Tennessee Lawmaker Wants to Nullify Local Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinances

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Scott Gacek | February 1, 2017

NASHVILLE, TN — A Republican lawmaker has filed a bill in the Tennessee legislature to prevent local communities from relaxing local marijuana laws — and to nullify those ordinances that have already been passed in the state’s two largest cities.

State Rep. William Lamberth (R-Cottontown), a former Assistant District Attorney for Sumner County, filed House Bill 173 this week.

The intent of the bill is to override and nullify ordinances passed in the state’s two largest…

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Tennessee: Cities Move to Reduce Marijuana Possession Penalties

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Tennessee: Cities Move to Reduce Marijuana Possession Penalties

Members of the Nashville metro council and the Memphis city council have given final approval to municipal legislation providing police the discretion to cite rather than arrest minor marijuana offenders.

Nashville city council members voted 35 to 3 in late September in favor of the new ordinance. It provides police the option of issuing $50 citations for those who possess up to a half-ounce of marijuana.

By contrast, under state law, the possession of small amounts of cannabis is classified as a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by up to one…

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Michigan Governor Signs Measures Regulating Medical Cannabis Dispensing

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Michigan Governor Signs Measures Regulating Medical Cannabis Dispensing

LANSING, MI — Governor Rick Snyder has signed a package of legislation into law regulating the retail sale of medical cannabis and cannabis-infused products. The measures are ordered to take immediate effect.

The measures seek to clarify and expand various aspects of the state’s 2008 medical cannabis law. Specifically, the new law provides qualified patients for the first time with legal protections regarding the possession and use of non-smoked cannabis derived topical products and edibles, as well as cannabis-based extract products.

The…

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Michigan Lawmakers Send 3 Bills to Regulate Medical Marijuana to Gov. Snyder

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Michigan Lawmakers Send 3 Bills to Regulate Medical Marijuana to Gov. Snyder

These measures seek to better clarify and expand Michigan’s medical cannabis law.

LANSING, MI — Lawmakers have given final approval to a package of bills, HB 4209/4210, HB 4827, SB 141, and SB 1014, to regulate the retail sale of medical cannabis and cannabis-infused products.

The measures, which lawmakers had debated for the past two years, now await action by Governor Rick Snyder (R).

House Bill 4209 licenses and regulates above-ground, safe access facilities where state-qualified patients may legally obtain medical marijuana. Michigan…

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Delaware Now Allows Medical Marijuana on School Grounds

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Delaware Now Allows Medical Marijuana on School Grounds

Governor Jack Markell signs bills to allow medical marijuana use on school grounds; allow those with terminal illness access to medical marijuana

DOVER, DE — Governor Jack Markell has signed legislation into law permitting qualified patients access to medical cannabis formulations while on school grounds.

Senate Bill 181 permits a caregiver to administer cannabis extracts to a patient “in a school bus and on the grounds or property of the preschool, or primary or secondary school in which a minor qualifying patient is enrolled.”

The law…

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Medical Marijuana Now Legal in Ohio as New Law Officially Takes Effect

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Medical Marijuana Now Legal in Ohio as New Law Officially Takes Effect

Patients with qualifying medical conditions will receive legal protections as state initiates process of establishing a regulated system of medical marijuana production and distribution

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio’s new medical marijuana law will officially go into effect on Thursday, September 8.

Patients with qualifying medical conditions will receive limited legal protections from laws prohibiting marijuana possession, as several state agencies formally begin the process of establishing a regulated system of medical marijuana production and…

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Illinois: Governor Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Measure

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Illinois: Governor Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Measure

Republican Governor Bruce Rauner signed legislation today amending the state’s marijuana possession penalties.

Senate Bill 2228 reduces the penalties for the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana from a criminal misdemeanor (formerly punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,500 fine) to a civil fine of no more than $200 — no arrest and no criminal record.

It also decriminalizes related offenses involving the possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Senate Bill 2228 also amends the state’s zero tolerance per se traffic safety…

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Illinois Governor Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Into Law

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Illinois Governor Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Into Law

Illinois is now the 21st state in the nation to remove the threat of jail time for simple marijuana possession; possession of a personal amount is now considered a civil violation punishable by a fine of $100-$200, similar to a traffic ticket

SPRINGFIELD, IL. — Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill into law Friday that removes criminal penalties for possession of a personal amount of marijuana and replaces them with a civil fine.

The new law is effective immediately.

SB 2228, introduced by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago), makes possession of up to…

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Illinois Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Expansion Law

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Illinois Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Expansion Law

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has signed legislation to expand and extend the state’s medical marijuana program.

The legislation, Senate Bill 10, extends the state’s medical cannabis program to 2020. Legislation initiating the program was set to expire in 2018.

Other changes to the program include: adding post-traumatic stress and any terminal illness as qualifying medical conditions; extending the lifespan of state-issued registry cards from one year to three years in duration; and amending the requirement that…

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Vermont Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Expansion Law

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Vermont Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Expansion Law

MONTPELIER, VT — Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin has signed legislation into law expanding the state’s medical cannabis program.

Provisions contained in Senate Bill 14 permit patients with glaucoma, chronic pain, and/or those in hospice care to be eligible for cannabis therapy; eliminate the requirement that patients must have previously tried other conventional treatments “without success” prior to being eligible for medical cannabis; and amend the existing doctor/patient relationship requirements in a manner that expedites certain…

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Colorado Governor Signs Bill Allowing Medical Marijuana Use in Schools

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Colorado Governor Signs Bill Allowing Medical Marijuana Use in Schools

DENVER, CO — Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has signed legislation, House Bill 1373 (aka ‘Jack’s law‘), permitting qualified patients access to medical cannabis formulations while on school grounds.

Stated the Governor: “My son, if he needed medical marijuana and he needed it during the day while he was in school, I’d want him to have that opportunity. … My hope is that this bill… motivates those schools to make sure these kids can get the medication they apparently need.”

Under the new law, which took effect upon…

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NY Assembly Passes Bill to Seal Past Marijuana Possession Convictions

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NY Assembly Passes Bill to Seal Past Marijuana Possession Convictions

Bill is First Step Toward Comprehensive Plan to Redress Harms of the War on Drugs in Communities of Color; As Legislative Clock Winds Down, Advocates and Assemblymembers Urge Senate to Quickly Pass the Companion Bill in the Senate

ALBANY, NY — On Wednesday, the New York State Assembly voted in support of Assembly Bill 10092, a bill that will seal the criminal records of people who have been unjustly and unconstitutionally arrested for simple possession of marijuana in public view. The bipartisan vote was 99 in favor and 42 opposed.

Over…

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Senate Appropriations Committee to Allow Banks to Provide Services to State-Legalized Marijuana Stores

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Senate Appropriations Committee to Allow Banks to Provide Services to State-Legalized Marijuana Stores

WASHINGTON, DC — The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 16 to 14 on Thursday to allow banks to provide financial services to marijuana businesses. Currently, because marijuana is illegal under federal law, both medical and non-medical marijuana businesses are unable to access banking services like any other business. Consequently, many marijuana businesses operate on a cash-only basis, leading to huge public safety issues as businesses become the target of robberies, and are forced to hire armed security to protect their…

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Ohio Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Vaporization Measure

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Ohio Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Vaporization Measure

Ohio Governor John Kasich has signed legislation into law establishing regulations for the licensed production and dispensing of medical cannabis formulations to qualified patients.

House Bill 523 authorizes the use of various forms of cannabis preparations for the physician-authorized treatment of the following qualifying conditions: acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); Alzheimer’s disease; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease); cancer; chronic traumatic encephalopathy; Crohn’s disease; epilepsy or other seizure…

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Regulate Rhode Island Delivers Petition to Lawmakers Calling for Legalization Vote

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Regulate Rhode Island to Deliver Petition to General Assembly Leaders Signed by More Than 1,300 Rhode Islanders Who Want Them to Let Lawmakers Vote on Legislation That Would Legalize and Regulate Marijuana

PROVIDENCE, RI — Regulate Rhode Island will deliver a petition to General Assembly leaders on Thursday signed by more than 1,300 Rhode Islanders who want them to let lawmakers vote on pending legislation that would legalize and regulate marijuana for adult use.

The Change.org petition was launched just four weeks ago.

Coalition leaders…

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Ohio Set to Become the 26th Medical Cannabis State

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Ohio Set to Become the 26th Medical Cannabis State

WASHINGTON, DC — Late on Wednesday night, the Ohio Legislature passed a medical marijuana bill, HB 523, which would create a system of retail distribution in the state. The bill passed by a vote of 18-15 in the Senate, followed shortly by a 67-28 vote in the House.

Governor John Kasich (R) is expected to the sign the bill, which will make Ohio the 26th medical cannabis state and the 42nd state with either a medical cannabis or cannabidiol (CBD) law. This means that there are now more than 310 million Americans living in a state whose…

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Louisiana Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Bill

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SB 271 will help to establish a workable medical marijuana program in Louisiana and expands list of qualifying medical conditions; advocates urge further legislative reforms

BATON ROUGE, LA — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards approved a medical marijuana bill on Thursday that brings the state one step closer to creating a workable medical marijuana law.

SB 271 replaces language in the current law that allows doctors to “prescribe” medical marijuana, which is illegal under federal law, with language that allows them to “recommend” it….

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New Tennessee Law Amends Felony Marijuana Possession Penalties

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NASHVILLE, TN — Legislation signed into law reduces marijuana possession penalties for repeat offenders.

House Bill 1478 amends third-time marijuana possession offenses from a Class E felony, punishable by up to six years in prison, to a misdemeanor offense, punishable by no more than one year in jail.

Tennessee is #18 in the nation in per capita marijuana possession arrests, according to nationwide analysis by the American Civil Liberties Union.

The new sentencing penalties take effect on July 1, 2016.

Danielle Keane

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Louisiana Governor Signs Bill Amending State’s Dormant Medical Marijuana Law

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BATON ROUGE, LA — Governor John Bel Edwards signed legislation Thursday amending the state’s dormant medical marijuana law.

Senate Bill 271 permits physicians to ‘recommend’ rather than ‘prescribe’ medical cannabis therapy. The change allows doctors to authorize cannabis without running afoul of federal law, which prohibits the prescription of a schedule I controlled substance.

The measure also expands the pool of conditions eligible for cannabis therapy to include the following: “cancer, positive status for human…

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Illinois Lawmakers Pass Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

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Illinois Lawmakers Pass Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

SB 2228, which includes provisions agreed upon by Gov. Bruce Rauner and lawmakers, would replace potential jail time with a civil fine for possession of a personal amount of marijuana

CHICAGO, IL — The Illinois House approved a bill 64-50 on Tuesday that would replace criminal penalties with a civil fine for possession of a personal amount of marijuana. It will now go to Gov. Bruce Rauner for approval, having previously passed in the Senate.

Senate Bill 2228, introduced by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago), would make possession of up to 10…

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Illinois Lawmakers Pass Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

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Illinois Lawmakers Pass Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

SB 2228, which includes provisions agreed upon by Gov. Bruce Rauner and lawmakers, would replace potential jail time with a civil fine for possession of a personal amount of marijuana

CHICAGO, IL — The Illinois House approved a bill 64-50 on Tuesday that would replace criminal penalties with a civil fine for possession of a personal amount of marijuana. It will now go to Gov. Bruce Rauner for approval, having previously passed in the Senate.

Senate Bill 2228, introduced by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago), would make possession of up to 10…

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Louisiana House Approves Medical Marijuana Bill, Returns to Senate for Concurrence

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Gov. Edwards has indicated he would sign the bill, which would make Louisiana the 25th state in the nation — and the first state in the South — to adopt a workable medical marijuana law

BATON ROUGE, LA — The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill on Wednesday (62-31) that would make the state the 25th in the nation — and the first in the South — to adopt a workable medical marijuana law.

The measure has already been approved by the Senate, but will return for a concurrence vote before being sent to Gov. John Bel…

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Colorado Passes Law to Help Young Medical Marijuana Patients

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School Districts Must Now Establish Policies to Facilitate On-Campus Administration of Medical Marijuana

DENVER, CO — In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the Colorado Senate approved legislation mandating that school districts establish a policy to ensure that young medical marijuana patients can take their medicine on school grounds.

As a show of respect, the Senate directed their ‘yes’ votes to families and proponents in the gallery.

Last week the Senate Education Committee passed the legislation via a rare standing vote.  The bill had…

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Vermont: House Members Turn Back Marijuana Reform Efforts

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Vermont: House Members Turn Back Marijuana Reform Efforts

MONTPELIER, VT — Members of the Vermont House spent over six hours this week debating various amendments to reform marijuana policy, but ultimately decided against enacting any significant changes in law.

House lawmakers voted 121 to 28 to reject Senate-approved language that sought to regulate the adult use, commercial production, and retail sale of marijuana. Although Gov. Peter Shumlin and Attorney General William Sorrell publicly supported the effort, House members expressed little interest in seriously considering the measure.

House…

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Louisiana Lawmakers to Hold Hearing on Medical Marijuana Bill

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Local patients and advocates are attending the House Health and Welfare Committee hearing to express their support for HB 1112, which would establish a workable medical marijuana program

BATON ROUGE, LA — The Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing Wednesday morning on a bill that would establish a workable medical marijuana program that allows patients with serious illnesses to access medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it.

Several local patients and advocates will be attending the hearing to…

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Illinois Senate Approves Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

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SB 2228, which includes provisions agreed upon by Gov. Bruce Rauner and the General Assembly, would replace potential jail time with a civil fine for possession of a personal amount of marijuana

CHICAGO, IL — The Illinois Senate approved a bill 40-14 on Tuesday that would replace criminal penalties with a civil fine for possession of a personal amount of marijuana. It will now go to the House for further consideration.

Senate Bill 2228, introduced by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago), would make possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana a…

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Pennsylvania Becomes 24th State to Legalize Medical Cannabis

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HARRISBURG, PA — In front of a crowd of patients and advocates on Sunday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 3, making Pennsylvania the 24th state in the country to adopt a comprehensive medical marijuana program.

The bill, introduced by Senator Mike Folmer, passed the House of Representatives on April 13 in a vote of 149-46 after nearly a year of delays and debate on amendments, most of which were not ultimately included.  The bill will allow patients, with cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, seizures, autism,…

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As PA Becomes 24th Medical Marijuana State, Focus Shifts to Implementation

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On Sunday afternoon, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 3, making Pennsylvania the 24th medical cannabis state in the country. And with 17 other states offering legal protections for low-THC medical cannabis, there are now 300 million Americans living where their state law is at odds with federal law.

The addition of PA as a medical cannabis state will no doubt help the federal picture, but for Pennsylvanian patients who need access to this medicine, the focus now shifts to implementation of the program.

ASA has observed that…

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Gov. Wolf Signs Bill Making Pennsylvania the 24th Medical Marijuana State

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Gov. Wolf Signs Bill Making Pennsylvania the 24th Medical Marijuana State

More than 50% of Americans now live in states with effective medical marijuana laws

HARRISBURG, PA — In a ceremony crowded with patients and supporters at the State Capital on Sunday, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill into law that will provide seriously ill Pennsylvanians with legal access to medical marijuana. The passage of SB 3 makes Pennsylvania the 24th state to allow medical marijuana.

More than half of Americans now live in states with effective medical marijuana laws.

SB 3 would allow patients with a qualifying condition and their…

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Vermont House Committee Approves Marijuana Legalization Bill, Restores Legalization Provision

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The version of S. 241 approved Friday by the House Ways and Means Committee still does not create a regulated marijuana market, but now allows adults to possess and grow small amounts of marijuana

MONTPELIER, VT — The House Ways and Means Committee approved Senate Bill 241 on Friday (6-3) after amending it to allow adults in Vermont to possess and grow small amounts of marijuana. The bill will now go to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.

S. 241 still does not create a regulated system of marijuana cultivation and sales,…

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Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Bill Receives Final Approval in Legislature, Heads to Gov. Wolf for His Signature

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Once the bill is signed, Pennsylvania will become the 24th state to adopt an effective medical marijuana law

HARRISBURG, PA — A long-awaited bill to establish a medical marijuana program in Pennsylvania received final approval from state lawmakers on Wednesday and is now headed to the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf, who has 10 calendar days to sign it into law.

If Gov. Wolf signs the bill into law, as expected, Pennsylvania will become the 24th state in the nation (in addition to the District of Columbia) to adopt an effective medical marijuana…

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Pennsylvania: Lawmakers Give Final Approval To Medical Marijuana Measure

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HARRISBURG, PA — House and Senate lawmakers have signed off on legislation, Senate Bill 3, to permit the production and use of medical marijuana products to qualified patients.

Members of the Senate initially approved the measure in 2015. House leadership delayed acting on the bill for several months until finally passing an amended version of SB 3 in March.

Senate and House members voted this week in favor of a concurrent version of the proposal. The measure now goes before Gov. Tom Wolf, who supports patients’ access to medical cannabis…

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Pennsylvania Senate Approves Revised Medical Marijuana Bill

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Pennsylvania Senate Approves Revised Medical Marijuana Bill

If the House votes to concur, SB 3 will finally be sent to the governor for his signature; Pennsylvania would be the 24th state to legalize medical marijuana

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Senate approved a revised bill Tuesday (42-7) that would allow residents suffering from debilitating conditions to access medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it.

The Senate made some technical changes to the version of SB 3 that the House approved last month.

The revised bill will now go back to the House for concurrence. If the House votes to…

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Virginia Governor Signs Bill to Regulate CBD Oil Production

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Virginia Governor Signs Bill to Regulate CBD Oil Production

RICHMOND, VA — Virginia Governor Terry McAuliff has signed legislation, Senate Bill 701, to establish regulations governing the in-state production of therapeutic oils high in cannabidiol (CBD) and/or THC-A (THC acid).

Under a 2015 state law, qualifying patients are provided an affirmative medical defense if they possess cannabis plant extracts that contain at least 15 percent cannabidiol, and no more than five percent tetrahydrocannabinol. However, the law provides no legal source for these products and, as a result, it has largely…

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Florida Authorizes Medical Marijuana Access for Terminally Ill

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Florida Authorizes Medical Marijuana Access for Terminally Ill

TALLAHASSEE, FL —  Republican Gov. Rick Scott has signed legislation into law permitting the use of medicinal cannabis to terminally ill patients.

House Bill 307 expands the state’s so-called ‘Right to Try Act’ – legislation that permits terminally ill patients to experiment with non-FDA approved remedies – to include the use of medicinal cannabis.

Under the new law, which took immediate effect, patients diagnosed with no more than 12 months to live are eligible to access both low-THC and high-THC strains of cannabis.

The measure…

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Vermont Governor Critical of Massachusetts Marijuana Legalization Initiative

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Vermont Governor Calls CRMLA’s Proposal a “Bad Pot Bill”

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, who has encouraged lawmakers in his own state to pass a bill to legalize recreational marijuana for adults, had some critical words about a proposed ballot initiative to do the same in a neighboring state.

In a blog post earlier this week, Shumlin says that now is the right time for Vermont to legalize marijuana, noting that if the House approves a legalization bill that has already passed in the Senate, the Green Mountain State could be the “first…

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Florida Governor Signs Bill to Allow Medical Marijuana for Terminally Ill Patients

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TALLAHASSEE, FL —  Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed into law a bill that will allow people diagnosed with a terminal illness access to medical marijuana — if the state’s extremely limited and long-delayed medical marijuana program ever becomes a reality.

The bill signed by Gov. Scott on Thursday, House Bill 307, is an attempt to expand the state’s low-THC medical marijuana law by allowing products made from cannabis strains with higher levels of THC available to those patients with terminally ill conditions.  The bill…

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Pennsylvania House Approves Comprehensive Medical Marijuana Bill

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Pennsylvania House Approves Comprehensive Medical Marijuana Bill

Once the bill receives final approval from the Senate and a signature from Gov. Wolf, Pennsylvania will become the 24th state to adopt an effective medical marijuana law

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday (149-43) that would allow residents suffering from debilitating conditions to access medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it. The House-amended version of SB 3 will now go back to the Senate for approval.

The Senate approved the original bill 40-7 in May 2015. The bill then stalled…

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Pennsylvania House Votes 149-43 to Pass Medical Marijuana Bill

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Pennsylvania House Votes 149-43 to Pass Medical Marijuana Bill

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania is poised to become the 24th US state, plus the District of Columbia, to legalize medical marijuana.

After a long, emotional debate following several days considering amendments, lawmakers in the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania House voted 149 to 43 Wednesday evening to approve a bi-partisan bill to allow medical marijuana in the state.

The bill, Senate Bill 3, now returns to the Senate to approve many significant changes made in the House.  Last May, the Senate passed the measure by a vote of 40 to…

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Pennsylvania Poised to Become 24th Medical Marijuana State

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HARRISBURG, PA — Following a 10-month delay since the state Senate first approved Senate Bill 3, which will allow residents suffering from specified medical conditions to use medical marijuana with their doctor’s approval, the House Wednesday approved an amended version of the bill.

The Senate is expected to approve the amended bill, and Gov. Tom Wolf (D) has said he will sign it into law.

“Today’s vote comes as huge relief to countless Pennsylvanians,” said Latrisha Bentch of Harrisburg, whose daughter suffers from mesial temporal…

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Pennsylvania Senate Unanimously Passes Industrial Hemp Bill

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Pennsylvania Senate Unanimously Passes Industrial Hemp Bill

HARRISBURG, PA — While sick Pennsylvanians anxiously await the outcome of an expected vote to legalize medical marijuana in the Pennsylvania House, lawmakers in the Senate voted unanimously to approve a bill to create an industrial hemp cultivation pilot program on Wednesday.

Members of the Senate voted 49-0 to approve Senate Bill 50, the Industrial Hemp Act.  Over 20 states have adopted similar laws.

The bill, which authorizes instituions of higher education to conduct agricultural pilot programs in hemp cultivation research under…

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The Latest on Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Senate Bill 3

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The Latest on Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Senate Bill 3

HARRISBURG, PA — After almost a year of delays, a medical marijuana legalization bill may soon pass the Pennsylvania House.  Since the week began, lawmakers have been busy debating many amendments to Senate Bill 3, the medical marijuana bill that was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate last spring.

Over the course of Monday and Tuesday, House lawmakers debated and voted on dozens of amendments to the proposal, with very few passing.  There were upwards of an estimated 220 potential amendments to the bill — many redundant — in…

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Time Runs Out on Medical Marijuana Expansion in Utah; Supporters Focus on 2018 Ballot Iniatitive

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Time Runs Out on Medical Marijuana Expansion in Utah; Supporters Focus on 2018 Ballot Iniatitive

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Lawmakers in Utah have adjourned for the year without passing any of the pending proposals to expand access to medical marijuana products in the state.

Although two bills to expand Utah’s extremely limited medical marijuana program were approved by the Senate in February, those measures died in the House this week when a key committee voted to kill one, and then the clock ran out on the other when the 2016 legislative session ended Thursday.

Both bills attempted to expand 2014’s extremely limited CBD-only…

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Pennsylvania House to Vote Monday on Medical Marijuana Bill

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HARRISBURG, PA — Ten months after the state Senate overwhelmingly voted to approve a popular bi-partisan bill to legalize non-smokable forms of medical marijuana in the Keystone State, the Pennsylvania House is finally scheduled to vote on the measure.

Floor debate and a vote is expected on Monday, March 14, on Senate Bill 3.  The bill is scheduled for a second consideration on the House calendar.

The bill enjoys strong bipartisan support, including primary co-sponsors Senators Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery County) and Mike Folmer…

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New Hampshire House Approves Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

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New Hampshire House Approves Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

HB 1631 would replace criminal penalties and potential jail time with a civil fine for possession of small amounts of marijuana

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire House of Representatives approved a bill Thursday evening in a voice vote that would remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana and replace them with a civil fine.  The measure will move to the Senate for consideration.

House Bill 1631 would make possession of up to one-half ounce of marijuana a civil violation punishable by a fine of $100 for a first…

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Illinois Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Wins Key Senate Committee Vote

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SPRINGFIELD, IL — A proposal to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in Illinois has advanced after winning approval of the Senate’s Criminal Law Committee.

The measure now moves to the floor of the Senate for a third reading and vote, which is scheduled for Wednesday, March 16.

If passed, Senate Bill 2228, sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago), would eliminate possible criminal penalties for the possession of up to ten grams of marijuana.  Currently, those caught possessing that amount could face up to six…

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Virginia General Assembly Passes Medical Marijuana Production Bill

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RICHMOND, VA — Virginia’s lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday which will allow for the eventual production and distribution of low THC marijuana oils in the Commonwealth.

After lengthy discussions and negotiations in both houses, Senate Bill 701, Cannabidiol oil and THC-A oil; permitting of pharmaceutical processors to manufacture and provide, passed the House of Delegates unanimously on Monday.

The bill returned to the Senate Tuesday with amendments and passed with a vote of 39-0.

 The bill now goes to the Governor’s desk for his…

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New Hampshire to Consider Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Today

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New Hampshire to Consider Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Today

CONCORD, NH — Lawmakers in the New Hampshire House are expected to consider a bill Wednesday that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in the Granite State.

If passed, House Bill 1631, sponsored by Rep. Adam Schroadter (R-Newmarket), would reduce the penalty for possessing up to one-half ounce of marijuana from current criminal penalties to a violation punishable only by a fine.

In addition to the marijuana being confiscated, offenders would be levied a fine of $100 for a first offense, a fine of $200 for a…

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Florida Passes Another Useless Medical Marijuana Law

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TALLAHASSEE, FL — Lawmakers in Florida voted Monday to approve a bill seeking to expand on the state’s non-existent medical marijuana program, sending it to the desk of Governor Rick Scott for final approval.

The bill, House Bill 307, is an attempt to expand the state’s low-THC medical marijuana program by allowing products made from cannabis strains with higher levels of THC available to those patients with terminally ill conditions.

The bill makes full-strength cannabis products available to the terminally ill under…

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Vermont Marijuana Legalization Bill Wins Final Approval in Senate, Heads to House

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House members will begin working on S. 241, which would end marijuana prohibition in Vermont, after they return from Town Meeting Week

MONTPELIER, VT — The Vermont Senate gave final approval to a bill Thursday (17-12) that would end marijuana prohibition in the state and regulate the cultivation and sale of marijuana for adult use.

Senate Bill 241 received initial Senate approval on Wednesday. It will now advance to the House of Representatives, which will begin working on it after members return from Town Meeting Week.

“We applaud the…

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