Cannabis Legalization News

A Minnesota bill to legalize edibles containing no more than 5 milligrams of hemp-derived THC (including both delta-8 and delta-9 THC) took effect on Friday. Some Republican lawmakers may have voted for the bill without understanding its full scope.

Mississippi’s medical cannabis legalization law takes effect today, July 1, with plans for dispensaries and other facilities to open later this year. 

The Texas Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the statewide ban on smokable hemp, citing the state’s long history of prohibiting and regulating the production and possession of hemp.

A recent UN report noted an uptick in cannabis consumption tied to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as legalization policies around the world.

Republican lawmakers in North Carolina’s House of Representatives during a closed-door meeting decided not to advance the state’s Senate-approved medical cannabis reforms bill.

According to a recent poll, 84% of cannabis consumers and 81% of Americans believe cannabis businesses should meet consistent environmental standards.

A recent MarketsandMarkets report suggests that the global cannabis marketplace will reach $90.4 billion by 2026.

The number of registered medical cannabis patients in the U.S. has quadrupled from 2016 to 2020 and the current total is just over 2.97 million patients, according to a recent study.

More than 58% of Thai citizens are supportive of the government’s recent cannabis reforms which involved removing the plant from the country’s narcotics list and legalizing cannabis cultivation and trade.

The American Medical Association is calling on states that have legalized or decriminalized cannabis to expunge criminal records due to the overbearing impacts on potential physicians’ lives.  

Germany started holding expert hearings this week related to its cannabis legalization plan, which lawmakers expect to finalize by the end of the year.

Thailand has initiated its plan to give one million cannabis plants to its citizens, distributing the first 100 seedlings just one day after legalizing cannabis cultivation and trade.

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore (R) said the state’s medical cannabis bill probably won’t reach the chamber floor for a vote, effectively killing it for the year.

A new survey revealed that 83% of Nebraskans supported the legalization of medical cannabis in 2021 and 2022. 

Thailand has officially legalized the trade and cultivation of cannabis and approved the sale of cannabis-derived products containing under 0.2% THC.

Delaware lawmakers this week failed to override Gov. John Carney’s recent veto of the state’s cannabis legalization bill.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) has signed a bill to effectively legalize up to 5mg of THC — including both delta-8 and delta-9 THC — in consumable products.

Ukraine Health Minister Viktor Liashko announced government support for legalizing medical cannabis with a bill that includes more than 50 qualifying conditions.

Bernie Sanders called the U.S. criminal justice system “racist” and “unjust,” and called out the Justice Department for focusing on cannabis instead of white-collar crimes and business offenses.

The North Carolina state Senate approved a bill on Thursday to legalize medical cannabis; the measure moves next to the House of Representatives.

The North Carolina Senate voted to permanently legalize hemp on Tuesday and some lawmakers are set to discuss the legalization of medical cannabis today.

In Indiana, where cannabis use remains illegal even for medical purposes, the legislature has added cannabis policy to its summer study committee agenda.

Virginia lawmakers are looking to create stricter cannabis possession rules despite the state having passed a legalization bill in April 2021.

South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws’ campaign to get cannabis legalization on midterm ballots was successful and voters will get to decide on the issue this November.