Cannabis Legalization News

Costa Rica’s Congress voted to legalize cannabis for medical use despite opposition from President Carlos Alvarado.

The South Dakota Legislature’s subcommittee on adult-use cannabis voted 8-2 to move forward with a proposal to enact legalization reforms, despite opposition by Republican Gov. Kristi Noem.

A survey published Monday by real estate brokerage firm Redfin found that 46% of respondents would “prefer to live” or “will only live” in a place where cannabis is legalized broadly.

An Ohio bill being circulated by Republican Rep. Jamie Callender would allow sales and possession for adults 21-and-older and levy a 10% tax on retail sales.

Once a hippy hideaway for cannabis before it was made illegal in the 1970s, activists are pushing legislation to legalize cannabis in Nepal.

German police unions voiced opposition to national cannabis legalization following election victories by Social Democrats, the Greens, and the Free Democrats, all of which support the reforms.

Protestors gathered across Mississippi on Saturday to demand that Gov. Tate Reeves (R) call a special session to pass the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act.

Sen. Mike Regan, who helped write Pennsylvania’s 2016 medical cannabis law, is circulating a memorandum seeking to add co-sponsors to a cannabis legalization bill.

Oklahoma cannabis advocates have filed ballot initiatives aiming to legalize adult-use cannabis and replace the state’s medical cannabis oversight agency in 2022.

During their first meeting on Tuesday, the board in charge of implementing New York’s legalization bill enacted medical cannabis reforms including waiving application fees, allowing for whole flower, and raising supply limits.

Cannabis advocates have formed the Kansas Cannabis Chamber of Commerce which will push for industry reforms.

Florida advocates are launching a campaign to legalize cannabis cultivation and use for adults. They need to submit 891,589 valid petition signatures by February 1 to get the question on 2022 ballots.

The FBI’s latest stats show a 36% drop nationwide in cannabis-related arrests from 2019 to 2020.

Researchers found that less than 2% of people living in states that have legalized cannabis have been diagnosed with “cannabis use disorder” and that the reforms were not linked to increased cannabis consumption among youths aged 12-20.

Beginning October 1, medical cannabis patients in Connecticut can grow six plants individually with a maximum of 12 per household.

The Nebraska Cannabis Association, launched last week, is the state’s first organization dedicated to lobbying for cannabis policy, advising on regulations, and supporting cannabis industry entrepreneurs.

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) is making cannabis legalization a centerpiece of his campaign for the U.S. Senate, saying “It’s always been the right thing to do.”

Three New Hampshire legislators have filed separate proposals to put adult-use cannabis constitutional amendment questions on the 2022 ballot.

Cannabis flower is now available to Virginia medical cannabis patients. Prior to the reforms, Virginia patients could only access products manufactured from the oils of the plant.

Cannabis arrests have fallen more than 90% in the Richmond, Virginia area since the state’s legalization law took effect on July 1.

Medical cannabis dispensaries in Minnesota are partnering with volunteer attorneys from St. Paul’s Mitchell Hamline School of Law to host expungement clinics and help people clear their records of nonviolent cannabis charges.

Connecticut’s Commissioner for the Department of Consumer Protection recently warned that the state’s roll-out of adult-use cannabis sales is likely to face delays.

The South Dakota Supreme Court updated the state’s professional conduct rules to allow attorneys to advise cannabis industry clients.