State & Local Legislatures

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.

The medical marijuana scene is hectic! Bill passing, raids happening, local officials pondering, and California dispensaries dwindling.

For the fourth time in recent years, the New York Assembly has approved a medical marijuana bill. Each time before, it died in the state Senate. Now, the pressure is on for a different outcome this time around.

A bill that would allow medical marijuana dispensaries to operate in Nevada has passed the legislature and now awaits the governor's signature.

Medical marijuana has passed both houses of the New Hampshire legislature, but there are differences that will have to be resolved in conference committee.

Good Samaritan and Naloxone bills were signed into law in Vermont Wednesday.

The California Senate has approved an industrial hemp bill. Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed the last one in 2011, but this one is written to address the concerns he raised last time around.

Texas Democrats managed to kill a welfare drug testing bill, but were unable to stop an unemployment benefits drug testing bill. It now awaits the signature of Gov. Rick Perry (R).

Medical marijuana has passed the Illinois legislature. Will the governor sign the bill into law? Stay tuned.

The Washington, DC, city council could take up a decriminalization bill this summer. If the council doesn't act, reformers are considering an initiative, maybe even a legalization initiative.