If you live in Vermont, email your state representatives today — tell them Vermont needs to finish the job and regulate cannabis in 2019!

The Vermont Senate has already passed S. 54, a bill that would create a regulated and taxed market for adult-use cannabis in Vermont, and last week the House Government Operations Committee voted 10-1 in favor of its passage. The bill is currently being considered by the House Ways and Committee.

Please email your state representatives today and urge them to support regulating cannabis in 2019!

You can read a summary of the bill, as amended by the House Government Operations Committee, here. The legislative session is expected to conclude at the end of next week, so it’s very important that representatives hear from you today.

After you email your state representatives, please share this message with your family and friends!

If you live in Illinois, contact your state legislators today to tell them it’s time for smart, equitable cannabis policies in Illinois!

After years of committee hearings, town halls, and stakeholder meetings, Sen. Heather Steans and Rep. Kelly Cassidy have crafted a thoughtful proposal to end cannabis prohibition in Illinois! SB 7 would set the gold standard for smart, equitable cannabis policy. It includes secure home cultivation, robust expungement, community reinvestment, and ensures the benefits of the new industry go to those who suffered from the war on cannabis.

Now, we need all hands on deck to get the bill past the finish line before the legislature adjourns on May 31.

Email your state legislators TODAY to make sure they know their constituents want them to vote “yes” to legalize marijuana for adults' use. Our free, automated system makes it quick and easy to make your voice heard.

Then, spread the news on social media to rally other thoughtful Illinoisans to action.

Legalizing and regulating marijuana is a priority of Gov. J.B. Pritzker. But we know passage can’t be taken for granted. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Write your state legislators today, and spread the word.

If you live in N.H., follow up with your senator today; public hearing on legalization bill continues at 9 a.m. TOMORROW

Last Thursday, the Senate voted 14-10 to pass HB 364, a bill that would allow home cultivation of cannabis for registered patients and caregivers. The bill would allow up to three mature cannabis plants, three immature plants, and 12 seedlings for each patient.

Please take a moment to find out whether your senator voted for or against patients, and send a follow up message! All you have to do is type in your contact information, and our automated system will load a “thank you” or “I’m disappointed in you” letter based on how your senator voted.

And, if you haven’t already done so, please call Gov. Sununu’s office today and urge him to stand up for patients!

In other news, the Senate Judiciary Committee will resume its public hearing on HB 481, the adult-use legalization bill, beginning at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) in Room 100 of the State House. If you didn’t testify on April 23, your testimony will be welcome! Here are details on how to sign up, and here are some talking points in support.

After you follow up with your state senator and call Gov. Sununu, please share this message with your family and friends.

Do you believe that #mnisready for legal, adult-use marijuana? Join our allies at Minnesotans for Responsible Marijuana Regulation (MRMR) on Tuesday, May 14 at their campaign kick-off party to show your support.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 14, 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404

HOW: Buy your tickets here. General admission is $25, and VIP tickets are $100.

Featuring live music by Fat Kid Wednesdays & Malamanya!

MRMR (pronounced “murmur”) is a broad coalition of organizations and individuals supporting the legalization and regulation of adult-use marijuana.

Join the MRMR team, fellow supporters, friends, and neighbors as they kick off the MRMR campaign and gear up for a big year of advocacy ahead!

Fetterman to visit Bradford, Susquehanna, Luzerne, Sullivan, Montour, Carbon, Potter, Bucks, and Cameron counties in the next two weeks.

On Monday, legislators heard Lt. Gov. John Fetterman report back on his marijuana listening tour. Fetterman reported attendees were overwhelmingly supportive of legalizing marijuana for adults' use. Opponents have only outnumbered supporters at two of the 50 stops.

The tour is in its tail end now, with only 16 counties remaining. Here are the next couple weeks’ stops. Let’s make sure supporters finish strong, and that Fetterman hears from the strong majority of Pennsylvanians who support replacing prohibition with sensible regulation.

Towanda (Bradford County)
Tomorrow, Saturday, May 4, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Towanda Area Jr/Sr High School
1 High School Drive

New Milford (Susquehanna County)
Tomorrow, Saturday, May 4, 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Blue Ridge High School auditorium
5058 School Road

Wilkes-Barre, (Luzerne County)
Sunday, May 5, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Wilkes College, Ballroom, second floor of the Henry Student Center
84 W. South Street

Laporte (Sullivan County)
Sunday, May 5, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Sullivan County High School auditorium
749 South Street

Danville (Montour County)
Tuesday, May 7, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Montour Preserve Environmental Education Center auditorium
374 Preserve Road

Jim Thorpe (Carbon County)
Monday, May 13, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Jim Thorpe Area High School auditorium
1 Olympian Way

Coudersport (Potter County)
Tuesday, May 14, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department
171 Route 6 West

Newtown (Bucks County)
Wednesday, May 15, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Bucks County Community College, Zlock Performing Arts Center
275 Swamp Road

Emporium (Cameron County)
Thursday, May 16, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Cameron County Junior-Senior High School auditorium
601 Woodland Avenue

When deciding what you'd like to say, feel free to draw from our document on the Top 10 reasons to end marijuana prohibition or other materials. You may want to consider making a pitch for an inclusive, diverse industry, for allowing home cultivation, and for expunging past convictions.

This is a great opportunity to build momentum for commonsense, humane marijuana laws. Don't miss your chance to let your elected officials know it's time to stop branding Pennsylvanians criminals for a substance that's safer than alcohol.

And please spread the word to help grow the chorus for reform.

New measures represent big advancements in cannabis policy

Lawmakers passed two key cannabis bills this week. One would authorize the home delivery of cannabis products, while the other would create much-needed locations for adults to consume cannabis outside of personal residences.

HB 1234 would allow both medical cannabis patients and adult consumers to order cannabis products for home delivery. They would be limited to private residences and would not be allowed on college campuses. Deliveries would only be allowed if they are authorized by their local jurisdictions, either through a local referendum or the local governing body. Medical cannabis deliveries would begin January 2, 2020, with deliveries to adult consumers starting the following January.

The other measure, HB 1230, would allow businesses like hotels or restaurants to set aside a location for patrons to consume without violating the law. It would also allow licensed retail locations to sell small amounts of cannabis for use on-site. The emergence of hospitality centers is a big step forward for tourists and other consumers seeking a legal option.

Colorado continues as a leader in cannabis policy, and these bills are yet another step forward. Thanks to all those who helped get these measures through a difficult process. Both are expected to be presented to the governor in the coming days, and many anticipate he will sign both into law.

If you live in N.H., call Gov. Sununu and urge him to support HB 364.

Today, for the first time in its history, the New Hampshire Senate voted to pass a bill that would allow home cultivation of cannabis for registered patients and caregivers. HB 364, which would allow up to three mature cannabis plants, three immature plants, and 12 seedlings for each patient, passed the Senate in a 14-10 vote. Next, the bill will return to the House for a final vote before it proceeds to the desk of Gov. Chris Sununu.

Gov. Sununu has not yet indicated whether he intends to sign the bill. Please call Gov. Sununu’s office today and urge him to stand up for patients!

This bill is critically important because many patients are unable to afford the products that are available at dispensaries, which are not covered by health insurance. Others have to drive long distances in order to reach a dispensary. For some patients, home cultivation is simply the best, most affordable option.

After you call Gov. Sununu, please share this message with your family and friends.

A committee has approved the third piece of the cannabis puzzle; please contact your legislators and help us cross the finish line this year.

Yesterday evening, the Finance Committee approved Senate Bill 1138, bringing Connecticut one step closer to legalizing cannabis! Now that all three of the companion bills to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis have passed their respective committees (you can read summaries here), it’s time for us to turn our attention to the full House and Senate.

There are only about 30 days left in this legislative session of the Connecticut General Assembly, and many key legislators have still not taken a position on legalization. Here are three things you can do today to help get this important initiative across the finish line:

1. Join us for the Regulate Connecticut "End Prohibition" Lobby Day on Wednesday, May 15 at the State Capitol. Breakfast will be served in the legislative cafeteria at the Legislative Office Building at 9 a.m., a press conference will follow at 10 a.m., and we'll have the rest of the day to lobby lawmakers directly at the Capitol! If you can join us, please RSVP to adam@regulatect.org.

2. Help us generate phone calls to legislators in key districts! We have a system that allows you to volunteer from home — please email adam@regulatect.org for details on how get started. We are also hosting a volunteer phone banking session next Wednesday, May 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. We’ll meet at 57 Pratt Street, Suite 405 in Hartford. Street parking is available, pizza will be served, and all are welcome!

3. Please contact your state representatives and senators and urge your friends and family members to do so as well!

Thank you again for your continued support. We need it now more than ever! 

If you live in Hawaii, contact the governor today and ask him to sign HB 1383.

Yesterday, the Hawaii House and Senate approved a bill to stop arresting and jailing Hawaiians for small amounts of marijuana. It now heads to the governor’s desk.

Ask Gov. Ige to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis in the Aloha State by signing HB 1383!

The bill would make possession of three grams or less of marijuana punishable by a $130 fine. Under current law, possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

While we are disappointed that the possession limit is low — three grams is the smallest amount of any decriminalization or legalization state — this legislation will still save Hawaiians from arrest, possible jail time, and a life-altering criminal record for possession of a substance that is safer than alcohol.

Currently, 24 states and D.C. have stopped jailing their residents for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Hawaii is lagging behind. Removing criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of cannabis is an important step towards sensible marijuana policies.

Contact Gov. Ige now and ask that he sign the decriminalization bill. Then, forward this message to your friends and family to Hawaii and encourage them to do the same.

With just two months remaining in this year’s Rhode Island legislative session, marijuana legalization is still very much on the table. If enough supporters of sensible marijuana policy reform take action, Rhode Island could become the first state in the country to to legalize and regulate marijuana sales through the state legislature!

The General Assembly needs to hear from you:

• Call your state representative and state senator and urge them to call for a floor discussion and vote on legalization this year. Visit this website and enter your address to look up your state legislators and their telephone numbers.
  
  
• Click here to send an email to your legislators — it takes less than a minute!

You can also help raise awareness about the issue by publishing a letter to the editor. Go here to use our action tool to quickly and easily submit a letter to your local newspaper!

Conversations about the fate of legalization — and the details of the legislation — are happening in the State House. Now is a critical time to vocalize our support for legalization and advocate for a law that addresses the historical harms of the war on marijuana.

We could end marijuana prohibition in Rhode Island by July if enough of us do our part and respectfully communicate our views to lawmakers. Please don’t sit on the sidelines. Take action and forward this message to others so they can help, too!

Thank you.