It`s been almost a decade since Washington and Colorado became the first states in America to legalize recreational marijuana. Now a new generation of states are wrestling with how to do it with a focus on racial equity that was missing from early legalization efforts. WBEZ reporter Mariah Woelfel reports from Chicago on why legalization plans in Illinois are still leaving Black businesses behind. VPM reporters Ben Paviour and Whittney Evans explain how lawmakers in Virginia are designing new marijuana legislation with equity in mind. In participating regions, you`ll als.... View more in new window

The New Mexico House of Representatives on Friday approved a bill to legalize marijuana in the state, one day ahead of a scheduled Senate committee hearing on that chambers separate proposals to end cannabis prohibition. The legislation that cleared the Housewhich would allow adults 21 and older to possess at least two ounces of cannabis and grow up to six mature and six immature plants for personal userecently sailed through two committees before moving to the floor, where it was approved in a 39-31 vote. The measure is favored by reform advocates becauseunlike other H.... View more in new window

Connecticut lawmakers took a full days worth of public testimony on Friday about Gov. Ned Lamonts D plan to legalize and regulate marijuana for adults. The legislation has drawn harsh criticism from social equity advocates since its unveiling earlier this month as part of the governors budget, and the bills supporters said at Fridays hearing that theyre open to making changes to address those concerns. This is not a final bill, Lamonts chief of staff, Paul Mounds, told equity advocates during his testimony to the legislatures Judiciary Committee. We want to sit at the tab.... View more in new window

The North Dakota House on Tuesday approved a bill to legalize marijuanaa measure thats being sponsored by a Republican lawmaker who is opposed to the policy change but prefers the legislature sets the rules rather than leave it up to activists via a ballot measure. The chamber advanced the legislation, which narrowly cleared the Human Services Committee last week, in a 56-38 vote. Lawmakers also passed a separate, complementary bill to establish the tax structure for a recreational cannabis market, 73-21. HB 1420 would allow adults 21 and older to possess and purchase .... View more in new window

New Jersey finally gets pot legalization done, Virginia lawmakers are trying to do the same, a Massachusetts drug decriminalization bill is filed, and more. New Jersey Makes It Official; Governor Signs Marijuana Decriminalization, Legalization Bills. Governor Phil Murphy D on Monday signed into law a pair of bills implementing voter-approved marijuana legalization A21 and decriminalizing marijuana possession A1897. He also signed into law a bill setting penalties for underage use, S3454, an issue that had held up legalization for more than two months after the legislature .... View more in new window