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 If the federal government repealed its criminal prohibition of marijuana or rescheduled the drug under federal law, that would not change state laws that forbid its possession or sale.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]
THE United Nations is ho sting a special three day session on the global drug problem that ends tomorrow, and cannabis users around the world are hoping their favourite plant will finally be rescheduled as a controlled substance. Are scheduling would make it easier for researchers to study the plant and for doctors to prescribe it as a medicine. This includes KwaZulu Natal, where the excellent quality of cannabis cultivated in the ideal climate of places such as the Midlands and Zulu land can be given to people who suffer from painful diseases, such as cancer and lupus, or to help the many police officers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. [continues 748 words]
Love Is In The Air Remember that time in 2014 when medical marijuana got a half-million more votes than Gov. Rick Scott but was still defeated? No? Let's recap. Two years ago, Florida's biggest political issue, aside from Scott beating Charlie Crist and his loyal Vornado Air Circulator fan for a second term, was Amendment 2, a measure that would have legalized medical marijuana for people with debilitating medical conditions. United for Care and its chairman, Orlando attorney John Morgan, pulled in millions of dollars to fight for the initiative. Drug Free Florida, which counted on supporters like the Florida Sheriffs Association, the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Chamber of Commerce, hauled in its own share of cash, including a $5 million contribution from casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, to oppose medical marijuana. [continues 1564 words]
The House Voted 149-46 in Favor; Gov. Wolf Will Sign Bill HARRISBURG (AP) - Pennsylvania is set to become the latest state to legalize medical marijuana as the Legislature sent a bill to the governor on Wednesday, after parents of children suffering from debilitating seizures circulated the Capitol urging lawmakers to act. The House voted, 149-46, capping several years of door-to-door lobbying by parents and more than a year-and-a-half since the state Senate first approved a medical marijuana bill in 2014. Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, has indicated he will sign it. [continues 644 words]
HARRISBURG (AP) - Pennsylvania is set to become the latest state to legalizemedical marijuana as the Legislature sent a bill to the governor on Wednesday, after parents of children suffering from debilitating seizures circulated the Capitol urging lawmakers to act. The House voted, 14946, capping several years of door-to-door lobbying by parents and more than a year-and-a-half since the state Senate first approved a medical marijuana bill in 2014. Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, has indicated he will sign it. [continues 660 words]
HARRISBURG (AP) - The state Senate passed medical marijuana legislation for the second time in less than a year on Tuesday, and backers said they hope the House will accept the changes and send it to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf 's desk later this week. The issue has won overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers after years of advocates, primarily the parents of children who suffer daily seizures and have lost their ability to function intellectually at their age levels, going door to door in the Capitol. [continues 413 words]
HARRISBURG (AP) - Senate backers said Monday that they hope medical marijuana legislation will get to Gov. Tom Wolf 's desk this week and start what could be a two-year process of setting up regulations for growers, dispensaries and physicians. A Senate committee approved changes to a bill that passed the House last month. Backers said they expect a final Senate vote today, followed by a final House vote on Wednesday. The Democratic governor supports the bill. The changes were designed to eliminate potential glitches in how the set up and regulation of the industry is supposed to work, Senate officials said. [continues 389 words]
HARRISBURG (AP) - Senate backers said Monday that they hope medical marijuana legislation will get to Gov. Tom Wolf 's desk this week and start what could be a two-year process of setting up regulations for growers, dispensaries and physicians. A Senate committee approved changes to a bill that passed the House last month. Backers said they expect a final Senate vote today, followed by a final House vote on Wednesday. The Democratic governor supports the bill. The changes were designed to eliminate potential glitches in how the set up and regulation of the industry is supposed to work, Senate officials said. [continues 388 words]
Police raided a cannabis dispensary on Wednesday, one of two that opened in Campbell River only last week. Trees Dispensary on 14th Avenue was raided at 2 p.m. April 6 and Mounties seized all money, cannabis flower and cannabis extracts on site. Campbell River Trees branch manager Ben Hinton was detained and released without charge later in the afternoon. "We were a bit surprised with the rapidity with which the RCMP obtained a search warrant," said Trees Dispensary spokesperson Alex Robb. "It was a bit fast." [continues 548 words]
African regulatory authorities such as the South African Medicines Control Council should consider applications to approve medicinal cannabis for the treatment of chronic pain. This is especially needed in the case of patients who are not responding well to conventional medication and where the use of medicinal cannabis may have a positive effect on its own or as an adjunct to existing medications. But regulatory bodies must be guided by good evidence rather than by anecdotal reports or pressure from recreational users promoting a legalisation agenda. [continues 634 words]
