PRISM Cannabis News Roundup: Fentanyl Fears, Legal Loopholes, and the Battle Over Buffer Zones
JD Vance’s Controversial Claims on Fentanyl-Laced Marijuana
Senator JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, recently sparked controversy by claiming that fentanyl-laced marijuana is becoming widespread. Speaking at the Milwaukee Police Association’s headquarters, Vance laid blame on Vice President Kamala Harris, citing the opioid crisis and Mexican cartels. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has confirmed no evidence of fentanyl being found in marijuana, despite drug dealers mixing it with other substances.
Public Opinion Favors Cannabis Legalization in Swing States
Recent surveys in key battleground states—Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—show strong support for marijuana legalization. Voters in these states overwhelmingly back both medicinal and recreational cannabis, as well as easing federal restrictions on the industry. The findings suggest that cannabis reform could play a significant role in the upcoming presidential election, with both candidates potentially gaining favor by supporting marijuana policy changes.
New York’s Cannabis Crackdown Faces Legal Hurdles
New York’s efforts to curb illicit cannabis sales have hit a roadblock after a Queens County Supreme Court judge ruled in favor of a smoke shop shut down by authorities. The judge stated that closing the business without proving illegal activity violated due process. This ruling may encourage other businesses affected by the crackdown, known as Operation Padlock to Protect, to challenge their closures.
The crackdown, initiated by Governor Kathy Hochul, aimed to tackle the state’s burgeoning unlicensed market, which has hampered the rollout of legal marijuana sales. Despite these challenges, legal adult-use cannabis sales in New York have seen growth, with $332 million in sales reported through July 2024.
Legal NY Weed Sellers Oppose Loosening Buffer Zone Restrictions
A recent poll conducted by the New York Cannabis Retail Association (NYCRA) revealed that 94% of legal cannabis shop owners and licensees oppose relaxing the 1,000-foot buffer zone that prevents cannabis stores from being located too close to each other. The state Cannabis Control Board is considering waivers to this rule for municipalities with more than 20,000 residents and smaller towns. However, industry members argue that the market is too fragile for such changes, fearing instability and economic unsustainability. Some licensed operators have even threatened to sue the state if the distance requirements are relaxed.
“They must be stoned,” Queens City Councilman Robert Holden recently told The Post — only half in jest — referring to cannabis regulators’ plan to potentially allow the proliferation of shops.
The debate over the buffer zone comes amid a recent court ruling that may allow suspected unlicensed cannabis stores to reopen, further complicating the legal cannabis market in New York.
