senate Archives - TheJointBlog

Senate Amendment Introduced to Protect Medical Cannabis States

July 25, 2014July 24, 2014

Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, filed an amendment in the Senate today that would protect states that have or are implementing medical cannabis programs from federal intrusion. The amendment would also protect patients and physicians in medical cannabis states from federal prosecution.

The amendment, Amendment 3630, was added to a federal jobs bill currently being discussed on the Senate floor. It would allow states to enact and implement laws that “authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of marijuana for medical use”, without fear of prosecution.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Supports Medical Cannabis Legalization

February 10, 2014January 16, 2014

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has come out in favor of legalizing cannabis for medical reasons, saying that his stance on the issue has evolved throughout the years.

Senator Harry Reid of Nevada. — Senator Reid of Nevada.

“If you’d asked me this question a dozen years ago, it would have been easy to answer — I would have said no”, Senator Reid said in an interview with the Las Vegas Sun, which was published earlier today. “But I can’t say that anymore. I think we need to take a real close look at this. I think that there’s some medical reasons for marijuana.”

Medical Cannabis Legalization Measure Filed in Kansas Senate

August 29, 2013

A bill to legalize medical cannabis has been filed in the Kansas Senate, and has been referred to the Public Health and Welfare Committee.

Titled the Cannabis Compassion and Care Act, this new legislation would legalize the possession and use of cannabis by qualified patients who receive a recommendation from a physician, and would authorized state licensed and regulated “compassion centers” to distribute the medicine.

New Jersey Mayor and U.S. Senate Candidate Calls for Decriminalization of Cannabis

August 30, 2013August 28, 2013

Newark, New Jersey Mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Cory Booker announced today his plans to drastically reform our nation’s criminal justice system. Part of this plan, among many other suggested reforms, includes the full decriminalization of cannabis.

“One of the biggest wastes of taxpayer dollars in our society today can be found in a criminal justice system in serious need in reform,” Booker said in a statement released today. He continues; “The issue of mass incarceration implicates the safety of our communities, billions of taxpayer dollars, and the health and cohesion of our families. Our next steps will determine whether our criminal justice system remains a vehicle for rigid punishment and waste, or becomes a springboard for rehabilitation, opportunity, and hope.”

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to Hold Historic Hearing Over Federal Cannabis Laws

September 9, 2013August 26, 2013

Senator Patrick Leahy, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, announced today that his committee will be holding a hearing on September 10th to discuss the confusion between state and federal cannabis laws, including a discussion on ways to fix the problem; Leah would like to see a change of policy which allows states to decide their own cannabis laws, without fear of federal intrusion.