Browsing United States

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 …

Colorado’s House Judiciary Committee passed House Bill 1114 in an 11-0 vote on Tuesday night. Under the new bill, drivers caught with 5 nanograms of THC in their blood stream would be considered to be ‘driving under the influence of marijuana’. Although this is not the first time a marijuana DUI bill has been introduced to the Colorado legislature, previous attempts have been criticized and shot down. Opponents have argued that the 5-nanogram limit is too strict for regular pot smokers, especially medical marijuana patients who rely on the plant as a daily medicine. Some argue there …

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 …

Rhode Island lawmakers will hear testimony on numerous marijuana bills this Wednesday, February 27 in the State House. The ‘Marijuana Regulation, Control and Taxation Act’, or House Bill 5274, was introduced earlier this month by State Rep. Edith Ajello (D-Providence) to legalize, regulate and tax cannabis sales for adults 21 and over. If the bill passes, it would remove penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis, and allow for up to three mature plants in an enclosed, locked space. The bill aims to reduce the presene of cannabis in the black market by …

Maryland decided to join the legalization effort on Feb 21st, when Delegate Curt Anderson introduced a bill that would legalize the recreational use of cannabis in the state. House Bill 1453, similar to the existing Amendment 64 in Colorado, would allow the plant to be purchased and consumed by adults 21 and over, and sold by the state. Individuals would also be allowed to grow up to three marijuana plants in the privacy of their homes. What Will House Bill 1453 Mean For Maryland? Under the proposed bill, smoking a joint in public and driving under the …

Nevada Senators have agreed it is time to change existing laws regarding how qualified patients acquire their medical marijuana. The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing lasted nearly three hours today, in which the members agreed that it is nearly impossible to obtain marijuana under current stipulations of the law. The existing MMJ law requires a qualified cardholder to grow his or her cannabis and does not allow for the existence of dispensaries. Legislator Seeks Help To Fix Current Legislation Bearing in mind Nevada isn’t the most ideal location for growing cannabis, many patients are simply unable to provide for themselves and …

Capital City Care will be the first of four licensed medical marijuana dispensaries to open in Washington, DC. After nearly 15 years of hard work and an arduous three-year regulatory process, the District’s first official medical marijuana dispensary is set to open its doors in April. A Washington D.C. company by the name of Brightest Young Things recently met with Scott Morgan, the Communications Director at Capital City Care, for an interview and a tour of their new facilities. He took the time to go over everything from what it took to get where …