Jun 14 2023

Washington State to Vacate 350,000 Drug Possession Misdemeanors and Felonies

Washington State plans to vacate the charges of over 200,000 felony drug possession convictions dating back to the 1970s, with an additional 150,000 misdemeanor drug charges also potentially eligible.

According to a press release by Washington Courts, the landmark State vs Blake decision issued on February 25, 2021 by the Washington Supreme Court, ruled that the state’s drug possession law was unconstitutional and void because it did not require individuals to have knowledge of the drug possession. As a result, those convicted of drug possession on or before February 25, 2021 became eligible to have their convictions vacated and removed from their criminal record, and their paid court-ordered fines and costs — called legal financial obligations (LFOs) — reimbursed.

It is estimated that over 200,000 felony drug possession charges dating back to the 1970s may be eligible to be vacated in superior courts. An estimated additional 150,000 misdemeanor marijuana charges may also be eligible for vacation.
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Jun 14 2023

Illinois Governor Signs Bill Allowing Marijuana Businesses to Take State Tax Deductions

Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker has signed into law legislation that will allow marijuana businesses that are legal under state law to take standard state-level tax deductions.

Filed by State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth, House Bill 3817 is cosponsored by 19 other legislators. The measure passed the Senate 36 to 20, and passed the House of Representatives 73 to 38.

The new law alters the state’s existing tax code to allow marijuana businesses to take deductions for “an amount equal to the deductions that were disallowed under Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code for the taxable year”. House Bill 3817 makes several other changes to state law, but this is the only provision that applies to the legal marijuana industry
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Jun 13 2023

APA Poll Finds Americans Think Marijuana is Less Addictive Than Technology and Alcohol

In a new national poll commissioned by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and conducted by Morning Consult, most Americans said they believe marijuana is less addictive than technology and is safer than alcohol and cigarettes.

“People were less likely to believe cannabis was addictive compared to the other substances and behaviors polled”, according to an APA press release. Their poll was conducted between April 20 and April 22, 2023, among a sample of 2,201 adults. Results have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

When asked about addiction, those polled reported on how often they used a particular substance or engaged in a certain behavior, and whether they thought it was safe and/or addictive. 87% of respondents said cigarettes are addicting, while 84% said the same of alcohol, 81% said the same of vaping and 75% said the same of technology. When it comes to marijuana, the number is noticeably lower at 64%.
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Jun 13 2023

Study: CBD Shows Potential as an “Abortive Agent for Treating Migraine Attacks”

According to newly published research the marijuana compound cannabidiol “shows potential as an abortive agent for treating migraine attacks and headache-related conditions such as spontaneous pain and anxiety”.

The study is published in the peer-reviewed journal Pain, and it’s conducted by researchers at Florida Atlantic University, the Medical University of Lublin in Poland, and the Universities of Ferrara and Padova, both in Italy.

“Migraine is a disabling disorder characterized by recurrent headaches, accompanied by abnormal sensory sensitivity and anxiety”, notes the study’s researchers. “Despite extensive historical use of cannabis in headache disorders, there is limited research on the nonpsychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) for migraine and there is no scientific evidence to prove that CBD is an effective treatment.”
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Jun 13 2023

North Carolina Medical Marijuana Bill May Be Considered Soon in House, Already Passed Senate

North Carolina legislators are making a late-session push to get a Senate-approved medical marijuana bill through the House of Representatives before the end of the legislative session.

State Representative Donny Lambeth, Chair of the House Health Committee, recently told local media that he believes a Senate vote on the bill could happen as soon as the end of June.

Senate Bill 3 was approved by the Senate in March by a vote of 36 to 10. This sent the measure to the House, where passage would put it before Governor Roy Cooper. Under the proposed law those with a “debilitating medical condition” such as cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and post-traumatic stress disorder would be allowed to purchase, possess, consume medical marijuana and marijuana products if they receive a recommendation from a licensed physician.
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Jun 13 2023

Study: Marijuana Use Lower Among Youth in ZIP Codes with Marijuana Dispensaries

According to a new study marijuana use “was significantly lower among 10th and 12th graders living in a  ZIP code with a marijuana dispensary.”

The study, titled Adolescent Cannabis Use Among Youth in ZIP Codes with Medical Dispensaries, was published by the journal Cannabis and epublished by the US National Library of Medicine. It was conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois.

As noted by the study’s abstract, “concerns remain about whether liberalized policies result in increased adolescent cannabis use.” To date, “limited evidence exists that the statewide prevalence of adolescent cannabis use increased in states with liberalized policies. However, analyses at local levels show some negative impacts.”
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Jun 12 2023

Alabama Announces 21 License Recipients for Medical Marijuana Program

Almost two and a half years after Alabama passed a restrictive medical marijuana law, the state has officially announced the recipients of 21 licenses for growing, processing, testing and dispensing the medicine.

Today the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission announced the 21 companies that have been selected to receive licenses to grow and distribute medical marijuana. The 21 companies were chosen out of nearly 100 applicants.

“When we leave here today, there’s going to be some terribly disappointed people”, said Commission Executive Director John McMillan today at a meeting designed to determine and announce the recipients. “To the recipients, we look forward to working with you in a partnership manner.”
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Jun 12 2023

Maine Legislature Passes Bill to Allow Marijuana Use and Cultivation While on Probation and Parole

A Maine bill that would prevent those on probation, parole or release pending trial from being prevented in taking part in the state’s legal recreational marijuana program has been passed by the full legislature.

House Bill 1311 was filed by State Representative David Boyer along with a tripartisan group of four other lawmakers. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on June 6, and it was passed by the Senate the following day. Today the proposal was passed through both chambers in final concurrence votes. This sends the bill to Governor Janet Mills, who is expected to sign it into law.

According to the measure’s official summary, it “prohibits an individual’s legal cultivation, possession or use of cannabis or testing positive for cannabis from being a violation of probation, parole or release pending trial unless the court finds that the cultivation, possession or use of cannabis by the individual creates a risk of danger to the individual or others.”
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Jun 12 2023

New Pennsylvania Bill Would Provide Tenant Protections to Medical Marijuana Patients

Legislation filed today in Pennsylvania would give explicit legal protections to renters who use medical marijuana.

House Bill 985 was filed by State Representative Christopher Rabb along with nine cosponsors, all Democrat. The measure states that “No landlord may evict, threaten to evict or otherwise discriminate against a residential tenant for the lawful usage or possession of medical marijuana if the tenant is certified to use medical marijuana.”

The measure clarifies that the law “applies to a tenant who resides in public housing or publicly subsidized housing and is certified to use medical marijuana.”
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Jun 12 2023

Rhode Island House Votes 54 to 11 to Legalize Psilocybin (AKA Magic Mushrooms)

Rhode Island’s full House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would legalize the possession and cultivation of psilocybin.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin mushrooms.

House Bill 5923 was approved through the House today by a veto-proof majority, 54 to 11. The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration, with passage in the Senate sending the bill to Governor Daniel McKee.

As approved by the House, HB 5923 would allow those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of psilocybin, which is the psychedelic compound found in magic mushroom. Those 21 and older would also be allowed to grow psilocybin for both personal use and for sharing with another individual who is also at least 21 years old.
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