Jan 18 2025

Hawaii Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Put Recreational Marijuana Legalization to a Public Vote

Hawaii Representatives Gene Ward (R) and Kim Iwamoto (D) have introduced House Bill 519, a measure proposing a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and over.

If approved, the bill would allow voters to decide the issue, potentially aligning Hawaii with the 24 states that have already legalized recreational marijuana.

Last year, a legislative effort to legalize marijuana advanced further than ever before in Hawaii’s history. The Senate passed the measure with a 19 to 6 vote, and it gained approval from three House committees. However, the proposal was ultimately blocked by the chair of the House Finance Committee, preventing it from reaching the House floor for a full vote. Supporters expressed strong confidence that the measure would have passed had it been given the chance.
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Jan 17 2025

Kratom Bills Filed in Seven States So Far in 2025

Kratom legislation has been introduced in seven states so far in 2025.

Kratom has been used for thousands of years, beginning in Southeast Asia, where it has been valued for its medicinal properties. The leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa plant are often consumed as tea or in powdered form, providing effects that range from mild stimulation to pain relief. Proponents argue it can help manage chronic pain, anxiety, and opioid withdrawal symptoms.

However, kratom remains controversial, with some states implementing bans due to safety concerns. Currently, it is prohibited in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Meanwhile, six states have filed kratom-related bills in 2025, reflecting the ongoing debate over its use and regulation.
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Jan 17 2025

New York Bill Mandates Annual Independent Audits of Office of Cannabis Management

A new measure introduced in the New York State Assembly seeks to enhance oversight of the state’s cannabis regulatory body.

Assembly Bill 2580, filed by Assemblymember Keith Brown (R), was referred to the Governmental Operations Committee today, the day it was introduced.

The legislation proposes annual audits of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to ensure the agency’s internal controls are functioning effectively. Under the bill, the state comptroller, attorney general, and independent certified public accountants would be tasked with conducting these reviews, using established government auditing standards.
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Jan 17 2025

Study Finds 79% of Adults Struggle With Sleep; 16% Use Cannabis, Surpassing Prescription Aids

A recent Harris Poll survey conducted for Green Thumb Industries’ incredibles brand reveals that sleep difficulties impact nearly 79% of adults age 21 and older.

The survey highlights a growing trend of using cannabis as a sleep aid, with 16% of adults turning to marijuana—more than those who use prescription sleep aids (12%) or alcohol (11%). Among cannabis consumers, edibles are particularly popular for improving sleep quality.
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Jan 17 2025

Connecticut Lawmakers File Bill to Legalize Medicinal Psilocybin Use

House Bill 5456, introduced today by State Representatives Laurie Sweet and Michael “MJ” Shannon, seeks to legalize the use of psilocybin for medicinal and therapeutic purposes in Connecticut.

Dried psilocybin.

The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health for further consideration. If enacted, the proposed legislation would amend state statutes to permit the use of psilocybin in providing physical, mental, or behavioral health care. Psilocybin, the active compound found in certain species of mushrooms, has gained attention in recent years for its potential therapeutic benefits in treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

The bill’s statement of purpose emphasizes the broad scope of its intent, covering various aspects of health care. This aligns with emerging research that highlights the compound’s ability to support individuals with mental health challenges when administered in controlled settings.
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Jan 17 2025

Nebraska Senator Files Bill to Make Kratom Illegal

Nebraska State Senator Loren Lippincott filed Legislative Bill 431 today, aiming to classify kratom as an illegal controlled substance under the state’s Controlled Substances Act.

Kratom products.

The bill defines kratom as any product or ingredient derived from the Mitragyna speciosa plant that contains the active alkaloids mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine, as well as any synthetic materials containing these compounds.

If passed, LB431 would align Nebraska with a handful of states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, where kratom is currently illegal. Schedule I classification is reserved for substances considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
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Jan 17 2025

Virginia Senate Committee Passes Bill to Legalize Recreational Marijuana Sales

Legislation that would legalize the licensed distribution of recreational marijuana has been approved by its committee of origin in Virginia.

Senate Bill 970 was passed by the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services today, by a vote of 8 to 7. The proposal was filed by Senator Aaron Rouse (D).

“I’m proud to have brought forth a framework for adult-use cannabis through a structured license application process,” says Rouse. “This bill prioritizes public safety in creating a well-regulated marketplace that keeps adult products out of the hands of kids. In recent years we have seen an unchecked proliferation of illegal and unregulated marijuana stores. This has put Virginians at risk as unlicensed drug dealers sell billions of dollars of untested and untaxed products, frequently to children.”
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Jan 17 2025

DEA Judge Urges Broader Participation in Marijuana Rescheduling Appeal Process, Says Next Steps Are Administrator’s Responsibility

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) judge has informed the agency’s leader that responsibility now rests with her regarding the Biden administration’s marijuana rescheduling proposal. This comes after he approved a request to file an appeal earlier this week, leading to the cancellation of scheduled hearings.

In a letter addressed to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram on Wednesday, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) John Mulrooney detailed the circumstances surrounding the appeal. Pro-rescheduling groups had sought permission to file an interlocutory appeal, citing claims that certain DEA officials had allegedly collaborated with anti-rescheduling witnesses chosen for the proceedings.

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Jan 17 2025

President Biden Commutes Sentences of Nearly 2,500 Drug Offenders

President Biden has commuted the sentences of nearly 2,500 people charged with non-violent drug charges.

(Photo credit: Reuters).

“Today, I am commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice”, said President Biden in a statement. “With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history.”

Biden continues: “Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes. As Congress recognized through the Fair Sentencing Act and the First Step Act, it is time that we equalize these sentencing disparities.”
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Jan 16 2025

Two Largest Cannabis Industry Groups Unite to Form US Cannabis Roundtable

The National Cannabis Roundtable (NCR) and US Cannabis Council (USCC) today announced an agreement to combine the two organizations that represent leading multi-state and single-state cannabis operators, retailers, ancillary businesses, and advocacy organizations.

The combination, which will be known as the US Cannabis Roundtable, immediately establishes a singular voice representing the cannabis industry to the newly sworn in 119th Congress and the incoming Trump Administration. The combined organization will represent operators across 38 states and a substantial amount of the 13,000 retail locations and nearly 450,000 full-time employees working in the state-licensed cannabis industry.

“This is a pivotal time for the regulated cannabis industry with a newly elected Congress and an incoming President who has publicly supported and pledged to advance commonsense cannabis reform,” said Charlie Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs and Chairperson of both NCR and USCC. “As the Chairman of both groups, I have seen first-hand the incredible talent of each organization and know that the combined group will be the unified authority advocating on behalf of the legal cannabis industry and a resource on all things cannabis for members of the Trump Administration and Congress.”
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