Author Archives: ushempmuseum
South Carolina: Medical Marijuana Legislation Introduced
House legislation is pending to protect qualified patients who obtain cannabis under a physician’s written authorization. House Bill 3128, the Put Patients First Act, permits qualified patients to engage in cannabis therapy and to obtain cannabis from state-licensed dispensaries. Under this act, qualifying patients may possess “up to two ounces of a usable form of … Continue reading
Massachusetts: Lawmakers Amend Voter-Initiated Marijuana Legalization Measure
With little debate, House and Senate lawmakers voted today to significantly amend Massachusetts’ voter-initiated marijuana law. The vote sets the stage to delay the establishment of state-licensed marijuana retail facilities from January 1, 2018 to July 1, 2018. Governor Charlie Baker, who campaigned against the initiative, must still sign off on the law change. Separate … Continue reading
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National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – Advocacy Campaigns
Missouri: Multiple Medical Marijuana Bills Pending
Two separate legislative proposals are pending to allow qualified patients to obtain and legally consume marijuana. The preferable of the two bills, Senate Bill 56, permits the state’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to “grant licenses for the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of marijuana for medical use.” Importantly, it authorizes qualified patients … Continue reading
Connecticut: Senate President Pro Tem Introduces Measure To Regulate Cannabis Possession and Commerce
Senate legislation has been prefiled for the 2017 legislative session to regulate the personal use and retail sale of marijuana by adults. Proposed bill 339 seeks to establish regulations regarding the licensed production and sale of cannabis. Additional legislation specific to regulating the adult use of marijuana is also expected to be introduced soon in … Continue reading
Study: Medical Marijuana Laws Associated With Fewer Traffic Fatalities
The passage of medical marijuana legalization is associated with reduced traffic fatalities among younger drivers, according to data published online ahead of print in the American Journal of Public Health. Investigators from Columbia University in New York and the University of California at Davis analyzed traffic fatality data from the years 1985 to 2014. They … Continue reading
NORML Releases Open Letter to Vice President-Elect Mike Pence on Marijuana Policy
National NORML, Michigan NORML and dozens of other state and local chapters have released an open letter to Vice President-Elect Pence seeking clarity and common sense from the incoming administration regarding marijuana policy. During the campaign, President-Elect Trump, on multiple occasions, has voiced support for allowing states to move forward with medical and recreational marijuana … Continue reading
Maine: Gov. Asks “Why Do We Need Medical Marijuana?” Here’s Why
Governor Paul LePage recently suggested abolishing Maine’s medical marijuana program – a program that was approved by a majority of voters on two separate occasions. In a December 15 radio interview, Gov. LePage said that he sees “no need” to continue to implement a separate medical cannabis program in Maine when adult use becomes legally … Continue reading
Maine: Recount Effort Halted, Question 1 Victory Stands
The group opposing Maine’s marijuana legalization initiative has withdrawn its recount effort. Last month, representatives from ‘No on 1’ requested a recount of the vote totals specific to Question 1: The Marijuana Legalization Act. On Saturday, the campaign conceded that the recount would not impact the Election Day result, which estimated Question 1 winning by … Continue reading
Marijuana Use Continues Rapid Decline Among Younger Teens
Self-reported marijuana use continues to fall among younger teens, according to federally commissioned, nationwide survey data compiled by the University of Michigan. Results from the 2016 edition of the Monitoring the Future survey find that marijuana use by 8th-graders and 10th-graders is declining year by year. Further, a greater percentage of younger teens now say … Continue reading