Legalization Isn’t Justice Until Every Cannabis Prisoner Is Free
Stephanie Shepard is the Acting Executive Director of Last Prisoner Project, where she leads the organization’s national work to free those incarcerated for cannabis offenses and to repair the lasting harms of cannabis criminalization. A powerful advocate for retroactive relief, Stephanie brings both lived experience and deep empathy to her role, turning her own story […]
The Cannabis Industry Is Sleeping On Threat To Repeal Legalization In Maine And Massachusetts (Op-Ed)
“The industry can’t afford to sit this out… National trade groups, operators and investors should help fund and coordinate local opposition now.” By Joanne Caceres and Hannah King, Dentons Two under-the-radar signature drives in New England could become the biggest political test for cannabis legalization in a decade—and the industry is largely ignoring them. In […]
Mike Tyson Talks Marijuana With Pennsylvania Governor And Top Lawmakers As Legalization Fight Heats Up
“All of them was very delightful, you know, but we’ll see what happens.” By Peter Hall, Pennsylvania Capital-Star A heavyweight in the legal cannabis industry visited Pennsylvania’s Capitol to meet with state lawmakers Wednesday. Known as “the baddest man on the planet” at the height of his boxing career, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson entered […]
New Hampshire House Lawmakers Approve Marijuana Legalization Bill
New Hampshire House lawmakers have given initial approval to a bill that would legalize marijuana in the state—despite expectations that it’s destined to stall out in the opposite chamber or otherwise get vetoed by the governor. Members of the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee on Tuesday voted 10-7 to advance the proposal from Rep. […]
Ohio bill to scale back cannabis legalization passed by House (Newsletter: October 23, 2025)
WI medical marijuana hearing; FDA petition on cannabis testing device; MA recriminalization initiative “on track”; NH 2026 cannabis/psychedelics bills Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day. Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible… Your good deed […]
Ohio House Passes Bill To Remove Voter-Approved Marijuana Legalization Protections And Restrict Hemp Market
The Ohio House of Representatives has passed a bill that would make significant changes to the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law by removing several protections for consumers while also adding a series of new restrictions on hemp products that are intended to align the two sectors of the cannabis industry. After moving through several House […]
Florida Marijuana Legalization Campaign Sues State Over Alleged ‘Unlawful’ Attempt To Invalidate 200,000 Signatures For 2026 Ballot Initiative
A Florida campaign that’s working to put a marijuana legalization initiative on the 2026 ballot is suing the state for allegedly taking “unlawful” steps to force the invalidation of about 200,000 voter signatures it has submitted. Smart & Safe Florida filed the lawsuit against Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Leon County Supervisor of Elections […]
OpEd: Dear California, This Isn’t Legalization
In this powerful speech, industry leader Ben Larson critiques California’s restrictive cannabis policies and calls for smarter, more inclusive legalization that protects access to both regulated cannabis and innovative hemp-derived products. Last week, at the newly minted IgniteIt (formerly Benzinga Cannabis) California Market Spotlight, I was invited to read a letter I had written to Gavin […]
GOP Senator Wants To Let States ‘Opt In’ To Marijuana Legalization And Set A Federal Tax On It, Saying He’s ‘Not An Anti-Cannabis Person’
A GOP senator says it’s time to create a regulatory framework for marijuana with a federal excise tax and allow states to “opt in” to legalization—stating that he’s “not an anti-cannabis person” but stressing that certain rules should be implemented. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) might not be the voice most would expect to back comprehensive […]
Most Americans Say Marijuana Is A ‘Healthier Option’ Than Alcohol, And A Majority Expect Nationwide Legalization Within Five Years, Poll Finds
A majority of Americans believe marijuana represents a “healthier option” than alcohol—and most also expect cannabis to be legal in all 50 states within the next five years—according to a new poll. The MRI-Simmons 2025 National Cannabis Study offer a wide range of data points on public opinion and consumer trends concerning marijuana, touching on […]