Utah Lawmakers Prepare for the Possibility of Medical Marijuana
Although Utah has not legalized marijuana, state authorities are working on a plan in case that changes. “We are getting it set up, getting it ready. And all we have to do then is have a quick vote — and we’ll have the legal structure to accommodate prescription pot,” Sen. Jim Dabakis, (D-Salt Lake City) said. A bill has been introduced that sets the guidelines for how medical marijuana would operate. All marijuana would be required to be grown indoors. Each batch of grown marijuana would be tested and labeled so state authorities could track it. Medical marijuana would be available to those over 18 with a physician’s recommendation.
Georgia House Passes Expansion of Medical Marijuana
In 2015, Georgia legalized the medical use of low-THC marijuana. This week, lawmakers in Georgia’s house passed a major expansion to the list of qualifying conditions to receive a recommendation for marijuana. Tourette’s syndrome, autism, epidermolysis bullosa, Alzheimer’s disease, and HIV/AIDS are among the new qualifying conditions. The bill will now go before the Georgia senate.
Colorado Governor Hickenlooper Claims States’ Rights Would Protect Recreational Marijuana
Threats of a federal crackdown on marijuana have been coming from Attorney General Jeff Sessions lately. But Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper seemed confident that he could mount a states’ rights defense of marijuana.”It’s in our constitution,” Hickenlooper said on Sunday. “I took a solemn oath to support our constitution.” The governor himself was initially skeptical of legalized recreational marijuana in Colorado but indicated he was “getting close” to supporting it.
North Carolina May Legalize Marijuana Later This Year
State Representative Kelly Alexander has submitted a bill that would legalize medical marijuana. The law would require patients to have a “bona fide” relationship with their physician before being eligible to receive a recommendation. North Carolina lawmakers have taken notice of the medical marijuana’s surging support nationwide. “Medical marijuana is something that the public has changed its mind on, even in North Carolina,” Representative Rodney Moore, one of the bill’s supporters, said.
