New Zealand is known for its tourism campaigns emphasizing what a clean, green country it is, and after 2020 it might be even greener: A referendum will be held that year on whether recreational cannabis use should be legal, the justice minister said on Wednesday. It appears that New Zealand would be the first country […]
marijuana vote
Hearings Set for Marijuana Bill in New Jersey
Local municipalities will have the option of levying a 2 percent tax on weed sales for their own coffers, in addition to a 12 percent state tax on cannabis sales, under a long-awaited bill to make the drug legal for recreational use in the Garden State. That and other components of the proposed bill—sponsored by […]
Marijuana stocks could see a midterm boost if Michigan votes yes
The 2018 midterm elections in the United States are the next big test for the marijuana industry, fresh off a banner year that saw the legalization of cannabis in areas across North America. Just last week, Mexico’s Supreme Court quashed a blanket ban on the recreational use of marijuana, while Canadian pot producers struggled to […]
Recreational marijuana in Oklahoma: What’s next now that supporters don’t have enough signatures?
After a surprise announcement Tuesday, it does not appear that Green the Vote will have enough signatures to place a constitutional question for recreational marijuana on a ballot. Activists still plan to deliver petitions to the Capitol on the Wednesday deadline, but it’s still unclear what will happen with the group and its mission to legalize […]
In Michigan, Some Marijuana Convictions Could Disappear If Voters Recreational Use
Untold thousands of Michiganders could be in line for a second chance if voters decide to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in the Nov. 6 election. In some other states where recreational use of marijuana has been legalized, voters or lawmakers have decided to make it easier for people convicted of marijuana crimes to […]
Legal Cannabis In New Jersey Could Be Doomed For Now By Risky Move In Trenton
A bold plan to tie medical marijuana expansion to the legalization of recreational weed could jeopardize both efforts in New Jersey, legislators say. Multiple sources in the Legislature have told NJ Advance Media that state Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, is working on combining the two measures in a political gamble that risks dooming their chances […]
Missouri Legislature Let Medical Marijuana Die In Last Days Of Session Leaving It To Voters In November
A push in the Missouri legislature to legalize medical marijuana has gone up in smoke. The legislature’s chances to make Missouri the 30th state to legalize medical marijuana died in a conference committee two days before the end of session, leaving the issue up to voters to decide in November. Rep. Jim Neely, R-Cameron, added […]
New Hampshire House Votes To Legalize Recreational Marijuana
The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted Tuesday morning in favor of legislation to legalize recreational marijuana. The vote came after a floor flight over a House committee’s recommendation that lawmakers kill the bill. House Speaker Gene Chandler, a Republican from Bartlett, said the bill will now go to the House Ways & Means Committee. […]
Recreational Marijuana Could End Up On Michigan Ballot In 2018
LANSING — When the coalition to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use turned in petition signatures to the Secretary of State on Monday, the group added to what could be a crowded ballot next November. Other ballot proposals, including the way district lines are drawn for local, state and federal elected offices, are nearing their goal of obtaining […]
Tennessee Democrats Vote To Support Medical Marijuana Officially
As polls show record numbers of Americans supporting medical marijuana, it’s only a matter of time before our nation’s politicians jump on the bandwagon as well. And it looks like Tennessee Democrats want to be the first ones aboard. The Tennessee Democrats announced that they’ve added medical marijuana to their official party platform. A Democratic committee member there’s a “growing body […]
City of Atlanta Decriminalizes Marijuana
Atlanta’s city council decided unanimously to decriminalize marijuana Monday night. They voted 15-0 to make the penalty for possession of one ounce or less a $75 fine — a move that aims to neutralize uneven policing and enforcement of drug laws in the city where 92% of individuals arrested for marijuana between 2014 and 2016 were […]
4 Things Massachusetts Lawmakers May Be Considering as They Delay Recreational Marijuana Laws
Legislative leaders have made clear they are not through with making changes to the voter-approved recreational Massachusetts marijuana initiative, but it remains to be seen whether future action amounts to an overhaul of or a mere tinkering with the new law. A committee of House and Senate lawmakers will soon be named to consider potential […]
Some Massachusetts Towns Are Pushing Back Against Marijuana Shops
A number of cities and towns are exploring ways to limit or even snuff out marijuana shops in their communities, less than a week after voters legalized the drug for recreational use in Massachusetts. Some local officials worry that a profusion of marijuana stores will turn quaint New England downtowns into drug havens. Others are […]
Here’s Why the FDA Does Not Believe Marijuana Is Medicine
The November election will be a pivotal moment for the future of U.S. marijuana policy. Voters in five states, including California, will decide whether to legalize weed for recreational use by adults, and citizens in four others will cast ballots on whether to allow medical marijuana. If all of the measures succeed, it could force federal […]
Mexico Is Monitoring California’s Marijuana Vote; May Need to Follow Suit
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who has proposed liberalizing his country’s drug laws, privately asked California lawmakers visiting Mexico about a state measure to legalize recreational marijuana, a state legislator said on Thursday. A delegation of California Democratic lawmakers visiting Mexico talked for an hour on Wednesday with Pena Nieto about trade and the state’s […]