Legislation

Rhode Island Looks At Decriminalizing Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 3, 2010 Legislation, News

An 18-year-old student is arrested for marijuana. Scenes like this could become a part of the past in Rhode Island.

A bill to decriminalize the possession of less than an ounce of marijuana was introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Under the legislation, up to an ounce of pot would be subject only to a $150 civil penalty under state law.

H 7317, a bipartisan bill, is co-sponsored by 35 House members and has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. The Rhode Island State Senate is likely to introduce their version of the bill later this week.

If the bill becomes law, Rhode Island would join their neighboring state, Massachusetts, and become the 14th state to decriminalize marijuana. In 2008, Massachusetts voters passed a similar decrim law overwhelmingly, with 65 percent of the vote.

N.M. Medical Marijuana Tax Could Push Patients To Black Market

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 2, 2010 Dispensaries, Legislation, Medical

Photo: Flickr / Westword

New Mexico: Land of Enchantment. And, well, taxing the sick.

New Mexico’s Legislature has been looking mighty hungrily at the state’s medical marijuana program as a source of tax revenue. But according the state’s Tax and Revenue Department, such a tax could cause patients to turn to the black market.

A 25 percent excise tax on medical marijuana could potentially raise about $1.2 million for the state, according to the Legislative Finance Committee’s fiscal impact report on Sen. John Sapien’s bill, SB 56, reports Marjorie Childress at The New Mexico Independent.

The analysis estimated a typical patient spends $6,256 annually on medical marijuana, and would pay about $1,564 in excise tax per year.

R.I. Medical Marijuana Hearing Is Packed, But Few Speak Up

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 2, 2010 Dispensaries, Legislation, Medical

Graphic: thefreshscent.com

The auditorium was packed Tuesday, but only five people voiced their opinions on the proposed tightening of Rhode Island’s medical marijuana law during a public hearing held by the Department of Health.

Two individuals spoke, as well as representatives of three organizations: the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Society, and the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition, reports Talia Buford at The Providence Journal.

The bill, backed by two state legislators — who are, surprise, surprise, both retired police officers — is designed to “close loopholes” in the state’s medical marijuana law.

Kansas Ignores Real Problems, Wages War On Fake Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 2, 2010 Legislation, News, Products

Photo: Kansas City Pitch

Hey, let’s outlaw everything that even looks a little like marijuana!

Kansas may be millions of dollars in the red and facing a host of real problems, but the Legislature there has a rather curious sense of priorities, passing a law against fake marijuana.

The Kansas House of Representatives endorsed legislation Tuesday to ban the ersatz weed, sold as incense under the brand name K2, reports David Klepper at the Kansas City Star.

Police say the substance is increasingly being used by teens and others looking for the effects of marijuana but whom, for whatever reason, cannot get pot.

Minnesota: Medical Marijuana Legislation In Limbo

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 1, 2010 Legislation, Medical

Photo: www.liberty-lawyer.com

Indoor marijuana grow in Minnesota. Thanks to Governor Tim Pawlenty’s veto, patients still have to break the law to use medical cannabis.

With Minnesota’s legislative session set to begin this week, the author of last year’s medical marijuana bill said he doubts he will introduce another bill this year.

“For right now, it looks a little discouraging,” said State Senator Steve Murphy, who authored and introduced medical marijuana bills in both 2007 and 2009, reports Kyle Potter at mndaily.com.

A medical marijuana bill actually passed the Minnesota Legislature last session, but was then vetoed by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Denver Pot Dispensaries Will Soon Need Plenty Of Papers

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 1, 2010 Dispensaries, Legislation

Photo: brooklynmachineworks

Do you enjoy filling out paperwork? Then you’d love operating a dispensary in Denver.

Medical marijuana dispensaries in Denver will soon be needing papers — lots of them — and we aren’t talking about Zig-Zags.

The Mile-High City starts accepting dispensary license applications on February 8. All dispensaries operating in Denver must file such an application by March 1, reports Patricia Calhoun at Westword.

This application is in addition to the regular city sales tax license dispensaries already had to apply for by December 15 in order to be exempted from zoning provisions and other restrictions, including a 1,000-foot buffer zone between dispensaries and schools, day-care centers, and even other dispensaries.

More than 400 dispensaries applied for the sales tax license, according to Westword.

Now, to stay in business, they’ll need to apply for a dispensary license, as well.

Colorado Senate Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 1, 2010 Dispensaries, Legislation, Medical

Graphic: www.agreenercountry.com

The Colorado State Senate has passed a bill designed to prevent recreational pot users from exploiting the law to obtain medical marijuana.

The Senate voted 34-1 on Monday to back Senate Bill 109, which will now go to the State House, reports The Associated Press.

The bill bars doctors from writing recommendations inside medical marijuana dispensaries.

It also requires that doctors review a person’s medical history and give them a full exam before recommending that they legally use medical marijuana.

Patients between 18 and 21 would be required to get the approval of two doctors, which is already required for patients under 18.

Shakedown Street: Colorado Town Charges Pot Dispensaries $3K To Operate

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 29, 2010 Dispensaries, Legislation, News

11 News

Olathe: Cut us in on the cash, and you can stay

Just like that, the Town of Olathe, Colorado says it will now charge medical marijuana dispensaries an annual fee of $3,000 to operate.

The Olathe Town Board voted unanimously for the new ordinance on Monday night, according to Town Administrator Scott Harold, reports KKCO. Two board members weren’t present for the vote.

Harold said the board “feels the ordinance is necessary” to “regulate” dispensaries. He claimed the board had been “talking and finalizing the wording of it” (translation: figure out how much we can shake them down for) since June.

Oh well, Toke of the Town supposes it could be worse. The Board could have tried to ban dispensaries outright.

California: Get Ready To Vote On Pot Legalization In November

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 28, 2010 Legislation, News

Graphic: photobucket.com

California’s 2010 election: Be there, or be square.

Do you live in California? Are you over 18? Then make sure you’re registered and ready to vote.

Supporters of legalizing marijuana announced Thursday they have gathered about 700,000 signatures for their initiative, making it almost certain that Californians will be able to vote on it in November.

The marijuana advocates plan to turn in the petitions to elections officials in some of the state’s larger counties, including Los Angeles, reports John Hoeffel in the Los Angeles Times.

Supporters need 433,971 valid signatures to qualify the measure, known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act.

The initiative’s main promoter, medical marijuana entrepreneur Richard Lee of Oaksterdam University in Oakland, paid for the professional signature-gathering effort that was bolstered by volunteers from California’s hundreds of cannabis dispensaries.

WA: ‘Old Generation’ Kills Pot Legalization Bills; Measure May Let Voters Decide

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 27, 2010 Legislation, News

Graphic: KOMO 4

HB 2401 would have legalized and taxed marijuana in Washington; the herb would be sold in state liquor stores. Since the Legislature dropped the ball, now it’s up to the voters.

For the first time ever, the Washington Legislature looked at not one, but two bills to reform marijuana laws in the state. And although both were voted down in committee, advocates say marijuana legalization is still alive, with an initiative campaign trying to get a measure on the ballot in November, reports Matt Phelps of the Kirkland Reporter.

“My motivation was to get the criminals out of the business and stop the harm that the current prohibition is doing,” said Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland), who cosponsored House Bill 2401 with Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-Seattle).

“Many polls in Washington and nationwide show a favorability toward decriminalization,” Goodman said.

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