Marijuana Law Reform State-By-State Updates

by Lee, 05/25/2009, 7:06 PM

Thereâ??s quite a bit going on across the country in the effort to repeal the 70+ year old federal ban on marijuana. The fight is at various stages within each state, so I wanted to give a run down of where each effort is at. Some states are fighting for full legalization already, while others are still just trying to ensure that those with medical uses for the drug can legally use it.

If Iâ??ve missed a state, please shoot me an email and Iâ??ll update this post.

Full legalization

California

State Assemblyman Tom Ammiano has introduced a bill that would make California the first U.S. state to treat marijuana the same as alcohol. His proposal would make the use or sale of marijuana legal to anyone 21 or older.

Ammiano points to a recent poll showing 56 percent of Californians favor legalizing and taxing marijuana. His bill would impose hefty taxes on marijuana sales that state officials estimate would bring US$1.3 billion annually to financially stressed California.

Massachusetts

A pair of bills â?? House Bill 2929 and Senate Bill 1801 â?? seeking to â??tax and regulate the cannabis industryâ?� have just been introduced in the Massachusetts legislature.

These proposals seek to legally regulate the commercial production and distribution of marijuana for adults over 21 years of age.

Oregon

An initiative that would have provided for the nationâ??s first legal, regulated sale of marijuana for personal use is on hold. The organizers of the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act (OCTA) announced last weekend that they were suspending signature gathering for the proposed 2010 initiative after it did poorly in initial polling.

But while the OCTA is down, it may not be out. Organizers are suggesting they may be back with a rewrite in time to still make the 2010 ballot.

Decriminalization

Connecticut

An early afternoon committee deadline Tuesday killed a bill that would have decriminalized penalties for possession of up to half ounce of marijuana.

The bill, along with legislation that would have prohibited smoking in the stateâ??s casinos, died as the Legislatureâ??s chief opponent to the pot legislation, Sen. Antonietta Boucher, R-Wilton, talked at length on the marijuana bill through the early afternoon deadline.

Washington

The state legislature just had its chance to fix this ass- backward approach to pot enforcement. It blew it. A bill to reclassify pot offenses, reducing the maximum penalty for misdemeanor pot possession from three months in jail to a $100 fine, died in the legislature in mid-March.

Medical marijuana - Improvements

Hawaii

Senate Bill 1058, an act to create a medical cannabis task force committee, has been approved by the legislature and now awaits action from Republican Gov. Linda Lingle.

Rhode Island

A bill that would allow for the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries passed the Rhode Island House Wednesday, paving the way for a showdown with Republican Gov. Donald Carcieri, an opponent of medical marijuana. The state Senate passed its version of the bill last month. Now, the two chambers must go through the formality of approving each otherâ??s bills. Then the bill will go before the governor.

Medical marijuana - New

Alabama

This year, the Drug Policy Alliance and Alabamians for Compassionate Care are continuing the effort to advance marijuana legislation with the help of compassionate legislators.

A new bill, H.B. 434, which was introduced by Representative Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham), will authorize the medical use of marijuana for certain qualifying patients who have been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition.

Arizona

The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act initiative drive, which was launched last week, is limited in scope. Howard Fischer reported in Fridayâ??s Star that the measure, if it makes the 2010 ballot and is approved by voters, would give people who are prescribed marijuana and test positive for the drug at work the anti-discrimination protections available to women and minorities.

Delaware

In the coming weeks, Delaware will have its first chance to stand up for seriously ill patients when Senator Margaret Rose Henry (D-Wilmington) introduces medical marijuana legislation for the first time in the Delaware Senate.

Florida

In a true grassroots effort, a group of Floridians organized as People United for Medical Marijuana (PUFMM) has begun an effort to put a medical marijuana initiative on the November 2010 ballot. The group needs some 687,000 valid signatures of registered voters in the next nine months to qualify.

Idaho

Trailâ??s draft bill seeks protection for qualified patients to smoke marijuana, and for designated providers and licensed physicians to grow and possess medical marijuana. Nonmedical acquisition, possession, manufacture, sale or use would remain illegal. The state would not be liable for ill effects of medical use and patients would be limited to 60-day supplies.

Illinois

A vote in the state Senate was delayed until Wednesday on a bill that would legalize medical marijuana in Illinois.

SB 1381, sponsored by downstate Sen. William Haine (D-Alton), would legalize marijuana as treatment for chronic pain and nausea if other treatments have failed, for patients with cancer, HIV-AIDS, hepatitis C, glaucoma, Crohnâ??s disease and Alzheimers.

Iowa

Despite passionate pleas Tuesday for the state to allow restricted use of marijuana for pain and nausea relief, a key lawmaker stressed that the idea will go no further this legislative session.

â??There is a long way to go, I must say,â?� said Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, of Senate File 293.

Minnesota

Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a bill to legalize marijuana for terminally ill patients late Friday evening, saying he sides with law enforcement opposition to the bill. Bill proponents say they will introduce a constitutional amendment to bypass the governor, noting overwhelming popular support in the state on the issue.

Missouri

A medical marijuana bill that would of helped thousands of patients in Missouri was killed by a single politician. Speaker Ron Richard extended his role from Speaker of the House to Sole Decider when he went back on his word (and job) to assign the bill to a committee, ensuring not a single word from either side of issue would be heard.

Montana

A bill to give medical-marijuana patients better access to the drug stalled in a House committee Friday and is likely dead, deadlocking on a party-line vote.

All eight Republicans on the House Human Services Committee voted against Senate Bill 326 and all eight Democrats voted for it.

New Hampshire

State Attorney General Kelly Ayotte and county prosecutors have aggressively pushed back against a bill that would legalize marijuana for some seriously ill patients, sending lawmakers a letter calling marijuana an addictive drug and claiming that reclassifying marijuana as medicine could undermine efforts to keep youths from trying drugs. The billâ??s supporters decry the letter as â??misleadingâ?� and have circulated a seven-page rebuttal of the two-page letter.

New Jersey

In New Jersey, a medical marijuana bill passed the Senate in February, but has languished in the House, where it is stuck in committee. But a hearing will take place later this year, and the bill could move forward after that.

New York

The movement to legalize medicinal marijuana is gaining momentum in New York, with a proposal to let some people grow their own or buy from a state-approved organization.

Sen. Thomas Duane of New York City is introducing the bill, which will have a matching version sponsored by Manhattan Assemblyman Richard Gottfried. The Democrat-led Assembly has passed similar measures in recent years, but the issue fizzled in the formerly Republican-led Senate.

North Carolina

On April 9, North Carolina House Bill 1380, titled the North Carolina Medical Marijuana Act Introduction, was drafted. It is sponsored by Representatives Earl Jones and Pricey Harrison of Guilford County, and Representative Nick Mackey of Mecklenburg County.

House Bill 1380 aims to exempt medical cannabis patients from arrest and prosecution if they are found using marijuana and it would also allow for the possession of cannabis for medical purposes provided that the amount in possession is not excessive.

Ohio

Last session, a medical marijuana bill was sponsored by Democrat Tom Roberts out of Dayton, but the legislation died in a committee after a weak debate and Roberts left the Senate. Orlett plans on speaking with some other Senators about sponsoring a new, similar bill.

Pennsylvania

State Rep. Mark Cohen of Philadelphia said yesterday he hoped to introduce a bill next month to legalize the medical use of marijuana in Pennsylvania.

â??There is obviously no consensus on legalizing marijuana, but there is a widespread consensus on legalizing medical marijuana,â?� the Democrat said. â??I think there is a solid scientific case and there is overwhelming popular support.â?�

South Dakota

Documents were filed Monday to seek a statewide public vote on a proposed law that would legalize marijuana in South Dakota as a medical treatment for severe and chronic pain.

If supporters get 16,776 valid petition signatures by April 6 next year, the proposed law will go on the general election ballot in November 2010.

Tennessee

Recently, Sen. Beverly Marrero (D-Memphis) and Rep. Jeanne Richardson (D-Memphis) introduced companion medical marijuana bills â?? SB 209 and HB 368.

This legislation would allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana pursuant to a physicianâ??s recommendation. Registered patients or their caregivers would be allowed to possess up to 8 ounces of dried marijuana and 6 mature or 12 immature marijuana plants.

Texas

The bill would establish medical necessity as a defense to marijuana possession and also prevent doctors from being punished for recommending marijuana use to treat serious conditions.

For the Texas House of Representatives to even vote on a bill, it must be scheduled for a reading by Tuesday. Naishtatâ??s bill, however, has so far not made it out of committee.

A rhetorical question for all these anti-legislators. How much marijuana or cannabis equals a case of beer? How many people have died after drinking a case of beer and then drove a car or even three drinks for that matter? How many people have smoked an equal amount of marijuana or cannabis and drove and killed someone? I think we could find the answer to the first question but not the second. Alcohol causes more tragedy then marijuan or cannabis ever could, except the illegal part of going to jail and having your life ruined. :thumbsup:

we still shouldnt drive while high tho.

any way i didnt see louisiana on your list. oh yeah thats because you can get locked up for years here just for 1 joint if they wish to do it. gots us some backwards ass laws here. possesion is possesion no matter if its a joint or a pound. and a 3rd arrest can get you 20 years no matter the quanity.

Not a damn thing for Wisconsin.

God, that's depressing.

very interesting, thanks Galaxy.

So . . . we could end up with 33 Med States!! :)

Will Mass leapfrog Cal and become the first State to legalize?? I am a native Californian but if Mass or Oregon wants to take the crown then this buds for y'all! :jointsmile:

:s4:

connecticut just sucks donkey balls

Arizona

The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act initiative drive, which was launched last week, is limited in scope. Howard Fischer reported in Fridayâ??s Star that the measure, if it makes the 2010 ballot and is approved by voters, would give people who are prescribed marijuana and test positive for the drug at work the anti-discrimination protections available to women and minorities.

This should be applicable in every medical marijuana state. Although in my opinion (you know, like assholes, everbody has one) this should not be an issue and should be automatic. If it effects job performance, that's another issue, but workers are allowed to have pharmaceuticals in their system if its not effecting their work. :thumbsup:

"When the speed of rushing water reached the point where it can move boulders, this is the force of momentum."

Sun Tzu



:s4:

Hell they just finally legalized tattoos. Don't see much hope for legal marijuana. When are people gonna wake up and realize that alcoholics are more dangerous than potheads?