robert capecchi Archives

U.S. House Approves Measure Allowing Veterans Affair Doctors to Recommend Medical Cannabis

May 19, 2016

The United States House of Representatives today gave approval to an amendment to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill that is intended to ease access to medical cannabis for veterans suffering from a variety of medical conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a similar amendment to its version of the bill last month.

The amendment, introduced by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Joe Heck (R-NV), would prohibit the spending of funds on enforcement of a Veterans Health Administration directive that prohibits VA physicians from recommending medical cannabis to their patients, even in states that have made it legal.

Minnesota Adds Intractable Pain As Qualifying Medical Cannabis Condition

December 3, 2015December 3, 2015

Intractable pain has been added to Minnesota’s list of conditions that qualify an individual to become a valid medical cannabis patient, according to an announcement made by Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger. The new change officially goes into effect on July 1st.

“The relative scarcity of firm evidence made this a difficult decision,” said Ehlinger, who despite approving the change clearly doesn’t understand that numerous scientific studies have found cannabis to be beneficial for pain treatnment. “However, given the strong medical focus of Minnesota’s medical cannabis program and the compelling testimony of hundreds of Minnesotans, it became clear that the right and compassionate choice was to add intractable pain to the program’s list of qualifying conditions. This gives new options for clinicians and new hope for suffering patients.”

Delaware Governor Signs Cannabis Decriminalization Bill Into Law

June 18, 2015June 18, 2015

Delaware Governor Jack Markell has signed House Bill 39 into law, the same day it was approved by the state’s Senate. The measure decriminalizes the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis, removing the possibility of criminal penalties or jail time.

Delaware now becomes the 20th state to remove criminal penalties for the personal possession of cannabis, including four – Colorado, Washington Oregon and Alaska – that have legalized cannabis distribution. The legislation is set to take effect six months from today.

Medical Cannabis and Decriminalization Bills Filed in South Carolina

January 22, 2015

By Robert Capecchi, Marijuana Policy Project

CHARLESTON, SC — A bipartisan group of South Carolina state representatives led by House Minority Leader J. Todd Rutherford has introduced compassionate legislation that would establish a workable medical marijuana program in South Carolina.

Under House Bill 3140, the “Put Patients First Act”, seriously ill patients would be able to possess and cultivate a limited amount of marijuana. It also creates a system of registered medical marijuana providers to ensure patients have safe and reliable access.