Tagged With: medical
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
Washington: Medical Cannabis Expansion Legislation Sent to Governor
House and Senate lawmakers have approved legislation, SB 5131, to expand medical cannabis access. The measure now awaits action from Gov. Jay Inslee. Senate Bill 5131 permits qualified patients and/or caregivers ages 18 and older to purchase immature cannabis plants, seeds, or clones from state-licensed dispensaries. Marijuana cooperatives may also purchase seeds from a licensed marijuana … 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
Montana: Measure to Amend State’s Medical Cannabis Program Heading to Governor
House and Senate lawmakers are in the final stages of reconciling legislation, SB 333, to amend the state’s medical cannabis program. The measure is anticipated<> to be transmitted to the Governor imminently. The legislation makes several amendments to I-182, which voters passed in November. The measure establishes various rules and regulations regarding the operation of … Continue reading
Study: Medical Marijuana Legalization Linked To Lower Medicaid Costs
Patients use fewer prescription drugs in states where access to medical cannabis is legally regulated, according to data published in the journal Health Affairs. Investigators at the University of Georgia assessed the association between medical cannabis regulations and the average number of prescriptions filled by Medicaid beneficiaries between the years 2007 and 2014. Researchers reported, … Continue reading
Louisiana: Bill Introduced to Provide Explicit Legal Protections for Medical Cannabis Recipients
SB 35, introduced by Sen. Yvonne Colomb, provides explicit exemptions from arrest and prosecution for persons lawfully in possession of medical marijuana. Presently, state regulators are finalizing rules and regulations governing its nascent medical cannabis program, which seeks to permit the production, dispensing, and use of non-herbal preparations of cannabis for qualified patients. Passage of … Continue reading
Hawaii: Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill Moving Forward
Legislation to expand Hawaii’s medical cannabis program has passed both legislative chambers. The bill, HB 1488, has passed both the House and Senate. Senate changes to the bill must now be approved by members of the House before it can be sent to the Governor. The bill expands the number of qualifying conditions eligible to … Continue reading
