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 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, …
Jan 17 2025
President Biden Commutes Sentences of Nearly 2,500 Drug Offenders
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 …
Jan 16 2025
Two Largest Cannabis Industry Groups Unite to Form US Cannabis Roundtable
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 …
Jan 16 2025
Two Iowa Bills Filed to Reduce Penalties for Marijuana Possession
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 …
Jan 16 2025
New Data Shows Recreational Cannabis Legalization Corresponds with Drops in Teen Use
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 …
