Cannabis Legalization News

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pushing for lawmakers to pass a statewide legalization measure before the New York legislative session ends tomorrow.

The New York Farm Bureau has announced its support for pending legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis. The legislation would give farmers priority consideration for cannabis cultivation licenses.

Recent polling data suggests that a strong 55 percent majority of New Yorkers support cannabis legalization, including an overwhelming 75 percent of young voters.

A cannabis legalization bill has advanced from the Delaware House Revenue and Finance Committee into the full chamber for consideration. A similar bill failed last year by just four votes — Gov. John Carney, however, has already voiced his opposition to legalizing.

Illinois lawmakers have approved a legalization bill that, if signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker — a cannabis legalization supporter — would make Illinois the 11th state to legalize cannabis.

A tax-and-regulate legalization plan has advanced from the Illinois Senate to the House of Representatives. The bill has the support of Gov. J.B. Pritzker and, if fully approved, would make Illinois the 11th state to legalize cannabis for adult use.

Expecting another 2020 ballot initiative legalization bid, lawmakers in North Dakota plan to study the implications of adult-use cannabis regulations in the event voters there decide to embrace reform.

The Archdiocese of Chicago — one of Illinois’ most powerful organizations — has come out against legal cannabis in the state; meanwhile, one of the group’s top officials serves on the board of Insys Therapeutics, a notoriously anti-legalization pharmaceutical group.

New York lawmakers are crafting new legislation aimed at major cannabis policy reforms now that the governor’s plan to legalize via the state budget has been rejected.

Recently introduced legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis in Delaware contains much of the same language as the state’s failed attempt from last year — this time, however, the proposal lacks home-grow provisions, which may make it easier to accept for certain lawmakers.

With lawmakers having failed to establish adult-use cannabis legislation this session, Senate President Steve Sweeney says he’s planning to put the question to voters via a ballot initiative in the 2020 general election.

Nebraska state senators have tabled medical cannabis legislation, effectively killing it, after hours of debate on the Senate floor and even after the bill’s sponsor agreed to suggested amendments limiting the program’s available products and delivery methods.

Sens. Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries announced they will reintroduce the Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act, which would legalize cannabis nationwide and authorize spending for cannabis crime expungement.

Illinois’ adult-use legalization legislation has been unveiled by state lawmakers; according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the bill will “right historic wrongs” of cannabis prohibition.

A bill to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis has passed the Connecticut Finance Committee and is expected to advance next to the full House floor for consideration.

Florida is the latest state to pass industrial hemp legislation after the 2018 Farm Bill removed federal restrictions on the crop; the bill now moves to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature, though it’s unknown if he intends to sign.

Illinois lawmakers are expected to unveil legislation this week that would legalize and regulate cannabis sales for adults aged 21 or older; Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker already supports the move.

By 2028, the U.S. cannabis market could be worth $41 billion pre-tax, according to analysts at Barclays.

Connecticut lawmakers are hoping for a 20 percent overall tax on adult-use cannabis products with an optional 3 percent tax for local municipalities; the tax plan would keep Connecticut’s cannabis tax on par with neighboring Massachusetts.

The survey also found that 84% of Americans favored cannabis legalization of some form.

California Senator and 2020 presidential hopeful Kamala Harris said during a live-streamed interview on Wednesday that convicted cannabis dealers should be pardoned and given the opportunity to participate in the industry they pioneered.

Canadian LP Canopy Growth has agreed to purchase the multi-state cannabis operator Acreage Holdings for a whopping $3.4 billion — but not until cannabis is federally legalized in the U.S.

A strong majority of British Columbia residents say they are so far satisfied with the federal legalization of cannabis.