legalization
Biden Proposes Marijuana Reform in his State of the Union address
“No one should be jailed just for using or possessing marijuana.” — President Biden, March 7, 2024
In his final State of the Union address before his upcoming reelection campaign, President Joe Biden mentioned his directive to review the federal classification of marijuana. He also referenced his pardon proclamation for cannabis offenses, stating that he is clearing thousands of convictions for simple possession, emphasizing his stance that no one should be incarcerated for using or having marijuana.
The president has frequently highlighted the pardons he has granted in previous speeches. Speaking about this issue during the State of the Union… Continue reading
Feds Ask DEA to Reschedule Cannabis
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials have recommended the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) place cannabis in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
They have released over 250 pages of documents along with a letter of recomendation to the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration stating (among other things) that cannabis “has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States and a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances in Schedules I and II.”
Aside from whether it has a currently accepted medical use (CAMU), many states have already legalized cannabis… Continue reading
Kentucky Legalization?
The Tobacco State’s legislature is considering a bill that would legalize cannabis use and home growing with no sales allowed.
Kentucky passed a Medical Marijuana Law in March 2023, and Gov. Bashear (D) signed it into law. It goes into effect January 1, 2025, and the state is still trying to figure out how to implement the program before beginning next year.
As part of this process, Representative Nima Kulkarni (D), from Louisville introduced a bill this week ending penalties, including arrest, for possession and/or use of cannabis (by adults only). The proposal includes allowing small home grows (five plants)… Continue reading
Ohio Cannabis Legalization – The Latest
Ohio State Cannabis Legalization
Thursday, December 7, 2023 is the date the voter-approved cannabis legalization went into effect.
However, the state legislature is already tampering with it, which they can do under Ohio law. Originally allowing for home cultivation of up to twelve plants, opening approved sales outlets for adult consumption, with taxes collected being diverted to a ‘social equity fund’, and expungements from the records of prior convictions.
“The Republicans in the Ohio Senate have signaled for the third time just this year that they do not respect the voters of Ohio,” Bill DeMora said. A democrat, he was… Continue reading
New York State moves ahead with retail cannabis licensing
The New York State Supreme Court has lifted an injunction against the Cannabis Control Board that was preventing them from processing new applicants for legal cannabis sales outlets.
“This decision brings much needed relief to the hundreds of provisional licensees who, until now, have had their businesses sidelined,” said the CCB Chair Tremaine Wright.
This bottle neck in the licensing process has limited the number of cannabis retail outlets to just eight for the entire state of approximately 20 million residents. Now they can move ahead with processing the over 400 applicants waiting.
And beginning in July 2024 legal residents… Continue reading