Cannabis In Politics

New Jersey Governor Honors Cannabis Strain Named After Him, Calls for More Equity in Industry

New Jersey Governor Honors Cannabis Strain Named After Him, Calls for More Equity in Industry

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has expressed his honor at having a marijuana product named after him and emphasized his commitment to expanding equity and redemption in the state’s cannabis industry. During a recent tour of Prolific Growhouse, a Black-owned cannabis cultivation facility, Murphy posed for a photo holding a promotional flier for the “Murphy’s […]

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Missouri Cannabis Taxes Generate Over $19 Million for Veterans and State Programs

Missouri Cannabis Taxes Generate Over $19 Million for Veterans and State Programs

Cannabis taxes in Missouri have generated more than $19 million to support military veterans, expand the state’s substance use treatment programs, and bolster the Public Defenders System, according to a report by the Missouri Independent. Last fall, each program received $1.3 million, and another $5.1 million each earlier this month. Amy Moore, director of the

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Competing Priorities Emerge in Congressional Debate Over Hemp Provisions in Farm Bill

Competing Priorities Emerge in Congressional Debate Over Hemp Provisions in Farm Bill

As congressional lawmakers gear up for discussions on the forthcoming Farm Bill, a diverse array of stakeholders—from hemp businesses and marijuana companies to state regulators and prohibitionists—are advocating for their respective cannabis priorities, reports indicate. One point of contention revolves around proposed restrictions on intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8 THC, which has sparked disagreement among

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Minnesota Cannabis Growers Sue State Regulators, Citing Constitutional Right to Sell

Minnesota Cannabis Growers Sue State Regulators, Citing Constitutional Right to Sell

A group of four individuals cultivating cannabis in Minnesota has filed a lawsuit against state cannabis regulators, asserting their right to sell their homegrown products without obtaining a license, according to MinnPost. The plaintiffs reference Article 13, Section 7 of the Minnesota Constitution, which stipulates that individuals may sell or peddle products cultivated on their

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U.S. Senate Reintroduces Cannabis Administration and Opportunity (CAO) Act to End Federal Prohibition

U.S. Senate Reintroduces Cannabis Administration and Opportunity (CAO) Act to End Federal Prohibition

Lawmakers in the U.S. Senate have reintroduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity (CAO) Act, spearheaded by a coalition of Democrats including Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Ron Wyden, and Sen. Cory Booker. The bill aims to dismantle the federal prohibition of cannabis and prioritize safety, research, workers’ rights, and restorative justice. Sen. Schumer emphasized

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Alabama Senate Committee Advances Bills to Restart Medical Cannabis Licensing Process

Alabama Senate Committee Advances Bills to Restart Medical Cannabis Licensing Process

The Alabama Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee voted to approve two bills aimed at restarting the state’s medical cannabis licensing process. Sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, SB 306 would restart the licensing process and involve the Alabama Securities Commission in verifying and evaluating applications. The bill seeks to address inconsistencies in scoring applications by

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Ohio Governor Renews Call for Legislation Banning Public Marijuana Consumption

Ohio Governor Renews Call for Legislation Banning Public Marijuana Consumption

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is once again pushing for legislative action to address concerns related to marijuana consumption and the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8 THC. During his State of the State address, Governor DeWine emphasized the need to respect the will of Ohio voters who approved marijuana legalization at the ballot last

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Minnesota Expunges Over 60,000 Misdemeanor Cannabis Records Ahead of Schedule

Minnesota Expunges Over 60,000 Misdemeanor Cannabis Records Ahead of Schedule

Minnesota is making significant strides in rectifying past cannabis-related injustices as it expunges more than 60,000 misdemeanor records ahead of schedule. This expedited process, which was initially slated for August, comes as a result of the state’s adult-use cannabis law passed last year. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Records reports that the expungements are expected

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Virginia Governor Signs Bill Protecting Medical Cannabis Patients from Discrimination

Virginia Governor Signs Bill Protecting Medical Cannabis Patients from Discrimination

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has taken a significant step towards protecting the rights of medical cannabis patients in the state by signing a bill that shields state employees from discrimination based on their status as registered patients. This legislation covers a wide range of public sector workers, including firefighters, emergency service providers, teachers, and civil

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Washington Lawmakers Pass Bill Allowing Cannabis Waste Conversion

Washington Lawmakers Pass Bill Allowing Cannabis Waste Conversion

Lawmakers in Washington state have forwarded a proposal to Governor Jay Inslee’s desk that would permit cannabis operators to repurpose their green waste into commercial composts and other products, as reported by the Spokesman-Review. The bill would enable cannabis operators to transform the byproducts of commercial cannabis harvests, such as stalks, stems, leaves, and roots,

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