Last December, the New York Department of Health released more than a hundred pages of regulations related to the medical marijuana program. Over the past month, advocates for the Compassionate Care Act have voiced major concerns that the regulations are far too restrictive and would leave many patients suffering from debilitating medical conditions without safe, legal access to their medicine. The state is accepting public comments until February 13. Our allies at Compassionate Care New York, who…

[caption id="attachment_8525" align="alignright" width="214"] Rep. Bill McCamley[/caption] Last week, New Mexico State Rep. Bill McCamley introduced HB 160, the Cannabis Revenue & Freedom Act. This bill would treat marijuana similarly to alcohol, allowing adults 21 and over to use, possess, and cultivate limited amounts of marijuana with no penalty. HB 160 would also set up a taxed and regulated market for marijuana production and sale. While HB 160 is an important reform that should be passed, the…

Northern California defense attorney Joseph Tully has posted some useful tips on how to show support in the courtroom when someone is facing marijuana-related charges. According to Tully, whose website highlights his experience defending medical marijuana cooperatives, collectives, cultivators, and caregivers: Being tried in court for any crime, especially a victimless crime, is a trying process. Not just for the defendants, but for their friends, family, and supporters as well.  When the crime…

A Kansas bill that would reduce harsh penalties for people found in possession of marijuana received a strong vote of support yesterday from the House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice. HB 2049 received a unanimous vote by the committee and will now be presented on the floor of the House for a vote. If you are a Kansas resident, please take a moment and ask your representative to support this important legislation. HB 2049 would drop the sentence range for first time offenders from a…

[caption id="attachment_8515" align="alignright" width="220"] Sen. Liz Krueger[/caption] New York State Sen. Liz Krueger, along with four of her colleagues, has introduced SB 1747, the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act. The bill would treat marijuana like alcohol, similar to the laws of Colorado, Washington, Alaska, and Oregon, allowing adults to use, possess, and cultivate limited amounts of marijuana with no penalty. The bill would also set up a taxed and regulated market for marijuana production…

The following guest post, contributed by MedMen, is part of a series providing insights into the legal marijuana industry. As the “wall” of prohibition begins to crumble, businesspeople are lining up to cross over into the world of legal marijuana. They would be wise to remember that one of the only reasons they are able to even peek over that wall is because they are standing on the shoulders of giants: giants who invested blood, sweat, and tears into grassroots activism, lobbying, and ballot initiatives;…

[caption id="attachment_8502" align="alignright" width="240"] Sen. Deborah Dawkins[/caption] As marijuana policy reforms advance nationwide, Mississippi Sen. Deborah Dawkins has vowed to keep fighting for medical marijuana legislation. Last week, Sen. Dawkins introduced SB 2318, a bill that would allow seriously ill patients to possess and cultivate a limited amount of marijuana. Although SB 2318 would not allow for dispensaries to provide medical marijuana to patients, it would be an important step…

A bill has been introduced in the New Hampshire House of Representatives that would remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. The House passed a nearly identical bill last year by a vote of 215-92, but the Senate refused to consider it. [caption id="attachment_7408" align="alignright" width="167"] Rep. Adam Schroadter[/caption] HB 618, sponsored by Rep. Adam Schroadter (R-Newmarket) and a bipartisan group of seven co-sponsors, would make possession of up to one ounce…

[caption id="attachment_8497" align="alignright" width="225"] Rep. Helene Keeley[/caption] Delaware State Rep. Helene Keeley, State Sens. Margret Rose Henry and Bryan Townsend, and 10 of their colleagues have just introduced legislation that would replace Delaware’s criminal penalty for marijuana possession with a simple civil fine, similar to a traffic ticket. If you are a Delaware resident, please email your state representatives and ask them to support this modest reform. Possessing one ounce…

Earlier this month, Gov. John deJongh Jr. of the U.S. Virgin Islands stated that he supported decriminalizing marijuana, despite the fact that he vetoed a bill that would reduce penalties at the end of 2014. The Senate overrode his initial veto, adding the Virgin Islands to the list of U.S. territories that are changing their marijuana policies. Sen. Terrence Nelson sponsored the measure, which is now law, to decriminalize the possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana and make it a civil offense…