California voters are ready to end marijuana prohibition in 2016 and replace it with a more sensible system. That is exactly what the Adult Use of Marijuana Act will do, and that is why MPP is proud to support it. We look forward to working with the initiative proponents and doing whatever we can to help pass this measure and make history in California next year. Under the proposed initiative, marijuana will be regulated, taxed, and treated similarly to alcohol. Adults will no longer be punished…

Last night, a controversial Ohio ballot initiative that would have regulated marijuana for adults was voted down by a relatively wide margin, marking the first time that a major state referendum to make marijuana legal for adults has failed since 2010. However, the defeat of a marijuana-related ballot initiative in the Buckeye State will have no bearing on the outcomes of several marijuana-related initiatives expected to appear on state ballots next year. A proposal to make marijuana legal for adults…

In September, California lawmakers approved a series of bill that would establish a statewide regulatory framework for California businesses that produce and distribute medical marijuana in the state. AB 243, AB 266, and SB 643 create standards for licensing businesses as well as testing, packaging, labeling, and tracking marijuana products, among other things. [caption id="attachment_9244" align="alignright" width="200"] Gov. Jerry Brown[/caption] The bills establish a new agency within the Department…

As several coalitions are busy crafting language for a ballot initiative to make marijuana legal for adults in California, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has been studying the issue, and today released a report that he hopes will help inform the debate: In a report released Wednesday, the group lays out 58 recommendations and goals for implementing general legalization -- an issue expected to go before voters next year. The document offers broad principles --“protecting California’s youth” -- as well as nitty-gritty…

Medical marijuana patients in California won a victory Monday when the Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that would prevent patients from being denied organ transplants. The Associated Press reports: The Democratic governor [caption id="attachment_8938" align="alignright" width="240"] Gov. Jerry Brown[/caption] announced Monday that he signed AB258 by Democratic Assemblyman Marc Levine of San Rafael. Supporters say some patients who use medical marijuana have been denied life-saving organ transplants…

AB 258 passed both the California Assembly and the Senate by overwhelming margins, sending the bill to Gov. Brown for his signature. This compassionate bill would prohibit hospitals from denying medical marijuana patients organ transplants simply because of their choice of medicine. Hospitals, clinics, and members of the medical community who do not support medical marijuana should not be able to kick people who are already down by denying them lifesaving treatment. The California Assembly passed…

[caption id="attachment_8719" align="alignright" width="300"] Norman Smith (Photo: Reason)[/caption] In 2012, Norman Smith of Playa del Rey, California, died after being denied a liver transplant because he had used medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation. A bill to prevent similar tragedies — AB 258 — could get an Assembly floor vote any time — possibly today. If you are a California resident, please take a moment to ask your Assembly member right now to vote yes on AB 258. Hospitals and…

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…

Executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, Rob Kampia, discusses what’s next for the push to make marijuana legal in the United States: The state that will most likely be next to legalize is Rhode Island, which would be the first to do so via state legislature. Also this spring, the District of Columbia is expected to enact a similar law through its city council. There's also a real opportunity to legalize marijuana through five more state legislatures between now and 2017 – Delaware, Hawaii,…

Last week, a bipartisan bill that would allow doctors with the Department of Veterans Affairs to recommend medical marijuana for certain patients was introduced in Congress. [caption id="attachment_8344" align="alignright" width="199"] Rep. Earl Blumenauer[/caption] Under current policy, doctors and other specialists working with the VA are prohibited from recommending medical marijuana to any patient, despite growing evidence that it is useful in treating pain, traumatic brain injuries, and post-traumatic…