Washington, DC: Legislative chambers in Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Vermont approved medical cannabis legislation this week.
In Vermont, the House approved Senate Bill 7, which expands the list of qualifying conditions that may be legally treated with cannabis under state law. The bill must now go to conference committee before being sent to the Governor’s desk.
In Minnesota, the Senate gave preliminary approval to Senate File 345, which would allow state-authorized patients, under a physician’s supervision, to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis. The proposal also allows for private nonprofit dispensaries to register with the state to grow and dispense medicinal cannabis for registered patients. The House is expected to vote on a companion bill, House File 655, next week.
In Rhode Island, lawmakers in the House voted 49-12 this week to repeal the sunset clause to the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act. Under the law, which is set to expire later this year without action from the legislature, authorized patients may possess and grow cannabis for therapeutic purposes. More than 260 patients and 270 caregivers are currently licensed to possess cannabis under the state program. The Rhode Island Senate is expected to vote on the measure later this week.
For more information on these or other state legislative efforts, please visit NORML’s “Take Action Center” online at: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/?style=D.