NY Governor Says Agreement Reached on Legal Pot Bill, IL Drug Defelonization Bill Advances, More… (3/25/21)

State legislatures are voting on marijuana all over the place, the Maryland Senate has just approved a bill to legalize drug paraphernalia, and more.

Marijuana Policy

Delaware Marijuana Legalization Bill Wins House Committee Vote. A marijuana legalization bill, House Bill 150, has passed out of the House Health and Human Development Committee on a party line vote and now heads for the House Appropriations Committee before getting a shot at a House floor vote. Gov. John Carney (D), who has been lukewarm on legalization, says he still has "concerns."

Minnesota Marijuana Legalization Bill Wins House Committee Vote. A marijuana legalization bill, House File 600, was approved by the House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday. It now heads to the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee before getting a shot at a House floor vote.

New York Governor Announces Agreement on Marijuana Legalization. An agreement has been reached between the governor and legislative leaders on the final shape of marijuana legalization bill, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said Thursday. The bill will legalize the possession of up to three ounces and allow the home cultivation of up to six plants, as well as setting up a system of taxed and regulated marijuana commerce with a strong equity component.

North Dakota Marijuana Legalization Bill Killed. A marijuana legalization bill, House Bill 1420, that won approval in the House has been killed in the Senate on a 37-10 floor vote. That opens the door for another try at legalizing it through the initiative process in 2022.

Drug Policy

Illinois Bill to Lessen Drug Penalties Wins House Committee Vote. The House Criminal Judiciary Committee voted 10-8 Tuesday to advance a bill that would lower penalties for hard drugs, House Bill 3447. The measure is in essence a defelonization bill, making possession of up to three grams of heroin, fentanyl, or methamphetamine a Class A misdemeanor. The same would apply to up to five grams of cocaine and up to 40 oxydocone or LSD pills. The bill now heads for a House floor vote.

Maryland Senate Approves Bill Legalizing Drug Paraphernalia. The Senate on Wednesday voted largely along party lines to approve Senate Bill 420, which legalizes the possession of drug paraphernalia. Sponsors said it is necessary to protect the health and safety of heroin users. The bill now heads to the House.