US Cannabis Policy Updates

The Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill to decriminalize cannabis possession in the state and expunge prior cannabis charges.

New York lawmakers passed a bill to let hemp cultivators and processors obtain early conditional licenses for the state’s adult-use cannabis program.

The New Mexico Senate approved an amendment to the state’s cannabis regulation bill to no longer require cannabis producers and manufacturers to prove they have water rights for their businesses.

The Indiana Senate passed a proposal by state Sen. Mike Young (R) which would allow the state attorney general to intervene when county prosecutors decide not to pursue cannabis-related charges.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) combined the state’s cannabis and hemp industry regulatory agencies to create the Cannabis Regulatory Agency.

A Washington bill that passed the state Senate unanimously last week would increase penalties for robbing licensed cannabis retailers.

Alabama lawmakers are ready to consider a bill this week to reduce penalties for possessing two ounces or less of cannabis.

The Utah state legislature has passed a bill protecting public employees from termination over having a medical cannabis authorization.

A bill introduced in Colorado would prevent employers from denying employment or terminating an employee for consuming cannabis outside of business hours.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the SAFE Banking Act for the sixth time as an amendment to the China competition bill.

Three campaigns to put a cannabis legalization question on Florida ballots have failed, meaning the state’s last path forward on the issue this year is its politically polarized Legislature.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed the state’s medical cannabis bill into law yesterday, making it the 37th state with a medical marijuana program.

The SAFE Banking Act — which has sought for years to let the cannabis industry access banking services — was revived last week as an attachment to the America COMPETES Act of 2022, a domestic spending bill.

Following advocates’ successful push for the state’s initiated statute process, Ohio lawmakers now have four months to consider a cannabis legalization bill or the campaign could push the issue to a vote on state ballots.

Vermont’s House Judiciary Committee is reviewing three different drug reform bills that range from personal use decriminalization to substance abuse disorder treatment.

Costa Rica President Carlos Alvarado vetoed a bill to legalize medical cannabis and industrial hemp over provisions related to personal use and consumption.

A Delaware proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis passed the House Health & Human Development Committee and moves next to the Appropriations Committee.

Amazon has endorsed a Republican-led federal cannabis legalization bill, noting that federal prohibition has a negative effect on their workforce.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) included $25 million in his supplemental budget for creating a Cannabis Management Office and asked lawmakers to approve adult-use reforms.

Mississippi’s medical cannabis bill will now advance to Republican Gov. Tate Reeves for signing after the Legislature approved a proposal with reduced patient purchasing limits.

The Ohio House Health Committee approved a bill to add autism spectrum disorder to the state’s medical cannabis qualifying conditions list.

A medical cannabis bill in South Carolina is finally set for a hearing during a special legislative session this week.

The Mississippi House passed a Senate-approved medical cannabis bill but with updates adding some qualifying conditions and reducing the amount of medical cannabis that patients can purchase each day.

New Mexico lawmakers are set to consider cannabis regulatory changes including production increases for cannabis microbusinesses and budtender education requirements.