Chronicle AM: CT Ends Civil Forfeiture, Sessions Calls for More Drug War (Again), More... (7/12/17)

Connecticut has become the 14th state to end civil asset forfeiture, Nevada’s state government is moving to ease a potential pot shortage, Jeff Sessions gives another drug war speech, and more.

[image:1 align:left caption:true]Marijuana Policy

Massachusetts Governor Says Deal on Pot Legalization Close. Gov. Charlie Baker (R) said Thursday lawmakers are close to reaching a deal on a bill that will regulate legal marijuana in the state. The House had favored a 28% tax and allowing localities to ban pot businesses without a popular vote, while the Senate held to the 12% tax included in the voter-approved legalization initiative and wouldn’t allow pot shop bans without a popular vote. “I’m told there are only a couple minor things that are outstanding. I hope they get them done because if they don’t get them done, I think at some point, we’re going to have to go forward with the law as it was written,” said Baker.

Nevada Regulators Set to Approve Emergency Regs to Avoid Pot Shortage.State tax officials are set to vote Thursday on an emergency regulation that they hope will allow pot shops to avoid running out of supply. The regulation would allow the state to issue pot distribution licenses that are currently being held up by a legal challenge from liquor distributors, who want a cut of the action. Because of heavy demand since legal sales started July 1, some shops are “running on fumes,” said Nevada Dispensary Association President Andrew Jolley. 

Asset Forfeiture

Connecticut Governor Signs Bill Ending Civil Asset Forfeiture. Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) on Monday signed into law House Bill 7146, which ends property or cash seizures in the state without a criminal conviction. Connecticut becomes the 14th state to require a criminal conviction in most or all forfeiture cases.

Drug Policy

Attorney General Sessions Again Attacks Drug, Sentencing Reforms. In a speech at the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) training conference in Dallas on Tuesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions called the country’s drug problem “unprecedented” and generally blamed it on Obama-era sentencing reforms that led prosecutors “not to charge the most serious offenses.” Sessions said a new Justice Department police directing prosecutors to seek mandatory minimum sentences was the way to go. “We are going to trust our prosecutors again,” Sessions said Tuesday. “This policy empowers trust in professionals to apply the law fairly and exercise discretion when appropriate.”