Welcome to the latest edition of NORML’s Weekly Legislative Roundup!
This week, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Congressman Earl Blumenauer introduced legislation to allow for interstate commerce when it comes to state-legal cannabis programs.
Governor Janet Mills (D) of Maine signed legislation into law setting rules and regulations for the adult use cannabis market.
Governor Chris Sununu (R) of New Hampshire signed legislation into law allowing physicians assistants to recommend medical cannabis to their patients.
Governors Ron DeSantis (R) of Florida signed industrial hemp production legislation into law.
New Mexico’s new decriminalization law takes effect this coming Monday July 1.
At a more local level, the metro council of Louisville, Kentucky approved an ordinance making low-level marijuana possession the lowest law enforcement priority.
California
Legislation is pending, Senate Bill 34, which would exempt compassionate care programs from paying state cannabis taxes when they are providing free medical cannabis to financially disadvantaged people living with serious health conditions.
Update: SB 34 is scheduled for a hearing in the Assembly Revenue And Taxation Committee on 7/2/19.
CA resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of compassionate care programs
Legislation is pending, Senate Bill 223, to allow medical cannabis to be administered to patients at school.
The measure permits a parent or guardian to administer medical cannabis to their child patient on school grounds in a non-smoking and non-vaping form.
Update: SB 223 was heard and approved by the Assembly Judiciary Committee on 6/25/19.
CA resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of medical cannabis access at school
Legislation is pending, Senate Bill 305, to permit qualified patients the ability to access medical cannabis preparations while in health care facilities.
Update: SB 305 is scheduled for a hearing in the Assembly Health Committee on 7/9/19.
Legislation is pending, Senate Bill 51, to assist financial institutions in safely conducting transactions with licensed cannabis businesses.
Update: SB 51 is scheduled for a hearing in the Assembly Business And Professions Committee on 7/9/19.
CA resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of banking access
Delaware
Bipartisan legislation is pending, Senate Bill 37, that would reform the expungement processes for individuals convicted of non-violent marijuana-related offenses.
If enacted, the bill would expand the pool of those eligible to seek expungement to include those convicted of a single misdemeanor or felony charge related to marijuana.
Update: SB 37 was approved by the House of Representatives on 6/26/19, and now heads to the governor’s desk.
DE resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of expungement expansion
Legislation is pending, Senate Bill 45, to amend certain marijuana penalties for juvenile offenders.
Under state law, adults face civil penalties for minor marijuana possession offenses. Senate Bill 45 would make this policy consistent for juvenile offenders.
Update: SB 45 was reported out of the House Health and Human Services Committee on 6/27/19.
DE resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of juvenile decriminalization
North Carolina
Legislation is pending, Senate Bill 315, to amend the state’s existing industrial hemp law to be in compliance with the new federal hemp regulations.
Update: S. 315 was scheduled for a hearing in the House Agriculture Committee on 6/26/19.
NC resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of industrial hemp production
Pennsylvania
Legislation is pending, House Bill 1674, to allow medical cannabis to be administered to patients at school.
The measure permits school nurses to serve as a secondary caregiver for a student who is a registered medical cannabis patient, and to administer their medicine to them while on school property.
PA resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of medical cannabis access at school
Washington, DC
Legislation is pending, the Medical Marijuana Patient Health and Accessibility Improvement Amendment Act of 2019 (B23-0102), to expand access to medical cannabis in the District.
The measure would regulate on-site medical cannabis consumption spaces and delivery services, remove the limit on plant counts cultivation centers can grow, allow more residents affected by the war on drugs to work in the industry, among other changes.
Update: The bill was approved by the Committee on Health on 6/24/19.
DC resident? Click here to email your lawmakers in support of medical expansion