Marijuana bill passed
The Senate approves funding bill to allow doctors in the Veterans Administration to recommend medical marijuana to their patients in states where it is legal. It passed through the Senate Appropriations Committee with an 18-12 vote. Marijuana has been shown to help veterans who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Scholarships funded by marijuana
Starting in 2017, graduates from Pueblo County, CO, high schools can be eligible to receive a scholarship funded by the states marijuana tax. With 60% of the county voting in favor, growers should be expecting to pay 5% more in taxes by 2020. These taxes are expected to generate $3.5 million in taxes, half of which will go towards funding towards scholarships. Pueblo County spokesperson:
The whole point of the scholarship program was to make higher education a reality for families who can’t afford to send their kids to school because of debt.
Marijuana bill approved
Governor Ige signs a bill to allow up to eight medical marijuana dispensary licenses within the state, including two in Maui County. These dispensary are expected to serve up to 13,000 qualified patients who hold medical marijuana card. Ige:
I support the establishment of dispensaries to ensure that qualified patients can legally and safely access medical marijuana. We will make a good faith effort to create a fair process that will help the people most in need.
Minnesota legalizes
Governor Dayton signs legislation that makes Minnesota the 22nd state to legalize medicinal marijuana. Minnesotans who are sick or in serious pain may use marijuana, although they may not smoke it. More specifically, they will still not be allowed to access cannabis in leaf form. The drug will be available by mid-2015 in pill and vapor form, as well as in oil form (which has proven especially successful in treating children with seizures). However, pot advocates say that the best and most beneficial way to consume the drug is in its natural form. Patients worry that by signing up for the medical marijuana program, they could be putting themselves at risk of falling into the grasp of police.
California allows
California voters pass Proposition 215, making the Golden State the first in the union to allow for the medical use of marijuana.