Buzz Category
NJ AG Orders End to Most Marijuana Arrests and Prosecutions, Mexico Coca Plantation Discovered, More… (2/24/21)
A North Dakota marijuana legalization bill passes the House, Nebraska medical marijuana advocates demand action from the legislature, and more.Marijuana PolicyMinnesota Marijuana Legalization…

Biden AG Nominee Addresses Marijuana, Mandatory Minimums; El Chapo's Wife Busted at Dulles, More… (2/23/21)
Republcan legislators continue to try to wreak havoc with voter-approved marijuana initiatives, Judge Merrick Garland speaks out on marijuana and sentencing policy at his confirmation…

NJ Governor Signs Marijuana Legalization Bills, VA Lawmakers Pass Mandatory Minimum Bills, More… (2/22/21)
New Jersey finally gets pot legalization done, Virginia lawmakers are trying to do the same, a Massachusetts drug decriminalization bill is filed, and more.[image:1 align:left…

Norway Government Proposes Drug Depenalization, ND House Approves MedMJ Edibles, More… (2/19/21)
Medical marijuana is receiving attention at various state houses, a trio of US senators warn the Philippine government on imprisoned drug war critic Sen. Leila…
Book Review: Drug Use for Grown-Ups
Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear, by Carl Hart (2021, Penguin Press, 290 pp., $28.00 HB)[image:1 align:left]Dr. Carl Hart is…

CA Psychedelic Decriminalization Bill Filed, NJ Marijuana Mess Continues, More… (2/18/21)
A Minnesota marijuana legalization bill moves, Wisconsin's governor calls for legal marijuana, the South Dakota House quashes telehealth for medical marijuana patients, and more.[image:1 align:left…

AZ "Drug Trafficking Homicide" Bill Filed, HI Marijuana Legalization, Decrim Bills Advance, More… (2/17/21)
Hawaii legislators take up marijuana reform bills, Maryland legislators take up marijuana legalization, and more.Marijuana PolicyHawaii Marijuana Legalization Bill Advances. The Senate Public…

NM Legal Pot Bill Advances, WA Drug Decrim Bill Advances, NY Legal Pot Fight Continues, More… (2/16/21)
A marijuana legalization bill moves in New Mexico, a bill to expand marijuana decriminalization advances in North Dakota, a drug decriminalization bill advances in Washington,…

Biden IRS Doesn't Support Pot Shop's Tax Fight, Myanmar Opium Down But Meth Is Up, More… (2/15/21)
South Dakota's Republican attorney general won't defend the state's voter-approved marijuana legalization amendment any further, a Michigan court rules people on probation can use medical…

Drug Companies Seek Big Tax Write-Offs for Opioid Settlements, VA Legal Pot Bill Advances, More… (2/12/21)
South Dakota's obstinate governor continues to get in the way of marijuana legalization, a freshman Kansas state representative files a drug decriminalization bill, and more.[image:1…

CT Governor Includes Marijuana Legalization in Budget Proposal, Baltimore Announces Policing Reform, More… (2/11/21)
The appetite for busting pot smokers grows weaker in Fort Lauderdale and Milwaukee, Idaho could this year finally legalize hemp, and more.Marijuana PolicyConnecticut…
SD Judge Throws Out Marijuana Legalization Initiative, IL Drug Defelonization Bill Coming, More… (2/10/21)
A South Dakota court throws out the voter-approved marijuana legalization amendment, Idaho medical marijuana campaigners can begin signature gathering for 2022, and more.Marijuana…

Lawmakers Urge Biden to Allow Buprenorphine Expansion, Honduran President Target of US Drug Investigation, More… (2/9/21)
A major new marijuana reform coalition has formed, a Hawaii asset forfeiture reform bill advances, so does an Idaho medical marijuana bill, and more.[image:1 align:left…

Virginia Is on the Verge on Legalizing Marijuana [FEATURE]
The Old Dominion is set to notch a pair of marijuana firsts after both chambers of the state legislature approved marijuana legalization bills last Friday.…

NJ Governor Signs Bill to Reduce Psilocybin Penalties, VA Drug Decrim Bill Killed, More… (2/8/21)
New Jersey reduces penalties for possession of psychedelic mushrooms, an Idaho medical marijuana bil lis filed, a Minnesota asset forfeiture reform bill advances, and more.[image:1…
VA House Votes to Legalize Marijuana, WA Drug Decrim Bill Filed, NJ Psilocbyin Penalties Eased, More… (2/5/21)
Virginia is on the verge of legalizing marijuana, San Antonio's prosecutors will reject especially small-time marijuana and other drug possession charges, and more.Marijuana…

Purdue Pharma Consultant to Pay $573 Million to Settle Lawsuits, ID Bill to Ban Legal Pot Advances, More… (2/4/21)
Another massive settlement resulting from Purdue Pharma's aggressive marketing of OxyContin, a Maryland pot legalization bill gets filed with support from the leadership, South Dakota…

VA Poll Has Two-Thirds Support for Legal Pot, Reformers Urge End to Fed Cocaine Sentencing Disparity, More… (2/3/21)
An Alabama bill would let police use wiretaps against suspected drug felons, another Alabama bill would legalize medical marijuana, a New Jersey court hears a…

NM Marijuana Legalization Bills Filed, PA Bill Would Restrict Access to Buprenorphine, More… (2/2/21)
Kansas's governor wants medical marijuana approved to pay for Medicaid expansion, the Mississippi Supreme Court has set a date for oral arguments in a case…

OR Decrim In Effect, Senate Leadership Marijuana Legalization Plan, More…(2/1/21)
Oregon becomes the first state to implement drug decriminalization, Virginia marijuana legalization bills are moving, a New Jersey bill could help break the marijuana legalization…

Frequent cannabis use by young people linked to decline in IQ
A study has found that adolescents who frequently use cannabis may experience a decline in Intelligence Quotient (IQ) over time. The findings of the research…

Legal cannabis stores linked to fewer opioid deaths in the United States
Access to legal cannabis stores is associated with a reduction in opioid related deaths in the United States, particularly those linked to synthetic opioids such…

Canada Considers Drug Decriminalization, DOJ Rescinds Tough Sessions-Era Sentencing Guidance, More… (1/29/21)
State legislatures are dealing with marijuana bills, the Justice Department reverts to less harsh charging and sentencing policies, and more.Marijuana PolicyIdaho Bill to…

White House Kills Expanded Buprenorphine Access (At Least for Now), Mexican Poppy Farmers Tell Army to Get Lost, More… (1/28/21)
A challenge to South Dakota's voter-approved marijuana legalization initiative gets its day in court, the Biden administration rolls back a Trump administration expansion of buprenorphine…

The dangers of drugged driving are outpacing drunk driving
A recent study of drugged driving shows that a sizable percentage of individuals reported the use of marijuana and other illicit drugs while operating behind…

NM & UT Safe Injection Site Bills, FL & GA Therapeutic Psilocybin Bills, More… (1/27/21)
There's a marijuana legalization bill filed in Maryland, a second Houston police officer has been indicted on murder charges in a misbegotten drug raid that…

Cannabis use both helps and hurts entrepreneurial creativity
When entrepreneurs dream up ideas for new businesses, cannabis use might help, and hinder, their creativity, according to a new study.

Drink and drug risk is lower among optimistic pupils with 'happy' memories
Teenagers with happy childhood memories are likely to drink less, take fewer drugs and enjoy learning, according to new research.

NJ AG Extends Moratorium on Small-Time Pot Prosecutions, New Plant Medicine Coalition Eyes Congress, More… (1/26/21)
Delaware's auditor says marijuana legalization is a no-brainer, a second medical marijuana bill is filed in Kentucky, Bay State pot shop owners drop a lawsuit…

Study Finds Meth Deaths Rose Steadily in Recent Years, USSC Charts Rise in Fed Fentanyl Cases, More… (1/25/21)
Marijuana legalization bills are filed in Florida and Hawaii, a bill to protect medical marijuana-using veterans is filed in Congress, and more.Marijuana PolicyFlorida…

VA Pot Legalization Bill Advances, Japan Ponders Harsher Pot Penalties, More… (1/22/21)
California's governor signs an executive order preventing medical marijuana ID cards from expiring during the pandemic, Mexico continues to rage against the abortive DEA arrest…
First Federal Marijuana Reform Bill of 2021 Filed, VA Marijuana Legalization Bill Advances, More… (1/21/21)
The first federal marijuana reform bill of the new session has been filed, a draft of the Connecticut governor's marijuana legalization bill is now circulating,…

Trump Pardons or Commutes Sentences for Dozens of Drug Offenders, AZ Adult Pot Sales to Begin, More… (1/20/21)
A marijuana legalization bill gets filed in North Dakota, organized opposition to marijuana legalization rears its head in Virginia, and more.Marijuana PolicyArizona Recreational…

US and Mexico in Drug War Tiff, IL Passes Bill to Abolish Cash Bail, Santa Fe DA Softens Drug Charges, More… (1/19/21)
Marijuana legalization and medical marijuana bills get filed in Nebraska, the US and Mexico spar over the undone arrest of a former defense minister, a…

Feds Loosen Up Buprenorphine Prescribing, VA Marijuana Legalization Bill Filed, More… (1/15/21)
State legislatures are beginning to turn their sights to marijuana legalization, the Trump administration loosens restrictions on prescribing buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, and more.[image:1…

Federal Appeals Court Rules Safe Injection Sites Illegal, Poll Finds Most Think Pot Safer than Alcohol, More… (1/13/21)
A federal appeals court has put the kibosh on a proposed Philadelphia safe injection site, a Michigan prosecutors says no more magic mushrooms prosecutions, and…

NJ Pot Legalization Implementation Bill in Limbo, NY Governor Calls Again for Pot Legalization, More… (1/12/21)
New Jersey's governor and legislative leaders are at odds over punishing young marijuana offenders, a battle over what legalization will look like is shaping up…

CA "Contingency Management" Meth Treatment Bill Filed, NJ Marijuana Mess, More… (1/11/21)
Voter-approved marijuana legalization initiatives are running into problems with elected officials, federal prosecutors say the Honduran president was taking big bribes from drug traffickers, and…

Marijuana use typically drops at the beginning of the year, then climbs in summer and fall
Marijuana use increases throughout the calendar year, with use up 13 percent on average at the end of each year compared to the beginning.

More than half of people using cannabis for pain experience multiple withdrawal symptoms
More than half of people who use medical marijuana products to ease pain also experience clusters of multiple withdrawal symptoms when they’re between uses, a…