Urge Governors to Stand Up for Patient Rights (Action Alert)
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State & Local Executive Branches
Delaware Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Bill
Gov. Jack Markell has signed legislation making Delaware the 16th state to allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
Medical Marijuana Legislation Gets Another Shot in Washington State
Washington medical marijuana advocates have been trying to pass a bill to allow marijuana dispensaries. Last month, Governor Chris Gregoire vetoed large parts of their bill. She said it wouldâve put state workers in the position of violating federal law. Gregoire says she wants all the states that allow medical marijuana to petition the federal government to reclassify cannabis as a schedule II drug. She scheduled a conference call among those states Thursday.
(image via Wikimedia.org)
Florida Legislature Passes Welfare Drug Test Bill
Florida is about to become the first state to impose suspicionless drug testing on welfare recipients. And then it will likely spend a lot of taxpayer money on a probably futile attempt to defend its constitutionality.
It looks like the Green Mountain State is about to get a little greener. (Image via Wikimedia.org)
Vermont Legislature Passes Medical Marijuana Dispensary Bill
Vermont is set to become the next medical marijuana dispensary state after the legislature gave final approval to a bill that would do just that.
The battle over medical marijuana is far from over in Montana (Image via Wikimedia.org)
Montana Medical Marijuana Industry Fights Back [FEATURE]
With a draconian medical marijuana "reform" bill set to become law in a matter of weeks, the Montana medical marijuana industry is fighting back with lawsuits and an initiative campaign.
Maryland Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Defense and Study Bill (Press Release)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2011
Maryland Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Defense and Study Bill
Gov. O’Malley Fulfills Promise to Offer Limited Patient Protections
CONTACT: Morgan Fox, communications manager………………………..202-905-2031 or [email protected]
ANNAPOLIS – Maryland became the 16th state to remove criminal penalties for the medical use of marijuana today when Gov. Martin O’Malley signed SB 308 as promised. The bill allows seriously ill patients to avoid prosecution when charged with marijuana possession and creates a commission to study medical marijuana laws and make recommendations on how Maryland can institute such a program. This is the first time since 2003 that additional protections were considered, and it’s an important step toward protecting medical marijuana patients from arrest and ensuring that they have safe access to their medicine.
“We’re very happy that the Governor signed this bill into law and listened with compassion to seriously ill Marylanders who use marijuana to treat their conditions,” said Dan Riffle, legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project. “We look forward to the study group created here making helpful recommendations to further protect such patients.”
Under the new law, individuals diagnosed with debilitating medical conditions, such as cancer or multiple sclerosis, can avoid conviction if charged with the non-public use or possession of one ounce or less of marijuana. An existing sentencing mitigation will remain part of the law, meaning patients who don’t qualify for the full affirmative defense would still have the opportunity to present evidence of medical necessity and have their sentence reduced to a $100 fine. In addition, a work group consisting of medical, legal, and law enforcement experts would be convened to recommend more comprehensive legislation next year. Advocates hope to be able to use that recommendation to pass a bill that offers patients complete protection from arrest and prosecution.
The work group should have the ability to observe a well-regulated medical marijuana program run by their neighbors in the District of Columbia. In April, the District began implementation of its long-awaited medical marijuana program by accepting applications for licensed and well-regulated cultivation centers and dispensaries. That program should be fully operational later this year.
With more than 124,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. For more information, please visit www.mpp.org.
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Mike Bloomberg
NYC Mayor Bloomberg Discusses Drug Legalization
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg started to talk sense about drug legalization, but quickly fumbled. Meanwhile his police officers are arresting thousands of marijuana users -- in a city that has decriminalization!
Gov. Schweitzer wielded the veto ax once this session to protect medical marijuana, but declined the second time.
Montana Governor Will Not Veto Medical Marijuana Dispensary-Killing Bill [FEATURE]
The Montana legislature has passed a medical marijuana reform bill that is "repeal in disguise," according to advocates. The governor is also unhappy with it. He has ten days to veto it, but says he will let it become law.
Rally in Sacramento Monday for Dr. Mollie Fry and Dale Schafer. (Image courtesy ASA)
Feds on New Medical Marijuana Offensive [FEATURE]
Federal prosecutors are threatening elected officials in states considering regulating medical marijuana dispensaries. It's working, so far.