Tagged With: Measure
Arizona: Measure introduced To Defelonize Minor Marijuana Offenses
Arizona Representative Mark Cardenas has introduced legislation, House Bill 2002, to defelonize minor marijuana possession offenses. Arizona’s penalties pertaining to the possession and/or sale of cannabis are among the toughest in the nation. Under present law, marijuana possession is classified as a felony, punishable by up to two years in jail. Annually, an estimated 20,000 … Continue reading
Wyoming: Marijuana Decriminalization Measure Introduced
Wyoming State Rep. Mark Baker has introduced HB 157 to decriminalize the possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana. Baker’s bill is more robust than previous year’s legislation and marks a shift in attitude among state lawmakers. More than 70% of Wyoming residents support decriminalization. Currently under state law, first-time marijuana possession offenses are … Continue reading
Rhode Island: Marijuana Legalization Measure Forthcoming
A coalition of Rhode Island lawmakers has vowed to reintroduce a marijuana legalization this legislative session. The bill will allow adults 21 and older to possess cannabis and will establish a framework for businesses to cultivate and distribute marijuana. While the language is similar to that of previous bills that have failed to come … Continue reading
Massachusetts: Lawmakers Amend Voter-Initiated Marijuana Legalization Measure
With little debate, House and Senate lawmakers voted today to significantly amend Massachusetts’ voter-initiated marijuana law. The vote sets the stage to delay the establishment of state-licensed marijuana retail facilities from January 1, 2018 to July 1, 2018. Governor Charlie Baker, who campaigned against the initiative, must still sign off on the law change. Separate … Continue reading
Connecticut: Senate President Pro Tem Introduces Measure To Regulate Cannabis Possession and Commerce
Senate legislation has been prefiled for the 2017 legislative session to regulate the personal use and retail sale of marijuana by adults. Proposed bill 339 seeks to establish regulations regarding the licensed production and sale of cannabis. Additional legislation specific to regulating the adult use of marijuana is also expected to be introduced soon in … Continue reading
Illinois: Measure Seeks to Eliminate Marijuana Possession Penalties
Illinois lawmakers are considering legislation to permit adults to legally possess and cultivate personal use amounts of marijuana. Senate Bill 753 amends the criminal code to remove criminal and civil penalties specific to the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis and/or the cultivation of up to five plants by those age 21 or … Continue reading
Massachusetts: Lawmakers Fail To Act On Marijuana Legalization Measure
Lawmakers failed to take action on legislation, H. 1561: The Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act of 2016, to permit the personal possession, cultivation and retail sale of marijuana to adults. The measure would have also permitted home cultivation of the plant for non-commercial purposes. A coalition of more than a dozen bipartisan Massachusetts lawmakers introduced the Act … Continue reading
Pennsylvania: Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Measure
Governor Tom Wolf on Sunday, April 17, signed legislation, Senate Bill 3, to permit the production and use of medical marijuana products to qualified patients. NORML would like to thank those of you who advocated on behalf of this effort for the past several years. NORML would especially like to acknowledge the diligent work of … Continue reading
Wisconsin: Marijuana Decriminalization Measure Never Considered
Legislation to depenalize the possession and cultivation of limited quantities of marijuana in Wisconsin was never considered by members of both the House and Senate this legislative session. Assembly Bill 246 would have eliminated, “1) the penalty for possession of marijuana if the amount of marijuana involved is no more than 25 grams; 2) the penalty … Continue reading
Minnesota: House Members Pass Measure To Permit Growing Of Industrial Hemp
House members on May 4 voted 110 to 18 in favor of legislation, HF 1437, to authorize the state-sanctioned production of industrial hemp. The measure now goes to the Senate for further consideration. Last year, members of Congress approved language in the omnibus federal Farm Bill explicitly authorizing states to sponsor hemp research absent federal … Continue reading