Decriminalization

New rules in New Mexico will remove some criminal penalties for cannabis possession while another new law offers critical changes to the state’s medical cannabis program.

Under decriminalization rules passed April 1, adults in Israel will no longer be prosecuted for simple home growing and low-level cannabis possession.

New Mexico state lawmakers have sent a host of cannabis-related legislation to the governor’s desk. Full adult-use legalization, however, did not make the cut this year.

A decriminalization bill was introduced into the Texas House of Representatives on Monday. It’s the third time such legislation has been introduced in Texas.

Wisconsin’s governor has released details about his plan to decriminalize cannabis possession under 25 grams and create a medical cannabis program in the state.

Despite failing to receive a committee hearing last year, Sen. Paul Lowe has re-introduced cannabis decriminalization legislation to the North Carolina Senate.

State’s attorney Marilyn Mosby announced her office will no longer prosecute cannabis crimes and is attempting to vacate thousands of previous and pending cannabis convictions.

This week marked the introduction of two legalization bills in the Virginia state House of Delegates. Meanwhile, Gov. Northam expressed his continued support for decriminalization.

Texas is in the minority of states that haven’t passed major cannabis reform legislation, but mounting pressure from both within and outside the state could result in significant progress on that front in 2019.

The Caribbean island nation is the latest country in the region to decriminalize cannabis; the country aims to become a leader in medical cannabis research and production.