Maryland

Maryland governor pardons 175,000 cannabis convictions

Posted on June 17th, 2024 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , .

MooreGov. Wes Moore of Maryland signed an executive order June 17 pardoning 175,000 convictions related to possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia, becoming one of the first US states to issue such a mass pardon. The order includes more than 150,000 misdemeanor convictions for marijuana possession and more than 18,000 misdemeanor convictions for use of paraphernalia.

Advances for cannabis in midterm elections

leafThe Nov. 8 midterm elections saw mixed results for state cannabis legalization efforts. In Maryland, voters approved Question 4, amending the state constitution to permit the purchase and possession of up to 1.5 ounces. In Missouri, Amendment 3 passed, allowing adults to purchase and possess up to three ounces, with a provision for registered home cultivation. Similar measures failed in Arkansas and North and South Dakota. (Vox, CNBC)

Advances for cannabis conviction expungement —and obstacles

Posted on November 18th, 2021 by Bill Weinberg and tagged , , , , , , , , , , .

leafNearly 20 states have now approved initiatives or legislation to legalize cannabis, and demands are growing to wipe out past convictions for personal possession. Authorities in some of these states have started to respond—but things are not moving fast enough for advocates of a socially just model of legalization.

Wholesale cannabis prices rise in legalized states —but unevenly

Shadow WatchDriven by the notorious market glut in Oregon, wholesale cannabis prices have predictably plunged in the Beaver State. They have done so less precipitously in other western states. But this is offset by continued high prices elsewhere in the country, especially the East Coast—making for an overall upward trend this year.

Cyber-snafus 'cripple' Washington state cannabis industry

Posted on August 5th, 2019 by Bill Weinberg and tagged , , , , , , , , , , .

Shadow Watch In Washington state, glitches in the "seed-to-sale" tracking system nearly paralyzed the cannabis industry statewide last month, costing retailers hundreds of thousands of dollars and forcing temporary lay-offs of employees. Similar headlines have been seen from across the country's legalized states—pointing to a persistent issue.

House Judiciary Committee holds 'historic' hearing on cannabis and racial justice

Posted on July 15th, 2019 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , , , , , .

capitolIn a Capitol Hill hearing that advocates hailed as “historic,” numerous Congress members openly embraced lifting the federal strictures on cannabis—and even outright legalization. The discussion was particularly framed in terms of recognizing and correcting the racial and social iniquities of cannabis prohibition and the "war on drugs."

Battle for the soul of Maryland's cannabis economy

Posted on March 30th, 2019 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , .

leafMaryland is expanding its medical marijuana program and adopting policies that attempt to redress the social ills associated with prohibition and the war on drugs—but is meeting resistance both from the police and from elements of the local cannabis industry.

High NY hosts canna-biz networking confab

Posted on March 22nd, 2017 by Bill Weinberg and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , .

New York cannabisThe group High NY, "New York's Cannabis Community," hosted an event on "How to Apply Your Skills in the Cannabis Industry" at a Lower Manhattan venue the evening of March 22, featuring speakers with background in the biz from California, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. Unlike these three polities, New York state has not legalized. But organizers took heart that on that very same day as their meet-up, chronic pain was added to the qualifying conditions under the Empire State's burgeoning if still limited medical marijuana program.

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