Feb 16 2024

Florida Senate Unanimously Approves Bill to Ban Delta-8 THC

Florida’s full Senate has approved legislation to place a cap on the amount of THC sold in hemp-derived products, while banning Delta-8 THC outright.

Gummies made with delta-8 THC.

In a unanimous 39 to 0 vote, the Florida Senate sent Senate Bill 1698 to the House of Representatives, which is expected to quickly act on the measure.

The proposal would entirely ban the sale of delta-8 THC that’s derived from hemp, which was legalized under the 2018 farm bill. Delta-8 THC interacts with the body in a way similar to marijuana-derived delta-9 THC, despite the latter being illegal for recreational use in Florida. This has led some lawmakers to consider it a loophole, allowing consumers to legally get a marijuana-like high.
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Feb 16 2024

US Congress: Federal Legislation to Allow Marijuana Use at Public Housing Gains Fifth Sponsor

Legislation to explicitly allow those in public housing to use state-legal marijuana without fear of eviction has gained its fifth legislation sponsor.

The Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act was introduced last month in the US House of Representatives by Congressmember Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), with a companion bill filed in the Senate by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ).

Yesterday, Congressmember Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) joined the list of sponsors on the House version of the bill, joining Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR).
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Feb 15 2024

Ukraine President Signs Bill Legalizing Medical Marijuana

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed into law a bill that legalizes medical marijuana.

The signature from President Zelenskyy comes roughly two months after the measure was approved through the Verkhovna Rada with 248 of the body’s 450 members voting in favor.

Under the legislation, which takes effect in 60 days, those with a qualifying condition who receive a recommendation from a physician will be authorized to possess and use medical marijuana. Although the law at the time of passage only applies to severe illness like cancer as well as war-borne post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), proponents of the measure have said that the country can expand the list of qualifying conditions once it’s passed.
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Feb 14 2024

A Breakdown of the 24 States That Have Legalized Recreational Marijuana

At the start of 2012, no state in the US had legalized recreational marijuana; 12 years later and zero has increased to 24.

Since Colorado and Washington legalized marijuana during the November, 2012 election, an average of around two states every year have done the same, with the number now nearing half of the entire country.  Lawmakers and activists in numerous other states are working to make their state the next to follow suit.

Among the 24 states that have legalized marijuana, although their laws all have some similarities, they also contain a bevy of differences. With that in mind, below is a list of the 24 legal marijuana states, in alphabetical order along with a breakdown of their individual laws.
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Feb 14 2024

New Jersey Governor Celebrates State Having Over 100 Marijuana Dispensaries

In a press release sent today, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy celebrated the state have over 100 marijuana dispensaries.

(Photo credit: The Associated Press).

“Reaching 100 cannabis dispensaries is a huge milestone that shows we are headed in the right direction”, says Governor Murphy. “When the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission was established, our administration’s goal was to develop a stronger, fairer, and more equitable model for the rollout of an adult-use cannabis market”. Murphy says he believes the state is meeting that goal.

“As we continue towards our goals for the cannabis market in New Jersey, I am grateful to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission [CRC] for their dedicated work and leadership on this critical area of our economy”, said Murphy.
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Feb 14 2024

New Hampshire Committee Approves Measure to Legalize Marijuana

A legislative proposal to legalize recreational marijuana has been passed by a key committee in the House of Representatives.

The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee voted 17 to 3 today to pass House Bill 1633, sending it to the full House of Representatives. .

Under the proposed law, those 21 and older would be allowed to possess and consume marijuana and marijuana products for recreational use. A system of licensed, regulated and state-operate marijuana stores would open throughout the state, 15 in total.
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Feb 14 2024

US House Bill to Allow Marijuana Use at Public Housing Gains New Sponsor

Federal legislation that would allow those in public housing to use marijuana without fear of eviction if they are following state law has gained a new legislative sponsor.

The Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act was introduced last month in the United States House of Representatives and Senate by Congressmember Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). Yesterday, Congressmember Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) became the third sponsor of the House version of the bill. Blumenauer joins Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) as the bill’s cosponsor.

If passed into law, the measure would allow the use of marijuana in federally assisted housing, including public housing and Section 8 housing, if the consumer is in compliance with state marijuana laws.
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Feb 14 2024

Legislation Protecting Gun Rights for Medical Marijuana Patients Passed by Maryland Senate Committee

A bill that would provide explicitly gun rights to medical marijuana patients has advanced out of its initial committee with bipartisan support.

Filed last month by Senator Mike McKay, Senate Bill 348 was approved unanimously today through the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

The measure states that “a person may not be denied the right to purchase, own, possess, or carry a firearm solely on the basis that the person is authorized to use medical cannabis”.
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Feb 14 2024

Arizona Senate Committee Unanimously Passes Bill to Legalize Psilocybin Service Centers

Legislation that would legalize psilocybin service centers has been passed unanimously by an Arizona Senate committee.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms. (Photo credit: Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite).

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted 7 to 0 today to pass Senate Bill 1570. The measure, filed last week by Senator Thomas Shope (R) along with eight cosponsors, would legalize psilocybin service centers where individuals can come and legally consume psilocybin mushrooms in a medical, supervised setting.

The law would give the Department of Human Services (DHS) the authority to license psilocybin service centers, where trained staff could administer psilocybin to patrons. An Arizona Psilocybin Advisory Board would be established and tasked with overseeing training criteria for those working at service centers. The board would also recommend to lawmakers any potential law changes.
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Feb 13 2024

Indiana House Committee Advances Senate-Approved Psilocybin Bill

An Indiana House committee has overwhelmingly passed a bill to fund psilocybin research that’s already passed the full Senate.

Dried psilocybin mushroom.

The House Public Health Committee voted 12 to 1 today to pass Senate Bill 139, a week after it was approved by the Senate 47 to 1. The measure now advances towards a vote of the full House of Representatives, with approval sending it to Governor Eric Holcomb.

The proposed law “establishes the therapeutic psilocybin research fund, administered by the Indiana department of health (state department), to provide financial assistance to research institutions in Indiana to study the use of psilocybin to treat mental health and other medical conditions.”
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