January 18, 2021
Kansas lawmakers introduce new marijuana bill
A new year means new marijuana legalization bills in the Kansas legislature. On Wednesday, a medical marijuana bill was introduced with the support of the Kansas Cannabis Industry Association.
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January 18, 2021
Sarasota County moves again to restrict recreational marijuana, even if it’s legalized in Florida
Four states voted to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in November, and in early December, the U.S. House voted to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. But as several constitutional amendments are likely headed to Florida voters in 2022 – and as state lawmakers look to consider a bill this year that would make it available for adults
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As legal hemp cultivation in Kansas enters its third year, licensed farmers can look forward to growing the crop commercially in 2021 rather than participating in the pilot program that has been in place since 2019.
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January 15, 2021
Virginia moving to legalize marijuana sales, Northam says in proposed bill - The Virginian-Pilot
Virginia took one step closer to legalizing marijuana sales Wednesday due to legislation proposed by Gov. Ralph Northam’s team. Backed by state Sens. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, the legislation would allow licensed people 21 and older to sell the drug starting on Jan. 1, 2023.
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January 15, 2021
Bill creating 75 more pot shops dies in Springfield, yet another failure in bid to diversify white weed industry
A push to create 75 additional cannabis dispensary licenses fell short on Wednesday, further stymying state lawmakers’ lofty goal of diversifying Illinois’ overwhelmingly white weed industry. Though state senators approved the measure earlier Wednesday, their counterparts in the House failed to call it for a vote before the lame duck session ended. State Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Chicago Democrat who was part of a legislative working group that contemplated the additional licenses, said the bill fell flat because legislators “failed at the art of compromise.” “Because of that the state of Illinois continues to lock Black people out of an emerging economy,” said Ford, who previously said the state’s social equity efforts have amounted to “an epic failure.” Ford said the major sticking point was the prospect of allowing existing medical dispensaries to relocate without losing their ability to sell recreational weed — something some major pot firms have long been pushing for. Industry insiders have estimated the state is missing out on roughly $100 million in tax revenues by blocking dispensaries from moving.
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An Indiana senator introduced two new bills last week, which would legalize and regulate marijuana in the state. Sen. Karen Tallian introduced SB 87 and 223 which would allow for the regulation and legalization of marijuana.
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January 11, 2021
Democratic-led Senate could clear a path to marijuana legalization
Democrats taking control of the Senate — decided Wednesday by Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff's win over GOP Sen. David Perdue in the Georgia Senate runoff election — significantly changes the prospects for passing cannabis legislation in the new Congress.
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January 11, 2021
N.J. legal weed bill with penalties for underage use advances. Lawmakers hope it’s close to becoming law.
Two legislative committees Thursday approved a bill (A5211) that seeks to address issues in bills to legalize and set a market for marijuana (A21) and decriminalize weed (A1897). The votes by the Assembly Appropriations Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee set up both bills for full floor votes in the Senate and Assembly Monday. If passed, they go back to Murphy’s desk to become law.
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January 11, 2021
Emails show negotiations involving Colorado governor, cigarette giant that led to tobacco tax hike
The emails obtained by The Sun were included in lawsuits filed in Denver District Court and federal court against Gov. Jared Polis and backed by the discount cigarette company Liggett Vector Brands Inc. seeking to invalidate a minimum-price clause in Proposition EE
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January 11, 2021
Indiana Cigarette Tax Increase May Gain New Life Amid COVID-19
Debates Indiana lawmakers have been having for years will once again surface in the 2021 session, including whether to raise the state’s cigarette tax. But that issue may find new life thanks to viewing it through a new lens: the COVID-19 pandemic.
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