On 4/20, A Look At How COVID-19 Has Impeded Weed Legalization Efforts Around The Country

TOPLINE

The coronavirus outbreak has put weed legalization — a movement that has made considerable strides in recent years with 11 states now allowing recreational marijuana and 33 permitting medical cannabis —  on the back burner in states around the country, as politicians focus their efforts on combating the epidemic and the future of ballot referendums on the issue is thrown in the balance due to social distancing guidelines.

KEY FACTS

Chief critic

Some cannabis CEOs argue the outbreak will eventually be a boon to the legalization effort, as many governments will turn to the weed industry to boost economic activity in the wake of a coronavirus-induced recession. “When we all start to be able to lift our heads from this Covid experience, we are going to be faced with a scenario where a lot of jobs have gone away, a lot of economic development impact has disappeared,” said Charlie Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs, to CNBC. “How are we going to bring that back? I think cannabis has to be part of that discussion.”

Crucial quote

On Monday, a day unofficially known as “Weed Day,” Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) called on Congress to pass a bill she sponsored that would legalize mairjuana at the federal level and expunge non-violent weed offenses. 

What to watch for

Whether marijuana advocates get creative about passing ballot initiatives. Campaigns are looking into using e-signatures and drive-by petition signing.

Further reading

Pandemic upends pot legalization (Politico)

 US cannabis CEOs say coronavirus crisis will speed up legalization: ‘We have been deemed essential’ (CNBC)

Coronavirus Upends Marijuana, Psychedelics And Drug Reform Ballot Measures (Forbes)

Marijuana On The 2020 Ballot: These States Could Vote (Forbes)