State & Local Legislatures

The battle is joined over dispensaries in Washington, and the clock is ticking. (Image via Wikimedia.org

Fed Threat Puts Washington Medical Marijuana Dispensary Bill in Doubt

Federal prosecutors threw a stink bomb in the room just as the Washington legislature was finalizing a medical marijuana dispensary bill. Now, the bill's future is in doubt.

Welfare recipients are the latest targets of Florida politicos. (Image via Wikimedia.org)

Florida Welfare Drug Testing Bills Advance

Florida legislators want to make poor people take a drug test -- and pay for it -- before they can get public benefits.

Portland Legislator Pushes Bill to Legalize, Tax Marijuana in Maine

Imagine walking into a neighborhood store to buy beer, wine, liquor and cigarettes. But on your way home you make one more stop â to buy marijuana, legally. That's the vision Rep. Diane Russell will outline at a press conference on Wednesday at Portland City Hall, when she introduces LD 1453: An Act to Legalize and Tax Marijuana.

ACLU Urges Washington State Senators to Move Medical Marijuana Bill

The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington is urging state senators to ignore Gov. Chris Gregoire's threat to veto a bill that would set up a regulated medical marijuana dispensary system. The House and Senate have passed legislation to license dispensaries. After a warning from federal prosecutors of arrest liability for employees who break federal law, Gregoire said she'd veto legislation that requires state workers to implement a licensing system.

Delaware State House, Dover (image via wikimedia.org)

Delaware Senate Passes Drug Sentencing Reform Bill

Simple drug possession is about to become a misdemeanor in Delaware, as a major drug sentencing reform bill awaits one last procedural vote.

Patients could still be arrested, but not convicted under the proposed law. (Image via Wikimedia.org)

Maryland Legislature Approves Medical Marijuana Defense Bill

Maryland looks set to approve a medical marijuana affirmative defense bill, with only one more pro forma Senate vote left before it goes to the governor for his signature.

Californians appear ready to reduce drug possession to misdemeanor. (Image courtesy Aaron Logan via Wikimedia.org)

Californians Favor Lessening Drug Possession Penalties [FEATURE]

A new poll in California shows strong support for reducing drug possession from a felony to a misdemeanor and lesser, but still substantial, support for decriminalization.

Gov. Schweitzer heeds the will of the voters, not the legislature.

Montana Governor Vetoes Medical Marijuana Repeal

Montana's Republican legislature wanted to repeal the state's voter-approved medical marijuana law, but the Democratic governor struck it down with the veto pen.

Gov. Schweitzer Vetoes Repeal of Montana's Medical Marijuana Law

Gov. Brian Schweitzer has vetoed a Republican bill that would have repealed the state's voter-approved medical marijuana law. Schweitzer vetoed the bill along with several others he called "frivolous, unconstitutional or in direct contradiction to the expressed will of the people of Montana." Voters in 2004 overwhelmingly approved the use of medical marijuana.

medical marijuana (courtesy Coaster420 and wikimedia.org)

Washington House Passes Medical Marijuana Dispensary Bill

A bill that would authorize medical marijuana dispensaries and increase patient protections in Washington state has passed both houses, but faces a reconciliation vote in the Senate and a less-than-committed governor.

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