List of 2017 United States cannabis reform proposals

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List of 2017 United States cannabis reform proposals
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Map of US state cannabis laws.svg
Legality of cannabis in the United States (2022)
Status
  Legal for recreational use
  Legal for medical use
  Illegal

In 2017, U.S. states proposed or are expected to propose cannabis reform legislation for medical marijuana and non-medical adult use. State-level legalization remains at odds with cannabis' status as a Schedule I narcotic under the Controlled Substances Act at the Federal level, and the Cannabis policy of the Donald Trump administration remains unclear as of early 2017. [1]

States that were expected to propose legislation included Delaware, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia, Kentucky, New Mexico, Vermont, and Missouri. [2]

StateDetail
DelawareA legalization bill was introduced by state senator Margaret Rose Henry in March, 2017. [3]
KentuckyThe Cannabis Compassion Act (BR 409) for medical cannabis was filed in December, 2016. [4]
MichiganOn May 17, the Michigan Secretary of State approved for signature collection a voter initiative which will, if it becomes law, allow adult possession of 2.5 ounces of cannabis, and create a state regulatory system for production and sale in Michigan. [5] [6] The initiative's sponsor, Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, is the state level activity of the national Marijuana Policy Project. [7]
MissouriA legalization initiative was certified to begin gathering signatures by Missouri's Secretary of State in January. The previous year, an initiative failed the threshold to appear on the ballot by 23 signatures. [8]
New HampshireHB 640, a bill to decriminalize possession of a fraction of an ounce of cannabis was passed by voice vote on June 1 and sent to the governor for his signature to become law. [9] The governor, Chris Sununu, has expressed his intention to sign the bill. [10] [11]
New JerseyIn February, state senator Nicholas Scutari said he would introduce legislation to legalize cannabis in the state. [12]
Rhode IslandRhode Island state senator Joshua Miller and representative Scott Slater said they planned to introduce a legalization bill for the seventh straight year in 2017. [13]
TennesseeIn August, the state's Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and House Speaker Beth Harwell announced in a letter that they intended to form an ad-hoc committee to consider legalization of medical marijuana. [14] [15]
TexasOn April 3, 2017, a bill decriminalizing possession of under an ounce of cannabis cleared a committee for consideration by the state house. [16] Other legislation included SB 269, introduced by state senator Jose Menendez, which would go beyond then-current legal status of CBD oil, and completely legalize medical cannabis. [17] State senator José R. Rodríguez introduced a similar bill, Senate Joint Resolution 18, and SJR 17 to put non-medical legalization to a statewide ballot in November. [17]
VermontAn updated version of a failed 2016 Senate bill was passed on April 21. [18] On May 3, the state House passed its own version of legalization. The two bills needed to be reconciled. [19] [20] On May 10, the joint bill legalizing cannabis was approved by the state legislature, for the first time in U.S. history. [21] On May 24, Governor Phil Scott vetoed the bill. [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legal history of cannabis in the United States</span>

In the United States, increased restrictions and labeling of cannabis as a poison began in many states from 1906 onward, and outright prohibitions began in the 1920s. By the mid-1930s cannabis was regulated as a drug in every state, including 35 states that adopted the Uniform State Narcotic Drug Act. The first national regulation was the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legality of cannabis by U.S. jurisdiction</span> Cannabis laws by state and territory

In the United States, the use and possession of cannabis is illegal under federal law for any purpose by way of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA). Under the CSA, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I substance, determined to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use – thereby prohibiting even medical use of the drug. Despite this, most states have legalized either or both the medical and recreational use of cannabis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of cannabis laws in the United States</span> Historical list in chronological order of U.S. cannabis law

The legal history of cannabis in the United States began with state-level prohibition in the early 20th century, with the first major federal limitations occurring in 1937. Starting with Oregon in 1973, individual states began to liberalize cannabis laws through decriminalization. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis, sparking a trend that spread to a majority of states by 2016. In 2012, Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use.

Cannabis in Vermont

Cannabis in Vermont as of May 2004 is legal for medical use, and legal for recreational use as of July 1, 2018.

Cannabis in Wyoming Overview of the use and legality of cannabis in Wyoming

Cannabis is strictly illegal in Wyoming. The state has some of the strictest cannabis laws in the United States. Cannabis itself is not allowed for medical purposes, but a 2015 law allows limited use of non-psychoactive Cannabidiol. An effort is ongoing to place two initiatives on the 2022 ballot, one to legalize medical cannabis, and the other to decriminalize personal use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Virginia</span>

Cannabis in Virginia is legal for medical use and recreational use. The first medical marijuana dispensary opened in August 2020, and adult recreational use became legalized in July 2021.

Cannabis in Pennsylvania

Cannabis in Pennsylvania is illegal for recreational use, but possession of small amounts is decriminalized in several of the state's largest cities. Medical use was legalized in 2016 through a bill passed by the state legislature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Missouri</span>

Cannabis in Missouri is illegal for recreational use, but decriminalized through legislation passed in 2014. Medical use was legalized in 2018 through a ballot initiative to amend the state constitution. The first licensed sales began in October 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in New Mexico</span> Overview of the use and culture of cannabis in New Mexico, U.S.

Cannabis in New Mexico is legal for recreational use as of June 29, 2021. A bill to legalize recreational use – House Bill 2, the Cannabis Regulation Act – was signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 12, 2021. The first licensed sales of recreational cannabis began on April 1, 2022.

Cannabis in New Jersey Overview of the use and culture of cannabis in New Jersey, U.S.

Cannabis in New Jersey is legal for both medical use and recreational use. An amendment to the state constitution legalizing cannabis became effective on January 1, 2021, and enabling legislation and related bills were signed into law by governor Phil Murphy on February 22, 2021.

Cannabis in Delaware

Cannabis in Delaware is illegal for recreational use, though decriminalized for possession of small amounts. Medical use of cannabis is permitted for adult patients with certain serious illnesses.

Cannabis in Maryland Legality, use and culture of medical and recreational cannabis in Maryland

Cannabis in Maryland is legal for medical use and illegal for recreational use, but possession of 10 grams or less is decriminalized. In 2013, a state law was enacted to establish a state-regulated medical cannabis program. The program, known as the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) became operational on December 1, 2017.

Cannabis in Florida Overview of the use and culture of cannabis in Florida, U.S.

Cannabis in Florida is illegal for recreational use. Possession of up to 20 grams is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $1000, and the suspension of one's driver's license. Several cities and counties have enacted reforms to apply lesser penalties, however.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Ohio</span>

Cannabis in Ohio is legal for medical use and illegal for recreational use. Since 1975, possession of up to 100 grams has been decriminalized, with several of the state's major cities having enacted further reforms. Medical use was legalized in 2016 through a bill passed by the state legislature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis policy of the Donald Trump administration</span>

The Donald Trump administration took positions against marijuana and against the easing of laws regarding marijuana. Although Trump indicated during his 2016 presidential campaign that he favored leaving the issue of legalization of marijuana to the states, his administration subsequently upheld the federal prohibition of cannabis, and Trump's 2021 fiscal budget proposal included removing protections for state medical marijuana laws. In 2018, the administration rescinded the 2013 Cole Memorandum, an Obama-era Justice Department policy that generally directed federal prosecutors not to pursue marijuana prosecutions in states where marijuana is legal as a matter of state law.

References

  1. ↑ Kurtis Lee (March 7, 2017), "What is the future of recreational marijuana in Trump's America?", The Los Angeles Times, archived from the original on April 29, 2017, retrieved April 29, 2017
  2. ↑ Seerat CHABBA (December 31, 2016), "Marijuana Legalization 2017: Which States Will Consider Cannabis This Year?", International Business Times, archived from the original on January 30, 2017, retrieved April 29, 2017
  3. ↑ Rob Petree (March 23, 2017), Marijuana legalization bill announced by Delaware state Senator Margaret Rose-Henry, WDEL (AM), archived from the original on March 25, 2017, retrieved April 29, 2017
  4. ↑ Maryam Louise, Marijuana Legalization: Kentucky Senate Will Vote In 2017 For Medical Cannabis Law, Yahoo News, archived from the original on 2021-10-28, retrieved 2017-04-29
  5. ↑ David Eggert (May 19, 2017), Michigan OKs recreational marijuana ballot petition, opposition group emerges, Associated Press, archived from the original on May 19, 2017, retrieved May 21, 2017– via The Cannabist
  6. ↑ Jonathan Oosting (May 18, 2017), "Michigan pot legalization petitions hitting streets", Detroit News, archived from the original on May 21, 2017, retrieved May 21, 2017
  7. ↑ Jonathan Oosting (March 24, 2017), "National pot group plots Michigan legalization plan", Detroit News, archived from the original on May 16, 2017, retrieved May 22, 2017
  8. ↑ Marijuana legalization question could land on future Missouri ballot with the correct number of signatures, WDAF-TV Fox 4 TV News, January 10, 2017, archived from the original on May 4, 2017, retrieved April 29, 2017
  9. ↑ Updated: NH Senate votes to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, hashish, WMUR News, May 11, 2017, archived from the original on June 7, 2017, retrieved June 5, 2017
  10. ↑ "New Hampshire legislature decriminalizes marijuana possession, sends pro-pot bill to governor's desk", The Washington Times, June 1, 2017, archived from the original on June 5, 2017, retrieved June 5, 2017
  11. ↑ Governor Chris Sununu Statement on HB 640 (press release), Office of the Governor of New Hampshire, May 11, 2017, archived from the original on June 1, 2017, retrieved June 5, 2017, I look forward to signing House Bill 640 into law.
  12. ↑ Susan K. Livio (February 10, 2017), N.J. lawmakers will vote on legalizing marijuana despite Trump's new Attorney General, NJ.com, archived from the original on October 6, 2018, retrieved April 29, 2017
  13. ↑ Katy Steinmetz (January 11, 2017), "Rhode Island Lawmakers Want to Legalize Recreational Marijuana", Time , archived from the original on April 22, 2017, retrieved April 29, 2017
  14. ↑ Marijuana in TN to be researched, Murfreesboro, Tennessee: WGNS radio, August 29, 2017, archived from the original on August 29, 2017, retrieved August 30, 2017
  15. ↑ Joel Ebert (August 25, 2017), "House Speaker Beth Harwell, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally launch committee to study medical marijuana", The Tennessean , Nashville, archived from the original on October 28, 2021, retrieved August 30, 2017
  16. ↑ Texas marijuana decriminalization bill clears legislative hurdle, The Associated Press, April 3, 2017, archived from the original on April 4, 2017, retrieved April 29, 2017– via Denver Post 's The Cannabist
  17. 1 2 "85th Texas Legislature Preview: Can the GOP-run House and Senate get along well enough to get anything accomplished?", The Austin Chronicle, January 13, 2017, archived from the original on 2017-02-18, retrieved 2017-05-08
  18. ↑ Cory Dawson (April 22, 2017), State Senate approves legal-pot measure, but House unlikely, Associated Press
  19. ↑ Marijuana Legalization Bill Passes Vermont House, Associated Press, May 4, 2017 – via U.S. News & World Report
  20. ↑ Steven Nelson (May 3, 2017), "Vermont's House and Senate Have OK'd Pot Legalization. But It's No Done Deal: A tight time frame to reconcile bills and a skeptical governor pose potential hurdles.", U.S. News & World Report, archived from the original on 2021-01-29, retrieved 2017-05-08
  21. ↑ Peter Hirschfeld (May 10, 2017), Vermont House Approves Marijuana Legalization, Bill Now Goes To Gov. Scott, Vermont Public Radio, archived from the original on May 10, 2017, retrieved May 11, 2017
  22. ↑ Laurel Wamsley (May 24, 2017), "Vermont's Governor Vetoes Recreational Pot Bill", The Two-Way, NPR, archived from the original on January 3, 2018, retrieved April 5, 2018
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