As usual I am late on my holiday shopping. Any ideas? - -P. Rocrastinator I find a hug is always an appropriate gift. OK, not always, but don't worry, friend. There is still plenty of time to find the perfect gift for your cannabis-loving compatriots. Vaporizers are all the rage these days. I like the PAX (www.ploom.com/pax) for cannabis flowers and the Zen Pen (www.zenpen.org) for oils. Also, there's a company called cannabox (www.cannabox.com), and while they won't send you any actual cannabis (yet), they will send you a box filled with all kinds of cool things for the discerning pot smoker. Think of them as a "loot crate" for weed nerds instead of gamers. Or you could just buy people some cannabis-infused products like soap or massage oil. Those are always nice. I hope you have a hempy holiday season. [continues 363 words]
Regarding "How We See It: Prison Ideas Offer Hope for Solutions" (Dec. 4): If no one else is willing to spell it out, I will. Much of the overcrowding in Arkansas prisons is caused by state legislators who know they stand a greater chance of getting elected if they take a get-tough-on-drugs stance, and by law enforcement agencies who profit from the war on drugs via federal grant money and asset forfeiture laws. It's in the interest of both groups to broaden the definition of "lawbreakers" to be as inclusive as possible. In other words, the problem is systemic. [continues 241 words]
DENVER (AP) - Colorado will spend more than $8 million researching marijuana's medical potential - a new frontier because government-funded marijuana research traditionally focuses on the drug's negative health effects. The grants awarded by the Colorado Board of Health will go to studies on whether marijuana helps treat epilepsy, brain tumors, Parkinson's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some of the studies still need federal approval. Though the awards are relatively small, researchers say they're a big step forward. While several other federal studies currently in the works look at marijuana's health effects, all the Colorado studies are focused on whether marijuana actually helps. [continues 564 words]
DENVER (AP) - Colorado will spend more than $8 million researching marijuana's medical potential - a new frontier because government-funded marijuana research traditionally focuses on the drug's negative health effects. The grants awarded by the Colorado Board of Health will go to studies on whether marijuana helps treat epilepsy, brain tumors, Parkinson's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some of the studies still need federal approval. Though the awards are relatively small, researchers say they're a big step forward. While several other federal studies currently in the works look at marijuana's health effects, all the Colorado studies are focused on whether marijuana actually helps. [continues 373 words]
$8.4 Million Will Be Used to Research the Medical Effectiveness of Marijuana Colorado's Board of Health on Wednesday approved up to $8.4 million of grants to pay for eight studies on medical marijuana, part of the largest-ever state-funded effort to study the medical efficacy of cannabis. The studies will look at whether marijuana can be used to treat childhood epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pediatric brain tumors and spine pain. University researchers will conduct all of the studies, meaning the results will provide some of the best - and most respected - evidence to date on whether marijuana is a useful medicine. [continues 452 words]
Action Addresses Outdated Guidelines, Uneven Penalties WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama on Wednesday cut short prison time for eight drug convicts as part of his new initiative to reduce harsh sentences under outdated guidelines, a step that could lead to a vast expansion of presidential clemency in his final two years in office. The president also is pardoning 12 convicts for a variety of offenses. But the commutations are particularly significant because they are the first issued under guidelines announced this year designed to cut costs by reducing the nation's bulging prison population and grant leniency to nonviolent drug offenders sentenced to double-digit terms. [continues 512 words]
DENVER (AP) - Colorado will spend more than $8 million researching marijuana's medical potential - a new frontier because government-funded marijuana research traditionally focuses on the drug's negative health effects. The grants awarded by the Colorado Board of Health will go to studies on whether marijuana helps treat epilepsy, brain tumors, Parkinson's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some of the studies still need federal approval. Though the awards are relatively small, researchers say they're a big step forward. While several other federal studies in the works look at marijuana's health effects, all of the Colorado studies are focused on whether marijuana actually helps. [continues 263 words]
A memo released last week by the Justice Department said it would allow marijuana to be grown and sold on Indian reservations. But local tribal leaders weren't interested in pursuing the option. Two tribes in the Oroville area, the Mooretown Rancheria and Tyme Maidu, said they had only recently heard of the announcement, and doubted the decision would make any difference. A call to the Enterprise Rancheria was not returned. The amount of land owned by tribes in Butte County is relatively small, and two include the Gold Country and Feather Falls casinos. [continues 521 words]
You can read this and say I'm just a dumb stoner and a drug addict, but to be clear I'm far from stupid and I'm not addicted to anything. I don't do drugs; I only smoke "cannabis," which isn't addictive. I've known of the cure for addiction (ibogaine) since July 4, 1998, when I first met Dana Beal of the "cures-not-wars" organization at a legalize marijuana protest in Washington D.C. I admit when I first heard Dana rail on and on about ibogaine I was skeptical. My thoughts were, if there really were a cure for addictions it would be used empathetically across America to save lives. Over the years I learned differently. [continues 927 words]
Cruel and unusual Institutions like JPMorgan Chase Bank have made it clear they will not work with the marijuana industry until it's federally legal to do so. It's never been clear that it wouldn't accept accounts from people who buy from the industry. But that's the situation allegedly facing couple Joy Wood and Phil Rockwell. Wood, a 44-year-old alcohol counselor, says she first got an inkling that her bank account was in trouble when her phone bill payments bounced in recent months. She looked and found two phone payments had been rejected, she says, as well as two rent payments. In short order, the couple was evicted from Champions at Nor'wood. (The apartment complex would not confirm personal information when contacted by the Indy.) [continues 321 words]
It was a tough fight getting the Iowa Legislature to pass a law prohibiting smoking in public places. By doing so the health of citizens has improved. Smoking is a large financial burden to Iowans. The terrible damage to the body has been reduced. Smoking has caused about 480,000 deaths each year. Secondhand smoke has chemicals that cause cancer and is even more dangerous. Iowa lawmakers should make casinos smoke-free. I wonder why legislatures in Iowa and other states are passing laws to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. Smoke have legalized smoking pot for recreational purposes. How will the drug cartel in Mexico react to the new competition in the pot market? [continues 189 words]
Blame Legalization The news came during the final minutes of a two-hour city council meeting, after most people had trickled out of the room. A handful of PowerPoint slides made it plain: Mayor Ed Murray is going after marijuana. Apparently, members of Murray's staff have spent the winter working on new rules for medical marijuana providers and in the process found a target in pot couriers. The administration has now directed the Seattle Police Department to take aim at those delivery services-yes, even the ones that require clients to have medical authorization-even though, until now, pot deliverers have enjoyed the luxury of operating and advertising openly without much attention from law enforcement. [continues 1474 words]
Regarding the Dec. 7 Viewpoints cover story, when it comes to preventing drug abuse, mass incarceration is a cure worse than the disease. The drug war is not the promoter of family values some would have us believe. Children of inmates are at risk of educational failure, joblessness, addiction and delinquency. Not only do the children lose out, but society as a whole does, too. Incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders alongside hardened criminals is the equivalent of providing them with a taxpayer-funded education in criminal behavior. Prisons transmit violent habits rather than reduce them. Nonviolent drug offenders are eventually released, with dismal job prospects because of criminal records. [continues 71 words]
I read Jonathan Starkey's article "Will Delaware Legalize Marijuana" with great concern. The history of the tobacco industry in the United States has shown that there is tremendous profit in selling addictive chemicals for recreational use. A growing marijuana industry in the United States is applying lessons learned from the tobacco industry to marijuana. Unfortunately, the public and legislators are not being adequately informed of the dangers of this drug. The use of marijuana is associated with memory impairment, impaired motor coordination (often resulting in motor vehicle accidents) and impaired judgment. [continues 166 words]
Writing as a retired detective, I know the damage and danger of marijuana use ("Time for a pot caucus? Dec. 8). It is no play toy. And I believe it should be given the same rules and respect as beer. The Boston Herald editorial argues that the current system should continue. That means the cartels produce and transport marijuana and thousands of teens sell it to their friends and others. What are the advantages and benefits of marijuana prohibition? The harm is that kids may be shot or even killed selling a green plant. - - Howard Wooldridge, Adamstown, Md. The writer is a co-founder of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. [end]
Government agencies and legislative bodies, which usually move at a slug-like pace, can act quickly, especially if no one is particularly seeking the change. The Department of Justice announced last week that Indian tribes can grow and sell marijuana on their lands as long as they follow the same federal conditions laid out for states that have legalized the drug, the Associated Press reported. Never mind that many tribes oppose legalization and only a few have expressed interest in the marijuana industry. But the choice is there, just in case. (Which is a good thing.) [continues 380 words]
All the Pundits Have Been Busily Clucking About What a Rocky Road Lies Ahead for New Gov. Tom Wolf. They're right, of course. The state's financial situation is dire - and both Republicans and Democrats are playing the blame game. The new governor is sure to find himself at odds with an even more solidly Republican Legislature (thanks to gerrymandering). Inequitable school funding is a huge problem across the state. Small cities such as York are imploding into insolvency. Hey Mr. Wolf, remind us again why you wanted this impossible job. Yeah, it's going to be tough. So why not start with something easy? [continues 378 words]
The Planning Commission Will Hold a Hearing Today As It Seeks Recommendations for the County Council on Marijuana Businesses in Unincorporated Areas. EVERETT - Marijuana-enterprise owners are expected to plead for their businesses at a public hearing before the Snohomish County Planning Commission on Tuesday. Neighbors who oppose pot operations also plan to weigh in before the commission makes a recommendation to the County Council. The council asked for recommendations as it considers amending the rules for marijuana businesses in the spring. In October, the council imposed a temporary moratorium on new pot operations in some of the county's rural areas after some neighbors voiced opposition. [continues 803 words]
Marijuana Brings a Relaxed Aspect to the Ancient Meditative Practice In a small South of Market studio, yoga is practiced on, shall we say, a higher level. As if doing child's pose, or balasana, in a candlelit room with tranquil music wasn't relaxing enough, Ganja Yoga adds cannabis to the experience as a way to help bring one's practice to a state of heightened spiritual consciousness that may otherwise not be reached. On a recent evening, instructor Dee Dussault talked her students through the various poses, encouraging them in a soothing voice how to breathe deeply through the diaphragm and, when the mood strikes them, to take a hit off a joint or vaporizer. [continues 936 words]
The Findings Come Even As the U.S. Has Seen Changes in Legality and Availability. Teen use of marijuana has not increased in the past four years nationwide, even as the country has undergone a transformation in marijuana's legality and availability, according to the results of a survey released Tuesday. Instead, the annual Monitoring the Future survey found that various measures of teen marijuana use across the country decreased slightly in 2014. When all age groups in the study are combined, teens reporting ever having used marijuana dropped in 2014 by 1.4 percent, and teens reporting past month use of marijuana dropped by 1.2 percent. Two other measurements of use also declined. [continues 358 words]
Congress can only control District sales (AP) - It's easy for Congress to meddle with the District's decision to legalize recreational use of marijuana, but taking on the states is a different matter. A catch-all spending bill Congress passed last week would prevent the District from using federal and local money to implement any law or regulation that repeals or reduces marijuana-related penalties. The action is in direct response to a voter initiative passed last month that allows possession of up to 2 ounces of pot or up to three mature plants for personal use. [continues 530 words]
Thank you for your strong, compelling editorial on heroin and drug addiction and on Gov.-elect Larry Hogan's pledge to focus on solutions to this statewide epidemic ("Overdose emergency," Dec.11). I appreciate the recognition given to Maryland-based treatment facilities such as Father Martin's Ashley and the Pain Recovery Program at Ashley. For more than 32 years, from our campus in Havre de Grace, we've been providing treatment solutions that improve lives and restore hope. I support greater access to treatment programs and a comprehensive public information campaign that reaches the most vulnerable of audiences. My years as a practicing and supervising physician have taught me that an essential first step for public policy and public awareness strategies is to understand that addiction is a matter of brain science and chemically driven cravings. Too many people ascribe addiction to a moral failing and/or character weakness. Addiction, in fact, is a disease of the brain. [continues 236 words]
As if state and federal drug policies weren't already a mishmash of contradiction and confusion, the U.S. Department of Justice announced last week that Native American tribes can grow or sell marijuana on their reservations, even in states that have not legalized pot for medicinal or recreational purposes. The decision was a further recognition of the sovereignty of Indian lands. But its ramifications will be felt far beyond the reservations. Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, the federal government ranks marijuana in the same category of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and PCP - defined as narcotics that have no established medical use and carry a high potential for abuse. But in 1996, California voters became the first to legalize marijuana for medical purposes, launching a movement that now includes 23 states. Four states have voted to legalize pot for recreational purposes as well. [continues 337 words]
An ordinance that would have banned commercial marijuana in Anchorage failed after four hours of public testimony and debate in Assembly chambers Tuesday night. The Assembly voted 9-2 just after 10 p.m. to kill the measure. Only members Amy Demboski and Paul Honeman supported the measure. Demboski introduced the proposal last month, hoping the city would take a "wait and see approach" as state lawmakers craft marijuana regulations. But several Assembly members expressed concern that a ban would disconnect them from conversations regarding marijuana regulations at the state level. [continues 764 words]
Alcohol and marijuana do not mix. Just ask Lagunitas: In 2006, the Petaluma-based microbrewer's weekly beer tastings went on an infamous hiatus after state liquor officers discovered some of those drinking there were also smoking marijuana (let's hope ABC never pays a visit to the Zeitgeist back patio). Regardless, Champagne was definitely popped at Shambhala Healing Center last week. The Mission District medical cannabis dispensary is one of nine city-licensed pot clubs caught up in a federal Department of Justice crackdown. About one-third of San Francisco's permitted and taxpaying pot shops closed. Unlike all the others, Shambhala stayed and fought the feds in court. [continues 707 words]
Looking back on 2014, it was a tremendous year for marijuana activists with two more states legalizing, California lowering penalties for low level crime, New York City decriminalizing possession of small amounts, eight cities in Michigan legalizing, Guam voting for medical use, and generally the public opinion numbers kept moving in the right direction. Washington, D.C., legalized, but since the city is a federal district Congress has to approve. However, hardline anti-marijuana Republicans are making that look iffy at the moment. [continues 1129 words]
Clearly, the far right wing of this country would love to return to a medieval, feudal state with them (the 0.1 percent) as our feudal lords. During those original good old times, the lords of the realm could confiscate any property accumulated by the lower classes arbitrarily at any time. The article ("In seizure of civil assets, police look for 'goodies,' " Nov. 11) about "civil asset forfeiture" shows this practice has now been resurrected. U.S. law enforcement and the Internal Revenue Service proudly admit to seizing millions of dollars worth of property and cash from private citizens when no laws have been broken and often where no criminality is even suspected. [continues 55 words]
COLUMBUS - Ohio lawmakers are taking early steps toward lifting Ohio's driving penalties for marijuana possession. A resolution up for a committee vote today declares the Legislature's opposition to a 1990 federal law that requires a six-month suspension or revocation of a driver's license after a drug offense conviction. That's the case even when the violation is a misdemeanor unrelated to driving, such as being caught with a small amount of marijuana. Passage of the resolution is the ammunition Gov. John Kasich needs to request federal clearance for Ohio to opt out of the law, as all but 16 states have already done. Followup legislation would be introduced once federal approval is granted to change Ohio's possession law. [continues 261 words]
The Spending Bill Passed by Congress Contains a Significant Change in the Federal Government's Policy. WASHINGTON - Tucked deep inside the 1,603-page federal spending measure is a provision that effectively ends the federal government's prohibition on medical marijuana and signals a major shift in drug policy. The bill's passage over the weekend marks the first time Congress has approved nationally significant legislation backed by legalization advocates. It brings almost to a close two decades of tension between the states and Washington over medical use of marijuana. [continues 672 words]
Yes, you can toke up legally in New York in 2015: That is if the new bill passes. State Senator Liz Krueger will reintroduse a bill known as the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act in 2015. If passed, this will make it legal in New York State to possess up to two ounces of pot and you can buy it at the state liquor store. You will be able to grow six pot plants for personal use. Known as "recreational marijuana" as opposed to medical marijuana, which is already legal, the pot sales will be taxed with the money going into the New York State coffers. [continues 137 words]
Spending Bill Ends Federal Prohibition on Medical Pot WASHINGTON - Tucked deep inside the 1,603-page federal spending measure is a provision that effectively ends the federal government's prohibition on medical marijuana and signals a major shift in drug policy. The bill's passage over the weekend marks the first time Congress has approved nationally significant legislation backed by legalization advocates. It brings almost to a close two decades of tension between the states and Washington over medical use of marijuana. [continues 567 words]
Budget Bill Sent to Obama Calls for Backing off State-Run Programs For the first time ever, Congress has gone on record opposing federal intervention against state-sanctioned marijuana businesses in states like New Mexico that have medical marijuana programs. The federal budget bill passed recently by Congress includes a short provision that says "None of the funds made available in this Act to the Department of Justice may be used ... to prevent such states from implementing their own state laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana." [continues 611 words]
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (AP) - Business is booming in Colorado's mountain resorts, and the addition of recreational marijuana stores this year has attracted customers curious about legalized pot. But there's mounting anxiety that ski towns have embraced stoner culture a little too much, potentially damaging the state's tourism brand. That worry flared up in two resort towns last week. In Breckenridge, residents voted overwhelmingly to force downtown's lone dispensary off Main Street to a less-visible location. And just up the road in Granby, town officials used a property annex to prevent the first dispensary from opening there. [continues 490 words]
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (AP) - Business is booming in Colorado's mountain resorts, and the addition of recreational marijuana stores this year has attracted customers curious about legalized pot. But there's mounting anxiety that ski towns have embraced stoner culture a little too much, potentially damaging the state's tourism brand. That worry flared up in two resort towns last week. In Breckenridge, residents voted overwhelmingly to force downtown's lone dispensary off Main Street to a less visible location. And just up the road in Granby, town officials used a property annexation to prevent a dispensary from opening. [continues 363 words]
It's Too Soon to Roll a Marijuana Joint in the District of Columbia The most deceitful provisions in the $1.1 trillion spending bill passed by the lame-duck Congress are pinata provisions tucked in with the substantial. The Democrats were trying to get while the getting was good. But not every pinata provision in the spending bill is bad. The Republicans attached a rider to the measure expressing disapproval of the attempt to legalize recreational marijuana. It's a signal of more to come. District of Columbia voters approved legalizing small quantities of pot for recreational purposes on Nov. 4, by a margin of 2-to-1. But under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, the District proposes and Congress disposes. After the Republican-controlled House sent a clear anti-pot message, potheads and their friends marched to Capitol Hill for a sit-in in the offices of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to register their displeasure. [continues 456 words]
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (AP) - Business is booming in Colorado's mountain resorts, and the addition of recreational marijuana stores this year has attracted customers curious about legalized cannabis. But there's mounting anxiety that ski towns have embraced stoner culture a little too much, potentially damaging the state's tourism brand. That worry flared up in two resort towns last week. In Breckenridge, residents voted overwhelmingly to force downtown's lone dispensary off Main Street to a less-visible location. And just up the road in Granby, town officials used a property annex to prevent the first dispensary from opening there. [continues 262 words]
Spending Bill Ends Federal Prohibition on Medical Pot WASHINGTON - Tucked deep inside the 1,603-page federal spending measure is a provision that effectively ends the federal government's prohibition on medical marijuana and signals a major shift in drug policy. The bill's passage over the weekend marks the first time Congress has approved nationally significant legislation backed by legalization advocates. It brings almost to a close two decades of tension between the states and Washington over medical use of marijuana. [continues 519 words]
On Nov. 4, Alaskans voted in favor of Ballot Measure 2 -- an initiative to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol. Most Anchorage voters thought that was the end of it, that the state would develop guidelines for the marijuana Industry and that a responsible, regulated industry would begin to replace the current marijuana black market. And that's as it should have been. Unfortunately, that's not what is happening in Anchorage. On Nov. 18 before the election results were even certified -- Assembly Member Amy Demboski proposed an ordinance (AO 2014-148 on the agenda for the Dec. 16 Assembly meeting) that would ban all commercial marijuana activities from the Municipality of Anchorage immediately. [continues 656 words]
If Pennsylvania House members had been asked to legalize marijuana for recreational use, their commitment to delay would be understandable. Legalization in Colorado, Oregon and Washington is a work in progress, an experiment that could guide other states in the future. But the state House and Gov. Tom Corbett have treated the legalization of medicinal marijuana as a law enforcement matter rather than the introduction of a valuable medicine to relieve suffering. That position contradicts the experiences of 21 other states where medicinal marijuana is legal and uncontroversial. [continues 182 words]
As a lifelong Alaskan and five year Anchoragite, I was surprised and dismayed to hear that the Anchorage Assembly was considering an ordinance prohibiting the establishment of marijuana businesses. My schedule prevents me from attending the public hearing scheduled for Dec. 16, so I felt compelled to write this commentary. The idea of taking unilateral action in order to "wait and see" is logically inconsistent. There is no expiration date on the decision to "opt out." It would be more sensible for the Assembly to "wait" until the regulatory authorities were nearing completion of their work and then "see" if those regulations conflicted with the municipality's best interests. [continues 307 words]
If Pennsylvania House members had been asked to legalize marijuana for recreational use, their commitment to delay would be understandable. Legalization in Colorado, Oregon and Washington is a work in progress, an experiment that could guide other states in the future. But the state House and Gov. Tom Corbett have treated the legalization of medicinal marijuana as a law enforcement matter rather than the introduction of a valuable medicine to relieve suffering. That position contradicts the experiences of 21 other states where medicinal marijuana is legal and uncontroversial. [continues 183 words]
GRANTS PASS, ORE. (AP) - Many in Indian Country are wary of the idea of growing and selling marijuana on tribal lands, even if it could present an economic windfall and the U.S. Department of Justice says it's OK. "I would really doubt tribes would be wanting to do something like that," said Don Gentry, chairman of the Klamath Tribes in Oregon, where voters this year approved a measure to legalize recreational pot. "We have an alcohol- and drug-free policy at work. It would just not be something we would be looking for into the future." [continues 667 words]
In a sign of the burgeoning marijuana cultivation industry and its mainstream acceptance, an estimated 10,000 people flocked to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds over the weekend to honor the growers behind some of the finest and most powerful strains of pot in Northern California. The Emerald Cup, now in its second year in Santa Rosa, drew a record number of people and entrants to the competition to acknowledge and celebrate "the best outdoor cannabis in the world." Almost 900 entries were received this year, more than three times the amount vying last year for best marijuana buds, and other forms of cannabis, including concentrates such as hash oil, edibles and topicals. [continues 904 words]
On Nov. 4, voters in Oregon and Alaska passed initiatives legalizing recreational marijuana. This, of course, follows Colorado and Washington state, whose voters did the same not long ago. The trend is obvious - and hardly surprising considering in a recent poll Americans said, by 56 percent to 44 percent, that marijuana should be legalized provided it is appropriately regulated, as with alcohol. There is a great irony here. Just as the legalization trend accelerates, maybe to the point of being unstoppable, the accumulated medical and scientific evidence proving marijuana is in fact a dangerous drug is overwhelming. Here are some of the studies and useful facts: [continues 935 words]
If Pennsylvania House members had been asked to legalized marijuana for recreational use, their commitment to delay would be understandable. Legalization in Colorado, Oregon and Washington is a work in progress, an experiment that could guide other states in the future. But the state House and Gov. Tom Corbett have treated the legalization of medicinal marijuana as a law enforcement matter rather than the introduction of a valuable medicine to relieve suffering. That position contradicts the experiences of 21 other states where medicinal marijuana is legal and uncontroversial. [continues 181 words]
Despite 2013's Measure D, under which only about 135 existing medical marijuana dispensaries have permission to stay open in Los Angeles, the city has continued to issue tax registration certificates to new pot shops and keeps collecting business taxes from some 450 dispensaries. Talk about mixed messages. While the city attorney and Police Department are attempting to close rogue pot shops, the Office of Finance keeps cranking out new tax certificates for those same dispensaries. Even though the certificate is not a permit - and it says so right on the document - it sure feels like one; often, for instance, it can convince a landlord that the dispensary is OK with City Hall. The city collected $3.6 million in business taxes this year from dispensaries, whether they were allowed to operate or not. What's more, the finance department has only recently begun sharing the list of tax-paying pot shops with the Police Department and the city attorney, after City Council members questioned why nobody was using the tax rolls to crack down on illicit shops. [continues 292 words]
WATERLOO | As lawmakers consider expanding medical marijuana laws and cities like Cedar Falls debate decriminalization of the drug, anti-drug advocates are urging Iowans to think of the children and proceed with caution. "When you say, 'I'm not going to enforce these sets of laws,' there's potential unintended consequences to that, and I just want people to think it all through and have a thorough debate on these issues and not make any decisions =C2=85 without being fully informed," said Steven Lukan, director of the Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy. [continues 488 words]
Cannabis helps prevent diseases like Alzheimer's disease and many types of cancer. Cannabis is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory substances on the planet. Chronic inflammation is the root cause of many, if not most, of the diseases of the human body. So why hasn't our government told us about the many health benefits of cannabis? Because they are prevented by law from doing so. The DEA, the Drug Czar's office and the National Institute on Drug Abuse and its employees are all prevented by law to investigate or research any of the many benefits of cannabis consumption. I strongly suggest that the readers read: Clint Werner's outstanding book: "MARIJUANA, GATEWAY TO HEALTH: How Cannabis Protects Us From Cancer and Alzheimer's Disease." Kirk Muse Mesa [end]
I write in response to the Times-Standard article, "DOJ says Indian tribes can grow and sell marijuana" (Dec. 12, 2014), the North Coast Journal article, "The Revolution Starts Here" (12/11/14), and in anticipation of the TRT's coverage of this issue. The Department of Justice decision that tribes can grow and sell cannabis as long as they follow the same federal conditions as laid out for states that have legalized cannabis is truly a game changer for Indian tribes and a tremendous economic opportunity for our tribal citizens. [continues 677 words]
HARTFORD - New guidance from the federal Justice Department has the Mohegan tribe weighing the possible economic benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana on its reservation land. In a memo, the Justice Department signaled it was not interested in enforcing marijuana laws on nationally-recognized tribal lands, so long as tribes adhered to rules outlined by the feds. The rules are aimed at preventing the sale of the drug to minors, preventing people from driving while high, and preventing criminals from benefiting from marijuana sales. They mirror guidelines the feds offered last year on state medical marijuana laws. [continues 480 words]
Inside United States
