#NORML #News Source: @norml Posted By: norml@weedconnection.com media :: news - Sat, 08 Feb 2014 04:20:21 PST
Congress Votes To Loosen Federal Restrictions On Cultivating Hemp
Washington, DC: Members of the US House and Senate have approved an amendment in the federal Farm Bill loosening federal restrictions pertaining to the state-authorized cultivation of industrial hemp.
House members approved the language, which had been advocated for in conference committee by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), last week. Members of the Senate followed suit on Tuesday, sending the bill to the President's desk.
President Obama is expected to sign the legislation imminently.
The amendment "authorizes an institution of higher education or state department of agriculture to grow or cultivate industrial hemp for research purposes if the laws of the State permit its growth and cultivation."
Some ten states have enacted legislation allowing for the state-authorized cultivation of hemp for research or commercial purposes.
Commenting on Congress' passage of the amendment, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said "The approval of this language marks the first change in federal policy regarding hemp cultivation since World War II."
According to a 2013 white paper published by the United States Congressional Research Service, hemp is "genetically different" from cultivated cannabis because it contains virtually no THC. The paper stated, "[A] commercial hemp industry in the United States could provide opportunities as an economically viable alternative crop for some US growers."
United States is the only developed nation that fails to cultivate industrial hemp as an economic crop.
District Of Columbia: City Council Votes To Make Marijuana Possession Offenses A $25 Fine
Washington, DC: Members of the DC City Council voted 11 to 1 on Tuesday in favor of legislation reducing marijuana possession penalties.
The measure, "The Simple Possession of Small Quantities of Marijuana Decriminalization Amendment Act of 2013," amends the District's marijuana possession penalties from a criminal misdemeanor (punishable by up to 6 months incarceration and a maximum fine of $1,000) to a civil infraction (punishable by a $25 fine).
Provisions in the bill similarly decriminalizing marijuana offenses involving public consumption were removed from the measure prior to the vote.
A final vote by the DC Council on this measure is expected to occur in early March. Following approval by District lawmakers, the legislation is also subject to Congressional review.
A 2012 analysis published by the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland reported that DC possesses the highest percentage of marijuana possession arrests per capita in the nation.
Massachusetts: Majority Of Likely Voters Favor Legalizing Cannabis
Boston, MA: A majority of likely Massachusetts voters support legalizing marijuana, according to a Suffolk University/Boston Herald poll released this week.
Fifty-three percent of respondents said that they "favor ... the legalization of marijuana." Thirty-seven percent of respondents opposed legalization.
The Suffolk poll possesses a margin or error of +/- 4 percent.
In previous elections, Massachusetts voters have overwhelmingly approved statewide ballot measures decriminalizing marijuana possession offenses and legalizing the dispensing of the plant for therapeutic purposes.
Local activists have already initiated plans for a possible 2016 ballot initiative drive on the question of full legalization.
