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For the third consecutive year, researchers worldwide published over 4,000 scientific papers specific to cannabis, its active constituents, and their effects, according to the results of a keyword search of the National Library of Medicine/PubMed.gov website. “Despite claims by some that marijuana has yet to be subject to adequate scientific scrutiny, scientists’ interest in studying cannabis has increased exponentially in recent years, as has our understanding of the plant, its active constituents, their mechanisms of action, and their effects on both the user and upon society,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “It is time for politicians and others to stop assessing cannabis through…

Nearly a decade after lawmakers initially enacted legislation recognizing the utility of low-THC/high-CBD cannabis extracts, a state regulatory commission has issued licenses to the state’s first-ever legal providers of plant-derived medicinal cannabis products. On Wednesday, members of the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission granted a total of five licenses to a pair of medical cannabis providers. Their dispensaries will operate in Cobb County, Bibb County, and Chatham County. Two of the five dispensaries are anticipated to open their doors to the public later today. “For almost ten years, patients and their providers have lacked the ability to locally access…

This week’s update highlights legislative developments in Delaware, Rhode Island, Louisiana and Massachusetts!  California  AB 2188, which protects the employment rights of cannabis consumers, heads to the assembly floor. The bill bans employers from denying jobs or firing employees based solely upon a positive drug test for inactive metabolites of THC. Send a message of support to your legislator.  Delaware House Bill 372, the Delaware Marijuana Control Act, provides for commercial production and sale of marijuana by state-licensed entities.  Update: On Thursday, the bill’s sponsor engaged in a procedural effort that allows the bill to be put back on the…

Several pieces of reform-friendly legislation have advanced out of their chambers of origin and are now awaiting hearings in their second chambers. “We’re happy to see that many of the cannabis reform bills which we have been activating our membership to lobby for are moving through the California legislature,” said California NORML Deputy Director Ellen Komp. “Californians can take action on these bills now that they have crossed over into their second legislative chambers by writing letters to their lawmakers through the links provided here, and also by making appointments to see their elected officials during the July legislative break,…

Today marks the one year anniversary of legalization in Virginia and multiple changes to marijuana law take effect.  Public Possession Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the 2022 budget bill which contains language recriminalizing activities involving the personal possession of over four ounces of marijuana in public. Under the new law, the public possession of over four ounces, but less than one pound of cannabis is a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine. Second or subsequent offenses are Class 2 misdemeanors punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.  “Governor Youngkin’s actions are in direct…

State lawmakers have advanced several  priority bills to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk and a few more remain pending but are up against a  tight timeline. The legislative session in California ends on August 31st. Any bills not transmitted to the Governor will die after that date. (Once advanced to the Governor, he has 30 days to act on the bills.)  Here are the bills you need to know about and here’s how you can help:   Support Employment Protections Although marijuana is legal for adults and medical patients to use in California, employers can still discriminate against Californians who use cannabis,…

The District of Columbia’s city council has recently approved legislation to significantly expand medical cannabis operations in Washington, DC. The Medical Cannabis Amendment Act, led by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D), will:  Increase the number of licensed dispensaries that can operate in the District; Enact tax relief for operators; Codify into law the ability for individuals to “self-certify” that they have a need for medical marijuana; Create new cannabis business categories, such as on-site tasting/consumption lounges; Make changes to social equity language, mainly through changes to laws surrounding I-71 operators;  Require a courier license to be held by those delivering…

Members of the House General Laws Subcommittee failed to advance legislation to legalize and regulate the retail sale of cannabis products to adults age 21 and older. Committee members rejected two separate legislative measures, HB 1750 and HB 1464, late Tuesday evening. Republicans currently control the Virginia House of Delegates by a margin of 52 to 48. Similar legislation is still pending in the Democrat-controlled Senate, SB 1133. NORML Development Director JM Pedini, said that Tuesday’s vote represented “another stunning failure of leadership on cannabis policy.”  Virginia’s  legalization law, enacted in 2021 at a time when Democrats controlled the House,…

Legislation (HB 218) reducing penalties for possessing cannabis flower and concentrates was advanced today by members of the Texas House of Representatives on a voice vote. The bill still requires a second reading, which is a formality, before heading to the Senate for further consideration. I am excited to see our priority legislation continuing to move forward in the Texas legislature. The House’s support for reducing marijuana penalties is heartening. But we still have more work to do in the Senate. I encourage my fellow Texans to reach out to their Senators and urge them to support this bill. Texas…

Thanks to your advocacy, activism, and support, dozens of new marijuana laws took effect around the country this month: In Maryland, cannabis possession, personal cultivation, and retail sales are now legal In Connecticut, adults may now cultivate marijuana at home for personal use In Virginia and Nevada, multiple medical cannabis program improvements were implemented In New Hampshire, out-of-state patients are now able to access state-licensed medical dispensaries In California and Louisiana, efforts to expunge thousands of prior cannabis offenses are underway   In Maine, legislation limiting the ability for those on probation to be drug tested for cannabis has become law…