Legislation

Browsing: Legislation

Pot Decrim Seen As Unlikely In DC; Region’s Toughest Penalties

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 5, 2012 Legislation, News

D.C. Councilman Claims Federal Prosecutor Won’t Let Them Decriminalize

D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray on Tuesday said District officials should focus on implementing the new medical marijuana program, but should also “keep open their options” when dealing with recreational users. But at least one member of the D.C. Council claims that a federal prosecutor won’t let the council decriminalize cannabis.

Currently, D.C. has the toughest marijuana penalties in the region, reports Tim Craig of The Washington Post.

First-time offenders possessing any amount of cannabis can get up to six months behind bars and a $1,000 fine. In next door Virginia, first time offenders caught with up to a half ounce of pot top out at just a month in jail and a $500 fine.

Rhode Island General Assembly Votes to Decriminalize Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 5, 2012 Legislation, News

Reason

Bills Would Replace Criminal Penalties for Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana with a Fine

The Rhode Island House and Senate on Tuesday voted in favor of twin bills that would reduce the penalty for possession of marijuana to a $150 civil fine for most offenses.

H 7092 and its companion bill, S 2253, would make possession of up to an ounce of marijuana a civil infraction — similar in seriousness to a parking ticket — and would remove the criminal penalties that currently exist.

Marijuana possession is now punishable in Rhode Island by up to a $500 fine and up to a year in jail.

These bills received overwhelming support in both chambers, passing with a vote of 50 to 24 in the House and 28 to 6 in the Senate.

Coalition Pressures New York Leaders To End Marijuana Arrests

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 5, 2012 Legislation, News

Drug Policy Alliance

An online advocacy campaign features powerful video testimonials from people who have been illegally searched and falsely charged for marijuana possession in New York City

Major Online Advocacy Campaign Features Powerful Video Testimonials; Hundreds Traveling to Albany to Pressure State Leaders

Drive to Pass Bipartisan Legislation Comes on Heels of Cuomo, Bloomberg and Kelly Announcing Support for Closing Major Loophole in State’s Marijuana Decriminalization Law

On the heels of the announcement by New York Governor Cuomo, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly of their support for ending the practice of arresting individuals for possessing small amounts of marijuana in public view, a major coalition of local and national organizations is launching a massive effort in the final weeks of the legislative session to win reform.

Medical Marijuana Supporters To Converge On D.C. July 4

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 4, 2012 Legislation, Medical, News

Medical marijuana patients and supporters will converge on Wednesday, July 4, in the nation’s capitol for the Rally to Reschedule Marijuana as Medicine and 43rd Annual Smoke-In. Oddly, given the fact that the event continues to be labeled a “Smoke-In” after four decades, attendees are being asked not to smoke cannabis.

The event will begin at noon across from the White House at Lafayette Park (located at 16th Street and H Street). Scheduled to appear are medical marijuana pioneer Dennis Peron, Richard Eastman, Kim Quiggle, John Pylka, Miguel Lopez, Julia (curator of petermcwilliams.org) and Wayward Bill at a rally to educate elected officials and voters, march and demonstrate for First Amendment rights, and the right to choose marijuana as medicine.

Demonstrators will tell President Obama, “Keep your promise,” asking him to end the federal raids against state-legalized medical marijuana dispensaries.

The U.S. Marijuana Party, chaired by Wayward Bill, will be holding it’s first annual political convention at the Smoke-In.

Cuomo Supports Closing Major Loophole In NY Pot Decrim Law

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 4, 2012 Legislation, News

Metro

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo

NYC Mayor Bloomberg and NYPD Commissioner Kelly Follow Suit

Advocates Applaud Governor’s Leadership

Coalition Planning Massive Push for Next Two Weeks to Pass Marijuana Reform Law; Includes Major Online Advocacy Campaign Featuring Powerful Video Testimonials, and Hundreds Traveling to Albany to Pressure State Leaders

On Monday,, New York Governor Cuomo, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly all came out in support of ending the practice of arresting individuals for possessing small amounts of marijuana in public view.

New York Governor Wants To Lower Marijuana Penalties

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 4, 2012 Legislation, News

Cannabis Times

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday proposed lowering the penalty for public possession of small amounts of marijuana, reducing the infraction from a misdemeanor to a violation.

“This proposal will bring long overdue consistency and fairness to New York State’s Penal Law and save thousands of New Yorkers, particularly minority youth, from the unnecessary and life-altering trauma of a criminal arrest and, in some cases, prosecution,” a Cuomo administration official said in an email to the New York Times, reports Bill Hutchinson of the New York Daily News.

The state decriminalized the possession of less than 25 grams of cannabis back in 1977, lowering the penalty to a violation carrying a fine for possession. If the marijuana is lit or in “public view,” the infraction rises to a misdemeanor, which leads to arrest.

Third Annual ‘Hemp History Week’ Kicks Off

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 4, 2012 Growing, Legislation, News

Hemp History Week

Public Education Campaign to Bring Back Industrial Hemp Farming will Feature More Than 800 Grassroots Events and Retail Store Promotions Throughout All 50 States

Monday, June 4 marks the start of the third annual Hemp History Week, June 4-10, 2012. The national grassroots education campaign organized by Vote Hemp and The Hemp Industries Association is designed to renew strong support for the return of hemp farming to the U.S.

Hemp History Week 2012 will feature more than 800 events in cities and towns throughout all 50 states. The multifaceted campaign will feature more than 100 grassroots volunteer-led events; more than 700 retail promotions; a restaurant program; and a letter writing and email campaign to encourage Congress to change federal policy and allow American farmers to once again grow industrial hemp.

A new Web site, along with a promotional video for the 2012 campaign, is viewable at www.HempHistoryWeek.com.

The theme of the 2012 campaign is Hemp for a Healthy Future: Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy Economy, Healthy Planet.

Washington Town To Ban Safe Access to Medical Cannabis

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 2, 2012 Dispensaries, Legislation

Steve Hunter/Kent Reporter

A woman opposes the Kent City Council’s proposed ban on medical marijuana dispensaries and collective gardens prior to a May 14 Council committee meeting. The full council votes June 5 on the ban, which is expected to pass.

By Anthony Martinelli

Sensible Washington

“We’re getting dozens and dozens of phone calls and emails and most are from medical marijuana patients…. The number in favor [of the ban]I can count on one finger.”

This is a quote from Kent City Council President Dennis Higgins, in an interview with the Kent Reporter, in regards to the council’s plan to ban all medical cannabis safe access points within the city.

The vote is scheduled for Tuesday, June 5, and the ban is seen as a sure thing: The vote is planned to fall at 4-3, according to Higgins in the same interview.

Signature Gathering Drive For Marijuana Initiative Successful

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 1, 2012 Dispensaries, Legislation, News

Citizes for Patient Rights

Citizens for Patient Rights, in association with the Patient Care Association, on Wednesday submitted 961 signatures to allow and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in Del Mar

Citizens for Patient Rights, in association with the Patient Care Association, on Wednesday, May 30, we submitted their signature petition to allow and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in Del Mar, California, to the Del Mar City Clerk.

In total, the groups submitted more than 961 signatures in favor of their petition to allow and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in Del Mar. In order to qualify an initiative for the November general election ballot in Del Mar, 303 valid signatures are necessary.

“We found wide public support for our initiative proposal which will give the public the option of common sense, fair regulation of medical marijuana that satisfies the needs of the patients and caregivers in Del Mar, as shown by the over 900 signatures collected since the petition began circulating less than six weeks ago,” Citizens for Patient Rights said in a press release.

Local Group Sponsors Marijuana March In Washington State

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on June 1, 2012 Legislation, News

Sensible Washington

Sensible Kitsap, a local group of volunteer cannabis activists, is hosting a march in downtown Bremerton, Washington, on Saturday, June 9 at 12 noon. The march is in support of Sensible Washington’s Bremerton Marijuana Reform Act of 2012. The petition needs 2,000 signatures by June 11 to meet a city deadline of June 13.

The Bremerton Marijuana Reform Act would make arrests for responsible adult use, and possession of marijuana, a low enforcement priority, as has been done in Seattle and Tacoma with great success.

Previous 1 … 64 65 66 67 68 … 172 Next