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 not for everyone,” said Janis, chief medical officer of LeafLine Labs, one of two companies permitted to sell cannabis products for medical use in Minnesota. Some studies suggest legalized medical marijuana decreases opioid use and overdose deaths, but there’s not enough evidence to confirm the finding, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. That means it’s likely the medical marijuana proposal will get a hearing this legislative session, which hasn’t happened since 2009, Storck said.

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History of this topic

Voters could make recreational cannabis legal in more than half of U.S. states
2 months ago

Voters could make recreational cannabis legal in more than half of U.S. states

NPR  

Voters could make recreational cannabis legal in more than half of U.S. states toggle caption Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images Three more states are voting today on whether to legalize the recreational use of cannabis — and if more than one of the measures passes, it would mean a majority of U.S. states have recreational marijuana laws on the books. …

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 …

Could America’s divide on marijuana be coming to an end?
3 months, 4 weeks 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
4 months, 1 week 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 …

Medical Marijuana Legalization In Nebraska May Appear On November Ballot
4 months, 1 week ago

Medical Marijuana Legalization In Nebraska May Appear On November Ballot

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING OMAHA, Neb. — A group seeking to legalize marijuana for medical use in Nebraska has gathered enough signatures to get the issue before voters in November, the state’s top election official said Friday. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana announced earlier this year that it had gathered about 114,000 signatures — well more than the approximately 86,000 needed — …

Measures to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska can appear on November ballot, official says
4 months, 1 week ago

Measures to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska can appear on November ballot, official says

Associated Press  

— A group seeking to legalize marijuana for medical use in Nebraska has gathered enough signatures to get the issue before voters in November, the state’s top election official said Friday. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana announced earlier this year that it had gathered about 114,000 signatures — well more than the approximately 86,000 needed — for each of two petitions: …

Alabama approved a medical marijuana program in 2021. Patients are still waiting for it.
5 months ago

Alabama approved a medical marijuana program in 2021. Patients are still waiting for it.

Associated Press  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — When Amanda Taylor lived in Arizona, she used medical cannabis to relieve the symptoms of her multiple sclerosis, gastroparesis and other ailments. While licensed cultivators have marijuana plants nearing maturity, cannabis products can’t be recommended or sold to patients in Alabama while the entire program remains on hold. But at this point, it’s anger because greed is …

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear endorses federal effort to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear endorses federal effort to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Biden administration’s push to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug won an endorsement Wednesday from Kentucky Gov. Beshear’s letter focused on marijuana’s medical uses, with Kentucky’s medical cannabis program set to begin Jan. 1. The proposed federal rule recognizes medical uses of cannabis and acknowledges it has less potential for abuse than some of the …

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 …

Biden administration proposes to reclassify marijuana as low risk drug
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Biden administration proposes to reclassify marijuana as low risk drug

Firstpost  

Marijuana has been classified since 1970 as a so-called Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act – the same level as heroin, ecstasy and LSD. That classification means it is deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse US President Joe Biden’s administration formally proposed on Thursday reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, …

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, …

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 …

US regulators might change how they classify marijuana. Here’s what that would mean
1 year, 4 months ago

US regulators might change how they classify marijuana. Here’s what that would mean

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The news lit up the world of weed: U.S. health regulators are suggesting that the federal government loosen restrictions on marijuana. Specifically, the federal Health and Human Services Department has recommended taking marijuana out of a category of drugs deemed to have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” The agency advised moving …

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 …

Governor’s new stance revives New Hampshire marijuana effort
1 year, 7 months ago

Governor’s new stance revives New Hampshire marijuana effort

Associated Press  

CONCORD, N.H. — Gov. The House Commerce Committee voted Tuesday to amend an unrelated bill as a vehicle for a new plan where the state regulates marijuana the same way it controls the sale of wine and liquor, in line with what the Republican governor and potential presidential candidate outlined. The latest measure is similar to a plan lawmakers considered …

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 …

Voters in five states decide whether to legalize marijuana
2 years, 2 months ago

Voters in five states decide whether to legalize marijuana

Firstpost  

The proposals are on the ballot in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota and follow moves by President Joe Biden toward decriminalizing marijuana Arkansas: Voters in five states are deciding on Election Day whether to approve recreational marijuana, a move that could signal a major shift toward legalization in even the most conservative parts of the country. The …

US midterms: Legalising marijuana on the ballot in five states
2 years, 2 months ago

US midterms: Legalising marijuana on the ballot in five states

Al Jazeera  

Voters in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North and South Dakota deciding whether to OK recreational marijuana measures. Voters in five US states are deciding on election day whether to approve recreational cannabis, a move that could signal a major shift towards legalisation in even the most conservative parts of the country. The initiative has drawn the criticism of traditional legalisation opponents …

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 …

Mississippi governor signs law allowing medical marijuana
2 years, 11 months ago

Mississippi governor signs law allowing medical marijuana

Associated Press  

— Mississippi is legalizing medical marijuana for people with debilitating conditions such as cancer, AIDS and sickle cell disease. “There are also those who really want a recreational marijuana program that could lead to more people smoking and less people working, with all the societal and family ills that that brings.” The National Conference of State Legislatures says 36 states …

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: Put tighter limits on medical marijuana proposal
3 years, 2 months ago

Reeves: Put tighter limits on medical marijuana proposal

Associated Press  

Tate Reeves says he wants legislators to make more changes in a proposal to create a medical marijuana program in the state. The Republican said at a news conference Monday that he wants tighter limits on the amount of marijuana people could buy and he wants to reduce the content of THC, the compound that produces a high. Reeves said …

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 …

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 …

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