The bill provides relief for over 175,000 people with low-level marijuana convictions.
“Implementation was followed by an immediate reduction and sustained declining trend in the illegal cannabis market.”
NORML has consistently lobbied against the proposed hikes, arguing that increasing taxes will unduly burden both consumers and licensed retailers.
“Marylanders already pay a premium tax on retail cannabis products. Raising these taxes even higher will undoubtedly drive prices out of reach for some consumers. They will also hurt state-licensed businesses, many of which have already invested millions of dollars in up-front costs and are still struggling to break even.”
Despite growing public support for legalization, there remains a vocal yet powerful minority intent on maintaining the failed policy of cannabis criminalization.
“Once again, Governor Youngkin has prioritized his personal politics over public safety, opting to keep control of Virginia’s marijuana market squarely in the hands of unregulated operators.”
“Although Congress has failed to amend federal cannabis laws to explicitly recognize state-legal cannabis markets, the attitudes and priorities of federal law enforcement agents and prosecutors have clearly shifted in a manner that reflects their reality. Now it’s time for Congress to do so by repealing the failed policy of federal marijuana prohibition.”
From the beginning, women have played pivotal roles in the cannabis movement, often without due recognition—challenging outdated laws, fighting stigma, protecting people, and helping to build an industry from the ground up.