Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has signed legislation into law that seeks to promote greater diversity among those participating in the state’s licensed cannabis industry and that lays the groundwork for the establishment of on-site cannabis consumption facilities.
The post Massachusetts: Governor Signs Bill Creating “Social Equity Trust Fund” For Aspiring Marijuana Businesses appeared first on NORML.
Summer may be slowly winding down, but the fight for legalization is heating up. The next few months are going to be some of the most pivotal we have ever seen for our movement to end prohibition. If we are going to succeed, however, we really are going to need your help.
The post Summer is Winding Down, But the Fight for Legalization is Heating Up appeared first on NORML.
“Regulation works. Illicit marijuana providers don’t ask for or check for ID, but licensed businesses most certainly do.”
The post Colorado: Licensed Marijuana Retailers Compliant with Minimum Age Restrictions appeared first on NORML.
Secretary of State John Ashcroft issued a certificate of sufficiency to the Legal Missouri 2022 campaign, formally placing the adult-use legalization initiative on the November ballot.
The post <strong>Missouri Legalization Measure Officially Approved for Ballot</strong> appeared first on NORML.
“The limited popularity of these products is a predictable outgrowth of criminal marijuana prohibition. As one would expect, there exists little demand for these unregulated synthetic products in an environment where whole-plant cannabis is legal and regulated.”
The post Study: Use of Unregulated Synthetic Cannabinoid Products Falls Following Marijuana Legalization appeared first on NORML.
According to the report, over 10,000 drivers tested positive for past cannabis exposure between January 1 and April 1, 2022. That figure is a 33 percent increase over the year before.
The post Report: Spike in Marijuana Positives Fueling Truck Driver Shortage, Supply Chain Disruptions appeared first on NORML.
Vote in Legislature Set for August on AB 2188, Other Reform Bills
California has a chance to catch up with other states that protect employment rights for off-the-job cannabis consumers this year, with a California NORML–sponsored bill AB 2188 (Quirk).
The bill would disallow job discrimination based on urine or hair tests that detect only inactive metabolites of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, and thus are able to pick up use days or weeks before a test. It would still allow the use of oral swab or computer-based performance tests that are a better indicator of recent use, or impairment.
AB 2188 would allow an employer to take action against employees who are impaired on the job, and has exemptions for federal workers and those in the construction industry. It is supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), California Nurses Association, CA Board of Registered Nursing, and UDW/AFSCME Local 3930. It is also supported by the California Employment Lawyers Association, United Cannabis Business Association, Cannabis Equity Policy Council, Americans for Safe Access, and California Cannabis Industry Association, among others.
The bill has passed through the California Assembly and the Senate Judiciary and Labor committees, and has been assigned to the Appropriations suspense file. If it passes through at its August 11 committee hearing, it will move to the Senate floor for a vote. Please Write a Letter to Your State Senator in Support of AB 2188.
The California Chamber of Commerce has removed the bill from its “job killer” list after amendments were taken in the Senate, necessitating the bill moving back to the Assembly for a concurrence vote, before heading to the Governor’s desk. All bills must be voted on in the legislature by the end of August.
“Cannabis is legal in California, and workers have a right to engage in legal activity while away from the job. Yet countless workers and job applicants are losing job opportunities or being fired because they test positive for legal, off-the-job use of marijuana on account of indiscriminate urine and hair metabolite tests,” said Cal NORML director Dale Gieringer. “Scientific studies have failed to show that urine testing is effective at preventing workplace accidents. Numerous studies have found that workers who test positive for metabolites have no higher risk of workplace accidents.”
“Ironically, under current drug testing rules, workers may use addictive opiates for medical use, but are forbidden to use medical cannabis, which has been shown to reduce opiate use,” Gieringer continued.
“Twenty-one states currently have laws protecting employment rights for medical cannabis users, and five states (Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Montana and Connecticut) plus several cities (New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Baltimore, Kansas City MO, Rochester NY and Richmond VA) protect recreational cannabis consumers’ employment rights,” added Cal NORML Deputy Director Ellen Komp. “California, a global leader in progressive causes, still has no protections for its workers who consume cannabis. It’s high time to change that and protect California’s workers.”
OTHER CANNABIS REFORM BILLS ALSO ADVANCE
Also passing on the floors of their respective houses are:
AB 1954 (Quirk), another Cal NORML-sponsored bill, which would protect the right of patients to medical treatment if they use marijuana, and the right of physicians and clinics to treat them. This bill has passed on the Assembly floor and in the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development and Appropriations committees, and will be voted on in the Senate this month. Write a Letter to Your State Senator in Support of AB 1954.
AB 1706 (Bonta), which would expedite expungement of past marijuana convictions in California. It has passed through the Assembly and the Senate Public Safety Committee, and is in the Senate Appropriations suspense file. Tell Your State Senator to Vote for AB 1706.
SB 1186 (Wiener), to require all local governments to permit access to medicinal cannabis in either a licensed dispensary or via delivery, has passed on the Senate floor in the Assembly Business & Professions and Judiciary committees, where Cal NORML testified in favor of the bill. It is now in the Assembly Appropriations suspense file. Please Send a Letter to Your Assemblymember in Support of SB 1186.
AB 2595 (Jones-Sawyer), which would require the State Department of Social Services to treat a parent’s use of cannabis in the same manner as alcohol or legally prescribed medication. It has passed through the Assembly and the Senate Human Services, Judiciary, and Appropriations committees and is up for a vote on the Senate floor. Write to Your State Senator in Support of AB 2595.
SB 998(Hueso) to amend Ryan’s Law requiring health care facilities to allow cannabis use by terminally ill patients. It has passed through the Senate and the Assembly Health committees and Appropriations and heads for a vote on the Assembly floor. Write a Letter in Support of SB 998.
A bill Cal NORML opposes, SB 1097, which would require costly, badly designed new label warnings on all cannabis products. It has passed in the Senate and the Assembly Business & Professions committee, is in the Assembly Appropriations suspense file. TELL YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER TO VOTE AGAINST SB 1097.
AB 1885 (Kalra), allowing veterinarians to recommend cannabis products. It has passed through the Assembly and the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development committee and is in the Senate Appropriations suspense file. You can send a support letter on AB 1885 via https://petcannabis.org/
AB 2210 (Quirk – temporary cannabis event licenses). Has passed in the Assembly and the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development committee. Passed through Senate Governmental Organization and Appropriations committees; heading for vote on Senate floor.
The post Marijuana-Using Californians Could Win Employment Rights this Year appeared first on CaNorml.org.
Officials in the United States should do all they can to free Griner, but just as important, end the hypocrisy of acting repulsed by her sentencing while maintaining marijuana criminalization at home by bringing our domestic marijuana policies in line with our nation’s stated principles of liberty and justice.
The post NORML Comments on Sentencing of Brittney Griner in Russia appeared first on NORML.
Advocates on behalf of the ballot measure are now anticipated to take the matter before the state Supreme Court.
The post Arkansas: Election Officials Deny Certification of Proposed Marijuana Legalization Amendment appeared first on NORML.
“Saddling people with the lifelong collateral consequences of even a low-level marijuana arrest or conviction is unjust and provides no legitimate benefit to society. Facilitating the expungement of minor federal marijuana offenses is a necessary step that will allow impacted people to reach their full potential.”
The post Congress: Lawmakers File Bipartisan Legislation to Facilitate the Expungement of Federal Marijuana Violations appeared first on NORML.