’s second largest city. But now, a different city an hour's drive west of Worcester — and 90 minutes from Boston — is the new leader in terms of the number of completed license applications, according to a Boston Business Journal analysis of submitted recreational marijuana licenses through July 9.
Read MoreThe Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Thursday unveiled proposed rules for hemp and CBD to put the federal agency officially in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill. While DEA stressed that the policies laid out in this interim final rule have already been in effect since hemp was federally legalized, it said the new filing to be published in the Federal Register on Friday will codify those regulations.
Read MoreWith voters expected to turn out in record numbers for the upcoming election, Will County leaders are carefully preparing to ensure votes cast at the mailbox or in person are accurately counted. County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry said her office already has set a record for mail-in ballot requests with 74,000 applications received to date, surpassing the previous record set in the 2016 presidential election when just more than 30,000 people requested to vote by mail.
Read MoreWith less than three months until the 2020 elections, concerns are growing about election interference from Russia and other foreign intelligence agents. It comes after the Senate Intelligence Committee released a bipartisan report showing there is evidence that Russia meddled in the 2016 races and had regular contact with Trump campaign staffers. The latest and final volume in the three-year investigation was laid out in a nearly 1,000-page report. “Russia is still meddling and now so is China and Iran,” said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Rubio said while the investigation found ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, it did not find evidence of collusion.
Read MoreAndy Zosel, President and Chief Executive Officer at OMRON Microscan, and Kenta Yamakawa, Senior Vice President at OMRON Microscan, explore the different iterations of traceability and how it can help to optimise productivity, quality and brand reputation.
Read MoreFor fraudsters, the coronavirus pandemic has been like Christmas, Valentine’s Day and the Super Bowl all rolled into one. Holidays and big events have long been a gold mine for those seeking to con people with phony offers and steal their money, credit card information or other personal data. But no event over the last decade – even natural disasters that hackers use to rob people looking to donate to relief efforts – has spawned nearly as many schemes or lasted as long as those related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Read MoreMC obtained recommendations from an interagency memo in 2016 on election security, and it demonstrates substantial if not complete progress since. The DHS chief wouldn’t directly say whether he’d discussed Russian election interference with the president. The FBI and CISA put together an advisory on a “vishing” campaign that is likely tied to the shift to remote work.
Read MoreVermont lawmakers are another step closer to finalizing a bill to legalize marijuana sales after finishing a conference committee meeting where they discussed the economics of the proposed system and outstanding issues between the two chambers of the legislature. While the state legalized possession of up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivation of two plants in 2018, there are currently no regulations in place that allow for retail sales. The cannabis commerce bill cleared both the House and Senate this session, albeit in different forms, and so a six-member bicameral panel is tasked with resolving those differences.
Read MoreDemocratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his vice presidential running mate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) discussed marijuana decriminalization and other drug policy reforms during their first joint interview as a ticket this weekend. Harris was pressed on her prosecutorial record, specifically as it concerns her previous call for more law enforcement officers in the streets. She talked about policing reform but went on to state that, under a Biden administration, there will be a “policy that is going to be about decriminalizing marijuana.”
Read MoreFor fraudsters, the coronavirus pandemic has been like Christmas, Valentine’s Day and the Super Bowl all rolled into one. Holidays and big events have long been a gold mine for those seeking to con people with phony offers and steal their money, credit card information or other personal data. But no event over the last decade – even natural disasters that hackers use to rob people looking to donate to relief efforts – has spawned nearly as many schemes or lasted as long as those related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Read MoreMC obtained recommendations from an interagency memo in 2016 on election security, and it demonstrates substantial if not complete progress since. The DHS chief wouldn’t directly say whether he’d discussed Russian election interference with the president. The FBI and CISA put together an advisory on a “vishing” campaign that is likely tied to the shift to remote work.
Read MoreVermont lawmakers are another step closer to finalizing a bill to legalize marijuana sales after finishing a conference committee meeting where they discussed the economics of the proposed system and outstanding issues between the two chambers of the legislature. While the state legalized possession of up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivation of two plants in 2018, there are currently no regulations in place that allow for retail sales. The cannabis commerce bill cleared both the House and Senate this session, albeit in different forms, and so a six-member bicameral panel is tasked with resolving those differences.
Read MoreDemocratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his vice presidential running mate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) discussed marijuana decriminalization and other drug policy reforms during their first joint interview as a ticket this weekend. Harris was pressed on her prosecutorial record, specifically as it concerns her previous call for more law enforcement officers in the streets. She talked about policing reform but went on to state that, under a Biden administration, there will be a “policy that is going to be about decriminalizing marijuana.”
Read MoreWhen it comes to mail ballots, it’s not fraud that vexes election officials. It’s human nature. People procrastinate. That’s a problem as California prepares amid the COVID-19 pandemic to mail a ballot to every registered voter in the state for November’s presidential election. The ballots go out the week of Oct. 5 and have to be returned by Election Day, Nov. 3. Some people who wait until the last minute think that means they’re OK if they put it in a mailbox on that date. But that’s not the rule. Ballots have to be postmarked by Election Day, and they have to arrive no later than 17 days after that date at the county Registrar of Voters office or they won’t get counted.
Read MoreThe Department of Homeland Security's acting secretary on Sunday cast doubt on the department's authority to send its agents to polling locations after President Donald Trump said he would deploy law enforcement in November to protect against voter fraud. "We don't have any authority to do that at the department," acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union."
Read MoreIt’s been nearly two years since Canada became the first G20 country to legalize cannabis for recreational purposes. However, the majority of customers are still getting their pot from the illicit market -- with a lot of ground left to cover. In the fourth quarter of 2018, legal marijuana represented only 21% of total consumption in Canada, despite weed becoming lawful on Oct. 17 of that year. Fast-forward to the first quarter of 2020 and cannabis is now a C$2.2 billion ($1.7 billion) retail industry, yet legal consumption is still just 46% of the total, according to data from Statistics Canada.
Read MoreWhen it comes to mail ballots, it’s not fraud that vexes election officials. It’s human nature. People procrastinate. That’s a problem as California prepares amid the COVID-19 pandemic to mail a ballot to every registered voter in the state for November’s presidential election. The ballots go out the week of Oct. 5 and have to be returned by Election Day, Nov. 3. Some people who wait until the last minute think that means they’re OK if they put it in a mailbox on that date. But that’s not the rule. Ballots have to be postmarked by Election Day, and they have to arrive no later than 17 days after that date at the county Registrar of Voters office or they won’t get counted.
Read MoreThe Department of Homeland Security's acting secretary on Sunday cast doubt on the department's authority to send its agents to polling locations after President Donald Trump said he would deploy law enforcement in November to protect against voter fraud. "We don't have any authority to do that at the department," acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union."
Read MoreIt’s been nearly two years since Canada became the first G20 country to legalize cannabis for recreational purposes. However, the majority of customers are still getting their pot from the illicit market -- with a lot of ground left to cover. In the fourth quarter of 2018, legal marijuana represented only 21% of total consumption in Canada, despite weed becoming lawful on Oct. 17 of that year. Fast-forward to the first quarter of 2020 and cannabis is now a C$2.2 billion ($1.7 billion) retail industry, yet legal consumption is still just 46% of the total, according to data from Statistics Canada.
Read MoreAn extraordinarily high number of ballots — more than 550,000 — have been rejected in this year's presidential primaries, according to a new analysis by NPR. That's far more than the 318,728 ballots rejected in the 2016 general election and has raised alarms about what might happen in November when tens of millions of more voters are expected to cast their ballots by mail, many for the first time. Election experts said first-time absentee voters are much more likely to make the kinds of mistakes that lead to rejected ballots. Studies also show that voters of color and young voters are more likely than others to have their ballots not count.
Read MoreThe Department of Homeland Security last week told election officials to be wary of suspicious websites that impersonate federal and state election domains and could be used for phishing or influence operations. The Aug. 11 bulletin distributed by DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, which CyberScoop reviewed, listed roughly 50 suspicious domains that were purporting to offer information related to voting and elections.
Read MoreAn extraordinarily high number of ballots — more than 550,000 — have been rejected in this year's presidential primaries, according to a new analysis by NPR. That's far more than the 318,728 ballots rejected in the 2016 general election and has raised alarms about what might happen in November when tens of millions of more voters are expected to cast their ballots by mail, many for the first time. Election experts said first-time absentee voters are much more likely to make the kinds of mistakes that lead to rejected ballots. Studies also show that voters of color and young voters are more likely than others to have their ballots not count.
Read MoreThe Department of Homeland Security last week told election officials to be wary of suspicious websites that impersonate federal and state election domains and could be used for phishing or influence operations. The Aug. 11 bulletin distributed by DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, which CyberScoop reviewed, listed roughly 50 suspicious domains that were purporting to offer information related to voting and elections.
Read MoreNew Jersey voters are strongly in favor of a referendum to legalize marijuana that’s on their ballots this November—and most support of setting a tax rate for cannabis that’s higher than the standard sales tax—according to a new survey. The poll, commissioned by Brach Eichler LLC, showed that 66 percent of likely voters back the legalization measure, which was placed before voters by the legislature. That’s about five percentage points higher than when residents were surveyed on the issue in April.
Read MoreThe president of Mexico says that marijuana legalization will advance through Congress when it reconvenes next month—and he won’t stand in the way. During a press conference on Wednesday, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador was asked about a recent meeting with a key senator who is championing the cannabis reform legislation and whether he’s supportive of the proposal. He emphasized that “it must be taken into account that we are respectful of the division and balance between powers” when it comes to the executive and legislative branches of government, according to a translation, adding that the marijuana proposal has “been around for a long time.”
Read MoreIn Bergheim, Texas, just north of San Antonio, there’s a skunky smell in the air. “You know, that’s a really good description. Skunky is a very typical terpene that is in most of these plants,” Austin Ruple said. He’s the president and co-owner of Pur IsoLabs – a hemp and cannabidiol, or CBD company that grows hemp and manufactures retail CBD products. Ruple stood next to a field of more than 300 hemp plants – a type of cannabis that’s rich in CBD, a legal compound that does not get users high.
Read MoreA key panel of lawmakers in Vermont will meet on Wednesday to discuss a bill to tax and regulate marijuana that has already passed both the House and Senate in differing forms. The bicameral conference committee is one of the final steps in the process for the legislation, which has seen months of delays due to the coronavirus outbreak. While Vermont legalized the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivation of two plants in 2018, there is currently no regulatory system in place that allows for retail sales. A bill to establish such a program, S. 54, cleared both the House and Senate this session.
Read MoreSix states that submitted hemp regulatory plans to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are being asked to make revisions and resubmit before they’re approved. For reasons that aren’t immediately clear, the federal agency did not accept proposed rules for the newly legal crop from California, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Utah. Industry advocates suspect that the states are pushing for additional flexibility in USDA’s interim final rule.
Read MoreU.S. national security officials don’t believe the outcome of the presidential election will be determined right away, giving foreign adversaries like Russia more time to interfere and sow doubt about the outcome, America’s top election security official warned. William Evanina, director of the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center, said Wednesday that the country is in for a “rocky” several weeks before the Nov. 3 vote. Yet he said his biggest concern is the likely influence campaigns expected after the election, when the race may be deadlocked and results trickle in due to mail-in ballots.
Read MoreThe notion that cannabis may cure, treat or prevent COVID-19 makes some people roll their eyes. But the scientific uses of the cannabis plant do not surprise those of us who’ve worked in this industry for many years. And the scientific community appears to be gathering data supporting the notion that cannabis may be beneficial in preventing COVID-19. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell falls within the category of people who classify cannabis as therapeutic, if not preventative, for COVID-19. In fact, on August 10, 2020, Sen. McConnell and House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi did what modern day politicians do – engage in less-than-informed Twitter wars. This came against the backdrop of Congress attempting to find a consensus on its second round of federal Coronavirus relief.
Read MoreThough Texas lawmakers legalized the production and sale of hemp in its last legislative session, the state has now created a framework that essentially bans the sale of “smokable” products. Edible goods, tinctures and topicals remain okay under the new program. But farmers and cannabis activists alike have voiced concern that lawmakers violated the scope of the original legislation. Hemp manufacturers and retailers recently filed a lawsuit against the Texas Department of State Health Services over a new administrative rule that took effect Aug. The lawsuit “seeks a declaration that the Legislative Ban contained in Texas Agriculture Code 122.301(b) and Texas Health & Safety Code 443.204(4), which bans the processing and manufacture of hemp products for smoking in Texas, is unconstitutional,” it notes. “This ban is a punitive kick in the teeth to Texas’ small businesses and enterprising farmers,” said Zachary Maxwell, president of Texas Hemp Growers Association.
Read MoreA nearly 1,000-page report released by the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday documented a broad set of links and interactions between Russian government operatives and members of the 2016 Trump campaign, adding new details and dimensions to the account laid out last year by special counsel Robert Mueller and raising counterintelligence concerns about certain Russian efforts that may have persisted into the 2020 election season. Tuesday's report was the committee's final, and long-awaited, chapter in its more than three-year investigation into Russia's 2016 election interference, marking the conclusion of what was held up as the last and arguably only bipartisan congressional investigation into the matter. Spanning 966 pages, it concluded, as have other assessments of Russia's efforts, that Moscow "engaged in an aggressive, multifaceted effort to influence, or attempt to influence, the outcome of the 2016 presidential election."
Read MoreTop Democrats in Colorado, including the governor, held a news conference at the Denver Elections Commission Monday, defending Colorado’s vote-by-mail system, pushing back on what they say are false attacks against it from President Trump. “The most important election of our lives is in 78 days, and it is going to take place under conditions none of us ever expected,” Senator Michael Bennett said. Governor Jared Polis said our democracy won’t become another casualty of this pandemic. “Every American should be able to exercise their right to vote without risking their health. Here in Colorado we do that with the convenience of mail in ballots,” he said. If you don’t want to mail in your ballot, you don’t have to. You can go to a polling location, vote early or on election day.
Read MoreApparently, when the U.S. repealed prohibition at the end of 1933, advertising campaigns for the now-legalized adult beverages were slow getting to the party. In fact, the liquor industry placed a self-imposed adverting ban to lower any risk of the return of Prohibition, while some media companies chose not to air alcohol advertisements at all. Here we are now, nearly 90 years later, and we’re seeing something similar. This time, though, it is the marketing agencies that are late to the party.
Read MoreA coalition of major drug policy and civil rights organization is urging congressional leadership to hold a House floor vote on a comprehensive marijuana legalization bill by the end of next month. In a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), more than 120 groups—including the American Civil Liberties Union, NAACP, Human Rights Watch, Drug Policy Alliance and Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights—said it’s imperative to hold the vote on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act.
Read MoreMontana’s secretary of state announced on Thursday that marijuana activists collected more than enough signatures to qualify two legalization measures for the November ballot. One initiative, a statutory change, would create a system of legal cannabis access for adult-use. A separate constitutional amendment would ensure only those 21 and older can participate in the market. If the statutory measure is approved by voters, possessing up to an ounce of cannabis would be allowed, and people could cultivate up to four plants and four seedlings at home.
Read MoreIn 2018, University of Michigan professor J. Alex Halderman helped conduct a mock election. The question at issue was simple: What is the greatest university? University of Michigan or Ohio State? (They’re rivals.) Predicting the outcome seemed simple, since the electorate was composed of University of Michigan students. But the results, generated by electronic voting machines, showed a shocking upset in favor of Ohio State.
Read MoreFor the past four years, tech giants including Facebook (FB), Google (GOOGL) and Twitter (TWTR) have invested massively in beefing up their election security efforts — creating new rules for political advertisers, hiring thousands of content moderators and building ties with law enforcement. The aim has been to avoid a repeat of the 2016 campaign, which was marred by foreign meddling and highlighted how woefully unprepared social media companies were for an attack on US democracy leveraging their platforms. Now, as they gear up for the most consequential presidential race of the decade, the internet's largest platforms are eager to show they are ready.
Read MoreTOP THINGS TO KNOW: The Food and Drug Administration is hiring a contractor to help test thousands of CBD-infused foods, drinks, oils, cosmetics and other products for cannabinoid content and contaminants such as pesticides and microbes. “These studies and the analytical information they obtain will not only be reported to Congress, but will also be used to guide the development of future policy.” Maine regulators announced that recreational marijuana sales can finally begin on October 9.
Read MoreThe U.S. government's main cybersecurity watchdog has spent much of the last four years trying to stop a repeat of the 2016 election. That's meant reaching out to the country's more than 3,000 counties with an offer: free cybersecurity tools. It's a tough job. Some counties are receptive and engaged. Others barely have enough people to put on their local election work. One of the main services offered — a weekly scan of a county's internet connected networks meant to make sure its voter database is safe — has signed up a little more than 200 counties.
Read MoreAs Democrats and Republicans spar over the safest and most secure way to cast ballots in November, their national conventions are showcasing two different approaches to pandemic-era voting. The models reflect the parties' differing stances on voting in November: Democrats are prioritizing limiting the risk of the coronavirus spreading and Republicans are putting a premium on in-person voting. At Democrats’ online convention, which kicks off today, delegates will cast ballots by email on a handful of issues, including nominating Joe Biden as the party’s official presidential candidate.
Read MoreOn Friday, The Washington Post reported that the U.S. Postal Service sent letters to 46 states informing them that their deadlines “for requesting and casting mail-in ballots are incongruous with the Postal Service’s delivery standards.” The letter suggests that voters who return ballots close to the time of some state’s deadlines run the risk of not having their vote counted. The letter, which was sent by Postal Service General Counsel Thomas Marshall, warns 40 states that mail-in ballots – whether they be absentee ballots or ballots from states that hold their elections via mail (mail-in ballots) — could be in jeopardy of reaching election officials because of measures being taken to save money.
Read MoreWith Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) on the presumptive presidential ticket, Democrats are elevating one of the Senate's most outspoken opponents of foreign election interference. Her selection by former Vice President Joe Biden comes shortly after the intelligence community went public about new Russian, Chinese and Iranian efforts to meddle in the 2020 presidential election. Election security proponents say Harris's track record in Congress shows her commitment to the issue since the Kremlin interfered in the 2016 presidential election.
Read MorePresident Donald Trump said Thursday he opposes funding for the U.S. Postal Service and election security grants in an effort to stymie mail-in voting for the upcoming presidential election. Democrats "want 3½ billion dollars for something that will turn out to be fraudulent, that's election money, basically. They want 3½ billion dollars for the mail-in votes, OK, universal mail-in ballots,” Trump told Fox Business Network's Maria Bartiromo, in response to a question on talks on the next coronavirus relief package.
Read MoreOnce again, a battle is brewing in Arizona over the legalization of marijuana. A lawsuit has recently been filed against Smart and Safe Arizona, aiming to halt the adult-use initiative on the ballot this November. The campaign has embraced fictitious information, fear tactics, and has garnered support from numerous local public officials and politicians. It seems those in opposition of marijuana legalization will stop at nothing to prevent a legitimate conversation about the facts surrounding adult-use marijuana in the United States.
Read MoreThe parents of a toddler with severe epilepsy are seeking a landmark judicial review of rigid guidelines that effectively prevent the NHS from prescribing medical cannabis oil, a substance that they say has allowed their son to live a much healthier life, to thousands of sick children. Charlie Hughes, 3, has a rare form of epilepsy called West syndrome, which is resistant to most forms of treatment and can cause him to have up to 120 seizures a day, according to his parents, Alison and Matt Hughes. With regular full extract cannabis oil, however, he experiences no more than 20 less severe seizures a day.
Read MoreFeds: Nearly $2 million worth of fake watches seized at Cincinnati Port
Read MoreFeds: Nearly $2 million worth of fake watches seized at Cincinnati Port
Read MoreSpeaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic leaders are considering cutting short the August recess and bringing the chamber back into session to deal with the unfolding crisis at the U.S. Postal Service, according to Democratic sources. The House could return to vote with the next two weeks, the Democratic sources suggested. The chamber is currently in recess, with no votes scheduled until the week of Sept. 14. Pelosi and other top Democrats, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), discussed the possibility of returning early during an emergency leadership call Saturday afternoon.
Read MoreThe Retail Industry Leaders Association — whose members include big-box chains Walmart and Target — announced today that it has joined forces with the American Apparel and Footwear Association, the Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Trade Association and other industry groups to establish The Buy Safe America Coalition.
Read MoreThe first results of COVID-19 seroprevalence surveys indicate sufficient levels of herd immunity are a long way off. Given the uncertainty about the duration of such immunity, it is becoming increasingly clear that a vaccine for the novel coronavirus will be key to mitigating the impact of the pandemic on society and the economy. However, the development and manufacture of a prophylactic is just the start of the process. There are further significant challenges in the safe global distribution of this precious commodity.
Read MoreA research team in Korea has developed a material that may potentially replace color shifting ink in prevention of forgery of bank notes, ID cards, and so on. A team headed by Dr. Sang-seok Lee from the Functional Composite Material Research Center of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology(KIST) announced that it has successfully developed a technology to fabricate liquid crystals* comprised of several layers with a thickness comparable to that of a hair strand using hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties through a joint study with a team led by Kim Shin-Hyun, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST).
Read MoreIn Bergheim, Texas, just north of San Antonio, there’s a skunky smell in the air. “You know, that's a really good description. Skunky is a very typical terpene that is in most of these plants,” Austin Ruple said. He’s the president and co-owner of Pur IsoLabs — a hemp and cannabidiol (CBD) company that grows hemp and manufactures retail CBD products. Ruple stood next to a field of more than 300 hemp plants — a type of cannabis that’s rich in CBD, a legal compound that does not get users high.
Read MoreThe Montana Secretary of State certified that a measure seeking to legalize recreational marijuana in the state has gathered enough signatures to appear on the November ballot. If passed, the measure would legalize the possession and use of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21. The measure would also establish a 20% tax of non-medical marijuana.
Read MoreNow that South Dakota’s proposed plan for allowing low-THC hemp is under review at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers and processors can get ready for a crop next year. State officials announced earlier this week they had submitted the plan to USDA. The federal process can take up to 60 days. During that time, USDA staff will look it over, as will the department’s legal office and a department undersecretary. Assuming the plan receives federal approval, the next step in South Dakota will be the state Department of Agriculture setting rules, such as fees for the various licenses.
Read MoreAmericans have the most detailed accounting they've ever received in real time about foreign efforts to interfere in a U.S. election — but, for the public at least, there are still as many questions as answers. The U.S. intelligence community has made good on earlier promises to release some findings and assessments on foreign interference, including with a historic report last week from the nation's top boss of counterintelligence. The latest word came Wednesday, when Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers described what he called the need for the United States to order the closure of the Chinese government's consulate in Houston.
Read MoreUS Senator Kamala Harris, chosen Tuesday to be former vice president Joe Biden’s running mate, has a track record on marijuana policy that has evolved significantly over the course of her career. Though she coauthored an official voter guide argument opposing a California cannabis legalization measure as a prosecutor in 2010 and laughed in the face of a reporter who asked her about the issue in 2014, she went on to sponsor legislation to federally deschedule marijuana in 2019.
Read MoreThe campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Arizona calls its ballot measure “smart and safe.” It is neither. The misleading title, however, is only the most prominent example of the industry claiming to do one thing while their proposition does the opposite. Start with the first 13 words of Proposition 207’s summary: “This Act permits limited possession, transfer, cultivation, and use of marijuana (as defined) …”
Read MoreThough Texas lawmakers legalized production and sale of hemp in their last legislative session, they have now created a framework that essentially bans the sale of “smokable” products. Edible goods, tinctures, and topicals remain okay under the new program. But farmers and cannabis activists alike feel lawmakers violated the scope of the original legislation. This week hemp manufacturers and retailers filed a lawsuit against the Texas Department of State Health Services over the new administrative rule, which went into effect August 2.
Read MoreHow far must you go to prove an absentee ballot is real? The question is important in every election. Tens of millions of people, for example, voted absentee or by mail in 2016. But because of the pandemic, more people hope to vote that way in 2020. Rhode Island wants to make it easier. It dropped a rule that required a voter to have two witnesses or a notary affirm an absentee ballot. A federal court allowed this change, but the national Republican Party would like the Supreme Court to intervene and stop it.
Read MoreHoneywell announced it is helping companies with complex supply chains leverage blockchain technology for end-to-end tracing, identifying and removing counterfeit parts, improving inventory management and managing their brand reputation. Honeywell is working with iTRACE Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of supply chain security applications for anti grey market and anti-counterfeit, to integrate product verification technology with industrial printers to provide real time verification, authentication and track-and-trace of printed labels.
Read MoreThe Arizona Secretary of State’s office certified signatures for the marijuana legalization ballot measure. Secretary Katie Hobbs announced it will now be placed on the general election ballot in November as Prop 207. The initiative would legalize the possession and use of recreational marijuana for adults ages 21 years or older and allow those to grow no more than six marijuana plants for personal use in their home. Arizona Department of Health and Human Services would be responsible for adopting rules to regulate marijuana use, including licensing of retail stores, cultivation facilities, and production facilities. A 16 percent tax would be placed on marijuana sales and revenue would be used first to implement and enforce marijuana regulations.
Read MoreAfter nearly a year of next-to-no deal-making, cannabis companies are gearing up for mergers and acquisitions as realistic stock valuations and the prospect of U.S. legalization attract buyers to a sector that has been decimated by oversupply and other issues, executives and investors say. Profitable cannabis companies want to buy their way into niche segments and expand their brands, betting that the November U.S. presidential election will lead to weed becoming legal across the United States. Distribution deals could also help companies reach consumers who have shown an increased appetite for pot products since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Aphria Inc, one of Canada's largest producers, is open to making purchases if it adds a well-known consumer brand to its beverages portfolio or if it helps the company overcome a lack of chocolate production, CEO Irwin Simon told Reuters. Canopy Growth Corp, the largest Canadian pot producer by market value, had about C$2 billion in cash at the end of June. The strong balance sheet allows it to pursue acquisitions and the current market conditions would provide frequent opportunities, a company spokesman said. Canopy is backed by Corona beer maker Constellation Brands Inc.
Read MoreA Laramie County, Wyoming Circuit Court judge last week tossed drug trafficking charges against hemp growers ruling that prosecutors didn’t have probable cause that the mother and son intended to cultivate and distribute THC-rich cannabis, Oil City News reports. Judge Antoinette Williams also dismissed charges against a contractor and his wife who worked for the farmers and were on the property when it was raided. The hemp farm owned by Debra Palm-Egle and Joshua Egle was raided by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation in November 2019. The pair, along with Brock and Shannon Dyke, were charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver or possess marijuana; possession with intent to deliver marijuana; possession of marijuana – all felonies – and a lesser charge planting or cultivating marijuana. On the day of the enforcement action, Brock Dyke provided investigators with test results showing the crops contained less than 0.3 percent THC and were, thereby, legal under Wyoming law. DCI agents seized 700 pounds of crops from the farm and conducted independent testing finding most of the plants contained 0.3 percent THC; the highest concentration was 0.6 percent. Laramie County Assistant District Attorney David Singleton, who prosecuted the case, argued that any plant testing over 0.3 percent THC is illegal cannabis, not legal hemp. However, Williams ruled that it was clear the farmers intended to grow legal hemp. She said she understood why prosecutors pursued the case but that it lacked probable cause. Williams did reprimand the mother and son for cultivating hemp without a license, for which they could face a $750 fine.
Read MoreElection security officials are confident they made key changes to make in-person voting safer in November. But lawmakers are farther apart than ever on how best to protect the election that’s just three months away. The Department of Homeland Security’s top election security official, Chris Krebs, ticked off a slew of accomplishments during an address at an online version of the annual Black Hat cybersecurity conference. They include an extensive cybersecurity testing program for state and local election offices and digital sensors that can alert DHS about hacking attempts at thousands of county election offices.
Read MoreRussia continues to use a network of proxy websites to spread pro-Kremlin disinformation and propaganda in the United States and other parts of the West, according to a State Department report released on Wednesday. The report is one of the most detailed explanations yet from the Trump administration on how Russia disseminates disinformation, but it largely avoids discussing how Moscow is trying to influence the current campaign.
Read MoreNew England Craft Cultivators is one step closer to opening two retail marijuana businesses in two different towns. In a press release issued on Thursday, the company announced it had received provisional licenses from the Cannabis Control Commission to open its first official locations in Pepperell and Dracut. The company wants to open a retail marijuana store at 112-114 Main St., home of the previously-vacant Paugus Plaza in Pepperell and 61 Sylvia Lane in Dracut.
Read MoreMarijuana advocates and at least one member of the state's Cannabis Control Commission have been urging the agency to allot more funding for efforts to increase diversity in the industry. Meanwhile, state data shows that the commission has annually handed millions of dollars of unused funding back into state coffers every year since it was founded. Last year, the CCC returned 20% of its budget back to the state. While it's not unusual for an agency to return some unused money back to the state at the end of the fiscal year, in fiscal 2018 and 2019, the commission gave back a higher percentage of its budget than any other state agency, according to a Boston Business Journal analysis of the state's comptroller data.
Read MoreA public corruption scandal in a rural Florida elections office just an hour west of the state capital reveals how easily federal dollars meant for election security can be diverted to cover up malfeasance, a government watchdog says. The former elections supervisor in the panhandle's Liberty County is charged with using election security funds to hide $42,000 in personal spending sprees — a potential accountability problem in any small office where one person holds the purse strings and nobody else is watching, observers said. The case's first hearing is Monday.
Read MoreThree top Democratic senators say they have grown increasingly concerned about a foreign interference campaign targeting Congress and the 2020 presidential election following recent classified briefings from the intelligence community, and are now urging FBI Director Chris Wray to regularly brief the Senate on the threat and make more information public. In a letter sent to Wray on Friday and obtained by POLITICO, Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.); and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed “growing concerns that foreign actors continue to target the November 2020 election,” citing recent briefings from the FBI and intelligence community.
Read MoreState and local election officials manage their voter registration databases using several pieces of software known to be favorite targets of ransomware actors, a leading ransomware analyst said during a webinar Thursday.
Read MoreFederal agents say a massive shipment of footwear on its way to Mexico contained millions of dollars worth of fake shoes -- including some coveted, rare Jordans and Yeezys.
Read MoreFederal agents say a massive shipment of footwear on its way to Mexico contained millions of dollars worth of fake shoes -- including some coveted, rare Jordans and Yeezys.
Read MoreCounterfeit documents are giving criminals a license to commit a host of offenses, including terrorism, U.S. officials say -- and young adults who are lax with their personal information may be their biggest enablers. In the first six months of 2020, Customs and Borden Protection officers seized nearly 20,000 counterfeit U.S. driver’s licenses at Chicago’s O’Hare airport alone, according to a report.
Read MoreCounterfeit documents are giving criminals a license to commit a host of offenses, including terrorism, U.S. officials say -- and young adults who are lax with their personal information may be their biggest enablers. In the first six months of 2020, Customs and Borden Protection officers seized nearly 20,000 counterfeit U.S. driver’s licenses at Chicago’s O’Hare airport alone, according to a report.
Read MoreNew England Craft Cultivators is one step closer to opening two retail marijuana businesses in two different towns. In a press release issued on Thursday, the company announced it had received provisional licenses from the Cannabis Control Commission to open its first official locations in Pepperell and Dracut. The company wants to open a retail marijuana store at 112-114 Main St., home of the previously-vacant Paugus Plaza in Pepperell and 61 Sylvia Lane in Dracut.
Read MoreMarijuana advocates and at least one member of the state's Cannabis Control Commission have been urging the agency to allot more funding for efforts to increase diversity in the industry. Meanwhile, state data shows that the commission has annually handed millions of dollars of unused funding back into state coffers every year since it was founded. Last year, the CCC returned 20% of its budget back to the state. While it's not unusual for an agency to return some unused money back to the state at the end of the fiscal year, in fiscal 2018 and 2019, the commission gave back a higher percentage of its budget than any other state agency, according to a Boston Business Journal analysis of the state's comptroller data.
Read MoreA public corruption scandal in a rural Florida elections office just an hour west of the state capital reveals how easily federal dollars meant for election security can be diverted to cover up malfeasance, a government watchdog says. The former elections supervisor in the panhandle's Liberty County is charged with using election security funds to hide $42,000 in personal spending sprees — a potential accountability problem in any small office where one person holds the purse strings and nobody else is watching, observers said. The case's first hearing is Monday.
Read MoreThree top Democratic senators say they have grown increasingly concerned about a foreign interference campaign targeting Congress and the 2020 presidential election following recent classified briefings from the intelligence community, and are now urging FBI Director Chris Wray to regularly brief the Senate on the threat and make more information public. In a letter sent to Wray on Friday and obtained by POLITICO, Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.); and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed “growing concerns that foreign actors continue to target the November 2020 election,” citing recent briefings from the FBI and intelligence community.
Read MoreBoth in the context of the current economic crisis precipitated by COVID-19 – which is stretching state budgets beyond the breaking point – and as part of ongoing efforts to prevent the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) products to minors, the debate in the California Legislature over the sale of ENDS products represents an opportunity for lawmakers to ensure that the state capitalizes on the opportunity to meaningfully addresses public health concerns.
Read MoreThirty-three states and the District of Columbia have legalized the sale or use of cannabis. Yet, the federal government is struggling to keep up, and cannabis legislation has been stagnant. As a result, there is no safe harbor in the cannabis industry, meaning there is no legislation that assures the safety of banking cannabis. So, many who enter the cannabis industry have preferred stealthier ways of banking.
Read MoreA bill to legalize marijuana sales in Vermont is set to advance during a special session this month or next, a top lawmaker’s office confirmed to Marijuana Moment on Wednesday. While Vermont legalized cannabis possession of up to one ounce and cultivation of two plants in 2018, there is currently no regulatory system in place that allows for retail sales. A bill to establish that program, S. 54, cleared both the House and Senate in differing forms, but now it must move through a bicameral conference committee charged with reconciling the versions into a single proposal to send to the governor.
Read MoreThe Texas Department of State Health Services introduced a program to regulate the consumable hemp industry in the state. Consumable hemp products include foods, drugs, devices or cosmetics that contain industrial hemp or hemp-derived cannabinoids, like CBD. As of Aug. 2, those involved in the manufacturing, processing and distribution of consumable hemp are now required to purchase a license for $258 per facility. Plus, retailers who sell consumable hemp have to register each location where the products are sold.
Read MoreElection security officials are confident they made key changes to make in-person voting safer in November. But lawmakers are farther apart than ever on how best to protect the election that’s just three months away. The Department of Homeland Security’s top election security official, Chris Krebs, ticked off a slew of accomplishments during an address at an online version of the annual Black Hat cybersecurity conference. They include an extensive cybersecurity testing program for state and local election offices and digital sensors that can alert DHS about hacking attempts at thousands of county election offices.
Read MoreRussia continues to use a network of proxy websites to spread pro-Kremlin disinformation and propaganda in the United States and other parts of the West, according to a State Department report released on Wednesday. The report is one of the most detailed explanations yet from the Trump administration on how Russia disseminates disinformation, but it largely avoids discussing how Moscow is trying to influence the current campaign.
Read MoreState and local election officials manage their voter registration databases using several pieces of software known to be favorite targets of ransomware actors, a leading ransomware analyst said during a webinar Thursday.
Read MorePuerto Rico legalized medical cannabis in the summer of 2017. Two months later Hurricane María tore through the island, leaving it in chaos and without electricity for months on end. Political turmoil and earthquakes followed. And this year, the pandemic has wreaked havoc on the population. However, through it all, the medical cannabis industry has managed to thrive, selling an average of $10 million a month in 2020. To date, sales have reached $51.4 million. Last year, sales reached $128.5 million and produced $14 million in taxes.
Read MoreCannabis should be removed from Schedule 1 of the U.S. Controlled Substances Act so that it can be better researched, according to a statement by the American Heart Association (AHA). Regulators should also start standardizing concentrations of THC and CBD content in recreational and medicinal marijuana, according to the AHA writing group led by Robert Page II, PharmD, MSPH, of University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Denver.
Read MoreAs the City of Turlock works behind the scenes to get its four retail cannabis dispensaries opened and operating, it’s also looking to cash in on another form of the crop — hemp. The Planning Commission will decide during their meeting on Thursday whether or not to amend the City’s Zoning Code to allow for a City Hemp Program, which would permit industrial hemp manufacturing businesses to operate in approved areas. While hemp was excluded from the City’s regulation of cannabis businesses, one industrial hemp manufacturer who applied to be a part of the Pilot Cannabis Program — approved by the City Council in June 2019 — helped staff realize the potential for more revenue and new jobs in Turlock.
Read MoreElection Systems & Software LLC, the top U.S. seller of voting-machine technology, is calling a truce in its feud with computer-security researchers over the ways they probe for vulnerabilities of the company’s systems. With the U.S. presidential election less than three months away, ES&S Chief Information Security Officer Chris Wlaschin on Wednesday will unveil the company’s outreach effort to security researchers at the annual Black Hat hacker convention that is taking place virtually this year, according to ES&S.
Read MoreTikTok, the embattled short-form video app owned by a Chinese tech firm, wants to stop the spread of online misinformation and fight foreign interference in November's US presidential election. The company said in a blog post Wednesday that it is updating its policies on "misleading content," and plans to bolster its fact-checking partnerships to "help verify election-related misinformation." The company is also adding an in-app option to report falsehoods. TikTok added that it is working with experts — including the US Department of Homeland Security — "to protect against foreign influence on our platform."
Read MoreThis week's video goes “behind the scam” to show you “Uplabeling,” which is a technique that counterfeit criminals have used in the past to make major profits. In uplabeling, counterfeiters took a low-dose medical product and made it look like a more expensive, high-dose version of the same drug simply by changing the label.
Read MoreHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said marijuana is a “therapy that has proven successful” in response to a question about whether cannabis banking provisions are germane to coronavirus relief legislation. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) filed a bill to federally legalize marijuana and regulate it like tobacco. U.S. Customs and Border Protection would be tasked with developing rules for cannabis imports and exports, and there would be a federal purchasing age limit of 21. A new Louisiana law allowing doctors to recommend medical cannabis for any debilitating condition they see fit took effect. Other new laws that came into force protect banks from being punished by state regulators for working with marijuana businesses, set hemp and CBD rules and provide legal immunity for physicians and hospitals caring for medical cannabis patients. A new study found that marijuana use is associated with “improved sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and overall satisfaction” for women.
Read MoreIllinois has other cannabis-related laws in the pipeline for 2020, including a law that will allow students who are medical marijuana patients to use cannabis
Read MoreOne of the main arguments in favour of legalizing industrial hemp was that a person couldn’t get high on it even if they smoked a field of the stuff. The media has even suggested that if the general population decided to start raiding hemp crops across the U.S. in pursuit of a buzz, all they would get is a headache. When Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell took it upon himself in 2018 to legalize hemp in the U.S., the idea was that the plant would only be used as processed fibre and wouldn’t be something the consumer would gravitate toward in plant form. They certainly wouldn’t smoke it, right? Well, it turns out that not only are people smoking hemp, it is becoming one of the fastest growing trends on the cannabis scene.
Read MorePresident Trump’s unfounded attacks on mail balloting are discouraging his own supporters from embracing the practice, according to polls and Republican leaders across the country, prompting growing alarm that one of the central strategies of his campaign is threatening GOP prospects in November. Multiple public surveys show a growing divide between Democrats and Republicans about the security of voting by mail, with Republicans saying they are far less likely to trust it in November. In addition, party leaders in several states said they are encountering resistance among GOP voters who are being encouraged to vote absentee while also seeing the president describe mail voting as “rigged” and “fraudulent.” As a result, state and local Republicans across the country fear they are falling dramatically behind in a practice that is expected to be key to voter turnout this year. Through mailers and Facebook ads, they are racing to promote absentee balloting among their own. In the process, some Republican officials have tried to draw a distinction between “absentee ballots,” which Trump claims are secure, and “mail ballots,” which he has repeatedly attacked. The terms are typically used interchangeably. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, describing a recent meeting with a group of Republican voters in Fort Payne, said he felt compelled to explain that there is only one kind of mail-in voting in Alabama, and that it is safe and secure. “They were confused about two different kinds of mail-in balloting,” he said, “where one is ‘good’ and one is not.”
Read MorePresident Donald Trump again accused Democrats of trying to “steal” the November election Monday as Democrats continued to question his willingness to abide by the results, and new polls suggest the public is growing increasingly concerned about the security of the process and the credibility of the outcome as Election Day draws nearer. “In an illegal late night coup, Nevada’s clubhouse Governor made it impossible for Republicans to win the state,” Trump tweeted Monday morning. “Post Office could never handle the Traffic of Mail-In Votes without preparation. Using Covid to steal the state.” A bill approved in a special legislative session over the weekend would empower Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak to direct the secretary of state to send mail-in ballots to all active voters. Seven other states are already planning to do the same, despite objections by the president and some Republicans. President Trump’s latest complaint about states shifting toward voting by mail due to the spread of the coronavirus came days after he floated the possibility of delaying November’s election entirely. He backed off that suggestion after bipartisan backlash, but he continues to predict it will be “the greatest election disaster in history.”
Read MoreMillions of residents requested absentee ballots ahead of Tuesday's primary election, and millions more are expected to do the same in November as the coronavirus pandemic rages on. But President Donald Trump and others repeatedly impugn the integrity of the mail-in voting system. Election experts, in addition to Republican and Democratic politicians, agree that absentee voting is a safe and secure way to conduct an election. "Does voter fraud happen? Yes. Does it happen as much as Donald Trump thinks it does? No," said David Dulio, a professor of political science and director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Oakland University. "But that doesn't mean it's not a concern." Sen. Ruth Johnson, a Holly Republican and former Michigan Secretary of State, noted recently that state voter rolls are out of date, at times resulting in people voting in two states or absentee applications being sent to someone who is dead.
Read MoreThe White House is stepping back from President’s Trump’s suggestion to postpone the November election over mail voting concerns as Republicans step up their criticism of the idea. The White House has no plans to try to delay the election, Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said yesterday on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” He also insisted Trump was only raising questions about problems that might be caused by a dramatic increase in mail voting and not advocating for an election postponement that he has no constitutional power to enact. “If we try to…start mailing in ballots all across the country, all 50 states, what we will see is a delay because they’re just not equipped to handle it,” Meadows said. The reframing marked a rare step back for the president’s team after Trump’s attacks on mail ballots evidently hit a red line for many Republicans. Trump's tweet warned without evidence that “2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history.” That's a common line of attack for the president. Mail in balloting is expected to substantially increase this November as it may not be safe to physically go to polling places during the coronavirus pandemic. But it ended by asking, “Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???” That broke new ground and prompted quick pushback from top Republicans including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
Read MoreJust over a year ago, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation allowing production and retail sale of hemp and hemp products in the state. Since then retail shops selling things like cannabidiol, better known as CBD oil in a variety of forms, including tinctures and edibles. Some also sold hemp products that could be smoked or vaped. It's important to note the legal hemp is not the same as marijuana. It does not contain a level of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC — the psychoactive component of marijuana — so it doesn't produce a high. Instead, many feel it provides relief from the symptoms and effects of a variety of medical conditions. But final rules on the state's hemp program changed the game as of Sunday. Retailers can still sell hemp products — as long as they are not specifically manufactured to smoked or vaped. The reason? Well, it's pretty detailed but to keep things simple it seems even the small amount of what is called Delta 9 THC in legal hemp grows in potency when heated or burned. So it's hard to accurately ensure that, when smoked, the THC inhemp stays within legal limits. Advocates for legal hemp say some users find smoking the plant works better for them than other forms of the product. And they worry the new rules will leave them without needed relief. Some estimates put sales of smokable hemp at about 30 percent of the industry. So retailers will feel the pinch, too. At least legally. You see, growers can still grow the stuff and retailers will be able to sell loose hemp flower just as they have been. But they cannot market anything as smokable or make anything smokable, such as vape cartridges or pre-rolled hemp cigarettes. What the consumer does with the still legal loose hemp flower is another matter. Basically, it's now illegal to sell a hemp "joint," but legal to sell what's in it. So what we have here is a law that serves practically no purpose except to make things slightly more annoying to retailers and customers.
Read MoreMississippi farmers, or those interested in becoming farmers, can now apply for a hemp grower license. The license application period began Saturday and runs through Oct. 31 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hemp is a member of the cannabis plant family used for textiles, fuels, clothing and other products. The new Mississippi law legalized the cultivation of hemp and allowed Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson to create a state plan for hemp farming. State lawmakers did not appropriate the money for a state hemp program, so Gipson said he asked the USDA to handle the licensing for Mississippi hemp growers.
Read MoreAs the Nov. 3 presidential vote nears, there are fresh signs that the nation's electoral system is again under attack from foreign adversaries. Intelligence officials confirmed in recent days that foreign actors are actively seeking to compromise the private communications of "U.S. political campaigns, candidates and other political targets" while working to compromise the nation's election infrastructure. Foreign entities are also aggressively spreading disinformation intended to sow voter confusion heading into the fall. There is no evidence that America's enemies have yet succeeded in penetrating campaigns or state election systems, but Democrat Joe Biden's presidential campaign confirmed this week that it has faced multiple related threats. The former vice president's team was reluctant to reveal specifics for fear of giving adversaries useful intelligence. Because of such secrecy, at least in part, foreign interference largely remains an afterthought in the 2020 contest, even as Republicans and Democrats alike concede it poses a serious threat that could fundamentally reshape the election at any moment. Biden's campaign is increasingly concerned that pro-Russian sources have already shared disinformation about Biden's family with President Donald Trump's campaign and his Republican allies on Capitol Hill designed to hurt the Democratic candidate in the days leading up to the election. When asked directly, the Trump campaign refused to say whether it had accepted materials related to Biden from any foreign nationals. Trump was impeached last year after being caught pressuring Ukrainian leaders to produce damaging information about work Biden's son did in the country, even though repeated allegations of corruption against the Bidens have been widely discredited.
Read MoreAhead of what’s shaping up to be a contentious campaign season around marijuana in Arizona, Gov. Doug Ducey (R) and other opponents are claiming that legalization would unleash a host of public health hazards on the state. In an official voter guide argument published on Monday against a proposed initiative that’s likely to be on the November ballot, the governor called legalizing cannabis “a bad idea based on false promises.”
Read MoreGeorgia Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a bill that regulates the state’s new hemp farming industry by increasing processing fees, setting transportation rules and allowing out-of-state hemp sales. The measure prepares the state for its first hemp crops, which are already being grown this summer after the General Assembly legalized hemp farming last year.
Read MoreThe Texas Department of State Health Services announced Monday it has launched a new program to regulate the manufacturing, processing, distribution and retail sale of consumable hemp products. It’s called the Consumable Hemp Program. DSHS is currently accepting applications online for consumable hemp product licenses and retailer registrations, the agency said in a news release Monday. “The program establishes a consistent regulatory framework for consumable hemp products that are manufactured or sold in Texas,” said Stephen Pahl, DSHS Associate Commissioner for Consumer Protection.
Read MorePresident Donald Trump claimed Monday that he has the authority to issue an executive order on mail-in ballots, whose increasing use, he argues, could increase election fraud and uncertainty, though it is is unclear what he could do to curtail the practice. “I have the right to do it," Trump told reporters at a White House press conference. "We haven't gotten there yet, we'll see what happens.”
Read MoreIN light of the increasing scrutiny over food safety, an Australian university has teamed up with agriculture industries to release a new program to help track food from the farm to the consumer.
Read MoreHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said marijuana is a “therapy that has proven successful” in response to a question about whether cannabis banking provisions are germane to coronavirus relief legislation. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) filed a bill to federally legalize marijuana and regulate it like tobacco. U.S. Customs and Border Protection would be tasked with developing rules for cannabis imports and exports, and there would be a federal purchasing age limit of 21. A new Louisiana law allowing doctors to recommend medical cannabis for any debilitating condition they see fit took effect. Other new laws that came into force protect banks from being punished by state regulators for working with marijuana businesses, set hemp and CBD rules and provide legal immunity for physicians and hospitals caring for medical cannabis patients. A new study found that marijuana use is associated with “improved sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and overall satisfaction” for women.
Read MoreIllinois has other cannabis-related laws in the pipeline for 2020, including a law that will allow students who are medical marijuana patients to use cannabis
Read MoreOne of the main arguments in favour of legalizing industrial hemp was that a person couldn’t get high on it even if they smoked a field of the stuff. The media has even suggested that if the general population decided to start raiding hemp crops across the U.S. in pursuit of a buzz, all they would get is a headache. When Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell took it upon himself in 2018 to legalize hemp in the U.S., the idea was that the plant would only be used as processed fibre and wouldn’t be something the consumer would gravitate toward in plant form. They certainly wouldn’t smoke it, right? Well, it turns out that not only are people smoking hemp, it is becoming one of the fastest growing trends on the cannabis scene.
Read MorePresident Trump’s unfounded attacks on mail balloting are discouraging his own supporters from embracing the practice, according to polls and Republican leaders across the country, prompting growing alarm that one of the central strategies of his campaign is threatening GOP prospects in November. Multiple public surveys show a growing divide between Democrats and Republicans about the security of voting by mail, with Republicans saying they are far less likely to trust it in November. In addition, party leaders in several states said they are encountering resistance among GOP voters who are being encouraged to vote absentee while also seeing the president describe mail voting as “rigged” and “fraudulent.” As a result, state and local Republicans across the country fear they are falling dramatically behind in a practice that is expected to be key to voter turnout this year. Through mailers and Facebook ads, they are racing to promote absentee balloting among their own. In the process, some Republican officials have tried to draw a distinction between “absentee ballots,” which Trump claims are secure, and “mail ballots,” which he has repeatedly attacked. The terms are typically used interchangeably. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, describing a recent meeting with a group of Republican voters in Fort Payne, said he felt compelled to explain that there is only one kind of mail-in voting in Alabama, and that it is safe and secure. “They were confused about two different kinds of mail-in balloting,” he said, “where one is ‘good’ and one is not.”
Read MorePresident Donald Trump again accused Democrats of trying to “steal” the November election Monday as Democrats continued to question his willingness to abide by the results, and new polls suggest the public is growing increasingly concerned about the security of the process and the credibility of the outcome as Election Day draws nearer. “In an illegal late night coup, Nevada’s clubhouse Governor made it impossible for Republicans to win the state,” Trump tweeted Monday morning. “Post Office could never handle the Traffic of Mail-In Votes without preparation. Using Covid to steal the state.” A bill approved in a special legislative session over the weekend would empower Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak to direct the secretary of state to send mail-in ballots to all active voters. Seven other states are already planning to do the same, despite objections by the president and some Republicans. President Trump’s latest complaint about states shifting toward voting by mail due to the spread of the coronavirus came days after he floated the possibility of delaying November’s election entirely. He backed off that suggestion after bipartisan backlash, but he continues to predict it will be “the greatest election disaster in history.”
Read MoreMillions of residents requested absentee ballots ahead of Tuesday's primary election, and millions more are expected to do the same in November as the coronavirus pandemic rages on. But President Donald Trump and others repeatedly impugn the integrity of the mail-in voting system. Election experts, in addition to Republican and Democratic politicians, agree that absentee voting is a safe and secure way to conduct an election. "Does voter fraud happen? Yes. Does it happen as much as Donald Trump thinks it does? No," said David Dulio, a professor of political science and director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Oakland University. "But that doesn't mean it's not a concern." Sen. Ruth Johnson, a Holly Republican and former Michigan Secretary of State, noted recently that state voter rolls are out of date, at times resulting in people voting in two states or absentee applications being sent to someone who is dead.
Read MoreThe White House is stepping back from President’s Trump’s suggestion to postpone the November election over mail voting concerns as Republicans step up their criticism of the idea. The White House has no plans to try to delay the election, Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said yesterday on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” He also insisted Trump was only raising questions about problems that might be caused by a dramatic increase in mail voting and not advocating for an election postponement that he has no constitutional power to enact. “If we try to…start mailing in ballots all across the country, all 50 states, what we will see is a delay because they’re just not equipped to handle it,” Meadows said. The reframing marked a rare step back for the president’s team after Trump’s attacks on mail ballots evidently hit a red line for many Republicans. Trump's tweet warned without evidence that “2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history.” That's a common line of attack for the president. Mail in balloting is expected to substantially increase this November as it may not be safe to physically go to polling places during the coronavirus pandemic. But it ended by asking, “Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???” That broke new ground and prompted quick pushback from top Republicans including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
Read MoreJust over a year ago, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation allowing production and retail sale of hemp and hemp products in the state. Since then retail shops selling things like cannabidiol, better known as CBD oil in a variety of forms, including tinctures and edibles. Some also sold hemp products that could be smoked or vaped. It's important to note the legal hemp is not the same as marijuana. It does not contain a level of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC — the psychoactive component of marijuana — so it doesn't produce a high. Instead, many feel it provides relief from the symptoms and effects of a variety of medical conditions. But final rules on the state's hemp program changed the game as of Sunday. Retailers can still sell hemp products — as long as they are not specifically manufactured to smoked or vaped. The reason? Well, it's pretty detailed but to keep things simple it seems even the small amount of what is called Delta 9 THC in legal hemp grows in potency when heated or burned. So it's hard to accurately ensure that, when smoked, the THC inhemp stays within legal limits. Advocates for legal hemp say some users find smoking the plant works better for them than other forms of the product. And they worry the new rules will leave them without needed relief. Some estimates put sales of smokable hemp at about 30 percent of the industry. So retailers will feel the pinch, too. At least legally. You see, growers can still grow the stuff and retailers will be able to sell loose hemp flower just as they have been. But they cannot market anything as smokable or make anything smokable, such as vape cartridges or pre-rolled hemp cigarettes. What the consumer does with the still legal loose hemp flower is another matter. Basically, it's now illegal to sell a hemp "joint," but legal to sell what's in it. So what we have here is a law that serves practically no purpose except to make things slightly more annoying to retailers and customers.
Read MoreMississippi farmers, or those interested in becoming farmers, can now apply for a hemp grower license. The license application period began Saturday and runs through Oct. 31 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hemp is a member of the cannabis plant family used for textiles, fuels, clothing and other products. The new Mississippi law legalized the cultivation of hemp and allowed Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson to create a state plan for hemp farming. State lawmakers did not appropriate the money for a state hemp program, so Gipson said he asked the USDA to handle the licensing for Mississippi hemp growers.
Read MoreAs the Nov. 3 presidential vote nears, there are fresh signs that the nation's electoral system is again under attack from foreign adversaries. Intelligence officials confirmed in recent days that foreign actors are actively seeking to compromise the private communications of "U.S. political campaigns, candidates and other political targets" while working to compromise the nation's election infrastructure. Foreign entities are also aggressively spreading disinformation intended to sow voter confusion heading into the fall. There is no evidence that America's enemies have yet succeeded in penetrating campaigns or state election systems, but Democrat Joe Biden's presidential campaign confirmed this week that it has faced multiple related threats. The former vice president's team was reluctant to reveal specifics for fear of giving adversaries useful intelligence. Because of such secrecy, at least in part, foreign interference largely remains an afterthought in the 2020 contest, even as Republicans and Democrats alike concede it poses a serious threat that could fundamentally reshape the election at any moment. Biden's campaign is increasingly concerned that pro-Russian sources have already shared disinformation about Biden's family with President Donald Trump's campaign and his Republican allies on Capitol Hill designed to hurt the Democratic candidate in the days leading up to the election. When asked directly, the Trump campaign refused to say whether it had accepted materials related to Biden from any foreign nationals. Trump was impeached last year after being caught pressuring Ukrainian leaders to produce damaging information about work Biden's son did in the country, even though repeated allegations of corruption against the Bidens have been widely discredited.
Read MoreWhile retail industry innovation efforts may be paused during this unprecedented time of social distancing and economic turmoil, a study involving blockchain, radio frequency identification (RFID), and global data standards provided a glimpse into the potentially remarkable capabilities of emerging technology to help solve supply chain challenges.
Read MoreWe're in an interregnum where society has paused, and there's no telling how things may turn. In such times of crisis, we are the explorer; exploring the uncharted waters of change, where dangers and opportunities lie.
Read MoreThe pandemic has dealt a blow to corporate dealmaking, but one company that you've probably never heard of has been on a buying binge. Curaleaf Holdings (CURLF), a Massachusetts company that grows, processes and sells cannabis through dispensaries in 18 states, last week bought the Chicago cannabis cultivator and retailer Grassroots for $830 million. That makes Curaleaf the biggest cannabis company globally by sales, with expected annual revenue of about $1 billion, executive chairman Boris Jordan told CNN Business.
Read MoreThe House voted to approve Part B Amendment #87 Thursday evening, which is a provision to prevent the federal government from using any funds to interfere with state medical or adult-use programs or target individuals and businesses that are in compliance with state cannabis laws. The bipartisan amendment to the Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill was introduced by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Tom McClintock (R-CA), and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).
Read MoreThe U.S. House voted Thursday to ban the U.S. Justice Department from enforcing the federal ban on cannabis in any state that has legalized the drug for any purpose. The amendment to the legislation funding several federal agencies for the 12 moths beginning Oct. 1 passed, 254-163, with 31 Republicans voting yes.
Read MoreThe House approved $500 million in election security funding for states as part of an annual appropriations package approved Friday. The 2021 appropriations package approved by the House along mostly party lines included $500 million as part of funding for the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The funds were part of a wider deal that also included funding for the departments of Defense, Energy, Justice, Commerce, Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Labor, among other measures.
Read MoreHouse Democrats are warning that the integrity of November's elections are under significant threat from foreign actors — and the Trump administration, they say, is going out of its way to conceal the danger from the public. Emerging from a long, classified briefing with top administration officials in the Capitol, a host of Democrats said they now have less confidence that the elections will be secure from outside influence than they did going into the meeting.
Read MoreThe Democratic Party’s platform committee on Monday rejected an amendment to support federal cannabis legalization, Boulder Weekly reports. The vote was 50-106 with three abstentions. The committee did approve language supporting federal cannabis decriminalization and rescheduling, along with language calling for reforms on how drug-related crimes are prosecuted.
Read MoreThe House of Representatives on Thursday debated an amendment to protect all state, territory and tribal marijuana programs from federal interference. The measure, which would prevent the Department of Justice from using its funds to impede the implementation of cannabis legalization laws, passed in a voice vote days after being cleared for floor action by the Rules Committee. It will receive a formal roll call vote later in the afternoon.
Read MoreThe smoking of legal cannabis in Texas may go on. But as of this Sunday, stores that sell hemp flowers can only sell consumable versions of the plant. By state regulations, consuming does not include smoking.
Read MoreDespite the pandemic, on July 14, Maine held a primary and referendum election with unusually high turnout and an unprecedented level of absentee voting. We mostly didn’t see the long lines and poll closures that marked the primaries in Wisconsin and Georgia earlier this year. Clerks and poll workers told observers from the League of Women Voters of Maine that they were proud and relieved that their hard work paid off to keep voters safe. Nonetheless, many officials admitted that they are terrified for November.
Read MoreNew Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu is pledging his state will vote in the general election on November 3. Earlier on Thursday, President Donald Trump suggested delaying the election over unsubstantiated claims about voting by mail leading to fraud. “Make no mistake: the election will happen in New Hampshire on November 3rd. End of story,” the Republican governor tweeted.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts law that legalized recreational marijuana was hailed as the first in the nation to create a path for people impacted by the war on drugs to enter the new industry. Four years later, that effort to diversify ownership has fallen way short. So much so that two members of the state's Cannabis Control Commission have expressed disappointment with the results and called for the Legislature to set up a loan fund to help those applicants obtain start-up money to launch marijuana businesses.
Read MoreThe race to become the first Caribbean country with legal cannabis is turning into a sprint, with Saint Lucia announcing plans to join Bermuda, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in drafting adult use legislation.
Read MoreProducts containing cannabidiol, or CBD, are everywhere -- and their growing popularity means big business. The substance can be derived from both cannabis and hemp, which is also used to produce fabric and food. But one Navajo leader jumping at the business opportunity is encountering resistance from members of his tribe.
Read MoreSens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., asked federal officials Wednesday to change costly and confusing rules for farmers in Oregon and nationwide that cover the growing and testing of hemp.
Read MoreSenate Republicans didn’t include any new funding to help states and local governments to administer elections in their latest coronavirus aid package, setting up a fight over the issue in coming negotiations with Democrats. House Democrats in May proposed sending $3.6 billion to state and local officials to help them hold elections during the pandemic, which has prompted many areas to expand vote-by-mail options and invest in protective equipment for poll workers. Democrats also called for a nationwide vote-by-mail option...
Read MoreAttorney General William P. Barr held fast to claims that a drastic expansion of mail voting in November could undermine the election amid an often combative hearing with House lawmakers. But he provided no concrete evidence for his assertions there's a “high risk” mail-in voting will lead to massive fraud, which have been roundly dismissed by election security experts.
Read MoreSenate Republicans left out funding for mail-in and early voting during the COVID-19 pandemic in their stimulus bill rolled out Monday, prompting backlash from Democrats, election officials and advocacy groups. With less than 100 days to go before Election Day, these officials are concerned that without a new injection of federal funds, state and local officials facing budget shortfalls may struggle to carry out safe and secure elections that ensure every American can vote.
Read MoreTOP THINGS TO KNOW: The Democratic National Committee’s platform committee voted 106 to 50 to reject an amendment to endorse legalizing marijuana. “I’m imploring all of you to approach this with an open mind and heart. Do something big here. Take one small but meaningful step toward changing the course of history. If my black life matters to you, you will consider this amendment. Navy Secretary Kenneth J. Braithwaite issued a memo banning sailors and marines from using hemp soaps, shampoos and lotions as part of a broader prohibition on legal hemp and CBD products. “Substance misuse by members of the Armed Forces is incompatible with military standards of good order and discipline, performance, and operational readiness. It is the goal of the Department of the Navy (DON) to eliminate substance abuse.” Washington, D.C. psychedelics activists observed officials count enough valid signatures to put their decriminalization initiative on the November ballot. The Board of Elections is expected to formally certify the measure at a meeting next week.
Read MoreMore than two-thirds of New Jersey voters support adult use cannabis, according to the first in a series of polls conducted by Brach Eichler LLC’s cannabis law practice. While 68 percent said they would vote in favor of the November ballot public question, 26 percent said they would oppose it, and 6 percent said they were unsure. Adult use cannabis legalization has support across political lines, the Brach Eichler Cannabis Poll found. Democrats supported it at 78 percent with 19 percent opposing; Republicans had 57 percent in favor of legalization, compared to 39 percent opposed; and Independents responded with 63 percent supporting and 27 percent opposed. More than half of the respondents – 57 percent – said they were not cannabis users and 17 percent said they were; 14 percent said they had used previously, and 9 percent said they’d consider trying it if it was legalized. “As New Jersey voters consider creating a new multi-billion-dollar industry in the heart of the largest metropolitan area in the country, we believe it is important to assess the marketplace attitudes and public sentiments about cannabis to help us guide both our clients and regulators,” said Charles Gormally, co-chair of the cannabis law practice at the firm, in a prepared statement.
Read MoreColorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold announced the creation of a new Rapid Response Election Security Cyber Unit (RESCU), a highly-trained team of election security experts who will help protect Colorado’s elections from cyberattacks, foreign interference, and disinformation campaigns. RESCU will also work hand-in-hand with counties to increase cyber preparedness and provide another important resource for county clerks. “Colorado leads the nation in election security, and we must continue to innovate to stay ahead of threats. States must be equipped to withstand attacks from foreign countries on our election infrastructure and increased cyber hostility,” said Secretary Griswold. “That is why I am proud to announce the formation of RESCU, led by Nathan Blumenthal, a top national expert in election threat prevention and counterterrorism. RESCU will focus on bridging the gap between cyber experts and county election administrators and on strategies to combat cyber-attacks and disinformation. The creation of RESCU is reflective of Colorado’s leadership in cybersecurity, and will help us continue to be safest state in the nation to cast a ballot.” RESCU will be composed of a five-person team charged with securing Colorado’s elections by assisting counties with their cybersecurity in the field and combatting cybersecurity incursions and disinformation. This unprecedented support to counties will provide Colorado further protection assistance for those on the front lines of the state’s elections. RESCU is largely made possible through federal funding.
Read MoreElection administrators across the country are vulnerable to cyberattacks that originate through malicious phishing emails, a report released Monday found. The report, compiled by cybersecurity group Area 1 Security, found that over 50 percent of election administrators have “only rudimentary or non-standard technologies” to protect against malicious emails from cyber criminals, with less than 30 percent using basic security controls to halt phishing emails. The study also found that around 5 percent of election administrators use personal emails, which are seen as less secure than government emails, and some election administrators use a custom email infrastructure known to have been targeted by Russian military hackers during prior elections. Email phishing is a key way hackers infiltrate networks, with hackers attempting to trick individuals into clicking on malicious links or attachments or providing sensitive information in other ways that allows the hacker to access a network. Area 1 Security noted that 90 percent of cyberattacks begin with a phishing email. The security researchers at Area 1 Security noted that while the diversity of election systems and infrastructure across U.S. election jurisdictions would make it “impossible” for a nationwide hacking incident to occur, the low email security standards could easily lead to localized cyber incidents. “The disparate approaches to cybersecurity by state, local and county officials is such that should a cybersecurity incident occur in one small town, whether in a ‘battleground state’ or not, even if statistically insignificant, could cause troubling ripple effects that erode confidence in results across the entire country,” the researchers wrote in the report.
Read MoreTop Democrats are slamming the Trump administration for not sharing enough information with the public about Russian efforts to interfere in November's election. While intelligence officials have warned that U.S. adversaries are trying to hack into political campaigns and election systems – and cited Russia, China and Iran as the biggest threats -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) say that's not enough to help voters gird themselves against social media disinformation or the sort of hacking and leaking campaign that upended Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2016. The top-line announcement that interference exists doesn't “go nearly far enough in arming the American people with the knowledge they need about how foreign powers are seeking to influence our political process,” Schumer and Pelosi warned in a statement. “The Russians are once again trying to influence the election and divide Americans, and these efforts must be deterred, disrupted and exposed,” they continue. The statement was also signed by House Intelligence Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. The push comes as Joe Biden seeks to project strength on election interference and draw a stark contrast with President Trump. The presumptive Democratic nominee promised to punch back hard against Russia if he becomes president and “make full use of my executive authority to impose substantial and lasting costs on state perpetrators [of election interference].” It's also a return to form for Democrats who have consistently savaged President Trump for not taking the threat of Russian election interference seriously enough. Trump has wavered on whether Russia was responsible for the 2016 hacks at the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign. More recently those fights have shifted to voting by mail, which Democrats and election security advocates say is vital to ensure voter safety during the coronavirus pandemic, but Trump has claimed without evidence creates widespread fraud. House Democrats have pushed for up to $3.6 billion in election funding in Congress’s next coronavirus relief package. But a $1 trillion Republican proposal released yesterday included no money for elections.
Read MoreFollowing months of debate and planning, the Royal Oak City Commission is poised to decide on where marijuana businesses may locate in that city. Officials are expected to take up the matter during a Zoom meeting Monday night in which there will be a second reading of a proposed ordinance for commercial marijuana establishments. Residents can call in and leave voice recordings of their support or concerns between 4-6 p.m. at (248) 246-3411. They also can monitor the meeting on their local cable TV channel or on the city’s website. Recreational marijuana sales have been a controversial topic in the city for over a year, especially among critics who feel such establishments, despite being legal, are adult businesses that should not be permitted near schools, parks or residential neighborhoods. Voters in November 2018 approved recreational sales by a 56% to 44% margin. Potential eligible areas that have not raised concerns are in a 1-mile by a 1 1/2-mile industrial area in the city’s north end, north of 14 Mile Road and east of Woodward Avenue to Delemere. “I object to any of the businesses being considered near residential areas,” said Councilman Randy LeVasseur, who feels there should be at least a 150-foot buffer area from neighborhoods, along with the 1,000-foot distance from churches, schools or parks used under the adult-business zoning ordinance. LeVasseur had requested the city Planning Department draw up a map showing areas that meet that criteria but was told it could not be put on the agenda without the request of two other councilmembers. “I have never heard that before,” said LeVasseur, acknowledging he could only find support from Councilmember Kim Gibbs. Earlier this month, the commission voted to permit four still-to-be-determined locations — two in the industrial area and two on Woodward Avenue — for marijuana sales. City planners said the city could conceivably have up to 18 businesses, including along Woodward Avenue, between 10 Mile and 14 Mile roads, in the future.
Read MoreWhen the operators of Illinois’ medical marijuana businesses were given first crack at growing and selling recreational weed in the state, everyone else looking to break into the new industry was forced to wait months to even apply for licenses. They then saw their prospects put on hold when the COVID-19 pandemic brought everything to a halt. Meanwhile, one company that doesn’t even deal in cannabis has profited handsomely in that time. KPMG, a “Big Four” accounting firm based in the Netherlands with nearly $30 billion in revenues last year, was awarded nearly $7 million in no-bid contracts to grade applications for new recreational pot licenses, according to records obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times. KPMG is getting nearly $4.2 million through a contract with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which oversees dispensaries, and $2.5 million from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, which is tasked with regulating cultivation operations and other cannabis business. The payments to the firm amount to more than 12% of the state’s $52.8 million in cannabis tax revenues during the first six months of recreational legalization. State officials didn’t open the contracts up to competitive bidding to speed up the process. But as it turned out, the delay in issuing 75 licenses to run pot dispensaries came in part because of a travel ban KPMG instituted in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak and a provision in its contract with the state requiring the applications be picked up by hand. And while officials’ decision to go with an out-of-state firm was to prevent insiders from getting a leg up in the process, the delays lengthened the head start already given to the existing clout-heavy pot firms, including some that are publicly traded and another that counts a high-powered lobbyist as an investor. That’s helped them profit even more from the robust weed sales during the pandemic.
Read MoreState legalization of cannabis has posed many challenges to policymakers and law enforcement. In Arizona alone, nearly 250,000 patients were able to continue accessing their medications during the unprecedented pandemic crisis after medical dispensaries were deemed essential. As attention turns to repairing the economic damage wrought by the virus, federal policymakers must focus on an issue vital to a state’s public health and safety. The call for access to banking and financial services, currently out of reach to an industry responsible for 15,000 jobs in Arizona, and more than $4 million every month in transaction privilege taxes, is essential for the continued need to address the elimination of criminal enterprises which can penetrate an unregulated industry. In this case, we are dealing with billions of dollars in untracked cash. Arizona is in a unique position in that both Sens. Martha McSally and Kyrsten Sinema are important voices on the United States Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. McSally and Sinema are well-positioned to champion an issue that has broad support among the electorate, the public and policymakers at every level of government. By advocating for banking access, not only will there be a decrease in the criminal attraction to an all-cash business, thousands of families across Arizona will have the opportunity to be viewed by lenders and financial institutions as legitimate business operators and employees. Ancillary businesses, such as law firms, accounting firms, and public interest groups servicing the legal cannabis industry, have also lost banking services.
Read MoreIf Oregon voters approve a drug decriminalization measure this November, state officials say it would reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system and save money that’s currently spent on arrests and incarceration. IP 44, which officially qualified for the ballot last month, would remove criminal penalties for illicit drug possession and expand substance misuse treatment in the state. Three state panels recently released draft analyses of the proposal. The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission published its draft report on the racial and ethnic impact of the measure this month. Members concluded it would reduce convictions for drug possession by about 91 percent statewide and also reduce racial disparities in arrests for illicit substances. “This means that approximately 1,800 fewer Oregonians per year are estimated to be convicted of felony [possession of controlled substances] and nearly 1,900 fewer convicted of misdemeanor [possession of controlled substances],” the report states. “Prior academic research suggests this drop in convictions will result in fewer collateral consequences stemming from criminal justice system involvement.” “Beyond the reductions described above, the changes proposed by IP44 would also lead to a reduction in racial disparities” for possession convictions, the commission said, adding that statistical analysis indicates these disparities would be “narrowed substantially” if voters pass the measure. The body went into detail about the methodology behind their analysis in a separate draft document that also included charts highlighting the estimated impact. During a public hearing on the draft impact statement on Thursday, several people argued that the analysis should go further by looking into racial disparities beyond convictions. They said those factors should also be studied when it comes to arrests, stops, sentencing and probation supervision.
Read MoreFrom mail-in voting preparations to election workers, polling sites, voting machines and cybsecurity, experts say more needs to happen — and fast.
Read More— The House this week is slated to take up a huge spending bill with major cyber agencies like CISA, plus look at election security, Cyberspace Solarium Commission recommendations and more.— A new report warns that software supply chain attacks are growing more advanced, and the think tank that produced it has 17 recommendations for how to counter them. — A cybersecurity firm found lackluster protections for the emails of thousands of election officials across the U.S.
Read MoreJim Irizarry has seen a dramatic increase in the amount of false and misleading information about voting access coursing through social media lately. The assistant county clerk for San Mateo County, California, and his team have been training for this moment for years, since the sophisticated Russian disinformation machine emerged during the last presidential election. “They don’t have to change a vote in the voting machines,” Irizarry said. “But if you can get into the minds of voters to undermine their confidence in casting that ballot, you’ve been successful.” This year, state and local election officials across the country expect they’ll need to defend voters against potentially devastating and widespread disinformation attacks that could suppress turnout and sow doubt in November’s results. Bad actors, from foreign nations to local gadflies, have countless opportunities to spread falsehoods and misleading information. In recent elections, voters have fallen victim to scams claiming people can vote by text message or claiming their polling place closed. Lies on social media can go viral hours before an election, becoming nearly impossible to eliminate. And Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s 2019 report found Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential race included fake Facebook groups and false advertising. This year, the pandemic has exposed more potential for disinformation, as states and counties scramble to figure out how to conduct elections through expanded mail-in voting and fewer polling places. “Communities need to know who the right people are with the answers,” said Ian Vandewalker, senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School. “If things change at the last minute, we need a communications infrastructure that involves officials, journalists, candidates and parties to make sure voters are getting the correct information.”
Read MoreIn just 99 days, US citizens will pile into polling places to cast their vote in the 2020 presidential election. Which means the 10,000-plus state and local administrators whose email privacy controls makes them susceptible to online attacks have little more than three months to tighten security. A new report from Area 1 Security, in partnership with Americans for Cybersecurity, reveals troubling statistics about digital defense tactics—or lack thereof. "The administration of elections in the United States is complicated," Area 1 CEO Oren J. Falkowitz wrote in the report. "The federal government has immense resources and capabilities, but little authority. Local officials who, with the most limited resources, find themselves in the crosshairs of nation-state cyber warfare without the knowledge or tools to fight back. A political theorist would deem the intertwined roles and responsibilities elegant by design. But from a cybersecurity perspective this complex system is a cluster[f**k] of vulnerability."
Read MoreThe U.S. could legalize marijuana at the federal level as soon as 2021 if Joe Biden is able to win the presidential election and Democrats take control of the Senate.
Read MoreThe U.S. could legalize marijuana at the federal level as soon as 2021 if Joe Biden is able to win the presidential election and Democrats take control of the Senate. It’s a dramatic change in expectations from three months ago when it appeared Donald Trump would most likely win re-election, and CIBC analysts had put the odds of meaningful reform at “near-zero” for 2020 and “unlikely” for 2021. “A fact that has become incredibly obvious from a chaotic 2020 is how quickly things can change,” analysts led by John Zamparo wrote in a note. “We stand by our statement for 2020, but for 2021, well, when the facts change, we change our minds.” With the economic fallout from the coronavirus and social unrest following the murder of George Floyd by police, Biden’s chances of winning the election in a possible Democratic sweep has appeared increasingly likely. The former vice president is less supportive of full-scale legalization than his party. But if the Democrats were to win both the White House and Senate, it could open the door to decriminalization and leave the question of legalization up to states. Legislation could prove popular under the current climate of economic and social unrest. Regulation that includes provisions for criminal justice reform could gain additional support amid calls for greater anti-racism initiatives. States looking to close budget gaps from the coronavirus are also more likely to consider the tax benefits of creating a newly legalized industry. During a recent Cowen industry panel, there was broad agreement that social justice measures need to be a part of any legislation package, analysts led by Vivien Azer wrote in a note. “This likely includes provisions ensuring that minorities get to participate in the legal cannabis business as their communities were hit hardest by the war on drugs,” the analysts said. Legislation could also include expunging criminal cannabis convictions or grants to communities hurt by previous U.S. drug policy. “Biden will be under pressure from the left wing of the Democratic party to move cannabis forward because of the social justice issues,” Curaleaf Holdings Inc. Chairman Boris Jordan recently told Bloomberg News. There had been some disappointment after a Biden Unity task force didn’t embrace the same cannabis policy proposals from Bernie Sanders’s campaign. Most importantly, it left out full deschedulization, opting instead to make marijuana a schedule 2 drug rather than a schedule 1.
Read MoreOn the second Friday in June, a group of political operatives, former government and military officials, and academics quietly convened online for what became a disturbing exercise in the fragility of American democracy. The group, which included Democrats and Republicans, gathered to game out possible results of the November election, grappling with questions that seem less far-fetched by the day: What if President Trump refuses to concede a loss, as he publicly hinted recently he might do? How far could he go to preserve his power? And what if Democrats refuse to give in? “All of our scenarios ended in both street-level violence and political impasse,” said Rosa Brooks, a Georgetown law professor and former Defense Department official who co-organized the group known as the Transition Integrity Project. She described what they found in bleak terms: “The law is essentially ... it’s almost helpless against a president who’s willing to ignore it.”
Read MoreFrench police will start hitting users of illicit drugs, particularly cannabis, with on-the-spot fines starting in September, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced on Saturday. Spot fines of 200 euros ($233) have been tested in several French cities in recent weeks and will now be applied nationwide, Castex said, ruling out a decriminalisation of cannabis. A French law dating back to 1970 allows for illicit drug use to be punished with up to a year in prison and fined with up to 3,750 euros, but few users actually do jail time. French people are Europe's leading consumers of cannabis and hold the number three spot for cocaine use. The new measure would simplify police procedures by "inflicting punishment without delay", Castex said during a visit to the southern port city of Nice, and would be an efficient tool against sale points run by drug dealers "which are eating away at neighbourhoods". If paid within two weeks the fine will be reduced to 150 euros, but will rise to 450 euros unless settled within 45 days. The move honours an election campaign pledge by President Emmanuel Macron, who said spot fines should be used to deter petty crimes that often end up unpunished in overloaded courts. The number of 15- and 16-year-olds who admitted recent use of cannabis was higher in France than any other European country in a 2015 survey published by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug addiction, an EU agency.
Read MoreThey found about 3,000 plants after raiding premises in Shaw Road, Oldham, at about 22:15 BST on Friday, Greater Manchester Police said. Officers arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis. Inspector Anthony Allt said: "Cannabis farms - particularly of this scale - are operated by organised criminals, who use the profits from such grows to further their criminality."
Read MoreThe Portland City Clerk has announced that enough valid signatures have been submitted to place a citizen's initiative on the November ballot that would remove the cap on marijuana businesses in Portland, Maine. On July 17th, local advocates turned in over 2,400 signatures to put the petition on the ballot. At the August 3rd city council meeting, there will be a first reading of the order, and the council is expected to set a public hearing for August 31, 2020, according to David Boyer, local resident and advocate, and former campaign manager for Eric Brakey. Boyer said in a statement, "The state has proved that it will not defend Maine from outside, big corporations entering our cannabis industry. A fair and open market will allow for Maine's small businesses to compete and Portland voters were more than happy to sign our petition to keep Maine's cannabis industry local. At a time of such economic uncertainty, it does not make sense to cap legal jobs and legal businesses. We are confident that Portland voters will endorse cannabis regulations rooted in fairness and inclusivity this November."
Read MoreWith about 100 days left before the general election, officials are simultaneously trying to prepare for two very different types of voting, while facing two unprecedented threats to safety and security. It's a juggling act that has voters, political parties and officials anxious about how smoothly November's voting will go. "Doubt is our enemy," U.S. Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine, said at a Senate hearing Wednesday on what Congress can do to ensure public confidence in this year's election results. The pandemic has already caused massive disruptions. Most states greatly expanded mail-in voting in the primaries to address voters' health concerns. Those changes are expected — for the most part — to continue this fall. But many states also want to make in-person voting widely available to avoid overloading the mail-in system in what's expected to be a high-turnout election. Maryland is a case in point. The state sent mail-in ballots to every registered voter for its June primary and drastically cut the number of in-person polling sites. But that resulted in long lines at the few sites that were open. At the same time, there were delays and mix-ups with mail-in ballots. Gov. Larry Hogan now wants all polling sites open in November while still encouraging Marylanders to vote early or by mail if they can. He said this "will maximize participation in the November election by offering voters more options while minimizing confusion and risk during the COVID-19 pandemic." But local and state election officials are not on board, saying they don't have enough resources for this dual approach.
Read MoreIn a campaign year marked by a global pandemic, a recession and a national wave of protests, it’s easy to forget that this whole election season began with an absolute debacle when it came to the simple act of voting. The mobile app used for the Democratic caucuses in Iowa collapsed so badly that the country was left unsure—forever, as it turns out—who won. In March, malfunctioning voting technology in California led to hourslong delays; in April, the pandemic left Wisconsin voters unsure the night before whether the polls would even open. By May, unable to guarantee the safety of physical voting, 16 states had delayed their primaries or switched to vote-by-mail options. Then came Georgia’s primary in June, where massive confusion and long lines led to what observers called a “meltdown.” Some people waited in line to cast their ballots until 1 a.m. Every month of this year has brought new evidence that voting in 2020 hasn’t been going very well. And with perhaps the most consequential election in generations—when the nation ratifies or rejects President Donald Trump’s divisive agenda—experts are starting to believe that the general election will be much, much worse. Anxious Democrats are already fretting about nightmare scenarios in which Trump uses emergency powers to cancel the election, calls in the military to “oversee” voting, or even refuses to vacate the White House. But conversations with more than a dozen campaign strategists, security officials and election administrators make clear that the most likely picture this fall is something less theatrical, and every bit as destabilizing. November 3, even if it proceeds as scheduled, is likely to bring bureaucratic snafus and foreseeable chaos unfolding on a hundred different fronts at once, in a thousand voting precincts—all of which will leave the U.S. with its most uncertain, disputed result in a lifetime.
Read MoreFederal food and drug officials submitted a CBD enforcement policy document for approval on Wednesday, Hemp Industry Daily has learned, meaning that long-awaited industry guidance on CBD is nearing.
Read MoreA police reform bill that seeks to redirect state cannabis revenue to police training has stirred up an ongoing debate about the use of the industry’s taxes and fees, which advocates have long said should go toward programs to support racial equity. On Monday, House lawmakers unveiled their version of a police reform bill, a wide encompassing law that would ban facial recognition software, curb police protections from civil lawsuits and limit use of force methods.
Read MoreThe House of Representatives could vote within the next week or so on amendment to protect all state marijuana legalization laws from federal interference. Lawmakers filed the measure on Wednesday for possible attachment to a wide-ranging bill to fund several federal departments for Fiscal year 2021. Meanwhile, another representative is pushing two separate amendments that would strip federal money from states that have legalized cannabis.
Read MoreFour years after Russian election interference rattled and embarrassed national Democrats, the party has gone on offense over what it fears are more schemes targeting this year's presidential race. Democratic leaders in the House and Senate this week demanded an all-lawmaker briefing from the FBI about what they suspect are active efforts aimed at Congress.
Read MoreNearly one in four U.S. voters live in states that will make it difficult or impossible for them to vote by mail in November, despite the health dangers posed by in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic. A total of nine states comprising 54 million voters are maintaining tight restrictions on mail voting even as other states run by Republicans and Democrats alike have rushed to expand the practice.
Read MoreThe city of Lansing is hoping to ease voters’ minds about voting absentee. A new ballot tracking system allows Lansing's city clerk to see where ballots might get stuck in the mail. “I did have some hesitation about voting absentee,” Julie Vandenboom, who voted absentee for the August 4 primary, said. This is Vanderboom's first time voting absentee.
Read MoreAT A RECENT VIRTUAL RALLY highlighting the need for more opportunities for black, Latino and other minority groups in the cannabis industry, two of the speakers were members of the commission responsible for regulating marijuana in Massachusetts. Steven Hoffman, the chairman of the Cannabis Control Commission, urged attendees to call US Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren to urge them to support federal legislation allowing banks to provide financial services to the industry. He also told them to call their state legislators to lobby for a bill creating a low-interest loan fund for marijuana start-ups. Hoffman, a former management consultant and the CEO of a tech start-up, said the push for social equity demands action. “Words are cheap, results are what matters,” he said. Shaleen Title, a member of the commission, also said it was time for action. “The solutions that have been rooted in the communities that we’re trying to benefit have been pushed forward by legislators and committees, and now it is time for us to make sure that they’re a priority and that we show that we care,” she said. The comments by Hoffman and Title illustrate how some members of the Cannabis Control Commission are taking on roles that blur the distinction between advocate and regulator. The activism goes beyond routine advocacy for the agency’s budget. Members of the commission – Title in particular – have been outspoken in urging changes to state and federal law. “It is unusual for a regulatory body to act in an advocacy role on behalf of the regulated industry with either state or federal legislators,” said Paul Levy, a former chairman of the Department of Public Utilities. “You don’t see the insurance commission doing that, you don’t see public utility commissions doing that.” Hoffman said the Cannabis Control Commission is different because it’s trying to stand up a brand new industry whose product is illegal under federal law. In an interview, Hoffman said he does not see himself as an advocate. “This is not about advocating, this is about getting the help we need as a commission to do our job and meet the legislative mandate that was set for us,” Hoffman said. Hoffman said one reason he spoke at the social equity rally is because the state law legalizing marijuana requires that the commission create opportunities for people disproportionately affected by enforcement of prior drug laws – and a change in law would help the commission do that. “To do my job, I need help,” Hoffman said. “We need help from the Legislature on several specific things, primarily a loan fund that would help people get capital. We need help from the federal government with respect to the SAFE Banking Act.” (The congressional bill would let banks offer financial services to state-legalized marijuana companies.) Title is the most outspoken commissioner, frequently speaking at events or rallies organized by marijuana advocates and industry groups. Each seat on the commission is reserved for someone with particular expertise, and Title holds the seat designated for someone with expertise in “legal, policy, or social justice issues” in a regulated industry. She is an attorney specializing in marijuana law who supported marijuana legalization and founded a cannabis recruiting firm focused on equity and inclusion. Title said activism is part of the job. “I wish that upholding equity and repairing systemic inequities was something that happens easily and takes little effort. It isn’t,” Title wrote in an email. “Part of my job is to be persistent and to continually engage and lift up the perspectives of the people who were meant to be benefited by this law – perspectives that aren’t usually at the table because they have been systematically excluded…Along with lifting up the voices of the people who are affected, speaking up about my conclusions based on that expertise and my many years of engagement is important as well.” But Title is not alone.
Read MoreA new amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act could allow members of the Armed Forces to use CBD and other derivatives from Cannabis sativa hemp. On Monday, the House of Representatives voted 336 to 71 to approve a package of multiple amendments to the House version of the NDAA, including a measure sponsored by Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, which would allow military members to consume hemp products. "The Secretary of Defense may not prohibit, on the basis of a product containing hemp or any ingredient derived from hemp, the possession, use, or consumption of such product by a member of the Armed Forces," the amendment reads. The amendment comes in response to Department of Defense policy banning the use of hemp products by active duty and reserve members of the military. Citing "a serious risk to the viability of the military drug testing program," the February memo signed by Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Matthew P. Donovan directs all military departments to issue punitive general orders prohibiting the use of CBD and other products derived from hemp, regardless of their legality under the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018.
Read MoreGeorgia Democrats named Nikema Williams as successor to John Lewis. President Trump threatened to send federal troops to cities run “by radical left” to temper unrest. And the Jacksonville sheriff said the city was not ready to provide security for the Republican convention. Top congressional Democrats warned in a cryptic letter they released on Monday that a foreign power was using disinformation to try to interfere in the presidential election and the activities of Congress, and demanded a prompt briefing by the F.B.I. to warn every member of Congress. While the letter writers, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, did not specify the threat, officials familiar with a classified addendum attached to it said the Democrats’ concerns touched on intelligence related to a possible Russian-backed attempt to smear the presidential campaign of former Joseph R. Biden Jr. They contend that the Russian-linked information is being funneled to a committee headed by Senator Ron Johnson, the Wisconsin Republican who is investigating Mr. Biden and his son, who was once paid as a board member of a Ukrainian energy company. While neither Mr. Johnson’s inquiry nor much of the information in question is new, the Democrats’ letter is an attempt to call attention to their concern that the accusations are not only unfounded but may further Russia’s efforts to interfere again in the American presidential election. Ms. Pelosi was joined by Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the party’s leader in the Senate, as well as Representative Adam B. Schiff of California, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. Democrats did not ask Republicans to sign on, according to a congressional official familiar with the letter who insisted on anonymity to discuss it.
Read MoreA pair of men from Ukraine admitted in federal court that they conspired to smuggle and distribute counterfeit cancer and hepatitis C drugs into the United States, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release.
Read MoreA coalition of civil rights and drug policy reform groups—including the ACLU, Human Rights Watch, Drug Policy Alliance and NORML—is circulating a letter to members of Congress, imploring them to sign onto a comprehensive marijuana legalization bill that places an emphasis on restorative justice.
Read MoreOpponents of an initiative that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Arizona have filed a lawsuit to keep the issue off the ballot in November. The lawsuit, by Arizonans for Health and Public Safety, argues that the initiative’s backers did not accurately describe the measure in a 100-word summary included on petitions that voters signed for it to qualify for the general election.
Read MoreThe New York Senate has passed a bill to prevent tenants from being evicted solely because of their legal use of medical marijuana. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Anna Kaplan (D), cleared the chamber in a 58-2 vote on Tuesday. It states that a “tenant shall not be removed from possession of a residential unit pursuant to this article because of such person’s certified medical use of medical marihuana.”
Read MoreA U.S. indictment of Chinese hackers who tried to steal coronavirus vaccine research demonstrates the increasingly fuzzy line between state-sponsored hacking and mere criminality. The hackers Li Xiaoyu and Dong Jiazhi stole data mostly for their own profit but also helped secure information for China’s civilian spy agency, the Ministry of State Security (MSS), according to an indictment by the U.S. Justice Department.
Read MoreOne of America's top spies said that checking foreign interference in the November vote is a primary concern. "Our number one goal, our number one objective at the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command -- a safe, secure and legitimate 2020 elections," said Gen. Paul Nakasone, who leads both agencies, during an Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) virtual event on July 20. Nakasone said the goal is to build on lessons learned from 2018 midterm elections for 2020 so the U.S. will, "know our adversaries better than they know themselves."
Read MoreSeveral hemp oil products sold across the nation contain an amount of lead that exceeds federal guidelines and, if consumed, can cause health complications. Contact the manufacturer for a free replacement by calling 844-300-5673 if you’ve purchased any of the products belowThe excess lead comes from droppers provided by a third-party packaging supplier, a Food and Drug Administration announcement says. Lead is a toxic substance that can cause adverse health issues when ingested, especially by young children. Louisiana health officials say most children who have been exposed to lead do not present with any symptoms. However, at increased lead levels, lead poisoning can present in the following ways: Fussiness, Loss of appetite, Weight loss, Loss of energy, Abdominal pain, Vomiting, Constipation, Seizures, Coma. Long-term exposure to excessive levels of lead is associated with growth delays, learning disabilities, attention disorders, and behavioral problems
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Minnesota’s hemp cultivation program, which has expanded from just six licensed growers and processors in the state in 2016 to 511. The approved program is the same as the state’s pilot program enacted in 2016. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen called the approval “a major step forward” but said, “there are still concerns over some of the regulations imposed on states and tribal governments, such as testing requirements.”
Read MoreFormer national security leaders from Democratic and Republican administrations joined a coalition of left-leaning advocacy groups on Monday in urging Congress to provide states with funds to allow elections to move forward during the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and John Kerry, former Homeland Security Secretaries Michael Chertoff, Tom Ridge and Janet Napolitano, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and more than two dozen other leaders sent a letter to House and Senate leaders calling on Congress to provide the funds. “We know that hostile foreign actors like China, Iran and Russia seek to cast doubt on the integrity of our electoral systems,” they wrote. “These actors influence Americans by exploiting fear and confusion around the voting process. Failing to make sure that all citizens can vote safely and securely will only give them material to further erode faith in our democratic system.” The leaders asked that Congress include funding to shore up elections in the next COVID-19 stimulus package, noting that the previous $400 million appropriated by Congress in the stimulus bill signed into law by President Trump in March was not nearly enough. Experts argue that states will need up to $4 billion to put on safe and secure elections this year. The letter, spearheaded by New York University’s Brennan Center for Justice, was sent the same day a coalition of left-leaning advocacy groups launched a week of action in an effort to pressure the Senate to approve election funds as part of the House-passed HEROES Act.
Read MoreA highly regarded British think tank focused on reforming drug laws thinks Canada’s legalization and regulation of cannabis has gone well. Transform has been monitoring Canadian reform efforts for some time. Its positive views of Canada’s initiatives is a significant contribution in assessing our journey away from criminalization of simple possession and use of recreational drugs. There have been a number of efforts at assessing our first year of legalization and beyond. Not all of them have been as positive as Transform’s evaluations. The think tank’s accounting is sophisticated but also provides a primer of Canada’s experiences with legal cannabis, the provision of which was deemed an essential service in Ontario during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Transform’s assessment delves into the fundamentals — growing, processing and producing. The diverse ways the drug is sold to consumers in the provinces and territories is summarized succinctly and clearly. The report also wades into contentious issues, including impaired driving, protecting youth and confronting the illicit market. Let’s look at the social justice issues implicated in the shift away from criminalization. Social equity issues: As it became clear that change would happen and the necessary federal and provincial/territorial legislation would be enacted, issues affecting marginalized groups came to the fore. Transform looked at governments’ failure to adequately address them. The first issue involves social equity measures. These proposed initiatives aim to compensate, to some degree, the harms suffered by members of groups because of criminalization and enforcement measures, and penalties that disproportionately affected them.
Read MoreState-level marijuana policies are rapidly evolving. A majority of the public now believes that marijuana prohibition must come to an end, and a growing number of politicians are similarly calling for alternatives to criminalization. The two most commonly debated policy alternatives are decriminalization or legalization. To date, 27 states and the District of Columbia have moved to either legalize or decriminalize cannabis — with Illinois and Virginia being the most recent states to move in this direction. Decriminalization and legalization are two distinct policies. Both are preferable to outright prohibition, but based on the evidence to date, one of these policies clearly emerges as superior to the other. That policy is legalization. Here’s why. Decriminalization is neither a novel nor a particularly progressive alternative to the failed policy of cannabis criminalization. The policy, which replaces criminal penalties for low-level personal possession offenses with civil sanctions, was initially recommended by former President Richard Nixon’s Shafer Commission in 1972. At that time, The Commission concluded: “Neither the marihuana user nor the drug itself can be said to constitute a danger to public safety. Therefore, the Commission recommends ... [the] possession of marijuana for personal use no longer be an offense, [and that the] casual distribution of small amounts of marihuana for no remuneration, or insignificant remuneration no longer be an offense.” In the ensuing 48 years, several states — including Connecticut, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, and Virginia — have adopted policies of either partial or full decriminalization. While marijuana decriminalization holds many advantages over a policy of strict criminal prohibition, it does little to either address or sufficiently mitigates many of the systemic problems caused by the plant’s decades-long criminalization.
Read MoreCiting briefings he has received on the issue, former Vice President Joe Biden said Friday that Russia is again working to interfere in a U.S. election and expressed concern about foreign efforts to sow doubt about the outcome, NBC News reports. “We know from before and I guarantee you I know now because now I get briefings again," the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said during a fundraising event. "The Russians are still engaged in trying to delegitimize our electoral process. Fact.” "China and others are engaged as well in activities that are designed for us to lose confidence in the outcome,” he said. A campaign official later clarified that the briefing Biden received was from his own "team of experts.” Typically, a presidential nominee begins receiving more comprehensive classified security briefings from U.S. intelligence officials closer to their nominating conventions. The Biden campaign, the official said, received a briefing about foreign interference that was also offered to the Trump campaign and to both national party committees. In a Brookings talk Friday, Department of Homeland Security cyber security official Christopher Krebs said he hasn’t seen the kind of activity he saw at this point before the 2016 elections. "Compared to where things were in 2016, we're not seeing that level of coordinated, determined cyberactivity from adversaries," Christopher Krebs, the Department of Homeland Security's top online security official.
Read MoreA new amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act could allow members of the Armed Forces to use CBD and other derivatives from Cannabis sativa hemp.
Read MoreInland, a label converter with North American headquarters in La Crosse, WI, USA, features on-packaging security solutions that are intuitive and trustworthy.
Read MoreAlarmed that unlicensed cannabis sellers continue to dominate California’s pot market, state lawmakers are moving toward imposing steep new fines on businesses that provide building space, advertising platforms and other aid to illicit operations. Those who provide assistance to illegal pot sellers would face civil fines of up to $30,000 per day under legislation approved unanimously by the state Assembly that is now pending in the Senate. A final vote on the proposal is expected sometime after lawmakers return to Sacramento this month. Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) said she introduced the bill out of concern that as much as 80% of the cannabis sold in California comes from the illicit market, despite voters approving legal and licensed sales that began in 2018. “Despite some success during the first two years of legalized cannabis sales, the illicit market has flourished,” Rubio said. “In addition to dwindling tax revenues, the underground market presents public safety and health threats to California.” But the proposal has divided advocates for legal marijuana. The United Cannabis Business Assn., which represents licensed firms, asked Rubio to introduce Assembly Bill 2122, saying it “brings much-needed support in enforcement.” Licensed retailers have struggled as many Californians continue to buy from the illicit market sellers, who charge lower prices because they do not pay state taxes or abide by costly state regulations, including testing and security requirements. “The illicit cannabis market must be shut down to ensure that legal operators can see an increase of patients and consumers which creates union jobs while we contribute to local and the State of California’s tax revenues,” the UCBA said in a letter to legislators. However, the measure is opposed by the California chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, also known as NORML, which argues the bill is overbroad and heavy-handed. “In general we would rather see ‘carrots’ to assist people in securing commercial licenses by lowering the barriers to entry, rather than ‘sticks,’ be they criminal or civil,” said Ellen Komp, deputy director of California NORML. The group supports an existing law requiring advertising for cannabis businesses to include a state license number. NORML officials said many illicit operators display fake licenses to fool those they do business with, so it is not always easy to ascertain whether a cannabis business has a license. Komp suggested the state can help licensed businesses by addressing the fact that two-thirds of the cities in California do not allow licensing of cannabis businesses. Gov. Gavin Newsom, the leading supporter of the legalization initiative Proposition 64 in 2016, has said enforcement is an important part of building a legal industry.
Read MoreThe presidential nominees for the Libertarian and Green Parties both support bolder drug policy proposals, including marijuana legalization, than presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden or President Trump. Libertarian pick Jo Jorgensen and Green nominee Howie Hawkins recently discussed their views on the issue and backed legalizing cannabis for adult use and more broadly ending the criminalization of other currently illicit substances. “The biggest problem we have right now is not the drugs, it’s the drug prohibition,” Jorgensen said during an interview with C-SPAN this month. “Now, do drugs and alcohol cause problems? Of course they do. However, they’d be much more manageable if it were legal.” “What’s the difference between me drinking bourbon in my home and somebody else smoking marijuana in their own home?” she said. “If there is no victim, there is no crime.” The Libertarian candidate later described the drug war as an example of how “racial injustice” is “built into our our laws.” Hawkins also recently talked about drug policy reform as a tool to combat mass incarceration during a remotely delivered speech for the Green Party National Convention. “We’ve got to treat drug abuse as a health problem. You should legalize marijuana and decriminalize the hard drugs like Portugal,” he said. “Instead of just throwing people in prison and building the biggest prison industrial system in the world—which Joe Biden had a lot to do [with], he wrote the legislative architecture for that as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee—we should be treating drug addiction as a health problem, not a criminal problem.”
Read MoreFor wine collectors, provenance is everything. With as much as 20% of all wine circulating the globe deemed to be fake, it’s hardly surprising. In days past, sniffing out a bogus burgundy required a good nose and an eye for detail. Now, thanks to blockchain technology, the problem is being resolved at its root — or should that be at the vine?
Read MoreA new report projects over 3% annual growth in the global security labels market, which will propel the total market size to over $45 billion by 2030. Expansion of the retail sector, evolving capabilities and changing consumer consciousness have collectively stimulated the growth of allied industries too.
Read MoreMaybe it’s the boredom. Maybe it’s the mental health benefits. Maybe it’s the preliminary research that cannabis could prevent COVID-19 infections. But several data agencies and state reports indicate marijuana sales have continued to rise during the global pandemic. Multiple states, including Florida and Arizona, have hit new records for monthly medical marijuana sales in the past few months. Even original cannabis states in adult use markets have seen historic sales amid the pandemic.
Read MoreA congresswoman who’s reportedly being considered as a vice presidential pick for Joe Biden said on Thursday that she doesn’t feel the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee needs to back marijuana legalization despite widespread calls from advocates and majority support among voters. Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), who herself has cosponsored federal legalization legislation and other reform bills, was asked about Biden’s position during an interview with members of the Sacramento Press Club.
Read MoreJust west of Starved Rock, under 80 acres of glass, one of the largest greenhouses in North America once produced orchids and poinsettias for big-box stores. Now, that production capacity has been converted to growing hemp — billed as the largest such greenhouse in the country. Hemp — grown from the same species of cannabis plant that produces marijuana, but without the high — produces CBD oil, a product that has taken off as a popular mainstream supplement, and smokable hemp flower, the latest niche market for the plant.
Read MoreFederal agriculture officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture signed off on hemp production plans for two states and a U.S. territory this week. Minnesota, which has been a hemp state for six years under the 2014 Farm Bill pilot program, received approval for its plan on Tuesday. The state declared earlier this year that it would continue to operate under the 2014 pilot for the 2020 season. USDA’s approval of the state’s new hemp plan doesn’t change that decision. In January, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson wrote in a letter to the USDA that the Oct. 31 date to change over from pilot programs to approved USDA plans is impractical, causing inconveniences both for farmers and for state agriculture department staff.
Read MoreElections officials in dozens of states are standing firm in expressing confidence that they'll be able to effectively carry out expanded mail-in voting in November, despite President Trump's repeated claims of rampant voter fraud -- made without providing evidence -- that some argued could significantly undermine confidence in the results of the election.
Read MoreNBC News’ Ben Collins breaks down the coordinated Twitter hack that helped bitcoin scammers gain control of some of the world’s most influential accounts.
Read MoreThe US is mired in catastrophe. A pandemic, an economic meltdown, and a vacuum of competent governance are all conspiring to make the moment exceptionally miserable. One positive (if still tenuous) development has been the national fervor in support of criminal-justice reform. Part and parcel with that is drug-policy reform. And the simplest drug-policy reform is legalizing marijuana.
Read MoreThe business has come a long way since the hippies of yesteryear peddled “pot” on city streets. Sales of legal marijuana are surpassing money spent on common items such as toothpaste. “With revenue of $10.6 billion-$13 billion in 2019, sales of legal adult-use and medical cannabis in the United States topped spending on sleep aids, hard seltzer and toothpaste combined,” said an analysis published by Marijuana Business Fact Book, and analysis issued by Marijuana Business Daily, an industry publication.
Read MoreIndustrial hemp became legal in South Dakota when Governor Kristi Noem signed the emergency measure March 27. More than 100 days later, her administration is getting closer to submitting a program for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to consider for approval. State Department of Agriculture spokeswoman JaCee Aaseth said Thursday that South Dakota sent a preliminary version for USDA to look over. She also said state Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s office provided feedback on it this week. Those perspectives will be reflected in the revised version, according to Aaseth.
Read MoreThis time, the massive Twitter hack yesterday was seemingly just a petty scam to raise bitcoin — at least based on what's known so far. But next time, it could be far more serious. The unknown hackers held the Twittersphere in thrall last night as they seized control of high-profile accounts and sent phony tweets from Joe Biden, Barack Obama and a who’s who of top companies and business and entertainment leaders.
Read MoreMore than 18,500 Floridians’ ballots were not counted during the March presidential primary after many arrived by mail after the deadline. In Nevada, about 6,700 ballots were rejected in June because election officials could not verify voters’ signatures. And during Pennsylvania’s primary last month, only state and court orders prevented tens of thousands of late-returned ballots from being disqualified. As a resurgence in coronavirus cases portends another possible flood of absentee voting this fall, the issue of rejected ballots has emerged as a serious concern around the country, including in presidential battleground states and those with races that will decide control of the House and Senate.
Read MoreThe CDC says one in four high school students use e-cigarettes and that's caught the attention of Bismarck Police and members of the North Dakota Taxation Committee. They met Tuesday to work on solutions to curb the growing problem of teen vaping.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a pending rule that, if finalized, would allow states to import prescription drugs from Canada. Importing medicine from Canada, however, is more dangerous than it looks because it is so difficult to prosecute fake or substandard drug sellers. Legislators and their consultants make it sound as if holding a foreign vendor accountable will be easy, but history has shown that the U.S. federal government, with all of its agreements, power, and resources, still struggles to bring criminals to justice.
Read MoreThe Rancho Bernardo Planning Board decided to challenge the latest proposed wording in city code pertaining to cannabis outlets and production facilities. The board held a special meeting Saturday morning to decide what positions it wanted to take before the San Diego City Council met on Tuesday. The council was scheduled to make revisions to the city’s 12th update of its Land Development Code pertaining to cannabis (marijuana) outlets and facilities. This included rules pertaining to distance from homes and community facilities. The city issued proposed updates after the board’s June meeting and was scheduled to vote before the board’s monthly meeting scheduled for tonight (Thursday). The board’s Regional Issues Committee also held a special meeting last Thursday to review the cannabis issue plus proposed state legislation that could increase housing density in residential neighborhoods statewide, including Rancho Bernardo. Since both issues were discussed Saturday and there are no additional issues, tonight’s board meeting has been canceled. After hearing from several residents living near the site of a proposed outlet (dispensary) at 16375 Bernardo Center Drive, plus representatives from Hope United Methodist Church and its preschool — all of whom oppose the Urbn Leaf outlet — board members decided to focus on two points in their letter to city officials. The code proposal only places a 100-foot separation between an outlet or production facility and residential property lines, but a 1,000-foot separation between the cannabis facilities and sensitive uses. These include city parks, houses of worship, child care centers, playgrounds, libraries owned and operated by the city, minor-oriented facilities, residential care facilities and schools. After much discussion, the board decided to request “for consistency” a 1,000-foot separation for the residential code. Some meeting attendees said they worried they could risk losing the other 1,000-foot separation and, in the name of consistency, city officials could decide to opt for a 100-foot separation for all. But in the end the board decided it needed to take a stand and request the farther distance for both in the best interest of the community. Resident Rob Brienza, whose Bernardo Heights home is closest to the proposed outlet, said “there is a bit of risk, but also reward to consider,” in the board requesting a consistent 1,000-foot separation. Board members agreed the same concerns for children playing at a school or park and playing in their home’s backyard, or reading at a library versus their kitchen, should be equal. Since the city has decided there is a need for a 1,000-foot separation between a public space and outlet, the same should exist between a home and outlet. “We need to represent our community’s interest in this case and need to take a strong position on the difference of 100 feet versus 1,000 feet,” said board member Tom Lettington. “We need to represent our people.” “The inconsistency makes no sense,” said board member Sonny Googins. During the committee meeting, members expressed support of the line between outlets and homes being measured horizontally instead of path of travel or other barriers being factored in. However, when it comes to the distance between an outlet and the public spaces, the city proposes a 1,000-foot separation “measured between the property lines.” The wording is not as clear about a horizontal measurement, committee members said.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved hemp regulatory plans from Minnesota, Tennessee and Puerto Rico on Tuesday. This latest development brings the total number of approved plans across states, territories and Indian tribes to 53. “We thank USDA for their work on this new federal hemp program, and we are grateful they have approved Minnesota’s plan,” Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen said. “While this is a major step forward, there are still concerns over some the regulations imposed on states and tribal governments, such as testing requirements. We look forward to continuing our dialog with USDA so we can ensure Minnesota’s hemp growers and processors are successful in this fledging industry.” Puerto Rico is the second territory approval since the crop was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill. In May, USDA accepted the U.S. Virgin Islands’s proposed regulations. Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón (R), who represents the territory in Congress, discussed her advocacy for other cannabis reform legislation—including preventing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from denying home loan benefits to veterans solely due to employment in a state-legal marijuana market—in a press release. USDA has been signing off on hemp proposals on a rolling basis over the past year. “USDA continues to receive and review hemp production plans from states and Indian tribes,” the department said in a notice. While the agency released an interim final rule for a domestic hemp production program last year, industry stakeholders and lawmakers have expressed concerns about certain policies it views as excessively restrictive. USDA announced in February that it will temporarily lift two provisions that the industry viewed as problematic. Those policies primarily concern testing and disposal requirements. The department declined to revise the THC limit, however, arguing that it’s a statutory matter that can’t be dealt with administratively. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has said on several occasions that the Drug Enforcement Administration influenced certain rules, adding that the narcotics agency wasn’t pleased with the overall legalization of hemp. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still in the process of developing regulations for CBD. It sent an update on its progress to Congress in March, explaining that the agency is actively exploring pathways to allow for the marketing of the cannabis compound as a dietary supplement and is developing enforcement discretion guidance. An FDA public comment period was reopened indefinitely for individuals to submit feedback on CBD regulations. This month, the White House finalized a review of FDA CBD and cannabis research protocols, but it’s unclear when or if the document will be released to the public.
Read MoreAs a group of terminally ill patients in Canada awaits word from the minister of health on whether they can legally access psychedelic mushrooms for end-of-life care, their team of clinicians has tacked on an additional request: The therapists want to be able to dose themselves, too. The group behind the request, Victoria, B.C.–based TheraPsil, a nonprofit that aims to expand access to psilocybin-based psychotherapy in Canada, says the additional step of providing safe access for therapists will ensure they gain firsthand experience into the psilocybin’s effects and its applications to psychotherapy. “Part of ensuring a very high-quality psychedelic treatment for patients is to ensure high-quality training for therapists,” Spencer Hawkswell, TheraPsil’s executive director, told Marijuana Moment in an interview. “It’s greatly beneficial if therapists have had psychedelic therapy themselves.” Few people, he offered by analogy, “would advise going to a sex therapist who’s never had sex before.” TheraPsil, founded by clinical psychologist and psychotherapist Bruce Tobin, has been fighting for expanded access to psilocybin end-of-life care for years. In 2017, the group first filed a petition to exempt patients with certain terminal conditions from Canada’s ban on psilocybin. It was reportedly the first time a therapist had asked the Canadian government for such an exemption. It wasn’t until this past January that TheraPsil finally heard back, Hawkswell said. “After three years of back-and-forth, they got back to us and said, ‘We’re going to be rejecting this application.’” The agency said there was no obvious medical necessity for the psychedelics. TheraPsil was undaunted. “They say there’s no necessity,” Hawkswell said. “Maybe it’s because they haven’t met that person yet.” In April, the group helped four more people with terminal illnesses file petitions with Health Canada and Health Minister Patty Hajdu seeking exemptions that will allow them to access psilocybin. In an interview with Marijuana Moment, Hawkswell said patients had gone months so far without a word from Hajdu, who with a stroke of a pen could allow the patients to access the drug. “What we are working on right now is ramping up our messaging,” Hawkswell said. “We are going to try everything we can to get to the minister to make sure she sees these patients and responds to them.”
Read MoreThe novel coronavirus pandemic is stalling some efforts to improve election security across the country, delaying efforts to install basic security measures on hundreds of local election websites, interviews with top leaders and an exclusive analysis by the National Investigative Unit has found. Election security is a topic on the agenda for the annual summer conference of the National Association of Secretaries of State which convenes virtually later this week, the last scheduled NASS conference for all of the nation's top election officials before the general election. To assess the resiliency of county election websites in states nationwide, the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit asked McAfee Security to once again analyze more than 2,000 web pages where voters may turn to for information about voting, registration, election administration, precincts, poll hours and other suffrage details. While no American uses those local election websites to cast a ballot, citizens do rely on the information to be accurate so they can exercise their right to vote. A lack of simple security tools, cyber experts and government agencies say, could leave those webpages vulnerable to manipulation, possibly disenfranchising voters who are misled. The new McAfee analysis found little progress overall in securing those websites with encryption - identified by the letters 'https' in the URL - and with a federally-validated domain, like .gov, since the worldwide cyber firm's initial analysis for the NIU conducted in January.
Read MoreThe Democratic National Committee’s virtual convention next month will mark a major test for whether Internet-based voting can be done safely and securely. The DNC, which is moving its convention online because of the coronavirus pandemic, released a plan Friday for delegates to vote by email for the Democratic presidential nominee and planks in the party’s platform. Internet voting presents far fewer risks in this case than it would during a regular election because delegates’ ballots aren’t secret. That means they can verify their votes weren't altered either by hackers or technological snafus and correct any errors after the fact. There’s also no drama about the outcome of the most important vote because former vice president Joe Biden has basically already secured the Democratic nomination. But it still presents numerous opportunities for hackers from Russia or elsewhere to disrupt the voting process, sow confusion about results or use disinformation operations to spread conspiracy theories or gin up hostilities between rival camps supporting Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). And any disruption is likely to spark painful memories of 2016 when information Russia hacked and leaked from the DNC helped wreak havoc on Hillary Clinton’s campaign. That means the DNC must be hyper-prepared to knock back any allegations of digital interference or rapidly respond to attacks even as it runs a convention unlike any in history. “Even if they’re making a prudent decision for public health, this still remains a rich environment for bad actors,” Edward Perez, global director of technology development at OSET Institute, a nonprofit election technology organization, told me. “No one should lose sight of the fact that a purely electronic return of ballots is very high risk. The DNC needs to wear both hats at the same time: public health and cyber defense.”
Read MoreSecretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday expressed confidence that other countries, including potentially Russia and China, would attempt to interfere in the 2020 U.S. elections. “Yes, I am confident that many countries will do their level best to have an impact on our election,” Pompeo said during a virtual event hosted by The Hill on the future of national security. “Foreign efforts to interfere in American elections is something we constantly must contend with, and we’ll contend with that here.” Pompeo made the remarks in response to a question from The Hill’s editor-in-chief, Bob Cusack, on whether Russia was interfering in the election process this year, four years after Russian agents launched a sweeping interference campaign during the lead-up to the 2016 elections. The secretary also pointed to the work that has been done by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security since 2016 “to make sure our adversaries understand the cost imposed” if they interfere in U.S. elections. “The American people should rest assured that whether it’s Chinese interference, Iranian interference, Russian interference, or North Korean interference, any country, or even non-state actors who now have capabilities to try to meddle in our elections, know that this administration takes seriously its responsibility to make sure every American’s vote is counted, counted properly, and that foreign influence is minimized,” Pompeo said. Pompeo’s remarks came two days after he spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on a variety of issues. According to the State Department, Pompeo “raised the issue” of election security, but the agency did not give further details on the specifics of what was discussed around this topic. Election security has been an area of concern since 2016, when, according to former special counsel Robert Mueller, Russian agents targeted election infrastructure in all 50 states and launched a wide-ranging disinformation campaign on social media meant to favor the campaign of now-President Trump.
Read MorePain is defined as an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by sensory nerves. Discomfort signals usually represent an alarm of disease and the symptom announces that something is not right with our bodies. Unfortunately, pain causes are not always understood and treatment can be challenging. Thus, the search for new and better pain relievers continues. Marijuana’s pain-relieving properties have been described widely and its analgesic features has been used to popularise the use of medical, as well as recreational marijuana. Marijuana which is also known as cannabis, is a complex plant. Even though cannabis has been used and cultivated by mankind for at least 6,000 years, our current knowledge on its pharmacological properties is based on more recent studies. The two most known compounds of the plant are cannabidiol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol; CBD and THC were isolated in 1963 and 1964 respectively. The discovery of these compounds has led to the further discovery of the important endocannabinoid human system. This system’s receptors are widely distributed in the human brain and body, which are considered to be responsible for numerous functions. These functions normally respond to endocannabinoids (cannabis type of substances normally produced by the human body). The functions of the endocannabinoid system are altered by the intake of external substances, including the cannabis plant, even in its natural form as a herb. CBD and THC have different effects in our systems and act like two different drugs. CBD does not induce intoxication and diminishes the psychotropic effects of THC; it causes a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. In contrast, THC causes euphoria and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. This last compound is responsible for psychotropic effects (“the high”). Traditionally, cannabis has been consumed and prepared from the plant. The cannabis plant has two main subspecies, cannabis indica and cannabis sativa. They can be differentiated by their different physical characteristics. Indica-dominant strains are short plants with broad, dark green leaves and have higher cannabidiol content than the sativa plants in which THC content is higher. Sativa-dominant strains are usually taller and have thin leaves with a pale green colour. Due to its higher THC content, C sativa is the preferred choice by recreational users. In the plant, cannabinoids are synthesised and accumulated as cannabinoid acids, but when the herbal product is dried, stored and heated, the acids decarboxylate gradually into their proper forms, such as CBD or d-9-THC. Pharmaceutical cannabis preparations offer users the opportunity to control the CBD/ THC ratios as well as quantities. This new feature makes cannabis a welcome new alternative for physicians to treat uncomfortable symptoms and chronic illnesses. As physicians, we are familiar with learning new drugs and titrating prescriptions to effect and to individual tolerability. Nevertheless, there has been a recent and consistent worldwide increase in cannabis potency in all of these formulations, with increasing associated health concerns. It is no longer rare to see acute cannabis intoxications in the emergency rooms located at jurisdictions where cannabis is more available. Cannabis has a wide range of effects that may vary between light and heavy users and can include feelings of intoxication, euphoria, altered sensory perception, cognitive and perceptual distortions, anxiety, dizziness, and increased appetite. In terms of cognitive processes, there is extensive evidence that acute cannabis exposure impairs attentional tasks, consolidation and retrieval of memory, learning and executive functions. Additionally, studies have found cannabis exposure related to disinhibition and impaired decision-making. Chronic cannabis use can also lead to what is called a motivational syndrome, which is characterised by apathy, lack of motivation and poor educational performance.
Read MoreWith three Massachusetts marijuana companies facing fines of $200,000 or more for violations alongside uncertainty about the state budget amid the coronavirus pandemic, Shaleen Title of the Cannabis Control Commission asked her colleagues on the commission to write a letter to the legislature requesting that the agency be able to use fines and donations to support equity initiatives. The request from Title was not part of the agenda for the commission’s monthly meeting, which was held virtually on Thursday, and instead came up during the agenda item reserved for “New business that the chairman did not anticipate at time of posting.” Title had sent a memo with her request to Chairman Steven Hoffman, Commissioners Jennifer Flanagan and Britte McBride and Executive Director Shawn Collins on July 7, after meeting agenda was posted online. With the commission’s social equity program, the first of its kind in the industry, maintaining the same level of funding at $300,000 per year since 2017, Title wanted to see the agency request the legislature allow fines collected by the commission and donations, like from a licensee’s positive impact plan, to support equity initiatives. A way to allow for that to happen was introduced in a bill by state Sen. Jason Lewis, which was introduced in January 2019 and sent to study earlier this year, Title explained in her memo and during the Thursday meeting. The commission currently lacks a way to accept donations made as a part of positive impact plans and, in some cases, funds are sitting unused in escrow, Title wrote. Earlier in the meeting, the commissioners had discussed fines for three companies as well as budgeting. “I think it is incumbent upon us, particularly at this moment when leaders at all levels, including us, are being very thoughtful about how we can be more equitable in our decision making and policy making, that we should point out this technical challenge to the legislators who charged our agency with meeting these goals and specifically included that the commission should be able to accept funds and use them because if we don’t tell them they’re never going to know,” Title said to fellow commissioners when making her case Thursday. But other commissioners felt there was not enough time to prepare to have a conversation on the topic and expressed frustration at the timing of the memo.
Read MoreA key House committee has released a series reports for spending bills that include a wide range of marijuana-related provisions. In directing federal agencies to reconsider firing federal workers for state-legal consumption, promote research into cannabis and fund CBD regulations, the reports make clear that marijuana has become a mainstream issue that congressional leadership is becoming more comfortable addressing in high-profile legislative documents. The House Appropriations Committee directives are attached to spending bills that also contain legislative reform provisions, including previously reported proposals to protect state medical marijuana laws from federal interference and shield banks from being punished for working with cannabis businesses. Here’s a look at the new report language that’s attached to appropriations legislation: The Financial Services and General Government spending bill report directs the Office of Personnel Management to “review its policies and guidelines regarding hiring and firing of individuals who use marijuana in States” where cannabis is legal. “Hiring Guidelines.—The Committee encourages OPM to review its policies and guidelines regarding hiring and firing of individuals who use marijuana in States where that individual’s private use of marijuana is not prohibited under the law of the State. These policies should reflect changes to the law on marijuana usage and clearly state the impact of marijuana usage on Federal employment.”
Read MoreThe legalization of marijuana in Illinois brought in $52 million during the first six months of 2020, the governor's office said Tuesday. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said the $52 million makes up the industry’s tax revenue for the first half of the year, and he promised to reinvest that money in local communities. “Illinois has done more to put justice and equity at the forefront of this industry than any other state in the nation, and we're ensuring that communities that have been hurt by the war on drugs have the opportunity to participate,” Pritzker said. The sale and usage of marijuana in Illinois was legalized effective Jan. 1, though both remain heavily regulated. Under Illinois' Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, 25% of tax revenues brought in by recreational cannabis sales will be spent to combat substance abuse, mental health issues and crime prevention, according to a release from the governor’s office. Consumers have purchased more than $239 million in marijuana during the first six months of legalization, according to the release. “A portion of every dollar spent will be reinvested in communities that have suffered from decades of disinvestment,” Pritzker said.
Read MoreGov. Phil Murphy said legalized marijuana sales could boost New Jersey’s struggling economy, which needs new revenue sources to weather damage from the the coronavirus outbreak. Speaking on the Jim Kerr Rock & Roll Morning Show Tuesday, Murphy called legalization “an incredibly smart thing to do.” “We’re not inventing marijuana,” he said. “It exists.” The topic came up as the governor spoke about the ongoing financial crisis brought on by closures to stem the spread of the virus in March. The state, too, has had to spend additional funds in attempts to control the outbreak, and could borrow as much as $9.9 billion over the next year, if state lawmakers approve a massive proposal later this week. “We still need federal cash assistance direct into the state,” Murphy, a Democrat, said. “That’s something that I hope that Congress will get to, sooner than later, that the president will sign. That’s another big slug that we need. We’ll look at revenues that we can potentially raise on our own.” One host chimed in, suggesting money from a tax on cannabis purchases. “Listen, as you probably know, I’ve been on that from day one,” Murphy said. Multiple attempts in the Democrat-controlled state Legislature to pass a bill legalizing weed for those over 21 have faltered. Lawmakers eventually voted last fall to pose the question to the people. Murphy acknowledge the role legalization could play in criminal justice reform, as police arrest Black people 3.5 times more often than white people in New Jersey for marijuana use, even though both groups use it at similar rates. The state Assembly last month voted to pass a bill that would decriminalization possession of up to two ounces of weed, but the Senate has not yet voted on it. But, he also spoke of the financial and business sector gains the market could bring.
Read MoreThe United Kingdom is expected to today announce plans to bar Huawei from its 5G telecom networks, marking a major victory for the Trump administration in its years-long war to rein in the Chinese firm. That’s a huge about-face from just a few months ago, when the U.K. was ready to allow Huawei to build less-sensitive parts of its next-generation networks despite U.S. warnings that the firm posed unacceptable risks of Chinese spying. The decision could also prompt European nations that are on the fence about Huawei to limit or ban the company from their 5G networks, Ellen Nakashima and William Booth report. “The writing’s on the wall in Europe,” Paul Triolo, who heads the Eurasia Group’s global technology policy practice, told my colleagues. “There’s no way that Huawei will remain a big supplier there.” But the move also underscores the immense costs for Western nations turning away from Huawei, which is among the most prominent and cheapest suppliers of 5G gear. The British telecoms Vodafone and BT have estimated it would take years and “single-figure billions” of dollars to rid their networks of Huawei equipment. They’re calling for a five-year transition to limit the disruption for customers. Huawei officials, meanwhile, are warning that the U.K. might be abandoning its chance to be a leader in 5G, which is expected to be much faster and more efficient than current telecom networks and capable of carrying exponentially more data. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the U.K.,” Huawei Global Vice President Victor Zhang warned.
Read MoreA primary election held by Hong Kong's democratic opposition may have been illegal under the new security law, China said Monday, in a statement that shows how far the goalposts have moved just two weeks after the sweeping legislation was imposed on the city. More than 600,000 people took part in the vote over the weekend, designed to narrow down the number of pro-democracy candidates in September elections to the city's legislature. Similar efforts have been tried in previous years, but this was the most organized yet, as the opposition aims to seize a historic majority in spite of recent obstacles, not least the new security law. Imposed by Beijing on the city on July 1, the legislation criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces. Officials previously said it will affect a tiny handful of Hong Kongers, while critics pointed to its broad scope and ill-defined offenses as reason for alarm. In a statement late Monday, the Liaison Office, Beijing's top representative to Hong Kong, said the primary election contravened the law -- raising the possibility hundreds of thousands of people were now implicated in an offense. "With the support of external forces, opposition groups and leaders have deliberately devised plans to hold this so-called 'primary election,' which is a serious provocation to the current electoral system and caused serious damage to the fairness and justice of the Legislative Council elections," the Liaison Office said. The statement came after the Hong Kong government said it was "conducting an in-depth investigation" into the primary, and would "immediately refer the case to relevant law enforcement agencies" if there was any illegal activity. One chief complaint of the government was organizers' stated goal of achieving a 35-seat parliamentary majority, allowing the opposition to block legislation and potentially force the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam. "If this so-called primary election's purpose is to achieve the ultimate goal of delivering what they called '35-plus' with the objective of objecting or resisting every policy initiative of the HKSAR government, it may fall into the category of subverting the state power -- one of the four types of offenses under the national security law," Lam said Monday.
Read MoreThe issue of cannabis dispensaries in Vacaville has been hotly debated since before California voters approved their legalization in 2016. It may go before local voters in November if the Vacaville City Council approves a ballot measure to impose a cannabis business tax.
Read MoreLast Friday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down several of Gov. Tony Evers’ (D) partial vetoes to the state’s biennial budget for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. Of the 78 partial vetoes issued by the governor in July 2019, four were challenged and the court struck down three. One of the vetoes the state court struck down seemed intended to extend the reach of the vapor tax by adding liquid heated by vaping devices into the definition of “vapor products.”
Read MoreOregon would have the highest tax on a pack of cigarettes on the West Coast if a ballot measure passes in November. Anti-smoking advocates are hoping increasing the tax by $2 from its current rate of $1.33 will get more smokers to consider quitting.
Read MoreA Democratic U.S. senator says that if his party reclaims the Senate and White House in November, lawmakers will “move very quickly” to legalize marijuana regardless of where presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden stands on the issue. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) was asked about a variety of cannabis-related issues during an interview on Saturday, and he said Democrats are positioned to advance marijuana reform as soon as they have a majority in both chambers of Congress. While Biden remains opposed to adult-use legalization, the senator said supporters will have the votes to pass it in any case. “From my perspective, this is another issue that’s just right there on the ballot in November,” he told The Young Jurks podcast. “We’ll move very quickly in January to change these laws to make sure that there are national protections which are put in place. But unfortunately, Trump controls the discretionary use of these personnel, and they’re kind of committed to keeping this crazy non scientifically based analysis of marijuana front-and-center.” Markey said he and home state colleague Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are “confronted with this obstinate, obdurate opposition from the Trump administration.” Host Mike Crawford pressed the senator on Biden’s position on legalization, noting that advocates might not like Trump but they’re also turned off by the former vice president due to his insistence that additional research on cannabis is needed before supports broad reform. Biden currently backs medical marijuana legalization, federal rescheduling, expungements and allowing states to set their own policies.“We’ll have the majority of the votes in the United States Senate,” Markey responded. “And I know [Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)] has moved in that direction, he’ll be the majority leader in January. I think we’ll have votes to just move it, and the science has moved there.”
Read MoreThe demand for mail-in ballots is surging. Election workers need training. And polling booths might have to be outfitted with protective shields during the COVID-19 pandemic. As officials prepare for the Nov. 3 election, one certainty is clear: It's coming with a big price tag. "Election officials don't have nearly the resources to make the preparations and changes they need to make to run an election in a pandemic," said Wendy Weiser, head of the Brennan Center for Justice's democracy program. "We are seeing this all over the place." The pandemic has sent state and local officials scrambling to prepare for an election like few others, an extraordinary endeavor during a presidential contest, as virus cases rise across much of the U.S.COVID-19-related worries are bringing demands for steps to make sure elections just four months away are safe. But long-promised federal aid to help cash-starved states cope is stalled on Capitol Hill. The money would help pay for transforming the age-old voting process into a pandemic-ready system. Central to that is the costs for printing mail-in ballots and postage. There are also costs to ensure in-person voting is safe with personal protective equipment, or PPE, for poll workers, who tend to be older and more at risk of getting sick from the virus, and training for new workers. Pricey machines are needed to quickly count the vote. Complicating matters is President Donald Trump's aversion to mail-in balloting. With worrisome regularity, he derides the process as rigged, even though there's no evidence of fraud and his own reelection team is adapting to the new reality of widespread mail-in voting. "As cases of coronavirus in this country rise, it's vital that all voters be able to cast their ballots from home, to cast their ballots by mail," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.A COVID-19 response bill passed by the House in May contains $3.6 billion to help states with their elections, but the Senate won't turn to the measure until late July. Republicans fought a $400 million installment of election aid this March before agreeing to it. But key Senate Republicans seem likely to support more election funding, despite Trump's opposition, and are even offering to lower a requirement that states put up matching funds to qualify for the federal cash. "I'm prepared not only to look at more money for the states to use as they see fit for elections this year but also to even consider whatever kind of matching requirement we have," said Roy Blunt, R-Mo., chairman of the Senate panel with responsibility for the issue. "We can continue to work toward an election that produces a result that people have confidence in and done in a way that everybody that wants to vote, gets to vote."The pandemic erupted this spring in the middle of state primaries, forcing many officials to delay elections by days, weeks and even months. They dealt with poll worker cancellations, polling place changes and an explosion of absentee ballots.
Read MoreA large legal cannabis dispensary opens in South Beloit Monday, but some on the Wisconsin side of the state border are worried about the impact it could have on young people. The Sunnyside Dispensary is one of the largest in Illinois, less than a half mile from the Wisconsin border. It's opening brings the topic of normalization of cannabis back into the discussion. "Kids perception of risk really goes down because they see this as something that's out there so it can't really be hurting you," Debbie Fischer with Youth 2 Youth 4 Change in Rock County said. Fischer says they've been preparing for this opening for a year, educating the community and pushing for youth prevention. But Mary Cluxton with Cresco Labs, the company that runs the dispensary, says they want to normalize responsible adult usage. "Coming from the medical side I really thought coming to the AU side was more of a party atmosphere and it really is not," Cluxton said. "It's really more about health and wellness and feeling good." Ever since Illinois legalized marijuana on January 1, Fischer says teens have shared with her that while usage hasn't been on the rise, it is more accessible. "More edibles are in their hands, especially in the schools," she said. "What's really exciting in Beloit is that a majority of our kids choose not to use marijuana." She expects more products will now make their way into Wisconsin and Beloit. While Cluxton says they expect their patrons to be responsible, she also hopes that their presence can influence legalization in Wisconsin. "We want to try and normalize and professionalize cannabis as much as we can and take away some of the stigma behind cannabis," she said. "I hope it will possibly influence Wisconsin to at least start like Illinois did with the medical." Beloit police declined to comment on this Sunday but Chief David Zibolski has told 27 News in the past that he believes legal marijuana over the border leads to more crime.
Read MoreLast month, U.S. Attorney General William Barr came under fire after a U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) whistleblower revealed that he directed investigations into ten proposed marijuana industry mergers. In the weeks since, dozens of House members have introduced a resolution calling for a possible impeachment inquiry into Barr as he “abused the power of his office” to improperly investigate marijuana businesses and allegedly engaged in other unlawful conduct. The operative word here is “improperly.” Antitrust laws are designed to protect trade and commerce from abusive practices, such as price-fixing, restraints, price discrimination, and monopolization. The principal federal antitrust laws have been in place for a long time, particularly the Sherman Act and the Clayton Act, passed and later amended since the 1890s. The key issue now is whether Barr’s investigations into alleged antitrust violations truly represent an abuse of power and warrant impeachment – or is that an overreaction?
Read MoreThe Hawai‘i House of Representatives on Friday passed a bill legalizing the growing, processing, and sale of industrial hemp in Hawai‘i. It passed the Senate on Wednesday unanimously, with Senators Les Ihara, Clarence K. Nishihara, and Laura H. Thielen expressing reservations. The legislation now goes to Governor David Ige to sign into law. “This commercial hemp program will help grow a new industry in our state, which is especially needed now due to the impacts of COVID-19,” said Sen. Mike Gabbard. “This bill will provide an opportunity for economic development and the diversification of our economy. Hemp is an incredible plant that produces over 25,000 products and we’re very close to making the Hawaiian Hemp brand a reality, not only in the US but globally as well.” The bill, HB1819 HD2 SD3, was championed by Senators Gabbard, Donovan Dela Cruz, Rosalyn H. Baker, Karl Rhoads, and Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi, along with Representatives Mark M. Nakashima, Sylvia J. Luke, Nadine K. Nakamura, Kyle T. Yamashita, Richard P. Creagan, Chris Lee, and House Speaker Scott K. Saiki. Another hemp bill, Senate Bill 1353, was vetoed by Governor Ige last year after he expressed concerns that it was unenforceable. This year’s version was worked on directly with the Governor’s administration to ensure its enactment, a state press release said. “Instead of using state funds to set up a hemp agency, this bill was amended to save half-a-million dollars by allowing local hemp farmers to apply directly to the USDA to get their licenses,” Gabbard said.
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