The following open letter was sent out by the Marijuana Policy Project, Last Prisoner Project, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, Clergy for a New Drug Policy, Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, National Cannabis Industry Association, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).
The $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package is expected to be signed any moment, bringing a collective sigh of relief across the country. Plus, the stock market is trending up (for now). But lingering questions remain: What about the federally illegal cannabis business? Will the states take care of them?
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker's executive order to close all nonessential businesses in the state in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 would make an allowance for medical marijuana dispensaries, but not adult-use recreational sellers.
A congressional committee approved two bills focused on marijuana and military veterans. The action is the first markup of cannabis-related legislation on Capitol Hill this year.
After hours of tense debate, the Alabama Senate voted to pass a bill to legalize medical marijuana in the state. Lawmakers voted 22-11 in support of the legislation, which would allow qualifying patients to purchase certain medical marijuana products from state-licensed dispensaries.
The Maryland House of Delegates passed a bill that would expand the state’s current marijuana decriminalization policy, making it so that people caught possessing up to one ounce of cannabis—rather than just 10 grams—would avoid jail time.