Changes

*https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/frequently-asked-questions-and-facts-about-marijuana#opposed

*https://www.mpp.org/federal/marijuana-policy-reform-in-the-114th-congress/

https://www.mpp.org/states/alabama/

While progress has been slow, last year’s passage of Carly’s Law — a CBD-focused bill — and this year’s passage of SB 67 are good indicators of changing attitudes in the Yellowhammer State. Please take a moment to encourage your legislators to support a comprehensive medical marijuana bill next year. A 2004 poll by the Mobile Register and the University of South Alabama found that 75 percent of respondents supported legalizing marijuana for medical use under a doctor’s supervision.

Rule making process wraps up soon

Please be sure to provide your own comments to the board before November 11 if you have not already done so. (In fact, you should submit written comments as soon as possible so board members have time to review and consider them before the next meeting on November 20.) Instructions for how to submit comments are available here. Beginning in 2016, marijuana will be cultivated, tested, and sold by licensed, taxpaying businesses that require proof of age instead of criminal enterprises in the underground market. For more information about Measure 2, check out this FAQ from the Alaska Department of Commerce. And you read a summary of the law here.

https://www.mpp.org/states/arizona/

Fortunately, a terrible DUI bill that would have made criminals out of drivers who are not impaired also died. Rep. Sonny Borrelli’s bill, HB 2273, would have allowed courts to consider the presence of a metabolized form of THC, which was excluded from consideration in DUI cases by the Arizona Supreme Court. His misguided bill would have added consideration of the metabolized form of THC back into the DUI laws — ensuring that people who are not impaired would be found guilty of DUI. Fortunately, the bill did not pass. Both the Arizona Supreme Court and researchers for the federal government say metabolized THC has nothing to do with impairment.

https://www.mpp.org/states/arkansas/

In addition to wasting law enforcement time on victimless marijuana offenses, marijuana enforcement has been extremely unequal in Arkansas. African Americans in Arkansas are over three times more likely to be arrested for possession of marijuana compared with whites, although both black and white populations consume marijuana at similar rates. To learn more about how the war on marijuana can be used to discriminate against African Americans in the U.S. and in Arkansas, check out the ACLU’s recent report.

In November 2012, 48.56% of Arkansas voters voted for a medical marijuana measure. While this fell just shy of the votes needed to finally protect seriously ill patients from arrest, it did show substantial support for protecting patients. In all likelihood, support has grown as awareness has risen about marijuana’s medical benefits, including after Dr. Sanjay Gupta from CNN became supportive and profiled several patients. One patient was a young girl whose catastrophic seizures were effectively treated by a strain of marijuana that she did not smoke and that had very low THC.

Please write to your legislators and voice your support for a compassionate law that will help seriously ill patients in the state. People should not have to make the terrible choice between being considered a criminal and being denied a medicine that is safer than many pharmaceutical medications.

https://www.mpp.org/states/california/

Last update: October 19, 2015

On October 9, Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law three pieces of legislation that will together regulate businesses serving medical marijuana patients in the largest program in the nation. These new laws mark a major shift in policy for California. Despite the fact that the state was the first to provide seriously ill patients access to medical marijuana, it fell behind when it came to regulating businesses, which left cultivators, processors, and dispensaries open to law enforcement interference.

The medical marijuana regulatory bills were considered against the backdrop of a planned November 2016 voter initiative that would legalize and regulate marijuana like alcohol in California. Several organizations, including MPP, are working to pass a measure similar to the one approved by voters in Colorado in 2012. If you haven’t done so already, please sign up for our email alerts to stay current on latest events!

'''The current legal status of marijuana in California'''

It is true that California’s marijuana laws are not as draconian as some other states, but the state is still wasting precious resources on citing, arresting, and prosecuting marijuana offenders, while ensuring the profits of marijuana sales go to criminals instead of responsible businesses and supporting the state budget. And despite its reputation as being easy-going with respect to marijuana possession and use, California arrested or cited over 21,000 people in 2012 for marijuana-related offenses. Let your legislators know it’s time they stand up for taking a more humane and fiscally sound approach to marijuana policy.

More revenue and more jobs bring more support for marijuana legalization

If you have not already done so, please sign-up for our free and state-specific email alerts so you don’t miss your opportunity to advocate for sensible marijuana policy in the Centennial State.

'''State and city officials addressing social consumption'''

Initiative backers are engaging in conversations with city officials and remain hopeful that they will result in a sensible social use law that the city is willing and able to implement. If not, they will have the option of putting one on the ballot during the 2016 presidential election, when increased voter turnout will create a more favorable electorate compared to this year.

https://www.mpp.org/states/connecticut/

Last update: October 4, 2015

On June 1, 2012, Connecticut enacted a medical marijuana program that protects patients from arrest and prosecution if they have a valid registration card. The state Department of Consumer Protection oversees the program. A patient may obtain up to 2.5 ounces every month from a licensed dispensary, but home cultivation is prohibited. Unfortunately, the program does not currently allow for minors to access medical marijuana. Connecticut is one of the only states that prohibits seriously ill minors from having legal access to the state medical marijuana program. To learn more about the specifics of the Connecticut medical marijuana program, visit our state-by-state report.

In the last session, two bills were introduced that could help provide important access to medical marijuana for minors. HB 5892, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Ryan, would allow access to qualified minors who have permission and supervision by a parent or guardian. Another bill, HB 6862, would simply study how access by minors could affect them.

The Department of Consumer Protections also decided to add up to three additional dispensaries. The new dispensaries will likely be located in New Haven and Fairfield counties, where roughly 50% of the state’s patients live. The state received 19 applications for dispensary licenses. The department said it expects to make selections in early 2016, and the dispensaries could be open by June.

Since 2011, possession of a half-ounce or less of marijuana has been a civil violation in Connecticut, punishable by a fine of up to $150, meaning it is not a jailable offense. Subsequent offenses are subject to increased fines ranging from $200-$500. Upon a third violation, offenders are referred to a drug awareness program. Most importantly, those accused of being in possession are not saddled with criminal records, which can mark a person for life. In addition to the fine, anyone under 21 who is found in possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana faces a 60-day suspension of his or her driver’s license.

Although Connecticut has improved its marijuana laws in recent years, penalties still exist for adults in possession of a substance that is less harmful than alcohol. Data reported to the FBI by state law enforcement shows that in 2012, 85% of all marijuana-related arrests or citations were for possession. During the same period, over 76% of all reported rapes and 85% of all burglaries, including home invasions, went unsolved. Law enforcement should focus its resources and time on serious crime instead of pursuing people in possession of small amounts of cannabis.

Several positive bills were introduced in 2015. Rep. Edwin Vargas’s HB 6473 and Rep. Juan Candelaria’s HB 6703 would each replace Connecticut’s prohibition of marijuana with sensible regulations for adults’ use.

A recent poll conducted by Quinnipiac University found that a majority of voters in Connecticut support legalizing cannabis for adults. Fifty-two percent of all voters, and 80% of voters under 30 years old, support legalizing the possession of personal use amounts of marijuana for adults.

'''Delaware decriminalizes marijuana'''

Many thanks to each of you who raised your voices or made a donation to help stop the cruel criminalization of marijuana consumers.

Marijuana legal for adults to possess, use; Congress prevents D.C. Council from regulating it

Councilmember David Grosso has introduced legislation to create the regulatory framework necessary for a responsible marijuana industry. The Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Act of 2015 — B21-23 ­— would allow the city to register and regulate marijuana cultivators, product manufacturers, retail stores, and testing labs and to impose taxes on the sale of marijuana to adults 21 and older.Please let your councilmembers know you want the District to treat marijuana like alcohol.

'''Individuals under 21'''

It is important to note that, like Initiative 71, this is only a change in District law, not federal law. Marijuana possession on federal lands, including the National Mall, is still a criminal offense and violators may be arrested and prosecuted.

https://www.mpp.org/states/florida/

Despite the fact that a medical necessity defense has been established by Florida case law, patients remain at risk of being arrested and jailed because legislators have yet to enact a medical marijuana law.

Georgia’s low-THC oil medical cannabis law moves forward

A 2013 study by the American Civil Liberties Union found that although blacks and whites use marijuana at nearly identical rates, blacks in Georgia are 3.7 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana possession.

Medical marijuana dispensaries to open in Hawaii; session in recess until 2016

SB 1291 strengthens existing civil protections for medical marijuana patients and adds new protections that prevent landlords, schools, and courts from discriminating against medical marijuana patients.

'''Decriminalization and prohibition'''

Multiple bills have been filed that will end Hawaii’s marijuana prohibition this session, giving legislators the opportunity to take a fiscally sound approach to marijuana policy when they reconvene in 2016.