POLITICS
Former Congressman Ron Paul Calls Attorney General Jeff Sessions “Un-American”
MAINE
Title:Groups on opposite sides of cannabis issue craft plan to save legalization bill After being at odds for years, the groups offer a proposal that would favor medical marijuana providers, prohibit social clubs for 3 years and tax pot at 17.5 percent.
Author: Press Herald
Date: 10 January 2018
URL: https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/09/lawmakers-propose-extending-retail-pot-ban-until-may/
Extract:
AUGUSTA — After slugging it out for years, advocates on both sides of the cannabis issue have come together to craft a rescue plan for Maine’s adult-use legalization bill.
The group that wrote the successful marijuana referendum question, Legalize Maine, has joined with Maine’s top anti-legalization groups, the Christian Civic League and the state arm of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, to draft a proposal that would, among other things, give medical marijuana providers a first crack at adult-use cultivation and sales under a rolling licensing system, followed by Maine residents, in a market that would launch in July.
The proposal was introduced by Sen. Tom Saviello, R-Wilton, who voted against a legalization bill passed by the legislature last year that died by gubernatorial veto in November. He unveiled the unlikely coalition, and the wide-ranging amendment, at a legislative hearing on the latest version of the legalization bill on Tuesday, saying the compromises hammered out by these one-time rivals could secure the votes needed to pass the bill this session.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Title: New Hampshire Lawmakers Approve Marijuana Legalization
Author: Forbes
Date: 10 January 2018
Extract:
The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to legalize marijuana on Tuesday, just five days after the Trump administration moved to rescind federal guidelines protecting state cannabis laws.
Under the bill, which is expected to soon move to the state Senate, people over 21 years of age would be allowed to legally possess three-quarters of an ounce of marijuana and grow up to three mature cannabis plants at home. Retail sales locations would not be allowed.
The noncommercial approach is similar to a bill advancing in neighboring Vermont. There, the House passed a legalization measure on Thursday — the same day U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions tore up Obama-era marijuana guidance. That state’s Senate, which previously OKed similar legislation, is expected to give its final approval on Wednesday, and Gov. Phil Scott (R) has pledged to sign legalization into law.
NEW JERSEY
Title:NJ marijuana legalization: Asbury Park City Council open to weed dispensaries
Author: APP
Date: 10 January 2018
Extract: ASBURY PARK — As two Shore towns moved to ban marijuana dispensaries ahead of the possible statewide legalization of recreational use, the city council said it would welcome them.
A majority of the city council, including Mayor John Moor, said it would be in favor of allowing licensed businesses in the city to sell weed if the state passes a legalization bill. What that bill could involve is explained in the video at the top of this story.
“I have no problem with medical or recreational marijuana, as long as it’s legally dispensed and taxed,” Moor said. Councilman Jesse Kendle, Councilwoman Eileen Chapman and Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn indicated they agreed with Moor.
