Apr 21 2025

Nevada Judiciary Committee Approves Bill to Expand Cannabis Equity, Ease Rules, and Broaden Delivery Access

The Assembly Judiciary Committee today approved Assembly Bill 203, legislation that would significantly reshape Nevada’s cannabis laws by broadening access for social equity operators, easing delivery and packaging rules, and revising licensing and tax provisions.

Filed by Assemblymember Max Carter (D), AB 203 creates a Social Equity Liaison within the Cannabis Compliance Board and allows individuals harmed by past marijuana criminalization to partner with licensed cannabis facilities through joint-venture agreements. These partnerships would enable the operation of cannabis-related businesses without a state-issued license, provided they’re approved by the Board and hosted on the premises of a licensed cultivation or production facility.

The bill also loosens delivery restrictions by allowing cannabis to be delivered to private residences and other locations not near schools or casinos. Vehicles used for deliveries would no longer need prior inspection from the Board.
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Apr 21 2025

North Dakota Bill to Legalize Certain Medical Marijuana Edibles Sent to Governor

The North Dakota Legislature has officially sent a bill to the governor that would legalize certain edible medical marijuana products.

North Dakota State Capitol Building.

House Bill 1203, introduced by Representative Jim Vetter (R) in January with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, received final passage in the House on April 15 with a 70 to 21 vote. The Senate had previously passed the measure on April 4 in a strong 42 to 3 vote. The bill was formally transmitted to the governor today for consideration.

The legislation would define and regulate cannabinoid edible products intended for medical use. Under the bill, only approved manufacturing facilities could produce edibles, and dispensaries would need approval from the Department of Health and Human Services before they could possess, market, or sell them.
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Apr 21 2025

Iowa Bill to Allow Psilocybin for PTSD Passes House of Representatives in 84 to 6 Vote

The Iowa House of Representatives has passed legislation that would legalize the use of psilocybin for individuals diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Dried psilocybin.

House File 978, sponsored by Representative John Wills (R), was approved today by a vote of 84 to 6. The measure establishes a regulated system for the cultivation, production, testing, and supervised administration of psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound found in psychedelic mushrooms.

If enacted, the program would be overseen by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The bill allows for the oral consumption of dried psilocybin mushrooms under the supervision of licensed professionals. These professionals include physicians, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, and certain advanced practice nurses who are registered by the state to recommend psilocybin treatment.
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Apr 21 2025

Israel’s Finance Minister Blocks 165% Tariff on Canadian Cannabis Imports—for Now

Canadian cannabis exporters have avoided steep tariffs—at least for now—after Israel’s Finance Minister stepped in to block a controversial plan to impose duties as high as 165% on marijuana imported from Canada.

The decision halts a proposal put forward on April 10 by Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat. That plan would have imposed massive anti-dumping tariffs on Canadian cannabis, pending approval from the Knesset’s Finance Committee and final sign-off from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

In a letter to Barkat, Smotrich made his opposition clear, stating: “I oppose the decision to impose an anti-dumping duty on the import of cannabis flowers from Canada,” unless he later decides otherwise.
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Apr 21 2025

Delaware Governor Nominates Joshua Sanderlin as New Marijuana Commissioner

Today, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer nominated attorney and government regulations expert Joshua Sanderlin to serve as the state’s next Marijuana Commissioner.

Joshua Sanderlin.

Sanderlin has over 15 years of experience advising businesses and policymakers on regulatory compliance, with a focus on shaping state-level cannabis laws and markets. His nomination will require confirmation by the Delaware State Senate.

“Josh Sanderlin will bring deep expertise, steady leadership, and a clear commitment to equity and accountability to the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “His experience navigating complex regulatory systems and work across the cannabis industry make him uniquely qualified to launch Delaware’s adult-use marijuana market quickly and correctly. With Josh at the helm, we’re ready to build a system that is safe, transparent, and delivers real opportunity for hardworking Delawareans.”
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Apr 21 2025

Minnesota House Committee Approves Bill to Allocate $75 Million to Office of Cannabis Management, Including for Grant Programs

The Minnesota House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee approved legislation today that would provide over $75 million in funding for the state’s Office of Cannabis Management over the next two fiscal years.

Filed last month by Representative Kaohly Her (D), the bill was approved on April 21 and has now been sent to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.

HB 2443 would allocate $14.26 million each year in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for cannabis industry community renewal grants. These grants are aimed at supporting communities most impacted by past marijuana criminalization, while also helping residents become social equity applicants under the state’s cannabis licensing system.
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Apr 21 2025

Bipartisan Congressional Cannabis Caucus Will Soon File Marijuana Banking Act and Bill to Expand Marijuana Research

The bipartisan Congressional Cannabis Caucus will soon file two marijuana-related bills, including a measure to establish nationwide marijuana banking and a bill to enhance and expand marijuana research.

Members of the Caucus recently refiled the STATES 2.0 Act, which would end federal cannabis prohibition in states that have voted to legalize it. The proposal would also legalize interstate marijuana commerce, revise IRS policy to treat marijuana businesses like other legal enterprises, and it would lay the groundwork for a future federal tax-and-regulate model.

Now, the group is preparing to file at least two other cannabis-related measures, according to Caucus Co-Chair Dina Titus. Those are the SAFE/R Banking Act, and the Higher Education Marijuana Research Act.
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Apr 21 2025

U.S. Congress: The Five Cannabis-Related Bills Filed So Far in 2025

So far in 2025, five cannabis-related bills have been filed in the United States Congress. Here’s a breakdown of each proposal.

The STATES 2.0 Act (H.R. 2934)

Filed in the U.S. House by Representatives Dave Joyce (R), Max Miller (R), and Dina Titus (D), the STATES 2.0 Act would amend the Controlled Substances Act to exempt individuals and businesses acting in compliance with state or tribal marijuana laws from federal enforcement. The legislation would also authorize interstate marijuana commerce between legal jurisdictions and make marijuana businesses eligible for federal tax deductions currently denied under IRS Code 280E. The bill outlines a framework for eventual federal regulation and taxation of marijuana products.
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Apr 21 2025

US Department of Agriculture Report: Industrial Hemp Market Grew 40% in 2024, Valued at $445 Million

According to a new report from the US Department of Agriculture, the industrial hemp market experienced a sharp increase in 2024, with the total value of production reaching $445 million—a 40% increase from 2023.

Driven largely by outdoor floral hemp production, the value of hemp grown in the open rose to $417 million, up 46% from the previous year. The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that outdoor floral hemp alone accounted for $386 million, with production reaching 20.8 million pounds, a 159% increase year-over-year.

Planted acreage for all types of outdoor hemp rose 64% to 45,294 acres, with 32,694 acres harvested, a 55% increase. Floral hemp made up the bulk of this activity, with 11,827 acres harvested and yields averaging 1,757 pounds per acre—up 669 pounds from 2023.
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Apr 20 2025

The States With the Most Progressive Cannabis Laws

As of April 20, 2025, 24 U.S. states have legalized recreational cannabis. However, the degree of progressiveness in these laws varies significantly.

Factors such as possession limits, home cultivation rights, concentrate allowances, and the establishment of retail markets play crucial roles in determining how progressive a state’s cannabis laws are. Here, we analyze and highlight the ten states leading the way in progressive cannabis legislation.

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