BREAKING NEWS: Gov. Peter Shumlin signed a bill- Vermont the 17th state to decriminalize mj

[RainDog]

BREAKING NEWS: Gov. Peter Shumlin just signed a bill making Vermont the 17th state to decriminalize or legalize marijuana!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/06/vermont-marijuana-decriminalization_n_3397266.html

Vermont Marijuana Decriminalization Signed Into Law, Reduces Penalties For Possession Up To An Ounce

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) signed a bill on Thursday decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The new law, which goes into effect on July 1, will remove criminal penalties on possession of up to an ounce of cannabis and replace them with civil fines.

“I applaud the Legislature’s action to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana," Shumlin said last month, announcing his support for the bill. "Vermonters support sensible drug policies. This legislation allows our courts and law enforcement to focus their limited resources more effectively to fight highly addictive opiates such as heroin and prescription drugs that are tearing apart families and communities."

According to the new measure, first-time offenders will not get more than a $200 fine for possession. The fine will increase for repeat offenders. Under the law, marijuana possession will no longer result in the creation of a criminal record.

[Mr. David]

1. Now to legalize it!

Vermont and the Northeast Kingdom should benefit from hemp farming as well as marijuana sales.

[RainDog]

2. Please call to indicate your support for Hemp legislation

The prohibition acts of the 1930s have to be undone for a variety of reasons, and all of them are progressive.

Lawmakers to Vote on Hemp Amendment to Farm Bill

http://norml.org/news/2013/06/05/industrial-hemp-farming-legislation-reintroduced-in-congress

It is possible that, for the first time ever, the United States Senate will vote to approve industrial hemp cultivation in the coming days. Please take a moment of your time to encourage your Senator to support this measure. You can easily do so by clicking here: http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/51046//p/dia/action3/common/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=9865

Senator Ron Wyden has introduced an amendment to Senate Bill 3240, the Senate version of this year's federal farm bill, that requires the federal government to respect state laws allowing the cultivation of industrial hemp. Hemp is a distinct variety of the plant species cannabis sativa that contains only trace (less than one percent) amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.

The amendment language mimics the "Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013," which remains pending as stand-alone legislation in both the House and Senate but has yet to receive a legislative hearing. Senator Wyden's provision to the Senate's Farm Bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana. The measure grants state legislatures the authority to license and regulate the commercial production of hemp as an industrial and agricultural commodity.

Eight states -- Colorado, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia -- have enacted statutory changes defining industrial hemp as distinct agricultural product and allowing for its regulated commercial production. Passage of this amendment would remove existing federal barriers and allow these states and others the authority to do so without running afoul of federal anti-drug laws.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022956768

[In_The_Wind]

3. Hello Mr. David

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