Counterintuitive but true: Pot can make you more productive. One of my favorite things to do is get stoned to the bejesus and clean house. And I'm not just talking about casual dusting, either; I'm talking about down on your belly, shoving the long extension vacuum tool deep under the bed and sucking up dust mites and fur balls, only to discover long-lost socks, exercise equipment, underwear (whose are those?!), and enough change to go out and buy MORE weed to smoke and then Shop-Vac the garage. In this way, stoned cleaning is a sustainable endeavor. [continues 787 words]
The Associated Press FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - A state appeals court has upheld Fresno County's ban on marijuana cultivation, but struck down a provision that criminalizes pot cultivation as a misdemeanor. The 5th District Court of Appeal said Tuesday the cultivation ban does not conflict with state laws that allow cultivation of marijuana for medical use. The appeals court said the state laws do not expressly prevent a local government from restricting land use. Another state appeals court previously upheld a similar cultivation ban by Live Oak, a city in Sutter County. The 5th District court, however, said the county's classification of marijuana cultivation as a misdemeanor is overridden by a state law that does not allow local officials to arrest some marijuana growers. After-hours calls to attorneys in the case were not immediately returned. [end]
Yet Another Study Shows ... "Back in 2012, Arkansas voters turned down a ballot proposal to allow for the use of medical marijuana in the state. But only barely. The proposal failed with 49 percent of the vote for, 51 agin. That made a lot of folks nervous. With a vote like that, the idea of medical marijuana wasn't killed in Arkansas, only just barely wounded. And its supporters vowed to be back. And they are. (They're trying to get it on the ballot again, as they promised.) [continues 535 words]
Over this past year, as an organizer for Sensible BC, I have contacted representatives of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, the Central Okanagan Parent Advisory Council and - repeatedly - Premier Christy Clark's office, with the offer to meet and discuss the ramifications of the impending marijuana legalization. As an organization, Sensible BC has medical professionals, clinical researchers, growers, patients and dispensary representatives that can provide the necessary expertise which allow our communities to transition from prohibition to a legal, regulated industry. Thus far, none of those contacted have shown any interest in discussing this issue. [continues 156 words]
Prohibition Has Not Served Us Well, Let's Hope Trudeau Follows Through After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent climb down on his refugee commitment, it might be fair to wonder how many other of his election promises might be compromised. For example, is it a certainty that marijuana will be legalized? It was one of Trudeau's first promises as Liberal leader, and his mandate letters to the relevant ministers spell out the need to create a federal-provincial process "that will lead to the legalization and regulation of marijuana." [continues 593 words]
One day last week, the main Gatineau courthouse was buzzing with a judge's ruling, a loonie sentence that says much about marijuana's road to respectability. A man was before Justice Pierre Chevalier charged with cultivating 30 pot plants. The Crown was looking for a sentence of 90 days in jail. The judge had a different idea. He fined the accused, Mario Larouche, $1, throwing in a victim surcharge of 30 cents. Justice Chevalier called Canada's cannabis laws "outdated and ridiculous" and pointed directly at the intentions of the new Liberal government of Justin Trudeau to legalize and regulate the use of marijuana. [continues 699 words]
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto came out strongly against legalizing marijuana, the same day his government announced a national public debate on the issue. He suggested the recent, informal debate has already created confusion. Mexico's Supreme Court ruled in November that growing, possessing and smoking marijuana for recreation is legal under the right to freedom, but that ruling applied only to the four people involved in the case. "I am not in favor of consuming or legalizing marijuana," Pena Nieto said in a speech announcing a child welfare program. "However, I am in favor of debate so that specialists can give us some indication of where we should be going." [continues 54 words]
The time is long overdue for marijuana to be legalized by both federal and state governments. In 1971, I was a college freshman debater, and one of the issues was whether marijuana should be legalized. As I researched the topic, the arguments were overwhelmingly in favor of legalization, and it was difficult to put together a credible case for continued criminalization. More than 40 years have gone by, and possession of marijuana remains illegal under federal law and in 46 states. Only Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington have legalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. [continues 679 words]
Hogan Needs to Make a Substantial Commitment to Reducing Overdoses Atask force appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan to look into how Maryland can reduce the number of heroin overdose deaths released a wide-ranging series of recommendations Tuesday that included both expanded access to treatment for addicts and tougher law enforcement measures against drug dealers and gangs. The 11 members of the panel, chaired by Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, acknowledged that there are no quick or easy solutions to overdose deaths and that a coordinated, multifaceted approach is needed to address them. But their final report offered few specifics regarding how large an effort will be needed to make a dent in the problem or how much it would cost. [continues 471 words]
Governor Vetoed Prior Measure to Legalize Crop, Cited Federal Law (AP) - A Democratic New Mexico senator wants the state Department of Agriculture to adopt rules for researching and growing an industrial version of marijuana's non-intoxicating cousin. Sen. Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque, introduced legislation Wednesday that could create the opportunity for farmers to grow hemp after a state study. McSorley last year sponsored a bill aimed at legalizing the selling of hemp and licensing of farmers to grow the crop. That proposal would have established fees and set up state regulations for the distribution of hemp. [continues 208 words]
BY NOW, you know that cannabis is awesome for medical and recreational applications. But what about hemp? Hemp is a type of cannabis sativa plant with low THC content and a skinny, tall-growing profile. At the risk of sounding like a ponytailed guy named Paul after one too many bong hits, I'd like to point out that hemp is also pretty awesome, and can be used to make a wide range of products-and not just drawstring tie-dye hemp pants, bracelets, and ponytail scrunchies, either. [continues 650 words]