Industrial Hemp Legislation
North Carolina: Lawmakers Fail To Act On Measure To Allow Medical Marijuana For Chronic Illnesses
Lawmakers have failed to act on house legislation to permit the limited use of medical marijuana. House Bill 983 would have exempted patients engaging in the physicians-recommended use of cannabis to treat a chronic or terminal illness from criminal prosecution under state law. Qualifying patients would have needed to possess a tax stamp issued by … Continue reading
Pennsylvania: Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Introduced
Representative Ed Gainey has introduced legislation, House Bill 2076, to amend the state’s controlled substances act so that minor marijuana possession offenses are considered a non-criminal offense. States Rep. Gainey in a recent memorandum to House members: “Despite both local and nationwide progress on the issue of cannabis prohibition Pennsylvania continues to charge over 18,000 … Continue reading
Tennessee: Law Amends Felony Marijuana Penalties
Legislation signed into law amends felony marijuana possession penalties. House Bill 1478 amends third-time marijuana possession offenses from a Class E felony, punishable by up to six years in prison, to a misdemeanor offense, punishable by no more than one year in jail. The new sentencing penalties take effect on July 1, 2016. You can read … Continue reading
Hawaii: Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Expansion Law
Governor David Ige has signed legislation, House Bill 2707, to expand the state’s medical cannabis program. The measure expands the pool of practitioners who may legally recommend cannabis therapy to include advanced nurse practitioners. Separate provisions in the bill removes the prohibition on Sunday dispensary sales and on the possession of marijuana-related paraphernalia by qualified … Continue reading
Colorado: Governor Hickenlooper Signs Legislation Permitting Medical Cannabis Use In Schools
On Monday, June 6th, Governor John Hickenlooper signed House Bill 1373 into law. This legislation permits qualified patients access to medical cannabis formulations while on school grounds. “My son, if he needed medical marijuana and he needed it during the day while he was in school, I’d want him to have that opportunity,” Hickenlooper said. … Continue reading
Tennessee: Hemp Production Measure Signed Into Law
Legislation, HB 2032, permitting the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp has become law. The measure permits for the licensed cultivation of industrial hemp when “grown by an institution of higher education in this state that offers a baccalaureate or post-graduate level program of study in agricultural sciences.” Over 20 states have enacted similar legislation, … Continue reading
Congress Votes To Permit Military Veterans Access To Medical Cannabis
Members of the US House of Representatives voted today for the first time to expand military veterans’ access to medicinal cannabis in states that allow it. Members voted 233 to 189 in favor of the Veterans Equal Access Amendment, offered by Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR) to the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related … Continue reading
West Virginia: Lawmakers Fail To Act On Marijuana Decriminalization Measure During Special Session
Lawmakers failed to consider legislation that was introduced during this legislative season’s special session to decriminalize the possession and cultivation of limited quantities of marijuana in West Virginia. House Bill 114 sought to permit the personal use, growth and possession of up to two ounces of marijuana by persons over the age of twenty-one who … Continue reading
Illinois: Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Expansion Plan Into Law
Governor Bruce Rauner has signed legislation to expand and extend the state’s medical marijuana program. The legislation (Senate Bill 10) extends the state’s medical cannabis program to 2020. Legislation initiating the program was set to expire in 2018. Other changes to the program include: 1. Adding post-traumatic stress and any terminal illness as qualifying medical conditions; 2. Extending … Continue reading
