A group of House Republicans, led by Representative Nancy Mace, introduced the States Reform Act on Monday, November 15, 2021. This follows the passage the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement Act (the “MORE Act”) by the House Judiciary Committee, the passage of the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act (the “SAFE Banking Act”) as part
Legislation
DPRA Introduced in Congress – Would Decriminalize All Drugs
Following Representative Nadler’s introduction of the MORE Act, which would decriminalize cannabis at the federal level, Representatives Cori Bush and Bonnie Watson Coleman introduced the Drug Policy Reform Act (“DPRA”) on June 15, 2021, which would decriminalize all drugs, including cannabis.
Under the DPRA, regulation of all drugs listed in the Controlled Substances Act…
MORE Act Introduced in the US House of Representatives
House Judiciary Chair Jerry Nadler reintroduced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment & Expungement Act (the “MORE Act”) on Friday, May 28, 2021. The MORE Act seeks to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, expunge certain cannabis-related criminal records at the federal level, and create social equity programs via a federal sales tax on cannabis products. …
North Dakota House Passes Adult-Use Cannabis Bill
The Republican-controlled North Dakota House of Representatives passed an adult-use cannabis bill on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 in a 56-38 vote. The bill legalizes possession of up to one ounce for people 21 and older. The bill limits the number of cultivators within the state to seven, and the number of dispensaries to 18. During…
Pennsylvania Senators to Introduce Bi-Partisan Adult-Use Cannabis Bill
An adult-use cannabis bill was announced February 24, 2021 by State Senators Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) and Dan Laughlin (R-Erie). The bill would legalize possession of up to 30 grams for those 21 and over, while limiting at-home cultivation to medicinal use. Noting New Jersey’s recent legalization, and New York’s intention to legalize adult-use cannabis this…
New Jersey Enacts Employment Protections For Medical Cannabis Users
On July 2, 2019, Governor Phil Murphy signed the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act (the “Act”), which amends the formerly known Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Act (“CUMMA”) and expands New Jersey’s medical cannabis program. Employers should pay particular attention to this new development because the Act includes a non-discrimination provision to protect…
Reminder to NYC Restaurant and Hospitality Operators: July 1st CBD Compliance Deadline
This is a reminder to all restaurant and hospitality operators that, commencing on July 1, 2019, the New York City Department of Health will officially ban food and drink products containing Cannabidiol (“CBD”). All products containing CBD must be returned to the supplier or discarded prior to the July 1st enforcement deadline. Failure to…
Full Scale Cannabis Legalization Fails in New York, but Legislature Approves Significant Decriminalization Measures
Although efforts to legalize cannabis for adult recreational use failed to win majority support prior to the end of the legislative session, both the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate have approved a significant decriminalization bill. The bill, which Governor Andrew Cuomo has said he will sign, generally (1) reduces penalties for…
New York State Assembly Majority Leader Announces Intention to Introduce Cannabis Legalization Bill Providing for Expungement of Low-Level Cannabis-Related Criminal Records
New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes announced on Tuesday that she is planning to introduce a bill later this week that would not only legalize adult cannabis use, but would also provide the ability for those previously convicted of low-level cannabis-related offenses to have their criminal records expunged. Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes’ proposal goes…
New Jersey Legalization of Adult Cannabis Use and Sale
After months of uncertainty and delay, the Governor and state legislative leaders have reached an agreement on a package of bills to legalize the adult use and sale of cannabis, expand the medical marijuana program and reform the expungement process for prior cannabis convictions in the State of New Jersey.
On Monday, March 18, 2019,…