A bipartisan bill to require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct clinical trials into the therapeutic potential of marijuana for veterans was reintroduced in the Senate on Thursday, with a House companion version set to be filed on Friday. The VA Medical Cannabis Research Act—sponsored by Sens.Continue Reading
The Texas House of Representatives on Thursday approved bills to decriminalize marijuana possession and significantly expand the state’s medical cannabis program. These are the latest developments to come amid a week that has seen multiple pieces of reform legislation advance in the chamber, including separate measures to reduce penalties forContinue Reading
A newly introduced bill in Maine would legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin, the primary psychoactive component of psychedelic mushrooms, and establish a licensed industry around the drug. The Maine Psilocybin Services Act, introduced by state Sen. Donna Bailey (D), would allow adults 21 and older to legally purchase psilocybinContinue Reading
Louisiana lawmakers on Thursday approved a bill in committee to impose fees and set up a marijuana business licensing system if legalization is enacted, while another measure to bring the state’s hemp program up to speed with federal regulations also advanced. The licensing legislation from Rep. Richard Nelson (R) clearedContinue Reading
As congressional leaders work to end federal marijuana prohibition, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers on Thursday introduced legislation aimed at learning from the states that have already enacted the policy change. The bills—sponsored by Sens. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Rand Paul (R-KY), as well as Reps. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) andContinue Reading
A bipartisan coalition of dozens of congressional lawmakers on Thursday sent a letter urging leaders of a key committee to include provisions protecting all state, territory and tribal marijuana programs from federal interference in upcoming annual spending legislation when it is introduced. The sign-on letter—led by Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chairsContinue Reading
Senate chair talks marijuana banking; RI leaders: Legal cannabis inevitable; LA gov’s “great interest” in legalization; USDA hemp cosmetics plan Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day. (function() { window.mc4wpContinue Reading
The top lawmakers in Rhode Island’s House and Senate both say marijuana legalization in “inevitable” in the state—but nevertheless, there’s still uncertainty about the prospects of passing the reform this year. As the legislature considers separate legalization proposals from the governor and legislative leaders, both House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi (D)Continue Reading
A dab is always a cannabis concentrate – a form of marijuana that has been processed so that much of the plant material has been removed, leaving a substance that will be more potent because it’s now concentrated. Products made with water, ice, shaking or any combination of methods thatContinue Reading
When it comes to the fate of marijuana banking legislation in the Senate, there are more questions than answers at this stage, with the chairman of a key committee walking back his insistence that the bill to be tied to sentencing reform. Nonetheless, the senator is saying he’s still inContinue Reading
