Latest Cannabis News: March 18, 2025

Stay up to date with the latest legalization and cannabis news with the C.B. Advisors. Every week, we will release a snippet of what’s happening with each state in the cannabis industry. Did you miss last week? No worries – click here for last week’s cannabis news.

No Legalization

Idaho: A bill to legalize medical cannabis, House Bill 401, has been introduced in Idaho. It is modeled after Utah’s legislation, Rubel told the committee, who said Idaho lawmakers should at some point consider this type of legislation. The bill would move marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule II controlled substance. It would allow medical practitioners to give medical cannabis cards to patients who are at least 21 years old and diagnosed with qualifying conditions such as cancer, ALS, AIDS, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and other debilitating illnesses. The card would be valid for up to one year, and renewal must be sought after.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/idaho-lawmakers-hold-hearing-on-bill-to-legalize-medical-marijuana/

CBD

North Carolina: State Rep. Jordan Lopez, D-Mecklenburg, filed House Bill 413, the Marijuana Legalization and Reinvestment Act, on March 17 to establish a licensed market to regulate and tax adult-use cannabis in the Old North State. The state’s Department of Public Safety would oversee the registration process for a licensed marketplace for cannabis cultivation, retail, manufacturing, transportation, testing, delivery and on-site consumption establishments. An Office of Community Reinvestment within the department would be responsible for promoting and encouraging an equitable marketplace.

Source: https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/us-states/north-carolina/news/15740194/north-carolina-representative-files-cannabis-legalization-bill-for-adults-21

Medical

Pennsylvania: Major marijuana multistate operators are betting big on Pennsylvania to be the next state to legalize adult-use marijuana. According to Spotlight PA, MSOs Trulieve Cannabis Corp. and Cresco Labs were among 26 marijuana companies that spent more than $1.6 million combined in 2024 to convince Pennsylvania legislators and politicians to approve an adult-use market in the state. Selling and possessing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania is still a crime, but legislation included in Shapiro’s budget address could soon bring changes. Under his plan, adult use cannabis would be legal as of July 1, and recreational sales would begin in Pennsylvania on Jan. 1.

Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/trulieve-cresco-lobbying-pennsylvania-to-legalize-adult-use-marijuana/

https://www.eveningsun.com/story/news/2025/03/17/shapiro-pushing-for-legal-recreational-marijuana-sales-in-pennsylvania/82487247007/

Recreational

Delaware: The Wilmington City Council passed Ordinance 25-004, which temporarily suspends the issuance of business licenses for retail marijuana stores for 90 days.

The ordinance aims to allow proper zoning and community input. The council voted, supporting the 90-day pause to ensure appropriate planning and community engagement.

Source: https://delawarelive.com/wilmington-council-imposes-90-day-suspension-on-cannabis-business-licenses/

Minnesota: Minnesota’s cannabis regulatory agency extended the deadline for adult-use business license applications after the computer system shut down for maintenance. As a result, the OCM extended the license application deadline until 11:59 p.m. MT Saturday.

Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/minnesota-extends-cannabis-license-application-deadline-after-system-outage/

Virginia: With Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) widely expected to veto a lawmaker-passed plan to legalize retail marijuana sales in the commonwealth, a new fiscal impact statement makes clear that rejecting the proposal would mean missing out on tens of millions of dollars in annual state revenue—including for pre-kindergarten programs, community reinvestment and substance use treatment. Youngkin has 30 days to act on a bill once it reaches his desk. He can either sign it into law, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature. Lawmakers will reconvene on April 2 to consider overturning any vetoes.

Youngkin is ineligible to run for reelection, and advocates hope his replacement will be more favorable to regulated sales. They’ve noted that a handful of Republican leaders in other states have been more open to marijuana reform.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/virginia-governors-veto-of-marijuana-sales-bill-would-erase-millions-in-revenue-for-pre-k-and-drug-treatment-state-report-shows/

Virgin Islands: The lack of a quorum prevented the Cannabis Advisory Board from taking any binding decisions during its meeting on Wednesday, however those in attendance were able to learn more about the Office of Cannabis Regulation’s plans for the next phase of the cannabis licensing rollout in the territory. The next phase of the licensing regime – cultivation licenses and micro-cultivation permits – will be rolled out by March 31. Requests for proposals for lab testing facilities will also be issued around the same time.

Source: https://viconsortium.com/vi-business/virgin-islands-first-medical-cannabis-patients-registered-as-ocr-plans-next-licensing-phase

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