Marijuana Legalization Efforts Cultivated In Four More States

Published on March 8, 2013 by admin   ·   No Comments

Marijuana.com

While the administration and congress squander valuable time on manufactured problems (think sequestration). States across the U.S., from Oregon to Florida are getting ready to fire up their battle against ignorance. Hoping to join the group of ‘green states’, politicians from Florida, Idaho, Maine and Oregon are all germinating marijuana legislation for their constituents who are demanding it .

Florida

By Alex Gauthier — Jeff Clemens (D-Lake Worth) introduced the most recent bill regarding medical Cannabis, SB 1250. Also known as the “Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act,” the bill would legalize marijuana for medicinal use as approved by a physician. Share the news:

Clemens’ bill was introduced in February, just a week after the Miami-Herald released a poll commissioned by People United for Medical Marijuana which tested respondents attitudes on medicinal use of the plant.

The Hamilton Campaign poll reported 70 percent of respondents were in favor of medical marijuana legalization through a state constitutional amendment. From the Miami-Herald

“Medical pot’s sky-high approval cuts across party and demographic lines, with Republican support the lowest at a still-strong 56 percent… The outsized support of Democrats and independents brings overall backing of the amendment to 70 percent; with only 24 percent opposed”

SB 1250 would allow qualified patients to posses up to four ounces of the substance and cultivate up to eight plants. The bill is likely to face some partisan opposition by Florida Republicans, but public opinion of medical marijuana has grown dramatically in the state.

The bill’s cosponsors include Democrats Rick Kriseman (District 53), Dwight Bullard (District 39), and Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda (District 9).

Idaho

Resolution 112 passed last Monday proclaiming opposition to legalization as well as cultural acceptance of marijuana. Representative Chuck Winder (R-Boise) also derided the recent move in neighboring states. From the resolution:

“[D]rug legalization laws in neighboring states have already adversely impacted Idaho through cultural acceptance of drug use that reduces the perception of harm among children and increases drug use.”

Although legalization attempts from local groups like Compassionate Idaho seem to be thwarted, the Idaho Legislature voted against Winder’s other resolution, SJM 101. The measure called for federal intervention in states where marijuana is already legal.

The Spokesman-Review recounted fellow Senate Republican Monty Pearce’s (R-New Plymouth) defense of states rights.

“For us to ask the federal government to destroy someone else’s state’s rights, I’ll have to disagree with it,” Senator Pearce said, even though he is “absolutely opposed to marijuana use in every sense.”

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