DC's Weed Gifting Goes Legit, Nebraskans Want Medical Marijuana Legalized And More Cannabis Regs

Delaware Invites Public Input On Marijuana Regulations

Delaware's Office of the Marijuana Commissioner recently made publicly available a first batch of draft regulations for the recreational cannabis market slated to kick off in 2025, as reported by Marijuana Moment.

Delaware embraced the green revolution when it became the 22nd state to fully legalize recreational marijuana in May 2023.

Regulators opened a public comment period, which will end March 29, on the first batch of draft rules. "The sections of draft regulations released today include those applicable to the licensing of adult-use recreational marijuana businesses, the application process, the issuance of licenses, and the processes regarding the renewal and transfer of licenses," the office announced.

OMC expects to open a formal public comment period for the remainder of the regulations that yet have to be released, before being finalized – or from May 1-31.

For now, "the draft regulations presented in this informal process are a preview of the direction that the OMC is taking in the development of the formal regulations."

Nebraska Poll Shows Over 70% Support Medical Marijuana

According to a recent polling in Nebraska, 70% of adults asked are ready to legalize medical marijuana statewide, reported Nebraska Examiner.

Conducted by Neilan Strategy Group, the poll is similar to a separate one done by the group seeking to place medical cannabis on the 2024 ballot, where according to the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, 80% of registered voters will approve cannabis legalization.

"Nebraskans are clearly ready to legalize medical marijuana," Perre Neilan of Neilan Strategy Group said.

Crista Eggers of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana agreed. After an unsuccessful bid to gain support from the state legislature, the medical marijuana group is making a third attempt this year to bring the issue before voters.

"Nebraskans are obviously ready to legalize medicinal cannabis," Eggers said, adding the Neilan Strategy Group's poll results don't come as a surprise.

See also: Nebraska Senate Hopeful And Union Leader At First Says No, But Then Opens Up About Trying Marijuana

One Ounce Or Three Grams: Hawaii’s Marijuana Law Sparks Heated Debate

Last week, Hawaii House members weighed on a bill to increase how much marijuana someone can possess without facing a criminal penalty, reported Hawaii News Now.

HB 1956 from House Judiciary Chair David Tarnas faced opposition from both Democrats and Republicans. The measure seeks to amend the current law and allow possession of up to an ounce of marijuana, with violators facing a non-criminal violation and a $25 fine, as opposed to the current law that allows possession of three grams, with violators facing a $130 fine.

The measure advanced through the House Judiciary Committee, only to face an opposition on the House floor. Kailua Rep. Scott Matayoshi expressed her concerns about the measure.

"One ounce is a lot of marijuana," he said. "One ounce is 50 to 60 joints."

Others opposed the measure claiming that weed is a gateway drug, while some raised concerns about access to cannabis for young people.

Now read: Hawaii Attorney General Will Not Oppose Cannabis Legalization But Only If Certain Issues Are Respected

DC’s Marijuana Gifting Shops Go Legit

Shortly after the D.C. Council approved an emergency measure to give city officials the authority to impose penalties on unlicensed marijuana gifting shops not operating under the city's medical cannabis program, some have decided to go legit.

According to the Outlaw Report, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) published a list of businesses looking to transition from D.C.'s I-71 gifting market to legal medical dispensaries.

Out of 76 submitted applications, a total of 26 D.C. unlicensed retailers have been awarded placards, including 12 social equity applicants and 14 standard applicants.

The approved businesses could launch operations as early as April, or after they go through a protest period to their respective licenses.

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