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Kentucky Republicans McConnell and Paul are supporting hemp legislation in the Senate
Kentucky Republicans McConnell and Paul are supporting hemp legislation in the Senate

Bipartisan Hemp, Medical Marijuana Bills Introduced in Congress [FEATURE]

With the introduction of medical marijuana and hemp bills this week, along with marijuana legalization legislation introduced earlier this month, Congress has a full-blown marijuana agenda before it this session. And now, it has an emerging cannabis caucus.
Is it sunrise for industrial hemp in Kentucky? (votehemp.org)
Is it sunrise for industrial hemp in Kentucky? (votehemp.org)

Mitch McConnell Endorses Kentucky Hemp Bill

Now, here's some news we didn't expect: US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has endorsed a pending hemp bill in his home state of Kentucky.
Sen. Leahy addresses law students at Georgetown University (leahy.senate.gov)
Sen. Leahy addresses law students at Georgetown University (leahy.senate.gov)

Senate Judiciary Chair Calls for End to Mandatory Minimums

Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT), head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has said he wants to abolish mandatory minimum sentences, and he hopes the federal government doesn't spend a lot of money enforcing marijuana laws in states where it is legal.
E. Barrett Prettyman US Courthouse and William B. Bryant Annex
E. Barrett Prettyman US Courthouse and William B. Bryant Annex

DC Appeals Court Denies Marijuana Rescheduling [FEATURE]

The effort to get the executive branch to reschedule marijuana has been blocked by a federal appeals court. While appeals will continue, efforts will now turn to forcing change in Congress and with the Obama administration.
DC's partial diamond (map from census.gov)
DC's partial diamond (map from census.gov)

Is It Time for Another DC Marijuana Initiative? [FEATURE]

Although it hasn't made reformers' top target list, Washington, DC, could be ripe for a marijuana reform initiative, whether legalization, expanding medical marijuana, or decrim. Local activists are meeting and national organizations are watching.
Caravan for Peace vigil, Brownsville, Texas, August 2012
Caravan for Peace vigil, Brownsville, Texas, August 2012

The Top Ten Drug Policy Stories of 2012 [FEATURE]

In some ways, 2012 has been a year of dramatic, exciting change in drug policy, as the edifice of global drug prohibition appears to crumble before our eyes. In other ways it's still business as usual in the drug war. Here, we look at the biggest drug policy stories of the year.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (leahy.senate.gov)
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (leahy.senate.gov)

Senate Judiciary Committee to Hold Hearings on Marijuana Policy

Pressure is mounting on the Obama administration to say how it will respond to the marijuana legalization votes in Colorado and Washington. Now, the head of the Senate Judiciary Committee is calling for hearings on the issue.