NUGGETRY News » Legislation

NUGGETRY News » Legislation http://news.nuggetry.com Fri, 24 May 2013 15:09:35 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Lawmakers Aim to Create Marijuana Policy Council http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/lawmakers-aim-to-create-marijuana-policy-council/ http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/lawmakers-aim-to-create-marijuana-policy-council/#comments Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:01:39 +0000 lucy http://news.nuggetry.com/?p=4367

The bill is cosponsored by Democratic Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Sam Farr, Jim Moran, and Jared Polis, and Steve Cohen. In a statement, Cohen explained, "Regardless of your views on marijuana, it's important that we understand the impact of current federal policy and address the conflict with those state laws that allow for medicinal or personal use of marijuana." He continued, "This conflict is only going to continue to grow over the next few years, and we must provide certainty to the millions of individuals and businesses that remain caught in a web of incompatible laws. A national commission would provide us with the information we need to create sensible policy moving forward."]]> http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/lawmakers-aim-to-create-marijuana-policy-council/feed/ 2 Proposed Bills Would Overhaul Marijuana Policies Across US http://news.nuggetry.com/marijuana-national/proposed-bills-would-overhaul-marijuana-policies-across-us/ http://news.nuggetry.com/marijuana-national/proposed-bills-would-overhaul-marijuana-policies-across-us/#comments Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:41:49 +0000 lucy http://news.nuggetry.com/?p=3765 Blumenauer's bill would create a federal marijuana excise tax of 50% on the "first sale" of marijuana-- which would likely be from a grower to a retailer. It would also tax marijuana producers $1,000 annually and other marijuana businesses $500 annually. While his office did not have an estimate in terms of how much money these taxes would bring in, a policy paper estimates that a federal tax of $50 per ounce could raise $20 billion per year. Polis' bill would regulate marijuana the same way the federal government regulates alcohol. States that legalize marijuana would have to obtain a federal permit. After obtaining the permit, the DEA would no longer oversee the state's marijuana-related issues. Instead, the newly named Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, and Firearms would oversee the states' programs. Additionally, it would remain illegal to bring marijuana from a legal state to a state that has not yet legalized the drug. Blumenauer and Polis are making additional suggestions in a paper they will release this week, including changing tax codes to allow marijuana dispensaries to deduct business expenses on federal taxes and altering regulations to make it easier for medical marijuana dispensaries to get bank accounts. Blumenauer also intends to introduce another bill that would reschedule marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act, allowing states to legalize marijuana without fear of federal repercussions. Former White House Drug Policy Adviser Kevin Sabet believes these bills stand little chance of passing. "These are really extreme solutions to the marijuana program we have in this country," he said. "The marijuana problem we have is a problem of addiction among kids and a stigma of people who have a criminal record for marijuana crimes. There are a lot more people in Congress who think that marijuana should be illegal but treated as a public health problem than think it should be legal." Blumenauer and Polis follow in the footsteps of Representative Barney Frank and Representative Ron Paul, who submitted similar legislature in the past. [Source]]]> Blumenauer's bill would create a federal marijuana excise tax of 50% on the "first sale" of marijuana-- which would likely be from a grower to a retailer. It would also tax marijuana producers $1,000 annually and other marijuana businesses $500 annually. While his office did not have an estimate in terms of how much money these taxes would bring in, a policy paper estimates that a federal tax of $50 per ounce could raise $20 billion per year. Polis' bill would regulate marijuana the same way the federal government regulates alcohol. States that legalize marijuana would have to obtain a federal permit. After obtaining the permit, the DEA would no longer oversee the state's marijuana-related issues. Instead, the newly named Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, and Firearms would oversee the states' programs. Additionally, it would remain illegal to bring marijuana from a legal state to a state that has not yet legalized the drug. Blumenauer and Polis are making additional suggestions in a paper they will release this week, including changing tax codes to allow marijuana dispensaries to deduct business expenses on federal taxes and altering regulations to make it easier for medical marijuana dispensaries to get bank accounts. Blumenauer also intends to introduce another bill that would reschedule marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act, allowing states to legalize marijuana without fear of federal repercussions. Former White House Drug Policy Adviser Kevin Sabet believes these bills stand little chance of passing. "These are really extreme solutions to the marijuana program we have in this country," he said. "The marijuana problem we have is a problem of addiction among kids and a stigma of people who have a criminal record for marijuana crimes. There are a lot more people in Congress who think that marijuana should be illegal but treated as a public health problem than think it should be legal." Blumenauer and Polis follow in the footsteps of Representative Barney Frank and Representative Ron Paul, who submitted similar legislature in the past. [Source]]]> http://news.nuggetry.com/marijuana-national/proposed-bills-would-overhaul-marijuana-policies-across-us/feed/ 11 Michigan House Passes Bills to Change MMJ Laws http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/michigan-house-passes-bills-to-change-mmj-laws/ http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/michigan-house-passes-bills-to-change-mmj-laws/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 18:27:33 +0000 lucy http://news.nuggetry.com/?p=1854 The House passed four bills which will now go to the Senate for review. The legislation will create a new panel of fifteen physicians and other members who will review petitions to approve additional qualifying conditions to add to the state's list. In addition, the legislation will require patients to have their pictures put on their medical marijuana cards so that their identities can be verified. The legislation also aims to define the type of relationship needed between a patient and a doctor for the doctor to be able to recommend medical marijuana. An additional amendment allows criminal defendants to say that they are a medical marijuana user in court, which could potentially help their legal cases. While the legislation is meant to help medical marijuana patients, many marijuana advocates actually oppose the legislation, or are at least concerned about the limitations that it could have on patients. Due to the fact that the voter-approved medical marijuana law is part of the state constitution, the House needed to approve 2 of the bills that specifically amended the law by a 3/4 majority of its members. [Source] ]]> The House passed four bills which will now go to the Senate for review. The legislation will create a new panel of fifteen physicians and other members who will review petitions to approve additional qualifying conditions to add to the state's list. In addition, the legislation will require patients to have their pictures put on their medical marijuana cards so that their identities can be verified. The legislation also aims to define the type of relationship needed between a patient and a doctor for the doctor to be able to recommend medical marijuana. An additional amendment allows criminal defendants to say that they are a medical marijuana user in court, which could potentially help their legal cases. While the legislation is meant to help medical marijuana patients, many marijuana advocates actually oppose the legislation, or are at least concerned about the limitations that it could have on patients. Due to the fact that the voter-approved medical marijuana law is part of the state constitution, the House needed to approve 2 of the bills that specifically amended the law by a 3/4 majority of its members. [Source] ]]> http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/michigan-house-passes-bills-to-change-mmj-laws/feed/ 0 Arizona Senate Approves Ban on Medical Marijuana on College Campuses http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/arizona-senate-approves-ban-on-medical-marijuana-on-college-campuses/ http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/arizona-senate-approves-ban-on-medical-marijuana-on-college-campuses/#comments Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:19:16 +0000 lucy http://news.nuggetry.com/?p=1510 Arizona's medical marijuana bill outlawed using medical marijuana in public areas and public schools, but it did not address the use or possession of medical marijuana on college and university campuses. Some of the legislators who voted for the ban did so because marijuana is illegal federally. Should schools in Arizona allow medical marijuana on their campuses, some lawmakers believe that schools could lose their eligibility for federal grants, loans, and financial aid for students. Others had fears that allowing medical marijuana on campuses would encourage smoking in public buildings. Democrat Senator Linda Lopez, however, disagreed with the ban. She worries that a ban will lead to discrimination against medical marijuana patients. She also believes that this decision is changing the voter-approved medical marijuana initiative in a way that doesn't further the intent of the initiative. Should this point be found to be true, it would be against Arizona's state constitution, which prohibits legislators from making changes to voter-approved initiatives. Spokesman for the Arizona Medical Marijuana Association Joe Yuhas explained, "Patients rights aren't limited to their homes, their workplaces, or, for that matter even schools." He continued to explain that he is confident that the legislation would be challenged. Governor Jan Brewer has final say on the measure, and the threat of litigation could be enough to cause her to veto it. Brewer has spoken out about her disapproval of medical marijuana in the past, but recently has made efforts to help Arizona's program get on its feet. Source]]> Arizona's medical marijuana bill outlawed using medical marijuana in public areas and public schools, but it did not address the use or possession of medical marijuana on college and university campuses. Some of the legislators who voted for the ban did so because marijuana is illegal federally. Should schools in Arizona allow medical marijuana on their campuses, some lawmakers believe that schools could lose their eligibility for federal grants, loans, and financial aid for students. Others had fears that allowing medical marijuana on campuses would encourage smoking in public buildings. Democrat Senator Linda Lopez, however, disagreed with the ban. She worries that a ban will lead to discrimination against medical marijuana patients. She also believes that this decision is changing the voter-approved medical marijuana initiative in a way that doesn't further the intent of the initiative. Should this point be found to be true, it would be against Arizona's state constitution, which prohibits legislators from making changes to voter-approved initiatives. Spokesman for the Arizona Medical Marijuana Association Joe Yuhas explained, "Patients rights aren't limited to their homes, their workplaces, or, for that matter even schools." He continued to explain that he is confident that the legislation would be challenged. Governor Jan Brewer has final say on the measure, and the threat of litigation could be enough to cause her to veto it. Brewer has spoken out about her disapproval of medical marijuana in the past, but recently has made efforts to help Arizona's program get on its feet. Source]]> http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/arizona-senate-approves-ban-on-medical-marijuana-on-college-campuses/feed/ 1 Lawmakers in Rhode Island Considering Marijuana Legalization http://news.nuggetry.com/marijuana-legalization/lawmakers-in-rhode-island-considering-marijuana-legalization/ http://news.nuggetry.com/marijuana-legalization/lawmakers-in-rhode-island-considering-marijuana-legalization/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:14:59 +0000 lucy http://news.nuggetry.com/?p=1422

Today, Rhode Island lawmakers will review newly proposed legislation that would legalize marijuana in the state, regulating and taxing it similarly to alcohol. Under the proposed bill, marijuana possession and use would be legal for individuals over the age of 21. There would be specific retailers allowed to sell marijuana, and they would be required to pay $5,000 per year for a business license as well as excise taxes of approximately $50 per ounce of marijuana. Individuals over the age of 21 would also be allowed to grow marijuana in their homes. They would be allowed to grow up to 3 plants, and would be required to pay a $100 fee per plant. There is another bill up for review that would decriminalize marijuana in the state. The House Judiciary Committee will review both proposed bills. Source]]> http://news.nuggetry.com/marijuana-legalization/lawmakers-in-rhode-island-considering-marijuana-legalization/feed/ 1 Medical Marijuana Bill Goes to House for Consideration in Hawaii http://news.nuggetry.com/marijuana-national/medical-marijuana-bill-goes-to-house-for-consideration-in-hawaii/ http://news.nuggetry.com/marijuana-national/medical-marijuana-bill-goes-to-house-for-consideration-in-hawaii/#comments Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:50:32 +0000 lucy http://news.nuggetry.com/?p=1332 Medical marijuana was legalized in Hawaii in 2000. While the law currently allows patients with illnesses such as AIDS/HIV, Glaucoma, and Cancer to access medical marijuana, chronic pain is not considered a qualifying condition. However, a new bill has gone to the House for consideration in Hawaii which would make chronic pain a qualifying condition under the state's medical marijuana law. The bill was passed by the state Senate, while another bill that would have eliminated chronic pain as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana has been deemed dead for this year's legislative session. Senate Bill 2262 would make medical marijuana a part of the "pain patients bill of rights" should it be passed into law. Co-sponsor of the bill, Senator Will Espero, was optimistic that the bill would pass in the House. He explained, "It's not a controversial bill and I do believe it's a bill that members of the House can support. From what I know of the members of the House, I think it has a very good chance of passage." Source]]> Medical marijuana was legalized in Hawaii in 2000. While the law currently allows patients with illnesses such as AIDS/HIV, Glaucoma, and Cancer to access medical marijuana, chronic pain is not considered a qualifying condition. However, a new bill has gone to the House for consideration in Hawaii which would make chronic pain a qualifying condition under the state's medical marijuana law. The bill was passed by the state Senate, while another bill that would have eliminated chronic pain as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana has been deemed dead for this year's legislative session. Senate Bill 2262 would make medical marijuana a part of the "pain patients bill of rights" should it be passed into law. Co-sponsor of the bill, Senator Will Espero, was optimistic that the bill would pass in the House. He explained, "It's not a controversial bill and I do believe it's a bill that members of the House can support. From what I know of the members of the House, I think it has a very good chance of passage." Source]]> http://news.nuggetry.com/marijuana-national/medical-marijuana-bill-goes-to-house-for-consideration-in-hawaii/feed/ 0 New Hampshire Holds Medical Marijuana Press Conference http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/new-hampshire-holds-medical-marijuana-press-conference/ http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/new-hampshire-holds-medical-marijuana-press-conference/#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:30:23 +0000 lucy http://news.nuggetry.com/?p=1295 This morning, two New Hampshire lawmakers discussed a medical marijuana legalization bill they are sponsoring, SB 409. Senator Jim Forsythe and Representative Evalyn Merrick met today at 8:45 a.m. EST in the lobby of the New Hampshire State Legislative Office Building in Concord, NH with medical marijuana supporters to hold a press conference. Last year, a similar bill was approved in the New Hampshire House by a vote of 221-96, but it stalled in the Senate. This year, however, supporters are hoping to see a different outcome. Should SB 409 pass, patients with certain serious medical conditions would be able to use and possess up to 6 ounces of marijuana after receiving a doctor's recommendation. Of the bill, Matt Simon, legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project, said, "Patients and their supporters have been working very hard to convince the legislature to show compassion and let seriously ill patients use the medicine they and their doctors determine is best for them."]]> This morning, two New Hampshire lawmakers discussed a medical marijuana legalization bill they are sponsoring, SB 409. Senator Jim Forsythe and Representative Evalyn Merrick met today at 8:45 a.m. EST in the lobby of the New Hampshire State Legislative Office Building in Concord, NH with medical marijuana supporters to hold a press conference. Last year, a similar bill was approved in the New Hampshire House by a vote of 221-96, but it stalled in the Senate. This year, however, supporters are hoping to see a different outcome. Should SB 409 pass, patients with certain serious medical conditions would be able to use and possess up to 6 ounces of marijuana after receiving a doctor's recommendation. Of the bill, Matt Simon, legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project, said, "Patients and their supporters have been working very hard to convince the legislature to show compassion and let seriously ill patients use the medicine they and their doctors determine is best for them."]]> http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/new-hampshire-holds-medical-marijuana-press-conference/feed/ 1 Colorado Proposes Responsible Vendors Bill for Collectives http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/colorado-proposes-responsible-vendors-bill-for-collectives/ http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/colorado-proposes-responsible-vendors-bill-for-collectives/#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:52:05 +0000 lucy http://news.nuggetry.com/?p=1291 Senate Bill 154, the Responsible Vendors Bill, has been proposed in Colorado. The bill would direct the state to authorize a server and seller training program with emphasis upon acceptable forms of ID, appropriate record keeping, licenses, criminal liability, and patient confidentiality issues. If collectives were to participate in the program, they would win the favor of the state. Collectives that commit a regulatory violation would be able to avoid sanctions by participating in the program. Colorado Senator Lois Tochtrop is the sponsor of the measure. She said, "There's so much negativity around the medical marijuana industry, and I think this will help. It puts guidelines on servers that thy can work with -- gets people educated, brings more clarity." The program would not be funded by the state. Instead, collective owners who are participating in the program would pay for it. The legislation is meant to be considered by the legislation on Wednesday. Yesterday, Tochtrop met with Democratic colleagues, and today she plans to meet with Republican members of the business, labor and technology committee that she sits on. Tochtrop says that she has faced little open opposition thus far, and she is hopeful that the bill will pass. Source]]> Senate Bill 154, the Responsible Vendors Bill, has been proposed in Colorado. The bill would direct the state to authorize a server and seller training program with emphasis upon acceptable forms of ID, appropriate record keeping, licenses, criminal liability, and patient confidentiality issues. If collectives were to participate in the program, they would win the favor of the state. Collectives that commit a regulatory violation would be able to avoid sanctions by participating in the program. Colorado Senator Lois Tochtrop is the sponsor of the measure. She said, "There's so much negativity around the medical marijuana industry, and I think this will help. It puts guidelines on servers that thy can work with -- gets people educated, brings more clarity." The program would not be funded by the state. Instead, collective owners who are participating in the program would pay for it. The legislation is meant to be considered by the legislation on Wednesday. Yesterday, Tochtrop met with Democratic colleagues, and today she plans to meet with Republican members of the business, labor and technology committee that she sits on. Tochtrop says that she has faced little open opposition thus far, and she is hopeful that the bill will pass. Source]]> http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/colorado-proposes-responsible-vendors-bill-for-collectives/feed/ 0 Connecticut Revisits Medical Marijuana Bill http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/connecticut-revisits-medical-marijuana-bill/ http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/connecticut-revisits-medical-marijuana-bill/#comments Sat, 03 Mar 2012 17:46:09 +0000 lucy http://news.nuggetry.com/?p=1268 Connecticut lawmakers are revisiting the idea of medical marijuana legalization. A public hearing has been scheduled for next Wednesday to review the latest version of of the proposal. Under the proposed bill, a person could qualify to use marijuana for medical purposes if they've been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition. Qualified users would be required to register with the state Department of Consumer Protection. The bill says that regulations as to the number of dispensaries and how they will be run must be determined by the consumer protection commissioner. Under the proposed bill, those regulations would limit dispensary licenses to only licensed pharmacists. A similar medical marijuana bill failed last year during the legislative session in Connecticut. Source]]> Connecticut lawmakers are revisiting the idea of medical marijuana legalization. A public hearing has been scheduled for next Wednesday to review the latest version of of the proposal. Under the proposed bill, a person could qualify to use marijuana for medical purposes if they've been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition. Qualified users would be required to register with the state Department of Consumer Protection. The bill says that regulations as to the number of dispensaries and how they will be run must be determined by the consumer protection commissioner. Under the proposed bill, those regulations would limit dispensary licenses to only licensed pharmacists. A similar medical marijuana bill failed last year during the legislative session in Connecticut. Source]]> http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/connecticut-revisits-medical-marijuana-bill/feed/ 0 San Francisco Collective Licensing Resumes Again http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/san-francisco-collective-licensing-resumes-again/ http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/san-francisco-collective-licensing-resumes-again/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:48:16 +0000 lucy http://news.nuggetry.com/?p=945 Last week, NUGGETRY News reported that San Fransisco had resumed their medical marijuana collective licensing process, then just as quickly suspended it again. As of yesterday, medical marijuana dispensary licensing has resumed in San Francisco. Last week, the Department of Public Health officials had announced that the program would be "suspended indefinitely," and as of yesterday, that suspension was revoked. Some changes were made to San Francisco's licensing and inspection program since it initially was suspended, including a ban on cannabis-infused edibles produced by companies outside of the city, and a requirement that all collective owners sign a statement swearing that all medical marijuana sold in their shop is grown in California and comes from a grower who is a member of the non-profit collective. San Francisco was the first city in California to license dispensaries when the Medical Cannabis Act was passed by the Board of Supervisors in 2005. Currently, San Francisco has 21 medical marijuana collectives. Source ]]> Last week, NUGGETRY News reported that San Fransisco had resumed their medical marijuana collective licensing process, then just as quickly suspended it again. As of yesterday, medical marijuana dispensary licensing has resumed in San Francisco. Last week, the Department of Public Health officials had announced that the program would be "suspended indefinitely," and as of yesterday, that suspension was revoked. Some changes were made to San Francisco's licensing and inspection program since it initially was suspended, including a ban on cannabis-infused edibles produced by companies outside of the city, and a requirement that all collective owners sign a statement swearing that all medical marijuana sold in their shop is grown in California and comes from a grower who is a member of the non-profit collective. San Francisco was the first city in California to license dispensaries when the Medical Cannabis Act was passed by the Board of Supervisors in 2005. Currently, San Francisco has 21 medical marijuana collectives. Source ]]> http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/san-francisco-collective-licensing-resumes-again/feed/ 2 San Francisco Re-Suspends Permitting Process http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/san-francisco-re-suspends-permitting-process/ http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/san-francisco-re-suspends-permitting-process/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:38 +0000 lucy http://news.nuggetry.com/?p=911 Yesterday, NUGGETRY News reported that San Francisco planned to restart their permitting process. However, today San Francisco city officials determined that they would indefinitely be suspending the city's marijuana dispensary licensing program. This was announced today by the Department of Public Health. Earlier this week, the city had decided to resume the processing of back-issued permits after the Pack v. Long Beach case was taken over by the Supreme Court. A spokesperson for the San Francisco City Attorney announced that they would begin issuing permits until a decision was handed down by the Supreme Court. That decision was reversed, and all permits ar eon hold until the city can "receive assurance that it is in compliance with federal and state law." ]]> Yesterday, NUGGETRY News reported that San Francisco planned to restart their permitting process. However, today San Francisco city officials determined that they would indefinitely be suspending the city's marijuana dispensary licensing program. This was announced today by the Department of Public Health. Earlier this week, the city had decided to resume the processing of back-issued permits after the Pack v. Long Beach case was taken over by the Supreme Court. A spokesperson for the San Francisco City Attorney announced that they would begin issuing permits until a decision was handed down by the Supreme Court. That decision was reversed, and all permits ar eon hold until the city can "receive assurance that it is in compliance with federal and state law." ]]> http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/san-francisco-re-suspends-permitting-process/feed/ 0 Arizona Collectives Could Be in Place by Summer 2012 http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/arizona-collectives-could-be-in-place-by-summer-2012/ http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/arizona-collectives-could-be-in-place-by-summer-2012/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:40:04 +0000 lucy http://news.nuggetry.com/?p=897 Yesterday, Arizona Health Services Director Will Humble announced that the state will not appeal a court ruling on medical marijuana. This removes the last legal obstacle to the full implementation of the state's medical marijuana law, which was approved by Arizona voters in 2010. Humble also announced that the state will revise its dispensary rules. They will delete provision that were struck down by a court ruling which stated that Arizona must move forward with allowing the opening of collectives in the state. "Its time to implement," Humble explained when discussing dispensaries, "There's really nothing holding it up now." Humble said his agency believes it can have rules completed in time to start accepting dispensary applications in April and start awarding licenses by mid-June. That means dispensaries could open in the summer "if someone was really ready to execute," he said. It is expected that licenses will be rewarded to potential collective owners through a lottery system. Potential operators with over $150k in start up capital could receive additional advantages throughout the licensing process.

Source

]]> Yesterday, Arizona Health Services Director Will Humble announced that the state will not appeal a court ruling on medical marijuana. This removes the last legal obstacle to the full implementation of the state's medical marijuana law, which was approved by Arizona voters in 2010. Humble also announced that the state will revise its dispensary rules. They will delete provision that were struck down by a court ruling which stated that Arizona must move forward with allowing the opening of collectives in the state. "Its time to implement," Humble explained when discussing dispensaries, "There's really nothing holding it up now." Humble said his agency believes it can have rules completed in time to start accepting dispensary applications in April and start awarding licenses by mid-June. That means dispensaries could open in the summer "if someone was really ready to execute," he said. It is expected that licenses will be rewarded to potential collective owners through a lottery system. Potential operators with over $150k in start up capital could receive additional advantages throughout the licensing process.

Source

]]> http://news.nuggetry.com/medical-marijuana/arizona-collectives-could-be-in-place-by-summer-2012/feed/ 2 Iowa Senator Drafts MMJ Bill http://news.nuggetry.com/marijuana-national/iowa-senator-drafts-mmj-bill/ http://news.nuggetry.com/marijuana-national/iowa-senator-drafts-mmj-bill/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:17:16 +0000 lucy http://news.nuggetry.com/?p=888 Iowa Senator Gene Fraise has drafted a bill on legalizing marijuana. The 79-yeal-old has been in the state Senate for over 25 years is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Fraise admitted that he is undecided on the issue of medical marijuana, but decided to draft the bill to force conversation amongst Iowa lawmakers and help them come to a consensus regarding the state's views on medical marijuana legalization. In 2010 the Iowa Board of Pharmacy recommended that marijuana be rescheduled from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule II drug, based on the medicinal benefits of the drug. However, since then no action has been taken by Iowa lawmakers regarding the legalization of marijuana. At this time it is still unknown whether Senator Fraise's bill will be discussed by Iowa lawmakers.]]> Iowa Senator Gene Fraise has drafted a bill on legalizing marijuana. The 79-yeal-old has been in the state Senate for over 25 years is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Fraise admitted that he is undecided on the issue of medical marijuana, but decided to draft the bill to force conversation amongst Iowa lawmakers and help them come to a consensus regarding the state's views on medical marijuana legalization. In 2010 the Iowa Board of Pharmacy recommended that marijuana be rescheduled from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule II drug, based on the medicinal benefits of the drug. However, since then no action has been taken by Iowa lawmakers regarding the legalization of marijuana. At this time it is still unknown whether Senator Fraise's bill will be discussed by Iowa lawmakers.]]> http://news.nuggetry.com/marijuana-national/iowa-senator-drafts-mmj-bill/feed/ 3