Chicago Police Department (CDP) officers will not be allowed to search vehicles based only on the smell of raw cannabis under a rule change approved by officials on Monday, WTTW reports. Advocates had pursued the change under a 2019 federal court order requiring the department to reform its policies, and CPD officials agreed to the rule change …
Category Archives: Legalization
exas Legalizes Medical Cannabis, Becomes 40th State to Expand Patient Access
In a move that has reshaped the state’s health policy landscape, Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 46 into law on Saturday, officially making Texas the 40th state in the U.S. to legalize medical cannabis. The measure brings significant improvements to the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP), a previously restrictive system that offered limited options …
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Texas Governor Signs Bill To Significantly Expand State’s Medical Marijuana Program
The governor of Texas has approved a bill to to significantly expand the state’s medical marijuana program. As advocates and stakeholders await the fate of a separate measure banning consumable hemp products, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Saturday signed into law the medical cannabis legislation from Rep. Ken King (R). The new law will expand …
Texas Lawmakers Pass Bill to Expand Medical Cannabis Program
Texas lawmakers on Sunday passed a bill to expand the state’s medical cannabis program, moving it to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) for his signature, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. The bill adds traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain, and a terminal illness or condition that requires hospice to the program. The bill also raises the number of dispensing …
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Marijuana Bill Could See Edibles Outlawed in US: What to Know
A Republican-controlled House subcommittee has voted to back a bill that makes most hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including edibles, illegal at the federal level. On Thursday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies endorsed the 138-page bill in a 9-7 vote. Newsweek contacted Republican Representative Andy Harris of Maryland, …
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Where is weed legal around the globe?
There has been immense progress in the legalization of medical cannabis in countries around the world, including some that have legalized or decriminalized the plant for adult recreational use. Nonetheless, navigating the many jurisdictions can be tricky. Rules and regulations surrounding cannabis vary wildly from country to country. And though there are some countries where weed …
More Than 1 Out Of Every 7 German Pharmacies Offers Medical Cannabis
Germany has served as the largest legal medical cannabis market in Europe for several years, with cannabis pharmacies being the foundation of Germany’s emerging industry. Legal medical cannabis sales first launched in German pharmacies in 2017. Since the launch of initial sales, safe access to medical cannabis via Germany’s pharmacies has increased dramatically, as demonstrated by …
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White House Drug Czar Could Endorse Marijuana Legalization Under New Bill To Repeal ‘Ludicrous’ Restriction
Democratic congressional lawmakers have announced the filing of a bill that would remove a restriction that’s prevented the White House drug czar from advocating for the legalization of marijuana or other Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). http://www.marijuanamoment.net/white-house-drug-czar-could-endorse-marijuana-legalization-under-new-bill-to-repeal-ludicrous-restriction/
Map Reveals How Much Money Each State Has Made From Legal Marijuana
Adult-use cannabis legalization has generated more than $20 billion in tax revenue across different states since sales first began in 2014, according to new data from the Marijuana Policy Project. The latest update, which includes figures through the first quarter of 2024, shows the economic scale of legal marijuana markets and the range of policy …
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North Carolina Lawmakers File Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill
A group of North Carolina lawmakers this week introduced legislation to legalize medical cannabis in the state, online news source Marijuana Moment reported on Friday. The measure, House Bill 1011, was filed on Tuesday with primary sponsorship from Democratic Reps. Aisha Dew, Pricey Harrison and Zack Hawkins. http://www.forbes.com/sites/ajherrington/2025/04/18/north-carolina-lawmakers-file-medical-marijuana-legalization-bill/
Elon Musk And The Potential Future Of Legal Cannabis
Elon Musk joined as an early investor of the car company Tesla in 2004, later becoming CEO and product architect in 2008. Taking the technology, he pushed the company and grew the brand and the following. Using the expanded platform, he has become a global player and now has joined the current administration. But what about Elon Musk and the potential …
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In the weeds: Where marijuana is legal and for what use
On 4/20, you might find yourself in more conversation about types of cannabis (marijuana or hemp) and cannabinoids (THC, CBD, for example). Why it matters: It’s not just the plant, itself: Wrapping your head around cannabis terminology, uses and legal status can be dizzying. State of play: Hemp was federally legalized in 2018, and marijuana is legal for medical use in …
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Florida Lawmakers Unanimously Approve Bill To Make Medical Marijuana Cards Free For Military Veterans
A Florida House panel on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill that would exempt military veterans from state registration fees for medical marijuana cards, allowing them to obtain the certifications for free. The House Health and Human Services Committee advanced the legislation, HB 555 from Rep. Alex Andrade (R), on a vote of 21-0. http://www.marijuanamoment.net/florida-lawmakers-unanimously-approve-bill-to-make-medical-marijuana-cards-free-for-military-veterans/
Bipartisan Pennsylvania Lawmakers Announce New Plan To Legalize Marijuana This Year
Bipartisan Pennsylvania lawmakers are asking their colleagues to join them on a forthcoming bill to legalize marijuana for adult use in the state. In a cosponsorship memo that was circulated on Monday, Reps. Emily Kinkead (D) and Abby Major (R) touted the state’s “robust” medical cannabis program—but pointed out that “all but one of our neighboring …
Minnesota could soon launch its legal marijuana market. Here’s what happens next.
The approval of cannabis regulations this month was a key milestone on the road to the long-awaited launch of the state’s legal marijuana market. Office of Cannabis Management Interim Director Eric Taubel sat down with the Minnesota Star Tribune this week to lay out where things stand right now, what still needs to happen and …
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German Coalition Parties Announce Plans To Evaluate—But Not Repeal—The Country’s Marijuana Legalization Law
Following a pivotal national election in Germany earlier this year, political parties that are cooperating to form a new coalition government have announced they’ll conduct an “open-ended evaluation” of the country’s new marijuana legalization law—meaning that at least for now, officials will allow the policy to stay in place. Reform advocates had been watching closely …
Connecticut Lawmakers Approve Bill To Decriminalize Psilocybin For Adults
Connecticut lawmakers have advanced a bill to decriminalize psilocybin for adults, despite the Democratic governor indicating he’d reject an earlier version of the reform measure. The legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee passed the proposal on Friday in a 29-12 vote. This comes about one month after the panel first took up the bill, debating the issue and taking …
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New York Movie Theaters Could Sell Marijuana And Allow Consumption During Films Under Forthcoming Licenses, Official Says
A New York official says there are plans in the works to expand permitting and licensing rules that could allow adults to buy and consume marijuana at movie theaters. While many theaters across the country currently let moviegoers purchase and drink alcohol, that’s not the case for cannabis—even in states where marijuana has been legalized. …
12 States That Could Legalize Cannabis in 2025
Cannabis legalization largely stalled out in 2024 amid cross-chamber disagreements in state legislatures and ballot measure letdowns on Election Day. Nebraska was the lone state to advance reform last year via overwhelming support behind a pair of medical cannabis legalization measures in November, yet litigation attempting to prevent a program rollout remains pending. http://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/legislation-and-regulation/news/15738376/12-states-that-could-legalize-cannabis-in-2025
Switzerland Makes Moves to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
Following a landmark vote by the National Council’s Social Security and Health Committee (SGK-N) on February 14, 2025, Switzerland is on track to fully regulate adult-use cannabis. The committee approved a draft federal law by a vote of 14-9 (with 2 abstentions), paving the way for the legal cultivation, sale, possession and consumption of cannabis. …
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New Hampshire House Passes Cannabis Legalization Bill
The New Hampshire House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to legalize the personal possession and use of recreational marijuana, although the measure does not legalize sales of cannabis. The measure, HB 75 from Republican Rep. Kevin Verville, was passed by a voice vote in the House on Thursday afternoon, online cannabis news source …
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PoliticsThese States Are The Most Likely To Legalize Marijuana In 2025, According To Top Advocacy Groups
As 2025 kicks off and state legislative sessions get rolling, marijuana legalization advocates are eyeing a handful of jurisdictions as key battlegrounds where they see the prospects of enacting reform this year as most likely. Pennsylvania and Hawaii are widely seen by proponents as the most promising states for adult-use cannabis legalization in the year …
Indiana Lawmakers File Bills To Legalize Marijuana And Fund Psilocybin Research In 2025
Indiana lawmakers are already making moves to enact drug policy reform in the 2025 session—with newly filed bills to legalize marijuana, allow medical cannabis and fund psilocybin research. While the prospects of the cannabis measures are unclear given the Republican-controlled legislature’s historic resistance to reform, the psychedelics legislation would simply provide the necessary funding for an already-enacted …
New York Governor Signs Bills To Resume Marijuana Farmers Markets And Classify Cannabis As Agricultural Product
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed two new cannabis-related bills into law over the weekend—one to revive the Cannabis Growers Showcase program, where producers sell products directly to consumers at farmers market-style events, and another clarifying that cannabis is categorized as an agricultural crop in the state. Hochul vetoed a separate measure, however, that would have …
What Trump’s win means for cannabis (Newsletter: November 7, 2024)
Donald Trump’s election as president could have vast implications for marijuana reform. He has voiced support for cannabis industry access to the banking system and the federal rescheduling process initiated by the Biden administration, but questions remain about whether he will follow through or be able to get Republican members of Congress on board with the …
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Is weed legal in Texas? What you need to know
Cannabis legalization is spreading. Individual state laws vary, with regulations and purchase restrictions running the gamut. Hemp-based products have also proliferated, especially in southern states. This has led many to wonder, “Is weed legal in Texas?” http://www.greenstate.com/state-by-state/texas/is-weed-legal-in-texas/
Kamala Harris promises full marijuana legalization – is that a gamechanger?
Kamala Harris announced on Monday that if elected president, she would fully legalize adult recreational cannabis on the federal level – the first time a presidential nominee has taken such an unambiguous stance on ending cannabis prohibition. As part of her pledge, she said she would take steps to ensure that Black men, disproportionately incarcerated and disenfranchised by …
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PoliticsKamala Harris Rolls Out National Marijuana Legalization Plan, Pledging To Make It ‘The Law Of The Land’
Vice President Kamala Harris is pledging to federally legalize marijuana, ensuring that access to cannabis is “the law of the land.” If elected, she will “break down unjust legal barriers that hold Black men and other Americans back by legalizing marijuana nationally, working with Congress to ensure that the safe cultivation, distribution, and possession of …
Cannabis odor can no longer be only reason to search vehicle
The odor of cannabis can no longer be the only thing police notice in order to search a vehicle during a traffic stop after an Illinois Supreme Court ruling last week. The consolidated cases had different outcomes in the appellate court. The Illinois Supreme Court heard the case in January. Representing the state, attorney Mitchell Ness …
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California Gov. Signs Bill to Let Cannabis Cafes Serve Food & Host Live Music
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill on Tuesday to let cannabis cafes in California serve food and drink and host live performances, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. This comes one day after he vetoed a bill that would have allowed small cannabis growers to sell products directly to consumers. http://www.ganjapreneur.com/california-gov-signs-bill-to-let-cannabis-cafes-serve-food-host-live-music/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=california_gov_signs_bill_allowing_live_music_events_at_cannabis_cafes_kamala_harris_talks_legalization_and_more&utm_term=2024-10-02
