Marijuana

States With Legal Pot Consider How to Protect Cannabis Workers

In some states, so-called labor peace agreements have figured prominently in efforts to set up legal pot marketplaces.

  • By Leigh Giangreco, Stateline

Democrats Plan to Take Another Pass at Cannabis Banking Bill

They are hoping a bill sponsored by Democratic and Republican senators will be more successful and finally address local governments’ concerns about crime.

  • By Kery Murakami

Marijuana Banking Reform Left Out of Year-End Spending Deal 

The proposed changes would have cleared a path for state-regulated marijuana companies to access banking services, instead of doing business primarily in cash.

  • By Kery Murakami

Permitting Revamp and Pot Banking Left Out of Must-pass Defense Bill

In brokering the National Defense Authorization Act, congressional negotiators didn’t include a controversial overhaul of environmental permitting for energy projects, or provisions to open banking to state-regulated marijuana businesses.

  • By Kery Murakami

How Your State Can Reduce Fraud With Marijuana Tax Payments

COMMENTARY | Governments can be unaware of whether they are receiving the correct revenues from cannabis sales. But there are options available to help agencies root out noncompliance, improve forecasts, and potentially up collections.

  • By Peter Arena and Jen Galbreath

Split Results in Marijuana Legalization Votes

Measures to legalize recreational cannabis won approval in two states, and failed in three.

  • By Molly Bolan

Governors Split on Biden’s Call to Pardon Low-Level Pot Offenders

Most marijuana convictions are at the state and local levels.

  • By David Montgomery, Stateline

Marijuana 'Sin Tax' Collections Show Signs of Outpacing Alcohol

In states where cannabis is legal, a new analysis finds excise tax collections from pot leading booze. But the money is a small share of state budgets and changes to the industry could affect revenues.

  • By Bill Lucia

As Legal Marijuana Use Takes Off, How Can Regulating Bodies Keep Pace With the Laws?

COMMENTARY | With more states legalizing marijuana, government agencies must equip themselves with the technology and tools to regulate its use.

  • By Katy Fenton

Local Leaders Beg for 'Substantial State Assistance, Immediately' to Combat Illegal Marijuana Farms

An Oregon county declared a state of emergency and is requesting $750,000, 45 new employees and the National Guard, which officials say is necessary because the illegal businesses are running rampant, depleting resources and spiking crime.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Indigenous Tribes Taking the Lead on Legal Weed

While the state dawdles on pot regulations, Native Americans in New York will likely begin sales before the end of the year.

  • By Rebecca C. Lewis

GOP Works to Override Voters on Medicaid, Higher Wages, Pot

Minimum wage, marijuana and Medicaid initiatives could be undercut.

  • By Sophie Quinton, Stateline
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Poll: 91% of Americans Say Marijuana Should Be Legalized

As states continue to pass laws to legalize marijuana, support for its medical and recreational uses continues to grow, according to a Pew Research Center survey.

  • By Brent Woodie

A New Program in One State Will Help People Expunge Marijuana Convictions

A state-funded coalition of legal organizations will help Illinois residents navigate the process of criminal record expungement for pot-related offenses.

  • By Emma Coleman

Oregon Decriminalizes Hard Drug Possession, While Five States Pass Marijuana Ballot Measures

Measures to decriminalize drugs like magic mushrooms also racked up big wins on election night.

  • By Emma Coleman

First Came Legal Marijuana, Now Comes…Magic Mushrooms?

In some places where the marijuana decriminalization and legalization movement took hold, voters are being asked a new question: Should psychedelic mushrooms be next?

  • By Emma Coleman

Marijuana Companies Seek Disaster Relief

Marijuana businesses can’t access traditional insurance or federal disaster funds.

  • By Sophie Quinton, Stateline

Militia Group Plotted to Kidnap Michigan Governor, Feds Say

STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | West Virginia selected for $500 million hyperloop site … Vermont moves ahead with retail marijuana … Library worker allegedly stole $1.3 million in printer toner ... Tofurky sues over Louisiana “burger” labeling law.

  • By Bill Lucia

Texas AG Says He Won’t Resign After Staff Accuse Him of Bribery and Other Wrongdoing

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Thousands of kids in Miami-Dade return to classrooms … Maine’s marijuana industry expected to get off to a sputtering start … de Blasio, Cuomo at odds over shutdown orders in some New York City neighborhoods.

  • By Bill Lucia

Altered Mindsets: Marijuana Is Making Its Mark on Ballots in Red States

Five of the six states where voters this fall will consider whether to legalize recreational or medical marijuana lean conservative.

  • By Justin Franz, Kaiser Health News

Pennsylvania Governor Suggests Selling Marijuana Through State-Run Stores

Gov. Tom Wolf isn’t the first governor to recently float state-operated marijuana retail. Pennsylvania currently runs hundreds of wine and liquor shops.

  • By Bill Lucia