Connecticut lawmakers have put recreational marijuana back on the table — sort of. According to the CT Post, lawmakers are curious as to how they would successfully regulate the drug if it were ever to be legalized in the New England state.
Politics
Virginia Senate Passes Bill for First-Time Offenders to Have Cannabis Charges Expunged
Virginia residents caught with cannabis might get a chance to clear their convictions. On Feb. 12, 2018, the Virginia Senate voted to approve Senate Bill 954, a bill which would reduce the penalties for cannabis possession and allow first-time offenders to have their charges expunged.
Bill Extending Medical Marijuana to Opioid Users Passes Illinois Senate Committee
A bill that would allow people who have been prescribed opioids to apply for a temporary medical marijuana card passed a Senate committee Wednesday.
Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Legalize Recreational Marijuana in Georgia
The chances that Georgia will legalize recreation marijuana is slim, but the bill’s lawmaker sponsor said support is growing.
Medical Marijuana Bill Passes Virginia Senate 40-0
The Virginia Senate voted unanimously Monday to pass the Joint Commission on Health Care bill SB 726, which will let Virginia doctors recommend the use of cannabidiol oil or THC-A oil for the treatment of any diagnosed condition or disease.
State Lawmakers Push for Bill to Legalize Marijuana Delivery
A bill before the Colorado State Legislature would allow legalized delivery of marijuana. State Rep. Jonathan Singer and others are behind the push to make delivery of pot in Colorado legal.
Senate Joins House in Passing Indiana Cannabis Oil Bill
The Indiana Legislature is poised to allow anyone to purchase and use a cannabis-derived extract believed to have therapeutic benefits, following a key vote by the state Senate on Monday.
New Mexico Senate Rules Committee Approves Legalization Bill
Recreational cannabis might be heading for the New Mexico ballot in 2018. On Feb. 2, 2018, the New Mexico Senate Rules Committee voted 4-3 to approve Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino’s Senate Joint Resolution 4, a measure which would allow state residents to vote on cannabis legalization in the next general election.
Maine Governor Agrees to Delay Implementation of Controversial Medical Cannabis Rules
Controversial rules regulating Maine’s medical cannabis program will not go into effect as scheduled. On Jan. 31, 2018, Gov. Paul LePage agreed to delay implementation of the medical cannabis rules, which would have gone into effect on Feb. 1, 2018, until May 2018.
Bill Allowing Cannabis Oil for Medical Patients Gains Traction in Virginia
A bill that would allow physicians to prescribe a form of medical marijuana to patients suffering from a variety of serious diseases seems headed toward passage Thursday on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates.
Legislative Committees in the Pine Tree State Vote to Delay Maine Marijuana Regulations
Two legislative committees in the Pine Tree State have decided that they need more time to perfect Maine marijuana regulations. On Jan. 25. 2018, the state legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee voted to approve a moratorium bill that would delay the implementation of new medical marijuana rules issued by the state Department of Health and Human Services.
Arizona Lawmaker Wants Medical Pot Tested for Mold and Pesticides
The medical marijuana industry is a new frontier in Arizona and State Sen. Sonny Borrelli wants to make it safer for patients and customers.
Moratorium on Marijuana Retail Establishments in Maine Expires Thursday
A moratorium on commercial marijuana establishments is set to expire Thursday. In November, Maine lawmakers sustained Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill to regulate and tax the sale of marijuana.
Cannabis Oil Bill Introduced in Idaho House Committee
On Jan. 25, 2018, during the House Health and Welfare Committee, Rep. Dorothy Moon proposed draft legislation, RS25862, that would permit residents to use medically prescribed cannabis oil.
Keystone State Auditor General Advocating for Pennsylvania Legalization
While the Keystone State’s medical marijuana program has only just begun, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale is ready for Pennsylvania legalization to tap into the recreational market to benefit the state budget, reduce the costs associated with simple possession arrests, curb the opioid epidemic and create jobs.
Massachusetts Federal Prosecutor: Opioids, Not Pot, Are Priority
Massachusetts’ new federal prosecutor said on Wednesday he will not rule out prosecuting marijuana businesses in a state that has legalized the drug, but stressed that his focus is on the opioid epidemic.
Canadian Cannabis Research Banks $1.4M in Funding From Government
With the Great White North preparing to become the first G7 nation to launch recreational legalization, the federal government wants to inform its journey into uncharted territory by providing $1.4 million in funding to Canadian cannabis research projects.
Gov. Phil Murphy Orders Broader Access to NJ’s Medical-Marijuana Program
Governor Phil Murphy ordered broader access to medical marijuana in New Jersey, saying roadblocks by his predecessor Chris Christie had stifled patients’ relief.
AG Ferguson Wants to Know Sessions’ Effects on Washington Cannabis Industry
Since United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions first criticized the Washington cannabis industry in July 2017, Gov. Jay Inslee and Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson have defended the industry; however, Sessions’ memo on Jan. 4, 2018, announcing a reversal of federal cannabis enforcement policy, may have prompted the state to bolster its position.
Nebraska Senator Introduces Cannabis Amendment Resolution
On Jan. 18, 2018, Sen. Anna Wishart introduced an amendment resolution that would call for Nebraska residents to vote on the legal status of medical cannabis in the November election.
Tennessee Lawmakers Propose Allowing Medical Cannabis
After years of successive failures, backers of medical cannabis in Tennessee are taking a new tack — keeping the ban on smoking it.
GOP Senator Offers Bill to Legalize Marijuana in Kentucky
A member of the Republican leadership team in the Kentucky Senate has introduced a bill aimed at legalizing marijuana.
New York Governor Calls for Feasibility Study to Examine Legalizing Marijuana
Could New York become the next state to legalize recreational marijuana? On Jan. 16, 2018, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his proposed FY 2019 state budget, which includes funding for the creation of a feasibility study aimed at understanding the social, health, and criminal justice impact of legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.
VA Says It Won’t Study Medical Marijuana’s Effect on Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs says it will not conduct research into whether medical marijuana could help veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain, as veterans groups are pushing for the use of the drug as an alternative to opioids and anti-depressants.
Senator Nicholas Scutari Introduces New Jersey Marijuana Legislation
During his campaign, governor-elect Phil Murphy voiced his support for marijuana legalization in his state of New Jersey. Though Murphy is not officially in office until next week, Sen. Nicholas Scutari has already made moves to fulfill Murphy’s campaign promise.
Vermont Senate Votes to Legalize Recreational Marijuana
Recreational marijuana is coming to the state of Vermont. On Jan. 10, 2017, the Vermont Senate voted to approve H. 511, a bill that will legalize recreational marijuana possession for adults 21 and older, as well as home growing of two mature plants and four immature plants.
Maine Federal Prosecutor Says Pot Users Are Not a Priority
Maine’s top federal prosecutor says his office will not make prosecuting marijuana users a priority.
U.S. Justice Department Blindsided Banking Agency on Pot Policy Flip
When the U.S. Justice Department said last week it was reversing policy on the $7 billion marijuana business, it failed to first notify federal officials who advise banks in states where the drug is legal, sources in Congress said.
Colorado’s Senator Cory Gardner to Confront AG Jeff Sessions on Marijuana
Colorado U.S. Senator Cory Gardner will meet with Attorney General Jeff Sessions to discuss marijuana enforcement policy.
Pelican State Asks Trump to Protect Louisiana Medical Marijuana
When United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo on Jan. 4, 2018, announcing the reversal of federal marijuana enforcement policy, politicians across the country were outraged, and now the Pelican State has joined in and asked President Donald Trump to protect Louisiana medical marijuana.
Nevada Lawmakers Urge Congress to Change Federal Marijuana Laws
Nevada lawmakers said Tuesday that Congress must address federal marijuana laws following a decision by the Trump administration to lower the barrier on federal prosecutions in states that have decriminalized use for medical and recreational purposes.
New Hampshire House Gives Preliminary Approval to Legalization Bill
A legalization bill in the state of New Hampshire has just cleared its first legislative hurdle. On Jan. 8, 2018, the state House of Representatives voted to give preliminary approval to an amended version of HB 656, a bill legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.
What’s Next for Marijuana Industry After Recent Crackdown?
The national movement to legalize marijuana took a big step forward this week – and a big step back. California became the largest state in the nation to permit recreational pot use, but on Thursday Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded Obama-era guidelines meant to limit federal prosecutions. Atlantic senior editor Derek Thompson joins “CBS This Morning: Saturday” to discuss why this situation is so confusing and what this means for business owners in the burgeoning marijuana industry.
Lawmaker’s Bill Helps Children Prescribed Medical Marijuana
A Republican lawmaker wants to make accommodations for Maine children prescribed medical marijuana.
Vermont House Approves Bill Legalizing Recreational Cannabis
On Jan. 4, 2018, the Vermont House of Representatives voted to approved H. 511, a bill legalizing recreational cannabis in the state.
Voters to Decide on Oklahoma Medical Cannabis Legalization This Summer
This past summer voters in the Sooner State learned that they’d have an opportunity to vote on Oklahoma medical cannabis legalization in 2018, but the exact election date wasn’t clear until now.
Politicians Outraged by Reversal of Federal Marijuana Enforcement Policy
On Jan. 4, 2018, United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo to announce a reversal of federal marijuana enforcement policy, rescinding five Obama-era memos that guided U.S attorneys to take a hands-off approach in regards to investigating and prosecuting state-legal marijuana businesses complying with state law.
Gov. Gary Herbert Predicts Voters Will Legalize Medical Marijuana in Utah
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Wednesday that Utahns will vote to legalize medical marijuana. Whether that will be this November — when it may be on the ballot as an intiative — or a future year, the governor didn’t say.
US to End Policy That Let Legal Pot Flourish
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Jeff Sessions is rescinding the Obama-era policy that had paved the way for legalized marijuana to flourish in states across the country, two people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.
Indiana Senator Pushes for CBD Oil Legalization
A state senator has filed a bill that would officially legalize the sale and possession of cannabis oil in Indiana.
New Mexico Legislator Wants Marijuana on the 2018 Electoral Ballot
A New Mexico legislator is once again working to legalize recreational marijuana. On Dec. 21, 2017, state Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino introduced a measure that would put a ballot amendment legalizing recreational marijuana on the 2018 electoral ballot.
Former California Attorney General Bill Lockyer Launches Cannabis Distribution Company
After spending the bulk of his professional career enforcing federal cannabis law, former California Attorney General Bill Lockyer is cashing in on the state’s legal cannabis industry by co-founding his own cannabis distribution firm.
Vast Majority of Utah Voters Support Legalizing Medical Marijuana
The vast majority of Utah voters support legalizing medical marijuana. According to a new poll by UtahPolicy.com, approximately 73% of registered Utah voters either strongly or somewhat support legalizing medical marijuana in the state.
Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Votes Yes on Drafted Rules
On Dec. 21, 2017, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission voted yes on drafted regulations for the state’s recreational marijuana businesses.
New Veterans Affairs Rules Allow Docs to Talk About Medical Marijuana
Doctors and pharmacists at the Veterans Affairs Department have been cleared to talk about the pluses and minuses of medical marijuana use with vets who ask about the drug.
Senator Ron Wyden Becomes First Co-Sponsor of Marijuana Justice Act
On Dec. 18, 2017, United States Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced that he would be the first co-sponsor of S.1689, better known as the Marijuana Justice Act, a bill that would take marijuana off of the federal list of controlled substances.
Taxes on Wholesale Marijuana Frustrate Alaska Growers
With the cannabis supply in Alaska increasing and wholesale prices declining, growers are feeling a pinch from the state’s wholesale tax. Some are calling for reform.
Vermont Will Legalize Marijuana Within Weeks, Officials Indicate
Vermont appears poised to become the next state to legalize marijuana. And, according to top elected officials, it is likely to do so within a matter of weeks.
Department of Justice Intern Questions US Attorney General’s Stance on Marijuana
According to an internal video obtained by ABC News, United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions took part in a heated exchange with Department of Justice interns this summer over policing, gun control and marijuana policy.
U.S. States Tried Decriminalizing Pot Before. Here’s Why It Didn’t Work
In the past five years, eight states and Washington, D.C., have legalized recreational marijuana for adults. Today, 68 million people live in areas where marijuana is treated like alcohol or tobacco.