Legislation allowing on-site cannabis consumption establishments and regulated cannabis events has been scheduled for a public hearing in the Maryland Senate.

Senate Bill 215 has been scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Finance Hearing on January 30 at 1pm. Companion measure House Bill 132 has been assigned to the House Economic Matters Committee, but not yet scheduled for a public hearing.

The legislation establishes detailed regulations for on-site consumption establishments, initially limiting license applications to social equity applicants until mid-2028. These establishments would be authorized to distribute, repackage, and process marijuana products, including cannabinoid beverages, exclusively for on-site consumption. However, indoor smoking of marijuana would remain prohibited. Local jurisdictions would have the authority to regulate operating hours, enforce zoning restrictions, or entirely ban these establishments.
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The South Carolina Senate took a step forward today in the consideration of medical marijuana legislation as Senate Bill 53 was assigned to the Committee on Medical Affairs.

Filed in December by State Senator Thomas Davis, the bill proposes the creation of a legal framework for the medical use of marijuana in South Carolina. It closely aligns with a similar effort introduced in the state’s House of Representatives—House Bill 3019, known as the “Put Patients First Act,” filed by Representative Todd Rutherford.

Both measures aim to establish comprehensive guidelines for medical marijuana use in South Carolina, targeting patients suffering from debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Legislation to limit the density of licensed marijuana stores has been filed in the New York Senate.

(Photo credit: Getty Images).

Today, New York State Senators Nathalia Fernandez and Joseph Addabbo, both Democrats, introduced Senate Bill 1769, proposing significant amendment to the state’s cannabis law to address the proximity of licensed cannabis stores.

The bill would prevent new cannabis dispensaries from opening within 500 feet of an existing licensed retail outlet in cities, towns, or villages with populations exceeding 20,000. Measurements would be taken in a straight line from the nearest entrances of the respective establishments.
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Today, Indiana State Senator Greg Taylor (D) introduced a measure to establish a comprehensive medical marijuana program.

Senate Bill 400 has been assigned to the Committee on Health and Provider Services. Notably, this filing comes just five days after State Representatives Jim Lucas (R) and Shane Lindauer (R) introduced House Bill 1178, which also seeks to legalize medical marijuana.

Senate Bill 400 proposes a detailed framework for the regulation and oversight of medical marijuana in Indiana. The legislation would allow qualified patients and their designated caregivers, with a physician’s recommendation, to possess specific quantities of marijuana for treating approved medical conditions. The program would be overseen by a new regulatory agency, supported by an advisory committee tasked with evaluating its effectiveness and recommending improvements.
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Washington State Senator Drew MacEwen (R) has introduced Senate Bill 5206, a proposal seeking to amend the state’s marijuana retailer advertising regulations.

The legislation, which has been referred to the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee for consideration, outlines significant modifications to advertising restrictions for licensed cannabis businesses.

These changes primarily address signage, advertising content, and the use of mascots. Under the proposed legislation, cannabis retailers would be permitted to display up to four trade name signs on their licensed premises, a notable shift from current limitations. Each sign must adhere to a size restriction of no more than 1,000 square inches and must be either affixed to the building or placed in a window visible to the public.
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New Mexico’s legal marijuana market generated over $48 million in sales in December, bringing the 2024 total to well above $500 million, according to data released today by the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department.

In total, there was $48,721,851.36 worth of marijuana sold via licensed retail outlets and dispensaries in December, spread across 1,177,712 different transactions. This brings 2024’s total to around $540 million, with around 75% of these sales going to recreational consumers and 25% to medical marijuana patients.

The all-time total for marijuana sales in New Mexico is now $1,506,133,863.88, spread across 33,264,974 transactions.
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New York legislation to update the state’s laws around cannabis showcase events has successfully passed the Senate Rules Committee and been ordered directly to a third and final reading by the full Senate.

Senate Bill 818, filed by Senator Michelle Hinchey, introduces a framework for temporary “pop-up” events, where licensed businesses can promote their products. Under the proposed provisions, cannabis showcase events would require partnerships between licensed cultivators and processors, with sales restricted to products from these authorized entities. Additional safeguards, such as compliance with reporting requirements and adherence to state regulations, are included to ensure responsible operation.
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DEA Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney has canceled a series of marijuana rescheduling hearings, scheduled to start January 21 and run through March 6, halting proceedings for at least three months.

This decision stems from allegations of improper conduct by DEA Administrator Anne Milgram and other officials, though Mulrooney ultimately rejected calls to remove the agency from the rescheduling process entirely. The judge ordered either party to provide an update on the appeal’s status within 90 days, with additional updates required every subsequent 90 days if the issues remain unresolved.

While Mulrooney cited statutory limitations on his authority to remove the DEA as the proponent of the proposal to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, he sharply criticized the agency’s procedural actions. He argued that these missteps could delay the rulemaking indefinitely, particularly with a new administration set to take office next week.
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Florida’s 5th District Court of Appeal has ruled that law enforcement officers cannot conduct warrantless vehicle searches solely based on alerts from trained police dogs.

The decision highlights the inability of drug-sniffing dogs to differentiate between legal and illegal cannabis products, such as medical marijuana and hemp-derived products.

Judges noted that during a vehicle search prompted by a canine alert, officers could not determine whether the dog detected an illegal substance like cocaine, heroin, or marijuana, or a legal product such as hemp or properly prescribed medical marijuana. The court emphasized, “The dog’s alert did not tell them which target substance(s) had been detected. Whether the substance smelled was legal or illegal was not readily apparent, and thus his alert, alone, could not provide the probable cause needed to justify a warrantless search.”
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