Anthony Martinelli is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Marijuana Herald, a daily marijuana news and information website that launched in 2018. You can reach Anthony at [email protected].
Anthony Martinelli
Author's posts
Dec 08 2023
Federal Legislation to Fully Deschedule Marijuana Gains Three New Sponsors, Now Has 76
Legislation in the House of Representatives that would decriminalize and fully deschedule marijuana now has 76 sponsors. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act was filed in September by US Representative Jerrold Nadler (D) along with four cosponsors. By the end of November the number of cosponsors climbed to 73. On Wednesday, Representatives Jamaal …
Dec 07 2023
New Oklahoma Bill Would Extend Medical Marijuana Licenses for Disabled Veterans From Two Years to 10
Newly filed legislation would extend the renewal period for medical marijuana licenses held by disabled veterans by 500%. Oklahoma Senate Bill 1219 was filed by Senator Brenda Stanley (R). It’s been assigned to the Senate Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Committee. According to the bill, “An applicant for a medical marijuana patient license who can …
Dec 07 2023
US Department of Health Releases Documents Explaining Why It Wants Marijuana Rescheduled
The United States Health and Human Services Department has released an over 250 page document explaining their rationale for wanting the DEA to reschedule marijuana. In August the Department sent a letter to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) officially requesting marijuana be reclassified as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act, which would …
Dec 07 2023
US Congress: Bipartisan Bill Filed to Protect State Marijuana Laws, Allow Interstate Commerce
A bipartisan group of lawmakers have refiled the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act. Filed by Representative Dave Joyce (R) and cosponsored by Representatives Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R), Brian Mast (R), Troy Carter (D) and Earl Blumenauer (D), the measure would fully allow states to legalize marijuana without fear of federal persecution, while …
Dec 07 2023
California Bill Banning Employers From Asking About Past Marijuana Use Takes Effect Soon
Two pieces of legislation designed to help end workplace discrimination against marijuana consumers take effect soon in California. Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in October, Senate Bill 700 takes effect in less than a month, on January 1. The new law makes it unlawful “for an employer to request information from an applicant …
Dec 06 2023
Illinois Marijuana Sales: $164 Million in November, $1.7 Billion Year-to-Date
November marijuana sales were over $164 million in Illinois. There was $164.7 million in marijuana purchased through legal outlets in November, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. These numbers are very similar to the $164.9 million in marijuana sales in October. Recreational marijuana sales actually saw a slight uptick between October …
Dec 06 2023
Texas City Schedules Marijuana Decrim Vote for May 4
Lawmakers in Lubbock, Texas have scheduled a vote on an initiative that would decriminalize marijuana possession. The Lubbock City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to place the initiative, put forth by the group Lubbock Compact, on the ballot during a May 4 special election. The vote comes roughly a month after the council rejected the …
Dec 06 2023
Recreational Marijuana Possession and Cultivation Now Legal In Ohio
As the clock strikes midnight in Ohio on December 7, the possession and cultivation of recreational marijuana is now legal for everyone 21 years of age and older. Due to voters approving Issue 2 last month, those 21 and older are now allowed to legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and up to …
Dec 06 2023
Ohio Senate Votes 28 to 2 to Allow Dispensaries to Immediately Begin Selling Recreational Marijuana
Just two days after an Ohio Senate committee voted to essentially gut a voter-approved marijuana legalization law, the full Senate has voted to approve legislation that would instead keep most of the legalization initiative intact while allowing medical marijuana dispensaries to begin selling recreational marijuana. The Senate voted 28 to 2 to pass the legislation …
Dec 05 2023
Coalition of Governors Sends Letter to President Biden Requesting Marijuana Be Rescheduled By Year’s End
A coalition of six governors has sent a letter to President Biden urging his administration to reschedule marijuana by the end of the year. Today, Colorado Governor Jared Polis led a letter to the Biden administration with Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, …
