Feb 12 2025

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Seeks New Executive Director

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has led the psychedelic movement since 1986, today announced a search for its next executive director.

MAPS’ mission is to “create safe, legal, and equitable psychedelic access.” MAPS’ impact strategy focuses on driving policy reform, expanding global access to psychedelic therapies, and combating stigma, all while strengthening the psychedelic ecosystem through collective action.

The application deadline for the Executive Director position is March 21, and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, according to a press release sent today. More information on the job description and application process can be found at maps.org/careers.
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Feb 12 2025

Virginia Bill to Legalize Recreational Cannabis Sales Sent to Governor

A bill that would legalize the licensed distribution of recreational marijuana in Virginia has been approved by the state’s full legislature and sent to Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Senate Bill 970, filed by State Senators Aaron Rouse (D), Jennifer Carroll Foy (D), and Lashrecse Aird (D), has been given final approval by both the House of Representatives and Senate, allowing the measure to be officially sent to the desk of Governor Youngkin.

The bill would establish a regulatory framework for legal cannabis sales, to be overseen by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. Under the legislation, the authority could begin issuing licenses for marijuana-related businesses starting September 1, 2025, with sales beginning by May 1, 2026.
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Feb 12 2025

New Missouri Bill Would Allow Early Release for Those Serving Sentences for Marijuana Offenses

Missouri State Representative Adrian Plank (D) has introduced legislation that would allow individuals serving sentences for marijuana-related offenses to seek early release.

House Bill 1279, filed today, would enable eligible individuals to petition the sentencing court for their sentence to be vacated, resulting in immediate release from incarceration or supervision.

Under the proposed legislation, individuals serving time solely for marijuana-related offenses would be granted automatic release upon approval of their petition. The Missouri Department of Corrections would be required to release such individuals immediately.
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Feb 12 2025

Florida: Republican Lawmaker Files House Bill to Significantly Expand Medical Marijuana Law

Florida State Representative Alex Andrade (R) has introduced House Bill 555, a measure aimed at broadening the state’s medical marijuana program and easing access for patients and caregivers.

Filed today, the bill mirrors several provisions in Senate Bill 552, introduced last week by State Senator Joe Gruters (R), signaling a bicameral effort to modernize Florida’s medical marijuana laws.

House Bill 555 proposes expanding the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana to include patients prescribed opioids classified as Schedule II controlled substances. It also allows for the use of telehealth for both initial and renewal medical marijuana evaluations, a shift from the current requirement of an in-person examination for first-time patients. If enacted, the bill would enable physicians to certify a greater supply of medical marijuana per prescription and extend the renewal period for patient and caregiver identification cards from one year to two years.
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Feb 12 2025

US Senate Confirms Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence

The United States Senate has confirmed former congressmember Tulsi Gabbard as the new Director of National Intelligence.

Gabbard, a former representative from Hawaii and an Iraq War veteran, has long been outspoken on issues of personal freedom, including marijuana legalization. She has consistently supported allowing adults to use marijuana without criminal penalties, arguing that the government should not interfere with personal choices.

“Marijuana use is a personal choice and should not be a criminal act”, she said in 2019, adding that “For many years I have worked to end the marijuana prohibition”.
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Feb 12 2025

New Mexico Senate Committee Unanimously Approves Bill to Establish Medical Psilocybin Program

An important Senate committee in New Mexico has unanimously advanced legislation to create a program for the medicinal use of psilocybin.

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

The Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee has voted 10 to 0 to pass Senate Bill 219, the Medical Psilocybin Act, which would allow those in New Mexico to receive psilocybin-assisted treatment for certain behavioral health conditions, including major treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, end-of-life care, and other conditions approved by the Department of Health.

The bill would establish an advisory board, a treatment equity fund, and a research fund while also removing psilocybin from the state’s Controlled Substances Act to protect “qualified and registered patients, clinicians and producers,” according to a news release from Senate and House Democrats.
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Feb 11 2025

Bipartisan Maine Bill Would Exempt Patients From Marijuana Tax

Legislation to make medical marijuana tax-free was filed today in the Maine Legislature.

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House Bill 544 was filed by State Representatives Ann Fredericks (R), Rachel Henderson (R), and Craig Hickman (D). It’s been referred to the House Taxation Committee.

Under current law, recreational marijuana sales are taxed at 10%, with an additional 8% excise tax applied to infused products. Medical marijuana is taxed at a lower rate of 5.5%. House Bill 544 would remove the 5.5% tax rate for patients, instead allowing them to purchase their medicine completely tax-free.
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Feb 11 2025

New Hampshire Committee Unanimously Approves Bill to Clear Past Marijuana Convictions

A bill to allow individuals with past marijuana-related offenses to petition for annulment of their records has been approved by a key New Hampshire committee.

The New Hampshire House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee unanimously (13 to 0) approved House Bill 196 today. The proposal was introduced in January by a bipartisan group of five lawmakers led by State Representative Jonah Wheeler.

If enacted, HB 196 would apply to individuals previously arrested or convicted for possessing up to two ounces of dried marijuana flower, up to five grams of hash, or any amount of marijuana that is legal for adults 21 and older to possess under New Hampshire law (allowing the measure’s effect to be expanded if the state were to legalize cannabis). Those eligible could petition the court to have their arrest or conviction records annulled, provided they have completed their sentence.
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Feb 11 2025

Washington State Has Nearly 500 Licensed Marijuana Stores, 800 Licensed Producers and Processors

Washington State has nearly 800 licensed producers and processors, and nearly 500 retailers.

Yesterday, the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board gave a presentation on marijuana licensing to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee. The presentation showed that there is currently 794 active producer and processor licenses, in addition to 471 active retail licenses.

Washington legalized marijuana in 2012, tying Colorado as the first to do so, with the first licensed store opening in 2014. According to data provided by the research firm Headset, licensed marijuana stores generated nearly $100 million in sales in January. In 2024, the state generated over $1.1 billion in total marijuana sales.
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Feb 11 2025

Delaware’s Recreational Marijuana Market Moves Forward with Legislative Updates and Lottery Process

Delaware’s recreational marijuana market is “advancing in accordance with legislative mandates, following essential updates and a rigorous licensing process”, according to a press release.

In 2023, Delaware enacted legislation legalizing an adult-use recreational marijuana market and outlining a structured system for cultivators, manufacturers, retailers, and testing laboratories, with a strong emphasis on social equity applicants.

The law created the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC) to oversee the program and develop an extensive regulatory framework. Proposed regulations were issued in May 2024, and finalized in September 2024 after two rounds of public commentary. These regulations outline the licensing and operational requirements and are published under the 5001 Rules of the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner.
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