State & Local Executive Branches

Medical marijuana bills were laid to rest in two states this week, changes in the medical marijuana law went into effect in another, and Massachusetts now appears set to open dispensaries by year's end. There's more news, too.

It's no April Fools' Day joke -- Rhode Island has decriminalized marijuana.

Hemp has made it through the legislature in Kentucky. Now, will the Democratic governor sign the Republican-supported bill?

There is plenty of action in state legislatures, the battle over rescheduling continues, a Maine dispensary gets called out for using pesticides, and much more.

As politicians dither, New Yorkers hoping to end New York City's reign as marijuana arrest capital of the world will have to wait. In the meantime, another thousand people are getting popped for pot in the Big Apple every week.

New York City and the NYPD are under fire this week for both their stop-and-frisk policing program and their massive number of marijuana possession busts in a state where it is supposed to be decriminalized.

Medical marijuana action was concentrated in state legislatures this week, although there was also news from the Massachusetts attorney general's office.

Recalcitrant law enforcement and opposition from the governor's mansion is scuttling medical marijuana in Minnesota this year, even though it has broad popular support. But there's always next year.

A marijuana decriminalization and depenalization bill has passed the New Mexico House, but the margin of victory was close, the clock is ticking on the Senate, and the Republican governor has threatened a veto.

There is action in various state houses, Michiganders continue to tussle over their medical marijuana law, and there's an investigation going on in Maine.