cannabisnews.com: Vermont Moves Toward Decriminalizing Marijuana
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Vermont Moves Toward Decriminalizing Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on May 13, 2013 at 12:49:25 PT
By Zach Howard
Source: Reuters
Reuters -- Vermont's legislature on Monday approved a bill that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, a measure the state's governor expects to sign into law in the coming weeks.The move sets up the New England state to be the 17th in the United States to remove criminal penalties for having small amounts of pot. It does not go as far as Colorado and Washington, which in November became the first states to legalize possession, cultivation and use of marijuana by adults for recreational use.
Vermont's House of Representatives on Monday gave final approval to a proposal to remove criminal penalties for adult possession of up to one ounce (28.3 grams) of marijuana and instead penalize with a civil fine, similar to a traffic ticket. Persons under age 21 caught with pot would be required to undergo substance abuse screening.The House's action upheld changes to the bill last week by Vermont's Senate, including a provision that decriminalized possession of up to five grams of hashish, a potent pot derivative."I applaud the legislature's action to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana," said Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin. "Vermonters support sensible drug policies. This legislation allows our courts and law enforcement to focus their limited resources more effectively to fight highly addictive opiates such as heroin and prescription drugs that are tearing apart families and communities."A spokeswoman said the governor will sign the bill into law "within a few weeks."Currently in Vermont, possessing up to two ounces of pot is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail for a first offense and up to two years in jail for later offenses.The measure was introduced in early February by state Representative Christopher Pearson of Burlington, with 38 co-sponsors from the Democratic, Republican and Progressive parties. A similar proposal also was introduced in the Senate.The latest proposal is similar to "decriminalization" laws in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island, where private, non-medical possession of marijuana is treated as a civil, non-criminal offense, said NORML, a group that supports marijuana legalization.Five other states — Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio — treat marijuana possession as a fine-only misdemeanor offense, NORML said.Alaska also imposes no criminal or civil penalty for the private possession of small amounts of marijuana, after action by its state Supreme Court, said NORML.Vermont already had legalized pot for medical use in 2004.Editing by Scott Malone and Nick ZieminskiSource: Reuters (Wire)Author:  Zach HowardPublished: May 13, 2013Copyright: 2013 Thomson ReutersCannabisNews  -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 
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Comment #27 posted by golferdude619 on August 05, 2013 at 20:07:40 PT:
What about Drug Tests?
How would decriminalization effect the drug testing laws? IE, would employers still have the right to test for employment?I'm strongly against the fact that alcoholics can get jobs, but some well intentioned stoners get thrown to the curb.
A Simple Guide To Pass Your Next Drug Test
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Comment #26 posted by BGreen on May 18, 2013 at 10:38:41 PT
I was trying to be polite
All three family members I was talking about weigh at least twice what they should and they all carry most of the extra weight in their bellies. It's the worst kind of fat in the worst place. I'm not talking about a few pounds of extra girth, I'm talking about carrying an extra person around your neck.I'm sure there is a connection between the endocannabinoid receptors and our pancreatic hormonal functionality. It will soon be understood, just as posited by Dr. Russo and other experts, that there is a direct connection between the endocannabinoid system and almost all diseases and conditions. Prohibition is murder in more ways than just enforcement.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #25 posted by Hope on May 18, 2013 at 09:53:56 PT
Cannabis, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
A study was just recently released pertaining to all that. There is something in cannabis that helps the appetite afflicted.
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on May 18, 2013 at 09:30:20 PT
BGreen
That is wonderful news. 
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Comment #23 posted by BGreen on May 18, 2013 at 09:19:12 PT
I was talking about our two families
My sister and Mrs. Green's mother and brother are all morbidly obese and are the only members of our family who have type 2 diabetes. I know there are exceptions but in our family it's three out of three and nobody else.We just heard that they took the breathing tube out of Dave and he's talking. That's great news! Then again, that's Dave. He loves to talk. :)Bud
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on May 18, 2013 at 09:02:36 PT
BGreen
I know people who have Diabetes that aren't overweight but being overweight can contribute to Diabetes.
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Comment #21 posted by BGreen on May 18, 2013 at 08:42:34 PT
Sudden but expected
The amputations started about three years ago. Dave has been obese since he was a kid. He ignored his health. We tried to encourage him but he did what he wanted, even when it became obvious his life was endangered. The damage is done and he knows it's the end.In both of our families, the only diabetes we have are in our obese relations. To me that shows it is totally and easily preventable and that makes it so much more pathetic. It's like they're slowly committing suicide with food.Bud
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on May 18, 2013 at 08:29:41 PT
BGreen
Was this sudden? I am sorry but it could be a Brain Aneurysms or a Stroke it seems. I am so sorry.Our Dave was diagnosed with Progressive Multifocal Leucoencephalopathy (PML)There is no drug or procedure to help. This disease consumes the lining of the brain. 
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Comment #19 posted by BGreen on May 18, 2013 at 08:29:00 PT
We cross posted
I'm so sorry but I can only pray that I would have friends like you and Stick around me when I'm sick. Your Christ-like love is amazing!Bud
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Comment #18 posted by BGreen on May 18, 2013 at 08:10:50 PT
Thank you, FoM
Did you find out the test results on Dave?They're doing an MRI on my brother-in-law to see if he had a stroke. He was sedated in ICU but had some seizures which leads them to believe the blood clot went to his brain.It's so sad.Bud
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on May 18, 2013 at 08:03:35 PT
About Dave
He does have the fatal brain disease PML. They are moving him today to a nursing home. This was taken yesterday.http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx290/MarthaGier/dave_zpsc6ceb8fd.jpg
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on May 18, 2013 at 07:57:08 PT
BGreen
Oh my I am so sorry. 
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Comment #15 posted by BGreen on May 18, 2013 at 07:23:54 PT
Mrs. Green's younger brother is near death
He has severe complications from type 2 diabetes. He's had several digits amputated and has an infection they can't eliminate. He had a blood clot in his lung yesterday and is in ICU. We love Dave (yes, another Dave) and don't want him to go but he is at peace and wants us to be, too. He also has a DNR.I don't like this pain at all and it only seems to occur more the older I get. It doesn't make it better at all knowing so many other people are suffering, too, but it does slightly quell some of the "why me?" pity party thoughts that come over me.Bud
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on May 16, 2013 at 09:00:39 PT
Hope
I talked to Robin this morning and the doctor's keep mentioning JC Virus. If Dave has PML (Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) there is nothing that can be done. There is no treatment. I asked her if Dave has a do not resuscitate order and he does. He has all of the symptoms of PML and the test results should be back today or tomorrow. That would account for how fast he has gone down hill. 
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on May 16, 2013 at 08:17:37 PT
FoM
I hope yesterday was relatively normal.Maybe today will, too.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on May 15, 2013 at 04:44:45 PT
Hope
I know. Today hopefully will be a normal day. I consider every day a great day if it is normal. 
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on May 14, 2013 at 21:07:35 PT
I'm so sorry, FoM.
I lost friends and family along the way. It was hard. But this thing going on now... where so many seem to be getting sick and dying. It's even harder.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on May 14, 2013 at 18:51:21 PT
Hope and BGreen
We are home now. What a day. Dave was admitted. He has had a few strokes and has blood clots in his brain. He will not come home this time but go to a nursing home when he stabilizes which is lifting a terrible burden for his wife. She will be starting on anti-retroviral medicine soon and she will be sick and she can't do this anymore. What a sad situation. I spent most of the day talking to Robin's mother who is in her 70s and daughter - in - law, sister and daughter.Hope the check came today and I will give Robin the money as soon as I see her again which will be soon. Thank you so much.
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on May 14, 2013 at 16:34:19 PT
Please watch if you can.
Melanie Dreher speaks about Jamaican studies of cannabis use taking place over forty years.https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RDV5HhmP4UI#!About fifteen minutes.... 
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on May 14, 2013 at 12:33:34 PT
BGreen comment 7
I agree.
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Comment #7 posted by BGreen on May 14, 2013 at 10:14:16 PT
We will, FoM
May God grant all of you the strength to get through this sad time.Bud
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on May 14, 2013 at 08:32:53 PT
Sad Day
Our friend Dave was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Say a little prayer for us. It's going to be a very sad day. We had a goodbye visit on Friday. I will never forget that night. http://s764.photobucket.com/user/MarthaGier/media/dandr_zps63666463.jpg.html
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Comment #5 posted by afterburner on May 14, 2013 at 07:07:09 PT
'We're Gonna Make It Right - We've Got to Unite' 
'One Love'2007-07-03 ✡ Bob Marley Exodus '77 - BBC documentary - YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q39YHQm2jg
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on May 13, 2013 at 17:06:50 PT
The GCW
That is good news.
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Comment #3 posted by The GCW on May 13, 2013 at 16:41:23 PT
Hemp & Colorado 
First major hemp crop in 60 years is planted in southeast Coloradohttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_23232417/first-major-hemp-crop-60-years-is-planted
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Comment #2 posted by runruff on May 13, 2013 at 13:23:27 PT
Hempy, dempy, doo.
This a step towards not jailing people for simple possession. Like I aways said, they do not really care if the riff-raff get high or not. We here know what the real issues are. I say it is not legal nor will it be right until we, they, them all of us is growing hemp. Pot freedom is good, pot freedom is grand, but hemp will save the planet and our decrepit culture.
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Comment #1 posted by HempWorld on May 13, 2013 at 13:09:39 PT
Victory!
Slowly but surely...
Pot Law
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