Visit the Secretary of State’s website to register or verify your registration and request an absentee ballot — the primary election is scheduled for June 9! In the wake of yet another disappointing legislative session for cannabis advocates in West Virginia, the 2020 election season presents an important opportunity to replace prohibitionists with public officials who are serious about legalizing cannabis. The primary election is scheduled for June 9, but you may also choose to vote early or by…

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 Gov. Murphy to ensure safe access for medical cannabis patients. On March 21, Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration took an important step to preserve safe access to medical marijuana by declaring New Jersey’s Medicinal Marijuana Program an essential service. Later that month, his administration issued waivers providing for curbside pick-up, remote consultations, and expedited employee on-boarding. While MPP applauds Gov. Murphy’s decisive emergency action, there is still a need for additional pathways…

Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, advocates were working with lawmakers to push significant reforms to improve Rhode Island’s medical marijuana program and lower costs for patients. Now, with a serious economic downturn in the state, many patients are struggling with even greater financial hardships. Due to public health concerns, the General Assembly has suspended its session, and it is unclear if or when legislators will reconvene. Under normal circumstances, the legislature would be holding…

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…

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, 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…