Retired Supreme Court Justice Stevens: Feds Should Legalize Marijuana

[Source: NORML]

In an interview with NPR released today, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens came out in support for marijuana legalization.

When asked if he believed the federal government should legalize marijuana, the 94 year old former Justice replied:

“Yes, I really think that that’s another instance of public opinion [that's] changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there’s a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug.”

Listen to the Radio Interview HERE: Feds Should Legalize Marijuana

In an interview with NPR released today, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens came out in support for marijuana legalization.
When asked if he believed the federal government should legalize marijuana, the 94 year old former Justice replied:
“Yes, I really think that that’s another instance of public opinion [that's] changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there’s a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug.”
- See more at: http://blog.norml.org/2014/04/24/retired-supreme-court-justice-stevens-feds-should-legalize-marijuana/#sthash.Vp9ycbdA.dpuf

In an interview with NPR released today, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens came out in support for marijuana legalization.
When asked if he believed the federal government should legalize marijuana, the 94 year old former Justice replied:
“Yes, I really think that that’s another instance of public opinion [that's] changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there’s a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug.”
- See more at: http://blog.norml.org/2014/04/24/retired-supreme-court-justice-stevens-feds-should-legalize-marijuana/#sthash.Vp9ycbdA.dpuf

In an interview with NPR released today, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens came out in support for marijuana legalization.
When asked if he believed the federal government should legalize marijuana, the 94 year old former Justice replied:
“Yes, I really think that that’s another instance of public opinion [that's] changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there’s a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug.”
- See more at: http://blog.norml.org/2014/04/24/retired-supreme-court-justice-stevens-feds-should-legalize-marijuana/#sthash.Vp9ycbdA.dpu

In an interview with NPR released today, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens came out in support for marijuana legalization.
When asked if he believed the federal government should legalize marijuana, the 94 year old former Justice replied:
“Yes, I really think that that’s another instance of public opinion [that's] changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there’s a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug.”
- See more at: http://blog.norml.org/2014/04/24/retired-supreme-court-justice-stevens-feds-should-legalize-marijuana/#sthash.Vp9ycbdA.dpuf

In an interview with NPR released today, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens came out in support for marijuana legalization.
When asked if he believed the federal government should legalize marijuana, the 94 year old former Justice replied:
“Yes, I really think that that’s another instance of public opinion [that's] changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there’s a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug.”
- See more at: http://blog.norml.org/2014/04/24/retired-supreme-court-justice-stevens-feds-should-legalize-marijuana/#sthash.Vp9ycbdA.dpuf

Support for MMJ in NY

[Source: NORML]

A new poll finds 88 percent of New York voters support the legalization of marijuana for medical use, and 57 percent also favor legalizing recreational use. 

The Quinnipiac University poll released Monday finds only 9 percent oppose legalizing medical marijuana. 

Maurice Carroll, director of the poll, says a narrow majority doubt that legalizing marijuana will lead to harder drug use, and about half say marijuana is no worse than alcohol. 

The poll surveyed 1,488 New York voters by phone on Feb.  6-10 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. 

Gov.  Andrew Cuomo has said he'll launch a limited hospital-based medical marijuana program.  state Sen.  Liz Krueger has introduced a full legalization bill, which the Cuomo administration opposes.  

Complete article here: Support for MMJ in NY
 

Congress to Hold Hearings on State and Federal Marijuana Conflict

[Source:Erik Altieri, NORMLCommunications Director]

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) has scheduled a hearing to address the conflict between state and federal marijuana laws.

“It is important, especially at a time of budget constraints, to determine whether it is the best use of federal resources to prosecute the personal or medicinal use of marijuana in states that have made such consumption legal,” Senator Leahy stated, “I believe that these state laws should be respected. At a minimum, there should be guidance about enforcement from the federal government.”

The hearing is scheduled for September 10th and both Attorney General Eric Holder and Deputy Attorney General James Cole have been invited to testify.

The hearing comes after 20 states have approved of the medical use of marijuana and two states have legalized it for recreational use. The Department of Justice had promised clarification for these states regarding how, or if, the federal government intends to respond, but has thus far failed to provide any clear policy or guidance. It is the hope of Senator Leahy these hearings will address the concerns of these states and provide them a way to move forward with their state approved marijuana laws

See more at: Meeting on State and Federal Marijuana

PA NAACP Endorses Marijuana Legalization Legislation

[Source: NORML]

The Pennsylvania Chapter of the NAACP endorsed Senate Bill 528, legislation that would regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol, yesterday during a press conference in Harrisburg. SB 528 was introduced earlier this year by State Senator Daylin Leach*.

Speaking at the press conference the current chair of the Legal Redress Committee for the Cheltenham Area Branch of the NAACP, David Scott, stated, “The war on drugs is a catastrophic failure.”

Sponsor Daylin Leach welcomed the group’s support. “This is decimating the minority community. This is a problem that is particularly acute,” said Senator Leach.

More coverage of this endorsement can be found here, here, and here.

Sponsors of Senate Bill 528 hope to bring it up for a committee hearing in the fall.

A recent report released by the ACLU, The War on Marijuana: In Black and White, revealed that Pennsylvania was one of the worst states when it came to racial disparities in marijuana arrests. According to their data, an African American in Pennsylvania is over five times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white Pennsylvanians, despite using at similar rates.

*Senator Leach is also running for the US House of Representatives and has received support from NORML PAC. You can learn more about Senator Leach’s campaign here or the NORML PAC here. You can learn more about the ACLU report here.

- See more at: http://blog.norml.org/2013/06/26/pa-naacp-endorses-marijuana-legalization-legislation/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=PA+NAACP+Endorses+Marijuana+Legalization+Legislation#sthash.RqwT4M88.dpuf

Illinois: House Committee Approves Industrial Hemp Bill

 
 [Source: NORML]

Legislation to legalize the licensed cultivation of industrial hemp, House Bill 2668, has been approved by the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee in a 9-8 vote. The measure now awaits action from the full House. You can read the full text of House Bill 2668 here.

The United States is the only developed nation that fails to cultivate industrial hemp as an economic crop, according to a 2005 Congressional Resource Service (CRS) report. Hemp is a distinct variety of the plant species cannabis sativa that contains only minute (less than 1%) amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Farmers worldwide grow hemp commercially for fiber, seed, and oil for use in a variety of industrial and consumer products, including food and clothing. House Bill 2668 would allow Illinois to authorize a licensed, statewide hemp industry.

Please use the pre-written letter below to contact your Representative to urge him or her to vote "yes" on HB 2668 and support industrial hemp in Illinois. NORML will keep you updated as this legislation moves forward. You can find further information on this measure from Illinois NORML here.

Illinois: House Committee Approves Industrial Hemp Bill Article