Today, the majority of US states regulate medical cannabis access and 18 have legalized adult use. Arguably, none of these political and cultural advancements would have been possible without the success of California’s 1996 campaign and the efforts of those activists who worked so hard for the law’s passage a quarter of a century ago.
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves appears to have backed off a pledge to hold a special legislative session this fall to enact medical cannabis legalization. Lawmakers reached consensus on a medical marijuana bill in September, but the Governor has refused to take any further action on it.
Voters yesterday decided on a number of state and local ballot initiatives specific to marijuana policies.
Scientists reported: “Our results clearly demonstrate that NIDA cannabis samples are substantially genetically different from most commercially available drug-type strains and share a genetic affinity with hemp samples in several of the analyses.”
Goucher polling dating back to 2015 has consistently reported that the majority of Marylanders endorse cannabis legalization.
State officials announced: “Approximately 203,000 marijuana related charges are presently being suppressed from background searches and in process to be sealed or expunged. … This will add to the approximately 198,000 sealing accomplished as part of the first round of marijuana expungements for the 2019 expungement legislation.”
The proposed rules, which must undergo a 60-day public comment period, permit the cultivation of up to six cannabis plants per private residence. The regulations will take effect once the public comment period has ended and the Board has finalized its language.
Justices on the state’s highest court have yet to render a decision regarding the fate of Constitutional Amendment A, the voter-approved initiative which sought to legalize the adult-use possession and sale of cannabis.