The Cannabis Collection: Marijuana Legalization News & Notes
Coronavirus lockdown has most people staying home and self-isolating under quarantine, which has put a damper on social activity, our personal routines, and the overall world outlook and economy.
However, there was a lot going on in the world of cannabis this month (Happy Belated 420 Day!), so we’ve compiled a tasty round-up of marijuana legalization and industry-related news to fill you in on the latest and greatest developments. There’s something here for everyone: News, policy updates, lifestyle tips…and even an edible pot brownie recipe that makes for a sweet treat during lockdown.
VIRGINIA DE-CRIMINALIZES MARIJUANA
Virginia really is for lovers…of cannabis, that is. Democratic governor Ralph Northam recently signed a bill into law that effectively decriminalizes marijuana possession, replacing jail time with a modest civil fine instead. Virginia becomes the 27th state in the U.S. to either legalize or decriminalize marijuana. While this legislative move does not legalize cannabis possession, cultivation or sale in the state, it does mark an important first step in addressing the social justice issues affecting minority communities. Good first step, Virginia—but now that you’re inside the 20-yard-line, you’ve got to punch it into the end zone for full legalization!
MEXICO DELAYS SUPREME COURT VOTE ON MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION
Will our neighbor to the south beat the Untied States to full marijuana legalization? Thanks to Mexican law, the Supreme Court has been tasked with coming up with legislation that would legalize marijuana usage, cultivation and sales throughout the country. However, Mexico’s highest court has delayed its ruling for eight months, pushing the deadline for lawmakers to end cannabis prohibition back to December 15, 2020. Without another extension to fall back on, with any luck, marijuana will be legal in Mexico before 2021 rolls around. Are we really going to take a backseat to Mexico on this issue, America?
LUXEMBOURG FIRST EU COUNTRY TO LEGALIZE?
Speaking of countries looking to legalize marijuana, will tiny micro-state Luxembourg be the first European Union country to take the full legalization plunge? Several EU countries, such as Spain, Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands, have decriminalized its usage and put personal protection laws into place, but Luxembourg is the first EU nation to initiate legislation that would mean full cannabis legalization within its borders. The one catch? It would only protect adult full-time residents of Luxembourg, since the country is looking to avoid the cannabis tourist pitfalls that the Netherlands has been pushing back against. Go Luxembourg!
NETFLIX LAUNCHES ‘COOKED WITH CANNABIS’ SERIES
Cooped up during Coronavirus quarantine and looking for a new show to binge? Cannabis cooking goes mainstreaming with the new Netflix cooking competition series, “Cooked With Cannabis”! Top cannabis chefs from around the country “compete to get the hosts and special guests high on elevated cannabis cuisine with their artful use of leafy herb, THC infusions and CBD sauces,” per the Netflix description. “Cooked With Cannabis” Season 1 is now streaming on Netflix—add it to your watch list now, before you smoke up for the day and forget.
CORONAVIRUS PUTS KIBOSH ON LEGALIZATION EFFORTS IN SOME STATES
Marijuana legalization efforts were at the forefront for a dozen states heading into 2020, but those battles have been put on the back burner because of the ongoing Coronavirus emergency. States hit hard by the pandemic are already facing budget shortfalls because of less revenue coming in, and need more resources to battle the ongoing health and economic crises, so there’s little money and time left over to pursue these legalization efforts. When (if?) things get back to normal, only time will tell where and when these legalization fights pick up, but expect the Green Wave of legalization to continue across America—especially if coronavirus quarantines become a fact of life moving forward.
STUCK INSIDE? CURE CABIN FEVER WITH POT BROWNIES!
It wasn’t a High Times or Rolling Stone feature—the venerable Washington Post of all journalistic entities recently published a Gooey Pot Brownie recipe to help those stuck under Coronavirus lockdown to bake their troubles away and deal with anxiety at the same time! First they break the Watergate scandal, and now this—journalism at its finest!
SOME GOOD POLICY IDEAS AROUND NATIONAL LEGAL MARIJUANA
Much as the Coronavirus outbreak has affected various industries around the world, and some more than others, the burgeoning legal marijuana industry has not been immune from some economic corrections. This article in The Hill runs down 20 policy ideas that would positively impact the legal marijuana reform efforts, and it’s worth a deep dive for advocates and consumers.
Thanks for checking in and reading our latest legal marijuana round-up. Stay safe and healthy, take care of each other, and stay legal.