Politics

Connecticut Lawmakers Vote on Starting Recreational Marijuana Discussions

Connecticut Lawmakers Vote on Starting Recreational Marijuana Discussions

Connecticut Lawmakers Vote on Starting Recreational Marijuana Discussions

Connecticut lawmakers have put recreational marijuana back on the table — sort of. According to the CT Post, lawmakers are curious as to how they would successfully regulate the drug if it were ever to be legalized in the New England state.

Virginia Senate Passes Bill for First-Time Offenders to Have Cannabis Charges Expunged

Virginia residents caught with cannabis might get a chance to clear their convictions. On Feb. 12, 2018, the Virginia Senate voted to approve Senate Bill 954, a bill which would reduce the penalties for cannabis possession and allow first-time offenders to have their charges expunged.

Medical Marijuana Bill Passes Virginia Senate 40-0

The Virginia Senate voted unanimously Monday to pass the Joint Commission on Health Care bill SB 726, which will let Virginia doctors recommend the use of cannabidiol oil or THC-A oil for the treatment of any diagnosed condition or disease.

New Mexico Senate Rules Committee Approves Legalization Bill

New Mexico Senate Rules Committee Approves Legalization Bill

Recreational cannabis might be heading for the New Mexico ballot in 2018. On Feb. 2, 2018, the New Mexico Senate Rules Committee voted 4-3 to approve Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino’s Senate Joint Resolution 4, a measure which would allow state residents to vote on cannabis legalization in the next general election.

Maine Governor Agrees to Delay Implementation of Controversial Medical Cannabis Rules

Maine Governor Agrees to Delay Implementation of Controversial Medical Cannabis Rules

Controversial rules regulating Maine’s medical cannabis program will not go into effect as scheduled. On Jan. 31, 2018, Gov. Paul LePage agreed to delay implementation of the medical cannabis rules, which would have gone into effect on Feb. 1, 2018, until May 2018.

Bill Allowing Cannabis Oil for Medical Patients Gains Traction in Virginia

Bill Allowing Cannabis Oil for Medical Patients Gains Traction in Virginia

A bill that would allow physicians to prescribe a form of medical marijuana to patients suffering from a variety of serious diseases seems headed toward passage Thursday on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates.

Legislative Committees in the Pine Tree State Vote to Delay Maine Marijuana Regulations

Legislative Committees in the Pine Tree State Vote to Delay Maine Marijuana Regulations

Two legislative committees in the Pine Tree State have decided that they need more time to perfect Maine marijuana regulations. On Jan. 25. 2018, the state legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee voted to approve a moratorium bill that would delay the implementation of new medical marijuana rules issued by the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Moratorium on Marijuana Retail Establishments in Maine Expires Thursday

Moratorium on Marijuana Retail Establishments in Maine Expires Thursday

A moratorium on commercial marijuana establishments is set to expire Thursday. In November, Maine lawmakers sustained Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill to regulate and tax the sale of marijuana.

Cannabis Oil Bill Introduced in Idaho House Committee

Cannabis Oil Bill Introduced in Idaho House Committee

On Jan. 25, 2018, during the House Health and Welfare Committee, Rep. Dorothy Moon proposed draft legislation, RS25862, that would permit residents to use medically prescribed cannabis oil.

Keystone State Auditor General Advocating for Pennsylvania Legalization

Keystone State Auditor General Advocating for Pennsylvania Legalization

While the Keystone State’s medical marijuana program has only just begun, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale is ready for Pennsylvania legalization to tap into the recreational market to benefit the state budget, reduce the costs associated with simple possession arrests, curb the opioid epidemic and create jobs.

Massachusetts Federal Prosecutor: Opioids, Not Pot, Are Priority

Massachusetts Federal Prosecutor: Opioids, Not Pot, Are Priority

Massachusetts’ new federal prosecutor said on Wednesday he will not rule out prosecuting marijuana businesses in a state that has legalized the drug, but stressed that his focus is on the opioid epidemic.

Canadian Cannabis Research Banks $1.4M in Funding From Government

Canadian Cannabis Research Banks $1.4M in Funding From Government

With the Great White North preparing to become the first G7 nation to launch recreational legalization, the federal government wants to inform its journey into uncharted territory by providing $1.4 million in funding to Canadian cannabis research projects.

AG Ferguson Wants to Know Sessions’ Effects on Washington Cannabis Industry

AG Ferguson Wants to Know Sessions’ Effects on Washington Cannabis Industry

Since United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions first criticized the Washington cannabis industry in July 2017, Gov. Jay Inslee and Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson have defended the industry; however, Sessions’ memo on Jan. 4, 2018, announcing a reversal of federal cannabis enforcement policy, may have prompted the state to bolster its position.

New York Governor Calls for Feasibility Study to Examine Legalizing Marijuana

New York Governor Calls for Feasibility Study to Examine Legalizing Marijuana

Could New York become the next state to legalize recreational marijuana? On Jan. 16, 2018, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his proposed FY 2019 state budget, which includes funding for the creation of a feasibility study aimed at understanding the social, health, and criminal justice impact of legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.

VA Says It Won't Study Medical Marijuana's Effect on Veterans

VA Says It Won’t Study Medical Marijuana’s Effect on Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs says it will not conduct research into whether medical marijuana could help veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain, as veterans groups are pushing for the use of the drug as an alternative to opioids and anti-depressants.

Senator Nicholas Scutari Introduces New Jersey Marijuana Legislation

Senator Nicholas Scutari Introduces New Jersey Marijuana Legislation

During his campaign, governor-elect Phil Murphy voiced his support for marijuana legalization in his state of New Jersey. Though Murphy is not officially in office until next week, Sen. Nicholas Scutari has already made moves to fulfill Murphy’s campaign promise.

Vermont Senate Votes to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Vermont Senate Votes to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Recreational marijuana is coming to the state of Vermont. On Jan. 10, 2017, the Vermont Senate voted to approve H. 511, a bill that will legalize recreational marijuana possession for adults 21 and older, as well as home growing of two mature plants and four immature plants.

U.S. Justice Department Blindsided Banking Agency on Pot Policy Flip

U.S. Justice Department Blindsided Banking Agency on Pot Policy Flip

When the U.S. Justice Department said last week it was reversing policy on the $7 billion marijuana business, it failed to first notify federal officials who advise banks in states where the drug is legal, sources in Congress said.

Pelican State Asks Trump to Protect Louisiana Medical Marijuana

Pelican State Asks Trump to Protect Louisiana Medical Marijuana

When United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo on Jan. 4, 2018, announcing the reversal of federal marijuana enforcement policy, politicians across the country were outraged, and now the Pelican State has joined in and asked President Donald Trump to protect Louisiana medical marijuana.

Nevada Lawmakers Urge Congress to Change Federal Marijuana Laws

Nevada Lawmakers Urge Congress to Change Federal Marijuana Laws

Nevada lawmakers said Tuesday that Congress must address federal marijuana laws following a decision by the Trump administration to lower the barrier on federal prosecutions in states that have decriminalized use for medical and recreational purposes.

New Hampshire House Gives Preliminary Approval to Legalization Bill

New Hampshire House Gives Preliminary Approval to Legalization Bill

A legalization bill in the state of New Hampshire has just cleared its first legislative hurdle. On Jan. 8, 2018, the state House of Representatives voted to give preliminary approval to an amended version of HB 656, a bill legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.

What's Next for Marijuana Industry After Recent Crackdown?

What’s Next for Marijuana Industry After Recent Crackdown?

The national movement to legalize marijuana took a big step forward this week – and a big step back. California became the largest state in the nation to permit recreational pot use, but on Thursday Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded Obama-era guidelines meant to limit federal prosecutions. Atlantic senior editor Derek Thompson joins “CBS This Morning: Saturday” to discuss why this situation is so confusing and what this means for business owners in the burgeoning marijuana industry.

Voters to Decide on Oklahoma Medical Cannabis Legalization This Summer

Voters to Decide on Oklahoma Medical Cannabis Legalization This Summer

This past summer voters in the Sooner State learned that they’d have an opportunity to vote on Oklahoma medical cannabis legalization in 2018, but the exact election date wasn’t clear until now.

Politicians Outraged by Reversal of Federal Marijuana Enforcement Policy

Politicians Outraged by Reversal of Federal Marijuana Enforcement Policy

On Jan. 4, 2018, United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo to announce a reversal of federal marijuana enforcement policy, rescinding five Obama-era memos that guided U.S attorneys to take a hands-off approach in regards to investigating and prosecuting state-legal marijuana businesses complying with state law.

Gov. Gary Herbert Predicts Voters Will Legalize Medical Marijuana in Utah

Gov. Gary Herbert Predicts Voters Will Legalize Medical Marijuana in Utah

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Wednesday that Utahns will vote to legalize medical marijuana. Whether that will be this November — when it may be on the ballot as an intiative — or a future year, the governor didn’t say.

US to End Policy That Let Legal Pot Flourish

US to End Policy That Let Legal Pot Flourish

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Jeff Sessions is rescinding the Obama-era policy that had paved the way for legalized marijuana to flourish in states across the country, two people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.

New Mexico Legislator Wants Marijuana on the 2018 Electoral Ballot

New Mexico Legislator Wants Marijuana on the 2018 Electoral Ballot

A New Mexico legislator is once again working to legalize recreational marijuana. On Dec. 21, 2017, state Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino introduced a measure that would put a ballot amendment legalizing recreational marijuana on the 2018 electoral ballot.

Former California Attorney General Bill Lockyer Launches Cannabis Distribution Company

Former California Attorney General Bill Lockyer Launches Cannabis Distribution Company

After spending the bulk of his professional career enforcing federal cannabis law, former California Attorney General Bill Lockyer is cashing in on the state’s legal cannabis industry by co-founding his own cannabis distribution firm.

Vast Majority of Utah Voters Support Legalizing Medical Marijuana

Vast Majority of Utah Voters Support Legalizing Medical Marijuana

The vast majority of Utah voters support legalizing medical marijuana. According to a new poll by UtahPolicy.com, approximately 73% of registered Utah voters either strongly or somewhat support legalizing medical marijuana in the state.

New Veterans Affairs Rules Allow Docs to Talk About Medical Marijuana

New Veterans Affairs Rules Allow Docs to Talk About Medical Marijuana

Doctors and pharmacists at the Veterans Affairs Department have been cleared to talk about the pluses and minuses of medical marijuana use with vets who ask about the drug.

Senator Ron Wyden Becomes First Co-Sponsor for the Marijuana Justice Act

Senator Ron Wyden Becomes First Co-Sponsor of Marijuana Justice Act

On Dec. 18, 2017, United States Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced that he would be the first co-sponsor of S.1689, better known as the Marijuana Justice Act, a bill that would take marijuana off of the federal list of controlled substances.

Department of Justice Intern Questions US Attorney General's Stance on Marijuana

Department of Justice Intern Questions US Attorney General’s Stance on Marijuana

According to an internal video obtained by ABC News, United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions took part in a heated exchange with Department of Justice interns this summer over policing, gun control and marijuana policy.


Page 1 of 24123451020Last »
Top