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Voters came out in force to support legalizing recreational
and medicinal use of marijuana in November. In California,
Massachusetts, Nevada and Maine, voters approved
recreational marijuana initiatives in what
The Washington Post
dubbed “the biggest electoral victory for marijuana reform
since 2012, when Colorado and Washington [state] first
approved the drug’s recreational use.” Arizona demurred,
with 52 percent of voters saying no to a measure that would
have legalized marijuana in that state.
Meanwhile, approvals for medical use of marijuana
received a nod in Florida, North Dakota and Arkansas,
while voters in Montana lightened restrictions on its existing
medical cannabis law.
However, these victories for cannabis supporters may
be temporary depending on how the new administration
decides to handle marijuana. It’s unclear yet whether
President-elect Donald Trump will follow President
Obama’s hands-off approach to regulating weed. After
all, Rudy Giuliani and Chris Christie, both of whom are
currently under consideration for public posts in the new
administration, are considered potential foes of marijuana
going mainstream.
“The prospect of Rudy Giuliani or Chris Christie as
attorney general does not bode well,” Ethan Nadelmann,
executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, told
The
Washington Post
. “There are various ways in which a hostile
Marijuana
Approvals
on the
Rise
Three states voted in
recreational marijuana initiatives.
Washington: King
Mountain Seeks Stay
King Mountain Tobacco Company, located on
the Yakama reservation in Washington State, is
seeking a stay in the U.S. District Court of East-
ern Washington’s judgment asking the compa-
ny to pay the U.S. Department of Agriculture
$6.3 million toward assessments on cigarette
manufacturers under the 2004 Fair and Equita-
ble Tobacco Reform Act, while awaiting a rul-
ing on its appeal in the Ninth Circuit.
Florida Court Awards Damages
in Engle Progeny Case
The 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida has di-
rected Philip Morris USA and R.J. Reynolds
to pay $450,000 and $200,000, respective-
ly, in punitive damages in an Engle proge-
ny case. The ruling brings the total award to
$6 million.
Swisher Verdict Reversed
The U.S. District Court for the Central District
of California reversed its $44 million judgment
against Jacksonville, Florida-based cigar man-
ufacturer Swisher International in a lawsuit
filed by California-based lifestyle brands man-
ufacturer Trendsettah USA, for which Swish-
er manufactured cigars. Judge James Selna
ruled that the plaintiff had failed to establish
anti-trust liability on Swisher’s part, and agreed
with Swisher’s argument that the jury reached
its verdict without proper instructions on an-
ti-trust laws.
FTC Report Shows
Cigarette Sales Decline
A recent Federal Trade Commission cigarette
report shows that the number of cigarettes
sold by major cigarette companies to wholesal-
ers and retailers in the U.S. declined from 256.7
billion pieces in 2013 to 253.8 billion in 2014.
The amount spent on cigarette advertising
and promotion decreased from $8.95 billion to
$8.49 billion; and spending on price discounts
dropped from $7.64 billion to $6.76 billion
during the period.
Minnesota County Seeks Cigarette-
Like Restrictions for Vapor Products
In a unanimous vote, the board of commission-
ers in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota decided
to treat vapor products as conventional ciga-
rettes. Effective January 1, 2017, use of the
devices will no longer be permitted in public
places where smoking is banned, including
within 25 feet of entrances to public buildings.
Sampling in retail outlets will also be prohibited
as of January 1.
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Approvals for
medical use
of marijuana
received a
nod in Florida,
North Dakota
and Arkansas,
while voters
in Montana
lightened
restrictions
on its existing
medical
cannabis
law.