Check out MPP's Mason Tvert as he discusses the historic New Hampshire House vote and the future of marijuana policy reform on 'The Street':

[caption id="attachment_7236" align="alignright" width="119"] Alderman Burke[/caption]

The Chicago Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards is considering a proposed ordinance by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Alderman Edward M. Burke that would restrict the location of medical marijuana dispensaries to manufacturing zones in Chicago.

Seriously ill patients should not be relegated to areas normally limited to manufacturing businesses and industry. The proper location for medical marijuana dispensaries should be no different than any pharmacy. This proposal would create an additional burden on patients by requiring many to travel extra distances to potentially dangerous areas just to obtain their medicine.

This isn't the only proposed regulation that is making patients upset. The state also wants applicants to undergo strenuous background checks and relinquish their right to own a firearm.

The New Hampshire House made history last Wednesday, January 15, when it became the first state legislative chamber in the U.S. to approve a bill that would legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana for adult use. Next, the revenue sections of HB 492 will be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t begin reaching out to New Hampshire state senators, who will begin considering this bill in April if it passes the House a second time.

If you live in New Hampshire, please email your senator today and ask him or her to support HB 492!

Unfortunately, Gov. Maggie Hassan has said she would veto the bill, claiming that “it’s the wrong message to send to young people.” However, it is clear that your calls to her office are making an impact. WMUR has reported that Gov. Hassan is being strongly pressured to change her position.

[caption id="attachment_7230" align="alignright" width="168"] Sen. Karen Tallian[/caption]

Indiana state Senator Karen Tallian has taken an important step towards improving marijuana laws in Indiana by introducing SB 314. This bill would reduce the penalty for possessing a small amount of marijuana to a civil fine.

Currently, a person who possesses up to 30 grams of marijuana in Indiana faces up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. Indiana’s penalties are some of the harshest in the country. SB 314 aims to fix that by establishing a more reasonable approach. Under the bill, a person who possesses up to 2 ounces of marijuana could not be arrested or jailed and would only be subject to a fine of up to only $500. Importantly, a civil infraction is similar to a speeding ticket and is not considered a criminal offense — which could affect employment, housing, or student loans.

This legislation is a major step in the right direction for Indiana’s marijuana laws. If you are an Indiana resident, please take a moment and tell your legislators to support SB 314.

[caption id="attachment_7226" align="alignright" width="240"] Sen. Daylin Leach[/caption]

A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania state senators has introduced Senate Bill 1182, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act. This is the first time in recent Pennsylvania Senate history that a medical marijuana bill has received bipartisan support. Authored by Sen. Daylin Leach (D) and Sen. Mike Folmer (R), the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act will protect Pennsylvanians with serious and debilitating medical conditions from arrest for using and obtaining medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation.

Twenty states and Washington, D.C. have compassionate laws on the books; it’s about time Pennsylvania does the same. If you live in Pennsylvania, ask your state representation in Harrisburg to support this well-crafted legislation.

Support for medical marijuana should be a no-brainer. Earlier this year, a Franklin and Marshall College poll found that an overwhelming 82% of respondents support medical marijuana. It’s time for both Republicans and Democrats in Pennsylvania to stand up for those less fortunate. 

The New Hampshire House of Representatives took a major step forward today, voting 170-162 to approve a bill that would legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana for use by adults in the “Live Free or Die” state.

Unfortunately, Gov. Maggie Hassan has already promised she will veto the bill if it reaches her desk. “I just think it's the wrong message to send to young people,” she explained.

Based on Colorado’s Amendment 64, HB 492 would end New Hampshire’s failed prohibition of marijuana and replace it with a system of sensible regulation. This is the first time any state legislative chamber has approved such a bill, so it’s great to see that New Hampshire legislators have been willing to evolve along with the shift in public opinion!

Next the bill will be referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. A second vote by the House will be held in February or March, and if HB 492 passes a second time, it will head to the Senate.

Building on steadily increasing public support, a coalition of marijuana policy reformers are looking to 2016 to get an initiative on the Massachusetts ballot to make marijuana legal for adults and regulate it similarly to alcohol.

MPP was largely responsible for the successful 2008 campaign to remove the threat of arrest for possession of small amounts of marijuana in the state. Now, national and local advocates are preparing to end marijuana prohibition in the Bay State:

Outside groups are already pledging support - strategic and financial - to push for legalization in Massachusetts.

The Marijuana Policy Project, a national nonprofit that says it spent about $2 million on the successful 2012 campaign for legalization in Colorado, also plans to spend money in this state.

"We intend to support an initiative in Massachusetts in 2016 that would regulate and tax marijuana like alcohol," said spokesman Mason Tvert.

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Bill Downing, treasurer of Bay State Repeal, a group created to get the legalization question on the ballot, said he expects other national groups to back the effort here.

In case you missed it, check out MPP’s director of federal policies, Dan Riffle, debating Project SAM’s Kevin Sabet on ‘Washington Journal’ early Saturday morning:

Last Thursday, the Kentucky House Health and Welfare Committee considered the testimony of patients and advocates, who spoke in favor of passing a medical marijuana bill. Legislators learned about the experiences of 10 families who left their support structures and home state to move to Colorado, where young patients with seizure disorders could have legal access to medical marijuana. The hearing resulted in several news reports, including this article in The Lexington Herald-Leader and this video from WKYT.

[caption id="attachment_7215" align="alignright" width="183"] Sen. Perry Clark[/caption]

Also last week, Senator Perry Clark (D-Louisville) reintroduced his medical marijuana bill for 2014. The bill number is SB 43. We are hopeful that a similar bill will soon be introduced in the Kentucky House, and that more hearings will be held on the issue in the weeks and months to come!

If you live in Kentucky, please contact your state representatives and senators today to ask them to pass this compassionate legislation!

On Monday, CNN released a new poll showing 55% of Americans support making marijuana legal. Only 44% were opposed.

According to the CNN poll and numbers from General Social Survey polling, support for legalizing marijuana has steadily soared over the past quarter century - from 16% in 1987 to 26% in 1996, 34% in 2002, and 43% two years ago.

The survey found interesting divides on the issue.

"There are big differences on age, region, party ID, and gender, with senior citizens, Republicans, and Southerners the only major demographic groups who still oppose the legal use of pot," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.

This increase in public support will no doubt affect legislation across the country in the coming years. Here is MPP’s Mason Tvert on CNN discussing how legal adult marijuana sales in Colorado may act as a catalyst for reforms in many other states: