Below is this week’s summary of pending state legislation and tips to help you become involved in changing the laws in your state.

California: In an important victory for medical marijuana patients, the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment last week approved Assembly Bill 2279 in a 6-2 vote. The measure will now go to the Assembly floor. If passed, AB 2279 would protect patients from employment discrimination on the basis of their state-licensed medical cannabis use in off-work hours. (The bill exempts workers in safety-sensitive jobs, including law enforcement). Californians are strongly encouraged to contact their Assemblymembers via NORML’s online advocacy system.

Rhode Island: The Rhode Island Senate is scheduled to vote Tuesday on Senate Bill 2693, which seeks to create a dispensary system for Rhode Island’s state-qualified medical cannabis patients. According to a new poll, nearly 70 percent of state voters support enacting a medical cannabis distribution system. Rhode Islanders are encouraged to write their state Senators in support of this measure and its companion, House Bill 7888, through NORML’s online advocacy system.

California: Voters in Northern California’s Mendocino County will decide next month whether or not to repeal an eight-year old county law (The Personal Use of Marijuana Initiative, also known as Measure G) which legalized the possession and use of up to 25 marijuana plants. Measure B, a Mendocino County-wide ballot initiative, seeks to overturn the measure. To learn more about efforts opposing Measure B, please visit CANORML or No on B.

Illinois: Senate Bill 2865, which seeks to allow for the therapeutic use of cannabis for qualified patients, continues to await action by the full Senate. This bill was recently amended to address concerns voiced by some of the Illinois law enforcement community. Illinois NORML supporters are urged to contact their state Senators in support of SB 2865 through NORML’s online advocacy system.

Minnesota: Medical cannabis legislation is anticipated to go before the full House for a floor vote imminently. Passage of this legislation would ensure that medical marijuana patients in Minnesota would no longer have to fear arrest or prosecution from state law enforcement. However, Governor Pawlenty has indicated that he intends to veto this bill if it gets to his desk. You can view an ad urging Governor Pawlenty to rethink his position here. Minnesotans are strongly encouraged to urge their Representatives and the Governor to support these bills via NORML’s online advocacy system.

On April 29, 2008 House of Representative’s Committee on the Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) sent a 17-page letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Acting Administrator Michele Leonhart with pointed questions, a listing of over 60 medical marijuana dispensaries or patient cooperatives that have been raided by the DEA and federal law enforcement between June 2005 to November 2007 and numerous citations from local municipalities that are on the record of supporting patient access to cannabis and oppose federal intervention.

Excerpt from Conyer’s letter to Leonhart:

“Every month new science supporting the therapeutic value of cannabis is published. As a result, medical and scientific organizations, like the American College of Physicians and the American Psychiatric Association, are urging reform of laws that place in legal jeopardy physicians or their individual patients who may benefit from the use of cannabis. As the Administrator, you have the discretion to decide whether to continue heightened enforcement activities in California and in other states that have authorized the use of medical cannabis by qualified individuals. Please explain what role, if any, emerging scientific data plays in your decision-making process to conduct enforcement raids on individuals authorized to use or provide medical cannabis under state law.”

Read the entire letter and list of raided medical marijuana dispensaries and cooperatives here.

Let’s hope the DEA’s answers are as illuminating as the questions being asked by Chairman Conyers.

Below is this week’s summary of pending legislation and tips to help you become involved in changing the laws in your state and at the federal level.

California: In an important victory for medical marijuana patients, the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment approved Assembly Bill 2279, sponsored by Assemblyman Mark Leno, in a 6-2 vote. The measure is now headed to a vote on the Assembly floor. This bill would protect patients from employment discrimination on the basis of their state-licensed medical cannabis use in off-work hours. (The bill exempts workers in safety-sensitive jobs, including law enforcement). California supporters are strongly encouraged to contact their Assemblymembers via NORML’s online advocacy system.

Minnesota: Minnesota’s House Ways and Means Committee has approved Senate File 345, along with its companion bill, House File 655. The measure will now go before the full House for a floor vote, and if approved there, to the Governor’s desk. This legislation would ensure that medical marijuana patients in Minnesota would no longer have to fear arrest or prosecution from state law enforcement. However, Governor Pawlenty has indicated that he is inclined to veto this bill if it gets to his desk. Minnesotans are strongly encouraged to urge their Representatives and the Governor to support these bills via NORML’s online advocacy system.

New Hampshire: House Bill 1623, which would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis, was passed by the House on March 18. The bill is now before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which held a hearing on it on April 22. The committee will likely take action the next time they hear this important measure, so the time to contact your New Hampshire State Senator is now. Additionally, our allies at NH Common Sense are now encouraging supporters to contact Governor John Lynch directly and urge him to rethink his assertion that he will veto HB 1623 if it reaches his desk. New Hampshire supporters are strongly encouraged to urge their Representatives and the Governor to support these bills via NORML’s online advocacy system.

Washington, DC: US Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced legislation in Congress Friday, April 18, to strip the federal government of its authority to arrest responsible adult cannabis consumers. The measure, H.R. 5843, known as an “Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults,” is the first federal decriminalization legislation introduced in 24 years. Frank’s pending bill, co-sponsored by presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), seeks to eliminate all federal penalties prohibiting the personal use and possession of up to 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) of marijuana. Under this measure, adults who consume cannabis would no longer face arrest, prison, or even the threat of a civil fine. The bill also eliminates all penalties for the not-for-profit transfers of up to one ounce of pot. All are encouraged to write their representatives in support of this important legislation via NORML’s online advocacy system.

Washington, DC: Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced H.R. 5842, the “Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act,” on Friday, April 18. This bill would make federal authorities respect states’ current laws on medicinal cannabis and end DEA raids on facilities distributing medical marijuana legally under state law. Representative Paul, whose presidential campaign prominently featured the ending of the drug war as a platform plank, was joined by Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), and Sam Farr (D-CA) in co-sponsoring this bill. All NORML supporters are strongly encouraged to write their Representatives in favor of this important bill via NORML’s online advocacy system.

Below is this week’s summary of pending state legislation and tips to help you become involved in changing the laws in your state.

New Hampshire: House Bill 1623, which would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis, was passed by the House on March 18. The Senate Judiciary Committee will now hold an important hearing on this bill at 3:00 PM on April 22. All supporters are encouraged to attend. Additionally, our allies at NH Common Sense are now encouraging supporters to contact Governor John Lynch directly and urge him to rethink his assertion that he will veto HB 1623 if it reaches his desk. New Hampshire supporters are strongly encouraged to urge their Representatives and the Governor to support these bills via NORML’s online advocacy system.

Minnesota: Minnesota’s House Ways and Means Committee has approved Senate File 345, along with its companion bill, House File 655. From Ways and Means, it now goes to a House floor vote, and if passed there, the Governor’s desk. This legislation would ensure that medical marijuana patients in Minnesota would no longer have to fear arrest or prosecution from state law enforcement. However, Governor Pawlenty has indicated that he is inclined to veto this bill if it gets to his desk. Minnesotans are strongly encouraged to urge their Representatives and the Governor to support these bills via NORML’s online advocacy system.

California: In an important victory for medical marijuana patients, the California Assembly Judiciary committee approved Assembly Bill 2279, sponsored by Assemblyman Mark Leno. This bill would protect Prop 215 patients from employment discrimination, most notably via urine testing. (The bill does not protect workers in safety-sensitive jobs, including law enforcement). The measure was approved on a party-line vote with 6 Democrats in favor, 3 Republicans opposed, and one Democrat abstaining. NORML will continue to update you on the progress of this important bill.

Rhode Island: The Rhode Island Senate Committee on Health and Human Services unanimously approved Senate Bill 2623 on Wednesday, April 9. SB 2693 would set up a dispensary system for Rhode Island’s state-qualified medical cannabis patients, and will now go before the Senate floor. Rhode Islanders are strongly encouraged to write their Senate and House members in support of this measure and its companion bill, House Bill 7888, through NORML’s online advocacy system.

Below is this week’s summary of pending state legislation and tips to help you become involved in changing the laws in your state.

Minnesota: Minnesota’s House Ways and Means Committee may soon be voting on a medical cannabis bill, Senate File 345, along with its companion bill, House File 655. From Ways and Means, it would go to the House floor, and if passed there, the Governor’s desk. If passed, this legislation will help to ensure that medical marijuana patients in Minnesota will no longer have to fear arrest or prosecution from state law enforcement. However, Governor Pawlenty has indicated that he is inclined to veto this bill if it gets to his desk. Minnesotans can urge their Representatives and the Governor to support these bills via NORML’s online advocacy system.

California: In another victory for cannabis law reformers, Assembly Bill 2389 – which sought to require drug testing for recipients of state benefits and welfare – was defeated in the Assembly Committee on Human Services with six members voting no, and only one yes. AB 2389 drew opposition from a wide range of groups, including the ACLU, NOW, the California Nurses’ Association, the California State Association of Counties, and the County Alcohol and Drug Program Administrators Association. It was supported by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s office. California NORML Director Dale Gieringer submitted testimony against the measure, available here.

Hawaii: House Bill 2675, which would set up a medical marijuana task force to examine and make recommendations to correct the problems facing medical cannabis patients in Hawaii, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously unamended. If passed, this task force would examine issues regarding adequate supplies of medical marijuana for qualified patients, distinguishing between mature and immature plants under current law, the feasibility of constructing secure growing facilities for medical marijuana patients to use to produce their medicine, and study inter-island travel issues related to medical marijuana. Hawaiian supporters can email their state senators via NORML’s online advocacy system.

Rhode Island: The Rhode Island Senate Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 2693 on Thursday, April 3. SB 2693 would set up a dispensary system for Rhode Island’s state-qualified medical cannabis patients. The committee heard testimony in favor of the bill from Buddy Coolen of Warwick, who was recently robbed at gunpoint while attempting to obtain the cannabis he is permitted under state law. Rhode Islanders can write their Senate and House members in support of this bill and its companion, House Bill 7888, through NORML’s online advocacy system.

Below is this week’s summary of pending state legislation and tips to help you become involved in changing the laws in your state.

NEBRASKA: In a major victory for pot-law reformers, Legislative Bill 844 – which sought to recriminalize minor marijuana possession offenses in Nebraska — has been amended. Under current state law, first-time marijuana possession offenses are punishable by a non-criminal citation and a $100 fine. As introduced, LB 844 sought to impose a sentence of up to 90 days in jail for first-time marijuana offenders. As amended, the proposal would increase the maximum fine for pot possession to $300, but would not impose criminal sanctions. The bill now awaits action from full legislature.

CALIFORNIA: California’s Dale Gieringer submitted written testimony opposing Assembly Bill 2389, which seeks to require drug testing for recipients of certain state benefits or cash assistance. Gieringer will testify before the Committee on Human Services in opposition to the proposal at a legislative hearing on Tuesday, April 1. Gieringer will also testify at an upcoming hearing in support of AB 2279, which seeks to end state employment discrimination against qualified medical cannabis patients.

HAWAII: The House Judiciary this week passed an amended resolution (HCR 49) that seeks to allow for state-qualified farmers to provide medical cannabis to authorized patients. The Senate Judiciary is expected to vote imminently on a separate measure, House Bill 2675, which seeks to establish a legislative task force to study issues pertaining to the legal supply of medical marijuana for authorized patients.

And finally, in non-state related legislative news, several newspaper columnists and editorial boards this week have endorsed Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank’s pending legislation to strip the federal government of its authority to arrest responsible cannabis consumers. You can read examples here, here, and here.

Below is this week’s summary of pending state legislation and tips to help you become involved in changing the laws in your state. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE: No surprise the biggest political news of the week comes from New Hampshire, where the House voted Tuesday to decriminalize pot possession. Kudos to the nearly 700 NORML supporters who contacted their representatives in support of HB 1623. Our allies at NH Common Sense are now encouraging supporters to contact Governor John Lynch and urge him to rethink his position on HB 1623. Activists may also wish to give their two cents to Manchester Mayor (and wannabe Governor) Frank Guinta, who appears to have lost his mind following Tuesday’s surprise vote.

HAWAII: House Bill 2675, which seeks to establish a legislative task force to study issues pertaining to the legal supply of medical marijuana for authorized patients, continues to move forward in the Senate. (The bill already passed the House.) As recently amended by the Senate Health Committee, the proposal would establish a legislative task force to “study the feasibility of developing safe growing facilities” to provide therapeutic cannabis to state-qualified patients. To contact your elected officials in support of HB 2675, please click here. To watch excerpts from a recent legislative hearing, click here.

CALIFORNIA: California NORML’s Dale Gieringer, along with the owners of several medical cannabis dispensaries, testified before the state Board of Equalization on Tuesday in favor of legislation to tax the retail sale of medical cannabis. He said that sales tax revenue from cannabis could total more than $160 million annually. Legislation to tax and regulate medical cannabis sales is pending in the state Senate.

MASSACHUSETTS: The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony this week from supporters and opponents of an initiative petition that seeks to decriminalize the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana. You can view excerpts from the hearing here. If legislators fail to approve the measure, it will go before Massachusetts voters in November.

Marijuana law reform legislation is pending is several states. Below is a summary of this week’s legislative activity and tips to help you become involved in changing the laws in your state.

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