A State-By-State Update on Efforts to Reform Cannabis Policies Across the U.S.
Below is a state-by-state breakdown of efforts across the United States to reform decades of failed cannabis laws.saved99
Alabama:
Earlier this year a proposal to decriminalize the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis was introduced.
Under current Alabama law, the possession of any amount of cannabis can net someone a prison sentence of up to a year; under this new proposal - House Bill 76 – the possession of an ounce or less of cannabis would be a simple $100 ticket. The measure currently sits in the House Judiciary Committee.
Alaska
This August in Alaska an initiative to legalize recreational cannabis will be put to a vote of the people. If approved, the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis, and the private cultivation of up to 6 cannabis plants, would be legal for anyone 21 and older. State-licensed cannabis retail outlets would also be authorized. The initiative would take effect early 2015.
Arizona
Last month a proposal (House Bill 2558) to legalize recreational cannabis was introduced in the state’s House of Representatives, with thirteen lawmakers signed on as cosponsors. The proposal is modeled after Colorado’s Amendment 64, and would legalize the possession, cultivation and state-licensed sales of cannabis.
A separate cannabis-related measure, House Bill 2474, would decriminalize the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis, reducing the charge to a $100 ticket. This proposal also has 13 cosponsors.
Arkansas
Advocates of an initiative to legalize medical cannabis in Arkansas are currently gathering signatures in an attempt to put their measure to a vote this November. The proposal, put forth by Arkansas for Compassionate Care, would legalize cannabis possession and cultivation for qualified patients, and would also legalize dispensaries.
California
On Sunday The California Democratic Party voted to make the legalization of recreational cannabis an official party platform. This decision falls in line with the opinion of 65% of those in the state, according to recent polling.
Advocates of the Marijuana, Control Legalization & Revenue Act are currently collecting signatures (they began last month) in an attempt to put their initiative to a vote this year. They need to collect roughly half a million signatures by June 30th, and are currently fundraising in an attempt to garner enough money to pay for professional signature gatherers.
Colorado
A legislative committee has projected that Colorado will make over $180 million in tax revenue from legal recreational cannabis sales in the first 18 months; this isn’t much of a surprise, given that recreational cannabis sales exceeded $5 million in the first week (sales began January 1st), with less than 50 stores open.
On March 1st registration officially began for legal hemp cultivation, marking the dawn of legal hemp in the state.
District of Columbia (U.S. Capital)
On March 4th the Washington D.C. Council gave approval to a measure to decriminalize the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis. The proposal now goes to the district’s mayor, who’s in support of the measure.
Florida
Earlier this month Florida’s House of Representatives passed a measure to legalize medical cannabis extracts that are low in THC, and high in CBD. The measure currently sits in the state’s Senate, where its approval will send it to the governor for consideration.
In addition to this measure, companion bills – Senate Bill 1562 and House Bill 1039 – have been filed in the state to legalize the possession of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, and the private cultivation of up to 6 cannabis plants, for those 21 and older, in addition to state-licensed cannabis distribution centers.
And of course, this November Florida voters will have the opportunity to legalize medical cannabis through a voter-approved initiative.
Georgia
On March 3rd, with an 171 to 4 vote, Georgia’s House of Representatives approved a measure to legalize medical cannabis extracts for those with certain qualifying conditions.
House Bill 885 – also know as the “Haleigh’s Hope Act,” named in honor of Haleigh Cox, a child who suffers from a medical conditions that causes frequent and severe seizures – would permit certain academic medical centers (defined as a research hospital that operates a doctor residency program) in the state to grow, process and distribute medical cannabis extracts for those with cancer, glaucoma and seizures.
Hawaii
Last week Hawaii’s Senate gave unanimous approval to a measure which would establish a research program to study the use of hemp for biofuel and remediation.
Polling released last month found that 66% of those in Hawaii support decriminalizing cannabis, and 85% support legalizing medical cannabis dispensaries.
Idaho
The organization Compassionate Idaho – now an official subchapter of Americans for Safe Access – in continuing to work on getting an initiative to legalize medical cannabis on the state’s ballot.
Illinois
On January 1st the state’s new medical cannabis law – which legalizes the possession of 2.5 ounces of cannabis for patients, as well as medical cannabis dispensaries – took effect. The state has until the end of April to determine regulations for dispensaries.
Indiana
Indiana’s full legislature has given approval to a proposal to legalize industrial hemp. The measure currently sits on the governor’s desk; he has 60 days to either sign the measure into law, veto it, or let it become law without his signature.
Iowa
Iowa lawmakers continue to discuss legislation to legalize medical cannabis, with support growing at a rapid pace. To add to this, recent polling has found that a strong majority – 59% to 37% – of the state’s residents support such a move.
Kansas
Last month companion bills – House Bill 2198 and Senate Bill 9 - were filed in the state to legalize medical cannabis, including dispensaries.
Kentucky
In February Kentucky’s House Health and Welfare Committee voted to approve House Bill 350, a proposal to legalize the possession of up to 3 ounces of cannabis, the cultivation of up to 12 cannabis plants, and state-licensed dispensaries. The measure currently sits in the House Judiciary Committee.
The same week, Kentucky’s Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved a separate medical cannabis proposal – Senate Bill 124 – which would legalize research on cannabis oil.
Louisiana
Recent polling has found that a majority – 53% – of those in Louisiana support the legalization of recreational cannabis. Only 37% are opposed.
Maine
Last month over 40 state lawmakers in Maine signed a letter urging the state to consider the legalization of recreational cannabis, something state lawmakers are continuing to do.
Maryland
Last week Maryland’s Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee approved a proposal to decriminalize the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis. A separate proposal to legalize medical cannabis has garnered over 60 cosponsors.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is currently moving forward with its recently-approved medical cannabis law; dispensaries are expected to be open by the end of the year.
Michigan
A Supreme Court ruling from February set legal precedent across the state that localities can’t ban medical cannabis, though they can establish regulations.
Last week Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Review Panel voted to add post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying medical cannabis condition.
Minnesota
On March 5th Minnesota’s House Health and Human Services Policy Committee gave approval to House Bill 1818, a proposal to legalize medical cannabis.The measure, which would legalize the possession of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, and the private cultivation of up to 12 plants, is cosponsored by 36 lawmakers.
Mississippi
On February 20th Mississippi’s full Senate passed a measure to legalize medical cannabis extracts for those with certain qualifying conditions. The measure currently sits in the House of Representatives.
Missouri
In addition to several cannabis law reform proposals being filed in January in the state’s legislature, multiple cannabis legalization initiatives have been approved for circulation.
Montana
State lawmakers are currently discussing legislation to add PTSD as a qualifying medical cannabis condition.
Nebraska
Nebraska’s full Senate this month gave approval to a proposal to legalize industrial hemp. The measure currently sits in the House, which is expected to vote on the measure soon.
Nevada
In January Nevada’s Governor signed a proposal legalizing medical cannabis dispensaries, which are expected to open sometime next year.
Also in January, a campaign aimed at putting a cannabis legalization initiative on the state’s 2015 ballot officially got underway; advocates are required to collect roughly 102,000 signatures to qualify.
New Hampshire
Earlier this month New Hampshire’s full House of Representatives voted to legalize medical cannabis cultivation, a year after voting to legalize medical cannabis possession and dispensaries.
The same week, the state’s House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee passed a proposal to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis, making it a simple fine.
New Jersey
In January New Jersey’s Legislature gave approval to a proposal legalizing industrial hemp. In addition, a proposal to legalize recreational cannabis was announced last month by the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
New Mexico
In early March New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez announced that she will be implementing rules changes to the state’s medical cannabis law which adds Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease to the list of qualifying conditions for an individual to become a medical cannabis patient.
New York
In January New York Governor Andre Cuomo took executive action that will implement a long-dormant state-law which allows for the medical use of cannabis for certain conditions, and allows for distribution centers to distribute cannabis to qualified patients.
Despite this move, many advocates rightfully believe that it doesn’t go far enough, and lawmakers are continuing to discuss the full legalization of medical cannabis, and its expected that a provision to do just that will be including in the legislature’s upcoming budget bills.
North Carolina
A Public Policy Polling poll released earlier this year found that a plurality of the state’s voters – 48% to 42% – are in support of legalizing recreational cannabis.
Ohio
Polling released in February – conducted by Quinnipiac University – found that 87% of those in the state favor the legalizing of recreational cannabis, with just 11% opposed to the move.
Oklahoma
An initiative to decriminalize cannabis possession was filed this month in Oklahoma City.
Oregon
In February Oregon’s House Judiciary Committee voted to approve putting a proposal to legalize recreational cannabis to a vote of the people this November. The measure currently sits in the House Rules Committee.
Pennsylvania
Although it has yet to advance out of committee, bipartisan legislation was filed in January to legalize medical cannabis, a move that’s supported by 85% of registered voters in the state, according to recent polling.
Rhode Island
A proposal to legalize recreational cannabis was filed last month by the Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, and the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee.
South Carolina
Legislation was filed this month in South Carolina to legalize medical cannabis, including private cultivation (6 plants) and safe access points.
In February the state’s Senate Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee gave unanimous approval to Senate Bill 839, a proposal to legalize industrial hemp. The measure is expected to be voted on by the full Senate soon.
Tennessee
Tennessee’s House Health Committee will soon hold a public hearing on a proposal to legalize medical cannabis, according to the Chair of the committee.
Texas
In January Texas Governor Rick Perry announced his support for decriminalizing cannabis, the same week as two cannabis-related proposals were filed in the state’s legislature; one to legalize medical cannabis, and one to significantly reduce the penalties associated with cannabis possession.
Utah
On March 6th Utah’s Senate Health and Human Services Committee gave unanimous approval to a measure to legalize medical cannabis extract that’s low in THC; the measure has already been approved by the state’s full House, 62 to 11.
Vermont
A proposal to legalize recreational cannabis was filed in January in Vermont by Senator David Zuckerman. The proposal would legalize the possession of up to 2 ounces, and the cultivation of up to 3 plants. Cannabis retail outlets would also be legalized.
Washington
Washington continues to move forward with implementation of the state’s newly legal recreational cannabis market, with retail outlets expected to be open by the end of the year.
However, medical cannabis patients are in the midst of a serious battle; the state’s Senate has recently approved Senate Bill 5887, a proposal to, among other negative changes, bring forth a mandatory patient registry, shutdown all current medical cannabis safe access points, etc.. The measure currently sits in the state’s House, where it has until March 13th (the end of the session) to be given approval.
Wisconsin
Earlier this month a proposal to legalize the possession of up to a half ounce of cannabis was filed in the state’s legislature.
According to recent polling, a majority of those in the state (50% to 44%) are in favor of such a move.
Wyoming
A measure to decriminalize the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis was introduced in Wyoming’s House of Representatives at the end of January. The same month, an initiative to legalize medical and recreational cannabis – aiming for the 2016 ballot – was filed by Wyoming NORML.-
