State & Local Legislatures

Lots of action in California this past week, including more raids and more threat letters, plus action in various state legislatures.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who vetoed a Good Samaritan overdose bill last fall, has reached an agreement with legislators, folding Good Samaritan language into a naloxone overdose prevention bill. That's a twofer for New Jersey!

A bid to impose drug testing on welfare recipients in Indiana has died after legislators could not agree on a means of ensuring payments to the children of recipients who tested positive.

The first dispensary in Phoenix has opened, dispensaries in Washington, DC, are ready to go, and there has been more federal enforcement activity in California.

Military veterans and civilians, too, are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many are finding relief with marijuana, but even in some medical marijuana states, its use is not approved.

Ten states have seen marijuana legalization bills this year. Now, add Puerto Rico.

More DEA raids in Los Angeles, federal prison bureaucrats ignore a Michigan medical marijuana prisoner's medical needs, and there is lots of action in state legislatures.

The Vermont House has approved marijuana decriminalization. It still has to get through the state Senate.

Bills that aim to impose drug testing on people seeking public benefits are moving in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas.