Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers expressed willingness to sign a GOP-led restrictive medical marijuana bill, provided it doesn't include any "poison pills." While he supports comprehensive adult-use legalization, he's open to the incremental step of medical cannabis legislation. GOP leaders, particularly Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, are against discussing adult-use legalization but have reached a consensus on a medical marijuana bill, which is yet to be unveiled. The bill is expected to allow access to cannabis in pill and oil form for patients with serious conditions. Evers' support is contingent on the bill's contents, as he remains cautious about potential undesirable provisions.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) released a memo highlighting the progress made in federal marijuana reform and the potential for a "productive year" in 2024. He urged President Biden to further embrace cannabis reform ahead of the election, citing bipartisan achievements in Congress, such as the passage of a marijuana banking bill and measures to improve veterans' access to medical cannabis. Blumenauer, retiring at the end of his term, emphasized the bipartisan support for cannabis policy and noted state-level legalization successes. The memo also mentioned ongoing federal reviews of marijuana scheduling and the push for the Biden administration to support ending federal prohibition.
California is set to implement new housing laws in 2024, following efforts by state lawmakers to streamline the building process and address the housing shortage. Key legislation includes Senate Bill 423 and SB 4, which aim to expedite the approval of affordable housing projects. These laws are part of a broader trend to reduce barriers to housing construction, offering more flexibility and certainty in planning approvals and reducing environmental review litigation. Despite some pushback and last-minute changes, the legislative shift indicates a growing consensus towards pro-development policies to tackle the state's housing crisis.
Starting with the new year, North Carolina's state teachers and employees will experience changes to their retirement system due to two bills signed by Governor Roy Cooper. These changes, particularly from House Bill 201, will allow the Retirement Systems Division to negotiate the recoupment of overpayments with plan beneficiaries. The North Carolina Retirement Systems, one of the largest and best-funded public pension funds in the country, will use this new legislation to address overpayments and underpayments more effectively. This is part of a broader legislative update that includes 16 new laws or sections coming into effect, including those related to driver’s permits and electric vehicle registration fees.
