Cannabis News

The group New Approach Washington submitted nearly 278,000 valid signatures for the measure, more than required to put it on the November ballot, David Ammons, a spokesman for the Washington Secretary of State's office, said in a statement. Read More... Marijuana Legalization Measure Certified Posted by CN Staff on January 27, 2012 at 16:29:13 PT By Rachel La Corte, The Associated Press Source: Associated Press Olympia, Wash. -- A measure to legalize the recreational use of marijuana is likely to be on the November ballot, after the secretary of the state's office certified the initiative Friday, saying the campaign had turned in enough valid petition signatures. Initiative 502 now goes to the Legislature, but lawmakers are not likely to take up the issue during the short 60-day session that ends on March 8, meaning it would automatically appear on the ballot in the fall election. Read More... A Ballot Push To Legalize Marijuana Posted by on January 26, 2012 at 15:23:57 PT By Kirk Johnson Source: New York Times Denver, CO -- Proponents of marijuana have argued for years that the drug is safer than alcohol, both to individuals and society. But a ballot proposal to legalize possession of marijuana in small amounts in Colorado, likely to be on the November ballot, is putting the two intoxicants back into the same sentence, urging voters to “regulate marijuana like alcohol,” as the ballot proposition’s title puts it.

Given alcohol’s long and checkered history — the tens of thousands of deaths each year; the social ravages of alcoholism — backers of the pro-marijuana measure concede there is a risk of looking as if they have cozied up too much, or are comparable, to old demon rum. Read More... Va. Lawmaker Proposes Selling MJ in Liquor Stores Posted by on January 25, 2012 at 05:12:14 PT By Anita Kumar Source: Washington Post Richmond, VA -- Del. David L. Englin wants you to know that he’s no pothead. The husband, father and Air Force veteran said he has never smoked marijuana — let alone inhaled — but he still wants to study the possibility of legalizing the drug in Virginia.

Englin (D-Alexandria) has introduced a bill this legislative session that would create a group to figure out how much money the state could reap if it legalized marijuana and sold it in more than 300 Virginia liquor stores. Read More... Unlikely Source Calls for Medical Marijuana Debate Posted by CN Staff on January 24, 2012 at 14:03:55 PT By Andrew Duffelmeyer, The Associated Press Source: Associated Press Des Moines, Iowa -- A 79-year-old longtime member of the Iowa Senate who serves on several corrections-related committees is calling on lawmakers to consider legalizing medical marijuana.

Sen. Gene Fraise, a Fort Madison Democrat, acknowledges that he is an unlikely source for such legislation. Fraise said he is personally undecided on the issue but that he thinks introducing a bill will force a conversation and help lawmakers reach a consensus. Read More... Lawmaker Urges Study on Revenue Impact of MJ Sales Posted by CN Staff on January 24, 2012 at 07:35:32 PT By Michael Felberbaum, The Associated Press Source: Associated Press Richmond, Va. -- A Virginia lawmaker wants to study the possibility of selling marijuana through state-run liquor stores, but even the resolution’s sponsor thinks the provocative idea will likely go up in smoke.

The proposal by Democratic Del. David Englin of Alexandria to look at the potential revenue impact of selling marijuana at the more than 330 ABC stores in Virginia joins a growing list of recommendations across the country to reform laws regarding the most commonly used illegal drug in the U.S. Read More... Judge: Federal Law Trumps State's Medical Pot Law Posted by CN Staff on January 23, 2012 at 13:21:37 PT By Matt Volz, The Associated Press Source: Associated Press Helena, Mont. -- A judge has ruled that Montana's medical marijuana law doesn't shield providers of the drug from federal prosecution, delivering a new blow to an industry reeling from a state and federal crackdown.

U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy on Friday dismissed a civil lawsuit filed by 14 individuals and businesses that were among more than two dozen medical marijuana providers raided by federal agents last year across Montana. Read More... Marijuana-Based Drug Sativex May Get FDA Approval Posted by CN Staff on January 22, 2012 at 19:02:50 PT By The Associated Press Source: Associated Press San Francisco -- A quarter-century after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first prescription drugs based on the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, additional medicines derived from or inspired by the cannabis plant itself could soon be making their way to pharmacy shelves, according to drug companies, small biotech firms and university scientists. A British company, GW Pharma, is in advanced clinical trials for the world's first pharmaceutical developed from raw marijuana instead of synthetic equivalents- a mouth spray it hopes to market in the U.S. as a treatment for cancer pain. And it hopes to see FDA approval by the end of 2013. Read More... Medical-Marijuana Effort Advances Posted by on January 21, 2012 at 06:10:17 PT By Alan Johnson, The Columbus Dispatch Source: Columbus Dispatch Columbus -- Ohio’s second proposed medical-marijuana statewide ballot issue took a step forward yesterday when it was certified by Attorney General Mike DeWine. The Ohio Medical Cannabis Amendment to the Ohio Constitution contains a “fair and truthful” summary and has the necessary 1,000 signatures of Ohio registered voters, DeWine determined. Read More... California Supreme Court To Weigh In On MMJ Laws Posted by on January 19, 2012 at 08:51:06 PT By Howard Mintz Source: San Jose Mercury News San Jose, CA -- The California Supreme Court has jumped into the fray again over the legality of medical marijuana laws, deciding on Wednesday to review two lower court rulings that impact how and whether local governments can regulate pot dispensaries across the state.

In their weekly closed-door session, the justices voted unanimously to review cases out of Long Beach and Riverside that dealt with the ongoing conflict between California's voter-approved law allowing the use of medical marijuana and federal laws barring the use or sale of the drug. The state Supreme Court's rulings in the cases are likely to have a widespread impact in the Bay Area, where cities from San Jose to Oakland have regulations dealing with medical marijuana providers. Read More... Sensible Limit for Smoking, Driving Posted by on January 18, 2012 at 16:19:32 PT Denver Post Editorial Source: Denver Post Denver -- The Colorado legislature is expected to consider the issue of driving while stoned again this year, and this time we hope lawmakers don't allow the medical marijuana lobby to blow smoke in their eyes.

Last year's show was embarrassing to watch, and lawmakers' lack of action constituted a failure to protect the public. Sen. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, said he is leaning toward proposing a zero-tolerance bill. Read More... D.C. Council Reaches Compromise On MMJ Facilities Posted by on January 17, 2012 at 17:57:00 PT By Tom Howell Jr., The Washington Times Source: Washington Times Washington, D.C. -- The D.C. Council struck a deal on Tuesday to avoid the clustering of medical marijuana facilities in a single part of the city, grandfathering in applicants who got preliminary approval to grow the drug in Ward 5 but potentially altering the plans of companies who hoped to join them in the industrial slice of Northeast.

Emergency legislation caps the number of cultivation centers in any single ward at six. Any ward that accepts five cultivations centers cannot accept more than one dispensary, a site where the drug is doled out to qualified patients. Read More... D.C. Council Approves Limits on MMJ Growth Posted by on January 17, 2012 at 16:46:12 PT By Tim Craig Source: Washington Post Washington, D.C. -- The D.C. Council approved emergency legislation to restrict how much medical marijuana can be grown in each of the city’s eight wards, buckling to pressure from Northeast residents who fear Ward 5 could be overrun with large, indoor pot-growing operations.

After a debate that tested the council’s resolve to implement its medical marijuana program, members struck a compromise stating that no more than six cultivation centers can be located in any ward. Read More... Hearing in Olympia To Revisit Hazy MMJ Law Posted by on January 17, 2012 at 10:55:49 PT By Jonathan Martin, Seattle Times Staff Reporter Source: Seattle Times Washington -- Chris Cody tries to be a good neighbor in White Center, joining in a Christmas toy drive and local art walks, and keeping the window of his medical-marijuana dispensary as discreet as possible.

He maintains a low profile in part because his shop, Herban Legends, is a block outside the marijuana-friendly Seattle city limits. Inside Seattle, marijuana dispensaries flourish. Outside Seattle, there is no protective regulation. Read More... Legislature Must Resolve Legal Muddle Over MMJ Posted by on January 17, 2012 at 04:47:50 PT Seattle Times Editorial Source: Seattle Times Washington -- The Legislature is about to get another medical-marijuana bill. It is a necessary bill. The medical-cannabis regime in Washington — "cannabis" is the official name now — was left in chaos last year by the Obama administration's threat to prosecute state employees who licensed any cannabis business.

The Obama people didn't say they would arrest state employees, and they haven't done it elsewhere. But their threat was enough for Gov. Chris Gregoire to veto much of the bill. Read More... N.J. Med Marijuana Program Still at Seedling Stage Posted by on January 16, 2012 at 06:22:39 PT By Amy Brittain, The Star-Ledger Source: Star-Ledger New Jersey -- By now, the owners of an empty storefront in Montclair expected to be dispensing medical marijuana to hundreds of cancer and multiple sclerosis patients suffering from demoralizing pain.

Instead, brown paper covers the windows, and the green awning still bears the name of an old business. Greenleaf Compassion Center officials have spent more than $80,000, all while they wait for the go-ahead. Read More... Feds Crack Down on Colorado Med Pot Dispensaries Posted by CN Staff on January 13, 2012 at 07:02:23 PT By Keith Coffman Source: Reuters Colorado -- Federal prosecutors in Colorado launched a crackdown on Thursday against nearly two dozen medical marijuana dispensaries located within 1,000 feet of schools, giving the proprietors 45 days to cease operations or face civil and criminal penalties. U.S. Attorney John Walsh issued the ultimatum in letters to 23 dispensaries and landlords he said were in violation of federal and state law, a statement from the U.S. Justice Department said. Read More... Group Seeks Second Med-Marijuana Issue for Ballot Posted by on January 12, 2012 at 04:28:17 PT By Alan Johnson, The Columbus Dispatch Source: Columbus Dispatch Ohio -- Backers of a second medical-marijuana amendment will file language with Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today, hoping to get their issue on the November statewide ballot. The Ohio Medical Cannabis Amendment of 2012, accompanied by nearly 3,000 signatures, will be submitted to DeWine to review the language summarizing the proposal, said Theresa Daniello, a supporter of the nonpartisan group that includes many patients seeking pain relief for medical conditions. Read More... Pot Smoking Not So Harmful To Lungs, Study Finds Posted by on January 11, 2012 at 15:51:42 PT By Erin Allday, Chronicle Staff Writer Source: San Francisco Chronicle USA -- Smoking a joint from time to time won't damage the lungs, even after years of drug use, according to a study led by UCSF researchers that disproves one of the major concerns about marijuana - that smoking it must be just as risky as lighting up a cigarette. The study, results of which were published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that the lung capacity of people who smoked marijuana was not diminished by regular toking, even among those who smoked once or twice a week. Read More... Supreme Court Won't Hear Case on Gun Permit Posted by on January 11, 2012 at 11:51:32 PT By Damian Mann Source: Ashland Daily Tidings Oregon -- The U.S. Supreme Court decided this week not to hear Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winter's legal challenge that asserted U.S. law trumps state laws when people with medical marijuana cards seek concealed handgun permits.

Portland attorney Lee Berger, who was part of a team of lawyers fighting Winter's argument, said this should send a message to Winters and other sheriffs to respect the rights of medical marijuana patients. Read More... Lawmakers Vow Bill To Allow Medical-Pot Co-ops Posted by on January 11, 2012 at 04:49:23 PT By John Ingold, The Denver Post Source: Denver Post Denver -- Colorado's medical-marijuana industry, already subject to the most comprehensive cannabis-business regulations in the country, might soon have another national first to its credit: a bank, of sorts.

Two state lawmakers said they plan to propose a bill that would allow the industry to form a "financial cooperative" to provide banking services to medical-marijuana businesses. The cooperative would work like a credit union, with membership limited to industry members. But it would be free of the kinds of federal insurance requirements that exist with banks and credit unions and that have made those institutions reluctant to work with medical-marijuana businesses. Read More... Medical Marijuana Supporters Push To Legalize Drug Posted by on January 10, 2012 at 10:46:04 PT By Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press Staff Writer Source: Detroit Free Press Michigan -- Narrowing access to medical marijuana is leading Michigan's registered patients, supporters and lawyers to a new strategy: a campaign to gain limited legalization of marijuana in Michigan for all uses.

Access to the drug has tightened as doctors increasingly refuse to sign the state forms to approve the drug, patients said. In addition, dozens of communities -- including Birmingham and Livonia -- are enforcing total bans on the drug, and dispensaries that once openly sold it have been raided and shut down by police. Read More... Medical Marijuana Approvals Clustered in Ward 5 Posted by on January 09, 2012 at 20:17:48 PT By Tom Howell Jr., The Washington Times Source: Washington Times Washington, D.C. -- Before he resigned and admitted to stealing $350,000 from the District, former D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. expressed concern that much of the city’s medical marijuana cultivation would take place in a small slice of his Northeast ward.

The D.C. Department of Health recently green-lighted seven applicants who plan to grow the drug, including a pair from the company affiliated with TV personality Montel Williams. And, sure enough, six of the applicants propose a site in a section of Ward 5 that abuts Bladensburg Road and is best known for manufacturing and strip clubs. Read More... MMJ Bills Filed in Both House and Senate Posted by on January 09, 2012 at 17:00:19 PT By Anne Geggis, Gainesville Sun Source: Gainesville Sun Florida -- A state budget crunch that won’t quit, legislative reapportionment and gaming are expected to crowd the legislative season that starts in Tallahassee Tuesday — but for some, nothing has quite the same buzz as an effort to allow the medical use of marijuana. It’s the second year in a row that legislation has been filed to start Florida on the path that 16 other states and the District of Columbia have taken, starting with California in 1996. And this year represents the first time that a bill allowing marijuana as a medicinal has been filed in both the House and the Senate. Read More... Many US Communities Are Blocking Medical Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on January 09, 2012 at 13:28:00 PT By Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press Source: Associated Press USA -- More and more states are saying yes to medical marijuana. But local governments are increasingly using their laws to just say no, not in our backyard.

In California, with the nation's most permissive medical marijuana laws, 185 cities and counties have banned pot dispensaries entirely. In New Jersey, perhaps the most restrictive of the 17 states that have legalized marijuana for sick people, some groups planning to sell cannabis are struggling to find local governments willing to let them in. Read More... Supreme Court To Review Use of Drug-Sniffing Dog Posted by on January 07, 2012 at 19:54:46 PT By Robert Barnes Source: Washington Post Washington, D.C. -- The Supreme Court announced Friday it will decide whether a drug-sniffing police dog at the front door is the same as an unconstitutional search of a home.

Miami police used a police dog named Franky after they received an anonymous tip in 2006 that Joelis Jardines was growing marijuana inside his home. As police and federal drug enforcement officers surrounded the residence, Franky and two detectives approached the front door. Read More... Medical Marijuana Patients File Counter Initiative Posted by CN Staff on January 06, 2012 at 16:37:03 PT By Rachel La Corte, Associated Press Source: Associated Press Olympia, Wash. -- Medical marijuana patients who oppose an initiative to legalize marijuana filed a counter initiative Friday. The opponents of Initiative 502 filed the "Safe Cannabis Act" with the secretary of state's office. Its sponsor, Mimi Meiwes, said she and other medical marijuana patients are concerned about what they see as an overly strict blood test limit for driving under the influence under I-502. Initiative 502 would would create a system of state-licensed growers, processors and stores, and impose a 25 percent excise tax at each stage. Those 21 and over could buy up to an ounce of dried marijuana; one pound of marijuana-infused product in solid form, such as brownies; or 72 ounces of marijuana-infused liquids. Read More... Colorado Effort To Legalize MJ Turns in Signatures Posted by on January 05, 2012 at 05:39:56 PT By John Ingold, The Denver Post Source: Denver Post Colorado -- If a campaign to legalize limited possession of marijuana in Colorado is to succeed, it will have to make inroads into skepticism by women, according to a recent poll.

Perhaps that's why supporters of the campaign put more than a dozen women front and center at a news conference Wednesday as they turned in about 160,000 signatures to put the legalization initiative on the ballot. Wanda James — owner of the medical-marijuana-infused-food company Simply Pure — said the showing was intended to counter "a misconception that young men are driving the legalization of marijuana and the cannabis movement." Read More... Judge Dismisses Medical Marijuana Suit by Arizona Posted by CN Staff on January 04, 2012 at 19:49:40 PT By The Associated Press Source: Associated Press Arizona -- A federal judge Wednesday dismissed Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's lawsuit asking for a ruling on whether the state can implement its medical marijuana law when the drug remains prohibited under federal law. U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton said the case isn't legally eligible for court consideration because the state hasn't established a genuine threat of prosecution of state employees for administering the law, as Brewer had claimed. Read More... Poll Shows Voters Split on Legalizing Marijuana Posted by on January 04, 2012 at 16:19:16 PT By Jonathan Martin Source: Seattle Times Washington -- A new statewide poll shows voters evenly divided on the question of legalizing marijuana as the state Legislature takes up the question next week. The Elway Research poll of 411 randomly selected voters found 48 percent in favor and 45 percent opposed to legalization, which is likely headed to the November 2012 ballot in the form of Initiative 502. The margin of error is 5 percentage points. The initiative, run by a campaign called New Approach Washington, heads to the Legislature first, but will be on the presidential ballot unless lawmakers approve it. Read More...

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L.A.'s Medical Marijuana Roller-Coaster Ride On Medical Marijuana, Maryland Should Go Slow Montana Medical Marijuana Industry On Wane Pot Legalization Signatures To Be Turned in Thurs. D.C. To Tap Growers of Medical Marijuana On Marijuana Legalization, a Promising Year Medical Marijuana for ADD? State Considers It CA Medical Marijuana Backers Ready Ballot Measure President Obama's Puzzling Silence on MJ Policy Lawsuit Filed Over Seattle's MMJ Ordinance Brewer Asks Federal Judge To Void Part of MMJ Law H.S. Seniors Smoke Marijuana More Than Cigarettes Confusion Reigns Over MMJ as States and Feds Clash The Government’s Marijuana Problem Federal Interference In MMJ Laws Is Low Priority Pot, Narcotics OK To Treat Pain, UCSF Study Finds Gov. Gregoire's Federal Marijuana Petition Welcome L.A. Sues To Force Pot Dispensaries To Close Prep Work is a Payday in the Marijuana Business Vt. Gov. Shumlin Supports Doctors Prescribing Pot Oakland Medical Marijuana Spot on TV's 'Weed Wars' Governors Petition DEA To Reclassify Marijuana Wash. Governor Wants DEA To Reclassify Marijuana Governors Ask U.S. To Ease Rules on Marijuana California's Pot Economy Explored in 2 TV Shows Lawmakers Finalize Rules Governing MMJ Program Medical Marijuana Jeopardizes Liver Transplant NJ Zoning Boards Reject Medical Marijuana Vendors LA Council To Debate Whether To Outlaw Pot Stores Medical Marijuana Trade Shaken by Crackdown Wash. Effort To Legalize Pot Faces Legal Pitfalls Raids Emphasize Need for Coherent MJ Regulation Pot Measure is Tough Sell at Cop Conference Feds Raid Washington State Marijuana Dispensaries Cities Seek An Antidote To Medical Marijuana California Cities Can Ban MMJ Dispensaries A.G.: Police Can Seize Medical Marijuana MMJ Advocates Sue To Halt Dispensary Closings Medical Pot Advocates Sue Feds Over Crackdown Reefer Madness A Little Pot is Trouble in NYC: 50k Busts a Year Studies Show Marijuana Affects Memory Petition Drive Challenges Medical Marijuana Ban Chicago Alderman Proposes Easing Marijuana Law More States Want Government's OK To Grow Hemp Medical Marijuana Business Ban Set To Pass Should Marijuana Users Just Be Ticketed? Montel Williams: Israel Leads in Medical Marijuana Dispensary Is Focus Of Federal Government Medical Pot Backers' Suit Seeks End of U.S. Raids Chicago Aldermen Consider Ticket for Marijuana Use Pot Laws Should Be Eased Top Justice Official who Wrote MMJ Memo is Mum Legalize Pot? More Americans are Saying It’s OK Rand Retracts Report on Pot Clinics and Crime Looking at Crime and Pot in L.A. National Pot Policies Must Be Reconciled Fed Threat Gets Results as Calif. Pot Shops Close AG Asks Feds for Restraint on Medical Pot On Weed: Dazed and Confused No More Doctors' Stance on Pot is Sick Half in U.S. Support Legalizing Marijuana Use NE Warehouses Popular as D.C. Sites for Med Pot California Doctors' Group Backs Legalizing Pot Medical Assn. Calls for Legalization of Marijuana Much-Contested Medical Pot Ordinance is Upheld Medical Marijuana Guidance Fed Crackdown on California Medical Marijuana Rand Removes Report on Crime and Pot Dispensaries State Needs To Clean Up Medical Marijuana Mess Medical Marijuana Applicants Facing D.C. Deadline RI MMJ Advocates: CA a Completely Different World Federal Crackdown on Pot Sales Reflects a Shift Federal Prosecutors Launching Crackdown on CA IRS Just Says No To Medical Marijuana Deductions AG Schuette Looks To Crackdown on Pot ‘Profiteers’ Doctors Question Whether Marijuana Can Lessen Pain 2012 Voters To Decide Fate of New Medical Pot Law Minor Pot Crimes To Be Enforced Again in Missoula Rally Denounces Chafee ‘No’ on MMJ Dispensaries Gov. Chafee Says No To License for RI Dispensaries Governor Scraps MMJ Plan for Rhode Island Delegation Blasts Federal Gun-Marijuana Memo In Decades-Old Program, Uncle Sam Provides Pot Lawmakers Move To Ban MMJ Use from Car Ins. Claims N.M. Medical Cannabis Program Needs Work Putting Pot in Its Place Rand Study Finds Less Crime Near Pot Dispensaries My War On Drug Laws Former US Atty.: Strict Medical Pot Law May Be OK

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Resources
NIDA - Common Drugs of Abuse lists commonly abused psychotropics. U.S. National Library of Medicine is an execellent resource for medical information. For recreational use of psychotropics one will find Hyperreal informative. Drug Sense, Marijuana Policy Project, Drug Reform Coordination Network, and NORML are among the many organizations seeking to reform cannabis laws.

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