Alabama legislators will have the opportunity to legalize personal use and cultivation of marijuana for adults 21 and up, create a state-regulated marijuana retail system and legalize industrial hemp production with House Bill 550, introduced yesterday.
Alabama might not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking of marijuana legalization, but people in the Cotton State love their herb and Birmingham Rep. Patricia Todd knows it: she’s already introduced two medical marijuana bills in the last two sessions. But House Bill 550 is a much bigger step.

Despite overwhelming public support in favor of the decriminalization of cannabis, Hawaii’s SB472, which would have decriminalized small amounts marijuana in that state, was pronounced dead on arrival yesterday without even being granted a roll call for a vote.
Among the most blue of blue states in the nation, and enjoying Democratic Party-held Senate and House chambers as well as the Governor’s seat, Hawaii seemed poised to follow in the footsteps of 15 other U.S. states that have done away with arrests and jail time for low-level marijuana possession busts, opting to issue nominal fines instead.

Two similar Vermont bills that would decriminalize possession of limited amounts of cannabis are up for discussion today and tomorrow in both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.

A bill that would legalize, regulate and tax limited amounts of marijuana in Maine has been introduced, backed by the sponsorship of 35 bipartisan legislators. Legislative document 1229 would
The bill – which is very similar to Marijuana Policy Project-sponsored legislation passed in Colorado last year as well as numerous bills being considered around the country – would allow for possession and cultivation for people over 21. People could grow up to six plants and posses up to two and a half ounces of marijuana if the bill is approved.