Author Archives: ushempmuseum
This Election Is Too Important To Sit Out!
In the middle of a tumultuous presidential election, in which one candidate threatens to have the other candidate arrested should he win (as if this were a third-world country with no political institutions), it is tempting to just tune-out of politics and refuse to participate. Without a doubt, we have managed to nominate one candidate … Continue reading
Missouri: Lawmakers Fail To Act On Legalization Measure
Lawmakers failed to act on legislation, Senate Bill 762, to permit for the personal possession and retail sale of marijuana by those age 21 and over. The measure sought to permit adults the right to privately possess up to one ounce of cannabis without penalty. It also sought to license the commercial production and to regulate … Continue reading
Missouri: Lawmakers Take No Action On Bill Seeking To Allow For Expungement of Past Marijuana Convictions
Lawmakers took no action on House legislation that was prefiled —HB 1524 — to allow marijuana convictions to be expunged contingent upon the passage of a constitutional amendment or other statutory enactment legalizing marijuana. According to 2012 arrest data, Missouri police arrested some 18,500 people for minor marijuana possession offenses. These offenders, many of them … Continue reading
URGENT: Marijuana Legalization Needs Your Help!
In just a few weeks, voters in nine states will go to the polls to vote on crucial marijuana policy reforms at a time when national polling shows that the public’s support for legalization has never been greater. I’m pleased to say that NORML is playing a key role in moving public sentiment toward marijuana … Continue reading
Illinois: Governor Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Measure
Governor Bruce Rauner has signed legislation, Senate Bill 2228 into law amending the state’s marijuana possession penalties. The new law reduces the penalties for the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana from a criminal misdemeanor (formerly punishable by up to six months in jail and a $ 1,500 fine) to a civil fine … Continue reading
Missouri: Lawmakers Fail To Consider Bill to Exempt Marijuana from Certain Forfeiture Provisions
Senate Bill 761 was prefiled in the Missouri legislature to exempt marijuana from certain forfeiture provisions relating to controlled substances, however lawmakers failed to consider it this legislative session. “Under current law, illegal controlled substances, anything of value exchanged for a controlled substance in violation of the law, money used to facilitate a violation of … Continue reading
Kentucky: Lawmakers Fail To Act On Cannabis Freedom Act
Lawmakers failed to act on legislation to legalize and regulate the adult use and retail sale of marijuana, the ‘Cannabis Freedom Act. The 2016 legislative session has now come to a close. The legislation, SB 13, sought to allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of cannabis, cultivate up to five … Continue reading
Wyoming: House Lawmakers Reject Marijuana Decriminalization Measure
House lawmakers have voted against legislation (HB 3) to depenalize marijuana possession offenses. House Bill 3 sought to replace criminal sanctions involving the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana with a civil fine of no more than $ 100 — no arrest and no criminal record. House lawmakers voted against the measure 37 to 21. … Continue reading
Georgia: Bill Introduced To Eliminate Marijuana Possession Felonies
Legislation has been pre-filed for the 2016 legislative session to eliminate felony marijuana possession laws. Senate Bill 254 amends the state criminal code so that no marijuana possession offense may any longer be classified as a felony. Nearly a dozen states have similar laws. Under state law, any marijuana possession offense involving more than one ounce of … Continue reading
Pew Poll: Public’s Attitude Shifts Dramatically In Favor Of Marijuana Legalization
Nearly six in ten Americans now believe that marijuana use ought to be legal and only about one in three favor continuing to criminalize the plant, according to nationwide survey data published today by the Pew Research Center. Fifty-seven percent of respondents say “The use of marijuana should be made legal,” the highest percentage of … Continue reading