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How state marijuana legalization became a boon for corruption
By making local officials the gatekeepers for million-dollar businesses, states created a breeding ground for bribery and favoritism
Politico (US)
Sunday, December 27, 2020
In the past decade, 15 states have legalized a regulated marijuana market for adults over 21, and another 17 have legalized medical marijuana. But in their rush to limit the numbers of licensed vendors and give local municipalities control of where to locate dispensaries, they created something else: A market for local corruption. Almost all the states that legalized pot either require the approval of local officials or impose a statewide limit on the number of licenses, chosen by a politically appointed oversight board, or both. These practices effectively put million-dollar decisions in the hands of relatively small-time political figures — the mayors and councilors of small towns and cities, along with the friends and supporters of politicians who appoint them to boards. -
Will Israeli elections bury cannabis legalization?
Once the Knesset officially dissolves, cannabis legislation has two potential fates
The Jerusalem Post (Israel)
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Just last month, Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn announced that Israel was only nine months away from fully legalizing and regulating recreational cannabis. However, after the Knesset decided to disperse, it is practically certain that the cannabis legalization bill will not have enough time to get through a first reading in the Knesset. When asked whether the cannabis legalization bill still had any hope of passing, Nissenkorn’s spokesman said that he did not see how it could move forward in light of the elections. Though the consensus in the short-lived 23rd Knesset has been overwhelmingly pro-legalization, without passing a first reading the entire legislative progress that has so far been made on the topic may have to start again. (See also: Cannabis industry prepares for Israeli legalization) -
Dans le Nord du Maroc, de nouveaux appels à légaliser le cannabis
Les militants et acteurs associatifs sont de plus en plus nombreux à appeler à la légalisation de la culture du cannabis dans le Nord du Royaume
Le 360 (Maroc)
Mardi, 22 decembre 2020
Comme il fallait s’y attendre, le retrait par les Nations Unies du cannabis de la liste des stupéfiants a relancé le débat autour de sa légalisation au Maroc. Aujourd’hui, ce sont des voix de militants qui s’élèvent pour défendre le droit des agriculteurs du Nord à vivre de la culture de cette plante. Dans son numéro du mercredi 23 décembre, Al Ahdath Al Maghribia écrit que les appels se multiplient pour légaliser la culture du cannabis dans certaines régions du Nord du pays, surtout au regard de son apport social aux communautés locales. Les militants associatifs sont, en effet, de plus en plus nombreux à appeler à mettre en place une réglementation permettant d’organiser cette filière et, surtout, de cesser de considérer les agriculteurs qui en vivent comme des «hors-la-loi». -
Cannabis grow clubs want High Court to decide if customers can ‘sit back, relax and enjoy the fruits’ of their joint labour
Lawyers, on behalf of THC, are now preparing to turn to a court to determine the legality of the cannabis grow club model
Business Maverick (South Africa)
Thursday, December 17, 2020
In September 2018, the Constitutional Court decriminalised the private cultivation of cannabis by adults for personal private consumption. This created an opportunity for businesses to ‘privately’ grow and prepare cannabis for clients. But recent police action has nipped their operations in the bud, so they want legal clarity. In October this year, police in the Western Cape announced that provincial detectives had arrested two suspects on drug trafficking charges. It turned out the target of this clampdown had been The Haze Club (THC). This service is what is known as a cannabis grow club – there are apparently several in South Africa – and involves a business leasing to clients what it deems to be private space, in an appropriate facility, where it cultivates clients’ cannabis on their behalf. -
After blockbuster Aphria-Tilray merger, world’s largest cannabis company eyes U.S. market
Pending approval from regulators, the companies will effect an all-stock merger to create a sole firm
Forbes (US)
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Tilray and Aphria, two of the biggest marijuana companies in Canada, announced plans to merge and create the world’s largest cannabis outfit. With existing medical and recreational cannabis businesses in Canada and Europe, the new conglomerate is positioning itself to eventually enter the biggest weed market in the world: the U.S. “The next big prize is the United States,” said Tilray CEO Brendan Kennedy. Cannabis is still illegal under U.S. federal law, so the company won’t be able to export into the country unless laws change under President-elect Biden. And as of now, the new company, to operate under the Tilray brand, does not have any US-based cannabis cultivation or retail licenses. (See also: Aphria, Tilray merging to create world's biggest cannabis company) -
'The capital of crack' - Why can't Paris deal with its drug problem?
For 30 years, crack has flooded one part of Paris without authorities being able to get the problem under control. Why can't the French capital kick its drug habit?
The Local / AFP (France)
Thursday, December 17, 2020
For 30 years, crack has been the bane of this part of the capital, near Place Stalingrad, in the less glamorous northeast of the city. Since last year, city officials have stepped up efforts to curb the use of the drug: more police patrols, arresting dealers and providing housing for addicts. So far, however, it has all been in vain. For Paris is the capital of crack, he says: the only place in France where you can find it on sale, ready-made. Anywhere else, and you would have to "cook" it yourself, buying the cocaine then cutting it with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), or ammonia. The city puts the number of crack users in Paris at 1,500. Police and prosecutors have resisted plans to set aside spaces for addicts where they can take their drugs away from public areas. -
Why is Asia divided on a green light for medical marijuana?
A UN commission this month voted to reclassify cannabis as a drug that is less dangerous and has therapeutic benefits
South China Morning Post (Hongkong)
Thursday, December 17, 2020
The issue of cannabis legalisation around the world was once again thrust into the spotlight following a vote by the United Nations’ Commission on Narcotic Drugs to reclassify it as one that is less dangerous and has medical or therapeutic benefits. Experts said the result could prompt greater medical research and legalisation efforts around the world. But it also illustrated a separate issue: Asian nations are starkly divided on their views towards marijuana use, a not entirely surprising outcome given the efforts made to recognise its benefits in countries such as Thailand and Malaysia. Thailand said it would no longer classify cannabis plants and extracts as a Category 5 narcotic – though cannabis buds containing high amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, will remain illegal. -
Growing cannabis at home – illegal, but how risky?
While visiting hobby growers, it becomes apparent that indoor cultivation is booming in Berlin. And the legalities?
Berliner Zeitung (Germany)
Monday, December 14, 2020
Last summer, during a press conference, Germany’s drug czar Daniela Ludwig said something goofy: “Just because alcohol is dangerous doesn’t mean that cannabis is broccoli.” The quirky statement was widely ridiculed online as typifying her out-of-touch approach to recreational cannabis consumption. And the drug czar seems to be in denial of how widespread cannabis use is. According to one survey, 28.3 per cent of Germans aged 18 to 64 have consumed the drug at least once in their lifetime. In Berlin, of course, weed and hash are omnipresent: On the street, in parks, wafting from balconies. -
Legal cannabis law tabled in House of Assembly
The Government is aware that this Bill prescribes uses beyond ’medical and scientific use’ as sanctioned by the United Nations oversight bodies
Royal Gazette (Bermuda)
Saturday, December 12, 2020
Legislation to lay the framework for legal cannabis in Bermuda was tabled in the House of Assembly. Kathy Lynn Simmons, the Attorney-General and the Minister of Legal Affairs said the Cannabis Licensing Act 2020 would open the door for the legal use of cannabis in Bermuda by those over the age of 21. The long debated law also details for the framework for commercial cannabis production and sales including licences for importation, exportation and transport. Licences will be developed to allow the importation and exportation of cannabis to countries where the drug is lawful. The Bill would allow the minister to exclude powerful strains of cannabis. (See also: Bermuda plans adult-use, medical cannabis industry) -
Legalization advocates hope to end Mexico’s drug war
Threats, violence, and clampdowns have failed. Can decriminalization work?
Foreign Policy (US)
Saturday, December 12, 2020
A determined political movement to end the war on drugs has taken shape across Europe and North America. Harm reduction advocates say lives can be saved and resources spared, if only the state would move away from punishing drug users. Perhaps, some predict, the state could even get into the business of regulating the production and sale of once-illegal substances. Yet proponents of decriminalizing, or even legalizing, drugs have focused mostly on the world’s biggest drug importers and often overlooked the countries responsible for producing and trafficking the drugs to satisfy rich countries’ demand. States such as Mexico.
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