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 19 2024
California Committee Unanimously Approves Psychedlics Bill
Two committees in the California Assembly have given approval to a bill to establish a psychedelics work group to prepare the state for legalization. The Assembly Appropriations Committee voted 11 to 0 today to pass Assembly Bill 941, filed by Assemblymember Mari Waldron (R). The committee’s vote comes nine days after it was approved, also …
Jan 18 2024
Hawaii Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana Passed Through First Reading in House of Representatives
Legislation to decriminalize the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana has been passed through its initial reading in the Hawaii House of Representatives. House Bill 1596 was filed Wednesday by State Representative David Tarnas along with a coalition of 11 other lawmakers. Yesterday the measure “passed First Reading”, with it needing to be …
Jan 18 2024
Washington Senate Votes Unanimously to Allow the Sale of Cannabis Waste
Legislation that would allow licensed cannabis producers and processor “to sell specified solid waste generated during cannabis production or processing under certain conditions” has been passed by Washington’s full Senate. Senate Bill 5376 was approved through the Senate yesterday in a unanimous 48 to 0 vote. The measure was filed by Senator Derek Stanford (D) …
Jan 18 2024
Federal Bill to Deschedule Marijuana Likely the Prime Vehicle for Marijuana Reform if Democrats Take Back Congress
Legislation to fully deschedule marijuana while allowing expungements has 82 sponsors in the House of Representatives, but its chances in the Republican controlled chamber are slim to none – for now. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act was filed in September with five sponsors. In the four months since being filed, 77 additional …
Jan 18 2024
American Nurses Association Applauds Department of Health’s Recommendation to Reschedule Marijuana
The American Nurses Association has issued a press release applauding the US Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recommendation to the DEA that it move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. The American Nurses Association (ANA), formed in 1896 and representing over five million registered nurses across the …
Jan 18 2024
New Jersey Officials Approve Rules Allowing Marijuana Consumption Lounges
New Jersey officials have voted unanimously to approve rules that will allow marijuana consumption lounges where marijuana can be legally consumed onsite. The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission voted 4 to 0 yesterday to approve the proposed rules, which will establish a license for marijuana consumption lounges. At these locations patrons would be able to …
Jan 18 2024
WA Bill Would Put Department of Agriculture in Regulatory and Licensing Control of Legal Marijuana Industry
A House committee in Washington State held a public hearing today on legislation that would transfer cannabis regulatory and licensing activities to the department of agriculture. A potential vote is scheduled for next week. House Bill 2334 was filed last week by State Representative Kristine Reeves along with four bipartisan cosponsors. Today the House Committee …
Jan 18 2024
Report Shows First Overdose Prevention Center in the US Saved Over 600 Lives in First Year, Was Used Nearly 50,000 Times
The nation’s first overdose prevention center, operating in New York City, was used nearly 50,000 times and saved hundreds of lives in its first year, according to a new report. OnPoint NYC, operator of the only locally-approved overdose prevention centers (OPCs) in the United States, recently released a baseline report with detailed findings from year …
Jan 18 2024
Washington Committee Passes Bill To Require Cities to Get Voter Approval Before Banning Marijuana Stores
A Washington State House committee voted this morning to pass legislation requiring cities to get voter approval before they can ban marijuana businesses. House Bill 1650 was approved today through the House Committee on Regulated Substances & Gaming. The proposed law would “ban local governments from prohibiting cannabis retail businesses in their jurisdiction after July 1, …
Jan 17 2024
US Legal Marijuana Sales Surpassed $20 Billion in 2023
Across the US legal marijuana states combined to sell over $20 billion worth of marijuana and marijuana products. According to an analysis by The Marijuana Herald of the most up-to-date data that is currently available via state agencies and cannabis commissions, there was $20.7 billion worth of marijuana sold in 2023. Sales numbers include the …