Medical Marijuana in Colorado

Medical marijuana was in the national news recently when each of the U.S. attorneys in California executed a coordinated shutdown of the retail medical marijuana establishments in the state. Since states began passing medical marijuana laws either through initiatives or legislative bills, tension has existed between the legality at the state level for medical purposes and the blanket illegality at the federal level. Primarily, that tension has played out based on how each federal administration has viewed medical marijuana and states' rights. The raids in California have led to questions about what will happen in other states with retail medical-marijuana establishments. Before these raids occurred, a truce appeared to exist between federal law enforcement agencies and medical-marijuana states, but the raids have changed that dynamic. Some have speculated that a highly regulated market such as Colorado's sets the acceptable balance between federal and state interests. This is the story of how Colorado's medical-marijuana system developed.

Plain Language

One salient recent development in statutory drafting is the spread of the Plain Language School’s influence. For some reason, the leading proponents of this school have focused intently on statutes. In response to this attention, many statutory drafters have accepted the school and use its precepts. For that reason, it is useful to examine and evaluate Plain Language.

2012 Professional Development for Legislative Attorneys and Editors

The Super Professional Development Seminar, Oct. 10-12 in Madison, Wisconsin will include two tracks for LSSS members - one for legislative attorneys and one for legislative editors. Online registration is now open.  For more information, click here. The agenda is posted online.  

LSSS session of interest include:

• Voter ID Laws
• A View From the Bench: Discussion with a Supreme Court Justice
• U.S. Supreme Court Update: Looking Forward and Looking Back
• Safety v. 1st Amendment Rights
• Confidentiality of Drafting and Legislative Records
• Avoiding Problems in Drafting & Editing
• Spotting Loopholes in Bill Drafts
• And many more!

State News

Each issue includes "State News" describing events, 
recent laws passed, and litigation that involves state legislatures
and state government. Current news from many states including:

• In Delaware, medical marijuana goes up in smoke.
• Maryland passes civil unions.
• West Virginia call special session for fracking.

  

Legal Services Sessions at the Summit

The NCSL Legislative Summit, Chicago Aug. 6-9,  is the largest and most important meeting of the year for legislators and legislative staff. Registration rates increase on July 16. Register today!

What attendees gain

• Solutions from the states tailored specifically for legislatures
• Education and information, no matter your current level of expertise
• Influence in Washington, D.C. to preserve state authority and flexibility
• Power in numbers to fight federal preemption and unfunded mandates
• Opportunities to meet and learn from legislators, legislative staff and policy experts from across the country and globe
• CLE, from sessions that may give you up to a year’s worth of credit

For more information on programs at the 2012 Legislative Summit, visit the NCSL Summit Agenda.

LSSS sessions of interest include:

• At-Will Employment--What Does It Really Mean?
• Roundtables for Legislative Attorneys and Code Revisors
• Attorney-Client Relationships in the Legislative Arena
• Legislative Oversight of Federal Funds
• Researching the History or Intent of Legislation
• Subpoenas: What Every Legislature Needs to Know