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Working to Reform Marijuana Laws Since 1970
Updated: 10 hours 37 min ago

Maryland: Lawmakers Advance Legislation Providing Employment Protections for Firefighters’ Off Duty Use of Medical Cannabis

Fri, 04/03/2026 - 05:20

"Patients who take traditional medications do not face punishment in the workplace unless their on-the-job performance is impaired. Patients who consume medical cannabis during their off-hours should be treated equally."

The post Maryland: Lawmakers Advance Legislation Providing Employment Protections for Firefighters’ Off Duty Use of Medical Cannabis appeared first on NORML.

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Military Eases Enlistment Rules for Those With Prior Marijuana Convictions

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 09:48

"While we welcome any easing of federal policies that target and discriminate against cannabis consumers, this particular policy shift appears to be largely opportunistic and not in any way reflective of a broader shift in the federal government's stance toward those who consume marijuana responsibly."

The post Military Eases Enlistment Rules for Those With Prior Marijuana Convictions appeared first on NORML.

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Voters Gave Ohio Legal Cannabis. Then Lawmakers Took Away the Part That Helped Me.

Fri, 03/27/2026 - 09:24

NORML Winter '25/Spring '26 Intern Tobey MacCachran shares how Ohio lawmakers' repeal of legalization provisions will impact his healthcare access.

The post Voters Gave Ohio Legal Cannabis. Then Lawmakers Took Away the Part That Helped Me. appeared first on NORML.

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Lawmakers Are Moving on Marijuana. Act Now.

Thu, 03/26/2026 - 08:14

This could shape cannabis laws in your state.

The post Lawmakers Are Moving on Marijuana. Act Now. appeared first on NORML.

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Feds Provide Details on Plan To Integrate Hemp-Derived Products Into Medicare Services

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 07:04

"The integration of certain therapeutic cannabis products into the Medicare program further legitimizes the use of marijuana as a medicine, particularly for improving the health-related quality of life of older Americans and seniors."

The post Feds Provide Details on Plan To Integrate Hemp-Derived Products Into Medicare Services appeared first on NORML.

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Analysis: No Rise in Problematic Cannabis Use Among Teens Following Adult-Use Legalization

Tue, 03/24/2026 - 07:39

"These results should further reassure the public and policymakers that cannabis can be regulated for adults in a manner that doesn't adversely impact young people."

The post Analysis: No Rise in Problematic Cannabis Use Among Teens Following Adult-Use Legalization appeared first on NORML.

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France: A Last Bastion of Cannabis Prohibition

Fri, 03/20/2026 - 08:53

While the United States Supreme Court reviews landmark challenges regarding the rights of cannabis consumers and Germany establishes a robust framework for legal adult-use, France has taken a dark, regressive turn.

The post France: A Last Bastion of Cannabis Prohibition appeared first on NORML.

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Ohio: Provisions Take Effect Rolling Back Voter-Approved Marijuana Legalization Law

Thu, 03/19/2026 - 08:00

"At the end of the day, lawmakers desire to roll back legalization has nothing to do with the law not working as intended, and everything to do with legislators disapproving of how their constituents voted on a major public policy issue."

The post Ohio: Provisions Take Effect Rolling Back Voter-Approved Marijuana Legalization Law appeared first on NORML.

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NORML Op-Ed: Excessive Taxes on Cannabis Fuels the Unregulated Market

Wed, 03/18/2026 - 08:03

Many states are sacrificing the long-term health and sustainability of the legal cannabis market for theoretical short-term gains reaped by sky-high taxes.

The post NORML Op-Ed: Excessive Taxes on Cannabis Fuels the Unregulated Market appeared first on NORML.

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Compliance Check Data From Legal States Confirms That Licensed Retailers Don’t Sell Cannabis to Minors

Tue, 03/17/2026 - 06:00

"Regulation works. Illicit marijuana providers don't ask for or check for ID, but licensed businesses most certainly do."

The post Compliance Check Data From Legal States Confirms That Licensed Retailers Don’t Sell Cannabis to Minors appeared first on NORML.

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Sweeping Changes to Virginia Marijuana Laws Approved by Lawmakers

Mon, 03/16/2026 - 12:44

Lawmakers sent ten cannabis-related bills to the desk of Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger for her review.

The post Sweeping Changes to Virginia Marijuana Laws Approved by Lawmakers appeared first on NORML.

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Alabama: Commissioner Says Patients Can Likely Begin Accessing Medical Cannabis Products Next Month

Tue, 03/10/2026 - 08:45

“For nearly five years, Alabama patients and their providers have lacked the ability to locally access medically necessary state-approved cannabis products from state-licensed dispensaries. Going forward, let's hope lawmakers and regulators finally begin putting patients' needs first."

The post Alabama: Commissioner Says Patients Can Likely Begin Accessing Medical Cannabis Products Next Month appeared first on NORML.

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Study: Lifetime Cannabis Use Not Associated With Cognitive Decline or Dementia Risk in Older Adults

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 07:45

Researchers reported that those with a history of cannabis use "demonstrated significantly better cognitive performance." Cannabis use "was not associated with increased risk of dementia" and researchers found "no supporting evidence of a causal link with [longitudinal] cognitive decline in later life."

The post Study: Lifetime Cannabis Use Not Associated With Cognitive Decline or Dementia Risk in Older Adults appeared first on NORML.

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NORML Defends Cannabis Consumers’ Constitutional Rights

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 10:11

It's not only consumers' 2nd Amendment rights that are under assault. Historically, governments have sought to deny cannabis consumers many other rights as well, including their right to use the medicine that works best for them, or to exercise their freedom to choose to relax with a substance that's objectively safer than alcohol. And every step of the way, NORML has been there to fight back on their behalf.

The post NORML Defends Cannabis Consumers’ Constitutional Rights appeared first on NORML.

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Supreme Court Expresses Skepticism Over Governments’ Categorical Gun Ban for Cannabis Consumers

Mon, 03/02/2026 - 11:57

"The government may not categorically disarm responsible adults solely because they use cannabis, absent any showing of habitual use and dangerousness. The Second Amendment protects individuals, not status-based classifications, and the historical tradition the Court requires does not support such a blanket prohibition."

The post Supreme Court Expresses Skepticism Over Governments’ Categorical Gun Ban for Cannabis Consumers appeared first on NORML.

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A Message From NORML’s Board Chair Honoring Black History Month

Fri, 02/27/2026 - 06:00

"As Chair of the NORML Board, I am honored—again—to reflect on what Black History Month means to this organization and to the broader cannabis legalization movement."

The post A Message From NORML’s Board Chair Honoring Black History Month appeared first on NORML.

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Mainstream Media’s New Era of Reefer Madness

Wed, 02/25/2026 - 06:00

For more than 50 years, NORML has been 'setting the record straight' on cannabis. Today, this job is more important than ever.

The post Mainstream Media’s New Era of Reefer Madness appeared first on NORML.

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Nebraska Omitted From List of Medical Marijuana States Provided Federal Protections

Tue, 02/24/2026 - 09:12

“Voters made their mandate clear in 2024, and now Nebraskans have been left vulnerable because their leaders refuse to respect it.”

The post Nebraska Omitted From List of Medical Marijuana States Provided Federal Protections appeared first on NORML.

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NORML Op-Ed: What the New York Times Gets Wrong About Marijuana Legalization

Fri, 02/20/2026 - 10:42

"Cannabis re-legalization is a work in progress. But it’s here to stay and by and large, it’s a process we’re getting right."

The post NORML Op-Ed: What the New York Times Gets Wrong About Marijuana Legalization appeared first on NORML.

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