Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, it was announced that the omnibus funding bill included the “Harris Rider,” a measure that blocks Washington, D.C. from launching adult-use cannabis sales. 

In November 2014, D.C. voters overwhelmingly approved Initiative 71, which legalized the possession and cultivation of limited amounts of cannabis by adults 21 and older. But due to the fact that D.C. cannot control its own budget, Congress has been able to block the District from taxing and regulating cannabis sales.

Following this news, Toi Hutchinson, President and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization, released the following statement:

“We are very disappointed that Congress continues to prevent residents of D.C. from regulating cannabis despite their urgent and repeated requests for reform. Instead, Congress is forcing the District to maintain a gray market in which cannabis can be legally possessed and consumed by adults, but it cannot be legally sold, regulated, or tested. This places consumers at risk, and entrepreneurs who live in this minority-majority community are denied the ability to open businesses that are available in every other legal cannabis jurisdiction.”

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Washington, D.C. — Toi Hutchinson, President and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization, released the following statement regarding the arrest and detainment of WNBA Phoenix Mercury center, Brittney Griner, for alleged possession of hashish oil. 

The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) stands by Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner, her family, the WNBA, and multiple organizations calling for her immediate release and safe return to the U.S. 

“We, like the entire country, are monitoring the situation in Russia regarding Brittney Griner and join many others in calling for her swift and safe return home. While we don’t have direct knowledge of this particular situation, it is not uncommon for athletes to use these oils for their physical and mental health, and they should not be penalized or stigmatized for doing so. Simple cannabis possession should never be cause for international geopolitics, as we are seeing play out in this case. After weeks of detention amid an increasingly uncertain and dangerous political environment, Brittney needs to be safely returned home as soon as humanly possible.”

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Washington, D.C. — Following President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, Toi Hutchison, President and CEO at the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization, released the following statement:

“President Joe Biden’s failure to address cannabis policy reform is an affront to the American people. In spite of overwhelming public support, his refusal to support even modest reforms to our country’s archaic federal cannabis laws is deeply disappointing and is out of step with promises made while he was on the campaign trail.

“We’ve waited long enough for action. Prohibition has failed miserably in this country, and even one more cannabis-related arrest is too many — especially when a disproportionate number of those being arrested are people of color. As long as cannabis is still criminalized at the federal level, there will be limitations to what states can accomplish.

“MPP remains dedicated to keeping the pressure on the Biden administration to live up to their promise and take long overdue action to decriminalize cannabis at the federal level while simultaneously sustaining the momentum for reform in state legislatures.”

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After months of negotiations among leaders in the General Assembly, Rhode Island is poised to pass a comprehensive cannabis legalization law this year
 

PROVIDENCE, RI — Earlier today, Rep. Scott Slater and Sen. Josh Miller, along with many cosponsors in the House and Senate, formally introduced a pair of identical bills to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis for adults 21 and older in Rhode Island. The long-awaited legislation is the product of many months of discussions among top lawmakers in the state, including Senate President Dominic Ruggerio and Speaker of the House Joseph Shekarchi, who have both indicated they believe this to be the year Rhode Island joins 18 other states with adult-use cannabis legalization laws. The first committee hearing on the bill is expected to be scheduled toward the end of this month.

The legislation would:

• Allow adults to possess and purchase up to one ounce of cannabis (and up to 10 ounces in a person’s residence) and cultivate up to three cannabis plants in their homes;
• Establish a three-member commission appointed by the governor and leaders of the General Assembly to oversee the regulation and licensing of cannabis businesses;
• Impose a cannabis retail excise tax of 10%, in addition to the normal sales tax rate of 7%, with another 3% local sales tax;
• Require that a quarter of all new retail licenses be awarded to applicants that qualify as social equity businesses and another quarter of new licenses to worker-owned cooperatives; and
• Create a social equity assistance fund to provide grants, job training programs, and social services for communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization.

The Marijuana Policy Project has worked with lawmakers and a broad coalition of organizations in the state to advance legalization in recent years. Jared Moffat, state campaigns manager for MPP, praised lawmakers for this latest step forward:

“We are grateful to Speaker Shekarchi, Senate President Ruggerio, and their staff for the many months of work that went into finding common ground and crafting a thoughtful proposal that will end the failed policy of cannabis prohibition and create many economic and social benefits for the state. We’re looking forward to the public discussion on this important issue, and we’re excited that Rhode Island appears poised to join 18 other states that have legalized cannabis for adults later this year.”

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee has previously expressed support for legalizing cannabis and included a separate legalization proposal in his omnibus budget bill introduced in January. In the coming weeks, MPP intends to work with legislators and other stakeholders to propose improvements to aspects of the General Assembly’s bill, including establishing a process for automated record clearance for past cannabis arrests and convictions. 

A comprehensive summary of the legislation can be found here, while the full text of the measure can be found here. 

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Annapolis, MD — On Friday, the Maryland House of Delegates approved a pair of bills that would allow voters to decide whether to legalize cannabis for adults’ use in November 2022. This marks the first time either chamber in Maryland’s legislature has voted on a bill that would legalize cannabis. 

HB 1, the bill to refer the question of cannabis legalization for adults’ use to Maryland voters on the November 2022 ballot, passed the House in a vote of 96-34. HB 837, the companion bill that would be contingent on voter approval of HB 1, passed the House in a vote of 92-37. HB 837 includes details for initial steps of cannabis legalization, such as possession limits, limited expungement, and funding for minority- and women-owned businesses. The bill does not create a licensing or regulatory framework, and despite the likelihood that voters will approve the measures in November 2022, simple possession and limited home cultivation would remain illegal in Maryland until July 2023. Both bills are sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Luke Clippinger (D). 

Meanwhile on the Senate side, Sen. Brian Feldman (D) has introduced SB 833, legislation that would also refer the question of cannabis legalization to voters on the November 2022 ballot. SB 833 includes a licensing and regulatory system, in addition to legalizing simple possession and home cultivation once the ballot initiative results are certified.  

“Marylanders have fought year after year for equitable cannabis legalization, and this milestone is an indication that the era of prohibition is finally coming to an end. We applaud House Speaker Adrienne Jones for prioritizing efforts to legalize cannabis this year. With legislative leaders taking action on this issue, Maryland is well positioned to pass a cannabis legalization law in 2022,” said Olivia Naugle, senior policy analyst at the Marijuana Policy Project.

According to an October 2021 Goucher poll, 60% of Marylanders support cannabis legalization. To date, 18 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older.

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On Monday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva can continue to compete at the Beijing Olympics, despite testing positive late last year for a banned substance.

In response to this news, Toi Hutchison, President and CEO at the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization, released the following statement:

“Less than a year ago, sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson was banned from the Olympic 100-meter race following a positive cannabis test. Meanwhile, it was announced that Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva could compete after failing a doping test. The stark contrast between how these two cases were handled is deafening. As Ricardson correctly pointed out, THC is not a performance enhancing drug, yet in this instance the punishment for a positive cannabis test received a harsher punishment. This unfortunate situation makes it clear that the stigma surrounding cannabis use remains deeply entrenched to this day, leading to far-reaching consequences. It also serves as a reminder that cannabis prohibition policies are descendants of prejudice. And to this day, they result in social injustices due to disproportionate impacts on people of color.

“The decision to exclude Richardson from participating in the Olympics was already deeply disappointing. Personal use of cannabis should never stop an athlete from representing the United States of America and pursuing their dreams.”

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Washington, D.C. — On Friday, the SAFE Banking Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the America COMPETES Act. 

In response, Toi Hutchinson, president and CEO at the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization, released the following statement:

“I am pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives saw fit to include and pass the provisions of the SAFE Banking Act in the America COMPETES Act. Today’s vote was a positive step in the right direction. A lack of access to banking is a constant obstacle for state-legal cannabis businesses across the country and hinders social equity efforts. The reality is that states are going to continue to move forward with legalizing cannabis. We at the Marijuana Policy Project are delighted that Congress is beginning to recognize that they can no longer ignore this issue.”

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Gov. Tate Reeves signs SB 2095 into law, making Mississippi the 37th state to legalize medical cannabis

Jackson, MS — On Wednesday, Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed legislation to legalize medical cannabis into law. Mississippi is now the 37th state in the country to adopt an effective medical cannabis law.

“With this victory, tens of thousands of Mississippians with debilitating health conditions will finally be able to safely and legally access something that can alleviate their pain and improve their quality of life. Mississippi now serves as the latest example that medical cannabis legalization is possible in any state in the country. We are hopeful that this move will add to the growing momentum towards cannabis policy reform in the South,” said Toi Hutchinson, president and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project.

The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act will allow registered patients with qualifying conditions to safely access and use medical cannabis with a doctor’s recommendation. You can find a summary of the new law here.

“Despite tremendous support, Mississipians faced an uphill battle for a medical cannabis program. With this new law, justice has finally prevailed. Patients in Mississippi who are seriously ill will no longer be subject to arrest and criminal penalties for using medical cannabis and instead will be met with compassion. We applaud the legislature for working to restore the will of the voters in one of the most conservative states in the nation and Gov. Reeves for signing it into law,” said Kevin Caldwell, Southeast legislative manager at the Marijuana Policy Project. 

On November 3, 2020, 69% of Mississippi voters cast their ballots in favor of enacting a medical cannabis program. On that same ballot, 74% voted for a broad program — Initiative 65 — while rejecting a far more restrictive alternative lawmakers had placed on the ballot, Initiative 65A. Subsequently, the state Supreme Court found that the state’s signature requirements for ballot measures could not be complied with and threw out not only Initiative 65, but also the entire state’s ballot initiative process.

With the addition of Mississippi, 37 states — including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Louisiana — have laws providing the framework for patients with debilitating medical conditions to have access to regulated cannabis products under a doctor’s care. 

Several other states, including Nebraska and North Carolina, are expected to seriously consider enacting medical cannabis laws this year. Meanwhile, debate on a medical cannabis law is currently underway in the South Carolina Senate for the first time.

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Mississippi poised to become 37th state to legalize medical cannabis

Jackson, MS — Today, both chambers of Mississippi’s legislature approved legislation that would legalize medical cannabis in the state. The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act (SB 2095), sponsored by Sen. Kevin Blackwell (R), now heads to the governor’s desk.

SB 2095 passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 103-13 and the Senate with a vote of 46-4 (with one abstention) on Wednesday after both chambers finalized details of the legislation during a bicameral conference committee. Gov. Tate Reeves (R) will have five days (excluding Sundays) to act on the bill. If he does nothing, it will become law without his signature. Both the House and Senate margins in votes would be sufficient to override a veto. 

“With the passage of SB 2095, today is an historic day for the patients of Mississippi,” said Kevin Caldwell, MPP’s Southeast legislative manager. “We would like to thank Sen. Kevin Blackwell and Rep. Lee Yancy for their leadership on this issue that is so important to so many patients and we call on Gov. Tate Reeves to sign this legislation into law when presented to him. When this bill becomes law, only 13 states will remain without a medical cannabis law. We look forward to seeing that number continue to dwindle and patients across the nation having access to this medicine. We will continue to fight for access in the remaining states without medical programs.”

On November 3, 2020, 69% of Mississippi voters cast their ballots in favor of enacting a medical cannabis program. On that same ballot, 74% voted for a broad program — Initiative 65 — while rejecting a far more restrictive alternative lawmakers had placed on the ballot, Initiative 65A. Subsequently, the state Supreme Court found that the state’s signature requirements for ballot measures could not be complied with and threw out not only Initiative 65, but also the entire state’s ballot initiative process.

To date, 36 states — including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Louisiana — have laws providing the framework for patients with debilitating medical conditions to have access to regulated cannabis products under a doctor’s care. 

Several other states, including Nebraska, South Carolina, and Tennessee, are expected to seriously consider enacting a medical cannabis law in the coming year.

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A new report from the Marijuana Policy Project shows that legalization states reported a combined total of $10.4 billion in tax revenue since sales began in 2014 

Read the Marijuana Policy Project’s full report here

Washington, D.C. — The Marijuana Policy Project has released a new report on tax revenue generated from state-legal, adult-use cannabis since 2014 when sales began in Colorado and Washington state. As of December 2021, states reported a combined total of $10.4 billion in tax revenue from legal, adult-use cannabis sales, with more than $3 billion reported in 2021 so far (states have not yet reported revenue totals for the last one to three months of the year). 

The report includes the tax structure for each state, total revenue generated each year, and additional information about how the revenue is being distributed to public services and programs. The full report is available here: mpp.org/cannabis-tax-revenue.

“States that have legalized cannabis for adults are reaping significant economic benefits. The legal adult-use cannabis industry has now generated over $10 billion in new tax revenue, and in many instances that revenue is being distributed to much needed public services and programs, including reinvesting in communities that were devastated by the war on drugs. This is in stark contrast to prohibition, which costs taxpayers billions of dollars each year to enforce,” said Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies at the Marijuana Policy Project.

Eighteen states have laws that legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and older (the 2020 voter-approved adult-use legalization law in South Dakota was overturned by the state’s Supreme Court in November 2021). Eight of the laws were approved in 2020 or 2021, and in seven of those states, sales and tax collections have either not yet begun (or began within the last week).

In states with legal, adult-use cannabis sales, tax revenues can be allocated for social services and programs. This includes funding education, school construction, early literacy, public libraries, bullying prevention, behavioral health, alcohol and drug treatment, veterans’ services, conservation, job training, conviction expungement expenses, and reinvestment in communities that have been disproportionately affected by the war on cannabis, among many others. 

Highlights include:

Alaska: Half of all adult-use cannabis tax revenue is invested in the Recidivism Reduction Fund and supports reentry programs for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals.

California: More than $100 million has been distributed to community groups and local nonprofit programs that benefit people adversely impacted by punitive drug laws.

Colorado: $471.9 million of the total revenue generated from cannabis taxes has been dedicated to improving Colorado’s public school system.

Illinois: In addition to investing 20% of adult-use cannabis tax revenue into mental health services, the state directs 25% of the funds to the Recover, Reinvest, and Renew Program, which supports local organizations in developing programs that benefit disadvantaged communities.

Michigan: For adult-use cannabis taxes collected in Fiscal Year 2020, the Michigan Department of Treasury reported in March 2021 that around $11.6 million will be sent to the School Aid Fund for K-12 education.

Washington: For every $1 billion in revenue collected from the cannabis sales tax, nearly $600 million is funneled into public health initiatives, including a fund that provides health insurance for low-income families.

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