Texas Medical Marijuana Supporters Push for Hearings on Critical Legislation

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Medical marijuana supporters outside the Texas capitol on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 (Heather Fazio)

Marijuana Policy Project | April 25, 2017

AUSTIN, TX — A group of patients, caregivers, and medical professionals gathered at the Texas State Capitol on Tuesday to urge lawmakers to allow hearings on critical medical marijuana legislation.

The group called on House Public Health Committee Chairman Four Price and Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Charles Schwertner to schedule hearings on HB 2107…

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Arizona Appellate Court Strikes Medical Marijuana Campus Ban

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NORML | April 13, 2017

PHOENIX, AZ — An Arizona appellate court has ruled that a 2012 law amending the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA) to prohibit the use of medical cannabis on college campuses is unconstitutional.

“By enacting A.R.S. § 15-108(A), the Legislature modified the AMMA to re-criminalize cardholders’ marijuana possession on college and university campuses,” the Court opined. “The statute does not further the purposes of the AMMA; to the contrary, it eliminates some of its…

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Arizona Appellate Court Strikes Down Law Banning Medical Marijuana on Campus

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Paul Armentano | April 10, 2017

PHOENIX, AZ — An Arizona appellate court has ruled that a 2012 state law prohibiting the use of medical cannabis on college campuses is unconstitutional.

Arizona voters in 2010 narrowly approved a statewide initiative, the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA), permitting qualified patients to possess and use medicinal cannabis. The Court determined that the legislature’s decision to later amend the law in order to restrict medical marijuana use on college…

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New Mexico Governor Vetoes Medical Marijuana Changes

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Drug Policy Alliance | April 7, 2017

SANTA FE, NM — New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez has vetoed House Bill 527, a measure that would have made improvements to the state’s medical cannabis program.

The most significant provision in the legislation would have allowed New Mexicans diagnosed with opioid use disorder by a licensed practitioner to be eligible for the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program. Nationally, in 2015, more people died from opioid overdoses than died from HIV/AIDS when that epidemic peaked…

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Texas Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Advances to Floor Vote in House

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Marijuana Policy Project | April 3, 2017

AUSTIN, TX — A proposal to reduce penalties for marijuana possession in Texas received bipartisan approval from the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on Monday and will soon be scheduled for a full vote in the House.

The measure passed by a vote of 4-2, receiving support from two Democrats and two Republicans.

House Bill 81, authored by committee Chairman Joe Moody (D-El Paso) and Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) with 37 co-sponsors, would remove the threat of…

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New Mexico Governor Vetoes Hemp Research Bills

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NORML | March 16, 2017

SANTA FE, NM — New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez has vetoed a pair of measures that sought to establish a hemp research program through the state’s Department of Agriculture.

The Governor gave no public explanation for the vetoes. The Governor has historically been an outspoken opponent of marijuana law reform efforts – receiving an ‘F’ grade on NORML’s 2016 Gubernatorial Scorecard.

The measures, House Bill 144 and Senate Bill 6, permitted the Department to…

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Texas House to Hold Hearing on Reducing Marijuana Penalties Today

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Marijuana Policy Project | March 13, 2017

AUSTIN, TX — A bill that would reduce penalties for marijuana possession in Texas is scheduled to receive a hearing Monday afternoon in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

“I’m proud to present HB 81 to the committee and build on the bipartisan support it’s had from the very beginning,” said Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Chairman Joe Moody (D-El Paso). “This sort of reform crosses party lines because it’s a law enforcement issue, a business…

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Bipartisan Vote Carries Medical Marijuana Research Bill to Passage in New Mexico House

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Drug Policy Alliance | March 6, 2017

SANTA FE, NM — The New Mexico State House voted 41-26 Saturday afternoon to pass House Bill 155, co-sponsored by Rep. D. Armstrong (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. McCamley (D-Las Cruces) to establish a fund in the state treasury for research related to the production, uses, effects, and efficacy of medical marijuana.

The bill had bi-partisan support with six Republicans voting in favor, including the minority leader, Nate Gentry, R-Abq. Other Republicans who voted in favor of…

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New Mexico Senate Passes Marijuana Decriminalization Bill By Wide, Bi-Partisan Margin

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Drug Policy Alliance | March 2, 2017

SANTA FE, NM — The New Mexico Senate on Thursday voted (33-9) to pass Senate Bill 258, sponsored by Senator Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, reducing penalties for adults who possess small amounts of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.  The final vote was bi-partisan with eight Republicans voting in support.

The proposed legislation makes 1/2 ounce or less of marijuana and possession of any drug paraphernalia a penalty assessment with a fine of $50; a penalty assessment is not…

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Nevada Lawmakers Moving Forward With Expedited Plan For Adult Use Marijuana Sales

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NORML | March 2, 2017

CARSON CITY, NV — State officials in Nevada are holding firm on an expedited plan to begin adult use marijuana sales in July, despite comments from the Trump administration indicating a forthcoming crackdown in states that regulate its commercial production and sale.

Nevada Department of Taxation spokeswoman Stephanie Klapstein told the Associated Press that the agency is “moving forward” with plans to permit retail cannabis sales by this summer.

Fifty-five percent of…

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Houston District Attorney to Expand Policy Shielding Minor Marijuana Offenders From Jail, Criminal Records

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NORML | February 24, 2017

HOUSTON, TX — Houston County District Attorney Kim Ogg has announced plans to expand a countywide program shielding marijuana possession offenders from criminal records. The county is the third largest in the nation.

Under current policy, first-time offenders found in the possession of two ounces or less of marijuana may participate in a pre-trial diversion program. Those who complete the program do not have criminal charges filed against them and do not receive a…

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New Mexico Marijuana Legalization Bill Slowly Advancing

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TJ Baker | February 6, 2017

SANTA FE, NM — A proposal to legalize marijuana for adult use has advanced through the first of three committees it needs to clear before advancing to a floor vote.

House Bill 89, the Cannabis Revenue and Freedom Act, is sponsored by Reps.  Bill McCamley (D-Las Cruces) and Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque).

The bill was approved in January by the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee, and is currently awaiting review by the House Business and Industry Committee.  It would…

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New Mexico Bill Would Expand Medical Marijuana Program

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NORML | January 12, 2017

Legislation is pending, Senate Bill 8, to amend the state’s medical cannabis program in a manner that would better serve patients’ needs.

Specifically, the measure would amend patient possession limits so that qualified persons may possess up to five ounces of herbal cannabis per month, and it would mandate the Health Department to issue identification cards in an expedited manner.

It would also extend the term of state-issued identification cards from one-year to three…

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Thousands of Medical Marijuana Applications Leaked in Nevada

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TJ Baker | December 28, 2016

Personal data from thousands of people vying to work in Nevada‘s medical marijuana industry were leaked due to a glitch in the state’s website, which has now been taken offline until security can be restored.

The bug exposed the full 8-page application from nearly 12,000 applicants to anyone with the right web address, according to ZDnet, a tech blog run by CBS news.

The applications included the person’s full name, social security number, home address,…

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Marijuana Legalization Bill Filed in Arizona for 2017

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Scott Gacek | December 22, 2016

PHOENIX, AZ — In November, Arizona’s Proposition 205 was the only marijuana-related statewide referendum that didn’t pass, being defeated by a slim 51% to 49% vote.

Now, just a little over a month later, State Representative Mark Cardenas (D-Louisville) has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming 2017 legislative session to give state lawmakers another chance at legalizing marijuana.  Cardenas filed a similar bill last year.

Cardenas’s bill, House Bill 2003, would legalize…

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Comprehensive Medical Marijuana Legislation Introduced in Texas

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Texas State Senator Senator José Menéndez

NORML | December 8, 2016

Texas State Senator José Menéndez has filed Senate Bill 269 to protect qualified patients who consume cannabis and to provide for the state-licensed production and distribution of the plant.

SB 269 authorizes the possession, production, and distribution of medical marijuana and marijuana-infused products to qualified patients.

Patients would receive cannabis through a network of private dispensaries and operators, similar to…

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Comprehensive Medical Marijuana Bill Filed in Texas for 2017

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TJ Baker | December 6, 2016

A much anticipated comprehensive medical marijuana bill will be filed Tuesday in Texas for the upcoming 2017 legislative session.

State Senator José Menéndez (D-San Antonio), lead sponsor of the bill, made the announcement Monday.

“Twenty-eight states have recognized the medical benefit of cannabis, including conservative states like Arkansas, Montana, and North Dakota,” said Senator Menéndez. “It’s time Texas steps up to the plate and provide real relief for our…

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Arizona Prosecutor Wants Trump to “End the Charade” of Marijuana Legalization

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Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery

Scott Gacek | December 2, 2016

PHOENIX, AZ — Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, a prominent Republican who helped lead the opposition to a failed ballot measure that would have legalizde marijuana in Arizona, said this week that he expects the Trump Administration to crack down on medical marijuana laws nationwide and to “end the charade” of marijuana legalization in the states that have done so.

At a press conference Wednesday, Montgomery, a staunch opponent to all things marijuana, said that he…

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Four States End Marijuana Prohibition, Three Adopt Medical Marijuana Laws in Historic Election

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Marijuana Policy Project | November 9, 2016

WASHINGTON — California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada voted to end marijuana prohibition and Arkansas, Florida, and North Dakota adopted medical marijuana laws Tuesday in the most momentous election to date for marijuana policy reform.

Montana approved an initiative to re-establish patients’ access to medical marijuana providers, which was hindered by state lawmakers, and create a more regulated system of medical marijuana production and distribution.

As of 4:30…

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Nevada Voters Say ‘YES’ on Question 2 to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol

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Marijuana Policy Project | November 9, 2016

LAS VEGAS, NV — This evening, by a current margin of  53% – 46%, the voters of Nevada approved Question 2, the Initiative to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. Nevada now joins Colorado, Washington, Alaska, and Oregon as states with laws making the possession of marijuana legal and establishing regulated systems for marijuana cultivation and distribution. Similar measures are being considered today in Arizona, California, Maine, and Massachusetts.

Following passage of…

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Marijuana Wins Big on Election Night

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Drug Policy Alliance | November 9, 2016

This Election Day was a watershed moment for the movement to end marijuana prohibition, with the results expected to accelerate efforts to legalize marijuana in states across the U.S., at the federal level, and internationally.  Overall, legalization initiatives prevailed in four out of five states, and medical marijuana initiatives prevailed in all four states this year.

Votes are still being counted for legalization initiatives in Maine and Arizona, as well as for a medical…

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Nevada Joins California and Massachusetts by Approving Marijuana Legalization

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Drug Policy Alliance | November 9, 2016

Nevada has joined California and Massachusetts by legalizing marijuana on Election Day.  Florida, Arkansas, and North Dakota also approved medical marijuana.  Votes are still being counted for a medical marijuana measure in Montana and a legalization initiative in Maine.

“It’s great to see that the power and money of Sheldon Adelson were not sufficient to dissuade Nevadans from doing the right thing,” said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy…

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Florida Becomes 1st State in the South to Approve Medical Marijuana

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Drug Policy Alliance | November 8, 2016

Florida voters have approved the state’s medical marijuana initiative, Amendment 2.  This victory makes Florida, with its huge population and bellwether status in American politics, the first state in the South to adopt a medical marijuana law.

The new law instructs the Department of Health to register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes, and issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Individuals with cancer, epilepsy,…

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AZ: Colorado Officials Ask ’No on 205’ to Pull Ads with False Marijuana Tax Claims

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Barrett Marson | October 31, 2016

PHOENIX, AZ — Colorado state officials are asking opponents of Prop. 205 to stop airing ads that “convey inaccurate and misleading statements about Colorado’s experience with regulating and taxing marijuana for adult use.”

In a Monday morning email to Seth Leibsohn and Sheila Polk, the leaders of Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, Colorado Sen. Pat Steadman and Reps. Millie Hamner and Jonathan Singer cite multiple “No on 205” ads that include incorrect claims about…

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Marijuana Legalization Initiatives Leading In Latest Polls

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Marijuana Legalization Initiatives Leading In Latest Polls

Voters favor legalizing the adult use of cannabis in the five states where the issue will appear on the ballot this Election Day. Here is a summary of the latest polling data.

ARIZONA: Half of Arizona voters intend to vote ‘yes’ in favor of Proposition 205: The Arizona Legalization and Regulation of Marijuana Act, according to an Arizona Republic/Morrison/Cronkite News poll. Forty percent of voters oppose the initiative. The Act allows adults age 21 and older to possess and to privately consume and grow limited amounts of marijuana (up…

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Arizona Marijuana Legalization Backers Want Equal Treatment from State Official Who Forwarded Anti-Marijuana Email

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Arizona Marijuana Legalization Backers Want Equal Treatment from State Official Who Forwarded Anti-Marijuana Email

DES Director Timothy Jeffries came under fire Wednesday for forwarding an email he received from a leader of Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy with a link to their claims about marijuana and alcohol; today, a leader of the Yes on 205 campaign emailed Jeffries a link to its information about marijuana and alcohol and asked him to forward it to the same email list

PHOENIX, AZ — Arizona Department of Economic Security Director Tim Jeffries came under fire Wednesday for using his public email account to widely distribute an email from a…

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Arizona: Yes on 205 Marijuana Legalization Campaign Launches TV Ads

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Arizona: Yes on 205 Marijuana Legalization Campaign Launches TV Ads

Yes on Prop. 205 Launches Statewide TV Ad Campaign Highlighting the Benefits of Regulating and Taxing Marijuana Like Alcohol

PHOENIX, AZ — The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol launched a statewide TV ad campaign Tuesday in support of Prop. 205. The ad, “Regulation Works,” highlights some of the benefits of regulating and taxing marijuana and sets the record straight about the impact a similar ballot initiative has had in Colorado.

The ad begins by asking, “What can Arizona learn from Colorado?” It then answers, “We can…

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Nevada Marijuana Legalization Question 2 Leading in Polls

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Nevada Marijuana Legalization Question 2 Leading in Polls

Support is growing for Question 2, which would legalize, tax and regulate marijuana in Nevada, according to the latest poll results.

The KTNV/Rasmussen Reports poll released last week found 53% of likely voters support the measure, with only 39% opposed.  Support has grown since a similar poll in July, also conducted by KTNV/Rasmussen, found 50% support for legalization, with 41% opposed.

Support for legalization in Nevada could be even higher, as the Rasmussen polls historically lean Republican, according to a FiveThirtyEight ranking of…

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Arizona School Officials Endorse Marijuana Legalization Initiative 205

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Arizona School Officials Endorse Marijuana Legalization Initiative 205

Arizona School Officials Throw Support Behind Initiative to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, Want Voters to Know That Prop. 205 Will Raise Much-Needed Funding for K-12 Education

PHOENIX, AZ — Several Arizona school officials threw their support behind Prop. 205 on Thursday, highlighting the much-needed revenue that will be raised for K-12 education if voters approve the initiative to regulate and tax marijuana like alcohol.

The Yes on 205 campaign received endorsements from Arizona School Boards Association Immediate Past President Jesus…

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Prop. 205 Camp Slams Opposition Group for Taking Huge Big Pharma Donation

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Prop. 205 Camp Slams Opposition Group for Taking Huge Big Pharma Donation

The committee opposing Prop. 205 received $500,000 from Insys Therapeutics, a Chandler-based company that produces ‘the most potent and dangerous opioid on the market,’ whose aggressive marketing and other shady business practices have triggered multiple federal and state investigations

Yes on 205 campaign says Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy is ‘now a complete misnomer,’ slams group for accepting a half-million dollar contribution from developer of ‘pharmaceutical cannabinoids’

PHOENIX, AZ — Supporters of Proposition…

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Arizona Marijuana Legalization Prop 205 Cleared for November Ballot

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Arizona Marijuana Legalization Prop 205 Cleared for November Ballot

PHOENIX, AZ — Voters in Arizona will decide this November on a statewide ballot measure to legalize and regulate the adult use and retail sale of cannabis.

The Secretary of State’s office has confirmed that initiative proponents, The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol, submitted a sufficient number of signatures from registered voters to qualify the measure for the November ballot.

Arizona - Yes on 205A Maricopa County judge has also dismissed a lawsuit that sought to prohibit the measure from going before voters, although initiative opponents may…

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Arizona Judge Dismisses Marijuana Legalization Opponents’ Lawsuit

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Arizona Judge Dismisses Marijuana Legalization Opponents’ Lawsuit

Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol calls on Yavapai and Maricopa county prosecutors, who were plaintiffs in the lawsuit, to accept the court’s ruling and focus on fighting serious crimes instead of citizen initiatives

PHOENIX, AZ — On Friday, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by opponents of Proposition 205 who want to keep the measure off the November ballot.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which is supporting Proposition 205, is calling on Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk and…

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