H626: Cannabis Legalization & Regulation

• Legalizes cannabis possession and use for adults 21 years and older, with possession limits of 2 ounces of cannabis, 15 grams of concentrate, 2,000 milligrams of THC in products, or 6 plants; becomes effective January 1, 2026.

• Establishes state regulatory system through Department of Public Safety including licensing requirements for cannabis establishments (cultivation, manufacturing, retail, testing, delivery, on-site consumption); applications from social equity applicants allowed 180 days before other applicants.

• Creates Office of Social Equity with three funds (Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, Social Equity Fund, Cannabis Education and Technical Assistance Fund) to support communities disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition and promote equity in the industry.

• Imposes 30 percent excise tax on cannabis sales to consumers (exempting medical cannabis patients) with revenue distributed to support substance abuse treatment, public education, cannabis research, and law enforcement training for impaired driving detection.

• Automatically expunges convictions for marijuana offenses that become legal under the new law by July 1, 2026; applies penalties for illicit cannabis extraction (Class E felony), public smoking ($50 fine), and underage purchase/possession ($25 fine plus required treatment/education programs).