Connect with us

Cannabis News

New Democratic Congressional Marijuana Resolution Calls For Industry Equity And Pushes Trump To Advocate For International Reform At UN

Published

3 months ago

on

Democrats in Congress have introduced a new marijuana resolution that urges officials to ensure equity in the industry and address the effects of the war on drugs, while pushing President Donald Trump to take the lead in pushing for global cannabis reform at the United Nations.

Representatives Troy Carter (D-LA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Lateefah Simon (D-CA) and Dina Titus (D-NV) — leaders of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus — introduced the latest version. Implementation of the Resolution on Emerging Cannabis Trades (RESPECT). on Thursday, along with additional sponsors.

The measure is largely the same as the version presented in the last session, with some additions.

“For decades, tough cannabis laws devastated Black, Brown and low-income communities. Today, those communities face new barriers, many of which prevent them from taking advantage of the opportunities offered by a multibillion-dollar industry,” Omar said in a press release.

“Congress has a responsibility to ensure that cannabis policy expands access to capital and invests in entrepreneurs whose communities are most affected by outdated drug laws,” he said.

The resolution calls for “actions to increase equity within cannabis policy and the legal cannabis market,” not only by promoting state and local decriminalization, but also the adoption of specific “best practices” around regulated markets.

The measure states that Trump should instruct administration officials to use the US’s “voice, vote and influence” to encourage the United Nations (UN) and its United Nations Commission on Drugs (CND) to “remove cannabis from international drug control treaties, abolish and pardon cannabis-related penalties, abolish and pardon penalties related to cannabis for pre-cannabis crimes, study and analyze the effects of cannabis control and international controls. legal goods”.

Carter said the ban on cannabis had “failed our community” and “disproportionately harmed people of color by driving mass incarceration, destroying families, taking away opportunities and burdening criminal records.”

“It’s time for the federal government to address the racial disparities in the cannabis space and create inclusive pathways for people to access economic wealth,” he said. he said.

According to the proposal, states and local governments are encouraged to “take appropriate action and take bold steps” to enact a variety of reforms designed to address disparities in participation in legal marijuana markets and to “address, reverse, and resolve the most devastating effects of the war on drugs.”

The section of the resolution on trends in reform was revised from the last version to note that Colorado and Washington State were the first to regulate cannabis more than a decade ago, and the states “have generated a total of nearly $25 billion in revenue from the use of legal mature sales of marijuana products.”

It also changed that Germany, among other European countries, has taken steps to end the ban within their borders since the previous version was introduced in Congress.

“We need to elevate the role of equity in the legal cannabis market and take bold, deliberate action to close persistent disparities,” said Simon. “The war on drugs has devastated communities of color, and it’s long past time to repair the damage and move beyond outdated and punitive cannabis policies.”

“I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this Resolution, which will serve as a significant step toward economic and restorative justice,” he said.

Titus, for his part, said: “For too long federal and state governments have unfairly prosecuted the use of cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug.”

“The RESPECT Resolution is a critical step toward policy that addresses the disparities caused by outdated cannabis programming and the so-called Drug War,” he said. “As co-chair of the Cannabis Caucus, I am advancing solutions that will once and for all end the cycle of unjust incarceration and unequal enforcement.”

Among the best practices the legislation encourages are fundamental reforms that are currently at odds with federal laws on the books, such as eliminating criminal penalties for the use and possession of marijuana, and ensuring that public benefits such as housing cannot be denied to someone because of a cannabis conviction.

It calls for the creation of automatic expungement or record sealing processes for cannabis offenses, processes for re-sentencing those convicted of crimes whose sentences have been reduced or expunged, and “suspect-based drug testing for non-safety-related jobs.”

The latest version includes additional additions, such as requiring the country to “take a proactive approach and consider and consider laws and policies regarding interstate commerce and their potential impact on differences in the cannabis market.”

It also now encourages the adoption of policies that promote “fair labor standards and practices” in the cannabis market and “the creation of a robust education campaign to inform the public of important legal and public information, including consumer education, and the development of public education campaigns to prevent youth access and drive the impairment of cannabis.”

The resolution is also co-sponsored by Reps. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ). It is supported by the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), Last Prisoner Project (LPP), Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) and NORML.

“The Drug Policy Alliance is proud to support the RESPECT Resolution, which calls for urgent action to ensure cannabis markets and policies are fair for all communities,” said Cat Packer, DPA’s director of drug markets and regulation.

“Highlighting state and local best practices, supporting global decriminalization and calling on states to end criminal penalties, restore rights and ensure fair participation in the emerging cannabis economy, the resolution sets a clear path to meaningful reform,” he said. “At a time when criminalization remains the law of the land and inequality remains deeply embedded in the cannabis market and politics, this resolution is timely and critically needed.”

Jason Ortiz, LPP’s director of strategic initiatives, said the organization is “grateful to the sponsors of the RESPECT Resolution for their leadership in addressing the deep racial and economic disparities created by decades of the criminalization of cannabis.”

“This resolution recognizes that while state cannabis laws have evolved, too many people and communities are still living with the consequences of outdated federal policies,” he said. “By calling for clean records, community investment, and fair licensing, this resolution serves as a vital reminder that those most harmed by prohibition must be able to participate in and benefit from any legal cannabis market.”

Morgan Fox, NORML’s political director, said it’s “important to remind lawmakers of the ongoing harms caused by marijuana prohibition and the opportunities to begin addressing them through common sense legislation.”

“This resolution should call on Congress to prioritize the repeal of failed criminalization policies, as well as a plan to do so in a way that aims to repair the damage caused by decades of unfair enforcement,” he said.

The measure is being introduced on the same day that bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers introduced a bill. allow doctors to administer Schedule I drugs such as psilocybin and MDMA to patients with life-threatening conditions.

Mike Latimer’s photo.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Cannabis News

Swiss company launches nationwide price comparison tool for cannabis

Published

16 hours ago

on

March 2, 2026

By











Evidena Care AG is one of the leading Swiss telemedicine platforms and specialized medical practices for medical cannabis. The company currently supports more than 2,000 patients across the country. Under the direction of Dr. Nicolai Berardi and two other specialist doctors, Evidena Care has focused on evidence-based, responsible and patient-centered treatment for the past two years.

Now, Evidena Care is launching a nationwide online comparison portal for medical cannabis products. The platform is designed for patients who already have a valid medical prescription and want a clear and reliable view of the market. For the first time in Switzerland, patients can directly compare products and prices from the country’s largest pharmacies in one place.

Medical cannabis plays an essential role in the treatment plans of many patients. At the same time, prices can vary significantly between pharmacies, even when the products contain the same levels of active ingredients. As these costs are often not covered by health insurance, or only partially covered, many patients have a heavy financial burden. The new portal addresses this issue by bringing transparency to a market that until now has been difficult to navigate.

The platform provides an overview of available products and dosages, clearly lists the active ingredient content, such as THC and CBD levels, and displays the current prices of leading Swiss pharmacies. Patients can directly compare options and make informed decisions that help optimize their therapy costs, without compromising medical guidance.

“Patients should not be victims of non-transparent pricing structures,” says Dr. Nicolai Berardi, CEO of Evidena Care AG. “We are creating transparency with our comparison portal, strengthening the self-responsibility of those affected and promoting fair competition in the interests of patients.”

The portal is only for people with a valid prescription. It serves as a true information tool and supports cost optimization in an existing therapy supervised by a physician.

For more information:
Evidena Care AG
Email: (email protected)
https://evidena.care/










Continue Reading

Cannabis News

Virginia Lawmakers Advance Marijuana Resentencing Bills As Push To Legalize Commercial Sales Also Nears Finish Line

Published

16 hours ago

on

March 2, 2026

By

Virginia’s House and Senate lawmakers have advanced a pair of bills with amendments that would allow people with prior marijuana convictions to be sentenced.

Members of the Senate and House Judiciary Committees on Monday approved alternate versions of the reform bill in opposite chambers, setting the stage for bicameral negotiations as the measures move through the legislative process.

Broadly, the legislation introduced in both chambers would create a process to consider changing the sentences for people incarcerated or on community supervision for certain crimes involving the possession, manufacture, sale or distribution of marijuana.

The Senate panel approved it HB 26 In a 9-6 vote by Del. Rozia Henson (D), with revisions largely consistent with the House bill, SB 62that is being backed by Senate President Pro Tem Louise Lucas (D). passed on the floor last month before going Home.

Senators have now referred the House measure to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

There are some differences between the sizes of the chambers. The House-passed legislation includes minors who would be eligible for relief from marijuana-related convictions, clarifies that judges would only consider convictions for cannabis offenses and specifies that the reform would include people with marijuana-related probation violations.

Both proposed bills apply to people with convictions or convictions for conduct that occurred before July 1, 2021, when a state law legalizing personal possession and home cultivation of marijuana went into effect.




As for the Senate bill, which clean up The House committee’s 15-7 vote Monday would have eliminated more categories of people who could be eligible for the sentence as an alternative, and would add a longer list of violent crimes that make people with cannabis convictions ineligible for relief.

Against the background of these recent developments, Virginia bills to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana have moved forward in the way of implementing laws. Last week, members of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate modified and advanced the proposals of the opposite chambers on the subject.

Members of the Virginia Legislature Last month, he took action on multiple marijuana bills during a major deadline—advance proposals to legalize the sale of cannabis, provide a way to punish previous marijuana convictions, as well as other laws to allow access to medical cannabis for seriously ill patients in hospitals.

Despite their stark differences, the two chambers’ trade sales bills have largely aligned with recommendations released by the legislature in December. Joint Committee to Oversee the Transition to the Commonwealth Retail Cannabis Market.

Meanwhile, some members of the GOP have aligned ideologically with their Democratic colleagues throughout this legislative process, breaking with the majority of their caucus. in favor of creating a regulated market for adults to buy cannabis.

Since legalizing cannabis ownership and home cultivation in 2021, Virginia lawmakers have been working to establish a commercial marijuana market– Only for those efforts to stall under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who twice vetoed measures sent to his desk by the Legislature.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), on the other hand, supports legalizing the sale of marijuana to adults.

Separately last month, the Virginia House patients passed a bill to allow the use of medical marijuana in hospitals. It would require health care facilities to implement policies “to address the situation in which an eligible patient is authorized to use medical cannabis.”

The Senate passed various pieces of legislation use of medical cannabis in healthcare facilities last month

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
—

Meanwhile, the Virginia House passed the bill earlier this month Protecting the rights of parents who use marijuana by complying with state laws.

Del. According to the proposal by Nadarius Clark (D), a parent or guardian’s own use of cannabis “shall not serve as a basis for a finding of abuse or neglect of a child unless other facts establish that its possession or consumption causes or produces physical or mental injury to the child.”

“A person’s legal possession or consumption of substances permitted (under state marijuana law) shall not serve as a basis for limiting custody or visitation unless other facts establish that such possession or consumption is not in the best interest of the child,” reads the text of HB 942.

Separately, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry has published a new defining workplace protections for cannabis users.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Become a patron on Patreon!

Continue Reading

Cannabis News

State counties could tax medical marijuana sales under a new House bill

Published

2 days ago

on

March 1, 2026

By











A bill that would allow Oklahoma counties to impose a tax on retail marijuana sales has passed a committee in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Under the Oklahoma Legislature, House Bill 3314, authored by Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, would allow counties to impose a tax of 15 percent of the impact of public utilities within county boundaries. The bill is similar to Senate Bill 1125, introduced by state Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, in the Oklahoma Senate during the 2025 legislative session. SB 1125 would allow counties and municipalities to levy an excise tax on medical marijuana.

HB3314 passed the House County and Municipal Government Committee on a 6-0 vote, and now moves to the Government Oversight Committee for further consideration. The invoice does not automatically generate tax. If a county chooses to join, it must first be approved by a majority of the county’s voters in a special election. The bill also exempts marijuana grown on private property by individuals and not sold.

“Countries are the ones dealing with the daily impact of marijuana sales,” Eaves said. “This allows local communities to decide for themselves whether they want to allocate a portion of that revenue to law enforcement, first responders and improving problem properties.”

Read more at News 9










Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright © 2021 The Art of MaryJane Media