The governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) is renewing his call to legalize marijuana in the territory, putting pressure on the legislature to enact the reform as a revenue generator that he says is long overdue. Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. (D) included expected legal cannabis revenue in his Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget request that he sent to lawmakers on Tuesday and said he will be convening a special legislative session to get the job done. At a press briefing, the governor singled out one key lawmaker, Sen. Janelle Sarauw (I), who he blames for blocking marijuana legislation to date. “It’s just totally ridiculous now how long Senator Sarauw has been holding our bill in the legislature,” the governor, who has repeatedly pushed for legalization over recent years and released his own reform proposal in 2019, said on Tuesday. “Call her and tell her, ‘Why are you holding up this adult cannabis use legislation?’ We need to get it done. So we put it in [the budget].” “We’re going to be calling the legislature into special session. We’re gonna give them plenty time to think about it,” he said.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 06/02/2022 11:44:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/us-virgin-islands-governor-plans-marijuana-legalization-special-session-and-puts-expected-revenue-in-budget/

The North Carolina Senate on Thursday gave initial approval to a bill to legalize medical marijuana. Just one day after clearing a key Senate committee that is chaired by the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Bill Rabon (R), the legislation passed the full chamber on second reading in a 35-10 vote. The NC Compassionate Care Act previously advanced through three separate panels last year. “This bill is going to, in my opinion, help a lot of people at the end of their life at a time that they need some compassion,” Rabon said on the floor ahead of the vote. Medical cannabis can help people “at a time that what few days, or what little time they have left, should be as comfortable and as easy as they can be,” the senator, who is a cancer survivor, said. “I think it is our duty as lawmakers to pass legislation that helps people who need our help.” One more vote on third reading, expected next week, will be required to formally send the measure to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 06/02/2022 12:45:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/north-carolina-senate-approves-medical-marijuana-legalization-bill/

More Louisiana residents will have access to medical marijuana under a significant expansion of the state’s therapeutic cannabis program that was signed into law by Gov. John Bel Edwards. The changes in the law, which take effect in August, allow doctors to recommend medical marijuana for any patient they believe it would help, and remove restrictions on which doctors can recommend cannabis. The state House and Senate agreed to the bill — sponsored by Republican Rep. Larry Bagley of Stonewall, the chairman of the House health committee —- in the regular session that ended June 1. The House voted 75-16 for the measure, while the Senate agreed in a 28-6 vote. Edwards, a Democrat, announced Monday evening that he had signed the bill into law. Under a 2015 law and additional changes passed since then, Louisiana allowed cannabis to treat a long list of diseases and disorders including cancer, seizure disorders, epilepsy, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder and Parkinson’s disease.

Melinda Deslatte, Home, 06/16/2020 14:18:00

Open article: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Louisiana-widening-access-to-medical-marijuana-15344160.php

Indiana lawmakers will discuss cannabis this summer, including THC products already being legally sold in the Hoosier State and potential decriminalization of marijuana. This comes amid a ramped-up effort by state Democrats and others to legalize marijuana in Indiana. According to the agenda approved by legislative leaders from both parties, a summer study committee will focus on “delta-8, delta-9, and other THC products regarding potential health benefits, potential decriminalization, and other potential consequences.” Delta-8 is a chemical compound derived from hemp, which was legalized federally in the 2018 farm bill and gives users a weaker high than delta-9, the chemical found in marijuana. “We need to have a wholehearted discussion about cannabis, all forms of cannabis,” said Jason Straw, who has advocated for marijuana legalization for years as the chairman of Indiana NORML.

Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news, 06/02/2022 16:34:00

Open article: https://www.cannabisbusinessexecutive.com/2022/06/indiana-lawmakers-to-discuss-cannabis-this-summer/