Somebody please sit our leaders down, spark up a big, fat doobie and get on with it. All this dithering over dope is making our heads spin, even those of us don't inhale. Entrepreneurs are getting busted, tokers are in a tizzy, glaucoma patients see red, freedom lovers steam. Only street pushers are happy. Pothibition, a crook's best friend, may be running on fumes, but it ain't dead yet. On Monday, Toronto city councillors deferred - again - the issue of marijuana dispensaries. Pot spokesmen who lined up to make their case were left with their gums flapping. [continues 513 words]
This Week, Hundreds of Marijuana Dispensaries Will Be Shuttered. How did that happen? The evening of November 6, 2012, will live long in the memories of many progressive Seattleites. It was a night of raucous celebration in the heart of Seattle as a singular mass of bodies danced at the corner of Pike Street and 10th Avenue. In the tide of humanity, a middle-aged man with a gray beard and a plaid blue shirt sprayed the crowd around him with champagne. [continues 3359 words]
EASTON - U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, Rmd.-1st, is part of a group of bipartisan congressmen who want to loosen the federal barriers to medical marijuana research. Harris, a physician who has also conducted National Institute of Health-sponsored research, and several other federal lawmakers plan to introduce bills in both houses of Congress. According to Harris' office, the House version of the bill would address two major barriers faced by those who want to conduct legitimate medical marijuana research. It allows for the private manufacturing and distribution of marijuana solely for research purposes, in order for the researchers to get the pot they need for their studies. It also aims to reduce approval wait times for studies. [continues 544 words]
My wife and I both have medical cannabis cards. If we are flying within California, shouldn't we be OK to carry cannabis and our vape with us in our carry-on or in our checked baggage? The answer is: Yes! As long are you stay in Cali, you are all good! Bring a copy of your letter of recommendation with you and you should have no problems. If you are really worried about it, don't bring anything and take advantage of all the nice dispensaries and delivery services from wherever you are. I bet you could even plan a vacation around different cannabis dispensaries. Someone should start a weed tour. Have a fun trip! [continues 366 words]
Nevada Voters Should Turn Down Legal Pot At the same time Nevadans will help elect a president, they will also determine whether to legalize recreational marijuana And while it may seem like a no-brainer in a free-wheeling state known for legalized gambling and a lax approach to prostitution, recreational weed comes with health, safety and social costs that make legalizing marijuana a dangerous proposal for Nevadans. State ballot Question 2 in the November election would make it legal for people 21 and over to possess up to an ounce of marijuana for recreational use. A 15 percent tax would be applied to legal pot sales and revenues generated would be earmarked for education. [continues 435 words]
Marijuana plants could be growing legally in Ohio soil in a year, predicts state Sen. Dave Burke, an architect of Ohio's newly minted medical marijuana law. "As soon as 16 months, you would have products tested and available," the Marysville Republican said. House Bill 523, the medical marijuana law, completed a rocky journey through the legislature Wednesday. It is now headed to Gov. John Kasich. Kasich has not indicated whether he will sign the bill into law. He also could veto it or allow it to take effect without his signature. [continues 515 words]
Role As Medicine Remains Controversial Medical marijuana has been legalized in Pennsylvania, as well as 23 other states and the District of Columbia, but there are still many questions about how exactly the drug can be used as medicine. Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act (MMA), or Senate Bill 3, lists 17 "serious medical conditions" that qualify for treatment with medical marijuana. These conditions include cancer, HIV/AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, neuropathies, Huntington's disease, Crohn's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, intractable seizures, glaucoma, sickle cell anemia and autism. [continues 1190 words]
Supervisors ADD One Month to Temporary Prohibition, Hold Off Voting on Longer Plan. Los Angeles County supervisors voted Tuesday to extend a temporary ban on growing medical marijuana in unincorporated areas by one month, but shelved a proposed 10-month ban. Al Seib Los Angeles Times SUPERVISOR SHEILA Kuehl noted that there is a strong possibility that Californians will vote in November to legalize recreational marijuana use. In asking to postpone a vote on the longer ban, Supervisor Sheila Kuehl noted that there is a strong possibility that Californians will vote in November to legalize recreational marijuana use. [continues 311 words]
Medical marijuana has been legalized in Pennsylvania, as well as 23 other states and the District of Columbia, but there are still many questions about how exactly the drug can be used as medicine. Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act (MMA), or Senate Bill 3, lists 17 "serious medical conditions" that qualify for treatment with medical marijuana. These conditions include cancer, HIV/AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, neuropathies, Huntington's disease, Crohn's disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, intractable seizures, glaucoma, sickle cell anemia and autism. [continues 1287 words]
Legalization Has Patients and Businesses Seeing Green Pennsylvania joined the growing list of states to legalize medical marijuana when Gov. Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 3, the Medical Marijuana Act, into law on April 17. To date, 23 other states and Washington D.C. have legalized either medical marijuana, recreational marijuana or both. It's been about a month since the passage of the MMA, as the law is known, but it will be a while before marijuana growers and dispensaries are up and running. [continues 1659 words]
There are rumors that the federal government may soon lift its ban on marijuana, but that wouldn't end marijuana prohibitions in the United States. This incongruity is the result of federalism: the ability of each jurisdiction - the federal government and every state - to maintain its own laws as to which drugs are illegal and which are not. Completely legalizing marijuana in the United States would require the actions of both the federal government and every state government. If the federal government repealed its criminal prohibition of marijuana or rescheduled the drug under federal law, that would not change state laws that forbid its possession or sale. Likewise, state governments can repeal their marijuana laws, in whole or in part, but that does not change federal law. [continues 618 words]
TALLAHASSEE - The medical marijuana amendment is back, and the fight over the issue is poised to return to the airwaves and screens of all sizes throughout Florida. Drug Free Florida, the group that successfully fended off a similar amendment in 2014, released its first video this week attacking the new measure that will go before voters on the November ballot. The three-minute video is running online only, but it signals the start of a campaign likely to inundate the state with ads. [continues 543 words]
Forty-one states have legislation that permits medical marijuana in some form. However, the law in Texas is not considered functional because it requires a physician to prescribe marijuana. Since marijuana is illegal under federal law, doctors can't prescribe it. They can only recommend it to patients. Louisiana's law had the same flaw, but the state's House of Representatives just voted on new legislation that should correct this problem. In April, Pennsylvania became the latest state to pass medical marijuana legislation, which will take effect this month. And recently, Ohio's House of Representatives passed a plan to permit medical marijuana in the state. [continues 1101 words]
TALLAHASSEE - A group fighting a proposed amendment to allow medical marijuana in Florida released its first web video Monday, attacking the measure as a fig leaf for full-blown legalization of the drug. The video from Drug Free Florida's Vote No on 2 campaign is posted on its website and isn't running as an ad on television or online. But it signals the first salvo from those opposed to Amendment 2. The three-minute video features online searches of California marijuana shops, noting their marketing of marijuana-infused baked goods and other items aren't likely to be for genuine medical ailments. [continues 223 words]
COLUMBUS - In the biggest shift in state drug policy in decades, the Ohio House voted 71-26 on Tuesday to legalize marijuana for medical use only. The bill heads to the Senate, where hearings will begin today. Republican House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger voiced confidence that a bill could reach Gov. John Kasich's desk before the General Assembly recesses for the summer before Memorial Day. Kasich spokesman Joe Andrews said the governor has not committed to signing this bill, but would sign one if it "is written properly and there is a need for it." [continues 722 words]
Is there a recommended type of cannabis for relieving glaucoma? - -DIC Good question. People have used marijuana to treat the symptoms of glaucoma for years. In fact, Robert Randall, the first person to receive medical marijuana from the U.S. government, suffered from glaucoma. Elvy Musikka, one of the four people left on the program, also uses cannabis to treat glaucoma. Before we get into this, let's remember that, as I've said before, I am not a doctor. Consult your physician before taking on any cannabis-related regimens. [continues 386 words]
Each week, In Theory takes on a big idea in the news and explores it from a range of perspectives. This week, we're talking about drug scheduling. Need a primer? Catch up here. There are rumors that the federal government may soon lift its ban on marijuana, but that wouldn't end marijuana prohibitions in the United States. This incongruity is the result of federalism: the ability of each jurisdiction - the federal government and every state - to maintain its own laws as to which drugs are illegal and which are not. [continues 688 words]
Cannabis conversations are smoking in Nelson. In just one hour, more than 250 signatures of support were collected at a medicinal cannabis rally at the Church Steps. The gathering on Saturday saw people from all walks of life attend - families with children, the elderly and business people. They were there to support legal medicinal cannabis use, or listen to what has become one of New Zealand's greatest debates since passing the law on gay marriage. In a push to decriminalise the use of medicinal cannabis, Rose Renton - - mother of teenager Alex Renton, who was prescribed medicinal cannabis use of the drug shortly before his death last year - addressed the scattered crowd who wore green in support of the petition she promoted. She pleaded with everyone there to keep the conversation going. [continues 431 words]
Well. finally. State lawmakers have passed and Gov. Tom Wolf said he will sign legislation allowing usage of medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. That only took . what, 20 years? California became the first state to allow medical marijuana way back in 1996. Sen Daylin Leach, D-Delaware County, has introduced medical marijuana legislation every session since 2009. Sen. Mike Folmer, R-parts of northeastern York County, has pushed for this compassionate treatment - on behalf of his "Momma Bears," parents of kids suffering from epilepsy and other ailments - for many years. [continues 515 words]
Patrick and Beth Collins didn't want to get their daughter high. They wanted to get her well. "They wanted to get her CBD oil." So begins John Hudak's case description within The Brookings Institute's examination last month of "The Medical Marijuana Mess." The Collinses had discovered a substance that might provide help for their daughter, but their government - at both federal and state levels - told them she was not allowed to have it. With its injunctions against medical marijuana, our government keeps patients sick. It also keeps its constituents ignorant. The fact that marijuana's therapeutic effects are supported by hundreds, indeed thousands of years of effective treatments around the globe has not sufficed to get it removed from government prohibition. [continues 594 words]
