Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has signed legislation (SB 24) into law preserving the ability of qualified patients to home cultivate limited quantities of cannabis. Voters in November 2020 overwhelmingly decided in favor of a ballot measure (Measure 26) permitting qualified patients to possess, grow, and purchase medical cannabis — a measure which Gov. Noem opposed. Since that time, on two occasions, House lawmakers voted in favor of legislation to eliminate patients’ home cultivation rights. “Permitting limited home cultivation provides patients with the ability to have reliable, affordable, and consistent access to their medicine,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “Seventy percent of voters approved this right at the ballot box and it is reassuring to see that a majority of lawmakers, and the Governor, ultimately decided to respect the voters’ decision.” Senate Bill 24, as amended in the conference committee, permits registered patients to cultivate a total of four marijuana plants (two mature, two immature) and to legally possess the harvest from those plants.

NORML, 03/20/2022 20:00:00

Open article: https://norml.org/blog/2022/03/21/south-dakota-governor-signs-legislation-preserving-patients-home-cultivation-rights/

The ongoing situation in Ukraine has been described as the largest ground war within Europe since the Second World War ended. Many industries are being affected, including the budding cannabis industry. This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission. Amid this ongoing fracas between Ukraine and Russia, it is high time one considers its impact on the European weed industry. The progress made by European nations concerning cannabis legalization could be overturned or delayed in the next few months. Less than a month ago, one could hardly hear words like sanctions, bombs, missiles, war crimes, etc., within the European space. Since Russia officially declared war on Ukraine, it’s all anyone hears on media platforms. This article is not in any way undermining the severity of what’s happening in Ukraine at the moment; it only seeks to explain how these hostilities between most European countries and Russia would affect cannabis reforms and the legal industry across the continent. The reality setting in on cannabis operators in Europe is that reforms and vital policies that would have aided the growth of the space post-COVID will take a backseat to the current security issues. Although Ukraine is not the leading center for cannabis advocacy in Europe, its security issues could backfire on other countries in the region. A quick search on google will reveal that Germany is less than a day’s drive from Ukraine, while Poland and Hungary share borders. Many operators are worried that the production and supply chain of the region’s cannabis industry will be impacted

Terry Hacienda, The Fresh Toast, 03/19/2022 10:00:00

Open article: https://thefreshtoast.com/cannabusiness/how-does-the-ukrainian-war-effect-cannabis-prices-in-europe/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-does-the-ukrainian-war-effect-cannabis-prices-in-europe

Rep. Don Young (R-AK)—a rare example of a pro-legalization Republican congressman, who was one of just five GOP members of the House of Representatives to vote in favor of a bill to end marijuana prohibition—died on Friday. As the longest-serving member of the House and one of four co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Cannabis Caucus—along with Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Dave Joyce (R-OH)—Young left a legislative legacy on the issue that crossed partisan divides. The surviving co-chairs said in a joint statement on Sunday that Young “was dedicated to ensuring Alaskans and all Americans had the opportunity for a better life not just for today, but also for tomorrow and the future.” “It was with that dedication that he helped found this caucus and created a forum where any and all members could engage, discuss and learn about the need to establish a more rational approach to federal cannabis policy,” they said. “As the four of us worked together across party lines to advance this important issue, we watched it gain more momentum with the American people than ever before. Don’s legacy of bipartisanship is the foundation on which we will continue to build the consensus necessary to enact impactful reform that will address our outdated federal cannabis laws.”

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 03/19/2022 13:18:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/gop-congressman-who-fought-for-marijuana-legalization-dies-and-is-honored-by-bipartisan-colleagues/