The federal prohibition on marijuana has inspired generations of activists to dedicate their lives to legalizing cannabis. While some states have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use, the federal government still classifies it as a Schedule I drug, which means it is considered to have no medical value and a high potential for abuse.
Minnesota became the 23rd state to legalize marijuana for adult use, and five other states could make recreational cannabis legal by the end of the year. However, the federal government's stance on marijuana could prevent these states from fully implementing their laws.
A key House committee has blocked amendments to legalize marijuana and carry out a federal study into "the prevalence of fentanyl-tainted" drugs. The move was a blow to advocates who had hoped to make progress on the issue in the wake of the legal of marijuana in several states.
As more states legalize marijuana and competition for talent grows fiercer, the U.S. government is loosening guidelines from the "Just Say No" era. Federal agencies are relaxing drug testing requirements and revising policies that treated marijuana like heroin.
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U.S. Democrat and Republican lawmakers have reintroduced a bill to set the basis for the legal of adult-use marijuana at the federal level. The bill would remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances and allow states to regulate it like alcohol.
The top House Democrat and a Republican lawmaker have refiled a bill to lay the groundwork for federal marijuana legal. The bill would allow states to legalize marijuana for medical and recreational use and would provide funding for research on the drug's effects.
A new federally funded study illustrates the difficulty of developing a breathalyzer-like device for cannabis. Even when using carefully controlled doses of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, researchers were unable to reliably detect impairment using the devices.
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The Nevada Senate has approved a resolution urging Congress to federally legalize marijuana. About a month after the Assembly passed the resolution, the Senate followed suit, sending a message to the federal government that the state is ready for change.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has finalized a rule to amend its drug testing policy in a way that could have significant implications for marijuana users. The new rule will allow DOT-regulated employers to use hair testing instead of urine testing for pre-employment and random drug tests.
Industry
The marijuana industry is booming, with sales expected to reach $35 billion by 2025. However, the lack of federal legal has created challenges for businesses operating in the industry, including limited access to banking services and high tax rates.
A new report by the National Cannabis Industry Association highlights the need for federal legal to address these issues and create a level playing field for businesses in the industry.
