Bipartisan Pennsylvania lawmakers held a press conference today to provide an update on their attempt to legalize recreational marijuana this session.

“We are surrounded by states that have already legalized the adult use of cannabis, and they are taking advantage of the fact that we have not,” said Representative Emily Kinkead (D). “There are Pennsylvania dollars to be spent on adult use, and they want to capitalize on it when we should be doing that. We should be using Pennsylvania dollars in Pennsylvania to support Pennsylvanians, and we should be learning from all of the other states about the way to do this best and the way to best capitalize on it.”

The press conference was also attended by Representative Aaron Kaufer (R), who, along with Rep. Kinkead, is sponsoring House Bill 2500. This bill would legalize recreational marijuana for everyone 21 and older and establish a legal framework for its sale, prioritizing licensing for disadvantaged groups. It also seeks to expunge past criminal charges related to marijuana distribution.
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Minnesota veterans and individuals with past marijuana convictions can begin applying for the state’s first marijuana business licenses starting today.

The Minnesota Legislature approved a “preapproval” licensing process for the Office of Cannabis Management, allowing regulators to expedite approval for some businesses. This initiative is in preparation for the state’s cannabis market launch in 2025.

The initial step involves verifying eligibility for early licensing. Applicants must meet the “social equity applicant” criteria, which include veterans, new farmers, residents from high-poverty areas, and individuals convicted of cannabis possession or sale before legalization last year.
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By the end of this week, licensed recreational marijuana sales are expected to begin for the first time in Ohio history.

On Friday, Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control granted over 60 provisional dual licenses for dispensaries, cultivators, processors, and testing labs, just two weeks after the application process began. According to State Representative Jamie Callender (R-Concord), Chair of the Joint Committee On Agency Rule Review, which is the rulemaking committee for Ohio’s Department of Cannabis Control, these provisional license are expected to be finalized this week, with sales beginning as soon as Wednesday.

Recreational marijuana possession and cultivation became legal in December after voters approved Issue 2 in November. Under this new law, individuals 21 and older can legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrates, such as wax, oil, and hash. They are also allowed to cultivate up to six marijuana plants at a private residence for personal use.
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The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) procedure for scheduling decisions as the agency aims to prohibit two psychedelic substances.

Judge Ricardo Martinez officially issued the dismissal order on Thursday, stating that the plaintiffs failed to comply with a court directive to secure legal representation by a specified deadline, resulting in the termination of the case. This decision follows the DEA’s formal cancellation of an administrative hearing regarding the classification of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine (DOC) as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) about two weeks prior. The hearing was initially postponed by a DEA administrative law judge due to the now-dismissed lawsuit, leaving open the possibility of rescheduling.

Panacea Plant Sciences (PPS), the plaintiff, had contested the administrative hearing process leading to final rulemaking. They argued that the DEA’s reliance on administrative law judges for such decisions was unconstitutional, referencing U.S. Supreme Court precedent.
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Proponents of decriminalizing marijuana in Dallas have submitted nearly 50,000 signatures to place their initiative on the Dallas ballot this November, well more than the required amount.

Ground Game Texas, a campaign known for spearheading local cannabis reform efforts across the state, announced on Monday that they delivered the signatures to City Hall. The signature drive began in January. Should the petitions be verified and the measure approved by voters, possession of up to four ounces of marijuana would be decriminalized in Dallas, the third-largest city in Texas by population.

Despite collecting more than the required 35,000 signatures, some City Council members aim to streamline the process through legislative action. Councilmember Chad West plans to introduce the proposal at a hearing on Wednesday, aiming to save the city the costs of verifying ballot signatures.
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Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has signed into law legislation that decriminalizes the possession of marijuana paraphernalia throughout Louisiana.

House Bill 165 was passed by the House of Representatives earlier this month by a vote of 69 to 24. In May, it passed the Senate 24 to 14. Now, the measure has been signed into law by Governor Landry.

The proposed law “removes incarceration as a punishment for the possession of certain drug paraphernalia in quantities not exceeding those required for individual personal use.” It “provides that the punishment for the possession of certain drug paraphernalia in quantities not exceeding those required for individual personal use is a fine of:
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A new study published in the journal Epilepsy & Behavior has demonstrated significant seizure reduction in adults with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) using cannabidiol.

Conducted by researchers at Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Department of Neurology, the research offers promising results for a condition known for its treatment resistance.

Epileptic encephalopathies, such as LGS, are severe childhood-onset epilepsy disorders that can severely impair cognitive and motor functions. Despite advancements in medical and surgical treatments, many patients continue to experience uncontrolled seizures. In December 2019, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved cannabidiol as an adjunctive treatment for LGS-related seizures.
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Ohio’s officials have approved numerous provisional licenses for current medical marijuana operators to transition to dual-use licenses, moving the state closer to launching its recreational cannabis market.

The Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) has granted 62 provisional dual licenses for dispensaries, cultivators, processors, and testing labs as of Friday, just two weeks after the application process began. Prior to the application opening, the department released guidelines to help potential applicants understand the regulatory requirements for obtaining a hybrid license.
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