As the hallowed holiday, 4/20, arrives for cannabis advocates-turned-entrepreneurs, it falls upon us, the industry is in the midst of change, as usual. Not surprisingly, many states have seen legislation, court decisions, and political commentary brought to their attention that directly influence the cannabis industry.
This roundup features the top 10 most-read “Budding Trends” blog posts and predictions, highlighting the pressing issues and potential solutions in individual states, and provides timely analysis of the cannabis industry.
Does Kamala Harris Support Marijuana Legalization?
Vice President Kamala Harris, just like she did before her nomination for president, announced her support for legalizing adult-use marijuana at the federal level. The announcement was either comical or intended, as it came on the sports show All the Smoke.
The vice president said, “I just think we have come to a point where we have to understand that we need to legalize it and stop criminalizing this behavior.”
Joint Issue: Why a New Crop of House Members, a New Speaker, and Continued Bipartisan Support Could Finally Light the Way for Medical Marijuana in NC
In November 2023, the National Law Review wondered whether 2024 might be “the year” for medical marijuana legalization in North Carolina. It wasn’t. The news was a shocker as the state had had bipartisan support for the bill for a long time. The short answer is that House Speaker Tim Moore (R) decided that a bill would not reach the House floor unless most Republican members of the House supported it. Thirty-six members supported the bill, but when one less Republican was voted to the House, 37 members were needed, so the official count was one member short.
California Bans Most Hemp Products and Illuminates Battle Between Hemp and Marijuana Businesses
California is a marijuana-friendly state, but Governor Newsom announced new “emergency” regulations banning products derived from industrial hemp that contain intoxicating elements.
Georgia Legislature Considers Overhaul
Cannabis reform was high on the legislative agenda, but the bill did not pass due to the language in the bill. There is a difference between cannabis, hemp, and marijuana, and the proposal supports medical marijuana.
Trump Expresses Support for Marijuana Reform
While running for president, Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he was voting for marijuana legalization. He vowed to focus on research to unlock the medical use of marijuana and has dubbed medical marijuana “amazing.” Federal legalization has yet to be implemented, but ample time remains for a significant overhaul.
Alabama Legislature Takes a Deep Breath
Alabama introduced a flurry of pro-marijuana bills, which led to promising trends, such as expanding commercial licenses from five to seven, and many other positives. However, the bills would not be legalized until 2026, so, like at the federal level, proponents must take a deep breath and patiently wait.
While marijuana legalization is a significant subject for the federal government and at the state level, many of the bills are yet to be enacted, but that is still a step in the right direction.
