Category Archives: Politics

Virginia Governor Youngkin vetoes cannabis parental rights bill

Cannabis advocates fight to prohibit parental pot use from being part of child protective services and custody agreements. NORML has long pushed for this legislation, but Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia saw right through this sham.  

On  March 8, the governor vetoed a bill that had the potential to prevent parent marijuana use from consideration in child protection, visitation and custody!  This is a win for child safety, keeping Virginia in line with the international treaties on the rights of children. Read Legal Drugs are Fashionable — and Treacherous for Children.

The governor should also veto a bill to commercialize marijuana.  Virginia legalized marijuana in 2021, but does not have recreational pot stores. We urge our followers in Virginia to send this form asking the governor to veto the bill

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida recently commented on the negative aspects of a Florida ballot to legalize pot. He mentioned the failures of other states and horrendous smell from public smoking, but does not mention the dangers to children.  

His veto is important for many reasons

Virginia had two appalling instances of marijuana use affecting the ability to parent — recently.   In one case, the mother of a six-year-old lied about marijuana use on her gun ownership application.  The boy shot and severely wounded his 1st grade teacher, in an incident that made national news. Continue reading Virginia Governor Youngkin vetoes cannabis parental rights bill

Keep Cannabis a Schedule I Drug

The Secretary of Health and Human Services has recommended changing the Schedule I classification for marijuana (cannabis).  HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, an attorney from California who made the announcement,  has no background in science or medicine.  It was a political move, rather than scientifically-informed recommendation.

The ultimate decision falls on the DEA and the Department of Justice. If the HHS recommendation is followed, marijuana would be a “Schedule III” drug instead of its current “Schedule I” status.

Pro-cannabis supporters see that possibility as a major victory, because it would pave the way for expanded legalization. We encourage our followers to contact the DEA directly to object to this proposal, and also reach out to your elected officials.

Recent attempts to reschedule marijuana were rejected in 2016, under the Obama administration, and in  2015  by Judge Kimberly Mueller of the Ninth Circuit Court.  It was also dismissed in 2012, by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The three judges presiding on that panel included current Attorney General Merrick Garland.  Information about the dangers of marijuana has grown substantially in the last decade. Continue reading Keep Cannabis a Schedule I Drug

California Child Cannabis Poisonings taken up by AB1207

At long last, California has taken action to stop the surge of cannabis poisonings in children. The Cannabis Candy Child Safety Act, AB1207, passed in the legislature and went to Governor Newsom’s desk for his signature last week.   It won’t solve the problem, but it may keep California emergency rooms slightly less busy.

The California State Senate voted 23 Aye, 10 No and the Assembly voted 63 Aye, 0 No,  landmark measure.  Introduced by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin of Thousand Oaks, The Cannabis Candy Child Safety Act – will implement key measures to protect children and youth. It defines more clearly types of unacceptable products, packaging, and labeling attractive to children or teens. Continue reading California Child Cannabis Poisonings taken up by AB1207

Oklahoma votes on marijuana ballot in March

In 2018, Oklahoma Senator James Lankford warned of the medical marijuana question on the state ballot: “This state question is being sold to Oklahomans as a compassionate medical marijuana bill by outside groups that actually want access to recreational marijuana.”

The time has come, and Oklahomans will vote next month on Question 820, a marijuana legalization and commercialization bill. The State Supreme Court ruled that the ballot could not be included in the 2022 midterm election. Governor Kevin Stitt set the date for March 7.

By December 31, 2022, five donors gave over $3.2 million in support of legalizing marijuana, a big commercial enterprise. According to Ballotpedia, the opposition had not yet raised moneyHowever, Protect Our Kids PAC is currently raising funds to oppose the ballot. Continue reading Oklahoma votes on marijuana ballot in March