Governor of California Signs Ten Cannabis Bills Into Law

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On September 18, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law ten cannabis-related legislative bills in a comprehensive update of California’s cannabis laws.  

The most well-known of these is SB 1326, which would allow for interstate cannabis commerce between California and other states that have legalized cannabis cultivation, production, and distribution.  SB 1326’s author, Senator Anna Caballero, stated that the new law “provides a relief valve for the oversupply of cannabis, an opportunity to grow California’s brand and market share, support job creation, and gives the state a competitive advantage as federal policy develops” and is “an essential step to ensure that California can fully capitalize on, and remain a leader in, the forthcoming national cannabis market.”  However, since production and sale of cannabis is still prohibited under federal law, and SB 1326 is explicitly directed to interstate commerce involving cannabis, this law would likely not be implemented until cannabis has been federally decriminalized.

The other bills signed into law by Governor Newsom also work to strengthen the state’s cannabis laws and expand the market for cannabis products. For example:

AB 2188:  Makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person in employment circumstances for their off-duty, off-site cannabis use, and bans employment-based THC testing, with certain exceptions such as federal employees and the building and construction trades.

SB 1186:  Prohibiting regulations that prohibit the delivery of medicinal cannabis to medicinal cannabis patients

AB 1706:  Sealing of court records for eligible cannabis arrests and convictions 

AB 1885:  Regulating the production standards for cannabis intended for use in therapeutic applications for animals; and prohibiting agency discipline of veterinarians who recommend cannabis use for animals

AB 1894:  Requiring packaging of cannabis cartridges and integrated cannabis vaporizers to prominently display a message that they must be disposed of as hazardous waste 

AB 2568:  Providing that it is not illegal to provide insurance to persons licensed to engage in commercial production and sale of cannabis. 

California has taken the lead in enacting laws and policies intended to fully integrate the legalization of cannabis and allow it to bring economic benefits to the state.  It is hoped that other states that have already, or will soon legalize cannabis will look to California’s example.

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NY Attorney General Announces $250M Civil Lawsuit Against Donald Trump

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The New York Attorney General announced a civil lawsuit against former President Trump. Including, the Trump Organization and three of his adult children for alleged widespread fraud involving false financial statements related to his company and inflating his net worth.  

NY AG Letitia James says this is the result of a three-year investigation, alleging Trump and his family falsified business records, stretched asset valuations, and committed bank and insurance fraud. 

“Mr. Trump’s Statements of Financial Condition for the period 2011 through 2021 were fraudulent and misleading in both their composition and presentation,” according to filed documents. 

READ MORE: Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Home Searched by the FBI

“Trump falsely inflated his net worth by billions of dollars.” James said at a news conference. “Mar-a-Lago generated less than $25 million in annual revenue. It should have been valued at about $75 million, but it was valued at $739 million.”

Speaking to reporters, James said “Nobody is above the law.”  She added what Trump allegedly did wasn’t a mistake made in good faith.

The AG explained that even if Trump moves to Florida, he’ll still have to answer the allegations made against him by New York authorities.

The lawsuit seeks a $250 million judgment that would also ban any member of the Trump family from leading a business in New York State.  

During a deposition last month, the former President pleaded the Fifth Amendment. 

Trump’s lawyers say the lawsuit is merely a way for James to advance her political agenda.  They also accuse her of an “abuse of authority,” “racism,” and add they’re looking forward to defending Trump.

What’s your thoughts on Trump’s civil lawsuit? Continue the conversation on social media.

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John Legend Gives Public Safety Solutions in New Reform Alliance and NowThis Video Series

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Real public safety solutions are highlighted in videos produced by REFORM Alliance, Galaxy Gives, and NowThis, the most reliable news outlet for young audiences. John Legend, a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter, is featured in the latest installment in the associated material released today.

John Legend discusses reinventing probation and parole in the US in the video interview with NowThis. He notably cites California as an example of a state that has made financial investments in local communities after Prop 47 was approved by voters. Since its passage, it has reduced incarceration by more than 20,000 individuals annually and invested more than $6 million in community safety initiatives in California from the state’s prison budget. He ends the film by suggesting how public safety would improve if other states invested money in their communities.

In the coming months, NowThis will continue to provide a steady stream of educational and entertaining content that explores some of the human factors that contribute to crime and identifies practical ways for resolving these problems.

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NYC CO’s Admit To Smuggling Contraband Into Rikers For Bloods Gang

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On Tuesday, two New York City corrections officers pled guilty to smuggling contraband into Rikers Island. 

According to the Department of Justice, prosecutors say Krystle Burrell and Katrina Patterson accepted a total of $44,000 to bring narcotics and cellphones into the facility.  The duo was reportedly taking bribes from bloods gang members, with Burrell helping one inmate facilitate business. 

Krystle Burrell, 35, pleaded guilty to bribery, admitting that she accepted nearly $10,000 in bribe payments from her co-defendant Terrae Hinds in exchange for smuggling unauthorized cell phones into the Anna M. Kross Center at Rikers. She also facilitated Hinds’ sale of narcotics and other contraband items at the facility.

READ MORE: 46 Georgia DOC Officers Arrested In Drug Trafficking Sting

 Katrina Patterson, 31, had previously admitted to accepting $34,000 in bribes when indicted on Aug. 16. Patterson was smuggling contraband into the Robert N. Davoren Center on Rikers Island for her co-defendant Michael Ross. Ross, who is a Bloods gang member, has also pleaded guilty to a bribery offense and is awaiting sentencing.

“The defendants threw in their lot with Bloods gang members and betrayed their sworn duty to maintain the safety of incarcerated individuals and other correction officers at Rikers Island by smuggling cell phones and drugs into the jail,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace.  “This Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to rooting out corruption at Rikers Island.”

“When correction officers betray their oath to serve and protect, the public is put at risk and the entire law enforcement community is tarnished,” stated NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. “We have zero tolerance for such misconduct. With today’s guilty plea, Ms. Burrell joins Ms. Patterson in publicly acknowledging that their actions were immoral, unethical, and without integrity – diametrically opposed to the core requirements of our profession.”

When sentenced, Burrell faces up to ten years in prison and Patterson faces up to five years. Charges against Hinds remain pending. 

Share your thoughts and comments with us on social media.

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Prince Harry & Meghan Markle “Uninvited” to State Reception at Buckingham Palace

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 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly “uninvited” to a state reception hosted by King Charles on Sunday.  The Duke and Duchess received an invitation to the event earlier this week, but palace officials say the reception is for working royals only.  

The confusion over whether Harry and Meghan will attend the receptions follows mixed messaging over the Prince’s right to wear a military uniform during funeral events.

Meanwhile, crowds of mourners continued to line up to view her coffin in Westminster Abbey, some waiting up to 14 hours to pay their respects.  

Great Britain also observed a national minute of silence for The Queen.  A muted Big Ben rang its bells at 8 p.m. to mark the start of a national moment of reflection. 

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Mayor Eric Adams Says NYC May Take Legal Action Against Texas

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Mayor Eric Adams says New York City may take legal action against Texas over the busloads of illegal immigrants being sent to the city.  

Mayor Adams says with no advance notice and no permission, Texas has bused at least 2500 illegal immigrants to the Big Apple, a sanctuary city, since May.  He told CNN’s “State of the Union” it’s creating a humanitarian crisis in the city and is no way to treat other municipalities. Adams called the “humanitarian crisis” a situation that requires coordination on the federal, state, and local level. 

READ MORE: Texas Governor Greg Abbott Sends 50 More Migrants To VP Kamala Harris’ Home

Mayor Eric Adams went on to say  the busing of migrants from Texas to sanctuary cities like New York City is just a cover-up for human rights offenses. Civil rights attorneys are calling for state and federal investigations after dozens of migrants were sent to the home of VP Harris in Martha’s Vineyard last week.

The Mayor says New York has opened 23 emergency homeless shelters since May and plans to open 38 more, but that still won’t be enough. 

Share your thoughts and comments with us on social media.

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott Sends 50 More Migrants To VP Kamala Harris’ Home

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The Texas Governor Greg Abbott is still making headlines. 

A second busload of migrants sent from Texas arrived outside the home of Vice President Kamala Harris over the weekend.  The latest bus is part of Governor Greg Abbott’s ongoing policy of sending migrants from Texas to underscore the Biden administration’s open-border policies.

 Harris recently appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and claimed the border is secure, leading Abbott to target her residence. The governors claim their states are overwhelmed and President Biden is ignoring the crisis.

The bus arrived before dawn on Saturday at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. Currently,  two busloads of illegal immigrants from Texas have reportedly been dropped off near the home of Vice President Kamala Harris.  

After 50 Venezuelan migrants were also flown to Martha’s Vineyard last week without notice. Florida Republican Governor Ron Desantis, admits he chartered two private planes to take the migrants to Martha’s Vineyard. 

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre accused Abbott and DeSantis of using human beings as political pawns for photo-ops.  She called the moves dangerous political stunts.  Jean-Pierre added — “Stunts aren’t solutions.”  She said Republicans should work with Democrats on comprehensive immigration reforms. 

Civil rights attorneys are calling for state and federal investigations after the Republican Governor’s reckless tactics last week. The group Lawyers for Civil Rights has expressed concern that the migrants were persuaded to board airplanes and cross state lines under false pretenses.

Share your thoughts and comments with us on social media.

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[WATCH] Biden Declares ‘Pandemic Is Over’ Despite Daily Death Toll

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President Biden says coronavirus is still a problem but circumstances are changing and ‘everybody seems to be in pretty good shape’.

Joe Biden has said “the pandemic is over” in an interview broadcast on Sunday, though he admitted “we still have a problem with Covid”, as the US continues to grapple with coronavirus infections that kill hundreds of Americans a day.

The president told CBS’s 60 Minutes: “We still have a problem with Covid. We’re still doing a lotta work on it. But the pandemic is over. If you notice, no one’s wearing masks. Everybody seems to be in pretty good shape. And so I think it’s changing.”

Last week the World Health Organization declared the end of the pandemic was “in sight”, after revealing that weekly deaths were at the lowest level since March 2020.

Thoughts?

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President Joe Biden Declares the COVID-19 Pandemic is Over During ’60 Minutes’ Interview

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During an appearance on CBS’s 60 Minutes, President Joe Biden declared the COVID-19 pandemic “over.”

Biden was on hand at the Detroit Auto Show and stated while there is still an issue with COVID, the pandemic portion has passed us by.

“The pandemic is over,” Biden said. “We still have a problem with COVID. We’re still doing a lotta work on it …but the pandemic is over. If you notice, no one’s wearing masks. Everybody seems to be in pretty good shape. And so I think it’s changing. And I think this is a perfect example of it.”

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, recently told CNN the end of the pandemic was near but not yet achieved. Ghebreyesus also cited the lowest number of weekly COVID-19 deaths since March 2020. “We have never been in a better position to end the pandemic. We’re not there yet, but the end is in sight,” he said.

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Reform Alliance Names Kim Spitaleri as Its First Chief Marketing Officer

Reform Alliance Names Kim Spitaleri as Its First Chief Marketing Officer

Kim Spitaleri has been appointed Chief Marketing Officer by REFORM Alliance, which will oversee the group’s recently established marketing division. Kim will create the long-term marketing plan, activations, and brand innovation for REFORM. Kim will play a crucial part as the organization continues to advance its goal to revolutionize supervision by altering laws, procedures, and culture to offer genuine routes to employment and well-being.

America’s probation and parole system have to be replaced with a restorative strategy that is fair, responsible, and committed to recovery. The organization’s mission is to help people successfully reintegrate into society while enhancing the safety and well-being of families and communities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kim to our team,” said REFORM CEO Robert Rooks. “As we continue to raise awareness about the need to transform our probation and parole system, innovation will be fundamental to taking our movement to new heights. As Chief Marketing Officer, Kim will lead the strategic direction for our marketing presence, spearheading efforts to bring REFORM’s mission to new audiences by implementing creative campaigns and designing dynamic and impactful events. Her leadership will be key to advancing our growth and impact.” 

Kim has over 20 years of experience in a variety of marketing fields. Kim joins us most recently from Estée Lauder Companies, where she served as Vice President, Global Consumer Marketing, eCommerce & Omnichannel at Tom Ford Beauty, shaping the brand strategy, creating disruptive marketing activations, and driving record-breaking growth. She is uniquely qualified to lead marketing transformation in that role. She led the global opening of the Tom Ford Beauty retail locations during her time there, diversified social media, and opened up e-commerce in China, tripling revenues.

“I couldn’t be happier to join REFORM given the current state of affairs and the inequities regularly occurring in our criminal justice system,” said Kim Spitaleri. “We want to change the narrative by sharing the facts and creating emotional connections to amplify REFORM’s reach.”

Kim worked for MAC Cosmetics for five years as the company’s vice president of global and North American consumer marketing and artist relations. Before joining the Tom Ford cosmetics line, she helped the renowned VIVA GLAM lipstick become the best-selling item, with all profits going to regional groups that serve those afflicted by or living with HIV/AIDS. Before joining the Tom Ford cosmetics line, she oversaw and coordinated marketing efforts across many divisions.

She worked for Starwood Hotels & Resorts for seven years before Marriott acquired it, spending more than ten years there. She held executive positions inside several organizations in North America, including W Hotels, Starwood Preferred Guest, and the portfolio of brands. Most notably, she encouraged the growth into international markets and helped establish the W Hotels brand in its early years.

One of the essential aspects in determining reentry success, reducing recidivism, and establishing long-term stability for people, families, and communities is employment possibilities. Since the company’s founding in 2019, REFORM has helped more than 650,000 people find options to leave the criminal justice system by passing 16 pieces of bipartisan legislation in 10 states. In addition to working on legislation, REFORM is committed to fostering employment possibilities for long-term success in the labor market.

REFORM launched a series of job fair events in late 2021, and since then, it has staged two sizable gatherings that offered complete one-stop services and community involvement. Nearly 10,000 people had access to career prospects thanks to the two events in New York and Philadelphia, and 25% of registrants received job offers. In 2023, more job fair occasions are anticipated to be declared nationwide.

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