Legislation

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Industrial Hemp Farming Act Introduced In Senate

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on August 3, 2012 Growing, Legislation

Senator Wyden and Senator Paul Introduce Bi-partisan Senate Companion Bill to H.R. 1831, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act

Historic Senate Bill Promises Economic Opportunity by Removing Restrictions to Industrial Hemp Farming in the United States

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rand Paul (R-KY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on Thursday introduced S. 3501 the Senate companion bill to H.R. 1831, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011. If passed the bill will remove Federal restrictions on the cultivation of industrial hemp, the non‐drug oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis.

The language of the bill mirrors that of H.R. 1831, a bill introduced in the House this session. The full text of the bill, status and list of co-sponsors can be found at: http://votehemp.com/legislation

“Introducing this bill is the first step toward a common sense policy on hemp that helps create American jobs,” says Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). “It is vital that all advocates for industrial hemp redouble their efforts to win support in Congress if we are going to reestablish this economically important crop.”

Billboard Takes MT Legislators To Task Over Medical Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 31, 2012 Legislation, Medical, News

MTCIA

“Through their repeal efforts, the legislature ignored the will of the people and claimed to be abiding by it all at the same time,” said Chris Lindsey, president of the Montana Cannabis Industry Association

A billboard reading “Welcome to Yellowstone County, Where the Will of the People Doesn’t Count” now appears on Montana Avenue in Billings, Montana. The billboard encourages Montanans to vote against IR-124, a voter initiative appearing on this year’s ballot that allows voters keep or reject the current medical marijuana law.

The billboard was placed by the Montana Cannabis Industry Association (MTCIA), best known for its legal challenge to the current medical marijuana law. The new law repealed the popular and controversial voter initiative which put medical marijuana on the books in 2004.

“Through their repeal efforts, the legislature ignored the will of the people and claimed to be abiding by it all at the same time,” says Chris Lindsey, president of the MTCIA. “First, they rushed to repeal the original law and leave patients with nothing.

Group Unveils 2013 Initiative To End Cannabis Prohibition In WA

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 30, 2012 Legislation, News

Sensible Washington

The nonprofit political organization Sensible Washington on Tuesday will announce they will be running a statewide initiative to repeal adult cannabis prohibition in Washington State, to be filed in January, 2013, as an Initiative to the People.

Similar to last year’s I-1149 and 2010’s I-1068, this initiative would repeal the civil and criminal penalties related to adult cannabis use and possession. It would remove cannabis from the state’s list of controlled substances, without altering legal penalties for minors and for those driving while under the influence.

Sensible Washington is taking input from the community on any potential alterations to the initiative language. Preparation for this initiative, including volunteer recruitment, will begin immediately.

Drug Legalization Debate Escalating In Latin America

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 30, 2012 Global, Legislation, News

NTN

Front Page New York Times Article Describes Uruguay Government’s Proposal to Legalize and Sell Marijuana – Joining Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Belize and Others in Proposing Drug War Alternatives

Ethan Nadelmann, DPA Executive Director: The Genie Has Escaped the Drug Prohibition Bottle

One by one, the dominoes are starting to sway.

Monday morning, the front page of The New York Times featured an article titled “South America Sees Drug Path to Legalization,” which discusses the growing debate on alternatives to the Drug War. Throughout Latin America, both former and current heads of state are demanding that the full range of policy options be expanded to include alternatives that help to reduce the prohibition-related crime violence and corruption in their own countries – and insisting that decriminalization and legal regulation of currently illicit drug markets be considered.

Medical Marijuana Patients Get Their Day In Federal Court

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 30, 2012 Legislation, Medical, News

Eastern District of California Blog

D.C. Circuit to Hear Oral Arguments this October in Lawsuit Challenging Marijuana’s Federal Classification

Late last week, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit agreed to hear oral arguments in Americans for Safe Access v. Drug Enforcement Administration, a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s classification of marijuana as a dangerous drug with no medical value. Ten years after the Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis (CRC) filed its petition, the courts will finally review the scientific evidence regarding the therapeutic value of marijuana. The D.C. Circuit is scheduled to hear oral arguments on October 16 at 9:30am.

“Medical marijuana patients are finally getting their day in court,” said Joe Elford, chief counsel with Americans for Safe Access, a medical marijuana advocacy group. “This is a rare opportunity for patients to confront politically motivated decision-making with scientific evidence of marijuana’s medical efficacy. What’s at stake in this case is nothing less than our country’s scientific integrity and the imminent needs of millions of patients.”

Safe Access To Cannabis Will Be On Solana Beach Ballot

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 27, 2012 Dispensaries, Legislation, News

Active Rain

Citizens for Patient Rights announced on Friday that an initiative to allow and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries will appear on the November ballot in the City of Solana Beach, California. On Wednesday, July 25, the Solana Beach City Council voted unanimously to put the initiative proposal to a vote of the people.

“This is a great development for the patients and caregivers of Solana Beach, and for the over 1,800 Solana Beach residents who voiced their desire to have a vote for safe access on the November ballot by signing the initiative petition,” said James Schmachtenberger, of the Patient Care Association, which has supported the signature gathering effort.

L.A. City Council Votes To Ban Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 24, 2012 Dispensaries, Legislation, News

Where’s Weed?

Advocates Outraged; Vow To Reverse New Law With A Referendum

The Los Angeles City Council, after having flirted with the idea for some time, on Tuesday voted to ban the medical marijuana dispensaries in the city, claiming “neighborhood concerns” were a factor in the decision, along with recent court rulings questioning the right of cities to regulate the cannabis collectives.

The majority view of the council has evolved, reports Dennis Romero of LA Weekly, to the outlook that the city’s dispensary scene was not foreseen by state legislators when they allowed collectives as part of SB 420, which in 2003 clarified and expanded Proposition 215, approved by state voters back in 1996.

Croatia Will Decriminalize Marijuana In 2013

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 24, 2012 Global, Legislation

The Sofia Echo

Beginning January 1, 2013, Croatia will no longer criminally prosecute citizens caught with small amounts of marijuana and other drugs. Possession for personal use is being downgraded to a minor offense in the former Yugoslavian republic.

But growing cannabis, even for personal or medical consumption, will remain a criminal offense, and those growing it will still risk facing a fine and up to three years in prison, reports the Croatian Times.

Advocates Unveil Plans For Legal Medical Marijuana Defense

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 23, 2012 Dispensaries, Legislation, News

Jamie Scott Lytle/North County Times

Mother Earth’s Alternative Healing Cooperative Inc. co-founders Bob Riedel and Brenda Perez in 2009

Sole legal medical marijuana dispensary to challenge U.S. Attorney for straight legal test of California state law, to announce plans for ongoing defense of legitimate medical marijuana operations

Advocates, patients, and concerned citizens in support of the only state- and county-approved legal medical marijuana dispensary in California’s four-county southern border region on Monday announced plans to unveil strategy to defend one of the model medical marijuana dispensaries in the nation at a press conference on the steps of San Diego’s federal court building.

Representatives of Mother Earth’s Alternative Healing Cooperative said they would announce the plans and a specific challenge to U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy at the press conference on the steps of the U.S. federal court house in San Diego on Monday, July 23 at 11 a.m.

Marijuana Legalization Push Gets $1.25 Million; Big Lead In Polls

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on July 23, 2012 Legislation, News

Burien Daily

Real Legalization Or ‘Decrim On Steroids,’ I-502 Appears Headed For Victory

Washington state’s Initiative 502, which would legalize and tax marijuana and sell the herb through state-licensed stores, got a big funding boost over the weekend, receiving $1.25 million in new donations. The funds allowed I-502’s backers to buy a $1 million TV advertising blitz in August, according to campaign manager Alison Holcomb.

Meanwhile, a new statewide poll, paid for by Seattle TV station KING 5, found that a healthy 55 percent of Washington voters support I-502 ,with just 32 percent opposed.

The first marijuana legalization initiative to ever make the state ballot in Washington, I-502 raised the $1.25 million from just four deep-pocketed donors, including matching $450,000 contributions from Progressive Insurance founder Peter Lewis — well-known for his financial support for drug policy reform — and from the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), reports Jonathan Martin at The Seattle Times.

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