Rhode Island latest state to allow recreational pot sales
December 1, 2022 GMTPROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Customers started lining up to buy recreational marijuana in Rhode Island on Thursday, a little more than six months after Gov.
Thai marijuana boosters rally to keep drug decriminalized
November 22, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Wearing T-shirts emblazoned with marijuana motifs and handling out samples, around 200 backers of Thailand’s liberalized marijuana regulations rallied Tuesday at Government House in Bangkok to protest the possible rollback of the drug's recent decriminalization.
New York issues first licenses for legal pot dispensaries
November 21, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — New York issued its first 36 cannabis dispensary licenses on Monday, taking a monumental step in establishing a legal — and lucrative — marketplace for recreational marijuana.
The licenses approved by the state's Cannabis Control Board were the first of 175 the state plans to issue, with many in the first round reserved for applicants with past convictions for marijuana offenses.
New York hasn’t licensed any pot shops, yet they abound
November 18, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Eager, anxious and frustrated, Yuri Krupitsky is waiting to find out whether he'll get to open one of the first legal recreational marijuana shops in New York state.
After election, marijuana advocates look to next states
November 14, 2022 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Law-abiding marijuana enthusiasts could find themselves in a bit of a predicament following voter approval of a recreational cannabis initiative in Missouri.
Though it soon will become legal for adults to possess and ingest cannabis, it could take a couple more months before they can legally buy it.
Walz says Minnesota Legislature could legalize pot in 2023
November 11, 2022 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The chances for legalizing recreational marijuana in Minnesota got a huge boost from the Democratic sweep in the state’s elections, and Gov Tim Walz confirmed Friday that he told former Gov.
Judge halts pot dispensary licenses in parts of New York
November 11, 2022 GMTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A federal judge has temporarily blocked New York from issuing recreational marijuana dispensary licenses in Brooklyn and parts of upstate New York while a legal challenge to the state’s selection process is being considered.
Voters approve recreational marijuana in Maryland, Missouri
November 9, 2022 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Voters approved recreational marijuana in Maryland and Missouri but rejected it in three other states, signaling support gradually growing for legalization even in conservative parts of the country.
Voters approve recreational marijuana in Maryland, Missouri
November 9, 2022 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Voters approved recreational marijuana in Maryland and Missouri but rejected it in two other states, signaling support gradually growing for legalization even in conservative parts of the country.
Maryland voters approve recreational marijuana legalization
November 9, 2022 GMTANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland voters approved legalizing recreational marijuana in a constitutional amendment Tuesday.
Lawmakers already approved legislation this year to take steps to changing the law regarding cannabis, but the General Assembly left matters of licensing and taxes for lawmakers to decide next year.
EXPLAINER: Which states put marijuana on the ballot in 2022?
October 24, 2022 GMTRecreational marijuana could be legal in half the country if the handful of states with cannabis measures on ballots this November pass them.
Biden’s pot pardons could boost states’ legalization drives
October 15, 2022 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — There are few surprises expected on Election Day in solidly Republican Arkansas, where Donald Trump's former press secretary is heavily favored in the race for governor and other GOP candidates are considered locks.
Vermont dispensaries to begin selling recreational marijuana
September 30, 2022 GMTVermont dispensaries are set to begin selling marijuana for recreational use, though only three will be ready to do so on opening weekend.
FLORA Cannabis in Middlebury, Mountain Girl Cannabis in Rutland and CeresMED in Burlington will all open on Saturday.
900 apply for NY’s first licenses to sell recreational pot
September 28, 2022 GMTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — More than 900 would-be pot shop operators have applied for a chance to open New York state's first legal dispensaries for recreational marijuana, regulators said Wednesday.
The state has said it plans to issue about 150 licenses in this first round, which was open only to people with past pot convictions or their relatives.
Recreational marijuana measure OK’d for Arkansas ballot
September 22, 2022 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday said voters can decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana, overturning a state panel's decision to block the measure from the November ballot.
Missouri Supreme Court won’t weigh recreational pot lawsuit
September 13, 2022 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to take up a lawsuit challenging a ballot proposal to legalize recreational marijuana use in the state.
The Tuesday ruling means the proposed constitutional amendment will be on the Nov.
Judge tosses suit against Missouri recreational pot measure
September 9, 2022 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge on Friday tossed out a lawsuit that sought to knock a recreational marijuana proposal off the Nov. 8 ballot.
Lawsuit on recreational pot in Missouri nears end
September 8, 2022 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Lawyers for a Missouri woman suing to block a recreational marijuana ballot measure panned the top state election official's involvement and claimed the proposal is unconstitutionally broad during Thursday court arguments.
GOP escalates fight against citizen-led ballot initiatives
September 3, 2022 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of people signed petitions this year backing proposed ballot initiatives to expand voting access, ensure abortion rights and legalize recreational marijuana in Arizona, Arkansas and Michigan.
What’s different about 2022 ND marijuana vote? Money
August 23, 2022 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The main group working to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota has more than a half-million dollars to press its case, far more than the mostly shoe-leather effort they relied on four years ago.
Lawsuit filed to knock recreational pot off Missouri ballot
August 22, 2022 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — An anti-drug group on Monday announced support for a lawsuit to take a recreational marijuana legalization proposal off Missouri’s November ballot.
Jefferson City resident Joy Sweeney filed the lawsuit Friday with support from the national anti-drug group Protect Our Kids.
Missouri voters to weigh forgiveness for past weed crimes
August 17, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri could become the first state to pass a voter-led effort to require courts to automatically forgive past marijuana crimes as part of a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational pot on November's ballot.
North Dakota recreational pot measure approved for ballot
August 15, 2022 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Supporters of legalizing recreational marijuana in North Dakota have succeeded in bringing the matter to a public vote in November.
The group, New Approach North Dakota, submitted more than the required 15,582 valid petition signatures to get a measure on the November general election ballot, Secretary of State Al Jaeger announced Monday.
Missouri voters set to weigh in on recreational marijuana
August 9, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Missouri gathered enough signatures to make it on the November ballot, Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced Tuesday.
Arkansas court asked to put marijuana measure on ballot
August 5, 2022 GMTSupporters of a recreational marijuana initiative have asked the Arkansas Supreme Court to order election officials to put their measure on the November ballot.
Arkansas panel rejects recreational marijuana ballot measure
August 3, 2022 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The State Board of Election Commissioners on Wednesday blocked a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana from appearing on Arkansas' ballot this fall.
The panel rejected the popular name and ballot title for the proposed constitutional amendment that supporters hoped to put on the November ballot.
Arkansas officials OK signatures for marijuana initiative
July 29, 2022 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Supporters of a recreational marijuana initiative have turned in the required number of valid signatures, moving the measure closer to appearing on Arkansas' ballot this fall, election officials said Friday.
Signatures gathered to place pot legalization before voters
July 11, 2022 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A group that wants to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota turned in more that 25,000 signatures to the secretary of state Monday in an effort to place the matter before voters in November.
Signatures for recreational pot, casino measures submitted
July 9, 2022 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Supporters of initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana and scale back casino gambling submitted thousands of signatures Friday in the hopes of getting their proposals on the Arkansas ballot.
Edibles, beverages laced with THC legal Friday in Minnesota
June 30, 2022 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A new Minnesota law taking effect Friday allows people 21 and older to buy edibles and beverages that contain a limited amount of THC, the ingredient in marijuana that creates a high.
New York’s 1st legal marijuana crop sprouts under the sun
June 29, 2022 GMTCLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (AP) — New York's recreational marijuana market is beginning to sprout, literally, with thin-leafed plants stretching toward the sun in farms around the state.
In a novel move, New York gave 203 hemp growers first shot at cultivating marijuana destined for legal sales, which could start by the end of the year.
Lawyer charged with trying to bribe cop in marijuana case
June 25, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A Massachusetts lawyer has pleaded not guilty to federal charges he tried to bribe the Medford police chief to get help in opening a recreational marijuana dispensary on behalf of a client.
McMaster, Cunningham win primaries; to face off in November
June 15, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham won the Democratic nomination for governor Tuesday, setting up a November showdown with Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who easily defeated his opponent in the primary.
Recreational pot validated for ballot in South Dakota
May 25, 2022 GMTSIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota voters are set to vote again on whether they want recreational marijuana legalized for adults after the secretary of state on Wednesday validated the initiated measure for the November ballot.
Governor signs bill legalizing recreational marijuana
May 25, 2022 GMTPROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island's governor signed legislation Wednesday making the state the 19th in the nation to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana, an issue that some lawmakers have been working on for years.
NJ sees $24M in marijuana sales, grants new licenses
May 24, 2022 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — One month into existence, New Jersey's recreational marijuana market has done $24 million in sales and regulators on Tuesday voted to grant permits to nearly a dozen new recreational cannabis retailers in their first public meeting since the market opened to the public last month.
2 New Mexico tribes closer to recreational cannabis sales
May 20, 2022 GMTSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Two New Mexico tribes have signed an agreement with state officials recognizing the tribe’s authority to collect taxes on sales of cannabis products.
The move announced by state officials Thursday after it was signed last week further formalizes potential involvement in the cannabis industry by the Pojoaque and Picuris pueblos, both in northern New Mexico.
Lawmakers revise bill to legalize recreational marijuana
May 17, 2022 GMTPROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island lawmakers unveiled changes Tuesday to a bill to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana, revisions that aim to ensure the legislation passes the state's General Assembly.
Fate unsure: Cannabis legalization bill goes to Delaware gov
May 12, 2022 GMTDOVER, Del. (AP) — Delaware's state Senate on Thursday gave final approval to a bill legalizing possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by adults for recreational use.
The legislation cleared the Democrat-led Senate on a 13-7 party line vote.
Arizona awards highly sought social equity pot licenses
May 11, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's public health agency has awarded more than two dozen social equity dispensary licenses under the state’s voter-approved law legalizing recreational marijuana.
Missouri ballot measures on marijuana, ranked voting advance
May 8, 2022 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Campaigns to legalize recreational marijuana use and allow ranked-choice voting in Missouri on Sunday both turned signatures they'd gathered to get the measures on ballots.
Marijuana legalization bill clears Delaware House
May 5, 2022 GMTDOVER, Del. (AP) — The Delaware House voted Thursday to approve a bill legalizing possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by adults for recreational use.
The legislation cleared the Democrat-led House on 26-14 vote and now goes to the Senate, which is also controlled by Democrats.
SD pot legalization campaign submits signatures for ballot
May 3, 2022 GMTSIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Advocates for legalizing recreational marijuana in South Dakota on Tuesday submitted petition signatures to the secretary of state, saying they were confident they had collected enough to place the initiative on the November ballot.
Ohio legal pot backers sue over disputed petition deadline
May 2, 2022 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Supporters of recreational marijuana legalization in Ohio have sued state legislative leaders in an anticipated dispute over whether a legalization referendum can appear on this November's ballot.
North Dakota OKs marijuana legalization petition format
April 22, 2022 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Secretary of State Al Jaeger has approved the formatting of a petition for a proposed ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana in the state.
The sponsoring committee behind the petition must obtain 15,582 valid signatures by July 11 for the measure to be placed on November’s ballot.
‘Amazing’: Cannabis sales in New Jersey bring excited buyers
April 22, 2022 GMTBLOOMFIELD, N.J. (AP) — Michael Barrows wore his Grateful Dead T-shirt and Jerry Garcia face mask for opening day of recreational marijuana sales in New Jersey on Thursday, one of dozens of people who lined up before dawn to join the celebratory scene.
Recreational marijuana petition passes signature requirement
April 20, 2022 GMTST. LOUIS (AP) — A group pushing a constitutional amendment that would make recreational marijuana legal in Missouri says it has collected enough signatures to put the issue on the ballot but it plans to gather thousands more signatures.
Wisconsin marijuana legalization proponents make case
April 20, 2022 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Proponents of legalizing medical marijuana in Wisconsin made their case Wednesday at a public hearing on a Republican bill that's getting its first airing under the GOP-controlled Legislature, the latest sign of movement toward loosening the state's pot laws.
New Jersey to start recreational marijuana sales April 21
April 14, 2022 GMTTRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Recreational marijuana sales in New Jersey for those 21 and older will begin April 21, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday.
“This is a historic step in our work to create a new cannabis industry,” said Murphy, who made the announcement via Twitter.
Marijuana legalization group aims for November election
April 11, 2022 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A group that wants to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota submitted paperwork Monday to the secretary of state to begin the approval process.
If approved by the secretary of state, the group would need to gather 15,582 signatures by July 11 to get the measure on the ballot for the general election in November.
Agency: New Mexico pot legalization doesn’t change US law
April 5, 2022 GMTALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Border Patrol says agents at checkpoints in New Mexico will continue to enforce a federal law making possession of marijuana illegal even though the state has legalized recreational marijuana.
Albuquerque council nixes veto of repeal of plastic bag ban
April 5, 2022 GMTALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Albuquerque City Council has voted to uphold a previous decision to repeal an ordinance banning grocery stores and other retailers from distributing single-use plastic bags.
New Mexico launches cannabis sales within Texans’ reach
April 1, 2022 GMTSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico brought recreational marijuana sales to the doorstep of Texas, the largest prohibition state, as the movement toward broad legalization sweeps up even more of the American West.
Maryland voters to decide recreational marijuana in November
April 1, 2022 GMTANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland lawmakers voted Friday to let voters decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana in November.
The Maryland House voted 94-39 for a constitutional amendment already approved by the Senate.
House narrowly passes marijuana monopoly bill
April 1, 2022 GMTCONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire House has narrowly approved a plan to create a state-run monopoly for the sale of recreational marijuana.
The House voted 169-156 Thursday to send the bill to the Senate, which along with Republican Gov.
Police suspect weed businesses hit by same group of burglars
March 21, 2022 GMTGORHAM, Maine (AP) — The robbery of an estimated $59,000 worth of weed products from a Maine marijuana business in October is just one of a string of weed-related burglaries in New England that police suspect are being organized by the same group.
Delaware marijuana legalization bill defeated in House vote
March 11, 2022 GMTDOVER, Del. (AP) — A bill to legalize recreational marijuana use by adults in Delaware and establish a state-run pot industry was defeated in the state House on Thursday.
Members of the Democrat-led chamber voted 23-14 in favor the legislation, but it required a three-fifths majority of 25 votes because it would impose a new tax.
1st NY pot sales permits will go to people with convictions
March 10, 2022 GMTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The first licenses to sell recreational marijuana in New York will go to people who were casualties of the war on drugs, state officials said Wednesday.
People with marijuana-related convictions will get dibs on the first 100 to 200 retail cannabis licenses awarded by the state in an effort to redress the inequities of a justice system that locked up a disproportionate number of people of color for drug crimes.
Montana recreational marijuana sales increase in February
March 3, 2022 GMTHELENA, Mont. (AP) — The sale of recreational marijuana in Montana increased slightly in February while medical marijuana sales declined compared to January's numbers, according to the state Department of Revenue.
Costa Rica legalizes medicinal marijuana use, hemp growing
March 2, 2022 GMTSAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Medicinal marijuana was legalized Wednesday in Costa Rica with the president’s signing of a law passed a day earlier by congress.
The law also legalizes the cultivation and industrial production of hemp.
South Dakota House ‘smokes out’ recreational pot bill
March 1, 2022 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A bipartisan group of South Dakota House lawmakers on Tuesday mounted a last-ditch effort to resurrect a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana through a maneuver called a “smoke out.”
41 Vermont communities to vote on retail cannabis operations
March 1, 2022 GMTMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — About 40 Vermont communities will be voting Tuesday on Town Meeting Day whether to allow retail marijuana operations within their borders, according to the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.
House Republicans block bill to speed retail marijuana sales
February 28, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Republicans in the Virginia House blocked a measure Monday that would have allowed limited retail sales of recreational marijuana to begin later this year.
On a 5-3 party-line vote, the subcommittee voted to continue to 2023 the measure that had cleared the Democrat-controlled Senate earlier this month, effectively defeating it.
South Dakota House committee rejects recreational pot bill
February 28, 2022 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota House Republicans on Monday dismissed a proposal to legalize recreational pot for adults, in a major blow to a bill that aimed to honor the will of voters.
Maryland House approves recreational marijuana legislation
February 25, 2022 GMTANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland voters would decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana in November, under a bill approved by the House of Delegates on Friday.
The House voted 96-34 for the constitutional amendment, sending it to the Senate.
South Dakota Senate passes bill to legalize recreational pot
February 24, 2022 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Senate on Wednesday passed a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana, as Republicans reasoned they should jump ahead of a campaign to legalize it on the November ballot.
Recreational marijuana bill advances in Maryland House
February 23, 2022 GMTANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland House advanced legislation Wednesday to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, if voters approve a constitutional amendment in November.
The House gave preliminary approval to two separate measures.
South Dakota pot legalization bill cleared for Senate vote
February 17, 2022 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A bipartisan proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in South Dakota survived its first test in the Legislature on Thursday as a Senate committee recommended the proposal for a vote in the full chamber next week.
NY official: We hope to get $200M pot equity fund going fast
February 17, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — New York's marijuana agency is working toward a swift launch for a proposed $200 million fund to help people of color, women and certain other groups start legal pot businesses, an official said Thursday.
Marijuana bills stall in Virginia’s GOP-controlled House
February 11, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — As the Virginia General Assembly reaches the halfway point of this year’s session, one of the year’s most complicated issues — possible changes to the state’s new law legalizing recreational marijuana — has stalled in the GOP-controlled House.
NY clamps down on businesses offering marijuana as a ‘gift’
February 10, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — While New York works on launching a legal market for recreational marijuana, some entrepreneurs dove into a legal gray area by saying they're not selling pot but giving it away while people buy something else.
Marijuana legislation announced by Maryland House leadership
February 3, 2022 GMTANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Lawmakers on Thursday introduced a measure to legalize recreational marijuana for adults that supporters say would put the state on a path for an equitable cannabis industry, if voters approve it in November.
Oregon lawmakers take aim at explosion of illegal pot farms
February 1, 2022 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Seven years after Oregon voters legalized the regulated production and use of recreational marijuana, the state Legislature is set to consider a raft of measures to crack down on an explosion of illegal pot farms.
Montana marijuana sales total $22.6M in January
February 1, 2022 GMTHELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana marijuana businesses sold $22.5 million in cannabis products in January, the first month recreational marijuana sales were legal in the state, the Department of Revenue reported Tuesday.
Arizona judge upholds rules for social equity pot licenses
February 1, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the state's rules for implementing a program to award 26 social equity business licenses that the state Department of Health Services will award under Arizona's 2020 law legalizing recreational marijuana.
Marijuana legalization bill clears House panel in Delaware
January 26, 2022 GMTDOVER, Del. (AP) — A Democrat-led House committee voted mostly along party lines Wednesday to release a bill legalizing recreational marijuana use by adults in Delaware.
A lone Republican joined Democrats on the Health and Human Development committee in voting to release the bill, which will now likely head to an appropriations committee for consideration.
Minnesota groups unite to oppose marijuana legalization
January 24, 2022 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Several businesses, trade groups and social organizations announced the formation of a coalition on Monday opposing legalization of recreational marijuana in Minnesota as the measure's supporters signal another push for the issue ahead of the start of the legislative session next week.
Effort to put recreational cannabis question on ballot fails
January 24, 2022 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An effort to gather enough signatures to place a question about legalizing recreational marijuana on the ballot in North Dakota has fallen short.
Organizers failed to turn in at least 31,164 valid signatures to the secretary of state by Saturday to put the question to voters.
Giuliani associate gets year in prison in foreign donor case
January 21, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A Florida man who helped Rudy Giuliani seek damaging information against Joe Biden in Ukraine was sentenced to a year and a day in prison and fined $10,000 Friday in an unrelated campaign finance case.
Maine considers bill to allow recreational weed delivery
January 20, 2022 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine is considering a bill that would allow recreational marijuana stores to deliver to residents across the state even if a town prohibits recreational marijuana stores.
During a hearing Wednesday, a legislative committee heard from the bill's supporters and sponsor, Democratic Rep.