Read the ten biggest stories that shaped marijuana policy in 2018.
Author: Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director
Utah: Lawmakers Seek to Replace Voter-Initiated Medical Marijuana Law
Utah lawmakers convened a special legislative session today to debate proposed replacement legislation to the state’s newly approved voter-initiated medical cannabis access law. NORML has voiced criticism to many of these proposed changes, opining instead that politicians should respect the will of the electorate.
Congress: New House Rules Chairman Pledges To Allow Floor Votes On Marijuana-Related Amendments
Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern says that he will permit federal lawmakers to debate and vote on marijuana-related amendments when he assumes control of the House Rules Committee in 2019. “Unlike my predecessor, I’m not going to block amendments for marijuana,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader Guarantees End To Federal Hemp Ban
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) publicly reaffirmed today that provisions lifting the federal prohibition of hemp will be included in the finalized language of H.R. 2: The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (aka the 2018 Farm Bill). Lawmakers are seeking to finalize and pass the 2018 farm legislation prior to year’s end.
Senate Majority Leader Guarantees End To Federal Hemp Ban
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) publicly reaffirmed today that provisions lifting the federal prohibition of hemp will be included in the finalized language of H.R. 2: The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (aka the 2018 Farm Bill). Lawmakers are seeking to finalize and pass the 2018 farm legislation prior to year’s end.
Election 2018: Voters In Ohio And Wisconsin Approve Municipal Reform Measures
Voters in Ohio and Wisconsin approved a series of binding and non-binding local marijuana reform initiatives on Election Day.
Election Night: Gubernatorial Victories Bode Well For 2019 Statewide Reform Prospects
Voters on election day decided in favor of several gubernatorial candidates who campaigned on promises to either address or enact statewide marijuana law reforms as Governor. NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said, “In 2019, we anticipate unprecedented legislative activity at the state level in favor of marijuana law reform legislation, and we expect to see several significant legislative victories before the year’s end.”
Texas: Leading Marijuana Prohibitionist Fails In Congressional Re-Election Bid
One of Congress’ most powerful and vocal marijuana prohibitionists, Republican Pete Sessions of Texas, failed in his re-election bid for Congress’ 32nd District. “Representative Pete Sessions was the single greatest impediment in the US House to the passage of common-sense, voter-supported marijuana law reform measures,” NORML Political Director Justin Strekal said. “His departure opens the door for the possibility of House lawmakers in 2019 enacting a number of significant, NORML-endorsed policy changes.”
Congress’ Leading Marijuana Prohibitionist Trails In Latest Poll
Texas Republican and ardent marijuana prohibitionist Pete Sessions trails by four points in his re-election bid, according to polling data released yesterday. According to the survey results, Sessions is behind Democratic challenger Colin Allred by a margin of 46 percent to 42 percent in the race for Texas’ 32nd Congressional District.
Mexico: Supreme Court Strikes Down Marijuana Ban
Justices for Mexico’s Supreme Court have ruled that laws criminalizing the private use and cultivation of cannabis by adults are unconstitutional. Justices opined, “The effects caused by marijuana do not create an absolute prohibition on its consumption.”