WeedLife News Network

Thomas Mitchell ~ Westword ~   Congress voted on two amendments to a Department of Justice spending bill Wednesday that would protect marijuana businesses in states where they're legal, but only one of them passed.

Jeff Mapes  ~ The Oregonian ~   Depending on who's talking, a 20-acre hemp farm about 10 miles south of Grants Pass is either the harbinger of a new industry that could help save rural Oregon – or an existential threat to local marijuana farmers just as they're anticipating boom times.

Bibi Patel ~ University Press ~   Revised recreational marijuana bill SB 1176, died in the Regulated Industries Committee

Kevin Litten ~ The Times-Picayune ~   Gov. Bobby Jindal on Thursday said he plans to sign legislation that would change the state's medical marijuana laws and soften penalties for marijuana offenders.

Alex Dobuzinskis ~ Reuters ~   A group opposed to pot legalization is unveiling proposals on Thursday for the U.S. government to ease restrictions on scientific research into marijuana's potential as medicine, in a first step for an organization of its kind.

Evan Bush ~ Seattle Times ~   A new proposal from Seattle Mayor Ed Murray would give Seattle tighter control of marijuana businesses. It could shut down more than 50 medical dispensaries while the state goes about folding medical-marijuana businesses into the state’s recreational system.

Emily Lane ~ The Times - Picayune ~   A proposal to soften Louisiana's harsh marijuana laws by reducing penalties for possession continues to gain steam in the Louisiana Legislature.

Rebecca Shabad ~ The Hill ~   The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a $77.6 billion funding bill for military construction and veterans benefits that includes an amendment allowing Veterans Affairs doctors to recommend the use of medical marijuana.

Cassie Cope ~ The State ~   Because she has seizures every day and slams into the ground, 18-year-old Dixie Pace has worn a helmet since November.

Karen Langley ~ Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau ~   HARRISBURG — With the legalization of medical marijuana now before the House, Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday hosted supporters at the governor’s residence for what he described as “a chance to get the facts out.”

Pantagraph.com ~   CHICAGO (AP) — Advocates of Illinois' troubled medical marijuana experiment hope to reassure investors by pushing to have lawmakers extend it beyond 2017, when it expires, but the initiative faces an uncertain fate on Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk.

Lisa Riley Roche ~ KSL.Com ~   SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert said Thursday he's open to legalizing marijuana in Utah for medical use.

Kurtis Lee ~ LA Times ~   New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's response in a recent radio interview to a question about legal marijuana was in keeping with his tough-on-crime persona.

Matt Ferner ~ Huffington Post ~   Here are the positions that each of the GOP's many 2016 presidential hopefuls -- from the definitely-running to the definitely-maybes -- has taken on marijuana legalization.

Gillian Graham ~ Portland Press Herald ~   Five state legislatures are working on legalization bills, and two states could put the question to voters.