Industrial Hemp Legislation
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
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
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
