All Activity

Arizona lawmakers are considering at a pair of measures that would make the act of creating “excessive” amounts of marijuana smoke a nuisance crime punishable by jail time, even if the person is using cannabis in compliance with state law in their own homes. Sen. J.D. Mesnard (R) is sponsoring the two proposals—one that would amend state statute legislatively that would put the issue before voters at the ballot. Members of the Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee are set to consider the proposals this week. The lawmaker said he decided to push the issue due to the smell of marijuana in his own neighborhood. Both versions of Mesnard’s legislation stipulate that “it is presumed that a person who creates excessive marijuana smoke and odor causes a condition that endangers the safety or health of others.” The reason behind having both a proposed bill and resolution is related to the potential legal challenges of lawmakers changing the voter-approved marijuana legalization law. The legislation would establish “a presumption that the creation of excessive marijuana smoke and odor is injurious to health, indecent, offensive to the senses and an obstruction to the free use of property that interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property,” a summary of the proposal says. If enacted, the loosely defined offense of creating “excessive” marijuana smoke under the bill and resolution would be considered a class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail, a maximum $500 fine and up to one year of probation. “I’m hearing from some people that, depending on their neighbor situation, they may not be able to have their kids go outside because the marijuana smoke is so potent,” Mesnard, the sponsor, said. “It can even creep into your own house or, in my case, into my garage.” “But experiencing now what’s happened, even in my own neighborhood, is a pretty frustrating situation,” he told The Arizona Daily Star. “You should be responsible neighbors if you’re going to smoke pot… It can be a real issue for families, especially with kids.” Asked about the seeming double standard given that no such nuisance offenses exist for smoking cigarettes or cigars on a private property, the senator said, “I’ll concede I hadn’t thought about it.” “I’m pretty sure that marijuana smoke has a different impact than, say, other smoke that might make you cough,” Mesnard said. “I don’t want my kids to get high. If someone wants to get high on their own, let them get high on their own.” — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — In the background of this legislation, anti-cannabis activists are working to put an initiative on the state’s November ballot that would significantly roll back its voter-approved marijuana legalization law. A GOP congressional lawmaker said recently he’d like to see his state take that action—but he also acknowledged that President Donald Trump’s recent federal rescheduling order could complicate that prohibitionist push. Under the proposal, possession would remain lawful if voters chose to enact the initiative—and Arizona’s medical marijuana program would remain intact—but the commercial market for recreational cannabis that’s evolved since voters approved an adult-use legalization measure in 2020 would be quashed. A findings section on the latest initiative states that “the proliferation of marijuana establishments and recreational marijuana sales in this state have produced unintended consequences and negative effects relating to the public health, safety, and welfare of Arizonans, including increased marijuana use among children, environmental concerns, increased demands for water resources, public nuisances, market instability, and illicit market activities.” “Arizona’s legal marijuana sales have declined for two consecutive years, resulting in less tax revenue for this state, while some patients have relied on recreational use of marijuana instead of utilizing the benefits of this state’s medical marijuana program,” it says. The initiative would also instruct the legislature to make conforming changes by amending existing statute as it relates to the commercial industry, including tax and advertising rules. In order to make the ballot, the campaign will need to collect 255,949 valid signatures by July 2. If the proposal goes to voters and is approved, it would take effect in January 2028. It remains to be seen if there will be an appetite for repeal among voters, as 60 percent of the electorate approved legalization at the ballot in 2020. What’s more a poll from last year found majority support for medical cannabis legalization (86 percent), adult-use legalization (69 percent) and banking reform (78 percent). Photo courtesy of Martin Alonso. The post Arizona Senators Take Up Bills To Criminalize ‘Excessive’ Marijuana Smoke, Even On Private Property appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

The shift to digital medical cannabis cards will “enhance convenience for patients and caregivers,” the state health secretary said. By John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota medical marijuana cards will soon be primarily digital. The cannabis card news came Tuesday at the Capitol during a meeting of the House of Representatives’s Health and Human Services Committee. Rep. Josephine Garcia, R-Watertown, had planned to testify on her bill to create digital cards, but instead sat down before the committee and asked its members to table it. Garcia is the chairwoman of the state’s Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee, which had discussed legislation to require the Department of Health to provide digital cards. On Tuesday, Garcia announced that the Department of Health had agreed to pursue digital cards without legislation. The department is looking for vendors now and will select one during the summer, Garcia said, reading from a letter to the committee from Health Secretary Melissa Magstadt. The vendor will build the digital card system in the fall. Once the system is ready, the department will begin issuing digital cards to anyone who doesn’t ask for a plastic card. No implementation date was offered, and the department did not immediately respond to a request for an implementation time frame. The shift to digital cards will “enhance convenience for patients and caregivers,” the letter said. Magstadt was in the room for the hearing and thanked Garcia for reading the letter. The committee voted 13-0 to table Garcia’s bill. Patients with a medical recommendation for marijuana pay initial and annual fees for plastic, driver’s license-sized cards, which let them legally purchase marijuana products at dispensaries around the state. Recreational marijuana use remains illegal in South Dakota. Digital cards would be accessible on patients’ smartphones. This story was first published by South Dakota Searchlight. The post South Dakota Will Begin Issuing Digital Medical Marijuana Cards, Officials Announce appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has missed a congressionally mandated deadline to publish a list of known cannabinoids as federal hemp laws are set to change later this year in a way that stakeholders argue will upend the existing market. As part of appropriations legislation that President Donald Trump signed last year, many hemp products that were legalized during his first term in office under the 2018 Farm Bill will be prohibited once again starting in November. The spending measure included separate provisions, however, to have FDA and other relevant agencies study the cannabinoid marketplace and develop lists of cannabis components. After the bill was signed, FDA was given 90 days to publish 1) a list of “all cannabinoids known to FDA to be capable of being naturally produced” by cannabis 2) a list of “all tetrahydrocannabinol class cannabinoids known to the agency to be naturally occurring in the plant” and 3) a list of “all other know cannabinoids with similar effects to, or marketed to have similar effects to, tetrahyrocannabinol class cannabinoids.” Further, the agency was tasked with providing “additional information and specificity about the term ‘container’” with respect to hemp product THC serving sizes. In the bill, the term is defined as “the innermost wrapping, packaging, or vessel in direct contact with a final hemp-derived cannabinoid product in which the final hemp-derived cannabinoid product is enclosed for retail sale to consumers, such as a jar, bottle, bag, box, packet, can, carton, or cartridge.” The lists and information was due last week, on February 10, but FDA did not follow through by the deadline. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), of which FDA is a component, told Marijuana Moment last week that it was the agency’s intention to provide the lists in time and that they would be published in the Federal Register. However, that’s yet to materialize—and officials did not provide clarification when asked for an update. Hemp stakeholders say this missed deadline is all the more reason for Congress to pass legislation delaying the implementation of the pending hemp THC ban that’s set to take effect in November. “We’re disappointed, but not surprised,” Jonathan Miller, general counsel of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, told Marijuana Moment on Tuesday. “The FDA has been quite slow in meeting congressional deadlines when it comes to hemp in the past, and in some cases ignoring congressional deadlines.” “But this just makes it even more imperative for Congress to pass an extension” of the hemp policy change, he said. “There is a whole lot of work to do, and the FDA is going to be in the middle of this, and there’s not enough time to come up with a thought-out regulatory regime to replace the ban.” “This episode makes it clear why we need to have the extension,” Miller said. The purpose of the FDA directive is related to how federal law will distinguish between legal hemp products under a new, narrower definition in the recently enacted legislation and marijuana, which remains illegal under U.S. law. Since 2018, cannabis products have been considered legal hemp if they contain less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis. However, the law that is set to take effect in November specifies that, within one year of enactment, the weight would apply to total THC—including delta-8 and other isomers. It would also include “any other cannabinoids that have similar effects (or are marketed to have similar effects) on humans or animals as a tetrahydrocannabinol (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services).” The new definition of legal hemp would additionally ban “any intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid products which are marketed or sold as a final product or directly to an end consumer for personal or household use” as well as products containing cannabinoids that are synthesized or manufactured outside of the cannabis plant or not capable of being naturally produced by it. Legal hemp products would be limited to a per-container total of 0.4 milligrams of total THC or any other cannabinoids with similar effects. Hemp stakeholders are paying particularly close attention to the “container” definition for cannabinoid products. “It’s going to open up a window into how the FDA is thinking about these issues. And you know, one of the key issues here is, what is a container?” Miller said. “That could make a really big difference in terms of what products would be eligible.” “We’re hopeful that the 0.4 milligrams per container does not stay. We’re hoping to see that change,” he said. “But, you know, defining what a container is is going to be very important for any regulatory solution.” The Hemp Enforcement, Modernization, and Protection (HEMP) Act represents a potential alternative to the outright THC ban that was included in the spending bill Trump signed, affirmatively allowing the sale of consumable hemp products to adults 21 and older. That includes edibles, beverages and inhalable items. If the legislation is enacted, there would be various regulatory restrictions for the market. For example, packaging couldn’t appeal to youth and would need to be tamper-proof. It would also need to list all cannabinoids present and include QR code linking to a certificate of analysis. Hemp product makers would be prohibited from adding substances like alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, nicotine, melatonin or others “with effects that could interact with cannabinoids or enhance or alter their effects.” There would also be manufacturing and testing requirements, and hemp businesses would need to register their facilities. Additionally, there are provisions mandating the establishment of a total cannabinoid cap on hemp products. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would be charged with proposing cannabinoid limits within 60 days of enactment. Meanwhile, alcohol retailers recently came together to encourage Congress to delay the enactment of the law Trump signed to federally recriminalize hemp-derived THC beverages and other products. The coalition is calling on lawmakers to pass recently introduced legislation, the Hemp Planting Predictability Act, that would give the hemp industry two more years before a federal ban on THC products would take effect—which stakeholders hope will better position them to negotiate a broader regulatory compromise. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY), who is cosponsoring the proposal, appeared at a press conference last month alongside farmers who are concerned about the looming federal hemp ban’s impact on their businesses. For what it’s worth, four in five marijuana consumers say they oppose the recriminalization of hemp THC products under the spending bill Trump signed in November. However, it should be noted that that poll was conducted weeks before he issued a cannabis rescheduling order and took steps to protect access to full-spectrum CBD. Trump signed an executive order last month directing the attorney general to complete the process of moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Part of that announcement also hold implications for the forthcoming hemp law. The president’s order also urged Congress to examine updating the definition of hemp to ensure that full-spectrum CBD is accessible to patients. A further redefinition of hemp would be part of a novel proposal to allow Medicare recipients to access non-intoxicating CBD that’d be covered under the federal health care plan. To effectuate that, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be announcing “a model that will allow a number of CMS beneficiaries to benefit from receiving CBD under doctor recommendation at no cost,” a White House official said during a briefing that Marijuana Moment first reported leaked details from ahead of the signing event. For what it’s worth, an executive with a hemp company that’s been collaborating with the agency on the initiative said the rules for CBD health care coverage were internally finalized weeks ago. Trump seemed endorse a more flexible CBD policy last summer when he shared a video calling for that specific reform while promoting the health benefits of cannabidiol, particularly for seniors. Meanwhile, a separate recently filed Republican-led congressional bill would stop the implementation of the hemp ban under the enacted appropriations legislation. — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — Hemp businesses and industry groups have warned about the potential ramifications of the ban, but despite his support for states’ rights for cannabis and a recent social media post touting the benefits of CBD, Trump signed the underlying spending measure into law without acknowledging the hemp provisions. GOP political operative Roger Stone said recently that Trump was effectively “forced” by Republican lawmakers to sign the spending bill with the hemp THC ban language. However, a White House spokesperson said prior to the bill signing that Trump specifically supported the prohibition language. The Democratic governor of Kentucky said that the hemp industry is an “important” part of the economy that deserves to be regulated at the state level—rather than federally prohibited, as Congress has moved to do. Also, a leading veterans organization is warning congressional leaders that the newly approved blanket ban on consumable hemp products could inadvertently “slam the door shut” on critical research. The post FDA Misses Deadline To Publish Cannabinoid List And Define Hemp ‘Containers,’ Drawing Industry Criticism appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Local officials in Pennsylvania’s second most populous city are calling on state lawmakers and the governor to urgently agree on a plan to legalize marijuana this year. The Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution noting that despite legalization being enacted in surrounding states and the Trump administration’s “historic” move to federally reschedule marijuana, “Pennsylvania continues to treat cannabis possession as a criminal offense in many circumstances, resulting in ongoing arrests, prosecutions, and incarceration that disproportionately impact communities of color and low-income residents.” Pennsylvania “is now surrounded by four of its five neighboring states—New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and Maryland—that have legalized adult-use recreational cannabis, creating an uneven regional landscape in which Pennsylvania residents routinely cross state lines to purchase legal cannabis,” the resolution says. “This regional disparity has caused Pennsylvania to fall significantly behind other states, resulting in the loss of substantial tax revenue, job creation, and economic opportunities as consumer spending flows out of the Commonwealth each day.” Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) this month again included marijuana legalization in his budget request to lawmakers, as he has done for the past several sessions. But while the House of Representatives last year passed a bill to legalize cannabis with sales in state-run stores, the Republican-controlled Senate has so far not advanced any plan to end prohibition. “Poll after poll demonstrates overwhelming bipartisan support” for the reform, the Pittsburgh resolution says, calling on state lawmakers to “act with urgency and pass comprehensive adult-use cannabis legalization during the 2026 legislative session.” “Meaningful cannabis reform must prioritize decriminalization, social equity, expungement of prior cannabis-related offenses, expanded patient and veteran access, and inclusive economic opportunity for small businesses, workers, and communities historically harmed by prohibition,” the resolution sponsored by Councilmember Barb Warwick (D) says. Meanwhile, as Pennsylvania’s governor promotes his latest call for marijuana legalization in the Keystone State, a coalition of drug policy and civil liberties organizations are urging him to play a leadership role in convening legislative leaders to get the job done this session. In a letter led by the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) and sent to the governor earlier this month, the coalition noted that legalization has consistently made it into Shapiro’s budget requests, “reflecting both sound fiscal policy and the clear will of the people of the Commonwealth.” “This competitive disadvantage grows more pronounced with each year of inaction,” the letter, which was also signed by groups including the ACLU of Pennsylvania, Doctors for Drug Policy Reform, Last Prisoner Project (LPP) and Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), said. Pennsylvania House Democratic lawmakers have separately called on the GOP-controlled Senate to come to the table and pass a bill to legalize marijuana. At a press conference this month, three Democratic members of the House who have championed adult-use legalization stressed the need to move on reform, laying blame for inaction on the Senate where even supporters of the policy change have so far been unable to deliver on the issue. Reps. Rick Krajewski (D) and Dan Frankel (D), who sponsored a bill to legalize with state-run shops that advanced through the House last year, said they understand that the novel regulatory approach they envisioned may be “controversial” to some members, but that’s all the more reason for the Senate to bring their own ideas to the conversation to finally enact the reform. House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D) said in December that legalizing marijuana is one way to create a “very important” revenue source for the state—and that it’s an achievable reform if only legislators could find “the will to do it.” Bipartisan Pennsylvania lawmakers who’ve been working to enact adult-use legalization over recent sessions without success so far have also recently said that President Donald Trump’s federal marijuana rescheduling order could grease the wheels in 2026. For what it’s worth, another top GOP senator—Sen. Scott Martin (R), chair of the chamber’s Appropriations Committee—said in December that he was skeptical about the prospects of enacting legalization in the 2026 session, in part because of the federal classification of cannabis that’s now expected to change. Of course, marijuana would still be federally illegal under Schedule III, so it’s unclear if a simple loosening of the law would move the needle enough from his perspective. — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — A top aide to Pennsylvania’s governor said in September that lawmakers should stop introducing new competing legalization bills and instead focus on building consensus on the issue—while emphasizing that any measure that advances needs to contain equity provisions if the governor is going to sign it into law. Sen. Dan Laughlin (R), for his part, said in August that the House “needs to pass the language in my bill and send it to my committee” after which point he “can negotiate with the Senate and the governor.” The senator separately said recently that supporters are “picking up votes” to enact the reform this session. Meanwhile, bipartisan Pennsylvania senators in October introduced a bill that would allow terminally ill patients to use of medical marijuana in hospitals. Separately, the leading Republican candidate in the race to become the next governor of Pennsylvania dodged a question about her stance on legalizing marijuana—saying she doesn’t have a “policy position” on the issue and arguing that the sitting governor’s proposal for reform “way, way overstated” potential revenue. The candidate, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity (R), pointed to neighboring Ohio, which launched its own adult-use cannabis market this year, saying “they generated about $115 million in revenue.” And while the populations of both states are relatively comparable, Shapiro’s budget projected $536.5 million in cannabis revenue in the first fiscal year of implementation. She did, however, say that if Pennsylvania moves forward on enacting the reform, she’ll “make sure that it’s banked appropriately.” Meanwhile, a Pennsylvania Democratic senator recently said that federal marijuana rescheduling would be “very influential” in advancing legalization in his state, giving “political cover” to GOP members on the fence about reform. Polls have shown bipartisan support for legalization among voters, but the reform has consistently stalled in the legislature, due largely to GOP opposition. But not all Republican members are against the policy change—and one recently said she felt her party should seize the “opportunity to snatch” the issue from Democrats. Photo courtesy of Max Jackson. The post Pennsylvania Lawmakers Should Legalize Marijuana This Year, Pittsburgh City Council Resolution Says appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Hi there! Nice post! Please tell us when I will see a follow up! 전피연

Thanks for picking out the time to discuss this, I feel great about it and love studying more on this topic. It is extremely helpful for me. Thanks for such a valuable help again. situs slot

This is a great article thanks for sharing this informative information. I will visit your blog regularly for some latest post. I will visit your blog regularly for Some latest post. 전피연

Former White House drug czar bashes rescheduling; OK GOP divided on medical marijuana; MD psychedelics vote; MA cannabis sales milestone Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day. Get our daily newsletter. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible… Free to read (but not free to produce)! We’re proud of our newsletter and the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we’re happy to provide it for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen. If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can expand our coverage and more readers can benefit: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW Former White House Drug Czar William Bennett said President Donald Trump is wrong about rescheduling marijuana, calling it a “gateway drug” that is “massively destructive.” “I love Donald Trump. I love almost everything he does, but I don’t love this.” Virginia lawmakers passed bills to legalize recreational marijuana sales, provide resentencing relief for past convictions and allow medical cannabis access in hospitals for seriously ill patients—setting up negotiations on the reforms between the Senate and House of Delegates. Oklahoma’s GOP House speaker and Senate president pro tem are rejecting Gov. Kevin Stitt’s (R) push to put medical cannabis back on the ballot and roll back legalization—saying that voters have already decided they support legal access. The Hawaii Senate Health and Human Services Committee and Commerce and Consumer Protections Committee held a joint hearing on bills to legalize marijuana, allow hemp-derived cannabinoid product sales and expedite medical cannabis access. The Maryland House Health Committee approved a bill to extend the Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances for a year and require a new report with recommendations to ensure “broad, equitable & affordable access to psychedelic substances.” The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission reported that retailers have now sold more than $9 billion worth of recreational marijuana products since legalization—including a huge surge in purchases ahead of a recent big snowstorm. / FEDERAL The National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse will meet on March 9. / STATES Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) touted his mass marijuana pardon action. Texas’s attorney general is suing kratom retailers. The Oklahoma Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee approved a bill to allow counties and municipalities to add a local tax on medical cannabis. A Missouri senator discussed her bill to criminalize public marijuana smoking. Illinois regulators published guidance on cannabis labeling, stability testing and retention samples. Virginia regulators launched a new medical cannabis program dashboard. Massachusetts regulators published a guide on how marijuana revenue is allocated. The California Board of State and Community Corrections released $125 million in grant funding to support local governments’ efforts to address public health and safety impacts associated with marijuana legalization. — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — / INTERNATIONAL The Amsterdam, Netherlands City Council is expected to consider banning tourists from accessing cannabis cafes after next month’s elections. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A German study found that “eight months after legalisation, no significant short-term effects on cannabis use or [driving under the influence of cannabis] were observed.” A study found that people who inject drugs “in states with recreational cannabis laws were less likely to use opioids daily” and that “cannabis legalization may potentially reduce opioid-related harms.” / BUSINESS Compass Pathways plc announced it achieved its primary endpoint in an ongoing Phase 3 trial of its synthetic psilocybin formulation for treatment-resistant depression. Rhode Island retailers sold $10.2 million worth of legal marijuana products in January. Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox. Get our daily newsletter. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images. The post Virginia cannabis bills passed by House and Senate (Newsletter: February 18, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Most of the time I don’t make comments on websites, but I'd like to say that this article really forced me to do so. Really nice post! 전피연

Hawaii senators have taken up a pair of bills to legalize marijuana—with one proposal contingent on federal reform or changes to the state Constitution and the other omitting provisions allowing for commercial sales. Members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and Commerce and Consumer Protections Committee took up the measures—SB 2421 and SB 3275 from Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (D)—at a joint hearing on Tuesday. The panels also discussed separate legislation allowing for the sale of certain hemp-derived cannabinoid products and permitting one-time medical cannabis sales for patients with pending registration applications. The hearing comes after key House lawmakers signaled that legalization proposals that originated in that chamber would not be advancing in the 2026 session, citing a lack of sufficient support to get them crossed over and potentially enacted. In the Senate, SB 2421 would create a Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to oversee the regulation of a adult-use cannabis market if there’s a constitutional change at the state level or change in federal marijuana laws permitting such a reform. “In addition to legalizing medical use cannabis, numerous states and jurisdictions, including Hawaii, have opted to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of non-medical use cannabis,” the bill text states. “These decisions are motivated by a variety of compelling reasons, including the prioritization of more serious crimes, advancements in criminal justice reform, evolving public opinion, and long-standing social equity concerns within the context of cannabis regulation.” The legislation also notes that states with legal cannabis markets “have witnessed substantial benefits from the revenue generated through taxes, including use and licensing fees, as well as general excise and sales taxes on the non-medical adult-use cannabis industry.” “In light of the task force report, the legislature finds that the legalization of cannabis for personal use is a natural, logical, and reasonable outgrowth of the current science of and attitude toward cannabis. The legislature further finds that cannabis cultivation and sales hold the potential for economic development, increased tax revenues, and reduction in crime. Accordingly, the legislature is prepared to move forward with the legalization of non-medical adult-use cannabis if specific changes are made at the federal level or if the electorate approves a state constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis.” The state attorney general’s office submitted testimony ahead of Tuesday’s hearing, recommending a series of changes related to hemp provisions, packaging requirements and penalties for the unlawful sale of cannabis to minors, for example. It also noted that the legislation as drafted lacks specific language on appropriating funds for the regulation of a marijuana market, stating that it’s “essential that funds be appropriated for the timely implementation of a substantial regulatory program and for law enforcement, nuisance abatement, and a public education campaign prior to legalization, among other things.” The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, which would be tasked with regulating the adult-use cannabis market, testified that it “acknowledges the complex nature of the cannabis issue, involving considerations related to public health, safety, and economic opportunities. The commitment to public health protections, including an extensive public health and education campaign, reflects a responsible approach to mitigate potential risks associated with cannabis use.” “The Department would like to underscore the significance of the clear separation of operations between the DCCA and the Hawaiʻi Cannabis and Hemp Office, as delineated in the proposed legislation,” it said. “This clear separation ensures that the Hawaiʻi Cannabis and Hemp office operates independently, fostering effective governance and decisionmaking in the field of cannabis regulation.” For its part, the state Department of Health (DOH) said that while it “appreciates that this measure acknowledges and prioritizes the implementation of public health protections in connection with adult-use cannabis policy”—and regulating marijuana is “preferable to an unregulated illicit market”—legalization “should be expected to result in a net negative impact on the health of the public.” “As such, the Department remains highly concerned about the public health and environmental impacts that the increased accessibility of cannabis and opening of an adult-use marketplace will bring,” it said. Karen O’Keefe, state policies director of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), commented to the committees that it “makes sense to create an independent Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office,” and that advocates “also strongly support adult-use legalization, but urge the committee to amend the bill so legalization takes effect without waiting on a trigger.” “While cannabis is not risk-free, it is far less dangerous than alcohol, tobacco and some medications. Hawai’i should treat adults like grown ups who are allowed to make their own decisions about the plant,” O’Keefe said. “While states have revised some laws to try to keep up with best practices, no cannabis legalization law has been repealed. That’s because they enjoy strong popular support, which increases post-legalization.” In its written testimony, the Hawai’i Alliance for Cannabis Reform (HACR) said the bill from San Buenaventura represents “a thoughtful and comprehensive bill to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older, contingent on a trigger, such as federal legalization or a constitutional amendment legalizing adult-use of cannabis in Hawai‘i.” “Its regulatory framework puts public health, public and consumer education, and equity at the forefront,” the group said. “We are grateful that the bill would preserve access to medical cannabis, while creating new opportunities for small, Hawai‘i-based businesses, legacy growers, and social equity applicants.” “Hawaii’s cannabis laws needlessly ensnare hundreds of people—disproportionately Native Hawaiian people—in its criminal justice system every year. Long after jail sentences are complete and fines are paid, cannabis arrest records derail lives, making it hard to get a job, education, and housing,” it continued. “SB 2421 would also include state-initiated expungement to stop derailing lives for many prior cannabis records.” “Like alcohol prohibition a century ago, cannabis prohibition has failed. It wastes taxpayer dollars, perpetuates racial disparities, puts consumers at risk, and locks people up for minor offenses in overcrowded jails and prisons. SB 2421 would grow the economy, increase freedom, and promote health and safety. It would also move sales above ground so consumers can buy a lab-tested, regulated product and workers don’t face felonies.” “We would prefer cannabis legalization without waiting for a trigger,” HACR said. “Voters support legalization, and the longer the delay, the more harm is done.” Under the other proposal, SB 3275, adults 21 and older would be able to buy, possess and cultivate certain amounts of low-dose and low-THC cannabis for personal use. The legislation further provides protections for parents and employees who use marijuana in compliance with the law, and it describes public safety safeguards such as packaging restrictions and cultivation standards. The state attorney general’s office voiced opposition to the proposal, stating that, as currently drafted, the bill “effectively legalizes a level of non-medical adult-use cannabis without the necessary resources and regulatory scheme required to safely and effectively administer a non-medical adult-use cannabis program.” MPP, meanwhile, said that “Hawai’i should treat adults like grown ups who are allowed to make their own decisions about the plant.” “SB 3206 would take a significant step in that direction, but only if it also legalizes adult-use possession,” it said. “SB 3206 should also be revised to avoid pushing.” HACR, for its part, said “Hawaii’s existing cannabis laws “needlessly ensnare hundreds of people—disproportionately Native Hawaiian people—in its criminal justice system.” “Long after jail sentences are complete and fines are paid, cannabis arrest records derail lives, making it hard to get a job, education, and housing,” it said. “Like alcohol prohibition a century ago, cannabis prohibition has failed. It wastes taxpayer dollars, perpetuates racial disparities, puts consumers at risk, and locks people up for minor offenses in overcrowded jails and prisons,” it said. “Legalizing and responsibly regulating cannabis and THC-infused products would grow the economy, increase freedom, and promote health and safety. It would also move sales above ground so workers don’t face felonies.” “SB 3275 is a significant step in the right direction. However, it needs amendments to regulate and license cannabis sales, so that consumers can purchase a lab-tested, safe product, and to ensure responsible packaging and labeling,” it continued. “It’s time to move cannabis to the legal, regulated market and to stop derailing lives and pouring tax dollars down the drain.” Historically, it’s been the Hawaii Senate that’s proved more amenable to cannabis reform in the legislature—and the 2026 session hasn’t been any different so far. That was evidenced, in part, after key House lawmakers announced earlier this month that a pair of legalization bills that originated in the chamber were effectively dead for the year. Despite renewed hopes that the proposals—including one from House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee Chairman David Tarnas (D) that would have put the issue of legalization before voters at the ballot—would advance this year, the sponsor and House Speaker Nadine Nakamura (D) said there wasn’t enough support within the legislature to pass them this round. At Tuesday’s joint Senate committee hearing, members also took up a bill, SB 3206 from San Buenaventura, that would allow licensed hemp processors to sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing up to 5 milligrams of THC per serving to adults 21 and older. Flower hemp products could also be sold under the legislation. And the measure would further increase the THC limit for tinctures to 5 milligrams per serving. The panels additionally discussed a proposal, SB 3315 sponsored by Sen. Angus McKelvey (D), that would let patients and caregivers make a one-time medical marijuana purchases while their applications to become registered participants in the program are processed. State officials last month released a report on the potential economic impact of recreational marijuana legalization in the state, including revenue implications related to domestic and international tourism. All told, researchers said survey data and comparative analyses indicate that Hawaii could see anywhere from $46-$90 million in monthly marijuana sales by year five of implementation, after accounting for a maximum 15 percent tax rate on cannabis products. Hawaii’s Senate last year narrowly defeated a proposal that would have increased fivefold the amount of cannabis that a person could possess without risk of criminal charges. Had the measure become law, it would have increased the amount of cannabis decriminalized in Hawaii from the current 3 grams up to 15 grams. Possession of any amount of marijuana up to that 15-gram limit would have been classified as a civil violation, punishable by a fine of $130. A Senate bill that would have legalized marijuana for adults, meanwhile, ultimately stalled for the session. That measure, SB 1613, failed to make it out of committee by a legislative deadline. While advocates felt there was sufficient support for the legalization proposal in the Senate, it’s widely believed that House lawmakers would have ultimately scuttled the measure, as they did last February with a legalization companion bill, HB 1246. In 2024, a Senate-passed legalization bill also fizzled out in the House. Last year’s House vote to stall the bill came just days after approval from a pair of committees at a joint hearing. Ahead of that hearing, the panels received nearly 300 pages of testimony, including from state agencies, advocacy organizations and members of the public. Gov. Josh Green (D) signed separate legislation last year to allow medical marijuana caregivers to grow marijuana on behalf of up to five patients rather than the current one. And in July, the governor signed another bill that establishes a number of new rules around hemp products in Hawaii, including a requirement that distributors and retailers obtain a registration from the Department of Health. Lawmakers also sent a bill to the governor that would help speed the expungement process for people hoping to clear their records of past marijuana-related offenses—a proposal Green signed into law last April. That measure, HB 132, from Tarnas, is intended to expedite expungements happening through a pilot program signed into law in 2024 by Green. Specifically, it will remove a distinction between marijuana and other Schedule V drugs for the purposes of the expungement program. The bill’s proponents said the current wording of the law forces state officials to comb through thousands of criminal records manually in order to identify which are eligible for expungement under the pilot program. Meanwhile, in November, Hawaii officials finalized rules that will allow medical marijuana dispensaries to sell an expanded assortment of products for patients—including dry herb vaporizers, rolling papers and grinders—while revising the state code to clarify that cannabis oils and concentrates can be marketed for inhalation. The department also affirmed its support for federal marijuana rescheduling—a policy change that President Donald Trump ordered to be completed expeditiously but has yet to come to fruition. Hawaii lawmakers recently advanced a bill to allow qualifying patients to access medical marijuana at health facilities. — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — Regulators are also launching a series of courses designed to educate physicians and other healthcare professionals about medical marijuana as the state’s cannabis program expands. The underlying medical marijuana expansion bill signed by the governor in late June, in addition to allowing more patients to more easily access cannabis, also contains a provision that advocates find problematic. Before lawmakers sent the legislation to Green, a conference committee revised the plan, inserting a provision to allow DOH to access medical marijuana patient records held by doctors for any reason whatsoever. Photo courtesy of Philip Steffan. The post Hawaii Senators Take Up Marijuana Legalization Bills After Key House Lawmakers Signal Reform Is Dead For 2026 Session appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Virginia’s legislature took action on a series of marijuana bills on a key deadline Tuesday—advancing proposals to legalize cannabis sales, provide a pathway to resentencing for prior marijuana convictions and allow medical cannabis access in hospitals for seriously ill patients. On Tuesday’s crossover deadline to move bills from one chamber to the other, the House of Delegates and Senate passed differing versions of marijuana sales legislation that will now be sent to the other body for consideration. The House approved its measure from Del. Paul Krizek (D) in a 65-32 vote, and the Senate moved its proposal from Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D) in a vote of 21-19. Krizek said ahead of the vote that his bill is “about fixing a status quo that it’s not working.” “In fact, it’s a mess right now. Adult possession of cannabis is legal, but sales are unregulated, and that means no testing, no standards and no oversight whatsoever,” he said. “This bill will replace that gray market—it’s a $5 billion illegal market out there—with a regulated system that protects public health with testing, labeling, packaging and strong enforcement and penalties, and keeps products away from minors.” Aird, for her part, quipped on the Senate floor on Tuesday that she sought to “clear up the smoke” around her legislation by explaining its provisions. The Senate had already advanced a cannabis resentencing measure, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Louise Lucas (D), on third reading on Monday. And on Tuesday, the House companion from Del. Rozia Henson, Jr. (D) received final approval in that chamber, with members voting 63-34 to cross it over. While both House and Senate marijuana sales measures are aimed at giving adults a legal means of buying cannabis, the possession and home cultivation of which was legalized in the state in 2021, there are several substantive differences that will need to be resolved before the reform potentially goes to the governor’s desk. Those differences between the chambers’s versions include the start date for legal sales, cannabis tax rates and conversion fees for current medical marijuana businesses to participate in the recreational market and the form of the regulatory body that will oversee the industry, among other issues. With respect to the Senate bill, members recently clashed in committee about amendments to the body’s version that would have added new penalties for illegal cannabis activity. The amendments at issue from the Courts of Justice Committee included penalties for consumers who buy from unlicensed sources, the recriminalization of cannabis possession by people under 21 and making sales a class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense and a crime punishable by mandatory jail time for a second offense. As revised, the bill would have also raised the penalty for unlicensed cultivation to a felony punishable by up to five years in jail and made it a felony to transport with intent to distribute cannabis across state lines. But the Finance and Appropriations Committee reversed the amendments last week amid pressure from a coalition of advocacy groups that sent a letter to senators saying they undermined the “intent” of the legislation and the “will of the people” by adding criminal penalties for certain cannabis-related activity. Despite some key differences, both chambers’ commercial sales bills largely align with recommendations released in December by the legislature’s Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market. Since legalizing cannabis possession and home cultivation in 2021, Virginia lawmakers have worked to establish a commercial marijuana market—only to have those efforts consistently stalled under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who twice vetoed measures to enact it that were sent to his desk by the legislature. Here are the key details of the Virginia marijuana sales legalization legislation, SB 542 and HB 642: Adults would be able to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in a single transaction, or up to an equivalent amount of other cannabis products as determined by regulators. The House bill sets the state date for legal sales as November 1, 2026, while the Senate measure would allow them to begin on January 1, 2027. The Senate bill would set an excise tax on cannabis products of 12.875 percent, in addition to a 1.125 percent state sales tax and a mandatory 3 percent local tax. The House measure would apply an excise tax of 6 percent as well as a 5.3 percent retail sales and use tax, while allowing municipalities to set a local tax of up to 3.5 percent. Under the House bill, the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority would oversee licensing and regulation of the new industry, while the Senate legislation tasks that to a new combined Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control Authority. The House bill calls for revenue to be distributed to a new Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund (60 percent), early childhood education (10 percent), the Department of Behavioral & Developmental Health Services (25 percent) and public health initiatives (5 percent). The Senate proposal, meanwhile, would put 30 percent toward the equity reinvestment fund, 40 percent for early childhood eduction, 25 percent to the behavioral and developmental health services department and 5 percent to public health initiatives. Local governments could not opt out of allowing marijuana businesses to operate in their area. Delivery services would be allowed. Serving sizes would be capped at 10 milligrams THC, with no more than 100 mg THC per package. Existing medical cannabis operators could enter the adult-use market if they pay a licensing conversion fee that is set at $15 million in the Senate bill and $10 million in the House measure. Cannabis businesses would have to establish labor peace agreements with workers. A legislative commission would be directed to study adding on-site consumption licenses and microbusiness cannabis event permits that would allow licensees to conduct sales at venues like farmers markets or pop-up locations. It would also investigate the possibility of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority becoming involved in marijuana regulations and enforcement. “Now that we’ve passed the critical midway point, lawmakers can get the bills into conference and negotiate an answer to the question that Virginians are asking: ‘After five long years of waiting, when can sales finally begin?’” JM Pedini, development director for the advocacy group NORML and executive director for Virginia NORML, told Marijuana Moment on Tuesday. Newly sworn-in Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) supports legalizing adult-use marijuana sales. Meanwhile, House and Senate lawmakers also advanced separate legislation to provide resentencing relief for people with prior marijuana convictions. The legislation would create a process by which people who are incarcerated or on community supervision for certain felony offenses involving the possession, manufacture, selling or distribution of marijuana could receive an automatic hearing to consider modification of their sentences. The measure applies to people whose convictions or adjudications are for conduct that occurred prior to July 1, 2021, when a state law legalizing personal possession and home cultivation of marijuana went into effect. Also on Tuesday, the House passed on third reading a bill to enact what’s known as “Ryan’s law,” a policy change providing that patients with terminal illnesses who are registered cannabis patients can access medical marijuana at health facilities such as hospitals. The chamber approved that legislation, HB 75 from Del. Karen Keys-Gamarra (D), in a 95-1 vote. It would require healthcare facilities to establish policies “to address circumstances under which an eligible patient would be permitted to use medical cannabis.” Under the House legislation, healthcare facilities could suspend medical cannabis allowances if a federal agency such as the Department of Justice or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services takes enforcement action on the issue or issues a rule or notification expressly prohibiting use of medical cannabis in health facilities. The Senate passed differing legislation concerning the use of medical cannabis in health care facilities earlier this month. — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — Meanwhile, the Virginia House last week approved a bill to protect the rights of parents who use marijuana in compliance with state law. Under the proposal from Del. Nadarius Clark (D), possession of use of cannabis by a parent or guardian on its own “shall not serve as a basis to deem a child abused or neglected unless other facts establish that such possession or consumption causes or creates a risk of physical or mental injury to the child.” “A person’s legal possession or consumption of substances authorized under [the state’s marijuana law] alone shall not serve as a basis to restrict custody or visitation unless other facts establish that such possession or consumption is not in the best interest of the child,” the text of the bill, HB 942, states. Separately, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry recently published a new outlining workplace protections for cannabis consumers. The post Virginia Lawmakers Pass Bills To Legalize Marijuana Sales, Resentence Past Convictions And Allow Medical Cannabis In Hospitals appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Massachusetts has reached another marijuana milestone, with officials announcing that the state has surpassed $9 billion in adult-use cannabis purchases since the market launched in 2018. According to the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), Massachusetts recreational marijuana sales hit the $9 billion mark as of February 4. The update also notes that the state saw $1.65 billion in cannabis purchases in 2025 alone, and sales this year have already reached $151 million—with a “notable increase of sales preceding the region’s large snowstorm” in late January. “Every billion-dollar cannabis sales milestone is a reminder that this new sector supports thousands of jobs and transitions thousands of customers from the unregulated market,” Shannon O’Brien, chair of the CCC, said in a press release. “Each purchase is an investment in a legal, local business offering safely tested products to adult consumers to help fund any number of state operations and services.” CCC Executive Director Travis Ahern added that sales achievements like this “demonstrate the significant impact of a highly regulated industry that is still less than a decade old.” “The entire Commonwealth stands to benefit because cannabis tax revenue supports vital programs and services, from the [Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority] to the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund and substance abuse treatment programs,” Ahern said. Broken down by product type, cannabis flower has continued to be the most popular option for adult consumers, accounting for $13.9 million in the past week from February 9-15. That was followed by vape products ($7.8 million) and pre-rolls ($4.2 million). Also, since 2019, licensed medical cannabis dispensaries have grossed about $1.57 billion in sales. Combined medical and adult-use marijuana sales first surpassed $7 billion back in March 2024. Meanwhile, Massachusetts officials recently rejected a challenge to a ballot initiative that seeks to significantly roll back the state’s marijuana legalization law by repealing regulated sales. Weeks after cannabis activists filed a complaint with the State Ballot Law Commission under the Secretary of State’s office—alleging that petitioners with the anti-cannabis campaign used misleading tactics to convince voters to support its ballot placement—the body last month overruled the objection. This represents a setback for advocates and industry stakeholders who have flagged numerous accounts of alleged misconduct by petitioners working on behalf of the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts. It also comes as new polling shows nearly half of those who signed the marijuana sales repeal petition feel misled, with many claiming that the measure was pitched to them as a proposal to address unrelated issues such as public education and expanded housing. For what it’s worth, the anti-marijuana coalition has denied any wrongdoing in the signature collection process and waved off the survey results. Relatedly, the head of Massachusetts’s marijuana regulatory agency recently suggested that the measure to effectively recriminalize recreational cannabis sales could imperil tax revenue that’s being used to support substance misuse treatment efforts and other public programs. Whether the cannabis measures make the cut is yet to be seen. Voters approved legalization at the ballot in 2016, with sales launching two years later. And the past decade has seen the market evolve and expand. Massachusetts lawmakers also recently assembled a bicameral conference committee to reach a deal on a bill that would double the legal marijuana possession limit for adults and revise the regulatory framework for the state’s adult-use cannabis market. Last month, state regulators also finalized rules for marijuana social consumption lounges. — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — CCC recently launched an online platform aimed at helping people find jobs, workplace training and networking opportunities in the state’s legal cannabis industry. State lawmakers have also been considering setting tighter restrictions on intoxicating hemp-derived products and a plan to allow individual entities to control a larger number of cannabis establishments. Also in Massachusetts, legislators who were working on a state budget butted heads with CCC officials, who’ve said they can’t make critical technology improvements without more money from the legislature. Massachusetts lawmakers additionally approved a bill to establish a pilot program for the regulated therapeutic use of psychedelics. And two committees have separately held hearings to discuss additional psilocybin-related measures. The post Massachusetts Hits $9 Billion Recreational Marijuana Sales Milestone With Surge In Purchases Ahead Of Big Snowstorm appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Maryland lawmakers have approved a bill to extend a psychedelics task force through the end of 2027 to develop updated recommendations on expanding therapeutic access to the novel drugs and potentially creating a regulatory framework for broader legalization. Days after holding an initial hearing on the legislation from Del. Pam Guzzone (D), members of the House Health Committee voted 18-1 to advance it on Friday. A Senate companion version sponsored by Sen. Brian Feldman (D) was separately taken up in the Finance Committee on Thursday. Discussion on the House bill was limited, with no amendments or debate. Both chambers’ proposals are aimed at building upon a current law that created the Maryland Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances. That panel released an initial final report to state lawmakers last year, with recommendations for the phased implementation of a wide range of reforms to provide legal therapeutic access to substances such as psilocybin. Members of the task force have already advised that it was ultimately recommending a “multi-pathway framework for safe, broad, and equitable access to natural psychedelic substances, with an initial focus on psilocybin.” The psychedelics task force was formed following Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) signing of a pair of bills into law in 2024. The 17-person body, overseen by the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA), was charged with studying how to ensure “broad, equitable and affordable access to psychedelic substances” in the state. SB 336 and HB 427 would continue that work, maintaining the panel through December 31, 2027. In the interim, the task force would be required to submit an updated report to legislators with additional findings and recommendations by October 31 of this year. Beyond the extended timeline for the task force to study and develop the report, the current law would not change under the legislation. The multi-step regulatory framework that members recommended last year “involves phased implementation of complementary elements from medical/therapeutic use and supervised adult use, to deprioritization, and to commercial sales,” the report said. “This model broadly and inclusively serves the needs of Maryland’s diverse population while enabling unified safety standards, accountability, and viable economic pathways for small businesses.” The first phase of the plan would be to create an advisory board to establish safety parameters, data monitoring, practice guidelines, licensing protections, public education campaigns, training for facilitators, law enforcement and testing facilities, as well as “immediate restorative justice measures,” the report states. Under phase two, the state would implement “deprioritization measures” to mitigate the harms of criminalization, provide for supervised medical and adult-use consumption facilities, allow personal cultivation for “permitted individuals” and promote research processes. Finally, phase three would be contingent on the “demonstrated safety outcomes and provider confidence” based on the prior steps. Should those factors be satisfied, the last phase would lead to a commercial sales program for adults “who maintain an active license to use natural psychedelic substances,” coupled with an evaluation of the state’s “readiness for expanding to additional natural psychedelic substances.” “Safety and oversight measures ensure responsible and gradual expansion of access while maintaining capacity to identify and respond to emerging issues swiftly,” the report said. “This approach plans for long-term learning and improvement: starting small, utilizing built-in evaluation and accountability mechanisms from the outset, gathering real-world data, and committing to an iterative approach to policymaking.” Notably, the task force said it did not support “delaying state action pending future federal [Food and Drug Administration] approval.” “The Task Force recognizes that implementing such a comprehensive framework requires careful sequencing and coordination, with particular attention to scope of practice issues that may significantly affect the viability and safety of different pathways. However, the order of implementation must carefully consider professional regulatory frameworks and safety concerns raised by medical organizations and health care providers. The Task Force’s recommendation for simultaneous implementation of multiple pathways does not mean that all components must activate on the exact same day, but rather that Maryland should avoid the sequential approach seen in other jurisdictions where implementing one pathway causes others to ‘languish,’and/or bolster black and gray markets.” Rather, the task force said, the multi-phase approach to psychedelics reform “establishes foundational systems that support all pathways equally, followed by a coordinated launch of medical, supervised adult use, and deprioritization pathways, with commercial sales following once product safety systems are operational.” Members also said that the model envisioned could be used by other states to develop their own laws that “adapt to their own circumstances and values.”At this point, the task force is only looking at psilocybin, mescaline and DMT. While the legislature empowered members to investigate potential regulations for other psychedelic substances, they decided to take a more conservative approach in their initial work. As originally introduced, the House version of the task force legislation contained more prescriptive requirements to explore and issue recommendations on aspects of psychedelics policy such as “systems to support statewide online sales of natural psychedelic substances with home delivery” and “testing and packaging requirements for products containing natural psychedelic substances with clear and accurate labeling of potency.” That language was ultimately removed, however. The task force legislation advanced about two years after a different law took effect creating a state fund to provide “cost-free” access to psychedelics like psilocybin, MDMA and ketamine for military veterans suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injury. — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — Meanwhile, earlier this month, Maryland lawmakers took up a bill to protect the gun rights of medical marijuana patients in the state. Members of the House Judiciary Committee discussed the legislation from Del. Robin Grammer (R), who has sponsored multiple versions of the cannabis and gun rights measure over recent sessions, but they have not yet advanced to enactment. Meanwhile, a Republican congressional lawmaker representing Maryland who has built a reputation as one of the staunchest opponents of marijuana reform on Capitol Hill—and whose record includes ensuring that Washington, D.C. officials are blocked from legalizing recreational cannabis sales—may be at risk of being unseated in November due to redistricting in his state. Photo courtesy of Dick Culbert. The post Maryland Lawmakers Approve Bill To Extend Psychedelics Task Force Through 2027 appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

The first-ever White House drug czar says that while he loves President Donald Trump and “almost everything he does,” that affection doesn’t extend to the pending proposal to federally reschedule marijuana, which he described as a “gateway drug” that’s harming youth. William Bennett, who served as education secretary under former President Ronald Reagan before becoming the first director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), told Fox News Digital that cannabis “clouds focus and attention, which you obviously should have if you’re going to school.” “So it clouds that, it interferes with that, it inhibits that. It is also the gateway drug. It leads to the use of other drugs,” he said. “Almost anybody who uses a so-called ‘more dangerous’ drug than marijuana has entered through the portal called marijuana.” “I love Donald Trump. I love almost everything he does, but I don’t love this.” Although Bennett said it’s possible to “concede the fact that marijuana can have some positive effects,” people can “at the same time understand that it’s, on the whole, a negative.” Marijuana is “massively destructive of attention and focus among young people,” he said. “If you combine the dropout rate, the fact that attendance is down at schools and the use of marijuana among young people…it’s just another bad thing to happen to children.” The rescheduling proposal that the former drug czar opposes wouldn’t federally legalize marijuana. Rather, moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA)—which Trump ordered the attorney general to do in an executive order in December—would recognize its medical value, free up certain research barriers and allow cannabis businesses to take federal tax deductions. A White House spokesperson defended the administration’s rescheduling push in an earlier interview with Fox News Digital, stating that it’s part of his “pledge to expand medical research into applications of marijuana and cannabidiols.” “The president’s historic action paved the way for the development of promising new treatments for American patients, especially veterans—and the presence of several leaders from law enforcement and veterans groups at the Oval Office signing is indicative of how President Trump continues to push the envelope to support our nation’s heroes,” White House spokesperson Kush Desai said. Desai used the same statement in defending Trump’s cannabis action from criticism in December. Bennett, for his part, said he is hopeful the marijuana reform push can be reversed. “America’s always been a self-correcting society,” he said. “We do a lot of dumb things and bad things, but then we correct, and we can correct on this one.” The rescheduling plan has been met with mixed reactions on Capitol Hill. For example, prohibitionist Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) half-jokingly told Marijuana Moment last week that he felt the Justice Department should “take about 20 years” to finish the rescheduling process. In December, Harris separately said Trump doesn’t have the authority to unilaterally reschedule marijuana via executive order. But while lawmakers could overrule any administrative move to enact the reform, it would be a “heavy lift” in the Republican-controlled Congress, he acknowledged. Another GOP lawmaker on the other side of the debate, Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chair Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH), recently told Marijuana Moment that while marijuana rescheduling might not be at the top of the agenda for the Justice Department or White House amid competing interests, he and bipartisan colleagues will be ready when “opportunity does present itself.” Joyce separately said last month that he doesn’t think the attorney general would seek to undermine the president’s executive order to move marijuana to Schedule III despite any personal reservations she may have about the policy change. A DOJ spokesperson told Marijuana Moment last month that it had no “comment or updates” to share on the topic. However, an agency official more recently told Salon that “DOJ is working to identify the most expeditious means of executing the EO.” That phrasing is notable, signaling that the department is uncertain about the administrative pathway to finalize rescheduling. The hope among advocates and industry stakeholders was that the process would be more simple, with a final signature on the existing reform proposal that was released following a scientific review initiated under the prior Biden administration. DOJ has been notably silent on the issue in the weeks since Trump signed the order—even as the White House recently touted the president’s order as an example of a policy achievement during the first year of his second term. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Trump’s first pick for attorney general this term who ultimately withdrew his nomination, raised eyebrows last week after posting on X that he’s been told the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is actively drafting a rescheduling rule and intended to issue it “ASAP.” There’s some confusion around that point, however, as a rule is already pending before the Justice Department—and a new rule would presumably be subject to additional administrative review and public comment. Earlier this month, meanwhile, the White House declined to comment on the status of the rescheduling process, deferring Marijuana Moment to the Justice Department. A Democratic senator told Marijuana Moment earlier this month that it’s “too early to tell” what the implications of Trump’s cannabis order would be—saying that while there are “things that look promising” about it, he is “very concerned about where the DOJ will land.” “The ability of the Trump administration to speak out of both sides of their mouth is staggering,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said. “So I’m just going to wait and see right now. Obviously, there’s things that look promising—to end generations of injustice. I really want to wait and see.” — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — Also last month, two GOP senators filed an amendment to block the Trump administration from rescheduling cannabis, but it was not considered on the floor. Meanwhile, last month, DEA said the cannabis rescheduling appeal process “remains pending” despite Trump’s executive order. A recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report discussed how DOJ could, in theory, reject the president’s directive or delay the process by restarting the scientific review into marijuana. Attorney General Pam Bondi separately missed a congressionally mandated deadline last month to issue guidelines for easing barriers to research on Schedule I substances such as marijuana and psychedelics. The post Former White House Drug Czar Says Trump Is Wrong To Reschedule Marijuana, Calling It A ‘Gateway Drug’ That’s ‘Massively Destructive’ appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

You can be permitted to content artists, however it is not connections, in the event they are simply endorsed and additionally relating to question. how much does pay per click advertising cost

Oklahoma Republican leadership in both chambers are voicing skepticism over the governor’s suggestion that the state should put a measure on the ballot to roll back its medical marijuana program. After Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) used part of his State of the State address this month to pitch the idea of shutting down the state’s medical cannabis law, both Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton (R) and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R) have largely dismissed the proposal. Asked about the prospect of advancing a joint resolution in the legislature to put the issue back before voters, Hilbert said Oklahomans have already drawn a clear distinction: They support medical marijuana and “resoundingly” oppose adult-use legalization, based on past election results. “I think that’s the distinction for us as the legislature to follow, as well—making sure that marijuana is truly for medicinal purposes,” the speaker said. “I think something that the House of Representatives has stood strongly on over the past eight years and will continue to stand strong for this year is differentiating truly medical marijuana versus recreational.” Paxton, the Senate president, told Tulsa World that he’s spoken with the governor about the issue and “said the fortunate thing about the medical marijuana question was that it was passed statutorily, which means the legislature, if we wanted to abolish that state question, we could do it with legislative action.” “We wouldn’t even need a state question,” he said. “That cat’s already out of the bag. There are already people in Oklahoma that have set up businesses that are actually trying to do the right thing, trying to do what the will of the people was.” “I don’t think we need a state question, and going back to the original intent of the 2018 [State Question] 788 vote, it was the will of the people who said they wanted the medical marijuana program,” Paxton said, adding that he doesn’t think “there’s support in the legislature” to pass a resolution to put a measure on the ballot revisiting the issue. While the senator initially seemed to express openness to the idea, he separately said this month that he’s given it more thought and determined it’d be “really hard to completely undo” legalization and unfair to licensed medical cannabis operators who “invested their life savings into this program” and are “trying to do this for the Oklahomans that need that product—not for recreational, but for actual medicinal purposes.” “It’s hard to unring that bell,” he said. “What I’m going to suggest to the governor is that we don’t run a state question on that, but instead we continue to push the regulations [and] we continue to regulate the industry.” “What we got was this cartel-infested rural Oklahoma that was really, really the center of illegal marijuana in the nation,” Paxton said. “We have taken a big bite out of that, and we’re going to continue to work on it.” He added that he’d “give the attorney general’s office credit as well,” as they’ve worked “very hard on it and continue to drive the illegal element out of the state.” Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) was asked this month about the governor’s call to have voters revisit the state’s medical marijuana program, and he said he’d “love” to see the state’s medical marijuana program wiped out. However, he cautioned that doing so would mean reimbursing the hundreds of licensees participating in the market because the state would be “taking” a revenue source away from them. The governor’s push for a reevaluation of Oklahoma’s medical marijuana law has drawn mixed reactions from top lawmakers and officials. Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt (D), for example, said she’s “not into revisiting state questions,” and lawmakers should “trust the people, and we should actually implement them as well.” “This legislature, before our time, could have made a decision to put guardrails in place before this state question passed,” the senator said. “Instead, they stuck their head in the sand and let that question pass and be mayhem.” Chris Anoatubby, the lieutenant governor of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma, aligned himself with Stitt’s position, stating that the medical marijuana program as currently implemented has “been a problem all over Oklahoma.” He added that he’d “absolutely” support “reforming” the cannabis law. During his speech earlier this month, the governor complained that the state has “more dispensaries than we do pharmacies,” adding that marijuana retailers “hide an industry that enables cartel activity, human trafficking, and foreign influence in our state.” While regulators and law enforcement have “done incredible work to hold back the tide of illegal activity,” Stitt said, the industry is “plagued by foreign criminal interests and bad actors, making it nearly impossible to rein in.” “We can’t put a band-aid on a broken bone,” he said. “Knowing what we know, it’s time to let Oklahomans bring safety and sanity back to their neighborhoods. Send the marijuana issue back to the vote of the people and shut it down.” While the governor’s rhetoric signals he may be interested in seeing the medical cannabis industry shuttered altogether, it’s not clear what exactly he wants voters to decide on and his office has not released specific language of a proposed ballot measure. Back in 2022, Stitt similarly used his State of the State address as an opportunity to dig at the voter-approved medical marijuana law, arguing that residents were misled by proponents of the ballot initiative. Meanwhile, in November, Oklahoma activists withdrew an adult-use marijuana legalization initiative that they’d hoped to place on the state’s 2026 ballot. After a short but aggressive signature push to secure ballot placement, Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) ultimately did not turn in its petitions by the deadline, according to the secretary of state’s office. ORCA said following the governor’s speech that the call for an end to the medical cannabis program is “simply an admission of his administration’s failure.” “While we were busy advocating for common sense regulation, his appointees were busy importing thousands of illegal [Chinese Communist Party] grows,” the group said.”Fortunately, the Feds picked up prosecution.. because they weren’t getting held accountable by the State.” “Fortunately, [Stitt] has no power here. It will take a vote of both the House and Senate to propose a vote to cancel SQ 788,” they said.”As we all move forward we must continue to be forward thinking, not backward acting. We look forward to talking and working with lawmakers, now and in the future.” — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — Meanwhile, law enforcement leaders with the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs have been raising concerns about cannabis. Also in Oklahoma, lawmakers last March advanced a bill aimed at protecting gun rights of state-registered medical marijuana patients, although federal law still bars cannabis users from owning firearms regardless of their patient status. Another state bill filed last year by a GOP legislator would criminalize the use of medical cannabis during pregnancy. Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images. The post Oklahoma House And Senate GOP Leaders Dismiss Governor’s Push To Repeal Medical Marijuana At The Ballot appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

When your website or blog goes live for the first time, it is exciting. That is until you realize no one but you and your. PREDIKSI MACAU

Keep up the good work; I read few posts on this website, including I consider that your blog is fascinating and has sets of the fantastic piece of information. Thanks for your valuable efforts. PREDIKSI MACAU

Great list — I selected a server with an exciting raid rotation thanks to this guide. Consistent raid schedules and active raid teams matter big time. Real votes confirmed the raid quality. 성피모 Great compilation — the guide to guild ranking systems was insightful. Knowing progression paths for guilds helped me choose one to join. Real player reviews validated those systems. 한피연

VA marijuana sales legalization votes; NH psilocybin bill passes; Congressional candidates take cannabis pledge; PA marijuana tax op-ed Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day. Get our daily newsletter. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible… Hold on, just one second before you read today’s news. Have you thought about giving some financial support to Marijuana Moment? If so, today would be a great day to contribute. We’re planning our reporting for the coming months and it would really help to know what kind of support we can count on. Check us out on Patreon and sign up to give $25/month today: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) gloated to Marijuana Moment that cannabis has not yet been rescheduled, saying that the Department of Justice “should take about 20 years” to complete the process. “All I know is every day that goes by and it’s not rescheduled is another good day.” The Virginia Senate and House of Delegates gave initial approval to bills to legalize recreational marijuana sales—teeing up final votes this week and setting the stage for the two chambers to negotiate differences in the measures as cannabis resentencing legislation also advanced. A Florida marijuana campaign is asking the state Supreme Court to overturn officials’ decision to invalidate tens of thousands of signatures for a legalization initiative it wants to place on the November ballot. The New Hampshire House of Representatives approved a bill to legalize the regulated use of psilocybin for medical purposes, allowing patients with certain diagnoses to access the psychedelic. U.S. Senate and House candidates from Nebraska are pledging to do more to protect the state’s medical cannabis law than the current congressional delegation—including by fixing the fact that it was left out of a rider preventing federal interference in state medical marijuana programs. Max Jackson of Cannabis Wise Guys argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that Pennsylvania lawmakers must avoid over-taxing cannabis if it is legalized—saying other states’ experiences show it “kills cannabis markets’ ability to displace illicit sales and generate sustainable revenue.” A West Virginia delegate filed a bill to allocate medical cannabis revenue that is currently being unused as state officials voice concerns about federal law. / FEDERAL The Drug Enforcement Administration posted a profile of one of its community outreach specialists focused on reducing drug demand. The House bill to delay the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products got two new cosponsors for a total of 30. / STATES The California legislature’s Joint Committee on Legislative Audit and Assembly Business and Professions Committee will hold a hearing about cannabis packaging that is attractive to children on Tuesday. A North Carolina representative discussed his marijuana legalization bill. A West Virginia delegate said the state is losing out on tax dollars to its neighbors that have legalized marijuana. Ohio regulators filed proposed changes to marijuana and hemp rules. Alabama regulators are accepting public comments on proposed changes to medical cannabis business rules. Massachusetts regulators are considering a marijuana business licensing freeze. U.S. Virgin Islands regulators are still trying to figure out how to license hemp product sales as a deadline approaches. Michigan regulators published a monthly report on disciplinary actions against marijuana businesses. Minnesota regulators announced a statewide cannabis policy listening tour. The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board will meet on Thursday. Nevada regulators will host workshops about proposed changes to marijuana rules on March 3 and 4. The New Hampshire Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board will meet on March 4. — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — / LOCAL A court upheld Highland Park, Michigan’s ban on marijuana businesses. A Cincinnati, Ohio City Council member authored an op-ed about his plan to use marijuana revenue to fund programs to aid communities impacted by prohibition. / INTERNATIONAL German lawmakers are pushing for expansion of the country’s marijuana legalization law. The International Criminal Court named Philippine senators and other officials as co-conspirators in the trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte over the nation’s bloody “war on drugs.” / SCIENCE & HEALTH A review highlighted “the impact of cannabidiol on glial cell activity in ischemic stroke, proposing it as a multi-target agent with therapeutic potential in post-stroke recovery and neuroprotection.” A review concluded that “some [traumatic brain injury] patients are experimenting with psychedelic use with the intention of managing their symptoms” and that “most respondents indicated some self-reported improvements to their TBI-related symptoms and that most users reported psilocybin as the effective substance in managing their symptoms.” / BUSINESS Innovia Consulting acquired 365Vertical and 365 Cannabis. Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox. Get our daily newsletter. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: The post GOP congressman celebrates cannabis’s ongoing Schedule I status (Newsletter: February 17, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

I can’t imagine focusing long enough to research; much less write this kind of article. You’ve outdone yourself with this material. This is great content. TOTO MACAU

120. Microdosing for Midlife: Hormones, Perception, and Libido (Week 3) Exploring how menopause, perception shifts, and nervous system regulation intersect with midlife libido. Episode Summary This episode continues Week 3 of Microdosing for Midlife, April Pride’s 12-part audio companion to her Substack series exploring microdosing through the lens of midlife transition. In this conversation, April examines one of the most quietly asked questions among women in perimenopause and menopause: can microdosing influence hormones or libido? Rather than positioning psilocybin as a hormonal intervention, she reframes the inquiry around perception, serotonin signaling, emotional regulation, and nervous system safety. The episode explores how estrogen fluctuations affect mood stability, why cortisol and stress patterns shape desire, and how subtle perceptual shifts—rather than dramatic sensations—may influence connection and intimacy. Through personal reflection and grounded science, April centers integration over hype. Key Takeaways • Sub-perceptual microdosing is about perception shifts, not noticeable psychedelic effects• Estrogen plays a role in serotonin regulation and emotional stability• Hormonal fluctuations in midlife can increase anxiety and mood vulnerability• Libido is influenced by stress regulation and psychological safety• Psilocybin research currently focuses on emotional systems—not hormone “balancing”• Interoception (body awareness) may shift during midlife transitions• Structured integration matters more than isolated insight Timestamps [00:00] Episode disclaimer and introduction[01:00] The neurobiology of change and structured microdosing[02:00] Sensation vs. perception in microdosing[04:00] Rewriting grief narratives and identity shifts[05:00] Estrogen, serotonin, and cortisol interactions[06:30] Oxytocin, connection, and emotional openness[08:00] Interoception and body awareness[09:00] Libido and menopause[10:00] Emotional safety and renewed desire[11:00] Closing reflections Additional Resources Micro-Psyched Microdosing Guide Original Week 3 post on Substack Women in the Wild - Reserve your spot! Learn more about this episode: https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/microdosing-for-midlife-week-3-hormones-libido Hosted by April Pride Subscribe for April’s newsletter on Substack at https://aprilpride.substack.com/subscribe or at getsetset.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@getsetset⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@getsetset⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@getsetset Get full access to SetSet with April Pride at aprilpride.substack.com/subscribeCatch the full episode here

The presence of an elegant partner who possesses charming self-assurance brings excitement to our private evening activities. Our companions establish an atmosphere which combines comfort with alluring entertainment value. The Escorts in South Ex provides sophisticated clients with a quiet way to meet their partners for elegant and exceptional dating experiences.

neat post, very explanatory and there is no chance anyone would go from here no understanding everythin. bravo and check my websit for more on this. iptv dutchland

A Florida campaign hasn’t thrown in the towel just yet on its proposal to put marijuana legalization on the November ballot, with an appeal concerning the invalidation of about 71,000 signatures now before the state Supreme Court. While the court recently agreed to close a separate case involving a legal review into the ballot measure from Smart & Safe Florida, it’s now been handed another case challenging the earlier mass signature invalidation. The state’s First District Court of Appeal submitted a notice to invoke discretionary jurisdiction and notice of appeal to the Florida Supreme Court on Monday, opening back up the possibility that voters could decide on legalization at the polls later this year. That’s contingent on justices accepting the case and the campaign prevailing, of course. Smart & Safe Florida “contends that approximately 70,000 petitions designated as invalid should be counted towards the number of signed petitions required for ballot placement,” the notice states. “Smart & Safe Florida invokes the discretionary jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court to review the decision of this court rendered January 23, 2026. The decision expressly affects a class of constitutional or state officers.” Back in December, advocates filed a lawsuit in the Leon County circuit court, claiming Secretary of State Cord Byrd (R) unlawfully directed county election officials to invalidate about 42,000 signatures from so-called “inactive” voters and roughly 29,000 signatures collected by out-of-state petitioners. That lawsuit came after another court upheld a previous decision to strike about 200,000 signatures that the state said were invalid because the petitions didn’t include the full text of the proposed initiative. The campaign contested the legal interpretation, but it declined to appeal the decision based on their confidence they’d collected enough signatures to make up the difference. Smart & Safe Florida has generally disputed the secretary of state’s signature count, asserting the campaign submitted over 1.4 million petitions—hundreds of thousands more than the 880,062 valid signatures required to go before voters. In a recent filing with the Supreme Court, Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) said his office was withdrawing its earlier request for a legal review in the constitutionality of the proposed cannabis initiative because the state claimed the campaign submitted an insufficient number of signed petitions. The last count, according to the secretary of state’s office, was 783,592 validated signatures. In its reply brief, Smart & Safe Florida said the secretary of state’s office made a determination that the campaign didn’t satisfy requirements for ballot placement based on a “conclusion that the Sponsor failed to meet the requisite signature threshold in light of the invalidations that the Sponsor is contesting.” Ahead of the signature turn-in, Florida’s attorney general and several business and anti-marijuana groups urged the state Supreme Court to block the cannabis initiative, calling it “fatally flawed” and unconstitutional. The Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Legal Foundation and Judge Frank Shepherd filed a separate joint brief stating that the parties remain “especially vigilant about the abuse of the citizen initiative process by out-of-state interests that think of Florida as just another market and the citizen initiative process as just another means of exploiting that market.” The Florida Chamber of Commerce has consistently opposed attempts to move forward with adult-use legalization, even as its own polling has shown majority support for the reform. The campaign fought several legal battles this cycle to ensure that its initiative is able to qualify for ballot placement. Last month, the state attorney general’s office opened dozens of criminal investigations and submitted subpoenas requesting records from Smart & Safe Florida and its contractors and subcontractors over alleged fraud related to the petitioning effort. Activists said in November that they’d collected more than one million signatures to put the cannabis measure on the ballot, but it’s also challenged officials at the state Supreme Court level over delays the certification process, arguing that the review of the ballot content and summary should have moving forward months ago when it reached an initial signature threshold. The state then agreed to move forward with the processing. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) campaigned heavily against an earlier version of the legalization proposal, which received a majority of voters in 2024 but not enough to meet the 60 percent threshold required to pass a constitutional amendment. Former Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) unsuccessfully contested the prior initiative in the courts. Last March, meanwhile, two Democratic members of Congress representing Florida asked the federal government to investigate what they described as “potentially unlawful diversion” of millions in state Medicaid funds via a group with ties to DeSantis. The money was used to fight against a citizen ballot initiative, vehemently opposed by the governor, that would have legalized marijuana for adults. The lawmakers’ letter followed allegations that a $10 million donation from a state legal settlement was improperly made to the Hope Florida Foundation, which later sent the money to two political nonprofits, which in turn sent $8.5 million to a campaign opposing Amendment 3. The governor said last February that the newest marijuana legalization measure is in “big time trouble” with the state Supreme Court, predicting it would be blocked from going before voters this year. “There’s a lot of different perspectives on on marijuana,” DeSantis said. “It should not be in our Constitution. If you feel strongly about it, you have elections for the legislature. Go back candidates that you believe will be able to deliver what your vision is on that.” “But when you put these things in the Constitution—and I think, I mean, the way they wrote, there’s all kinds of things going on in here. I think it’s going to have big time trouble getting through the Florida Supreme Court,” he said. The latest initiative was filed with the secretary of state’s office just months after the initial version failed during the November 2024 election—despite an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Smart & Safe Florida expressed optimism that the revised version would succeed in 2026. The campaign—which in the last election cycle received tens of millions of dollars from cannabis industry stakeholders, principally the multi-state operator Trulieve—incorporated certain changes into the new version that seem responsive to criticism opponents raised during the 2024 push. For example, it now specifically states that the “smoking and vaping of marijuana in any public place is prohibited.”Another section asserts that the legislature would need to approve rules dealing with the “regulation of the time, place, and manner of the public consumption of marijuana.” In 2023, the governor accurately predicted that the 2024 cannabis measure from the campaign would survive a legal challenge from the state attorney general. It’s not entirely clear why he feels this version would face a different outcome. While there’s uncertainty around how the state’s highest court will navigate the measure, a poll released last February showed overwhelming bipartisan voter support for the reform—with 67 percent of Florida voters backing legalization, including 82 percent of Democrats, 66 percent of independents and 55 percent of Republicans. — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — In the background, a recent poll from a Trump-affiliated research firm found that nearly 9 in 10 Florida voters say they should have the right to decide to legalize marijuana in the state. Meanwhile, last week, Florida senators approved an amended bill to increase the amount of medical marijuana a registered patient can buy and slash the fee for medical cannabis identification cards for military veterans. The vote came after the Senate Regulated Industries Committee passed separate legislation to ban smoking or vaping marijuana in public places. Rep. Alex Andrade (R) is sponsoring a similar bill to ban public cannabis smoking in the House. Here’s an overview of other pending Florida marijuana bills: A House lawmaker is sponsoring a bill to legalize recreational marijuana that also aims to break up what he calls “monopolies” in the state’s current medical cannabis program by revising the business licensing structure. Another representative’s bill would protect the parental rights of medical cannabis patients, preventing them from losing custody of their children for using their medicine in accordance with state law. A senator is sponsoring a bill to legalize home cultivation of marijuana for registered medical cannabis patients in the state. Photo elements courtesy of rawpixel and Philip Steffan. The post Florida Marijuana Campaign Asks Supreme Court To Restore 71,000 Legalization Ballot Signatures State Officials Tossed appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net