State & Local Executive Branches

The US Conference of Mayors, representing the chief elected official in cities over 30,000, has come out strongly and unanimously to call for the feds to take a hands off approach to medical marijuana and marijuana legalization in the states.

Well, at least the DEA didn't raid any dispensaries in the last week. In California, the battle continues at the local level, while progress is being made in several states.

New Hampshire is poised to become the next medical marijuana state after House and Senate negotiators reached a compromise on the legislation that satisfies the concerns of Gov. Maggie Hassan. That means no patient grows.

Texas will start requiring some applicants for unemployment benefits to pass a drug test after Gov. Perry signed a bill into law last Friday.

Nevada took steps on two drug refom fronts Wednesday, as Gov. Sandoval signed bills creating a medical marijuana dispensary system and decriminalizing syringe possession.

Washington state's move toward legal, regulated marijuana commerce is well underway. Initial draft rules have been circulated and commented on, and here's where things stand now. But retail outlets are still months away.

California dispensaries continue their vanishing act, thanks to feds and local officials, but Arizona fends off a challenge, Oregon adds PTSD to its list of approved conditions, and frustrated New Jersey patients rally.

Vermont becomes the latest state to decriminalize marijuana possession as Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) signed a decrim bill into law Thursday.

Colorado has taken another giant step toward establishing a legal, regulated marijuana market for adults as Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law a package of bills designed to implement the will of the voters.