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, joined by sheriffs, police chiefs, other state lawmakers from both parties and doctors from the South Carolina Medical Association all said at a Wednesday news conference that medical marijuana would make it too easy for teens and young adults to obtain the drug. They said marijuana use often leads to the abuse of more dangerous drugs and that allowing medical marijuana use would be a slippery slope leading to complete legalization of the drug. “Marijuana is not a medication and this bill would not improve the health of South Carolina,” said Dr. March Seabrook, the president of the state Medical Association. He pointed to the scribbling all over his paper when it was finished, telling a reporter “I kind of lost track writing down all of those absurd assertions.” Davis said Wednesday’s speakers must not have read the dozens of pages in his bill, which includes a training program for doctors before they could prescribe marijuana and a tracking system for any marijuana used for medicinal purposes from farm to dispensary.

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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 …

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 …

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 …

2024 South Carolina General Assembly session may be remembered for what didn’t happen
8 months ago

2024 South Carolina General Assembly session may be remembered for what didn’t happen

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The 2024 regular session of the South Carolina General Assembly ended Thursday and will perhaps be better remembered for the things that didn’t pass. HATE CRIMES For the second session in a row, the usually more conservative South Carolina House passed a bill allowing enhanced penalties for crimes that prosecutors could prove were fueled by race, gender …

Recreational marijuana backers try to overcome rocky history in South Dakota
8 months ago

Recreational marijuana backers try to overcome rocky history in South Dakota

Associated Press  

Advocates of legalizing recreational marijuana in South Dakota, a mission with a rocky history, submitted thousands of signatures to election officials on Tuesday in the hopes of once again getting the issue on the conservative state’s November ballot. Twenty-four states have legalized recreational marijuana, including as recently as November 2023 in Ohio, but “no state has as interesting or rocky …

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, …

North Carolina medical marijuana bill likely dead for this year, House speaker says
1 year, 5 months ago

North Carolina medical marijuana bill likely dead for this year, House speaker says

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Legislation that would legalize marijuana use for medicinal purposes in North Carolina is probably dead for the rest of this year’s General Assembly session, House Speaker Tim Moore said Tuesday, citing opposition by many fellow Republicans in his chamber. Moore said he agreed with recent public comments from House Majority John Bell of Wayne County, who said …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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. …

Freshman Republican lawmaker introduces bill to decriminalise marijuana
3 years, 1 month ago

Freshman Republican lawmaker introduces bill to decriminalise marijuana

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Freshman Republican Rep Nancy Mace of South Carolina has announced …

GOP Rep. Mace's bill would federally decriminalize marijuana
3 years, 1 month ago

GOP Rep. Mace's bill would federally decriminalize marijuana

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. Please try again later {{ …

California changed the country with marijuana legalization. Is it high time for the feds to catch up?
3 years, 2 months ago

California changed the country with marijuana legalization. Is it high time for the feds to catch up?

LA Times  

The horrific ride to the top of the San Francisco skyscraper is still seared in Paul Scott’s memory a quarter-century later. “If we had lost back then, it is highly unlikely that Colorado and Washington would have legalized marijuana for all adults in 2012 or that we’d now be talking about the inevitability of marijuana being legal across the country,” …

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 …

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 …

Cunningham would legalize marijuana if elected SC governor
3 years, 5 months ago

Cunningham would legalize marijuana if elected SC governor

Associated Press  

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — Joe Cunningham — the former one-term Democratic congressman now running to unseat South Carolina Republican Gov. “This is going to be a game changer in South Carolina,” Cunningham told The Associated Press last week, several days ahead of Monday’s official rollout of his marijuana plan. A Democrat has not won the Governor’s Mansion in more than …

Medical marijuana clears first hurdle in N. Carolina Senate
3 years, 6 months ago

Medical marijuana clears first hurdle in N. Carolina Senate

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — A proposed medical marijuana law for North Carolina cleared its first significant hurdle on Wednesday as a Senate committee approved bipartisan legislation that creates a patient, manufacturing, licensing and sales structure for its use. The measure is about giving “some compassionate care for specific ailments, to those people in North Carolina that need it, and to make …

Mississippi lawmakers hear testimony on medical marijuana
3 years, 6 months ago

Mississippi lawmakers hear testimony on medical marijuana

Associated Press  

— Two prominent Mississippi physicians urged lawmakers Monday to put “guardrails” in place if medical marijuana is legalized in the state, warning that officials should be careful about making a product available that has not been thoroughly tested by the FDA — especially when it comes to children. The Mississippi Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met to hear testimony …

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 …

South Dakota passed medical pot, but physicians hesitant
3 years, 7 months ago

South Dakota passed medical pot, but physicians hesitant

Associated Press  

— Medical marijuana advocates have convinced South Dakota voters that legalizing the drug for medical use is a good idea, but they are struggling to do the same with many of the state’s physicians. But Melissa Mentele, who launched the medical cannabis legalization campaign, said that reluctance from physicians and health care providers could result in a bumbling rollout of …

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 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 …

Missouri medical marijuana lawyers worry about discipline
3 years, 10 months ago

Missouri medical marijuana lawyers worry about discipline

Associated Press  

— Attorneys who represent clients in the medical marijuana industry are concerned they might face discipline under a state Supreme Court directive that appears to put federal law in conflict with state law. Attorney Dan Viets, of Columbia, who represents medical marijuana clients, said he recently asked the state Supreme Court Advisory Committee whether he could be disciplined under the …

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 …

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 …

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