Illinois Lawmakers Add PTSD to Medical Marijuana Conditions

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SPRINGFIELD, IL — Lawmakers in Illinois gave final approval Saturday to a bill to add post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the quallifing conditions for the state’s medical marijuana pilot program.

Senate Bill 33 was approved Saturday by a vote of 68 to 36 in the House.  The bill was approved by the Senate by a 34 to 19 vote on May 21.

Illinois’ full legislature has given approval to Senate Bill 33, a measure to add post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying medical cannabis condition.

The bill will now be sent to…

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Vermont Governor Signs Bill to Expunge Marijuana Offenses

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Individuals who were convicted possessing up to one ounce of marijuana before July 1, 2013 can now apply to have the offenses expunged from their record.

MONTPELIER, VT —  Earlier this month, lawmakers in Vermont quietly passed a bill that will allow some past marijuana offenses to be expunged from an offender’s record.  Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) signed the bill into law on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 115, sponsored by Sen. Joe Benning (R-Lyndonville), allows Vermont residents who were convicted of crimes that are “no longer prohibited by…

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Virginia NORML Endorses Mark Levine for Delegate; Primary Election June 9

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ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Virginia affiliate of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws, Virginia NORML, has endorsed civic activist Mark Levine in his pursuit of the Democratic nomination for the Virginia House of Delegates in Virginia’s 45th District.

Levine, who is running against four other candidates for the 45th House District seat in the upcoming June 9 Democratic primary election, received the endorsement Thursday.

“Virginia NORML strongly believes Mark Levine has the tenacity, knowledge, and political willpower…

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Maine Marijuana Legalization Bill Rejected by Key Committee

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AUGUSTA, ME — A key legislative committee in Maine voted Thursday to reject a bill to legalize up to one ounce of marijuana for adults 21 or older, and create a regulatory system for legalized retail sales.  The bill would impose a 10% tax on retail marijuana sales.

Hours of negotiations and compromises between committee members by the bill’s sponsors were unable to sway the legislature’s Joint Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, who voted 6-3 to reject LD 1380, sponsored by Rep. Diane Russell (D-Portland) and nearly a…

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Louisiana Medical Marijuana Bill Making Progress

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Wednesday afternoon, the Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee approved a bill that is intended to stop the cruel criminalization of seriously ill patients who benefit from medical marijuana.

The bill, which has already passed the Senate with a 22-13 vote, now moves to the full House for a vote.

Senate Bill 143, filed by Sen. Fred Mills, Jr. (R), would amend a 1991 law that allows Louisiana’s physicians to prescribe medical marijuana in accordance with FDA and DEA guidelines. Since these guidelines don’t exist, this law has never…

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Medical Marijuana Opponents Gut the Case that Marijuana isn’t Medicine

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If today is any indication it seems likely that denying the science of medical marijuana is such an untenable position that even organizations that have been dedicated to opposing medical marijuana patient access aren’t completely up for the fight.

This week, medical marijuana patient adversaries Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) issued a report titled “Researching Marijuana’s Medical Potential Responsibly: A Six Point Plan” that largely undermines the long standing prohibitionist assertion that marijuana has no medical…

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Louisiana Medical Marijuana Bill Clears Final Committee; Vote Expected Soon

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BATON ROUGE, LA — Louisiana is close to giving final approval to a bill that would give patients suffering from some serious conditions access to medical marijuana after a key House committee gave final approval to the bill Wednesday.

The House Committee on Health and Welfare proposed a few minor changes to the bill before voting 16-0 to send Senate Bill 143 — which was approved earlier this month by the Senate — to the Legislative Bureau for scheduling for a third reading and vote by the full House.

The amendments proposed by…

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Oregon Senate Approves Bill to Tighten Medical Marijuana Rules

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SALEM, OR — Lawmakers in the Oregon Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would significantly tighten medical marijuana regulations as the state prepares for lawful sales of marijuana for any purpose to adults 21 or older.

The Senate voted 29 to 1 to approve Senate Bill 964 on Wednesday.  The only vote against the proposal came from Sen. Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene).

“I don’t think at this point we should deny patients access to medicine,” says Prozanski.

The bill, which now heads to the House for consideration, would make significant…

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Any dose of alcohol combined with cannabis significantly increases levels of THC in blood

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Cannabis plus alcohol is one of the most frequently detected drug combinations in car accidents, yet the interaction of these two compounds is still poorly understood. A study shows for the first time that the simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis produces significantly higher blood concentrations of cannabis’s main psychoactive constituent, THC, as well as THC’s primary active metabolite than cannabis use alone.

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Louisiana Senate Amends House Version of Marijuana Reform Bill

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BATON ROUGE, LA — Just one day after passing their own version of a bill to reduce the penalties for some marijuana convictions, lawmakers in the Louisiana Senate have amended  a similar proposal passed by the House, increasing the chances of one of the bills passing this year.

The Senate’s Judiciary Committee made the changes to House Bill 149 on Tuesday, which was approved by the House in May, making the two bills nearly identical.  The Senate’s version of the bill, Senate Bill 241, was approved by a floor vote in the Senate on…

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New Hampshire Marijuana Decriminalization Vote Expected Next Week

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CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Senate is expected to vote next week on a bill that could make New Hampshire the final New England state to remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana, despite a recommendation against the bill’s passage this week by a key Senate committee.

House Bill 618, which was overwhelmingly approved by the House 297 to 67 in March, would replace penalties for marijuana possession, which currently could land an offender in jail for up to a year, with a fine-only offense. New…

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Marijuana Testing Facility Opens for Business in Las Vegas

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LAS VEGAS, NV — DigiPath Labs, the cannabis testing subsidiary of DigiPath, Inc. (OTCQB: DIGP, temporarily changed to: DIGPD) opened the doors of its Las Vegas marijuana analytical testing laboratory for business Wednesday.

DigiPath logoEquipped with state of the art analytical instrumentation and operated under the direction of Cindy Orser, PhD, DigiPath Lab’s flagship facility offers cannabis growers and marijuana-based product-makers fast and reliable results.

“This is a great day for the patients of Nevada who will benefit from medical marijuana,” said DigiPath Labs president Todd Denkin. “Our analysis not only helps product producers and dispensaries screen out products with dangerous levels of contaminants, we also quantify the medicinal compounds present in samples, so patients and…

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Louisiana Senate Approves Bill to Reform Draconian Marijuana Possession Law

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New Law Would Be Important Step Toward Reducing Louisiana’s Notoriously Overcrowded Prisons and Jails; Bill Now Heads to the House

BATON ROUGE, LA — Louisiana’s Senate took an important step toward reforming their state’s harsh marijuana possession law when they approved Senate Bill 241 by a vote of 27-12 Monday.

If passed, Louisiana would join the growing number of states that have recently reduced penalties for small amounts of marijuana.

“This is a long-sought opportunity to take a more compassionate and commonsense approach to…

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Seattle to Close Unlicenced Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

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SEATTLE, WA — Seattle will close dozens of medical marijuana dispensaries operating without a license, the city’s mayor said on Tuesday, part of a statewide effort to reconcile the unregulated system with the voter-approved recreational pot industry.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray outlined a series of regulatory changes in how cannabis operations will do business in the city, saying the rules will improve the marketplace for patients who depend on medical marijuana.

“We’re strengthening the recreational marijuana market and creating safer,…

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Cannabis use can be prevented, reduced or delayed

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Contrary to some popular beliefs, marijuana is harmful to adolescent brains. Researchers have found that targeting at-risk youth through school programs can limit their use of this drug.

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Louisiana Senate Passes Bill to Reduce Marijuana Penalties; Expunge Some Convictions

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BATON ROUGE, LA — The Louisiana Senate voted Monday to reduce some marijuana penalties, and to allow for some offenders to have first-time marijuana convictions expunged from their records.  The measure now moves to the House, where a similar proposal has already been approved this session.

The Senate voted 27-12 on Monday to pass Senate Bill 241, sponsored by Senator J.P. Morrell (D-New Orleans) who says the proposal will treat penalties for marijuana convictions “in a way that is more humane.”

Currently, Louisiana is home to some…

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South Dakota Marijuana Advocate Proposes Banning Alcohol & Tobacco

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PIERRE, SD — A marijuana legalization activist from South Dakota has filed paperwork for two ballot initiatives to ban alcohol and tobacco to make state policies “consistent” with marijuana penalties.

Bob Newland, of the group Consistent South Dakota, filed the two initiatives with the secretary of state’s office earlier this year, and last week Attorney General Marty Jackley’s office released explanations of the measures as required by law.

The first proposed measure, which would go before voters in November 2016 if Newland is…

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Nevada Lawmakers Unanimously Approve Hemp Bill

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CARSON CITY, NV — Lawmakers in Nevada have unanimously passed a bill to authorize hemp cultivation, sending the bill to Republican Governor Brian Sandoval for final approval.

Sponsored by Sen. Tick Segerblom (D-Las Vegas), Senate Bill 305 was given final approval by the Assembly in a 41-0 vote on Friday.  The measure was approved 19-0 by the Senate in April.

The bill will allow colleges, universities, and the state Department of Agriculture to cultivation industrial hemp for research purposes under an agricultural pilot program, as…

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US Senators Cast First-Ever Vote In Favor of Medical Marijuana Access

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WASHINGTON, DC — The majority of the US Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday cast votes in favor of expanding medical cannabis access to United States veterans. The committee vote marks the first time that a majority of any body of the US Senate has ever decided in favor of increased cannabis access.

Committee members voted 18 to 12 in favor of The Veterans Equal Access Amendment, sponsored by Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana and Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon.

It was added in committee to a must-pass military…

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Maryland Governor Vetoes Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana Paraphernalia

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ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) announced Friday that he has vetoed a bill that would remove criminal penalties, including potential jail time, for the possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

The bill, Senate Bill 517, was intended to fix a law that was adopted last year to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, but did did not include marijuana paraphernalia.

Senate Bill 517 was approved earlier this year by a near veto-proof majority of 32 to 13 in the Senate and 83 to 53 in the House of Delegates….

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Pennsylvania: Medical Cannabis Advocates Applaud Bipartisan Vote on SB 3

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Last week, the Pennsylvania Senate passed SB 3, a legislative proposal that would create a functional medical cannabis program in the state. Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) and Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) co-sponsored the legislation and built up bipartisan support that lead to the bill’s passage by a margin of 40-7.

“The support of so many in the Senate and the many, many advocates has been overwhelming and I cannot thank everyone enough,” said Folmer.  “I believe in its present form Senate Bill 3 represents a balance between the…

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Nebraska Senate Passes Bill to Study Cannabidiol for Seizures

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LINCOLN, NE — Lawmakers in the Nebraska Senate have approved a measure that could soon allow residents suffering from severe seizure disorders to participate in a study on the effectiveness of cannabidiol.

Senators voted 44-2 on Thursday to approve LB 390, which would commission a University of Nebraska Medical Center study on the effectiveness of cannabidiol (CBD) in treating severe epileptic seizures.  The bill was sponsored by Sen. Sue Crawford (N-Bellevue).

Under the proposed “Medical Cannabidiol Pilot Study,” only the Nebraska…

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Illinois Lawmakers Approve Extending Medical Marijuana Program

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SPRINGFIELD, IL — Lawmakers in the Illinois Senate gave final approval Thursday to a bill that will extend the state’s medical marijuana pilot program beyond 2017.

The Senate voted 33-16 Thursday to approve House Bill 3299, a bill that has already passed in the House.  The bill, along with another bill passed Thursday to decriminalize marijuana possession in the state, now will head to Republican Governor Bruce Rauner for his signature.

It is unclear if Gov. Rauner will sign the bill, having previously indicated that the program…

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Study: Cannabis Use Inversely Associated With Diabetes

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EAST LANSING, MI — A history of cannabis use is inversely correlated with diabetes mellitus, according to an epidemiological review published online ahead of print in the journal Epidemiology.

Investigators at Michigan State University, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics performed a meta-analytic study assessing cannabis use and diabetes in the general population.

“Recently active cannabis smoking and diabetes mellitus are inversely associated,” they determined. Authors estimated that subjects with a history of cannabis use…

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Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Approved in Illinois

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HB 218 replaces the threat of jail time and a criminal record with a civil penalty — a $125 fine, similar to a traffic ticket — for possession of a small amount of marijuana

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois could soon become the latest state to remove criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana after both chambers of the legislature approved a measure to replace criminal charges with a civil law violation.

On Thursday, the Illinois Senate voted 37-19 to approve a measure to make the possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana a…

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US Senate Committee Approves Veterans Medical Marijuana Amendment

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First Time US Senate Has Voted on Marijuana Law Reform; Amendment Would Allow VA Doctors to Recommend Medical Marijuana to Their Patients in States Where It’s Legal

WASHINGTON, DC — The United States Senate Appropriations Committee passed a bipartisan amendment Thursday, 18 to 12, allowing Veterans Administration (VA) doctors to recommend medical marijuana to their patients in states where medical marijuana is legal.

The vote is the first time the U.S. Senate has ever moved marijuana law reform legislation forward.

“Veterans in medical…

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Four Washington State Marijuana Stores Caught Selling to Minors

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Four of 22 stores tested for compliance were caught selling marijuana to underage shoppers

OLYMPIA, WA — Four recreational marijuana stores in Western Washington have failed compliance checks  by selling marijuana to minors.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB), working with investigative aides aged 18-20, checked 22 businesses for sales of marijuana to minors.  The minors are sent into bushiness selling age restricted products, and must either present their true identification, or none at, all if asked by a clerk.

In Washington, marijuana is available for purchase by those 21 or older at state licences retail stores.

This marks the first compliance checks since retail marijuana sales began in the state last year, and resulted in an 82% no-sales-to-minors compliance…

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Louisiana Senate Committee Approves Bill to Reform Marijuana Possession Law

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Law Would Allow Second Chance for First-Time Offenders and Save Millions of Dollars

BATON ROUGE, LA — Lawmakers in Louisiana took a major step toward reforming the state’s harsh marijuana possession law when the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill to reform the state’s harsh marijuana possession law.

If House Bill 149 is passed, Louisiana would join the growing number of states that have recently reduced penalties for small amounts of marijuana.  The bill was passed by the House last week, and now heads to the full Senate for…

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Jim Kenney Wins Democratic Nomination for Philadelphia Mayor

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PHILADELPHIA, PA — Last year, Philadelphia City Council member Jim Kenney successfully pushed through a bill to decriminalize marijuana in the nation’s fifth largest city.  Now, Kenny is poised to become the city’s next mayor after a landslide victory in the Democratic primary for mayor.

Kenny was the clear winner, receiving 56% of the vote.  His closet competitor only pulled in 26%.

Kenny, who accepted the Democratic nomination in a speech Tuesday evening, is all but guaranteed to become Philadelphia’s next mayor, a city where…

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Connecticut Looks to Add 3 Conditions to Medical Marijuana Program

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HARTFORD, CT — The head of Connecticut’s medical marijuana program announced this week that his department is drafting regulations to add three new ailments to the expanding list of conditions that quallify for medical cannabis use.

Consumer Protection Commissioner Jonathan A . Harris announced Monday that his agency is drafting regulations to add Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease), Fabry Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis to the state’s medical marijuana program.

All three conditions were reviewed and voted…

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Texas House Passes Flawed CBD Bill

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Monday evening, the Texas State House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 339 with a vote of 96-34. The bill seeks to allow patients with intractable epilepsy to access cannabis oil containing high levels of cannabidiol, or CBD, and only trace levels of THC.

On a certain level, the legislature should be commended for acknowledging the medical value of marijuana, and it is an historic vote in that sense.

Unfortunately, SB 339, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler), is extremely unlikely to provide patients with relief because it…

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Doobster: New App for On-Demand Marijuana Delivery

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RIVERSIDE, CA — Logistics Trust, Inc. has launched a subsidiary named Doobster (www.Doobster.org), a mobile application and platform (the “Doobster Platform”) that allows a consumer of legal marijuana to order products from their smart phones, tablets or computer and have the products delivered to their physical location. Doobster is launching in 15 states by empowering stakeholders at all levels with its innovative business model.

Started as a logistics and compliance consulting company in January 2013 by Scott Abadjian, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Logistics Trust, Inc. (“Logistics Trust”) now intends to provide consumers with an on-demand mobile (SaaS) platform. The robust and flexible Doobster Platform is very user-friendly. Consumers can register and order…

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‘Unworkable’ Medical Marijuana Bill Passes in Texas

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AUSTIN, TX — Lawmakers in the Texas House voted 96 to 34 on Monday to approve a bill intended to allow patients with intractable seizure conditions to access some forms of medical marijuana, but advocates say the bill is unworkable.

Senate Bill 339, Texas Compassionate Use Act, was approved last week by the Senate, and now heads to Republican Governor Greg Abbott for final approval.

The bill, introduced by Sen. Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler), will only allow “low-THC cannabis” which is defined in the bill by containing less than .5%…

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Smoking marijuana may cause early puberty and stunts growth in boys

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Boys who smoke marijuana go through puberty earlier but grow more slowly than those who have never smoked the drug according to a new study.

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Association between teen sleep patterns, alcohol or marijuana use

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Studying adolescents in Southern California, researchers found that the link between sleep and alcohol/marijuana use was consistent even after controlling for other known risk factors, such as depression. For every 10 minutes later that teens went to bed, there was a 6 percent increased risk of alcohol or marijuana use in the previous month. In addition, teens who reported significant trouble sleeping were 55 percent more likely to have used alcohol in the past month.

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Substance abuse risk not greater in those using medical marijuana with prescribed opioids

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Among people who use medical cannabis for chronic pain, those who also take prescription pain medications are not at increased risk for serious alcohol and other drug involvement, according to a study.

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Medical Marijuana: A Brand New Battle in Pennsylvania

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Who is Matthew Baker and more importantly, who does he think he is?

If I had to guess, he’s a power hungry politician who represents a very small percentage of Pennsylvanians. He seems more intent on being a pseudo scientist and medical professional than in being a legislator.

One cannot argue the republican representative is very popular in Tioga County (population a bit over 46,000) where he garners enough support to potentially remain in office for a very long time.

Matt Baker memeHe claims to have all this scientific data and research, yet has failed…

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Marijuana Decriminalization; Legalization Bills Die in Texas

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AUSTIN, TX — Two bills aimed at reforming marijuana laws in Texas have died in the legislature, when the deadline for advancing bills out of committee for consideration by the House passed last week.

Both bills, one that would have decriminalized marijuana possession and one that would have legalized marijuana for adults, were left pending in the House Calendar Committee when committee chair Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) refused to schedule the bills for consideration by the full House.

House Bill 507, introduced by Rep. Joe Moody…

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CA: Referendum Suspends Santa Cruz County Ban on Medical Cannabis Cultivation

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SANTA CRUZ, CA — The first successful Santa Cruz County referendum in 13 years has suspended an ordinance adopted by the County Board of Supervisors to ban all commercial cannabis cultivation. The ban was adopted on April 14, 2015, and was to go into effect on May 15, 2015.

Responsible Cultivation Santa Cruz (RCSC) circulated the referendum and after only 21 days filed 11,210 signatures with the county. 7,248 valid signatures are required to qualify the referendum for the ballot.

The ordinance was suspended when the Santa Cruz County Clerk…

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Massachusetts Overhauls Medical Marijuana Dispensary Application Process

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BOSTON, MA — The process for applying to operate a medical marijuana dispensary in Massachusetts was given a much needed overhaul on Friday, allowing dispensaries to be approved in a format similar to how other health care facilities, such as pharmacies, are licensed.

Officials from the Department of Public Health (DPH) said Friday that the new process for licencing Registered Marijuana Dispensaries would begin next month, aimed at streamlining the process for approval and provide better access for patients.  Previously announced changes to the application process were expected to be in place by May 15.

Massachusetts voters approved medical marijuana in 2012. (file)

Massachusetts voters approved medical marijuana in 2012. (file)

Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure in 2012 to legalize medical marijuana in the Bay State,…

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Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Blocked by Rep. Matt Baker

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The United States Federal Government Conspiracy on Cannabis

I will start off by getting right to the point in saying that for over seventy years our government has lied to the American public and to the rest of the world about the dangers of cannabis aka “marijuana” (in legal government documents its spelled marihuana). The United States Federal Government, since 1937, has taken part in a conspiracy to mislead the general public’s opinion on the cannabis plant, which includes both hemp and marijuana as part of its genome species.

They…

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Study: Parents Report CBD Extracts Reduce Seizures In Children

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LOS ANGELES, CA — The administration of cannabis preparations high in cannabidiol (CBD) are associated with a reduction in seizure frequency in adolescents, according to survey data published in the journal Epilepsy & Behavior.

Investigators at Mattel’s Children’s Hospital at the University of California, Los Angeles surveyed 117 parents who reported administering CBD-enriched products to their epileptic children.

Authors reported that 85 percent of respondents acknowledged a reduction in their child’s seizure frequency, and 14…

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Strong evidence still lacking on medical marijuana for pain

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With increasing numbers of chronic pain patients experimenting with marijuana to get relief, physicians need to learn more about the plant and its constituents to counsel patients appropriately about its safety and possible analgesic benefits, according to a leading medical marijuana researcher.

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Federal Bill to Legalize CBD-Rich Medical Cannabis Strains Filed in US Senate

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WASHINGTON, DC — Bipartisan legislation has been filed in the United States Senate to exempt cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiol-rich strains of cannabis from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act.

U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), along with co-sponsors Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Michael Bennet (D-CO), introduced S.1333,  the Therapeutic Hemp Medical Access Act of 2015, on Wednesday.

According to a press release issued by Sen. Gardner, the…

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Kansas Supreme Court to Hear Wichita Marijuana Ordinance Case in September

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WICHITA, KS — The Kansas Supreme Court says it will decide whether a voter-approved ordinance in Wichita lessening criminal penalties for marijuana possession is legal.

The court ruled Wednesday that it will retain jurisdiction under its authority to hear issues of sufficient public concern. It kept in place a stay of district court proceedings.

It also noted that Wichita has already agreed that enactment of the ordinance should be put on hold until the courts rule.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt contends the ordinance is void because it conflicts with state law.

The ordinance imposes up to a $50 fine for first-time possession of a small amount of marijuana. State law deems it a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Oral arguments will be…

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Pennsylvania Senate Passes Medical Cannabis Bill SB 3

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HARRISBURG, PA — On Tuesday the Pennsylvania Senate passed SB 3, a legislative proposal that would create a functional medical cannabis program in the state. Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) and Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) co-sponsored the legislation and built up bipartisan support that lead to the bill’s passage by a margin of 40-7.

“The support of so many in the Senate and the many, many advocates has been overwhelming and I cannot thank everyone enough,” said Folmer.  “I believe in its present form Senate Bill 3 represents a…

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Medical marijuana pill may not be effective in treating behavioral symptoms of dementia

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Medical marijuana pills may not help treat behavioral symptoms of dementia, such as aggression, pacing and wandering, a new study concludes. However, researchers did find that the drug dosage used in the clinical trial was safe and well-tolerated.

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'Extreme' exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke causes mild intoxication

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Secondhand exposure to cannabis smoke under ‘extreme conditions,’ such as an unventilated room or enclosed vehicle, can cause nonsmokers to feel the effects of the drug, have minor problems with memory and coordination, and in some cases test positive for the drug in a urinalysis, a new study concludes.

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Nebraska Gives First Round Approval to Medical Marijuana Bill

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LINCOLN, NE — Lawmakers in the Nebraska Senate have given first round approval to a bill that would allow patients suffering from certain serious medical conditions access to some forms of medical marijuana.

The Cannabis Compassion and Care Act, LB 643, was approved on a first round 27-12 vote Tuesday.  The bill has now entered an enrollment and review period before it can advance to a second debate and vote.

Under LB 643, patients suffering from the following ailments would be eligible for medical marijuana in Nebraska:  cancer;…

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Pennsylvania Senate Passess Medical Marijuana Bill; Heads to House for Consideration

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HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Senate voted Tuesday to approve a bill that could bring medical marijuana to the Keystone state.  The bill now heads to the House for consideration.

The 40 to 7 vote to approve Senate Bill 3 came after a brief discussion on the bill.   The bill now heads to the House for consideration, where advocates are hopeful it will fare better this year than the bill’s predecessor last year.

Senate Bill 3 was introduced by Senators Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery County) and Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon County), and…

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