As governments around the world respond to COVID-19, advocates are urging state leaders to make sure people who need it can still get medical cannabis.

A coalition of criminal justice and drug policy reform organizations is urging law enforcement officials to dramatically curtail arrests for nonviolent pot crimes to lower jail and prison populations as America now leads the world in confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Some governors and mayors are labeling marijuana dispensaries “essential services,” allowing them to stay open. And customers appear to be stocking up on pot.

The following open letter was sent out by the Marijuana Policy Project, Last Prisoner Project, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, Clergy for a New Drug Policy, Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, National Cannabis Industry Association, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

The $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package is expected to be signed any moment, bringing a collective sigh of relief across the country. Plus, the stock market is trending up (for now). But lingering questions remain: What about the federally illegal cannabis business? Will the states take care of them?

Cannabis advocates, medical nonprofits and veterans groups are urging state governors to not shut off access to cannabis businesses.

Never has it been more clear than during the current COVID-19 pandemic that marijuana has arrived at the forefront of mainstream American society.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker's executive order to close all nonessential businesses in the state in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 would make an allowance for medical marijuana dispensaries, but not adult-use recreational sellers.

The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee advanced two bills related to medical marijuana use for veterans.

A congressional committee approved two bills focused on marijuana and military veterans. The action is the first markup of cannabis-related legislation on Capitol Hill this year.