Today, Delegate Sean Hornbuckle (D-Cabell) introduced House Joint Resolution 27 to the West Virginia Legislature, which would place a proposal to amend the state constitution to legalize cannabis on the 2026 general election ballot.

The resolution, co-sponsored by Delegates Lewis, Pushkin, Hansen, and Garcia, has been referred to the Judiciary Committee for further deliberation.

HJR 27 proposes the legalization of up to two ounces of cannabis and the personal cultivation of up to four cannabis plants. Additionally, the resolution empowers the Legislature to enact laws governing the lawful sale and manufacturing of cannabis within the state.
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South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has signed House Bill 1056 into law, officially establishing statewide regulations on kratom products.

Kratom products.

The bill, which passed the House of Representatives in January with a unanimous 66 to 0 vote and cleared the Senate on February 13, also unanimously (35 to 0), introduces restrictions on kratom sales and distribution while setting penalties for violations.

The new law limits the concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine, a key kratom alkaloid, to no more than two percent. It also bans synthetic derivatives and products containing substances or additives. Additionally, kratom products must now carry detailed labeling, including alkaloid content, as well as warning labels advising against use by pregnant or nursing women.
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Arizona’s marijuana industry generated over $26 million in tax revenue in January.

There was $26,010,976 in tax revenue generated from licensed marijuana sales in January, according to the Arizona Department of Revenue. This is a notable increase over the $23.3 million garnered in December and the $23.7 million in November. January’s taxes brings the all-time total to $1,066,837,757.

In January, $16,770,312 of the taxes made came from the state’s 16% recreational marijuana excise tax, $7,696,300 from the 5.6% adult-use tax, and $1,533,049 from medical marijuana tax revenue. January marked the 38th consecutive month of marijuana tax revenue exceeding $20 million.
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Senate Bill 5206 has cleared another legislative hurdle, passing the Senate Ways and Means Committee yesterday after previously being approved by the Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce. The bill now advances to the full Senate for a vote.

Sponsored by Senators Drew MacEwen (R), Chris Gildon (R), and Derek Stanford (D), the legislation would modify Washington’s marijuana advertising regulations by expanding signage allowances for licensed retailers.

If enacted, SB 5206 would increase the number of exterior signs marijuana retailers can display from two to four. These signs must be attached to the building or placed in windows, with each limited to 1,600 square inches. Smaller signs under 512 square inches that do not include branding, such as those indicating store hours or ATM availability, would be exempt from advertising regulations.
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Governor Kathy Hochul has introduced a proposal to reintroduce the smell of cannabis as a factor in determining reasonable cause for ordering blood tests in impaired driving cases.

New York Governor Catchy Hochul (photo credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images).

New York’s recreational marijuana law, signed in 2021, explicitly barred police from using the odor of marijuana as justification for a traffic stop or vehicle search. Hochul’s proposal would amend that provision to allow law enforcement to cite “the odor of cannabis, burnt cannabis or other drug” as a reason to compel a court-ordered blood test if a driver is suspected of being impaired or involved in a crash.

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Idaho Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 7 into law today, officially establishing a mandatory minimum fine for marijuana possession.

The measure, which previously passed the state Senate in a 27 to 8 vote after clearing the House 54 to 14, takes away judicial discretion to issue fines below a set amount.

Under Idaho’s existing law, possession of less than three ounces of marijuana is classified as a misdemeanor, carrying fines of up to $1,000. However, there has been no mandatory minimum penalty. With the governor’s signature, House Bill 7 changes that by setting a minimum fine of $300, ensuring that anyone convicted of possession will face at least that amount.

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A newly introduced bill in the Texas Legislature would prohibit the sale of consumable hemp products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids besides cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG).

Gummies made with hemp-derived Delta-8 THC.

Senate Bill 3, sponsored by Republican State Senator Charles Perry, was filed on Feb. 20 and referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee.

The measure would ban all products containing any form of THC, including those with delta-8 and delta-9 THC, which are currently legal under federal law as long as they contain no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. It also establishes a mandatory registration system for businesses selling hemp-derived products and imposes penalties for violations.
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House Bill 703, known as the “Pot for Potholes Act,” has gained additional support in the Tennessee General Assembly, with State Representatives Gloria Johnson (D) and John Clemmons (D) signing on as cosponsors.

(Photo credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg).

Initially introduced earlier this month by State Representative Aftyn Behn (D), the bill would establish a regulated marijuana market in Tennessee, with tax revenue directed toward infrastructure improvements, particularly road maintenance and repairs.

The measure, which has been assigned to the Criminal Justice Subcommittee, would create a regulatory framework for the cultivation, processing, and retail sale of marijuana. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture would oversee licensing, product testing, and labeling standards. Under the proposal, individuals would be allowed to cultivate up to 12 plants for personal use without a license.
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