NJ Marijuana Decriminalization Advances, NYC to Investigate Hospitals Over Drug Test Racial Bias, More... (11/16/20)

Virginia’s governor says he supports marijuana legalization, New Jersey decriminalizes up to six ounces, the White House releases Bolivian coca production estimates, and more.

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

Michigan Man Imprisoned Since 1994 for Selling Pot Seeks Release. The Michigan parole board will take up the case of Michael Thompson on Tuesday. He was convicted in 1994 of selling three pounds of marijuana to a snitch and has been behind bars ever since. Given that recreational marijuana is now legal in the state, Thompson’s bid for early release has the support of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the prosecutor’s office that convicted him. He has suffered serious health problems in prison, including testing positive for COVID-19.

New Jersey Legislature Approves Marijuana Decriminalization, Magic Mushrooms, Too. The state Senate and Assembly have approved a measure that decriminalizes the possession of up to six ounces of marijuana, and defelonized the possession of magic mushrooms, too. The move is an interim measure until legalization takes place in January after voters approved it on Election Day. It also includes expungement of past nonviolent marijuana offenses.

Virginia Governor Supports Marijuana Legalization. Following the release of a study that found the state could generate $300 million in marijuana taxes, Gov. Ralph Northam said Monday that he supports marijuana legalization. He plans to work with the General Assembly once it convenes in January, but the process could take up to two years to play out. The state decriminalized pot possession last year.

Medical Marijuana

Pennsylvania Advisory Board Rejects Insomnia as Qualifying Condition. The state Medical Marijuana Advisory Board has refused to add insomnia as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana use. Board members said they hesitated because insomnia is often caused by an underlying medical issue. The board voted 7-4 against adding insomnia last week.

Drug Testing

New York City to Investigate City Hospitals Over Possible Racial Bias in Drug Testing. The City Commission on Human Rights announced Monday that is investigating three top city hospitals over the policies around the drug testing of pregnant women and newborns after allegations of racial bias have been raised. The city is looking at Montefiore, Mount Sinai, and New York-Presbyterian hospitals after advocates raised concerns about Black and Hispanic families who were being reported to the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR) following a single unconfirmed positive toxicology test, even though one test does not merit a report. The commission said studies have shown Black women are far more likely than white women to be drug tested before or immediately following childbirth, even though rates of drug use in both populations are similar.

Foreign Policy

ONDCP Releases Data on Coca Cultivation and Cocaine Production in Bolivia. Last Friday, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released the United States Government’s annual estimates of coca cultivation and cocaine production potential for the Plurinational State of Bolivia.  According to these estimates, Bolivia remains the third largest producer of cocaine in the world. Bolivia’s coca cultivation totaled 42,180 hectares in 2019, an increase of 28 percent over 2018.  Commensurate cocaine production potential increased 20 percent to 301 metric tons.  The Yungas region remained the largest coca cultivation area in Bolivia, while the Chapare region represents the second largest.  Cultivation exceeded the 22,000 hectares limit established by the Bolivian government by an estimated 20,180 hectares, or 92 percent.

International

Mexican Senate Committees Approve Marijuana Legalization Bill with Floor Vote Planned Soon. Last Friday, three Senate committees gave preliminary approval to a marijuana legalization bill, with a formal vote set for this week. The bill would let people 18 and over possess up to an ounce and grow up to four plants for personal use. Advocates are still hoping for further revisions to promote consumers’ rights and social equity in the legal market.