| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | Good Friday morning! It’s been a long process, but delta-8 THC is finally getting regulated in New Jersey. For years, the hemp-derived product has flown under the radar, not just in New Jersey but nationally. It produces a high similar to natural THC, but has fallen through a legal loophole that’s allowed it to be sold anywhere, even undiscerning gas stations and corner stores that have sold it to kids. Starting soon, delta-8 products will only be allowed to be sold by licensed cannabis retailers. They’ll be off the shelves in a month, and available at dispensaries when the regulations come out. But eventually, liquor stores may be able to apply to sell hemp drinks. Murphy, in a lengthy statement, took issue with the late amendments that allowed liquor stores to sell it, saying the bill doesn’t give the Cannabis Regulatory Commission the resources to regulate the liquor stores selling the products, and raising concerns that those stores won’t be held to the same regulations as cannabis businesses. He raised a bunch of other technical issues as well. More on that below. If you’ve read this newsletter before, you probably noticed that I’m a weed enthusiast. But I’ve always found it pretty nuts that a product that has basically the same effect has been widely available without regulation, while it’s a felony to grow your own actual cannabis. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Ginger Gibson, Matthew Hale, Jamel Holley. Saturday for Neil Eicher. Sunday for Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Michael McCarthy, Tyler Burrell, Mary Theroux QUOTE OF THE DAY: “All of the people there, you’re amazing patriots.” — Donald Trump in a video message to a group hosting an event at his golf club that featured neo-Nazi Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, who once sported a Hitler stache and allegedly called for executing babies born with disabilities and deformities. WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule today. | | | | A message from Uber: Uber is teaming up with transit agencies across the U.S. to foster more inclusive and efficient transit networks. Learn More. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
HEMP WATCH — New Jersey will regulate intoxicating hemp products, but tweaks are expected, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday signed a bill that regulates intoxicating hemp products in the state, although he expressed opposition to provisions that benefits the liquor industry and suggested that clean-up legislation is needed to clarify where they must originate. The bill Murphy signed, S3235, aims to regulate products that produce similar highs as cannabis but have been outside the reach of state regulators for years. The federal farm bill of 2018 allowed the sale of hemp up to certain THC limits. However, some retailers, like gas stations and convenience stores, have sold hemp products as if they were cannabis, raising public safety concerns that minors would purchase and use them.
THE END OF THE LINE — Federal judge approves Burlington, Middlesex settlements on county line, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Federal Judge Zahid Quraishi on Thursday approved settlement agreements that will end the county line in Burlington and Middlesex counties. The settlements — submitted this morning and reported by POLITICO on Wednesday — would be voided if there are new ballot design laws in the state that address the laws being challenged or if courts later find that not allowing parties to have a county line would result in a constitutional violation. A settlement would be voided if courts find clerks did not have the authority to reach the agreement. Quraishi had to approve the settlements for them to take effect. — County line settlement in Monmouth may be tied up over legal fees YOU’VE GONE NOWHERE, BABY — State Supreme Court denies casino smoking ban request, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: The state Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a request for an emergency injunction from a group of workers seeking to ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos. It's the latest setback to stop smoking in casinos, and the decision comes just a day after the plaintiffs in the case — casino workers represented by the United Auto Workers union and a coalition of casino workers known as CEASE — turned to the state’s highest court. The application for emergent relief was denied on Wednesday, according to court records. CROSSING THE DELAWARE '76 — “First look: Rendering of potential Sixers arena in Camden released — and it’s spectacular,” by ROI-NJ’s Tom Bergeron: “The image shows a state-of-the-art arena in Camden, just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge. One that is surrounded by public space — including a dock area that could accept ferry service. One that is next to large mixed-use buildings that could be a mixture of corporate space, retail and multifamily housing. One that has a perfect view of the Philadelphia skyline. The rendering is meant to be attention-grabbing. After all, it’s the latest effort in the state’s now steady push to persuade the Philadelphia 76ers to relocate to Camden. To be clear, the rendering is just that, a rendering. But it speaks volumes about what the facility could be — and the state’s interest in bringing the Sixers there.” OUTLAWS ANGRY ABOUT MASK OUTLAW — “NJ Republican governor candidate introduces bill to outlaw mask-wearing in public,” by The Record’s Katie Sobko: “A Republican candidate for New Jersey governor introduced new legislation Thursday that would prohibit people from wearing masks in public, coming just weeks after a similar bill was passed in Nassau County on Long Island. The bill would prohibit masks in certain circumstances, but even its sponsor Sen. Jon Bramnick acknowledged it is a long way from passing. Bramnick said this is the ‘first attempt to do something like this’ and that he knows ‘we’ve got a lot of work to do on this.’ … According to Bramnick, there are people using masks in order to disguise themselves and commit crimes and that’s who he wants this bill to target … There would be a handful of exceptions, though, for Halloween; participating in a public parade or exhibition of an educational, religious or historical character; for protection from weather; head coverings or veils in accordance with religious beliefs or customs; or medical purposes.” — “N.J. seeks reduced oversight of women’s prison, citing ‘substantial compliance’ with fed monitor” — “Top lawmakers demand hearings on charter schools after NJ.com report” — “Private bus companies must give riders, NJ Transit more notice when they cut routes” | | BIDEN TIME | |
NOTHING SAYS PRO-LIFE LIKE CALLING FOR EXECUTING BABIES — “Trump’s Bedminster club hosted an alleged Nazi sympathizer who stormed the Capitol,” by NPR’s Tom Dreisbach: “Twice this past summer, Donald Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, N.J. has featured speeches from a rioter convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, who has a well-documented history of extreme antisemitic and racist rants. One of those events — a fundraiser for a controversial nonprofit group that supports Capitol riot defendants — was personally endorsed by Trump himself in a video message that was played for the room. ‘All of the people there, you’re amazing patriots,’ Trump said in the video … As part of his criminal case over Jan. 6, federal prosecutors described the rioter, Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, as a ‘white supremacist and Nazi sympathizer,' who told his coworkers at a naval weapons station that ‘Hitler should have finished the job’ and ‘babies born with any deformities or disabilities should be shot in the forehead.’ … In response to NPR’s reporting, Jewish organizations raised concerns about Hale-Cusanelli’s appearances at Trump’s golf club.”
RESPECT MY PORT AUTHORTA — “Helmy won’t quit Port Authority board while in US Senate,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Benjamin J. Hulac: “The newest member of the U.S. Senate has an outside job and has yet to file mandatory paperwork. Sen. George Helmy sits on the board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the bistate agency that oversees transportation systems and physical infrastructure including bridges, tunnels, airports and water ports in the region. Helmy has resigned from his job at health care company RWJBarnabas, the position he held before joining the Senate, and he plans to file a mandatory financial disclosure report, he said Wednesday … Helmy has not submitted his financial disclosure statement, something required of all members of Congress, a staffer at the office that processes personal financial records for senators and Senate staffers said Wednesday. Helmy did not say when he would file his statement. He also said he would not resign from the Port Authority board … From the time he was sworn in, Monday, Helmy has 30 days to file his financial disclosure and can apply for a 60-day extension to that deadline, [Campaign Legal Center’s Kedric] Payne said.” NJGOP WOMAN OF THE YEAR — “Trump lawyer Alina Habba quietly settles with ex-Bedminster waitress involved in hush money deal,” by NOTUS’ Jose Pagliery: “Alina Habba, the Donald Trump defense attorney who has drawn the ire of judges and even her own teammates, has settled a case with a former Trump National Golf Club Bedminster employee who accused her of betraying her oath as a lawyer — all to get into the former president’s inner circle. Habba signed the monetary settlement on Aug. 27, and the terms remain confidential … Habba’s professional ethics were called into question last year when Alice Bianco, a former waitress at Bedminster, sued the golf club for having allegedly 'defrauded' her into accepting $15,000 on the condition that she keep quiet about sexual harassment allegations. Habba brokered that deal, the lawsuit alleges. In March, the club agreed to void the hush money deal in a settlement agreement, let her keep the cash and pay her lawyer, Nancy Erika Smith, $82,500 in fees. But the club cut Habba out of that settlement, leaving her wide open to getting personally sued for her role in the ordeal.” — “What drives Curtis Bashaw's campaign for New Jersey Senate seat?” — “What drives Andy Kim's campaign for New Jersey Senate seat?” | | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
HER NEW NICKNAME IS MANDY MINIMUM — “Atlantic City High School principal accused of failing to report abuse of mayor's daughter indicted,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s John O’Connor: “The Atlantic City High School principal facing official misconduct charges after she allegedly failed to report child abuse was indicted Wednesday, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said. Constance Days-Chapman, 39, is also charged with apprehension of another and obstruction of justice. Days-Chapman's attorney, Lee Vartan, said his client denies any wrongdoing. ‘Mandy (Days-Chapman's nickname) is innocent of the charges in the indictment,’ Vartan said in a text message Thursday. ‘We provided the Prosecutor's Office with incontrovertible evidence of her innocence. The Prosecutor ignored it; the jury will not.’ Earlier this year, the teenage daughter of Mayor Marty Small Sr. and Superintendent La’Quetta Small told school officials she was being physically and mentally abused at home, according to a court document.”
JERSEY CITY TO ALSO INVEST IN ARMAGNAC, THE NEXT VODKA — “Jersey City Council gives initial OK for Pompidou tax break after withdrawal attempt fails,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “The Jersey City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would grant a 30-year tax abatement for the KRE Group at 808 Pavonia Ave. as a part of the new Centre Pompidou project after a motion to withdraw failed. … 'This is not even an itemized budget, I almost feel disrespected that they [the administration] would even hand us something like this that’s lacking so much detail and then come to find out that’s there’s no definite that the Pompidou Centre is going to occupy this white box,' began Ward F Councilman Frank ‘Educational’ Gilmore.” I HATE IT WHEN THEY ALREADY HAVE HEADLINES I CAN’T TOP — “Last straw: Jersey City Council unanimously approves restriction on plastics at restaurants,” by The Jersey Journal’s Joshua Rosario: “Plastics drew the short straw in Jersey City. The city council unanimously approved an amended ordinance removing plastic straws and stirrers from restaurants’ self-service stand, requiring businesses to only supply them by request. The council members did not say much before approving the ordinance, referred to by one councilman as a ‘great idea!’ While plastic utensils can be made available at establishments, the ordinance requires customers to request them for delivery and pickup orders, or they will not be provided.” PESKY RESIDENTS WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE MAYOR BRINGING A SECURITY TEAM TO CHICAGO — “'Absolutely outrageous': Edison council to vote on shortening public comment at meetings, by MyCentralJersey’s Suzanne Russell: “Residents looking to address the Township Council at future meetings may be required to get their points or concerns across quicker. That's because an ordinance introduced this week would limit each speaker from the public to four minutes, which is two minutes less than the six minutes currently permitted, while also eliminating rebuttal comments from the public. A public hearing and final vote on the ordinance are scheduled for the Township Council's Sept. 25 meeting. Council President Nishith Patel said the ordinance, which he proposed, is aimed at getting more voices heard, not less. But Council Vice President Margot Harris called the ordinance 'absolutely outrageous' and she, along with Councilmen Richard Brescher and Ajay Patil, voted against the ordinance’s introduction … One resident said she felt the change was a like a ‘mini dictatorship.’” THE CITY WHERE WATER FALLS AND EYEBROWS RISE — “Paterson school board candidate tapped for housing agency, raising eyebrows,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “Kenneth Rosado, who is running for the Board of Education in November, took the oath of office this week as the newest commissioner on the Paterson Housing Authority. Rosado was nominated for the unpaid housing position by Councilman Al Abdelaziz and was given the oath of office by Mayor Andre Sayegh — an event the mayor highlighted on his Facebook page. Corey Teague, one of Rosado’s opponents in the upcoming school board election, said he believes Rosado’s housing appointment is part of a strategy to boost his name recognition before the vote. ‘They’re trying to stack the deck,’ Teague said. Sayegh and Abdelaziz said Rosado is highly qualified for the housing appointment.” — “Paterson council again blocks mayor's bid to expand marijuana businesses in city” LEGAL BILLVILLE — “City paid $1.48M to settle lawsuits after two brutal arrests by N.J. cop,” by NJ Advance Media’s Nyah Marshall: “The city of Millville paid $1.48 million earlier this year to settle federal lawsuits filed against a former police officer who reported using more force against suspects than any other cop in New Jersey during his years on the job. Lawsuits filed by two women — Audra Capps and Tanika Joyce — claimed former Millville police officer Joseph Dixon used excessive force during their arrests in 2018. They also claimed the Millville Police Department in Cumberland County had a pattern of excessive force, with supervisors showing indifference, according to court documents.” CAPE MAY TO ELIMINATE ITS ONLY DELOREAN CHARGING STATION — “Cape May seeks to fend off City Hall lightning strikes,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Bill Barlow: “Despite the old saying, lightning often strikes the same place twice. City officials want to head off significant damage should it hit City Hall a third time. At a recent City Council meeting, city Manager Paul Dietrich gave an update on work aimed at reducing the risk to City Hall from lightning strikes, including new copper grounding completed that day. ‘We feel as confident as we can that we’ve secured this building appropriately to protect for future electrical storms,’ he said.” — “Montgomery’s only Jewish police officer sues township, alleges inaction on antisemitism” — “NJPAC Leaders Field Questions, Suggestions on Major Expansion” | | | | A message from Uber: How does Uber help support mass transit?
Partnerships between Uber and transit agencies can connect communities and address critical transportation challenges like improving first-mile/last-mile connectivity. Learn More. | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
SPADEA DECRIES SOUP DIVERSITY, BACKS MAYOR WHO WILL ONLY EAT WHITE BEAN OR NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER — “Name change for Campbell Soup Co.? Why the iconic brand may be switching it up,” by The Courier-Post’s Jim Walsh: “Campbell Soup Co. plans a name change to reflect the diversity of its products. It will become The Campbell's Co., pending shareholder approval at the firm's annual meeting in November, CEO and President Mark Clouse said. He added that the ‘subtle yet important change’ would preserve Campbell's name recognition and reputation ‘while better reflecting the full breadth of the company's portfolio.’ The Camden food firm, long synonymous with soup, now gets much of its sales from snacks, sauces, salsas and other items.”
— “CarePoint starts talks on financial restructuring options that may include bankruptcy” — “Protests planned in Teaneck over real estate fairs pitching West Bank properties” — “4 companies with major NJ presence unveil wage hikes or holiday season hiring sprees” — “Dog rescued after weeks wandering outside Newark airport, animal shelter says” | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment