Posts

Poll: Massachusetts Voters Likely to Approve Legalizing Marijuana

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
Poll: Massachusetts Voters Likely to Approve Legalizing Marijuana

BOSTON, MA — A new poll released this week finds enough support among Bay State voters to legalize marijuana in Massachusetts this November.

According to a WBUR Poll released Tuesday, Massachusetts voters support Question 4 by a margin of 50% to 45%.

Democrats were more likely to support legalization, with 53% in favor and 41% opposed.  Independent voters narrowly approve of the proposal, 48% to 47%. Republicans, on the other hand, narrowly oppose the measure, 49% to 48%.

When looking at voters by age, there was much stronger support…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

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

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
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…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

President Obama Grants Clemency to 111 More People

/in , , , , , , , , , /by
President Obama Grants Clemency to 111 More People

The President is Acting; Congress Must Step Up Too

WASHINGTON, DC — President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of 111 people incarcerated in federal prison on Tuesday, almost all for drug offenses. This brings his total number of clemencies granted to 673 people. Many of those who received commutations today were victims of the disparity in sentencing between crack and cocaine.

President Obama has been pushed to do more to release those serving time in prison under harsh drug laws.

“The President is doing the right thing, but we hope…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

MassCann/NORML Announces Headliners for Boston Freedom Rally

/in , , , , , , , , , , /by
MassCann/NORML Announces Headliners for Boston Freedom Rally

Method Man, Redman, and Slaing to headline two-day event on Boston Common, September 17 & 18

BOSTON, MA — Mark your calendars. The Boston Freedom Rally is coming next month, and on Friday it was announced by the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition (MassCann) that Method Man, Redman and Slaing will be headlining the performances at this year’s festival.

The Boston Freedom Rally is the largest annual cannabis event on the East Coast, now entering it’s 27th year.  This year’s two-day event, scheduled for September 17 and 18,  looks…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

These 4 States Will Be Voting on Medical Marijuana in November

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
These 4 States Will Be Voting on Medical Marijuana in November

Will medical marijuana go four for four this year? It seems likely, but we’re going to have to wait for November 8 to know for sure.

It’s been 20 years since California punched through pot prohibition and became the first state to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. Now, 23 states have medical marijuana laws, and more than a dozen more have taken the half-step of legalizing the medicinal use of cannabidiol (CBD) only—not raw marijuana.

While some of the early medical marijuana states have now moved on to full legalization—and…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Arizona Judge Dismisses Marijuana Legalization Opponents’ Lawsuit

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
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…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Washington State Surpasses $1 Billion In Retail Marijuana Sales

/in , , , , , , , , , , , /by
Washington State Surpasses $1 Billion In Retail Marijuana Sales

OLYMPIA, WA — Licensed retail facilities in Washington state have sold over $1 billion in marijuana flowers and cannabis-infused products since regulators began first permitting such sales two years ago.

Data compiled by the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board reports that legal sales have now yielded over $275 million in tax revenue.

Last month, state-licensed marijuana sales in Washington totaled $121 million – the highest monthly total yet reported by the Board.

In Colorado, retail sales of cannabis have totaled over $1.1 billion in…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

These 5 States Will Vote on Marijuana Legalization in November

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
These 5 States Will Vote on Marijuana Legalization in November

Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan last week certified a marijuana legalization initiative for the November ballot, setting the stage for a national election that will see the issue go directly to the voters in five states, including California, the nation’s most populous.

Four states have already legalized marijuana at the ballot box, Colorado and Washington in 2012 and Alaska and Oregon in 2014. The District of Columbia also legalized marijuana—but not commercial sales—in 2014.

But those states combined only have a population…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

State Legislators Urge Federal Government to Reform Failed Marijuana Policies

/in , , , , , /by
State Legislators Urge Federal Government to Reform Failed Marijuana Policies

At their annual summit in Chicago, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) approved a policy resolution calling for marijuana policy reform at the federal level. The NCSL has adopted a resolution advocating for the Controlled Substances Act to be amended in order to remove marijuana from Schedule I and to allow banking for marijuana businesses in states where they may legally operate.

Even in states in which marijuana is legally sold in a taxed and regulated market, businesses that sell either medical or retail marijuana face…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

New Poll Finds Arkansans Favor the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
New Poll Finds Arkansans Favor the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act

Poll Prompts Medical Cannabis Patients to Invite For-Profit Marijuana Group to Join, Not Oppose Efforts

LITTLE ROCK, AR — Concerned patients and supporters of the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act (AMCA), which has already been certified to appear on the November ballot, are calling on the for-profit group, Arkansans United for Medical Marijuana to forego turning in any remaining signatures on their initiated amendment, inviting them to join their team instead.

The results of the poll, released Thursday, indicate a clear advantage for the…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Obama Frees More Federal Drug War Prisoners, But Time is Running Out

/in , , , , , , , , /by
Obama Frees More Federal Drug War Prisoners, But Time is Running Out

Some 214 federal drug war prisoners saw their prison sentences commuted Wednesday as President Obama took another step toward fulfilling his administration’s pledge to use his pardon power to cut draconian drug sentences and free prisoners serving decades-long stretches for non-violent drug crimes.

“The power to grant pardons and commutations… embodies the basic belief in our democracy that people deserve a second chance after having made a mistake in their lives that led to a conviction under our laws,” the president said.

Those…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

President Obama Grants Clemency to 214 People

/in , , , , , , , , /by
President Obama Grants Clemency to 214 People

Clemencies Come As Paul Ryan Schedules Vote on Sentencing Reform

WASHINGTON, DC — President Barack Obama on Wednesday commuted the sentences of more than 200 people incarcerated in federal prison, almost all for drug offenses. This brings his total number of clemencies granted to 562 people. Many of those who received commutations today were victims of the disparity in sentencing between crack and cocaine.

President Obama has been pushed to do more to release those serving time in prison under harsh drug laws.

“The President should be…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Illinois Governor Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Into Law

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
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…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Trump VP Pick Mike Pence is Bad News on Marijuana, Drug Policy

/in , , , , , , , , , , /by
Trump VP Pick Mike Pence is Bad News on Marijuana, Drug Policy

The Republican nominee’s choice of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate means Trump has selected a man who is the very embodiment of last century’s “tough on drugs” prohibitionist attitudes.

Pence’s anti-drug reform stances are part and parcel of his overall social conservative, Tea Party positions. He has also been a strong opponent of gay marriage and abortion rights and a strong supporter of “religious freedom.”

Indiana has tough marijuana laws, with possession of even the smallest amount of pot worth up to six months…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Looking Past the Party Conventions

/in , , , , , , , , /by
Looking Past the Party Conventions

With the country so divided right now along party lines, as well as within each of the two major parties, it would be easy for voters to say “The hell with them all,” and sit this election out. Both of the major party candidates have record-setting voter disapproval ratings, assuring that our next president will be starting off their first term knowing that more than half the country did not like them, and would have preferred someone else for president.

But there really is no other choice this year.

History of Third Party Candidates

The…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

National NORML Endorses Arizona Marijuana Legalization Initiative

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
National NORML Endorses Arizona Marijuana Legalization Initiative

WASHINGTON, DC — At a board meeting held on Saturday, February 20th in Washington, DC, the NORML Board of Directors voted to endorse the Arizona Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act initiative to legalize marijuana in Arizona. That initiative has now officially qualified for the ballot in November.

The NORML Board reversed its former policy of waiting until an initiative has officially qualified for the ballot before endorsing it, believing our endorsement could have a greater impact on the eventual outcome if it came earlier in the…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Arkansas Medical Marijuana Measure Qualifies for November Ballot

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
Arkansas Medical Marijuana Measure Qualifies for November Ballot

LITTLE ROCK, AR — Arkansas voters will decide this November on a statewide initiative to permit physician-authorized patients to possess and cultivate cannabis.

The Secretary of State’s office has affirmed that initiative proponents, Arkansans for Compassionate Care, submitted sufficient signatures from registered voters to qualify the measure for the November ballot.

The 2016 Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act establishes a statewide program for the licensed production, analytic testing, and distribution of medicinal cannabis. Under the…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Rhode Island Governor Signs Bill Allowing PTSD Patients Medical Marijuana Access

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
Rhode Island Governor Signs Bill Allowing PTSD Patients Medical Marijuana Access

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo has signed legislation, House Bill 7142, to make post-traumatic stress patients eligible for medical cannabis treatment and to accelerate access to those patients in hospice care.

Members of both chambers previously overwhelmingly approved the measure. Full text of the bill is available here.

The law takes immediate effect.

Post traumatic stress patients and those in hospice care ought to be able to legally access cannabis in instances where their physician recommends it. Cannabis is a…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

In Surprise Reversal, Democrats Call for "Pathway" to Marijuana Legalization

/in , , , , , , , , /by
In Surprise Reversal, Democrats Call for "Pathway" to Marijuana Legalization

Meeting in Orlando Saturday ahead of the Democratic National Convention later this month, the party’s platform drafting committee dropped a moderate marijuana plank it had adopted only days earlier and replaced it with language calling for rescheduling pot and creating “a reasoned pathway to future legalization.”

Bernie Sanders supporters had pushed earlier for firm legalization language, but had been turned back last week and didn’t have any new language going into this weekend’s platform committee meeting. But on Saturday…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Pennsylvania: Hemp Farming Bill Sent to Governor

/in , , , , , , , , , /by
Pennsylvania: Hemp Farming Bill Sent to Governor

HARRISBURG, PA — State lawmakers in Pennsylvania have approved legislation, House Bill 967, to establish “a pilot program to study the growth, cultivation or marketing of industrial hemp.”

The measure was transmitted to the Governor’s office on Monday, July 11.

This proposal is compliant with Section 7606 of the omnibus federal farm bill authorizing states to sponsor hemp cultivation pilot programs absent federal reclassification of the plant.

More than two dozen states have enacted legislation permitting licensed hemp cultivation in a…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Democrats Adopt Marijuana Reform Platform Plank, But Fail to Adopt Legalization

/in , , , , , , , /by
Democrats Adopt Marijuana Reform Platform Plank, But Fail to Adopt Legalization

For the first time, a major US political party has embraced a strongly reformist platform plank on marijuana. Members of a panel of the Democratic National Committee Platform Drafting Committee approved the language last weekend.

It’s not as forthright as the position sought by committee members appointed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, who wanted language calling for the complete removal of marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act, but it is still a major step forward for a major political party.

Sanders supporters, led by…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

It’s Time To Get It Right in CA! Support AUMA

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
It’s Time To Get It Right in CA! Support AUMA

A few days ago the California Secretary of State’s office made it official; proponents of The Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) have handed-in more than 600,000 valid signatures, assuring that full marijuana legalization will appear on the ballot in CA in November.

That’s right; Californians this fall will have yet another chance to end marijuana prohibition and legalize the responsible use of marijuana in the most populous state in the country. Most of us would have predicted California would be the first state to legalize marijuana,…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Arizona: Marijuana Legalization Poised to Appear on November Ballot

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
Arizona: Marijuana Legalization Poised to Appear on November Ballot

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted 258,582 petition signatures to the Secretary of State on Thursday; 150,642 valid signatures needed to qualify

PHOENIX, AZ — A citizen initiative to end marijuana prohibition in Arizona is poised to appear on the November ballot after proponents turned in their petition Thursday with more than enough signatures to qualify.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA) submitted 258,582 total signatures to the Arizona Secretary of State. 150,642 valid signatures of Arizona…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

NORML PAC Endorses Tim Canova, Challenger to DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz

/in , , , , , , , , , , /by
NORML PAC Endorses Tim Canova, Challenger to DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz

tim canovaThe NORML PAC is proud to announce its endorsement of Tim Canova, democratic primary challenger to US House member and DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz for Florida’s 23rd congressional district race.

Mr. Canova, a law school professor and political activist, is the first Democratic challenger to Representative Wasserman-Schultz since she’s held the office and NORML is excited to support his Congressional campaign.

Unlike Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz, who has cast a number of votes opposing sensible marijuana law reforms,…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

One Out of Four US Senators Is a Marijuana Prohibitionist — Is Yours One of Them?

/in , , , , , , , /by
One Out of Four US Senators Is a Marijuana Prohibitionist — Is Yours One of Them?

WASHINGTON, DC — Marijuana legalization now consistently scores majorities in national public opinion polls, marijuana is already legal in four states and the District of Columbia and likely to be legal in a handful more, including California, before year’s end, and the Obama administration has effectively thrown federal pot prohibition to the wind in the legal (and medical marijuana) states, yet Congress remains to a large degree stuck in the last century when it comes to marijuana policy.

Granted, there are some small signs of…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Colorado Governor Signs Bill Allowing Medical Marijuana Use in Schools

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
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…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

New Jersey Assembly Approves Adding PTSD to Medical Marijuana Conditions

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
New Jersey Assembly Approves Adding PTSD to Medical Marijuana Conditions

TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Assembly voted in favor of a bill Thursday that would add post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the list of medical conditions that qualify for the state’s medical marijuana program.

The bill, Assembly Bill 457, was approved by a voted 55 to 14, with seven abstentions.  Also on Thursday, a companion bill in the Senate, Senate Bill 2345, was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

Under the joint proposals, New Jersey residents who suffer from PTSD would be…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

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

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
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…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Leveling the Playing Field in Florida with CFL NORML

/in , , , , , , , , , , , /by
Leveling the Playing Field in Florida with CFL NORML

After a narrow defeat in 2014, Florida voters will have another opportunity to legalize medical marijuana this November by voting YES on Amendment 2, but not before being inundated with misinformation from some of Florida’s most notorious marijuana prohibitionists. With more than $10 million dollars committed to defeating the measure, Floridians can expect a salvo of refer madness unlike anything we’ve seen in the past. Even in states that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana – Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska –…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Germany’s Plan to Legalize Medical Marijuana by 2017

/in , , , , , , , /by

Germany’s Plan to Legalize Medical Marijuana by 2017 | William Smith

Although we don’t hear a lot of cannabis related news from Europe, things started moving slowly in some countries. Germany has recently announced some important governmental decisions: its intent to liberalize its cannabis laws. Changes in the medical marijuana legislation will focus mainly to the patients’ needs, trying to make their lives easier. This is […]

Germany’s Plan to Legalize Medical Marijuana by 2017 | The Daily Chronic

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Pennsylvania Bill Would Raise Fines for Marijuana Possession

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

Advocates urge decriminalization as House Judiciary Committee plans to raise marijuana fines

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a vote on a bill, House Bill 1422, that seeks to massively increase fines for marijuana possession.

Although HB 1422 downgrades 30 grams of marijuana or less from a criminal misdemeanor to a summary offense, those convicted will live with the burden of a criminal record.

Legislators, marijuana reform advocates and potential medical marijuana patients will speak in Harrisburg…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Michigan Marijuana Legalization Initiative Takes Double Blow, But Vows to Fight On

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

Efforts to let Michiganders vote on legalizing marijuana this year suffered a one-two punch from the state’s political establishment today, but organizers are unbowed and are vowing to keep up the fight to get their initiative on the ballot.

The campaign is led by the Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Committee, also known as MI Legalize.

First, the state election board ruled Tuesday that the initiative was at least 106,000 signatures short of qualifying after throwing out 137,000 signatures that were gathered more than 180 days…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Kansas City NORML Moves One Step Closer to Decriminalizing Marijuana

/in , , , , , , , , , , /by
Kansas City NORML Moves One Step Closer to Decriminalizing Marijuana

Great news for marijuana consumers in Kansas City, Missouri!

After months of back and forth meetings with city officials, NORML KC, the local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of marijuana laws, has received approval to move forward with a municipal initiative to decriminalize marijuana possession offenses.

If passed, the measure will amend local laws regarding the possession of up to 35 grams of marijuana for adults age 21 and up from a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine to a civil…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Poll: Majority of Californians Favor Legalizing Marijuana

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A majority of Californians say “the use of marijuana should be legal,” according to statewide survey data provided by the Public Policy Institute of California.

Fifty-nine percent of men and 50 percent of females support legalization. Support was highest among African Americans (78 percent), those respondents ages 18 to 34 (66 percent), Caucasians (65 percent), and those with a household income above $80,000 per year (63 percent). Support was lowest among Latinos (40 percent) and those over the age of 65 (49…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Regulate Rhode Island Delivers Petition to Lawmakers Calling for Legalization Vote

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

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…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Ohioans For Medical Marijuana Suspend 2016 Signature Drive

/in , , , , , , , , , , , /by
Ohioans For Medical Marijuana Suspend 2016 Signature Drive

With the recent passage of Ohio’s relatively comprehensive medical marijuana bill in the state legislature, a leading campaign working to place the issue of medical marijuana legalization before voters in November announced Saturday that they were suspending their signature drive.

Brandon Lynaugh, campaign manager for Ohioans for Medical Marijuana, made the announcement in a statement to supporters:

Late Friday evening, after considerable discussion, the decision was made to suspend our drive to place an issue on the November 2016 Ohio…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

U.S. House Judiciary Committee Unanimously Approves Legislation That Helps Individuals Fight Warrantless Asset Forfeiture Seizures

/in , , , , /by

Legislation Eases Burden of Contesting a Government Forfeiture and Raises Government’s Burden to Keep Property;Advocates Caution that the Bill Will Not End Policing-for-Profit

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary on Wednesday unanimously approved asset forfeiture reform legislation. Known as the DUE PROCESS Act (H.R. 5283) and sponsored by Crime Subcommittee Chairman Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI), Crime Subcommittee…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

New Tennessee Law Amends Felony Marijuana Possession Penalties

/in , , , , , , , , /by

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

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

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

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

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…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Arizona Marijuana Backers Call on Opposition Return $10K Donation From Alcohol Industry

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

Initiative proponents, noting marijuana is far less dangerous than alcohol, say it would be ‘grossly hypocritical’ if Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy used alcohol money to fund its campaign to keep marijuana illegal for adults

PHOENIX, AZ — The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA), the committee backing an initiative to end marijuana prohibition in Arizona that is expected to appear on the November ballot, has called on leaders of the committee opposing the measure to return a contribution from the alcohol…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

New State Laws Permit Medical Marijuana Use In Hospitals

/in , , , , , , , , , , , /by

Legislation recently signed into law in Connecticut and Maine permit for the use of medicinal marijuana formulations by hospitalized patients.

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy yesterday signed legislation, HB 5450, to protect nurses who administer medical marijuana to qualified patients in hospital settings from any criminal, civil, or disciplinary action. Other provisions in the bill expand the pool of patients eligible for cannabis therapy to include those under the age of 18, and seek to establish a state-sponsored research program.

In…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Alabama’s New Law Allows Patients’ Use of CBD/THC Extracts

/in , , , , , , , , , , , /by

MONTGOMERY, AL — Governor Robert Bentley signed legislation into law last week expanding legal protections for qualified patients who use cannabidiol-dominant extracts for therapeutic purposes.

Under the legislation, House Bill 61, also known as Leni’s Law, patients may possess extract preparations of CBD that also contain up to three percent THC for the treatment of a seizure-related debilitating condition.

The law further states that no state agency may initiate proceedings to remove a child from a home if that child and/or his/her…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Colorado Lawmakers Approve Language Permitting Medical Cannabis Use in Schools

/in , , , , , , , , , , , /by

DENVER, CO — House and Senate lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved legislation, House Bill 1373, that seeks to permit qualified patients access to the use formulations of medical cannabis while on school grounds.

The measure now awaits action by Gov. John Hickenlooper, who indicated that he would sign the measure into law.

“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,” Hickenlooper said.

“Those kids have every right and expect that they…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Colorado Passes Law to Help Young Medical Marijuana Patients

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

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…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Mother’s Day Marijuana Billboards Launched in Arizona

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

Ads Targeting Younger Voters Ask: ‘Have You Talked to Your PARENTS About Marijuana?’

PHOENIX, AZ — Backers of an initiative to end marijuana prohibition in Arizona launched a pair of Mother’s Day-themed billboards in Phoenix and Tucson on Monday.

The ads, which are targeted at younger voters, feature a young woman sitting with her mother and ask: “Have you talked to your parents about marijuana?”

CRMLA-Talk-It-Up-Billboard

The goal of the ads is to flip the script on marijuana education and encourage younger voters to start conversations about marijuana with…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Pennsylvania Could Soon See Reduced Penalties for Marijuana Possession

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

HARRISBURG, PA — Now that Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has signed into law a bill to make the Keystone State the 24th state to enact a comprehensive medical marijuana program, one of the bill’s primary supporters in the House plans on filing a proposal to reduce penalties for anyone caught possessing small amounts of marijuana in the state.

State Representative Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny County), a key advocate for the recently passed medical marijuana bill in the House, on Thursday announced his intentions to file the proposal in the…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Maine Marijuana Regulation Initiative Cleared for November Ballot

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

It’s finally official. Maine voters will decide on Election Day on a statewide ballot measure seeking to regulate the adult use, retail sale, and commercial production of cannabis.

The Secretary of State determined Wednesday that initiative proponents, the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, gathered a sufficient number of signatures from registered voters to qualify the measure for the November ballot. The office had previously attempted to invalidate a significant portion of proponents’ signatures, but that effort was

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Election Year Legalization Politics in Massachusetts

/in , , , , , , , , , , , /by

After years of ducking the issue of marijuana prohibition, it is encouraging to see the Massachusetts legislature at least starting to wake up.

It is heartening that Sen. Brownsberger and others on the Judiciary Committee are confronting the problems caused by prohibition.

Rep. Rogers and some colleagues have actually introduced a reasonable bill this session.Not that it is going anywhere. Most politicians are still too nervous when it comes to anything even slightly controversial.

Massachusetts citizens, however, have a marvelous remedy when…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

US Senate Panel Votes to Protect State Medical Marijuana Laws

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

WASHINGTON, DC — Thursday morning, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the FY2017 Commerce, Justice, Science & Related Agencies Appropriations Act (CJS) to protect medical cannabis patients.

The amendment, sponsored by Ranking Member Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), prohibits the Depart of Justice from spending funds to interfere with state medical cannabis programs and was approved with strong bipartisan support, 21-8.

Last year, the committee approved a nearly identical amendment from Mikulski, with the only change being

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …

Illinois Senate Approves Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

/in , , , , , , , , , , , /by

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…

CONTINUE READING: Click Here to Continue Reading Article …