WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, along with a bipartisan group of 17 senators, this week sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Appropriations Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MI) and Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), urging them to respect states’ laws regarding the regulation of marijuana when finalizing fiscal year 2018 appropriations.
Tag Archives: senate
New Mexico’s Marijuana Legalization Resolution Passes Out of Senate Rules Committee
SANTA FE, N.M., Feb. 2, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — Today, a legislative committee voted in favor of taxing and regulating marijuana in New Mexico. On a vote of 4-3 New Mexico State Senator Ortiz y Pino’s (D-12-Bernalillo) Senate Joint Resolution 4 (SJR4) passed the Senate Rules Committee.
VA Senate Republicans Kill Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana
Republicans on a Senate committee Monday killed a bill that would decriminalize small amounts of marijuana by changing the punishment from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil penalty.
Rohrabacher Signs Bipartisan Letter to President For Marijuana States Rights
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-CA, today joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers requesting that President Trump urge Attorney General Jeff Sessions to reinstate the Cole Memorandum.
Warren, Polis, Colleagues Lead Bipartisan Letter to President Trump Urging Action to Protect State Marijuana Laws
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Representative Jared Polis (D-Colo.), and 52 of their Senate and House colleagues sent a bipartisan letter today to President Trump requesting he urge Attorney General Jeff Sessions to reinstate the Cole Memorandum.
DeGette Signs Bipartisan Letter to President Trump Urging Action to Protect State Marijuana Laws
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), Chief Deputy Whip, and 53 House and Senate colleagues sent a bipartisan letter today to President Donald J. Trump requesting that he urge Attorney General Jeff Sessions to reinstate the Cole Memorandum. Doing so would create a pathway to a more comprehensive marijuana policy that respects state interests.
Steans: A Regulated Cannabis Market Doesn’t Increase Teen Use
CHICAGO, Jan. 22, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — Issues of teen use and cannabis public education programs were discussed today at the Senate and House committee hearing on legalizing adult-use cannabis.
GOP Senator Offers Bill to Legalize Marijuana in Kentucky
A member of the Republican leadership team in the Kentucky Senate has introduced a bill aimed at legalizing marijuana.
Federal Marijuana Legislation Clears House of Commons, Headed for Senate
MPs passed the Liberal government’s bill to legalize cannabis Monday evening, sending the marijuana legislation down the hall to the Senate for further study and debate.
Norton Elated That Republican Senate D.C. Appropriations Bill Contains No Anti-Home-Rule Riders for Third Year in a Row
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the Republican Senate fiscal year 2018 District of Columbia appropriations bill does not contain any anti-home-rule riders.
Matt Maletis Appointed to OLCC’s Board of Commissioners
PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 17, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Matt Maletis (Western Congressional District) joins the Oregon Liquor Control Commission following Oregon Senate confirmation on November 15, 2017.
Wisconsin Assembly Passes Bill to Allow Hemp Farming
Wisconsin would join a majority of other states in allowing the farming of industrial hemp under a bill sent to Gov. Scott Walker. The Wisconsin Assembly passed the bill unanimously Thursday. It cleared the Senate unanimously Tuesday.
This Is What Orrin Hatch Told the Senate About Medical Cannabis Research
On Sept. 13, 2017, U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, introduced legislation to cut the bureaucratic red tape thwarting medical cannabis research so health care professionals can harness the medicinal properties of the plant to reduce the suffering of patients in need.
House Rules Committee Opts Not to Protect Medical Marijuana
On Sept. 6, 2017, the House Rules Committee decided to block the House of Representatives from voting on an amendment to protect medical marijuana in states that have legalized it.
National Cannabis Industry Association Statement on Senate Appropriations Approval of Medical Marijuana Protections
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — National Cannabis Industry Association executive director Aaron Smith issued the below statement in response to the Senate Appropriations Committee’s approval by voice vote today for the renewal of medical marijuana protections in the Department of Justice budget.
Powerful Senate Committee Ties Jeff Sessions’s Hands on Medical Marijuana
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted by voice vote to approve an amendment that would block the Department of Justice from spending any funds to undermine state medical marijuana laws.
Senate Committee Stands Up for Medical Cannabis Patients
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — This morning, the Senate Committee on Appropriations voted to include an amendment introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (R-VT) in the FY2018 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
GOP Leadership Blocks Blumenauer Amendment to Allow VA Doctors to Recommend Medical Marijuana
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, condemned the House Rules Committee decision to block his amendment to make it easier for qualified veterans to access state-legal medical marijuana.
Senate Committee Stands up for Veterans Using Medical Cannabis
WASHINGTON, July 24, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — This morning, the Senate Committee on Appropriations voted 24-7 to include an amendment introduced by Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in the FY2018 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill.
Legislative Conference Committee Stalls on Massachusetts Marijuana Bill
he Massachusetts House and Senate continue to be at odds over how to regulate recreational marijuana. On June 30, 2017, a six-member conference committee comprised of both House and Senate leadership announced that although it had missed its self-imposed deadline to come to an agreement, it would continue negotiations after the Fourth of July holiday.
Massachusetts Lawmakers May Compromise on Recreational Cannabis Taxes
Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg are confident that the House and Senate can come to an agreement on recreational cannabis taxes before their self-imposed deadline of June 30, 2017.
Massachusetts House Approves Major Overhaul of Recreational Marijuana Laws
On June 21, 2017, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill that would impose a major overhaul of the state’s recreational marijuana laws.
State Senate Approves PTSD for New York Medical Marijuana Program
Post-traumatic stress disorder may become the next condition approved for the New York medical marijuana program after state lawmakers gave their approval on June 20, 2017.
Senate Passes Senator Savino’s Bill Adding PTSD as Treatable by Medical Marijuana
ALBANY, NY, June 20, 2017 / — The New York State Senate on Tuesday passed legislation sponsored by Senator Diane Savino (D-SI/Brooklyn) to add Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to the list of qualifying conditions treatable with medical marijuana in New York State.
Massachusetts Senate Introduces Proposal to Preserve Current Recreational Marijuana Tax Rate
On June 16, 2017, the Massachusetts Senate introduced an outline to a bill that preserves the current tax rate on retail marijuana sales. The proposal is in stark contrast to the measure put forth by the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
NJ United for Marijuana Reform Coalition Members Testify at Marijuana Legalization Hearing
NEWARK, N.J., June 19, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Key members of the New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform (NJUMR) coalition testified at a legislative hearing to discuss a bill to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana for adults in New Jersey.
Senate and House Reintroduce Groundbreaking Medical Marijuana Bill
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Today, a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives introduced the CARERS Act. The Senate bill was introduced by Senators Booker (D-NJ), Paul (R-KY), Gillibrand (D-NY), Lee (R-UT), Franken (D-MN), and Murkowski (R-AK). The House companion was reintroduced by Rep Young (R-AK) and Rep Cohen (D-TN).
Report Reveals Deep Racial Disparities in NJ Marijuana Arrests
NEWARK, N.J., June 15, 2017 / Weed Wire/ — Black New Jerseyans were arrested at a rate three times higher than whites between 2000 and 2013 despite similar usage rates, an ACLU-NJ report released today found.
Medical Marijuana Bill Introduced With New Sponsors, Improved Chance for Passage; Advocates Praise Legislation As ‘Critical’
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Today, Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Senator Al Franken (D-MN), and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the most comprehensive medical cannabis bill in the United States Senate to date.
NJ Marijuana Legalization Hearing on New Legislation
TRENTON, N.J., June 15, 2017 / Weed Wire/ — On Monday, the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 3195 at 11:00 am in Committee Room 4 in the New Jersey Statehouse. Senate Bill 3195, introduced last month by Senator Nicholas P. Scutari (D-Middlesex, Somerset, Union), would legalize small amounts of marijuana for adults 21 years and older.
Florida Senate Passes Legislation to Expand Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana
TALLAHASSEE, June 9, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The Florida Senate today passed Senate Bill 8A, Medical Use of Marijuana, and Senate Bill 6A, Public Records/Medical Marijuana Use Registry/Physician Certification for Marijuana and Dispensing/Department of Health. Together, the bills implement Article X, section 29 of the Florida Constitution, which allows the use of marijuana by patients with debilitating medical conditions.
Ford Statement on Senate Passage of Capital Improvement Budget, Marijuana Tax & Opportunity Scholarships Expansion
CARSON CITY, Nev., June 5, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – Today, Nevada Senate Majority Leader Aaron D. Ford issued the following statement on bipartisan negotiations with Governor Brian Sandoval that ensured passage of an excise tax on retail marijuana sales.
New Hampshire Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Sent to Governor
After a vote from the state House of Representatives, a New Hampshire marijuana decriminalization bill is headed to Gov. Chris Sununu’s desk. On June 1, 2017, the House approved House Bill 640, which would reduce the penalty for minor possession of marijuana.
Maine Senate Approves Measure to Fund Legalization Implementation
On May 25, 2017, the Maine Senate voted unanimously to approve LD 243, a measure that would fund legalization implementation for the state’s recreational marijuana market.
Gov. Phil Scott Vetoes Historic Bill That Would Have Made Marijuana Legal for Adults in Vermont, Offers ‘Path Forward’ for Compromise During Summer Veto Session
May 24, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Gov. Phil Scott announced Wednesday he is vetoing a bill that would have made marijuana legal for adults in Vermont, but offered “a path forward” for passing it later this year.
Delaware Senate Blocks Medical Marijuana Expansion
Concerns from a special interest group and a state agency torpedoed a bill that would expand access to Delaware’s medical marijuana program.
New Hampshire Senate Passes Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana Possession
CONCORD, N.H., May 11, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The state Senate passed a bill Thursday (17-6) that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana in New Hampshire.
Vermont Legislature Passes Bill to Make Marijuana Legal for Adults; Historic Measure Now Headed to the Governor’s Desk
MONTPELIER, V.T., May 10, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — A bill that would make marijuana legal for adults in Vermont has received final approval from state legislators and is headed to the desk of Gov. Phil Scott.
Vermont Senate Passes Bill That Would Eliminate Penalties for Adult Marijuana Possession and Cultivation, Create a Study Commission to Consider Regulating and Taxing Marijuana
MONTPELIER, VT., May 8, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – The Vermont Senate passed a bill on Friday that would make personal possession and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana legal for adults 21 and older beginning in July 2018.
Vermont House Approves Legalization Bill
On May 2, 2017, the Vermont House of Representatives voted 75-71 to approve H.170, a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana statewide.
Mexican Congress Approves Use of Medical Marijuana
Mexico’s Lower House of Congress passed a bill on Friday to legalize the use of marijuana and cannabis for medical and scientific needs.
Bipartisan Group in U.S. House Introduce Marijuana-Related Banking Legislation
WASHINGTON, April 27, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Alaska Congressman Don Young, co-founder of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, today joined a bipartisan group in the U.S. House of Representatives to introduce legislation that allows marijuana-related businesses in states with existing regulatory structures to access the banking system.
Vermont Senate Passes Legalization Bill
On April 21, 2017, the Vermont Senate voted 21-9 to approve H.308, a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in the state.
Indiana Legislature Approves Bills on Marijuana-Derived Oil
On April 6, 2017, both chambers of the Indiana Legislature approved measures loosening restrictions on a marijuana-derived oil used to treat epilepsy.
Maryland Lawmakers Seek Racial Diversity for Marijuana Licenses
A battle over Maryland’s medical marijuana program is coming down to the number of licenses. Lawmakers are wrangling over increasing the number of medical marijuana licenses to achieve racial diversity. The law currently allows for 15 licenses. The Legislative Black Caucus wants to increase the licenses by five.
West Virginia Legislature Approves Medical Marijuana Bill
CHARLESTON, W. VA., April 7, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — A medical marijuana bill received final approval in the West Virginia Legislature on Thursday and is headed to the desk of Gov. Jim Justice.
West Virginia House Votes for Medical Marijuana
West Virginia’s House voted Tuesday to legalize doctor-prescribed marijuana to treat certain medical conditions following Senate passage of a similar measure last week.
Argentina Legalizes Medical Marijuana
WASHINGTON, April 3, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – On Thursday, Argentina legalized medical marijuana, after the Senate unanimously approved a bill that was already passed by the House of Representatives last November.
Cannabis Business Alliance statement: Path to Marijuana Reform Introduced to Congress
DENVER, March 30, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The Cannabis Business Alliance (CBA) has released a statement regarding the recent decision by a bipartisan group of U.S. senators and representatives to introduce a package of marijuana reform bills intended to lay the framework for federal regulation of cannabis while protecting and existing states-based programs.
Legislation Introduced in Congress to Regulate and Tax Marijuana Like Alcohol at the Federal Level
WASHINGTON D.C., March 30, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Legislation was introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives on Thursday that would end marijuana prohibition at the federal level and replace it with a system in which marijuana is regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol.