State & Local Legislatures

Nevada is the latest state to see a marijuana legalization bill in the wake of last November's victories in Colorado and Washington.

The District of Columbia has now joined ten states in implementing 911 Good Samaritan laws designed to reduce overdose deaths by removing the fear of arrest and prosecution from victims and witnesses who seek medical help.

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 New Hampshire marijuana legalization bill has been voted down by the House. Another one remains alive, but is bottled up in committee.

The Vermont legislature will take up marijuana decriminalization bills again this year. The governor supports them, and a major obstacle has been removed, so things are promising.

Vermont is now the latest state to see a marijuana legalization bill introduced.

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.

Legislatures are in session across the land, and that's reflected in our update this week. Bills are moving, generally, but not, always in the right direction. Meanwhile, Arkansas looks ahead to 2014, and Oakland wants back in the Harborside case.

The Hawaii House earlier this session rejected marijuana legalization; now, it will have a chance to vote on decriminalization after a bill passed the state Senate.