Mississippi becomes the 37th state to legalize medical marijuana
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed the legislation Wednesday and it became law immediately. The first marijuana dispensaries could open within the next few months.
States & provinces
This archive collects milestones and progress stories involving U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and subnational governments around the world. From landmark legislation to public health wins and environmental gains, these stories highlight the real-world impact of regional policy and governance.
British Columbia doctors can now prescribe a year-long pass to Canada’s national parks
Parks Canada says it’s backing a nature prescription program so doctors and nurses can prescribe a Parks Canada Discovery Pass to patients suffering mental and physical health problems.
South Australia smashes renewable record using 100% solar and wind for full week
Renewable energy powered all of South Australia for seven straight days at the end of December 2023, the longest 100% clean run the state has ever recorded. Wind turbines did most of the heavy lifting, while rooftop solar on homes across Adelaide and the coast chipped in nearly a third of the total. The Hornsdale Power Reserve, a giant lithium-ion battery built in just 100 days back in 2017, kept everything steady when the wind eased or the sun dipped. Skeptics have long asked whether a modern grid can really run on wind and sun alone, without coal or gas waiting in the wings. South Australia just spent a week answering yes — and other regions are taking notes.
Nevada becomes first U.S. state to recognize gay marriage in state constitution
Nevada voters overturned an 18-year-old ban on same-sex marriage, making the state the first to enshrine gay couples’ right to marry in its constitution.
Assisted dying is rapidly becoming legal and accepted – currently in 11 countries and 10 U.S. states
Since 2015, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, the Netherlands, Colombia, Germany, Austria, Portugal, five Australian states, ten American states, and D.C. have legalized assisted dying.
Indian state of Andhra Pradesh to buy 7 GW of solar power
The state will enter perhaps the largest solar power purchase agreement with the Solar Corporation of India. Utilities will supply the power to over 1.8 million farmers for nine hours a day for free.
California to ban gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers by 2024
A gas-powered leaf blower for just one hour produces the same amount of emissions as a drive from Los Angeles to Denver.
Hawaii pledges to conserve, restore or grow 100 million trees by 2030
The One Trillion Trees Pledge is part of the 24-hour Global Citizen Live event today to “defend the planet and defeat poverty” and is meant to achieve net-negative carbon goals and combat climate change.
New California laws make housing more affordable and sustainable
California got three new laws that allow more homes to be built. Denser cities should shorten commutes, lower emissions, and make for more equitable housing.
Alabama begins removing racist language from its constitution
The state government is drafting amendments to its 1901 State Constitution that would remove discriminatory language. The changes would mark the end of the last remaining legal remnants of what are generally referred to as Jim Crow laws.