Archive for the ‘Legalization’ Category
FBI director gets schooled on marijuana legalization
February 2nd, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen takes FBI Director Robert Mueller to task on marijuana legalization and the “gateway theory.”
CBS News: “Pot Measure One Step Closer To California Ballot”
January 30th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
As a general rule, NORML tends not to publicize or comment on ballot initiative drives — including campaigns we are involved in — until they have officially qualified for the ballot. But in this case, we (and the mainstream media) just couldn’t resist.
Pot Measure One Step Closer to California Ballot
via CBS.comAn initiative to make marijuana legal, and open to local taxation and regulation, is one step closer to getting on the California ballot this November.
2 bills would legalize medical marijuana
January 29th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
Laws would be more stringent than other states’, Morhaim says
Sen. David Brinkley, center, and Del. Dan Morhaim, right, co-sponsors of medical marijuana legislation to be introduced this session, held a press conference with patients, including Debby Miran, left, and other legislators to explain the details of the bill, which will be more restrictive than the ones enacted in other states. Miran, of Lutherville, used medical marijuana for four months while undergoing treatment for leukemia and a bone marrow transplant. (Baltimore Sun photo by Amy Davis / January 26, 2010)
Virginia looking to Decriminalize Marijuana
January 23rd, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
ohhburn.com: Lawmakers in Virginia are looking to decriminalize marijuana! Republican Delegate Harvey B. Morgan, a pharmacist, has 31 years in the House and is the second-most senior delegate. He says he thinks criminalizing pot has done nothing to curb its use and is introducing House Bill 1134 that would change simple possession from possible jail time to a civil fine of $500. The bill also looks to increase the amount of weed needed to be considered for the charge of possession with the intent to distribute and remove the mandatory two and five-year sentences for distribution.
‘Live Like It’s Legal’: Landmark Cannabis Hearing In New Zealand
January 20th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
Dakta Green, founder of New Zealand’s most visible cannabis club, will argue in court Wednesday that marijuana laws are a fundamental breach of his rights, in what is being called a “landmark” hearing.
Green will argue before Judge Keirnan in Auckland District Court that cannabis laws discriminate against users of the herb, and that the severity of marijuana penalties under the Misuse of Drugs Act violates New Zealand’s Bill of Rights Act.
“Alcohol and tobacco are dangerous drugs but are legally available,” Green said. “Cannabis causes less harm to our community.”
A Doctor’s Case For Legal Pot
January 20th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
In most of my substance-abuse patients I am far more concerned about booze than marijuana.
By DAVID L. NATHAN
Most Americans are paying too much for marijuana. I’m not referring to people who smoke it—using the drug generally costs about as much as using alcohol. Marijuana is unaffordable for the rest of America because billions are wasted on misdirected drug education and distracted law enforcement, and we also fail to tax the large underground economy that supplies cannabis.
On Monday, the New Jersey legislature passed a bill legalizing marijuana for a short list of medical uses. Outgoing Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine says he will sign it into law. This is a positive step, as cannabis has several unique medical applications. But the debate over medical marijuana has obscured the larger issue of pot prohibition. Read the rest of this entry »
Washington State: “We’re not going to prosecute marijuana possession cases anymore”
January 18th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
In his first few days as City Attorney, Pete Holmes has sent a major message to the Citizens and Legislature of Washington State.
Several marijuana possession cases have been dropped already and 50 more are being reviewed. Barring “out of the ordinary circumstances” the City of Seattle will be the safest place for a toker in the state.
So! What about the rest of us? Read the rest of this entry »
New Jersey: Medical Marijuana Bill signed into law
January 16th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
SERIOUSLY ILL patients in New Jersey, those who suffer from debilitating ailments like multiple sclerosis or cancer, won a victory in the State House this week.
Lawmakers approved a controversial bill that allows doctors to prescribe marijuana for medicinal purposes. Governor Corzine signed the law on Tuesday, making New Jersey the 14th state to allow medical marijuana. It was the most significant legislation to come out of the lame-duck session.
It is a godsend for patients like Mike Oliveri, who grew up in Oradell and moved to California in 2008 to take advantage of that state’s medical marijuana law. Oliveri, who has muscular dystrophy, says marijuana is the most effective medicine to ease pain in his legs and back and to calm his stomach. Read the rest of this entry »
Citizen initiative would legalize pot in Washington state
January 14th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
Washington voters may get a chance to decide whether they want to make marijuana legal for adults.
Activists have filed a ballot initiative that would authorize marijuana possession in Washington state. Sponsors include two Seattle and the director of Seattle’s annual Hempfest. Backers of the measure would have to collect more than 241,000 signatures to put the question before voters in November.
Douglas Hiatt, a lawyer who represents medical marijuana patients, told The Associated Press after filing the initiative Monday the proposal would remove all state penalties for pot possession by adults. Criminal penalties for juvenile possession and for providing the drug to juveniles would remain. Marijuana would still be illegal under federal law. Read the rest of this entry »
Planting the Seed for Legal Pot
January 13th, 2010
Dakta Bourbon
The first step to legalize marijuana in California is on a roll.
Lawmakers on Tuesday approved Assembly Bill 390 — legislation to tax and regulate marijuana. The Assembly’s Public Safety Committee voted 4-3 on bill at a hearing in Sacramento. The bill will now be passed to the full Assembly on Friday for consideration.
The bill, authored by San Francisco Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, would essentially treat pot the same way alcohol is treated under the law and would allow adults over 21 to possess, smoke and grow marijuana. Read the rest of this entry »