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.

On December 8, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) approved 30 additional medical cannabis business licenses. Since 2019, the 30 licenses had been frozen by a court order that lifted earlier this year. The CRC said the approval would double the number of medical dispensaries in the Garden State.

The last day to vote in the 2021 Virginia General Election is Tuesday, November 2. Virginia has accomplished sweeping cannabis policy reform over the last few years—including legalizing cannabis for adults 21 and older.

Although New Jersey legalized adult-use cannabis in February, growing a single cannabis plant remains a felony! The vast majority of legalization states — including New York and Connecticut — include the legalization of home grow.

In case you missed it, House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D) has announced that the House intends to pass a bill to refer legalization to voters on the 2022 ballot. The announcement also included the formation of a legalization workgroup to study the issue. The workgroup held its first meeting last week.

Good news! On June 30, 2021, Governor Wolf signed P.L. 210 into law, making several improvements to Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis program. P.L. 210 (otherwise known as HB 1024) was sponsored by Rep. Paul Schemel (R-Franklin) and acts on recommendations made by the Department of Health to revise the Medical Marijuana Act, which was signed into law in 2016.

The penalty for just under a half-ounce of cannabis is reduced to a fine. Louisiana’s new cannabis “decriminalization” law — HB 652 — took effect yesterday!On August 1, 2021, the penalty for possessing up to 14 grams of cannabis (0.49 oz.) was reduced to a fine of up to $100. For those unable to pay, the court shall use its discretion for alternatives, such as community service or installment payments. Thanks to the new law, possession of up to 14 grams is now enforced by a summons (like a traffic…

Today, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced a draft of their long-anticipated legislation to end federal cannabis prohibition.

Later this year, Rhode Island could become the 20th state in the nation to approve a law that legalizes cannabis for adults. Though the clock ran out in the regularly scheduled legislative session as lawmakers adjourned late last week, there’s still a good chance Rhode Island will end cannabis prohibition before the end of 2021.

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