“Just as doctors are entrusted to make decisions with regard to the supervised use of opioids and other medicines – many of which pose far greater risks to patients than cannabis – the law should provide doctors with similar flexibility when it comes to recommending cannabis therapy to a bona fide patient.”
Category: medical marijuana
Louisiana: Senate Passes Amended Bill Permitting Doctors to Recommend Medical Cannabis for “Any Condition”
The proposed measure expands the discretion of physicians so that they can recommend cannabis therapy for “any condition” that he or she “considers debilitating to an individual patient and is qualified through his [or her] medical education and training to treat.”
Oklahoma: Governor Vetoes Measure Expanding Medical Cannabis Access, Reducing Possession Penalties
In his veto message, the Governor wrote: “The language in the bill makes substantial policy changes to the medical marijuana program that were not fully scrutinized through normal legislative procedures before the bill was received by my office in the middle of the night Saturday. While there is much room for improvement in the way our state’s program operates, this bill does not address those items in a way I can support.”
Virginia: Marijuana Decriminalization Takes Effect July 1
Democratic Governor Ralph Northam officially signed legislation today decriminalizing marijuana possession. The new law takes effect July 1, 2020 and reduces penalties for offenses involving the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana to a civil violation – punishable by a maximum $25 fine, no arrest, and no criminal record.
Louisiana: House Lawmakers Advance Measures to Greatly Expand Medical Cannabis Access
House lawmakers have overwhelmingly passed a pair of bills to better expand and facilitate access to medical cannabis products.
Louisiana: House Lawmakers Advance Measures to Greatly Expand Medical Cannabis Access
House lawmakers have overwhelmingly passed a pair of bills to better expand and facilitate access to medical cannabis products.
NORML Activist Spotlight: Tamara Netzel
An unlikely activist fighting for reform in the Commonwealth of Virginia and on Capitol Hill
CDC Seeks Public Comments Regarding Chronic Pain Management
“Interested persons or organizations are invited to participate by submitting written views, recommendations, and data related to perspectives on and experiences with pain and pain management. CDC invites comments specifically on topics focused on using or prescribing opioid pain medications, non-opioid medications, or non-pharmacological treatments.”
State of the States: 2020 Ballot Initiative Efforts
Activists have been working for months registering new voters, collecting signatures, and educating the public, in hopes of giving voters in their state the opportunity to make their voices heard and cast their vote for marijuana. But social distancing guidelines have made this work virtually impossible. Here is an overview of key 2020 ballot initiative efforts and where they stand now.
Virginia: Governor Approves Bills to Decriminalize Marijuana and Legalize Medical Cannabis
Gov Northam has approved legislation to decriminalize marijuana possession offenses and provide explicit legal protection to the state’s medical cannabis program participants. The new laws will take effect July 1, 2020.