Following important cannabis news articles every day can be a real burn-out, we know. That’s why the Emerald rolls up a chronicle of the headiest news hits, and passes them to you at the end of each week. We Bring You: The Dime.

Texas Lawmakers Approve Cannabis and Psychedelics Reform Bills

On Tuesday, April 27th, the Texas House of Representatives approved a bill to reduce penalties for possession of cannabis concentrates. Lawmakers reduced penalties from a class C misdemeanor with a fine, down to a class B misdemeanor. Lawmakers also separately advanced legislation to require studies on the therapeutic potential of certain psychedelics for military veterans. According to Marijuana Moment, the measure “cleared the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee earlier this month, and now it’s been approved on second reading in the full chamber, with a final vote to send it to the Senate expected as early as Wednesday.” Additionally, the Texas Tribune reports that, “a solid majority of Texas voters — 60% — said possession of small or large amounts of marijuana for any purpose should be legal. [Only] 13% said it shouldn’t be legal for any use.”

Louisiana House Committee Approves a bill to Legalize Recreational Cannabis

On Tuesday, April 27th, a Louisiana House committee approved a bill to decriminalize and regulate adult-use cannabis. This comes despite opposition from sheriffs and prosecutors. According to The Advocate, “The House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee advanced House Bill 524 by Rep. Richard Nelson, R-Mandeville, on a 7-5 vote after an impassioned debate.” Public support for legalization is high in Louisiana, as Nelson pointed out during the hearings. Specifically, he “cited a study [that] showed nearly two-thirds of Louisiana residents polled supported legalizing marijuana, with support from Democrats and Republicans,” WDSU News reports. 

Native Businesses in New York Make Post-Legalization Plans 

Two Native American nations in New York are taking steps to get into the cannabis industry. This comes in the wake of the state’s legalization of recreational weed earlier this month. Tribes such as “Long Island’s Shinnecock Indian Nation plans to break ground on a cannabis facility in the next few weeks – with hopes of rolling out sales later this year. [Additionally] the Saint Regis Mohawks are considering an ordinance to allow sales on its territory in Franklin County,” Ganjapreneur reports. However, according to Syracuse, “other New York-based Native American Nations have not released statements on their post-legalization plans.”