From Our Writers

The European Commission has partially approved the ‘European Cannabis Initiative,’ aimed at improving EU medical cannabis access and research, while rejecting a proposal for a trans-European assembly on cannabis policy.

Massachusetts cannabis dispensaries achieved a record $1.56 billion in sales in 2023, amidst industry challenges and regulatory upheaval, showcasing the maturing market and consumer demand for legal, lab-tested cannabis products.

Hawaii lawmakers are considering three different cannabis reform bills this legislative session, including two that would legalize adult-use cannabis and establish a regulatory authority.

A new bill proposed in Maryland, titled the Drug Free Roadways Act of 2024, aims to allow police to conduct traffic stops and vehicle searches based on cannabis odor, reversing a previous change in the law which made them illegal.

A Kentucky state representative has introduced “House Bill 420,” a bill to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis, protect consumer employment rights, offer expungement for certain convictions, and establish a tax-funded system to address prohibition impacts.

The owner of two Humboldt County cannabis cultivators has agreed to a $750,000 settlement for environmental violations, promising to pay fines to state agencies and undertake restorative measures as part of the court-approved agreement.

Florida lawmakers have moved forward a bill to cap potency on adult-use cannabis products ahead of potential legalization, setting THC limits for various forms and stipulating the measure would activate once legalization has been enacted.

A recent study published in JAMA has concluded that blood THC levels do not correlate with driving behavior, highlighting the need for more nuanced impairment regulations.

Governor Kathy Hochul labeled New York’s adult-use cannabis industry roll-out a “disaster,” critiquing the slow launch that benefited unregulated retailers, amidst a backdrop of legal challenges against its licensing process.

Despite local moratoriums and market saturation challenges, cannabis sales in Michigan reached a record $3 billion last year, with the majority coming from adult-use transactions.

Ohio has released draft rules for its newly approved adult-use cannabis industry, seeking public feedback on regulations including application costs, a lottery-based licensing system, and specific provisions for medical cannabis retailers and vertically integrated companies.

A Virginia Senate committee advanced a bill to create an adult-use cannabis marketplace, aiming for sales by 2025, despite uncertainty about its reception by Governor Glenn Youngkin, who has expressed disinterest in facilitating adult-use cannabis sales.

Connecticut liquor stores are exploiting a legal loophole to sell THC-infused seltzers, circumventing state cannabis laws by adjusting serving sizes to meet THC content limits for non-licensed sales.

Delaware’s House of Representatives passed a bill to expand medical cannabis access, allowing self-certification for those 65 or older and removing condition-based eligibility. The bill now moves to the state Senate.

According to recent CDC data and analysis by NORML, teenage cannabis use in Seattle, Washington has significantly declined since 2008, with the state’s 2012 cannabis legalization potentially impacting the availability and use of cannabis among high school students.

The Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon is urging lawmakers to extend a moratorium on new cannabis company licenses, initially set to expire in April, to address the oversupply and market competition issues in Oregon’s cannabis industry.

Maine lawmakers are considering a bill to legalize cannabis social clubs and on-site consumption at dispensaries. Those arguing against the bill have cited concerns about “poor air quality” in cannabis clubs and increased risk of impaired drivers.

According to a recent report, plans for Germany’s adult-use cannabis legalization proposal are reportedly set to be submitted for a parliamentary vote in February, with the aim of it becoming effective in April. Industry experts predict that legalization in Germany will help expedite reform across Europe.