From a massive cash infusion for one medical marijuana firm to a major change in New York Police Department policy, here are the weed headlines making waves today.
Unalakleet reacts to legal marijuana: KNOM reports on local option laws and how rural Alaska communities may choose to keep legalized marijuana out of their towns -- sort of. Local option laws surrounding marijuana – complicated by Alaska's unique court ruling Ravin that protects the right to pot possession – was a hotly-debated issue leading up to election day. In the Western Alaska community of Unalakleet, a majority voted "no" on the marijuana initiative, and resident Joel Oyoumick told KNOM community members were dismayed by the ballot measure's passage. In Unalakleet the sale of alcohol is banned under local option law.
Oregon district attorney to dismiss pot cases: The Oregonian reports that the state's largest district attorney's office will be dismissing pending marijuana cases now that voters have chosen to legalize recreational marijuana. A total of 50 pending marijuana cases would be dismissed, Multnomah County district attorney Rod Underhill's office wrote in a release Monday. The Alaska Department of Law said last week it is still deciding how it will deal with pending marijuana cases in the Last Frontier.
Electricity surcharge for Boulder marijuana grows: Legal pot growers in Boulder, Colorado will start paying fees to offset their electricity usage, USA Today reports. Indoor marijuana grows – from lighting, air filters and air conditions – weigh heavily on the power grid. The extra fee will add up to about $100 extra for each kilogram of marijuana.
NYC to stop arresting for misdemeanor marijuana possession: The New York Police Department may soon stop making arrests for low-level marijuana possession, instead issuing people a fine and court summonses, the Associated Press reports. Mayor Bill de Blasio said the new policy would free up officers to focus on more serious crimes and spare citizens from arrest records for cases that often get dismissed. The policy is set to take effect Nov. 19.
One thing the White House, Congress may agree on: Criminal justice reform may be one legislative priority that both the White House and the newly-Republican controlled chambers of Congress can agree on, the Huffington Post reports. Senior aides on both sides of the aisle told the Huffington Post that reform addressing mass incarceration rates and racial disparities were issues that may be addressed in the upcoming legislative session. The U.S. has 5 percent of the world's population, but 25 percent of the world's prisoners, according to HuffPo.
Big money for medical marijuana firm: Fortune reports that medical marijuana consulting and marketing firm MedMan has raised $3.75 million from investors, a sign that investors are warming up to the idea of funneling capital into the new industry.