SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois is likely to become the 11th state to allow small amounts of marijuana for recreational use after the Democratic-controlled House on Friday sent a legalization plan to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who campaigned on the issue. Read More
In landmark move, Illinois lawmakers approve adult-use cannabis program that could hit $2 billion in sales
(This story has been updated to include statements from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.) Illinois on Friday became the country’s first state to legalize recreational marijuana cultivation and sales through its Legislature, a landmark move that paves the way for the creation of one of the nation’s largest adult-use cannabis markets offering “huge” business opportunities. Marijuana Business Daily projects the Illinois … Read More
Alabama bill to create medical cannabis study group advances
The Alabama Legislature might create a medical marijuana study commission that could recommend legislation for next year. The proposal is a compromise after a Senate-passed bill to legalize medical marijuana hit opposition in the House of Representatives. The House might vote Friday on the watered-down bill. State Sen. Tim Melson, a Republican, said the measure would be a step toward … Read More
Oregon marijuana regulators could soon have the ability to deny new grow licenses
Oregon’s oversupply of cannabis has prompted lawmakers to attempt to give the Oregon Liquor Control Commission more leeway to deny new cultivation licenses based on supply and demand. A bill that passed the Senate and is now before the House would not only reduce the huge surplus but would prevent diversion of unsold legal marijuana into the illicit market and … Read More
IL adult-use and NJ medical cannabis legislative moves, Harvard MMJ research & more
The Illinois Senate passes a recreational cannabis sales and taxation bill, an expansion of New Jersey’s medical marijuana program advances, Harvard and Canadian MJ firm Atlas sign a medical research partnership – plus other important news from around the industry. Will Illinois mark an MJ first? Illinois could be on the verge of becoming the country’s first state to legalize … Read More
California legislator scraps bill to hike number of cannabis retail licenses
California Assemblyman Phil Ting has shelved a measure to increase the number of marijuana retail licenses in the state, having lacked the two-thirds vote he needed to pass the bill. Assembly Bill 1356 would have required some cities and counties that had banned commercial cannabis to open their doors to the industry. Ting plans to reintroduce the bill next year, … Read More
If Cannabis Is Having Any Dire Health Effects, Canadian Hospitals Haven’t Seen Them
More than half a year in, Canada’s relaxed cannabis laws appear to be earning a clean bill of health from major medical organizations. While many hard numbers on health shifts are not yet available, some of the country’s largest mental health and emergency centres say the new laws have dumped no discernible increase in cannabis-related cases on their doorsteps. “It’s … Read More