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.
Tag Archives: Associated Press
Arizona Supreme Court Reviewing Ruling in Campus MMJ Case
Can Arizona universities and colleges ban medical marijuana on their campuses? Can the state legislature ban it for them? These are the questions that the Arizona Supreme Court is set to decide.
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.
United States Army Granting Waivers for Marijuana Use to Gain More Recruits
As marijuana legalization sweeps the nation, it is becoming increasingly difficult for military recruiters to find recruits that have not used marijuana. In an effort to gain more recruits, the United States Army has begun to grant waivers for would-be soldiers that have used marijuana in the past.
Maryland Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Now Open to Patients
Patients in the Old Line State have been waiting for more than four years for the ability to purchase medical cannabis legally and now the wait is finally over. On Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, the first batch of Maryland medical cannabis dispensaries opened their doors to serve the state’s patients.
Hundreds of Entrepreneurs Have Applied for Arkansas Medical Cannabis Licenses
On Sept. 18, 2017, at 4:30 p.m. CT, the Natural State closed the application window for cultivators and distributors seeking Arkansas medical cannabis licenses. The Department of Finance and Administration received a total of 322 applications, with roughly 200 coming in on the last day to apply.
Huff, Puff, Pass? AG’s Pot Fury Not Echoed by Task Force
The betting was that law-and-order Attorney General Jeff Sessions would come out against the legalized marijuana industry with guns blazing. But the task force Sessions assembled to find the best legal strategy is giving him no ammunition.
Alaska Marijuana Control Board Moves Ahead With Onsite Marijuana Consumption
From July 12-14, 2017, the Alaska Marijuana Control Board met to address several agenda items, including onsite marijuana consumption. While the MCB previously tabled the issue this past February, the board voted 3-2 last week to approve the creation of regulations for onsite marijuana consumption at recreational marijuana stores.
Vermont Governor Thinks Legalization Deal Still Achievable Before Veto Session
Vermont just might get another chance at legalizing recreational marijuana. According to the Associated Press, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has said that he still thinks it’s possible to reach a legalization deal before the legislature meets for a special two-day veto session.
John Morgan Plans to Sue Florida Over Medical Marijuana Smoking Ban
With the Florida Legislature’s passage of a medical marijuana bill, Orlando trial attorney John Morgan has announced plans to sue the state over its medical marijuana smoking ban.
Arkansas Medical Marijuana Program Expects 20K-40K Patients
According to state officials, the Arkansas medical marijuana program expects 20,000 to 40,000 patients to request medical marijuana registration cards.
Marijuana Traceability: Washington Eyes METRC to Replace BioTrackTHC
On May 31, 2017, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board announced that it had chosen Franwell as the Apparent Successful Vendor to replace BiotrackTHC, the state’s current marijuana traceability contractor. With Franwell scoring the highest out of the seven bids submitted, the state will now proceed by negotiating the contract with the company.
Rhode Island Woman Wins Medical Marijuana Discrimination Case
On April 23, 2017, a Rhode Island Superior Court judge ruled that Darlington Fabrics Corp. broke the law when it rescinded an employment offer to Christine Callaghan, a University of Rhode Island graduate student, based solely on her status as a medical marijuana patient.
NASCAR Driver Forced to Remove Decal Advertising Marijuana Company
After eight years of banishment from NASCAR due to unpaid fines, race car driver Carl Long was poised to make his triumphant return to the sport at a race in Kansas on May 12, 2017, but that return was quickly overshadowed after news emerged that NASCAR had forced Long to remove a decal from his car that was advertising a marijuana company.
Georgia State Congressman Skirts Law to Help Medical Marijuana Patients
Rep. Allen Peake, a state congressman in Georgia, has begun distributing medical marijuana oil to qualifying patients within the state. Although Georgia legalized low-THC medical marijuana in 2015, there is no legal method for patients to obtain it, which prompted Peake to take action.
Colorado House Committee Limits Number of Home-Grown Marijuana Plants
A committee in the Colorado House has voted to restrict the number of home-grown marijuana plants to 12, according to the Associated Press. The committee voted 11-2 for the limitation. Currently, medical-marijuana users are allowed to have up to 99 plants at home, while recreational users can have six, which can be placed in greenhouses operated by co-ops.
Oregon Lawmakers Move to Protect Marijuana Consumer Information
In response to White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s recent comments on federal marijuana policy, Oregon lawmakers are making moves to protect the the private information of recreational marijuana consumers.
Arkansas Senate Committee Votes to Restrict Medical Marijuana Consumption
On March 2, 2017, the Arkansas Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor voted to approve two bills that would limit the methods for consuming medical marijuana.
Oregon Banked $5.3M in Marijuana Taxes for January
On Feb. 21, 2017, the Oregon Department of Revenue announced that it had collected $5.3 million in marijuana tax revenue, brining the state’s total marijuana tax collection to $65.4 million.
Iowa State Chapter of NORML Wins Free Speech Case Against University
On Feb. 13, 2017, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Iowa State University cannot prevent students from using ISU logos on t-shirts that advocate for marijuana reform. The decision upholds a previous ruling by U.S. District Judge James Gritzner in 2016.
In 2016, Colorado Marijuana Sales Hit $1.3 Billion
In 2016, Colorado sales of recreational and medical marijuana sales combined hit $1.3 billion, according to a Feb. 9, 2017, article by the Associated Press. The figure, drawn from a Colorado Department of Revenue report, shows a steady climb from $699 million in 2014 and $996 million in 2015.
Elizabeth Warren Wants to End Marijuana Banking Crisis
In the wake of a string of marijuana victories at the ballot box, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, is leading the charge to ensure banking access for the legal marijuana industry.
Montana Judge Rules Dispensaries Can Reopen Immediately
On Dec. 7, 2016, District Judge James Reynolds ruled that a drafting error in Montana’s recently passed Initiative 182 cannot delay the medical marijuana initiative’s implementation, immediately striking down a three-patient limit that previously went into effect on Aug. 31, as reported by the Associated Press.
Court Rules Native American Church Not Exempt From MJ Laws
On Nov. 28, 2016, the United States Supreme Court refused to take up an appeal filed by a Native American church in Hawaii that was seeking exemption from federal marijuana laws, upholding a previous decision made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Maine’s Marijuana Opponents Want a Recount
Although voters in Maine narrowly approved Question 1, a ballot measure legalizing recreational marijuana in the state, opponents of the measure are saying “not so fast.”
Montana Passes Measure to Expand Medical Marijuana
The passing of the initiative would reverse provisions of a bill passed by the Montana Legislature in 2011
Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment Cleared for Ballot
On Oct. 13, 2016, the Arkansas Supreme Court denied a petition to remove Issue 6, a constitutional amendment that would legalize medical marijuana in the state, from the November ballot.
Wife of Utah Gubernatorial Candidate Faces Charges for Marijuana
Donna Weinholtz, the wife of Utah’s Democratic candidate for governor, is facing misdemeanor drug charges after federal investigators found two pounds of marijuana under the couple’s Salt Lake City home.
Ohio’s New Medical Marijuana Law Surrounded by Uncertainties
As Ohio’s new medical marijuana law goes into effect, stakeholders have more questions than answers, according to a Sept. 8, 2016, article by the Associated Press. The new law went into effect on Sept. 8, 2016, making Ohio the 25th state to have legalized medical marijuana, but Ohio does not have dispensaries at which qualified patients can buy it.
New Medical Marijuana Restrictions Implemented in Montana
On Aug. 31, 2016, the state of Montana implemented new restrictions on its medical marijuana program.
Arkansas Group Files Suit to Block Medical Marijuana Measure
A group in Arkansas has filed a lawsuit to block ballot access for a measure that would legalize medical marijuana in the state. Claiming that the proposal is misleading, Arkansans Against Legalized Marijuana has asked the state Supreme Court to prevent election officials from counting or certifying any votes for the measure. According to the Associated…
Anti-pot Initiative Sponsor Gives Up Montana Ballot Effort
The sponsor of a proposed initiative to repeal Montana’s medical marijuana law said Wednesday he won’t appeal a judge’s refusal to place the measure on November’s ballot, but instead will focus on defeating a separate initiative to expand medical pot distribution.
From Wine to Weed: Keeping the Marijuana Farm Small and Local
Will marijuana agriculture become consolidated, with “Big Marijuana” companies producing vast quantities of indistinct marijuana? Or, will small-scale farmers thrive by producing unique and local marijuana strains?
Federal Court Bans DOJ from Prosecuting Medical Cannabis Cases
On Aug. 16, 2016, a federal appeals court banned the Department of Justice from prosecuting medical cannabis cases as long as defendants hadn’t broken state laws.
APNewsBreak: Big Losses for Medical Marijuana Providers
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota’s two licensed medical marijuana manufacturers each posted millions of dollars in losses in their first full year of operations, according to financial documents obtained by The Associated Press.
South Dakota Charges 2 Men Trying to Help Launch Pot Resort
FLANDREAU, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota’s top prosecutor charged two consultants who worked with a Native American tribe on its plans to open the nation’s first marijuana resort with drug offenses, accusing them of having seeds shipped from the Netherlands hidden in CD cases and sewn into clothing.
Christie to Decide If Marijuana Can Be Used to Treat PTSD
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – Republican Gov. Chris Christie will decide whether New Jersey residents with post-traumatic stress disorder can be treated with medical marijuana after lawmakers approved a measure Monday.
Nearly 500 Minn. Pain Patients are Ready to Buy Medical Marijuana
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Nearly 500 patients suffering intractable pain have registered to buy medical marijuana starting Monday.
Florida Welcomes Second Authorized Dispensary
On July 27, 2016, the Florida Department of Health announced that Surterra Therapeutics, the first company in Florida to receive a cultivation license, had been authorized by the DOH to begin processing and dispensing low-THC medical marijuana.
No Trace of THC Found in Colorado Town’s Water Supply
On July 23, 2016, officials with the town of Hugo, Colorado announced that the town’s water supply is free of contamination.
Uruguay Marijuana Growers Compete in Cannabis Cup
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguay is home to the world’s first government-regulated national marketplace for pot, so it’s not surprising that growers have a competition for best marijuana.
Hawaii’s Lack of Medical Marijuana Labs Delays Opening of Dispensaries
Potential medical marijuana patients in Hawaii can now be certified by licensed physicians or ARPNs, but none of the eight licensed medical marijuana dispensaries were approved by July 15, 2016, the Department of Health’s opening day for dispensaries, to serve them.
Montanans to Vote on Medical Marijuana Expansion for Big Sky Country
On July 13, 2016, Montana Sec. of State Linda McCulloch certified that Initiative 182, an initiative that would expand the availability of medical marijuana in the state, had received enough valid signatures to qualify for the state’s ballot in November.
Hawaii Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Could Pull in $38 Million in First Year
A report from the Hawaii Dispensary Alliance says the state’s medical marijuana dispensaries could produce revenues between $12 million and $38 million during their first year of operation, according to an Associated Press article. By 2018, dispensaries could bring in $80.5 million as registered patients grow from 14,000 to as many as 40,000.
Golden in California: Adult Use of Marijuana Act Qualifies for Ballot
On June 28, 2016, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced that the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, a ballot initiative legalizing recreational marijuana in the state, had enough signatures to qualify for the 2016 November ballot.
Director of Illinois Medical Cannabis Program Resigns
On June 27, 2016, the Illinois governor’s office confirmed that Joseph Wright had resigned as the director of the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program.
Illinois Logs Slight Increase in Medical Marijuana Sales
On June 1, 2016, Joseph Wright, program coordinator for the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program, announced that registered dispensaries logged nearly $2.3 million in sales for the month of May, which is a slightly increase from April’s sales total of $2.2 million.
THC Levels Not an Adequate Measure of Driving While Impaired
AAA’s safety foundation released a study that revealed the THC level in a driver’s blood is not an adequate measure of driving while impaired, the Associated Press reported on May 10, 2016. The study showed a driver’s impairment cannot be judged by a standardized level of THC, the psychoactive substance in marijuana.
Illinois Advisory Board Recommends Expanding Qualifying Conditions
On May 2, 2016, the Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board met to review a request to expand the state’s number of qualifying conditions. According to the Associated Press, the board voted to recommend diabetes and panic disorder as qualifying conditions.
Alaska May Welcome Cannabis Cafes
On April 27, 2016, the Alaska Marijuana Control Board held a meeting to discuss draft regulations for onsite consumption in cannabis retail stores.