New Jersey — By a vote of 48 to 14 in the state’s assembly on Monday, New Jersey became the 14th state in the union to make legal accommodations for the use of medical marijuana. However, California this is not. The bill, which was supported by both outgoing Gov. John Corzine and Governor-elect Chris Christie, [...]

Sacramento, Calif. — Its first victory could also be the last gasp for a California bill to tax and regulate marijuana in the same way alcohol is controlled. The state Assembly’s public safety committee voted for the bill, 4-to-3, Tuesday. But the health committee also must approve the measure by Friday before the full Assembly [...]

Colorado — A Boulder County mountain town known for its laid-back, hippie vibe and quirky events is putting itself on the map once again, this time with separate proposals from residents to legalize all marijuana and to host a two-day festival promoting the drug’s medicinal uses. Nederland resident and former town Trustee Michael “Michigan Mike” [...]

TRENTON — The New Jersey Legislature approved a measure on Monday that would make the state the 14th in the nation, but one of the few on the East Coast, to legalize the use of marijuana to help patients with chronic illnesses. The measure — which would allow patients diagnosed with severe [...]

California — A pot legalization bill heads to committee Tuesday with amendments that have made its language more conciliatory — although the bill still sets up a collision course with federal policy. Amid protest by supporters and opponents, AB 390 by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, will get its first hearing in the Assembly Public [...]

As a retired Orange County judge, I’ve been on the front lines of the drug war for three decades, and I know from experience that the current approach is simply not working.  Our marijuana policy must change in order to achieve the following goals: .  Reduce marijuana consumption by children. .  [...]