There are a handful of states vying to become the 25th to legalize recreational marijuana, but some appear more likely to do so than others. At the start of 2012, there were zero states with legal marijuana for recreational use. Since Colorado and Washington tied to become the first to do so later that year, …
Category: News
Mar 14 2024
Illinois Medical Board Votes to Add Female Orgasmic Disorder and Endometriosis as Medical Marijuana Condition
Officials in Illinois have given initial approval to petitions to add both female orgasmic disorder (FOD) and endometriosis as qualifying medical marijuana conditions The Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board voted overwhelming to approve both conditions. The Department of Health will need to sign off on the recommendations before the two conditions can be officially added …
Mar 14 2024
Study Finds Legal Marijuana Sales Not Associated With Increased Use Among Adolescents
According to a new study, the legalization of licensed marijuana retail outlets is not directly associated with an increase in marijuana use among young people. Titled Increasing lifetime and past 30-day marijuana use among middle school students regardless of recreational marijuana sales, the study is being published in the June, 2024 issue of the journal …
Mar 14 2024
President Biden Says “I’m Taking Care of That” When it Comes to Federal Marijuana Reform
At a recent campaign event President Biden reiterated that he’s actively working on reforming federal marijuana laws to make sure “no one” is jailed for using or possessing marijuana. While at his Wisconsin campaign headquarters yesterday following a public speech, President Biden addressed dozens of supporters and volunteers. One of these supporters was holding a …
Mar 14 2024
US Health Secretary Defends Recommending Marijuana Be Rescheduled During Senate Hearing
During a recent Senate hearing the secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services defended his agencies recommendation that marijuana be moved to Schedule III. In August, following a nearly year-long review, HHS sent a letter to the DEA urging them to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances …
Mar 14 2024
US Congress: 36 Lawmakers Send Letter to President Biden Requesting Federal Marijuana Prisoners Be Released
A group of 36 lawmakers in the United States Congress have sent a letter to President Biden urging clemency for those in federal prisons for marijuana-related offenses The letter, led by Congressmembers Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), was sent yesterday to the White House. “Dear President Biden”, begins the letter. “We urge you …
Mar 13 2024
Two Hawaii House Committees Pass Senate-Approved Bill to Legalize Marijuana For Everyone 21+
Legislation to legalize recreational marijuana was passed by two committees today in the Hawaii House of Representatives, with the votes coming a little over a week after the bill was approved by the full Senate. Senate Bill 3335 would legalize the possession, personal cultivation and license distribution of recreational marijuana for those 21 and older. …
Mar 13 2024
Bipartisan US House Bill to Protect Those Following State Marijuana Laws Gains Ninth Sponsor
Legislation in the US House of Representatives that would protect state marijuana laws and those following them has gained its ninth legislative sponsor. The STATES (Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States) Act 2.0 was filed in December by Representative Dave Joyce (R) with four cosponsors. Now, that number has more than doubled to nine, …
Mar 13 2024
Utah Legislature Unanimously Approves Bill to Allow Hospitals to Administer Psilocybin and MDMA
Utah’s full legislature has passed legislation establishing a pilot program that allows hospitals to administer psilocybin (aka “magic mushrooms) and MDMA (aka “ecstasy) to certain patients. Sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Kirk Cullimore (R) and House Speaker Pro Tempore James Dunnigan (R), Senate Bill 266 was approved unanimously through both the House and Senate. The …
Mar 13 2024
Massachusetts Governor Announces “Nation-Leading Effort” to Pardon Marijuana Possession Convictions
Governor Maura T. Healey today announced that she is taking executive action to pardon misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions in Massachusetts. If approved by the Governor’s Council, this would be “the most comprehensive action by a governor since President Joe Biden pardoned federal marijuana possession convictions and called on governors to take similar actions in their …