New York’s cannabis board is in the midst of shaping a socially equitable state recreational cannabis program, Republican lawmakers in Ohio are pushing for the state’s access to recreational cannabis, and a bipartisan bill proposing a recreational cannabis program in Pennsylvania has come out of the woodwork.
Let’s dive into this week’s cannanews.
After months of delays in the rollout of New York’s recreational cannabis program, the state’s five-person Cannabis Control Board (CCB)—which just met for the first time last week—is currently working on interpreting and shaping the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act signed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in March. According to The Journal News, the board is primarily tasked with finalizing regulations for localities, the licensing process, and social equity provisions. CCB members aim to issue 50% of licenses to social equity applicants to ensure the inclusion of minority groups.
Republican Ohio Reps. Jamie Callender and Ron Ferguson are finalizing a recreational cannabis bill that they hope to introduce to the state by Thanksgiving. The bill will expand on Ohio’s current medical marijuana law by allowing Ohioans ages 21 and older to buy and grow cannabis. Under the new bill, adults would be allowed to possess up to five ounces of cannabis, and medical marijuana facilities would be eligible to move into the recreational space without any additional licenses. The bill also includes a 10% tax on recreational cannabis.
Bipartisan cannabis support seems to be the trend of the week: Pennsylvania Sens. Sharif Street (D) and Dan Laughlin (R) announced their co-sponsorship of a bill that would legalize recreational use for all state residents ages 21 and older. According to WGAL, the Republican support “could significantly help the bill become law because Republicans control the Pennsylvania House and Senate.” The bill also includes various justice reform components, such as expunging nonviolent marijuana convictions and decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana possession.
Yes
Yes amen
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