Alaska reached yet another historic milestone on Saturday, October 29, when the state’s first marijuana retailer opened in Valdez. This week, Fairbanks’ first marijuana stores open, while Anchorage’s first store is expected to open in early November. Some supporters have wondered why it has taken nearly two years for retail marijuana to become available after 53.2% of Alaska voters approved the legalization initiative on Nov 4, 2014. But, considering the decades of fighting against marijuana prohibition,…

Regulators at the Texas Department of Public Safety recently proposed outrageous amendments to their medical marijuana rules, including fees and reporting requirements would all but ensure the program could not operate. Under the proposed rules, application and licensing fees for the first 24 months would go from $12,000 to over $2.25 million! While the Texas Department of Public Safety has presented a sensible approach to regulations until now, this shocking increase is simply unknown in any other…

Today, in a 5-2 ruling, the Arkansas Supreme Court granted a petition disqualifying Issue 7, the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act, from the ballot. Meanwhile, early voting began on Monday in the state. Thus, the ruling robs the over 140,000 voters who have already cast their ballot of the opportunity to make a complete and informed decision. Despite the court’s ruling, Issue 7 will still physically appear on the ballot for the Tuesday, November 8 election. The campaign for Issue 7 urges Arkansans to…

Every year for nearly half a century, Gallup has conducted a poll to determine national support for making marijuana legal in the United States. The latest report shows the largest level of support in the history of the poll. Gallup reports: [caption id="attachment_10125" align="alignright" width="350"] (IMAGE: Gallup)[/caption] With voters in several states deciding this fall whether to legalize the use of marijuana, public support for making it legal has reached 60% -- its highest level in Gallup's…

The election is just three weeks away, and a number of Delaware legislative candidates are working hard to secure votes. If you are a Delaware resident, check out our general election voter guide before you go to the polls so you know where contestants stand on marijuana law reform. We also have a one pager you can take with you to the polls. Just this week, the University of Delaware released a survey showing that 61% of Delawareans favor ending cannabis prohibition! Because Delaware does not have…

United for Care, the Florida group campaigning to pass an effective medical marijuana ballot initiate on election day, recently announced endorsements from state and national epilepsy organizations. Florida Politics reports: The Florida Epilepsy Foundation has endorsed proposed Amendment 2, the medical marijuana initiative on Florida’s Nov. 8 ballot. “Important medical decisions, such as treatments and medications, should be made by licensed physicians who know their patients best. That’s why the…

Pennsylvania is one of the 26 states that lack a ballot initiative process, meaning the only way to improve statewide marijuana policies is to convince the state legislature to do so. With Election Day just weeks away, now is the time to help shape the makeup of the next General Assembly. If you are a Pennsylvania resident, find out where candidates in your state House and state Senate districts stand on marijuana policy reform before you cast your votes on Tuesday, November 8: 1. If you’re not…

Medical marijuana patients in South Carolina remain criminals if they use a treatment option that is safer many prescriptions. Bipartisan lawmakers have proposed bringing a compassionate law to the Palmetto State, but the proposal was defeated in committee this year. If patients are to get the protections they deserve, they’ll need legislators who stand up for them. You can help make that happen. If you are a South Carolina resident, find out where candidates in your state House and state Senate…

In March, Nebraska Sen. Tommy Garrett’s compassionate medical marijuana bill came a few votes shy of the super-majority needed to stop a filibuster. If patients are to get the protections they deserve next year, they’ll need legislators who stand up for them. On November 8, half of the Nebraska Legislature is up for re-election. 1. If you’re not sure what state Senate district you live in, click here to find out. If your Senate district is an odd number, it’s on the ballot this year. 2. If you live…

To find out where Texas candidates for state senator and state representative stand on marijuana policy reform, we surveyed them, compiled their voting records, and put together a voter guide to make it easy for those of us who consider this issue a priority. There are two ways to view the results: 1. Voter Guide Webpage a. Enter your address and we’ll tell you which candidates are seeking your vote and where they stand on marijuana law reform. 2. Downloadable PDF a. This full-length document displays…