Debra Miller

This panel examined the evolution and current use of interstate compacts, discuss the history of interstate compacts and examine the scope of interstate problems states now tackle through compacts, with a focus on occupational licensure compacts. Additionally, the panel explored other forms of multistate cooperation and discussed why compacts are viewed as a superior solution to foster interstate cooperation, protect consumers and guard state sovereignty. As policymakers confront issues from health care delivery to infrastructure...

Those in attendance at the "Growing Green: Marijuana Policy Impacts on State Budgets"  session at the CSG National Conference heard that states have collected what they characterized as significant but not game changing revenues. Friednash and Todd, both from Colorado, the first state to legalize sales of recreational marijuana, reinforced that marijuana revenues are but a sliver of overall state revenues. In his presentation, economist Beau Whitney presented estimates of other economic impacts of marijuana legalization...

The midterm elections moved more states into the legalized marijuana category. Voters in Michigan approved a ballot measure to make marijuana legal and to regulate businesses involved in selling it. That vote brought to ten the number of states with legalized recreational marijuana.
Medical marijuana laws exist in 33 states now, with Missouri and Utah added after voter referenda were approved in the November elections.