17 May 2025
Big cannabis headlines from across the U.S. this week:
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Illinois targets police reform by banning weed smell as grounds for traffic stops.
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Louisiana misses a major step toward legalization after a cannabis tax bill fails.
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Massachusetts launches an equity-driven cannabis jobs portal.
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Missouri tackles a Supreme Court battle over stacked local marijuana taxes.
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Pennsylvania blocks legalization efforts by rejecting a state-store retail model.
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Texas expands its medical cannabis program with new conditions and product options.
National cannabis policy remains in limbo as the DEA nominee avoids rescheduling commitments. And in hemp: Alabama cracks down with strict new laws, while Florida fails to act—leaving its booming hemp sector in chaos.
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SUMMARIES: ALABAMA
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed a controversial new law, HB445, that imposes tough restrictions on hemp-derived THC products. The law bans smokable hemp and vapes, limits THC in edibles, and shifts regulation to the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Small business owners and patients who rely on these products warn the law could shut down businesses and reduce access to holistic care.
#AlabamaCannabis #HB445 #HempLaw #MedicalCannabis #THCBan #CBDAlabama #HempIndustry #CannabisRegulation #AlabamaNews #Delta8 #THCRegulations #CannabisPodcast #ABCBoard #AlabamaPolitics
FLORIDA
Florida lawmakers have once again failed to agree on how to regulate the state’s growing hemp industry. Two proposed bills — one calling for sales restrictions and the other a new tax — were debated but not passed, leaving hemp-derived products like Delta-8 and THC-infused drinks unregulated for at least another year. Business owners and public health advocates remain divided as the state punts the issue to a future session.
#FloridaHemp #Delta8THC #THCBeverages #CannabisRegulation #HempIndustryNews #FloridaLegislation #CannabisPolicy #FloridaCannabis #SB438 #HB7027 #THCDrinks #CannabisBusiness #MedicalCannabis
ILLINOIS
In Illinois, a House committee has advanced Senate Bill 42—a proposal that would prevent police from using the smell of raw cannabis as the sole reason to stop or search a vehicle. Lawmakers say the move is aimed at ensuring fairness, especially following conflicting state court rulings and concerns about racial profiling. The bill now heads to the House floor.
#IllinoisCannabis #SB42 #CannabisLawReform #MarijuanaLegislation #CannabisJustice #CannabisOdorSearch #LegalWeedIL #CannabisPolicy #CannabisRights #CivilRightsCannabis #CannabisTrafficLaws #CannabisEquity #ILHouseBill
LOUISIANA
Louisiana’s plans to prepare for future marijuana legalization took a hit this week. Lawmakers narrowly voted down HB 636, a bill that would have created a 15% excise tax on cannabis sales. While it wouldn’t have legalized marijuana, the bill was designed to set up the tax system in advance, with the revenue earmarke
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