Earlier this week, the 2022 session for Florida’s legislature kicked off. Although this year is a short session that ends in just three months, lawmakers have already filed several cannabis-related proposals, and many remain pending from the 2021 session.

A new poll by Starboard Communications found 72% of South Carolina voters support allowing medical cannabis and only 15% are opposed! But because South Carolina doesn’t have a citizens’ initiative process, the only way to translate that overwhelming support into law is for the state legislature to act.

Last year, the Alabama Senate overwhelmingly approved the Compassion Act — which would have legalized medical cannabis — but it stalled in the House when the coronavirus derailed the legislative session. This year, Sen. Tim Melson, MD, has already filed the 2021 version of the bill, SB 46.

Ask your state legislators to cosponsor the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act. On Wednesday, Sen. Tom Davis (R) and Rep. Bill Herbkersman (R) pre-filed bills that would allow seriously ill patients to use and safely access medical cannabis in South Carolina.As Rep. Bill Herbkersman explained, “It is unacceptable that South Carolinians with serious illnesses have to break the law to alleviate their suffering. My brother [who died of cancer] deserved better. Our friends, family, and neighbors…

Ask your lawmakers to reject the THC cap amendment to HB 713! On Thursday, March 5, the Florida House approved a 10 percent THC cap on medical cannabis for patients under 21 years old. The cap was submitted as an amendment to HB 713, which is a larger healthcare package. This THC limit would leave younger patients behind who respond best to medical cannabis with higher proportions of THC. Please take a minute to ask your lawmakers to reject this amendment! THC has proven medical benefits, including…

Urge your state legislators to stand up for patients! On February 20, Alabama’s Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a medical cannabis bill — SB 165 — in an 8-1 vote. It could get a Senate floor vote as soon as this week! Please write your state senator and state representative right now to let them know you want them to stand up for Alabama’s patients. Alabama’s lack of medical marijuana protections is increasingly an outlier. Thirty-three states, including Florida, Louisiana, and Arkansas, allow…

Ask your lawmakers to support legalizing and regulating cannabis for adults 21 and older! On Monday, January 13, Sen. Jeff Brandes (R) introduced a bill, SB 1860, to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and older. A House companion bill, HB 1389, was also introduced. Meanwhile, it was announced this week that marijuana legalization will not make it to the ballot for voters to decide on in 2020. However, the state legislature could still legalize cannabis for adult use. Ask your lawmakers…

If you live in Florida, contact your representatives and ask them to vote NO on HB7117. Just two weeks after the legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis repealed a ban on smoking medical cannabis in the face of a lawsuit, the House Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would limit cannabis flowers to just 10% THC. The bill, HB7117, now heads to the Florida House floor. Please ask your representatives to protect patients and vote NO on HB7117! This THC limit would leave patients behind who respond…

On Wednesday, the Florida House of Representatives sent a bill to allow patients to smoke medical cannabis to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk. In February, Gov. DeSantis called on lawmakers to send him a bill that would repeal the ban, after a court ruling in 2018 deemed the ban unconstitutional. The bill passed the Senate last week by a vote of 38-0. Repealing the smoking ban will allow patients and their doctors greater access to administer medical cannabis and to decide for themselves which mode of administration…

In some parts of the state, registered voters can cast their ballot early beginning today! The early voting schedule varies by county and will end on Saturday, November 3. Florida’s general election is set for Tuesday, November 6. Here’s a look at where gubernatorial candidates stand on marijuana policy reform: Andrew Gillum (D) supports legalizing and regulating marijuana for adults’ use, while Ron DeSantis (R) opposes legalization but is supportive of implementing Florida’s medical marijuana law.…