Marijuana reform is budding in New Hampshire!

Here in New Hampshire, there has been a great deal of progress in the last few years. Several bills have been introduced in the state legislature, ranging from legal hemp production to adult-use marijuana legalization, and the fight for freedom has never been more widely supported than now. New Hampshire residents overwhelmingly support marijuana legalization; in a recent poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire, 68% of New Hampshirites support full marijuana legalization, and the New Hampshire General Court is finally listening to the will of the people and is pushing for meaningful marijuana reform.

There have been so far been eight major reform bills introduced in the New Hampshire General Court during the current legislative session.

 

— Bipartisan bill HB 481 would legalize the personal adult-use, possession, cultivation, and retail sale of marijuana. It passed the House on 2/27/2019 by a vote of 209-147. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

For more information on this bill and to send a message to your State Senator in support of this legislation, click here.

 

— Bipartisan bill HB 399 would allow those convicted of past marijuana offenses to file a petition with the court to expunge any criminal records of the possession of three-fourths of an ounce of marijuana or less. This bill passed the House on 1/31 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

For more information on this bill and to send a message to your State Senator in support of this legislation, click here.

 

— Bills SB 175 and HB 461 would expand the qualifying conditions under New Hampshire’s medical marijuana program. S. 175 would allow physicians to recommend marijuana to any patient they believe would benefit from its therapeutic use, and HB 461 would allow physicians to recommend medical marijuana to patients suffering from moderate to severe insomnia, moderate to severe anxiety, or Lyme disease. S. 175 was referred to the Health and Human Services Committee and HB 461 was referred to the Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee on 1/03/2019.

For more information on these bills and to send a message to your State lawmakers in support of this legislation, click here.

 

— Bipartisan bill HB 459 would legalize the production of industrial hemp in the state of New Hampshire to be in compliance with current federal hemp regulations and establish rules for such production. It was referred to the Environment and Agriculture Committee on 1/03/2019.

For more information on this bill and to send a message to your State Representative in support of this legislation, click here.

 

— HB 350 would expand the number of medical professionals eligible to recommend medical cannabis by allowing physician assistants to issue recommendations to qualified patients. It was referred to the Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee on 1/02/2019, which recommended that the bill “ought to pass with amendment” and will soon be brought to the House floor for a vote.

For more information on this bill and to send a message to your State Representative in support of this legislation, click here.

 

— HB 335 would expand access to medical cannabis by allowing the Department of Health and Human Services to authorize additional dispensaries licenses in certain geographic areas of New Hampshire. It has passed the House and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

For more information on this bill and to send a message to your State Senator in support of this legislation, click here.

 

— Bipartisan bill HB. 364 would permit qualified patients to grow up to fourteen marijuana plants (two mature and twelve seedlings) and to possess up to six ounces of homegrown medical cannabis for their personal use. It was referred to the Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee on 1/03/2019.

For more information on this bill and to send a message to your State Representative in support of this legislation, click here.

 

— HB 366 would expand New Hampshire’s list of qualifying conditions for the State’s medical marijuana program to include opioid dependence and withdrawal. It was referred to the Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee on 1/03/2019.

For more information on this bill and to send a message to your State Representative in support of this legislation, click here.

 

Though reform is inevitable, it will not happen without New Hampshirites such as yourself making your voices heard in the name of personal freedom. We need your help to keep fighting to legalize marijuana nationwide. Please send messages in support of the bills summarized herein to spur sensible marijuana reform in the Granite State.

Source: https://blog.norml.org/2019/02/28/marijuana-reform-is-budding-in-new-hampshire/

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Pharm to Table? Martha Stewart to Become Cannabis Adviser

Stewart co-hosts a show with rapper Snoop Dogg, who made headlines last year for smoking pot in front of the White House. Marijuana producer Canopy Growth has roped in lifestyle guru Martha Stewart as an adviser to help develop and launch a line of pot-based products for both humans and animals, it said on Thursday. Stewart, a 90s icon who became a household name through her cooking and lifestyle shows, co-hosts a show with rapper…

Source: https://www.cannabisculture.com/content/2019/02/28/pharm-to-table-martha-stewart-to-become-cannabis-adviser/

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Rep. Lee: I Just Introduced The Marijuana Justice Act

Congresswoman Barbara Lee represents California’s 13th district

First off, I want to thank you for being an active member of the cannabis reform movement and I am proud to tell you that we have never been closer to ending the counterproductive and cruel policy of marijuana criminalization than we are right now.

Today, I introduced the Marijuana Justice Act of 2019 and I have every intention of moving the bill forward, but I need your help.

Will you tell your member of Congress to join me as a cosponsor of the Marijuana Justice Act?

The prohibition of marijuana has had a devastating effect on communities of color. Although whites and blacks have been found to use marijuana at similar rates, a 2013 report by the ACLU found that a “black person is 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person.” As a result, low-income communities and communities of color have been subject to mass-criminalization and mass incarceration.

We can stop this. The Marijuana Justice Act would deschedule marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and seek to correct these racial disparities in arrests and sentencing. Further, it mandates that all records of federal possession convictions are expunged and resources be made available to local units of government to assist in the expungement of prior state and local convictions.

If this is important to you, then contact your member of Congress and tell them to cosponsor The Marijuana Justice Act now.

In addition to incentivizing states to legalize marijuana, the Marijuana Justice Act seeks to repair some of the damage marijuana prohibition has done to this country’s most vulnerable communities. For those communities that have been economically and socially disenfranchised by overcriminalization and cyclical incarceration, this legislation provides funding to programs focused on youth development, citizen re-entry, job training, health education, and funding for community resources such as public libraries and community centers.

Members of Congress must not turn their backs on the millions of Americans nationwide who rely on access to marijuana for their health, wellness, and liberty. According to recently released nationwide survey data, a supermajority of Americans strongly support patients’ access to medical marijuana and oppose federal interference in these matters. A recent poll shows that 93 percent of Americans support the medical use of marijuana, and a poll conducted by the Center for American Progress found American voter support of legalized marijuana is at an all-time high, with 68% of respondents indicating their support. Perhaps most importantly, the poll shows a majority of voters in both major political parties and independents now believe that marijuana should be legal, with the most dramatic jump in support observed in Republican respondents.

Send a message to your Representative in support of the Marijuana Justice Act now!

In the last session of Congress, 10% of the membership of the House of Representatives were co-sponsors of this bill, a historic level of support. By adding your voice to the growing chorus of calls for reform from around the country, we can finally end marijuana prohibition once and for all in a way that provides justice to those who were most harmed.

Thank You,
Barbara Lee

Representative Barbara Lee

Source: https://blog.norml.org/2019/02/28/rep-lee-i-just-introduced-the-marijuana-justice-act/

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Recap: Texas Veteran Lobby Day

On Monday, Texans Veterans met at the Capitol to meet with their legislators and advocate for a comprehensive medical marijuana program in Texas. We started off with a training where we covered the legislative process, current medical marijuana bills and messaging. Watch the training from Texas Veteran Lobby Day. Representative Gina Hinojosa addressed the attendees about our need to improve Texas’ medical program and her bill which would allow for an affirmative defense for patients that are not enrolled in the program. Then veterans broke out to visit their legislators offices to meet with legislators and legislative aides.

Afterwards, we met up at the Texas Veterans for Medical Marijuana Educational exhibit. Some veterans dropped off their pill bottles with a message in the casket that was displayed. There were also educational graphics displayed and resource handouts for people to take. The display was powerful and started many conversations about patient’s needs to have an option to prescription drugs. Take a virtual tour of the Texas Veterans for Medical Marijuana Educational Exhibit.Watch the video that played in the exhibit.

View photos from the entire day.

News Coverage:

KVUE – Veterans Pushing for Medical Marijuana

KWTX – Veterans Call on Legislators for Medical Marijuana

Spectrum News – Texas Veterans Seek Access to Medical Marijuana

Source: https://blog.norml.org/2019/02/28/recap-texas-veteran-lobby-day/

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The Marijuana Justice Act Introduced In Both Chambers Of Congress

Today, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) along with Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), introduced The Marijuana Justice Act of 2019, to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and incentivize states to end the racially disparate criminalization of marijuana consumers.

NORML Political Director Justin Strekal said:

“The Marijuana Justice Act is the most comprehensive piece of federal legislation ever introduced to end the failed policy of marijuana prohibition and to address the egregious harms that this policy has wrought on already marginalized communities.”

“This robust legislation not only removes marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, but it also provides a path forward for the individuals and communities that have been most disproportionately impacted by our nation’s failed war on marijuana consumers,”

“The ongoing enforcement of cannabis prohibition financially burdens taxpayers, encroaches upon civil liberties, engenders disrespect for the law, impedes legitimate scientific research into the plant’s medicinal properties, and disproportionately impacts communities of color,”

“Communities of color have disproportionately suffered for decades because of our racist enforcement of marijuana laws and that must be addressed in the age of legalization through policies such as the Marijuana Justice Act,”

“It is time for federal lawmakers to acknowledge this reality. It is time to stop ceding control of the marijuana market to untaxed criminal enterprises, and for lawmakers to amend federal law in a manner that comports with available science, public opinion, and the rapidly changing cultural status of cannabis.”

The Marijuana Justice Act of 2019 would:

• Remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances making it legal at the federal level;
• Incentivize states through federal funds to change their marijuana laws if marijuana in the state is illegal and it disproportionately arrests or incarcerates minority and poor people for marijuana-related offenses;
• Automatically expunge federal marijuana use and possession records;
• Allow individuals currently serving time in federal prison to petition a court for a resentencing;
• Create a community reinvestment fund to invest in communities most impacted by the failed War on Drugs and allow the money to go towards the following programs:
  • Job training;
  • Reentry services;
  • Expenses related to the expungement of convictions;
  • Public libraries;
  • Community centers;
  • Programs and opportunities dedicated to youth; and
  • Health education programs.

The bill sponsors said the following at the time of release:

“The War on Drugs has not been a war on drugs, it’s been a war on people, and disproportionately people of color and low-income individuals,” Booker said. “The Marijuana Justice Act seeks to reverse decades of this unfair, unjust, and failed policy by removing marijuana from the list of controlled substances and making it legal at the federal level.”

“But it’s not enough to simply decriminalize marijuana. We must also repair the damage caused by reinvesting in those communities that have been most harmed by the War on Drugs. And we must expunge the records of those who have served their time. The end we seek is not just legalization, it’s justice,” concluded Booker.

“Communities of color and low-income communities have been devastated by the War on Drugs,” Representative Barbara Lee said. “As Co-Chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, I’m proud to sponsor legislation that would legalize marijuana at the federal level, address the disproportionate impact of prohibition on people of color by expunging criminal convictions, and promote equitable participation in the legal marijuana industry by investing in the communities hardest hit by the failed War on Drugs.”

“Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by misguided marijuana policy for far too long,” Khanna said. “Rep. Lee, Sen. Booker, and I are proud to introduce this important legislation and deliver justice for so many Americans.”

The Senate version of the bill is initially cosponsored by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Michael Bennet (D-CO).

In the previous Congress, the House version had 44 members of Congress on it, representing over 10% of the body and the most supporters for a descheduling bill in the history of prohibition.

Thirty-three states, Washington, DC and the US territories of Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico have enacted legislation specific to the physician-authorized use of cannabis, while an estimated 25 percent of Americans now reside in jurisdictions where anyone over the age of 21 may possess cannabis legally. Voters overwhelmingly support these policy changes.

To date, these statewide regulatory programs are operating largely as voters and politicians intended. The enactment of these policies have not negatively impacted workplace safety, crime rates, traffic safety, or youth use patterns. They have stimulated economic development and created hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenue.

Specifically, a 2017 report estimates that over 149,000 Americans are now working full-time in the cannabis industry. According to tax data compiled by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, tax revenues in 2018 derived from state-sanctioned recreational sales surpassed $1 billion – a 57 percent increase over 2017 levels. Further, numerous studies have identified an association between cannabis access and lower rates of opioid use, abuse, hospitalizations, and mortality.

Sixty-six percent of Americans — including majorities of Democrats, Republicans,and Independents — believe that “the use of marijuana should be made legal,” according to 2018 polling data compiled by Gallup. This percentage is the highest level of support for legalization ever reported in a nationwide, scientific poll.

Source: https://blog.norml.org/2019/02/28/the-marijuana-justice-act-introduced-in-both-chambers-of-congress/

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Indiana Gov. Holcomb Ran Frat, Smoked Pot in College

The governor of one of the most conservative states, Indiana’s Eric Holcomb, admitted that he smoked marijuana in college during a February 27 press conference in Indianapolis.

“Have you ever used marijuana?” he was asked.

“Yes,” the Republican governor tersely replied.

“Even though it’s illegal?”

“Yes.”

“When did you use it?”

“College.”

Holcomb was born in 1968 and attended Hanover College in Hanover, IN from 1987-1990 where he was chapter president of Phi Gamma Delta.

He went on to say this about legalizing marijuana in the Hoosier State:

“I’d like to be in line with federal. And if federal law changed… it should change from being informed itself, not allowing some hodge-podge national effort to organically spring up because folks are looking the other way. This would require medical research and science to give us the true evidence on both the medicinal value and the efficacy of recreational use. That’s not here yet. As I understand it, there’s a 12-acre farm in Mississippi that’s responsible for doing the research. I’m not against that research being done. Quite frankly, just the opposite. The sooner the better. This is a message I delivered over the last four days to our nation’s leaders. And so, if the law changed, we would look at all the positive or adverse impacts it might have on our populations. But I’m not convinced that other states have made a wise decision, both short-term and long-term.”

Various legalization bills, both rec and medical, have been floating around the Indiana legislature for the last few years, but none have been voted on.

On Apr. 27, 2017, Gov. Holcomb signed into law legislation that allows people who suffer from seizures to use CBD oil as a treatment.

Holcomb was Indiana Gov. Mike Pence’s lieutenant governor and succeeded him as governor after Donald Trump selected the arch-conservative Pence to be his running mate in 2016.

NORML Grades the Governors

According to NORML, “Never before have so many governors pledged their support for the responsible use of cannabis by adults. As a result, unprecedented levels of legislative activity pertaining to the regulation of the commercial cannabis market are anticipated at the state level in 2019 and 2020.”

In its 2019 Gubernatorial Scorecard, NORML provided the following key findings:

• Twenty-seven U.S. governors received a passing grade of C or higher (22 Democrats, 5 Republicans). Of these, nine governors—all Democrats— received an A grade; this marks a significant increase since 2018 when only two governors earned A grades. They are Gavin Newsom, California; Jared Polis, Colorado; Ned Lamont, Connecticut; J.B. Pritzker, Illinois; Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan; Tim Walz, Minnesota; Phil Murphy, New Jersey; Kate Brown, Oregon; and Jay Inslee, Washington.
• Only five (22%) Republicans received a passing grade of C or higher.
• All 23 (96%) Democratic governors received a passing grade of C or higher.
• Among the 20 governors assuming office for the first time in 2019, six (30%) received an A grade. All are Democrats.

And key takeaways:

• While almost half of all Democratic governors are now on record in support of adult-use regulation, no Republican governors currently advocate for this policy.
• The results of the 2018 midterm elections show that advocating for marijuana legalization is a successful state-level campaign issue, with 30% of newly elected governors on record voicing support for legalization. This shift among governors bodes well for the prospects of passage of successful legislative reforms in various states in 2019 and beyond.
• While only Vermont has legalized adult use via legislation (as opposed to voter initiatives), it’s likely that five additional states (Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island) may follow the Green Mountain State’s lead.
• Clearly, Republican governors are seriously out of step with the sentiment of voters when it comes to cannabis-law reform. Of the 19 governors receiving either D or F grades, all were Republicans. (Note: Holcomb received a D+ grade.) Yet such strong opposition, particularly to the question of medical cannabis access, is not shared by most Republicans. Just as Republican voters have evolved on the issue of marijuana-policy reform over the past decades, Republican elected officials must do likewise.

RELATED ARTICLES

Flipping Republicans: How to Legalize Marijuana in 2019

Midterms Scorecard: A State-by-State Guide to the Big Winners and Losers

Vermont: The First State to Legalize Marijuana Through Legislation

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Fed Chair To Senate: “I think it would be great to have clarity,” On Cannabis

As the tentacles of the federal policy of cannabis prohibition run deep into nearly every sector of American public policy, a new voice emerged to call for clarity regarding state-legal cannabis marketplaces: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Currently, almost none of the state-legal licensed businesses operating in the cannabis space can legally obtain a bank account, process a credit card, or take a standard business deduction on their federal taxes. This is because federal law continues to inappropriately define all marijuana-related endeavors as criminal enterprises, including those commercial activities that are licensed and legally regulated under state laws.

“My home state of New Jersey is moving towards legalization of recreational marijuana, and I have concerns that these new businesses as well as the existing medical marijuana businesses in the state will continue to find themselves shut out of the banking system,” said Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) in question by Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) at the semiannual monetary policy hearing. “And when these businesses are forced to operate exclusively in cash, they create serious public safety concerns.”

To which, Federal Reserve Chairman Powell replied, “I think it would be great to have clarity. It puts financial institutions in a very difficult place and puts the supervisors in a difficult place, too. It would be nice to have clarity on that supervisory relationship.”

Clarity can mean a lot of things, but what should be the cornerstone of any major marijuana reform is a removal of cannabis itself from the Controlled Substances Act.

By removing marijuana from the CSA, the roadblocks to banking access, capital, and other issues associated with the nascent industry would be eliminated. Not to mention it would mark the end of the failed and shameful criminalization of cannabis possession by otherwise law-abiding adults.

Ultimately, Congress must amend federal policy so that these growing numbers of state-compliant businesses, and those millions of Americans who patronize them, are no longer subject to policies that needlessly place them in harm’s way. Cannabis businesses ought to be held to the same standards as other commercial enterprises.

You can watch the exchange below.

Source: https://blog.norml.org/2019/02/27/fed-chair-to-senate-i-think-it-would-be-great-to-have-clarity-on-cannabis/

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NORML Chapters Are Leading The Way All Around The Country

2019 is shaping up to be the most significant year in the marijuana reform movement to date and it’s a testament to one thing: That people just like you are getting involved and changing laws.

Only two months into the 2019 legislative session, with 45 NORML Lobby Days on the books, legalization proposals are swiftly moving forward in states across the country. Irrespective of geographic location or political ideology, lawmakers everywhere are beginning to realize that now is the time to take action on marijuana law reform.

This is not by accident. The power that we have built over the last 49 years is cresting and the end of prohibition is finally in sight.

Every day, NORML Chapters from around the country invest countless hours in advocating for meaningful marijuana law reforms on the local, state, and federal level, Below are just a few highlights of the incredible work being done by NORML leaders throughout America.

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Colorado

Colorado NORML and Denver NORML headed to their state capitol to advocate for a range of consumer issues that are facing residents, from employment discrimination to evidence-based impairment detection.

“We already have the language written out, so with the Democratic leadership in the House and Senate, we’re confident we can get it passed,” Director of Colorado NORML Ashley Weber told Denver Westword.

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Connecticut

Connecticut just elected their first Governor who is supportive of reform and NORML leaders didn’t waste any time in spreading the word to the state legislature.

“It seems like there’s some general support, especially from the Democratic side, but there’s some support from Republicans — it doesn’t look like there’s much. It seems like many at this point are looking for information to be more educated, which is great. I think now they notice that the support is growing very quickly.” Brian Essenter with Connecticut NORML told The Connecticut Post.

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Illinois

Two great chapters in the Land of Lincoln teamed up to take the message of legalization to Springfield in February.

“We also think it would be good for consumers to be able to cultivate their own cannabis, as well as to have a cap on the licensing fees for the new businesses that would be created by that legislation.” – Dan Linn, Director of Illinois NORML told The Chicago Sun Times

“We started Chicago NORML because we did not see enough people who looked like us in the industry or at industry events. We also did not see any outreach happening in our neighborhoods on the South and West sides so we decided to make a change.” – Edie Moore, Director of Chicago NORML profiled Rolling Out

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Missouri

NORML Chapters from across Missouri will be meeting in Jefferson City for a second round of lobbying since voters approved Amendment 2 last November. With more than a dozen marijuana-related bills pending before the Missouri General Assembly that could have a major impact on the implementation of the state’s new medical marijuana law, advocates have been working overtime. In addition to fighting to defend the privacy of medical marijuana patients, advocates are also educating lawmakers about the discriminatory nature of drug testing and the benefits of impairment detection to address workplace safety.

“A drug test for marijuana does not detect active THC. It detects the presence of the inactive by products of the metabolization of THC,” Missouri NORML Director Dan Viets told KOMU News.

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New York

Multiple chapters throughout the Empire State teamed up and filled buses to travel to Albany to push for legalization and are actively fighting against industry interests that seek to preemptively consolidate the market and restrict the right for consumers to legally home grow.

In a profile piece in Crain’s New York: “The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, started in 1970 with funding from Playboy magazine, represents the old guard of legalization advocates. But in recent years NORML has adopted the social justice rhetoric and priorities of newer groups. Its New York leader, David Holland, has reservations about Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act. It fails to expunge the records of those convicted under current laws, bars individuals from growing any amount of their own weed, centralizes power and discretion in the Office of Cannabis Management and leaves apparent “wiggle room” for large national and international firms to dominate the market by establishing operations that grow, distribute and sell the product.”

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Pennsylvania

Keystone State activists from NORML chapters around the Commonwealth have been lobbying their elected officials in Harrisburg and around the state in partnership with Lt. Governor John Fetterman as he is currently on a statewide listening tour.

“I think the impact (of legalization) will be even bigger than they’re talking about, not only in terms of revenue creation and job creation, but also in taking these cases out of the criminal justice system so law enforcement and court resources can be more appropriately directed toward violent crime and trying to deal with the opioid crisis,” Pittsburgh NORML Director Patrick Nightingale told the Pittsburgh Trib Live.

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Texas

Texas NORML has held multiple lobby days already, bringing in hundreds and hundreds of advocates to move the Lone Star State out of the dark ages and create a compassionate medical program and end the practice of locking up marijuana consumers.

“I remember when legislators laughed,” But this year, she says, “There will be change.” – Texas NORML Director Jax Finkel told the Dallas News.

“We are not criminals, we don’t’ want to be treated as criminals, we are patriots, we are voters, we business people and we believe we have earned the right to medical freedom to choose a natural plant instead of pills,” – David Bass, Texas NORML’s Director of Veterans Outreach told CBS KWTX 10.

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Virginia

Virginia continued to make improvements to their medical cannabis program, passing four bills unanimously despite a reform-hostile General Assembly.

“I fight because when I told my son about today, the first thing he said with legitimate fear in his voice was, ‘Mom, you can’t tell them those things. You can’t tell them about Maddie’s medicine. Cannabis is illegal. I need you; you can’t go to jail,’” – Melanie Seifert Davis, member of Virginia NORML in The Henrico Citizen

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It’s our privilege at NORML to work in support of the tireless efforts of our amazing local NORML Chapter Leaders. By providing critical resources, technology, data, political context, and training for fearless citizens stepping up to engage in the democratic process, we will reach our goal of ending federal prohibition in the manner that best serves the interests of consumers and those who love them.

But we will only do it together.

You can get your 2019 membership card now by making a one-time contribution of $35 or more to invest in a brighter and freer future.

Can’t make a $35 contribution now but want to get a membership card? You can also sign up for a recurring contribution of just $5 a month or more and you’re in.

Yours in reform,
Kevin Mahmalji
NORML Outreach Director

P.S. We compile some of the best coverage of our chapters efforts every month. You can read the full report for January here and the full report for February here.

 

Source: https://blog.norml.org/2019/02/26/norml-chapters-are-leading-the-way-all-around-the-country/

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NORML Chapter Newsletter, February 2019

Everyday NORML Chapters from around the country invest countless hours in advocating for meaningful marijuana law reforms on the local, state and federal level! Below is a brief rundown of some of their most recent media accomplishments.

NORML Leaders in the Media

Alan Robinson, Communications Director, Madison NORML

“It does have incredible medical properties we haven’t been able to study because the federal government won’t allocate more funding for research.”

Read more from The Eagle!

Follow Madison NORML on Facebook and become a member today!

Ashley Weber, Executive Director, Colorado NORML

“Oral fluids and metabolites are not accurate. We can’t move forward with science that is not accurate and force people to have to pay for attorneys.”

Read more from the Westword!

Follow Colorado NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

Dale Gieringer, Executive Director, California NORML

“Ultimately, the only thing that will stop large-scale profiteers and the environmental and public safety harms they cause is marijuana legalization at the federal level.”

Read more from City Watch LA!

 

“Although an overdose of pot edibles can indeed cause unconsciousness, cannabis has never been known to cause a fatal overdose — unlike tobacco, alcohol, and many other common household products that are not sold in childproof packages.”

Read more from The Sacramento Bee!

 

“Frankly we’ve seen very little at all about illegal activity in the way of growing in the wilderness the way we used to. Cartel involvement is a bugaboo they like to throw around.”

Read more from WXXV 25!

Follow California NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

Dan Linn, Executive Director, Illinois NORML

“If you continue to have a limited number of (growers’) licenses, it’ll be more expensive, and you’ll get more people continuing to buy on the black market.”

Read more from the Herald-Whig!

 

“We think that this could save people’s lives, and we’re not exaggerating.”

Read more from The State Journal-Register!

 

“God put it on this planet for a reason. I don’t know why the bishops are concerned about undermining God’s credibility.”

Read more from the Chicago Tribune!

 

“We also think it would be good for consumers to be able to cultivate their own cannabis, as well as to have a cap on the licensing fees for the new businesses that would be created by that legislation.”

“Read more from the Chicago Sun-Times!

 

“We feel that patients and adults should be able to grow cannabis if they would like to.”

“Read more from the Illinois News Network!

Follow Illinois NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

Edie Moore, Executive Director, Chicago NORML

“We are proposing that there be expanded types of licensed businesses. Smaller grow facilities and consumption lounges.  We support those types of businesses in neighborhoods that are starving for revitalization.”

Read more from Rollingout!

Follow Chicago NORML on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and become a member today!

Michael Minardi, General Counsel, NORML of Florida

“They’re going to either get it from the black market, as they already are, because they know it’s what works for them. Every other state in this country is laughing at us, saying that we gave our patients tinctures, and we have wax and shatter on the shelves, and not flower.”

Read more from the Herald-Tribune!

Follow NORML of Florida on Facebook, Twitter and become a member today!

Ellen Komp, Deputy Director, California NORML

“We’re happy California’s Senator Harris has evolved on the marijuana legalization issue and hope to dialog with her and her staff as her campaign moves forward.”

Read more from City Watch LA!

Follow California NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

Jay Selthofner, Treasurer, Northern Wisconsin NORML

“Although I’m excited to hear Governor Evers talk about these things, I would’ve been more excited to see at least one Republican standing amongst their colleagues at an important crossroads like this for our state.”

Read more from Fox 11!

Follow Northwest Wisconsin NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

Jenn Michelle Pedini, Executive Director, Virginia NORML

“Right now, Virginia has not set any laws specific to CBD other than the ones for the medical cannabis program,”

Read more from NBC 29!

 

“These common-sense clarifications to the regulations will make for a smoother system, and better outcomes for patients, providers, and the community at large.”

Read more from Weed News!  

Follow Virginia NORML on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and become a member today!

Matthew Abel, Executive Director, Michigan NORML

“I think the attorney general decided they were the bit players and not the main culprits — and not worth them spending their time on negligible cases.”

Read more from MLive!

Follow Michigan NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

Michael Bachara, Board Member, Oregon NORML

“Consumption of cannabis in public is illegal, yet tourists and patients and adults that rent rather than own their homes have the right to purchase and possess cannabis but no space they can legally consume.”

Read more from KVAL 13!

Follow Oregon NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

Rick Thompson, Board Member, Michigan NORML

“This will just put some additional weight on the scales of justice, and I fully anticipate this measure to succeed. I’m confident in our new attorney general.”

Read more from the Lansing City Pulse!

 

“The state is collecting millions more than they expend every year. The fees should only be designed to recoup their costs.”

Read more from the Detroit Free Press!

Follow Michigan NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

Roger Green, Executive Director, Hudson Valley NORML

“Kudos to state Assemblyman Kevin Cahill for courageously supporting cannabis legalization in New York. It is always refreshing when a political leader takes a principled stand.”

Read more from the Daily Freeman!

Follow Hudson Valley on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

For more than 45 years NORML chapters have been the driving force behind policy decisions on the local and state level. Have you connected with your local NORML chapter? If there isn’t one in your community, please email NORML Outreach Director Kevin Mahmalji at KevinM@NORML.org for help with starting your own!

Ready to start a NORML chapter in your hometown? Click here to find out how!

Source: https://blog.norml.org/2019/02/26/norml-chapter-newsletter-february-2019/

The following article NORML Chapter Newsletter, February 2019 is available on Giggles N Dimples Blog

source https://gigglesndimples.com/2019/02/26/norml-chapter-newsletter-february-2019/

Rhode Island: Gov. Raimondo’s Proposed Marijuana Legalization Budget Plan

On January 17, 2019, Gov. Gina Raimondo unveiled a budget proposal for 2020 that would legalize recreational marijuana in Rhode Island “with reluctance,” as she told The Providence Journal. “We’re not an island, in fact. Like it or not, we’re going to be incurring public safety and public health expenses because it’s legal in Massachusetts… And I think it is time for us to put together our own regulatory and taxing framework,” she said.

It’s a defensive move: If surrounding states — not even far enough away for a Rhode Island driver to pack a lunch — rake in Rhode Island money, the governor foresees welcoming home trouble with nothing to show for it. So the Adult Use of Marijuana Act aims to increase sales, licensing and tax revenues without actually accepting this plant that’s been used to foster pleasure, inspiration and insight for thousands of years.

Some of the bill’s proposed rules may send some Rhode Islanders to Attleboro and Fall River anyway, for higher potency products. Other parts of the proposal will no longer permit growing marijuana plants by and for medical marijuana patients who can’t or won’t demonstrate hardship, instead driving them toward retail sales at compassion centers. NORML RI thinks sick people, some often unable to work consistently, are hardly an appropriate market to tap for state revenue.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (established in 1970) welcomes and celebrates that by 2020 marijuana will finally be legal in Rhode Island for all adults. The Rhode Island chapter would like to highlight some portions of the proposal that we feel could sensibly be modified in the upcoming hearings in order to produce a better bill. We hope to influence its amendments and final outcome, and look forward to refinements in future years based on the state’s experience with legalization going forward.

Only near-beer? 

Rhode Island proposes to be the first state in the U.S.  to limit the potency of marijuana products sold for adult use. The governor recommends creating the Office of Cannabis Regulation (OCR) within The Department of Business Regulation which will have the authority to set those limits.

The bill would limit the potency of any product to 50% THC. In response to a query about vaping, Norman Birenbaum of the DBR wrote, “The proposal does allow for DBR to approve a concentrate which is above 50% THC to allow for pre-filled vape cartridges or vape pens which are capable of delivering vapor in a consistent manner.” Many users prefer vaporized oils or tinctures to smoking, and with education on options and dosage they can make appropriate choices. Massachusetts has no limit on marijuana-product potency.

The proposal would limit the potency of any product to 50% THC. (This is rather like the state permitting the sale of beer but not bourbon.) In response to a query about vaping, Norman Birenbaum of the DBR emailed, “The proposal does allow for DBR to approve a concentrate which is above 50% THC to allow for pre-filled vape cartridges or vape pens which are capable of delivering vapor in a consistent manner.” Adults can make proper choices when educated on usage and dosage, and some high-potency products (“shatter,” tinctures, etc.) are preferred for their clean delivery methods. Massachusetts has no limit on marijuana-product potency.

The proposal would limit THC content for adults to potencies that might not affect a child who encountered and consumed it: Sales of edibles such as gummies, brownies and cookies infused with THC would be restricted to 5-milligram portions. An adult might have to consume a lot of baked goods to realize an effect. (Workaround: A chocolate bar that comprises 20 five-mg. squares would conform to the 100-mg.-per-package limit.)

Inadvertently, the state may be forcing Rhode Islanders to smoke marijuana and eat lots of infused sweets by prohibiting more efficient and perhaps healthier ways to ingest effective amounts of THC.

NORML RI agrees with the prohibition on marijuana products in the shape of “an animal, human, vehicle, or other shape or form which may be attractive to children” and the requirements that all marijuana products be tested through state-licensed labs, and edibles infused with cannabis should be subject to current food-safety regulations.

NORML RI believes high-potency concentrates, edibles and oils should be available to those who choose it. We hope that a variety of ways to consume responsibly become  legal beyond traditionally lighting up and smoking dried marijuana leaves.

Thou shalt not grow.

Under the current R.I. medical marijuana law, patients and caregivers may cultivate 12 mature plants and 12 seedlings.  The state’s new proposal would eliminate home growing altogether, except to those patients who apply for an as-yet-undefined hardship, and require them to appoint a caregiver who would only cultivate marijuana for that one patient’s use “unless additional patients are family members or demonstrate need for a caretaker, up to five patients.” Cooperatives and gifting would be banned in the medical marijuana program.

NORML RI does not believe legalization should come at the cost of patients’ rights. The budget’s stated goal that these restrictions will “increase retail sales” blurs the necessary distinction between medicinal and recreational marijuana applications and regulation. Boosting retail sales must not trump making medicine available at reasonable cost to patients.

The budget proposal would not permit recreational users to grow marijuana plants at all. NORML RI recommends permitting home gardeners, patients and caregivers to grow a reasonable number of plants for personal use. Alaska, California, Colorado, a newly proposed law in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont permit adults over 21 to grow between 4 and 12 plants — commonly 6 — for recreational use.

Big sin taxes?

The governor’s proposal would create a “weight-based excise tax on marijuana cultivation,” an additional retail excise tax of 10%, and also applies sales tax to marijuana transactions (totaling an approximate overall tax rate of 20%).

NORML RI believes the state should be wary of over-taxing the market before it gets off the ground. As the markets settle in nearby states and competition takes hold, Rhode Island may find its top-heavy taxes price the state out of more competitive nearby markets.

Heavily taxed… rope.

The Governor proposes an 80% wholesale tax on non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) products made from hemp —  cannabis sativa which contains no more than 0.3% THC —  and aims to license its dealers and distributors. NORML RI does not believe hemp, in any form, should be taxed like psychoactive marijuana products. Hemp is now a federally legal agricultural commodity; it has never in its 10,000 years of use gotten anyone high, and should be treated as such.

Traffic jams!

The Governor’s proposal would initially license six new retail-only “compassion centers.”  NORML RI recommends licensing additional responsible marijuana retailers at the discretion of each municipality. (The proposal already gives municipalities control of where marijuana businesses can be located or to prohibit all marijuana business through referendum.)

Massachusetts had a bottleneck on required lab testing which slowed the launch of retailers. We hope Rhode Island smoothes that wrinkle. We also support rethinking that portion of the bill that limits purchases to an ounce a day per person — no stocking up, as with any other legal commodity — which may sometimes swell the lines unnecessarily.

Corporate weed

In June, 2018, the Rhode Island General Assembly approved a state budget that includes a proposal to increase the fee medical marijuana dispensaries pay annually for licenses from $5,000 to $250,000. The wording of the proposed bill suggests it will reduce these fees after its passage to $50,000 when compassion centers renew their licensing.

High fees, and the ability of any one provider to grow, manufacturer and distribute its marijuana (called vertical integration)  enshrines what New York City mayor Bill De Blasio calls “the corporatization of marijuana” rather than its legalization (he would not give licensing preferences to existing medical marijuana businesses, as Rhode Island would, and would encourage both co-ops and home delivery.)  NORML RI agrees with his statement that cities  should “build their own local cannabis industry, led by small businesses and organized to benefit our whole diverse community.”

Mom and Pot stores?

The first adult-use retail stores are likely to be the existing compassion centers, which will have priority for licenses. After that, “Perhaps 30 or 40 other stores would gradually open as they meet state licensing stipulations,” The Providence Journal quotes unnamed regulators as saying.

The proposed bill states that “The new office of cannabis regulation shall determine  an annual license and renewal fee for each type and/or class of marijuana establishment licensee,” so there is still time to consider fees that would be affordable by small businesses in the rollout of the new, legal retail marijuana industry in Rhode Island.

Other states, including Massachusetts, have social-equity programs that aim to include minorities in the fledgling industry, and we urge Rhode Island to consider similar initiatives.

NORML RI recommends: Fees that only wealthy corporations can afford should be drastically reduced or calculated on sales volumes, to ensure opportunities for small local businesses.

Record time

NORML RI is pleased that in July of 2018, RI House Bill 8355/S. 2447 was passed and signed by the governor; it allows those with past convictions for crimes involving the possession of less than one ounce of cannabis to petition the court to seek an order of expungement. Rhode Island decriminalized minor marijuana-possession offenses in 2013.

The House Finance Committee will soon hold public hearings on the 2020 budget bill (H 5151), one article at a time (Marijuana is Article 20). NORML RI will post the hearing date, when it is scheduled, on NORMLRI.com and on our Facebook page (Update: The first hearing has been scheduled for March 20, 2019). The final bill is likely to be amended by the committee before it’s sent to the full House for a vote, and debate will likely be fierce on both sides, so now is the time to speak up – show up at the March 20 hearing, and contact your state rep about amendments and changes you’d like to see.

NORML RI is pleased that legalization is finally coming to our state. We hope to help make its implementation intelligent, compassionate, sensible and reasonably profitable for all Rhode Islanders from the very beginning.

Follow NORML Rhode Island on Facebook and visit their website to stay up to date on marijuana legalization efforts in the state.

Source: https://blog.norml.org/2019/02/26/rhode-island-gov-raimondos-proposed-marijuana-legalization-budget-plan/

Rhode Island: Gov. Raimondo’s Proposed Marijuana Legalization Budget Plan was originally published to https://gigglesndimples.com/

source https://gigglesndimples.com/2019/02/26/rhode-island-gov-raimondos-proposed-marijuana-legalization-budget-plan/

NORML Members Call On NFL’s Goodell To Allow Players Access To Medicine

While most of the recent media conversation around cannabis and the Super Bowl surrounded the ability for a medical marijuana company’s attempt to air an advertisement, one of the issues raised by various NORML members over the last few weeks has been more focused on the actual well-being of the players themselves.

In his state-of-the-NFL address the Friday prior to Superbowl LIII, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell remained vague about the NFL’s future policies regarding medical marijuana and drug testing.

When asked about the likelihood of the league changing its policies on the use of medical marijuana, Goodell answered, “We rely on our medical advisors to give us advice. They look at this constantly, they look at the data, they look at the science and they make those recommendations to us on that basis.”

In 2017, Goodell said that he believed marijuana to be both addictive and unhealthy.

The NFL classifies cannabis as a banned substance and imposes extremely harsh fines and suspensions on players who test positive for cannabis.

Prohibited from using cannabis, players are looking to alcohol and opioids for relief. Drug and Alcohol Dependence found in 2011 that over half of surveyed NFL players used opioids during their careers, and a staggering 70% of those users abused the drugs. NFL players are three times more likely to use opioids than the rest of the population.

Tell Roger Goodell and the NFL that marijuana should be allowed as part of players’ healthcare plans if determined by their physician

 

**A special thanks to Madisen Saglibene, Director of Las Vegas NORML, for raising this issue and helping with the research.  You can follow the work of Las Vegas NORML on Facebook and on Twitter and visit their website at http://lvnorml.org/.

Source: https://blog.norml.org/2019/02/26/norml-members-call-on-nfls-goodell-to-allow-players-access-to-medicine/

The post NORML Members Call On NFL’s Goodell To Allow Players Access To Medicine is republished from The Giggles N Dimples Blog

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Rick Steves: I support home cultivation rights for all marijuana consumers

In 2012, I was proud to help fund and promote the passage of I-502 which legalized, taxed, and regulated marijuana in my home state of Washington. Now, seven years later, I’m delighted to see more and more politicians, not just on the West coast, stepping up to address marijuana policy reform and fighting to uphold the civil liberty of adults who enjoy smoking pot responsibly.

It’s time our state lawmakers comport Washington law with those of other states that regulate the adult use of marijuana — all of which allow adults to grow limited quantities of cannabis in private. Legislation is currently stalled in the House and Senate to allow adults to cultivate up to six marijuana plants in their homes. I support the passage of this language and the liberty for all adults to have this option.

Granting the right to home cultivation gives more power to the consumer and ensures the safe, convenient, and affordable access to marijuana for all. But, even more simply, it just makes sense.

Join me today in supporting the freedom for every cannabis consumer to have the right to cultivate marijuana in the home.

Send a message to your lawmakers now, and demand they support home cultivation rights.

Thank you for joining me in this exercise in democracy,

Rick Steves

Source: https://blog.norml.org/2019/02/25/rick-steves-i-support-home-cultivation-rights-for-all-marijuana-consumers/

The blog post Rick Steves: I support home cultivation rights for all marijuana consumers See more on: The Giggles N Dimples Blog

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Legalization Proposals Progress Around the Country

Just about two months into the 2019 legislative session, legalization proposals are swiftly moving forward in states across the country. Irrespective of geographic location or political ideology, lawmakers everywhere are beginning to realize that now is the time to take action on marijuana reform. Here is the latest on key states from coast to coast:

Hawaii

Senate Bill 686 seeks to legalize the use, possession, cultivation, and retail sale of small amounts of marijuana for adults. The measure would allow adults 21 and over to purchase one ounce of cannabis and grow up to six cannabis plants in their own home.

On January 31, the Senate Committee on Judiciary held a public hearing on SB 686 where they heard testimony for and against the bill. Then on February 7, the Committee unanimously approved the bill with amendments. This marked the first time a legislative committee in Hawaii moved a legalization proposal forward. The bill must still be approved by two more Senate committees before reaching the Senate floor for consideration by the full chamber.

While Hawaii’s legislature is controlled by Democrats, Governor David Ige has expressed skepticism toward full legalization in the state.

Click here to email your lawmakers in support of Senate Bill 686

New Hampshire

House Bill 481 seeks to allow for the use, possession, and retail sale of marijuana by adults. The pending measure permits adults 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and/or up to five grams of concentrate, and to grow up to six marijuana plants. The bill would also provide for the expungement of certain cannabis related offenses and establish a Cannabis Control Commission to oversee the regulated market.

On January 16, the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee heard testimony for and against HB 481 during a public hearing. On February 21, despite some members of the committee bringing up concerns over public health, the committee approved the bill by a narrow 10-9 vote.

While Republican Governor Chris Sununu has expressed opposition to the measure, legislators have speculated that ample support exists among lawmakers to potentially override a veto.

Statewide polling data shows that 68 percent of New Hampshire adults support “legalizing [the] possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal recreational use.” Seventy-four percent of respondents endorse marijuana being sold at state-licensed outlets and taxed in a manner similar to alcohol.

Click here to email your lawmakers in support of House Bill 481

New Mexico

House Bill 356 seeks to permit the use, possession, cultivation, and retail sale of cannabis for adults 21 and over. Under this proposal, adults would be allowed to possess up to two ounces of cannabis, and cultivate personal use quantities of cannabis plants in their homes if they are licensed to do so by the state. Adults would also be able get certain cannabis related offenses expunged from their record.

On February 9, the House Health and Human Services Committee heard public testimony for and against HB 356, and two days later voted to approve the bill by a 5-2 vote. The bill was then heard by the House Judiciary Committee on February 23. The committee voted to approve a substitute bill that would give employers the ability to take adverse action against an employee or applicant for their off the job cannabis use. The bill will now go to the House floor for consideration by the full chamber.

A separate proposal is also pending to permit adult use marijuana sales, Senate Bill 577. Under this proposal, retail stores would be regulated and operated by the state government as opposed to being privately operated. This bill does not allow for home cultivation or expungement of prior convictions.

On February 23, the Senate Public Affairs Committee voted unanimously to approve SB 577.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is supportive of legalization, having campaigned and won on the issue.

Statewide polling data shows that 60 percent of likely voters support legislation to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana sales to adults 21 and over.

Click here to email your lawmakers in support of HB 356 and SB 577

New Jersey

Senate Bill 2703 and Assembly Bill 4497: The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory and Expungement Aid Modernization Act seeks to regulate the adult use marijuana market.

Senate and Assembly lawmakers voted to advance the bills out of the Joint Committee on Appropriations back on November 26, 2018. Since then, lawmakers have been negotiating key provisions of the bill with Governor Phil Murphy. After months of debate since the last vote, it was announced last week that state lawmakers have come to an agreement with Governor Murphy regarding retail marijuana tax rates, settling on charging sales tax by weight as opposed to a specific percentage.

Governor Phil Murphy campaigned and won on a legalization platform, having pledged to legalize cannabis within his first 100 days in office.

Fifty-eight percent of voters support “completely legalizing the possession and personal use of recreational marijuana,” and 79 percent support “allowing an individual to clear their record” of a past marijuana possession conviction,” according to an October 2018 Rutgers-Eagleton poll.

Click here to email your lawmakers in support of The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory and Expungement Aid Modernization Act

Vermont

In 2018, Vermont became the first state to pass legislation through the legislature to legalize the personal possession and home cultivation of limited amounts of marijuana. S. 54 seeks to expand upon that law by establishing a regulatory framework for the regulation of a commercial, adult use marijuana market. The bill was introduced with over half of Vermont’s Senate members adding their names as cosponsors.

On February 19, the Senate Committee on Judiciary approved S. 54 with amendments after hearing public testimony on the bill. Then, the measure went to the Committee on Finance where it was approved on February 22. The bill will need to pass through the Appropriations Committee before heading to the Senate floor.

Governor Phil Scott has expressed doubts about signing retail market legislation into law, citing concerns about driving while impaired.

Click here to email your lawmakers in support of S. 54

Source: https://blog.norml.org/2019/02/25/legalization-proposals-progress-around-the-country/

Legalization Proposals Progress Around the Country Find more on: https://gigglesndimples.com/

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