Massachusetts adults can grow and use recreational marijuana, but it’s still illegal to sell the drug without a license. Legislators are looking into how to change the laws.
Tag Archives: bill
Colorado Senate Approves Marijuana Clubs
The Colorado Senate has approved marijuana clubs, where members can bring their own pot, according to a March 9, 2017, article by the Associated Press. Under the senate bill, the marijuana clubs would only be permitted to serve light snacks. Alcohol would be prohibited. However, Gov. John Hickenlooper has suggested he might veto the bill.
Arkansas Ban on Smoking Medical Marijuana Fails in Senate
An attempt to ban the smoking of medical marijuana fell short in the Arkansas Senate while a bill to ban edibles was deferred. But both measures altering the voter-approved constitutional amendment could come up later this week.
New Mexico Senator Hopes to Reduce Penalties for Having Marijuana
New Mexico senator Joseph Cervantes, hopes to reduce the state’s penalties for possession of marijuana.
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.
Georgia Senators Approve Reduced Marijuana Punishment
A Georgia Senate panel has approved legislation that would reduce the punishment for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
California Bill Would Extend Trademark Protection to Marijuana Businesses
One of the drawbacks of owning a legal marijuana business in the state of California is the fact that you cannot trademark the logo, name or even products associated with your business; however, if one California lawmaker gets his way, that will soon change.
Minnesota Lawmaker to Introduce Recreational Marijuana Bill
On Feb. 8, 2017, Minnesota State Rep. Jon Applebaum announced that he would be introducing a bill to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana in the state.
Wisconsin Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Marijuana Extract Bill
Wisconsin’s state Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would make it legal to use a marijuana extract to treat seizures.
Florida Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Remove Cap on Dispensaries
In Florida, state Sen. Jeff Brandes, has introduced a bill that would update several key components of the state’s medical marijuana system.
New Hampshire Decriminalization Bill Receives Broad Support
New Hampshire’s House of Representatives is currently considering a bill that would decriminalize the possession of marijuana and the bill is garnering strong bipartisan support.
Wyoming House Committee Passes Marijuana Penalty Reform Bill
A legislative committee on Tuesday voted to make changes to Wyoming’s marijuana laws, but didn’t go so far as to decriminalize possession of small amounts of the drug.
Utah Lawmakers OK Bill Allowing Medical Marijuana Studies
A Utah proposal that would allow universities to study medical marijuana has cleared its first committee meeting.
Oregon Bill Would Prevent Employers From Firing Marijuana Users
Although recreational marijuana has been legal in Oregon for a little less than two years now, state residents can still lose their jobs for using the substance; however, if state lawmakers get their way, that may soon change.
New Mexico Legislators Push Pot Legalization as a Boost to State’s Coffers
Two New Mexico state legislators are touting marijuana legalization as a way to bring more revenue into the state’s coffers. Rep. Bill McCamley, a Democrat from Mesilla Park, NM, has sponsored a bill in the New Mexico House of Representatives that would legalize, tax and regulate marijuana for adults. Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, a Democrat from Albuquerque, has sponsored an identical bill in the Senate.
Georgia Lawmakers Hope to Expand Medical Cannabis
For years, Georgia lawmakers have debated the merits of medical marijuana and the discussion will continue this year.
Bill Proposed to Make Selling Recreational Marijuana Legal in DC
There is a new push in the District of Columbia to further legalize marijuana.
Wisconsin Legislators Propose Dueling Bills Related to Marijuana
Marijuana is a hot topic again in the Wisconsin Legislature with both Republicans and Democrats introducing bills for the state.
Michigan Bill Allowing Landlords to Ban MMJ Reaches Governor
Governor Rick Snyder has just a few bills from last session left to consider. Among them is a bill that would allow landlords to include a provision in their leases preventing tenants from smoking or growing medical marijuana.
Gov. Baker Signs Bill Delaying Opening of Pot Shops in Massachusetts
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill Friday aimed at delaying by up to six months the opening of marijuana shops in the state until mid-2018.
Lawmakers in Massachusetts Vote to Delay Retail Marijuana Sales
On Dec. 28, 2016, Massachusetts lawmakers voted to pass S.2524, a bill that delays the retail sales of recreational marijuana by six months. Approved during an informal session, the bill’s swift and subtle passage came as a disappointment to many.
Mexican Senate Approves Medical Marijuana Bill
On Dec. 13, 2016, the Mexican Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill that would legalize medical marijuana in the country. Approved by a margin of 98-7, the bill is part of a larger proposal submitted by President Enrique Peña Nieto to Congress.
Texas Lawmaker Filing Bill to Legalize Medical Marijuana
State Senator Jose Menendez will introduce a bill in Austin to legalize the use of medical marijuana.
Medical Cannabis Oil Legalized in the Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands Gov. Helen Kilpatrick approved a bill last week that amends the Misuse of Drugs Law, allowing for medical cannabis oil to be imported and dispensed for medicinal purposes.
DC to Allow Out of State Medical Marijuana Users to Buy in City
With passage of the Medical Marijuana Reciprocity Amendment Act, the District joins Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Arizona and Maine in allowing some level of reciprocity for out-of-state registered medical marijuana users.
New California State Regulations for Cannabis Manufacturers and “Specialty Cottage” Farmers
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 3, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — On Thursday, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law three bills affecting the state’s medical cannabis laws.
Congress Kills Veterans Equal Access Amendment
On Sept. 28, 2016, the United States Congress passed a stop-gap funding bill to keep the federal government operating through December; however, conspicuously absent from the bill was the Veterans Equal Access Amendment, a measure that would allow doctors with Veterans Affairs to recommend medical marijuana to veterans.
Ohio Bill Would Limit Medical Marijuana Reciprocity
In Ohio, a bill limiting reciprocity between other medical marijuana states has been submitted to the legislature. Under existing law, Ohio has the ability to enter into reciprocity agreements with other medical marijuana states that have similar patient requirements.
Marijuana for PTSD Treatment Now Legal in NJ
New Jersey residents suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder will be able to be legally treated with marijuana under a bill signed Wednesday by Gov. Chris Christie. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Tim Eustace, D-Maywood, and several co-sponsors, adds PTSD to the list of ailments for which qualified patients can be treated under New Jersey’s medical marijuana program.
Illinois Decriminalizes Simple Possession of Marijuana
On July 29, 2016, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed Senate Bill 2228, making Illinois the 21st state to decriminalize simple possession of marijuana.
Céad Míle Fáilte: Medical Cannabis Bill Introduced in Ireland
On July 21, 2016, Deputies Gino Kenny and Bríd Smith introduced a medical cannabis bill to the Dáil Éireann, the Irish legislature’s lower house and principle chamber.
Aloha Hemp: Governor of Hawaii Signs Industrial Hemp Bill
On July 7, 2016, Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed into law SB 2659, a bill that establishes an industrial hemp program through the state Department of Agriculture.
Marijuana’s Biggest Adversary on Capitol Hill is Sponsoring a Bill to Research … Marijuana
Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) is Congress’s most vocal opponent of legal marijuana, having single-handedly spearheaded a provision blocking legal pot shops in the District of Columbia in 2014.
New York Assembly Votes to Seal Past Convictions For Pot Possession
If you were arrested for simple possession of marijuana in public view while in New York, that part of your criminal record could be sealed. The New York State Assembly voted June 15, 2016, to seal those records with a 99-42 vote including support from both major political parties. Now supporters are hoping the state Senate will pass a complementary bill.
Lawmakers in Illinois Approve Medical Marijuana Expansion
On May 31, 2016, the Illinois state senate voted to approve Senate Bill 10, a bill that would update the state’s medical marijuana laws.
Louisiana Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Expansion Bill into Law
On May 19, 2016, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed Senate Bill 271, expanding the number of qualifying conditions for the state’s medical marijuana program and regulatory improvements to expedite access, as well as adding language to protect physicians, according to WAFB News.
Illinois House Sends New Decriminalization Bill to Governor
The Illinois House on Wednesday sent a new attempt at marijuana decriminalization to Gov. Bruce Rauner. Rauner vetoed last year’s bill, saying it set the limit for possession too high—up to 15 grams—and the fines too low, between $55 and $125. The new bill would set fines at $100 to $200 for people caught with up to 10 grams of marijuana.
Louisiana House Passes Medical Marijuana Bill
On May 11, 2016, the Louisiana House of Representatives voted to approve SB 271, a bill designed to help kick start the state’s sputtering medical marijuana program.
Ohio House Passes Medical Marijuana Bill
The Republican-controlled Ohio House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a medical marijuana bill 71-26. The bill, however, would not allow medical users to smoke marijuana or to grow it at home. Patients would have to use a vaporizer, and prescription users would not be allowed to keep more than 90 days’ worth of marijuana.
Alabama Decriminalizes Medical Marijuana Oil
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on Wednesday signed a bill that will allow medical marijuana oil in the state.
Germany Plans to Legalize Medical Marijuana Next Year
Germany plans to legalize medical cannabis by 2017, according to Hermann Gröhe, Health Minister of Germany.
Louisiana Senate Votes to Expand Conditions for Medical Marijuana
On April 20, 2016, the Louisiana State Senate voted to approve a bill that would expand the number of qualifying conditions for the state’s limited medical marijuana program.
Marijuana Edibles Possibly Banned for Appealing to Children
DENVER (AP) – Pot-infused lemon drops and other marijuana edibles that resemble fruits could be coming off Colorado shelves.
Ohio House Announces Plans for Medical Marijuana Bill
On April 13, 2016, members of the Ohio House of Representatives held a press conference to outline the details of a medical marijuana bill that will be introduced into the legislature later this week.
Governor Willing to Consider Expanding Iowa’s Medical Marijuana Law
Governor Terry Branstad isn’t closing the door on a bill that would adjust Iowa’s medical marijuana law.
Maine State Senate Approves Drugged Driving Bill
On March 30, 2016, the Maine state Senate voted 19-14 to approve Legislative Document 1628, a bill that would set a blood-THC limit for drivers.
Florida Extends Medical Marijuana Access to Terminally Ill Patients
Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill Friday, March 25, that will allow terminally ill patients to access medical cannabis to ease their suffering.
Alaska Lawmaker Aims to Combat Illegal Grow Operations
In an effort to combat the proliferation of illegal marijuana cultivation, one Alaskan state lawmaker has a proposed a bill that would impose financial penalties on illegal grow operations.
Hawaii Lawmakers Push to Regulate Medical Marijuana Testing
HONOLULU — Industry experts say there are a lot of chemicals that could contaminate Hawaii’s medical marijuana.
Pennsylvania House Approves Medical Marijuana Bill
On March 16, 2016, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to approve SB 3, a bill legalizing medical marijuana in the state.