ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Maryland lawmakers are expected to refer an adult-use legalization initiative to voters.<\/p>\n
Medical marijuana legalization is expected in Mississippi, where the state\u2019s high court nixed<\/a> a voter-approved referendum last May.<\/p>\n Lawmakers in North and South Carolina also have a solid chance of legalizing medical cannabis, experts said.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, industry officials and advocates are closing monitoring recreational and medical marijuana legalization efforts in other states across the country. (See map above.)<\/p>\n The expected activity this year follows a strong 2021, when lawmakers in Connecticut, New Mexico, New York and Virginia legalized recreational marijuana markets that eventually are expected to generate more than $4.5 billion combined<\/a> in annual revenue.<\/p>\n Alabama lawmakers passed a medical marijuana measure.<\/p>\n Several factors at play<\/strong><\/p>\n Karen O\u2019Keefe, state policies director for the Washington DC-based Marijuana Policy Project, identified a number of factors driving lawmaker-led legalization:<\/p>\n Rhode Island, for example, borders Massachusetts and Connecticut, both of which have legalized adult use.<\/p>\n Massachusetts has a vibrant recreational market where retail sales are projected to reach $2 billion annually by 2024, according to the MJBizFactbook<\/a>.<\/p>\n Key insights to inform decisions: MJBizFactbook <\/strong><\/p>\n Say hello to marijuana business data, curated by the editors of MJBizDaily<\/em> to help cannabis industry leaders make informed decisions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Connecticut just announced it would begin taking applications<\/a> for certain types of licenses next month.<\/p>\n Maryland sits between two places that have legalized recreational marijuana: Washington DC and Virginia, although the latter market isn\u2019t scheduled to launch until 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n For many Maryland residents, \u201cit\u2019s shocking to think of Virginia as being more progressive\u201d on the issue, O\u2019Keefe said.<\/p>\n In some states, it\u2019s more a question of agreeing on the details versus hammering out the precise timing of legalization, O\u2019Keefe added.<\/p>\n States such as Maryland started to lay the groundwork last year. Other states are expected to follow suit this year.<\/p>\n Here is a summary of some of the states to watch this year for potential legalization via state legislatures:<\/p>\n Where recreational marijuana is in play<\/strong><\/p>\n Delaware<\/strong><\/p>\n Summary:<\/strong> Two House committees approved House Bill 150 before the session adjourned last year. The state is on a two-year legislative session, so the bill will be taken up again<\/a> this year.<\/p>\n Neighboring New Jersey, which is expected to launch its recreational marijuana market later this year, is applying the regional pressure.<\/p>\n Key business details:<\/strong> The measure calls for 30 retail store licenses, including 15 for social equity applicants; 30 processor licenses, including 10 for social equity applicants; and 60 cultivator licenses, including 30 for social equity applicants.<\/p>\n Existing medical cannabis operators could apply for adult-use licenses.<\/p>\n Hawaii<\/strong><\/p>\n Summary:<\/strong> The Senate passed a legalization bill, SB 767, by a 20-5 vote in 2021, and the measure will be taken up in the House<\/a> after stalling there last year.<\/p>\n Key business details:<\/strong> The state Department of Health would develop licensing and other rules. The measure doesn\u2019t address equity and doesn\u2019t say when the bill would be effective (the placeholder date of 2137 in the bill is expected to be changed).<\/p>\n Maryland<\/strong><\/p>\n Summary:<\/strong> Legalization bills were proposed in both the House and the Senate in 2021, but state House Speaker Adrienne Jones said she intends to push for a bill that would refer the issue to voters.<\/p>\n Key business details:<\/strong> The House and Senate measures were similar, but the House version offers more opportunities for small- and minority-owned businesses<\/a>.<\/p>\n Minnesota<\/strong><\/p>\n Summary:<\/strong> The Minnesota House of Representatives \u2013 where Democrats hold a majority \u2013 passed a recreational marijuana legalization bill, HF 600, in May 2021 by a margin of 72-61<\/a>. But the companion bill in the Republican-led Senate died.<\/p>\n Key business details:<\/strong> The measure would establish an Office of Social Equity, and social equity would account for 20% of the scoring of license applications. License types would include craft cultivators and microbusinesses.<\/p>\n New Hampshire<\/strong><\/p>\n Summary:<\/strong> The Republican-controlled House of Representatives last week narrowly rejected<\/a> recreational marijuana bill HB 237. But six other bills remain in play, including some that would refer the issue to voters in the fall. That could be the most likely scenario.<\/p>\n Key business details:<\/strong> HB 237 would have set up a recreational market without license caps.<\/p>\n Ohio<\/strong><\/p>\n Summary:<\/strong> A campaign to legalize adult-use sales appears to have collected enough signatures<\/a> to compel lawmakers to decide whether to adopt the measure instead of leaving the decision to voters. Separately, two Republicans introduced a restrictive adult-use measure last year.<\/p>\n Key business details:<\/strong> The citizen-initiated Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol measure would set up a Division of Cannabis Control that would issue 40 cultivation and 50 retail store licenses. A preference would be given to applicants who participate in a social equity and jobs program.<\/p>\n Pennsylvania<\/strong><\/p>\n Summary:<\/strong> Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has urged lawmakers<\/a> to legalize recreational marijuana, especially now that neighboring New Jersey has.<\/p>\n Democratic lawmakers introduced House Bill 2050<\/a> last year to do so, but the Republican-led Senate remains a huge obstacle to passage.<\/p>\n Key business details:<\/strong> House Bill 2050 would include a grant program to help equity applicants. Licenses would be capped as follows: 50 growers, 50 processors, 100 retail permits with up to three locations each, and 35 combination permits.<\/p>\n A \u201ccombination licensee\u201d could seek up to three grower permits, five processor licenses and 10 retailer permits.<\/p>\n Rhode Island<\/strong><\/p>\n Summary:<\/strong> Rhode Island might have the best chance of passing a recreational marijuana law this year.<\/p>\n Two measures were in play in 2021, a Senate version, SB 568, and one proposed by Gov. Dan McKee.<\/p>\n The Senate easily passed<\/a> its version by a 29-9 vote in June 2021. But the Legislature adjourned without the House voting. Lawmakers have been trying to agree on a compromise.<\/p>\n Key business details:<\/strong> The Senate bill called for up to 150 stores and emphasized social equity and craft cultivation licenses. The governor\u2019s plan called for 25 retail licenses, setting aside five for minority applicants.<\/p>\n States that might legalize medical marijuana <\/strong><\/p>\n Kansas<\/strong><\/p>\n Summary:<\/strong> House lawmakers in 2021 passed the Kansas Medical Marijuana Regulation Act, SB 158, but the measure didn\u2019t get a vote yet in the Senate. The bill is considered to have good chance of passing<\/a> this year.<\/p>\n Key business details:<\/strong> The measure would set aside 15% of licenses for minority applicants.<\/p>\n Mississippi<\/strong><\/p>\n Summary:<\/strong> State legislative negotiators last year agreed on a more restrictive medical marijuana measure<\/a> after the state Supreme Court voided a business-friendly, voter-approved measure. The legislation is expected to pass this year.<\/p>\n Key business details:<\/strong> Details are sketchy, but the measure reportedly will include a provision for municipalities to opt out of the medical marijuana program.<\/p>\n North Carolina<\/strong><\/p>\n Summary:<\/strong> Legislation called the North Carolina Compassionate Care Act, Senate Bill 711, moved through several committees last year before being placed on the back burner in favor of more critical state budget and redistricting issues. But the legislation is seen as having a solid chance of passing<\/a> this year.<\/p>\n Key business details:<\/strong> Regulators would issue 10 medical marijuana \u201csupplier\u201d licenses. Each license holder could open up to four dispensaries, with at least one in a county designated as economically disadvantaged.<\/p>\n South Carolina<\/strong><\/p>\n Summary:<\/strong> A state Senate committee advanced the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act, S. 150, last March, but the Legislature adjourned in May before a full Senate vote.<\/p>\n But the state has a two-year legislative session, and the bill\u2019s sponsor, Sen. Tom Davis, has secured a commitment<\/a> for a Senate floor vote this year, according to MPP.<\/p>\n Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, is warming to medical marijuana legalization.<\/p>\n![\"Chart](\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/several-states-in-play-to-legalize-marijuana-this-year-through-legislation-marijuana-business-daily.webp\")
<\/p>\n\n
\n