The Indiana Democratic Party is mounting a push for marijuana legalization and calling on state lawmakers to enact the reform. If the GOP-controlled legislature fails to pass a legalization bill during the 2022 session, the party organization said Democrats are prepared to campaign on the issue, leveraging the popularity of ending prohibition among Indiana voters. “Legalizing marijuana is a win-win for Indiana, and it should get done this legislative session,” the party said on Monday. “If the Republicans fail to join Democrats in this effort, it will become a hallmark issue for the 2022 state and midterm elections.” The Democratic organization pointed to a 2018 poll that showed about 80 percent of Indianan favor legalizing cannabis for either medical or recreational purposes, and 78 percent agreed that simple possession should be decriminalized. Legalization “would provide the opportunity to create an additional revenue stream for the state, create good-paying jobs, develop a long-term cash crop for Indiana’s ag and business communities, provide medicinal opportunities for people like the state’s veterans and seniors, and could start the process of expunging records for simple possession across the state,” the party said. The organization is also calling on Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) to “rescind his opposition to marijuana.” The governor said in 2019 that he would not support legalization until the federal government ended prohibition, and even then he said the state would need to closely review the issue before enacting a policy change.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 11/16/2021 08:52:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/indiana-democratic-party-backs-marijuana-legalization-and-pledges-2022-reform-push/

South Dakota might just be the most complicated cannabis state in the U.S. Last November, the state was the first in the nation where voters legalized for both medical and adult-use on the same Election Day. But, since then, the adult-use measure has remained under legal fire, while medical was allowed to proceed. In January, Gov. Kristi Noem issued an executive order that stated that the initiative “violated the procedures set forth in the South Dakota Constitution.” And, in another first in the cannabis world, she wrote that the legal challenge was filed “upon my prior instruction.” That legal challenge has been kicked up by the state’s Supreme Court, which has yet to make a decision. In the meantime, a legislative subcommittee has formed and met to take public comment. It has also heard from regulators and lawmakers in other states, like Colorado, as well as from stakeholders in law enforcement, local government, and the cannabis industry. The biggest news to come out of this committee this year was its vote in October in favor of advancing draft legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis.

Alyson Martin, Cannabis Wire, 11/16/2021 19:00:00

Open article: https://cannabiswire.com/2021/11/17/as-south-dakotans-wait-for-supreme-court-on-cannabis-local-governments-prepare/

Rep. Nancy Mace, a first-term Republican from South Carolina, introduced a bill Monday to decriminalize cannabis at the federal level, which she hopes will garner more GOP support for the legalization movement. “This legislation, I believe, has something good for everyone, whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican,” Mace told reporters outside the Capitol, where she introduced her States Reform Act. Even though it is legal in 18 states, with medical use permissible in 37 states, marijuana is illegal under federal law. Mace’s bill would strip cannabis of its classification as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, which makes possession of marijuana a crime. Her office said the legislation aims to end criminalization “in a manner consistent with the rights of states to determine what level of cannabis reform or legalization each state wants to regulate, or not.” The measure also would allow for expungement of federal convictions in nonviolent cases and provide a framework for federal regulation and enforcement in states that allow the sale of marijuana.

Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news, 11/16/2021 07:55:00

Open article: https://www.cannabisbusinessexecutive.com/2021/11/south-carolina-republican-introduces-bill-to-decriminalize-marijuana-at-federal-level/

In South Dakota, among the most complex states when it comes to cannabis, localities are moving ahead on medical as broader reforms loom. South Dakota might just be the most complicated cannabis state in the U.S. Last November, the state was the first in the nation where voters legalized for both medical and adult-use on the same Election Day. But, since then, the adult-use measure has remained under legal fire, while medical was allowed to proceed. In January, Gov. Kristi Noem issued an executive order that stated that the initiative “violated the procedures set forth in the South Dakota Constitution.” And, in another first in the cannabis world, she wrote that the legal challenge was filed “upon my prior instruction.” That legal challenge has been kicked up to the state’s Supreme Court, which has yet to make a decision. In the meantime, a legislative subcommittee has formed and met to take public comment. It has also heard from regulators and lawmakers in other states, like Colorado, as well as from stakeholders in law enforcement, local government, and the cannabis industry. The biggest news to come out of this committee this year was its vote in October in favor of advancing draft legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis. 

420 Intel – Marijuana Industry News, 11/16/2021 19:00:00

Open article: https://420intel.com/articles/2021/11/17/south-dakotans-wait-supreme-court-cannabis-local-governments-prepare