January 7, 2022
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In the cannabis industry, where it seems like laws and rules change all the time, how do you keep up with the laws and regulations that are unique to each state? Where do you go to get current cannabis licensing rules?
There are a number of websites that keep updated information about state cannabis laws and rules. That means you don’t necessarily have to visit each state’s regulatory websites and read through pages and pages of legal code to get the information you need.
Some of the go-to sources for finding the information you need about cannabis laws and licensing rules are shared below.
NCIA has an entire section in its website that provides timely information about cannabis industry laws across the United States. NCIA’s State-by-State Policies page includes a U.S. map that shows which states have approved cannabis for medical and/or recreational use as well as which states only allow limited use of cannabis (this typically refers to low-THC, CBD-only products).
When you click on a state in the map on the NCIA website, you can view comprehensive details about the state’s legal cannabis program. Most of the information focuses on business laws and licensing rules. Some of the topics covered include:
The data is compiled by NCIA’s employees and comes from sources like BDS Analytics and Arcview Market Research - two recognized companies in the cannabis industry.
NORML offers a robust State Laws section on its website where laws in all 50 states can be accessed by clicking on each state on a provided map of the United States.
Once you’ve opened a state’s data, you can find information about cannabis laws and penalties for individuals, including laws related to possession, cultivation, sale or delivery, hash and concentrates, paraphernalia, decriminalization, and more. Individuals can also find information about state-by-state impaired driving laws, expungement, legalization, medical marijuana, and more.
Some business-related rules can be found in the medical marijuana section for states that have operational medical cannabis programs. This information includes details about:
In addition, the medical marijuana information includes source information and links to various state laws, so you can easily find and read those statutes to learn more.
Marijuana Policy Project’s State Policy page includes a map of the U.S. that makes it easy to see which states have legalized different types of cannabis use and possession. States are color-coded to show you which of the following categories they fall in:
Unlike the NCIA and NORML resources discussed above, you won’t find a list of specific rules when you click on a state in the U.S. map on Marijuana Policy Project’s State Policy page. Instead, you’ll see a series of articles in reverse-chronological order that provide updates on significant regulatory changes affecting that state’s cannabis program.
When you scroll down past the various articles, you’ll find a list of the state’s cannabis-related bills with brief descriptions and links to view the full text of each bill.
ProCon.org is a news and information website that provides two different pages filled with information about state cannabis laws and licensing rules:
The Legal Medical Marijuana States and DC web page provides a table with information about when each state passed its medical marijuana law, how the law passed, possession limits, and personal cultivation limits. You can click on each state in the table to see more information about the state’s cannabis program rules, including links to the state law and regulatory agency as well as a list of qualifying conditions.
The Legal Recreational Marijuana States and DC web page also provides a table with information about when each state passed its adult-use cannabis law, how the law was passed, possession limits, and personal cultivation limits. You can click on each state in the table to see more information and links about each state’s ballot initiatives, laws, regulatory agencies, age requirements, and detailed personal cultivation limits.
Keep in mind, there is no single source to get current information on all states’ cannabis laws and licensing rules. Instead, you’ll likely have to use multiple sites and resources to get all of the information you need. However, the four sites above provide great places to get quick insights and start your research.
If you’re looking for information about specific cannabis or hemp license holders, you can get all of that data and more by subscribing to the Cannabiz Media License Database. Schedule a demo and see how it can help you reach your business growth goals.
Originally published 1/27/21. Updated 1/7/22.
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