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Indiana Lawmakers File Bills To Legalize Marijuana And Fund Psilocybin Research In 2025

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Indiana lawmakers are already making moves to enact drug policy reform in the 2025 session—with newly filed bills to legalize marijuana, allow medical cannabis and fund psilocybin research. While the prospects of the cannabis measures are unclear given the Republican-controlled legislature’s historic resistance to reform, the psychedelics legislation would simply provide the necessary funding for an already-enacted law promoting psilocybin research.

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/indiana-lawmakers-file-bills-to-legalize-marijuana-and-fund-psilocybin-research-in-2025/



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Which states could legalize weed in 2025?

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Look, we all know that 2024 didn’t exactly turn out to be a stellar year for cannabis legalization: South Dakota, North Dakota, and Florida all failed to pass legalization measures at the ballot box (the latter required a 60% approval). 

Yet 2025 could turn out much better for legalization proponents. Several states appear poised to put forth bills to legalize recreational cannabis or medical marijuana. The best bets? Adult-use in Pennsylvania and Hawai’i.

So whaddaya say, Leafly Nation? Let’s keep the train a-rolling!

Read on to learn which other states we’ve got our eyes on, the specifics of the measures themselves, and where the campaigns currently stand.

Hawai’i

It would be great to smoke some legal Maui Wowie in Maui. (David Downs/Leafly)
It would be great to smoke some legal Maui Wowie in Maui. (David Downs/Leafly)

My money would be on Hawaii being the best bet for legalization in 2025.

Karen O’Keefe, Marijuana Policy Project, in Marijuana Moment

Although Hawai’i failed to pass adult-use legalization last year, some activists see it as the lowest-hanging fruit in 2025. Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies at Marijuana Policy Project, explains that the state’s Democratic trifecta—control of the governorship, the state House and the state Senate—fuels her optimism. “My money would be on Hawaii being the best bet for legalization in 2025,” she said in an interview with Marijuana Moment, before acknowledging that it’s still not a “slam dunk.”

Pennsylvania

John Fetterman Senate victory
Voice for reform, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

You’d think that Pennsylvania woulda got its act together at this point: it boasts one of the most vocal pro-legalization senators in the country and a pro-legalization governor. All of its neighbors—except West Virginia—have legalized, too. But no such luck for the Keystone State. Yet.

Some activists think that momentum is building, and that state Democrats—who kept control of the state House in November’s elections, while the Senate remains in Republican hands—could successfully push a bill in 2025. 

“The nation is now looking at Pennsylvania to be the next large state to legalize adult-use cannabis,” the group Responsible PA said in a statement in November. “The conversation will also undoubtedly become a major budget item for PA lawmakers heading into 2025.”

A recent bipartisan stab at legalization in the Pennsylvania state house included a pathway for expungement for non-violent offenders and social equity licenses. It would have allowed existing medical shops to open a single additional location. We’ll be keeping an eye on whether those policies make it into the next proposal.

Until then, Pennsylvanians can give their dollars and taxes to neighboring legal New Jersey.

Idaho

Idaho boasts some of the harshest marijuana laws in the country, including a ban on CBD products that contain more than 0.0% THC. Yet the ambitious folks at Kind Idaho nonetheless aim to get an adult-use measure on the 2026 ballot

To be clear, history ain’t exactly on their side: Kind Idaho failed to gather enough signatures to get medical marijuana on the ballot in either 2022 or 2024. But what the hell, stranger things have happened. Here at Leafly HQ, we’re hoping that the third time’s the charm for the Gem State!

Related

Cannabis predictions for 2025: Low prices, high taxes, and hash

Kansas

The Kansas Legislature may take another crack at legalizing medical marijuana—their fifth—during the 2025 session, which began on January 13. 

State lawmakers came closest to success in 2021, when a legalization bill cleared the House. Yet the state Senate shot it down. Public radio station KCUR reports that the roller-coaster MMJ market in neighboring Oklahoma may deter lawmakers from supporting a bill in Kansas. 

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It’s unclear what provisions the bill would contain, but we can point towards lawmakers’ 2024 attempt for some guidance: That bill included a comprehensive list of qualifying conditions, but did not permit edibles or smokable cannabis.

Kentucky

Although Kentucky just launched its medical marijuana program on New Years Day, Governor Andy Beshear (D) is already signaling that he’d support an adult-use cannabis program, if MMJ goes well. Don’t tempt us, Andy!

Related

2024 election results for the cannabis voter: What you need to know

New Hampshire

Well, here’s the good news. New Hampshire lawmakers have said that they will make a renewed push to legalize adult-use cannabis in 2025.

And here’s the less good news: Newly-elected Governor Kelly Ayotte (R) does not want to play ball. 

As a result, even House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R), who supports legalization in the state, doesn’t see it happening anytime soon. “I mean, we had an opportunity with the last governor to put that issue behind us, and we, frankly, blew it,” he told WMUR news. “So, I don’t imagine coming back to that for another decade, probably.”

South Carolina

In the waning days of 2024, South Carolina Republican state Senator Tom Davis re-filed a medical marijuana bill called the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act in advance of the state’s 2025 legislative session. Davis got a similar version of the bill over the finish line in the state Senate in 2024, but it failed to pass muster in the state House. 

Davis is confident that a more limited bill offers more potential for his state. “It requires doctors in patient authorization, doctor supervision,” Davis told WSPA 7 News. “It requires pharmacists to dispense it. It is a very conservative bill because that’s what South Carolinians want.”

Here’s to hoping 2025 is the year that Davis, and South Carolina patients, all find victory!  

Texas

austin capitol dome seen through trees
Austin’s local decriminalization efforts offer a path forward in Texas. (Kit Leong/AdobeStock)

Look, here at Leafly, we’re a “never say never” kind of crew. But we’re also trying to not get our hopes up about a new bill filed by state Rep. Jessica Gonzalez (D) in December. The bill would legalize the possession and purchase of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis; it permits individuals to store up to 10 ounces at home. Public consumption would remain illegal. We’ll keep you posted.

Related

Legalization drives down cannabis prices, analysis finds

Wisconsin

Republican lawmakers in the Wisconsin state Legislature have regularly stymied the goals of Democratic Governor Tony Evers (D), including cannabis reform. Now, according to Marijuana Moment, Evers is making a push to allow for citizen-led ballot measures in Wisconsin. That policy, Evers hopes, would lead to legalization. 

Voters appear to be on his side. A recent poll from the conservative Institute for Reforming Government found that two-thirds of rural Wisconsin voters—to say nothing of the generally more progressive city dwellers—would support legalization.

Until then, Wisconsinites can give their dollars and taxes to neighboring legal Illinois.

Did we miss a state? Leave a comment below and let us know. Stay tuned to Leafly News for legalization updates in all of these states!



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New York Governor Signs Bills To Resume Marijuana Farmers Markets And Classify Cannabis As Agricultural Product

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed two new cannabis-related bills into law over the weekend—one to revive the Cannabis Growers Showcase program, where producers sell products directly to consumers at farmers market-style events, and another clarifying that cannabis is categorized as an agricultural crop in the state. Hochul vetoed a separate measure, however, that would have given marijuana businesses more leeway in how they pay taxes. Legislative leaders cheered the two new laws, which they said will support cannabis farmers and help build a more robust legal marijuana market.

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-york-governor-signs-bills-to-resume-marijuana-farmers-markets-and-classify-cannabis-as-agricultural-product/



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Cannabis predictions for 2025: Low prices, high taxes, and hash

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Best of times? Worst of times? … Why not both at once?

The year 2025 will be good for consumers in terms of pricing, stores, selection, home growing, and hash. Prices will be low, more stores will open with more options, cool seeds will flourish, and hash will be everywhere.

But it’s going to be another bear of a year for growers, sellers, and activists. Both Republicans and Democrats love soaking the pot industry with taxes and regulations.  America’s 40 million or so past-month smokers have yet to find their voice and push back.

The wheel of time is set to turn once again. So let’s punch up our annual predictions in the style of asking questions to a Magic 8 Ball. We’ll let you make the pot puns.

Big legislative moves

Will Congress legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will the federal government reschedule marijuana? Outlook not so good.

Will Congress further regulate hemp-derived products? Most likely. 

Will the States further regulate hemp-derived products? It is decidedly so.

Related

Leafly’s top 7 hemp pre-rolls of 2024

State legalization in 2025

Will Pennsylvania legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will Oklahoma legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will Hawaii legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will New Hampshire legalize marijuana? Very doubtful.

Related

American budtenders’ best strains of 2024

Will Florida legalize marijuana? My reply is no.

Will more local, state, and federal expungement efforts continue? Outlook good.

Will more local cities and counties decriminalize cannabis? Yes.

Retail

Will more than 100 new dispensaries open in legal US states? It is certain.

Will more delivery, pickup, and drive-through options open up in legal US states? You may rely on it.

Will more lounges open up in legal US states? It is certain.

Related

Grand Openings: Wu-Tang Clan opens shop in New Jersey

Will the East Coast states gain stores, farms, and clout in the legal market? Signs point to yes.

Will California cannabis cafe culture hit new heights? As I see it, yes.

Strains & Products

New strain for 2025: Ridgeline’s Blueberry Caviar perfumes the room. (David Downs/Leafly)

Will blueberry be a hype flavor of 2024? Most likely.

Will Zoap be a hype flavor of 2024? Outlook good.

Will Lemon Cherry Gelato peak? Very doubtful.

Will consumers see a lot more live rosin all-in-one vapes? Yes.

close up of white disposable vape pen resting on its bright blue packaging
Peanut Butter Breath Rosin Syrup disposable vape from Arcata Fire. (David Downs/Leafly)

Will consumers see a lot more seeds for sale? Yes.

Will even more of the crop go to fresh-frozen? Most likely.

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Will even more of cannabis culture become about hash? As I see it, yes.

Will cannabis prices find their bottom? Don’t count on it.

Will cannabis prices find their bottom? Don’t count on it.

Will value-added cannabis products like live rosin reach new price heights? Signs point to yes.

Will the home grow movement get bigger? Signs point to yes.

More legislation

Will more cities or states debate and pass THC caps? Most likely.

Will cannabis face continued censorship on social platforms? Better not tell you now.

Will the US government legalize cannabis banking? Unclear, ask again later.

Will cannabis taxes and regulations go up? Signs point to yes.

Related

Nebraska just voted to legalize medical marijuana. Here’s what happens next.

Will more states try ‘social equity’ laws? Yes.

Will more legal challenges narrow or nullify ‘social equity’ laws? Most likely. 

Will consumers form a big association and find their political voice? Concentrate and try again.

Will Canadian cannabis remain stagnant and over-regulated? Better not tell you now.


See how easy that was? If you don’t like our Predictions, leave one of your own in our survey below. Afterward, get out there and prove us wrong. The future is unwritten. Our fates are what we make it, so go make yours a good one. See you in 2025.



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