Mar 12 2024

Bipartisan US Lawmakers “Deeply Troubled” Over Barriers to Marijuana Research, Send Letter to Biden Administration

A pair of bipartisan lawmakers in the US Congress have sent a letter to the Biden Administration saying they are “deeply troubled” with a lack of progress following Biden’s 2022 executive order meant to streamline marijuana research and remove barriers.

The letter was signed by Congressmembers Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Andy Harris (R-MD), and sent to Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Anne Milgram, Chief Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

“President Biden signed our Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (Public Law No. 117-215) into law on December 2, 2022 – representing a historic breakthrough in addressing the federal government’s misguided restriction of research on the impacts of cannabis”, begins the letter. “At a time when more than half of Americans reside in a place where adult-use of cannabis is legal at the state or local level, and there are four million registered medical marijuana users with many more likely to self-medicate, it is essential that we are able to fully study the impacts of cannabis use.”
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Mar 11 2024

Massachusetts Governor to Pardon Tens of Thousands Convicted of Marijuana Possession

Following in the footsteps of federal marijuana pardons issued in late 2022 by President Biden, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey plans to issue thousands of pardons for those convicted of marijuana possession.

Governor Maura Healey (photo credit: Steven Senne/Associated Press).

Specific details of the plan will be announced at a Wednesday press conference. What we do know is that the pardons will cover charges related to possessing up to an ounce of marijuana, which was legalized in 2016.

Under Massachusetts marijuana law, those 21 and older are allowed to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and cultivate up to six plants for personal use. The first licensed marijuana store opening in 2018.
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Mar 11 2024

Virginia Bill to Legalize Marijuana Sales Officially Delivered to Governor, Deadline for Response is April 8

Today, legislation to legalize recreational marijuana sales was officially delivered to Governor Glenn Youngkin.

In February Virginia lawmakers passed legislation to legalize the licensed distribution of recreational marijuana, with sales beginning May 1, 2025. Today, the measure was delivered to Governor Youngkin, who now faces an April 8 deadline to decide how he’s going to approach the measure. Governor Youngkin has the option of signing it into law, vetoing it, or allowing it to become law on April 9 without a signature.

Under the proposed law, those 21 and older would be allowed to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of dried marijuana per transaction from a licensed marijuana store. They could also purchase up to 100mg of THC in edible form.
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Mar 11 2024

President Biden Releases FY 2025 Budget Proposal, Includes Provision Blocking DC Marijuana Sales

President Biden has released to Congress his proposed budget for fiscal year 2025, and it again includes a provision that blocks Washington DC from allowing licensed marijuana sales. The budget does, however, propose keeping a provision that protects state medical marijuana laws.

Washington DC legalized recreational marijuana in 2014. However, due to a provision passed by US Congress each year since then, licensed marijuana stores are unable to open in the district; although medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed.

Now, President Biden has released his Fiscal Year 2025 draft budget, and it again incudes a provision by Congressmember Andy Harris (R-MD) that prevents DC from allowing marijuana sales. Biden’s inclusion of the provision isn’t incredibly surprising, given he’s included it in each of his past budget requests. However, proponents of marijuana law reform were hopeful that Biden could finally propose removing the provision, especially fresh of becoming the first US President to promote marijuana reform during a State of the Union address.
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Mar 11 2024

Connecticut: $23.6 Million in Marijuana Sales in February

There was over $23 million in legal marijuana sold in February in throughout Connecticut.

According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, there was $15,049,229 in recreational marijuana sold in February, in addition to $8,627,769 in medical marijuana sales. The combined total of $23,676,998 is lower than the $24,990,207 made in January, although the per day average is higher; $816,448 compared to $806,135

Total sales for 2024 now stand at just shy of $50 million In 2023, the yearly total came to $274 million, averaging $22.8 million a month.
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Mar 11 2024

DEA Reportedly At Odds With Biden Administration Over Marijuana Rescheduling

According to a recent report, officials at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are resisting calls to reschedule marijuana.

Despite calls from the Biden Administration to reschedule marijuana, including a recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III, officials at the DEA remain opposed to – or are at least skeptical of – rescheduling marijuana. This is according to reporting by the Wall Street Journal.

Citing anonymous sources “familiar with the matter”, the report states that some top DEA officials are disputing HHS’s scientific analysis of marijuana. The analysis by HHW came to the conclusion that since marijuana has known medical value, it should not remain a Schedule I drug, and instead should be moved to Schedule III which would legalize it for prescription use nationwide.
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Mar 10 2024

Washington Governor Set to Sign At Least Four Marijuana Bills Into Law

Governor Jay Inslee is set to sign a package of marijuana bills into law.

Washington’s Legislature approved multiple marijuana-related bills this legislative session, sending them to Governor Inslee for consideration. Inslee has the option of signing them into law, allowing them to become law without a signature, or vetoing them.

According to an official with the Inslee Administration, although he is undecided on what action he will take for some of the marijuana-related bills passed by the legislature, his intent is to sign at least four of the bills into law in the coming days.
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Mar 10 2024

Get Paid $70k a Year Plus Bonuses and Travel Expenses to be a Marijuana Content Creator

A job opening for a full-time marijuana content creator has garnered hundreds of applications, but remains open for those interested in applying.

Earlier this month Custom Cones USA announced what they call the “Ultimate Stoner Dream Job”. A week later, and the job remains open, although hundreds have applied.

“One full-time social media guru and event marketer will be chosen to earn $70,420 annually with bonuses, travel expenses, and other perks included as well”, says a press release by Custom Cones. “Applicants will also have the chance to be selected for one of many part-time dream jobs which will be similar to the full-time role, just with part-time work. The content creator’s role will depend on the type of content the applicant makes as well as the state they live in.”
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Mar 10 2024

North Carolina Marijuana Megastore Opening On Tribal Land to Everyone 21+ On April 20

A marijuana megastore located in a refurbished bingo hall will open April 20 on tribal land, and anyone 21 and older can be a customer.

(Photo credit: Getty Images).

The megastore cost over $50 million to create, and will open at 9am on April 20 on the tribal land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (ECBI). Although it will be located on tribal land, anyone who’s at least 21 years old will be allowed to purchase marijuana and marijuana products. The store will be located near Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, which is roughly three hours from Charlotte, the state’s most populated city, and 4.5 hours from Raleigh, the state’s capital.

The store’s opening for recreational users is possible due to a September vote by members of the EBCI, who voted overwhelmingly in favor of a measure to legalize recreational marijuana for everyone 21 and older
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Mar 10 2024

New Hampshire House Passes Bills to Double Medical Marijuana Possession Limit, Allow Medical Marijuana for Any Condition

New Hampshire’s full House of Representatives has passed a set of bills meant to expand the state’s medical marijuana program.

The House has given approval to House Bill 1350, filed in December by State Representative Heath Howard (D). If approved into law, the possession limit for medical marijuana patients would be increased from two ounces, to four ounces. The current two ounce limit was established under the state’s medical marijuana law, passed in 2013. The full one-page text of House Bill 1350 can be found by clicking here.

The House also passed House Bill 1278, filed by State Representative Wendy Thomas The proposal would repeal the state’s list of qualifying medical marijuana conditions and replace it with a provision stating that “For adults 21 years of age or older, any debilitating or terminal medical condition or symptom for which the potential benefits of using therapeutic cannabis would, in the provider’s clinical opinion, likely outweigh the potential health risks for the patient.”
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