TheRepublic.com - Recreational drug laws and regulations News

OAS drug study eyes marijuana legalization

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:58:25 -0400

LIMA, Peru - An Organization of American States study released Friday is calling for a serious discussion on legalizing marijuana.

Court: Law applying crack sentences retroactive

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:07:44 -0400

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - People convicted of crack cocaine offenses have a right to resentencing hearings under a 2010 law that lessened penalties for possession and dealing, the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday.

Wash. state releases draft rules for legal pot

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:35:23 -0400

SEATTLE - Officials in Washington state took their first stab at setting rules for the state's new marijuana industry Thursday, nearly eight months after voters here legalized pot for adults.

AP PHOTOS: Path to legal pot a long, wild trip

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:32:04 -0400

SEATTLE - It's one thing to legalize marijuana. It's another to figure out how to sell it, grow it, regulate it, test it and tax it.

Chong says legalized marijuana could save country

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:39:07 -0400

NEW YORK - The Grammy Award-winning comedy duo Cheech and Chong based their 42-year career on counterculture humor with a particular emphasis on marijuana use. But these days Tommy Chong sees the recreational drug as something more than fodder for jokes about stoned hippies.

Marijuana legalization efforts suffer setback

Wed, 15 May 2013 07:06:17 -0400

AUGUSTA, Maine - Efforts to legalize and tax marijuana in Maine have suffered a setback after a legislative committee voted against the proposal.

Colo. session ends with gun laws, civil unions

Wed, 08 May 2013 20:46:25 -0400

DENVER - Colorado lawmakers concluded a historic session Wednesday that saw ruling Democrats exert their power to pass sweeping gun laws, same-sex civil unions, and in-state tuition for immigrants in the country illegally.

Vt. Senate passes bill decriminalizing marijuana

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:38:30 -0400

MONTPELIER, Vermont - Legislation that would remove criminal penalties and replace them with civil fines like a traffic ticket for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana has passed the Vermont Senate.

Bill suggests removing part of marijuana DUI tests

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:44:43 -0400

CARSON CITY, Nevada - Some Nevada lawmakers say medical marijuana patients shouldn't be deemed impaired when driving just because they have small amounts of marijuana in their system.

Driving-stoned debate appears settled in Colo.

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:08:24 -0400

DENVER - Colorado's long, tortured debate over stoned driving came to a quiet end Tuesday when the state Senate gave final approval to a blood-limit standard they'd rejected several times before. The vote sends the driving-high measure to the governor's desk, who has long advocated for Colorado to join other states and set a blood level to determine marijuana impairment behind the wheel.

St. Louis mayor signs marijuana law

Tue, 07 May 2013 16:19:18 -0400

ST. LOUIS - Those caught in St. Louis with small amounts of marijuana will get a break starting next month.

Colo. lawmakers racing to finish session by Wed.

Mon, 06 May 2013 08:49:06 -0400

DENVER - Colorado lawmakers are racing to the finish this year's session.

Wash. law lays out proper handling of dropped pot

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:39:53 -0400

OLYMPIA, Washington - Washington state is making changes in state law to deal with a legal ambiguity related to the proper handling of marijuana inadvertently left at stores that have pharmacies.

Pot mags scrutinized in Colo.; may treat like porn

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:16:28 -0400

DENVER - Marijuana magazines are under scrutiny in Colorado, where lawmakers might require stores to put them behind the counter.

Arizona House passes anti-Spice bill on final read

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:05:04 -0400

PHOENIX - The Arizona House of Representatives has passed a bill that would revoke the liquor license of any business found distributing the synthetic marijuana product known as Spice.

Dem lawmaker wants pot legalization on Ohio ballot

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:03:47 -0400

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio voters could decide whether to legalize marijuana and tax it like alcohol under the latest attempt in the state to ease access to the drug.

NH Senate rejects marijuana decriminalization bill

Thu, 02 May 2013 16:08:19 -0400

CONCORD, New Hampshire - New Hampshire won't join neighboring Maine and Massachusetts in decriminalizing possession of small amounts marijuana after the Senate rejected what it called a deeply flawed proposal removing criminal penalties for possession of up to a quarter ounce of the drug.

Director is leaving agency developing pot rules

Wed, 01 May 2013 19:37:13 -0400

OLYMPIA, Washington - The agency creating a regulated marijuana system in Washington state will lose its director after Gov. Jay Inslee appointed her to a new job in his administration.

Wash. makes swift changes to definition of pot

Wed, 01 May 2013 18:08:30 -0400

OLYMPIA, Washington - Washington finalized swift changes to the state's definition of marijuana Wednesday after prosecutors and crime lab scientists expressed concern about the technical aspects of a voter-approved legalization initiative.

4 Maine sheriffs oppose marijuana legalization

Wed, 01 May 2013 06:01:08 -0400

AUGUSTA, Maine - Four Maine sheriffs are joining community health care providers to stand against marijuana legalization efforts.

Colorado marijuana sales limits at a glance

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:24:02 -0400

DENVER - In a bid to prevent newly legal pot in Colorado from being taken out of state, state lawmakers are poised to limit marijuana purchases by non-residents.

Drug czar: Pot legalization won't change mission

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:30:41 -0400

BALTIMORE - The nation's drug czar said Wednesday the legalization of marijuana in Washington state and Colorado won't change his office's mission of fighting the country's drug problem by focusing on addiction treatment that will be available under the federal health overhaul.

New Wash. legal pot law jeopardizes prosecutions

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:47:12 -0400

SEATTLE - Prosecutors and crime lab scientists say a little-noticed provision in Washington's new law legalizing recreational marijuana has jeopardized their ability to go after any pot crimes at all, and they're calling for an immediate fix in the Legislature.

Stoned-driving standard fails again in Colorado

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:32:54 -0400

DENVER - A marijuana blood limit for drivers was rejected Monday for a fourth time in the Colorado Senate, where bipartisan skepticism on the pot analogy to blood-alcohol limits helped sink the measure even in a weaker form.

Police seek suspect in shooting at Colo. pot rally

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:32:40 -0400

DENVER - Denver police on Monday interviewed a man wanted in connection with a shooting at a weekend marijuana rally that wounded two people, but authorities did not arrest the person.