Oakland’s city council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday that decriminalizes the use of entheogenic plants, a category that includes flora such as “magic mushrooms,” cactuses, and iboga that can induce a psychedelic experience. Oakland is the second city in the country, after Denver, to decriminalize these substances. However, magic mushrooms still remain illegal under federal […]
decriminalization
Decriminalization Takes Historic Turn as Tool to Fight War on Drugs, Argument for Cannabis Legalization
In an historic first, on August 10, a major Latino group – the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) – called for the decriminalization of cannabis at both the state and federal level, affirming the importance of decriminalization as a way to fight the war on drugs that targets minorities. This announcement represents the […]
Sen. Elizabeth Warren Open to Legalizing Marijuana in Massachusetts
Marijuana is “widely available” in Massachusetts due to decriminalization but there’s little regulation of the drug, Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Thursday, explaining why she is open to supporting legalization. “Massachusetts is in a very difficult position, because we have decriminalized marijuana, but that means it’s fairly widely available,” Warren said, referring to the 2008 ballot […]
Illinois Decriminalization Measure Approved By Gov. Rauner
Getting caught with small amounts of marijuana will result in citations akin to a traffic ticket instead of the possibility of jail time under legislation Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law Friday. Rauner’s approval of the decriminalization measure comes after he used his amendatory veto powers last year to rewrite similar legislation he argued […]
Texas Businesses Can Benefit From Decriminalizing Marijuana
Texans who are arrested for possessing small amounts of marijuana shouldn’t be locked out of jobs and haunted by minor lapses in judgment for the rest of their lives, business and legislative leaders say. As acceptance of marijuana — medical and otherwise — grows nationally and in Texas, members of both major political parties in […]
Despite Promises to the Contrary, NYPD Is Cracking Down on Marijuana Possession
Arrests for pot possession rose more than a third in the first three months of this year, according to a report released Wednesday — even though the NYPD had promised in 2014 it was going to ease up on marijuana collars. The NYPD nabbed 4,225 people for pot possession between January and March, according to […]
Illinois Governor Seems Ready to Sign Cannabis Decriminalization Bill
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner on Thursday said he’d “probably be comfortable” with a bill to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. The bill, approved by a 64-50 vote by the Illinois House on Wednesday, would ensure no one in Illinois could be criminally charged for possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana. The […]
Illinois Lawmakers Send Governor Another Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana
House lawmakers sent Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner legislation on Wednesday to decriminalize marijuana across the state, meaning people caught with small amounts of marijuana would be fined instead of receiving jail time. The legislation incorporates changes the Republican governor suggested when he used his amendatory veto powers to rewrite similar legislation last year. Rauner said […]
Orlando Reduces Penalties for Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana
With a 4-3 vote Monday, the Orlando City Council adopted a revised measure that essentially decriminalizes possessing 20 grams or less of marijuana and gives police officers discretion to issue civil citations instead of arresting people. The new measure doesn’t go into effect until later this year on Oct. 1. The measure makes the first-degree […]
Alabama Legislature Votes to Decriminalize Possession of Cannabis Oil
The Alabama legislature on Wednesday voted to decriminalize medicinal marijuana oil possession. In a 95-4 vote in the House of Representatives and a 29-3 vote in the Senate, legislators supported a bill supporters say is a bid to help families struggling with debilitating medical conditions. Though derived from cannabis, cannabidiol doesn’t cause a high like […]
