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Cuomo Supports Closing Major Loophole In NY Pot Decrim Law

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By on 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.
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New York Governor Wants To Lower Marijuana Penalties

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By on 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.
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Third Annual ‘Hemp History Week’ Kicks Off

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By on 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.
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Signature Gathering Drive For Marijuana Initiative Successful

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By on 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.
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Local Group Sponsors Marijuana March In Washington State

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By on 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.
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Connecticut Becomes 17th Medical Marijuana State

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By on Legislation, Medical, News

The Weed Blog

Advocates Applaud New Law While Citing Problems Like A Prohibition On Patient Cultivation
Patient advocates applauded Governor Dannel Malloy on Friday for signing the country’s 17th state medical marijuana law. The Connecticut legislature passed HB 5389 on May 4, despite ongoing federal Justice Department intimidation in medical marijuana states.
The passage of Connecticut’s medical marijuana law comes as the Obama Administration is engaged in an unprecedented level of attack against patients and their providers. Paramilitary-style raids on dispensaries and threats of criminal prosecution and asset forfeiture by U.S. Attorneys are among the methods used to obstruct implementation of state medical marijuana laws.
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Man Who Got Doc’s OK For Pot After Bust Loses In MI Supreme Court

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By on Legislation, Medical, News

The Oakland Press
Alexander Kolanek’s lost his medical marijuana case before the Michigan Supreme Court. The Oakland County man was arrested with marijuana before he formally met with his doctor.

The Michigan Supreme Court on Thursday ruled against an Oakland County man who didn’t get a doctor’s authorization to use marijuana until after he was arrested for possession.

In a 7-0 decision, justices said Alexander Kolanek can face cannabis charges because he did not satisfy the requirements of the 2008 law, reports David Eggert at mlive.com.
The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, overwhelmingly approved by 63 percent of the state’s voters, allows patients with ID cards immunity from prosecution if they have no more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 12 plants kept in a locked, enclosed space.
Patients are protected, whether or not they have a card, if a physician has said marijuana will help treat their serious or debilitating medical condition.
But Justice Mary Beth Kelly said because the medical marijuana law does not apply retroactively, Kolanek needed a doctor’s statement before his 2009 arrest. Kolanek said he smoked cannabis to deal with problems from Lyme disease.
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Marijuana Dispensary Ban Inches Closer In Los Angeles

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By on Dispensaries, Legislation, News

Dispensary ban author, L.A. City Councilman Jose Huizar: “If you don’t like the state law, let’s change the state law”

A Los Angeles City Council committee on Tuesday moved forward with a ban on medical marijuana dispensaries, approving a recommendation to outlaw storefront cannabis outlets in the city while still allowing “small groups” of up to three patients and caregivers to grow their own.

The Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee agreed to allow the full City Council to consider a complete ban on the pot shops, one of two options they considered on Tuesday, reports Mike Szymanski of City News Service.
PLUM could have considered a less restrictive plan, proposed by council member Paul Koretz, but the committee instead approved a full ban until a decision comes down from the California Supreme Court on pending lawsuits regarding the legality of dispensary sales of medical marijuana.
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