Louisiana’s licensed therapeutic-marijuana pharmacies could soon pay a flat $5,000 each year to keep their doors open under House Bill 657, filed today by State Representative Neil Riser (R-Columbia).

The measure amends R.S. 40:1046 to direct the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) to assess and collect a $5,000 renewal fee from every retail permit holder during the annual licensing cycle. Current law already requires pharmacies to renew their permits but leaves the amount of the fee to agency rulemaking; HB 657 would write the figure into statute and give LDH clear authority to enforce collection.

Louisiana’s therapeutic-marijuana program, launched in 2019, authorizes a tightly capped network of pharmacies—currently nine statewide, with a tenth planned—to dispense non-smokable formulations such as tinctures, metered inhalers and edible products. If HB 657 becomes law, the fee would generate roughly $45,000 to $50,000 a year for compliance inspections, laboratory oversight and other program costs.
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Massachusetts State Representative Patrick Kearney (D) has introduced legislation that would legalize and regulate psilocybin, creating a comprehensive framework to oversee its cultivation, distribution, and use.

The proposal, House Bill 4050, was filed yesterday and has been referred to the Joint Committee on Revenue. If enacted, the measure would remove psilocybin and psilocyn from the state’s list of controlled substances and authorize individuals 21 and older to use psilocybin under a regulated permit system.

The Department of Public Health would oversee the program, issuing permits to individuals who complete a health screening and an educational course known as the Psilocybin Regulation Educational Permit (PREP).
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The average cost of marijuana differs widely across the more than 20 states where recreational sales are underway. This analysis focuses on the states with the lowest prices.

Because of major differences in tax structures, regulations, and other factors, cannabis prices can vary significantly between legal markets. Using information from state regulatory agencies—and Headset data where state data is unavailable—here’s a look at the states with the lowest average price per gram of dried marijuana flower.

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A major marijuana policy bill aimed at reshaping Minnesota’s cannabis landscape is now heading to the full House after receiving approval today from the House Ways and Means Committee.

House Bill 1615, sponsored by Representative Zack Stephenson (D), is the House companion to Senate File 2370, which was recently approved by the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. The wide-ranging measure makes numerous changes to Minnesota’s marijuana laws as the state prepares to launch its legal recreational market in 2025.

Among its many provisions, HB 1615 and SF 2370 formalizes the Office of Cannabis Management as a state agency authorized to work directly with Tribal governments on marijuana and hemp issues. The bill also tightens rules around edible hemp products, banning synthetic cannabinoids like THC-O and HHC unless explicitly approved, and requires clear labeling, testing, and packaging.
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The Texas Senate has passed a bill that would effectively ban cities and counties from adopting or enforcing any measure that limits drug law enforcement, including efforts to decriminalize marijuana.

Texas Senate Chambers.

Senate Bill 1870 was approved by a 23 to 8 vote and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. The legislation, filed by Senator Charles Perry (R), would prohibit municipalities from passing ordinances, charter amendments or policies that prevent the full enforcement of state or federal drug laws. This would include local measures aimed at deprioritizing marijuana enforcement or reducing penalties.

The bill would give the Texas Attorney General the authority to investigate complaints from citizens alleging that a local government is in violation. If the Attorney General finds a violation, they could seek civil penalties of at least $25,000 for the first offense and $50,000 for each subsequent offense. These penalties would increase daily until the violation is corrected, and the funds would be directed to the state’s compensation to victims of crime fund.
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A Colorado bill proposing sweeping changes to the state’s marijuana regulatory framework was approved unanimously yesterday by the Senate Appropriations Committee in a 7 to 0 vote, advancing it to the full Senate for consideration.

The Senate adopted multiple amendments to the measure prior to the vote, meaning it will need to go back to the House for a vote of concurrence if it’s approved by the full Senate.

House Bill 1209, which passed the House last month 45 to 18, would modernize marijuana licensing procedures, streamline compliance requirements, and enhance opportunities for research and development within the regulated industry. Sponsored by Representative William Lindstedt and a group of bipartisan lawmakers, the bill now reflects changes introduced during the Senate’s review.

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President Donald Trump has begun reaching out directly to members of Congress, urging them to pass a marijuana banking bill ahead of next year’s midterm elections, according to two senior Senate staffers.

The GOP staffers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, say the president’s outreach to members of Congress began earlier this week and is part of a renewed push to get the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act—or similar legislation—through Congress before next November. Although cannabis banking legislation hasn’t been filed yet this session, it’s expected to happen soon, with the co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Cannabis Caucus saying recently that it’s one of the group’s top priorities.

This isn’t the first time Trump has taken a behind-the-scenes role in advocating for marijuana banking reform. The same two staffers told us back in December that he was privately encouraging lawmakers to pass the SAFER Banking Act. That report was later confirmed by CNN, with an article earlier this month stating “After winning the election, Trump and his transition team quietly backed an unsuccessful attempt to incorporate legislation easing restrictions on banking for marijuana companies into a December continuing resolution to fund the government”.
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A new Oregon bill would create a certification program for cannabis health care technicians and provide financial incentives to marijuana retailers that employ them.

(Photo credit: Brian Breneman).

Filed in February by State Representative Travis Nelson (D) and Senator Lew Frederick (D) House Bill 3790 would require the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) to certify qualified individuals as cannabis health care technicians. In turn, marijuana retailers that hire certified technicians would be eligible for financial support from the OLCC. Today, an “informational meeting” was held by the House Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade Committee.

Proponents of the bill say the goal is to enhance professional standards and expand health-related expertise in Oregon’s cannabis retail sector.
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A new bill introduced today in the New York Senate would restrict when adult-use marijuana stores and tobacco retailers located near schools can open for business.

Filed by Senator Cordell Cleare (D), the legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations.

Senate Bill 7596 proposes that adult-use marijuana dispensaries within one mile of a school cannot open until at least one hour after the latest beginning of a school day. The restriction would only apply on days when the school is in session. The bill makes clear that this provision should not be interpreted to allow dispensaries to operate during hours otherwise prohibited by state or local laws.
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