Author: News Room

The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize marijuana on Wednesday. The legislation, which is being sponsored by Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R) and Minority Leader Matthew Wilhelm (D), was approved in a 234-127 vote. Rep. Anita Burroughs (D) said during Wednesday’s floor debate that the proposal is “good legislation that is the result of the goodwill and diligent work of both political parties.” “We can now join other New England states that offer safe, regulated and a profitable cannabis industry to their citizens,” she said. The bill “allows us to do it the reasonable way, the…

“With strong support from Iowans and neighboring states that have already approved, it’s time to legalize marijuana for adult use.” By Luke Clausen, Iowa Capital Dispatch Iowa House Democrats unveiled legislation Tuesday to legalize marijuana, citing competition from neighboring states. “With strong support from Iowans and neighboring states that have already approved, it’s time to legalize marijuana for adult use,” House Minority Whip Rep. Lindsay James of Dubuque said. “The comprehensive bill we are introducing today will keep Iowans safe, stop our tax dollars from going to neighboring states, improve the quality of life for Iowans suffering from chronic illnesses…

Governors from states of diverse political backgrounds are calling on Congress to get the job done on marijuana banking and discussing reform developments in their respective states. As part of a Politico event series this month, the governors of Illinois, Minnesota and North Dakota recently sat down for one-on-one interviews and each took questions about cannabis policy at the state and federal levels. While the top state officials might share differing perspectives on the best strategy for marijuana reform, one consistency in the interviews concerned the need for congressional lawmakers to advance legislation to free up licensed cannabis businesses to…

In 1995, the president of the American Pain Society called for pain to be added as a fifth vital sign evaluated and managed by physicians—body temperature, heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure are the original four. Measuring pain subsequently became a widely accepted practice among clinicians. With 20% of adults experiencing chronic pain, prescription opioids soon doubled and Americans began consuming 80% of the global opioid supply. President Trump officially declared the opioid crisis a “public health emergency” in October 2017. By then, the United States was approaching 50,000 opioid overdose deaths total and nearly 60% of them were due…

“A thriving hemp industry in Nebraska could create new job opportunities and stimulate economic growth, particularly in rural areas of the state.” By Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner A legislative committee Tuesday considered proposals to harmonize Nebraska’s hemp regulation with federal standards and terminate the Nebraska Hemp Commission. Legislative Bill 263, introduced by the Agriculture Committee at the request of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, would amend the Nebraska Hemp Farming Act to align with the federal 2018 Farm Bill in the following ways: Increasing the harvest window of hemp from 15 to 30 days. Requiring the Nebraska Hemp Commission to…

A South Carolina Senate committee has approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana in the state. Sen. Tom Davis (R) introduced the S.C. Compassionate Care Act last month, with tweaks that are meant to avoid procedural problems that derailed an earlier version the reform last year. The prior measure had cleared the full Senate but stalled out on the House floor because of a procedural issue with tax-related language. On Tuesday, in a 9-8 vote, the Senate Medical Affairs Committee used a process to advance the new legislation without physically meeting. It next heads to a floor vote. Overall, the…

Oklahoma activists are stepping up their push to raise voter awareness of an initiative to legalize marijuana that will appear on the state ballot next month, with new ads and door-knocking efforts. With just weeks before the special election on March 7, the Yes on 820 campaign is making sure that people know what’s at stake. A pair of 15- and 30-second ads that recently launched explain the basics of the legalization measure and urge voters to “vote yes” at the ballot. “Get the facts about State Question 820. The law will regulate and tax marijuana for adults 21 and…

Another Minnesota House committee approved a bill to legalize marijuana in the state on Tuesday, with a Senate panel also taking up its version of the legislation but delaying a vote until Wednesday. The House Health Finance and Policy Committee passed the legislation from Rep. Zack Stephenson (D) in a voice vote on Monday, marking the 10th panel to clear the reform in that chamber. In the Senate, meanwhile, the Health and Human Services Committee took up a companion measure that’s being sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Port (D). While the panel acted on several amendments, it ran out of time…

A North Carolina Senate committee approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana on Tuesday—days after a top House lawmaker said his chamber is positioned to enact the reform this session after blocking similar legislation last year. The Senate Judiciary Committee, which held an initial hearing on the cannabis legislation from Sen. Bill Rabon (R) last week, advanced it in a voice vote. It also adopted several amendments. The measure, which will have two more Senate panel stops before potentially heading to the floor, would allow patients with qualifying conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and multiple sclerosis…

The 2024 presidential election cycle is already heating up, with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) announcing that she’s seeking the Republican nomination. So where does she stand on marijuana policy issues? That’s a question that will be asked of all major candidates over the coming months as the circle of prospective nominees inevitably widens. Haley, who also served as United Nations (UN) ambassador under President Donald Trump, doesn’t have an especially extensive cannabis background. But she did sign limited reform legislation into law during her time as governor. And she’s expressed openness to continuing conversations with advocates and…