Legislative & Licensing Update: April 28, 2022
3 Steps Forward: Federal, New York & Kansas. One Step Back: Kansas.
Plus, a reevaluation in Puerto Rico, possible executive action in Kentucky, more complications in Florida, one step closer to the ballot in North Dakota, and municipal-level cannabis considerations in New Jersey, Maine, and Texas.
Learn more from Sumer Thomas, our Director of Regulatory Operations.
President Joe Biden began commuting the sentences of 75 people who served time in federal prison for marijuana and other drug offenses. The clemency fell short of the mass cannabis pardons he promised on the campaign trail, but advocates see it as a first step.
New York continues to do things its own way, as regulators are now considering allowing pizzerias and other restaurants to sell cannabis-infused foods.
In Kansas, a Medical Marijuana Bill could finally pass this week following a conference announcement.
In New Hampshire, the Senate killed the state’s adult-use cannabis monopoly bill and postponed their homegrow measure.
Puerto Rico: P.R. Medical Cannabis Regulatory Board stopped the issuance of dispensary licenses as a preventive measure and will now conduct a market study before releasing further licenses.
Kentucky’s Governor Andy Beshear (D) announced potential medical cannabis executive actions. The Senate president is pushing back, and the representative who sponsored the stalled medical marijuana bill is worried the governor’s move could give patients false hope.
The commissioner of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and 3 Florida residents have sued the U.S. Department of Justice, saying a federal rule barring medical marijuana patients from possessing firearms is unconstitutional.
North Dakota’s secretary of state and attorney general signed off on the language of a proposed marijuana legalization initiative—clearing activists to begin collecting signatures to place it on the November ballot.
New Jersey mayors and state lawmakers are pushing back against an attorney general memo clarifying that police can use marijuana while off duty. But a federal law generally banning guns for cannabis consumers that the opponents are citing also has a little-known exception for government employees like cops.
Maine Governor Janet Mills (D) signed a bill allowing reimbursements to municipalities of up to $20,000 to cover the procedural costs of allowing recreational marijuana businesses.
Austin, Texas voters can now begin casting their ballots to decriminalize marijuana and ban no-knock warrants. In-person early voting runs through May 3 and Election Day is on May 7.