Cannabis reform is becoming more and more of a hot topic for lawmakers across the country. 11 governors so far have made public their opinions on reform. They are encouraging lawmakers to follow through and help not only the state government, but the citizens. Here’s a breakdown of each state, what their current laws are, and how they are looking to enact their cannabis reform policies. 

Connecticut

At the beginning of January of 2021, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont (D) made his state of the state address. In Connecticut, medical cannabis is legal and possession is decriminalized. But Governor Lamont is calling for more. “Sports betting, internet gaming and legalized marijuana are happening all around us. Let’s not surrender these opportunities to out-of-state markets or, even worse, underground markets,” he said during his speech referring to New Jersey. That state recently legalized recreational usage of marijuana for citizens over the age of 21 during the 2020 election. Keeping revenue within the state is a top priority as many continue to struggle with the Covid-19 pandemic. The country is coming up on it’s first anniversary for the start of the pandemic. States, while recovering, are continuing to feel the effects. 

This is not the first time Governor Lamont has pushed for recreational cannabis reform. Governor Murphy also pushed for legalization at the beginning of 202. However, legalization efferts stopped because of the pandemic. The Governor has said there’s a 50/50 chance any bill will pass the House and the Senate. But that’s still a positive chance he’s cheering for. 

A House bill introduced at the end of January would provide a structure for retail sales of marijuana with taxation of those sales adding to the general revenue of the state. HB 5853 is waiting for a hearing in the House Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

Kansas

Kansas is a state where all cannabis consumption and growth is illegal and criminalized. But Governor Laura Kelly (D) is asking for medical marijuana legalization. This is to create revenue for the state and put more funding into the state’s Medicaid program. Medicaid has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Not only that, but three of the surrounding states have legalized cannabis use in some aspect. Both Oklahoma and Missouri legalized medicinal cannabis. Colorado has fully legalized both medical and recreational cannabis use for citizens over 21. 

Governor Kelly’s hope is that sales will help bolster the state back up after a stressful and challenging 2020. House Bill 2184 would help create a legalized medical cannabis program. Discussion will begin February 25th in the House Federal and State Affairs Committee.

Kentucky

A state where cannabis usage and possession is fully illegal and criminalized is looking to make changes as well. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) addressed the state on January 7, 2021 to express his concerns for his citizens. “We have not had this much opportunity for new investment in our people and our future in a generation. Let us make it count. Let’s have courage. Let’s be bold. Let us not fumble the opportunity,” he said in his speech.

Currently, Kentucky has only legalized small doses of CBD oil for medicinal purposes. This is a step further than states that have made all cannabis and hemp usage illegal. But Governor Beshear says it’s not enough. Around the same time as the Governor’s State of the State speech, House Bill 136 was introduced. This bill would offer a complete medical cannabis program for the state with a breakdown of revenue distribution. Though introduced early, HB 136 is still waiting to be heard in the House Committee On Committees Committee.

Minnesota 

Governor Tim Walz (D) provided a brief update for citizens at the end of January. In his speech, there was a distinct push for legalizing recreational marijuana usage. The state currently has a medical marijuana program in place and has decriminalized possession. 

This new push comes in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to create revenue for the state. It also addresses the racial injustice that prohibition and the war on drugs has caused for citizens of color. Governor Walz is hoping to counteract these previous measures to make cannabis usage legal for all. Additionally, he wants to remove any discrimination citizens may feel around cannabis as a whole. 

Senate Bill SF 757 saw introduction at the beginning of February. This is to begin the legalization process of recreational marijuana through establishing organizations to regulate and create the whole process. It is currently waiting for a hearing date in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.

Nevada

Even states where marijuana usage is completely legal and possession is decriminalized are continuing to ask for reform. Governor Steve Sisolak (D) stated he will make sure that tax revenue from legal sales will flow back to schools. Governor Sisolak went on to say he will “ensure marijuana tax dollars will continue to fund education, to ensure districts can meet the needs of students during the pandemic and beyond.”

Nevada has seen a large decrease in revenue with the pandemic still in full swing. The Las Vegas is strip still not opened to full capacity as Covid-19 numbers continue to climb. 

New Jersey

Voters approved a state referendum in the 2020 general election. This referendum fully decriminalized possession and legalized adult-use cannabis for citizens over 21. Governor Phil Murphy (D) addressed the state mid January, saying he couldn’t wait to see what 2021 could bring.  “We are on the verge of passing an innovative and groundbreaking set of laws to reform our historically unjust approach to marijuana and cannabis,” he said. 

Unfortunately, there have been delays. Lawmakers and Governor Murphy are at a standstill over provisions that concern underage citizens and their usage. There is concern that the House and Senate will agree upon a bill to start referendum, but it won’t meet what the governor wants. He could potentially veto the bill. This would put the reform in jeopardy and cause strain for both parties as well as citizens who approved this measure. Public Question 1 received 67 percent votes in the last election.

New Mexico 

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) continues to show her support for cannabis reform in her address to the state as well as her 2021 agenda . One focus she is going to keep in mind is social equity for citizens, sovereign nations, and native tribes. The state has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. But Governor Lujan Grisham is taking a positive look on what can happen. She said a “crisis like the one we’ve experienced last year can be viewed as a loss or as an invitation to rethink the status quo—to be ambitious and creative and bold.”

Currently there are five different bills in the House and Senate about legalizing marijuana usage for citizens. Recently, House Bill 12 passed its committee hearing and is moving toward a full chamber debate. HB 12 has a focus on social equity, which Governor Lujan Grisham supports wholeheartedly. She is hopeful she will see this bill on her desk by the end of March. Before that can happen, HB 12 must pass a full House vote. Once that is achieved, HB 12 goes over to the Senate for further debate and approval. If the Senate makes amendments, and the House agrees to them, HB will move to the governor’s desk. With the strong support HB 12 is getting, there is a good chance it will become law later this year. 

New York

For the past three years, Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) has been pushing for marijuana reform. Currently, decriminalized measures are in place. Additionally the state has a comprehensive medical cannabis program up and running. Now, Governor Cuomo is pushing for recreational legalization . Many lawmakers had issues with his initial budget plan to legalize recreational usage. Still, they continue to work with the governor to make better plans for further benefit for New York citizensw. 

“I think too many people have been imprisoned and incarcerated and punished,” Governor Cuomo said. “Too many of those people are black, Latino and poor. It’s exaggerated the injustice of the justice system.”

There are no current bills in the House or the Senate. But the push from Governor Cuomo on lawmakers will most likely see a change soon. 

Pennsylvania

Though marijuana isn’t decriminalized, a medical marijuana program is running smoothly in Pennsylvania. Now Governor Tom Wolf (D) is hoping to see the same implementation and revenue in a recreational program. In his budget address to citizens, Governor Wolf said, “Pennsylvania has built a successful medical marijuana program through bipartisan work. It’s time to take the next step and legalize recreational marijuana…with an emphasis on helping businesses and restorative justice.”

Legalization would go a long way to build the state again as it deals with Covid-19. Additionally, the state continues to address social injustices that people of color have faced in the past. One major focus Governor Wolf has is restoring justice to those affected by the war on drugs. Another focus is on legalization so Pennsylvania doesn’t fall behind. Many surrounding states have already adopt medical and recreational programs.

Virginia 

This state has been in the news frequently these beginning months of 2021. Governor Ralph Northam (D) first made an announcement in his state of the commonwealth speech at the beginning of January. Two bills, HB 2312 and SB 1406 saw introduction shortly after the governor’s speech. Each passed individual committees as well as full chambers. They then moved to the opposite chamber where they both passed again. 

Virginia currently offers a comprehensive medical cannabis program that began in July 2020. Additionally, the decriminalization of possession happened around the same time. The fight against the war on drugs is continuously improving. The unfortunate war has been glaringly racial within the state Governor Northam has said. 

The House and the Senate are working together to form a committee to create a comprehensive bill that addresses both HB 2312 and SB 1406. When lawmakers come to a compromise, then it goes to the governor for consideration. This committee is only just starting, so progress is on hold as far as recreational usage within the state, but the promise is present and citizens are excited to see these changes. 

Wisconsin

The most recent state to mention legalizing recreational cannabis usage is Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers (D) released his budget plans for 2021 with an emphasis on cannabis legalization.

“Legalizing and taxing marijuana in Wisconsin—just like we do already with alcohol—ensures a controlled market and safe product are available for both recreational and medicinal users,” he stated. “And can open the door for countless opportunities for us to reinvest in our communities and create a more equitable state.”

Wisconsin, like Kentucky and Virginia, has only legalized CBD oil for medicinal purposes and has not decriminalized possession. The biggest push from Governor Evers is making a legal and controlled environment for the growth and sale of cannabis, both recreational and medical. Plus, selling safe product to citizens. 

Governor Evers budget is currently under discussion in the Senate as Senate Bill 111. It’s currently awaiting a hearing in the Joint Finance Committee. There isn’t a hearing date set yet. Even with the pressure from the governor, there is a chance it will be blocked by the Republican majority. 

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