Brittney Walker

Thursday, 2 May 2019

New Hampshire: Lawmakers Advance Legislation Permitting Patients to Home Cultivate

Members of the House and Senate have approved versions of House Bill 364, which allows qualified patients the option to grow marijuana at home. Members of both chambers must now finalize the language in conference committee before sending the bill to Republican Gov. Chris Sununu.

The Governor has not publicly commented on the bill, but has previously spoken out against broader legalization efforts.

The measure permits registered patients (or their designated caregivers) to cultivate up to three mature plants in a private location that it not subject to public view.

An estimated 6,500 patients are authorized with the state to access medical cannabis via one of the state’s four operational dispensaries. In 2018, lawmakers passed legislation to raise the cap on the total number of dispensaries statewide.

NORML has long opined that patients ought to have the legal option grow their own cannabis as an alternative to purchasing it from licensed commercial producers.

For additional information on pending legislation, visit NORML’s ‘Take Action Center’ here.

Colorado: Lawmakers Approve Home Deliveries For Cannabis

Marijuana Hemp Legislation is before Democratic Gov. Jared Polis to regulate the home delivery of cannabis and cannabis-infused products.

House Bill 1234 establishes regulations for the delivery of cannabis products from state-licensed retailers. Under the plan, deliveries are limited to one per day per household, and are only permitted in municipalities that explicitly allow such activities. Deliveries to college campuses are prohibited.

The delivery of medical cannabis products would begin on January 2, 2020, while retail cannabis sales would begin on January 2, 2021.

Wednesday, 1 May 2019

NORML Chapter Newsletter – April 2019

Everyday NORML Chapters from around the country invest countless hours in advocating for meaningful marijuana law reforms on the local, state and federal level! Below is a brief rundown of some of their most recent accomplishments.

NORML Announces Plans for 2019 Conference and Lobby Day

“This September, we invite you to join NORML members from across America to learn effective strategies, hear the latest scientific and political advancements, and meet in person with influential members of Congress.”

Washington: Lawmakers Pass Legislation Facilitating Expungement Of Past Marijuana Convictions

House and Senate lawmakers this week approved legislation, Senate Bill 5605, facilitating the expungement of past low-level marijuana convictions. The legislation now awaits action by Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, who has previously called for pardoning those with criminal records for marijuana violations.

The measure provides the courts with the discretion to vacate any misdemeanor marijuana conviction. Those seeking to have their records expunge will need to petition the sentencing court for the vacation of their records.

Governor Inslee has previously stated that he “believes that forgiving these convictions will allow people to move on with their lives without these convictions causing additional burdens on people, their families, their employers and their communities.”

Once signed, the new law goes into effect on July 27, 2019.

For additional information on pending marijuana legislation, visit NORML’s ‘Take Action Center’ here.

Tuesday, 30 April 2019

Hawaii: Lawmakers Pass Legislation Decriminalizing Low-Level Possession Offenses

House and Senate lawmakers have finalized and passed legislation, House Bill 1383, decriminalizing low-level marijuana possession offenses and vacating past convictions. The legislation now awaits action from Democratic Gov. David Ige.

The measure reduces penalties involving the possession of up to three grams of marijuana from a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail, a $1,000 fine and a criminal record, to a non-criminal violation – punishable by a $130 fine.

It also provides a mechanism for the courts to grant an expungement order for those previously convicted of a marijuana possession offense involving no more than three grams.

The measure also establishes a task force to review cannabis policy and to make recommendations to the legislature by 2021.

To date, 23 states and the District of Columbia have either legalized or decriminalized (eliminated the possibility of jail time) the adult possession and personal use of marijuana.

For additional information on pending marijuana legislation, visit NORML’s Take Action Center online here.

My Legislation On Veterans Cannabis Access Was Just Heard

A poll commissioned by the American Legion showed that more than 1 in 5 veterans self-reported using marijuana to alleviate a medical or physical condition. VA healthcare providers, however, are prohibited from providing the paperwork necessary to complete a state-legal medical cannabis recommendation, forcing military veterans to seek the advice of a private, out-of-network physician. Seeking care is hard enough, and we should not make it even harder for our veterans.

That’s why I testified today to the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health regarding my legislation, the Veterans Equal Access Act, HR 1647, which would lift this prohibition.

The reefer madness days are done and it’s time for Congress and the VA to face the facts surrounding marijuana — most pointedly, its medicinal benefits for veterans. More and more veterans are reportedly using cannabis to help alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress, chronic pain, and several other ailments.

Join me in sending a message to Congress now in support of veterans healthcare rights.

I introduced the Veterans Equal Access Act because it is my responsibility as a Member of Congress to ensure that all Americans have access to medical treatment as recommended by their physicians.

Today, you can make a difference and show your true support for veterans and the efficacy of medical cannabis. Tell your members of Congress now to support the Veterans Equal Access Act – because our veterans need more from our government than words of support, we need action.

Courage,
Earl

Earl Blumenauer
Member of Congress

North Dakota: Lawmakers Pass Language Reducing Marijuana Possession Penalties

House and Senate lawmakers have passed legislation, House Bill 1050, reducing marijuana possession penalties. The measure now awaits action from Republican Gov. Doug Burgum.

Under the proposal, the possession of up to one-half ounce (14.175 grams) of cannabis or marijuana-related paraphernalia for a first-time offender is reclassified from a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail, to a criminal infraction – punishable by a fine but no possibility of jail time. Those charged with subsequent infractions over the course of a calendar year may face the possibility of misdemeanor charges.

In 2016, North Dakota ranked sixth in the nation in per capita marijuana possession arrests.

Separate provisions in the measure reduce penalties for the possession of up to 500 grams of cannabis from a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, to a class B misdemeanor. Penalties for the possession of greater amounts are amended from a felony to a Class A misdemeanor.

If signed into law, the new penalties will take effect on August 1, 2019.

For more information about pending legislation, visit NORML’s ‘Take Action’ Center here.