Vermont took another important step towards decriminalizing marijuana. The Vermont Senate overwhelmingly gave final approval to H. 200 in a voice vote. The bill was previously approved by the House but it was amended by the Senate so it will need to return to the House for another vote. The measure would reduce the penalties [...]

As of today, April 1st, possession of a small amount of marijuana is officially decriminalized in the state of Rhode Island. Back in June of 2012 Gov. Lincoln Chafee (I) signed into law SB 2253, which reduced the penalties for marijuana possession. The law did not go into effect until today. Before today, possession in [...]

The Maryland Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill that would reduce the penalties for marijuana possession. In a 30-16 vote, the Senate adopted SB 297, which would reduce the penalties for use or possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana. The bill would make such violations a civil offense punishable by only a $100 fine. [...]

While several statewide medical marijuana and even full marijuana legalization ballot measures are getting most of the attention, it is important to remember this November will also feature several big marijuana reform initiatives that will be decided at the local level. The latest one to make a local ballot is an initiative in Grand Rapids [...]

I find this article in the Boston Herald a very interesting reflection of how quickly the politics of marijuana have changed in just the past few years. The back story is that in 2008 Question 2, a ballot initiative to decriminalize marijuana possession, made it on the ballot in Massachusetts. The measure was actively opposed [...]