A bill to legalize marijuana in South Dakota was approved in a Senate committee on Thursday, sending it to the floor. And a separate panel advanced legislation earlier in the week to set up a tax scheme for an adult-use cannabis market if legalization is enacted. These developments come as activists continue to explore ways to end prohibition legislatively or through the ballot. South Dakota voters already approved legalization during the 2020 election, but the reform was struck down by the state Supreme Court following a challenge from the governor’s office. Now the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee has passed SB 3 in a 5-3 vote. Sponsored by Sen. Michael Rohl (R), the bill as amended would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to two ounces of cannabis from licensed retailers. Home cultivation would not be permitted, however, unlike under a ballot measure that activists have been collecting signatures for.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 02/17/2022 14:22:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/south-dakota-lawmakers-approve-marijuana-legalization-and-taxation-bills-in-committee/

Three Kentucky Democrats, including a top party official in the state Senate, have unveiled sweeping bills to end cannabis prohibition by legalizing sales to adults over 21, establishing a medical marijuana program for registered patients and expunging past convictions that the sponsors say never should have been charged in the first place. Senate Minority Floor Leader Morgan McGarvey, Sen. David Yates, and Rep. Rachel Roberts introduced the 74-page legislation on Thursday. A competing Republican-led proposal filed in January would legalize only medical cannabis. The Democratic sponsors of the new bills said at a press conference that their plan would allow the state to catch up with the 37 others that already allow patients access to medical marijuana, establish a new revenue stream for the state and local governments and free law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes. “Our legislation is the comprehensive plan that Kentuckians deserve, and it builds on what’s worked in other states while avoiding their mistakes,” Roberts said.

Ben Adlin, Marijuana Moment, 02/18/2022 07:55:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/kentucky-democrats-file-bills-to-legalize-marijuana/

A second Delaware House committee has approved a bill to legalize marijuana in the state, clearing its way to a floor vote. The House Appropriations Committee passed the legislation from Rep. Ed Osienski (D) on Thursday. No members voted in favor or against the proposal, and instead agreed unanimously to move it forward “on its merits.” This comes about a month after the House Health and Human Development Committee approved the measure, which would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to one ounce of cannabis, including up to five grams of cannabis concentrates. Home cultivation and marijuana delivery services would be prohibited, however. A marijuana commissioner under the state Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement would regulate the industry and oversee licensing of retailers, cultivators, manufacturers, and laboratories. Licenses would be granted through a scored, competitive process, with advantages given to those who pay workers a living wage, provide health insurance, or meet certain other benchmarks. It’s not yet clear when a House floor vote will be scheduled. The bill from Osienski cleared the committee last year, too. However, disagreements over social equity provisions stalled the earlier version, keeping it from the floor. At the time, Osienski pledged to bring a revised bill for the 2022 session that could earn broad enough support to pass.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 02/18/2022 11:09:15

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-legalization-bill-heads-to-delaware-house-floor-following-second-committee-approval/