How Cannabis Connects Louisiana, Maine, Washington State and Connecticut This Week

With cannabis legalization becoming more and more popular, states are opening up to the idea of allowing it for recreational and medicinal purposes. Washington State is giving away free pot to anyone getting vaccinated. One East Coast state is generating significant revenue from marijuana sales at the same time as one traditionally Southern state is decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana. Similar trends are cropping up from the East to the West, and from the North to the South.

Lawmakers are shifting their attitude towards marijuana by backing a law that will stop the incarceration of possession in small amounts. On Monday June 7, House Bill 652 by Rep. Cedric Glover passed to decriminalize the possession of up to a half-ounce (14 grams) of marijuana. The House needed at least 20 votes to pass; the vote was 20-17.

In an effort to get more people vaccinated, Washington State is offering one free marijuana joint to anyone who decides to get the vaccine. The campaign dubbed “Joints for Jabs” is set to run through July 12th. It’s offered to anyone who gets vaccinated 21 years and older. The participants will be able to redeem their free joint at participating marijuana retailers.

In a 19 to 17 vote, Connecticut lawmakers have pushed a bill to allow the recreational usage of marijuana to those 21 years of age and older. The bill is now heading to the House for the final vote. According to the law, potential buyers are allowed to carry around only an ounce and a half of the plant at a time. While an additional five ounces can be stored at home or in a person’s car.

With the legalization of weed in Maine, comes an influx of sales. According to retailers there has already been a record $5.36 million in sales in May which was $1 million more than the previous month. Retailers reported over 71,843 transactions of smokable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, and concentrates. The state says the sales won’t be slowing down any time soon. 

What else is happening and shifting in local communities across the country? Let me know in the comments.