A new bipartisan measure introduced today in the Minnesota House of Representatives would authorize liquor wholesalers to purchase and sell lower-potency hemp edibles.

Hemp gummies.

House File 1735, sponsored by Representatives Zack Stephenson (D) and Nolan West (R), was referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee for consideration.

The bill would allow licensed liquor wholesalers in Minnesota to distribute lower-potency hemp edibles, a category of cannabis-infused products containing limited amounts of THC. Under the proposal, wholesalers must register with state regulators by April 1, 2025, to engage in these transactions. Registered wholesalers would be permitted to purchase these products from cannabis microbusinesses, mezzobusinesses, cultivators, manufacturers, and lower-potency hemp edible producers. They could then sell them to licensed retailers, cannabis businesses with retail endorsements, and medical cannabis combination businesses.

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A bicameral coalition of 27 Nevada lawmakers has introduced a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to take action on the therapeutic use of psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, mescaline, and MDMA.

Nevada State Capitol.

Filed yesterday with 27 bicameral sponsors, Senate Joint Resolution 10 was referred to the Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections for further consideration.

SJR10 highlights the growing body of research supporting the use of psychedelics such as psilocybin, MDMA, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline for treating conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), treatment-resistant depression, and substance use disorders. The resolution points to clinical trials demonstrating significant improvements in mental health outcomes for veterans, first responders, and others suffering from these conditions.
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A newly released report from Flowhub highlights the rapid growth of marijuana dispensaries and retail outlets across the United States, revealing that nearly 15,000 are now in operation nationwide.

The 2025 Marijuana Industry Statistics & Data Insights report underscores the significant expansion of the legal cannabis market, with dispensaries becoming more accessible than ever to consumers.

According to the report, 79% of Americans now live in a county with at least one marijuana dispensary, demonstrating the increasing presence of legal cannabis retailers. California leads the nation with 3,659 dispensaries, accounting for nearly a quarter of all licensed marijuana stores in the U.S. Los Angeles County alone is home to 1,481 dispensaries, a figure that surpasses the total number of dispensaries in any individual state aside from California itself.

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The North Dakota House of Representatives has approved House Bill 1596, a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession, by a vote of 76 to 17.

Under current law, possession of up to half an ounce of cannabis does not come with the possibility of jailtime due to a 2019 law, but it does remain a criminal infraction punishable by a fine of up to $1,000. HB 1596 would make the possession of up to half an ounce of cannabis a noncriminal citation, rather than a criminal infraction, with a max fine of $150.

Additionally, the legislation lowers penalties for larger amounts, with possession of up to 100 grams being classified as an infraction instead of a misdemeanor. The bill also amends penalties related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and drug paraphernalia, ensuring that first-time low-level offenses carry civil penalties rather than criminal charges.

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Maryland’s full House of Representatives has given overwhelming approval to legislation that would exempt certain cannabis transactions from the state’s sales and use tax.

House Bill 619, passed by the House today by a vote of 110 to 23, would expand an existing tax exemption to include sales between licensed cannabis businesses and registered cannabis nurseries. The proposal now moves to the state’s Senate, with approval in that chamber putting the measure on the desk of Governor Wes Moore.

Currently Maryland’s tax code exempts medical marijuana and sales between licensed cannabis businesses from the state’s sales and use tax. House Bill 619 would add an additional exemption for transactions between licensed cannabis businesses and registered cannabis nurseries. If enacted, the tax exemption would take effect on July 1, 2025.
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In a landmark decision, a Florida state court has ruled that employers must accommodate off-the-job medical marijuana use.

The case involved Angelo Giambrone, an emergency medical technician for Hillsborough County Fire Department, who was placed on unpaid administrative leave after testing positive for marijuana during a random drug screening. Despite presenting a valid medical marijuana card, the county refused to accommodate his off-duty use.

Giambrone, who uses medical marijuana to manage anxiety, PTSD, and insomnia, filed a lawsuit alleging disability discrimination under the Florida Civil Rights Act. He argued that the county’s refusal to accept his state-issued medical marijuana card as justification for the test result violated his rights. The court sided with Giambrone, granting summary judgment in his favor and affirming that Florida law requires employers to accommodate medical marijuana use outside of work hours.
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Governor Phil Murphy has proposed a steep increase in New Jersey’s social equity excise fee on marijuana, raising it from $2.50 to $15 per ounce.

The additional revenue, estimated at $70 million, would be directed toward social service programs and violence intervention efforts.

The proposal follows a recent tax hike in December, when the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission increased the fee from $1.24 to $2.50 per ounce. The tax is paid by cannabis cultivators.
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