02/07/2025
The fight for legalization is a fluid battle requiring advocates to defend gains from being rolled back almost as soon as they're made. Progress is constantly under threat from reactionary forces who want to slow or outright reverse legalization efforts.
With cannabis reform accelerating across the country, we have already started seeing policy wins either clawed back by the opposition or new legislation introduced to enforce even stricter laws.
In Idaho, lawmakers have been vocal about getting tougher on cannabis and backed up their talk by passing House Bill 7 which creates a new mandatory minimum fine of $300 for possession. This is in addition to a measure introduced for the 2026 general election ballot that would block Idaho voters from being able to legalize cannabis and grant only the legislature with that power.
Florida’s SB 2514, passed and signed into law, is also aimed at criminalizing the use of cannabis as it included language that will prohibit people convicted of drug crimes (including cannabis) from being part of the state’s medical program.
Down in Texas, anti-legalization officials sought to crack down on cannabis by successfully passing a bill banning THC products. Had it not been for a last minute veto by Gov. Greg Abbott this measure would have destroyed the state’s upstart h**p industry. For now, progress in Texas holds firm.
Lastly, efforts to rollback existing rights were introduced in Ohio, New Jersey, and New York but all failed to pass. SB 56 in Ohio attempted to change tax fund allocations and add new penalties, New Jersey wanted to criminalize the purchase of unlicensed cannabis, and New York lawmakers proposed a crack down on car searches based off the smell of cannabis.
LPP’s Policy Team will continue monitoring and providing updates on policy battles around the country!