Today in cannabis news: A congressman urges for the cannabis banking bill to be passed before federal legalization, the New Jersey city cannabis ordinance allows for all six types of cannabis licenses and Rosario Dawson receives a corporate board seat for Cann, a California-based cannabis beverage company.
It’s Monday, August 23 and TRICHOMES.com is bringing you the top cannabis news from around the web. You can also listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify–search TRICHOMES and subscribe!
First up: While federal reform is still being considered a Congressman urges the passage of a cannabis banking bill that will protect banks that work with state legal cannabis businesses. Currently the Senate is focused on ending cannabis prohibition, however representative Ed Perlmutter believes that the secure and fair enforcement baking act has a greater chance of passing because it has a narrow focus.
In a statement Perlmutter said, “it’s important to pass the safe banking act as quickly as possible to address the public safety risk that comes with these businesses being forced to operate cash only.” He also added that “passing the safe banking act is the first step of many federal cannabis reforms to create a safer and more equitable industry. ”
On the other hand, Cannabis advocates feel that it is a wrong approach to pass a banking bill that does not contain social equity provisions and is favorable in business interest. Last month Senator Cory Booker said, “I will lay myself down “to block any other senators who seek to pass cannabis banking legislation before the body approves a comprehensive cannabis reform. Federal cannabis reform would resolve any banking issues within the cannabis industry however there is not enough support in the Senate to ensure that the reform will be passed anytime soon.
Next up: After a second reading, the New Jersey city cannabis ordinance allows for all six types of license classes, lounges and delivery to pass. The six types of cannabis licenses are for manufacturers, cultivators, wholesalers, Distributors, delivery services and dispensaries. In June a measure was passed that allowed consumption lounges but not delivery services at the time.
The city Council included provisions that would make it easier for small businesses and social equity applicants to receive licenses. The New Jersey city cannabis ordinance created a three person cannabis control board that overseas and establishes who gets a license. The passage of the ordinance also split cannabis tax funds between the board of education and social equity causes.
Councilman Rolando Lavarro proposed an amendment that would not allow for a cannabis dispensary to be within 200 feet of a daycare or substance abuse center. The amendment was challenged by Councilman Jermaine Robinson who felt that 200 feet was too much and that 100 feet would be more manageable but amendment was passed unanimously with a 9-0 vote
Last up: Rosario Dawson has officially joined the board of Cann, a California-based cannabis beverage company. She’s very impressed with the diversity efforts of the company which creates low THC infused seltzers and is going to further the company’s objectives with her involvement. In general less than 3.5% of corporate board seats are held by women of color, giving her a voice to express her “vested interest in federal change and local change.”
Dawson’s partner, Senator Cory Booker is a co-author of the cannabis administration an opportunity act which with will deschedule cannabis and bring social equity into the industry. However her interest in the cannabis industry did not stem from senator booker but a personal motivation when supporting cannabis legalization. Growing up her father would growing cannabis off their fire escape to treat pancreatic cancer.
That was today’s buzz! Thanks for listening…for more cannabis news and insights from industry professionals, and a place to discuss these stories and others, visit TRICHOMES.com
And be sure to catch up with all of our other cannabis industry related “potcasts” like Hash it Out, Tech in Cannabis, or The International Cannabis Conversation wherever you get your podcasts!
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