Anthony Martinelli

Nebraska State Senator Loren Lippincott filed Legislative Bill 431 today, aiming to classify kratom as an illegal controlled substance under the state’s Controlled Substances Act. The bill defines kratom as any product or ingredient derived from the Mitragyna speciosa plant that contains the active alkaloids mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine, as well as any synthetic materials containing …

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Legislation that would legalize the licensed distribution of recreational marijuana has been approved by its committee of origin in Virginia. Senate Bill 970 was passed by the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services today, by a vote of 8 to 7. The proposal was filed by Senator Aaron Rouse (D). “I’m proud to have …

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Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) judge has informed the agency’s leader that responsibility now rests with her regarding the Biden administration’s marijuana rescheduling proposal. This comes after he approved a request to file an appeal earlier this week, leading to the cancellation of scheduled hearings. In a letter addressed to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram on Wednesday, …

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President Biden has commuted the sentences of nearly 2,500 people charged with non-violent drug charges. “Today, I am commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice”, said President Biden in a …

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The National Cannabis Roundtable (NCR) and US Cannabis Council (USCC) today announced an agreement to combine the two organizations that represent leading multi-state and single-state cannabis operators, retailers, ancillary businesses, and advocacy organizations. The combination, which will be known as the US Cannabis Roundtable, immediately establishes a singular voice representing the cannabis industry to the …

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Two bills were introduced today in the Iowa House of Representatives that aim to reduce penalties for marijuana possession in the state. Filed by Republican lawmakers, the proposals take slightly different approaches but share a common goal of reforming Iowa’s marijuana laws. House File 72, sponsored by State Representative Josh Meggers, would lower the penalty …

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A new report compiled by the Marijuana Policy Project demonstrates that legalizing recreational cannabis has not led to increased cannabis use among youth. In fact, data that was recently released shows decreases in youth cannabis use in 19 of the 21 states with before-and-after data. “Over a decade into state-level cannabis legalization, the data is …

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Newly released figures from the Maryland Cannabis Administration reveal that the state’s marijuana industry generated $1.14 billion in total sales in 2024. December alone accounted for $98,867,338 in sales, with $74 million from recreational purchases and the remainder from medical marijuana. The average price per gram in December was $9.43. Breaking down December’s sales, dried …

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December marijuana sales in Massachusetts topped $154 million. Data released today by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) shows that there was $140.2 million worth of recreational marijuana sold in December. When combined with the $14.5 million in medical marijuana sold during the same month, there was $154.7 million in total marijuana sales. December’s sales …

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State Senators Lindsey Port, Matt Klein, and Clare Oumou Verbeten unveiled Senate File 204 today, a measure that would expand expungement and resentencing opportunities for past cannabis convictions. If enacted, the legislation would amend Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609A.06, subdivision 3, to broaden the scope of offenses eligible for expungement or resentencing. Under the bill, …

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