marijuana legalization

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Trump Says He'll Vote to Legalize Pot in Florida

Stance puts him at odds with state Republican leaders including Ron DeSantis

(Newser) - Donald Trump has confirmed that he plans to vote to legalize marijuana for recreational use in Florida. The Amendment 3 ballot initiative, which would legalize the drug for "non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise," is opposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Republican leaders in the...

With New Pot Law on Books, Germans Light Up Their Joints

Germany legalizes small amounts of marijuana for personal use, and aficionados stage a 'smoke-in'

(Newser) - Marijuana campaigners in Germany lit celebratory joints on Monday as the country liberalized rules on cannabis to allow possession of small amounts. The AP reports that the German Cannabis Association, which campaigned for the new law, staged a "smoke-in" at Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate when the law took...

Biden Slams 'Failed Approach' to Pot, Clears Path for Pardons

President makes thousands more people eligible to receive pardons for marijuana-related crimes

(Newser) - President Biden is making thousands of people who were convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia eligible for pardons, the White House said Friday, in his latest round of executive clemencies meant to rectify racial disparities in the justice system....

Ohio Votes to Legalize Pot
Ohio Votes to Legalize Weed
Nov 7, 2023 9:34 PM CST

Ohio Votes to Legalize Weed

Race is called with 56% in favor

(Newser) - Ohio on Tuesday became the 24th state to legalize adult use of cannabis for non-medical reasons. Voters approved the measure to legalize recreational pot for those 21 and over, the AP reports. The law, which allows for the possession and purchasing of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis as...

Recreational Marijuana Is Legal in a 23rd State

Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura joined Gov. Tim Walz for signing ceremony

(Newser) - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was joined by a high-profile predecessor Tuesday when he signed a bill to make the state the 23rd in the nation to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Former WWF wrestler Jesse Ventura, who governed the state from 1999 to 2003, was among the first governors in...

22nd State Legalizes Recreational Marijuana

Delaware's governor decides against vetoing legislation a second time

(Newser) - Delaware's Democratic governor is not in favor of legalizing marijuana for recreational use—but he has decided to stop standing in the way. Gov. John Carney said Friday that he would allow two legalization bills to become law without his signature, the News Journal reports. Possessing up to 1...

Oklahomans Head to Polls for a Single Issue
Oklahomans Head to
Polls for a Single Issue
UPDATED
Mar 8, 2023 12:00 AM CST

Oklahomans Head to Polls for a Single Issue

State voted no on legalizing recreational pot

(Newser) - It's a "no" from Oklahoma voters on the question of legalizing recreational cannabis. State Question 820 was rejected by more than 60% of voters Tuesday, losing every single county in the state, the Oklahoman reports. The state's current cannabis laws will remain unchanged for now, with only...

Daily Pot Use May Take a Toll on the Heart
Daily Pot Use May Take
a Toll on the Heart
new study
Feb 24, 2023 1:55 PM CST

Daily Pot Use May Take a Toll on the Heart

Study suggests regular marijuana use leads to greater risk of coronary artery disease

(Newser) - A new Stanford study released Friday found evidence that people who smoke or vape cannabis every day could be at higher risk for coronary artery disease than nonusers. CNN quoted study author Dr. Ishan Paranjpe, who said there is "a growing body of evidence" suggesting cannabis is not harmless...

Marijuana Is on the Ballot in 5 States
2 States Approve
Legal Weed,
2 States Reject It
ELECTION 2022
Nov 9, 2022 2:15 AM CST

2 States Approve Legal Weed, 2 States Reject It

And results in a 5th state were not yet clear

(Newser) - Legalizing recreational marijuana was on the ballot in five states in the midterm elections Tuesday. The AP projected early in the night that Maryland voted heavily in favor of legalization. "Tonight voters in Maryland made history by bringing the era of failed marijuana prohibition to an end," said...

Thousands Convicted of Pot Possession to Be Pardoned

Biden encourages states to do the same, attorney general to revisit federal law

(Newser) - Everyone convicted on federal marijuana possession charges is in for a pardon, President Biden announced Thursday. "No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana," Biden said. The administration said thousands of people will receive pardons, the Los Angeles Times reports. Officials estimated that more...

It's Not a Happy 4/20 for Pot Investors

Lack of progress in DC has crashed stock prices

(Newser) - Today is the annual celebration of cannabis culture, but with legalization efforts stalled in Washington, DC, investors in cannabis companies don't have a lot to celebrate, reports the Wall Street Journal . The value of many well-known marijuana stocks has dropped by more than 50%, and they could fall further...

Entrepreneur's Murder Shows 'Absurd' Side of Legal Pot

Tushar Atre was murdered for his cash, but his case is riddled with warning signs

(Newser) - In Santa Cruz, known for its surf culture and "blissed-out natural settings," Tushar Atre was not a rare breed, Scott Eden writes for Inc. The entrepreneur brought a track record of tech-industry success, a hard-edged management style, rich connections, and a pioneering vision for industrial-scale THC extraction. In...

House Passes Bill to Legalize Marijuana

Backers say measure corrects a racial injustice

(Newser) - The House approved legislation Friday to end all federal criminal penalties over the manufacture, distribution, or possession of marijuana. Speaker Nancy Pelosi told the House the measure rights injustices and is "one of the most important criminal justice reform bills in recent history." The legislation cleared 220-204 and...

Pandemic, Worker Shortage Change Employee Drug Testing

Percentage of positive tests rises, but more employers aren't testing for THC

(Newser) - Against a backdrop of changing marijuana laws and a worker shortage, more employees are testing positive for drug use. Quest Diagnostics, one of the largest testers, found that 3.9% of the 6 million urine tests it processed last year came back positive, up 50% from 2017. In that same...

Court: California Pot Law Doesn't Extend to Inmates

Justices decide 5-2 that voters didn't intend to let prisoners have marijuana

(Newser) - Prison inmates can't legally possess marijuana under California's law allowing recreational pot, the state Supreme Court ruled 5-2 Thursday in overturning a lower court that found prisoners could have the drug as long as they didn't consume it. The justices said the 2019 appellate court ruling allowing...

Clarence Thomas: We May Not Need Federal Marijuana Laws

Because of the government's 'piecemeal approach'

(Newser) - One of the Supreme Court's most conservative justices thinks we may be able to do away with federal weed laws. Clarence Thomas released a statement Monday in connection with the high court declining to hear an appeal from a Colorado pot dispensary looking to block the IRS from getting...

Recreational Marijuana Becomes Legal in 19th State

Connecticut plans to address harm done by war on drugs

(Newser) - Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday signed a bill making Connecticut the 19th state to legalize recreational use of marijuana, which remains an illegal drug under federal law. People age 21 and older will be allowed to possess and consume marijuana beginning on July 1 under the new law, which also...

Now That Pot Will Be Legal Here, a Surprise Forced Retirement

Drug-sniffing K9 units in Virginia are being 'put out to pasture earlier than planned'

(Newser) - Asking dogs to follow their noses won't work anymore in states that have legalized marijuana. As Virginia prepares to legalize adult possession of up to an ounce of marijuana on July 1, drug-sniffing police dogs from around the state are being forced into early retirement, following a trend in...

Marijuana Makes New Inroads in the South

Virginia becomes first Southern state to legalize recreational use

(Newser) - Virginia became the first Southern state to legalize marijuana Wednesday, as lawmakers voted to approve Gov. Ralph Northam’s proposed changes to a bill that will allow adults to possess and cultivate small amounts of the drug starting in July. Northam sent the bill back to lawmakers substantially changed from...

New York Becomes 3rd State to Legalize Pot in This Fashion

Lawmakers approved the change

(Newser) - New York has become the latest state to legalize recreational marijuana—and the third where the change was approved by lawmakers, not voters. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a legalization bill Wednesday morning, calling it a "historic day," CNBC reports. The legislation was passed Tuesday evening by votes of...

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