Cannabis

Senator John Hickenlooper of Colorado has introduced a bill that would lay the foundation for regulations to govern the eventual legalization of cannabis at the federal level.

New York has taken a big step recently, by initiating a legal marketplace for adult-use cannabis. The city issued its first 36 cannabis dispensary licenses.

On Monday, the Governor of Oregon announced she will be giving a mass pardon for state-level cannabis possession offences. This will relieve an estimated 45,000 people.

Germany’s coalition government has agreed on a plan to legalise recreational cannabis use among adults.

Evidence has been released supporting the theory that medical cannabis can replace or reduce opioids. Most patients in a study—79% or nearly four out of five—reported “cessation or reduction in pain medication use” after beginning a regimen of medical cannabis.

In Japan, their laws against the use of marijuana are very strict however, the health ministry panel expressed how the country should consider approving the import, manufacture and use of medicines derived from cannabis, subject to the same approval process as pharmaceuticals.

The Journal of Cannabis Research published a study that claims that cannabis can help lessen COVID-19 symptoms.

In California, lawmakers are looking to ensure that workers don’t lose their job if they consume marijuana at home. Last week a bill was passed that will prevent employers from firing workers if they fail a drug test.