Industrial Hemp Legislation
California: Legislation To Bring Clarity And Protections For Marijuana Industry
Update: AB 1159 passed the Assembly on 5/15 AB 1159, would bring much-needed clarity to the medical and recreational cannabis industry and extend protections for individuals and businesses in their dealings with their legal advisors The current conflict between federal and California law regarding the legality of cannabis creates problems for businesses that are unlike … Continue reading
Rhode Island: Medical Dispensary Expansion
Update: On May 18 the Senate Judiciary Committee recommended measure be held for further study. SB 176 is currently pending in the Rhode Island Senate. This Senate Bill would amend the state’s Medical Marijuana Act, which currently only permits three medical marijuana dispensaries to operate in the entire state, and increase this to a maximum … Continue reading
Federal: Protect Lawful Medical Marijuana Programs
Update: House and Senate lawmakers have signed off on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 to fund the federal government through September 30, 2017. The measure reauthorizes and updates the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment, as well as a similarly worded amendment protecting state-sponsored industrial hemp programs. Both amendments will remain in effect until September 30, at which … Continue reading
Federal: Legislation Pending To Halt Forfeiture Actions Against Marijuana Facilities
Update: HR 331 was referred to committee. Legislation is pending before Congress, HR 331, to halt the federal government from taking civil forfeiture action against properties involved in state-sanctioned, medical marijuana-related conduct. If approved, it would “amend the Controlled Substances Act … to exempt real property from civil forfeiture due to medical marijuana-related conduct that … Continue reading
Texas: Request To Establish An Interim Committee To Study The Feasibility Of Medical Cannabis
House Concurrent Resolution (HRC) 149 – Legislation proposed by Texas House Representative Eddie Lucio, III requests that the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives create a joint interim committee to study the feasibility of medical cannabis in Texas. While an HRC is not required to hold an interim committee study, passing … Continue reading
Texas: Request To Establish A Committee To Study The Feasibility Of Medical Cannabis
HCR 149, legislation has been proposed in the form of a Concurrent Resolution in the Texas House, would request the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to create a joint interim committee to study the feasibility of medical cannabis in Texas. Thirty states and the District of Columbia have enacted statewide … Continue reading
Minnesota: Marijuana Legalization Measures Introduced
Update: Separate legislation, HF 2714, to amend the Minnesota Constitution to regulate the adult use, cultivation, production, and retail sale of marijuana was introduced May 20. HF 927, to permit the adult use, cultivation, production, and retail sale of marijuana has been introduced in the Minnesota House. SF 1320 is pending in the Senate. Deputy Minority … Continue reading
New Jersey: Legislation Introduced to Legalize Marijuana
Legislation has been introduced by State Sen. Nicholas Scutari to legalize and regulate the adult use, production, and retail sale of marijuana. In his announcement, Scutari stated: “(T)he negative impacts of the failed “War on Marijuana” cannot be overstated. New Jersey spends more than $ 100 million a year on enforcement of marijuana laws, and possession … Continue reading
Federal: Bill Introduced To End Federal Marijuana Prohibition
The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017, HR 1227, eliminates federal criminal penalties for possessing and growing the plant. This legislation gives states the power and flexibility to establish their own marijuana policies free from federal interference. With the recent confirmation of militant marijuana prohibitionist Jeff Sessions to the position of US Attorney General, and … Continue reading
Connecticut: Democrats Revive Marijuana Legalization Plan In Budget Fight
Senate and House Democrats are lobbying for provisions to permit the retail sale of marijuana to adults as a way to address the state’s estimated $ 5 billion budget gap. The proposal would initially permit state-licensed dispensaries to sell cannabis to non-patients, and then establish regulations to oversee the establishment of commercial producers and retailers. The … Continue reading