Dispensary Near Preschool Gets Green Light, This State Is 'At Least 4 Years' Away From Legal Cannabis, & More Regulatory Updates

Alabama House Speaker Says No To Recreational Marijuana Use

Don't expect Alabama to legalize recreational cannabis any time soon, House Speaker Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter said on Tuesday. As the Yellowhammer State introduces a medical market, it's "at least four years from" a recreational rollout. That's how long his term as "the leader of the chamber will last" and he "won't allow it on the floor."

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New Push To Legalize Rec Marijuana In North Carolina

A new measure that seeks to legalize the recreational use of cannabis in North Carolina was reportedly filed in the state House. Representative Kelly Alexander, one of the sponsors behind House Bill 626, said their efforts are directed toward restoring the plant's legality.

"People have been smoking cannabis from time immemorial and up until the 1930s, it was essentially legal," Alexander said. "What we're trying to do now is to restore that legality."

The latest push builds on previous legislative efforts, Senate Bill 346, filed last month and also seeks to allow those 21 and older to possess small amounts of marijuana.

Happy Day For Green Mirror: Board OKs Cannabis Dispensary

Cannabis dispensary Green Mirror is now poised to open after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 9-2 to streamline the project, which is located near a preschool. The shop obtained a conditional use authorization from the city's Planning Commission earlier this year but was at the center of a heated debate kicked off by members of the local community.

A petition dubbed "Pasta, Not Pot: Stop The Gold Mirror Cannabis Dispensary" was launched in February by a group of residents whose main concerns were that the store would be too close to Happy Day Preschool and the fact that the commission allowed onsite consumption of edibles.

Delaware Gov. Dodges Question On Marijuana Legalization

Delaware Gov. John Carney has yet again dogged a question on a marijuana legalization bill pending his approval.

An audience member asked Carney on Tuesday at the State of the State Town Hall Meeting at the New Castle Public Library when he will "make the First State, not the last state, but the 22nd state and help us get this [marijuana legalization] done." Carney responded that he is "not going to make any news tonight," but that he will listen to "all of my constituents."

Whether Carney vetoes or signs two bills, HB 1 and HB 2, to legalize recreational marijuana, remains to be seen. He has until April 22 and April 26, respectively, to act on each bill.

See Also: Gov. Hochul's New Initiative To Inform New Yorkers About Safe Cannabis Consumption

Photo: Courtesy of Sora Shimazaki by Pexels