Hemp History
Congress’ 2017 Budget Plan Reauthorizes Protections For State Medical Cannabis Programs
Spending legislation approved in the past 24 hours by members of the US House and Senate reauthorizes language protecting state-sanctioned medical marijuana and industrial hemp programs. The President is expected to sign the budget bill into law imminently. Specifically, Section 537 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017, states that no federal funds may be … Continue reading
Impactful and Heartfelt Hearing Creates Historic Support for Texas Medical Cannabis Bill
By Jax Finkel Executive Director, Texas NORML Late in the evening on Tuesday, May 2nd, the House Public Health Committee held a hearing for HB 2107 which would make the Compassionate Use Program more inclusive for patients with debilitating medical conditions. Many patients stayed late into the evening to provide powerful and emotional testimony. After … Continue reading
Legalization Takes the Stage in Major Congressional Race
While most political observers are keeping their eyes on the 2018 midterm elections, there are several important special elections to fill seats vacated by members of Congress who were recently appointed to positions in the Trump Administration. One of the more prominent upcoming races will decide who represents the Montana At-Large Congressional District, a position … Continue reading
Grassroots Activism Fuels Marijuana Law Reforms in the Lone Star State
For marijuana activists in Texas, the road to reforming marijuana laws has not been easy. With the state legislature only meeting every two years and no ballot initiative process or ability to reform marijuana laws on the local level, activists must put all their time and energy into lobbying state lawmakers in support meaningful reforms. … Continue reading
Weekly Legislative Update 4/29/17
Welcome to this week’s edition of the NORML legislative roundup! At the federal level, it is important to highlight two key developments pertaining to established marijuana consumers, businesses, and regulatory structures. First, the protections for lawful medical marijuana patients and businesses from the Department of Justice provided by the Rohrabacher-Farr budget amendment was temporarily expended … Continue reading
Last Chance To Protect Medical Marijuana Patients and Providers From Jeff Sessions
Update: Congress passed a one-week Continuing Resolution, to maintain the current spending levels and Rohrabacher-Farr, meaning state medical marijuana patients and businesses will remain protected from Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the Department of Justice until May 5. Today is the final day that Congress has to pass a short-term budget to fund the federal government … Continue reading
Say NO To Taxpayer Funded Medical Marijuana Raids
Since 2014, the Department of Justice has been prohibited from using taxpayers’ funds to enforce federal anti-marijuana laws in states that regulate its medical use. But that could all change this week as Congress decides how to fund the federal government for the remainder of this fiscal year. At issue is a provision known as … Continue reading
Supporters of Marijuana Legalization Rally in Easton’s Centre Square
For more than three decades, supporters of marijuana legalization have gathered in cities across the country on 4/20 to celebrate all things marijuana, and to protest the federal government’s failed War on Drugs. From what started as a loosely organized group of people protesting federal marijuana laws, has now grown into a nationally recognized movement, … Continue reading
Pennsylvania Marijuana Activists Continue to Push the Issue
Hundreds of marijuana law reform advocates from across Pennsylvania gathered last week at the state capitol to express their support for marijuana legalization and also to express concerns regarding the future of the state’s limited medical cannabis program. The event was coordinated by local reform groups Pittsburgh NORML, Philly NORML, and the Keystone Cannabis Coalition … Continue reading
Weekly Legislative Update 4/22/17
Welcome to this week’s edition of the NORML legislative roundup! What a week it has been! With our 4/20 Online Day of Action, we have blown past the goals we had set and have now driven over 35,000 messages to Congress on HR 1227, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017. If you have … Continue reading