In the absence of federal action on cannabis, states have passed a patchwork of laws for adult-use and medical marijuana. Although federal law still designates marijuana as an illegal Schedule I drug, 48 states have laws on the books that allow or decriminalize the use of cannabis in some form.

Eleven states and Washington, D.C. have legalized — and 15 states have decriminalized — adult-use cannabis, which usually allows retail sales and home-grown marijuana on a mixed basis. A majority of states have enacted medical marijuana laws, which allow eligible patients to obtain or grow cannabis to treat a range of conditions.

POLITICO’s cannabis legalization tracker will be updated on an ongoing basis.

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Social media influencers are people hired by companies to engage with prospective customers via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other online platforms.

Influencers can provide a way for marijuana companies to advertise their products because they have built up trust with their followers and can impact purchasing decisions.

And, because of advertising and marketing limitations imposed on the cannabis industry, influencers can broadcast companies’ messages in places the companies themselves cannot.

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If you were asked to predict which industry would suffer more from the legalization of recreational marijuana, the alcohol industry or the tobacco industry, which would you choose? This was the question explored in a new article appearing in the journal Marketing Science.

The answer, researchers found, was the alcohol industry. But how they got there is perhaps as interesting as the finding itself.

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Maine state officials said they are poised to begin accepting adult-use marijuana license applications before the end of the year and expect customers will have the ability to purchase products in retail stores by March.

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The future is now as Lowell Cafe opens in West Hollywood, the first cannabis cafe open to the public allowing on-site consumption for those 21 and over in the US.

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Gov. Larry Hogan announced several new and returning members to the state commission that regulates Maryland’s medical cannabis industry.
A 2018 law required the state to dissolve and re-form the medical cannabis commission, effective Tuesday.

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Cannabis will be legal nationwide sooner than later. Here are a few ways to make sure your business is safe while also in compliance with all the various regulations that govern it.

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The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office bars trademarks on illicit products. Marijuana remains a Schedule 1 narcotic at the federal level, despite being legal for use in Michigan. This presents a tricky scenario for legal marijuana companies seeking to protect their intellectual property.

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is urging neighboring states to work together on future recreational cannabis policies – a move that could potentially create a more level playing field for marijuana businesses in adjoining states if adult use is approved.

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The multibillion-dollar U.S. cannabis industry is poised to cross a historic threshold Wednesday with a scheduled U.S. House vote on a bill that would permit financial institutions to serve state-legal marijuana businesses without fear of federal punishment.

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