Virginia’s Governor Has The Power To Save Consumers’ Access To Hemp Products (Op-Ed)
“As written, the law would render the overwhelming majority of products currently on shelves illegal as of July 1. That includes gummies, tinctures, vapes, pre-rolls, beverages and topicals.” By Ivory Ellis, 757 Smokes A bill now on Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger’s (D) desk threatens to upend access to the popular hemp products that thousands of […]
Michigan Sheriff Running For Governor Pledges To Repeal Marijuana Tax Increase
“We cannot balance state budgets on the backs of one industry. Excessive taxation drives consumers back to the illicit market and shrinks the legal one.” By Katherine Dailey, Michigan Advance Genesee County Sheriff and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Swanson came out strongly in opposition to the 24 percent cannabis tax passed as a part of […]
New York Governor Marks Five-Year Anniversary Of Marijuana Legalization, With Over $3.3 Billion In Sales And 610 Licensed Retailers
The governor of New York is marking the five-year anniversary of adult-use marijuana legalization in the state, touting $3.3 billion in retail sales, the opening of more than 600 licensed cannabis shops and achievements in promoting social equity in the industry while taking steps to mitigate the illicit market. In a press release on Friday, […]
Mississippi Governor Vetoes Bills To Expand Medical Marijuana Access, But Signs Psychedelic Research Measure
Mississippi’s governor has vetoed a pair of bills to expand medical marijuana access while signing separate legislation to support research in hopes of gaining federal approval for the psychedelic ibogaine as a novel treatment option. Lawmakers approved each measure by strong margins, but on Thursday Gov. Tate Reeves (R) rejected the cannabis proposals while accepting […]
Indiana Governor Blames GOP Leaders For Marijuana Legalization Inaction While ‘Half Of Hoosiers Probably Smoke It Illegally’
The Republican governor of Indiana says the “crescendo will rise” in the call to legalize marijuana, with regional dynamics and even law enforcement buy-in favoring reform down the line. But for now, he says GOP legislative leadership is “not interested in doing anything soon,” even if “over half of Hoosiers probably smoke it illegally.” Gov. […]
Virginia Lawmakers Passed A Bill To Free Weed Prisoners. Now It’s Up To The Governor.
Virginia lawmakers have sent a marijuana resentencing bill to Gov. Abigail Spanberger, opening a path for people still incarcerated or under supervision for old cannabis convictions to get back in court. Virginia lawmakers have sent a marijuana resentencing bill to Gov. Abigail Spanberger, moving one of the state’s most overdue cannabis reforms a step closer […]
A Republican Weed CEO Wants To Be Governor. Can Cannabis Be His Bridge Issue?
Duke Rodriguez runs Ultra Health and is running for governor of New Mexico as a Republican. In a moment when “rescheduling” is still only a federal directive, not a finished reality, he argues cannabis can shift from a partisan fight to a practical test of governance: rules people can follow, honest labeling, real oversight, and […]
Wisconsin Governor Pushes To Stop Federal Hemp THC Ban, Saying Lack Of Legal Marijuana In State Makes The Impacts ‘Intensified’
The governor of Wisconsin is calling on congressional lawmakers to urgently take action to block a federal hemp THC ban that threatens to wipe out much of the state’s cannabis market—an issue he says is “intensified” by the fact that the state has yet to legalize marijuana for medical or adult use. In a letter […]