Both chambers of the Rhode Island legislature voted today to legalize and regulate the adult use cannabis market. “By passing this legislation, Rhode Island’s lawmakers have acted in a manner that reflects the will of their constituents and replaces the failed policy of cannabis criminalization with one of legalization and regulation,” said NORML’s Executive Director […]
Democrat Gov. John Carney has vetoed legislation, House Bill 371, that sought to eliminate penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis by adults. His decision was not altogether unexpected, as the Governor has long expressed opposition to legalizing marijuana. “I have been clear about my position since before I took office,” he […]
Qualified patients will have significantly greater access to medical cannabis products in the coming months following regulators decision to approve 70 new medical cannabis dispensary operators. Regulators reviewed over 1,500 applications. A list of the newly approved dispensaries is available online here. Currently, there are fewer than 100 state-licensed dispensaries operating in the state. “This […]
NORML PAC endorsed US Senate candidate John Fetterman won the state’s Democratic primary by a large margin. John Fetterman has long been an outspoken advocate for marijuana legalization and has made it a central plank in his Senate campaign. “John’s overwhelming victory in the primary should send a message to candidates of all political persuasions […]
Retail cannabis sales are associated with decreases in the use of alcohol, cigarettes, and pain medications by young adults, according to data published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Researchers with the University of Washington assessed trends in alcohol, nicotine, and non-prescribed pain reliever use among a cohort of over 12,500 young adults (ages 18 […]
A bipartisan group of 24 Senators stood up for public safety and for greater economic opportunities for legal cannabis businesses by sending a letter to leadership in both chambers of Congress asking them to include cannabis banking reform language in broad legislation currently being debated in conference committee. In February, the House of Representatives approved […]
The Delaware Senate approved legislation to remove criminal and civil penalties for adult possession of marijuana. In a 13-7-1 vote, the upper chamber voted to pass HB 371, which legalized the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for individuals aged 21 or older. “We applaud the Delaware legislature for passing this important legislation,” […]
Voters in the city of Austin, Texas have overwhelmingly approved a local ballot measure, Proposition A, depenalizing marijuana possession and prohibiting police from executing ‘no knock’ warrants. The language of the measure stipulates that Austin police officers “shall not issue citations or make arrests for Class A or Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana offenses” […]
State Senators rejected a pair of House-backed bills late last week that sought to legalize adult-use marijuana possession, cultivation, and retail sales. House Bill 1598 permitted the state’s liquor commission “to regulate and administer the cultivation, manufacture, testing, and retail sale of cannabis” via state-run stores. House members approved the measure by a vote of […]
Several marijuana-related bills became law this week absent the signature of Democratic Gov. Janet Mills. The first bill, LD 1827, authorizes licensed marijuana retailers to provide for home deliveries to those age 21 or older. Under the law, retailers may deliver a variety of products to customers, including immature marijuana plants and seedlings. The measure […]
