USA Roundup: Federal, California, Guam New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, Washington

FEDERAL

44 in Congress support effort to keep DOJ handcuffed in medical cannabis states

http://www.thecannabist.co/2017/04/10/doj-medical-cannabis-states-rohrabacher-amendment-letter-congress/76993/

A bipartisan collection of nearly four-dozen U.S. House members want the feds to maintain their fiscally imposed hands-off enforcement position toward states that have legalized medical marijuana. California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher has spearheaded spending bill amendments that prevent the Justice Department from meddling in medical marijuana states. In an open letter, the Republican has secured support from 43 other Congress members for a similar amendment in the fiscal year 2018 spending bill.

CALIFORNIA

Anti-Cannabis Group Violated CA Campaign Finance Laws, Commission Finds

https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/anti-cannabis-group-violated-ca-campaign-finance-laws-commission-finds

A leading anti-cannabis advocacy group has agreed to pay thousands of dollars in fines for violating California campaign finance laws as organizers unsuccessfully fought Proposition 64, a November ballot measure that legalized adult-use cannabis in the state.

The committee allegedly failed to identify special interests that contributed more than $50,000.

SAM Action Inc., the political arm of anti-legalization organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana, has reportedly signed off on $6,000 in fines recommended by the enforcement staff of California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). A campaign committee sponsored and funded by the group faces another $3,500 in fines for failing to disclose major donors.

GUAM

Cannabis Control Act receives second hearing

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/cannabis-control-act-receives-second-hearing/article_a78837f8-1dcb-11e7-b5bd-ab8cf8c27c93.html

The Cannabis Control Act will be receiving testimony today for the second time since Gov. Eddie Calvo introduced it in January. The first hearing took place in February, and a second hearing was originally anticipated in March but Speaker Benjamin Cruz opted to postpone the hearing amid stirrings at the federal level on the enforcement of marijuana laws.

The plant remains a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level, while various states have decriminalized its use.

“While I support this measure in principle, I am concerned that the passage of the bill, at this time, may cause a wholly permissible activity under Guam law to be the basis for criminal prosecution under federal law,” Cruz stated in a March letter to the governor.

NEW MEXICO

New Mexico may expand medical marijuana qualifying condition list

OHIO

Ohio to accept medical cannabis grower applications in June

RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island wants to “beat Massachusetts to the punch” on marijuana sales

http://www.thecannabist.co/2017/04/10/rhode-island-marijuana-legalization/76941/

In Rhode Island, lawmakers have debated marijuana legalization for years but haven’t voted on it

WASHINGTON

Washington state’s cannabis tracking contract up for bid

 

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