Virginia to study marijuana decriminalization this year

A state commission decided Wednesday to study decriminalization of marijuana, an idea sparked by a discussion in Norfolk. The study this year by the Virginia State Crime Commission, which makes recommendations to the General Assembly, could be a first step toward a bill in 2018 or later to change marijuana laws. Currently, Virginia allows people […]

The struggle with Maryland’s marijuana industry continues 

When the General Assembly authorized the state’s medical marijuana program, it instructed the licensure commission to “actively seek to achieve racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity when licensing medical cannabis growers; and encourage applicants who qualify as a minority business enterprise.” Rather than seeking such a study or adopting race-neutral language that could have had a similar effect, […]

Massachusetts Legislatures Meet on Marijuana Policy

The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy, considered a number of issues related to the implementation of recreational marijuana in Mass. on Monday. State Rep. Shaunna O’Connell, R-Taunton proposed  a bill, H.3194, that would add recreational marijuana to a list of items that welfare recipients are prohibited from using cash benefits to buy. That list already includes […]

What will Adult Use Marijuana Do to the Medical Marijuana Market?

Legal weed in North America is expected to reach $22.6 billion in revenue in 2021. But many won’t be spending their money on marijuana the way they do today. Recreational cannabis spending is expected to outpace medical marijuana sales for the first time in 2019, according to a comprehensive new report from Arcview Market Research. While recreational […]

Massachusetts Department of Health Continues To Issue Marijuana Dispensary Licenses 

NEW BEDFORD — Beacon Compassion received a provisional license for New Bedford from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Thursday, Stephen Angelo, the executive director of the company told The Standard-Times. Angelo described the license as “the first step” in a longer journey for the marijuana dispensary… The next phases of the project include developing […]

Will Illinois be Next to Legalize Recreational Marijuana? 

On Wednesday, March 22, co-sponsors Sen. Heather Steans (D-Il.) and Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Il.) introduced legislation in Illinois that would legalize recreational marijuana. It should be noted that both Steans and Cassidy aren’t planning to bring their bill to vote immediately. Instead, using the move to gauge interest. They plan to hold feedback hearings later […]

West Virginia Senate passes medical marijuana bill

The bill passed 28-6, and would create a state cannabis commission responsible for developing policies and regulations. Senate Bill 386 — the West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act — would create a state cannabis commission that would be responsible for developing policies and regulations to make medical cannabis available to qualifying patients. The bill will next be […]

California city holds marijuana workshop to discuss concerns of Prop 64. 

A room full of people turned out to the Hammon Senior Center Tuesday night for a workshop on how the city should respond to the passage of Proposition 64, which legalized personal cultivation and recreational use of marijuana in the state. Source: City holds first marijuana workshop – Golden State Newspapers: Patterson Irrigator News   […]

Delaware legislators say they have votes to legalize pot

Delaware took a major step Thursday toward becoming the ninth state to legalize recreational marijuana use. Delaware legislation would also authorize dozens of stores to sell marijuana. “We see it as a social justice issue,” Henry said, describing the legislation as an effort to reform the criminal justice system by legalizing “something that people always have […]