Tag Archives: Drug Policy Alliance

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Jackson City Council Votes Unanimously to Decriminalize Marijuana, Heads to Mayor’s Desk

Jackson City Council Votes Unanimously to Decriminalize Marijuana, Heads to Mayor’s Desk

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – Yesterday the City Council of Jackson, Mississippi voted unanimously to decriminalize marijuana, amending Chapter 86, Article III in the City of Jackson Code of Ordinances to effectively limit the maximum penalty for possession of 30 grams or less of cannabis to a $100 fine, with no prison time.

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.

Resentencing and the Decriminalization of Cannabis

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 13, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas calling on the Office of Cannabis Management, in collaboration with various Los Angeles County departments and community stakeholders, to develop a countywide plan to facilitate the resentencing of minor cannabis convictions.

City of Seattle to Nullify All Misdemeanor Marijuana Possession Convictions From Years Prior to Legalization

SEATTLE, Feb. 8, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and City Attorney Pete Holmes announced today that the city will nullify all misdemeanor convictions for marijuana possession in the years before marijuana was legalized for adult use in Washington state.

Bill to Allow Judicial Discretion to Order Probation For Non-Violent Drug Offenses Introduced in CA State Senate

WASHINGTON,D.C., Feb. 8, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – The California State Legislature will consider a bill to allow judges to order probation, rather than jail or prison for persons convicted of possessing drugs, selling drugs or similar offenses, if the court believes it is in the best interests of justice, based on the facts of the case.

New Mexico Senate Rules Committee Approves Legalization Bill

New Mexico Senate Rules Committee Approves Legalization Bill

Recreational cannabis might be heading for the New Mexico ballot in 2018. On Feb. 2, 2018, the New Mexico Senate Rules Committee voted 4-3 to approve Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino’s Senate Joint Resolution 4, a measure which would allow state residents to vote on cannabis legalization in the next general election.

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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.

District Attorney George Gascón Applies Proposition 64 Retroactively to Every Marijuana Case Since 1975

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 31, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — Today, District Attorney George Gascón announced that the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office will be retroactively applying Proposition 64, which legalized the possession and recreational use of marijuana for adults ages 21 years or older, to misdemeanor and felony convictions dating back to 1975.

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New Mexico Introduces Marijuana Legalization Bill

SANTA FE, N.M., Jan. 31, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — Today, New Mexico State Representative Javier Martinez introduced House Bill 312 to tax and regulate marijuana. Rep. Martinez envisions an industry that will support economic growth and begins to dismantle failed drug war policies that hurt New Mexicans.

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Bethany Baptist Church Lecture Committee and Drug Policy Alliance to Host Forum on Marijuana Legalization and Racial Justice

NEWARK, NJ, Jan. 29, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – On Thursday, February 1st, the Bethany Baptist Church Lecture Committee and Drug Policy Alliance will host, “What’s at Stake? Why Marijuana Legalization is a Racial Justice Issue,”

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Vermont Governor Phil Scott Signs Marijuana Legalization Bill Into Law

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2018 /Weed Wire/ — Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed legislation today allowing adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, and to cultivate up to two mature and four immature cannabis plants. Vermont joins eight other U.S. states – Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington State – as well as Washington, D.C., that have ended the prohibition of marijuana.

Jeff Sessions Expected to Rescind Obama-Era “Cole Memo” That Allowed States to Implement Marijuana Laws Without Federal Interference

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.

Amanda Reiman Awarded “Influencer of the Year” by Industry Power Women

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Amanda Reiman PhD, MSW, and Vice President of Community Relations at Flow Kana, was awarded the Influencer of the Year award at the Industry Power Women (IPW) launch party and award show in Las Vegas for her work in the cannabis industry.

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Saturday: Free Expungement Fair in Los Angeles for People Clearing or Reducing Marijuana Records

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — On Saturday, December 2nd, there will be an expungement fair in Los Angeles, CA for people who are looking to get their felony records reduced, dismissed, or expunged of their criminal record.

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Buffalo Report Shows Stark Marijuana Arrest Disparities

BUFFALO, N.Y., Nov. 14, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Today, the Partnership for the Public Good, a Buffalo community-based think tank, introduced a report highlighting marijuana arrest disparities in Buffalo, New York.

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Buffalo Press Conference Tuesday: New Report Highlights Alarming Racial Disparities in Buffalo’s Marijuana Arrests

BUFFALO, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — On November 14th, the Partnership for the Public Good will release a report highlighting marijuana prohibition enforcement practices in Buffalo and their disparate impact on communities of color.

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Atlanta City Council Votes Unanimously to Decriminalize Marijuana, Heads to Mayor’s Desk

ATLANTA, Oct. 3, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Monday afternoon, after two hours of debate amongst the city council members – the Atlanta city council voted unanimously 15-0 to pass Ordinance 17-O-1152. This legislation makes the possession of marijuana under one ounce a non-arrestable offense and lowers the fine to a maximum ticket of $75.

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Drug Policy Alliance to Host 2017 International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Atlanta, October 11– 14

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — More than 1,500 people will gather in Atlanta, Georgia, October 11 – 14 for DPA’s biennial International Drug Policy Reform Conference (#Reform17) at the Omni Atlanta Hotel @ CNN Center to discuss these issues and much more. Press are invited to attend, and speakers are available for one-on-one interviews.

First Look at the Los Angeles Cannabis Commission Approved by City Council

First Look at the Los Angeles Cannabis Commission Approved by City Council

While Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti named Cat Packer, a former policy coordinator at the Drug Policy Alliance, as the Department of Cannabis Regulation’s executive director on Aug. 9, 2017, the Los Angeles City Council approved Garcetti’s selection of Packer at its meeting on Aug. 16, as well as approving five members for the Los Angeles Cannabis Commission.

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Advocates Challenge de Blasio to Stop Running from His Record and to Address Racial Disparities in Marijuana Arrests

NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Today, Mayor de Blasio’s office published a statement disputing the findings of the Drug Policy Alliance report, “Unjust and Unconstitutional: 60,000 Jim Crow Marijuana Arrests in Mayor de Blasio’s New York.”

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Senator Cory Booker Introduces Marijuana Legalization Bill, Focused on Racial Justice

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Today, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced legislation that ends federal marijuana prohibition and centers communities most devastated by the war on drugs.

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Drug Policy Alliance to Host 2017 International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Atlanta, October 11– 14

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — More than 1,500 people will gather in Atlanta, Georgia, October 11 – 14 for DPA’s biennial International Drug Policy Reform Conference (#Reform17) at the Omni Atlanta Hotel @ CNN Center to discuss these issues and much more.

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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.

New Eligible Conditions Recommended By New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Panel

New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Panel Recommends New Qualifying Conditions

On July 25, 2017, the New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program Review Panel revealed an initial recommendation to add migraines, Tourette’s Syndrome, chronic pain and anxiety to the list of qualifying conditions for those seeking medical marijuana treatment in the Garden State.

New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Review Panel Recommends Adding Chronic Pain, Migraine, Anxiety and Tourette's Syndrome to List of Qualifying Conditions

New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Review Panel Recommends Adding Chronic Pain, Migraine, Anxiety and Tourette’s Syndrome to List of Qualifying Conditions

Today, the New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program Review Panel made initial recommendations to the Health Commissioner to approve chronic pain, migraine, anxiety and Tourette’s Syndrome as qualifying conditions for the medical marijuana program.

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Uruguay, First Country in the World to Legally Regulate Marijuana, Begins Retail Sales Today

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Today, Uruguay will begin sales of legal marijuana for adult residents. The marijuana legalization proposal was put forward by former President José Mujica in 2012 as part of a comprehensive package aimed at improving public safety.

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The Drug Policy Alliance Announces Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno as New Executive Director

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The Drug Policy Alliance board of directors announced today its unanimous decision to appoint Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno as the organization’s new executive director.

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Uruguay, First Country in the World to Legally Regulate Marijuana, Begins Retail Sales Next Week

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Next week, Uruguay will begin sales of legal marijuana for adult residents. The marijuana legalization proposal was put forward by former President José Mujica in 2012 as part of a comprehensive package aimed at improving public safety.

Signature

Marijuana Legalization Hits 100,000 Signature Milestone

LANSING, Mich., July 10, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Supporters of marijuana legalization announced today that the signature collection effort is running ahead of schedule with more than 100,000 signatures collected to-date.

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Drug Policy Alliance Launches Marijuana Legalization Campaign in New Jersey Focused on Racial and Social Justice

TRENTON, N.J., June 12, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Today, the New Jersey Office of the Drug Policy Alliance launched its racial justice focused marijuana legalization campaign with a video produced by Brave New Films.

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Albany Press Conference: New York State Legislators Renew Push for Marijuana Legalization

ALBANY, New York, June 12, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Today, a coalition of community advocates led by Drug Policy Alliance will join Senator Liz Krueger (New York) and Assemblymember Crystal Peoples-Stokes (Buffalo) to announce reintroduction of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA, S.3040A/A.3506A), a bill that would establish a legal market for marijuana in New York.

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New York State Legislators to Renew Push for Marijuana Legalization

ALBANY, New York, June 8, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — On June 12, a coalition of community advocates led by the Drug Policy Alliance will join Senator Liz Krueger (New York) and Assemblymember Crystal Peoples-Stokes (Buffalo) to announce reintroduction of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA, S.3040/A.3506), which would authorize recreational use of marijuana.

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Drug Policy Alliance and ACLU of California Sue City of Fontana Over Ordinance That Conflicts With Rights Granted by California’s Marijuana Legalization Initiative

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 6, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – Yesterday, the Drug Policy Alliance and ACLU of California filed a lawsuit against the City of Fontana challenging a city ordinance that is in conflict with Proposition 64 (also known as the “Adult Use of Marijuana Act” or “AUMA”).

Virginia Marijuana Arrests Continue to Hit Black Communities

Virginia Marijuana Arrests Continue to Hit Black Communities

When it comes to marijuana enforcement, it’s no secret that racial disparities persist even though black and white communities use marijuana at similar rates. The most recent reminder of this comes from the Old Dominion State, where Virginia marijuana arrests continue to disproportionately affect black communities.

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New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Review Panel Recommends Adding Chronic Pain and other Conditions to List of Qualifying Conditions

TRENTON, N.J., May 11, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Today, the New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program Review Panel made initial recommendations to the Health Commissioner to approve chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders, migraines, anxiety, chronic fatigue related to ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome, Tourrette syndrome as qualifying conditions for the medical marijuana program.

Future of Medical Marijuana Clouded by Trump's Signing Statement

Future of Medical Marijuana Clouded by Trump’s Signing Statement

On May 5, 2017, President Donald Trump signed the 2017 omnibus funding bill, covering the federal government’s funding through Sept. 30. The bill contains a provision that bans the Department of Justice from using funds to enforce federal marijuana laws in states that have legalized medical marijuana; however, Trump issued a signing statement that has clouded the future of medical marijuana.

Atlanta Delays Marijuana Decriminalization Decision

Atlanta Delays Marijuana Decriminalization Decision

On April 18, 2017, members of the Atlanta City Council withdrew their support from Ordinance 17-O-1152, a statute that would have decriminalized marijuana in Georgia’s captial. According to the Drug Policy Alliance, the council opted to refer the ordinance to the Public Safety Committee.

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Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinance Fails in Atlanta City Council

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – Yesterday the Atlanta City Council failed to pass Ordinance 17-O-1152, which would have decriminalized marijuana in the city. After hearing from many Atlanta residents the ordinance was referred to the Public Safety Committee for a further review in a 10-4 vote.

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Decision Pending on Adding Opioid Use Disorder for Medical Marijuana in New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M., April 7, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — On Friday, April 7, New Mexico could become the first state in the nation to specifically list opioid use disorder as medical condition that qualifies for access to the state medical marijuana program.

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California Governor Jerry Brown Moves to Align Medical and Adult Use Marijuana Regulation in California

SACRAMENTO, April 5, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Late Tuesday afternoon, Governor Jerry Brown released his proposal to align medical marijuana regulations passed by the Legislature in 2015 and the 2016 Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Prop 64), both of which call for commercial licensing and regulation to begin in January 2018.

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Thursday Teleconference: California Lawmaker Introduced Legislation to Protect Californians Against Federal Attacks on Lawful Marijuana Activity

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — California Assembly Member Reggie Jones-Sawyer will join advocates to hold a media teleconference briefing to discuss his legislation that would prohibit state and local agencies from using resources to assist federal law enforcement authorities with marijuana enforcement against people in compliance with California state law.

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Bill that Would Add Opioid Use Disorder to List of Conditions that Qualify for Medical Marijuana in New Mexico Heads to Governor’s Desk

SANTA FE, N.M., March 20, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Late Friday night, the New Mexico State Senate approved a bill that would make changes to New Mexico’s medical marijuana law.

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Israeli Cabinet Approves Proposal to Decriminalize Marijuana

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — On Sunday, Israel took a big step toward decriminalizing adult marijuana use. The Israeli Cabinet approved a proposal that would replace criminal penalties with fines for people who are caught using marijuana in public. The proposal from the Ministries of Justice and Public Security has received support from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but still requires approval of the Israeli Parliament before becoming law.

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Bipartisan Vote Carries Medical Marijuana Research Bill to Passage in New Mexico State House

Saturday afternoon, the New Mexico State House voted (41-26) to pass House Bill 155, co-sponsored by Rep. D. Armstrong (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. McCamley (D-Las Cruces) to establish a fund in the state treasury for research related to the production, uses, effects, and efficacy of medical marijuana.


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