Good evening. Here's what's moving in the world of medical cannabis today.
Kentucky governor signs executive order expanding medical cannabis access
Governor Andy Beshear has issued an emergency executive order expanding access to medical cannabis in Kentucky. The order, announced on 3 June, introduces new regulatory measures intended to broaden patient eligibility and streamline access under the state's medical cannabis programme.
"This emergency regulation will help more Kentuckians reclaim their lives through safe, nonaddictive medical cannabis," Governor Beshear said in a statement released by NORML. The move comes as the state's medical cannabis framework continues to evolve following its initial implementation last year.
Alaska lawmakers pass cannabis record sealing bill to governor
Lawmakers in Alaska have sent a bill to the governor's desk that would allow for the sealing of past cannabis-related criminal records. The legislation, passed by the state legislature on 2 June, is designed to remove public access to records for offences that are no longer illegal under state law.
"Sealing these records from public view is a logical and overdue step and will provide Alaskans with greater access to jobs, housing, education, and other economic opportunities," the bill's sponsors said. If signed, the measure would mark a significant step for criminal justice reform in the state.
Vermont lawmakers advance bill to double adult-use possession limits
Vermont's legislature has sent a bill to the governor that would double the state's legal possession limit for adult-use cannabis. Under current law, possessing up to one ounce of cannabis is legal, but holding between one and two ounces is classified as a criminal misdemeanour, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 fine.
The proposed legislation, advanced on 1 June, would raise the legal possession limit to two ounces, effectively decriminalising amounts that currently fall into the misdemeanour category. The bill now awaits the governor's signature.
Study reveals big tobacco strategies used to market ultra-processed foods
A new issue of the American Journal of Public Health, published on 3 June, has revealed that major tobacco companies have applied strategies from cigarette marketing to promote ultra-processed foods. The research draws direct parallels between the tactics used to sell tobacco and those now deployed in the food industry.
The findings raise questions about regulatory oversight and public health messaging, particularly as ultra-processed foods become a growing focus of health policy debates globally. The study was covered by The Guardian.
