Dr. Oz Warns Of ‘Consequences’ As People Choose Marijuana Over Alcohol, Citing Concerns About ‘High-Dose Hemp And CBD’
Mehmet Oz, the head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), says “there are going to be consequences” as more Americans choose marijuana over alcohol—including problems caused by “high-dose hemp and CBD.” As the Trump administration works to finalize a cannabis rescheduling proposal and prepares to roll out a CBD coverage plan through […]
Four More States Advance Bills To Allow Medical Marijuana Access In Hospitals
Lawmakers in multiple states are advancing bills meant to provide patients with access to medical marijuana in health care facilities, with lawmakers from Virginia to Hawaii making the case this week for a policy change they say is necessary to ensure patients have a full range of treatment options at their disposal. While the specific […]
Maryland Senators Weigh Bill To Let Firefighters And Rescue Workers Use Medical Marijuana While Off Duty
Maryland senators on Thursday took up a bill to protect firefighters and rescue workers from being penalized for off-duty use of medical marijuana. Members of the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on the proposal from Sen. Carl Jackson (D) about a year after the full chamber advanced an earlier version that ultimately stalled out […]
Rhode Island Marijuana Regulators Weigh How To Award New Dispensary Licenses
“It’s unfair to everyone that’s invested time, money and attention to this process. We ask there not be any delay.” By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Currant State cannabis regulators have yet to decide how they will handle the awarding of up to 20 cannabis retail licenses to applicants chosen by lottery as early as May. […]
Arizona Senators Approve Measures To Criminalize ‘Excessive’ Marijuana Smoke Or Odor
Arizona senators have approved a pair of measures that would make the act of creating “excessive” amounts of marijuana smoke or odor a criminal nuisance punishable by jail time, even if the person is using cannabis in compliance with state law in their own homes. Despite concerns about undermining the will of voters who passed […]
Marijuana Legalization Is On The Ballot In Texas During The Primary Election That’s Happening Now
Texas voters who go to the polls for the primary election that’s currently underway have the opportunity to weigh in on whether marijuana should be legalized in the state—at least if they select a Democratic ballot. As part of the March 3 election for which early voting has already started, each major party was able […]
Hawaii Lawmakers Approve Bill To Let Patients Access Medical Marijuana Immediately Instead Of Having To Wait For Registration Processing
Hawaii lawmakers have approved a bill to allow patients to immediately access medical cannabis once their registrations are submitted, instead of having to wait until their cards are delivered as is the case under current law. At a joint hearing of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and Commerce and Consumer Protections Committee on […]
Hawaii Senators Take Up Marijuana Legalization Bills After Key House Lawmakers Signal Reform Is Dead For 2026 Session
Hawaii senators have taken up a pair of bills to legalize marijuana—with one proposal contingent on federal reform or changes to the state Constitution and the other omitting provisions allowing for commercial sales. Members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and Commerce and Consumer Protections Committee took up the measures—SB 2421 and SB […]
Virginia Lawmakers Pass Bills To Legalize Marijuana Sales, Resentence Past Convictions And Allow Medical Cannabis In Hospitals
Virginia’s legislature took action on a series of marijuana bills on a key deadline Tuesday—advancing proposals to legalize cannabis sales, provide a pathway to resentencing for prior marijuana convictions and allow medical cannabis access in hospitals for seriously ill patients. On Tuesday’s crossover deadline to move bills from one chamber to the other, the House […]
Virginia House And Senate Approve Differing Marijuana Sales Legalization Bills, Setting Up Final Votes And Negotiations
Virginia’s House and Senate have given initial approved to two differing versions of bills to legalize marijuana sales in the Commonwealth—teeing up final votes and bicameral negotiations on the reform while also advancing separate legislation to provide a pathway to resentencing for people with past cannabis convictions. On Monday, the House passed a marijuana sales […]