Voters in Lockhart and Bastrop, Texas, will join Dallas in deciding on marijuana decriminalization measures this November.

Activists in both cities have submitted well more than enough signatures to place their initiatives on the ballot. In Lochart, the signatures have already been certified, guaranteeing the measure’s place on the November ballot,

The Lockhart measure proposes to reduce penalties for possession marijuana, following similar efforts in several other Texas cities like Austin and San Marcos. The initiative aims to prevent law enforcement from arresting individuals found with up to four ounces of marijuana. Instead, they would receive a citation.
Continue reading

Nebraska lawmakers introduced two comprehensive bills today aimed at legalizing and regulating marijuana.

Senator Terrell McKinney introduced Legislature Bill 71, while Senator Justin Wayne introduced Legislature Bill 52. Both bills propose the establishment of a regulated marijuana market, allowing anyone 21 and older to participate, but each takes a unique approach to doing so.

Legislature Bill 71, known as the Nebraska Cannabis Legalization and Revenue Allocation Act, seeks to create a comprehensive framework for cannabis regulation, allowing anyone 21 and older to participate. The bill aims to remove cannabis as a controlled substance and establish the Nebraska Cannabis Control Commission to oversee its cultivation, processing, distribution, and sale. It includes provisions for social equity, mandating that a percentage of licenses be allocated to individuals from communities disproportionately affected by previous cannabis prohibition laws.
Continue reading

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has signed Senate Bill 357 into law, expanding the range of healthcare professionals authorized to certify patients for the state’s medical marijuana program.

The legislation broadens the definition of providers who can recommend therapeutic cannabis to patients. Previously, only physicians and advanced practice registered nurses from New Hampshire and neighboring states, and physician assistants with the consent of a supervising physician, were eligible to certify patients. With the new law, any New Hampshire provider licensed to prescribe drugs to humans, possessing an active registration from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to prescribe controlled substances, can now certify patients. This change aims to increase accessibility for patients needing therapeutic cannabis.

The bill, which amends RSA 126-X, will take effect 60 days after its passage. It also updates the requirements for minors’ registry identification cards, specifying that one of the two required certifications must come from a pediatric care provider.
Continue reading

In a little over three months, South Dakota voters will have another opportunity to legalize recreational marijuana via Measure 29.

(Photo credit: Getty Images).

This marks the third attempt over the past four years by the group South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws to secure legalization in the state. The new measure, Measure 29, seeks to legalize the possession, use, and distribution of marijuana for adults aged 21 and over.

If passed, the initiative would allow individuals to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and cultivate up to three plants for personal use. The measure also proposes a regulatory framework for commercial sales, including licensing and taxation provisions aimed at generating revenue for the state.
Continue reading

The Smart & Safe Florida campaign has raised over $66 million for its marijuana legalization initiative, Amendment 3, according to the Florida Division of Elections.

This amount, reported as of mid-July, is significantly higher than any previous marijuana legalization initiative in any other state. For context, California’s Proposition 64 campaign raised $25 million in 2016, and Ohio’s Issue 2 raised $7 million last year; both initiatives were successfully passed into law.

Of the $66 million raised, approximately $60 million came from the medical marijuana company Trulieve. Other major contributors include Verano Holdings LLC, Curaleaf Inc., AYR Wellness Inc., and Green Thumb Industries.
Continue reading

Florida’s Amendment 3, a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana, could significantly reduce the state’s criminal justice burden by ending over 60,000 marijuana-related arrests annually.

This initiative, spearheaded by the nonprofit political committee Smart & Safe Florida and being voted on this November 5, aims to legalize the possession, purchase, and use of marijuana products for adults aged 21 and older. Amendment 3 allows individuals to possess up to three ounces of dried marijuana flower and up to five grams of marijuana concentrates.

Amendment 3 also provides for the establishment of licensed retail outlets, which would sell these products to consumers. Medical marijuana dispensaries in Florida would have the option to obtain a dual license, allowing them to participate in the recreational market​.
Continue reading

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a grant of approximately $6.2 million to the Nashville-based nonprofit Hemp Building Institute.

Hempcrete (photo credit: TaoClimate).

The grant will support the development of hempcrete, a sustainable building material made from hemp. This funding is part of the EPA’s broader $160 million initiative to promote environmentally friendly technologies across various industries.

Hempcrete, a sustainable construction material, combines hemp hurds with a lime binder, resulting in a lightweight, concrete-like substance. It is valued for its insulating qualities and environmental benefits, making it an increasingly popular alternative to conventional building materials. The grant from the EPA is intended to promote the use of biogenic materials, such as hemp, soy, and straw bale, by developing environmental product declarations (EPDs) and life cycle assessments (LCAs) that measure the environmental impact throughout their life cycle.
Continue reading