The New Hampshire House has been voting to pass medical cannabis home cultivation bills since 2009, but unfortunately, these bills have failed to become law. In 2019, the Senate joined the House in passing a home grow bill, but it was vetoed by Gov. Chris Sununu, and the veto override effort fell three votes short in the Senate. As a result, home cultivation remains a felony in New Hampshire, and there is no exception for registered patients and caregivers. But lawmakers are trying again in 2021.

Exciting news! Earlier this week, two crucial cannabis bills passed the Hawaii Senate. The first measure, SB 767, would legalize cannabis and allow licensed businesses to cultivate, produce, and sell cannabis products. SB 767 passed the full Senate in a 20-5 vote.

Alabama lags behind almost every state in the nation on cannabis policy. It is one of only 14 states without a medical cannabis law, and one of only 19 that still jails individuals for simple possession. With your help, that could finally change this year! The Alabama Senate overwhelmingly approved medical cannabis legislation in February, for the third year in a row. Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bill to reduce the penalty for cannabis possession to a fine.

Wyoming currently trails far behind other states when it comes to sensible cannabis policies. That could change this year! A bill—HB 209—that would legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults has been introduced.

Tennessee is one of only 14 states that has yet to pass a medical cannabis law. Fortunately, lawmakers are working to change that in 2021. Sponsored by Sen. Janice Bowling, SB 854 would legalize medical cannabis for patients who qualify and establish a medical cannabis commission to regulate production and sales.

Earlier this year, Sen. Anna Wishart introduced LB 474, which would establish a well regulated, compassionate medical cannabis program in Nebraska for patients with serious health conditions. This Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. CT, the Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the bill.

Last Tuesday, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice indicated that his opposition to cannabis legalization is “weakening” because medical experts say cannabis regulation is helping to mitigate drug-related problems in other jurisdictions. He expressed some reservations but said he would be willing to sign a legalization bill if the House and Senate approved it. This is a remarkable development! Unfortunately, legislators seem to be more interested in maintaining regressive policies than considering legalization.

Ask your state lawmakers to legalize cannabis this year. Exciting news! This week, two crucial cannabis bills advanced in the Hawaii Legislature. SB 767 would legalize cannabis and allow licensed businesses to cultivate, produce, and sell cannabis products. It would also allow adult home cultivation of up to three mature plants. Under the bill, the state Department of Health would craft rules around business licensing and retail sales by July 1, 2021. The Senate Ways & Means Committee passed SB…

Not satisfied with federal prohibition alone, some in Congress now want to limit state programs. In a shocking move, two powerful Senators, John Cornyn of Texas and Dianne Feinstein of California, issued a report on behalf of the U.S. Senate drug caucus indicating they may seek to impose federal caps on THC in products in legal state cannabis programs. Anything over the cap would be banned. 

The Virginia House and Senate deserve a round of applause for completing work on the adult-use legalization bills and advancing them to Gov. Ralph Northam’s desk. Although we are disappointed by the fact that cannabis will not become legal until January 2024, we are pleased that the final bill does not criminalize sharing of cannabis between adults or increase penalties for public consumption and underage possession. Unfortunately, both bills still include one very bad provision that would criminalize…