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President Biden's historic federal pardon for marijuana use marks a turning point in U.S. drug policy. This compassionate move, addressing past inequalities and changing public sentiments, opens the door for future reforms. It's a step towards a more understanding and progressive approach to drug laws. #ChangeIsHere #DrugPolicyReform #NewEra

With Ohio's recent decision, over half of the U.S. population now resides in states where recreational marijuana is legal. This milestone is indicative of a broader transformation in how the nation approaches cannabis. The 14 percentage point margin of victory in Ohio is particularly telling, reflecting a growing trend even among conservative voters who now view marijuana less as a law enforcement issue and more through a lens of practical regulation.While national support for legalization is soaring, achieving success at the ballot box in conservative states remains complex, influenced by factors like campaign funding and election timing. Ohio's recent experience offers a template for understanding the nuanced dynamics in the legalization debate. As we witness the gradual shift from illicit markets to regulated dispensaries, the focus intensifies on balancing public health safeguards and the benefits of regulation. This journey reflects a critical intersection of health, law, and societal change, setting the stage for future policy developments in this evolving landscape.

📢 Big News: The Biden Administration has proposed rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to III under the Controlled Substances Act. This follows the DEA's recent approval and a recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services. What do you think of this move? Many in the industry see this as a great stepping stone, while others view it as a missed opportunity to push for full descheduling. We've covered the implications in our recent newsletters and webinars. For more insights, stay tuned to 420 CPA's newsletter. #CannabisLaw #LegalUpdate #420CPA

Exciting Update: President Joe Biden has issued a historic federal pardon for all Americans who have used marijuana, symbolizing a major leap towards progressive drug policies. This bold move, focusing on personal use cases, opens doors to a brighter future where outdated views on marijuana are replaced with fair and modern approaches! What's Next? This groundbreaking decision not only rectifies past injustices but also sets the stage for potential further reforms. It reflects growing public support and may inspire similar positive changes at state levels and in other areas of drug policy. The Takeaway: We're witnessing a transformative moment in U.S. drug policy, signaling a shift towards more compassionate, equitable approaches. Stay tuned for more progressive changes ahead! #PositiveChange #DrugPolicyReform #FutureOutlook #BidenLeadership https://lnkd.in/gy2qvDTj

An interesting overview. I maintain it is better to remove marijuana from Schedule 1 allowing legal access and most importantly clinical research to scientifically identify its positive and negative properties. What are your thoughts on this issue?

Big day for our industry. Under an oppressive tax system and not being able to operate like a regular legal business, the reclassification of cannabis is a step in the right direction. Yes it’s not descheduled or fully federally legal, but with this reclassification we should see 280(E) gone, an influx of profit for our retailers, expungement of non-violent cannabis crimes, and cannabis can now be studied to identify medical benefits. Small wins lead to Big wins. Our industry must continue to come together as we head toward federal legalization. https://lnkd.in/gHi2QR7P

Take Action: Sign the petition: Tell Congress to decriminalize marijuana now! Friend, I took an action on Action Network called Sign the petition: Tell Congress to decriminalize marijuana now!. It's time we dismantle the archaic and unjust marijuana laws which systematically oppress communities of color. Cannabis reform is crucial to criminal justice reform. The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act is a critical step toward rectifying these injustices. This groundbreaking legislation would end federal prohibition and criminalization of marijuana and pave a more just and equitable approach. The MORE Act is crafted with the following key objectives:  Federal Decriminalization and Expungement: Seeks to eliminate federal penalties for marijuana and clear past convictions, addressing the historical injustices of marijuana criminalization.  Community Reinvestment: Proposes reinvesting cannabis tax revenues in communities most affected by previous drug laws, focusing on restoring justice and supporting growth and development.  Addressing Systemic Injustices: Aims to rectify the lasting impacts of marijuana criminalization, such as barriers in employment, housing, voting rights, professional licensing, and student aid. To truly alleviate the damage caused by marijuana criminalization, we must confront the complex charges that unjustly mark countless people as criminals for life. This branding leads to a cascade of lost opportunities, depriving individuals of the chance to secure employment, exercise their voting rights, obtain professional licenses, and access student aid. Addressing these issues is key to restoring justice and opening doors that have been unjustly closed. During his 2020 presidential campaign, President Biden vowed to decriminalize cannabis. It's time for the administration and Congress to follow through by supporting the MORE Act. Sign the petition: Tell Congress to decriminalize marijuana now! Can you join me and take action? Click here: https://lnkd.in/gsXzs4hP Thanks!

Florida's Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Floridians should have the opportunity to vote on recreational marijuana use next year in the 2024 election. The Smart & Safe amendment, backed by medical marijuana producer Trulieve, aims to legalize weed for those 21+, allowing up to 3 ounces. __________ According to Politico, state attorneys are challenging this amendment, claiming the language is misleading and does not explain that marijuana would be illegal on the federal level even if made legal in the state. __________ "What they should have said is the amendment eliminates state law penalties and liability for certain uses of marijuana. That's far more accurate," Jeffrey DeSousa, the chief deputy solicitor general, said to WESH. "They don't want to do that because it's less sexy, less appealing to voters." __________ Lawyers of Smart & Safe, however, argue that voters are smart enough to know what the ballot means. "The typical voter, most voters, will understand that the federal prescription on marijuana is not at issue here; this is about Florida law," said attorney John Bash as WESH reports. __________ So far, the amendment has garnered over 1 million signatures and awaits court approval. If approved, Floridians could vote on recreational marijuana on Nov. 5, 2024, coinciding with the presidential election. __________ 📝 Hy-Lo News Staff Report • • Follow us now and head to Hylonewsmiami.com for more news dedicated to South Florida’s Black & Brown #Millennials! 🙌🏾

This week in #cannabis: Our CEO Anthony Coniglio dives into some of the trending news and how each story could impact state operators and the industry at large. 🌱 ⬇️ - POLITICO: Luetkemeyer: Cannabis banking negotiations over business protections 'down to just the last few words' We have been saying the only path forward for #SAFER legislation is Section 10. It’s good to see there is potential progress on the language between the House and Senate. While Section 10 is tangentially related to the core of this cannabis bill, we believe it’s critical to passage in the House. Still an uphill climb with election-year politics kicking in soon, but rooting for passage: https://lnkd.in/gbqDcih7 - Cannabis Business Times: South Carolina Senate Approving Medical Cannabis Legislation Bill We’ve been here before. The state Senate passed legislation in 2022, only to see it fail in the House. As drafted, this would be a very restrictive program, initially limiting the scale of the market. However, progress in launching a medical program would be a great development for this deep red state: https://lnkd.in/gpTQm5xz - Marijuana Moment: Moving Marijuana To Schedule III Would Not Violate International Treaties, Legal Opinion Says Important analysis here since the DEA’s 2016 denial of a rescheduling petition focused on compliance with international treaties. The balancing act for the DEA will be to explain why the facts are different today and allow rescheduling, while also defending the 2016 decision: https://lnkd.in/eCiqupyR - Marijuana Moment: Pennsylvania Governor Says Lawmakers ‘Don’t Even Have A Choice’ But To Legalize Marijuana As Other States Move Ahead We generally applaud legislative efforts around cannabis, but this seems like a poor use of time on behalf of Arizonans. Oregon, Washington and California passed similar bills with no impact given the federal status of cannabis. In fact, the California Attorney General recently advised against the action, saying federal enforcement carried too much risk: https://lnkd.in/guQUw9je #CannabisBusiness #CannabisIndustry #CannabisLegislation #AnthonysNewsOfTheWeek #SAFER 

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is expected to sign an executive order pardoning more than 175,000 cannabis-related convictions, following a nationwide trend to loosen restrictions on the drug. The order, which covers misdemeanor convictions for cannabis possession and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, comes on the heels of Maryland legalizing recreational cannabis use last year. Drug convictions have historically been used to deny housing, employment and education opportunities, Moore’s office said Monday. “This action will also make significant progress to address the racial wealth gap and will benefit Marylanders from across the state and from across the economic spectrum,” a Maryland official said. Black Marylanders were more likely to suffer the effects of cannabis convictions, according to Moore’s office, a trend echoed across the country. Between 2010 and 2018, a Black person was on average 3.6 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession in the U.S. than a white person, even though Black and white people used the drug at similar rates, according to an American Civil Liberties Union analysis of Federal Bureau of Investigation data. Recreational cannabis use and possession were made legal in the state in July after voters overwhelmingly backed the move in a 2022 referendum. A recent push by President Biden to loosen restrictions on marijuana has put federal officials at odds, with opponents saying that the drug’s medicinal benefits remain unproven and that it has a high potential for abuse. Biden’s moves have been seen as an attempt to win over younger voters ahead of the November election. While marijuana use remains a crime at the federal level, 24 states have legalized it and 14 permit its use for medical purposes.