Author Archives: ushempmuseum
American Legion’s National Commander Calls Out VA Secretary Shulkin
For more than a year, The American Legion has been calling on the federal government – and specifically the Veterans Affairs Department – to support research into the therapeutic benefits of cannabis in treating veterans with PTSD. Many veterans, especially Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans, have told both the Legion and NORML that they have … Continue reading
Study: Medical Cannabis Registrants Reduce Their Prescription Drug Use
Chronic pain patients enrolled in a statewide medical marijuana program are more likely to reduce their use of prescription drugs than are those patients who don’t use cannabis, according to data published online ahead of print in the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. Investigators from the University of New Mexico compared prescription drug … Continue reading
Pennsylvania Democratic Party Adopts Marijuana Legalization Into Policy Platform
Earlier this month, citing racism, bigotry, and mass-incarceration, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party adopted a resolution to “support Democratic candidates and policies which promote the full repeal of cannabis prohibition by its removal from the Controlled Substances Act, and to support the creation of new laws which regulate it in a manner similar to other culturally … Continue reading
2017 NORML Conference and Lobby Day In Brief
First off – a huge thank you to all of those activists and chapter leads from around the country who came to DC to participate in our National Conference and Lobby Day. By the numbers: – 140+ attendees – 21 speakers – 5 members of Congress – … Continue reading
Congress Passes Three Month Budget Continuation – Marijuana Protections Included
In a quick deal between President Trump and Congress, a three-month budget continuing resolution will be in effect until December 8, 2017, maintaining current spending levels. While this seems mundane (it is), it is important for marijuana policy because it guarantees a temporary extension of the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer protections for lawful medical marijuana programs from Attorney … Continue reading
Federal Survey: Youth Marijuana Use Continues To Decline
Fewer young people today identify as current users of cannabis as compared to 2002, according to national survey data released today by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health report finds that 6.5 percent of respondents between the … Continue reading
House Rules Committee Blocks Marijuana Amendments
Late Wednesday night, the House Rules Committee led by prohibitionist Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX) blocked multiple amendments related to marijuana from receiving consideration by the full House, thus ending their consideration and silencing the ability for the lower chamber to offer protections from Attorney General Jeff Sessions when it comes to cannabis. Amendments included: ending the … Continue reading
McClintock/Polis Amendment to Limit Federal Interference of State Marijuana Laws
Representatives Tom McClintock (R-CA) and Jared Polis (D-CO) have introduced an amendment that, if passed, would disallow the Department of Justice to use funds from Congress to enforce federal laws on activities that are legal under state law with regard to marijuana. Ultimately, this amendment seeks to limit the federal government’s ability to intrude in … Continue reading
Gaetz Introduces Amendment for Medical Marijuana Research
Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has introduced an amendment to the appropriations bill that, if passed, would not allow the Department of Justice to use funds from the bill to prevent or delay the approval of an application to research medical marijuana. This past year, the DEA moved to create a new procedure to license more … Continue reading
