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LEGISLATION
Federal, state, and local bills and initiatives
Medical Marijuana vs. Legalization: When is a bad medical law worse than no medical law?
I recently received this comment, probably meant for my rants against the poor Minnesota medical marijuana bill vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty and my further commentary that subsequent bills in NH, NY, NJ and an initiative in AZ are making a huge mistake by trading away the patient’s right to grow at home: Russ, It wasn’t [...]
Welcome Lynnette to the Stash
Lynnette joins us on the front page of the Stash. She is working as an intern for NORML and is a recent graduate of, uh, a school of higher education in southwest North America. One of her projects is to work scouting the representatives and senators in Congress for lobbying on the various federal reform [...]
Congressional subcommittee lifts “Barr Amendments” forbidding DC from medical marijuana and decriminalization
Update: I’ve modified the headline from “Congress lifts…” to better reflect the story — “R”R A House appropriations subcommittee has lifted a long-standing budget rider banning the District government from spending any money to decriminalize marijuana. The Financial Services panel, which has oversight of D.C., has removed from the 2010 budget 11-year-old language outlawing the [...]
The Importance of Permitting Consumers the Right to Cultivate Marijuana for Personal Use
For nearly 40 years, NORML has provided a voice in the public policy debate for the tens of millions of Americans who enjoy cannabis responsibly. NORML is and has always been the ‘marijuana’ consumers’ lobby. In the short run, NORML favors the elimination of all criminal and/or civil penalties prohibiting the possession of cannabis for [...]
Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) on Marijuana Law Reform
Thank you for contacting me in regard to ending marijuana prohibition. I greatly appreciate knowing your thoughts on this important issue, but I must respectfully disagree with you. In 2005, Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) offered an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2006 Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations Bill that would allow states to [...]
Rep. Parker Griffith (D-AL) on Marijuana Law Reform
Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I welcome the opportunity to respond to the issues that are important to the people of North Alabama. In your message, you express support for judicial drug reform. Specifically, you would like to see our nation change its policy regarding the use of marijuana. A bill [...]
Rep. Jo Bonner (R-AL) Marijuana Law Reform
Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 5843, the Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults. As you may know, H.R. 5843 would decriminalize marijuana sale, possession, and personal use under federal law. I remain consistently opposed to legalization or decriminalization of illegal drugs. Having been referred to [...]
Tennessee Assembly adjourns without addressing marijuana bills
Reported by our own Stasher JohnH from Crossville, TN: The 2009 session of the 106th General Assembly adjourned on Thursday June 16th 2009 with no further action taken on either SB1942 (As introduced, makes possession of between 1/1000 and 1/8 of an ounce of marijuana a fine only $250 minimum Class A misdemeanor with the [...]
Marijuana prohibition fueling murder increase in Dayton, Ohio
(Dayton Daily News) “The trend in several of the homicides and even non-fatal shootings is that they’re related to marijuana use and sales,” said Dayton Lt. Patrick Welsh said. “That’s been an unusual uptick.” In the past few years, Welsh said, many homicides occurred either around or because of the trafficking of heroin and cocaine. [...]
Mother Jones explains how the Drug Czar is mandates to lie about marijuana
(Mother Jones) AMONG OUR LEADERS in Washington, who’s been the biggest liar? There are all too many contenders, yet one is so floridly surreal that he deserves special attention. Nope, it’s not Dick Cheney or Alberto Gonzales or John Yoo. It’s a trusted authority figure who’s lied for 11 years now, no matter which party [...]