Year: 2014

Federal Marijuana Laws

US House of Representatives Approves Hemp Research Provisions

Congressional lawmakers last week approved language authorizing state universities and agriculture departments to move forward with programs to cultivate industrial hemp for research purposes. The provisions allow for the cultivation industrial hemp in agricultural pilot programs in states that already permit the growth and cultivation of the plant. A 2013 white paper published by the Congressional Research Service concludes: “[A] commercial hemp industry in the United States could provide opportunities as an economically viable alternative crop for some US growers.”

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Hawaii marijuana laws

Hawaii: 66 Percent Of Voters Back Legalizing Cannabis

Hawaii voters overwhelmingly support legalizing and regulating the adult use of cannabis, according to just-released statewide survey data by QMark Research and commissioned by the Hawaii Drug Policy Action Group. Sixty-six percent of respondents said they endorsed legalizing cannabis, an increase of nine points since pollsters last posed the question in 2012.

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Florida marijuana laws

Florida: Medical Cannabis Measure Qualifies For 2014 Ballot

The Florida Division of Elections today confirmed that proponents of a 2014 statewide measure to allow for the physician-supervised use of cannabis have gathered sufficient signatures to qualify for the November ballot. Proponents of the measure still await a ruling from the Florida Supreme Court as to whether the measure will appear before voters. The state Supreme Court must decide on the issue by April 1.

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Marijuana Business People

Feds To Issue Banking Guidelines For Businesses Engaged In Cannabis Commerce

Federal officials are poised to unveil new regulations allowing for financial institutions to legally interact with licensed businesses that are engaged in cannabis commerce. “They (retail facilities that dispense cannabis) want to be able to use the banking system,” US Attorney General Eric Holder said. “And so we (the Obama administration) will be issuing some regulations I think very soon to deal with that issue.”

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