Delaware lawmakers give final approval to marijuana bills
1 year, 8 months ago

Delaware lawmakers give final approval to marijuana bills

Associated Press  

— The Delaware Senate gave final approval Tuesday to bills legalizing recreational marijuana use by adults in the state and authorizing the establishment of a state-licensed and regulated cannabis industry, setting up a potential battle with Democratic Gov. Buckson, however, led the opposition to the industry-creation bill that calls for state officials to issue up to 30 initial retail marijuana licenses, 30 manufacturing licenses, 60 cultivation licenses and five testing licenses. Opponents have argued legalization and creation of a state marijuana industry would lead to increased marijuana use among teens and young adults that could affect their cognitive development, expose business owners to liability and result in more traffic deaths and injuries. Buckson argued Tuesday that a recreational marijuana industry also will negatively affect Delaware’s medical marijuana industry and will lead more people who have never used marijuana to try it.

Industry Delaware Senate Republican Democrat Bill Dover Buckson State Marijuana  licenses  industry  statelicensed  lawmakers  cannabis  bills  state  marijuana  approval  recreational  bill  final  legalization  delaware  legalizing

History of this topic

Trio of ballot failures leads marijuana backers to refocus their efforts for recreational weed
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Trio of ballot failures leads marijuana backers to refocus their efforts for recreational weed

Associated Press  

The movement to legalize recreational marijuana has run into a wall of resistance, failing in all three states where it was on the ballot this year and leading proponents to weigh a tactical shift focused more on state legislatures and the federal government. It’s “going to be a potentially tougher hill to climb going forward to enact legalization in the …

Voters could make recreational cannabis legal in more than half of U.S. states
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Voters could make recreational cannabis legal in more than half of U.S. states

NPR  

Voters could make recreational cannabis legal in more than half of U.S. states toggle caption Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images Three more states are voting today on whether to legalize the recreational use of cannabis — and if more than one of the measures passes, it would mean a majority of U.S. states have recreational marijuana laws on the books. …

Florida rejects marijuana legalization measure, other states still pending
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Florida rejects marijuana legalization measure, other states still pending

Salon  

On Nov. 5, voters in four red states will cast their ballots for legalizing cannabis and marijuana, the extracts from the plant. “It’s certainly not crazy to think you might see some other very conservative Southern states follow along, if Florida adopts it.” North Dakota: Measure 5 In North Dakota, advocates are hoping the third time's a charm in legalizing …

Could America’s divide on marijuana be coming to an end?
3 months, 1 week ago

Could America’s divide on marijuana be coming to an end?

Associated Press  

The U.S. is divided when it comes to state and federal marijuana policy, but recent political developments could move the country toward a greater acceptance of cannabis. Both major presidential candidates have signaled support for a federal policy change to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, and voters in several additional states will get a say this fall on …

Trump signals support for reclassifying pot as a less dangerous drug, in line with Harris’ position
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Trump signals support for reclassifying pot as a less dangerous drug, in line with Harris’ position

Associated Press  

▶ Follow the AP’s live coverage and analysis as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris meet for their first debate. WASHINGTON — Donald Trump has signaled support for a potentially historic federal policy shift to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, putting his position in line with that of his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris. The commonality reflects a major shift …

A decision on a major policy shift on marijuana won’t come until after the presidential election
3 months, 3 weeks ago

A decision on a major policy shift on marijuana won’t come until after the presidential election

Associated Press  

Follow live: Updates from AP’s coverage of the presidential election. While it’s possible it could precede the end of President Joe Biden’s term, issuing it before Inauguration Day “would be pretty expedited,” said cannabis lawyer Brian Vicente. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, signaled support for a Florida legalization measure on Saturday, following earlier comments that he increasingly agrees …

North Carolina Senate gives initial approval to legalizing medical marijuana
6 months ago

North Carolina Senate gives initial approval to legalizing medical marijuana

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina got a step closer to legalizing medical marijuana on Thursday when the state Senate gave it its initial approval. Legalizing medical marijuana for qualifying patients with a “debilitating medical condition” was added to a bill on Wednesday that originally focused on creating further state regulations for federally legal hemp products. Sen. Bill Rabon, a Republican …

California Assembly passes bill allowing Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes
7 months ago

California Assembly passes bill allowing Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes

LA Times  

Blake Evans and Brooke Ann share a smoke and a meal at Irie, upstairs from Pleasure Med cannabis dispensary in West Hollywood. A bill that would allow Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes in California passed the state Assembly Monday afternoon on a 49-4 vote and is headed to the Senate. The bill would authorize local jurisdictions to allow licensed cannabis retailers to …

Recreational marijuana backers try to overcome rocky history in South Dakota
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Recreational marijuana backers try to overcome rocky history in South Dakota

Associated Press  

Advocates of legalizing recreational marijuana in South Dakota, a mission with a rocky history, submitted thousands of signatures to election officials on Tuesday in the hopes of once again getting the issue on the conservative state’s November ballot. Twenty-four states have legalized recreational marijuana, including as recently as November 2023 in Ohio, but “no state has as interesting or rocky …

As the US moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, could more states legalize it?
7 months, 2 weeks ago

As the US moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, could more states legalize it?

Associated Press  

As the U.S. government moves toward reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, there may be little immediate impact in the dozen states that have not already legalized cannabis for widespread medical or recreational use by adults. Following two previous failed attempts, a Nebraska group is gathering signatures to get two measures onto this year’s ballot: one to legalize medical …

Marijuana backers eye proposed federal regulatory change as an aid to legalizing pot in more states
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Marijuana backers eye proposed federal regulatory change as an aid to legalizing pot in more states

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Following two previous failed attempts, …

Recreational marijuana backers can gather signatures for North Dakota ballot initiative
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Recreational marijuana backers can gather signatures for North Dakota ballot initiative

Associated Press  

BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota ballot initiative group can gather signatures to put a proposal legalizing recreational marijuana to a statewide vote in the fall, the state’s top election official said Thursday, in the latest legalization effort in the conservative state. “We spend too many resources, we spend too much money, we criminalize behavior that’s more benign than alcohol …

Lawmakers seek to prop up Delaware medical marijuana industry after legalizing recreational use
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Lawmakers seek to prop up Delaware medical marijuana industry after legalizing recreational use

Associated Press  

— Senior citizens in Delaware will be able to get medical marijuana without a prescription or referral from a doctor under a bill heading to Democratic Gov. Instead, according to chief Senate sponsor Kyra Hoffner, doctors will be able to prescribe medical marijuana “as they feel fit.” Supporters of the bill, which earned only one Republican vote in the Democrat-controlled …

Granderson: Marijuana isn't fueling cartels. U.S. laws drive the violence
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Granderson: Marijuana isn't fueling cartels. U.S. laws drive the violence

LA Times  

Police found six people shot to death last week near U.S. Highway 395 — roughly 50 miles outside of Los Angeles. The 1969 stoner film “Easy Rider” may have been characterized as “counterculture,” given only 12% of Americans thought pot should be legal at the time, but in hindsight that picture of recreational drug use in America wasn’t “counter” as …

Senate Democrats Urge Biden To Deschedule Marijuana Entirely
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Senate Democrats Urge Biden To Deschedule Marijuana Entirely

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING A group of 12 Senate Democrats on Monday urged the Biden administration to remove marijuana from the list of harmful drugs outlawed by the federal government, arguing that simply reclassifying it as less dangerous would be insufficient. In the letter, addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Drug Enforcement Agency Administrator Anne Milgram, the senators said a …

Opinion: I’m the Black owner of a national cannabis company. Here’s why there aren’t many others
1 year, 3 months ago

Opinion: I’m the Black owner of a national cannabis company. Here’s why there aren’t many others

LA Times  

As a Black man who grew up in Orange, N.J., in the 1980s and witnessed the effects of the war on drugs in my family and community, I never thought I’d be in the cannabis business. But the lack of banking options available because of federal prohibition means anyone who wants to start and support a business in the market …

Governor’s new stance revives New Hampshire marijuana effort
1 year, 7 months ago

Governor’s new stance revives New Hampshire marijuana effort

Associated Press  

CONCORD, N.H. — Gov. The House Commerce Committee voted Tuesday to amend an unrelated bill as a vehicle for a new plan where the state regulates marijuana the same way it controls the sale of wine and liquor, in line with what the Republican governor and potential presidential candidate outlined. The latest measure is similar to a plan lawmakers considered …

Minnesota lights up! Lawmakers make the land of 10,000 lakes 23rd state to legalize ‘recreational marijuana’
1 year, 7 months ago

Minnesota lights up! Lawmakers make the land of 10,000 lakes 23rd state to legalize ‘recreational marijuana’

Hindustan Times  

In a groundbreaking move, Minnesota has joined the ranks of states embracing the legalization of recreational marijuana. Senators in the state passed a bill over the weekend, making Minnesota the 23rd state to allow adults over the age of 21 to partake in the use of cannabis for recreational purposes. House and Senate cannabis bill authors Rep. Zack Stephenson and …

Negotiators finalize details of bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Minnesota
1 year, 7 months ago

Negotiators finalize details of bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Minnesota

Associated Press  

ST. PAUL, Minn. — House and Senate negotiators wrapped up work Tuesday on the details of a bill to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in Minnesota, setting the stage for final votes in the closing days of the legislative session. It will still take staffers a day or two to prepare the final bill language, the Democratic chairs of the …

New Hampshire governor offers path to legalize marijuana
1 year, 7 months ago

New Hampshire governor offers path to legalize marijuana

Associated Press  

CONCORD, N.H. — A day after New Hampshire legislators rejected the latest attempt to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, Gov. “In the past, I said now is not the time to legalize marijuana in New Hampshire,” Sununu said in a statement. Sununu said that this path “helps to keep substances away from kids by ensuring the state of New …

New Hampshire Senate rejects marijuana legalization bill, leaving state an outlier in New England
1 year, 7 months ago

New Hampshire Senate rejects marijuana legalization bill, leaving state an outlier in New England

Associated Press  

CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire Senate rejected a marijuana legalization bill Thursday, leaving it the only state in New England that makes smoking pot recreationally a crime. Republican Senate President Jeb Bradley said the time isn’t right to legalize marijuana, as the state combats a drug addiction and overdose crisis. House Democratic Leader Matt Wilhelm said the push to …

Senate vote puts Minnesota on path to legalizing marijuana
1 year, 7 months ago

Senate vote puts Minnesota on path to legalizing marijuana

Associated Press  

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Senate voted Friday to legalize recreational marijuana for adults, but the bill requires more work and negotiations before it can become law. There are several differences between the Senate bill and the companion version that passed the House 71-59 on Tuesday, so a House-Senate conference committee will need to resolve them before final votes …

Marijuana legalization advancing in Minnesota Legislature
1 year, 7 months ago

Marijuana legalization advancing in Minnesota Legislature

Associated Press  

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Recreational marijuana could soon be legalized and regulated in Minnesota under bills that are entering the final rounds of debate at the Legislature. “Today is a big day because we are now at the five-yard line” for legalizing cannabis, the lead author, Democratic Rep. Zack Stephenson, of Coon Rapids, said at a news conference ahead of …

Delaware governor says he won’t block marijuana legalization
1 year, 8 months ago

Delaware governor says he won’t block marijuana legalization

Associated Press  

John Carney said Friday that he will allow bills legalizing recreational marijuana use by adults in the state and authorizing the establishment of a state-licensed and regulated cannabis industry to become law without his signature. It’s time to move on.” “I remain concerned about the consequences of a recreational marijuana industry in our state,” Carney added. The legalization bill allows …

Minnesota bill to legalize marijuana gets major rewrite
1 year, 9 months ago

Minnesota bill to legalize marijuana gets major rewrite

Associated Press  

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Legislation to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in Minnesota underwent a major rewrite Tuesday with the addition of new language to regulate and protect the state’s burgeoning industry in low-potency edibles and drinkables. “It has had incredible costs for our communities, especially for communities of color.” The 142-page amendment adopted Tuesday deals extensively with regulatory and …

Delaware House approves legalizing recreational marijuana
1 year, 9 months ago

Delaware House approves legalizing recreational marijuana

Associated Press  

— The Delaware House has once again approved a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana use by adults in the state. John Carney vetoed a legalization bill last year, and House members failed to muster the three-fifths majority needed to override the veto. Opponents argue that legalization will lead to increased marijuana use among teens and young adults and expressed …

New Hampshire House gives initial marijuana legalization OK
1 year, 10 months ago

New Hampshire House gives initial marijuana legalization OK

Associated Press  

CONCORD, N.H. — A bipartisan bill to legalize recreational marijuana in New Hampshire passed its first big test Wednesday. Supporters hope New Hampshire will join 21 other states, including the rest of New England, in legalizing the drug, though the bill still has a long way to go. Most of the tax revenue would go toward reducing the state’s pension …

Maryland marijuana measure prioritizes social equity
1 year, 10 months ago

Maryland marijuana measure prioritizes social equity

Associated Press  

— Maryland is working toward creating a recreational marijuana industry with greater social equity, lawmakers said Friday, with more licenses for minority-owned businesses and proceeds directed to areas adversely impacted by the war on drugs. The measure before the General Assembly, which is controlled by Democrats, will enable the state’s existing medical marijuana businesses to sell recreational cannabis as well …

Minnesota lawmakers start down path to legalizing marijuana
1 year, 11 months ago

Minnesota lawmakers start down path to legalizing marijuana

Associated Press  

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Legislature embarked on a path toward legalizing recreational marijuana for adults Wednesday when a legislative committee held the first hearing of the year on a bill that backers say is designed to avoid the pitfalls experienced by states that have already legalized it. “Minnesotans deserve the freedom and respect to make responsible decisions about …

After election, marijuana advocates look to next states
2 years, 1 month ago

After election, marijuana advocates look to next states

Associated Press  

— Law-abiding marijuana enthusiasts could find themselves in a bit of a predicament following voter approval of a recreational cannabis initiative in Missouri. Maryland residents will have to wait even longer — until the middle of next year — before a recreational marijuana measure approved this past week can take effect. After Democratic victories in last week’s legislative and gubernatorial …

Voters approve recreational marijuana in Maryland, Missouri
2 years, 1 month ago

Voters approve recreational marijuana in Maryland, Missouri

Associated Press  

— Voters approved recreational marijuana in Maryland and Missouri but rejected it in three other states, signaling support gradually growing for legalization even in conservative parts of the country. “State-level legalization victories are what’s necessary to move the needle forward at the federal level.” The state voting follows moves by President Joe Biden toward decriminalizing marijuana. “Now they know that …

Voters approve recreational marijuana in Maryland, Missouri
2 years, 1 month ago

Voters approve recreational marijuana in Maryland, Missouri

Associated Press  

— Voters approved recreational marijuana in Maryland and Missouri but rejected it in two other states, signaling support gradually growing for legalization even in conservative parts of the country. “State-level legalization victories are what’s necessary to move the needle forward at the federal level.” The state voting follows moves by President Joe Biden toward decriminalizing marijuana. “It’s pretty clear North …

Voters in five states decide whether to legalize marijuana
2 years, 1 month ago

Voters in five states decide whether to legalize marijuana

Firstpost  

The proposals are on the ballot in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota and follow moves by President Joe Biden toward decriminalizing marijuana Arkansas: Voters in five states are deciding on Election Day whether to approve recreational marijuana, a move that could signal a major shift toward legalization in even the most conservative parts of the country. The …

EXPLAINED: Which US States Put Marijuana On The Ballot in 2022?
2 years, 1 month ago

EXPLAINED: Which US States Put Marijuana On The Ballot in 2022?

News 18  

Recreational marijuana could be legal in half the country if the handful of states with cannabis measures on ballots this November pass them. Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota have measures on their ballots this fall for voters to consider legalizing recreational marijuana. The Arkansas Supreme Court cleared the way in September for voters to consider whether people …

EXPLAINER: Which states put marijuana on the ballot in 2022?
2 years, 2 months ago

EXPLAINER: Which states put marijuana on the ballot in 2022?

Associated Press  

Recreational marijuana could be legal in half the country if the handful of states with cannabis measures on ballots this November pass them. Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota have measures on their ballots this fall for voters to consider legalizing recreational marijuana. — The Arkansas Supreme Court cleared the way in September for voters to consider whether …

Missouri voters set to weigh in on recreational marijuana
2 years, 4 months ago

Missouri voters set to weigh in on recreational marijuana

Associated Press  

— A campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Missouri gathered enough signatures to make it on the November ballot, Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced Tuesday. Efforts to allow recreational marijuana use have failed to pass Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature for years, prompting advocates to go to voters for approval instead. Local NAACP chapters, the American Civil Liberties Union of …

Medical pot proposal gets bipartisan support in NC Senate
2 years, 6 months ago

Medical pot proposal gets bipartisan support in NC Senate

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Marijuana would be legalized for medical use in North Carolina with a physician’s prescription and purchased through dozens of tightly regulated dispensaries in a measure receiving initial approval Thursday in the Senate. The legislation, which received strong bipartisan support, could help people facing more than a dozen different “debilitating medical conditions” in which their doctor declares the …

Medical pot bill resurfaces in NC Senate, heading to floor
2 years, 6 months ago

Medical pot bill resurfaces in NC Senate, heading to floor

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Legislation authorizing marijuana for medical use in North Carolina and developing a system to grow, sell and regulate cannabis was recommended by a state Senate committee Wednesday, nine months after it last surfaced. The measure, which now heads to the Senate floor for the first of two required votes Thursday, would allow patients with at least one …

Governor signs bill legalizing recreational marijuana
2 years, 6 months ago

Governor signs bill legalizing recreational marijuana

Associated Press  

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island’s governor signed legislation Wednesday making the state the 19th in the nation to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana, an issue that some lawmakers have been working on for years. McKee’s said the legislation accomplishes the priorities of making sure legalization is “equitable, controlled and safe.” Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey called it “a momentous day for …

Delaware Gov. John Carney vetoes marijuana legalization bill
2 years, 7 months ago

Delaware Gov. John Carney vetoes marijuana legalization bill

Associated Press  

John Carney on Tuesday vetoed a bill to legalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by adults for recreational use, drawing the wrath of fellow Democrats who have fought for years to make weed legal. “I recognize the positive effect marijuana can have for people with certain health conditions, and for that reason, I continue to support the …

Proposal for state-run pot industry fails again in House
2 years, 7 months ago

Proposal for state-run pot industry fails again in House

Associated Press  

— Legislation to establish a state-run marijuana industry in Delaware has again failed to clear the state House. “The governor has been clear that he does not support the legalization of marijuana, and his position has not changed,” Carney spokeswoman Emily David said in an email prior to Thursday’s vote. Osienski, a Newark Democrat, told fellow lawmakers Thursday that the …

Marijuana legalization bill clears Delaware House
2 years, 7 months ago

Marijuana legalization bill clears Delaware House

Associated Press  

— The Delaware House voted Thursday to approve a bill legalizing possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by adults for recreational use. The bill approved Thursday was introduced in late March as stand-alone legislation after a failed effort to pass broader legislation creating a state-regulated and taxed marijuana industry. “I’m grateful to the House for passing this bill …

Kentucky gov asks input, weighing action on medical cannabis
2 years, 8 months ago

Kentucky gov asks input, weighing action on medical cannabis

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. The Democratic governor said he’ll seek grassroots input as his legal team explores his potential options to make medical marijuana legally accessible. Republican Senate President Robert Stivers said Kentuckians should be concerned that the governor “thinks he can change statute by executive order.” “He simply can’t legalize medical marijuana by executive order; you can’t supersede a …

Delaware marijuana legalization bill defeated in House vote
2 years, 9 months ago

Delaware marijuana legalization bill defeated in House vote

Associated Press  

— A bill to legalize recreational marijuana use by adults in Delaware and establish a state-run pot industry was defeated in the state House on Thursday. “I’m just stunned it’s taking this long,” said chief bill sponsor Ed Osienski, a Newark Democrat who has Osienski said Delaware is the only state in the country with a Democratic governor and Democrat-controlled …

South Dakota House committee rejects recreational pot bill
2 years, 9 months ago

South Dakota House committee rejects recreational pot bill

Associated Press  

— South Dakota House Republicans on Monday dismissed a proposal to legalize recreational pot for adults, in a major blow to a bill that aimed to honor the will of voters. South Dakota voters passed a constitutional amendment in November 2020 to legalize recreational pot, medical marijuana and hemp. Senate Bill 3, which emerged from a legislative committee that studied …

South Dakota Senate passes bill to legalize recreational pot
2 years, 10 months ago

South Dakota Senate passes bill to legalize recreational pot

Associated Press  

— The South Dakota Senate on Wednesday passed a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana, as Republicans reasoned they should jump ahead of a campaign to legalize it on the November ballot. They have been prodded by voters, who approved by 54% a 2020 constitutional amendment, known as Amendment A, to legalize recreational pot, medical marijuana and hemp. “This bill is …

Marijuana bills stall in Virginia’s GOP-controlled House
2 years, 10 months ago

Marijuana bills stall in Virginia’s GOP-controlled House

Associated Press  

RICHMOND, Va. — As the Virginia General Assembly reaches the halfway point of this year’s session, one of the year’s most complicated issues — possible changes to the state’s new law legalizing recreational marijuana — has stalled in the GOP-controlled House. Another bill The legislation, which appeared to be the main marijuana bill offered by House Republicans, also called for …

SC Senate approves medical marijuana bill, House up next
2 years, 10 months ago

SC Senate approves medical marijuana bill, House up next

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina senators Wednesday approved the use of medical marijuana in the state on a 28-15 vote that finished a Republican senator’s seven-year quest to pass the proposal, but the legislation still has some hurdles to pass to become law. Davis said his proposal would be one of the most conservative among the 37 states that have …

SC Senate medical marijuana debate stretches to third week
2 years, 10 months ago

SC Senate medical marijuana debate stretches to third week

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The debate over whether to legalize medical marijuana in South Carolina is extending into a third week in the state Senate starting Tuesday, with a Republican leader telling his colleagues to plan for late nights to bring the issue to a vote. Other opponents said Davis’ bill creates a massive new bureaucracy to handle medical marijuana. Democratic …

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