Ask Gov. Edwards to sign the bill when it lands on his desk. Exciting news! On Wednesday, the Louisiana Senate followed the House’s lead and overwhelmingly approved legislation (HB 819) to allow medical cannabis for any debilitating medical condition. HB 819 would significantly expand Louisiana’s medical cannabis program: Patients currently only qualify if they have one of the specifically listed medical conditions. Ask Gov. John Bel Edwards to sign HB 819 into law when it lands on his desk.Before…

Great news! Utah’s medical cannabis program will allow medical access by drive-through and home delivery. These options will allow patients to access medical cannabis without having to risk in-person transactions. Drive-through access will be available as soon as medical cannabis pharmacies are equipped to offer it. At least two medical cannabis pharmacies — Dragonfly Wellness in Salt Lake City and a Perfect Earth location — plan to offer the service in July. Home delivery will take longer to roll…

Tell your state lawmakers you support allowing the sale of adult-use cannabis. We hope you and your loved ones are well during these challenging times. A recent poll commissioned by the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition shows Pennsylvania voters support allowing adult-use cannabis sales, particularly to meet anticipated budget challenges due to COVID-19. Voters polled in each region of the state preferred to see the state control, regulate, and tax the sale of adult-use cannabis instead of raising…

Call your Senator and urge them to include cannabis banking reform in the next relief package. Yesterday, House leadership released a coronavirus relief bill that includes provisions to protect banks that service cannabis businesses from being penalized by federal regulators. MPP has advocated for cannabis reform to be incorporated into COVID-19 legislation, including by sending a letter to House leadership and signing onto a letter with allies urging Congressional lawmakers to add the Secure and…

Ask your legislators to support easing access to medical cannabis. While many state legislatures have adjourned due to the coronavirus, the Louisiana State Legislature is back in action — with social distancing precautions — and is considering a series of bills to expand the state’s medical cannabis program. On Wednesday, the House Health and Welfare Committee unanimously advanced bills sponsored by Rep. Larry Bagley (R) that would allow physicians to recommend medical cannabis for any debilitating…

Ask your legislators to stand up for medical cannabis patients.On Tuesday, the North Carolina General Assembly convened in Raleigh for its 2020 legislative session. But — due to the coronavirus — it will operate very differently from prior years. Only about 20% of lawmakers were present. Committee meetings will be held online, and floor votes will be staggered to allow social distancing.While the legislature’s operations have changed to protect public health, there’s no reason it can’t do the people’s…

By Steve Hawkins, executive director, Marijuana Policy Project The coronavirus crisis has abruptly forced all Americans to reexamine our priorities. Entire sectors of the economy have been shuttered as we reduce contact between people to flatten the curve and reduce the death toll. Elected officials and regulators, in particular, must reevaluate a wide range of government policies to ensure a swift, coordinated, and appropriate response to the pandemic. One public policy that offers no benefit…

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…

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…