Laws, regulations, and policy updates
146 articles
LegislationConnecticut's Joint Committee on Public Health advanced legislation expanding the state's psychedelic therapy pilot program to include first responders, as lawmakers prepare for potential FDA approval of MDMA and psilocybin treatments.
LegislationCannabis industry experts argue Trump's rescheduling order won't stabilize the market without insurance reimbursement access, which matters more than tax relief for long-term viability.
LegislationVirginia's House and Senate advanced companion bills to legalize cannabis sales, moving the legislation closer to Governor Youngkin's desk despite his previous opposition.
LegislationLaw enforcement groups are urging Congress to let a federal ban on hemp-derived THC products take effect, opposing industry efforts to delay recriminalization of delta-8 and similar compounds that generate billions in annual sales.
LegislationMissouri cannabis regulators have proposed new rules allowing them to penalize license holders who knowingly allow individuals with disqualifying backgrounds to exercise controlling influence over operations, even without formal ownership ties.
LegislationVirginia House and Senate committees advanced companion bills Monday creating a resentencing pathway for marijuana convictions, while separate legislation to establish commercial cannabis sales also moves forward.
LegislationVirginia's House and Senate passed competing cannabis sales bills, setting up negotiations to reconcile differences on licensing, local control, and social equity before the March 15 deadline.
LegislationNebraska medical marijuana advocates are defending their successful 2024 campaign after a notary was convicted for misconduct, arguing voters have spoken and implementation should proceed.
LegislationCalifornia cannabis businesses are calling for clearer packaging standards after a state audit found inconsistent enforcement of child-appeal rules, with industry stakeholders proposing objective criteria to replace subjective guidelines.
LegislationIndiana's legislative session ended without passing a hemp THC ban after a chaotic week that saw the prohibition measure die, briefly revive, then fail again. The state's intoxicating hemp market remains unregulated until at least 2025.
LegislationMaryland's Senate unanimously approved extending the state's psychedelics task force through 2027, giving the panel more time to develop recommendations on therapeutic access and regulatory frameworks.
LegislationMultiple states are advancing legislation to allow medical marijuana patients to use cannabis in hospitals, with bills focusing primarily on terminally ill and hospice patients despite federal legal complications.
LegislationA Nebraska notary faces 24 misdemeanor charges for allegedly improper notarization of medical cannabis petition signatures. The trial comes after voters approved the program in 2024.
LegislationOklahoma legislation would let counties impose up to 15% tax on cannabis sales, but only after voters approve it in special elections triggered by commissioners or citizen petitions.
LegislationProposed New York legislation would allow liquor stores to sell cannabis beverages with 5mg THC or less, requiring special permits and adding a 13% retail tax to existing cannabis levies.
LegislationGov. Josh Shapiro includes adult-use cannabis in his budget for the second year, projecting $729 million in first-year revenue. The proposal faces Republican opposition in the state Senate.
LegislationSouth Dakota's House voted 41-26 to eliminate the medical marijuana oversight committee. Sponsor Rep. Tim Goodwin calls it unnecessary bureaucracy as the bill heads to the Senate.
LegislationVirginia's House General Laws Committee replaced a Senate-passed marijuana sales bill with substitute language Tuesday, setting up conference negotiations between chambers on the state's recreational cannabis framework.
LegislationFlorida's House Health Committee unanimously approved legislation to cut medical marijuana card fees for veterans from $75 to $25, advancing bipartisan efforts to improve cannabis access for former service members.
LegislationNebraska lawmakers unanimously advanced funding measures for the state's new Medical Cannabis Commission, including commissioner salaries and application fee authority, as the state moves to implement its voter-approved medical marijuana program.
LegislationMissouri House passes bill banning hemp-derived THC sales, mirroring federal restrictions from December spending package. Legislation now heads to Senate.
Rhode Island cannabis regulators are under pressure to finalize their lottery system for 20 new dispensary licenses by May, as applicants who've invested time and money demand clarity on the selection process.
LegislationMaryland's Senate Finance Committee heard legislation Thursday that would protect firefighters and rescue workers from workplace penalties for off-duty medical cannabis use, reviving a measure that stalled last year.
LegislationArizona senators passed bills criminalizing 'excessive' marijuana odor even for legal home use, drawing criticism that the measures undermine voter-approved legalization and create unequal treatment.
