US lawmakers are warming up to the cannabis industry
CNN
April is typically a pretty eventful month for the cannabis industry, with 4/20 celebrations bringing abundant attention -- and sales.
But things have been heating up much earlier this year. In the first four days of April, the US House of Representatives (once again and narrowly) passed a bill to decriminalize marijuana and then, days later, (overwhelmingly) approved legislation to ease barriers to cannabis research. In addition, Maryland lawmakers voted to put an adult-use cannabis measure on their state's November ballot; New Mexico became the latest state to begin recreational sales; and this Thursday, New Jersey will start selling recreational cannabis.
The full-scale legalization of cannabis in America feels like it's closer than ever: More states have passed recreational-use laws; comprehensive legislation is gaining attention -- and votes -- in Congress; and the industry continues to steamroll to maturity with a stream of mega-mergers, high value investments and steady sales.
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