Latest news with #NORML
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Is recreational use of marijuana legal in Georgia? 24 states allow it
As more states across the U.S. move to legalize recreational marijuana, Georgia remains on the sidelines. While 24 states have adopted laws allowing adults to purchase and consume cannabis for non-medical use, Georgia continues to prohibit it. But what does the Peach State allow medically? Here is everything to know. Has Georgia legalized recreational marijuana? No, Georgia does not allow adult-use of cannabis. According to NORML, possession for personal use, even under an ounce, is punishable as a misdemeanor with up to 12 months in jail or up to a $1,000 fine. Possessing more than an ounce is a felony, carrying penalties of 1 to 10 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. Does Georgia allow marijuana medically? Georgia allows marijuana for medical purposes only, and exclusively in the form of low-THC oil (5% THC or less). Registered patients can possess up to 20 fluid ounces. What states have legalized recreational marijuana? According to U.S. News and World Report, here are the 24 states to legalize marijuana: Washington (as of 2012) Alaska (as of 2014) Oregon (as of 2014) California (as of 2016) Montana (as of 2020) Colorado (as of 2012) Nevada (as of 2016) Arizona (as of 2020) New Mexico (as of 2021) Minnesota (as of 2023) Missouri (as of 2022) Illinois (as of 2019) Michigan (as of 2018) Ohio (as of 2023) Virginia (as of 2021) Maryland (as of 2023) Maine (as of 2016) Delaware (as of 2023) New Jersey (as of 2020) New York (as of 2021) Vermont (as of 2018) Massachusetts (as of 2016) Rhode Island (as of 2022) Connecticut (as of 2021) For more information, visit Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Is recreational use of marijuana legal in Georgia? 24 states allow it Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
24 states have legalized recreational marijuana. Is Oklahoma one of them?
Nearly half of states across the U.S. have legalized recreational marijuana, but Oklahoma remains hesitant. While 24 states have adopted laws allowing adults to purchase and consume cannabis for non-medical use, Oklahoma continues to prohibit it. In fact, Oklahomans voted down a state question that would have altered the state's constitution to allow recreational use of marijuana in March 2023. A cannabis advocacy group has drafted a constitutional amendment to allow recreational marijuana, and it could appear on a future ballot as State Question 837 if enough signatures are collected. But what does the Sooner State allow medically? Here's what you need to know. No, Oklahoma does not allow non-medical use of cannabis. According to NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, possession of any amount of marijuana for recreational use is a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to 12 months in jail or up to a $1,000 fine. A subsequent offense of possessing any amount for recreational use holds the same penalty. Oklahoma allows marijuana for medical purposes only, and those with a state-issued license can possess the following, according to NORML: Up to eight ounces of marijuana in their residence Up to one ounce of concentrated marijuana Up to 72 ounces of edible marijuana Up to six mature marijuana plants Up to six seedling plants Up to three ounces of marijuana on their person Those without a license face a fine-only misdemeanor for the possession of up to 1.5 ounces of herbal cannabis. According to U.S. News and World Report, here are the 24 states to legalize marijuana: Washington (as of 2012) Alaska (as of 2014) Oregon (as of 2014) California (as of 2016) Montana (as of 2020) Colorado (as of 2012) Nevada (as of 2016) Arizona (as of 2020) New Mexico (as of 2021) Minnesota (as of 2023) Missouri (as of 2022) Illinois (as of 2019) Michigan (as of 2018) Ohio (as of 2023) Virginia (as of 2021) Maryland (as of 2023) Maine (as of 2016) Delaware (as of 2023) New Jersey (as of 2020) New York (as of 2021) Vermont (as of 2018) Massachusetts (as of 2016) Rhode Island (as of 2022) Connecticut (as of 2021) For more information, visit This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Is recreational use of marijuana legal in Oklahoma? 24 states allow it
Forbes
04-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Trump Budget Drops Protections For State Medical Cannabis Programs
The White House budget request for 2026 omits language that has protected state-regulated medical ... More cannabis operators from federal prosecution for more than decade. The Trump administration's budget request for the 2026 fiscal year drops provisions that have protected state medical cannabis programs for more than a decade, online cannabis news outlet Marijuana Moment reported on Monday. The budget provision has blocked federal law enforcement agencies from spending resources to investigate or prosecute businesses operating in compliance with state-authorized medical cannabis programs, despite the continued prohibition of marijuana under federal law. 'This provision, which has been in place since 2014, protects patients, caregivers, and medical cannabis providers in the 39 states that have legalized medical access from federal interference or criminal prosecution,' the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) wrote in a statement. 'Prior to the passage of this protection, federal prosecutors routinely took actions against patients and dispensaries in legal states.' The budget restriction was first adopted by Congress in 2014 and has been included in the federal budget every year since. But the Trump administration's budget request for the 2026 fiscal year released last week does not include the language. Similarly, the budget requests for each of the four years of President Donald Trump's first term omitted the protections for state-regulated medical cannabis operators. The administration of President Barack Obama also left the language prohibiting federal interference with regulated medical marijuana businesses out its budget requests following the initial adoption of the provisions. By contrast, the administration budget requests for all fours years of Joseph Biden's presidency included the protections for state-legal medical marijuana businesses. While the budget request illustrates the Trump administration's spending policies and priorities, Congress has the constitutional responsibility and authority for appropriations legislation. The congressional budget has included the language every year since 2014, despite attempts by both Democratic and Republican administrations to drop the provision. 'Today, more than half the country, including 36 states and Washington, D.C., have embraced medical marijuana, and for the past 10 years, the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment has prevented the Department of Justice from using federal funds to stop states from implementing their medical marijuana programs,' Laura A. Bianchi, co-founding partner of the cannabis and psychedelics law firm Bianchi and Brandt, writes in an email. 'Rolling back these protections would mark a significant setback for marijuana reform. Ultimately, Congress will have the final say, and the industry remains hopeful that they will uphold these vital safeguards.' When Trump signed previous appropriations bill including the protections for medical cannabis operators after requesting they be removed, his administration issued a statement that it 'will treat this provision consistent with the President's constitutional responsibility to faithfully execute the laws of the United States.' The statement, which was issued on three separate occasions, was widely interpreted to suggest that the Trump administration might ignore the budget restriction. The omission of the protections for state-legal medical cannabis programs in the Trump administration's 2026 budget request is likely to disappoint supporters of cannabis policy reform who were encouraged by the president's apparent support for decriminalizing marijuana during the 2024 election campaign. In September, Trump suggested he supported reclassifying marijuana under federal drug laws and that he would back state efforts to legalize recreational cannabis. 'As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens,' Trump wrote on Truth Social, according to a report from Marijuana Moment.
Indianapolis Star
28-04-2025
- Indianapolis Star
Scavenger hunt turned manhunt? Police say a man hid Easter eggs with weed in city parks
Texas police are searching for a man who they say hid plastic eggs full of marijuana in parks as part of a scavenger hunt, and offered clues to people who bought drugs from him the day of the event. The man, 23-year-old Avante Nicholson, posted about the eggs on Facebook, almost like he was hosting a 'scavenger hunt,' police said in a news release. The eggs were allegedly hidden on April 20 in three city parks and a motel in Lufkin, about 133 miles northeast of Houston. He also said those who bought drugs from him that day would get clues on how to find the eggs, police said. Police have issued four felony warrants for Nicholson's arrest: three for delivery of marijuana in a drug-free zone, and one for the delivery of marijuana. Man teased scavenger hunt clues Police said someone called in a tip about Facebook posts Nicholson allegedly made. Officers found eggs in Morris Frank, Winston and Grace Dunn Richardson parks, as well as one behind a Motel 6. According to police, Nicholson allegedly posted a photo of five plastic eggs inside a vehicle, as well as photos containing hints as to where participants could find the eggs. According to police, they found four eggs and the next day, a man and his granddaughter at Winston Park found a fifth egg and took it to the police station. Police searched the Facebook page that posted the clues, then confirmed it belonged to Nicholson. They also saw references on his page to selling narcotics, as well as posts that said customers who 'shopped' with him the day of the scavenger hunt would get clues about the eggs. Police said the eggs contained more than a quarter of an ounce of marijuana. What are the marijuana laws in Texas? According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), Texas marijuana laws are as follows: Sale or delivery of 7 grams of marijuana or less (as a gift) - Misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days imprisonment and fines up to $2,000. Sale or delivery of 7 grams of marijuana or less - Misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of up to 1 year and fines up to $4,000. Sale or delivery of between 7 grams and 5 pounds of marijuana - Felony punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days imprisonment, a maximum of two years imprisonment, and fines up to $10,000. Sentences go up from there, according to the organization. Police still looking for Nicholson 'Incidents like this are a reminder of why (we) take seriously all information called into our offices,' Lufkin Police Chief David Thomas said in the news release. 'The safety of our community is at the forefront of everything we do. And in cases such as this, when it endangers children, we are even more vigilant.' Police ask that anyone with information about Nicholson's whereabouts contact CrimeStoppers at (936) 639-8477, or at
USA Today
28-04-2025
- USA Today
Scavenger hunt turned manhunt? Police say a man hid Easter eggs with weed in city parks
Scavenger hunt turned manhunt? Police say a man hid Easter eggs with weed in city parks Texas police are searching for a man who they say hid plastic eggs full of marijuana in parks as part of a scavenger hunt, and offered clues to people who bought drugs from him the day of the event. The man, 23-year-old Avante Nicholson, posted about the eggs on Facebook, almost like he was hosting a 'scavenger hunt,' police said in a news release. The eggs were allegedly hidden on April 20 in three city parks and a motel in Lufkin, about 133 miles northeast of Houston. He also said those who bought drugs from him that day would get clues on how to find the eggs, police said. Police have issued four felony warrants for Nicholson's arrest: three for delivery of marijuana in a drug-free zone, and one for the delivery of marijuana. Man teased scavenger hunt clues Police said someone called in a tip about Facebook posts Nicholson allegedly made. Officers found eggs in Morris Frank, Winston and Grace Dunn Richardson parks, as well as one behind a Motel 6. According to police, Nicholson allegedly posted a photo of five plastic eggs inside a vehicle, as well as photos containing hints as to where participants could find the eggs. According to police, they found four eggs and the next day, a man and his granddaughter at Winston Park found a fifth egg and took it to the police station. Police searched the Facebook page that posted the clues, then confirmed it belonged to Nicholson. They also saw references on his page to selling narcotics, as well as posts that said customers who 'shopped' with him the day of the scavenger hunt would get clues about the eggs. Police said the eggs contained more than a quarter of an ounce of marijuana. According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), Texas marijuana laws are as follows: Sale or delivery of 7 grams of marijuana or less (as a gift) - Misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days imprisonment and fines up to $2,000. Sale or delivery of 7 grams of marijuana or less - Misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of up to 1 year and fines up to $4,000. Sale or delivery of between 7 grams and 5 pounds of marijuana - Felony punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days imprisonment, a maximum of two years imprisonment, and fines up to $10,000. Sentences go up from there, according to the organization. 'Incidents like this are a reminder of why (we) take seriously all information called into our offices,' Lufkin Police Chief David Thomas said in the news release. 'The safety of our community is at the forefront of everything we do. And in cases such as this, when it endangers children, we are even more vigilant.' Police ask that anyone with information about Nicholson's whereabouts contact CrimeStoppers at (936) 639-8477, or at Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@
