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14 States with Pending Legislation or Ballot Measures to Legalize Medical Marijuana
(as of Aug. 19, 2009)
Law Summary Status (last action date)
1. Alabama
House Bill:
HB 434 (47 KB) "This bill would authorize the medical use of marijuana only for certain qualifying patients who have been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition." Awaiting action in the House Judiciary Committee (Feb. 5, 2009)
2. Connecticut
House Bill:
HB 6156 (180 KB) "An Act Authorizing the Medical Use of Marijuana." The bill's statement of purpose is "to allow the medical use of marijuana." Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary (Jan. 27, 2009)
3. Delaware
Senate Bill:
SB 94 (110 KB) "The Bill creates an exception to a state's criminal laws to permit the doctor-advised medical use of marijuana by patients with serious medical conditions...
Patients would be allowed to possess up to 6 ounces and to cultivate up to 12 plants for their medical use...
The Bill would also provide a medical necessity affirmative defense that patients who needed more marijuana than was provided for by rule or who did not possess their ID cards can raise in court." Referred to Senate Health & Social Services Committee (May 13, 2009)
4. Illinois
House Bill:
HB 2514 (100 KB) "Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act: Provides that when a person has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition, the person and the person's primary caregiver may be issued a registry identification card by the Department of Public Health that permits the person or the person's primary caregiver to legally possess no more than 7 dried cannabis plants and 2 ounces of dried usable cannabis." Passed the Human Services Committee on Mar. 3, 2009; Re-referred to the Rules Committee (Apr. 3, 2009)
SB 1381 arrived in the House after being passed by the Senate on May 27, 2009; Referred to Rules Committee then Human Services Committee (May 28, 2009)
Senate Bill:
SB 1381 (398 KB) "Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act: Provides that when a person has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition, the person and the person's primary caregiver may be issued a registry identification card by the Department of Public Health that permits the person or the person's primary caregiver to legally possess no more than 7 dried cannabis plants and 2 ounces of dried usable cannabis." Passed the Public Health Committee on Mar. 26, 2009; Amendments added and referred Assignments Committee, then to Public Health Committee. Passed third reading by a vote of 30-28 (May 27, 2009)
5. Iowa
Senate Bill:
SF 293 (215 KB) "An Act creating the medical marijuana Act including the creation of compassion centers, and providing for civil and criminal penalties and fees." Referred to Human Resources Subcommittee (Mar. 4, 2009)
6. Massachusetts
House Bill:
HB 2160 (120 KB) "The Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Act" is "an Act to regulate the medical use of marijuana by patients approved by physicians and certified by the department of public health... It is the purpose of this act is to protect patients with debilitating medical conditions, as well as their practitioners and designated caregivers, from arrest and prosecution, criminal and other
penalties, and property forfeiture if such patients engage in the medical use of marijuana." Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health on Jan. 20, 2009; Public hearing held (May 19, 2009)
7. Minnesota
House Bill:
HF 292 (2 MB) "Medical marijuana use provided, civil and criminal penalties provided, expiration date provided for medical use of marijuana provisions, and money appropriated." Passed the Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee on Feb. 26, 2009; Passed the Civil Justice Committee on Mar. 16, 2009; Passed the Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee on Mar. 26, 2009; Referred to the Finance Committee (Mar. 26, 2009)
House received SF 0097 from the Senate on May 4, 2009; Amended on May 18, 2009, passed (70-64) and returned to Senate; SF 0097 presented to Governor (May 20, 2009)
Senate Bill:
SF 0097 (250 KB) "Providing for the medical use of marijuana in the treatment of certain debilitating medical conditions... providing protections for the medical use of marijuana by certain qualifying patients and primary caregivers, limiting the amount allowed to be in possession... prohibiting discrimination against qualifying patients or primary caregivers by schools, employers or landlords..." Passed the Health, Housing and Family Security Committee on Feb. 16, 2009; Passed the Judiciary Committee on Mar. 5, 2009; Passed the Finance Committee on Apr. 3, 2009; Referred to full Senate; Passed the Senate on May 4, 2009; Returned from House with amendment and repassed (38-28) on May 18, 2009; Presented to Governor (May 20, 2009)
Governor Tim Pawlenty vetoed the bill on May 22, 2009.
8. Missouri
House Bill:
HB 277 (457 KB) "This bill changes the laws regarding the classification of marijuana as a controlled substance and allows its use for medicinal purposes." Sets possession limits, defines "debilitating medical condition," and establishes identification card program. Read second time (Jan. 15, 2009); no hearing scheduled and bill currently not on calendar.
9. New Hampshire
House Bill:
HB 648 (145 KB) "The bill would make legal under New Hampshire law the use of marijuana to treat debilitating medical conditions;" sets possession limits and establishes identification card program. Passed by the House on Mar. 25, 2009 with a vote of 234-138; Passed by the Senate on Apr. 29, 2009 with a vote of 14-10; The House disagreed with the Senate's Amendments and requested a conference on May 6, 2009; Conference held on June 11, 2009; Passed by the House with a vote of 232-108 (June 24, 2009)
Governor John Lynch (Dem.) vetoed the bill on July 10, 2009.
10. New Jersey
Assembly Bill:
A 804 (70 KB) "New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act:" Establishes a registration program and allows medical use of marijuana by patients with approved conditions who have written certification from a physician. Introduced, referred to the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee on Jan. 8, 2008; Reported from Assembly Committee as a substitute; New version passed committee by a vote of 8-1 (June 4, 2009)
Senate Bill:
S 119 (70 KB) "New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act: A qualifying patient shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, for the medical use of marijuana, provided that the patient possesses a registry identification card and no more than six marijuana plants and one ounce of usable marijuana." Introduced, referred to Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee on Jan. 8, 2008; Reported from Senate Committee with amendments on Dec. 15, 2008; Passed by the Senate with a vote of 22-16 (Feb. 23, 2009)
11. New York
Assembly Bill:
AO 7542 (150 KB) "Legalizes the possession, manufacture, use, delivery, transfer, transport or administration of marihuana by a certified patient or designated caregiver for a certified medical use;" Sets possession limits Referred to the Committee on Health on Apr. 14, 2009; Referred to the Committee on Codes (Apr. 28, 2009)
Senate Bill:
SO 4041A (153 KB) "Legalizes the possession, manufacture, use, delivery, transfer, transport or administration of marihuana by a certified patient or designated caregiver for a certified medical use;" Sets possession limits Referred to the Committee on Health on Apr. 8, 2009; Amended and re-referred to the Committee on Health on Apr. 17, 2009; Passed the Committee on Health and referred to the Senate Codes Committee (May 26, 2009)
12. North Carolina
House Bill:
H 1379 (75 KB) "North Carolina Medical Marijuana Act;" "A qualified patient [and caregiver] shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege... for the possession of or the medical use of marijuana if the quantity of marijuana does not exceed an adequate supply." Passed first reading in the House on Apr. 13, 2009; Referred to the Committee on Health (Apr. 13, 2009)
13. Pennsylvania
House Bill:
HB 1393 (80 KB) An Act providing for the medical use of marijuana; and repealing provisions of law that prohibit and penalize marijuana use. Referred to the Health and Human Services Committee (Apr. 30, 2008)
14. Tennessee
House Bill:
HB 368 (85 KB) "Medical Marijuana Act of 2009: This bill authorizes the medical use of marijuana for persons with a terminal illness or injury. Under this bill, no physician in this state may be punished, or denied any right or privilege, for having recommended marijuana to a terminal patient for medical purposes, and the criminal provisions relating to the possession and cultivation of marijuana would not apply to a terminal patient, or to the patient's primary caregiver..." Referred to the Health and Human Resources Committee on Feb. 11, 2009; Assigned to the Public Health and Family Assistance Sub-Committee (Feb. 18, 2009)
Senate Bill:
SB 0209 (75 KB) "Establishes the 'Tennessee Medical Marijuana Act of 2009' which authorizes the use of marijuana for persons with certain debilitating conditions. Requires the Department of Health to create a system of accepting and reviewing applications including an application fee and issuing registry identification cards upon verification." Referred to the General Welfare, Health and Human Resources Committee (Feb. 11, 2009)
(as of Aug. 19, 2009)
Law Summary Status (last action date)
1. Alabama
House Bill:
HB 434 (47 KB) "This bill would authorize the medical use of marijuana only for certain qualifying patients who have been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition." Awaiting action in the House Judiciary Committee (Feb. 5, 2009)
2. Connecticut
House Bill:
HB 6156 (180 KB) "An Act Authorizing the Medical Use of Marijuana." The bill's statement of purpose is "to allow the medical use of marijuana." Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary (Jan. 27, 2009)
3. Delaware
Senate Bill:
SB 94 (110 KB) "The Bill creates an exception to a state's criminal laws to permit the doctor-advised medical use of marijuana by patients with serious medical conditions...
Patients would be allowed to possess up to 6 ounces and to cultivate up to 12 plants for their medical use...
The Bill would also provide a medical necessity affirmative defense that patients who needed more marijuana than was provided for by rule or who did not possess their ID cards can raise in court." Referred to Senate Health & Social Services Committee (May 13, 2009)
4. Illinois
House Bill:
HB 2514 (100 KB) "Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act: Provides that when a person has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition, the person and the person's primary caregiver may be issued a registry identification card by the Department of Public Health that permits the person or the person's primary caregiver to legally possess no more than 7 dried cannabis plants and 2 ounces of dried usable cannabis." Passed the Human Services Committee on Mar. 3, 2009; Re-referred to the Rules Committee (Apr. 3, 2009)
SB 1381 arrived in the House after being passed by the Senate on May 27, 2009; Referred to Rules Committee then Human Services Committee (May 28, 2009)
Senate Bill:
SB 1381 (398 KB) "Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act: Provides that when a person has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition, the person and the person's primary caregiver may be issued a registry identification card by the Department of Public Health that permits the person or the person's primary caregiver to legally possess no more than 7 dried cannabis plants and 2 ounces of dried usable cannabis." Passed the Public Health Committee on Mar. 26, 2009; Amendments added and referred Assignments Committee, then to Public Health Committee. Passed third reading by a vote of 30-28 (May 27, 2009)
5. Iowa
Senate Bill:
SF 293 (215 KB) "An Act creating the medical marijuana Act including the creation of compassion centers, and providing for civil and criminal penalties and fees." Referred to Human Resources Subcommittee (Mar. 4, 2009)
6. Massachusetts
House Bill:
HB 2160 (120 KB) "The Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Act" is "an Act to regulate the medical use of marijuana by patients approved by physicians and certified by the department of public health... It is the purpose of this act is to protect patients with debilitating medical conditions, as well as their practitioners and designated caregivers, from arrest and prosecution, criminal and other
penalties, and property forfeiture if such patients engage in the medical use of marijuana." Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health on Jan. 20, 2009; Public hearing held (May 19, 2009)
7. Minnesota
House Bill:
HF 292 (2 MB) "Medical marijuana use provided, civil and criminal penalties provided, expiration date provided for medical use of marijuana provisions, and money appropriated." Passed the Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee on Feb. 26, 2009; Passed the Civil Justice Committee on Mar. 16, 2009; Passed the Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee on Mar. 26, 2009; Referred to the Finance Committee (Mar. 26, 2009)
House received SF 0097 from the Senate on May 4, 2009; Amended on May 18, 2009, passed (70-64) and returned to Senate; SF 0097 presented to Governor (May 20, 2009)
Senate Bill:
SF 0097 (250 KB) "Providing for the medical use of marijuana in the treatment of certain debilitating medical conditions... providing protections for the medical use of marijuana by certain qualifying patients and primary caregivers, limiting the amount allowed to be in possession... prohibiting discrimination against qualifying patients or primary caregivers by schools, employers or landlords..." Passed the Health, Housing and Family Security Committee on Feb. 16, 2009; Passed the Judiciary Committee on Mar. 5, 2009; Passed the Finance Committee on Apr. 3, 2009; Referred to full Senate; Passed the Senate on May 4, 2009; Returned from House with amendment and repassed (38-28) on May 18, 2009; Presented to Governor (May 20, 2009)
Governor Tim Pawlenty vetoed the bill on May 22, 2009.
8. Missouri
House Bill:
HB 277 (457 KB) "This bill changes the laws regarding the classification of marijuana as a controlled substance and allows its use for medicinal purposes." Sets possession limits, defines "debilitating medical condition," and establishes identification card program. Read second time (Jan. 15, 2009); no hearing scheduled and bill currently not on calendar.
9. New Hampshire
House Bill:
HB 648 (145 KB) "The bill would make legal under New Hampshire law the use of marijuana to treat debilitating medical conditions;" sets possession limits and establishes identification card program. Passed by the House on Mar. 25, 2009 with a vote of 234-138; Passed by the Senate on Apr. 29, 2009 with a vote of 14-10; The House disagreed with the Senate's Amendments and requested a conference on May 6, 2009; Conference held on June 11, 2009; Passed by the House with a vote of 232-108 (June 24, 2009)
Governor John Lynch (Dem.) vetoed the bill on July 10, 2009.
10. New Jersey
Assembly Bill:
A 804 (70 KB) "New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act:" Establishes a registration program and allows medical use of marijuana by patients with approved conditions who have written certification from a physician. Introduced, referred to the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee on Jan. 8, 2008; Reported from Assembly Committee as a substitute; New version passed committee by a vote of 8-1 (June 4, 2009)
Senate Bill:
S 119 (70 KB) "New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act: A qualifying patient shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, for the medical use of marijuana, provided that the patient possesses a registry identification card and no more than six marijuana plants and one ounce of usable marijuana." Introduced, referred to Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee on Jan. 8, 2008; Reported from Senate Committee with amendments on Dec. 15, 2008; Passed by the Senate with a vote of 22-16 (Feb. 23, 2009)
11. New York
Assembly Bill:
AO 7542 (150 KB) "Legalizes the possession, manufacture, use, delivery, transfer, transport or administration of marihuana by a certified patient or designated caregiver for a certified medical use;" Sets possession limits Referred to the Committee on Health on Apr. 14, 2009; Referred to the Committee on Codes (Apr. 28, 2009)
Senate Bill:
SO 4041A (153 KB) "Legalizes the possession, manufacture, use, delivery, transfer, transport or administration of marihuana by a certified patient or designated caregiver for a certified medical use;" Sets possession limits Referred to the Committee on Health on Apr. 8, 2009; Amended and re-referred to the Committee on Health on Apr. 17, 2009; Passed the Committee on Health and referred to the Senate Codes Committee (May 26, 2009)
12. North Carolina
House Bill:
H 1379 (75 KB) "North Carolina Medical Marijuana Act;" "A qualified patient [and caregiver] shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege... for the possession of or the medical use of marijuana if the quantity of marijuana does not exceed an adequate supply." Passed first reading in the House on Apr. 13, 2009; Referred to the Committee on Health (Apr. 13, 2009)
13. Pennsylvania
House Bill:
HB 1393 (80 KB) An Act providing for the medical use of marijuana; and repealing provisions of law that prohibit and penalize marijuana use. Referred to the Health and Human Services Committee (Apr. 30, 2008)
14. Tennessee
House Bill:
HB 368 (85 KB) "Medical Marijuana Act of 2009: This bill authorizes the medical use of marijuana for persons with a terminal illness or injury. Under this bill, no physician in this state may be punished, or denied any right or privilege, for having recommended marijuana to a terminal patient for medical purposes, and the criminal provisions relating to the possession and cultivation of marijuana would not apply to a terminal patient, or to the patient's primary caregiver..." Referred to the Health and Human Resources Committee on Feb. 11, 2009; Assigned to the Public Health and Family Assistance Sub-Committee (Feb. 18, 2009)
Senate Bill:
SB 0209 (75 KB) "Establishes the 'Tennessee Medical Marijuana Act of 2009' which authorizes the use of marijuana for persons with certain debilitating conditions. Requires the Department of Health to create a system of accepting and reviewing applications including an application fee and issuing registry identification cards upon verification." Referred to the General Welfare, Health and Human Resources Committee (Feb. 11, 2009)
