CA's Weed Legalization More Popular Than Ever, MD Pushes To End Job Discrimination, KY Wants Gov To Decriminalize And More

62% of Californians Now Embrace Cannabis Legalization’s Positive Impact

A California state-commissioned poll reveals that 62% of adults view cannabis legalization as having a “positive” impact, surpassing the 57% who originally voted for it in 2016. This increase in approval is highlighted alongside the launch of the “Real California Cannabis” campaign by the Department of Cannabis Control, aiming to educate consumers on the importance of purchasing from licensed retailers to combat illicit sales and ensure safety, reported Marijuana Moment.

Maryland Moves Against Cannabis Discrimination At Work

Maryland legislators are considering bills to protect off-duty cannabis consumers from workplace discrimination. The proposed laws, HB 525 and SB 513, aim to prevent employment penalties based on cannabis use, aligning Maryland with states like Michigan and Nevada. Advocates, including NORML representatives and state firefighters, testified in favor of the legislation, emphasizing the need for fair treatment and updated policies in line with modern cannabis laws.

Oregon Lawmakers Propose No-Jail Law For Drug Possession, Prioritizing Support Over Punishment

Oregon Democrats propose a bill to combat opioid addiction, focusing on treatment over incarceration. The tentative legislation introduces a new misdemeanor category, emphasizing rehabilitation opportunities and probation alternatives. This initiative, part of House Bill 4002, aims to shift the state’s response to the fentanyl crisis towards recovery, offering a constructive pathway for those caught with minor drug quantities, noted Oregon Capital Chronicle.

Kentucky Cannabis Advocates Rally For Decriminalization

The Kentucky Cannabis Freedom Coalition urged Governor Andy Beshear to decriminalize cannabis, highlighting the strict measures of the forthcoming medical marijuana law, Senate Bill 47, effective January 1, 2025. Advocates argue that current laws overcrowd jails and unfairly prosecute individuals for possession, contrasting with more lenient policies in neighboring states, according to Spectrum News 1.

The coalition emphasizes the need for executive action to align with President Biden’s decriminalization request and to extend compassion toward those penalized for cannabis possession.

Florida’s Crackdown On CBD And Hemp Compounds Draws Criticism

Florida’s pending legislation to ban intoxicating hemp compounds and restrict CBD products faces backlash for potentially outlawing full-spectrum CBD. Critics argue the law, set for a House vote, would harm hemp growers and retailers by banning synthetic THC forms and imposing strict Delta-9 THC limits, according to Hemp Today.

The move, aimed at closing a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill, also tightens marketing regulations to protect children but is seen by some as stifling competition for the medical marijuana industry. Governor DeSantis is anticipated to approve the legislation, as debates over hemp’s regulation intensify ahead of a recreational cannabis referendum.