Officials will no longer prosecute marijuana possession offenses in Baltimore, as per a new policy unveiled today by the office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City.
Category: Courts
Former Missouri Supreme Court Cheif Justice Endorses Medical Marijuana Initiative
Former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice and former Dean of the St. Louis University Law School, Michael A. Wolff, announces support of the New Approach Missouri Medical Marijuana Initiative.
Florida: Court Strikes Down Legislative Ban On Medical Cannabis Smoking
A Florida Circuit Court judge ruled today that a legislatively enacted ban on the smoking of medical cannabis in private by qualified patients is unconstitutional. “Section 381.986, Florida Statutes (2017) unconstitutionally restricts rights that are protected in the Constitution, and so the statutory prohibition against the use of smokeable marijuana permitted by [a] qualifying patient is declared invalid and unenforceable,” the judge ruled.
New Orleans: Marijuana Possession Arrests Plunge Following Enactment Of Decriminalization Ordinance
Minor marijuana possession arrests have plunged in the city of New Orleans following the adoption of a municipal ordinance one year ago that called for fining rather than arresting low-level offenders.
Study: Marijuana Decriminalization Leads To Decreased Arrests, No Increase In Youth Use
State laws reducing minor marijuana possession offenses from criminal to civil violations (aka decriminalization) are associated with dramatic reductions in drug-related arrests, and are not linked to any uptick in youth cannabis use, according to data published by researchers at Washington University and the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Racial Disparities Persist Among NYC Marijuana Possession Arrestees
New York City police are continuing to disproportionately arrest African Americans and Latinos for minor marijuana possession violations, despite ongoing pledges from Mayor Bill de Blasio to halt the practice.
California: Alameda County District Attorney To Vacate Thousands Of Past Marijuana Convictions
The District Attorney for Alameda County has announced her intent to automatically vacate thousands of past marijuana convictions. Alameda County, which includes Oakland, is the 7th-most populous county in California.
Philadelphia: District Attorney To Cease Prosecuting Marijuana Possession Offenders
Philadelphia officials announced today that they will no longer prosecute marijuana possession offenses.
Federal Judge To Hear Arguments Wednesday In Legal Fight Challenging The Constitutionality Of Marijuana’s Illicit Status
A judge for the Federal District Court in Manhattan will hear arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of federal cannabis prohibition.