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ANNAPOLIS, MD — After making some revisions to the initiative, the Maryland House of Delegates approved a measure to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis in a 78-55 vote Saturday. As previously reported, Senate Bill 364 would remove any criminal penalties for the possession of less than 10 grams of cannabis. Instead, offenders would be subject to a civil fine of up to $100. Maryland House Advances Senate Bill 364 Despite its success Saturday, it has not been all smooth sailing for Senate Bill 364 – a fact that Rachelle Yeung, legislative analyst for the …

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mayor Vincent Gray of Washington D.C. signed a decriminalization measure as of late Monday, which would make the nation’s capital added to the list of states making possession of cannabis a civil offense rather than a criminal offense. Although the mayor’s signature is a major victory for supporters of the measure, the law still needs to be approved by the U.S. Congress. Mayor Vincent Gray Approves Cannabis Decriminalization Measure As of late Monday, Mayor Vincent Gray of Washington D.C. signed the legislation that was passed 10-1 by the D.C.

This August, a third state may finally join Colorado and Washington in the history of the legalization of marijuana. An Alaskan poll released last week suggests that majority (52%) of voters are in favor of regulating and taxing marijuana similar to alcohol. Alaskans Lead The Campaign To Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol In early February it was announced that the “Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska” reached the signature threshold required by state election law. Accordingly, the issue was set to be included in the August 19 primary …

ANNAPOLIS, MD — As one of the 14 states currently considering medical marijuana bills in legislative sessions, Maryland could be the next state to legalize medical marijuana. The Maryland Senate voted 45-1 in favor of Senate Bill 923 – an initiative that would do just that. This approval came after its third reading of the bill, and now the amended bill will go to the Maryland House for consideration. They approved a similar bill earlier this month. Maryland Senate Approves Amended Medical Marijuana Bill Maryland Senator Jamie Raskin introduced Senate Bill 923, which was …

Nevada has officially become the ninth state to acknowledge posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying condition for patients to receive medical marijuana in order to relieve their symptoms. Multiple studies have indicated the effectiveness of using cannabis for PTSD symptoms, and another study that is awaiting approval from the DEA in Arizona may provide even more valid results. In turn, more and more states could be adding PTSD to their medical marijuana programs before long. Nevada Becomes Ninth State To Allow Medical Marijuana For PTSD Thanks …

In a recent Public Policy Polling survey released by Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), over two-thirds of Delaware voters (68%) are in favor of marijuana decriminalization. They supported the replacement of criminal penalties for a civil offense that is punishable for a fine of up to $100 for those caught with possession of up to an ounce of marijuana. In addition to this, the poll showed 51% of Delaware voters showing their support for making cannabis use legal for adults 21 and older, while taxing and regulating it like alcohol. Delaware Voters Show Support For Cannabis …

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Earlier this week, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) signed off on a University of Arizona study that will investigate the relationship between cannabis and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has always been a disappointing turnout for those hoping to obtain cannabis for their post-traumatic stress disorder as multiple states including Arizona have denied PTSD as a medical condition that qualifies for receiving medicinal cannabis. Even though multiple studies …

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Continuing the wave of cannabis policy reform that has been working its way across the east coast as of late, the Maryland Senate voted 36-8 Friday in favor of decriminalizing small amounts of cannabis in the state. As reported last week, Senate Bill 364 would remove criminal penalties for limited cannabis possession. It is co-sponsored by Sen. Bobby Zirkin (D-Baltimore) and Sen. Allan Kittleman (R-Howard). “SB 364 is a strong step towards ending the ineffective and destructive prohibition of marijuana,” explains Rachelle Yeung, legislative analyst for the …

SACRAMENTO, CA — In a move that comes 18 years after California legalized medical marijuana, Senator Lou Correa (D) introduced legislation this week that would establish concrete regulations within the state. As written, Senate Bill 1262 will establish regulations for cultivators, collectives, and physicians who recommend medical marijuana. The initiative was created with significant influence from the California Police Chiefs Association and the League of California Cities, both of which have opposed regulatory efforts in the past. “This legislation seems counter-intuitive, but we polled our membership and over 90 percent of the chiefs felt …

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Just a couple days after Washington DC’s City Council voted to decriminalize cannabis, the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee approved a similar measure in an 8-3 vote Friday. Co-sponsored by Sen. Bobby Zirkin (D-Baltimore) and Sen. Allan Kittleman (R-Howard), Senate Bill 364 would remove criminal penalties for limited cannabis possession. Instead, such infractions will be subject to a $100 fine. “Criminalizing adults for marijuana possession will not make Maryland safer, but this legislation will,” said Rachelle Yeung, legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project. “Law enforcement officials should spend their time addressing …