A proposal to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana won’t come up for a vote this legislative session, according to the bill’s sponsor. The legislation was initially filed last month, Marijuana Moment reported. But state Rep. Mark Baker, R-Rock Springs, told The Center Square that there simply isn’t time to take up the bill in a shortened session devoted to the budget. “The way Wyoming works, we budget biannually, a two-year budget,” he said. “This year, we have a budget session and it’s only 20 days long. We also have redistricting bill. Anything is not budget or redistricting requires a two-thirds vote because of the timeframe.” Legislators were given the opportunity to bring only one bill forward this session, Baker noted. “I chose to not bring that bill [marijuana legislation] forward,” Baker said. “I chose to bring another bill forward.” The legislation would have made possession of small amounts of marijuana a civil violation with a $100 fine, rather than a misdemeanor which carries a potential of a year in jail and a $1,000 fine, Baker said. With the bill off the table for this year, the emphasis is on creating a study committee that would explore the costs and potential tax revenue from legalizing the sale of marijuana, the lawmaker said.

Marijuana Moment, Marijuana Moment, 03/07/2022 08:43:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/wyoming-marijuana-decriminalization-bill-wont-get-a-vote-this-session-sponsor-says/

Costa Rica legalized medicinal marijuana this week after President Carlos Alvarado signed a law passed a day earlier by congress. Under the new law, hemp cultivation and industrial production are also legalized. However, recreational marijuana use continues to be banned, the Associated Press reported. A previous piece of legislation that would have legalized the plant was vetoed by the president earlier this year, after which lawmakers made changes requested by President Alvarado who has been very outspoken regarding his opposition to the measure, citing specific grievances after he “partially vetoed” it. According to The Tico Times, parts of the bill the President wanted to see modified included the wording around self-consumption and self-cultivation, as those areas undermine “legitimate” objectives of the bill and could pose a public safety risk. Now that he has signed the bill, Alvarado emphasized that the new law will help those who need cannabis to treat symptoms of their illnesses as well as stimulate development in rural areas where hemp will be grown. Although the president made these moves just as his time in office is coming to an end. Two presidential candidates, José María Figueres and Rodrigo Chaves, who will face off in a runoff election on April 3, are both known for being in favor of legalizing recreational cannabis.

Benzinga Staff Writer, The Fresh Toast, 03/05/2022 07:00:00

Open article: https://thefreshtoast.com/news/costa-rica-legalizes-medical-cannabis-recreational-weed-still-prohibited/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=costa-rica-legalizes-medical-cannabis-recreational-weed-still-prohibited