Oklahoma lawmakers are considering regulations on the medical marijuana industry before a statewide vote in June on whether to approve its use.
Tag Archives: Lawmakers
Michigan Lawmakers Further Delay Marijuana Transport Bill
Michigan lawmakers have delayed a promising bill that would overturn a law that declares the possession or transportation of marijuana in a vehicle a misdemeanor.
Vermont Weighs Saliva Tests to Screen Drivers for Marijuana
A bill that would allow police to test a driver’s saliva for marijuana is being considered by Vermont lawmakers as the state prepares to legalize the drug.
WV’s Medical Marijuana Board Recommends Smokable Forms of Marijuana
West Virginia’s medical marijuana board plans to recommend to state lawmakers that patients who have met certain requirements be able to buy smokable forms of marijuana.
Bill to Legalize Recreational Cannabis Reigniting Debate in Maryland
The debate to legalize recreational marijuana is gaining momentum across Maryland, but some are urging lawmakers to slow down the process.
Lawmakers Consider Lowering Number of Marijuana Plants Mainers Can Grow
Maine’s recreational marijuana law allows adults to grow up to six flowering plants for personal and recreational use — but the legislative committee that’s overhauling the law is trying to cut that allotment by half.
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.
New Mexico Lawmakers Press Health Chief to OK Cannabis for Opioid Treatment
New Mexico lawmakers injected a dose of political pressure Monday into an unwavering but so far unsuccessful effort to add opioid use disorder to the list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in New Mexico.
Lawmakers Threaten DOH Funding After Medical Marijuana Delays in Florida
Dr. Ahmed El-Haddad with Mari J MD Medical Marijuana says the rollout here in Florida has worked in some respects. It’s a system he says that still has a lot of room for improvement.
State Lawmakers Push for Bill to Legalize Marijuana Delivery
A bill before the Colorado State Legislature would allow legalized delivery of marijuana. State Rep. Jonathan Singer and others are behind the push to make delivery of pot in Colorado legal.
Senate Joins House in Passing Indiana Cannabis Oil Bill
The Indiana Legislature is poised to allow anyone to purchase and use a cannabis-derived extract believed to have therapeutic benefits, following a key vote by the state Senate on Monday.
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.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Urges Equal Banking Access for State-Licensed Marijuana Businesses
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers urged the U.S. Treasury to uphold federal guidance for marijuana-related businesses.
Tennessee Lawmakers Propose Allowing Medical Cannabis
After years of successive failures, backers of medical cannabis in Tennessee are taking a new tack — keeping the ban on smoking it.
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.
Vermont House Passes Bill to Make Marijuana Legal for Adults; Senate Expected to Concur
MONTPELIER, Jan 4., 2018 /Weed Wire/ MONTPELIER — A Senate-approved bill that would make marijuana legal for adults in Vermont was passed by the Vermont House of Representatives on Thursday with minor amendments.
National Cannabis Industry Association Responds to Department of Justice’s Move to Rescind Marijuana Enforcement Guidelines
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — Today, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Department of Justice has rescinded the “Cole Memo” and two additional memos related to marijuana enforcement policy. These memos, issued in 2013 and 2014, have helped to clarify the Department’s response to state-legal cannabis activity.
Jeff Sessions Expected to Rescind Obama-Era “Cole Memo” That Allowed States to Implement Marijuana Laws Without Federal Interference
WASHINGTON, JAN. 4, 2018 /Weed Wire/ —The AP reported this morning that US Attorney General Jeff Sessions plans today to rescind Obama-era guidance by the Department of Justice allowing states to implement their own marijuana laws with limited federal interference.
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.
These States Are Likely to Legalize Marijuana in 2018
After four of five statewide marijuana legalization ballot initiatives were approved by voters in 2016, no additional states ended cannabis prohibition in 2017 (though New Hampshire did decriminalize possession of the drug and West Virginia allowed its medical use).
Nevada Marijuana Businesses Have Created More Than 6,700 Jobs
Although the Silver State just started recreational marijuana sales this past summer, the number of workers Nevada marijuana businesses employ is creating quite the buzz.
North Dakota Health Officials Gather Public Input on Medical Pot
North Dakota health officials will begin gathering public input Monday about proposed medical marijuana rules as the state prepares to launch its program.
Steans and Cassidy: Legal Cannabis Could Bring Revenue, Jobs to Illinois
CHICAGO, Nov. 28, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Illinois could see up to $699 million in new revenue by legalizing cannabis use among adults through a measure that would spur economic development while protecting public safety. Lawmakers heard from advocates today during a combined Senate and House hearing.
Task Force Discusses Legalization of Medical Marijuana in Kentucky
State officials met Tuesday in hopes to legalize medical marijuana here in Kentucky. A task force lead by Kentucky’s Secretary Of State Alison Lundergan Grimes met in Frankfort Tuesday afternoon to explore the possibilities.
Montana Health Department Drafts Dozens of New Medical Marijuana Rules
The state health department released a pack of proposed rules for the medical marijuana industry, which will be the subject of a public hearing this month.
Lawmakers: Feds Should Research Medical Marijuana for Military Vets
A group of 10 U.S. House members is pushing the Trump administration to begin researching medical marijuana’s potential benefits for military veterans struggling to cope with war wounds.
New Mexico Medical Pot Program Making Changes to Keep Up With Growth
New Mexico’s booming medical pot program is undergoing changes that are intended to help alleviate growing pains, a state Department of Health official told lawmakers this week.
The History of Marijuana in Arkansas
Arkansas has certainly been focusing on victimless marijuana offenses since it first banned the drug in 1923, though the state has allowed medical marijuana since 2016. Voters approved the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment, which allows ill patients to use and safely obtain medical marijuana in Arkansas with a doctor’s approval. Now, the state legislature is implementing changes to the medical marijuana laws to improve the program.
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Ban of Medical Cannabis in Kentucky
Residents of the Bluegrass State won’t be smoking grass anytime soon. On Sept. 20, 2017, a judge dismissed a lawsuit fighting for the legalization of medical cannabis in Kentucky.
California Officially Calls on Feds to Reclassify Marijuana
Last November, California voters approved a ballot measure to legalize marijuana. Now, the state’s lawmakers are formally calling on the federal government to reclassify marijuana.
Law Allowing Marijuana-Derived Oil Spurs Indiana Crackdown
A new Indiana law that allows people with certain types of epilepsy to use a marijuana-derived oil for treatment has spurred a statewide crackdown, making it more difficult for those seeking the product to obtain it.
Delaware Task Force Digs Into the Details of Legalizing Pot
From stoned driving to the taxation of marijuana, Delaware would face multiple vexing challenges if lawmakers ever legalize recreational cannabis use, and a state task force is getting ready to dig into those issues.
Why California May Ban Cannabis Packaging That Appeals to Kids
As California gears up for the sale of recreational cannabis, lawmakers are still concerned about cannabis packaging that could appeal to minors. On Aug. 24, 2017, state lawmakers sent Gov. Jerry Brown Senate Bill 663, a bill intended to thwart edibles from being marketed to adolescents, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Crafted by…
Charlie Baker’s Pot Board Pick Opposed Legalization
Gov. Charlie Baker has started shaping the powerful state commission charged with overseeing the pot industry, tapping a longtime Beacon Hill pol who opposed legalizing weed to fill the panel’s public health-centered post.
Cards Against Humanity and Marijuana Policy Project Announce Partnership in Campaign for Decriminalization
CHICAGO, Aug. 3, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Cards Against Humanity and the Marijuana Policy Project are partnering to support an effort to legalize and regulate marijuana use among adults in Illinois.
Harris Introduces Bipartisan Bill Facilitating Medical Marijuana Research
WASHINGTON, July 25, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — On July 25, Representatives Andy Harris, M.D. (R-MD-01), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03), H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09), and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19) introduced the Medical Marijuana Research Act of 2017.
Maine Lawmakers Approve Bill Requiring Testing Marijuana for Safety
Marijuana safety is a major concern for the Maine lawmakers, who want to make sure all marijuana is tested before hitting retail shelves. On July 20, 2017, the Maine House approved a bill that would require the Department of Agriculture to create testing facilities for marijuana.
Ohio Lawmakers Want Feds to Reclassify Marijuana as Less Dangerous
Medical marijuana may be legal in Ohio and 28 other states, but the plant’s presence on the federal government’s list of most dangerous drugs has created numerous legal problems for doctors, researchers, businesses and patients.
Gov. Chris Sununu Signs New Hampshire Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Into Law
Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill into law Tuesday that will decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana in New Hampshire.
Lawmakers Reveal New Deal on Massachusetts Marijuana Law
State House and Senate negotiators reached an agreement Monday on the state’s voter-approved Massachusetts marijuana law that would allow retail pot sales to be taxed at a maximum 20 percent rate.
Are Changes Coming to New York Recreational Marijuana Laws?
In New York, recreational marijuana-use is still illegal, but some New York lawmakers think that it is close to changing.
Arkansas Subcommittee Approves Rules for State Medical Marijuana Program
On June 13, 2017, the Arkansas Administrative Rules and Regulations Subcommittee approved the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board’s proposed rules for the state medical marijuana program.
Massachusetts’ Recreational Marijuana Proposal Seeks Higher Taxes
Lawmakers reviewing the Massachusetts’ recreational marijuana law plan to recommend sharply higher taxes and more control for city and town officials over retail pot shops in their communities, according to a copy of a House proposal obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press.
Florida Legislature Approves Medical Marijuana Measure
During a special session which wrapped up on June 9, the Florida legislature passed new rules for its medical marijuana measure. Florida will have more than double the current amount of medical marijuana operators in the state under a proposal approved by lawmakers.
Advocates Make Final Push for New York Marijuana Legalization
Advocates for the legalization of marijuana were at the state Capitol on Monday to plead with state lawmakers not to let their hopes for the creation of a recreational market go up in smoke for yet another year.
Some Cities, States Help Minorities Enter Marijuana Industry
Cities and states with legal pot are trying to make up for the toll marijuana enforcement took on minorities by letting them join the marijuana industry.
Wisconsin Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Introduced by Republican
On May 30, 2017, a Republican state legislator joined a group of three democrats to introduce a Wisconsin marijuana decriminalization bill, but admitted that the bill’s passing would be unlikely.
Is Legal Marijuana the Best Option in Connecticut’s Budget Crisis?
Connecticut lawmakers are questioning if legal marijuana is the best option in fixing the New England state’s current budget crisis.
Maryland’s Medical Marijuana Program Takes Big Step Forward
Maryland’s medical marijuana program took a big step forward this week with the awarding of the state’s first grower’s license. ForwardGro, based in Anne Arundel County, could make medicine available to patients this fall, but a number of outside forces might put the brakes on the process.
6 Months Later, Massachusetts Cannabis Regulations Still Unclear
Lawmakers haven’t been able to tighten Massachusetts cannabis regulations in the ballot law after it passed 185 days ago.