“It is encouraging that William Barr pledged not to enforce federal marijuana prohibition against the majority of US states that have reformed their laws. With this commitment, Congress has a clear mandate to take action and end the underlying policy of federal criminalization,” said NORML Political Director Justin Strekal. “In an era when 47 states have laws on the books that defy the Schedule 1 status of cannabis, it makes no sense from a political, fiscal, or cultural perspective to try to put this genie back in the bottle.”
Category: legalization
Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-Chairs Announced
Today, the rollout of the new leadership team of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus was announced, with Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and David Joyce (R-OH) joining founding members Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Don Young (R-AK).
2018 Year In Review: NORML’s Top Ten Events In Marijuana Policy
Read the ten biggest stories that shaped marijuana policy in 2018.
Weekly Legislative Roundup 12/21/18
Welcome to the latest edition of NORML’s Weekly Legislative Roundup!
Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office Moves Forward with Marijuana Expungement Initiative
While state lawmakers in New York continue to explore the intricacies of legalizing and regulating adult-use marijuana, Brooklyn DA’s Office is moving forward with an initiative to expunge low-level marijuana convictions from criminal records.
Marijuana Tax Dollars Support Anti-Bullying Program in Colorado
With marijuana sales in Colorado topping $1 billion, local and state officials are making the most of marijuana tax dollars by reinvesting in public education and funding local projects.
New York: This is not a Green Rush, This is a Justice Rush
As New York state navigates and drafts legislation for an adult use legalization market, it’s important to consider what other states have done right, and more importantly, where they have fallen short.
Michigan Bill to Ban Home Cultivation Fails in Senate
Due to major opposition from a broad coalition of marijuana law reform advocates, Senate Majority Leader Meekhof’s effort to undermine Michigan’s Proposition 1, which was approved by voters last November, failed short in the Senate.
New Jersey Lawmakers Move Forward Adult Use Marijuana Legislation
Senate and Assembly lawmakers in New Jersey voted on Monday, November 26, in favor of legislation that seeks to regulate the adult use marijuana market.
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.