States like Montana that have passed laws legalizing medical marijuana have seen a decrease in traffic fatalities and a reduction in beer sales, a new study has found. A report authored by a D. Mark Anderson, a Montana State University economics professor, and Daniel Rees, a professor at the University of Colorado Denver, discovered a 9 percent decrease in traffic fatalities in states that passed laws legalizing medical marijuana. The study points to marijuana as a substitute drug for alcohol. So far, 16 states have passed laws legalizing medical marijuana. Surveys show that residents in these states are reporting consuming less alcohol and retailers are reporting a 5 percent reduction in alcohol sales. [continues 440 words]
The tug-of-war between county government and marijuana proponents continued to make headlines in Nevada County in 2011, and promises to heat up again early next year when a proposed cultivation ordinance goes before the Board of Supervisors. Early in the year, local jurisdictions made it clear that dispensaries were not welcome here. In January, Grass Valley City Council members voted down a proposed ordinance to allow and regulate dispensaries, instead joining 214 California cities that have banned them outright. Council members cited concern about the effects of marijuana use on young people and worries over crime associated with dispensaries in some areas, saying those who genuinely need marijuana for medical reasons can get it at the nearest dispensary in Colfax, about half an hour away in Placer County. [continues 563 words]
Re "Is Obama in control?" (Editorial, Dec. 22): In Ken Burns' outstanding PBS documentary Prohibition, it was revealed that alcohol prohibition corrupted all levels of our government-all the way up to the Warren G. Harding White House. The alcohol cartels had hundreds of politicians on their payroll. Is it unreasonable to suspect that the drug cartels of today are following in the footsteps of the alcohol cartels? It's obvious that medical marijuana dispensaries were making a major dent in the income of the drug cartels. Would a $10 million bribe motivate Obama to change his policy regarding medical marijuana? We will never know. But I certainly suspect so. Kirk Muse Mesa, Ariz. [end]
Re "Is Obama in control?" (Editorial, Dec. 22): Obama could be in control of the marijuana problem by upholding the rule of law, the Constitution of the United States. The marijuana laws impinge upon fundamental rights, a justiciable controversy under Article III. Criminalizing marijuana because marijuana has no medicinal use is unreasonable and unnecessary regulations of my fundamental rights to liberty, to property and to privacy. Marijuana and the private use of this property does not threaten the rights of others. Who have presidents been afraid of? National police? [continues 58 words]
Re "Is Obama in control?" (Editorial, Dec. 22): When the last number of presidents have used cannabis (marijuana) recreationally, there should be no question cannabis prohibition should automatically be terminated, especially since roughly 70 percent of Americans support it. Roughly 50 percent of Americans support-and that number is increasing-legalizing and regulating cannabis because it is one of America's worst policy failures in history. Cannabis prohibition is perpetuated exactly because President Obama is in control. If citizens were in control, cannabis prohibition, persecution, discrimination and extermination would end immediately. Ending cannabis prohibition is one of the most important issues of our time. Stan White Dillon, Colo. [end]
Members of California's largest medical marijuana advocacy group mounted a protest at the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse to commemorate-albeit reluctantly-the anniversary of the county's largest raid on medical marijuana providers to date. After a year, a majority of the defendants from "Operation Green Sweep" have yet to make it to trial, thanks to a series of legal wranglings over multiple cases that hang on state law. On Dec. 27, members of the local chapter of Americans for Safe Access (ASA) wielded signs reading "STOP Medical Raids Now" and "DA Shea: Drop the charges against ALL of the 'SLO 12.'" Though protester turnout was significantly less than at a similar demonstration held during the defendants' arraignments in the first days of 2011, the organizers weren't dissuaded. [continues 239 words]
RIVERSIDE - Riverside County officials are moving swiftly to shut down storefront medical marijuana dispensaries, seeking an injunction against one and ordering the owner of another to appear before the Board of Supervisors to explain why he's refused to close his doors, it was announced today. The actions come two weeks after the board committed to taking legal steps to shutter the 35 dispensaries violating a county zoning ordinance that prohibits the operation of medical marijuana facilities in unincorporated communities. Last week, the board filed a request in Superior Court seeking an injunction against Platinum Collective on Magnolia Avenue in Home Gardens. The dispensary has been notified that it's operating illegally but has refused to acknowledge the county's demand for cessation, according to county Executive Office spokesman Ray Smith. [continues 398 words]
FLINT, Michigan -- Everything from jobs to public safety to medical marijuana was up for discussion Wednesday morning between two of the candidates hoping to replace recalled state Rep. Paul Scott. Republican nominee Joe Graves and Green Party nominee Cary Neuville-Justice fielded questions at Flint's White Horse Tavern during a live broadcast the program Off The Kuf on Kettering University's WKUF 94.3 FM. Democratic nominee Steve Losey could not attend because of a scheduling conflict, said program host Tom Sumner. [continues 261 words]
A year after 12 were arrested, protesters in SLO argue the sting was not necessary, aggravating for defendants and a waste of taxpayer money One year after a group dubbed the "SLO 12" was arrested during an undercover investigation into medical marijuana dispensaries, some local activists are still fuming. About 10 people gathered Tuesday morning outside San Luis Obispo Superior Court on Monterey Street to protest the arrests. They held signs supporting "safe access" to medical marijuana and criticized the ongoing handling of the cases. [continues 408 words]
The stores have become popular over last several years There's a growing phenomenon sweeping across Tulare County - and across the nation, for that matter. It's called "indoor grow shops," and it's taking many people - from farmers-market fanatics to, yes, those who grow marijuana legally - by storm. There are two indoor grow shops in Porterville alone. Maximum Harvest Grower Supplies, the city's oldest indoor grow shop, is located at 730 E. Date St. The other shop, M&J's Grower Supply, is located at 128 N. Second St. [continues 382 words]
On two occasions, Maine voters have authorized medical marijuana for people with serious illnesses. This was not a vote to legalize recreational marijuana use, but an attempt to treat the herb as much like a medicine as possible. Operators of the newest dispensary in Portland should keep that in mind and not take advantage of Mainers' compassion. Unfortunately, that's not what they are advertising. The website of Wellness Connection of Maine advertises a place for patients to relax near a fireplace and drink tea, while eating food laced with marijuana. It's a setting that sounds more like a cocktail lounge than a dispensary and it is not what voters were promised. [continues 260 words]
Officials Say Effort Is Similar To Action That Has Been Taken In Other Communities Howell officials have introduced an ordinance that if adopted would prevent marijuana to be used for medical purposes from being grown in Howell. The proposed ordinance in Howell is similar to legislation that has been introduced and/or adopted in Upper Freehold Township in Monmouth County and Plumsted Township in Ocean County. Specifically, the ordinance establishes compliance with federal law as criteria for approval by zoning and construction officials as well as other applicable township employees. [continues 383 words]
The head of the Colorado Department of Revenue has written a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration asking that federal controls on marijuana be loosened slightly to account for its "potential medicinal value." Colorado is the third state with a medical-marijuana program to ask the DEA to reschedule marijuana. But Revenue Department Executive Director Barbara Brohl's letter, written Dec. 22, does not come as a surprise. A law passed last year in the legislature required the state to ask for rescheduling by the end of this year. [continues 206 words]
PORTLAND -- A medical marijuana dispensary that's scheduled to open in Portland next month is designed as a California-style wellness center. Its operator is promoting a free coffee and tea bar, acupuncture clinics, support groups, counseling and a "welcoming vapor lounge." The new website of Wellness Connection of Maine says, "Patients are always welcome to relax and socialize near our fireplace, or enjoy a free cup of tea with a friend in our cafe space." The manager of Maine's medical marijuana program says a dispensary with such amenities would violate state regulations aimed at ensuring that dispensaries are places to get medicine for serious illnesses, not places to socialize. [continues 528 words]
House Speaker Says He'll Petition Federal Government to See What State Needs to Do PROVIDENCE ---- House Speaker Gordon D. Fox says he'll personally petition the U.S. Department of Justice to seek a way for Rhode Island to open the medical marijuana dispensaries that advocates have long sought. "I plan on going to the federal government to ask them: what do you need it to look like?" the Providence Democrat said Tuesday. "Because I think it's been too long and there have been too many people waiting. ... I hear so many stories of people waiting for relief and they are not being addressed. They deserve better than that." [continues 345 words]
According to the Dec. 22 story in The Columbian, "State considers adding ADD, OCD to medical pot list," the state of Washington is considering legalizing the use of marijuana for anyone who has a medical problem of any kind. For instance, Attention Deficit Disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder would qualify. Other unrelated diseases, such as a "social disorder" and "intractable pain," also would make the grade. Now, my problem is that I have OCHD (Obsessive Compulsive Hunting Disorder). I love to hunt wild game animals. Someone recently diagnosed me as being an elkaholic, with no hope of recovery. Faced with this dire addiction, I wonder if I might qualify for medical marijuana. And since they are looking for scientific reasons for adopting its use, I will gladly submit to further study of my condition. Until then, I guess I'll just have to go on feeding my compulsion by hunting big game. If, however, I am refused on the basis that OCHD doesn't qualify me, perhaps I could add that I also have a hangnail. Anything to get access to this addictive gateway drug. Please, somebody help me. Elwood Bonner Vancouver [end]
First, I have never, nor do I intend to, smoke marijuana for any reason. I agree with Kraige Kinney 100 percent to vote on Jan. 3 to make Eagle a better place. But I would ask that the Eagle citizens vote "yes" in order to do so. I attended the marijuana panel held on Dec. 12, and I understood Eagle County Undersheriff Mr. McWilliams say that if the marijuana is grown in grow facilities this is safer for residential neighborhoods because there are no illegal and unsafe rigging setups in houses. [continues 141 words]
Appeal: Attorneys for Dispensary Denied License Say Public Safety Hazard Not Proven Lawyers for Lacey Cross -- a store on Pacific Avenue that sells medicinal marijuana -- have filed an appeal in Thurston County Superior Court seeking to overturn the city's denial of its business license application. The land-use petition filed by Seattle attorneys Charles Moure and Hilary Bricken states that the Lacey City Council erred during a Dec. 1 hearing when it upheld a land-use hearing examiner's denial of Lacey Cross's application for a business license. [continues 934 words]
Risky business; The owners of Beacon of Light and all medical marijuana dispensary owners deserve to be protected by the cops not harassed by them. Steve Krakowski Bay City [end]
It is not that marijuana use by teens has risen significantly, but that their tobacco use has greatly declined ("Generation up in smoke," Dec. 27). Is it possible the decrease in tobacco use shows us that the most effective anti-drug use campaigns are those that rely on enforcing regulations on a legal product, and not prohibition? Keith Saunders Scituate [end]
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