• Drug War Chronicle, Issue #1043 -- 11/12/18 Table of Contents with Live

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    Drug War Chronicle, Issue #1043 -- 11/12/18
    Phillip S. Smith, Editor, psmith@drcnet.org https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/1043

    A Publication of StoptheDrugWar.org
    David Borden, Executive Director, borden@drcnet.org
    "Raising Awareness of the Consequences of Drug Prohibition"

    Table of Contents:

    1. GREEN WAVE UPDATE: MARIJUANA INITIATIVES GO THREE FOR FOUR IN
    MIDTERMS, AND MORE [FEATURE]
    And there’s more good marijuana midterms news, too. https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2018/nov/07/green_wave_update_marijuana

    2. GOOD RIDDANCE! DRUG REFORMERS APPLAUD SESSIONS’ DEPARTURE FROM DOJ [FEATURE]
    His vision was firmly rooted in the failed drug war of the last century. https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2018/nov/09/good_riddance_drug_reformers

    3. BAD NEWS FROM BRAZIL: THE RIGHT POPULIST PRESIDENT-ELECT WILL BE
    ABSOLUTELY HORRID ON DRUG POLICY [FEATURE]
    Brazilians elected Jair Bolsonaro, "the Trump of Brazil," as their next president on Sunday. He has promised to murder drug suspects as Duterte
    does. https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2018/nov/01/bad_news_brazil_right_populist

    4. MEDICAL MARIJUANA UPDATE
    Medical marijuana initiatives win in Missouri and Utah, the FDA approves
    the first marijuana-based drug, and more. https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2018/nov/07/medical_marijuana_update

    5. CHRONICLE AM: MEXICO SUPREME COURT ENDS MARIJUANA PROHIBITION, FEDS
    REJECT WI MEDICAID DRUG TESTS, MORE... (11/1/18)
    Mexico's Supreme Court strikes a fatal blow against marijuana
    prohibition, medical marijuana is now available by prescription in the
    United Kingdom, a Colorado jury rejects an effort to blow up the state's
    legal marijuana system, and more. https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2018/nov/01/chronicle_am_mexico_supreme

    6. CHRONICLE AM: MA POT SHOPS TO OPEN THIS MONTH, COCA COMES TO CENTRAL AMERICA, MORE... (11/2/18)
    A record number of gubernatorial candidates are endorsing marijuana legalization, Bay State pot shops will be open this month, cartels are experimenting with coca production in Central America, and more. https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2018/nov/02/chronicle_am_ma_pot_shops_open

    7. CHRONICLE AM: LEGAL MJ SHORTAGES, MEXICO TO MOVE TOWARD LEGAL MJ
    MARKET, MORE... (11/3/18)
    The Granite State has a new guide to marijuana legalization, ONDCP
    releases coca cultivation and cocaine production figures for Peru and
    Bolivia, Canada suffers legal pot shortages, and more. https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2018/nov/05/chronicle_am_legal_mj_shortages

    8. CHRONICLE AM: WEED ON THE BALLOT IN 4 STATES THIS ELECTION DAY, OH SENTENCING REFORM, TOO, MORE... (11/6/18)
    Marijuana policy initiatives are on the ballot in four states today, so
    is sentencing reform in Ohio, the FDA approves a powerful new opioid, El
    Chapo goes on trial in New York, and more. https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2018/nov/06/chronicle_am_weed_ballot_4

    9. CHRONICLE AM: THREE OF FOUR MJ INITS WIN, MEXICO LEGAL MJ BILL, FL
    FELONY DISENFRANCHISEMENT REPEALED, MORE... (11/7/18)
    Three out of four marijuana initiative pass, so does one to restore the
    vote to formerly incarcerated in Florida, but Ohio drug defelonization
    fails. https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2018/nov/07/chronicle_am_three_four_mj_inits

    10. CHRONICLE AM: SESSIONS OUT AT DOJ, MA POT SHOP SALES TO BEGIN IN
    MERE DAYS, MORE... (11/8/18)
    Jeff Sessions is no longer the attorney general, elections have
    consequences in New York and DC, and more. https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2018/nov/08/chronicle_am_sessions_out_doj_ma

    11. CHRONICLE AM: NYC MARIJUANA BUSTS WAY, WAY DOWN; NEW FEDERAL
    FENTANYL SENTENCES IN EFFECT, MORE... (11/9/18)
    New York City marijuana possession arrests plummet, Utah patients will
    have some legal protection beginning next month, federal fentanyl
    sentences just increased, and more. https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2018/nov/09/chronicle_am_nyc_marijuana_busts

    (Not subscribed? Visit http://stopthedrugwar.org to sign up today!)

    ================

    1. GREEN WAVE UPDATE: MARIJUANA INITIATIVES GO THREE FOR FOUR IN
    MIDTERMS, AND MORE [FEATURE] https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2018/nov/07/green_wave_update_marijuana

    The expansion of legal marijuana continued apace in Tuesday's elections,
    with medical marijuana initiatives winning in Missouri and Utah and recreational marijuana winning in Michigan. The only loss for weed came
    in North Dakota, where voters approved medical marijuana two years ago
    but weren't ready to take the next step this year.

    Michigan becomes the 10th state to legalize marijuana and the first one
    in the Midwest. With Missouri and Utah now joining the ranks, medical
    marijuana is now legal in 32 states.

    In Michigan, the Proposal 1 (https://ballotpedia.org/Michigan_Proposal_1,_Marijuana_Legalization_Initiative_(2018))
    legalization initiative was winning with 55.8 percent of the vote, with
    96 percent of the vote counted as of Wednesday morning. The measure will legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana in Michigan for adults aged 21 and
    older. It allows for the possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and cultivation of up to 12 plants for personal use, while also establishing
    a legal framework for the licensing and regulation of marijuana
    businesses and products.

    "The passage of Proposal 1 is a major milestone for marijuana policy
    reform in the US," said Matthew Schweich, deputy director of the
    Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) and campaign director for the Yes on 1
    campaign. "Michigan will be the first state in the Midwest to end
    marijuana prohibition and replace it with a system in which marijuana is regulated for adult use. Adults will no longer be punished for consuming
    a substance less harmful than alcohol, and rather than having to resort
    to the illegal market, they will be able to access it safely and legally
    from licensed businesses. In addition to the public health and safety
    benefits associated with regulating marijuana, the state will have a significant new stream of tax revenue. Michigan is going to demonstrate
    that regulating marijuana works, and it will set a strong example for
    other states in the region and around the country."

    "Western and northeastern states have led the way on legalizing
    marijuana, but the victory in Michigan powerfully demonstrates the
    national reach of this movement," said Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), which through its lobbying arm, Drug Policy Action, helped fund and played a significant
    role in drafting the initiative. "With such overwhelming public support
    for marijuana legalization, even including majorities of Republicans and
    older Americans, there's only so long that the federal government can
    continue to hold out."

    In the past decade, Michigan has seen more than 200,000 marijuana
    arrests, the vast majority (84 percent) for simple possession. Those
    arrests won't be happening anymore.

    In Missouri, two of three medical marijuana initiatives won. Amendment 3 (https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2018-041.pdf),
    which would have imposed a 15 percent tax and set up a research
    institute benefiting its author, was easily defeated, while Amendment 2 (https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2018-051.pdf) had
    65.5 percent support, and Proposition C (https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2018-271.pdf) had
    56.5 percent. Amendment 2 was backed by both MPP and DPA.

    "Thanks to the unflagging efforts of patients and advocates, Missourians
    who could benefit from medical marijuana will soon be able to use it
    without fear of being treated like criminals," said MPP's Schweich. "We
    hope lawmakers will implement the measure efficiently and effectively to
    ensure qualified patients can gain access to their medicine as soon as possible."

    In North Dakota, the cold wind of prairie conservatism and the Red Wave
    that swamped Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D) was strong enough to overwhelm the
    Measure 3 (https://ballotpedia.org/North_Dakota_Measure_3,_Marijuana_Legalization_and_Automatic_Expungement_Initiative_(2018))
    legalization initiative. It managed to garner only 40.5 percent of the
    vote. Measure 3 was a grassroots effort with little outside support and
    strong and deep-pocketed opposition.

    In Utah, despite the machinations of the Mormon Church and the state's Republican political establishment, which sought to blunt support for Proposition 2 (https://ballotpedia.org/Utah_Proposition_2,_Medical_Marijuana_Initiative_(2018))
    by promising to pass some sort of medical marijuana bill later this
    year, voters weren't willing to wait. Prop 2 had 53.2 percent of the
    votes, with 76 percent of precincts reporting. Even in Deep Red Utah,
    medical marijuana wins.

    Drug reformers pronounced themselves pleased with the results and
    pressed for federal action to end marijuana prohibition.

    "This is yet another historic election for the movement to end marijuana prohibition. Voters have once again sent a message loud and clear that
    it is time to legalize and regulate marijuana," said MPP executive
    director Steve Hawkins. "Marijuana has now been legalized for adult use
    in one out of every five states, so I think it's safe to say federal
    laws are in need of an update. We hope the results of this election will inspire Congress to finally start addressing the tension that exists
    between state and federal marijuana laws in our nation."

    But wait, there's more. Voters in a number of Wisconsin localities,
    including the population centers of Madison and Milwaukee,
    overwhelmingly approved (https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/06/marijuana-legalization-milwaukee-county-voters-favor-ending-ban/1811494002/)
    non-binding referenda calling for marijuana legalization, while voters
    approved decriminalization (https://www.marijuanamoment.net/five-ohio-cities-decriminalize-marijuana/)
    in five out of six Ohio cities where it was on the ballot, including Dayton.

    Democratic gubernatorial candidates embracing marijuana legalization
    (and broader drug reform), including Gavin Newsom (CA), Jared Polis
    (CO), J.B. Pritzker (IL), and Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM), all emerged victorious. The last two are especially notable since, as chief
    executives of as yet pot prohibitionist states, they can guide their
    states to legalization.

    And in one of the sweeter outcomes of the Democrats' retaking of the
    House, one of the biggest obstacles to marijuana reform in Congress,
    Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), lost to Democrat Colin Allred, a supporter of marijuana reform. As chairman of the House Rules Committee, Sessions
    repeatedly blocked reform measures from advancing. But his time has come
    and gone.

    All in all, election day was a pretty good day for weed.

    This article was produced by Drug Reporter (https://independentmediainstitute.org/drug-reporter/), a project of the Independent Media Institute.

    The Drug Policy Alliance is a financial supporter of both Drug Reporter
    and Drug War Chronicle.

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