After much delay, New Jersey may begin implementing the state's new adult-use cannabis program after a set of cannabis bills was signed into law on Monday. Meanwhile, governors and state lawmakers from the east coast states of Virginia, New York, and Connecticut to the mid-west states of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are filing their own legislation for cannabis reform -- check out the latest!
NATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Governors Across The U.S. Push For Cannabis Reform
At least 11 governors have proactively brought up cannabis reform in their formal addresses, budget plans or press briefings so far this year. Cannabis legalization proposals have been formally introduced in North Dakota, Minnesota, New Mexico, Hawaii, Connecticut, New York, Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. This is the most popular year for cannabis and the open support from state governors could significantly improve the chances of cannabis policy changes succeeding this year, at least in some states. (Marijuana Moment)
STATEWIDE CHATTER
New Jersey
After much debate and delay, Gov. Phil Murphy has signed a pair of cannabis legalization and decriminalization bills into law, setting the stage for the implementation of the state’s new adult-use program that was passed by voters in November. The move comes shortly after the New Jersey Assembly and Senate approved a “cleanup” bill on Monday morning that Gov. Phil Murphy was waiting for. The bill solved discrepancies between the pair of cannabis legalization and decriminalization bills, clarifying the penalties for underage possession of cannabis. Although the bills have been signed into law, more work must be done before consumers are able to access and purchase cannabis. A new Cannabis Regulatory Commission will have six months to develop program rules before it begins seeking applicants for adult-use cannabis business licenses. (NJ.com)
South Dakota
Gov. Kristi Noem has announced South Dakota’s medical cannabis program will not be implemented until next year, on July 1, 2022. The medical cannabis law was supposed to take effect on July 1, 2021 under state statutes, with proposed regulations developed by October 2021. Noem stated the delay is necessary so that she can have enough time to study the issue and regulators can properly draft program rules. The news comes after state Attorney General Office dropped its defense of the adult-use cannabis legalization initiative. The office defended the initiative in local court but does not want to extend its efforts to the state Supreme Court, so those appealing the decision will have to fight it alone. (AP News, MJBizDaily)
New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo revealed details of his amended cannabis legalization proposal last week. The new version allows for home delivery of cannabis, lowers penalties for selling cannabis to underage people, and creates a new framework for the proposed social equity program. The changes and additions to Cuomo’s plan is in direct response to the criticism he received from legalization advocates over his original plan. The move goes to show that the governor is willing to work with industry advocates and lawmakers to come to an agreement and pass the best cannabis legalization bill possible. (Marijuana Moment)
Connecticut
Gov. Ned Lamont has filed legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state. The plan would allow adults 21 and older to possess and purchase cannabis from licensed businesses. Separate licenses for cultivators, retailers, product manufacturers, food and beverage manufacturers, product packagers, and delivery services would become available to apply for and the state would begin cannabis sales in May 2022. Lamont stated, “Massachusetts dispensaries are advertising extensively here in Connecticut and rather than surrender this market to out-of-staters, or worse, to the unregulated underground market, our budget provides for the legalization of recreational marijuana.” (JD Supra)
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