May 20 2024

These 5 States Are Set to Legalize Medical Marijuana Within the Next 12 Months

There are still 12 states that have not legalized medical marijuana, but that number could shrink substantially within the next year.

Recent nationwide polling shows that 88% of adults in the United States support legalizing medical marijuana, including a majority of all political and ideological affiliations. Despite such widespread support, and despite 38 states having legalized marijuana as a medicine, 12 states continue to holdout. Some of these states have active legislative or initiative efforts with a real chance of legalizing medical marijuana by next year.

With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of the five states set to legalize medical marijuana within the next 12 months.
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May 20 2024

US Senate Banking Committee Chair Announces Support for Legalizing Recreational Marijuana

United States Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chair of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, has announced his support for legalizing marijuana.

“It’s time to legalize marijuana across the country,” Senator Brown stated in a post on the social media platform X. Although he didn’t elaborate further, this marks the first time Senator Brown has declared support for legalization. In previous years, the senator supported decriminalizing marijuana but hesitated to endorse full legalization.

Senator Brown’s support comes just weeks after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, along with 17 co-sponsors, filed legislation to deschedule marijuana and establish safety and regulatory standards, as well as a federal excise tax on legal marijuana sales. The bill would also allow for expungements of marijuana-related offenses.
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May 20 2024

DEA to Begin Collecting Public Comments on Marijuana Rescheduling Tomorrow, May 21

The DEA released its proposed rules for the rescheduling of marijuana last week. These rules will be officially published in the Federal Register tomorrow, initiating the legally required 60-day public comment period.

According to the notice published by the DEA, the agency plans to reschedule marijuana, moving it from its current Schedule I status to a Schedule III classification. This announcement coincided with a social media video from President Biden and Vice President Harris announcing and praising the move.

The DEA has confirmed that the notice will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow, May 21, 2024. This publication will kick off the legally required 60-day public comment period, allowing individuals and organizations to provide remarks and feedback on the proposed change. The proposed change is currently listed on the Federal Register’s website with the disclaimer, “This document is unpublished. It is scheduled to be published on 05/21/2024.”
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May 20 2024

Nebraska Campaign to Put Medical Marijuana Legalization on November Ballot Collects Over 60% of Required Signatures

A campaign aiming to place a medical marijuana initiative on the November ballot in Nebraska has collected over 60% of the required signatures.

alabama medical marijuana

Crista Eggers, campaign manager for the nonprofit group Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, says they’ve collected over 55,000 signatures on their initiative to legalize medical marijuana, as well as on their companion initiative that would protect physicians who recommend marijuana. This is 63% of the 87,000 signatures needed for the two proposals to be voted on this November.

Eggers says the group has also reached an important milestone by collecting the minimum required signatures across at least 38 of the state’s 93 counties for both of their initiatives.
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May 19 2024

These 3 States Are Set to Legalize Marijuana Within the Next 6 Months

2024 has already been a historic year for marijuana reform, and it’s shaping up to be even more significant with New Hampshire, Florida, and South Dakota all on track to legalize marijuana within the next six months.

(Photo credit: Getty Images).

While several other states could legalize marijuana this year, the three mentioned above not only have a real chance of doing so within the next six months, they seem increasingly likely to do so with each passing day.

That said, here’s a breakdown of the three states set to legalize marijuana this year.
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May 18 2024

Federal Bill to Deschedule Marijuana, Allow Expungements, Gains 89th Sponsor

Legislation in the United States House of Representatives that would deschedule marijuana and facilitate expungements has just gained its 89th sponsor.

Congressmember Bill Foster (D-IL) joined as a cosponsor to the MORE Act yesterday, a little over a year after it was filed. The measure now has 89 sponsors, more than any other marijuana-related bill in the US Congress, except for the SAFE Banking Act.

The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act would deschedule marijuana, effectively decriminalizing it nationwide. The measure would also establish a federal excise tax of 5% on legal marijuana sales in the initial two years, rising to 8% in the fifth year. Furthermore, it provides for the expungement of previous marijuana convictions and ensures that marijuana users are not denied public benefits.
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May 17 2024

New York Legislation Filed to Allow Licensed Cannabis Events

New York Senator Michelle Hinchey has introduced a legislative proposal aimed at regulating cannabis events across the state.

Senate Bill 9679, if passed, will amend the existing cannabis law by adding Section 130-a, which establishes a framework for cannabis event permits.

The bill defines a “cannabis event” as an event where licensed retailers of adult-use cannabis can sell their products outside of their licensed premises. These events can take place at various locations such as theatrical productions, concerts, sporting events, exhibitions, private venues, or any other location authorized by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Additionally, these events may include educational activities, music, and other forms of entertainment.
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May 17 2024

Louisiana Governor Receives Bill to Extend Medical Marijuana Program to 2030

The Louisiana Legislature gave final approval this week to a bill that would extend the sunset period for Louisiana’s medical marijuana pilot program, sending it to Governor Jeff Landry.

Senate Bill 228 passed through its third and final reading in the House of Representatives on May 13 by a vote of 89 to 1. The following day, the Senate gave final approval to the bill, also with just one “No” vote (37 to 1). Yesterday, the measure was officially sent to Governor Landry, giving him a 10-day window to sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.

Filed by Senator Patrick McMath, the measure would extend the state’s medical marijuana pilot program—established in 2022—until July 1, 2030. Under current law, the program is set to expire on January 1, 2025.
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May 17 2024

US Congress: Defense Bill Includes Ending Marijuana Testing for Military Recruits

A federal defense bill expected to be passed by the US Congress in the coming weeks would end marijuana testing for military recruits and prospective officers.

(Photo credit: Bumble Dee/Shutterstock)

A defense bill released this week—which must be approved to continue funding the nation’s defenses and military operations—includes a provision prohibiting the military from requiring a cannabis test for enlisting or commissioning. This provision coincides with the federal government’s move to reschedule marijuana and comes at a time when 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 38 have legalized marijuana for medical use.

The provision aims to address dwindling military recruitment numbers. A Gallup poll released last month found that 12% of Americans aged 18-29, the prime demographic for military recruiting, reported using marijuana regularly (defined as at least 10 days per month).
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May 17 2024

New Jersey Bill Would Require Workers’ Comp and Health Insurance to Cover Medical Marijuana

Legislation that “Requires workers’ compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances” has been filed in the New Jersey Legislature.

Assembly Bill 4371 was filed yesterday by Representative Herbert Conaway (D). The measure has been assigned to the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurances Committee.

“Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of this section, an employer or workers’ compensation insurance carrier or private passenger automobile insurance carrier shall provide coverage for costs associated with the medical use of cannabis pursuant to P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) except that an employer or carrier shall not be required to provide coverage for costs associated with the medical use of cannabis upon intervention by the federal government to enforce the “Controlled Substances Act”.
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