Category: Outlaw Report
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Legalization Framework Bills Formally Introduced in Maryland House, Senate
Several weeks after Maryland’s legislative session began, three state lawmakers have introduced separate bills that would create a framework for adult-use legalization in the state. Del. Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore) and Sen. Jill Carter (D-Baltimore) formally introduced their respective proposals late last week, and Sen. Brian Feldman (D-Montgomery County) introduced another measure on Monday, setting the…
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Maryland Lawmakers Again Attempt to Protect Gun Ownership Rights for Medical Cannabis Patients
For the fifth year in a row, Maryland lawmakers are working to pass legislation to protect medical weed patients’ gun freedoms. Sen. Michael Hough (R-Frederick and Carroll counties) is sponsoring SB 286, which would prohibit authorities from enforcing federal law against Maryland medical cannabis patients who purchase, own, possess and carry firearms. Federal law currently…
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D.C. Council Creates Tax Holiday For Medical Weed Businesses To Counter ‘Threat’ Of Gray Market Competition
The D.C. Council on Wednesday unanimously approved an emergency bill that establishes a tax holiday week for medical weed businesses around April 20, and allows seniors to sign up for a cannabis card without a doctor’s note. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, who introduced the temporary measure, said it was necessary in light of an ongoing…
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After Spate Of Deadly Fentanyl Overdoses In D.C., ‘Harm Reduction’ Advocates Say It’s Time To Decriminalize All Drugs
Advocates say tragic incidents like last week’s deadly spate of overdoses in Southwest D.C. could be avoided by decriminalizing drugs and implementing policies that seek to protect, rather than punish, people suffering from addiction. Three people died near Nationals Park on Friday after a potent batch of fentanyl led to at least 10 overdoses, according…
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Virginia Senate Committee Kills Psilocybin Decriminalization Bill
A nascent effort to decriminalize psilocybin in Virginia fell short Monday after a state Senate committee voted to indefinitely table the legislation. After two January hearings on SB 262, which would have lowered possession of psilocybin and psilocin from a felony offense to a misdemeanor punishable with a $100 civil fine, the Virginia Senate Judiciary…
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Virginia: Push To Decriminalize Psychedelics Falters, But Still Alive
A bill seeking to decriminalize possession of plant-based psychedelics in Virginia hit a snag this week in the House of Delegates, though counterpart legislation in the Senate remains alive and is headed for a committee vote next week. SB 262, co-sponsored by state Sens. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) and Jennifer Boysko (D-Herndon), and HB 898, from…
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Culta Joins Sustainable Cannabis Coalition With Goal To Eliminate Carbon Emissions
Culta, one of Maryland’s largest medical cannabis businesses, is getting on board with an emerging green movement in the weed industry. The company announced on Monday it has joined the Sustainable Cannabis Coalition, a group of weed firms that promotes more environmentally friendly practices in the industry – from the way pot is cultivated to…
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Virginia House Committee Shelves Bill To ‘Defelonize’ Drug Possession
Lawmakers in Virginia’s House of Delegates unceremoniously shelved a bill on Friday that would have reduced criminal penalties for the possession of drugs. In a 6-2 vote, the House’s Courts of Justice Subcommittee #1 approved a motion for HB 612 to be “laid on the table” – meaning the measure is now unlikely to be…
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Virginia: Bill To Decriminalize Psilocybin Draws Early Support From Lawmakers
Virginia lawmakers from both sides of the aisle on Wednesday expressed early support for a bill that would decriminalize possession of psychedelic mushrooms, so long as it’s specifically for medical uses. Senate Bill 262, co-sponsored by state Sens. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) and Jennifer Boysko (D-Herndon), proposes to reduce the criminal penalty for possession of psilocybin…
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Virginia Lawmakers Propose Ban On Candy-Like Weed Edibles To Prevent Child Exposures
No more weed gummy bears? A pair of Virginia lawmakers wants to ban candy-like cannabis edibles that could appeal to children. Sen. Emmett Hanger (R-Mount Solon) filed legislation co-sponsored by Sen. Bill Stanley (R-Franklin) last week that would prohibit the sale or manufacture of cannabis products “that depict or are in the shape of a…
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Virginia Lawmakers Hit Impasse Over Releasing Cannabis Prisoners After Legalization
In Virginia, the fate of people incarcerated for cannabis-related crimes is still up in the air. On Monday, Virginia’s Cannabis Oversight Commission, a panel of lawmakers charged with making legislative recommendations for this year’s session, proposed speeding up the launch of recreational weed sales by one full year to 2023. But the 10-member commission couldn’t…