Author Archives: ushempmuseum
Cannabis Access Consistently Linked With Lower Opioid Use: Studies
Patients routinely reduce or eliminate their use of prescription opiates following the use of medical cannabis; two recently published studies reaffirm this relationship. In the first study, published by the Minnesota Department of Health, investigators assessed the prescription drug use patterns of 2,245 intractable pain patients participating in the state’s medical cannabis access program. Among … Continue reading
Racial Disparities Persist Among NYC Marijuana Possession Arrestees
New York City police are continuing to disproportionately arrest African Americans and Latinos for minor marijuana possession violations, despite ongoing pledges from Mayor Bill de Blasio to halt the practice. In 2017, city police made an estimated 17,500 arrests for marijuana possession in the 5th degree — a class B misdemeanor. Consistent with past years, … Continue reading
Maine: Lawmakers Push To Rewrite 2016 Voter-Approved Marijuana Law
Gov LePage (R-Maine) State lawmakers are moving forward with a legislative proposal to significantly amend various provisions of the state’s 2016 voter-approved cannabis law: The Marijuana Legalization Act. Members of the Marijuana Legalization Implementation Committee have voted 16 to 1 in favor of overhauling the law, which has yet to be fully implemented. Lawmakers had … Continue reading
Missouri: Medical Marijuana Initiative Effort Reaches Signature Milestone
Proponents of a Missouri voter initiative effort to legalize and regulate the therapeutic use and distribution of cannabis statewide have surpassed over 200,000 signatures. Advocates must collect a total of 160,000 qualified signatures in six of Missouri’s eight congressional districts by May 6, 2018 in order to qualify the measure for the 2018 electoral ballot. … Continue reading
Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Marijuana’s Schedule I Prohibited Status
A federal district court judge in Manhattan today granted the government’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit that sought to challenge the constitutionality of cannabis’ prohibited status under federal law. The 98-page complaint, filed in July 2017 by a legal team that includes New York attorney Michael Hiller, NORML Legal Committee member Joseph Bondy and Empire … Continue reading
Weekly Legislative Roundup 2/23/18
Welcome to this week’s edition of NORML’s Weekly Legislative Roundup! First, I want to bring your attention to some of the state level lobbying efforts progressing around the country. Activists gathered in Denver, CO on Wednesday to try and change the conversation on employee drug testing and partner with local business. Several Denver board members and … Continue reading
California: Alameda County District Attorney To Vacate Thousands Of Past Marijuana Convictions
The District Attorney for Alameda County has announced her intent to automatically vacate thousands of past marijuana convictions. Alameda County, which includes Oakland, is the 7th-most populous county in California. According to the DA’s office, there are an estimated 6,000 marijuana convictions eligible for either a sentence reduction or a dismissal. “California is offering a … Continue reading
It Was A Big Week For Marijuana In America
Valentines Day week 2018 saw a tremendous amount of activity when it came to addressing our nations failed policy of marijuana prohibition. From new federal legislation being introduced to two federal lawsuits having hearings, plus a number of members of Congress, old allies and new stepping up to demand the Trump Administration continue to allow the … Continue reading
Weekly Legislative Roundup 2/16/18
Welcome to this week’s edition of NORML’s Weekly Legislative Roundup! First, I’d like to highlight a key development at the federal level pertaining to established marijuana businesses and consumers. Representative Lou Correa (D-CA) has introduced the Sensible Enforcement Of Cannabis Act which would basically codify the protections that were outlined in the now-rescinded Cole Memo. Essentially, … Continue reading
