Cannabis Legalization News

Following a rejection by voters in 2018, legalization advocates in North Dakota are maneuvering for another ballot initiative in 2020; advocates say the 2018 initiative was “too vague” for voters.

Idaho advocates are gearing up to push a medical cannabis ballot initiative to voters during next year’s general election.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills has signed a bill creating regulations for the state’s adult-use cannabis industry, which was approved by voters in 2016. Former Gov. Paul LePage had vetoed similar reforms, stalling the market’s launch.

Ireland has established a five-year pilot program for medical cannabis access, two years after the health minister first announced the program.

The legislative task force assigned to consider the logistics of adult-use cannabis legalization in Maryland has convened for the first time; the task force’s findings will influence whether or not Maryland pursues adult-use legislation next year or turns the issue over to voters via a ballot initiative.

Illinois is officially the 11th state to legalize adult-use cannabis and will be the first state to regulate cannabis sales via the legislature. The new law, signed this morning, will also set up nearly 800,000 prior cannabis convictions for expungement.

The last-minute efforts to legalize or decriminalize adult-use cannabis in New York before the legislature adjourns for the year have failed; lawmakers will have to pursue the issue again next year.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pushing for lawmakers to pass a statewide legalization measure before the New York legislative session ends tomorrow.

The New York Farm Bureau has announced its support for pending legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis. The legislation would give farmers priority consideration for cannabis cultivation licenses.

Recent polling data suggests that a strong 55 percent majority of New Yorkers support cannabis legalization, including an overwhelming 75 percent of young voters.

A cannabis legalization bill has advanced from the Delaware House Revenue and Finance Committee into the full chamber for consideration. A similar bill failed last year by just four votes — Gov. John Carney, however, has already voiced his opposition to legalizing.

Illinois lawmakers have approved a legalization bill that, if signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker — a cannabis legalization supporter — would make Illinois the 11th state to legalize cannabis.

A tax-and-regulate legalization plan has advanced from the Illinois Senate to the House of Representatives. The bill has the support of Gov. J.B. Pritzker and, if fully approved, would make Illinois the 11th state to legalize cannabis for adult use.

Expecting another 2020 ballot initiative legalization bid, lawmakers in North Dakota plan to study the implications of adult-use cannabis regulations in the event voters there decide to embrace reform.

The Archdiocese of Chicago — one of Illinois’ most powerful organizations — has come out against legal cannabis in the state; meanwhile, one of the group’s top officials serves on the board of Insys Therapeutics, a notoriously anti-legalization pharmaceutical group.

New York lawmakers are crafting new legislation aimed at major cannabis policy reforms now that the governor’s plan to legalize via the state budget has been rejected.

Recently introduced legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis in Delaware contains much of the same language as the state’s failed attempt from last year — this time, however, the proposal lacks home-grow provisions, which may make it easier to accept for certain lawmakers.

With lawmakers having failed to establish adult-use cannabis legislation this session, Senate President Steve Sweeney says he’s planning to put the question to voters via a ballot initiative in the 2020 general election.

Nebraska state senators have tabled medical cannabis legislation, effectively killing it, after hours of debate on the Senate floor and even after the bill’s sponsor agreed to suggested amendments limiting the program’s available products and delivery methods.

Sens. Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries announced they will reintroduce the Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act, which would legalize cannabis nationwide and authorize spending for cannabis crime expungement.

Illinois’ adult-use legalization legislation has been unveiled by state lawmakers; according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the bill will “right historic wrongs” of cannabis prohibition.

A bill to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis has passed the Connecticut Finance Committee and is expected to advance next to the full House floor for consideration.

Florida is the latest state to pass industrial hemp legislation after the 2018 Farm Bill removed federal restrictions on the crop; the bill now moves to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature, though it’s unknown if he intends to sign.