Illinois lawmakers last week joined representatives of the licensed cannabis industry to call for a ban on intoxicating hemp products including delta-8 THC. Under one proposal, non-intoxicating hemp products would be regulated with rules for licensing hemp businesses and the testing and labeling of hemp products. Synthetically produced hemp products such as delta-8 THC, however, would be banned by the legislation. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp agriculture and hemp products, ending the prohibition of the crop that had been… Read more.
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State Bills
A California Senate committee has approved a bill to legalize psychedelics service centers where adults 21 and older could access psilocybin, MDMA, mescaline and DMT in a supervised environment with trained facilitators. The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee passed the legislation from Sen. Scott Wiener (D), with an amendment, in a 7-4 vote on Monday. The “Regulated Therapeutic Access to Psychedelics Act” has been drafted in a way that’s meant to be responsive to concerns voiced by Gov.… Read more.
The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted last week to approve a bill to legalize recreational marijuana, marking the second time the chamber has passed the legislation. Members of the House voted 239-136 on Thursday to pass the measure, House Bill 1633 (HB1633), which would legalize pot for adults and set the stage for tightly regulated cannabis sales. Bills with financial elements must be passed twice under New Hampshire state law. The first time the marijuana legalization measure was up… Read more.
As South Carolina lawmakers and advocates put pressure on the House to advance a Senate-passed medical marijuana legalization bill, a new poll shows the reform enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support. The Mason-Dixon Poll, conducted from March 6-11, found that 83 percent of registered voters are in favor of medical cannabis legalization, including 93 percent of Democrats, 74 percent of Republicans and 84 percent on independents. To that end, Sen. Tom Davis (R) was joined by several House lawmakers, the executive director… Read more.
If Florida voters approve a marijuana legalization initiative at the ballot, that could actually “improve quality of life” for residents—in contrast with the governor’s recent comments to the contrary—the CEO of a multi-state cannabis operator that has financially supported the campaign says. “The sky has not fallen” with Florida’s implementation of medical cannabis legalization under an earlier initiative, “and folks see that choice is a good thing,” Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers said during an interview on The Dales Report’s “Trade… Read more.
The Iowa state Senate on Tuesday approved a bill to cap the THC potency of consumable hemp products, sending the measure to the desk of Republican Governor Kim Reynolds for consideration. The legislation, House File 2605, was passed by the Senate by a vote of 31-18 after receiving approval from the Iowa House of Representatives last month. If signed into law by the governor, the measure would amend the Iowa Hemp Act to cap the THC potency of hemp products at 4 milligrams per… Read more.
The Iowa Senate on Tuesday approved a bill to impose an age threshold of 21 for consumable hemp products containing THC, We Are Iowa reports. The measure also includes 4 milligram THC serving limit caps, with limits of 10 milligrams per container. State Sen. Dan Dawson (R) argued during the bill debate that the limits are necessary because products available in the state under the Iowa Hemp Act need “to be at a milligram usage less than our medical cannabidiol program, otherwise the… Read more.
Since states across the country first began legalizing cannabis, the ability for cannabis-related businesses to advertise on social media — or even mention or show cannabis products — has remained a contentious issue. Many platforms will quickly remove cannabis business accounts once they catch wind of their content, leaving professionals with limited access to their audience and ultimately having to jump through hurdles like self-censorship to maintain their accounts. Some have also questioned if the consistent censorship surrounding cannabis and other drug… Read more.
A Maryland bill to establish a psychedelics task force to study legal access to substances like psilocybin and DMT is heading to the governor’s desk. The House of Delegates unanimously passed the Senate-approved legislation in a 137-0 vote on Tuesday. A House companion version has also received initial approval in the Senate, but it’s still pending a third and final reading before it can be sent to Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) desk. This comes just one week after committees in both chambers… Read more.
Following a close 25–23 vote on the Hawaii House floor last week to keep a marijuana legalization bill alive, lawmakers now face a Thursday deadline to pass a bill out of the chamber’s Finance Committee, where some observers expect the proposal to receive a chilly reception if it’s taken up later this week. Legalization advocates at the group Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) asked supporters in an email on Monday to contact House Speaker Scott Saiki (D) and Rep. Kyle Yamashita (D),… Read more.
Vermont is the latest state looking to further examine and embrace the potential of psychedelics, as the state Senate recently passed a measure to establish a working group to research psychedelics and confirm whether, and to what extent, they may be used in therapeutic settings. Senators approved the legislation, S. 114, on March 27, and it now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Vermont Senators Recognize Psychedelic Potential Sen. Martine Gulick spoke to the potential of this research, given the… Read more.
Kentucky’s legislature has delivered a budget bill to the governor that includes a provision restricting funding for a medical marijuana regulatory body overseeing the state’s forthcoming program until its advisory board determines there’s a “propensity” of research supporting the therapeutic “efficacy” of cannabis. The language represents a watered down version of what was included in the Senate budget proposal, which would have set a much stricter threshold for the availability of funding for the Office of Medical Cannabis. A last-minute… Read more.
Kansas lawmakers have voted to table a bill to create a medical marijuana pilot program in the state that has drawn early criticism from advocates who view it as excessively restrictive. The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee took testimony on the legislation in a hearing on Thursday, a little over a week after it was first introduced. But after members heard from supporters, opponents and neutral parties, they accepted a motion to table it until January 13, 2025 in a voice… Read more.
A recent property tax relief bill in Nebraska is seeking to create new income opportunities for the state, including a variety of sales tax exemptions. This includes adding sales taxes for products like candy and soda, as well as services such as pet care and grooming, but most importantly, adding a 100% tax to CBD and hemp products. Legislative Bill 388 was recently passed by the Nebraska Legislature’s Revenue Committee on March 21 in a seven to 10 vote. The bill was initially… Read more.
The House sponsor of legislation in Virginia aimed at safeguarding the parental rights of lawful cannabis consumers is denouncing Governor Glenn Youngkin's recent decision to veto the bill. Had it been enacted, HB 833 would have barred the state from using marijuana as sole evidence of child abuse or neglect. Additionally, it would have mandated that drug testing in child custody and visitation cases exclude substances permitted for lawful adult use under the state's alcohol, cannabis, and drug laws. Governor Youngkin's veto, issued last… Read more.
Hawaii House lawmakers in two key committees this week voted to advance the Senate-passed cannabis legalization bill, Marijuana Moment reports. The proposal passed the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee 7-3 and the Agriculture and Food Systems Committee 5-1. The bill seeks to legalize adult-use cannabis possession starting January 1, 2026, and would regulate the cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution of cannabis products. The House amendments so far include reducing the penalty for selling cannabis to a minor from a felony to a misdemeanor,… Read more.
The Utah Senate and House unanimously approved a bill that would establish a pilot program for hospitals to administer psilocybin and MDMA as alternative treatment, sending it to the governor. A bill introduced by Senate Majority Whip Kirk Cullimore (R) and House Speaker Pro Tempore James Dunnigan (R), earlier this month, Senate Bill 266, would create a pilot program to explore psilocybin and MDMA as alternative treatments in hospitals in Utah. The bill was sent to the desk of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox… Read more.
Voters in Humboldt County last week soundly rejected a ballot measure that would have tightened regulations on the area’s famed cannabis industry. Known as Measure A, the initiative was defeated at the polls on March 5, with more than 73% of the voters casting their ballot against the proposal. Genine Coleman, the executive director of Origins Council, a group representing California’s legacy cannabis growers, wrote in an email to High Times that the “defeat of Measure A demonstrates that the grassroots cannabis industry… Read more.
Hawaii’s House on Tuesday passed a bill to create a free, state-initiated, process for expunging certain criminal records, including arrests and convictions for promoting a detrimental drug in the third degree, Honolulu Civil Beat reports. The measure could expunge charges for more than 36,000 people arrested in the state for possessing less than 3 grams of cannabis, an offense decriminalized in 2019. There are more than 53,000 arrest records under the promoting a detrimental drug statute in the state’s criminal database but only about 10,000… Read more.
A bill proposed in Kansas would reduce licensing fees for hemp businesses from $1,200 to $500 which would reduce the barrier to entry for farmers to cultivate the crop, KSNW reports. State Rep. Tory Marie Blew (R), the bill’s co-sponsor in the House, told KSNW that “Lowering the barrier… is really gonna be appeasing to farmers to wanna get started and learn how to grow this crop and hopefully have more acreage in it in years to come.” State Rep. Webster Roth… Read more.
Arizona lawmakers are pushing to return social equity licenses for marijuana dispensaries to their original owners, alleging private investors and cannabis corporations used predatory tactics to seize control of nearly all the lucrative licenses. “We now have here in Arizona a situation where 24 of 26 of these social equity licenses are now fully controlled by companies or people who do not belong in these special groups to get this license.” By Natasha Yee, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting Arizona… Read more.
A pair of Senate committees in Hawaii has advanced a bill that would legalize marijuana in the state, adopting a number of amendments to the underlying proposal before sending it to the chamber floor where a vote is expected next week. Last year the Senate passed a separate legalization bill that later stalled the House, but advocates are hopeful this year’s proposal could get further. Gov. Josh Green (D) said last month that legalization is a “big social issue that remains” to… Read more.
The Virginia Senate and House of Delegates have approved competing bills to regulate and tax recreational marijuana sales, more than two years after the state legalized the possession of cannabis by adults. Each bill now heads to the other chamber of the state legislature, where lawmakers are expected to make several amendments to the measures. Both bills legalize retail sales of cannabis to adults aged 21 and older with a scheduled start date of January 1, 2025, according to a report from… Read more.
Idaho lawmakers are set to consider a proposal to ban the advertising of illegal products after a state lawmaker saw billboards advertising out-of-state cannabis products, Idaho Capital Sun reports. The proposal, co-sponsored by Rep. Judy Boyle (R) and Sen. Chris Trakel (R), would allow misdemeanor charges against anyone who “willfully publishes any notice or advertisement, in any medium, of a product or service that is illegal under Idaho law,” the report said. Proponents of the bill referenced witnessing specific instances of cannabis… Read more.
A Maine House committee is considering a bill to legalize psilocybin, allowing adults to access the psychedelic at licensed facilities while broadly ending the criminalization of personal use and possession of psilocybin. During a hearing before the legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Wednesday, members—two of whom disclosed personally using psilocybin in the past—discussed the psychedelics proposal, sponsored by Sen. Donna Bailey (D), who filed a similar version of the proposal in 2022 that passed the Senate but stalled out in… Read more.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) says a marijuana legalization initiative will be on the state’s November ballot, predicting a favorable legal outcome for activists in the Supreme Court in the face of a challenge from the attorney general who is seeking to block the vote. Days before dropping out of the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, DeSantis was asked about the prospect of legalization making the Florida ballot by cannabis lobbyist Don Murphy. “I think the court is… Read more.
On January 5, Florida Representative Ralph Massullo introduced House Bill 1269, which underwent its initial reading on January 9. If approved, this legislation aims to establish restrictions on the potency of cannabis products, particularly in the event of the legalization of adult-use cannabis. The proposed bill outlines stringent limitations for smoking products, concentrates, and edibles. According to the original filed version, marijuana intended for personal use must not exceed a tetrahydrocannabinol potency of 10%, whether measured by weight or volume, for smoking… Read more.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called for state lawmakers to ban “intoxicating hemp” goods, including all delta-8 products, as part of their work on amending Issue 2, the ballot measure that legalized recreational marijuana last November. On Wednesday, DeWine said at a press conference that a law enforcement sting operation had caught at least one gas station selling hemp-based delta-8 goods to minors, Fox 8 News reported. During the gathering with reporters, Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson showed pictures of THC-infused… Read more.
As New Mexico marks the two-year anniversary of legalizing recreational cannabis, state lawmakers are actively revisiting the regulations governing its sale and use. Spearheaded by Senator Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque), the legislative body is set to introduce a comprehensive bill that aims to refine and enhance existing cannabis laws, according to a report from local news outlet KRQE. A key focus of the bill is the burgeoning illegal cannabis market within New Mexico. Senator Duhigg highlighted the challenges posed by illegal cannabis, particularly with products entering… Read more.
Oregon House Republican lawmakers on Thursday released details of a proposal that would end Measure 110 by mandating misdemeanor penalties for drug possession and treatment to avoid jail. House Republicans want to make possession of small amounts of fentanyl, heroin and meth a Class A misdemeanor, which carries up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $6,250, or both. Under the bill, users could avoid jail time with mandatory addiction treatment. The bill also would impose a… Read more.
Several states across the U.S. are forging ahead with their respective psilocybin reform programs, largely embracing policy changes around possession and cultivation while working to implement therapeutic practices involving the “magic mushroom” compound. And kicking off the new year, more states are looking to join those ranks. Most recently, Rhode Island Rep. Brandon Potter (D) introduced his proposal — described in his own words as a decriminalization model — with a number of details standing apart from reform measures that… Read more.
Alaska lawmakers have filed a pair of bills to create a state task force responsible for studying and making recommendations on psychedelic policy issues, including frameworks for legalization and licensure for therapeutic practitioners. Sen. Forrest Dunbar (D) and Rep. Jennie Armstrong (D) introduced identical companion versions of the legislation on Monday. The bills would establish an Alaska Mental Health and Psychedelic Medicine Task Force under the state Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. The body would be comprised of… Read more.
Top Republican Wisconsin senators are already signaling that a newly unveiled bill from their Assembly GOP colleagues to create a strictly limited medical cannabis program may be a “non-starter”—especially as it concerns its novel proposal to have state-run dispensaries that the Senate majority leader is critically comparing to a “DMV for medical marijuana.” Just days after Wisconsin Assembly Republicans held a series of press conferences across the state to announce their much-anticipated plan to legalize medical cannabis, Senate Majority Leader Devin… Read more.
A California lawmaker is renewing his push to legalize cannabis cafes in the state, with a newly introduced bill and plans to work with the governor and regulators to address concerns that resulted in the last version being vetoed. Assemblymember Matt Haney (D) is again sponsoring the proposal, which would allow on-site marijuana consumption at licensed businesses, which could also offer non-cannabis food and drinks and host live events such as concerts if they get permission from the local government. Gov.… Read more.
Florida State Representative Ralph Massullo has introduced a bill proposing limitations on the potency of cannabis in the event that adult-use marijuana is legalized in the state later this year. The proposed legislation seeks to set a maximum THC content of 10% for cannabis products intended for smoking and 60% for concentrates. Additionally, marijuana edibles would be subject to a cap of 200 milligrams of THC per package and 10 milligrams per serving. The text of the bill reads: Marijuana for personal… Read more.
Applicants for employment in Washington gained new protections on Monday as a new law barring discrimination based on a worker’s off-duty cannabis use went into effect throughout the state. The legislation, Senate Bill 5123, was signed into law by Democratic Governor Jay Inslee in May 2023 after being passed by state lawmakers three weeks earlier. Under the new law, employers in Washington are barred from taking action against newly hired workers for using cannabis off the job and away from the… Read more.
As a new law in Washington State took effect this week to shield most job applicants who legally use cannabis from facing employment discrimination during the hiring process, two lawmakers have filed legislation to roll back those protections for workers in the drug treatment industry. HB 2047, sponsored by Reps. Tom Dent (R) and Lauren Davis (D), would add to the new law’s list of exemptions, which already include law enforcement, jobs requiring a federal background investigation or security clearance, fire… Read more.
As the New York cannabis market continues to steadily find its footing among a number of delays, the state’s governor has vetoed a measure that would have provided solutions for growers with a surplus of product without means to sell it. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Michelle Hinchey (D) and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D), would have allowed licensed growers to sell their products to tribal retailers. The sponsors, who respectively chair the state Senate and Assembly agriculture committees, shared that the… Read more.
A bipartisan group of Wisconsin lawmakers have formally introduced a measure to decriminalize marijuana possession after previewing the proposal earlier this month. Sponsors hope the limited, noncommercial reform will win enough support to clear the state’s GOP-controlled legislature and become law in parallel with a separate limited medical cannabis bill that Republican leaders say will be filed in January. Assembly Bill 861, introduced by Reps. Shae Sortwell (R), Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D) and Dave Considine (D), along with Sen. Lena Taylor (D), would remove… Read more.
New York’s governor has vetoed legislation that would have allowed licensed marijuana growers to sell products to tribal retailers. The bills, sponsored by Sen. Michelle Hinchey (D) and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D), who respectively chair the state Senate and Assembly agriculture committees, would have given a release valve to hundreds of cannabis farmers who have been sitting on surpluses without any place to sell their products. “We offered a way for some of the oversupply of cannabis grown by NY’s farmers… Read more.
A Colorado voter initiative is seeking to let voters decide whether or not cannabis consumers should be allowed to qualify for concealed carry firearm permits under state law, according to a Denver7 report. Currently, state sheriffs are prohibited from issuing the permits to anyone who would be disqualified under federal law, which still recognizes cannabis as a prohibited, Schedule I substance. The initiative seeks to update state laws so that the lawful use of cannabis does not stymie one’s application… Read more.
Alcohol sales aren’t permitted in some stores on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in Connecticut, but consumers can buy marijuana and gamble. According to West Hartford TV station WVIT, package stores must remain closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Manufacturers aren’t permitted to sell liquor, and grocery stores cannot sell beer on the two holidays. However, restaurants and other establishments that sell food are permitted to sell alcohol on those days in Connecticut. The state launched recreational cannabis sales on Jan.… Read more.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) last week vetoed a bill that would have let the state’s animal feed makers utilize hemp seeds in the production of certain animal feed products, Marijuana Moment reports. Under the bill, commercial makers of animal feed for pets, horses, or camelids would have been allowed to use hemp seed or hemp seed-derived products as ingredients for their products. Supporters of the bill had argued that the seed hulls and seed meal from hemp would be nutritious… Read more.
This week, Pennsylvania’s legislature passed a bill to allow more cultivators and independent dispensaries to grow and sell directly to consumers in the state. Senate Bill 773, which is now awaiting Gov. Josh Shapiro’s signature, was passed by the state Senate and then altered in the House. It was at one point expected to address broader issues, such as home growing or full adult-use legalization, but the end version was more limited. Instead, it focused on allowing all 25 independent medical cannabis… Read more.
Ohio lawmakers will not be amending the state’s voter-approved marijuana law this year despite a Republican-led push to expedite changes. The Senate has passed a bill to make changes, and a House committee has held a series of hearings on a different proposal, but the legislature will not be sending any reform measure to the governor’s desk by the time lawmakers head home for the holiday break this week. The House Finance Committee took public testimony on a cannabis legalization amendment… Read more.
A pair of bipartisan state senators in Pennsylvania are working to garner support for a legislative proposal that would decriminalize marijuana, downgrading simple possession from a misdemeanor crime to a civil offense. Sens. Sharif Street (D) and Camera Bartolotta (R) plan to reintroduce a bill from last session, SB 107, that would remove the possibility of jail time for possession and use of marijuana and instead impose monetary fines. The penalty for possession would be $25 under the pair’s proposed… Read more.
Lawmakers in Lubbock, Texas have officially approved a resolution to put a local marijuana decriminalization initiative on the ballot next spring after declining to enact on the reform legislatively. The Lubbock City Council voted on Tuesday to schedule a special election on the issue for May 4, 2024. This comes one month after legislators unanimously rejected the decriminalization proposal that was put on the agenda after activists submitted enough signatures to force its consideration. The committee behind the marijuana initiative first filed… Read more.
Two new bills regarding medical marijuana have been prefiled for New Hampshire’s legislative session that begins in January, with at least seven others already requested by lawmakers. One of the two proposals prefiled on Friday, HB 1231, would allow patients and caregivers to cultivate marijuana for therapeutic use. It’s sponsored by Rep. Wendy Thomas (D), as well as fellow Democratic Reps. Maria Perez, Jodi Newell, Alissandra Murray and Jonah Wheeler. Thomas sponsored similar medical marijuana homegrow legislation last session. Under the new… Read more.
A bipartisan bill in Wisconsin aims to make it easier for researchers to treat patients with acute post-traumatic stress disorder with psilocybin, WPR reports. The measure would create a trust fund called the “medicinal psilocybin treatment program” that would be administered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which launched a center for studying psychedelics to treat PTSD in 2021. State Sen. Jesse James (R), one of the bill’s sponsors, told WPR that the “federal government has failed us when it comes to marijuana and the… Read more.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed a bill designed to facilitate banking compliance between licensed cannabis businesses and financial institutions. The measure, Senate Bill S1047, was sponsored by Senator Jeremy Cooney and Assemblymember Crystal Peoples-Stokes, both Democrats. Hochul signed the bill on November 17, more than five months after the New York state legislature passed the measure during the summer. “Big News!” Cooney wrote on X after the Democratic governor signed the measure into law. “This bill is an important first… Read more.
The delta-8 THC market is bigger than ever before, regulated like hemp, but South Carolina could change that if one proposal takes root. Rep. Rosalyn Henderson-Myers (D-Spartanburg) filed a bill under South Carolina’s upcoming legislative session that seeks to create regulations around delta-8 THC and similar products, which can be sold anywhere that hemp products are sold. H. 4628 was prefiled in the South Carolina House Nov. 16, and referred to the Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs. The bill would… Read more.
A New Hampshire commission charged with drafting legislation to legalize marijuana through a system of state-controlled stores decided at its final meeting on Monday not to issue recommendations at all. The conclusion leaves open questions about how lawmakers will proceed with cannabis reform in the coming 2024 session. After months of meetings, the 19-member panel ultimately failed to reach consensus on the issue. Adding to the disarray was a last-minute demand by Gov. Chris Sununu (R)—who has threatened to veto… Read more.
As marijuana reform continues to stagnate in the Wisconsin legislature, bipartisan and bicameral lawmakers have come together to introduce a new bill that would create a psilocybin research pilot program in the state. Sens. Jesse James (R) and Dianne Hesselbein (D), as well as Reps. Nate Gustafson (R) and Clinton Anderson (D), are sponsoring the legislation, which would focus on exploring the therapeutic potential of the psychedelic in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans. The pilot program… Read more.
A bill introduced in New York seeks to prohibit smoking or vaping cannabis within 30 feet of a child or 30 feet of any location in which children reside or attend for any recreational or educational purpose. The legislation, introduced by Democratic Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Marianne Buttenschon, would impose a $25 fine and no more than 20 hours of community service for a first offense, rising to a class B misdemeanor for subsequent violations. In a statement posted to Facebook, Steck said… Read more.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill on Friday that sought to permit Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes in the state, despite widespread bipartisan support in both legislative chambers. Assembly Bill 374, championed by San Francisco Assemblymember Matt Haney, would have allowed cannabis dispensaries to transition into cafes, offering food and cannabis products, and featuring live concerts, upon receiving local government approval. The intent behind the bill was to give the legal cannabis industry, which faces stiff competition from the state’s thriving illicit market, an… Read more.
California’s governor has dealt the cannabis industry and marijuana reform supporters a mixed bag of actions on bills. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) over the weekend vetoed a measure to legalize cannabis cafes that supporters said would have given consumers new opportunities t0 socialize and allowed businesses to expand their operations. But he also vetoed marijuana packaging legislation that industry operators said would have burdened them with excessive restrictions. Meanwhile, he signed several other bills into law that will make changes to the… Read more.
Bipartisan legislation that would allow Michigan’s state-licensed marijuana businesses to conduct trade with tribal cannabis entities located in the state won approval from the full House of Representatives this week. The bills, passed by the Senate in June, next proceed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D). The pair of bills, SB 180 and SB 179, were reported out of the House Committee on Regulatory Reform on Tuesday and passed by the full chamber on Thursday. Though the two pieces of legislation… Read more.
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill into law which would allow California doctors to immediately begin writing prescriptions for MDMA and psilocybin medications should the federal government choose to reschedule them. Gov. Newsom signed AB 1021 on Saturday in an effort to prepare California doctors ahead of expected federal movement regarding psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin, which have increasingly shown effectiveness against several different mental health related issues. MDMA and psilocybin mushrooms are currently considered Schedule 1 narcotics under the Controlled… Read more.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has signed a bill that would allow doctors to immediately start prescribing certain currently illicit drugs like psilocybin and MDMA if they’re federally rescheduled, and he also approved separate legislation to amend THC variance testing requirements for marijuana. The governor signed off on the measures—which are just two of more than a dozen cannabis and drug policy reform proposals on his desk—on Saturday. AB 1021, sponsored by Assemblymembers Buffy Wicks (D), Isaac Bryan (D) and Corey… Read more.
House lawmakers in North Carolina last week unanimously passed a bill to regulate hemp-derived consumables and kratom. The measure would require businesses to get licenses to sell the products, includes testing provisions, and prohibits sales to anyone under 18 years old. Eric Stahl, of The Burnt Pot Cannabis Café and Modern Apothecia, told WNCN that the law “is a perfect example” of the Legislature “trying to work on behalf of small business to create a platform” that allows current hemp industry operators to continue… Read more.
California lawmakers approved several cannabis bills during their recently concluded session, including legislation to help social equity entrepreneurs and consumption lounge operators – plus a measure to impose major limits on labeling. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until midnight Oct. 14 to sign or veto any bill. Dozens of marijuana-related bills were introduced during the legislative session, including one to protect mainstream employees who consume cannabis. “There were the usual 40 or 50 bills that we were tracking or lobbying on… Read more.
A top Wisconsin Democratic senator has announced the filing of a new and updated bill to legalize marijuana in the state, sharing details about the latest reform push at a press conference she held while surrounded by cannabis plants at a hemp farm. Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard (D) has long championed marijuana legalization in the legislature, and she says her new bill draws from both her discussions with Wisconsin voters as she’s led a “Grass Routes” tour across the… Read more.
The Pennsylvania Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill to allow all licensed medical marijuana grower-processors in the state to sell their cannabis products directly to patients—and there’s talk of potentially expanding the legislation in the House to allow for personal home cultivation as well. In a 44-3 vote on Wednesday, the Republican-controlled Senate advanced the measure from Sen. Chris Gebhard (R), who first previewed plans to file the reform bill late last year. Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana law currently says that only… Read more.
A draft bill in Wyoming aims to ban hemp-derived THC products and any other hemp products meant for human consumption, Cowboy State Daily reports. Under the proposal, “hemp with any detectable amount of natural or synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as any production of hemp for human consumption,” would be banned in the state. Justin Loeffler, CEO and founder of the Wyoming Hemp Co., told Cowboy State Daily that while he understands why lawmakers are concerned about the products, he said the measure is… Read more.
A group in Oregon wants to make drug possession a crime again, having unveiled two versions of a would-be ballot initiative that would undo key provisions of Measure 110, the 2020 voter-approved measure that decriminalized simple possession of all drugs. The proposal—which backers say they’ll pursue both through the state legislature and at the ballot box, if necessary—would make it a misdemeanor crime to possess certain “hard” drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and others. It would also create a… Read more.
California marijuana companies are asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to veto a recently passed bill that’s meant to deter children from using cannabis products, claiming the legislation would instead ban many existing brands’ current logos while doing nothing to curb the illicit market. The California Assembly last week passed Assembly Bill 1207, which prohibits any cannabis product package or label deemed “attractive to children.” That includes any images of “including, but not limited to”: Cartoons, toys or robots. Real or fictional humans. Any fictional… Read more.
Alaska lawmakers are considering a proposal to lower the state tax on cannabis from a per-ounce tax to a sales tax, the Anchorage Daily News reports. Under the state law, enacted in 2014, cannabis is taxed at $50 an ounce. In fiscal year 2021, the state collected more than $30 million from cannabis taxes, the report says. However, according to a 2022 report from the Tax Policy Center of the Brookings Institution, when local taxes are included, Alaska taxes cannabis more than other states. In fiscal… Read more.
California lawmakers have sent the governor a bill that would prohibit employers from asking job applicants about prior marijuana use. One day after the Assembly passed an amended version of the Senate bill, the originating chamber on Thursday signed off on those changes in a vote of 30-8. It now heads to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). When employers ask applicants about past marijuana use, it “not only dissuades candidates from applying for these positions but also leads to… Read more.
Foster parents in Missouri can now legally possess and grow marijuana in their homes under an emergency rule filed last week by the state Department of Social Services. Consuming cannabis in a manner that emits smoke or vapor, however, is still not allowed inside the house. Missouri voters in November 2022 passed a ballot initiative, Amendment 3, to legalize and regulate marijuana for adults 21 and older, allowing the purchase and possession of up to three ounces of cannabis and,… Read more.
As Ohio marijuana reform advocates await final certification of signatures for a legalization initiative they hope to place on the November ballot, an unrelated vote during the state’s special election on Tuesday is being viewed as a bellwether for the cannabis proposal’s passage. Voters turned out in impressive numbers to defeat Issue 1 on Tuesday. The GOP-backed measure would have raised the threshold to approve constitutional amendments at the ballot from a simple majority to 60 percent—a change that could… Read more.
Colorado online marijuana sales are officially allowed as of Monday, giving consumers a new method of ordering cannabis more than a decade after the state enacted legalization. This comes two months after Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed the online sales legislation from Reps. William Lindstedt (D), Said Sharbini (D) and Robert Rodriguez (D) into law. The measure strikes language from state statute that explicitly prohibited cannabis from being sold on the internet, while adding regulations to provide for online commerce. Adults 21… Read more.
Officials from the Florida legislature and the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) estimate that a marijuana legalization initiative that may appear on the 2024 ballot would generate between $195.6 million and $431.3 million in new sales tax revenue annually if voters enact it. And those figures could increase considerably if lawmakers opted to impose an additional excise tax on cannabis transactions that’s similar to the ones in place in other legalized states. On Thursday, the state Financial Impact Estimating… Read more.
A bill to legalize cannabis for adults was introduced in Pennsylvania last week. The bipartisan legislation would legalize cannabis possession and retail sales and includes expungement provisions for nonviolent cannabis criminal charges. The measure was introduced in the Senate by Democratic Sen. Sharif Street and Republican Sen. Dan Laughlin. In a press release, Street described the bill as a “singular opportunity to correct decades of mass incarceration, disproportionate enforcement against marginalized communities, the criminalization of personal choice, and the perpetuation of violence.” “Legalizing the adult… Read more.
In this week’s cannabis news round-up, NBA and the NBPA reach a ground-breaking agreement on cannabis policies; Maryland reports more than $10 million in cannabis sales during the state’s opening weekend of adult use market; New York secures $150 million for cannabis social equity investment fund and the only licensed hemp farm in the British Isles closes after UK government dispute. NBA and Players Union Reach Ground-breaking Agreement on Cannabis Policies This week, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association… Read more.
Bipartisan Pennsylvania senators have officially introduced a new bill to legalize marijuana in the state. Sens. Dan Laughlin (R) and Sharif Street (D) filed the legislation on Thursday, about two months after first announcing their plans to team up on a reform push again after their joint cannabis efforts in prior sessions. “Legalized adult use of marijuana is supported by an overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians and this legislation accomplishes that while also ensuring safety and social equity,” Laughlin said in a press… Read more.
Provisions under the new law could more than double the number of licensees in the state. In the span of just four days, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis both nixed the possibility of federal marijuana decriminalization if he wins the U.S. presidency and also gave a significant boost to his home state’s medical marijuana market by signing a pro-cannabis legislative bill into law. DeSantis on Monday signed House Bill 387, which both makes permanent the option of renewing medical marijuana patient registrations via remote… Read more.
The U.S. cannabis industry is benefiting from long-desired tax relief now that an increasing number of states – 20 so far – have approved laws that exempt, or “decouple,” businesses from Section 280E of the federal tax code. This spring, legislators in Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey and New York passed legislation that will allow cannabis companies to deduct business expenses from their state income taxes, despite those companies remaining illegal under federal law. The savings could be in the millions… Read more.
The governor of Nevada has signed a large-scale marijuana reform bill that more than doubles the legal personal possession limit, consolidates licensing rules and broadens eligibility for participation in the market by people with prior felony convictions. Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) gave final approval to the legislation from Sen. Dallas Harris (D) on Wednesday, less than a week after lawmakers formally sent it to his desk. The measure makes a series of revisions to the state’s existing marijuana laws, in part… Read more.
The governor of Louisiana has signed a bill into law that will streamline expungements for people with first-time marijuana possession convictions. About two weeks after the measure from Rep. Delisha Boyd (D) advanced through the legislature, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) gave final approval on Monday. The legislation makes it so people who are convicted of possessing up to 14 grams of cannabis as a first offense can petition the courts to wipe their record after 90 days from the time… Read more.
A California Senate-passed bill to legalize the possession of certain psychedelics and facilitated use of the substances is up against a “challenging road” toward passage in the Assembly, the sponsor said on Wednesday. At a virtual event hosted by the Psychedelic and Entheogen Academic Council (PEAC), Sen. Scott Wiener (D) said that while the reform legislation advanced through his chamber, “it’s not guaranteed to pass” in the Assembly. “But we’re going to try the very best we can,” he said. Part of… Read more.
New York lawmakers have approved a bill to allow licensed cannabis farmers to sell their products to tribal nations that have launched their own cannabis markets, WRGB reports. The approval comes amidst the state’s slow retail rollout, while dispensaries have opened on tribal land throughout the state. New York has licensed about 300 growers and 40 processors but there are just 12 licensed dispensaries statewide. Jason Ambrosino, the owner of Veterans Hemp Market and Veterans Holdings, told WRGB that his company is sitting on “closer… Read more.
The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill to streamline expungements for people with first-time marijuana possession convictions, sending it to the governor’s desk. The House first cleared the legislation from Rep. Delisha Boyd (D) last month, and it then moved through committee in the Senate before passing on the floor in a 32-7 vote on Monday. The measure makes it so people who are convicted of possessing up to 14 grams of cannabis as a first offense can petition the courts to… Read more.
The Nevada legislature has given final approval to a bill to create a new working group to study psychedelics and develop a plan to allow regulated access for therapeutic purposes. It now heads to the governor’s desk. The Assembly passed the measure from Sen. Rochelle Nguyen (D) in a 40-0 vote on Sunday, one day ahead of the scheduled end of the session. This comes days after it cleared the full Senate, as well as an Assembly committee on Friday. There was… Read more.
The California Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill to allow cannabis cafés in the state, KTVU Fox 2 reports. The measure passed the chamber 64-9. The legislation would permit the sale of non-cannabis products for consumption at the cafés, which is prohibited under current state law although limited on-site cannabis consumption is allowed. Assemblymember Matt Haney (D) tole KTVU that “There’s absolutely no good reason from an economic, health, or safety standpoint that the state should make that illegal.” “Lots of people want to enjoy… Read more.
The California Senate has approved a bill that would prohibit employers from asking job applicants about prior marijuana use. After moving through four committees, the legislation from Sen. Steven Bradford (D) passed on the floor in a 29-9 vote on Tuesday, sending it to the Assembly for consideration. It would build on existing employment protections enacted last session that bar employers from penalizing most workers for using cannabis in compliance with state law off the job. “It is unlawful for an employer… Read more.
Texas House-passed bills to decriminalize marijuana, facilitate expungements and allow chronic pain patients to access medical cannabis as an opioid alternative are officially dead for the year with Senate leadership refusing to bring up the measures for consideration ahead of Monday’s end of the legislative session. Advocates had held out hope that the Senate would be more amenable to the modest reforms this session than in the past, but Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), who presides over the chamber, continued… Read more.
Supporters of a psychedelic decriminalization bill in California are hopeful that a new version of the legislation, which focuses on plant-based psychedelics, will be more successful than a similar bill which was stalled by legislators last year. Sponsored by Senator Scott Wiener, SB 58 would decriminalize the possession and use of some psychedelic substances in California. The proposed legislation was passed by the Senate Public Safety Committee on March 21 and will now be sent to the Appropriations Committee. SB 58 would… Read more.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) on Tuesday signed legislation extending the state’s moratorium on cannabis licenses for another two years, KTVH reports. Under the law, the moratorium only allows medical cannabis companies that were licensed as of 2020 to obtain adult-use licenses. The measure does include language that will allow 16 medical cannabis providers to join the state’s adult-use market, which had been in limbo due to the timing of the adult-use licensing process and the first moratorium. Gianforte also signed a bill allowing the… Read more.
The Louisiana House of Representatives has approved a bill to streamline expungements for people with first-time marijuana possession convictions. The legislation from Rep. Delisha Boyd (D) cleared the chamber in a 69-30 vote on Tuesday, sending it to the Senate. It makes it so people who are convicted of possessing up to 14 grams of cannabis as a first offense can petition the courts to wipe their record after 90 days from the time of the conviction. That would significantly… Read more.
The Minnesota legislature has sent a large-scale health policy bill to the governor that contains provisions to create a psychedelics task force meant to prepare the state for possible legalization. About one month after the House initially passed the omnibus legislation including language similar to a standalone psychedelics measure sponsored by Rep. Andy Smith (D), both chambers passed a bicamerally negotiated conference report on Monday that retains the provisions. It first cleared the Senate in a 34-32 vote. The House followed suit… Read more.
A bill proposed in the Pennsylvania House last week would protect medical cannabis patients from being charged with driving under the influence charges simply for testing positive for THC, Capitol Wire reports. The measure only covers Pennsylvania-registered medical cannabis patients and does not protect drivers who ate impaired by cannabis whether they are medical cannabis patients or not. In a cosponsor memo, state Reps Chris Rabb (D) and Aaron Kaufer (R), said medical cannabis patients “regularly” contact their offices “concerned that state… Read more.
The New Hampshire Senate has voted to create a study commission to examine potential models to legalize marijuana as the as the governor predicts that his plan to create a state-run cannabis market will likely be considered by lawmakers “next year.” Meanwhile, senators moved to set aside another House-passed marijuana legalization bill—though representatives are now discussing pursuing compromise legislation next week that would provide for a combination of state-operated and privately licensed cannabis shops while also allowing current medical cannabis… Read more.
The Minnesota legislature has approved large-scale legislation that contains provisions to legalize drug paraphernalia possession, syringe services, residue and testing—a win for harm reduction advocates in the state. As part of a criminal justice and public safety omnibus bill, bicameral lawmakers agreed to a final conference report last week that includes the drug policy reform measures. The Senate passed the report on Friday and the House approved it on Monday in a 69-63 vote, sending it to the governor’s desk.… Read more.
The governor of New Jersey has signed a bill into law that will allow licensed marijuana businesses to deduct certain expenses on their state tax returns—a partial remedy as the industry continues to be blocked from making federal deductions under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code known as 280E. Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed off on the legislation from Assemblymember Annette Quijano (D) on Monday, without a formal ceremony. This comes about three months after the legislature approved the measure with amendments.… Read more.
The Tennessee General Assembly last week gave final approval to a hemp-derived cannabinoid regulation bill, sending it to Gov. Bill Lee (R), WATE reports. The legislation aims to regulate the production, sale, and distribution of hemp products that contain delta-8 and delta-9 THC. Under the measure, manufacturers and sellers of hemp products that contain THC must obtain a license from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture by January 1, 2024. The bill also requires that hemp products that contain THC are tested for safety at an… Read more.
Vermont lawmakers held a committee hearing on Thursday where members discussed legislation to legalize psilocybin and take first steps toward providing regulated access to the psychedelic. Members of the House Judiciary Committee took up H. 371 from Reps. Chip Troiano (D) and Brian Cina (D), who said he’s personally benefitted from using psychedelics. There seemed to be agreement among members about the overall merits of the proposal, but the panel’s chairman said that “we’re not going pass this out this… Read more.
The Florida legislature signaled a move toward increased access and inclusivity in Florida's medical marijuana market. Florida’s medical marijuana market is poised for expansion following the passage of a bill that extends the renewal of marijuana prescriptions over telehealth and authorizes nearly a dozen additional licenses for Black farmers to enter the cannabis industry. The bill, HB 387, passed with bipartisan support in the House with a 105-8 vote. It had previously cleared the Senate with strong support. The move is… Read more.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Wednesday signed the bill to legalize cannabis in the state, Maryland Matters reports. After signing the legislation Moore said it will “ensure that the rollout of recreational cannabis in our state drives opportunity in an equitable way.” Will Tilburg, acting director of the newly created Maryland Cannabis Administration, said the agency is “working quickly to implement the legislation and develop Maryland as a model for equity and safety in cannabis regulation.” Moore’s final approval of the legislation came… Read more.
The governor of Washington State has signed a bill to allow interstate marijuana commerce, pending a federal policy change. The legislation from Sen. Ann Rivers (R) cleared the legislature last month, and Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed it into law on Thursday. Before signing the bill, Inslee urged Congress to modernize national marijuana laws, saying that federal legalization “will help our well-regulated cannabis industry remain competitive, while still meeting health and public safety standards.” He also quipped that Washington State needs… Read more.
Governor Wes Moore thanked the leaders of the legislature before today’s bill signing. Both the House Speaker and the Senate President sponsored a bill to give Marylanders the chance to vote on putting reproductive rights in the state constitution. “Anyone seeking or providing abortion care will always be able to come to Maryland safely to get the care that they need or treat those who need it," said Speaker Adrienne Jones. “I want to say to all the women who… Read more.
An effort to roll out Colorado's legal psychedelics industry cleared its last major legislative hurdle on Saturday with the House's passage of Senate Bill 290. If made law, the bill would help to implement Proposition 122, passed by Colorado voters in November. The ballot measure legalized the “magic mushroom” hallucinogenic compounds psilocybin and psilocin for medicinal use, and decriminalized the personal use, sharing or growing of the compounds and other "natural medicines." The bill will next be sent back to the… Read more.
Cannabis retailers could soon have the ability to sell products at marijuana-centric events and festivals, much like breweries across the state have been doing for years. As the Connecticut General Assembly nears the finish line of the 2023 session, legislators are considering a number of bills that would complement, or change parts of, the state’s 2021 cannabis legalization law. One bill under consideration — H.B. 6699 — would, among other things, establish off-site event permits for adult-use cannabis retailers. The… Read more.
The Texas House last week passed a cannabis decriminalization bill that would reduce penalties for possession of up to an ounce of flower or concentrates to a Class C misdemeanor, KXAN reports. Despite the reduced charge, however, possession penalties could still include a hefty $500 fine. Under current state law, such possession would be considered a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Possession of four ounces or more is considered… Read more.
The firm has made meaningful strides in its early clinical runway as it gears up for government-funded studies. Toronto-based Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (OTC: AWKNF), a biotech company focused on addiction treatments, reported a heft 534% rise in annual revenue for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, which they attribute to the strong performance of their clinics. The company pulled in $1.5 million in annual revenue, a 534% increase year-on-year, with $471,813 in the fourth quarter, a 131% increase sequentially. Net loss for the… Read more.
Louisiana lawmakers on Tuesday killed a bill to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state, the Lafayette Daily Advertiser reports. The House Criminal Justice Committee voted down the proposal 9-4. The measure was opposed by the state’s sheriffs, district attorneys, and police chiefs over public safety concerns and the impact of legalization on children. Ken Caldwell of the Marijuana Policy Project estimated that the state supports an illicit cannabis market of at least $1 billion. During testimony, state Rep. Candace Newell (R) argued that the… Read more.
Initially, only psilocybin and psilocyn would be allowed at therapeutic centers. The Colorado Senate approved a bill to regulate psychedelic substances, in line with a voter-endorsed initiative. The legislation aims to establish guidelines for legal psychedelic use in authorized therapeutic centers under trained professionals’ supervision. Additionally, the bill sets licensing standards for facilitators and businesses involved in producing, testing, storing, distributing, and transporting natural medicine products. The measure passed during a voice vote after amendments in its second reading on Monday. The bill passed… Read more.
State lawmakers have until July to pass a new drug possession statute in response to a 2021 Supreme Court decision that invalidated the old law. Since the Legislature failed to pass a compromise bill on Sunday night before the 2023 regular session ended, a special session likely will be called to finish this work. Senate Bill 5536, one of the last bills debated in the 105-day legislative session, failed 43-55 in the Democratic-controlled House. Several Democratic lawmakers voted against the… Read more.
The top North Carolina House lawmaker says that medical marijuana legalization has “a better chance of passing this year than in any time in the past,” and he expects a Senate-passed reform bill to be taken up by his chamber’s Republican caucus within the next month. While the GOP-controlled House has previously blocked medical cannabis legislation from advancing, House Speaker Tim Moore (R) said that its prospects have improved, with a floor vote possible depending on where Republican members ultimately… Read more.
The Texas House of Representatives will vote on a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession and create a process for expunging cannabis conviction records next week. About a month and a half after the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee unanimously passed the legislation, the Calendars Committee has officially scheduled it for floor consideration on Wednesday, April 26. The measure from Rep. Joe Moody (D) would remove the risk of arrest or jail time for low-level possession of cannabis and allow people to eventually erase… Read more.
While Florida legislators might not be in the Willie Nelson mindset some may hope, 2023 still looks more promising than any year before. Since Florida voters passed Amendment Two and legalized medicinal marijuana in 2016, ads for marijuana doctors are popping up in local weeklies, on cabs, and even on billboards. But don’t let them fool you—we are a long way from becoming a weed haven like Colorado. Like pretty much everything in Florida, there are still befuddling questions about how the whole… Read more.
Whether you’re walking down Bourbon Street or chilling in one of the parks along the Mississippi River, chances are you’re going to encounter cannabis in the Big Easy. After all, New Orleans is a global mecca for having a good time. But despite the city’s feel-good status, Louisiana weed laws don’t follow that same chilled-out vibe. So before you go lighting up a joint or passing around edibles, be sure to take a moment to learn about the city’s weed laws. It’s… Read more.
Atlanta is the epicenter of nightlife in Georgia. From classy cocktail bars to iconic clubs of all kinds, we have it all—well, except one thing. Despite Atlanta’s reputation as a fun-loving party town, Georgia weed laws haven’t gotten the memo and remain pretty buttoned up compared to other states across the country. The actual law of the land can be a bit confusing, so it’s always a good time to examine our current marijuana laws to figure out what’s legal and what’s smoke. And… Read more.
Illinois lawmakers are considering bills that would ban police from searching vehicles based solely on the odor of cannabis and allow some people on probation to use cannabis and alcohol, Capitol News Illinois reports. The bill prohibiting police from searching vehicles based on cannabis odor would still allow the practice for drivers under 21-years-old. During floor debate on the vehicle search reform bill, State Sen. Rachel Ventura (D) said “People – especially people of color – are unnecessarily pulled over far too… Read more.
A bill to allow interstate marijuana commerce in Washington State is officially heading to the governor’s desk. The House approved the Senate-passed legislation from Sen. Ann Rivers (R) on Wednesday, but members adopted a minor amendment that required concurrence from the opposite chamber. That happened on Friday, meaning the bill is now on its way to Gov. Jay Inslee (D) for his signature. The measure would allow the governor to enter into agreement with other legal cannabis states, pending a federal policy change “to… Read more.
Nevada lawmakers have approved a revised bill that would create a new working group to study psychedelics and develop a plan to allow regulated access for therapeutic purposes. While the legislation before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee as introduced would have legalized psilocybin and promoted research into the psychedelic, as well as encouraged studies of MDMA, the panel adopted an amendment that scales it back significantly. As approved in a voice vote on Thursday, Sen. Rochelle Nguyen’s (D)… Read more.
In an interview with the Conway Daily Sun on Thursday, New Hampshire Senate President Jeb Bradley (R) predicted the chamber would not pass the cannabis legalization law approved by the House last week. The House has passed an adult-use cannabis legalization bill three times, but the reforms have never been approved by the Senate. Bradley added that “in the middle of a drug crisis,” he doesn’t “think it’s a good idea to legalize more drugs.” State Rep. Michael Costable (R) told the Daily Sun… Read more.
The Texas House on Tuesday passed a measure to expand the state’s medical cannabis program by increasing the THC levels allowed in cannabis products and adding chronic pain to the state’s qualifying conditions list, the Dallas Morning News reports. Under the proposal, THC levels in medical cannabis products sold in Texas would be raised to 10 milligrams per dosage unit – up from the current 1% limit. The bill would allow patients who would otherwise get an opioid prescription for pain to access… Read more.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is expected to sign into law before a key Monday deadline legislation that sets regulations for adult-use marijuana sales and cultivation, just in time for the first legal sales to begin July 1. Maryland residents voted overwhelmingly last November to legalize adult-use cannabis. But the industry-funded ballot initiative left vital details – including licensing, taxation and whether the state’s existing medical cannabis businesses would get first crack at what could be a $2.1 billion market by 2027 – to state lawmakers. After months of debate –… Read more.
Washington state lawmakers have approved a measure that prohibits denying an individual a job due to their off-the-clock cannabis use, the Washington State Journal reports. The measure still requires reconciliation as the House version excludes safety-sensitive positions – such as first responders or corrections officers – from protection under the bill, while the Senate version does not include those exemptions. Both bills would prohibit discrimination from employers in the hiring process if it is based on an applicant’s cannabis use off-the-clock or if an employment drug… Read more.
The New Hampshire House on Thursday passed an adult-use legalization bill by a 272-109 vote, The Center Square reports. The measure moves next to the state Senate. New Hampshire is the lone New England state to not allow cannabis sales to adults. In a statement, Republican Rep. Jason Obsorne, a co-sponsor of the legislation, said he is “pleased to see New Hampshire take a step toward relieving gangsters and thugs from control of this market” and keep “dangerous untested products away from consumers, and… Read more.
A large-scale initiative to house the homeless in Los Angeles is bumping up against efforts to give social equity license holders and other retailers a greater role in the city’s cannabis industry. In particular, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ plan to build and retrofit thousands of single-family homes and multifamily units for the homeless is creating new obstacles for marijuana retailers and entrepreneurs searching for property in one of the nation’s priciest real estate markets. Such dwellings – known as Permanent… Read more.
The governor of New Mexico has approved a bill to fulfill a key goal of the state’s marijuana legalization law by facilitating automatic expungements for prior cannabis convictions. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed the legislation from Reps. Andrea Romero (D) and Javier Martínez (D) late last week. While the legislature did include automatic expungements and resentencing provisions in the state’s 2021 legalization law, the courts have experienced technical issues with processing certain cases. The now-signed bill seeks to resolve those problems… Read more.
Another Minnesota Senate committee has approved a bill to legalize marijuana—marking one of the final stops in the chamber on its long path to the floor. The legislation from Sen. Lindsey Port (D) cleared the Senate Rules and Administration Committee in a voice vote on Tuesday. It now has just two more expected panels to go through before the full body can take up the measure. This comes about a week after the House companion version, sponsored by Rep. Zack… Read more.
A bill to allow psychedelic therapies in Washington state has stalled, but lawmakers are considering legislation to allow military veterans and first responders to access a pilot program for the treatment, the Seattle Times reports. The pilot program bill has passed the Senate and last week was approved by the House Committee on Health Care and Wellness. Under the measure, pilot program participants would have to be 21 and older, and have experienced substance use disorder, depression or anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.… Read more.
The Missouri House last week approved a measure that would require the state to conduct studies on psilocybin to treat depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, or use as part of end-of-life care, the Missouri Independent reports. This bill requires the state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to provide more than $2 million in grants for the research, subject to lawmakers approving the appropriation. The state would collaborate on the study with a Missouri university hospital or medical center operated by the U.S.… Read more.
Last Friday, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 into law, which legalizes medical cannabis in the commonwealth. But there will be a wait until the state’s program kicks in. Governor Beshear had again urged lawmakers to legalize medical cannabis “this session” after SB47 cleared the Senate last month. The legislation then went on to clear the House on March 30 and the governor wasted no time; giving it his formal blessing the following day. While some legal protection for medical… Read more.
A Montana Senate committee on Thursday voted to table a controversial bill that aimed to eliminate adult-use cannabis sales in the state, the Montana Free Press reports. The measure also included a provision to raise the tax on medical cannabis products from 4% to 20%. The Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee voted 6-4 to table the bill with Senate President Jason Ellsworth, Committee Chair Jason Small, and Sen. Walt Sales – all Republicans – joining all three Democratic members to oppose the bill.… Read more.
As the winds of change blow across the United States, many states have lifted their bans on recreational cannabis. However, not every state has embraced the green wave with open arms. Despite the growing popularity of cannabis and its proven medical benefits, some states remain resistant to legalizing recreational use. Whether it's a concern for public health, public safety, or a reluctance to break tradition, these states have chosen to swim against legalization. So, while some states are blazing a trail… Read more.
A 14th Minnesota House committee has approved a bill to legalize marijuana, after members adopted a large-scale amendment to overhaul various tax provisions of the legislation. The House Taxes Committee passed the measure from Rep. Zack Stephenson (D) in a voice vote on Thursday. Members also received a much-anticipated fiscal note and revenue projection ahead of the meeting. One of the main changes that was adopted as part of an amendment from the sponsor would gradually decrease the tax rate… Read more.
A bill proposed in Montana would eliminate adult-use cannabis dispensaries in the state and raise the tax on medical cannabis from 4% to 20%, the Montana Free Press reports. According to the bill text, the measure, sponsored by state Sen. Keith Regier (R), intends to “reduce the demand for marijuana sales” in Montana. The measure, which carries no co-sponsors, is currently in the chamber’s Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee. Adult-use cannabis sales in Montana have generated $54 million in tax revenues since sales commenced in January… Read more.
The Delaware Senate on Tuesday approved bills to legalize cannabis use and possession by adults and create a system to license dispensaries, the Associated Press reports. The approval sets up a potential showdown with Democratic Gov. John Carney, who last summer vetoed a measure to legalize cannabis possession by adults. The possession bill passed 16-4, which would survive a Carney veto. Last session, the House was unable to override Carney’s veto, with a 20-20 vote. The bill to set up a cannabis marketplace in… Read more.
A bill proposed in North Carolina would legalize cannabis for adult use and expunge prior cannabis-related convictions, WSOC-TV reports. The measure includes a 20% excise tax on cannabis sales and allows municipalities to enact an additional 3% tax. Funds derived from cannabis sales would be split into new and existing programs, including: 25% to a Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund created by the bill; 10% to a Social Equity Fund created by the bill; 3% to a Cannabis Education and Technical Assistance Fund created… Read more.
The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) says that it would be prudent for the state to legalize certain psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA to prepare for a likely federal policy change allowing their use for medical treatment. At a hearing before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee last week, DOH testified on a pair of resolutions that call for the establishment of an advisory council to study and make recommendations on approving psychedelic medicines. Members of the panel ultimately… Read more.
South Carolina lawmakers and advocates aren’t giving up the push to legalize medical marijuana just yet, and they’re imploring leadership to take up a GOP-led reform bill ahead of a key legislative deadline this week. At a press conference on Tuesday, supporters of the legislation from Sen. Tom Davis (R) stressed the urgency of getting the reform enacted this year, with a deadline set coming up on Thursday to get the bill out of the Senate and over to the… Read more.
Hawaii will have to wait at least another year before marijuana legalization comes to the islands, after a legislative proposal stalled in the state House of Representatives. Earlier this month, the Hawaii state Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass the bill, which would legalize adult-use cannabis and establish the regulatory framework for a recreational marijuana market. But that bill “was not scheduled for a state House hearing before a key legislative deadline,” according to MJBizDaily, which means that the proposal is likely dead for 2023. … Read more.
A Maryland Senate committee has amended and approved a marijuana sales bill to get the state ready for the implementation of a voter-approved legalization referendum, sending it to the floor—where a vote is expected this week. At a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee, members passed the legislation from Sens. Brian Feldman (D) and Antonio Hayes (D) in a 7-2 vote. Senate President Bill Ferguson (D) said last week that there were a number of issues that lawmakers needed to address before advancing… Read more.
A bill to legalize marijuana in New Hampshire is going back to the House floor after a second committee passed the legislation with amendments on Monday. The proposal, which is being sponsored by Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R) and Minority Leader Matthew Wilhelm (D), cleared the House Ways & Means Committee in a 16-4 vote. The full chamber already approved the legislation last month, but it needed to be sent back to the finance-focused committee because of its fiscal provisions. It… Read more.
A bill to legalize medical cannabis was introduced last Friday – late in the session and through means that would circumvent the committee process, East Idaho News reports. The measure was introduced as a personal bill by House Health and Welfare Committee Chairman John Vander Woude (R) but personal bills don’t typically advance. Personal bills are usually introduced at the beginning of the state’s session and used as groundwork for future policy discussions, the report says. The measure did not appear on any legislative agendas on… Read more.
A bill proposed in Pennsylvania would legalize cannabis for adults and sell cannabis products through the state’s liquor store system, Erie Now News reports. The measure would also expunge low-level cannabis convictions and allow individuals to grow up to six cannabis plants. State Sen. Dan Laughlin (R) told Erie New Now that while he supports broad cannabis legalization, he does not support the proposal to sell it through the liquor store system. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro is including legalizing and taxing adult-use cannabis in the 2023-2024 executive budget. If… Read more.
North Dakota’s governor has signed a bill allowing patients admitted to hospice care to self-certify as medical marijuana patients. The legislation, which cleared the House in an 86-6 vote and the Senate unanimously in a 45-0 vote, was signed into law on Thursday by Gov. Doug Burgum (R). Under the measure from Rep. Mary Schneider (D), terminally ill patients will be able to use proof of their admittance in hospice care in lieu of a doctor’s written recommendation to register… Read more.
Nevada senators held a hearing on a bill to legalize the possession of psilocybin on Thursday, discussing a proposed amendment to remove therapeutic use provisions and taking extensive testimony from advocates and experts—including from an Assembly lawmaker who shared his own experience with ketamine treatment. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee took up the legislation from Sen. Rochelle Nguyen (D), which under the amendment would remove criminal penalties for possession of up to six ounces of the psychedelic for adults… Read more.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) on Thursday vetoed a bill to raise THC levels allowed for unprocessed industrial hemp from 0.3% to 5%. Raising the THC threshold to 5% would have allowed for another processor to extract THC as it develops more uses for hemp after the initial process is completed. In her veto statement, Noem said the proposal would have changed the definition of “product in process” by increasing the THC limits which would have allowed hemp products and crops in… Read more.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is proposing legislation to crack down on unlicensed cannabis storefronts in the state, including fines of up to $10,000 per day for unlawful operations. The legislation would also give additional enforcement power to the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the Department of Taxation and Finance to enforce the new regulatory requirements and close stores engaged in cannabis sales without a license. The new legislation, which is being introduced as a governor’s program bill in the… Read more.
Kentucky’s governor signed a bill into law that establishes a framework to test, label and regulate delta-8 and outlaws sales to those younger than under 21. The bill, which was approved by the state’s Republican-led House and Senate, also bans possession for those younger than 21 and requires retailers to keep those products behind a counter, according to the Louisville Courier Journal. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s signing comes after his executive order last year that regulated packaging and labeling of delta-8 products. “We did… Read more.
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.
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.
The Pennsylvania Appellate Court made a groundbreaking ruling, allowing workers' compensation laws to cover medical cannabis expenses. Paul Sheetz, the deceased plaintiff, treated his chronic pain with medical cannabis after a work injury in 1977. He also used cannabis to wean off prescribed opioids. The defendant, Firestone, argued that reimbursing medical cannabis costs would violate federal law, but the court disagreed. The court ruled that insurers are not recommending cannabis, so it is not a federal crime. This decision benefits those who… Read more.
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.
Lawmakers in Montana this week considered changing the advertising and labeling rules under the state’s adult-use cannabis law, the Missoula Current reports. One measure would bar adult-use cannabis businesses from promoting their brands in print, on TV or radio, or on billboards, while another would revise labels on packaging to include warnings about using cannabis while pregnant. Under the current adult-use law, licensees are not permitted to advertise “marijuana or marijuana products” but are allowed to advertise their brand, as allowed by the Montana Department of Revenue. The… Read more.
A House panel in Washington State took another step toward allowing interstate cannabis commerce on Thursday, advancing a Senate-approved bill that would one day enable businesses in the state to import and export marijuana products. The bill, SB 5069, from Sen. Ann Rivers (R), would give the governor the authority to enter into agreements with other legal states to permit interstate trade between licensed cannabis companies. But it would take effect only if there’s a federal law change “to allow… Read more.