Drug Paraphernalia Reform In Minnesota, Illinois Expungements & Latest Cannabis Regs In PA And SC

Illinois Tackles War On Drugs Fallout With New Law

The new seeks to make reintegration of individuals who have been released from incarceration back into society easier, reported The Center Square.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 423 into law on Friday. The legislation also prioritizes public safety by reducing the possibility of repeat offenses.

"I have expunged more than 800,000 low-level cannabis arrest records on top of pardoning an additional 26,000 people who committed nonviolent offenses," said Pritzker, who will attend the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago on Sept 27-28 as a keynote speaker. "Illinois has reduced our prison population by more than 26% in the last four years. We have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to lift up communities most harmed by the failed war on drugs."

Drug Paraphernalia Reform Takes Effect In Minnesota

As of Tuesday, Minnesotans can legally possess drug paraphernalia. Under the measure, intentional production of drug paraphernalia for delivery remains illegal.

The new law also legalized syringe services, controlled substance residue, and testing, reported Marijuana Moment.

The new policy reform was part of a large-scale criminal justice and public safety omnibus package that was green-lighted by Governor Tim Walz (D) in May.

Bipartisan Duo Files Bill To Allow Home Grow In Pennsylvania

Last week, a bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers has introduced a measure that seeks to allow medical cannabis patients 21 and older to cultivate marijuana for personal use, reported Marijuana Moment.

State senators Sharif Street (D), Dan Laughlin (R) and six other senators filed the bill on Thursday.

Under the new bill, medical marijuana dispensaries would be allowed to sell cannabis seeds to patients to grow cannabis in their own homes, as long as they are stored in a secure and discreet location, out of vies of the general public.

"It is critical that policy meet people where they are," the lawmakers who are also behind a push to legalize recreational marijuana said earlier. "By allowing medical marijuana patients to grow cannabis plants at home, we can help ease the cost and accessibility burdens for this important medicine."

The legislation is pending a review by the Senate Law and Justice Committee.                

Local Women Advocates Ignite Debate On Medical Cannabis Legalization In South Carolina

A coalition of female-led businesses and musicians has banded together to advocate for legalizing medical cannabis in South Carolina, reported WCBD.

On Sunday, Odyssey Bottle Shop organized a showcase to generate funds to support advocating and educating the masses about the urgent need to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes statewide.

"We want them to know that the people of South Carolina really do support the idea of having patients having access to medical cannabis," said one attendee.

South Carolina's push for legalizing medical marijuana hit a wall earlier this year.

Despite having two bills on the docket for the legalization of medicinal marijuana, the S.C. Compassionate Care Act stalled in a Senate subcommittee, making it impossible to pass the bill this year.

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the place where deals get done, is returning to Chicago this Sept 27-28 for its 17th edition. Get your tickets today before prices increase and secure a spot at the epicenter of cannabis investment and branding.

Photo: Beniznga edit of photo by Shutterstock