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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Feb 13 2024

The 4 States Most Likely to Legalize Psilocybin (“Magic Mushrooms”) in 2024

Currently there are two states that have legalized psilocybin mushrooms (aka “magic mushrooms”), but that number is likely to grow in the coming months and years.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms.

Voters in Oregon and Colorado have both legalized the possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms, with Oregon doing so in 2020 and Colorado in 2022. A bill to make California the third state to do so was approved by the legislature last year but vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Already in 2024 lawmakers and activists in numerous states are pushing legislation to allow psilocybin use, with some in a far better position than others to be approved in the near future.
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Feb 13 2024

WA House Votes 85 to 12 to Exempt Medical Marijuana Patients From 37% Excise Tax

Legislation “providing a tax exemption for medical cannabis patients” has been approved by Washington’s full House of Representatives.

House Bill 1453, filed by State Representative Sharon Wylie, was recently given approval by the House in a 85 to 12 vote. Today the measure was read for the first time in the Senate and assigned to the Labor and Commerce Committee.

The proposed law “Provides a permanent tax exemption from the 37 percent cannabis excise tax for qualifying patients and designated providers with a recognition card on purchases of cannabis products that are labeled as Department of Health (DOH)-compliant product and tested in accordance with the DOH’s rules.”
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