Agenda in Pierre: Marijuana, federal windfall, social issues
2 years, 11 months ago

Agenda in Pierre: Marijuana, federal windfall, social issues

Associated Press  

— South Dakota’s rapid-fire legislative session kicks off Tuesday with lawmakers prepared to debate legalizing marijuana, how to spend nearly $1 billion in federal coronavirus relief and what to do with a spate of bills touching on some of the nation’s most incendiary social issues. Schoenbeck, who represents the party’s old guard, describes some House members as “crazies” for their right-wing stances and undermined Gosch’s attempt to keep secret the names of House lawmakers who petitioned for a special session last year. But he called the new year “a reset point.” Republican leaders have scheduled regular sitdowns to discuss legislation, Cammack said, “so we’re talking to each other and not talking at each other.” POT LEGALIZATION Lawmakers spent the last year figuring out what to do with two voter-approved measures to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana. Rohl said he wants to “put it on her desk and find out.” Many lawmakers see pot legalization as inevitable — either through their action, federal legislation or another ballot measure in November.

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History of this topic

Florida rejects marijuana legalization measure, other states still pending
1 month, 3 weeks 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 …

Could America’s divide on marijuana be coming to an end?
3 months, 1 week ago

Could America’s divide on marijuana be coming to an end?

Associated Press  

The U.S. is divided when it comes to state and federal marijuana policy, but recent political developments could move the country toward a greater acceptance of cannabis. Both major presidential candidates have signaled support for a federal policy change to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, and voters in several additional states will get a say this fall on …

A decision on a major policy shift on marijuana won’t come until after the presidential election
3 months, 3 weeks ago

A decision on a major policy shift on marijuana won’t come until after the presidential election

Associated Press  

Follow live: Updates from AP’s coverage of the presidential election. While it’s possible it could precede the end of President Joe Biden’s term, issuing it before Inauguration Day “would be pretty expedited,” said cannabis lawyer Brian Vicente. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, signaled support for a Florida legalization measure on Saturday, following earlier comments that he increasingly agrees …

Marijuana backers eye proposed federal regulatory change as an aid to legalizing pot in more states
7 months, 3 weeks 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, …

Recreational marijuana backers can gather signatures for North Dakota ballot initiative
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Recreational marijuana backers can gather signatures for North Dakota ballot initiative

Associated Press  

BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota ballot initiative group can gather signatures to put a proposal legalizing recreational marijuana to a statewide vote in the fall, the state’s top election official said Thursday, in the latest legalization effort in the conservative state. “We spend too many resources, we spend too much money, we criminalize behavior that’s more benign than alcohol …

Delaware lawmakers give final approval to marijuana bills
1 year, 8 months ago

Delaware lawmakers give final approval to marijuana bills

Associated Press  

— The Delaware Senate gave final approval Tuesday to bills legalizing recreational marijuana use by adults in the state and authorizing the establishment of a state-licensed and regulated cannabis industry, setting up a potential battle with Democratic Gov. Buckson, however, led the opposition to the industry-creation bill that calls for state officials to issue up to 30 initial retail marijuana …

Delaware Gov. John Carney vetoes marijuana legalization bill
2 years, 7 months ago

Delaware Gov. John Carney vetoes marijuana legalization bill

Associated Press  

John Carney on Tuesday vetoed a bill to legalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by adults for recreational use, drawing the wrath of fellow Democrats who have fought for years to make weed legal. “I recognize the positive effect marijuana can have for people with certain health conditions, and for that reason, I continue to support the …

Noem signs medical pot bills, placing a limit on homegrown
2 years, 9 months ago

Noem signs medical pot bills, placing a limit on homegrown

Associated Press  

— South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Friday signed five bills to make changes to the state’s medical marijuana laws, including putting a cap on the number of cannabis plants that medical marijuana patients can grow in their homes. South Dakota voters in 2020 enacted the law to legalize medical marijuana in the state, and Noem this year pushed for …

South Dakota House committee rejects recreational pot bill
2 years, 9 months ago

South Dakota House committee rejects recreational pot bill

Associated Press  

— South Dakota House Republicans on Monday dismissed a proposal to legalize recreational pot for adults, in a major blow to a bill that aimed to honor the will of voters. South Dakota voters passed a constitutional amendment in November 2020 to legalize recreational pot, medical marijuana and hemp. Senate Bill 3, which emerged from a legislative committee that studied …

SC Senate medical marijuana debate stretches to third week
2 years, 10 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 …

South Dakota lawmakers craft proposal for recreational pot
3 years, 2 months ago

South Dakota lawmakers craft proposal for recreational pot

Associated Press  

— South Dakota lawmakers on Tuesday advanced a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults while repealing much of the state’s new medical marijuana law. The Adult-Use Marijuana Study Subcommittee, which has been studying the issue since June, voted to recommend a bill that would allow people over 21 to purchase up to 1 ounce of cannabis for recreational …

House passes marijuana legalization bill, sends it to Senate
3 years, 6 months ago

House passes marijuana legalization bill, sends it to Senate

Associated Press  

HARTFORD, Conn. — Proponents of legalizing the adult use of marijuana in Connecticut dodged a threatened veto on Wednesday, advancing a revamped bill that Gov. “We take the next step, as this chamber, in recognizing the war on drugs has failed us and the criminalization of cannabis was the wrong course of action for our state and for our nation.” …

Lawmakers advance legal pot bill, but more changes promised
3 years, 8 months ago

Lawmakers advance legal pot bill, but more changes promised

Associated Press  

Connecticut lawmakers on Tuesday advanced Gov. Members of Lamont’s administration tried to assure the committee back in February that the governor’s bill — which creates a framework for a new legal system — was the starting point for discussion. The revised version up for a vote on Tuesday adds new legislative appointments to a proposed Social Equity Council charged with …

Noem wants lawmakers to change medical marijuana rules
3 years, 8 months ago

Noem wants lawmakers to change medical marijuana rules

Associated Press  

Kristi Noem on Friday pitched lawmakers a proposal that would limit parts of a voter-passed law legalizing medical marijuana in South Dakota, but she conceded that the drug will become legal for patients on July 1. The Republican governor previously pushed the Legislature to delay implementation of the state’s medical marijuana program by a year so that a committee could …

Noem’s medical marijuana plan scuttled by Senate
3 years, 9 months ago

Noem’s medical marijuana plan scuttled by Senate

Associated Press  

— South Dakota Gov. Noem’s proposal died after the House and Senate could not agree on the bill, paving the way for a voter-passed medical marijuana law to go into effect on July 1. That forced a choice upon the governor and her allies in the House: Accept the senate’s proposal or reject the bill, allowing the medical marijuana program …

Budget, smoke-outs and pot: Legislature enters its last days
3 years, 9 months ago

Budget, smoke-outs and pot: Legislature enters its last days

Associated Press  

— South Dakota lawmakers have just four more days to work out most of the details in this year’s legislative session. As deadlines loom — and issues from the budget to medical marijuana and self-defense laws remain unsettled — many lawmakers are expecting some long nights at the Capitol in Pierre. Meanwhile, House lawmakers are hoping the Senate approves $20 …

Lamont making big push for marijuana legalization this year
3 years, 10 months ago

Lamont making big push for marijuana legalization this year

Associated Press  

Ned Lamont is making a major push to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana after COVID-19 upended the 2020 legislative session, arguing now is the time to finally enact a regulated system that generates new state and local revenue while addressing racial equity issues. Rep. Michael D’Agostino, D-Hamden, co-chairman of the General Assembly’s General Law Committee, said he believes …

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 …

North Dakota bill aims to control recreational marijuana
3 years, 10 months ago

North Dakota bill aims to control recreational marijuana

Associated Press  

BISMARCK, N.D. — Caught off guard by North Dakota voters’ surprise support five years ago for allowing medical marijuana, lawmakers now are developing rules to legalize the drug for recreational use as well — with heavy restrictions. North Dakota voters approved medical marijuana in 2016, and the Legislature the following year crafted regulations for the drug’s use for people who …

Noem threatens veto for lawmakers’ pot legalization push
3 years, 10 months ago

Noem threatens veto for lawmakers’ pot legalization push

Associated Press  

PIERRE — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Thursday she would likely veto any bills that allow recreational marijuana use this year, despite some GOP lawmakers weighing whether to move forward with legalization. A circuit court judge ruled Monday that a constitutional amendment passed by voters to legalize recreational marijuana would have violated the state’s constitution. But Noem remains an …

South Dakota GOP lawmakers continue recreational pot push
3 years, 10 months ago

South Dakota GOP lawmakers continue recreational pot push

Associated Press  

— Two South Dakota Republican lawmakers focused on regulating recreational marijuana said Tuesday they will continue to push the Legislature to address the matter, even after a circuit court struck down a voter-passed measure to legalize it. A South Dakota judge ruled Monday that a constitutional amendment passed by voters to legalize marijuana would have violated the state’s constitution. Sen. …

Cuomo again pushes for legal recreational marijuana in NY
3 years, 11 months ago

Cuomo again pushes for legal recreational marijuana in NY

Associated Press  

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Cuomo’s latest legalization proposal follows two unsuccessful attempts in 2019 and 2020 to fully legalize marijuana, which both fell short despite Democrats’ 2018 win of both chambers of the Legislature. “It is time for lawmakers in Albany to step up, stop the harm and start repairing the damage to Black and Brown New Yorkers …

US House votes to decriminalise cannabis at federal level, but Senate unlikely to pass Bill
4 years ago

US House votes to decriminalise cannabis at federal level, but Senate unlikely to pass Bill

Firstpost  

Opponents, mostly Republicans, called the Bill a ‘hollow’ political gesture and mocked Democrats for bringing it up when thousands of Americans are dying due to the coronavirus Washington: US House legislators voted for the first time Friday to decriminalise cannabis, a key step towards bringing federal laws in line with states and other countries that have freed up use of …

Marijuana advocates launch campaign for November election
4 years, 6 months ago

Marijuana advocates launch campaign for November election

Associated Press  

— Marijuana legalization advocates kicked off their campaign on Wednesday to convince South Dakota voters to vote to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana in the November general election. South Dakota, where marijuana is currently illegal, would be the first state to approve both medical and recreational marijuana at the same time, if voters pass a pair of initiatives on …

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