Who’s funding the effort to legalize cannabis for recreational use in New Jersey? It’s not the Big Marijuana companies. The largest contributor to the Garden State’s legalization drive is a lawn care company: Scotts Miracle-Gro, a firm best-known for grass seed, turf builder, and eradicating weeds. The second largest backer is the American Civil Liberties Union of N.J. […]
ACLU
New Jersey marijuana groups launch campaigns to reach voters
In November, New Jersey voters will get to decide whether or not marijuana should be legal for recreational use. Axel Owen is the campaign manager for NJ CAN 2020, a coalition made up of advocacy groups and members of the cannabis industry who are campaigning for legalized marijuana for people 21 and over. “To basically […]
Bill to end police stops for marijuana odor passes Virginia Senate
The state Senate approved a bill Friday that would prohibit search and seizures based solely on the odor of marijuana, which activists say is a step toward ending adverse enforcement against marginalized communities. Senate Bill 5029, introduced by Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, passed on a 21-15 vote. Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of Marijuana Justice, […]
Despite legalization, people of color still disproportionately targeted for marijuana, new studies say
Marijuana legalization has been touted as one way to unravel the consequences of the war on drugs, but two new studies suggest that the communities most harmed by the nearly 50-year crusade — namely people of color — are not reaping the benefits. Two reports, published by the American Civil Liberties Union and a team of researchers from […]
Pennsylvania State Supreme Court hears argument on medical marijuana restrictions for probationers
An attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania on Tuesday asked the state Supreme Court to declare illegal a policy in Lebanon County courts that prohibits people on probation from using medical marijuana. The argument, on behalf of three probationers there, comes about nine months after Lebanon County Probation Services implemented the policy […]
Michigan’s Recreational Marijuana Tax Would Be Lowest In The Nation If Legalized
Michigan could have some of the lowest tax rates on recreational marijuana in the nation if Michigan residents choose to legalize it at the polls in November. To date nine states have legalized marijuana use, each with their own approach to taxing the substance. The Michigan proposal would make recreational marijuana legal for those 21 and over, with […]
Fifty Years: How Marijuana Became Re-Legalized In America
Part of a year-long series, longtime cannabis law reform advocate and historian Allen St. Pierre examines monthly for Cannabis Business Executive the last fifty years of cannabis prohibition and the public advocacy efforts in America to bring about the ongoing and inescapable socio-political changes underway first at the state, and soon, federal level regarding cannabis policy. […]
Fifty Years: How Marijuana Became Re-Legalized In America
Part Three (1976-1980) Marijuana Law Reform Advocates/The Carter Years Part of a year-long series, longtime cannabis law reform advocate and historian Allen St. Pierre examines monthly for Cannabis Business Executive the last fifty years of cannabis prohibition and the public advocacy efforts in America to bring about the ongoing and inescapable sociopolitical changes underway first at […]
New Bill For Marijuana Justice Calls for $500 Million to Fix Drug War Damages
New legislation has been introduced to end federal prohibition of marijuana by focusing on the racial disparity of marijuana arrests and incarcerations, which has been part of the argument for legalization efforts in many states across the country, and was one of the driving reasons for legalizing recreational marijuana in Washington, D.C. in 2014. D.C.’s […]