State Legislative Tracker: Pennsylvania pursues marijuana legalization

### September 29, 2014[edit]

Edited by Joel Williams
This week’s tracker includes a look at Pennsylvania's attempt to legalize marijuana.

## Weekly highlight[edit]

Last week, no state adjourned its legislative session. Here is a brief look at issues making headlines across the country:

* Missouri: A state representative's wife has been selected to replace him on the general election ballot after his death earlier this month. Randy Pike (R), the District 126 representative who would have turned 61 tomorrow, died on September 20 after ingesting a drink into his lungs. According to his campaign treasurer, Pike had recently suffered from pneumonia and required the use of a wheelchair during this month's veto session.[1] Gov. Jay Nixon (D) ordered flags in the state to be flown at half-mast, casting Pike as "deeply committed to his family, his faith and his community which he represented with distinction for more than a decade as a county commissioner, and most recently, as a state representative."[2] Last Tuesday, the Bates County Republican nomination committee met to select his replacement; Pike's wife, Patricia, defeated his former primary opponents Barbara York and Bill Yarberry. Patricia Pike said afterwards, "As a life-long resident of the district, a retired teacher and school counselor, business owner, and farm owner, I believe my strongest asset for this position is that for the last two years I have traveled with Representative Pike meeting the citizens and learning about district issues. I have been interested in the projects that Representative Pike has been working on and hearing viewpoints from constituents."[3] She will face Sam Foursha (D) and William Gilmore (C) in the general election on November 4. Randy Pike, a taxidermist and wood carver by trade, was the Bates County Northern Commissioner for 12 years preceding his swearing-in to the House. Funeral services were held Thursday morning.[4]

* Pennsylvania: On September 24, 2014, the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania State Senate approved Senate Bill 1182, which would legalize several forms of medical marijuana, by a vote of 43 to seven.[5] Under the legislation, state residents would need to obtain an access card from the state's health department after providing proof to the department from their physician that they are being treated for a qualifying medical condition and that the physician is recommending medical cannabis as a treatment.[6] Such medical conditions would include "cancer, epilepsy and seizures, ALS, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome, multiple sclerosis, spinocerebellara ataxia, post-traumatic stress disorder and severe fibromyalgia."[6] Patients would be allowed to use extracted marijuana oil, edible products, ointments and tinctures, but would not be allowed to smoke marijuana or use a vaporizer.[6] The bill would also establish a State Board of Medical Cannabis Licensing that would regulate a limited number of medical cannabis growers and dispensers.[7] On the bill's passing, Sen. Mike Folmer (R) said, "It's been a long road to this point and we have a long road ahead of us, but with 85 percent of Pennsylvanians supporting the use of medical cannabis to treat our most vulnerable, I am optimistic we can get this done."[6] The legislation will now be sent to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for approval. If approved by the House, the bill would be sent to Gov. Tom Corbett (R), who has proposed legislation that would allow research of a medical marijuana extract for the treatment of seizures in children, but has threatened to veto Senate Bill 1182.[5] The governor's spokesman, Jay Pagni, said, "The governor is opposed to the legalization of marijuana for either purpose: recreational or medicinal."[5]

# Sessions[edit]

#### Regular sessions[edit]

See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions
Click here to see a chart of each state's 2014 session information.

Currently 3 out of 50 state legislatures are meeting in regular session. Ohio is meeting in Skeleton Session. A Skeleton Session typically includes very short nonvoting sessions instead of regular sessions with a full chamber. Virginia is meeting in special session.[8]

The following states have adjourned their 2014 regular session:[9]

* February 20: New Mexico

* March 7: Wyoming
* March 10: Oregon
* March 10: Virginia
* March 10: West Virginia
* March 14: Indiana
* March 14: Utah
* March 14: Washington
* March 20: Arkansas
* March 21: Georgia
* March 21: Idaho
* March 31: South Dakota

* April 3: Mississippi
* April 4: Alabama
* April 8: Maryland
* April 16: Kentucky
* April 18: Nebraska
* April 18: Tennessee
* April 24: Arizona
* April 25: Alaska

* May 2: Hawaii
* May 2: Iowa
* May 2: Maine
* May 5: Florida
* May 7: Colorado
* May 7: Connecticut
* May 10: Vermont
* May 19: Minnesota
* May 19: Missouri
* May 26: Oklahoma
* May 30: Kansas

* June 2: Illinois
* June 3: Louisiana
* June 4: Wisconsin
* June 6: South Carolina
* June 13: New Hampshire
* June 23: Rhode Island

* July 1: Delaware

* August 1: Massachusetts
* August 20: North Carolina
* August 30: California

#### In recess[edit]

As of today, September 29, there are two state legislatures currently in recess:[10]

* New York: Returns October 6
* Pennsylvania: Returns October 6

# 2014 Legislative Elections[edit]

See also: State legislative elections, 2014

A total of 87 of the 99 chambers will hold state legislative elections on November 4, 2014.

The 87 chambers with elections in 2014 are in 46 states. They are:

* Alabama (Senate and House)
* Alaska (Senate and House)
* Arizona (Senate and House)
* Arkansas (Senate and House)
* California (Senate and Assembly)
* Colorado (Senate and House)
* Connecticut (Senate and House)
* Delaware (Senate and House)
* Florida (Senate and House)
* Georgia (Senate and House)
* Hawaii (Senate and House)
* Idaho (Senate and House)
* Illinois (Senate and House)
* Indiana (Senate and House)
* Iowa (Senate and House)
* Kansas (House Only)
* Kentucky (Senate and House)
* Maine (Senate and House)
* Maryland (Senate and House)
* Massachusetts (Senate and House)
* Michigan (Senate and House)
* Minnesota (House Only)
* Missouri (Senate and House)
* Montana (Senate and House)
* Nebraska (Unicameral Legislature)
* Nevada (Senate and Assembly)
* New Hampshire (Senate and House)
* New Mexico (House Only)
* New York (Senate and Assembly)
* North Carolina (Senate and House)
* North Dakota (Senate and House)
* Ohio (Senate and House)
* Oklahoma (Senate and House)
* Oregon (Senate and House)
* Pennsylvania (Senate and House)
* Rhode Island (Senate and House)
* South Carolina (House Only)
* South Dakota (Senate and House)
* Tennessee (Senate and House)
* Texas (Senate and House)
* Utah (Senate and House)
* Vermont (Senate and House)
* Washington (Senate and House)
* West Virginia (Senate and House)
* Wisconsin (Senate and Assembly)
* Wyoming (Senate and House)

The Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico and South Carolina senates also typically hold elections in even years. However, senators are elected to 4-year terms in those states and those will not be up for election again until 2016.

1,097 of the country's 1,972 state senate seats are up for re-election in November 2014, and 4,958 of the country's 5,411 state house seats are up for re-election. Altogether, 6,055 of the country's 7,383 state legislative seats are up for re-election on November 4, 2014.

### Primary Information[edit]

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2014 state legislative elections

The state legislative filing deadlines and primary dates are as follows:

Note: Ballot access is a complicated issue. The dates in the table below are primarily for candidates filing for access to the primary. For more detailed information about each state's qualification requirements -- including all relevant ballot access dates for the primary and general election -- click to our detailed pages in the state column.

2014 State Legislative Primary Information

State  | Filing Deadline  | Primary Date  | Days from Deadline to Primary

|
|
|

Alabama |  2/7/2014  |  6/3/2014  | 116
Alaska |  6/2/2014[11] |  8/19/2014  | 78
Arizona |  5/28/2014[12] |  8/26/2014  | 90
Arkansas |  3/3/2014[13][14] |  5/20/2014  | 78
California |  3/7/2014[15][16][17] |  6/3/2014  | 88
Colorado |  3/31/2014[18][19] |  6/24/2014  | 85
Connecticut |  6/10/2014[20] |  8/12/2014  | 90
Delaware |  7/8/2014  |  9/9/2014  | 63
Florida |  6/20/2014[21][22] |  8/26/2014  | 67
Georgia |  3/7/2014  |  5/20/2014  | 74
Hawaii |  6/3/2014[23] |  8/9/2014  | 67
Idaho |  3/14/2014  |  5/20/2014  | 78
Illinois |  12/2/2013  |  3/18/2014  | 106
Indiana |  2/7/2014  |  5/6/2014  | 88
Iowa |  3/14/2014  |  6/3/2014  | 81
Kansas |  6/2/2014  |  8/5/2014  | 65
Kentucky |  1/28/2014[24][25] |  5/20/2014  | 112
Maine |  3/17/2014[26] |  6/10/2014  | 85
Maryland |  2/25/2014[27] |  6/24/2014  | 119
Massachusetts |  6/3/2014[28] |  9/9/2014  | 98
Michigan |  4/22/2014  |  8/5/2014  | 105
Minnesota |  6/3/2014  |  8/12/2014  | 70
Missouri |  3/25/2014  |  8/5/2014  | 133
Montana |  3/10/2014  |  6/3/2014  | 85
Nebraska |  3/3/2014[29] |  5/13/2014  | 85
Nevada |  3/14/2014  |  6/10/2014  | 88
New Hampshire |  6/13/2014  |  9/9/2014  | 88
New Mexico |  2/4/2014  |  6/3/2014  | 119
New York |  7/10/2014  |  9/9/2014  | 61
North Carolina |  2/28/2014  |  5/6/2014  | 67
North Dakota |  4/7/2014  |  6/10/2014  | 64
Ohio |  2/5/2014  |  5/6/2014  | 90
Oklahoma |  4/11/2014  |  6/24/2014  | 74
Oregon |  3/11/2014  |  5/20/2014  | 70
Pennsylvania |  3/11/2014  |  5/20/2014  | 70
Rhode Island |  6/25/2014  |  9/9/2014  | 76
South Carolina |  3/30/2014  |  6/10/2014  | 72
South Dakota |  3/25/2014  |  6/3/2014  | 70
Tennessee |  4/3/2014  |  8/7/2014  | 126
Texas |  12/9/2013  |  3/4/2014  | 85
Utah |  3/20/2014  |  6/24/2014  | 96
Vermont |  6/12/2014  |  8/26/2014  | 75
Washington |  5/17/2014  |  8/5/2014  | 80
West Virginia |  1/25/2014  |  5/13/2014  | 108
Wisconsin |  6/2/2014  |  8/12/2014  | 71
Wyoming |  5/30/2014  |  8/19/2014  | 81

# Special Elections[edit]

See also: State legislative special elections, 2014

There are no special elections scheduled this week. The next special elections will take place on November 4 in Louisiana and Mississippi.

#### Looking ahead[edit]

Upcoming special elections include:

* November 4: Louisiana House of Representatives District 97
* November 4: Mississippi State Senate District 17
* December 9: Virginia House of Delegates District 4

## See also[edit]

* State legislative elections, 2014
* 2014 state legislative calendar
* Signature requirements and deadlines for 2014 state government elections
* State legislative special elections, 2014
* State legislative recalls

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Associated Press, "Rep. Randy Pike, of rural western Missouri, dies," September 20, 2014 (dead link)
2. ↑ The Examiner, "Flags at half-staff for death of state representative," September 23, 2014
3. ↑ Nevada Daily Mail, "Republicans choose replacement candidate," September 24, 2014
4. ↑ Nevada Daily Mail, "Rep. Randy Pike dies Saturday," September 23, 2014
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 CBS Philly, "Despite Governor’s Objection, Pa. Senate OKs Medical Marijuana Bill," September 24, 2014
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 ABC 27, "Pa. Senate approves medical marijuana bill," September 24, 2014
7. ↑ Jurist.org, "Pennsylvania senate approves medical marijuana bill," September 25, 2014
8. ↑ Cleveland.com, "Ohio's 2014 legislative calendar will be crammed with election-year politicking and backroom pleading: Thomas Suddes," December 15, 2013
9. ↑ Stateside Associates, " Session Calendar 2014," accessed September 29, 2014
10. ↑ StateNet, " Daily Session Summary," accessed September 29, 2014
11. ↑ Alaska Statutes, "Section 15.25, Nomination of Candidates," accessed October 31, 2013
12. ↑ Secretary of State Website, "2014 Election Important Dates," accessed November 4, 2013
13. ↑ Running for Public Office, "A 'Plain English' Handbook for Candidates," 2012 Edition, accessed October 21, 2013 (dead link)
14. ↑ Arkansas Code of 1987, "Title 7, Elections," accessed October 30, 2013
15. ↑ Summary of Qualifications and Requirements for the Office of State Senator, Member of the Assembly, "June 3, 2014, Primary Election," accessed October 21, 2013
16. ↑ California Elections Code, "Section 8100-8107," accessed October 28, 2013
17. ↑ California Secretary of State Website, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed October 21, 2013
18. ↑ Colorado Secretary of State Website, "Major Political Parties FAQs," accessed October 31, 2013
19. ↑ Colorado Revised Statutes, "Title 1, Elections," accessed October 31, 2013
20. ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State Website, "Frequently Asked Questions, Nominating Papers," accessed October 31, 2013
21. ↑ Florida Department of State Division of Elections, "2013-2014 Dates to Remember," accessed November 6, 2013
22. ↑ 2013 Florida Statutes, "Section 99.061," accessed December 2, 2014
23. ↑ Hawaii State Legislature, "HRS §12-6 Nomination papers: time for filing; fees", accessed May 22, 2013
24. ↑ 2014 Kentucky Election Calendar, accessed November 12, 2013
25. ↑ Kentucky State Board of Elections "Candidate Qualifications and Filing Fees" accessed November 26, 2011
26. ↑ Maine Secretary of State "State of Maine 2014 Candidate's Guide to Ballot Access," accessed February 11, 2014
27. ↑ The State Board of Elections, "Candidacy," accessed November 5, 2013
28. ↑ 2014 Massachusetts State Primary and State Election Schedule, accessed December 2, 2013
29. ↑ Official Election Calendar for the State of Nebraska, accessed November 18, 2014