Progress In America: The Latest Developments in Cannabis Legislation

Despite federal prohibition and the never ending dragging of political heels, individual states are making great strides in the legislation of new marijuana laws. The states are taking a stand against archaic policies and staging their own form of protest by ignoring federal mandates. Here are some of the latest developments in marijuana just south of the border.

VERMONT

Vermont recently had a chance to go full recreational, yet the Republican Governor vetoed what looked like an incredible plan for consumers. Citing the need to “get it right”, the governor passed on the legislation. Just this week, however, gov. Phil Scott signed off on expanding the state's medical marijuana laws to now include PTSD, Parkinson's Disease and Chron's Disease to the approved ailments list. While it is not the ultimate outcome Vermonters desired, the expansion is a step in the right direction.

FLORIDA

If ever there was a state that thrived on bad decisions it is Florida. Florida is a 50/50 split down the middle between conservative mindsets and liberal values. That makes getting just about anything done a near impossibility. The anti-marijuana congress did everything it could to kill the vote of the people who passed medical marijuana last November. In their final scripting of the new law, you can consume it, you just can't smoke it. The final draft clearly bans smoking of marijuana, believing that somehow vaping it is much safer. Calls for a lawsuit have already been cheered by those offended by the way the state gutted the will of the people.

KANSAS

The Wichita City Council recently voted to slash penalties for marijuana possession. When the federal and even the state government won't step up, sometimes it takes a city to put their foot down. The reduction in penalties sends a clear message to the state that no more people need to be thrown in a cage for exercising what should be a human right. For such a conservative place to take such steps is a good sign for the rest of the country.

CONNECTICUT

Being that the state was nearly completely surrounded by marijuana friendly states, it only made sense to follow suit. New legislation has been introduced that would effectively legalize recreational marijuana for adult use. Both the House and the Senate are taking up the bill, however, the only obstacle may lie in the current Governor Daniel Malloy. Malloy is a prohibitionist who believes that young people are better off drinking alcohol, than consuming a harmless weed. As it stands now, momentum is with the cannabis side of things, and many believe that legalization may actually happen by next year.

COLORADO

Lots is always happening in the home of American recreational cannabis. Most recently, Governor John Hickenlooper signed a bill that added PTSD for veterans to the list of approved ailments. This has been talked about for years but is now finally a reality. Hickenlooper also sent a clear message to the DEA and federal awl enforcement by banning local and state police from assisting them in any way. The bill protects the constitutional rights of Coloradans by barring cops from helping the DEA violate state rights, as pot possession was amended directly into the constitution.

Author - Cory Hughes / Twisted Purple Media.
Twisted Purple Media is a cannabis content provider and original author of this article.
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*http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/12/news/vermont-medical-marijuana/index.html
**https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida/articles/2017-06-10/attorney-plans-lawsuit-to-allow-for-smoking-of-medical-pot
***http://www.kwch.com/content/news/Wichita-city-council-approves-marijuana-ordinance-426784331.html
****https://thefreshtoast.com/cannabis/looks-like-connecticut-may-recreational-marijuana-legalization-2018/
*****http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/politics/after-years-long-fight-colorado-approves-medical-marijuana-treatment-for-ptsd