New Zealanders to Vote on Legalizing Cannabis This Week

Paul Armentano, writing for NORML:

Voters on Saturday will decide on a nationwide referendum to legalize the possession and use of cannabis by those age 20 or older.

The binding measure, entitled the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill, is one of two ballot questions that will be decided alongside the General Election on October 17. The election was initially scheduled for September 19, but was delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Early voting has already begun.

The referendum, which has been endorsed by NORML New Zealand, mandates lawmakers to establish rules and regulations permitting the commercial production and retail sale of cannabis and cannabis-infused products. Those 20 years of age or older would be permitted to purchase up to 14 grams of herbal cannabis per day, or to grow their own plants (up to four plants per household).

Good luck this weekend to all the cannabis-supporting Kiwis out there.

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Vermont Legalizes Marijuana Sales

German Lopez, writing for Vox:

Vermont is legalizing marijuana sales.

Gov. Phil Scott (R) on Wednesday announced he’ll allow a marijuana sales legalization bill passed by the legislature to take effect. Vermont previously legalized marijuana possession and growing. The latest bill allows and builds a commercialized, tax-and-regulate system, similar to other legalization states’.

The legislation is set to take effect this month, but state regulators will have until October 2022 to start issuing licenses for retailers — meaning legal sales could still be as much as two years away.

Separately, Scott signed another bill into law that seeks to automate the expungement process for past marijuana convictions, freeing people from their criminal records for marijuana. People who get expungements will receive a notification by mail.

The governor’s decision makes Vermont the 11th state to legalize marijuana sales for recreational purposes. A decade ago, zero states had done so. Several other states, including New Jersey and Arizona, will vote on marijuana legalization this November.

Kudos to Vermont.

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Ann Arbor Decriminalizes Psychedelics

Shelby Hartman, breaking some big news yesterday for DoubleBlind:

Tonight (September 21), Ann Arbor became the third city in the United States to decriminalize all-naturally occurring psychedelic plants and fungi. The city follows in the footsteps of Oakland, which became the first city in the United States to pass a resolution like it, in June of last year—and Santa Cruz, which followed in January of this year.

The resolution, which was passed by Ann Arbor’s city council, does not legalize psychedelics, but, rather, makes them “the lowest law enforcement priority” and blocks city funds or resources from being used to investigate, detain, arrest, or prosecute people in the city for using “entheogenic plants.” (This includes plants and fungi, from psilocybin-containing mushrooms to san pedro and ayahuasca.) In addition to possession, the resolution makes planting, cultivating, purchasing, distributing and “engaging in practices with” these plants the lowest law enforcement priority. This means people in the city of Ann Arbor can now use naturally-occurring entheogens with relatively low risk, but that they remain illegal both in the city, state, and federally. The resolution also explicitly excludes the protection of “commercial sales or manufacturing of these plants and fungi, possessing or distributing these materials in schools, driving under the influence of these materials, or public disturbance.”

Who’s next?

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Can Psychedelics Treat Physical Illness?

Suzannah Weiss, writing for DoubleBlind:

Psychedelics have been investigated over the past few years for their ability to help with various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. What’s less well-established—but equally promising—is their potential to help people heal from physical health conditions.

Using psychedelics to treat physical health issues, such as pain, is a particularly interesting application. Can’t wait to see more research come out in this area in the near future.

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Aurora City Council Approves Temporary Ketamine Ban for First Responders

Audra Streetman, writing for CBS Denver:

In a unanimous vote Monday night, Aurora City Council approved a resolution to temporarily ban first responders from administering ketamine to subdue patients during an arrest. Ketamine was the drug that paramedics used to sedate Elijah McClain on the night of Aug. 24, 2019.

Police confronted McClain as he was walking home from a convenience store. A struggle ensued and McClain was placed in a carotid hold before paramedics administered 500 mg of ketamine. McClain went into cardiac arrest twice on the way to the hospital and died days later.

The City of Aurora has launched a review of McClain’s arrest and subsequent death. Included in that review will be the administration of ketamine. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will also task a committee to review the drug’s use for purposes of sedation and treatment of excited delirium.

Councilman Curtis Gardner introduced the proposal to stop ketamine sedation by paramedics and said he weighed the potential risks to first responders.

I’m glad to see this temporary ban on ketamine sedation by first responders. This is an area that needs serious reform, as it impacts the general public and disproportionately affects BIPOC in this country. There is absolutely no reason that people should be dying from ketamine overdoses caused by paramedics or police. Absolutely none at all.

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