Oregon Bill Would Prevent Employers From Banning Marijuana Use by Employees During Time Off
In 2014, Oregon voters approved Measure 91, which legalized the recreational use of cannabis. Since then, there has been little in the way of employee protection for those who consume it. A new bill may change that. Bill No. 301 would make it illegal for employers to require employees to refrain “from using any substance that is lawful to use in Oregon.”
Florida Authorities and Voters at Odds Over Medical Marijuana Rules
Politicians are normally reluctant to defy the will of voters. This may not be the case right now in Florida. Officials want to narrow the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in Florida – despite an overwhelming majority of voters approving Amendment 2 in November. The state has held recent meetings in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando to discuss the proposed limitations with state residents. Many residents have been upset by the idea that authorities are not willing to honor what was passed in Amendment 2. “Patients, doctors, caregivers and activists all had a unified message which is rare,” said Ben Pollara, who is the campaign manager for United for Care, the advocacy group that helped get Amendment 2 passed. “They want impediments removed and a free marketplace.”
Connecticut City Votes to Allow Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Business and Industrial Districts
The Cambridge City Council voted 6-3 to expand the approved zones where medical marijuana dispensaries can operate. Previously, dispensaries were only permitted in a few select areas. As many as six new shops are expected to open after the zoning expansion. The new rules require that dispensaries can be no closer than within 1,800 feet of each other, and they must be at least 500 feet away from areas where children gather regularly such as schools, playgrounds or arcades.
California Accepting Applications for Positions on New Advisory Committee
Officials in California are searching for residents who want to work on the state’s Cannabis Advisory Committee. The committee will work under the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation. The bureau is seeking a diverse set of candidates to help form the regulatory framework for California’s marijuana laws. “We’re hopeful that we can cast a wide net and get representation from all backgrounds — growers, law enforcement, labor representatives, health experts, you name it,” bureau communications director Alex Traverso said.
