Most states in the U.S. are in violation of a major federal drug statute. The 1971 Controlled Substances Act lists marijuana in the most dangerous category defined in the law, on par with cocaine and heroin because of its supposed potential for abuse and lack of medical applications. But 36 states plus the District of Columbia allow either full legalization for adult use or wide-scale medical use, putting them at odds with federal law. Congress so far has been unable to come up with a solution, despite support from leading Democrats for a smoother relationship between the states and the federal government. State acceptance happened quickly, with Colorado and Washington the first to legalize adult-use less than 10 years ago. By the first of the year, marijuana possession will be legal for all adults in 18 states — including Arizona, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Virginia –— that make up 44 percent of the national population. That number has recently been growing: The governors of New Mexico and Virginia signed their legalization laws just this year.

420 Intel – Marijuana Industry News, 01/09/2022 19:00:00

Open article: https://420intel.com/articles/2022/01/10/federal-law-still-treats-marijuana-illegal-drug-creating-headaches-states

Oklahoma marijuana activists on Tuesday filed another marijuana legalization initiative that they hope to place before voters on the 2022 ballot. The campaign is being supported by the national New Approach PAC, which has been behind a number of successful state-level reform initiatives. A separate group of local activists also filed initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana and remodel the state’s existing medical cannabis program in October—and members of that campaign are already criticizing the new push. This latest measure would allow adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to one ounce of cannabis, grow up to six mature plants and six seedlings for personal use. The current Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority would be responsible for regulating the program and issuing cannabis business licenses. A 15 percent excise tax would be imposed on adult-use marijuana products, with revenue going to an “Oklahoma Marijuana Revenue Trust Fund.”

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 01/05/2022 12:27:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/oklahoma-activists-file-new-marijuana-legalization-ballot-initiative-for-2022-with-national-groups-support/

Connecticut regulators announced on Tuesday that they will start accepting certain marijuana business license applications at the beginning of next month. The news follows a meeting of the state’s Social Equity Council (SEC), where members approved a technical assistance plan for the cannabis industry that will involve outreach and providing resources to people interested in participating in the market. That plan’s finalization was a necessary condition to trigger the start of the licensing process under the legalization law signed by Gov. Ned Lamont (D) last year. The decision means that the state Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) will soon be able to accept cannabis business applications, though the timeline for each type of licensee varies. There will be two separate lotteries: a general lottery and a social equity lottery. The first applications will open for social equity applicants on February 3 and last 90 days. SEC will ensure that those selected through that lottery meet the right standards, which means there must be at least 65 percent ownership or control of the business by people who “meet the income and residency requirements for a social equity applicant outlined in the law,” DCP said in a press release. People who fall under the “Disproportionately Impacted Areas” category can also pay a $3 million fee to get a cultivator license without going through the lottery. For those in the general lottery category—which involves licensing for retailers, micro-cultivators, delivery services, transporters, and more—there will also be a 90-day application period starting at different times from February 3 through March 24. Regulators say there will likely be a second lottery period for most license types in the second half of 2022.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 01/05/2022 08:43:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/connecticut-marijuana-business-license-applications-will-be-accepted-starting-next-month-officials-announce/

Kansas Democratic leaders on Thursday announced that they will be introducing proposals to let voters decide on legalizing medical and adult-use marijuana in the state. House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer (D) and Assistant Minority Leader Jason Probst (D) held a briefing on the plans, emphasizing that constituents are eager for the reform and so the proposed constitutional amendments would let them decide since the GOP-controlled legislature has failed to act. The Kansas officials noted the similarity between their new plan and one unveiled by Iowa Democrats this week that would also refer marijuana to voters. There are also several other states where lawmakers are pushing to put cannabis measures on the ballot. Sawyer said that while Republicans have had “very little interest in passing any sort of marijuana reform” through the traditional legislative process, he’s hopeful they will at least pass the measures to give voters a say in November.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 01/06/2022 14:16:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/top-kansas-democrats-unveil-plan-to-put-medical-and-adult-use-marijuana-legalization-on-the-2022-ballot/