GOP support grows for legal medical marijuana in Wisconsin
5 years ago

GOP support grows for legal medical marijuana in Wisconsin

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — The push to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin gained momentum Wednesday with the unveiling of a bill introduced for the first time by Republican lawmakers. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, who is running for Congress, said in September that legalizing medical marijuana won’t pass the Senate because “everyone knows that medical marijuana leads to legalized marijuana.” He reiterated his opposition Wednesday, saying he personally opposes the bill and doesn’t think it has the votes to pass the Senate. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who has been generally supportive of medical marijuana, said it was “clear” there wasn’t consensus among Assembly Republicans. “The governor wants to see more bipartisan work and hopes there will at least be a public hearing on the issue of medical marijuana,” said Evers spokeswoman Melissa Baldauff. Felzkowski said that measure was doomed because it was “wide open.” She was hopeful that changing attitudes would lead to a more limited medical marijuana proposal like hers becoming law.

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History of this topic

Florida rejects marijuana legalization measure, other states still pending
2 months ago

Florida rejects marijuana legalization measure, other states still pending

Salon  

On Nov. 5, voters in four red states will cast their ballots for legalizing cannabis and marijuana, the extracts from the plant. “It’s certainly not crazy to think you might see some other very conservative Southern states follow along, if Florida adopts it.” North Dakota: Measure 5 In North Dakota, advocates are hoping the third time's a charm in legalizing …

North Carolina Senate gives initial approval to legalizing medical marijuana
6 months, 3 weeks ago

North Carolina Senate gives initial approval to legalizing medical marijuana

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina got a step closer to legalizing medical marijuana on Thursday when the state Senate gave it its initial approval. Legalizing medical marijuana for qualifying patients with a “debilitating medical condition” was added to a bill on Wednesday that originally focused on creating further state regulations for federally legal hemp products. Sen. Bill Rabon, a Republican …

North Carolina revives the possibility of legalizing medical marijuana
6 months, 3 weeks ago

North Carolina revives the possibility of legalizing medical marijuana

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina senators are pushing to legalize medical marijuana again, but it’s unclear if the state House will approve it. A Senate bill that was originally intended to add state regulations to hemp products experienced a major facelift on Wednesday when lawmakers added a provision legalizing medical marijuana. The hemp regulations bill was suddenly sent back to …

As the US moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, could more states legalize it?
8 months ago

As the US moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, could more states legalize it?

Associated Press  

As the U.S. government moves toward reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, there may be little immediate impact in the dozen states that have not already legalized cannabis for widespread medical or recreational use by adults. Following two previous failed attempts, a Nebraska group is gathering signatures to get two measures onto this year’s ballot: one to legalize medical …

Marijuana backers eye proposed federal regulatory change as an aid to legalizing pot in more states
8 months ago

Marijuana backers eye proposed federal regulatory change as an aid to legalizing pot in more states

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Following two previous failed attempts, …

Kansas won’t have legal medical pot or expand Medicaid for at least another year
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Kansas won’t have legal medical pot or expand Medicaid for at least another year

Associated Press  

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas will remain among the handful of states that haven’t legalized the medical use of marijuana or expanded their Medicaid programs for at least another year. “We’re behind the times,” state Sen. John Doll, a western Kansas Republican who voted for both measures, said after Friday’s votes. Laura Kelly even linked medical marijuana to Medicaid expansion in …

Wisconsin Republicans appear to be at an impasse over medical marijuana legalization plan
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Wisconsin Republicans appear to be at an impasse over medical marijuana legalization plan

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Republicans appear to be at an impasse over a proposal to legalize medical marijuana. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu last week said the bill’s proposed creation of state-run dispensaries was a “nonstarter.” Vos said at a news conference that “months and months of negotiations” resulted in a “very detailed bill” he proposed that has the minimum …

Wisconsin Senate GOP leader says state-run medical marijuana dispensaries are a ‘nonstarter’
11 months, 4 weeks ago

Wisconsin Senate GOP leader says state-run medical marijuana dispensaries are a ‘nonstarter’

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — Having state-run dispensaries for medical marijuana in Wisconsin as proposed by Assembly Republicans is a “nonstarter” in the Senate, but there’s still the possibility of reaching a compromise that could pass, the Senate GOP leader said Thursday. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said at a WisPolitics.com event that the “challenge” for the Assembly bill is that many …

Wisconsin governor who called for marijuana legalization says he’ll back limited GOP proposal
1 year ago

Wisconsin governor who called for marijuana legalization says he’ll back limited GOP proposal

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, who has pushed for full legalization of recreational marijuana, said Wednesday that he is open to a more limited medical marijuana legalization being promoted by Republicans. Vos said the proposal would be limited and modeled after the medical marijuana law that had been in place in neighboring Minnesota before it moved to full …

A Republican proposal to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin is coming soon
1 year ago

A Republican proposal to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin is coming soon

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Republicans plan to unveil a proposal soon to legalize medical marijuana in the state and could vote on it sometime in 2024, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said. Vos, in an interview Wednesday, said the proposal will be limited and modeled after the medical marijuana law that had been in place in neighboring Minnesota before it moved …

North Carolina senator pushing medical marijuana bill describes smoking pot during cancer fight
1 year, 7 months ago

North Carolina senator pushing medical marijuana bill describes smoking pot during cancer fight

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina General Assembly’s chief advocate for legalizing medical marijuana in the state revealed publicly on Tuesday how he smoked pot over 20 years ago to withstand discomforts of intense chemotherapy during a fight with cancer. He said he told his local police chief and sheriff that “I’m going to have to buy drugs illegally to …

Medical marijuana proposal gains momentum in Kentucky
1 year, 9 months ago

Medical marijuana proposal gains momentum in Kentucky

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Supporters of legalizing medical marijuana in Kentucky achieved a breakthrough Tuesday when their bill cleared a Senate committee with support from a key Republican leader after years of running into a roadblock. Medical cannabis supporters broke into applause when Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer voted for the bill after years of opposing marijuana-related legislation. Thayer approved …

North Carolina Senate backs legalizing pot for medical use
1 year, 10 months ago

North Carolina Senate backs legalizing pot for medical use

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Senate voted on Tuesday to legalize marijuana use for medical purposes, giving strong bipartisan support for the second year in a row to an idea that its supporters say would give relief to those with debilitating or life-ending illnesses. Under North Carolina’s bill, a new state commission would award licenses to 10 entities that …

EXPLAINER: Where Wisconsin governor and Republicans agree
1 year, 11 months ago

EXPLAINER: Where Wisconsin governor and Republicans agree

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Some are clearly dead on arrival, but in other areas, Evers and Republicans appear willing to compromise on how to spend the state’s unprecedented budget surplus, estimated Wednesday at more than $7.1 billion. Evers initially called for a 4% increase in funding, using the current formula, while Republicans talked about taking a new approach …

Medical pot proposal gets bipartisan support in NC Senate
2 years, 7 months ago

Medical pot proposal gets bipartisan support in NC Senate

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Marijuana would be legalized for medical use in North Carolina with a physician’s prescription and purchased through dozens of tightly regulated dispensaries in a measure receiving initial approval Thursday in the Senate. The legislation, which received strong bipartisan support, could help people facing more than a dozen different “debilitating medical conditions” in which their doctor declares the …

Medical pot bill resurfaces in NC Senate, heading to floor
2 years, 7 months ago

Medical pot bill resurfaces in NC Senate, heading to floor

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Legislation authorizing marijuana for medical use in North Carolina and developing a system to grow, sell and regulate cannabis was recommended by a state Senate committee Wednesday, nine months after it last surfaced. The measure, which now heads to the Senate floor for the first of two required votes Thursday, would allow patients with at least one …

Kentucky gov asks input, weighing action on medical cannabis
2 years, 8 months ago

Kentucky gov asks input, weighing action on medical cannabis

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. The Democratic governor said he’ll seek grassroots input as his legal team explores his potential options to make medical marijuana legally accessible. Republican Senate President Robert Stivers said Kentuckians should be concerned that the governor “thinks he can change statute by executive order.” “He simply can’t legalize medical marijuana by executive order; you can’t supersede a …

Wisconsin marijuana legalization proponents make case
2 years, 8 months ago

Wisconsin marijuana legalization proponents make case

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — Proponents of legalizing medical marijuana in Wisconsin made their case Wednesday at a public hearing on a Republican bill that’s getting its first airing under the GOP-controlled Legislature, the latest sign of movement toward loosening the state’s pot laws. “Who are we to tell you if you can’t have a drug or a natural product to help …

Legalizing medical marijuana gets first public hearing
2 years, 8 months ago

Legalizing medical marijuana gets first public hearing

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — A Republican-authored bill to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin will be getting its first public hearing next week, achieving one goal of backers and the latest sign of progress for those who want to loosen the state’s laws. But the April 20 Senate committee hearing on the medical marijuana bill will give supporters their highest profile chance …

Beshear: Ready to explore action on medical marijuana issue
2 years, 9 months ago

Beshear: Ready to explore action on medical marijuana issue

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — If a bill legalizing medical marijuana doesn’t reach his desk, Gov. Asked if he could potentially issue an executive order making medical marijuana accessible if the bill dies, the governor told reporters: “We’re going to explore that.” “It’s something that we will look at,” he said. “Its time has certainly come.” But the governor called on lawmakers …

Medical marijuana bill heads to South Carolina House floor
2 years, 9 months ago

Medical marijuana bill heads to South Carolina House floor

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A bill allowing limited use of medical marijuana in South Carolina is heading to the House floor — the furthest the proposal has made it during the eight years its passionate supporters have been pushing for it. The bill’s sponsor said if it passes, South Carolina’s law would be one of the most conservative of the nearly …

SC House committee sets public hearing on medical marijuana
2 years, 9 months ago

SC House committee sets public hearing on medical marijuana

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A House committee will hold a public hearing Monday on a bill to allow the use of medical marijuana in South Carolina. A small group of House members Thursday made a few changes in the lengthy bill passed in February by the full Senate on a 28-15 vote. Much of that is expected for the meeting Monday …

Kentucky House passes bill to legalize medical marijuana
2 years, 9 months ago

Kentucky House passes bill to legalize medical marijuana

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky House endorsed legalizing medical marijuana, passing a bill Thursday to strictly regulate the use of cannabis for a list of eligible medical conditions. Opponents said they worry that Kentucky’s cannabis policy would become more lenient over the years if medical marijuana gets a legal foothold. The House amended the bill to add post-traumatic stress disorder …

Republican lawmakers unveil medical marijuana regulations
2 years, 10 months ago

Republican lawmakers unveil medical marijuana regulations

Associated Press  

OKLAHOMA CITY — Republicans in the Oklahoma House on Monday unveiled a package of new restrictions on the state’s booming medical marijuana industry, designed to crack down on illegal growers who sell cannabis on the black market. “If you’re an illegal operator in Oklahoma, you’re time is up,” said Rep. Scott Fetgatter, an Okmulgee Republican and a member of the …

SC Senate approves medical marijuana bill, House up next
2 years, 11 months ago

SC Senate approves medical marijuana bill, House up next

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina senators Wednesday approved the use of medical marijuana in the state on a 28-15 vote that finished a Republican senator’s seven-year quest to pass the proposal, but the legislation still has some hurdles to pass to become law. Davis said his proposal would be one of the most conservative among the 37 states that have …

Legalizing marijuana gaining momentum in Wisconsin
2 years, 11 months ago

Legalizing marijuana gaining momentum in Wisconsin

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — The push to legalize marijuana in Wisconsin enjoys some bipartisan support, but backers of bills that would make it legal for either medical or recreational use say it won’t happen this year. “I never thought I was going to live to see the day, but we’re actually talking realistically about marijuana reform,” Democratic Senate Minority Leader Janet …

SC Senate medical marijuana debate stretches to third week
2 years, 11 months ago

SC Senate medical marijuana debate stretches to third week

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The debate over whether to legalize medical marijuana in South Carolina is extending into a third week in the state Senate starting Tuesday, with a Republican leader telling his colleagues to plan for late nights to bring the issue to a vote. Other opponents said Davis’ bill creates a massive new bureaucracy to handle medical marijuana. Democratic …

SC senator gets 7-year wish for medical marijuana debate
2 years, 11 months ago

SC senator gets 7-year wish for medical marijuana debate

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Sen. Tom Davis walked up to the well of the Senate about 1:45 p.m. Wednesday to finally get the medical marijuana debate to which he has dedicated more than seven years of his legislative career. Palmetto Family Council President Dave Wilson wondered why the state Senate prioritized the marijuana debate over other issues like cutting …

GOP lawmakers try again to legalize medical marijuana
2 years, 11 months ago

GOP lawmakers try again to legalize medical marijuana

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — A group of Republican lawmakers resurrected a bill Wednesday to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin, saying it’s time to at least talk about using the drug as a natural way to help the sick treat their ailments naturally. Sen. Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Patrick Snyder’s bill would create a new state commission that would regulate medical marijuana. …

Medical marijuana moves 1 step closer in Mississippi
2 years, 11 months ago

Medical marijuana moves 1 step closer in Mississippi

Associated Press  

— Mississippi is moving closer to joining most other states in allowing people to use marijuana to relieve medical conditions. The state House voted 104-14 Wednesday to pass a bill that would create a medical marijuana program. When the bill passed the Senate, it said a person with a marijuana prescription could obtain up to 3.5 grams of the substance …

Medical marijuana advances with Mississippi senate vote
2 years, 11 months ago

Medical marijuana advances with Mississippi senate vote

Associated Press  

— Mississippi senators voted Thursday to advance a bill that would create a medical marijuana program, sending it to the House for more work. Blackwell has been one of the lead negotiators the past several months on creating a medical marijuana program for Mississippi residents with debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, AIDS and sickle cell anemia. Tate Reeves has …

Medical marijuana proposal moves to Mississippi Senate
2 years, 11 months ago

Medical marijuana proposal moves to Mississippi Senate

Associated Press  

— A bill to create a medical marijuana program is headed for debate in the Mississippi Senate in coming days. In November 2020, a wide margin of Mississippi voters approved an initiative to allow medical marijuana, and a program was supposed to be in place by the middle of 2021. In May, the state Supreme Court ruled that the initiative …

Mississippi legislators begin session, face marijuana debate
3 years ago

Mississippi legislators begin session, face marijuana debate

Associated Press  

— Mississippi legislators began their three-month session Tuesday, and the mother of a man with chronic medical problems implored them to create a medical marijuana program, despite objections from Gov. Creation of a medical marijuana program could be one of the first issues that the Republican-controlled House and Senate consider during the session’s opening weeks. Angie Calhoun, founder and CEO …

Reeves: Work still happening on medical marijuana proposal
3 years, 2 months ago

Reeves: Work still happening on medical marijuana proposal

Associated Press  

Tate Reeves said Tuesday that he and legislative leaders are continuing to negotiate changes in a proposal to create a medical marijuana program, including putting tight limits on how much of the medicine one person could buy. “I believe very strongly that if we’re going to have a medical marijuana program, it’s very important that we get it done right,” …

Mississippi gov: Still no word on medical marijuana session
3 years, 3 months ago

Mississippi gov: Still no word on medical marijuana session

Associated Press  

Tate Reeves on Monday was still not saying whether he will call legislators into special session to enact a medical marijuana program and consider other issues that House and Senate leaders are promoting. Delbert Hosemann and House Speaker Philip Gunn said Friday that they want Reeves to set a special session because negotiators from the two chambers have agreed on …

Mississippi session requested on medical marijuana proposal
3 years, 3 months ago

Mississippi session requested on medical marijuana proposal

Associated Press  

— Mississippi legislative leaders said Friday that they are asking Republican Gov. Tate Reeves to call the House and Senate into special session to enact a medical marijuana program and approve financial help for hospitals. They also want legislators during the session to authorize death benefit payments for law enforcement officers and first responders who die of COVID-19 and set …

Mississippi negotiators reach proposal on medical marijuana
3 years, 3 months ago

Mississippi negotiators reach proposal on medical marijuana

Associated Press  

— Mississippi House and Senate negotiators said Thursday that they have agreed on a proposed medical marijuana program. “This is not a recreational thing.” Yancey said that if the bill becomes law, cities and counties would be have 90 days to opt out of allowing medical marijuana growing sites, processing facilities and dispensaries. Blackwell said if a city or county …

Medical marijuana legalization keeps advancing in NC Senate
3 years, 4 months ago

Medical marijuana legalization keeps advancing in NC Senate

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — A bill legalizing marijuana for medical use in North Carolina and developing a system to grow and sell it cleared two more legislative hurdles this week in the Senate. The Senate Health Care Committee voted for the measure on Thursday, two days after the judiciary committee approved an updated version compared to what it originally recommended in …

Mississippi lawmakers work toward medical marijuana program
3 years, 5 months ago

Mississippi lawmakers work toward medical marijuana program

Associated Press  

— Two Mississippi lawmakers say they’re continuing to work on proposals to create a medical marijuana program, two months after the state Supreme Court invalidated one that voters had approved. Yancey said a House bill would be similar to Initiative 65, which voters approved in November to allow medical marijuana use by people with some debilitating conditions. Initiative 65 was …

NC medical marijuana legalization gets hearing in Senate
3 years, 6 months ago

NC medical marijuana legalization gets hearing in Senate

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — A bipartisan effort to legalize marijuana for medical use in North Carolina got a legislative committee hearing on Wednesday. With nearly three-quarters of states already allowing medical marijuana, senators who unveiled their framework told colleagues the measure takes health and safety seriously while offering palliative care for those with painful or life-threatening illnesses such as cancer. “To …

Mississippi protesters: Revive medical marijuana proposal
3 years, 7 months ago

Mississippi protesters: Revive medical marijuana proposal

Associated Press  

— People protested Tuesday near the Mississippi Capitol and the state Supreme Court building to demand that Gov. About 1.3 million people voted in Mississippi in November, and more than 766,000 of them voted in favor of the medical marijuana proposal, Initiative 65. “I don’t think the government should tell people how they should and shouldn’t live,” Allen said in …

Medical marijuana law changes pass Pennsylvania House panel
3 years, 7 months ago

Medical marijuana law changes pass Pennsylvania House panel

Associated Press  

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A proposal to permanently adopt pandemic-prompted changes to Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana law passed a state House committee on Monday, but most Democrats on the panel voted against allowing grower-producers to use pesticides. The Health Committee voted nearly unanimously to advance to the House floor the proposed revisions, which would make permanent the current practices of dispensing the …

Medical pot advocates ask lawmakers for ‘compromise’
3 years, 10 months ago

Medical pot advocates ask lawmakers for ‘compromise’

Associated Press  

— Supporters of a successful ballot measure to make medical marijuana legal in South Dakota urged state lawmakers on Monday to allow users to avoid criminal charges during any delay in implementing the program. The Republican governor’s proposal to delay was another setback for pro-pot groups after they saw a voter-passed constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana struck down by a …

Evers’ budget proposal would legalize recreational marijuana
3 years, 11 months ago

Evers’ budget proposal would legalize recreational marijuana

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers says his budget plan will include a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana, an idea that will likely be blocked by the Republican-controlled Legislature but could be a catalyst to allow the use of medical marijuana. Evers said the recreational marijuana measure could generate $166 million in revenue that would be used to help …

Medical marijuana bills challenge Bible Belt politics
4 years, 9 months ago

Medical marijuana bills challenge Bible Belt politics

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Facing a potentially historic vote on whether to legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky, Republican lawmaker John Schickel is conflicted. “But the flip side of it is, if there are people who need medical attention and truly believe that it will help them, who are we to say they can’t have it?” Schickel’s dilemma stands as yet another …

Mississippi could have 2 medical marijuana items on ballot
4 years, 9 months ago

Mississippi could have 2 medical marijuana items on ballot

Associated Press  

— The Mississippi House voted Tuesday to put a second medical marijuana proposal on the statewide ballot this year. On Tuesday, the Mississippi House voted to put an alternative medical marijuana proposal on the same ballot. He said the alternative is “absolutely intended to kill it.” Bomgar said he supports legalizing medical marijuana because he watched his parents struggle with …

Kentucky House votes to legalize medical marijuana
4 years, 10 months ago

Kentucky House votes to legalize medical marijuana

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — After years of setbacks, medical marijuana advocates cleared a historic hurdle Thursday when the Kentucky House voted to legalize the use of cannabis for medical purposes. The House vote marked the first time a medical marijuana bill passed either legislative chamber in Kentucky, supporters said. Revisions will be acceptable, he said, as long as the bill’s core …

Speaker: Vote on medical marijuana bill possible next week
4 years, 10 months ago

Speaker: Vote on medical marijuana bill possible next week

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Medical marijuana is getting a serious look in the Kentucky legislature. In another sign of momentum for the push to legalize cannabis for treatment of some medical conditions, House Speaker David Osborne said the bill could come up for a House vote as soon as next week. The bill also would set up a regulatory process allowing …

Kentucky bill to legalize medical marijuana advances
4 years, 10 months ago

Kentucky bill to legalize medical marijuana advances

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — After years of setbacks, medical marijuana advocates in Kentucky gained momentum Wednesday when a House committee overwhelmingly approved a bill to legalize medical cannabis. The committee room was filled with advocates who have pressed for years to legalize medical marijuana for people battling chronic pain and debilitating medical conditions. “It is your job to enact laws for …

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