Indopedia All Things Marijuana
Provided Governor Phil Scott does not veto the measure when it hits his desk, Vermont will become the next state to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
The House approved measure S.22 by a count of 79-66, setting the stage for legal weed in Vermont for adults over the age of 21, effective July 2018.
Should the Governor sign off, Vermont would be the ninth state in the U.S.
Politics
Vermont legislature approves marijuana legalization bill | Reuters
BOSTON Vermont lawmakers on Wednesday approved a measure to legalize recreational use of marijuana, which if not vetoed by the governor would make the state the ninth to legalize the drug and the first to do so by legislation rather than ballot initiative.The U.S. state's House of Representatives, by a 79-66 vote, approved the measure, which was attached to a bill increasing penalties for the possession and sale of the opioid drug fentanyl.
Chilean pharmacies begin marijuana medicine sales in first for Latam | Reuters
SANTIAGO Pharmacies in Chile's capital Santiago will start selling cannabis-based medicines this week, the first time such treatments have been offered by drug stores in Latin America, the companies behind the launch said on Wednesday.Canadian cannabis producer and distributor Tilray said it had partnered with local firm Alef Biotechnology, which is licensed by the Chilean government.Chile legalized the use of medical marijuana in 2015 and is among a number of Latin American countries gradually loosening laws prohibiting the cultivation, distribution and consumption of cannabis.
Florida Republicans Play Blame Game Over Medical Marijuana Debacle
Florida Republicans are now pointing the finger at each over the legislative dysfunction that will likely prevent the state’s newfound medical marijuana program from being launched in a manner close to what was originally approved by the voters back in November.
According to a report in the Panama City News Herald, House and Senate leaders are on the verge of meeting out behind the Capitol Building in Tallahassee to duke it out over the debacle last week that put the outcome of the state’s medical marijuana law in the hands of the state Health Department.
Senate President Joe Negron says
CO Governor Candidate Polis Supports Cannabis Social Use
In 2014, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper famously called cannabis legalization “reckless” and added he “wouldn’t have done it” if it were up to him. While Hickenlooper’s stance has since progressed to the extent other states come to him for cannabis reform knowledge, the brewery-owner has been quoted saying, “you don’t choose what you’re legacy is.”
While Hickenlooper has softened his outlook on marijuana, he stated in March, “smoking [cannabis]is very bad for you,” so he doesn’t support cannabis clubs in Colorado.
Office of National Drug Policy Budget Slashed By Proposed Budget
Announced via White House memo late last week, the Office of National Drug Policy (ONDCP) is facing massive cuts to their current annual budget of $388 million.
Proposed by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the New York Times reported on Friday, “the White House is proposing to slash the drug policy office budget by about 95 percent, to just $24 million.”
ONDCP 2018 Proposed Budget
Chided by lawmakers on both sides of the political divide, the extraordinary cuts to the ONDCP’s 2018 budget would also dismantle two programs meant to combat the federal government’s war
Taking It in the Trump: Everything the President Did This Week (May 7, 2017)
As the United States hobbled past the 100-day mark of President Donald Trump, the bureaucratic carousel of divisiveness and controversy continues to spin faster and faster. Although the Commander-in-Chief and Republican party have been mocked for being unable to pass legislation despite holding a congressional majority, they were finally able to celebrate this week after passing highly controversial healthcare reform in the House. While many Americans fear that they will lose health insurance, the president continues to spout off ludicrous statements and commit outrageous actions. From the ensuing FBI investigation into Russia's involvement in the U.S.
Read More »Florida Legislators Struggling to Pass Medical Marijuana Bill By Today’s Deadline
With a 31-7 vote, the Florida Senate approved a bill to expand the state's medical marijuana program on Thursday. The bill already passed the House on Tuesday, but must return to that chamber for approval , as the Senate made changes to the bill. Today, however, is the final day that any non-budget legislation can be passed in this year's session.
Although some legislators feel that the bill in its current form is not perfect, they still hope to pass it so that there is a framework in place for the constantly expanding industry.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Calls Legalizing Marijuana “Beyond Stupidity”
New Jersey legislators are preparing a push for recreational cannabis legalization in the 2018 midterm elections, but if they want to bring legal weed to the Garden State, they’ll need to oust Governor Chris Christie first.
According to NJ.com, Governor Christie spoke yesterday at a forum on substance abuse in Princeton, NJ where he restated his outdated views on cannabis legalization.
Christie was at the forum to address the state’s opioid epidemic, a scourge that President Trump has picked Christie to combat nationally.
Is Trudeau Being Overconfident About His Marijuana Timeline?
April was a big month for cannabis in Canada, as Prime Minister Trudeau and his Liberals announced legal marijuana will be made available by July of 2018. But are the feds being a bit optimistic with their legalization timeline?
Aside from the issue of existing UN drug treaties, which Canada is required to cooperate with, it’s possible that opposition parties in Parliament will be looking for significant amendments to the bill.
An article in the Hill Times stated that recommendations in the proposed legislation could be challenged by various MPs.