This evening, the Louisiana Senate is scheduled to consider allowing raw/flower medical cannabis (HB 391), along with a separate bill that would impose state and local sales tax on it (HB 514). Both bills have already passed the House.

Good news! Yesterday evening, the Louisiana House of Representatives voted to reduce the penalty for possession of 14 grams of cannabis to a fine of up to $100 with no jail time. This bill would save Louisianans the trauma, humiliation, and disruption caused by being locked in a jail cell for possessing a substance that is safer than alcohol.

Cannabis policy reform is continuing to gain momentum in the Texas Legislature! The House of Representatives approved two bills last week.

Next week, two legislative committees in Baton Rouge will be hearing testimony on bills that would bring Louisiana’s cannabis policies into the 21st century.

Several bills have been introduced to reform Texas’ outdated cannabis laws. Among the proposals are bills to expand the state’s current low-THC medical cannabis program; to decriminalize possession of up to an ounce of cannabis; and to legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and older.

In December, the North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice recommended that cannabis possession should be a civil — not a criminal — offense. Last week, legislators put forward a bill that would do just that.

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.

Since the beginning of the legislative session in January, there have been several cannabis-related bills introduced. Just this week, the Hawaii Legislature advanced two separate measures that would expand decriminalization and legalize cannabis. S.B. 758 would increase the possession threshold to one ounce from three grams. The Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee unanimously advanced S.B. 758 in a 5-0 vote.

Last week, Sen. Sharif Street filed a bill with the Judiciary Committee to decriminalize up to 30 grams of cannabis. Currently, possession and distribution of 30 grams of cannabis (or eight grams of hashish without intent to sell) is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment and a $500 fine.