From Our Writers

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed a bill to allow for the sealing of eligible misdemeanor convictions after three years and certain felony convictions after eight years, following the candidates’ release from incarceration.

Lawmakers in Japan’s House of Representatives have passed a bill to legalize cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals. The bill would also establish legal restrictions on general cannabis use, which was not previously referenced under federal law.

City Council members in Lubbock, Texas have rejected a cannabis decriminalization proposal, leaving the issue for voters to decide during next year’s election.

The Florida Supreme Court seems poised to allow an adult-use cannabis legalization proposal to be put to voters next year, seemingly rejecting arguments by the state Attorney General Ashley Moody that the initiative violates the state’s single-subject rule on ballot questions.

The first round of Maryland’s adult-use cannabis licensing process is open; state law requires the first round of licenses to be set aside for social equity applicants.

The National Labor and Relations Board has approved a settlement that will see a Missouri cannabis dispensary company reinstate five employees and pay more than $145,000 in backpack, front pay, and interest and compensation to 10 employees who were terminated after a March union organizing action.

South African lawmakers on Tuesday approved a bill to legalize the personal use of cannabis. The measure does not legalize cannabis sales, meaning if individuals want to consume it legally, they have to grow it.

Montana officials and three of the state’s cannabis licensees last week agreed to a joint agreement allowing a 60-day preliminary injunction against a state law that increases licensing fees for businesses with multiple dispensaries.

The Australian Medical Association says that while it supports certain cannabis decriminalization policies, it is opposing a bill to legalize adult-use cannabis due to the potential for increased “health and social-related harms.”

Oklahoma cannabis regulators are seeking to revoke the licenses of 165 medical cannabis cultivators for failing to post signage on their property as required under a bill from last year.

The latest Gallup poll found record-high support for the federal legalization of adult-use cannabis, with 70% of U.S. adults supporting the reforms.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) has called upon the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature to make changes to the state’s voter-approved cannabis legalization measure before it takes effect on December 7.

Missouri has expunged nearly 100,000 cannabis convictions as part of the state’s adult-use cannabis constitutional amendment approved last year by voters.

The medical cannabis market in Ohio is expected to hit $520 million this year, according to cannabis industry intelligence firm BDSA, which also predicts the state’s combined cannabis markets will total $820 million in 2025.

A Wyoming proposal that seeks to ban intoxicating hemp products is moving to the Legislature after passing the Joint Judiciary Committee last week.

The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority this week released a report covering the increased availability of intoxicating consumable hemp products in the state and calling for regulations to curb the hemp products industry.

The University of Mississippi is launching an online medical cannabis and dietary supplements graduate program; the program will officially launch next year and will offer rolling admissions.

A lawsuit in Alaska is challenging the Department of Natural Resources’ recently approved regulations to limit intoxicating hemp products, claiming the rules are unconstitutional.

The California Department of Cannabis Control has clarified that the National Agricultural Workers Union is not a bona fide labor organization following reports from earlier this year that the organization is one of many “fake” unions in the space.

The documentary “Cannabis + Creativity,” directed by Elana Frankel, has been lighting up the film festival circuit, winning multiple accolades over the past month.

Washington D.C. regulators have kicked off the third licensing round for the District’s medical cannabis program expansions; the licensing round aims to address the issue of unlicensed operators, including those that operate on the “weed-gifting” business model.

The number of registered medical cannabis patients in New Mexico has dropped significantly from the May 2022 peak of more than 135,000 to about 85,000.

Ohio voters opted to legalize adult-use cannabis during Tuesday’s election. Under the new law, adults aged 21+ can purchase and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and grow plants at home.

Wyoming lawmakers are reattempting to ban intoxicating hemp products after the Joint Judiciary Committee in September scrapped their first attempt due to pushback from the hemp industry.