A former White House advisor and co-founder of the anti-marijuana group Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), Kevin Sabet, claims that the DEA’s decision to move marijuana to Schedule III was not authorized by the agency’s administrator. This, he argues, “breaks with five decades of precedent and established law.” “BIG: I can now say with full …
Category: News
May 06 2024
South Dakota Marijuana Legalization Initiative Set for November 2024 Ballot After Sufficient Signatures Collected
A group behind an initiative to legalize recreational marijuana says they’re confident they have collected enough signatures to place their proposal on the November ballot for a public vote. South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws says they will submit their signatures to South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson tomorrow, the state’s deadline. The group …
May 06 2024
New Hampshire Senate Committee Approves House-Backed Bill to Permit Medical Marijuana for Any Condition
A key committee in the New Hampshire Senate has given approval to legislation that would allow medical marijuana for any condition a physician deems necessary. Today, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed House Bill 1278 with a unanimous 5-0 vote. This measure has already been approved by the state’s full House of Representatives. …
May 06 2024
The 5 States That Could Still Legalize Marijuana in 2024
Here’s an overview of the states that could still legalize recreational marijuana this year. Last month, we published a list of the 10 states next in line to potentially legalize marijuana. While this list remains relevant, as we approach the halfway point of the year, only a few of these states have a reasonable chance of …
May 06 2024
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Urges Biden Administration to Release Marijuana Prisoners
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is urging President Biden to decriminalize marijuana while taking steps to release those in prison for nonviolent marijuana offenses. In a letter to the White House Counsel, the nation’s criminal defense bar urged immediate commutation of sentences, compassionate release, and second chances for persons convicted of marijuana offenses. …
May 04 2024
Massachusetts Cannabis Sales Stay Strong in April, Totaling $150 Million
April cannabis sales in Massachusetts fell short of the $154 million sold in March, but still had an impressive showing with $150 million sold. In April, Massachusetts recorded a total of $150 million in legal cannabis sales, a slight decrease from the $154 million reported in March. Despite this modest drop, the figure remains robust, …
May 04 2024
Minnesota Legislature Approves Bill to Accelerate Start of Recreational Marijuana Sales
The full Minnesota Senate has passed legislation, already approved by the House of Representatives, that would expedite the start of legal recreational marijuana sales. On Friday, the Senate approved the measure introduced by State Representative Zack Stephenson (D) with a vote of 34 to 32. Last month, the House of Representatives passed the proposal with …
May 03 2024
New Jersey Legislation Proposes Commission to Monitor and Potentially Cap Medical Marijuana Prices
A pair of New Jersey lawmakers filed legislation yesterday that would establish a commission to monitor medical marijuana prices, with the authority to establish temporary price caps if they deem it necessary. Assembly Bill 4263 was filed by State Assemblymembers Michael Venezia (D) and Garnet Hall (D), and it’s been assigned to the Assembly Oversight, …
May 03 2024
Maine to Implement New Marijuana Rules That Remove Front-Door ID Checks, Allow Minors in Stores, and Permit Samples
Maine is implementing new marijuana regulations that will align cannabis retail environments more closely with those of liquor stores. The changes to the state’s marijuana program, championed by State Senator Craig Hickman, is set to transform both the shopping experience and storage practices at cannabis outlets. This law is expected to take effect by this …
May 03 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris Praises DEA’s Rescheduling Decision, But Says “We Need to Legalize Marijuana”
Vice President Kamala Harris “fully supports” the DEA’s decision to reschedule marijuana, while clarifying her support for legalization. On Tuesday, it was reported that following an over eight-month review by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), they will be rescheduling marijuana. This development was confirmed by an official with the Department of Justice the following day. …