We hope you and your family are safe and well. Public health guidelines and safety concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic have made traditional methods of gathering voter petitions impossible. As a result, signature drives for ballot initiatives all across the country have been severely impacted. Though the chances of success were slim, leaders with Missourians for a New Approach explored a number of legal avenues that would allow the campaign to resume, including the possibility of electronic signatures.…

Medical cannabis delivery and curbside pickup will be available to registered D.C. patients! In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, these measures went into effect today and will expire either August 12 or 45 days after D.C.’s public health emergency order is lifted. Under the emergency rulemaking announced by Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Health, D.C.’s seven licensed dispensaries, under a series of regulations, are permitted to: Deliver medical cannabis to registered qualifying patients…

On Saturday, Gov. Ralph Northam approved legislation, SB 2/HB 972, which would decriminalize cannabis possession — but requested several amendments. Before the bill is enacted, the legislature must consider the governor’s proposed amendments, which include pushing back the due date for a legalization study by a year and deleting a provision that would end driver’s license suspensions for marijuana possession. The legislature is set to reconvene and consider the amendments on April 22. If the bill…

Take action and send a message to the governor now. Thankfully, Gov. Mike DeWine and state regulators have taken responsible steps to protect access to medical cannabis during the COVID-19 pandemic, including deeming medical cannabis businesses “essential” and allowing telemedicine consultations between doctors and patients. Several medical cannabis states are allowing home delivery for patients to minimize the health risks for an already vulnerable population. Gov. DeWine recently said he is considering…

Send a message and urge your lawmaker to support HB 3227. Many Oklahomans depend on medical cannabis to alleviate seizures, severe nausea, debilitating pain, and other serious health conditions. That’s why public health officials with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority have deemed medical cannabis businesses “essential” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just a few weeks ago, the Oklahoma House of Representatives approved HB 3227, which would authorize dispensaries to contract with licensed transporters…

Ask Gov. Herbert to allow home delivery. As coronavirus has dramatically changed life across the country, MPP and our allies have been working to ensure medical cannabis patients can safely access their medicine. Unfortunately, Utah is one of the few states that hasn’t stepped up to ensure safe access to medical cannabis. Because Gov. Herbert hasn’t issued a stay-at-home order, Utah has not issued a list of “essential businesses.” If it does so, we’ll want to ensure medical cannabis businesses…

Just a few weeks ago, before life changed dramatically, the Compassion Act (SB 165) was primed for action in the House. The Senate had already passed the bill in a 22-11 vote, and the House appeared to be poised to take up the issue. Then, unfortunately, the legislature was forced to leave important work unfinished in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic. This setback is a tremendous disappointment for patients, who have been working for many years to convince the legislature to pass medical…

Just a few weeks ago, before life changed dramatically, Kentucky’s medical cannabis bill (HB 136) was primed for action in the Senate. The House had already passed the bill in a 65-30 vote, and senators appeared to be taking the issue seriously, but unfortunately, the legislature was forced to leave important work unfinished in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jason Nemes (R-Louisville), expressed disappointment in the outcome but pledged to continue the fight in 2021. "We…

Email the governor today and urge him to ensure patient access during COVID-19. During times of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing, Gov. David Ige has issued a stay-at-home order and temporary closure of non-essential businesses through April 30. Hawaii’s medical cannabis businesses have been declared essential businesses under the governor’s order and remain open to patients across the state. Still, there are further actions that can be taken to ensure patients can safely access their…

In response to COVID-19, Gov. Carney has issued a state of emergency and temporary closure of non-essential businesses. Fortunately, medical cannabis businesses remain open, and the program has implemented measures to ensure patients can safely access their medicine in a way that is consistent with public health guidelines on preventing the spread of coronavirus. For the first time, patients have the option of home delivery! Columbia Care, which has locations in Wilmington, Smyrna, and Rehoboth…