Category: Law & Politics

(3,816 posts)

News and commentary on cannabis law and politics

February 5, 2014
02/05/2014
DC Council Votes to Decriminalize Marijuana

DC Council Votes to Decriminalize Marijuana

Huffington Post reports that the Washington DC district council voted to decriminalize marijuana yesterday.
February 5, 2014
02/05/2014
Congress Slams Drug Czar’s Office for Relying on Propaganda

Congress Slams Drug Czar’s Office for Relying on Propaganda

Congressional Members Slam Drug Czar’s Office for Failing to Acknowledge Facts About Marijuana and Relying on Marijuana ‘Propaganda’ At Tuesday’s House committee hearing, the deputy drug czar...
February 5, 2014
02/05/2014
CO Open Container Bill Would Make Violations Harder to Prove

CO Open Container Bill Would Make Violations Harder to Prove

A new Colorado marijuana open container bill would make violations harder to prove.
February 4, 2014
02/04/2014
Hawaii: 66 Percent of Voters Back Legalizing Cannabis

Hawaii: 66 Percent of Voters Back Legalizing Cannabis

Hawaii voters overwhelmingly support legalizing and regulating the adult use of cannabis, according to just-released statewide survey data by QMark Research and commissioned by the Hawaii Drug...
February 4, 2014
02/04/2014
Massachusetts Issues First 20 Dispensary Licenses

Massachusetts Issues First 20 Dispensary Licenses

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued 20 dispensary licenses Friday, the first to be issued in the state.
February 4, 2014
02/04/2014
Could Different Drug Policies Have Saved Philip Seymour Hoffman?

Could Different Drug Policies Have Saved Philip Seymour Hoffman?

The tragic death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman yesterday has prompted expressions of grief and of praise for his talent. It also, naturally, has prompted discussions of...
February 4, 2014
02/04/2014
Ladybud: Cannabis Activist Diane Fornbacher’s Journey

Ladybud: Cannabis Activist Diane Fornbacher’s Journey

Ladybud tells the story of its publisher, cannabis activist and NORML Woman’s Alliance board member Diane Fornbacher.
February 4, 2014
02/04/2014
Bloomberg: Eric Holder’s Pot Problem

Bloomberg: Eric Holder’s Pot Problem

Bloomberg describes the federal pot problem for banks and the cannabis industry, pointing out that Holder’s guidelines are not enforceable in court.
February 4, 2014
02/04/2014
Bill Proposes Legal Cannabis in France

Bill Proposes Legal Cannabis in France

French senator Esther Benbassa introduced a bill last week that would allow and regulate legal cannabis in France.
February 3, 2014
02/03/2014
NORML PAC Endorses Heather Mizeur for Maryland Governor

NORML PAC Endorses Heather Mizeur for Maryland Governor

Today, NORML PAC has announced its endorsement of Delegate Heather Mizeur and her running mate Delman Coates for Governor and Lt. Governor of Maryland. Delegate Mizeur has...
February 3, 2014
02/03/2014
Oregon Governor Calls for Marijuana Legalization, Legislature to Act

Oregon Governor Calls for Marijuana Legalization, Legislature to Act

Gov. John Kitzhaber now supports marijuana legalization, reports The Oregonian: “I hear the drumbeats from Washington and Colorado,” states that recently approved legalization measures, he said. Oregon voters could...
February 3, 2014
02/03/2014
Why Smoking Pot Is Not a Crime or Public Health Problem

Why Smoking Pot Is Not a Crime or Public Health Problem

Jacob Sullum explains why smoking pot is not a crime or public health problem, and so should not be treated as either.
February 3, 2014
02/03/2014
Obama Elaborates on Marijuana Policy

Obama Elaborates on Marijuana Policy

In an interview with CNN Friday, President Obama expanded on his remarks regarding marijuana made in a recent New Yorker interview. In that latter interview, Obama described marijuana as not...
January 31, 2014
01/31/2014
Brazilian Judge Rules Marijuana Prohibition Unconstitutional

Brazilian Judge Rules Marijuana Prohibition Unconstitutional

A federal judge in Brazil ruled that marijuana prohibition is unconstitutional, calling it the result of a backward culture.
January 31, 2014
01/31/2014
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Smarter Sentencing Act

Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Smarter Sentencing Act

The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday gave its imprimatur to the Smarter Sentencing Act, approving the bill and sending it on to a Senate floor vote. The bill...
January 31, 2014
01/31/2014
Vice: Meet the Guys Trying to Bring Cannabis Cafes to the UK

Vice: Meet the Guys Trying to Bring Cannabis Cafes to the UK

Vice tells the stories of two cannabis activists that are trying to bring cannabis cafes to the UK.
January 31, 2014
01/31/2014
Canadian Medical Marijuana Patients May Face Shortage

Canadian Medical Marijuana Patients May Face Shortage

With just 2 months before Canadian medical marijuana patients must purchase their meds from federally-approved sources, only 5 suppliers have been licensed.
January 31, 2014
01/31/2014
Dutch Mayors Want To Regulate Cannabis Production

Dutch Mayors Want To Regulate Cannabis Production

Twenty-three mayors from across the Netherlands want to regulate cannabis production, rather than allowing the supply to continue to come from illegal sources.
January 30, 2014
01/30/2014
In Breakthrough, Farm Bill Includes Hemp Amendment

In Breakthrough, Farm Bill Includes Hemp Amendment

The omnibus federal farm bill approved by Congressional conference committee negotiators this week and destined to be quickly signed into law includes the hemp amendment that was approved by...
January 30, 2014
01/30/2014
Group Pushing for Marijuana Legalization in Ohio

Group Pushing for Marijuana Legalization in Ohio

Cher Neufer, founder of Ohio NORML, has been fighting for legalization in Ohio since 2001. Their latest legislation would legalize cannabis for medical and recreational use.