Four states have pending legislation to legalize medical marijuana. As more and more states debate whether to permit the medical use of cannabis, it will be interesting to see whether the caregiver or dispensary model, or some mixture of both, will prevail. Pressure will mount on the Federal Government to change the scheduling of cannabis as a majority of the country adopts medical marijuana legislation. I believe the tipping point will be 26 medical marijuana states. The rescheduling of cannabis is well over due and will prevent so many people from the undue suffering that comes from the arcane policy of prohibition and ignorance. Many of the world’s top scientists, professionals, and government leaders have woken up to the reality that prohibition does more harm than good. As more states adopt medical marijuana legislation, we could see the rescheduling of cannabis, and the broader war on drugs, become a major issue in the next Presidential election.
| 1. Minnesota |
| Senate Bill: SF 1641 (175 KB)”Permitting the medical use of marijuana…specifying certain limitations… [establishing] registry identification card… authorizing cities to enact zoning regulations that limit use of land for medical marijuana dispensaries…” |
| House Bill: HF 1818 (175 KB)”Marijuana medical use permitted, fees set, rule-making authorized, criminal and civil penalties provided, and money appropriated.” |
| 2. New York |
| Senate Bill: SB 1682 (100 KB)”Legalizes the possession, manufacture, sale, administration, delivery, dispensing and distribution of [up to 8 oz of] marijuana in connection with medical use thereof for certified patients… permits registered organizations to sell, administer, deliver, etc. marijuana to certified patients or the caregiver of a certified patient for certified medical use…” |
| Senate Bill: SB 4406 (85 KB)”Legalizes the possession, acquisition, use, delivery, transfer, transport or administration of marihuana by a certified patient or designated caregiver for a certified medical use…” |
| Assembly Bill: AB 6357 (85 KB)”Legalizes the possession, acquisition, use, delivery, transfer, transport or administration of marihuana by a certified patient or designated caregiver for a certified medical use…” |
| 3. Ohio |
| House Bill: HB 153 (250 KB)”A registered primary caregiver: A registered qualifying patient or visiting qualifying patient for engaging in the medical use of cannabis;… A registered primary caregiver.” |
| 4. Pennsylvania |
| Senate Bill: SB 770 (75 KB)”An Act providing for the medical use of marijuana; and repealing provisionsof law that prohibit and penalize marijuana use.” |
| House Bill: HB 1181 (75 KB)”An Act providing for the medical use of marijuana.” |
