Cannabis Legalization News

There are significantly more Americans who believe that cannabis legalization reforms have been a success than those who think the policies have failed.

Pamela Althoff is the Executive Director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, the state’s top cannabis industry trade organization, and a former state senator.

Lebanese lawmakers have approved the legalization of medical cannabis and industrial hemp; the move was recommended by economic advisors prior to the coronavirus outbreak.

Florida senators are hoping a new state law — which calls on the state Supreme Court to determine whether a ballot initiative might violate the U.S. Constitution — will block a proposed initiative for the 2022 legalization of adult-use cannabis.

New Approach Montana, a cannabis legalization group, is suing the state saying they should be allowed to collect petition signatures electronically during the coronavirus crisis.

A new financial analysis suggests that the Oceanic cannabis market including New Zealand, Australia, Guam, and surrounding islands could be worth $1.55 billion by 2024.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo admitted to reporters this week that cannabis legalization was “not likely” to make it into the final budget this year.

Oklahoma state Rep. Scott Fegatter (R) has proposed broad cannabis legalization, which he says would pad the state budget with up to $100 million in annual tax revenue.

Cannabis legalization efforts in Missouri have likely stalled after a stay-at-home order was issued for the state.

Oklahoma’s petition to legalize cannabis is on hold and likely dead for the year amid a 30-day statewide emergency declaration.

The coronavirus crisis in New York is likely to delay lawmakers’ efforts to legalize adult-use cannabis this session as the state reels from a staggering number of new virus infections.

Business analysts at DataTrek Research suggest more states could legalize adult-use cannabis in the near future to help their economies recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Ohio officials rejected a petition to place a cannabis legalization initiative on the November ballot due to invalid signatures: only 271 of the 1,248 submitted signatures were deemed valid.

Kentucky lawmakers have advanced two pieces of hemp legislation: one would establish CBD label requirements and the other would legalize smokeable hemp products.

A draft legalization law has been sent to members of Lebanon’s Parliament — the proposal, however, would only legalize cannabis products containing no more than 1 percent THC.

Lawmakers in South Dakota have reached a hemp legalization deal with Gov. Kristi Noem, who had promised to veto hemp reforms without having funds set aside for costs associated with the plan.

The launch of Maine’s adult-use cannabis marketplace has been delayed for likely several months, with some officials predicting the first shop will open its doors in June.

Nebraska activists including state Sen. Anna Wishart (D) are pushing again this year to put a medical cannabis legalization question on the November ballot.

A hearing in Connecticut yesterday gave state officials, agencies, and stakeholders a chance to weigh in about the state’s governor-backed legalization bill.

Lebanese lawmakers are poised to legalize cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial purposes.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts) has unveiled her plan to legalize cannabis if she is elected president — the plan includes expungement of past convictions, research funding, medical cannabis access for veterans, and more.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Twitter this weekend that he supports national cannabis legalization reforms.

New Hampshire House lawmakers have approved legislation for the third time in as many years to legalize adult-use cannabis; the proposal, however, stops short of regulating commercial sales.

A coalition of Connecticut clergy yesterday rallied in support of legalizing cannabis for adults and creating a taxed-and-regulated cannabis marketplace.