Tag: legalization
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D.C. Mayoral Debate Glosses Over Cannabis, Zeroes In On Opioid Epidemic
The top three candidates for D.C. mayor duked it out on Wednesday evening during a debate on WAMU’s The Politics Hour moderated by local radio legend Kojo Nnamdi and news veteran Tom Sherwood. Over the course of 90 minutes, incumbent Mayor Muriel Bowser, At-Large Councilmember Robert White and Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White argued their…
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Jonathan Wall Case: Judge Bans All Legalization Arguments From Upcoming Weed Trafficking Trial
When Jonathan Wall’s federal cannabis-trafficking trial begins next week in Baltimore, there will be no discussion of the fact that cannabis is now legal in 18 states and counting. That’s the order from U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher, who on Tuesday approved a pretrial motion by prosecutors calling for the court to bar any discussion…
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The Federal Cannabis Trial You Should Be Watching In Maryland
Maybe you saw the ad in The Washington Post: “Who will be the last person incarcerated for marijuana in the United States?” Or you heard about the man from one of the many publications that have highlighted his detention. Jonathan William Wall is a Maryland native whose federal cannabis distribution indictment and upcoming court trial…
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Maryland: Cannabis Legalization Heads To The Ballot In November
Maryland voters will get to vote on cannabis legalization in the upcoming general election this fall after a pair of decisive votes by the House of Delegates late last week. After months of public testimony on numerous legalization bills, as well as debate and behind-the-scenes negotiations among Democratic leaders in the General Assembly, the House…
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Maryland Lawmakers Drop Proposed Restrictions on Delta-8 Products, Call for Study
Maryland lawmakers are walking back legislation to more tightly regulate Delta-8 THC products statewide after a flood of pushback from the local hemp industry. Sen. Brian Feldman (D-Montgomery County) and Del. Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties) in February filed bills that would have restricted who can grow hemp and sell hemp-derived…
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Legalization Framework Bills Formally Introduced in Maryland House, Senate
Several weeks after Maryland’s legislative session began, three state lawmakers have introduced separate bills that would create a framework for adult-use legalization in the state. Del. Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore) and Sen. Jill Carter (D-Baltimore) formally introduced their respective proposals late last week, and Sen. Brian Feldman (D-Montgomery County) introduced another measure on Monday, setting the…
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Maryland Lawmakers Again Attempt to Protect Gun Ownership Rights for Medical Cannabis Patients
For the fifth year in a row, Maryland lawmakers are working to pass legislation to protect medical weed patients’ gun freedoms. Sen. Michael Hough (R-Frederick and Carroll counties) is sponsoring SB 286, which would prohibit authorities from enforcing federal law against Maryland medical cannabis patients who purchase, own, possess and carry firearms. Federal law currently…
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Virginia Lawmakers Hit Impasse Over Releasing Cannabis Prisoners After Legalization
In Virginia, the fate of people incarcerated for cannabis-related crimes is still up in the air. On Monday, Virginia’s Cannabis Oversight Commission, a panel of lawmakers charged with making legislative recommendations for this year’s session, proposed speeding up the launch of recreational weed sales by one full year to 2023. But the 10-member commission couldn’t…
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Monday Rundown (01/10/22): Equity And Homegrow Wrapped Into One Bill
Your Weekly Buzz Maryland State Sen. Jill Carter expects to file an equity-focused cannabis legalization bill this week. The legislation, which serves as a companion piece to a proposed referendum on legalization, would allow home cultivation and allocate 60% of tax revenue from recreational sales to communities harmed by prohibition. Soon-to-be Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin…
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Virginia: Republicans Propose To Scrap Social Equity Fund, Undo Other Cannabis Reforms
As Virginia’s new legislative session gets under way, Republicans – emboldened after taking back the governor’s mansion and the House of Delegates – are taking aim at cannabis reforms passed by the General Assembly last year. GOP state lawmakers have pre-filed several measures that would roll back provisions from last year’s legalization bill, zeroing in…
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Maryland Legislature: Another Weed Legalization Bill In The Works For 2022 Session
Maryland lawmakers will have the burden of choice when it comes to legalizing recreational cannabis this year, with multiple proposals in the works that go beyond a simple referendum. Sen. Brian Feldman (D-Montgomery County), vice chair of the state Senate’s powerful Finance Committee, told The Outlaw Report an “informal workgroup” of senators plans to draft…