Cannabis Bill Tracker

As the cannabis industry anxiously awaits direction from the White House, it appears that states are not going to be as patient. As more states move forward with cannabis bills, we’ll continue providing relevant updates on the latest cannabis laws and legislation that affect our industry and your business. Something we missed? Let us know here and we’ll make sure to include it in next week’s update!

Federal

Legislation supporting AG Jeff Sessions request for greater enforcement of the Control Substance Act has been introduced in the House and the Senate. HR 2851 was introduced by NY Republican John Katko. In the Senate, Iowa’s Chuck Grassley sponsored SB 1327.

To combat the aforementioned legislation, a revamped version of the CARERS Act has been introduced by a bipartisan group led by Senators Rand Paul and Al Franken. Among the notable co-sponsors is Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski, who also sits on the Senate’s Committee on Appropriations, a position that could prove crucial in thwarting AG Sessions request for funds to fight state-sanctioned legal cannabis operations.

Additionally, HR 1820, which would increase Veterans Access to Medical Cannabis, gained a cosponsor, bringing the total to 14.

Maine

The Maine Senate approved LD 764 last week. If signed by Governor Paul LePage, the bill would prevent medical cannabis patients from being denied an organ transplant solely based on their cannabis use.

For official licensing information check out our Maine page!

Massachusetts

New legislation in the Massachusetts senate would keep the tax rate at 12%, the same rate approved when Question 4 passed in November. The rate is drastically lower than the 28% proposed in a bill recently introduced in the House. Opponents of the higher tax rates argue that the illegal market flourishes when legal prices are inflated and access is limited.

For official licensing information check out our Massachusetts page!

New Hampshire

Governor Chris Sununu signed legislation that added chronic pain as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis. With only around 3,000 registered patients, adding the new condition could see the patient count double and not only provide more care, but increase the medical cannabis industry in the state.

For official licensing information check out our New Hampshire page!

Updates from the week of June 12:

As the cannabis industry anxiously awaits direction from the White House, it appears that states are not going to be as patient. As more states move forward with cannabis bills, we’ll continue providing relevant updates on the latest cannabis laws and legislation that affect our industry and your business. Something we missed? Let us know here and we’ll make sure to include it in next week’s update!

Colorado

Governor Hickenlooper signed SB17, officially adding PTSD as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis. He also signed House Bill 17, which sought to reform asset forfeiture laws, despite opposition from law enforcement.

Florida

After a tumultuous week consisting of a special session and last minute updates, Florida lawmakers were able to agree on a modified implementation of Amendment 2. Unfortunately, the plan still bans flower combustion (smoking cannabis), but it does eliminate the 90 day relationship requirement for patients and physicians. Florida Governor Rick Scott has voiced his intent to sign the bill when presented.

Vermont

Governor Phil Scott signed legislation that added Parkinson ’s disease, Crohn’s disease, and PTSD to the list of conditions that qualify for medical cannabis. S16 also creates an additional dispensary license and provisions for more based on registered patient counts.

Check back next Monday for our Cannabis Bill Tracker updates!

Make sure you’re following BioTrackTHC social media for regular news and updates, and subscribe to our CannaPulse newsletter to get this update sent directly to your inbox each week!

Learn more about BioTrackTHC’s Seed-to-Sale Tracking and Cannabis Business Solution that can help business owners stay compliant with all of their state’s respective regulations and compliance codes.