Author Archives: ushempmuseum
Indiana: Medical Marijuana Legislation Defeated
SB 209, legislation to protect qualified patients who consume cannabis under a physician’s written authorization, has been defeated in committee. The measure, sponsored by Democrat Sen. Karen Tallian, sought to permit qualified patients — including patients with arthritis, migraine, PTSD, and seizures — to engage in cannabis therapy. However, this battle is far from … Continue reading
Study: Cannabis Inhalation Improves Parkinson’s Symptoms
Inhaling cannabis improves symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, according to clinical data published online ahead of print in the European Journal of Pain. Investigators at Tel Aviv University and the Rabin Medical Center in Israel assessed the impact of cannabis exposure on motor symptoms and pain parameters in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Researchers reported that cannabis … Continue reading
Georgia: House Lawmakers Fail To Act On Medical Marijuana Bill
Efforts to expand the state’s current medical cannabis program stalled just before the legislative session came to a close. House lawmakers tried to resurrect language from House Bill 722 by attaching it to a separate, already approved bill but lawmakers did not approve of the addition. House lawmakers had previously approved HB 722 but the … Continue reading
Virginia: Lawmakers Table Marijuana Decriminalization Measures
House and Senate lawmakers have set aside legislation that sought to eliminates criminal penalties for marijuana possession offenses, replacing them with civil fine-only penalties — no arrest and no criminal record. On February 3rd, Senate Bill 104, was passed by indefinitely by the Courts of Justice Committee in an 11-4 vote. The committee failed to take … Continue reading
Maryland: Marijuana Paraphernalia Is Decriminalized
On January 21st, members of the Maryland House and Senate voted to override a 2015 veto and to decriminalize the possession of marijuana paraphernalia. Members of the House decided 86 to 55 in favor of overriding the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 517. Members of the Senate decided 29 to 17 to enact the legislation. Senate … Continue reading
Utah: Lawmakers Adjourn Without Moving Medical Marijuana Plans
Lawmakers have adjourned for 2016 without taking action to expand medical cannabis access to seriously ill patients. Members of the House Health and Human Services Committee voted 8-4 on Monday, March 7, against the passage of Senate Bill 73, the Medical Cannabis Act, which sought to permit for the production and possession of non-herbal formulations … Continue reading
New Hampshire: Governor Signs Penalty Reduction Measure Into Law
On June 21st, Governor Maggie Hassan signed legislation, Senate Bill 498, into law to reduce the penalty for first-time possession of marijuana offenses from a Class A offense to an unspecified misdemeanor. Members of the House previously voted 298 to 58 to amend Senate Bill 498 to make first-time offenses a civil violation rather than a … Continue reading
Kansas: Governor Signs Marijuana Sentencing Reform Measure
Governor Brownback signed House Bill 2462 into law on Friday, May 13th 2016 to amend marijuana possession penalties. The law reduces criminal penalties for first-time marijuana possession offenses from a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by up to one year incarceration and a $ 2,500 fine) to a Class B misdemeanor (punishable by no more than … Continue reading
Georgia: Lawmakers Fail To Act on Senate Resolution That Would Have Placed Marijuana Question Before Voters
Senate lawmakers failed to act on Senate Resolution 6, which sought to place a constitutional amendment on the November 2016 ballot to regulate adult marijuana use, prior to a legislative deadline – thus tabling it for this session. NORML would like to thank those of you who took time to contact your state Senator and … Continue reading
Hawaii: Lawmakers Fail To Act On Marijuana Legalization Measure
Members of the House Judiciary Committee failed to act on legislation to permit adults to legally possess and cultivate personal use amounts of marijuana before the 2016 legislative session came to a close. Senate Bill 873 sought to amend the criminal code to remove criminal penalties specific to the possession and cultivation of marijuana for … Continue reading