LA House Vote Kills Marijuana Legalization Effort, AZ Legislature Approves Needle Exchanges, More… (5/19/21)

A Connecticut poll has strong continuing support for marijuana legalization, a Pennsylvania poll has surprisingly strong support for drug decriminalization, and more.

Marijuana Policy

Connecticut Poll Has Strong Support for Marijuana Legalization. A new poll from Sacred Heart University show continuing strong support for marijuana legalization even as the governor and legislative leaders struggle to come to agreement on rival proposals. The poll had support at 64% (35.8% strongly and 28.1% somewhat). That's a slight decrease from overall support at 66% in February, but still strong.

Louisiana House Kills Marijuana Legalization Effort. Marijuana legalization is dead for the year after the House on Tuesday failed to advance House Bill 434, which would set up a tax structure for marijuana sales. That bill needed a two-thirds majority because it is a tax measure, but didn't even get a majority, failing 47-48. That prompted bill sponsor Rep. Richard Nelson (R-Mandeville) to pull the legalization bill itself, which he also sponsored.

Medical Marijuana

Minnesota Legislature Approves Medical Marijuana Expansion, Smokable Marijuana. On the final day of the legislative session, lawmakers approved a bill that will expand the state's medical marijuana program by allowing patients to smoke the buds of the dried plant. The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Tim Walz (D).

Drug Policy

Pennsylvania Poll Has Majority Support for Drug Decriminalization. A new poll from Data for Progress has found that 60% of voters support having their district attorneys eliminate "criminal penalties for simple possession of a controlled substance." Some 71% of Democrats supported the proposal, while only 43% of Republicans did.

Harm Reduction

Arizona Legislature Approves Allowing Needle Exchange Programs. The legislature has passed a bill that would allow needle exchanges in the state, with the House voting 57-2 to advance it Tuesday. The bill now goes to the desk of Gov. Doug Ducey (R).