The Montana Legislature has passed a bill that would overhaul marijuana product labeling and education requirements, with a final vote of concurrence in the House expected later today.

Montana State Capitol Building.

Once the House approves the amended version, the legislation will head to Governor Greg Gianforte for consideration.

House Bill 792, introduced by Representative Mike Cunningham (R) and co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, passed the Senate 46 to 3 after clearing the House in a 94 to 5 vote earlier this month. Given it was amended in the Senate, it went back to the House for a concurrence vote. Yesterday, the House approved the Senate changes through a second reading, with a third reading (scheduled for today) required before it can be sent to the governor.
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The Oregon Senate has approved legislation that would allow marijuana businesses to share and sell products at certain events, while also expanding rules around employee access to samples.

Senate Bill 558 passed in a 19 to 9 vote yesterday and now heads to the House for consideration. If passed by the House, it will be sent to Governor Tina Kotek for consideration.

If enacted, the bill would authorize marijuana producers, processors, wholesalers, and retailers to provide samples of marijuana items to other licensed businesses and permitted workers at trade shows and similar events registered with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC). It would also allow wholesalers to sell marijuana products directly to retailers at such events.
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The Montana Senate has passed House Bill 952 through its second reading in a 34 to 16 vote, setting the stage for a final vote that would send the measure to Governor Greg Gianforte.

The legislation, which previously passed the House 57 to 40 earlier this month, would give the governor authority to enter into marijuana regulation agreements with tribal governments. Once the proposal is passed through its third reading in the Senate, it will be sent to Governor Gianforte for consideration.

HB 952 would enable the state and tribal governments to collaborate on matters related to marijuana production, processing, sales, taxation, and enforcement. Proponents of the measure say it’s designed to foster cooperation and resolve cross-jurisdictional issues that arise in tribal and non-tribal marijuana commerce.
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A bipartisan group of 10 Maine lawmakers today introduced legislation to create a Cannabis Advisory Council that would provide guidance on marijuana policy and industry oversight.

The measure, which has been referred to the House and Senate Veterans and Legal Affairs Committees, is sponsored by Senator Craig Hickman (D) and co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of nine lawmakers: Senators Jill Duson (D), Nicole Grohoski (D), Jeff Timberlake (R), and James Tipping (D), along with Representatives Jessica Boyer (R), Grayson Lookner (D), Amanda Collamore (R), Ronald Fredette (R), and Amy Arata (R).

If enacted, the legislation would establish a 10-member Cannabis Advisory Council composed of individuals from both the medical and adult-use marijuana industries, public health experts, a municipal official, and members of the public with relevant knowledge. Appointments would be made by the Senate President, House Speaker, and the Director of the Office of Cannabis Policy.
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 The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has launched “Higher Education”, a statewide campaign to give New Yorkers easy access to evidence-based cannabis education.

The campaign launches on April 17 and features high-visibility media placements and strategically located QR code decals in dispensaries, transit hubs, SUNY and CUNY campuses, and New York State visitor centers. OCM recognizes that stigma, bias and misinformation can sometimes drown out the facts about cannabis; these resources will direct consumers to OCM’s extensive library of educational materials on cannabis safety, legal use, and responsible consumption. 

By leveraging digital technology and high-traffic placements, “Higher Education” makes cannabis education accessible and meets consumers where they are—literally. The campaign provides essential information on best practices for safer use and storage, breaks down the wide array of today’s cannabis products, and helps consumer understand purchasing guidelines. The campaign’s call to action— “Learn more about NY cannabis”—will direct New Yorkers and visitors to OCM’s online resources, ensuring they have the knowledge needed to navigate the state’s legal cannabis market responsibly. The decals will remain in place beyond the campaign period to serve as an ongoing educational tool for the public. These decals will direct individuals back to OCM’s webpage where they can view OCM’s library of educational content and order free printed materials delivered directly to their door at no cost to them. 

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A North Carolina bill to legalize medical marijuana, titled the Compassionate Care Act, gained three new sponsors today in the House of Representatives.

Representatives Mary Harrison, Zack Forde-Hawkins, and Nasif Majeed have joined Representative Aisha Dew, who filed the legislation earlier this week, bringing the total number of sponsors to four.

House Bill 1011 would establish a tightly regulated medical marijuana program overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services and a new Medical Cannabis Production Commission. The measure would allow patients with serious medical conditions—such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, PTSD, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and any illness requiring hospice care—to access marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation.
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Federal lawmakers have reintroduced the STATES 2.0 Act, which would end federal cannabis prohibition in states that have legalized it.

Filed by Congressmembers Dave Joyce (R-OH), Max Miller (R-OH), and Dina Titus (D-NV), the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) 2.0 Act was officially reintroduced Thursday. The measure would amend the federal Controlled Substances Act to protect individuals and businesses operating in compliance with state marijuana laws or tribal regulations from federal interference or persecution. The proposal is nearly identical to the STATES 2.0 Act that was filed in the previous session of Congress.

The proposed law also explicitly legalizes interstate marijuana commerce, allowing marijuana businesses to transport products between states that have legalized cannabis. In addition, it would 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.
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