Pubdate: Thu, 17 Apr 2014
Source: Tucson Weekly (AZ)
Copyright: 2014 Tucson Weekly
Contact:  http://www.tucsonweekly.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/462
Author: J.M. Smith

MARYLAND AND MORE

Somehow Still Clutching to Life, Possibly Due to the Evil Intervention
of Dick Cheney, Mr. Smith Provides a News Update

Editor's Note: Mr. Smith has gone from blinking to finger tapping,
although he remains in the nether region of semi-function. Although
he can now move two fingers on his right hand, he is still unable to
breathe or eat on his own. Dick Cheney remains at his side, watching
the numerous medical monitors for signs of significant deterioration
or improvement. So far, Mr. Smith is still teetering.

Several things happened this past week across the nation that are
moving medical marijuana nicely along toward acceptance and legality.
To wit:

Mary becomes MaryJaneLand

In Maryland, one of our original states and one where a medical
marijuana law was pushed forward from the legislature and not a voter
initiative, we have lift-off. Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a law that
launches the latest medical marijuana program in the nation. At the
same time, O'Malley signed a bill decriminalizing marijuana for the
general population.

The governor tasked a commission with developing a medical program -
identifying patients, approving physicians, setting up an application
process for growers, etc. There are a lot of questions to answer about
how the program will emerge, and it looks like it will be more than a
year before we get them.

The governor also decriminalized possession of less than 10 grams,
making it a civil offense punishable by not more than 90 days in jail
or a fine of not more than $500. That's nice of you, but why are you
still threatening to jail people for tiny amounts of cannabis? C'mon,
Gov. O'Malley, that's draconian. It's unlikely many folks will go to
jail over this amount, but it shouldn't even be an option for judges.

We need more laws like Washington, D.C., which recently made
possession of less than an ounce a $25 fine. That's what I'm talkin'
about.

Oregon growers unite

In Oregon, where voters rejected recreational legalization in Nov.
2012 but the legislature has given its blessing to retail medical
sales, a group of growers banded together in a political action
committee they hope will ease their pain.

The Oregon Cannabis Growers PAC filed papers with the state. The
growers hope to get protection under the state's medical marijuana
program, which originally was geared toward grower/patient
relationships, not retail sales. The growers plan to lobby state
legislators to protect them from prosecution in ways that retail
operations will be protected.

It's interesting to me that a state like Oregon, where medical
marijuana was made legal in 1998, is still struggling with this. Wtf?
Why are growers in a state where the entire system is geared toward
linking growers with patients still worrying about
prosecution?

C'mon, Oregon. It's 2014, let's update your laws to reflect that.
Protect your growers, so they can help patients without fear.

Minesoota likes medical marijuana

Up in the great white state to the north, a recent poll shows that way
more people like MMJ than the legislature or even Al Franken, their
comedian cum U.S. senator.

In a recent poll, just 34 percent of respondents approved of the job
the legislature is doing, and 46 percent approved of Al Franken. But a
whopping 68 percent of Minnesotans think medical marijuana should be
legal. They don't like recreational cannabis, though.

Just 29 percent favored recreational marijuana - far fewer than most
national polls have shown in the past year. I don't know much about
Minnesota, but clearly they lag the nation in enlightened views about
cannabis. I know it's cold up there, but that shouldn't drive you from
reason.

C'mon, Minnesota legislators. Maybe if you legalize medical marijuana,
more of your constituents will like you :) Let's see a bill proposing
a medical marijuana program.

Please?
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MAP posted-by: Matt