Browsing United States

Activists in Arkansas are looking to make their state the next to legalize medicinal cannabis. Unlike other southern states, they are not taking a CBD-only approach, but are fighting to allow whole-plant cannabis. Medical Jane spoke with Melissa Fults, who runs Arkansans for Compassionate Care, about the upcoming Arkansas medicinal cannabis initiative. Details of the Arkansas Initiative The medicinal cannabis production and distribution system that would be created from the Arkansas initiative is strong and comprehensive. Fults said they tried to think of everything to allay the fears of opponents, while providing a framework for quality care …

A new bill known as S.B. 259 aims to legalize medicinal cannabis in Utah and is currently moving through the state legislature. In order to be voted on, the bill first had to make it out of the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Standing Committee. After hearing testimony from supporters and opponents, the committee voted 3-2 to pass the bill. It now moves onto the full Senate for a vote, which is expected to take place Monday, March 2, 2015. Dr. Wilson Fights to Use Cannabis for His Daughter …

In less than two years, California voters turn to the polls and face the serious choice of reforming state law in favor of cannabis legalization. It has only been about five years since 53.5% of California voters rejected California Proposition 19 (also known as the Regulate, Control & Tax Cannabis Act) on the November 2, 2010 statewide ballot. Will 2016 be déjà vu all over again? Following In The Footsteps of Other States The silver lining to the cloud of Proposition 19’s defeat are the victories in the ongoing national legalization war. Since 2010, the states of …

Cannabis reform is sweeping the nation, and more states are legalizing whole-plant medical cannabis as well as high-cannabidiol extracts. Utah lags behind other states, with no current medical or decriminalization laws. Possession of less than one ounce of cannabis is a misdemeanor, which can result in up to six months of incarceration and a $1,000 fine. The Need for Change in Utah There is a critical need for safe access to cannabis …

DOVER, DE – A cannabis decriminalization bill known as House Bill 39 was introduced in the state of Delaware on January 29, 2015, and is designed to replace criminal penalties with civil violations for cannabis possession. Cannabis Decriminalization Bill Introduced In Delaware Sponsors of the bill include State Representative Helene Keeley (D), Senators Margaret Rose Henry and Bryan Townsend, and 10 of their colleagues. Under HB 39, possessing up to one ounce of cannabis will result in a civil fine of $100. If not paid within 90 days, the fine will double. Currently under Delaware’s cannabis policies, …

CONCORD, NH – New Hampshire lawmakers will consider a decriminalization bill proposed on January 26, 2015. If passed, criminal penalties will be removed for those caught with possession of small amounts of cannabis. House Bill 618 Introduced In New Hampshire Sponsored by Rep. Adam Schroadter (R-Newmarket) and a bipartisan group of seven co-sponsors, House Bill 618 (HB 618) aims to decriminalize cannabis once-and-for-all in the state of New Hampshire – the only New England state yet to remove criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of cannabis. Looking back to March of 2014, the Granite State …

JACKSON, MS – A medical marijuana bill that would allow seriously ill patients with specific conditions to have safe access to cannabis products has been introduced in the state of Mississippi earlier this week. New Medical Marijuana Bill Introduced in Mississippi Senate Bill 2318 (SB 2318), which has been introduced by Mississippi State Senator Deborah Dawkins (D-District 48), would allow patients with qualifying serious medical conditions to grow and possess limited amounts of cannabis under a licensed physician’s guidance, if passed. Under SB 2318, qualifying debilitating …

CHICAGO, IL – The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a policy statement and technical report this week that recommends the decriminalization of cannabis, along with removing the Schedule I classification that cannabis is currently under (alongside drugs such as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy). New AAP Report Suggests Cannabis Reform On January 26, the AAP updated its stance on The Impact of Marijuana Policies on Youth, which was originally published in 2004. As pediatricians have expertise in the care of children and adolescents, many of these health care …

CHARLESTON, SC – Two new measures that would decriminalize cannabis and establish a medicinal cannabis program in the state of South Carolina have been introduced by a bipartisan group led by house minority leader James Todd Rutherford. Medical Marijuana Bill To Allow Safe Access For Patients House Bill 3140, entitled “Put Patients First Act,” would help qualifying patients with serious ailments to be able to cultivate and possess limited amounts of cannabis. In addition, this bill will establish a system in which registered medical …

AURORA, COLORADO – During this spring, Dr. Kelly Knupp, a pediatric epilepsy specialist, and her colleagues will be conducting a three-year, $500,000 observational study at Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. Three-Year Cannabis Study Set To Begin This Spring There has been a lot of recent buzz surrounding the success of medical marijuana in the treatment of childhood epilepsy.Many parents are claiming that medical marijuana has significantly reduced both their children’s seizures frequency and intensity. Because of this, families with children like Charlotte …