A solid majority of Florida voters — 55.9% — cast their ballots for cannabis legalization in November. While this wasn't enough to pass Amendment 3, it shows most Floridians support ending cannabis prohibition.

If you live in Florida, ask your state legislators to turn the people's will into law and legalize cannabis!

Much opposition to legalization focused on Amendment 3's supposed lack of guardrails on public consumption and the absence of home-grow. A Republican-sponsored legalization bill — H0555 — would address both concerns.

Florida remains one of the 19 states where a single joint can land you in jail. It's past time Florida ended its archaic approach to cannabis policy.

H0555, sponsored by Rep. Alex Andrade, would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of cannabis, while prohibiting marijuana use in any public place. Adults 21 and older could cultivate two plants at home and out of public view for personal use. It also expands the existing medical cannabis program by increasing the possession limit, waiving fees for honorably discharged veterans, and allowing any patient with a condition that requires an opioid prescription to be recommended medical marijuana for relief.

There are also two other legalization bills — H1501 and S1390 — which include similar frameworks for legalization without home cultivation.

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We are extremely disappointed that the Hawai'i Senate has both failed to schedule committee hearings on legalization by the deadline and it narrowly voted down a decriminalization expansion bill (S.B. 319).

S.B. 319 would have increased the amount of cannabis that is subject to a $130 civil fine from a paltry three grams to 15 grams. Any amount over the threshold carries a criminal record and possible jail time. Three grams is the lowest threshold of all legalization and decriminalization states. Senators voted against the bill 11-12, with two excused.

Just last year, the Hawai'i Senate approved a legalization bill 19-6, and a decriminalization expansion bill that was nearly identical to S.B. 319 (the March 5, 2024, 21-1 vote). Then, the Senate subsequently defeated the bill after the House improved it.

The House has proven equally disappointing this year, by referring legalization back to its first two committees and preventing a floor vote.

Polling shows 58% of Hawai'i voters support legalization, but lawmakers need to hear their constituents care about this issue. Prohibitionists have been mobilized this year, in some cases outnumbering supporters at hearings.

If you live in Hawai'i, let your lawmakers know voters expect them to get legalization done next year.

While we're disheartened, we know cannabis policy reform often involves setbacks on the road to justice. We're not giving up until adults are no longer punished for choosing to use cannabis. And we hope you'll be by our side.

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Call Governor Hogan today and ask that he sign HB 837!

It’s been a busy week for cannabis policy reform in Annapolis! The legislature has approved HB 1 — which will refer the question of legalization to voters on the November ballot. Marylanders have long supported legalizing cannabis for adults, and this fall they will have the opportunity to weigh in to end cannabis prohibition in the Free State.

The legislature also approved HB 837 — legislation that would take effect if voters approve legalization. HB 837 would allow residents 21 and older to legally possess up to 1.5 ounces and cultivate up to two plants beginning July 1, 2023. The bills also include limited expungement, funding for minority- and women-owned businesses, and a community reinvestment and repair fund — that would be contingent on voter approval of HB 1.

You can check out our summary of the bills here.

The companion legislation now heads to Gov. Larry Hogan’s desk, where he can sign it into law, let it became law without his signature, or veto the legislation. Call the governor now and ask that he sign HB 837 into law!

Encouragingly, the bills passed with a veto-proof majority (92-37 in the House and 30-15 in the Senate). If the governor vetoed HB 837, there should still be time left in session for the legislature to override a veto before they adjourn on April 11.

Ask Gov. Hogan to stand with the majority of Marylanders and sign HB 837 into law!

Thank you to everyone who helped achieve this historic victory today! Maryland has taken a big step to finally end cannabis prohibition.

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Tell your state legislators it’s past time they decriminalize cannabis.

Today, the Wisconsin Legislature reconvenes for the year. Because Wisconsin lacks a citizen initiative process, the legislature alone is responsible for crafting laws in the Badger State. Outrageously, Wisconsin’s cannabis laws are among the most out-of-step with voters of any state in the country.

While neighboring Michigan and Illinois have legalized cannabis for adults’ use, and Minnesota has a medical cannabis program, Wisconsin remains stubbornly behind the times. It is one of only 19 states that still imposes jail for simple possession of cannabis and one of only 14 that lacks a compassionate medical cannabis law.

Ask your state legislators to change that by supporting medical cannabis and decriminalization.

Although polling shows 66% of Wisconsin voters support full adult-use legalization, Wisconsin’s legislative leaders claimed in recent years they didn’t have the votes for even medical cannabis in their caucuses. Last April, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R) said, "We don’t have 17 votes in the [Republican] caucus for medicinal purposes or recreational purposes."

In 2019, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) said of his Assembly Republican caucus, "it’s clear that our caucus hasn’t reached a consensus." Neither chamber has moved a bill out of committee to give it a chance on the floor.

It’s crucial that lawmakers hear from their constituents that this is unacceptable. Some of the most conservative states in the county have passed medical cannabis. Suffering Wisconsinites deserve the same medical freedom.

Ask your state legislators to support medical cannabis and decriminalization, and then spread the word so that others can raise their voices for fair and compassionate cannabis policies.

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Please ask your lawmakers to end cannabis prohibition in 2022!

Last year, two Delaware House committees approved HB 150 — a bill to legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults. However, the legislature adjourned without further action on the bill.

Rep. Ed Osienski, sponsor of HB 150, plans to introduce a revised version of the bill again, with the aim of passing it this year.

The General Assembly convenes for its 2022 legislative session today. Now is a great time to reach out to your lawmakers and let them know that you want them to equitably legalize cannabis for adults this year!

Be sure to stay plugged in to the Delaware Cannabis Policy Coalition email alerts for more updates once the bill is introduced.

Delaware does not have a ballot initiative process, so the legislature must act to bring equitable legalization to the First State. A strong majority of Delawareans support legalizing cannabis for adults, and it’s important that your lawmakers hear from you!

By legalizing cannabis this year, Delaware can further reduce police interactions and arrests for cannabis, boost public health and public safety by displacing the illicit market, create a new source of jobs and revenue, and begin to repair the decades of harm cannabis prohibition has caused in communities of color.

After you email your lawmakers, please share this message with your friends and family in Delaware and encourage them to do the same.

Together, we can end prohibition in the First State!

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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!

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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.

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Just last week Connecticut became the 19th state to legalize cannabis for adult use. Today, the law officially goes into effect.

Starting today, adults can legally possess up to one and a half ounces of cannabis on their person and up to five ounces in their home, a locked container in their residence, a locked glove box, or their vehicle’s trunk. Additionally, the odor or smell of cannabis can no longer be used as a basis to stop or search. Lastly, the law sets aside fifty percent of the licenses for equity applicants and dedicates upwards to 60 percent of the revenue to equity efforts. You can check out a full summary of the law here.

Connecticut is one of four states to legalize cannabis legislatively this year and now joins Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont as legalized states in New England.

We also want to remind folks that driving under the influence remains illegal, and we encourage everyone to please consume responsibly. We are extremely appreciative to all the lawmakers and advocates that contributed to this historic achievement. Congratulations all!

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It’s been an historic year for cannabis policy reform – with four states legalizing in 2021 alone and the total number of adult-use legalization states now reaching 19!

Three of the new state legalization laws have recently gone into effect: New Mexico’s on June 29, and Connecticut and Virginia’s on July 1. In addition, South Dakota's new medical cannabis law also takes effect on July 1. Read on to learn more about these new laws.

New Mexico

In April, New Mexico became the 18th state to legalize adult-use cannabis. On June 29, the new legalization law officially went into effect.

Adults (21+) may now legally possess up to two ounces of cannabis and cultivate up to six mature plants. Cannabis sales will begin no later than April 2022. You can check out our full summary of the law here.

Connecticut

In June, Connecticut became the 19th state to legalize cannabis for adults. On July 1, the new law officially went into effect.

Adults (21+) may now legally possess up to one and a half ounces of cannabis on their person and up to five ounces in their home, a locked container in their residence, a locked glove box, or their vehicle’s trunk. Additionally, the odor or smell of cannabis can no longer be used as a basis to stop or search. Lastly, the law sets aside fifty percent of the licenses for equity applicants and dedicates upwards to 60 percent of the revenue to equity efforts. Legal sales are anticipated to begin by May 2022. Adults will be allowed to securely cultivate cannabis at home starting July 1, 2023. You can check out a full summary of the law here and a condensed summary here.

Virginia

Virginia became the 17th state to legalize cannabis for adult use in April, making history as the first state in the South to legalize cannabis for adults. On July 1, the new law officially went into effect.

Adults (21+) may now legally possess up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to four cannabis plants at their primary residence. Legal sales will begin no earlier than July 2024. You can check out our full summary of the law here.

South Dakota

The new medical cannabis law in South Dakota also took effect July 1. Medical cannabis patients who comply with specific requirements will not be arrested for possession of up to three ounces of cannabis. The state has until November 18 of this year to begin issuing medical cannabis patient ID cards. The deadline for promulgating rules for businesses is October 29, 2021. The South Dakota Department of Health is responsible for implementing the policy. You can read the law here: SDCL 34-20G.

We are also waiting for the South Dakota Supreme Court to issue a ruling on Governor Noem’s lawsuit to repeal Amendment A, the marijuana legalization ballot initiative approved by 54% of South Dakota voters in 2020. We do not know when a ruling will be issued. Read more about the lawsuit here.

We also want to remind folks that driving under the influence of cannabis remains illegal in all states, and we encourage everyone to please consume responsibly!

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Virginia became the 17th state to legalize cannabis for adult use in April. Today, the new law officially goes into effect!

Starting today, adults can legally possess up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to four cannabis plants at their primary residence. Note, however, that it remains a crime to bring any amount of cannabis into the state of Virginia. Legal sales will begin no earlier than July 2024. You can check out our full summary of the law here.

Virginia is one of four states to legalize cannabis legislatively this year, with the total number of adult-use legalization states now reaching 19. It is also made history as the first state in the South to legalize cannabis for adults.

Thank you to the lawmakers and advocates who worked tirelessly to end cannabis prohibition in Virginia. It has truly been a historical year for cannabis policy reform!

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