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.

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

Illinois: Senate Bill 2865, which seeks to allow for the therapeutic use of cannabis for qualified patients, awaits 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 senator 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, 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 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.

Hawaii: House Bill 2675, which would establish a legislative medical marijuana task force in Hawaii, is now before the governor. If signed into law, 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.

Vermont: The Vermont Senate is expected to vote on House Bill 267, which would define industrial hemp as an “agricultural product” and establish regulations for its production by state-licensed farmers. If approved, Vermont will join more than a dozen states that have enacted laws or resolutions endorsing the study and/or production of industrial hemp. Vermont NORML supporters are strongly encouraged to send their state senator a prewritten letter urging passage of HB 267 via NORML’s online advocacy system.

New Hampshire: NORML is disheartened to announce that the New Hampshire Senate has defeated House Bill 1623, which would have decriminalized minor marijuana possession, in a voice vote this week. The Senate vote, which was not unexpected, followed weeks of veto threats from Governor John Lynch. The measure had previously passed the House by a vote of 193 to 141. NORML would like to take this time to thank NORML supporters who contacted their House Representatives in support of HB 1623. Your efforts made a huge difference in persuading the House to pass this vital piece of legislation. To remain involved in cannabis law reform efforts in New Hampshire, please visit: http://nhcommonsense.org.

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: On Tuesday, March 18, the House of Representatives will vote on House Bill 1623, which seeks to decriminalize marijuana possession. If you have not already done so, please contact your Representative and urge him or her to vote “yes” on HB 1623. Also, if you reside near the New Hampshire State House, you may wish to meet up with other local activists on Tuesday morning to watch the proceedings and show your support for sensible marijuana law reform.

RHODE ISLAND: Legislation seeking to authorize non-profit organizations to provide medical cannabis to state qualified patients was introduced in Rhode Island House and Senate. If passed, this first-of-its-kind law would provide patients with a regulated, legal market for medical marijuana. To learn how you can support this effort, please click here and here.

ALABAMA: Legislation seeking to make Alabama the thirteenth state to allow for the legal medical use of cannabis was introduced this week and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. If enacted, House Bill 679 (aka The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act) would allow patients with a doctor’s recommendation to grow up to 12 plants or possess up to 2.5 ounces of therapeutic cannabis. To get involved in supporting this bill, please visit NORML’s Take Action Center here.

ILLINOIS: A legislative subcommittee voted 5 to 5 this week to table a bill that sought to grant police the option of citing minor marijuana offenders rather than arresting them. A separate House committee also voted down legislation this week that sought to establish a statewide medical marijuana program. The Senate version of this bill is expected to go before the Illinois Senate in April. To help support this effort, please click here.

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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Illinois’ Senate Public Health Committee will hold a hearing this Wednesday, March 5, on Senate Bill 2865 — which seeks to legalize medical cannabis.  If you live in Illinois, please take a moment to support this effort.

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