Jul 04 2024

This July Fourth, I’m in My 26th Year Behind Bars for Marijuana

By Edwin Rubis, Truthout , republished with special permission

When the clock strikes 10:00 pm, I’ll be sitting in the darkness gazing out a grimy, metal barred window. Miles away, the starlit sky will explode with cheerful colors. Two seconds after each rocket reaches its apex point, the blast will resonate through the walls. The city of Talladega, Alabama, will be celebrating, and in 10 minutes it will be all over. The illuminating colors will turn into an ashen graying smoke, disappearing into the night sky.

For the past 26 years, I’ve watched this same so-called Independence Day celebration from afar, staring out a barred window and wishing I was free. But my days go by with no hint of freedom: without a patriotic flag to wave, eating the same cold mystery meat, the stale bread and over-sugared cereal, using the same aerobic exercise equipment and cheap rubber basketballs and soccer balls which keep me playing like a pet in a cage to stay fit, surrounded by metal fences topped with razor wire and armed guards surveilling the perimeter of the ground I’ve learned to call home.
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Jul 04 2024

Of the Five Statewide Marijuana Initiatives on the November Ballot, Polls Show Four Likely to Pass

This November, voters in five states—North Dakota, South Dakota, Florida, Arkansas, and Nebraska—will decide on various marijuana initiatives. Polls indicate that four out of these five measures are likely to pass.

According to recent polling, all but North Dakota have enough support for their marijuana initiatives to be passed into law. This, of course, doesn’t mean that North Dakota won’t vote to legalize, it just means that there may be more work to be done in the coming months than in some of the other states.

Here’s a look at the five states with marijuana initiatives set to be considered this November, and where they stand in the polls.
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Jul 04 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris Supports Legalizing Marijuana and Sentence Reform

With reports that President Biden is considering whether to remain in the race, increased attention has been directed towards Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the most likely candidate to replace him at the top of the ticket.

President Biden has been the most consequential president in U.S. history regarding marijuana law reform. For example, he pardoned thousands of federal marijuana offenders, initiated the review that led to the DEA recommending marijuana be rescheduled, and in 2022 he became the first president to sign a standalone marijuana bill into law with the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act. However, Biden has also refused to support the legalization of marijuana, putting him at odds with the majority of his own party.

Vice President Kamala Harris has been a strong supporter of Biden’s moves to reschedule marijuana and pardon offenders. Following the DEA’s announcement, she said, “Currently, marijuana is classified on the same level as heroin and more dangerous than fentanyl. We are finally changing that. I want to thank all of the advocates and everyone out there for helping to make this possible.”

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Jul 04 2024

Maryland’s Legal Marijuana Sales Pass Half a Billion Dollars in First Half of Year

Maryland’s legal marijuana market has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing half a billion dollars in sales within the first half of the year.

According to the Maryland Cannabis Administration, $94 million worth of legal marijuana and marijuana products were sold in June, bringing the year-to-date total to $556.2 million.

In June, recreational marijuana consumers contributed approximately $65 million to the total sales, while medical marijuana patients accounted for the remaining $29 million. This follows May’s record-breaking sales, where $96.8 million was generated.
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Jul 04 2024

3 States Will Vote to Legalize Recreational Marijuana this November

Voters in three states will have the opportunity this November to legalize recreational marijuana.

In Florida, voters will consider Amendment 3, the first of the three initiatives to be officially placed on the ballot. The initiative, proposed by Smart & Safe Florida, would legalize the possession, use, and licensed distribution of marijuana for those 21 and older. The possession limit would be set at three ounces of dried marijuana flower and five grams of marijuana concentrates. Amendment 3 would also establish a system of licensed, regulated, and taxed marijuana retail outlets, supplied by licensed growers and processors.

A University of North Florida poll released in November found that 67% of likely voters support Amendment 3, exceeding the 60% needed for it to pass as a constitutional amendment. A recent Fox News poll also indicated strong support at 69%.
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Jul 04 2024

Illinois: $166 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in June, $1 Billion So Far in 2024

In June, Illinois saw $166 million in legal marijuana and marijuana products sold, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

This figure represents a modest decrease compared to May’s sales of $170.6 million, a difference of $2.6 million between the two months.

Breaking down the numbers, June’s sales included $144 million in recreational marijuana and $24 million in medical marijuana. Despite the month-over-month decrease, June 2024 sales surpassed those of June 2023 by about $12 million, indicating a year-over-year growth.
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Jul 03 2024

California Marijuana Sales Top $2 Billion in First Half of 2024

In California, licensed marijuana sales have exceeded $2 billion for the first half of 2024, driven by strong sales figures in June.

The latest data reveals that there was $339 million worth of marijuana and related products sold legally in June, a slight decrease from the $350 million sold in May. This brings the total sales for the year to approximately $2.05 billion.

In June, the average price per gram for dried marijuana flower was $10, while marijuana concentrates averaged $18 per gram.
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Jul 03 2024

Nebraska: Enough Signatures Submitted to Put Medical Marijuana Legalization to November Vote

Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM) have submitted well more than enough signatures to put their medical marijuana legalization initiative to a vote this November.

Today, NMM submitted over 110,000 signatures for both of their initiatives: one to legalize medical marijuana and one to protect physicians who recommend it. This exceeds the required 87,000 signatures needed for the proposals to be voted on in November.

The group has also collected the required signatures across at least 38 of the state’s 93 counties for both initiatives, a legal requirement for making the November ballot.
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Jul 03 2024

Connecticut Law Limiting THC Beverages to Licensed Liquor and Cannabis Stores Takes Effect

Sales of THC-infused beverages in Connecticut are now restricted to state-licensed liquor stores and cannabis retailers.

The new law is due to the enactment of House Bill 5150, which was signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont in May. It officially to effect on July 1, prohibiting the sale of intoxicating hemp products at gas stations and convenience stores.

The state’s Department of Consumer Protection outlined the law’s requirements in a news release, which include:
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Jul 03 2024

Massachusetts Initiative Campaign to Legalize Psychedelics Submits Enough Signatures to Appear on November Ballot

An initiative to legalize certain psychedelics is set to be voted on this November.

Mescaline (top left), ibogaine (top right), psilocybin mushrooms (bottom left), and DMT (bottom right). All four, plus psilocin, would be legalized under the initiative put forth by Massachusetts for Mental Health Options.

In January, Massachusetts for Mental Health Options (MMHO) submitted over 96,000 valid signatures for their psychedelics initiative, well more than the roughly 74,000 needed to force a vote of the legislature. Given the legislature didn’t act on the measure prior to the May 1 deadline, it gave MMHO until July to collect an additional 12,429 signatures in order to place the proposal on the November presidential election ballot.

Today, the campaign announced that they have submitted over 14,000 signatures, well more than enough to qualify for the November ballot. In a press release, they said “The support from Massachusetts residents has been overwhelming.”
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