Ohio’s full Senate is set to vote tomorrow on a bill that would make drastic changes to the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law that’s set to take effect Thursday.

Yesterday Ohio’s Senate General Government Committee voted 4 to 1 to give approval to provisions that would make numerous changes to Issue 2, the marijuana legalization initiative approved by voters last month. Now, the full Senate is set to vote on the measure tomorrow, December 6. Passage in the Senate would send the provisions to the House of Representatives.

Some of the proposed changes to Issue 2 include:
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After resetting the application process in October, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) has issued 20 new licenses for medical marijuana businesses.

Through AMCC’s recently established procedures, members of the Commission received presentations and participated in discussions with applicants during public presentations held late last month. At its meeting on December 1, 2023, the commission “ranked applicants and voted to award medical cannabis business licenses to the following applicants.”
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A coalition representing thousands of military veterans has sent a letter to President Biden asking that his administration reschedule marijuana in a “timely” manner.

The letter to President Biden was sent by multiple military groups including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Balanced Veterans Network, Hemp for Victory, Realm of Caring, Hero Grown, Texas Veterans for Medical Cannabis and the Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance. The coalition is asking the president to ensure that the rescheduling of marijuana  “is concluded in a timely manner”.

“Thank you for the historic action taken by your administration to initiate a review of the scheduling status of cannabis. This process represents a significant opportunity for our nation to lead with science over fear, and begin righting the wrongs of prohibition”, states the letter.
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Just three days before Issue 2 is set to take effect, a Senate committee has voted to make drastic changes to the new law.

The Senate General Government Committee voted 4 to 1 today to include a set of marijuana provisions in an unrelated alcohol measure. Senate President Matt Huffman says he plans to put the measure to a vote of the full Senate as soon as Wednesday. If it passes the Senate, and then the House of Representatives, it will be sent to Governor Mike DeWine for consideration.

Under Issue 2, approved by voters last month, the personal cultivation of up to six marijuana plants at a private residence is allowed for those 21 and older, as is the possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 15 grams of marijuana concentrates. The law mandates that the Division of Cannabis Control, a newly established branch of the Department of Commerce, issue marijuana business licenses within nine months.
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Marijuana Sales passed $75 million for the ninth straight month in Oregon.

There was $76.8 million worth of marijuana sold legally in Oregon in the month of November, according to data released by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission,. This is a modest decrease from the $78.6 million in marijuana sold in October.

Total marijuana sales since the first recreational marijuana store opened in October, 2016 is now $6.143 billion.
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Starting in the second half of next week, the possession and cultivation of recreational marijuana will be legal in Ohio.

With 57% support Ohio voters approved Issue 2 last month, legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Starting Thursday, December 7, those 21 and older will be allowed to possess up to two and a half ounces of marijuana and up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrates, thanks to provisions in the initiative taking effect.

The new law will also allow for the personal cultivation of up to six marijuana plants at a private residence. If more than one adult lives at a residence, up to 12 plants can be grown.
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For the ninth straight month legal marijuana sales in New Mexico surpassed $45 million.

In total there was $46,515,533.96 worth of legal marijuana and marijuana products sold in November. This is a slight decrease from the $46,682,243 sold in October, and is a little over $1.1 million less than the record breaking $47.7 million in sales made in August of this year.

Medical marijuana sales in November were $12,077,929.04, a roughly $26,000 increase over the total for October. Recreational marijuana sales were $34,437,604.93, a nearly $200,000 decrease from October.
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The Ontario government is proposing a doubling of the number of marijuana stores allowed in the province.

“To respond to the growth of the legal cannabis retail market and combat illegal cannabis stores, the province is making amendments to Ontario Regulation 468/18 under the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 to increase the number of stores that licensed retail operators and their affiliates can operate from 75 to 150″, states a news release.

In addition, “the government is proposing to explore different enforcement options against illegal online cannabis sales”, and they are seeking legislative changes “that would support negotiations with First Nations communities on the regulation of cannabis on reserves.”
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