New Year Brings New Laws Affecting Cannabis Policies in Several States

The start of 2024 has ushered in a number of new marijuana laws around the United States, according to a report by Marijuana Moment.

Lawmakers in at least five states approved changes affecting cannabis laws during their recent sessions.

In Colorado, the first state to permit legal adult-use marijuana sales in 2014, a measure was passed implementing “use-by” dates on cannabis products.  Beginning Jan. 1, dates must included on these products indicating they are best if consumed within nine months of being packaged. Growers or manufacturers can petition for extended timelines for the best use if they can prove that a later date is justified.

In Virginia, the regulation of medical cannabis has been transferred from the state’s Board of Pharmacy to the Cannabis Control Authority. (CCA). “The CCA is committed to the well-being of medical cannabis patients, and our goal is to ensure they experience minimal disruption during this transition,” said Jeremy Preiss, CCA’s acting head and chief officer.

A new law in Nevada that took effect Monday expands legal cannabis purchase and possession limits for adults aged 21 and older. The recently signed legislation allows adults to buy up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower and/or one-quarter of an ounce of concentrates from licensed retailers.

This marks a significant increase from the previous possession limits of one ounce of flower and one-eighth of an ounce of concentrates. Additionally, the law permits licensed medical dispensaries to extend their services to non-patients beginning the new year.

Other new laws involve workplace protections.  Starting Jan. 1., employers in the state of Washington are barred from discrimination in initial hiring decisions based on preemployment testing for off-the-job cannabis use or test results showing nonpsychoactive cannabis metabolites in an applicant’s hair, blood, urine, or other bodily fluids.

Meanwhile measures now in effect in California prohibit an employer from requesting information from an applicant’s prior cannabis use, and prohibit employers from discriminating against a worker or applicant based on their use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace.  Workers in building and construction trades and federal workers are exempt.

Overall, recreational use of marijuana is now legal in 24 states and Washington, D.C. as of the start of 2024.

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