Ask your state senator to support legalization!

This morning, New Hampshire’s GOP-controlled House of Representatives voted to legalize possession and home cultivation of cannabis ­— advancing HB 629 in a lopsided 241-113 vote. Unfortunately, it rejected a more comprehensive legalization bill that included sales — HB 237 — in a 163-170 vote last night.

HB 629 now heads to the Senate. The legislature will also consider six new proposals to legalize cannabis or to refer legalization to voters.

Although the Senate has repeatedly killed legalization bills in past years, it is getting increasingly difficult to ignore the overwhelming — and growing — popular support. In May, a University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll found 75% support for legalization — with only 16% opposed!

But it’s vital that elected officials hear that their constituents care about this issue. Ask your legislators to make 2022 the year New Hampshire legalizes cannabis. Then, spread the news and invite your friends to stand up for sensible cannabis policies!

Let your New Hampshire lawmakers know it’s time to legalize!

New Hampshire’s legislature convened its 2022 legislative session today, starting another year where the “Live Free or Die” State is an island of prohibition, surrounded by states and a country where cannabis is legal.

The state House of Representatives may vote on two different legalization bills tomorrow (Thursday) that were retained in committee! Let your state legislators know it’s time to get with the times.

In addition, six new proposals have been introduced to legalize cannabis or to refer legalization to voters — including one sponsored by the chair of the House committee that stalled legalization in 2021. (Chair Daryl Abbas’ bill would require cannabis to be sold through state-run stores, which isn’t feasible due to federal prohibition.) The voter referrals require 60% in each the House and Senate, plus two-thirds of the popular vote on Election Day — but they can’t be vetoed by Gov. Chris Sununu (R), who remains staunchly opposed.

In May, a University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll found off-the-charts support for legalization, at 75%. Elected officials need to hear that the overwhelming majority of their voters are tired of the failed, destructive policy of prohibition.

Ask your legislators to make 2022 the year New Hampshire legalizes cannabis. Then, spread the word.

Good news! Just yesterday, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection announced that it would begin accepting applications for adult-use licenses early next month. The first application period for each license type will open for a period of 90 days on the following dates:

• Disproportionately Impacted Area Cultivator: February 3, 2022 (non-lottery)
• Retailer: February 3, 2022
• Micro-cultivator: February 10, 2022
• Delivery Service: February 17, 2022
• Hybrid Retailer: February 24, 2022
• Food and Beverage: March 3, 2022
• Product Manufacturer: March 10, 2022  
• Product Packager: March 17, 2022 
• Transporter: March 24, 2022

The Department also announced the number of licenses it plans to issue in the first application round, which are listed below:

• Retailer: 6 general licenses, 6 social equity licenses
• Micro-cultivator: 2 general licenses, 2 social equity licenses
• Delivery Service: 5 general licenses, 5 social equity licenses
• Hybrid Retailer: 2 general licenses, 2 social equity licenses
• Food and Beverage: 5 general licenses, 5 social equity licenses
• Product Packager: 3 general licenses, 3 social equity licenses
• Product Manufacturer: 3 general licenses, 3 social equity licenses
• Transporter: 2 general licenses, 2 social equity licenses

DCP Commissioner Michelle Seagull said, “The initial number of available licenses is not a cap, but a starting point for opening the adult-use cannabis market in an effective, measured and thoughtful way.”

Although we're excited that Connecticut is moving forward with licensing adult-use businesses, we are concerned about the small number of initial licenses.

Low numbers of initial licenses limit competition, reduce opportunities for small- and minority-owned businesses, and privilege larger corporations at the expense of other applicants. Also, by stifling legal cannabis business with low license numbers, illegal operators will continue — exposing consumers to untested products and putting both sellers and buyers at risk of violence. The paltry number of licenses will also result in hundreds to thousands of applicants wasting time and hard-earned money applying, with the vast majority being denied.

Applications will be available here. Interested applicants can view a description of each license type to determine which is appropriate for their business.

As the adult-use market continues to roll out in Connecticut, we’ll continue to keep you updated on all the progress.

Ask your lawmakers to legalize cannabis in 2022 without delay!

We’re just one week out from the Maryland General Assembly kicking off its 2022 legislative session, and cannabis legalization will be a major priority for the legislature this year.

Most recently, a bill — HB 1 — that would refer the question of cannabis legalization to Maryland voters on the November 2022 ballot has been pre-filed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Luke Clippinger. The House has been interested in the pathway of referring the question of legalization to voters, as House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D) announced in July 2021 that the House intends to pass a referendum bill this year.

While it’s encouraging that the House is committed to taking up adult-use cannabis legalization this year, HB 1, as currently written, lacks the major priorities that the Maryland Cannabis Policy Coalition has been advocating for. Most notably, HB 1 would not legalize cannabis possession until July 2023, does not include personal cultivation of cannabis, and does not specify that legalization must be rooted in equity.

It’s important your lawmakers hear from you. Please reach out to them today and ask that they legalize cannabis this year without delay!

Meanwhile, the Senate prefers to pass legalization outright through legislation. As a referendum alone will not implement an adult-use cannabis program that is equitable, implementing legislation that sets up the regulatory framework, tax structure, automatic expungement process, and provisions to ensure those who have been most impacted by prohibition benefit from the legal industry must also be taken up in 2022.

Please reach out to your lawmakers today and stay tuned for future updates.

Together, we can end cannabis prohibition in the Free State!

Happy New Year! The beginning of 2022 officially marks a major milestone in the decades-long effort to reform Montana’s cannabis policies. As of January 1, adults in Montana can now purchase cannabis from licensed retail stores across the state! 

Thanks to the efforts of New Approach Montana, the 2020 ballot initiative campaign supported and led by MPP, 57% of Montana voters approved two complementary ballot initiatives to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis in the state. As a result, cannabis sales will no longer be relegated to an illicit market. Instead, we have created a legal marketplace that will improve public health and safety, create new jobs, and generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for Montana. Today is a day to celebrate what our movement can achieve when we mobilize popular support for sensible reforms.

For now, adults in Montana may purchase cannabis in stores located in so-called “green counties” — where a majority of voters approved Initiative 190. Other counties will require approval via local referendum to allow adult-use cannabis sales. You can view a map of which counties currently allow sales here.

If you plan to stop by a cannabis store, bring your ID to show that you are 21 or older — and when transporting cannabis, keep your package unopened and stored in the glove compartment or trunk of your car. 

Celebrate responsibly, Montana!

Urge the Department of Consumer Protection to create plenty of small business opportunities

Important news! Tomorrow, January 4, the Connecticut Social Equity Council will meet to move forward with their plan to begin accepting applications for adult-use licenses within the next several weeks. Under the Connecticut legalization law, the Department of Consumer of Protection (DCP) is allowed to set limits on the number of licenses that will be issued for each of the nine categories. We are calling on DCP to not set license caps, and if they must set license caps, that they be high.

Low license caps would not only limit competition and privilege larger corporations at the expense of other applicants, but they would also create a situation where Connecticut’s recreational and medical cannabis markets are unable to provide adequate supply and meet the level of demand that exists, thus inflating prices and allowing the illicit market to proliferate. 

Please join us in contacting the Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Protection and urging Connecticut not to set arbitrary low license caps.

After signatures are verified, the Ohio Legislature will have an opportunity to act 

Yesterday, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol announced that they have submitted 206,943 signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State — over 70,000 more than needed to meet the requirement for the first phase of the ballot initiative qualification process.

After state officials verify that the signature requirements have been met, the Ohio Legislature will have four months to approve the measure as it is currently written. If they do not, the campaign will have an opportunity to collect an additional 132,887 signatures from voters to place the measure on the November 2022 ballot. 

If enacted, the 2022 legalization initiative will:

• Permit adults 21 and older to purchase, possess, and consume up to two and a half ounces of cannabis, including up to 15 grams of cannabis concentrate;
• Allow home cultivation (up to six plants per adult and up to 12 plants per residence);
• Establish a system of responsibly regulated cannabis businesses; and
• Impose a 10% tax on cannabis sales and direct revenue to local communities, substance abuse treatment services, and a social equity and jobs program.

Ohio could become one of the next states to end the failed policy of cannabis prohibition. If you live in the state, please get involved and support the campaign by visiting the campaign's website!

Exciting news! On December 7, the Connecticut Social Equity Council approved income and residency documentation requirements for social equity applicants and cannabis businesses seeking to operate as Equity Joint Ventures. The approval is contingent upon the Council’s acceptance of an implementation plan for the accelerator and technical assistance programs, which will provide important business support to potential applicants.

DCP plans to make applications available 30 days after the Social Equity Council issues its final approval. The Council’s next meeting is scheduled for January 4, 2022. This means applications could be open as soon as February 3.

As Connecticut continues to take its next steps in the setting up an adult-use market, we’ll be sure to keep you updated as the process progresses.

Exciting news! On December 8, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) approved 30 additional medical cannabis business licenses. Since 2019, the 30 licenses had been frozen by a court order that lifted earlier this year. The CRC said the approval would double the number of medical dispensaries in the Garden State.

Also, on November 9, the CRC issued the Notice of Application for adult-use cannabis business licenses. The notice specifies eligibility­ requirements, the prioritization process, application requirements, scoring measures, the approval process, and denial determinations for adult-use applicants. The applications will be reviewed as they are received on a continuous rolling basis, with Social Equity, Impact Zone, and Diversely Owned Businesses receiving priority.

License applications will be accepted for cultivation, manufacturers, and testing laboratories starting December 15, and retailers starting on March 15, 2022.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated as the cannabis market in New Jersey progresses.

Urge Council members to remove cannabis from the proposed at-home smoking ban.

Five years after California voters legalized cannabis for adults, the San Jose City Council is considering taking a giant step backwards. It is considering including cannabis in a proposed ban on smoking and vaping in apartments and condos. Smoking cannabis in public is illegal, so this would essentially re-criminalize cannabis for anyone who doesn’t live in a single-family home or duplex.

The Council is also considering how such a ban would be enforced, which might include eviction.

Tomorrow afternoon, a Council committee will hear from the public on the proposal, including about whether cannabis smoking and/or cannabis vaping should be included in the ban, and what the penalties should be for violations. 

Here’s what you can do to defend your hard-won rights:

1) Send the committee members a message using our automated system. Consider personalizing the letter, especially if this impacts you directly.

2) Speak out at tomorrow’s hearing:

TOMORROW,  Thursday, December 9, meeting starts at 1:30 p.m.
The smoking ban is item d.3 on the agenda.
You can comment by Zoom OR call in by phone: 888 475 4499. Webinar ID: 935 2441 5809
Click *9 to raise a hand to speak. Press *6 to unmute.
Details are available here.

3) Spread the word. Share this on social media and mobilize your friends.

Let the City Council know it’s wrong to ban cannabis vaping and smoking at home.

Unlike cigarettes, cannabis is not linked to lung cancer. Rather than being a hazard, cannabis is an essential part of treatment for millions of Americans. And for many, edibles are no substitute: Lots of cannabis consumers rely on the rapid effect and precise dosage of inhaled cannabis.

Advocates have defeated similar, misguided proposals in San Francisco and my city — West Hollywood — where cannabis was exempted.

Together, we can stop this ill-conceived proposal, which would strip San Jose City residents of their rights and set a devastating precedent.