Browsing United States

The 2016 U.S. Democratic presidential primary race will go down as one of the most unpredictable, farcical and important races in modern memory, and Californians will have a crucial role in writing the ending to one of the more absurd chapters in American history. Get Involved In The Election Process and Vote! If you want to be part of that history, and you are not registered as a Democrat (or “no party preference,” and request a Democratic ballot) no later than this Monday, May 23, you will miss your opportunity. California also offers online voter registration, so …

Officials overseeing Arizona’s medical marijuana program, which turned five years old last month, announced that they will be accepting applications for additional dispensary licenses to be issued later this summer across the state. The exact number of available licenses to be awarded later this year is not yet known, but is estimated to be approximately 30. Under the law Arizona voters approved in 2010, the total number of medical marijuana dispensaries allowed in the state is equal to ten percent of the total number of pharmacies statewide, or approximately 130 total …

A bill to allow some children to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program is expected to soon be signed into law by Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy. House Bill 5450 received final approval in the State Senate last week after having previously passed in the House. Once signed into law by Gov. Malloy, which he is expected to do soon, Connecticut will no longer be the only state with a comprehensive medical marijuana program that banns minors from participation. Connecticut approved the use of medical marijuana in 2012, but unfortunately for many …

A new poll released this week has found that two-thirds of Utah residents support allowing medical marijuana use in the state, despite the state legislature once again failing to pass a comprehensive medical marijuana law. According to the poll, which was conducted by Dan Jones & Associates for the online political newsletter UtahPolicy, a whopping 66% of Utah residents want to “legalize medical marijuana, as long as it is prescribed by a licensed doctor.” Some of the key findings from the poll include: 55% of Utah Republicans favor legalization of marijuana, prescribed by a doctor, 40% …

Nearly three years after lawmakers in New Hampshire approved legislation to allow medical marijuana for qualified patients, the Granite State’s first medical marijuana dispensary opened to patients this weekend. Located in Plymouth, Sanctuary ATC received their registration certificate to begin operations on Friday, according to a statement from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which oversees the state’s medical marijuana program. Later that day, the operators of Sanctuary ATC announced they would open for business on Saturday morning at 11:00 am. “We will, of course, continue pushing for further …

Lawmakers in Connecticut’s House of Representatives have overwhelmingly approved a proposal aimed at allowing children suffering from epilepsy and seizure disorders to have access to some cannabis products through the state’s existing medical marijuana program. The bill, House Bill 5450, was approved by a vote of 129 to 13. It now heads to the Senate for consideration. “Connecticut is the only state that bans minors from participating in the state’s medical marijuana program.” Connecticut’s medical marijuana program was first approved in 2012, but there is no language written into the current …

One of the primary co-sponsors of Pennsylvania’s recently enacted medical marijuana law is asking the state’s district attorneys not to prosecute anyone for marijuana possession if the offender can demonstrate that they are using cannabis for medical purposes. Democratic State Senator Daylin Leach, who teamed up with Republican Senator Mike Folmer as the primary co-sponsors of Senate Bill 3, sent a letter Thursday to each of Pennsylvania’s 67 District Attorneys asking them to use “prosecutorial discretion to forgo prosecution of any person for possession of marijuana if he or she can demonstrate that he or she is …

Surrounded by hundreds of patients and advocates at the state capitol, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed into law a bill on Sunday afternoon that will make the Keystone State the 24th state in the nation, plus the District of Columbia, to pass a law creating an effective, comprehensive medical marijuana program. The bill, Senate Bill 3, was given final approval last week by both chambers of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and Wolf’s signature on the bill marks the end of a seven year battle to bring medical cannabis to the Commonwealth, a journey marred by roadblocks and detours. Opposition from House …

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation on Wednesday allowing the use of medical marijuana in the Commonwealth. A similar bill was originated and initially approved with slightly different language in the Pennsylvania Senate last May. Passage of the bill did not come without a fight. Opponents tried to introduce amendments that would have voided it, but none were successful. After two hard-fought days on the floor, the bill ultimately passed by a margin of 149-43. The speeches in support of the bill ranged from detailed to emotional. “[There is] no metric to measure …

Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders will headline the International Cannabis Business Conference on Feb. 13 and 14 in downtown San Francisco. She’ll be joined by Andrew Sullivan, a prominent author and blogger; Tommy Chong, star of the Cheech & Chong movies; Arjan Roskam, who started the “Strain Hunters” documentary series; and Anthony Johnson, the executive director of Oregon’s successful campaign to legalize marijuana. “Business and Politics” is the theme of the conference, which comes as several legalization initiatives vie for a spot on the state’s November ballot. California has a …