Browsing Marijuana News

The Illinois House Human Services Committee approved a bill yesterday, March 6, in an 11-4 vote that would allow for the use of medical marijuana by qualified patients. House Bill 1, which supporters say would be the most tightly regulated marijuana law in the country, would restrict the number of dispensaries statewide to 60, and cultivation centers to 22. It would restrict usage to those suffering from specific conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS and multiple sclerosis. “This is clearly model legislation for the country if we pass it.” – Rep. Lou Lang The …

Last Monday, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and a bipartisan coalition of 13 co-sponsors drafted a bill intended to curb federal interference in state legalized medical marijuana use. House Resolution 689, otherwise known as the State’s Medical Marijuana Patients Protection Act, is the latest effort by supporters to enact new federal guidelines surrounding the enforcement of medical marijuana laws currently on the books. At issue is the line separating states’ rights from the long arm of the federal government. “[HR689] Provides for the rescheduling of marijuana and for the medical use of marijuana in accordance with the …

Florida Senator Jeff Clemens (D-Palm Beach County) has officially introduced Senate Bill 1250, or ‘The Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act’, to the state Health Policy Committee. Senate Bill 1250 would legalize the use of medical marijuana by qualified patients in Florida. By establishing a state-regulated system of dispensaries, patients will be provided legal, safe access to their cannabis medicine at last. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation would be required by the bill to assume the duties of regulating and licensing medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation operations. Senate Bill 1250 is named after …

In the 1980s, New York was one of the seven states to enact a state law that set up a medical marijuana program requiring the Health Department to distribute marijuana joints to people with glaucoma or cancer. The law was named after New York City Councilman, Antonio Olivieri, who urged lawmakers in Albany to pass it after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Olivieri used marijuana after undergoing chemotherapy to battle the side effects. He became an advocate immediately and, from his hospital bed, lobbied the chair of the senate health committee. Olivieri passed away a short time after …

The Oregon House Committee introduced House Bill 3371, or the ‘Control, Regulation and Taxation of Cannabis Act’ this past Monday. The bill would legalize cannabis possession and form a state-regulated structure for legal marijuana retail. House bill 3371 would establish a “comprehensive state policy concerning cannabis, which includes marijuana and industrial hemp under existing state law.” It would allow for the possession of up to 24 ounces of marijuana and 6 plants “on the premises” of non-commercial home grow operations. The bill would establish a sales tax of $35 per ounce, and legalize the sale of cannabis …

William R. Sherman, acting special agent in charge of the DEA (San Diego Field Division), recently appeared on TV to declare war on MMJ delivery services in San Diego. After closing down over 230 San Diego brick and mortar dispensaries in the past year and a half, the DEA is now preparing to shift their focus to shutting down every delivery service they can find. “I’d like to say by summertime, we’d like to have them all closed, that would be our goal,” Sherman told NBC 7. “They are no different than a guy selling dime bags …

The members of the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee recommended the passage of Hawaii’s Senate Bill 472 by a 5-0 vote. The marijuana decriminalization bill aims to reduce the offense for a minor possession of cannabis to a non-criminal, $1000 fine-only offense. Under current law, possession of up to one ounce of cannabis for non-medical purposes is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. A separate bill that would have legalized cannabis in Hawaii died in the House earlier this month. This is despite the fact that a …

The New Mexico House Committee approved a bill Tuesday that would reduce penalties for the possession of small amounts of cannabis. House Bill 465 was approved with a 3-2 vote, and is now on its way to the House Judiciary Committee. New Mexico State Rep. Emily Kane (D-Albuquerque) introduced House Bill 465 earlier this month. Currently, possession of up to one ounce of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor with fines attached and possible jail time. Under the proposed legislation, the possession of up to 4 ounces is limited to a civil penalty, …

The Oklahoma House Public Safety Committee unanimously passed a bill yesterday that would make first and second offenses of marijuana possession a misdemeanor. Currently, a person’s first offense of any amount (except distribution charges) is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. A second possession offense is a felony punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of two to ten years in prison. “I believe that our constituents don’t support us coming down here and legalizing it; I do believe that they support us being smart on crime.” – Rep. Cory Williams The House …

Since December of 2012, our team at Medical Jane has gained over 100,000 Facebook followers and over 20,000 Twitter followers — but who’s counting? We couldn’t be more excited to watch the website and marijuana movement continue to grow as quickly as it has. We have truly tried our best to keep all of you medical marijuana patients and cannabis activists out there informed on the developing cannabis laws and regulations. In doing so, we’ve made some friends along the way. We plan on teaming up with a couple of great companies in the …