Author Archives: ushempmuseum
Ohio NORML Continues the Fight on the Local Level
Statewide marijuana legalization efforts in Ohio have proven to be more difficult than many expected. After Ohio voters overwhelming rejected Issue 3 – a well-funded ballot initiative, that would have legalized the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for adults 21 and over, but also contained severe restrictions with regard to retail production … Continue reading
Pennsylvania: Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Introduced
Representative Ed Gainey has introduced legislation, House Bill 2076, to amend the state’s controlled substances act so that minor marijuana possession offenses are considered a non-criminal offense. States Rep. Gainey in a recent memorandum to House members: “Despite both local and nationwide progress on the issue of cannabis prohibition Pennsylvania continues to charge over 18,000 … Continue reading
Tennessee: Law Amends Felony Marijuana Penalties
Legislation signed into law amends felony marijuana possession penalties. House Bill 1478 amends third-time marijuana possession offenses from a Class E felony, punishable by up to six years in prison, to a misdemeanor offense, punishable by no more than one year in jail. The new sentencing penalties take effect on July 1, 2016. You can read … Continue reading
Hawaii: Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Expansion Law
Governor David Ige has signed legislation, House Bill 2707, to expand the state’s medical cannabis program. The measure expands the pool of practitioners who may legally recommend cannabis therapy to include advanced nurse practitioners. Separate provisions in the bill removes the prohibition on Sunday dispensary sales and on the possession of marijuana-related paraphernalia by qualified … Continue reading
Colorado: Governor Hickenlooper Signs Legislation Permitting Medical Cannabis Use In Schools
On Monday, June 6th, Governor John Hickenlooper signed House Bill 1373 into law. This legislation permits qualified patients access to medical cannabis formulations while on school grounds. “My son, if he needed medical marijuana and he needed it during the day while he was in school, I’d want him to have that opportunity,” Hickenlooper said. … Continue reading
Arizona: Adult Use Marijuana Measure Cleared For November Ballot
Arizona voters will decide this November on a statewide ballot measure to legalize and regulate the adult use and retail sale of cannabis. The Secretary of State’s office has confirmed that initiative proponents, The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol, submitted a sufficient number of signatures from registered voters to qualify the measure for the … Continue reading
Proponents of Marijuana Club Initiative Exceed Expectations
Jordan Person, executive director of the Denver Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) submitted roughly 8,000 signatures this week to Denver’s Election Division with the hope of qualifying the Responsible Use Initiative for this November’s ballot. Relying on the hard work and dedication of more than twenty grassroots activists, … Continue reading
Federal Court of Appeals Upholds Ban on Prosecuting State-Compliant Medical Marijuana Businesses
A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, covering nine western states, earlier this week ruled unanimously that the Department of Justice is barred by federal law from prosecuting medical marijuana businesses if those businesses are operating in compliance with state law. This decision came in an appeal in which … Continue reading
Poll: Two-Thirds Of Californians Support Legalizing Retail Sales Of Marijuana To Adults
More than two in three California voters support the establishment of a state-regulated retail market for the sale of marijuana to adults, according to polling data compiled by the Institute of Government Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Sixty-four percent of respondents agree, “Marijuana should be legal for adults to purchase and use recreationally, … Continue reading