Apr 11 2023

Federal Court in Texas Rules it’s Unconstitutional to Ban Marijuana Users From Owning Firearms

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas has ruled that prohibiting someone from possessing guns simply because they consume marijuana is unconstitutional.

The ruling from Judge Kathleen Cardone stems from a case brought forth by El Paso resident Paola Connelly. Connelly had been charged with multiple counts of possessing and transferring a firearm after admitting to being a consumer of marijuana. After granting a motion for reconsideration Judge Cardone dismissed all of the charges against Connelly. The case is the United States of America v. Paola Connelly.

The judge, who was appointed years ago by then-President George W. Bush, ruled against the U.S. Justice Department in stating that “any historical tradition of disarming ‘unlawful’ individuals does not support disarming Connelly for her alleged marijuana use”, noting that possessing small amounts of marijuana is only a misdemeanor and thus should not result in someone losing their gun rights.
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Apr 10 2023

Louisiana Bills to Legalize Marijuana Like Alcohol Receive Committee Assignments

Two pieces of legislation that would work together to legalize marijuana for those 21 and older in Louisiana have received committee assignments roughly two months after they were filed.

Filed by State Representative Candace Newell, House Bill 24 would legalize the possession and distribution of marijuana “contingent upon legislative enactment of a statutory regulatory system and establishment of a sales tax”. House Bill 17 would work in conjunction with HB 24 by allowing marijuana stores. The Department of Agriculture would be directed to issue 10 licenses for the legal cultivation and processing of marijuana, and 40 licenses for marijuana retail outlets.

Newell says the bills would treat marijuana “Just like alcohol.” She says “You have a license to sell alcohol. If you don’t have a license you can’t sell it. The same will be with recreational marijuana.”
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Apr 10 2023

Connecticut: $22 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in March, Year-to-Date Total Tops $50 Million

Legal marijuana sales surpassed $22 million in Connecticut in March, just the second full month of legal recreational marijuana sales.

In March there was $22,139,154 in legal marijuana and marijuana products sold in Connecticut. $12,576,006 of this was from medical marijuana sales, with $9,563,148 being from the distribution of recreational marijuana. This brings the year-to-date total for legal marijuana sales in Connecticut to $53,778,940.

In March there was 339,062 different medical marijuana products sold. In terms of recreational marijuana products, there was 234,974 products sold. This is an increase from the 316,644 and 168,565 sold in February.
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Apr 09 2023

Arkansas Legislature Passes Medical Marijuana Gun Rights Bill, Sending it to Governor

Arkansas legislation that would codify gun rights for medical marijuana patients has now been passed by the state’s full legislature, sending it to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

House Bill 1784, which would amend the state’s gun laws to explicitly establish legal rights for medical marijuana patients, was passed by the full Senate on Friday by a vote of 26 to 3. The measure has already been passed by an 82 to 5 vote by the House of Representatives.

Although Governor Sanders has not given word on whether or not she will sign the measure into law or veto it,  it’s worth noting that the legislation passed with well more than enough votes to override an executive veto which can be done with a two-thirds majority.
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Apr 09 2023

Nevada: $70 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in January, $11 Million in Taxes

Marijuana sales in Nevada were just above $70 million in January according to data released by the Nevada Department of Taxation.

The $70,254,611 in marijuana purchased in January resulted in $11,994,093 in tax revenue for the state and the localities within it. The tax revenue made in January was the highest since May, 2022 when the state garnered $12.5 million.

The sales data for January brings the total amount of marijuana sold in Nevada to $3.66 billion, and brings the total tax revenue made to $660 million.

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Apr 09 2023

In Maine Legal Marijuana Sales Passed $16 Million in March

In March legal marijuana retail outlets in Maine sold over $16 million in marijuana and marijuana products, the second highest month of the past 12.

Data released by Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy shows that there was $16,622,537 in legal marijuana sales in March. Over the past 12 months only August saw more sales with $17,042,278.

The sales total for March brings the yearly total to $45,314,673, and the total since the start of legal sales in late 2020 to $290,442,617. Between January and March there was 764,333 total sales transactions at licensed marijuana stores, with there being 279,770 in March alone.
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Apr 08 2023

Over $80 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in Oregon in March

There was $81 million in legal marijuana sold in March in Oregon.

In total Oregon sold $81,342,063 in March, a 10.4% increase from the month prior. This is according to data released by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

The $81 million sold garnered $13.8 million in marijuana tax revenue, based on the state’s 17% marijuana tax rate. This doesn’t include any tax revenue obtained by cities who have established their own local tax.
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Apr 08 2023

Alaska Has Garnered Over $110 Million in Recreational Marijuana Taxes, 1.4 Million Ounces Sold

Alaska has brought in over $110 million in new tax revenue from marijuana and marijuana products purchased legally between January, 2017 and January, 2023.

Alaska voters legalized recreational marijuana for everyone 21 and older in 2015, with the first marijuana retail outlet opening their doors towards the end of the following year. Between 2017 and the end of 2022, Alaska garnered $113,212,190 in tax revenue from the marijuana industry, according to data released by the Alaska Department of Revenue. This doesn’t include the estimated $7 to 8 million already made so far in 2023.

Since the start of legal sales Alaska has sold almost 1.4 million ounces in dried marijuana flower, which doesn’t include products like trim and shake. This is despite Alaska having a population of less than 750,000 (only two other states, Wyoming and Vermont, have a smaller population).
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Apr 07 2023

Maryland Legislators Agree to Coalesce Marijuana Sales Bill

Lawmakers from Maryland’s House and Senate have reached concurrence on legislation that would establish rules and regulations for the state’s legal marijuana industry.

Last week Maryland’s Senate, in a 32 to 12 vote, passed a measure that would allow licensed marijuana sales to everyone 21 and older. Although Senate Bill 516 already passed the House of Representatives, the two chambers made slight amendments that resulted in the two version needing to be coalesced into one proposal.

Lawmakers were successful in accomplishing this as the House Economic Matters Committee and the Senate Finance Committee agreed on one unified measure. The legislation is expected to receive final votes in the House and Senate by Monday, the final day of the session.
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Apr 07 2023

Bipartisan Federal Bill Introduced to Allow Veterans Affairs Doctors to Recommend Medical Marijuana

U.S. Representatives Brian Mast (R-FL) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), along with 15 bipartisan cosponsors, have reintroduced the Veterans Equal Access Act (H.R. 2431).

The proposal would expand and facilitate medical cannabis access to military veterans suffering from chronic pain, PTSD, and other serious medical conditions by allowing physicians affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to recommend cannabis in compliance with state laws.

Under current law VA healthcare providers are prohibited from making medical cannabis recommendations, even in states where medical marijuana is legal. This forces veterans to receive recommendations from private and often costly physicians.
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