Cannabis Legalization News

The campaign to put a cannabis legalization question before Florida voters in 2024 has collected 94% of the necessary signatures.

European cannabis advocates their eyes on the Czech Republic, where officials have expressed support for legalizing adult-use cannabis but also recently took measures to crack down on the sale of CBD products.

Lawmakers in the Minnesota Senate narrowly approved an adult-use cannabis legalization bill last week on a 34-33 party-line vote.

A recent survey found about one-third of New Jersey adults have used cannabis products since the state’s adult-use legalization reforms took effect about a year ago.

The Minnesota House voted this week to legalize adult-use cannabis; the Senate is expected to take up its own version of the legislation on Friday.

Lawmakers in Louisiana’s House Criminal Justice Committee this week voted 9-4 to reject a bill to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state.

Adult-use cannabis is now legal in Delaware after Gov. John Carney (D) allowed the state’s legalization proposals to become law without his signature on Sunday.

A recent South Dakota poll found that voters are open to legalizing cannabis despite having rejected adult-use reforms last year.

While Germany’s efforts to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis suffered a minor blow following last week’s revelations, the country remains on track to launch a five-year adult-use cannabis pilot program and, in the meantime, intends to decriminalize cannabis possession and home growing.

New Hampshire Senate President Jeb Bradley (R) said the chamber is unlikely to approve the adult-use legalization bill passed last week by the House, saying he thinks it’s unwise to pass the reforms “in the middle of a drug crisis.”

Germany announced the watering down of its cannabis legalization efforts after talks with EU officials but the plan is to still legalize possession, allow limited home grows, and establish members-only “cannabis clubs.”

The New Hampshire House voted this week to legalize adult-use cannabis. It was the body’s third such measure and the bill moves next to the Senate, which has never previously passed the reforms.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) last week signed the state’s medical cannabis legalization bill into law; the bill allows patients to access cannabis edibles and concentrates but stops short of permitting smokable products.

Kentucky lawmakers passed a bill to legalize medical cannabis in the state on Thursday, sending the proposal to Gov. Andy Beshear (D) who said he plans to “proudly” sign the legislation later today.

The Delaware Senate passed House-approved adult-use cannabis legalization bills yesterday, sending the legislation to Gov. John Carney (D) who vetoed a similar legalization measure last summer.

A North Carolina legalization proposal would expunge prior cannabis-related convictions, allow adult home grows of up to six plants, and carry a 20% excise tax on cannabis sales.

Pennsylvania’s latest adult-use cannabis legalization proposal would see state-licensed liquor stores control the retail cannabis market.

Lawmakers in Idaho — one of the country’s last remaining holdouts on medical cannabis reforms — may consider a medical cannabis legalization proposal as the year’s legislative session winds down.

Switzerland’s government approved a cannabis legalization trial with legal consumption and sales for 2,100 Zurich residents.

Kansas senators have tabled a medical cannabis legalization proposal in committee, likely killing the bill for the session.

Missouri’s legal system has expunged more than 15,000 cannabis misdemeanors and felonies since voters approved the state’s adult-use legalization proposal last year.

The Kentucky Senate this week passed a medical cannabis legalization proposal; the proposal moves next to the House, which has previously passed similar reforms.

Minnesota House and Senate committees considered and adjusted proposals to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state this week.

The United Nations’ International Narcotics Board recently criticized global cannabis legalization efforts, saying the reforms lead to “higher consumption, negative health effects and psychotic disorders.”