Author Archives: ushempmuseum
Voters Approve Montana Medical Marijuana Initiative
According to polling information, voters in Montana will approve Initiative 182, the Montana Medical Marijuana Initiative. The Associated Press currently has the measure leading 56 percent to 44 percent. “This decision restores the rights of patients and providers,” said NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano. “Voters were clear in 2004 when they initially enacted the state’s … Continue reading
Pennsylvania: Marijuana Legalization Legislation Introduced
State lawmakers have introduced legislation, SB 528, to permit the adult possession and retail sale of marijuana. The measure permits adults to privately possess marijuana without penalty and to cultivate up to six plants (no more than three mature) for non-commercial purposes. Not-for-profit transactions involving small quantities of marijuana are also permitted. SB 528 also … Continue reading
Maine Legalizes Recreational Marijuana
According to polling information, voters in Maine will approve Question 1, the Marijuana Legalization Act. Politico currently has the measure leading 50.2 to 49.8 percent with 93.9 percent of the vote being counted. “In 2013, over 70% of voters in the city of Portland decided it was time to reject the failed policy of marijuana prohibition and … Continue reading
Federal: CARERS Act Gains Momentum in Senate
Legislation, Senate Bill 683: The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) Act, is pending in the US Senate to strengthen statewide medical marijuana protections and impose various changes to federal law. The bill now has 15 cosponsors including high-ranking Democrat Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Democrat Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). Identical companion legislation, HR 1538, is … Continue reading
The Marijuana Revolution Continues
Election Day dealt another body blow to our nation’s costly, failed, and discriminatory policy of marijuana prohibition. If anyone thought our victories in 2012 and 2014 were a passing fad, it is now clear that they were mistaken. With adult use meaures being approved in four states (CA, MA, ME, NV) and medical marijuana initiatives … Continue reading
Massachusetts Voters Approve The Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act
According to the Associated Press, voters in Massachusetts will approve Question 4, legalizing the adult use of marijuana for adults. The AP has the measure leading by a vote of 53 percent to 47 percent and has called the race. “Massachusetts voters historically have embraced progressive marijuana policies, having previously voted twice to amend various elements … Continue reading
Pennsylvania: Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Measure
Governor Tom Wolf on Sunday, April 17, signed legislation, Senate Bill 3, to permit the production and use of medical marijuana products to qualified patients. NORML would like to thank those of you who advocated on behalf of this effort for the past several years. NORML would especially like to acknowledge the diligent work of … Continue reading
Washington: Legislation to Permit Home Cultivation Fails To Garner Support
Lawmakers have failed to consider legislation that would allow adults to legally cultivate personal use amounts of marijuana this legislative session. House Bill 2629, the Adult Home Grow & Criminal Reduction Bill sought to permit adults to grow a limited number of marijuana plants for personal use. Members of the House Committee on Commerce and … Continue reading
New York: Fairness and Equity Act Tabled
Legislation was tabled in the Assembly (A. 6218A) and Senate (S. 137A) to eliminate loopholes in the state’s existing decriminalization law. The “Fairness and Equity Act” (“FEA”), was a comprehensive piece of legislation that would have expanded the decriminalization of cannabis in New York State. Enacting the FEA would have not only put an end … Continue reading
Wisconsin: Lawmakers Fail To Act On Legislation To Regulate Marijuana
Lawmakers have failed to act on legislation, Assembly Bill 224, to legalize and regulate the adult possession and use of marijuana in Wisconsin. Full text of the bill is here. Annually, state and local police make some 16,000 marijuana possession arrests. The state ranks 19th in the nation in per capita marijuana possession arrests. Under state law, … Continue reading