Legalization

Swiss Government Approves Cannabis Legalization Trial

March 24, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

Switzerland’s government has approved a trial to legalize the sale and consumption of cannabis and assess the social and economic benefits of regulating cannabis products, CNBC reports. Starting this summer, a test group of 2,100 Zurich residents will be allowed to purchase regulated doses of cannabis for personal use from pharmacies, dispensaries, and social clubs in the city.  As part of the study, participants will be expected to answer a questionnaire every six months on their cannabis consumption habits and health effects. The study is conducted in collaboration… Read more.

No Federal Legalization, No Problem -$71,000,000,000 in Legal Cannabis by 2030 Says NFD?

March 24, 2023 · Cannabis.net

Gary Allen, CEO of New Frontier Data, announced the release of the 2023 U.S. Cannabis Report: Market Updates & Projections, which provides insights into the current and future state of the American cannabis market. The report is sponsored by Cannacare Docs and includes information on sales, consumers, supply, and pricing for both adult-use and medical cannabis. Allen predicts a promising future for the industry, citing the emergence of new markets to offset the stabilization of established ones. According to New Frontier… Read more.

Decriminalizing magic mushrooms on the minds of Nevada legislators

March 24, 2023 · Las Vegas Review-Journal

Small amounts of fungi that produces so-called magic mushrooms may soon be decriminalized under a bill heard by lawmakers Thursday. An amended version of Senate Bill 242, presented by Rochelle Nguyen, D-Las Vegas, would allow individuals older than 21 to possess, use and consume 30 grams of the dried fungi that produces psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms. “Twenty-eight grams of fentanyl is not the equivalent of 28 grams of mushrooms and they are treated, in our law, the same,” Nguyen said. The bill also… Read more.

Hawaii Senators Approve Bill To Create Psychedelics Advisory Council To Prepare For Federal Legalization

March 23, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A Hawaii Senate committee approved a House-passed bill on Wednesday that would create an advisory council to look into possible regulations to provide access to federal “breakthrough therapies” like psilocybin and MDMA. The psychedelics legislation from Rep. Adrian Tam (D) advanced, with amendments, in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in a 5-0 vote. Members took testimony from advocates and experts, including a representative of the Department of Health, which voiced support for the proposal. All 20 people and organizations that… Read more.

Hawaii Won’t Legalize Marijuana This Year Despite Senate Passage, But Advocates Look To 2024

March 23, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A Hawaii Senate-passed bill to legalize marijuana has stalled out in the House for the year—but advocates are shifting focus to 2024, hoping to enact the reform in the second half of the two-year legislative session. The legislation from Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (D) cleared the Senate earlier this month, and hopes were high that it’d make it through the House as well. But a hearing wasn’t scheduled before a deadline for bills that have been referred to three or more… Read more.

Kansas Senate Committee Tables Medical Cannabis Bill

March 23, 2023 ·

A Kansas Senate Committee last week tabled a medical cannabis legalization bill, likely killing the bill for the session, the Associated Press reports. On Twitter, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly said she was “disappointed that some legislators are saying they don’t want to move forward with legalizing medical marijuana this year – effectively turning their backs on our veterans and those with chronic pain and seizure disorders.”  The measure would have allowed physicians to recommend non-smokable medical cannabis products to treat 21 illnesses or conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, spinal cord… Read more.

‘Cannabis in Germany will be a success story’: Europe’s biggest economy moves closer to weed legalization

March 22, 2023 · CNBC

Germany could be weeks away from introducing a bill to legalize cannabis under sweeping reforms that would greenlight the consumption and sale of the drug in Europe’s largest economy. Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach last week said that the plans had received “very good feedback” from the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, adding that the bill could be announced by the end of March or in early April. “We will soon present a proposal that works, that is, that conforms to… Read more.

New Hampshire House Passes Medical Marijuana Home Grow Bill As Broader Legalization Also Advances

March 22, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

The New Hampshire House of Representatives has approved a bill to allow medical marijuana patients to grow their own plants for personal use. Weeks after moving through committee, the full chamber passed the legislation from Rep. Wendy Thomas (D) on a voice vote as part of the uncontested consent calendar on Wednesday. The measure—which would allow patients and designated caregivers to cultivate up to three mature plants, three immature plants and 12 seedlings—now heads to the Senate. Plants would have to be grown… Read more.

Major Alcohol Industry Association Calls For Federal Marijuana Legalization, Recommending Regulatory Framework

March 22, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A major alcohol industry association is officially backing federal marijuana legalization, sending a letter to congressional leadership on Wednesday that implores lawmakers to “regulate adult-use cannabis at the federal level.” The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) said that “the current conflict between state and federal law is not only causing adverse consequences for consumers and non-consumers of cannabis but will also have long-term public health and safety costs that are too great to ignore.” The association made two… Read more.

Historic Ruling To Legalize Cannabis Cultivation In Brazil: These Weed Companies Will Likely Benefit

March 21, 2023 · Benzinga

Following years of stalling on the issue of legal cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes, a Brazilian appeals court is set to rule on allowing businesses and farmers to grow cannabis, reported Reuters. What Happened? The Superior Court of Justice (STJ) made its intentions public to reach a final decision on a case that would set a precedent nationwide. Lawyers familiar with the case said until the court's final ruling on the matter, which is expected within the next year, pending cases filed by companies seeking to plant… Read more.

Minnesota Lawmakers Approve Marijuana Legalization Bill With Overhaul Amendment In House Committee

March 20, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Another Minnesota House committee has approved a bill to legalize marijuana, after members adopted a large-scale amendment to overhaul various provisions of the legislation. The House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee passed the measure in a voice vote on Monday. The panel, chaired by bill sponsor Rep. Zack Stephenson (D), first took up the legislation in January, but it was always the plan to have the proposal returned to the committee. Like a recently adopted change to a companion bill… Read more.

$80 Ounces in Michigan and $4 Grams in Oregon – How Low Can You Go Is a Marijuana Industry Problem

March 20, 2023 · Cannabis.net

The 2023 Recreational Marijuana Supply and Demand Legislative report from the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission states that per-gram cannabis prices in Oregon have decreased by 16% from the previous year, reaching an all-time low of $4. According to the OLCC, the market demand for marijuana in Oregon was estimated to be 52% of the supply in 2021 and 63% in 2022. Despite the deteriorating market conditions, 2022 was closer to achieving supply/demand equilibrium than 2021. This was due to OLCC Producers… Read more.

Germany To Introduce Bill To Legalize Cannabis In The Coming Weeks

March 18, 2023 · Forbes

Germany is moving forward with its plan to legalize cannabis for recreational use, aiming to become the first European country to regulate the sale of cannabis products. But while supranational legal frameworks may pose obstacles to legalization, Lauterbach has received positive feedback from the EU, highlighting that the legislation must comply with EU regulations. Lauterbach has expressed confidence that his plans to legalize cannabis will be approved by the EU. Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday, March 14, before a meeting… Read more.

After Kansas Medical Marijuana Bill Stalls In Senate, Governor Urges Public To Pressure Lawmakers For Action

March 17, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A bill to legalize medical marijuana stalled in the Kansas legislature on Thursday—but now the governor is urging the public to contact their representatives to demand they take the legislation back up for action “this session.” Gov. Laura Kelly (D), who has long championed cannabis reform, said on Thursday that she’s “disappointed that some legislators are saying they don’t want to move forward with legalizing medical marijuana this year—effectively turning their backs on our veterans and those with chronic pain and seizure… Read more.

Kentucky Senate Passes Medical Cannabis Bill

March 17, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

The Kentucky Senate on Thursday passed a medical cannabis bill on a 26-11 vote, WYMT reports. The legislation moves next to the House, which has passed medical cannabis reforms in previous sessions but they ultimately died in the Senate.   The measure would not allow patients to access smokable products but permits edibles and concentrates. If approved by the Senate and signed into law by Gov. Andy Beshear (D), the bill would take effect on January 1.   Beshear, who made medical cannabis legalization a legislative priority, is expected to sign… Read more.

Delaware Senators Send House-Passed Marijuana Sales Bill To The Floor, Alongside Legalization Measure

March 16, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A second Delaware Senate committee approved a House-passed bill on Thursday to create a regulated adult-use marijuana market, sending it to the floor where a complementary measure to legalize possession is also set for action. The proposals are being sponsored by Rep. Ed Osienski (D), and they both advanced through a separate Senate committee on Wednesday after being approved in the full House. Now the Senate Finance Committee has also cleared the regulations-focused bill, which needed a second stop because… Read more.

Kansas Senators Shelve Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill After Hearing From Law Enforcement Opponents

March 16, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Kansas senators have shelved a bill to legalize medical marijuana following a hearing that featured multiple opponents, including state law enforcement representatives. Members of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee voted on Thursday to table the legislation, which the panel itself is sponsoring. Following the action, Chairman Mike Thompson (R) said that lawmakers have “bigger fish to fry,” indicating that he’s not interested in taking the proposal back up before the end of the 2023 session. Officials with the Kansas Sheriffs… Read more.

New Hampshire House Votes To Legalize Marijuana With No Regulations Or Limitations

March 16, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

The New Hampshire House of Representatives has approved another bill to legalize marijuana in the state—except this one contains no regulations or limitations on cannabis. About a month after the House passed a comprehensive legalization, taxation and regulation measure that’s being sponsored by bipartisan leaders, members on Thursday took up the simpler legislation to remove marijuana from the state’s listed of banned substances. The chamber first voted, 210-160, to overrule the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, which had deemed the… Read more.

Texas House Committee Considers Raising THC Limits for Medical Cannabis Products

March 16, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

The Texas House Public Health Committee on Monday heard hearings on a bill that would expand the state’s medical cannabis program, FOX 44 reports. The measure would allow access to products with THC levels as high as 5%. Under current law, patients can only access low-THC products with THC concentrations up to 1%.  The measure is, in part, meant to reign in the proliferation of hemp-derived THC products, such as delta-8, which some medical cannabis consumers are relying on because of the low THC limits in… Read more.

Minnesota Lawmakers Consider & Adjust Adult-Use Cannabis Proposals

March 16, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

House and Senate committees in Minnesota on Tuesday each altered adult-use cannabis legalization bills being considered by lawmakers, with the House Transportation Finance Committee tacking on an amendment to reduce the amount of cannabis individuals can keep in their homes from 5 pounds to 1.5 pounds, ABC 6 News reports.  The Senate State and Local Government committee adopted a 142-page amendment to create distinctions between the industrial hemp industry and the adult-use cannabis industry.   Ted Galaty, a hemp farmer and owner of Willow’s Keep Farm, told… Read more.

Kansas Senators Take Up Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill In Committee

March 15, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A Kansas Senate committee on Wednesday held the first of two scheduled hearings this week on a medical marijuana legalization bill. The legislation was taken up by the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, which is sponsoring the bill as a panel. Members heard from proponents and neutral witnesses who shared stories about their personal experience with the plant, research into the medical potential of cannabis and more. People with chronic migraines, spinal injuries, as well as medical professionals, academics, veterans… Read more.

Majority Of Texas Voters Want ‘Less Strict’ Marijuana Laws, Poll Finds As Decriminalization Bill Advances

March 15, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A majority of Texas voters say that the state’s marijuana laws should be “less strict,” according to a new survey. The University of Texas/Texas Politics Project Poll that was released this month asked respondents about a variety of policy issues affecting the state and how they believe certain matters should be regulated compared to the status quo. Asked about cannabis, 51 percent said that state laws should be less strict, versus 22 percent who said they should be more strict… Read more.

Delaware Senators Approve House-Passed Marijuana Legalization Bills In Committee

March 15, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A Delaware Senate committee has approved a pair of House-passed bills to legalize marijuana and create regulations for adult-use sales. Both pieces pieces of legislation from Rep. Ed Osienski (D) cleared the Senate Health & Social Services Committee on Wednesday. Sen. Trey Paradee (D), who is carrying the bill in the Senate, told members of the panel that the state’s existing law that merely decriminalizes low-level cannabis possession is inadequate. “The arrests have continued and, as a result, lives have been turned… Read more.

Which States Could Expand Cannabis Legalization in 2023?

March 15, 2023 · MG Magazine

Oklahoma voters rejected a ballot initiative to legalize cannabis for adult use during a special election this month by a margin of 62 percent, surprising many advocates who saw the popularity of the state’s medical market as a promising sign for adult-use expansion. Ultimately, the state’s medical program proved to be good enough for a majority of voters outside Oklahoma City and Tulsa. But the push to expand domestic cannabis legalization in 2023 is far from over. “For 2024, we’ve calculated Virginia,… Read more.

Kentucky Senate Committee Approves Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill

March 14, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A Kentucky Senate committee on Tuesday approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana in the state. The Senate Licensing & Occupations Committee passed the legislation from Sen. Stephen West (R) and 12 other senators in a 8-3 vote. It now heads to the Senate floor with just days left in the session. “I didn’t intend to ever get into medical marijuana and take a look at the issue,” West told the panel ahead of the vote, adding that he was… Read more.

Marijuana microbusinesses: What are they and how do they work?

March 13, 2023 · Yahoo!News

Missourians voted to legalize recreational, adult-use marijuana in November. That constitutional amendment also established a framework for marijuana "microbusinesses" — business licenses intended to allow more "everyday folks" to participate in the state's growing marijuana industry. "Right now, the way I see it is these microbusinesses are effectively small businesses that are designed to allow particular entities and individuals to own and operate them," Missouri's Division of Cannabis Regulation Director Amy Moore said. While the idea seems straightforward, the details… Read more.

Hawaii, Delaware adult-use marijuana legalization outlook rosy after Oklahoma failure

March 11, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

After witnessing a blowout loss in Oklahoma on Tuesday, advocates of adult-use marijuana legalization are turning their attention to brighter prospects in Hawaii and Delaware. Legalization bills are marching through legislatures in both states, with support from the governor in Hawaii and a veto-proof legislative majority in Delaware, where lawmakers in the state House on Thursday advanced an adult-use legalization bill for the first time. However, observers cautioned final passage isn’t assured in either state. The two relatively small states… Read more.

Is Medical Marijuana Dead in Tennessee? – Never Say Never but It Will Take Some Work

March 11, 2023 · Cannabis.net

After once again failing to pass a bill legalizing medical cannabis in Tennessee, the question arises as to the next steps in this ongoing conversation. Senator Kerry Roberts (R—Springfield) believes the issue may gain increasing support in the coming years, citing his evolution on cannabis legalization. According to Senator Kerry Roberts, at the outset of his political career, he shared the typical stance of many individuals, refusing to endorse marijuana. The perception of the herb was that it was a flimsy pretext… Read more.

Maryland House Advances Bill To Regulate Marijuana Sales As State Prepares For Voter-Approved Legalization

March 8, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

The Maryland House of Delegates has advanced an amended bill to create regulations allowing for adult-use marijuana commerce following voter approval of legalization last year. The legislation, sponsored by Del. C.T. Wilson (D), passed on a second reading on the floor on Wednesday, just days after clearing committee. The House will need to give final third reading approval to the measure before it potentially moves to the Senate, where a companion version is scheduled for consideration in committee on Thursday. The House… Read more.

Medical Marijuana is Good Enough for Most Oklahoma Voters

March 8, 2023 · MG Magazine

OCTOBER 11, 2018 Oklahma City USA -State Flag flies over Oklahoma State Capitol, Oklahoma City OK

Voters in Oklahoma rejected a ballot initiative to legalize cannabis for adult use during a special election Tuesday by a margin of 62 percent, according to the Associated Press. More than 566,000 voters participated in the special election. Opposition was strong in nearly the entire state, with the exception of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, highlighting the divide between large cities and the rural population. Oklahoma Question 820, which was the only ballot proposal for most voters in the state, would… Read more.

Hawaii Senate Votes to Legalize Cannabis

March 8, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

The Hawaii Senate voted 22-3 in favor of an adult-use cannabis legalization proposal yesterday; the measure moves next to the House. The Hawaii Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed an adult-use legalization bill by a 22-3 margin. The measure still requires approval in the House.   If enacted, the legislation would legalize possession of up to 30 grams by adults, reduce penalties for unlicensed cultivation and sales, allow adults to cultivate up to six plants within their residence, and expunge records for possession.   The measure would also establish a Hawaii… Read more.

Oklahoma voters go to polls on adult-use cannabis measure

March 7, 2023 · Market Watch

Oklahoma voters are heading to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to allow adults 21 and over to buy and consume cannabis. If the measure passes, the state will become the 22nd in the U.S. to legalize pot for adult use. The vote on State Question 820 is taking place on an executive order from Gov. Kevin Stitt. With just over 4 million people and 2.2 million registered voters, Oklahoma is the 28th-largest U.S. state by population. Although it’s a… Read more.

Medical Marijuana Approved in the Tar Heel State? – North Carolina Advances Medical Marijuana Law

March 7, 2023 ·

This past week saw the first procedural vote in favor of a bill to legalize medical marijuana in North Carolina, which means it is now one step away from being sent to the House. This comes after a top lawmaker in that chamber stated that his chamber is well-positioned to pass the reform this session despite opposing a similar bill last year. A week or so after easily passing through three committees, the proposal from Sen. Bill Rabon (R) was approved on… Read more.

Commentary: It’s high time for Louisiana to legalize — and tax — recreational cannabis

March 6, 2023 · Gambit

This week’s cover story by Kaylee Poche asks an important question: When will Louisiana finally, and fully, legalize cannabis? While the future of legal recreational cannabis may appear grim in light of conservatives’ hold on state politics, more and more Republicans — including some GOP lawmakers — are realizing prohibition doesn’t work. In fact, it hurts us all by unnecessarily criminalizing people while robbing the state of much needed revenue. As Louisiana Progress’ Peter Robins-Brown told Poche, the winds have… Read more.

Pa. lawmakers propose legalizing marijuana, selling it through state liquor stores

March 5, 2023 · Yahoo!News

Three separate proposals are planned by Pennsylvania lawmakers seeking to legalize recreational marijuana, provide social justice to those with low-level marijuana convictions and reap the tax benefits from a potential billion-dollar industry. Two co-sponsorship memos circulating in the House and Senate propose selling marijuana in state-owned liquor stores, restricting possession and use to adults at least 21 years of age. The memos respectively filed by state Rep. David Delloso, D-Delaware, and state Sen. Marty Flynn, D-Lackawanna/Lehigh, would also permit Pennsylvanians… Read more.

The debate about legalizing psychedelic mushrooms comes to Rhode Island

March 4, 2023 · Boston Globe

PROVIDENCE — An Instagram account this week made fun of the state legislators who have proposed decriminalizing “magic mushrooms.” An image posted by the “What’s going on in Rhode Island” account shows Representative Brandon C. Potter and Senator Meghan E. Kallman against a backdrop of gigantic mushrooms and a psychedelic rainbow swirl. More than 2,200 people “liked” the image, and some of the comments were scathing. “Can always count on the Democrats to find new ways to try to buy votes,”… Read more.

North Carolina Senate Passes Medical Cannabis Bill

March 2, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

The North Carolina Senate on Tuesday passed a medical cannabis legalization bill, WRAL reports. It marks the second year in a row the chamber has approved a medical cannabis bill; however, the measure died in the House in 2022. The bill received bipartisan support, passing by a 36-10 margin. The legislation is largely the same as the measure that passed the Senate by a 36-7 vote last year. Republican state Sen. Bill Rabon, the bill’s lead sponsor, told WRAL that he believes… Read more.

Minnesota Marijuana Legalization Bill Advances Through Its Seventh Committee Stop

March 2, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A marijuana legalization bill cleared another Minnesota Senate committee on Wednesday, bringing the total number of panels in the chamber to advance the legislation so far this session to seven. The Human Services Committee passed the measure from Sen. Lindsey Port (D) in a voice vote. “This allows adults to safely and responsibly use cannabis,” Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten (D), who presented the bill on behalf of Port, told committee members. “It creates a regulated marketplace that’s much safer than… Read more.

Rapper Vic Mensa on Mushrooms, Ayahuasca and the New Legal Cannabis Industry

March 1, 2023 · Celeb Stoner

On the Revel events usually feature one major celebrity interview. In the past, it has been Styles P and Al Harrington. At their latest winter conferece at City Tech Theater in Brooklyn, NY on Feb. 25, rapper Vic Mensa was the final act of the day. Mensa has his own cannabis brand, 93 Boyz, based in Illinois. Last year, he was arrested for possessing LSD and psilocybin mushroom products at Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC. In June, he made a plea deal that allows for unsupervised probation for one year.… Read more.

Ferndale decriminalizes magic mushrooms and other psychedelics

March 1, 2023 · Detroit Metro Times

Welcome to the magic mushroom club, Ferndale. We’re glad to see you. On Monday evening, Ferndale City Council unanimously approved a resolution to decriminalize entheogenic plants and fungi like psilocybin mushrooms, Ayahuasca, and Dimethyltryptamine (aka DMT). This doesn’t mean these psychedelic substances are completely legal, but the “investigation and arrest of persons for planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, engaging in practices with, or possessing Entheogenic Plants or plant compounds which are on the Federal Schedule 1 list shall be the… Read more.

Oklahomans vote on recreational marijuana March 7

February 28, 2023 · Yahoo!News

For anyone traveling northwest toward Oklahoma on the Garrison Avenue bridge leaving Fort Smith, the first business seen just to the west of the Fort Smith Stock Yards in Moffett, Oklahoma has an inflatable sign that whips the word marijuana up and down in the stiff Oklahoma wind. The River Valley Natural Health eyecatcher is for a medical marijuana dispensary. Unlike Arkansas, the number of dispensaries in Oklahoma was not limited until Aug 26, 2022 when Gov. Kevin Stitt signed… Read more.

Virginia’s adult-use cannabis market stalled indefinitely

February 27, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Virginia’s recreational marijuana industry is on indefinite hold. Less than two years after the state became the first in the South to legalize adult-use marijuana for adults 21 and older, the projected start date for legal sales of Jan. 1, 2024, has been effectively scrapped. It’s unclear when – or if – recreational MJ sales will begin. The issue: The legalization bill that the then-Democratic-controlled General Assembly sent to former Gov. Ralph Northam two years ago was a half-measure. Northam signed the bill… Read more.

Oklahoma Marijuana Ballot Initiative Shows Importance Of Criminal Justice Reform In Legalization Efforts (Op-Ed)

February 27, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

On March 7, Oklahoma residents will only have one question to answer: Do they support adult-use cannabis legalization? If Oklahomans pass State Question 820 on their ballots, they will follow the national trend toward legalization and become the 22nd state to have ended cannabis prohibition. Of the 29 states where adult-use cannabis is still illegal, 17 of them have introduced legislation to legalize it this year. While most of these proposals are unlikely to be successful in 2023, the trend… Read more.

New Endorsement For Oklahoma Marijuana Ballot Initiative Sparks Stir In Advocacy Community

February 26, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

As Oklahomans prepare to vote on a marijuana legalization initiative next month, the campaign behind the measure is touting a new endorsement from a political strategist who previously supported two competing cannabis reform proposals that failed to make the ballot. Thursday’s announcement by the Yes on 820 campaign was intended to build unity among legalization proponents, who have sparred over conflicting views on how marijuana should be regulated. Instead, it appears to have aggravated tensions in Oklahoma’s advocacy community. “This post… Read more.

Lawmakers Across The Country File More Psychedelics Reform, Drug Decriminalization And Safe Consumption Site Bills

February 25, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

The first two months of 2023 have shown expansive interest in bold drug policy reform in state legislatures across the country—most recently, with the introduction of numerous new bills touching on everything from psychedelics legalization to authorizing safe drug consumption sites. Lawmakers in several states will conduct hearings on such reform proposals over the next week. The marijuana legalization movement continues to spread and evolve, but it’s become quickly apparent this session that legislators are eager to more holistically move… Read more.

Seven In Ten New Hampshire Residents Support Legalizing Marijuana, Poll Shows One Day After House Passes Reform Measure

February 25, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

New Hampshire residents broadly support legalizing marijuana, according to a new poll that was released one day after the state House of Representatives passed a bill to enact the policy change. Seventy-one percent of respondents in the survey published by the University of New Hampshire on Thursday said they support “legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal recreational use”—with 56 percent saying they “strongly” feel that way. Support transcends party lines, with 86 percent of Democrats, 62 percent… Read more.

Marijuana is still illegal in Indiana, and we’re losing millions to our neighbors.

Indiana’s elected leaders have the opportunity to create a new industry that will bring in hundreds of millions of dollars for our economy, tying together two of our most important and well-established economic sectors: manufacturing and agriculture, which happen to lie at the heart of the cannabis industry.  Now is the time for the state to act and legalize a regulated cannabis market. Like it or not, cannabis is here to stay, with 37 states now allowing the use of medical cannabis… Read more.

Deutsch loses fight against cannabis popup clinics

February 23, 2023 · KeloLand

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — The people behind the popup sites where practitioners examine patients who want to be in South Dakota’s medical-cannabis program won’t face any additional regulations, at least not this year. A state legislative panel has killed two proposals that sought to limit where the exams could be conducted and restrict their advertising. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday rejected HB1129 and HB1172 on 4-1 votes. Republican Sen. Al Novtrup, the lead Senate sponsor on both, cast the lone votes in their support. Republican… Read more.

Bill to establish medical cannabis program in TN goes before Senate committee

February 23, 2023 · WKRN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Republican state senator hopes this will be the year medical cannabis becomes legal in Tennessee. While the “Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act” was not voted out of a Senate committee Tuesday, Democrat and Republican lawmakers both appeared to be in support of the bill. “I can’t believe I am standing in front of you asking for you to vote for a medical cannabis bill,” said bill sponsor Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma). “That was never on my… Read more.

Bipartisan Governors Discuss Marijuana Legalization And Push Congress For Federal Banking Fix

Governors from states of diverse political backgrounds are calling on Congress to get the job done on marijuana banking and discussing reform developments in their respective states. As part of a Politico event series this month, the governors of Illinois, Minnesota and North Dakota recently sat down for one-on-one interviews and each took questions about cannabis policy at the state and federal levels. While the top state officials might share differing perspectives on the best strategy for marijuana reform, one… Read more.

Lawmakers push to reform laws as majority of United States legalize marijuana

February 21, 2023 · Fox 5 Las Vegas

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Lawmakers are working to reform cannabis laws as the majority of the United States have legalized either recreational or medical marijuana to some extent. Federally, marijuana remains illegal. It is labeled as a Schedule I drug by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Schedule I drugs are defined as having “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) believes the federal government scheduling has a ‘stranglehold’ on key elements of cannabis… Read more.

Texas bill would allow cities and counties to make call on whether to legalize cannabis

February 21, 2023 · San Antonio Current

Adults 21 and over could possess up to 2.5 ounces of pot, including up to 15 grams of cannabis concentrates, under the bill. As Texas continues to lag behind the rest of the country in cannabis reform, a Democrat in the Texas House of Representatives has introduced a bill to let the state's municipalities and counties decide whether to legalize recreational weed. House Bill 1937, filed by State Rep. Jessica González of Dallas, would enable municipalities to make the call whether to green… Read more.

Marijuana Goes Global: Key Trends In US, Philippines, Italy, Australia And Spain

February 21, 2023 · Benzinga

Cannabis Measures In The Philippines Kalinga Gov. James Edduba supports the immediate approval of the medicinal cannabis measure pending in both chambers of Congress. This move will help dissuade the spread of illegal hemp in Benguet and Kalinga. However, lawmakers "must ensure that the provisions for the medical marijuana measure should be favorable to the farmers," Edduba said, reported Manila Times. Additionally, Manila Former House of Representatives speaker and now Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez seeks to "delist cannabis from the country’s dangerous drugs,… Read more.

Delta-8 brouhaha creates marijuana opportunity in next federal Farm Bill

February 21, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

If Congress can’t (or won’t) bundle marijuana reform with the F-35 fighter jet and nuclear submarines, why not food stamps and corn subsidies? Among the pressing items on federal lawmakers’ 2023 to-do lists is renewing the Farm Bill. Every five years, the sprawling, multipart, $428 billion monster that deals with nutrition and rural development as well as what American farmers grow and how they grow it is revamped. And the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp and triggered the boom in delta-8 THC and… Read more.

Kentucky Bill Would Outlaw Delta-8 THC Products

February 21, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A proposal introduced last week in Kentucky would ban delta-8 THC products in the state; the bill is nearly identical to another proposal that passed Kentucky’s Senate last year but died in the House. A bill introduced last week in Kentucky would ban delta-8 THC products in the state, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. Kentucky Hemp Association President Katie Moyer told the Journal that if the bill is approved it would “probably end Kentucky’s hemp industry as we know it.”  The measure is nearly identical to… Read more.

Louisiana Governor Signals Crackdown On Intoxicating Hemp Products

February 15, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) said Louisiana residents will see a government clampdown on unregulated THC products that can cause a person to get high. The governor and legislators may also seek to tweak a related law about hemp products during the Louisiana Legislature’s spring session. “I’m not one who favors legalizing marijuana and I don’t want something that…has a THC content that is effectively the same thing,” Edwards said in an interview Tuesday. “You’re going to see more enforcement,… Read more.

Hawaii Senators Discuss New Marijuana Legalization Bill In Committee, With Plans For Vote Later This Week

February 14, 2023 ·

A Hawaii Senate committee on Tuesday held a hearing on a bill to legalize marijuana—with multiple state agencies weighing in on the proposal in testimony. The legislation from Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (D) was discussed in the Senate Judiciary Committee. It’s one of two key legalization measures that advocates are tracking this session. Members of the committee heard from a range of supporters and opponents on SB 669 on Tuesday, with the chair indicating that a vote could come on… Read more.

New Hampshire Cannabis Legalization, MMJ In GA, Paraphernalia In ME, WA, Hawaii And More

February 8, 2023 · Benzinga

Marijuana Legalization Plan In New Hampshire New Hampshire lawmakers, seeking to legalize a marijuana measure, are working on a plan to advance reform this session, Marijuana Moment first reported. The plan is to remove provisions allowing home cultivation and annulling past marijuana convictions. “To pass that bill as is, it’s got too many warts on it,” said chairman John Hunt (R), who promoted the amendment. Sponsored by Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R) and Minority Leader Matt Wilhelm (D), Bill HB 639 would allow adults over 21 to buy, possess… Read more.

N.J. will allow more legal weed companies to grow cannabis to boost slowly growing market

With New Jersey’s legal marijuana market off to a slow start, state officials announced Wednesday they would eliminate the cap on the number of companies allowed to grow weed and make $10 million in grants available to people opening a cannabis business who have been convicted of marijuana offenses or come from poor communities. The state Cannabis Regulatory Commission agreed to let lapse the 37-license limit on cultivators, a rule that would have expired later this month. New Jersey is nowhere near that… Read more.

Australia Legalizes Psilocybin and MDMA for Medical Purposes

February 7, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced last week it was making the psychedelic substances psilocybin and MDMA legal for medicinal purposes starting July 1, 2023. Psilocybin and MDMA were each approved for medical use by the TGA “in combination with psychotherapy for treatment-resistant mental illness in medically controlled environments in certain circumstances,” the agency said in its announcement. The surprise move marked the world’s first federal action to legalize medicinal psychedelics and follows months of public input — currently, the drugs are considered “prohibited… Read more.

New Hampshire Lawmakers Refine Marijuana Legalization Plan, With Vote Expected Soon

February 7, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

New Hampshire lawmakers working on marijuana legalization legislation met on Tuesday to refine their plan to advance the reform this session, with members of a committee hashing out differences between competing proposals. The intent is to nail down a merged vehicle in a follow-up meeting on Wednesday. The work session of the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Liquor Subcommittee got started with a decent amount of pushback over the chair’s recently proposed amendment to a legalization bill, HB 639, from Majority… Read more.

Georgia Republican Lawmaker Pushes For Medical Marijuana Licensing Transparency As Industry Frustrations Mount

February 7, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

For months, rival companies that want to produce low-THC cannabis oil for medical purposes in Georgia have not been able to pry open the black box of the state’s 2019 Hope Act to see how six firms—out of 69 bidders—were awarded licenses to dispense the marijuana extract to patients across the state. The state’s Open Records Act is so far proving no match for the Hope Act, either. Legislators trying to pry open the process have also been rebuffed. Georgia… Read more.

Red States’ Anti-Pot Laws Start to Crack? – Is Missouri the First Domino of Red States about to Approve Recreational Marijuana?

February 7, 2023 · Cannabis.net

Missouri is poised to become the latest state in the U.S. to launch recreational cannabis sales. The move will likely attract the attention of marijuana businesses and voters in nearby Oklahoma, who will vote next month on whether to legalize adult use in a special election. Medical dispensaries are awaiting approval from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to start selling recreational marijuana as soon as Friday. With the GOP controlling the state's governorship and legislature, Missouri is… Read more.

Surprise! Recreational marijuana sales become legal in Missouri on Friday.

February 3, 2023 · STL Today

ST. LOUIS — Adult-use, recreational cannabis can be sold in Missouri dispensaries beginning Friday, giving consumers an unexpected boost to their weekend plans. Expectations throughout the industry had been that the licenses required to sell non-medical cannabis would not be issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services until Monday. But the department threw a curve Thursday afternoon, announcing that it would issue licenses on Friday to the dispensaries that qualified for them. As soon as a dispensary… Read more.

Greece Opens Europe’s Largest Medical Cannabis Cultivation Facility

February 2, 2023 · Born2Invest

The medical cannabis facility is expected to gradually reach full capacity soon to supply a wide range of cannabis products. Since June 2018, when the legal framework for licensing plants for cultivation and production of finished medicinal cannabis products came into effect, the General Secretariat of Industry of the Ministry of Development and Investment has licensed 134 cannabis crops for medical purposes across Greece. The investment by Tikun Europe, a subsidiary of Israel-based Tikun Olam, was welcomed by Greek Minister… Read more.

The Marijuana Industry Goes from Bad to Worse – FDA Will Not Approve CBD Regulations and Will Work With Congress Someday On It

February 1, 2023 · Cannabis.net

As if the marijuana industry isn't reeling enough with $75 ounces in multiple states, NASDAQ listed Akerna going under, and MSO Curaleaf pulling out of competitive markets like California and Colorado, more bad news hits the industry, this time, on the government side. It is devastating news for those who love CBD products. The Food and Drug Administration has declared that these items, made from cannabis or hemp, may not comply with federal safety regulations. These safety regulations will affect a… Read more.

New year brings new laws, rules for cannabis businesses nationwide

January 30, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

A newspaper on a desk with the headline Changes coming in 2023

With the start of a new year, cannabis companies across the country are tweaking their business models to meet changing laws and regulations that could affect sales and how they run their operations. Expanded delivery, new packaging and labeling restrictions as well as the introduction of loyalty programs and deep product discounts top some of the biggest regulatory shifts underway in 2023. MJBizDaily explored how these changes will affect businesses in several states with legal marijuana markets, including California, Michigan, Oregon… Read more.

Virginia Lawmakers Approve Bills On Marijuana Sales And 280E Tax Reform

January 30, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Virginia lawmakers on Friday advanced bills to start adult-use marijuana sales and allow cannabis businesses to make certain tax deductions at the state level while they’re barred from doing so federally under the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) code known as 280E. The 280E bill passed the Senate unanimously in a 40-0 vote, carried by Sen Adam Ebbin (D). The House of Delegates companion version from Del. Jeffrey Campbell (R) moved through an Appropriations subcommittee in a 7-1 vote and now heads to the full… Read more.

Support for Legalizing Weed Hits a High of 65% Among American Voters Says New Survey

January 29, 2023 · Cannabis.net

As the clouds of prohibition begin to clear, a ray of hope shines down upon cannabis, the once-demonized plant. According to recent polls, 65% of Americans now support legalizing the drug, marking a significant shift in public opinion. The tide is turning, and it's clear that the majority of the country is ready to embrace a more progressive approach to cannabis policy. Gone are the days of "Reefer Madness" and the fear-mongering tactics of the past. People are now recognizing the medicinal… Read more.

Medical Cannabis Sales Launch in Mississippi

January 26, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

Medical cannabis sales officially launched in Mississippi on Wednesday nearly a year after Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed the bill enacting the reforms. Voters had approved medical cannabis legalization during the 2020 election but the measure was ultimately struck down by the state Supreme Court which said the state’s ballot initiative process was outdated.    The state’s first sale occurred at The Cannabis Company in Brookhaven but did not occur without a hitch as there was a brief problem with seed-to-sale system METRC, according to… Read more.

New Cannabis Laws Take Effect in 11 US States

January 17, 2023 · Cannawayz

Changes are afoot among the rules and regulations governing cannabis in several states this year. Weed laws are evolving in 11 states thanks to voter-drive ballot initiatives, new laws introduced in state legislatures, and executive orders enacted by state governors. So, what’s happening? Cannawayz.com has a quick rundown of new laws, rules, and regulations, broken down state by state: California Taxes are going up (already one of the most heavily taxed weed markets), which is a huge bummer! But at… Read more.

5 Cannabis Laws to Watch in 2023

As we closed out 2022, we saw the federal government pass its first standalone cannabis law, the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, with more possible federal reform on the horizon. On the state level, the industry has seen an ever-increasing push for additional medical and/or adult-use legalization as well. Against this backdrop, the following focuses on five cannabis laws to watch in 2023. 1. The SAFE Banking Act What is it? The Safe and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act would… Read more.

Top GOP Wisconsin Lawmaker Says Medical Marijuana Deal Isn’t Close, Warning Governor Against Recreational Push

January 11, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A top Republican Wisconsin lawmaker is pushing back against the idea that the conservative legislature is close to making a deal on medical marijuana legalization, and he’s again warning the Democratic governor against calling for adult-use legalization as part of his forthcoming budget request. While Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R) said last week that his caucus is “getting pretty close” on medical cannabis reform, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) told The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in a new interview published on… Read more.

Hawaii Lawmakers Announce Marijuana Legalization Push For 2023, With Newly Seated Pro-Reform Governor

January 11, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Hawaii advocates are feeling confident about the prospects of advancing marijuana legalization in the new session, with an activist coalition holding a press conference on Wednesday alongside state lawmakers to lay out the path forward for reform. There’s renewed reason for optimism in the new year, as voters elected a pro-legalization governor and lieutenant governor during the November election. Lawmakers are now prepared to introduce reform legislation after officials finalized recommendations for legalization as part of a task force. Representatives… Read more.

Connecticut Governor Touts Opening Day Of Adult-Use Marijuana Sales And Calls New York ‘Crazy’ For Starting With Just One Shop

January 11, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Last week, New Jersey and New York regulators took each other to task over which state approached their adult-use marijuana market rollout better. Now, Connecticut’s governor is joining the rhetorical rumble after his state launched recreational sales on Tuesday, entering the tri-state war of words on cannabis. Hours before Connecticut’s first recreational shops opened their doors, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) reflected on the adult-use program in New York, which involved just one storefront late last month, saying that the limited launch “seemed crazy… Read more.

2023 offers business opportunities in several new state cannabis markets  

January 10, 2023 · Mj Biz Daily

Tremaine Wright, chairwoman of the New York State Cannibis Control Board, is pictured in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn on Dec. 9, 2022 (Photo by Porter BInks )

Opportunities in the U.S. cannabis industry continue to expand, despite some notable setbacks in the November 2022 elections and continuing resistance at the federal level to marijuana reform. Up to four new state markets could launch this year: Alabama, Connecticut, Mississippi and Missouri. That’s on top of the recent adult-use launches in New York and Rhode Island. When mature, the New York market will likely be the second largest in the nation. Market snapshots States coming online this year have potentially lucrative futures,… Read more.

Texas Activists Submit Signatures To Put Marijuana Decriminalization, Police Reform And Abortion Rights On San Antonio Ballot

January 10, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Texas activists have turned in more than 37,000 signatures to place a measure on the San Antonio ballot in May to decriminalize marijuana, prevent the enforcement of abortion restriction laws and ban no-knock warrants. A coalition of advocacy groups—including Ground Game Texas, SA Stands and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)—secured the signatures about three months after launching the local reform campaign. This builds on the activist-led cannabis decriminalization movement that Ground Game has spearheaded in cities across the Lone Star… Read more.

Descheduling Marijuana – The Holy Grail of the Cannabis Industry Gets a Bipartisan Push to President Biden

December 28, 2022 · Cannabis.net

While the Biden administration investigates marijuana's federal scheduling, a bipartisan group of congressional members is urging the president to openly support outright legalization. Recently, a letter which is slated to be addressed to President Joe Biden and key cabinet officials was obtained by Marijuana Moment. The Congressmen stated in the letter that while they applaud the directive of the scheduling review, the administration should embrace the virtues of full descheduling. The letter states that while the congressmen don't always agree on… Read more.

55% of Texans Want Legal Weed, So What Is the Problem? – CannaNews Report

December 26, 2022 · Cannabis.net

Over 50% of Texans Wants To Legalize Weed The struggle to decriminalize marijuana in some Texas cities has reached a new level. According to a recent poll, a majority of Texas voters support marijuana legalization. Around four in five people believe cannabis should be allowed for recreational or medical use. According to the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project Poll, a substantial majority (72 percent) support decriminalizing cannabis by making the misdemeanor punishable by a fine and citation rather than jail time. The… Read more.

Texas Activists Turn In Signatures To Put Marijuana Decriminalization Back In Voters’ Hands After City Council Repeal

December 14, 2022 · marijuanamoment.net

Texas activists have turned in what they say are enough signatures to place a measure on the Harker Heights ballot to reverse a City Council move that repealed a voter-approved marijuana decriminalization initiative. Ground Game Texas, which was behind a number of successful local decriminalization measures that passed this year, is also criticizing an outgoing district attorney’s request that the state attorney general issue an opinion on a separate reform initiative that voters approved overwhelmingly in San Marcos. In Harker… Read more.

Thailand teaches Indonesia how to legalise cannabis

December 7, 2022 · The Thaiger

Government officials from Indonesia – a country famous for having some of the strictest drug laws in the world – flew to Thailand to learn about the kingdom’s liberal medical cannabis policies this morning. News that old-fashioned Indonesia is considering legalising medical cannabis comes as quite a shock given that lawmakers in the country approved a Draconian law that bans premarital sex yesterday. Indonesian members of parliament visited the Ministry of Public Health to listen to the Director of the Medical Cannabis Institute, Kitti Losuwanarak, talk about the process of legalising cannabis in… Read more.

Does Health Insurance Cover Mushrooms and
Psychedelics? (Even with a Doctor’s Note?)

October 31, 2022 · Cannabis.net

It may seem far-fetched to have a health insurance company pay for an ecstasy or magic mushroom trip, but the psychedelics market is already crunching the statistics and proposing US insurers. Early results from clinical trials on substances like MDMA and psilocybin have been encouraging. In the middle of what is often regarded as a mental health crisis, many of these initiatives target a few of the most expensive and challenging mental health conditions while they are still happening. Researchers and executives… Read more.

Conservative Religious Groups are Banding Together to Fight Cannabis Legalization

If there's one thing the commonest religions in the world agree on, it is that recreational cannabis is a sin. According to a Pew Research Center survey done last year, people who identify as religious are less likely to support legalizing marijuana than atheists and agnostics. The center polled religious populations to find out what they think about cannabis legalization. For this research, the main religions observed were the Christians and the Islamists, and the study focused mainly on North… Read more.

The Natural Medicine Act – Will Colorado Join Oregon in Legalizing Psilocybin and Magic Mushrooms Next Month?

Next month, voters in Colorado will decide whether to legalize psilocybin and psilocin, the hallucinogenic compounds found in what are generally known as magic mushrooms. The Natural Medicine Act, also known as Proposition 122, would make it legal to own and grow magic mushrooms. The plan calls for authorized healing centers to be able to provide psilocybin and psilocin for medicinal purposes. According to the non-profit organizations backing the initiative,  natural psychedelic medications are non-addictive. They can offer significant benefits to people… Read more.

Early Draft of German Cannabis Legalization Plan Leaked

October 20, 2022 · High Times

According to Politico, details of Germany’s current cannabis legalization plan were leaked on October 19 by the RND (RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland) newspaper group. The draft currently includes a plan to decriminalize sales and possession of cannabis, as well as allowing cannabis to be sold in licensed shops and pharmacies. This approach to reform has been pending since German officials announced their intentions to approach reform back in June, led by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach. According to the current draft, sales of up to 20 grams would… Read more.

Czech Cabinet Considers Draft Plan to Allow Regulated Cannabis Sales

October 20, 2022 · Ganjapreneur

Yesterday, members of the Czech cabinet heard a draft plan on launching a regulated cannabis market and increasing drug addiction and treatment spending, ČTK reports. National anti-drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil told ČTK that a regulated cannabis market could be worth billions of crowns worth of tax-related revenues to the national budget.  The plan is part of a strategy to address drug addiction in the country by 2027. It was laid out by then Prime Minister Andrej Babiš but his anti-drug minister had not issued… Read more.

Costa Rica Moves Closer to Legalizing Weed

October 20, 2022 · Vice

Costa Rica just took its biggest step yet toward legalizing weed. President Rodrigo Chaves signed a proposed law this week that could legalize recreational marijuana in the Central American nation. The legalization bill was sent on Wednesday to the country’s legislative assembly where lawmakers will analyze it, along with results of similar laws in other countries, before eventually voting on passing the regulation.  It is unclear how long this process will take, but presidential support means that it has the institutional backing… Read more.

Poll Finds 60% Support for Minnesota’s Edibles Legalization

According to a MinnPost/Embold Research poll, 60% of Minnesotans support the recently-passed law allowing up to 5 milligrams of hemp-derived THC in food and beverage products. The poll found that 21% opposed the legalization of any “edibles that get people high.”  Another 7% of respondents said state lawmakers were “correct to legalize the sale of edibles derived from hemp, but not edibles derived from marijuana.”   The edible legalization reforms were backed by 60% of women; 59% of men; 71% of respondents aged 18-… Read more.

Oklahoma Announces Special Election For Marijuana Legalization Initiative In March 2023

October 19, 2022 · Marijuana Moment

The governor of Oklahoma has officially called for a special election in March 2023 for voters to decide on marijuana legalization. Activists had pushed to place the cannabis reform measure on next month’s ballot, but it faced obstacles in the state Supreme Court after complaints were filed and procedural deadlines passed. Now Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) issued a proclamation on Tuesday stipulating that the initiative from Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws (OSML) and Yes on 820 will go before voters… Read more.

Margo Price Says Biden’s Marijuana Pardons Don’t Go Far Enough: ‘Release Every Federal Cannabis Prisoner’

October 15, 2022 · Rolling Stone

Joe Biden took a step towards marijuana decriminalization last week when he granted a mass pardon to anyone convicted of a federal crime for simple possession of the drug. He also asked governors to take similar steps, and directed his administration to review marijuana’s status as a Schedule I substance alongside hard drugs like heroin. “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana,” Biden said. “It’s time that we right these wrongs…There are thousands of people who were… Read more.

Americans by a two-to-one margin support Biden’s pardons for cannabis convicts and want more records QUASHED

October 13, 2022 · Daily Mail

Americans by wide margins support President Joe Biden's decision to pardon all prior federal convictions for marijuana possession and want to see similar clemency at the state level — the latest sign of a growing social acceptance of pot. Roughly two thirds of Americans support the pardons and want governors of states to follow Biden's lead and forgive convictions at the state level, according to an Ipsos survey of more than 1,000 adults this past weekend. The poll is just the latest indicator… Read more.

UK Prime Minister’s Office: ‘No Plans’ to Reclassify Cannabis from Class B to Class A Drug

October 13, 2022 · Ganjapreneur

The United Kingdom prime minister’s office is distancing itself from a proposal from Conservatives that would reclassify cannabis from a Class B to Class A drug in the country, with a Downing Street spokesperson telling The Guardian that there are “no plans” to make the change.    The plan was pitched last week by Conservative police commissioners in the U.K. It would have put cannabis in the same category as heroin and cocaine and meant harsher penalties for possession and potential life sentences in prison for… Read more.

Everywhere Cannabis Legalization Is on the Ballot in November

October 12, 2022 · Thrillist

The midterm elections are coming on November 8. In addition to important elections that will determine the balance of power in Congress, local elections and ballot measures are set to make a big impact across the country at more local levels. Among the issues that will be decided by voters in 2022 are a handful of cannabis-related measures. Voters are being asked to decide on the future of adult-use cannabis in some states, as well as city-level measures that will… Read more.

Top cannabis lawyer does not foresee federal legalization, thinks it will remain a state issue

October 6, 2022 ·

One problematic aspect of the current legal cannabis market are the state laws. Because the sector is not yet federally legalized—despite two thirds of the country having legal medical marijuana and a third permitting adult-use sales—there is no monolithic uniformity governing state regulations. Los Angeles-based cannabis lawyer Barry Weisz is very cognicant of this dichotomy. As the founder and co-chair of law firm Thompson Coburn’s cannabis practice, Weisz is the author of his firm’s recently published “Cannabis State-by-State Regulations 5th Annual Guide.”… Read more.

Strong retail demand in Vermont on first day of recreational marijuana sales

Long lines, strong demand and a celebratory atmosphere marked the first day of recreational marijuana sales in Vermont. Mountain Girl Cannabis in Rutland, Flora Cannabis in Middlebury and Ceres Collaborative in South Burlington – the state’s first dispensaries to transition from medical to adult-use sales – all shared similar stories of success, enthusiasm, as well as a bit of exhaustion, after a historic day for Vermont and industry advocates everywhere. “Spirits were great and people were just excited to be… Read more.

New Federal Bill Could Allow Small Growers to Sell Over State Lines

October 6, 2022 ·

WASHINGTON D.C. – Small-scale and legacy cultivators stand to benefit immensely from the “Small and Homestead Independent Producers (SHIP) Act,” which would allow small cannabis growers to sell and ship products directly to consumers across state lines. The bill, filed in mid-September by Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), is intended to support small growers across the country struggling to compete against large corporations, once cannabis is federally legalized. “Under my bill, folks in our state will be… Read more.

If Japan Legalizes Medical Marijuana, What Does That Mean for the Rest of Asia?

October 5, 2022 ·

Thursday's recommendation by a health ministry panel to allow cannabis-based medications might herald a historic shift in the nation's strict drug laws. Since the group advocated for tighter laws against non-medical marijuana use, the modification may have no bearing on Japan's zero-tolerance approach to marijuana usage for recreational purposes. The expert group for the health ministry recommended on Thursday that the government amend the laws to allow for the import and manufacture of drugs formulated with chemicals derived from cannabis. But it… Read more.