Recently the US Army clarified that a 2022 proclamation issuing thousands of marijuana pardons “does not cover military drug offenses”. Now, a US senator is calling this a “mistake”.

In the Army’s announcement they clarified that the pardons do “not result in a pardon for military personnel, nor does it apply to the civilian drug-testing program.” Now, Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), says “I would urge him to reconsider that. I don’t think it’s helpful”.

Fetterman, in the interview with Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo, said “If you’re willing to serve our nation in the military, to be penalized by using a substance that is statistically much safer than other legal kinds of things—I don’t really understand the logic, truthfully.”
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A legislative committee has schedule a public hearing for a bill that would decriminalize the personal possession of psilocybin mushrooms.

The Joint Committee on Judiciary has scheduled a March 6 hearing for House Bill 5297, which was filed Monday. A public hearing is a necessary step to a bill being approved through the committee process. The measure states that “Any person who possesses or has under such person’s control less than one-half ounce of psilocybin, except as authorized in chapter 420b of the general statutes, shall:

(1) for a first offense, be fined one hundred fifty dollars, and
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North Carolina’s first-ever marijuana dispensary will open April 20 on the tribal land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).

In September members of the EBCI voted overwhelmingly in favor of a measure to legalize recreational marijuana for everyone 21 and older, regardless of whether or not they’re a tribal member. Specifically, the referendum asked voters: “Do you support legalizing the possession and use of cannabis for persons who are at least twenty-one (21) years old, and require the EBCI Tribal Council to develop legislation to regulate the market?” The measure passed with 70% support.

Now, the EBCI will soon open their marijuana superstore – a former bingo hall that cost tens of millions of dollars to refurbish – on April 20, the unofficial marijuana holiday.
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Legislation stating that “no person shall be denied custody or visitation of a child” for legally using marijuana has been passed by Virginia’s full legislature.

Senate Bill 115 states that “a child shall not be considered an abused or neglected child, and no person shall be denied custody or visitation of a child, based only on the fact that the child’s parent or other person responsible for his care, or the person petitioning for custody or visitation of the child, possessed or consumed legally authorized substances.” Virginia legalized marijuana possession in 2021.

An enactment clause “directs the Board of Social Services to amend its regulations, guidance documents, and other instructional materials to ensure that such regulations, documents, and materials comply with, and that investigations and family assessments are conducted by local departments of social services in accordance with, the provisions of the bill.”
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Arizona’s full Senate has passed a bill to legalize psilocybin therapy centers.

Psilocybin mushrooms.

Senate Bill 1570 was passed with overwhelming support, with 24 members voting in favor compared to just four voting in opposition. The proposed law would legalize psilocybin therapy centers where individuals can legally consume psilocybin in a medical, supervised setting, with trained staff constantly available. Licensing for these centers would be handled by the Department of Human Services (DHS).

The measure would establish a Arizona Psilocybin Advisory Board, tasked with overseeing training criteria for those working at service centers. The board would also recommend to lawmakers any potential law changes.
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Federal legislation to fully decriminalize marijuana has gained two new sponsors in the US House of Representatives.

Yesterday Congressmembers Jennifer McClellan (D-VA) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) signed on as cosponsors to the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. The measure, filed in September by Representative Jerrold Nadler (D), now has 84 sponsors. The only marijuana-related House bill that has more sponsors is the SAFE Banking Act with 104.

The MORE Act would remove marijuana as a federal controlled substance, effectively decriminalizing it nationwide. It would place a 5% federal excise tax on marijuana sales in states where its legal for the first two years, with it increasing to 8% by the fifth year.
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Legislation filed yesterday in Kentucky’s Senate would legalize the recreational use of marijuana for everyone who’s at least 21 years old.

Under the new bill filed by Senator David Yates, those 21 and older would be allowed to possess an ounce of marijuana for recreational use. A Department of Cannabis Control would be established to oversee a new legal marijuana industry, where licensed retail outlets sell marijuana and marijuana products.

The proposal would allow those with past marijuana convictions to have the charges expunged from their record, and it prevents employers from discriminating against those who use marijuana legally while not at work.
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