Becoming an elite athlete takes years of dedication — long days, longer nights, pain, and sacrifice. As an Olympic caliber sprinter, Sha’Carri Richardson committed herself to the process, navigating a labyrinth of rules and regulations for the chance to compete at the highest level of her sport. On July 2, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) dashed her dreams of participating in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games with a suspension for violating its ban on marijuana, an outdated rule with no basis in science.

Demonstrating maturity and poise, Sha’Carri took full responsibility for breaking the rules, but her acceptance can’t change the weight of this injustice. The USADA’s marijuana ban, derived from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) classification, is a vestige of cannabis prohibition’s vile legacy. A legacy that is built on racism. 

Harry Anslinger, a founding commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, designed and successfully executed the campaign to outlaw cannabis. He crafted it as a tool to suppress and control what he called the “degenerate races.” More than eight decades later, Anslinger’s crusade against cannabis, which snaked its way into our cultural norms, finally shows signs of cracking. Adult-use marijuana is currently legal in Washington, D.C. and 19 states, including Oregon, where 21-year-old Sha’Carri consumed to cope with the tragic loss of her mother.

Ninety-one percent of Americans support cannabis legalization for medical or adult use. Other sports leagues have removed cannabis restrictions, and it’s time for both WADA and USADA to pull the plant from its list of prohibited substances. Congress has demonstrated support for eliminating the ban, and President Biden should unequivocally support this reform as well. The current policy is indefensible. 

The World Anti-Doping Agency outlaws marijuana claiming that it is both a performance-enhancing drug and a substance of abuse. The agency's own medical director, Dr. Alan Vernec, stated, "There is no evidence for cannabis use as a performance-enhancing drug," in a co-authored paper for The Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. And, the 'substance of abuse' label is an arbitrary and nebulous designation, permitting WADA to suspend athletes who test positive, effectively forcing them to enter a drug treatment program in order to shorten their punishment.

Sadly, Sha’Carri’s atonement wasn’t enough to garner her a second chance. USA Track and Field (USATF) excluded her from the relay team, despite her eligibility. In the span of two weeks, Sha’Carri went from being the breakout star of the USA Track Team to being completely shut out of the Olympic Games. All because of a rule that should not exist.

While the nation grieves the loss of a potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity along with Sha’Carri, we must also speak out to ensure that she is the last American athlete to suffer the indignity of being banned from Olympic competition for consuming cannabis. The damage caused by prohibition permeates our governmental, societal, and cultural institutions. In order to repair the harm, we need to stand against the injustice and continue the fight to legalize and normalize cannabis, demanding an end to archaic and discriminatory policies, wherever they may be. 

— Steven Hawkins, executive director, Marijuana Policy Project

Later this year, Rhode Island could become the 20th state in the nation to approve a law that legalizes cannabis for adults. Though the clock ran out in the regularly scheduled legislative session as lawmakers adjourned late last week, there’s still a good chance Rhode Island will end cannabis prohibition before the end of 2021. 

Earlier in June, for the first time ever, a bill to legalize cannabis for adults passed in a legislative chamber of the Rhode Island General Assembly, when a proposal sponsored by longtime reform champion Sen. Josh Miller passed the state Senate 29-9. 

Previously in the legislative session, Gov. Dan McKee and leaders in the House also introduced separate proposals to legalize cannabis, though those bills did not advance out of their respective committees. Each of the proposals differ in how they would regulate Rhode Island’s adult-use cannabis market, and lawmakers will need to reach a consensus in order to move forward. 

The good news is that Speaker of the House Joe Shekarchi has told The Providence Journal recently that cannabis legalization is one of his “summer projects,” and other top lawmakers have indicated that they think a unified plan can emerge in time to pass cannabis legalization in a special legislative session slated for this fall.

It’s an exciting time for our movement. Eight states have legalized cannabis for adults in the last eight months — and if I were betting, I’d say that Rhode Island is the odds on favorite to be next.

Thank you for supporting sensible cannabis policy reforms, and stay tuned for more updates later this summer.

Just last week Connecticut became the 19th state to legalize cannabis for adult use. Today, the law officially goes into effect.

Starting today, adults can legally possess up to one and a half ounces of cannabis on their person and up to five ounces in their home, a locked container in their residence, a locked glove box, or their vehicle’s trunk. Additionally, the odor or smell of cannabis can no longer be used as a basis to stop or search. Lastly, the law sets aside fifty percent of the licenses for equity applicants and dedicates upwards to 60 percent of the revenue to equity efforts. You can check out a full summary of the law here.

Connecticut is one of four states to legalize cannabis legislatively this year and now joins Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont as legalized states in New England.

We also want to remind folks that driving under the influence remains illegal, and we encourage everyone to please consume responsibly. We are extremely appreciative to all the lawmakers and advocates that contributed to this historic achievement. Congratulations all!

It’s been an historic year for cannabis policy reform – with four states legalizing in 2021 alone and the total number of adult-use legalization states now reaching 19!

Three of the new state legalization laws have recently gone into effect: New Mexico’s on June 29, and Connecticut and Virginia’s on July 1. In addition, South Dakota's new medical cannabis law also takes effect on July 1. Read on to learn more about these new laws.

New Mexico

In April, New Mexico became the 18th state to legalize adult-use cannabis. On June 29, the new legalization law officially went into effect.

Adults (21+) may now legally possess up to two ounces of cannabis and cultivate up to six mature plants. Cannabis sales will begin no later than April 2022. You can check out our full summary of the law here.

Connecticut

In June, Connecticut became the 19th state to legalize cannabis for adults. On July 1, the new law officially went into effect.

Adults (21+) may now legally possess up to one and a half ounces of cannabis on their person and up to five ounces in their home, a locked container in their residence, a locked glove box, or their vehicle’s trunk. Additionally, the odor or smell of cannabis can no longer be used as a basis to stop or search. Lastly, the law sets aside fifty percent of the licenses for equity applicants and dedicates upwards to 60 percent of the revenue to equity efforts. Legal sales are anticipated to begin by May 2022. Adults will be allowed to securely cultivate cannabis at home starting July 1, 2023. You can check out a full summary of the law here and a condensed summary here.

Virginia

Virginia became the 17th state to legalize cannabis for adult use in April, making history as the first state in the South to legalize cannabis for adults. On July 1, the new law officially went into effect.

Adults (21+) may now legally possess up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to four cannabis plants at their primary residence. Legal sales will begin no earlier than July 2024. You can check out our full summary of the law here.

South Dakota

The new medical cannabis law in South Dakota also took effect July 1. Medical cannabis patients who comply with specific requirements will not be arrested for possession of up to three ounces of cannabis. The state has until November 18 of this year to begin issuing medical cannabis patient ID cards. The deadline for promulgating rules for businesses is October 29, 2021. The South Dakota Department of Health is responsible for implementing the policy. You can read the law here: SDCL 34-20G.

We are also waiting for the South Dakota Supreme Court to issue a ruling on Governor Noem’s lawsuit to repeal Amendment A, the marijuana legalization ballot initiative approved by 54% of South Dakota voters in 2020. We do not know when a ruling will be issued. Read more about the lawsuit here.

We also want to remind folks that driving under the influence of cannabis remains illegal in all states, and we encourage everyone to please consume responsibly!

Virginia became the 17th state to legalize cannabis for adult use in April. Today, the new law officially goes into effect!

Starting today, adults can legally possess up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to four cannabis plants at their primary residence. Note, however, that it remains a crime to bring any amount of cannabis into the state of Virginia. Legal sales will begin no earlier than July 2024. You can check out our full summary of the law here.

Virginia is one of four states to legalize cannabis legislatively this year, with the total number of adult-use legalization states now reaching 19. It is also made history as the first state in the South to legalize cannabis for adults.

Thank you to the lawmakers and advocates who worked tirelessly to end cannabis prohibition in Virginia. It has truly been a historical year for cannabis policy reform!

Despite 75% public support for legalizing cannabis, New Hampshire remains an island of prohibition

It has been another frustrating legislative session for cannabis policy reforms in New Hampshire, but we did manage to make some progress. Several bills impacting the medical cannabis program have passed the House and Senate, and most of them are clear improvements. Some of these bills have already been signed by Gov. Chris Sununu, while others are either on his desk or on their way to his desk:

HB 605 — adds opioid use disorder as a qualifying condition and permits out of state patients to access N.H. dispensaries on a limited basis (awaiting action from Gov. Sununu).

SB 162 — allows N.H. patients to access any of the state's dispensaries, rather than requiring that they select a dispensary when they register (awaiting action from Gov. Sununu).

HB 89 — adds moderate to severe insomnia as a qualifying symptom and autism spectrum disorder as a qualifying condition (effective as of June 24).

HB 240 — requires dispensaries to identify strain names on labels and allows them to put strain names on their websites (effective beginning August 3).

HB 163 — requires counseling about potential harms of cannabis for people under 25 and “women who are of child-bearing age” before they can be certified for therapeutic cannabis (effective beginning July 24).

SB 38 — allows N.H. dispensaries to reorganize as for-profit corporations or LLCs (awaiting action from Gov. Sununu, who vetoed a similar bill in 2019).

Additionally, two adult-use legalization bills have been retained by the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Despite overwhelming public support for legalization, it’s not yet clear whether the committee intends to give these bills the attention they deserve.

Thanks Very Much for Your Support

With somewhat mixed feelings, I have decided to move on from MPP to pursue another opportunity. Today will be my last day on the job. However, I intend to remain involved in the New Hampshire political scene, and I will continue to share updates on cannabis policy in the New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy Facebook group and on Twitter. MPP will also continue to send you email updates.

To all who have supported our efforts over the years, I can’t thank you enough. This has been my 14th year working on cannabis policy reform and my 10th year as a full-time employee of MPP, and although I am frustrated by New Hampshire's continued status as an “island of prohibition,” it has been an honor and a privilege to help move our state and region toward more compassionate, humane, and sensible cannabis policies.

Contact your lawmakers today and ask them to prioritize HB 150 in 2022!

This year, two House committees approved HB 150 — a bill to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults in Delaware. The bill was cleared and scheduled for a House floor vote on June 10, but unfortunately, that vote was postponed to allow more time to work on amendments.

The legislature adjourns today. However, since the General Assembly holds a two-year session, the bill will pick up where it left off in January 2022.

While it’s unfortunate that the bill wasn’t taken up this year, we must keep the pressure on lawmakers to prioritize HB 150 when they return in January. Please reach out to your lawmakers today and ask them to support HB 150 next session!

Be sure to stay plugged in to the Delaware Cannabis Policy Coalition email alerts leading up to 2022 for actions to take to help make sure HB 150 makes it over the finish line next year.

Mourning Deborah Hamilton

We also wanted to share some very sad news. Deborah Hamilton — who lobbied for medical cannabis, decriminalization, and legalization for MPP over the years — passed away recently. Debbie was among the most respected and skilled advocates in Leg Hall, and she was absolutely crucial to the progress that has been made in the First State for humane cannabis policies. We are lucky to have worked closely with her, and our hearts break for her family and loved ones.

Back in April, New Mexico became the 18th state to legalize adult-use cannabis. Today, the new legalization law officially goes into effect.

Adults may now legally possess up to two ounces of cannabis and cultivate up to six mature plants. Cannabis sales will begin no later than April 2022. You can check out our full summary of the law here.

New Mexico was one of four states to legalize cannabis legislatively this year, with the total of adult-use legalization states now reaching 19.

Thank you to the lawmakers and advocates who worked tirelessly to end cannabis prohibition in the Land of Enchantment. It has truly been a historical year for cannabis policy reform!

Ask your councilmembers to support Councilmember Moreno’s cannabis “full decriminalization” ordinances.

“It is the policy of the Council of the City of New Orleans, that the arrest, prosecution, and punishment of individuals solely charged with simple possession of marijuana presents greater harm to the health, safety, and welfare of the City than the act of possession itself.”
— Proposed ordinance 33,328

In 2016, the New Orleans City Council passed an ordinance to “decriminalize” cannabis possession, replacing possible jail time with a modest fine. Advocates hoped the tickets issued would not count as a conviction for purposes of collateral consequences — such as related to student loans and job applications. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case.

City Council President Helena Moreno has proposed an ordinance to remove the scarlet letters that have derailed the dreams of more than 15,000 individuals for being caught possessing a plant that is safer than alcohol. It would also pardon all future offenses, after they occur.

New Orleans can’t completely legalize cannabis locally, but this would come close.

Please take a moment to write your City Councilmembers in support and to spread the word to others. Our advocacy software makes it quick and easy.

The City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee will hear Council President Moreno’s proposals tomorrow — Tuesday, June 29 — at 2 p.m. You can also submit public comment here.

Many thanks to Council President Moreno and Kevin Caldwell and CommonSenseNOLA for spearheading this effort. And to each of you for your support for humane cannabis policies!

Great news! Louisiana’s medical cannabis patients will be allowed to use cannabis in flower form instead of being limited to extracts and other more costly preparations.

Yesterday, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed HB 391 into law, making it Act 424.

The bill takes effect on January 1, 2022. Patients will be allowed to buy up to 2.5 ounces of raw/flower cannabis every two weeks. The new law also removes Louisiana’s ban on smoking and vaporizing cannabis preparations.

Patients under the age of 21 will only be allowed to purchase raw cannabis if their physician specifically recommends cannabis in raw form.

In other good news, the tax on flower did not become law.

Thanks to each of you who took the time to write your lawmakers and the governor on this bill and other cannabis policy reforms ! We are also grateful to all the legislators and Louisiana advocates who led the charge.