The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy advanced two cannabis bills — one would improve the medical cannabis program, and the other would provide employment protections for cannabis consumers. Rep. Michael Soter’s (R) H.176 would allow veterans receiving treatment from the VA to qualify for medical cannabis without a certification from a physician. They could instead submit VA documentation of their qualifying condition, given that VA personnel are not allowed to recommend medical cannabis.…

Two bills have been proposed in the Massachusetts Legislature to prohibit employment discrimination against legal cannabis consumers.

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

Stores will be open for curbside delivery only — thanks to all who contacted the Baker administration and their elected officials! Today, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that adult-use cannabis retailers will be allowed to reopen on May 25. The stores, which had been ordered to cease operations on March 23, will be allowed to serve customers by curbside delivery only during the first phase of the commonwealth’s reopening. Thanks to everyone who contacted Gov. Baker and other elected officials and…

Contact Gov. Baker and tell him Massachusetts residents should have sensible and safe access to cannabis during the crisis. Yesterday, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker refused to reverse his earlier decision to halt adult cannabis sales. Once again, he said it was because he worries allowing sales will attract visitors from other states. But a more rational solution exists: limit adult-use cannabis sales to Massachusetts residents only during the ongoing health crisis. If you support this idea,…

Contact Gov. Baker and your state legislators and tell them cannabis businesses must be designated as essential! Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has ordered that all nonessential businesses cease operations until April 7. Medical cannabis dispensaries and package beverage stores have been designated as essential services, but adult-use cannabis businesses have not. Please join with us in asking Gov. Baker to ensure that cannabis businesses are allowed to continue operating during the crisis.…

Ask your lawmakers to replace marijuana prohibition with sensible, equitable regulation. Today is the opening day of the Connecticut General Assembly. While last year’s efforts to end marijuana prohibition fell short, 2020 promises to be our best chance yet.During Gov. Ned Lamont’s State of the State address this afternoon, he remarked, “We just marked the 100th anniversary of prohibition. How did that work out?” He called for a coordinated regional approach to marijuana regulation to protect public…

Controversial host community agreements have compromised the program’s swift and equitable implementation — tell state legislators it’s time for the Cannabis Control Commission to review and regulate these agreements!There are now more than 30 cannabis retail stores operating in Massachusetts, and the state recorded over $400 million in sales in 2019. These are the first retail stores serving adults in the northeast, and we know that this is only the beginning of what will become a robust market…

As the rest of the region moves forward, the Nutmeg State should not remain an island of prohibition — please contact your representatives and senators today! Massachusetts recently concluded its first year of retail cannabis sales to adults, and the results are in: nearly $400 million in sales, an estimated $67 million in state tax revenue, and up to $11.8 million in tax revenue for municipalities. There are still only about 35 retail stores open in the state, up from the original two that opened…

In a recent appearance on WPRI’s Newsmakers, Gov. Raimondo indicated that she will reintroduce a plan to legalize marijuana for adults in her budget proposal for the upcoming legislative session, which begins in early January. Pointing to the General Assembly’s recent decision to add six new compassion centers, she said, “Last year we made a step forward with more medical [marijuana], and I think the next logical step is adult use.” She also referenced recent conversations with the governors of Massachusetts…