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Washington State HB 1888 was passed through committee today with a unanimous 8-0 vote. The bipartisan measure, sponsored by 5 Republicans and a Democrat, would add legal safeguards to ensure hemp’s legality in Washington, including raising the 0.3% THC standard set by Initiative 502 to 1% THC, which is more closely aligned with what the North American Industrial Hemp Council recommends.

In addition, the measure creates specific regulations on how hemp production would be licensed and overseen in the state, and it authorizes Washington State University to undertake research on industrial hemp once they’ve received a license.

Read moreHemp Bill Passes Through WA Committee Unanimously

Maryland lawmakers will soon be discussing legislation introduced today by State Delegate Curt Anderson. The measure would legalize the possession and home-growing of a limited amount of cannabis, and would direct the state to license and regulate the substance for legal retail sales.

The measure would allow for the purchase and possession of up to an ounce of dried cannabis, up to 5 grams of concentrated products like hash and oil, and identical to Washington State’s Initiative 502, 16 ounces of cannabis-infused products like medicated brownies, and 72 ounces of cannabis-infused liquids like lotions or medicated sodas.

In addition, adults in the state would be able to grow up to 3 plants legally. It would also allow for the legal transfer of up to an ounce of cannabis, and 3 small plants.

Read moreMaryland Lawmaker Introduces Measure to Legalize Marijuana

Ignoring science and any valid reasoning, proponents of per se DUID (driving under the influence of drugs) laws for marijuana – a primary goal of our Drug Czar – have taken their fight to California, on the crooked wings of State Senator Lou Correa. Senator Correa is a Democrat from Santa Ana, and this week he filed Senate Bill 289, which would establish a complete zero tolerance driving policy for those with THC in their system, even if they’re a qualified medical marijuana patient.

If passed, this measure would instantly codify into law that it’s illegal for someone to drive with absolutely any amount of THC in their system. Not only is this unjust and ridiculous, it’s laughably unscientific. Science shows us that cannabis consumers can fail a zero tolerance THC test days or even weeks after last consumption, meaning that a joint someone smoked last week could land them with a life-altering DUID. Under the new law, as it’s per se, someone’s actual impairment wouldn’t be the factor for arrest, it would be an individual’s blood limit.

Read moreZero Tolerance THC Driving Policy Introduced in California

As expected, Washington State’s House Committee on Public Safety voted this morning to approve House Bill 1661, moving it towards a full House vote. The bill would allow those convicted of a cannabis possession misdemeanor – up to 40 grams for those 18 and older – to have it removed from their record. The committee voted 6-5 in favor of the bill.

The primary sponsor of the measure, Rep. Fitzgibbon, says the chances are “really good” that it will pass the House. Newly elected Governor Jay Inslee hasn’t stated his position on the bill, but it would be unlikely for him to veto such legislation. Its fate in the Republican-controlled Senate is less than certain, but its passage isn’t an impossibility, especially considering that the measure has several Republican sponsors.

As always, we’ll keep you up-to-date on future news regarding this legislation, and other cannabis related news stories.

– TheJointBlog

This afternoon lawmakers from Washington State’s House Committee on Public Safety held a public hearing to discuss a handful of measures, including House Bill 1661, which would allow the hundreds of thousands of people who have been convicted of a cannabis possession misdemeanor in Washington State to have it removed from their record.

The bill is sponsored by a bipartisan group of 21 legislators, and a majority of speakers at the hearing were in support of the measure.

An executive session has been scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10AM, where a vote will likely be held on the bill. According to a lawmaker who wished to remain anonymous, it’s expected to pass out of committee, moving it on its way towards a full House vote.

This would be a major step towards this measure becoming law. We applaud the members of the committee who have shown support for this bill, and for those who decide to vote on the side of justice

Read moreWA Legislation To Clear Cannabis Misdemeanors Expected To Pass Out Of Committee

This month Oregon State University will begin registration for a new course offered this coming spring: WSE 266 – the study of hemp.

The 3-credit course will examine the historical and political contexts of hemp, as well as growing, and industrial applications.

“It’s an up and coming crop in the United States and we are going to need professionals coming out of academia who are experts in multiple areas,”said Anndrea Hermann, the instructor coordinating the class. Intended to appeal to a wide variety of applicants, ranging from those in food science studies all the way to students of fashion industry, there is no doubt seats will fill up fast.

Read moreOregon College Offers New Course On Hemp

Tomorrow at noon, legalization advocates and state lawmakers will hold a press conference in Maine to introduce legislation that would legalize cannabis in the state.

The measure, being referred to as “An Act to Tax and Regulate Marijuana”, would legalize cannabis for adults in a similar fashion to alcohol, and is planned to be based roughly on legalization initiatives that recently passed in Washington and Colorado.

Read moreLegalization Bill To Be Filed In Maine