Pubdate: Sat, 15 Dec 2012
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 2012 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409
Note: from the The Associated Press

POT-LEGALIZATION DEBATE CONTINUES IN OTHER STATES

(AP) The votes in Washington and Colorado last month legalizing
marijuana were just the latest developments in the debate over
marijuana use in the United States.

Lawmakers and activists in some other states are contemplating their
next moves in regards to marijuana. A sampling of that activity:

RHODE ISLAND: Under a law that takes effect April 1, adults in Rhode
Island caught with an ounce or less of marijuana would face a $150
civil fine, and a state representative has said she plans to
reintroduce legislation to legalize marijuana.

INDIANA: Key lawmakers from both parties plan to introduce measures
next year that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of the
drug. Republican Sen. Brent Steele says the state should focus its
strained resources on violent crime rather than pot smokers.

VERMONT: Gov. Peter Shumlin and many lawmakers are pushing for
decriminalization, in which those caught with small amounts of
marijuana would be given something akin to a traffic fine rather than
facing a criminal charge. House Speaker Shap Smith has opposed
decriminalization, but this week he said he is willing to have a debate.

MONTANA: Medical marijuana is allowed, and a proposal to make the
recreational use of pot a constitutional right has been refiled.
Republican state Sen. Jeff Essmann doubts Montana voters will go the
way of Colorado and Washington.

OREGON: Key lawmakers in Oregon have agreed not to try to legalize pot
next year and will instead wait to see what happens in Colorado and
Washington. In the meantime, legislators will evaluate proposals from
activists with an eye on potentially introducing a legalization
measure in 2014.

PENNSYLVANIA: Two medical-marijuana bills died in committee during the
just-ended legislative session, but a state senator who sponsored one
of them said the Colorado and Washington measures will help pave the
way for similar laws in other states. Democratic Sen. Daylin Leach
said he intends to resurrect his bill to allow marijuana use for
medical purposes and to sponsor a bill to decriminalize the drug.
However, Republican Gov. Tom Corbett's spokesman, Kevin Harley, said
Corbett would veto any bill to legalize marijuana, even for medical
reasons. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D