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
Jan 18 2025
Legislation Filed in Hawaii Would Protect Medical Marijuana Patients From Workplace Discrimination
A group of eight Hawaii State Representatives, led by Jeanne Kapela (D), filed House Bill 325 this week to address employment discrimination against medical marijuana patients. The bill seeks to establish explicit workplace protections for registered medical marijuana patients while maintaining safety standards for specific occupations. Since legalizing medical marijuana in 2000 and launching a …
Jan 18 2025
Minnesota Bill Seeks to Protect Gun Rights of Medical Marijuana Patients
A new bill filed in the Minnesota Senate would safeguard the firearm rights of medical marijuana patients. Senate Bill 313, introduced by Senator Mark Koran (R), has been referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee for further consideration. The proposed legislation would ensure that individuals who qualify as medical marijuana patients are not denied …
Jan 18 2025
Hawaii Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Put Recreational Marijuana Legalization to a Public Vote
Hawaii Representatives Gene Ward (R) and Kim Iwamoto (D) have introduced House Bill 519, a measure proposing a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and over. If approved, the bill would allow voters to decide the issue, potentially aligning Hawaii with the 24 states that have already legalized recreational marijuana. Last …
Jan 17 2025
Kratom Bills Filed in Seven States So Far in 2025
Kratom legislation has been introduced in seven states so far in 2025. Kratom has been used for thousands of years, beginning in Southeast Asia, where it has been valued for its medicinal properties. The leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa plant are often consumed as tea or in powdered form, providing effects that range from mild …
Jan 17 2025
New York Bill Mandates Annual Independent Audits of Office of Cannabis Management
A new measure introduced in the New York State Assembly seeks to enhance oversight of the state’s cannabis regulatory body. Assembly Bill 2580, filed by Assemblymember Keith Brown (R), was referred to the Governmental Operations Committee today, the day it was introduced. The legislation proposes annual audits of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to …
Jan 17 2025
Study Finds 79% of Adults Struggle With Sleep; 16% Use Cannabis, Surpassing Prescription Aids
A recent Harris Poll survey conducted for Green Thumb Industries’ incredibles brand reveals that sleep difficulties impact nearly 79% of adults age 21 and older. The survey highlights a growing trend of using cannabis as a sleep aid, with 16% of adults turning to marijuana—more than those who use prescription sleep aids (12%) or alcohol …
Jan 17 2025
Connecticut Lawmakers File Bill to Legalize Medicinal Psilocybin Use
House Bill 5456, introduced today by State Representatives Laurie Sweet and Michael “MJ” Shannon, seeks to legalize the use of psilocybin for medicinal and therapeutic purposes in Connecticut. The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health for further consideration. If enacted, the proposed legislation would amend state statutes to permit the …
Jan 17 2025
Nebraska Senator Files Bill to Make Kratom Illegal
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 …
Jan 17 2025
Virginia Senate Committee Passes Bill to Legalize Recreational Marijuana Sales
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 …
Jan 17 2025
DEA Judge Urges Broader Participation in Marijuana Rescheduling Appeal Process, Says Next Steps Are Administrator’s Responsibility
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, …
