Keeping up with the laws governing marijuana use in the U.S. is a challenging ordeal these days, what with changes taking place on the state and federal level seemingly on a weekly or even daily basis, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions threatening the industry with the legal wrecking ball.
But attorney Joshua Horn is doing his best to keep on top of things. Moreover, he's sharing what he knows with the public.
"This is my passion," said Horn. "I get probably 50 news alerts a day in the cannabis space. It's just a barrage."
Horn, co-chair of the cannabis law practice and partner at the national law firm Fox Rothschild LLP, is in charge of what could be regarded as a must-have reference for anyone involved in the U.S. cannabis industry: the National Survey on Marijuana Laws and Regulations.
The 49-page survey, which can be freely downloaded at the law firm's website, offers a detailed rundown on the marijuana laws in every state and the District of Columbia, including a listing of the laws and regulations governing marijuana use in each state, any legislation that may be pending and links to related state organizations and information sources. The law firm also offers a companion reference, the Cannabis Industry State Tax Guide, that charts where every state stands in regards to marijuana taxation.
Horn checks on legal developments daily, and he updates the survey weekly -- a significant detail considering how fast states are moving to legalize marijuana for medical purposes or recreational use, or both.
Horn noted that 29 states and Washington, D.C., have already legalized medical marijuana and, with more than 90 percent of the U.S. public in support of such legalization, other states are lining up to follow.
The momentum for recreational marijuana use is also growing, he said, with nine states and Washington, D.C., already having passed such legislation.
"States want to get a better sense of what happens with their medical programs before they go recreational," said Horn, who works in Fox Rothschild's Philadelphia office.
He cited New Jersey as an example of the growing push for legalization. In past years, the state's medical marijuana laws were "eviscerated" by former Gov. Chris Christie, Horn said. But New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat who took office in January, has expanded the state's medical marijuana infrastructure, setting the stage for the legalization of recreational use, Horn said.