In August 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) formally recommended rescheduling cannabis. In a letter sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HHS provided findings from their review of marijuana’s scheduling status and recommended rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III controlled substance. 

This historic development from the top federal health agency is an encouraging step forward. Rescheduling cannabis would provide many real-world benefits, including facilitating research and reducing burdens on medical cannabis patients, providers, and the businesses that serve them. 

Given that over half the U.S. population lives in states with medical cannabis programs, and millions of Americans are finding relief through cannabis products, it is long past due for the federal government to acknowledge cannabis’ medical value. 

While MPP still supports the full descheduling of cannabis, we recognize that the Biden administration’s rescheduling proposal offers the potential for a significant improvement in federal cannabis policy. As always, MPP adheres to a philosophy of incremental progress.

History
The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 placed all illicit and prescription drugs into five "schedules" (categories). Cannabis was placed in Schedule I, which is defined as having a high potential for abuse, having no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and lacking accepted safety standards for use under medical supervision.

That definition did not apply to cannabis in 1970 and certainly does not apply today. 

Even before the enactment of the Controlled Substances Act, cannabis had already been prohibited for more than three decades in our country. Interestingly, prior to 1937, there were at least 27 medicines containing cannabis that were legally available in the United States. Many were made by well-known pharmaceutical firms that still exist today, such as Eli Lilly. The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 federally prohibited cannabis and set the United States on a course of waging an unjust and failed war on cannabis that lasted nearly a century. 

Next Steps
The DEA is expected to make the final decision on whether federal law will finally acknowledge the reality that cannabis has medical value sometime in 2024. We encourage you to sign up for MPP email alerts and stay informed on the latest developments.

Despite the ever-growing evidence of the broad and transformative benefits of cannabis reform in states across the country, opponents of replacing cannabis prohibition with sensible laws and regulations frequently make claims that, at first blush, sound alarming. However, upon a closer examination, their key sources lack credibility and distort the truth.

Misinformation and scare tactics remain very real obstacles as we’re fighting an increasingly uphill battle to continue advancing reform across the country. Below we dispel the top ten myths that prohibitionists often perpetuate.

MYTH: Marijuana is a gateway drug.
REALITY: The so-called “Gateway Theory” has been debunked repeatedly.

Most recently, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reported in February 2017 that there is no substantial link between cannabis use and the use of other illegal drugs.^[1]

About half of all Americans have used cannabis at some point in their lives, but the vast majority never try any other drugs^[2]. If using cannabis caused people to use other drugs, there would be far more users of other drugs.^[3]

MYTH: Marijuana makes you lazy and/or stupid.
REALITY: There is no conclusive evidence that cannabis use results in lowered IQ.

In 2014, researchers at University College London found “no relationship between cannabis use and IQ,” even among the heaviest users. They also reported that alcohol use is strongly associated with a decline in IQ.^[4]

The claim that cannabis makes people “amotivated” is a myth that has been repeatedly debunked by experts. In its comprehensive 1999 report on cannabis, the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine concluded, “no convincing data demonstrate a causal relationship between cannabis smoking and these behavioral characteristics.”^[5]

While the vast majority of cannabis users do not encounter such problems, any substance or behavior can potentially interfere with an individual’s ability to perform well at work or in school. Whether it’s cannabis, alcohol, food, or video games, too much of it can be problematic for some people.

MYTH: Cannabis leads to crime.
REALITY: Government-published data, academic research, and the experiences of many law enforcement officials indicate that cannabis policy reform does not increase crime rates.

Contrary to assertions made by some opponents of legalization, there is no compelling basis for claims that legalizing cannabis and establishing regulated markets undermines public safety. Research generally shows that cannabis — unlike alcohol — is not linked to violent or aggressive behavior. In fact, research has found that cannabis use reduces the likelihood that an individual will act violently.^[6]

Meanwhile, legalizing cannabis also frees up police time for crimes with victims. In a 2018 analysis, experts at Washington State University found that police solved significantly more violent and property crimes after passage of legalization laws in Colorado and Washington.^[7]

MYTH: Marijuana can kill you.
REALITY: There has never been a confirmed cannabis overdose death.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concluded in 2017 that no link has been established between cannabis and fatal overdoses.^[8] Meanwhile, the CDC reports an average of more than 2,200 alcohol poisoning deaths per year^[9] and prescription drugs have become one of the leading causes of accidental death in the U.S. In 1988, after hearing two years of testimony, the chief administrative law judge for the DEA determined “it is physically impossible to eat enough cannabis to induce death.”^[10]

MYTH: Legalization makes it easier for teens to get marijuana.
REALITY: Research has shown that reforming cannabis laws does not increase teen cannabis use.

A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry in 2016 found that the number of teens using cannabis — and the number with problematic use — is falling as more states legalize or decriminalize cannabis. The findings were based on a survey of more than 200,000 youth in all 50 states. Cannabis prohibition has failed miserably at keeping cannabis out of the hands of teens. From 1975-2012, 80-90% of 12th graders consistently reported that cannabis was “fairly easy” or “very easy” to obtain. For the first time since the survey began 40 years ago, high school seniors’ perception of cannabis’s availability has dipped below 80% — after states began to legalize cannabis.^[11]

MYTH: Marijuana has no medical value.
REALITY: A large and growing body of scientific evidence demonstrates the benefits and safety of treating a broad range of ailments with medical cannabis.

Although the federal government has made research investigating cannabis’s medical value uniquely difficult, a vast majority of Americans recognize the legitimate medical benefits of cannabis. Numerous medical organizations have examined the evidence and concluded that cannabis can be a safe, effective medicine. They include the American Public Health Association, the American College of Physicians, the American Nurses Association, and a number of state medical and public health organizations, among others. In 2009, the American Medical Association called on the federal government to reconsider cannabis’s classification under federal law, noting clinical trials have shown cannabis’s medical efficacy.^[12]

MYTH: Today’s marijuana is stronger, thus more dangerous.
REALITY: Like alcohol, there are more potent and less potent types of cannabis, but even the most potent cannabis is far less harmful than alcohol.

Claims of a dramatic increase in marijuana potency are commonly based on the assertion that marijuana used in the 1960s and 1970s contained only 1% THC (the main psychoactive compound in marijuana). However, these claims are based on very small numbers of samples that may have been improperly stored. Furthermore, marijuana with just 1% THC is not psychoactive — that is, it doesn't produce a "high." So if the 1% figure is true, the drug's rapid increase in popularity was based on marijuana so weak that it wasn't even capable of producing the intended effect.

MYTH: Marijuana laws are not enforced.
REALITY: There have been more than 17 million marijuana arrests in the United States since 1995.

In 2019, there were an estimated 545,602 marijuana arrests — significantly more than for all violent crimes combined. One person is arrested for marijuana every 58 seconds. More than 90% of marijuana arrests are for possession, not manufacture or distribution.^[13] It's true that most people arrested for possession do not go to prison, but they all do face potentially life-altering consequences. Many people lose their jobs or find it difficult to gain employment. Parents can lose custody of their children. College students can lose their federal financial aid. Non-citizens can be forced to leave the country. People lose their public housing benefits.

MYTH: Marijuana use can increase the risk of mental illness, including schizophrenia.
REALITY: There is no compelling evidence demonstrating cannabis causes psychosis in otherwise healthy individuals.

Cannabis affects different people differently — like many substances, it can be problematic for some people and beneficial for others. If cannabis causes psychosis, rates of psychosis should rise if cannabis use goes up, but that has not happened.^[14] Many opponents misrepresent a 2017 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which found an association between cannabis use and schizophrenia, not that cannabis use causes schizophrenia. Overall, the evidence suggests that cannabis can precipitate schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals but is unlikely to cause the illness in otherwise normal persons.^[15] It is worth noting that survey data and anecdotal reports of individuals finding therapeutic relief from depression and other mental conditions are not uncommon.^[16]

MYTH: Cannabis legalization is inevitable.
REALITY: Despite widespread popular support for ending cannabis prohibition nationwide and incredible reform progress over the past decade, this fight is far from over.

The notion that cannabis legalization is inevitable is misguided. The continuation of federal cannabis prohibition threatens all of the state policy victories we’ve achieved, and strong opposition remains focused on halting progress and perpetuating the suffering of millions of Americans still living under the policies of prohibition. With hundreds of thousands of people still being arrested for cannabis every year, we need to stand up and double down on our mission to end cannabis prohibition nationwide.

^[1] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. “The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: The current state of evidence and recommendations for research.” (2017).
^[2] *only 3.4% have ever tried crack, only 1.9% have ever tried heroin, and fewer than 15% of Americans have ever tried cocaine, the second most popular illegal drug after cannabis.
^[3] U.S. Office of Applied Studies, 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. Accessed online August 28, 2017.
^[4] Mokrysc C., et al. “No relationship between moderate adolescent cannabis use, exam results or IQ, large study shows.” Annual Congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP). 2014.
^[5] U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base (Washington, D.C: National Academy Press, 1999).
^[6] Hoaken, P. & Stewart, S. (2003). Drugs of abuse and the elicitation of human aggressive behavior. Addictive Behaviors 28, 1533-1554.
^[7] Makin, D.A., et al. (2018). Marijuana Legalization and Crime Clearance Rates: Testing Proponent Assertions in Colorado and Washington State. Police Quarterly. Accessed from https://doi.org/10.1177/1098611118786255
^[8] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. “The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: The current state of evidence and recommendations for research.” (2017).
^[9] Centers for Disease Control. “Vital Signs: Alcohol Poisoning Deaths — United States, 2010–2012.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Vol. 63 No. 53 (2015): 1238-1242.
^[10] Young, Francis L. “In the Matter of Marijuana Rescheduling Petition.” DEA Docket No. 86–22, September 6, 1988.
^[11] University of Michigan/National Institute on Drug Abuse, Monitoring the Future National Survey Results on Drug Use, 1975–2019.
^[12] Hoeffel, John, “Medical Marijuana Gets a Boost From Major Doctors Group,” Los Angeles Times, November 11, 2009.
^[13] Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reports, Crime in the United States annually.
^[14] W. Hall, “Is Cannabis Use Psychotogenic?,” Lancet 367 (2006): 193–5.
^[15] Hall, W., Degenhardt L., “What are the policy implications of the evidence on cannabis and psychosis?,” Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 51(9), August 2006: 566-574.
^[16] C.H. Aston, et al., “Cannabinoids in Bipolar Affective Disorder: A Review and Discussion of Their Therapeutic Potential,” Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 19, No. 3, 2005.

Since the early days of cannabis advocacy, influential women throughout the country have been trailblazers through their activism and dedication towards advancing humane cannabis policies. These women have made great strides despite an abundance of adversity and stigmatization surrounding cannabis use and womanhood.

Here at MPP, we recognize that the progress we’ve made so far wouldn’t be possible without the immeasurable contributions and leadership of women, and that legal cannabis can’t reach its full potential without the participation of women at every level, from grassroots to the C-suite. 

We have seen women take the helm and begin to redefine what good business practices look like in the cannabis industry as it continues to expand. We’ve witnessed firsthand how women in leadership positions can exceed expectations and influence positive change as they simultaneously work towards ushering in more women to the burgeoning industry. And yet, over the past five years the percentage of executive positions held by women in the cannabis industry has remained stagnant or declined year-by-year (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Report, MJ Biz, 2023).

In honor of Women’s History Month, we believe it is important to bring awareness to the gender disparities within the cannabis industry, and to also shine a light on some of the women making their mark in the cannabis space. To that end, MPP is proud to have some of the most influential women in the cannabis legalization movement on our team! 

Toi Hutchinson, MPP President & CEO

As the first woman to lead the Marijuana Policy Project, Toi Hutchinson is one of the most influential voices in cannabis policy in the country. She is a pillar of the legalization movement and has inspired countless others through her work. With her distinctive professional background as a legislator, administrator, and nonprofit advocate, Toi brings a completely unique perspective to the cannabis policy arena. During her time as a state Senator in Illinois, Toi helped to lead the charge for the first-ever legislatively passed law to legalize and regulate cannabis with her colleagues Sen. Heather Steans, Rep. Kelly Cassidy, and Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, later dubbed the “Marijuana Moms” by NPR.

As the President & CEO of one of the leading organizations working to end cannabis prohibition, Toi Hutchinson is leading through example. Toi understands the importance of investing in women, noting that when women have an opportunity to enter the conversation, they bring new perspectives and unique insights which is exactly what we need to understand the true potential of the cannabis industry. 

“When you invest in women, women invest in the community.” -Toi Hutchinson

Karen O’Keefe, MPP Director of State Policies

Karen has spent nearly two decades with the MPP team at the forefront of cannabis policy reform, playing a central role in replacing the failed approach of prohibition with sensible and sustainable cannabis laws nationwide. As MPP’s director of state policies, Karen has managed our grassroots and lobbying efforts in state legislatures, working closely with local allies and lawmakers to pass cannabis legislation in every corner of the country.

Karen’s track record of success includes her pivotal role in the campaigns that resulted in Vermont and Illinois becoming the first two states to legalize marijuana via legislation. She helped guide Connecticut's successful legalization campaign; medical marijuana victories in eight states; and successful decriminalization efforts in Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Without Karen’s strategic insight and steadfast determination, the cannabis reform movement would not be where it is today.

Additionally, we are proud to both recognize and celebrate the women of the MPP Board of Directors — Bridget Hennessey, Kim Napoli, and Betty Aldworth — as well as the rest of the women on the MPP staff who make our work possible: Andrea Navarro, Bridget Spiddle, Christina Beal, Daniela Jang, Natasha Olinger, Olivia Naugle, Rawan Elfar, and Violet Cavendish.

Marijuana Policy Project is pleased to announce Brian Vicente, founding partner of cannabis law firm Vicente LLP, has joined MPP’s Board of Directors!

Vicente LLP, formerly known as Vicente Sederberg, is the country's top-ranked cannabis law firm, led by attorneys who were instrumental in developing, passing, and implementing the world’s first cannabis legalization laws. 
 
As a trailblazing thought leader and advocate in the cannabis reform movement, Brian Vicente has been helping cannabis businesses obtain state and local licenses since the inception of the legal cannabis industry — an industry he has played a significant role in shaping. He has also advised national, state, and local government officials in the development of regulated cannabis markets across the United States and around the world, including in Uruguay, the first country in the world to legalize and regulate cannabis for adult use. 

Brian was a lead drafter of Colorado's historic legalization initiative, Amendment 64, and he co-directed the successful campaign that led to its passage in 2012. In 2018, newly elected Colorado Gov. Jared Polis selected Brian to serve as a member of his gubernatorial transition team, where he sat on the Economic Development and Labor Committee. 

Brian serves as President of the National Hispanic Cannabis Council and is consistently ranked as one of the top cannabis attorneys in the nation.

We’re incredibly proud to have Brian Vicente join MPP’s Board of Directors. His expertise and knowledge will be a major asset to MPP as we continue to advance cannabis reform nationwide and build momentum toward ending federal prohibition once and for all. 

This Black History Month, the Marijuana Policy Project proudly recognizes the countless achievements and immeasurable perseverance of Black Americans. As we honor the history of Black Americans, we must also seek to advance policies that address systemic racism and reform our criminal justice system. That includes ending cannabis prohibition.

At MPP we understand cannabis laws have frequently been fought in tandem with civil rights in an effort to make the United States a more free and fair country. At our core, we are staunchly opposed to the unfair treatment the criminal justice system has historically placed on Black Americans in relation to arrests and imprisonment resulting from cannabis prohibition.

The war on cannabis and its relation to the Black community has been a longstanding issue — one that has for decades been used as a motive to target and incarcerate communities of color. Despite Black and white Americans using cannabis at equivalent rates, the enforcement of cannabis laws have been anything but equivalent — with Black Americans far more likely to be arrested and convicted for simple possession. 

MPP is committed to addressing the racist and destructive policies of prohibition and to legalizing cannabis equitably. We strive to recognize, support, and celebrate Black Americans and will continue to fight for those who have been unfairly disenfranchised by cannabis prohibition.

We encourage our supporters to honor Black History Month this year by supporting Black-owned cannabis businesses across the country and acknowledging the work of Black Americans in the cannabis space. On that note, MPP is spotlighting some of the most influential Black folks in cannabis. Thanks to their selfless efforts, they have helped to better the cannabis industry and create paths towards a more equitable future.

The history between the Hispanic community and cannabis can be traced back centuries. Cannabis was first introduced to the Americas when the Spanish introduced hemp to Chile in 1545. The crop then spread throughout various regions of Latin America, in an attempt to increase production. When these Spanish conquistadores taught the Mexican indigenous people how to farm cannabis, they naturally began recreational and medicinal usage of  the plant. Notably, they began to use cannabis for pain management, including even menstrual cycles, in the 16th century. Today, the influence of these ancient indigenous peoples can still be seen in Mexican society with traditional healers encouraging the rubbing of marijuana onto skin to relieve arthritis symptoms, among other recommendations. 

But the connection between the ancient Latino indigenous communities and cannabis does not end there. Historians have outlined how indigenous populations, such as the Aztecs, cultivated a history of using psychoactive plants for spiritual rituals. The most popular psychoactive substances included Nicotiana Rustica (Aztec tobacco), fungi, and cannabis. Famously, the Otomí, a Latin American indigenous group, viewed cannabis as a deity named Santa Rosa. Shamans would eat Santa Rosa (cannabis) as a ritual to determine what illness the patient has. The Otomí can still be found in Puebla, Mexico practicing these various rituals involving cannabis today. 

By the 1800s many Latin American countries began separating from their colonial rulers and declaring their independence. Although many Latin American countries were no longer under colonial rule, they still experienced tumultuous political unrest. Critically, the Mexican Revolution forced many Mexicans to migrate to the United States by the 1900s. This wave of migrants coupled with poor economic conditions culminated in anti-immigrant sentiments. Politicians and the media disparaged these Latinx migrants, and in particular, condemned their usage of “marihuana”. The word marijuana as we know it today stems from the racist anti-immigrant propaganda of the 1930s. 

Harry Anslinger, the Chief of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, was a high-profile figure at this time who was active in demonizing marijuana and its Latinx users. Besides popularizing the term “marihuana”, Anslinger is also known for his role in passing the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937. Two days after this act was passed, Moses Baca (a Mexican American) was the first federal arrest for cannabis. Decades later, it is hard to specifically calculate the impact these anti-marijuana policies have had on the Latinx community because marijuana arrests tend to be sorted by race and not ethnicity. However, states that do break down arrests by ethnicity have showcased across the board that black and Hispanic people are more likely to be arrested than white users.

It is clear, the history of marijuana and the Latinx community in the United States stretches back to its very introduction. Yet, the Latinx roots of marijuana’s origins in America are often overlooked and forgotten. As marijuana has become more accepted, a multi-billion dollar industry has developed – an industry the Hispanic community is not benefiting from. Data showcases that only 5.7% of all cannabis licenses are owned by Hispanic entrepreneurs compared to the overwhelming 81% owned by white entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, US policy against marijuana has impacted Latinx communities beyond the American border and into their home countries. In 2013, Uruguay was the first country in the world to legalize marijuana, but they have experienced many roadblocks since its implementation. Most critically, Uruguay's banks have pressured customers to stop their legal sale of marijuana in order to not violate the U.S. Federal Finance Laws and Controlled Substances Act of 1970.  Many Latin American countries - including Uruguay - depend on US banking partners for various transactions and cannot afford to lose their backing or pay hefty violation fines. Similarly, other Latin American countries are still facing roadblocks to  legalizing and destigmatizing marijuana as a result of short-minded American policies.

Gov. Dan McKee held a signing ceremony earlier today to officially enact the Rhode Island Cannabis Act

Did you hear the news? 

Earlier today, Gov. Dan McKee signed into law a bill that immediately makes possession and cultivation of small amounts of cannabis legal in Rhode Island! 

Rhode Island has officially become the 19th state to legalize cannabis for adults!

The law establishes a timeline to establish a legal cannabis market overseen by a new regulatory commission. Members will be appointed by the governor with input from leaders of the General Assembly. Existing medical cannabis establishments will be permitted to obtain hybrid adult-use licenses later this year, and sales are slated to begin in December.

The amended legislation includes a policy to automatically clear criminal records for misdemeanor and felony possession convictions over the next two years. Recent changes to the proposal also eliminate fees for medical cannabis patients. A comprehensive summary of the legislation can be found here.

Passage of the legislation represents the culmination of organizing efforts led by MPP and many local advocates over the past several years. We are proud to have been a central part of this major achievement.

I’m grateful to the many volunteers, organizations, lawmakers, and supporters like you who helped make this a reality.
 

Ask your lawmakers to override the governor’s veto on HB 371

Today, Gov. John Carney (D) became the first Democratic governor to veto a cannabis legalization bill by vetoing HB 371 — a bill that would legalize possession of up to one ounce of cannabis for adults 21 and older in Delaware. Meanwhile, a supermajority of Delawareans support cannabis legalization.

Please join us in calling on the legislature to override the governor’s veto by emailing your lawmakers today!

Passing HB 371 will save thousands of Delawareans from police interactions and citations for simple cannabis possession. Ask your lawmakers to stand with a majority of Delawareans and override the governor’s veto on HB 371.

HB 371 passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate by supermajority votes: 26-14 in the House and 13-7 in the Senate. Twenty-five votes would be required in the House to override a veto, and 13 would be required in the Senate. Delaware legislators have until June 30, when the legislative session ends, to override the governor’s veto. Although the vote margins were large enough to override a veto, overrides are extremely rare in Delaware, so it’s crucial that legislators hear their constituents want them to override the veto.

Meanwhile, a separate bill (HB 372) that would legalize, regulate, and tax adult-use cannabis sales fell short of the needed 25 votes on the House floor last week. The bill sponsor, Rep. Ed Osienski (D), changed his vote from yes to no, which will allow him to have the bill reconsidered before the legislative session ends on June 30. 

The fight to bring legalization to Delaware continues! After your reach out to your lawmakers today, please share this message with your family and friends in Delaware.

Take action as the Rhode Island General Assembly debates legislation to legalize cannabis for adults

Later today, members of the Rhode Island Senate and House of Representatives will debate a proposal to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana. After years of public debate and advocacy, Rhode Island could soon join the 18 other states that have ended cannabis prohibition for adults. 

Your lawmakers need to hear from you. Please contact your legislators right now and urge them to vote for this important legislation.

The recently amended bill will pave the way for the establishment of a regulated market with retail stores where adults 21 and older can purchase cannabis products. The legislation also allows adults to cultivate cannabis plants at home and creates a process to automatically clear past cannabis convictions for tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders.

You can tune in to watch the floor debate on Capitol TV around 4:00 p.m. today. 

Rhode Island has never been closer to legalizing marijuana for adults, and it is because of supporters like you who take action and support MPP’s work. 

Make your voice heard and ensure this is the year legalization crosses the finish line in Rhode Island!
 

Let your senator know you support the reforms passed by the House of Representatives!

It’s been a busy year in Baton Rouge so far! There were over 20 cannabis-related bills introduced this session. We have seen bipartisan support for both improving the medical program and for criminal justice reforms.

With only two weeks left in the legislative session, several bills have passed the House and are beginning to be taken up in Senate committees.

Criminal justice reform — Multiple bills have passed the House of Representatives that would reduce the harm done by  Louisiana cannabis laws:

• HB 629, which would ban warrantless searches of homes based on the smell of cannabis, passed the House 66-28.
• HB 775, which would legalize paraphernalia for medical patients, passed the House 79-12.
• HB 1028, which would decriminalize cannabis paraphernalia for adult use (imposing a $50 fine), passed the House 56-40.

Let your senator know you support these criminal justice reforms!

We have also been able to keep the bill (HB 700) that would re-criminalize cannabis possession for minors — including by adding possible jail time — from getting a floor vote and helped build bipartisan opposition to it.

In other good news, HB 234, which would impose a fine on smoking or vaping cannabis in a moving vehicle, was amended in a Senate committee to make it a secondary offense (meaning you must be pulled over for another offense). This is important to ensure it’s not used as a tool for pretextual stops (including of people who may be smoking cigarettes or vaping nicotine).

Medical cannabis — We have seen strong bipartisan support for some improvements to the medical cannabis program, although we’ve been disappointed that the bill to remove the paltry cap on cultivation licenses was defeated.

• HB 697 — Many of the reforms are being rolled into HB 697, including moving oversight to the Department of Health from the Department of Agriculture; awarding another therapeutic cannabis pharmacy license in Jefferson Parish; increasing pharmacies after there are over 4,000 active patients in a region; and allowing existing pharmacies to open a satellite location in their region. The bill passed the House 77-16.
• HB 698, which would direct the Department of Health to regulate the testing of medical cannabis products, passed the House 73-19.
• HB 137, which would provide legal protections to verified out-of-state patients with cannabis in their possession, passed the House 66-25.
• HB 135, which would allow verified patients from out-of-state to purchase medical cannabis at in-state pharmacies, passed the House 73-22.
• HB 588, which would terminate the sunset clause for the medical program, passed the House 58-37.

These bills are all now pending in the Senate — either in committees or on the Senate floor. For more information, including the status of several other cannabis bills, you can check up our updated legislative overview. Unfortunately, some other valiant attempts to improve cannabis policies — including by setting up a framework for legalization and removing cannabis possession from the habitual offender sentencing — fell short this year.

Please share this message with friends and family in Louisiana. Together, we will continue to advance sensible cannabis policy in the Pelican State!