Top New York cannabis regulator steps down

NY, NY
New York Chief Equity Officer to step down

What happened: Damian Fagon, the chief equity officer for the New York Office of Cannabis Management, will step down from his role on November 27, reports The New York State of Politics.

Fagon will focus on transitioning his social equity portfolio to the OCM’s leadership. 

What they’re saying: “I know that Mr. Fagon has done tremendous work leading OCM’s equity efforts, setting up OCM to take the most innovative and equity-driven approach to the development of New York’s cannabis industry,” the OCM’s acting executive director, Felicia Reid, said.

“I am thankful to him for his time and talent. I wish him well and great success in his future endeavors.”

Back up: Fagon was placed on leave by the agency in May, over allegations that he retaliated against a cannabis brand owner, Jenny Argie, who leaked a conversation with Fagon to the media. Argie’s brand was then the subject of the agency’s first-ever product recall.

But the Office of the Inspector General, which Gov. Kathy Hochul directed to investigate the beleaguered agency earlier this year, found no evidence of wrongdoing on Fagon’s part and said the product recall was justified over use of an unapproved solvent.

-JB

Leading Florida Republicans continue to fight against Amendment 3, the ballot measure to legalize cannabis in the state.

In the latest attack, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez called Amendment 3 “nothing more and nothing less than corporate greed.” 

She continued to say that Amendment 3 would create a “monopoly” for Trulieve and the ballot measure isn’t just about the rights of adults to consume cannabis in their own homes.

The Vote No on 3 campaign also released a video calling the pro-Amendment 3 campaign “unethical” for targeting medical cannabis consumers. 

But despite that, support for Amendment 3 continues to tick up in important demographics. Sixty-percent of Hispanic voters support legalization, up from 58% a month ago.

Trump supporters want more cannabis regs 👀

Trump supporters are more likely to say they want stronger regulations for the cannabis industry than Harris supporters, according to a new YouGov poll. Cannabis, pornography, and the news media are the only sectors where Trump supporters call for more regulation than Harris supporters. Overall, thirty-eight percent of poll respondents say they want cannabis to be more regulated, while 32% say they want cannabis to be less regulated. 

Federal judge OKs employers zero-tolerance policy 🌿

A federal judge said that an Illinois company, Timken Gears and Services, had the right to enforce its zero-tolerance cannabis policy and fire an employee who tested positive for cannabis use twice after being placed in an Employee Assistance Program. That’s despite the fact Illinois legalized the recreational use of cannabis. The case is White v. Timken Gears & Services, Inc.

Cookies and football 🏈

Cookies, the cannabis brand founded by rapper Berner, landed a three-year partnership with the University of Southern California Trojans. The Cookies name will be on official Trojans merchandise and at the Coliseum, reports SF Gate.

Edibles for back pain 🩻

A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology found a significant correlation between THC dose and short term relief for those suffering from chronic lower back pain. The researchers say orally administered THC and CBD should continue to be studied for extended relief from lower back pain.

Aurora Cannabis CEO Miguel Martin is adding executive chairman to his responsibilities, the company said.

These moms smoked weed legally. Then their kids were taken away. | The Rolling Stone

How the Republican Party learned to love cannabis legalization | Forbes

Supreme court’s Chevron decision adds ambiguity to cannabis law: ‘It’s a mess’ | The Guardian

DC Feedback: SAFE Banking, Amendment 3, Cannabis Rescheduling Updates | Trade to Black