Florida moving to allow smokable medical marijuana
5 years, 10 months ago

Florida moving to allow smokable medical marijuana

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida House began moving a bill Tuesday designed to comply with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ demand that lawmakers repeal a ban on smokable medical marijuana by mid-March, but there remain differences with a similar bill moving in the Senate. The House Health and Human Services Committee approved a bill on a 14-2 vote that would allow doctors to prescribe smokable marijuana. Voters approved medical marijuana in 2016, but lawmakers banned smokable forms of the plant in a bill signed by then-Gov. A Senate bill to allow smokable medical marijuana nearly died last week after language was added that would have require two doctors to say it is the only form of marijuana patients can use.

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History of this topic

Florida recreational marijuana measure falls short
2 months ago

Florida recreational marijuana measure falls short

NPR  

Florida recreational marijuana measure falls short toggle caption Rebecca Blackwell/AP This story originally appeared as part of NPR's live coverage of the 2024 election. A ballot question that would have legalized recreational use of marijuana in Florida failed to clear a 60% threshold necessary to pass, according to a call from The Associated Press. Ron DeSantis and supported by former …

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, 2 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 …

Florida medical marijuana patients get an unexpected email praising DeSantis
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Florida medical marijuana patients get an unexpected email praising DeSantis

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida has more than 700,000 medical marijuana patients and Republican Gov. The Department of Health last week sent a blast email to its medical marijuana patient list boasting that DeSantis signed the state budget. The email praised a cancer research program promoted by first lady Casey DeSantis, listed health issues like HIV, hepatitis and syphilis that are …

Florida Sen. Rick Scott says he’ll vote against recreational pot after brother’s death
7 months ago

Florida Sen. Rick Scott says he’ll vote against recreational pot after brother’s death

Associated Press  

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida says he’ll be voting in November against a ballot amendment to legalize recreational marijuana in his state, a deeply personal decision based on his brother’s long history of addiction. The National Institute of Drug Abuse included in a 2019 webpage that most cannabis users don’t go on to use …

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, …

Kentucky House gives final passage to medical marijuana bill
1 year, 9 months ago

Kentucky House gives final passage to medical marijuana bill

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Medical marijuana advocates achieved a long-sought victory Thursday, when Kentucky lawmakers gave final passage to a measure to legalize access to medical cannabis for people suffering from a defined list of debilitating illnesses. “This is a truly historic day here in the commonwealth and one that many people deserve — especially the constituents who’ve approached me over …

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 …

Procedural ruling kills medical marijuana bill in SC House
2 years, 8 months ago

Procedural ruling kills medical marijuana bill in SC House

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A seven-year fight to pass a medical marijuana bill may have abruptly ended Wednesday in South Carolina when a House leader ruled the proposal contains an unconstitutional tax increase and cannot be considered further. The decision “will likely have significant consequences” between the Senate and the House and hopefully ”cooler heads can prevail,” Senate Majority Leader Shane …

Bills to expand access to medical marijuana advance
2 years, 8 months ago

Bills to expand access to medical marijuana advance

Associated Press  

— Legislation aimed at expanding patient access to medical marijuana in Louisiana was advanced Tuesday by a state House committee. Rep. Joe Marino, an independent from Gretna, won approval of a bill that would expand the number of licenses from 10 to 25 with 30% of the new licenses set aside for minorities and women. Republican Speaker Pro Tempore Tanner …

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 …

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 readies for medical marijuana hearing
2 years, 9 months ago

SC House committee readies for medical marijuana hearing

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina House committee is holding a rare Monday meeting to listen to people’s thoughts on a bill that would allow the use of medical marijuana in South Carolina. The full House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee is meeting at 10 a.m. to discuss the bill that passed the Senate in February after a …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Louisiana lawmakers: Strain too slow on medical marijuana
3 years, 1 month ago

Louisiana lawmakers: Strain too slow on medical marijuana

Associated Press  

— Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain came under fire Thursday from state lawmakers who complained his regulatory agency was moving too slowly in expanding the medical marijuana products available to patients. The News-Star reports that Strain, a Republican, told a special legislative commission looking at the state’s medicinal pot program that he won’t compromise public safety to fast-track new products. …

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 …

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 …

Lawmakers working to complete medical marijuana bill draft
3 years, 6 months ago

Lawmakers working to complete medical marijuana bill draft

Associated Press  

— Lawmakers working on a proposal to bring a medical marijuana program to Mississippi plan to have a draft of the legislation ready later this summer, Mississippi Gov. The state Supreme Court ruled in May that a voter-approved medical marijuana initiative is void because Mississippi’s initiative process is outdated. Delbert Hosemann, have said the Legislature should honor the will of …

Smokable medical marijuana in Minnesota expected to cut cost
3 years, 7 months ago

Smokable medical marijuana in Minnesota expected to cut cost

Associated Press  

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Those enrolled in Minnesota’s medical marijuana program are expected to have a more affordable option to the liquid, oil and pills currently allowed under one of the nation’s most restrictive medical cannabis laws. McClellan said the smokable option is the most important change to the medical marijuana program since it was passed in 2014. “Most people …

Alabama governor signs medical marijuana legislation
3 years, 7 months ago

Alabama governor signs medical marijuana legislation

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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Kay Ivey signed medical marijuana legislation Monday as conservative …

Florida court deals blow to marijuana ballot initiative
3 years, 8 months ago

Florida court deals blow to marijuana ballot initiative

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday dealt a potentially fatal blow to supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana under certain circumstances. The justices ruled that the initiative’s ballot summary is “misleading” in part because it does not spell out that recreational marijuana possession and distribution remains a federal crime. The court reasoned …

Medical marijuana bill heads to key House vote
3 years, 8 months ago

Medical marijuana bill heads to key House vote

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A second legislative committee on Thursday approved a medical marijuana bill, putting the proposal in line for a key vote in the House of Representatives. The House Health Committee approved the legislation by Republican Sen. Tim Melson of Florence, that would allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase marijuana after getting a recommendation from a …

Alabama Senate approves medical marijuana bill
3 years, 10 months ago

Alabama Senate approves medical marijuana bill

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Senate on Wednesday approved medical marijuana legislation as advocates hope to get the measure enacted after years of setbacks in the conservative state. Senators voted 21-8 to approve the bill by Republican Sen. Tim Melson of Florence that would allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase marijuana, in forms such as gels or …

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 …

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 …

Medical marijuana bill clears Alabama Senate committee
4 years, 10 months ago

Medical marijuana bill clears Alabama Senate committee

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A medical marijuana bill cleared its first hurdle Wednesday in the Alabama Legislature, giving hope to advocates after years of setbacks. This bill is about getting well,” said Dr. Alan Shackelford, a Colorado doctor who described the success of using medical marijuana on people with seizures and cancer. A medical marijuana bill in 2013 won the so-called …

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 …

Medical marijuana may be more accessible in New Jersey
5 years, 6 months ago

Medical marijuana may be more accessible in New Jersey

Associated Press  

FREEHOLD, N.J. — New Jersey expanded its medical marijuana program, including increasing the number of illnesses eligible for cannabis use, boosting the amount that can be dispensed and raising the number of cultivator permits, under a broad new law. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, signed the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act on Tuesday at a tavern in Freehold known …

Nebraska’s tough approach to medical marijuana may backfire
5 years, 8 months ago

Nebraska’s tough approach to medical marijuana may backfire

Associated Press  

— Year after year, Nebraska’s conservative lawmakers have rejected measures calling for limited and highly regulated medical marijuana. “I have no idea what’s going on down in Lincoln.” Since 2010, legislators have rejected medical marijuana bills three times, even measures that allowed only low levels of the drug’s active ingredient and restricted it to creams and oils with a ban …

As Wisconsin eyes legalizing medical marijuana, research and doctor views mixed
5 years, 9 months ago

As Wisconsin eyes legalizing medical marijuana, research and doctor views mixed

Associated Press  

Greg Kinsley of Madison says marijuana reduces gut pain and inflammation from Crohn’s disease. Dr. Michael Miller, a recent Wisconsin Medical Society officer and past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, said marijuana can be addictive, isn’t better than approved drugs and is unpredictable because purity and potency vary. “There’s benefit, but it’s not for everything, and it’s …

Florida governor signs smokable medical pot bill into law
5 years, 9 months ago

Florida governor signs smokable medical pot bill into law

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s ban on the use of smokable medical marijuana by eligible patients ended Monday when Gov. DeSantis also announced the state is dropping its previous appeal of court rulings that also could have ended the ban without state lawmakers’ input. DeSantis gave lawmakers a mid-March deadline to act on repealing the ban, which lawmakers did in swift …

Liberal Hawaii decides again not to legalize marijuana
5 years, 10 months ago

Liberal Hawaii decides again not to legalize marijuana

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — On the political spectrum, Hawaii is among the bluest of states. Rep. Della Au Belatti, the House majority leader, said before the bill died that she believes Hawaii will legalize adult use marijuana at some point. Sen. Karl Rhoads, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Hawaii residents are becoming more accepting of legalization now because it …

SC law enforcement still harshly against medical marijuana
5 years, 11 months ago

SC law enforcement still harshly against medical marijuana

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Legislation to legalize marijuana has been making progress in conservative South Carolina, but the state’s top law enforcement officials and doctors got together Wednesday to say they are still fired up in opposition. State Sen. Tom Davis, one of the chamber’s most conservative Republicans, calls the bill he But the state’s top prosecutor and law enforcement officer, …

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