With help from our good friends at the Cannabist and the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), there are plenty of updates since our legislative update in August. Most of the news is good for those in favor of seeing more legalized marijuana around the country. Leaders from around the country have seen what Colorado has done and are trying to apply those lessons in their own states.
Though not all the news is good, the writing is definitely on the wall and the US is following Colorado’s leadership on this issue. Here are some of the highlights:
Georgia– a state representative was able to revive a different version of a bill that had stalled in the state senate. Now the bill, that would expand access of medical marijuana and grant immunity to those already using it for certain conditions, is going up for another vote just before the legislative ends this month.
Hawaii– Medical marijuana dispensaries are scheduled to open on July 15.
Maine- the drive to legalize marijuana in Maine is now up in the air after over 17,000 signatures that were gathered as part of the petition effort have been called into question. State officials have thrown them out after they discovered that the notary for those signatures apparently collected the signatures illegally. Supporters have appealed the decision. Without those signatures, there aren’t enough to put the question on the ballot in November.
Massachusetts– There is likely to be a measure on the ballot this November for voters to decide to allow for recreational use and possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for adults 21 and older.
Pennsylvania– the state house just passed a bill to legalize medical marijuana for certain medical conditions. It is expected to pass the state senate and the governor is expected to sign it into law.
Rhode Island– Both the governor and speaker of the house have recently indicated that they are open to exploring the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Utah– The state senate recently rejected a bill to allow for very restricted use of medical marijuana. Presently, the only permitted use in Utah allows cannabidiol to be used by epilepsy patients as long as it’s obtained out of state.
Vermont– the state senate recently passed a bill that now goes to the state house for a vote. The bill would allow for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana by an adult. If the bill passes the house, Governor Shumlin has already said he would sign it into law.
