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.
Politics
California Legalization Supporters Outspending Opponents 40 to 1
While California law enforcement officers remain outspoken against marijuana legalization, supporters have outspent opponents 40 to 1, according to a July 31, 2016, article in the Orange County Register. The top five pro-legalization donors have given $6.5 million, versus the top 5 opposing donors, who have given only $159,150.
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.
Gavin Newsom Explains Why Lawmakers Shouldn’t Be Neutral On Marijuana Legalization
PHILADELPHIA ― Gavin Newsom is a little tired of being the only state official in California to fully endorse legalizing recreational marijuana.
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.
Los Angeles County Pulls Proposed Marijuana Tax
On July 25, 2016, Los Angeles County Supervisors voted 3-2 to scrap a proposed ballot initiative that would have levied a county-wide tax on marijuana.
Neither Clinton Nor Trump Is A Hit With Marijuana Supporters
Marijuana supporters are crossing their fingers that the Obama administration will act soon to reschedule cannabis because neither candidates for president or vice president are giving them any positive feelings.
Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission Voting on Stage One License Pre-approvals
On July 25, 2016, the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission announced that it will live stream its vote on Stage One pre-approvals for 15 growers and 15 processors on Aug. 5, with entity names initially remaining anonymous.
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.
Marijuana Lobby Finds a Welcome Vibe at the Democratic National Convention
PHILADELPHIA - Marijuana has gone mainstream at the Democratic National Convention this week.
Conversations in California: Sonoma County Talks Medical Cannabis Regulations
On July 27, 2016, the County of Sonoma in California will hold the first of three medical marijuana town hall meetings to receive input on marijuana regulations in Districts 3-5 of unincorporated Sonoma County.
Activists March on Democratic Convention With 51-Foot Inflatable Joint
On July 25, 2016, activists marched down the streets of Philadelphia toward the Democratic National Convention with a 51-foot inflatable joint in tow to advocate for the legalization of marijuana.
Pot Activists Meet with Cops to Prep for DNC
Not wanting their protests during the Democratic National Convention to go up in smoke, the men who pushed for the decriminalization of marijuana in Philadelphia informally met with two of the city’s police supervisors.
Republican Support for Legal Marijuana Hits a New High
YouGov’s latest research shows that most Americans still support legalization of marijuana, and that support for legalization has increased slightly.
Greece Examining Possibility of Medical Cannabis Legalization
On July 18, 2016, Greece’s Ministry of Health announced that Health Minister Andreas Xanthos had approved the establishment of a working group to study and examine the viability of medical cannabis legalization.
Majority of Massachusetts Voters Oppose Legalizing Marijuana
A new poll has revealed that a slight majority of Massachusetts residents oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Climate Change, Cannabis and Trudeau
If the commitment to combat climate change is credible and sincere it should also impact the government’s regulations with regards to cannabis cultivation.
Progress in Pennsylvania: Update on Medical Marijuana Program
On July 19, 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Health provided an update on the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program.
New Zealand Could Make $150 Million Annually From Taxing Cannabis
Decriminalising cannabis would generate money for the Government and ease pressure on New Zealand’s courts according to an informal Treasury report.
Texas Legislators And Business Leaders Argue For Decriminalization of Pot
Legislators and business leaders in Texas are making the case for decriminalizing marijuana in their state, according to a July 18, 2016, article in the Austin American-Statesman. They are trying to address a common problem. Minor, nonviolent drug offenses often prevent people from getting jobs due to their criminal record.
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.
In Missouri, Marijuana-Related Offenses Now Can be Expunged
In Missouri, non-violent marijuana-related crimes can now be expunged from public records, according to RiverfrontTimes.com. Gov. Jay Nixon signed Senate Bill 588 on July 13, 2016. The bill allows those convicted of non-violent drug-related crimes to appeal to expunge their records of felonies after seven years and misdemeanors after three years.
Maine Rejects Petition to Add Opioid Addiction as Qualifying Condition for Medical Marijuana
According to a letter dated July 8, 2016, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has denied a petition by Dawson Julia, a medical marijuana caregiver, to add “Addiction to Opiates and drugs derived from chemical synthesis” to the state’s list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana.
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.
LA County Supervisors Approve Ballot Initiative to Tax Marijuana
On July 12, 2016, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to place an initiative on the November ballot that would levy a 15 percent excise tax on marijuana and use the proceeds to help fight chronic homeless.
US Senate Hearing: Researching the Potential Medical Benefits and Risks of Marijuana
On July 13, 2016, the United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism will hold a hearing at 2:30 p.m. ET to review the benefits and risks of medical marijuana.
Maryland Could Soon Announce Medical Marijuana Growers And Processors
In early August, Maryland officials could announce their selection of the marijuana growers and processors who can seek licenses to become the first businesses in the state’s medical marijuana industry, according to a report in The Baltimore Sun. State officials had originally planned to select growers and processors in February 2016.
Nurses in Hawaii Now Allowed to Certify Medical Marijuana Patients
On July 11, 2016, Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed House Bill 2707, clarifying and amending statutes for the state’s medical marijuana dispensary system.
Democratic Party Calls for Marijuana Legalization in Platform Draft
On July 9, 2016, the Democratic Party endorsed an amendment in its party platform for the removal of marijuana from the list of Schedule I narcotics in the Controlled Substances Act, as well as providing a path for the federal legalization of marijuana.
Massachusetts Legalization Debate Centers on Edibles
As Massachusetts residents mull their upcoming votes on a November ballot question that could legalize recreational marijuana, the public debate is centering on edibles. A group of Massachusetts state senators recently took a trip to Colorado, where marijuana edibles that look like gummy bears, fruits and animals have been outlawed.
Residents in These 8 States Are Set to Vote on Marijuana This November
Not only are we set to vote in a new president for the first time in eight years this November, but we could also see the most rapid expansion of marijuana ever, with eight states now set to vote on recreational or medical cannabis initiatives or amendments this fall.
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.
County in Washington Opens Door to Legal Marijuana Businesses
On June 30, 2016, Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy vetoed Ordinance 2016-35s, which would have prohibited legal marijuana businesses from operating in the unincorporated area of Pierce County, Washington.
The Natural State to Vote on Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act
On July 7, 2016, Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin confirmed that the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act has received enough valid signatures to appear on the state’s ballot in November.
Massachusetts Ballot Question on Recreational Marijuana Reworded
A ballot question on recreational marijuana in Massachusetts was reworded by the state’s Supreme Judicial Council, but it can still appear on the November ballot. The ballot question, originally titled “Marijuana Legalization,” should be changed to “Legalization, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana.”
New Jersey Seeks Public Input on Medical Marijuana
If you have a medical condition that could possibly be treated with medical marijuana, the state of New Jersey wants to hear from you.
Georgia Republican Wants Endorsement of Medical Marijuana in GOP Platform
Georgia Republican Dale Jackson, chair of the state party’s Third District, is heading to the GOP National Convention in Cleveland in hopes of convincing party officials to include an endorsement of medical marijuana in the party’s platform.
US Senator Helps Deliver $70K Marijuana Tax Payment in Oregon
On June 30, 2016, Oregon’s Finest, the first medically licensed dispensary in Oregon, released “How the Cannabis Business Community Pays Taxes” on YouTube.
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.
Out-of-State Medical Marijuana Approved for Eligible Minors in Pennsylvania
With Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program expected to take between 18 to 24 months to set up, the state Department of Health is taking steps to ensure its youngest patients don’t have to wait.
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.
DC Department of Health Recommends Taxing and Regulating Marijuana
On June 24, 2016, the District of Columbia’s Department of Health issued “Marijuana in the District of Columbia,” a report that identifies and analyzes the pros and cons of decriminalization and recreational marijuana legalization in Washington, D.C.
Maryland Issues RFP for Medical Cannabis Seed-To-Sale Tracking
On June 24, 2016, Maryland’s Department of Information Technology issued a Request for Proposals for a medical cannabis seed-to-sale tracking system on behalf of the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission.
Democratic Party Adopts Pro-Marijuana Platform Plank
On June 25, 2016, the Democratic National Committee approved a party platform plank that called for reform of the nation’s marijuana laws.
Democratic Senators Push DEA to Downgrade Marijuana Classification
A group of Democratic lawmakers is renewing pressure on the Drug Enforcement Administration to remove marijuana from its current position on a list of the most dangerous drugs, a category that includes heroin and ecstasy.
House Republicans Block Marijuana Banking Amendment
On June 21, 2016, the House Committee on Rules blocked an amendment to H.R. 5485, the Fiscal Year 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, that would have prohibited regulators from penalizing financial institutions that provide services to state-legal marijuana businesses.
Delaware Gubernatorial Candidate Wants Marijuana Legalization
Delaware Sen. Colin Bonini, a Republican candidate for governor, wants to legalize recreational marijuana in his state, according to a June 23, 2016, article by Delaware Public Media. Bonini said the state’s recent decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana and its approval of medical marijuana essentially have legalized pot in his state.
Congress Blocks Medical Marijuana for Military Veterans
Despite strong bipartisan votes in both the House and Senate to allow military veterans to receive medical marijuana recommendations through the Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.), Congressional leadership is blocking the change from becoming law.
Pro-Legalization PAC in Nevada Sees Contributions Spike
A pro-legalization political action committee in Nevada, Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, raised more than $100,000 this month. The PAC supports the Initiative to Regulate and Tax Marijuana, which will appear on the November ballot. If voters affirm the initiative, Nevadans 21 years of age and older will be able to use marijuana recreationally.
Canadian Government Plans to Announce Marijuana Task Force
In the coming days, the Canadian government is expected to announce the formation of a marijuana task force.
