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: The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Assembly Bill 2279 this week by a vote of 3-2. The measure now awaits action by the full Senate. (The state Assembly previously passed the measure 42-29 in May.) If enacted, AB 2279 would protect patients from employment discrimination on the basis of their state-licensed medical cannabis use in off-work hours. Californians are strongly encouraged to contact their Senators via NORML’s online advocacy system.

Hawaii: Governor Linda Lingle said this week that she may veto House Bill 2675, which would establish a legislative medical marijuana task force to explore ways to provide legal cannabis for Hawaii’s state-qualified medical cannabis patients. If you live in Hawaii, you may contact the Governor via NORML’s online advocacy system.

North Carolina: Lawmakers heard testimony this week in support of legislation (HJR 2405) seeking to establish a task force to study options for regulating the legal use of medical marijuana for qualified patients. House members did not vote on the bill. Residents in North Carolina are strongly encouraged to contact their House members via NORML’s online advocacy system.

New York: The Legislature adjourned this week without calling for a Senate vote on Assembly Bill 4867B, which sought to allow qualified patients to grow and possess medical cannabis under a doctor’s supervision. This marked the second consecutive year the Assembly had passed medi-pot legislation, only have it die in the Senate. 

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: The state Assembly approved Assembly Bill 2279 this week by a vote of 42-29. The measure now awaits action by the Senate. If passed, AB 2279 would protect patients from employment discrimination on the basis of their state-licensed medical cannabis use in off-work hours. Californians are strongly encouraged to contact their Senators via NORML’s online advocacy system.

California: Voters in Northern California’s Mendocino County will decide on Tuesday 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. Activists are also challenging the validity of Measure B in court, arguing that a recent state District Court of Appeals decision prohibits municipalities from imposing limits on the quantity of marijuana patients may possess under state law. To learn more about efforts opposing Measure B, please visit California NORML or No on B.

Vermont: Legislation seeking to establish licensing procedures for state farmers who wish to commercially cultivate industrial hemp became law this week. However, as amended, House Bill 267 will not take effect until “such time as the United States Congress amends the definition of ‘marihuana.’”

North Carolina: Legislation seeking to establish a task force to study options for regulating the legal use of medical marijuana for qualified patients was introduced this week and referred to the House Committee on Health. As introduced, House Joint Resolution 2405 would “study whether a public benefit would be derived from making it lawful for physicians to prescribe and patients to possess and use marijuana.” Residents in North Carolina are strongly encouraged to contact their House Members via NORML’s online advocacy system.