Federal Regulators Reject Application for Colorado Marijuana Bank

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DENVER, CO — A Colorado credit union is hoping a federal judge will intervene to let the booming marijuana industry move its finances from cash-stuffed suitcases to the regulated banking system.

A pair of lawsuits filed in Denver this week challenge recent decisions by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the National Credit Union Administration to deny applications from Fourth Corner Credit Union.

The credit union was set up last year to serve Colorado’s marijuana industry, but it needed permission from federal insurers and regulators before opening for business.

The Federal Reserve rejected Fourth Corner’s application earlier this month.

The decision means many pot businesses still use elaborate banking workarounds – from paying the power bill with money orders to spritzing skunky cash…

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New York Announces Five Medical Marijuana Producers

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NEW YORK, NY — The New York State Department of Health (DOH) on Friday announced the five companies that have been awarded the coveted licenses to grow and dispense medical marijuana in New York.

The announcement came after a competitive bidding process through which forty-three industry groups contended for the five licenses.

The five companies awarded licences are PharmaCann LLC; Empire State Health Solutions LLC; Columbia Care NY LLC; Etain, LLC; and Bloomfield Industries Inc.

Each producer is restricted to opening only four dispensaries each, they will only be allowed to produce five strains or brands of medical marijuana, and all products must be in pill, oil or tincture form.

The price of the medicine will be set by the Commissioner of Health.

DOH has said that New York’s medical…

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Israel: Pharmacies to Provide Medical Marijuana

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JERUSALEM — Medical marijuana preparations will soon be available in Israeli pharmacies, a Health Ministry representative announced Monday.

In conjunction with the plan, government officials also intend to license additional physicians to prescribe cannabis therapy.

Medical cannabis will be “prescribed and monitored by the same standards as other medications,” the agency says.

The Israeli government has authorized the limited production and distribution of marijuana as a medical treatment since 2011.

Allen St. Pierre

Allen St. Pierre

Allen St. Pierre is…

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Harborside Health Center Outlasts California’s US Attorney Melinda Haag Era

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OAKLAND, CA — On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag from Northern California announced her departure, effective September 1.

Since 2011 Ms. Haag shuttered more than 600 state-compliant medical cannabis dispensaries by threatening to seize their leased properties from landlords. Haag claimed she launched her actions because the properties were less than 1000 feet from a school, park or playground.

Haag’s crusade largely ended in July of 2012 after she targeted Harborside Health Center, which she admitted was not close to a sensitive site. Harborside fought back in state and local court, and won multiple decisions that have allowed it and other state-compliant dispensaries to remain open ever since.

The City of Oakland subsequently filed suit against Haag and the Department of…

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New DEA Leader Suspects Marijuana is Not as Bad as Heroin

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WASHINGTON, DC — Newly appointed head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Chuck Rosenberg, says that marijuana is “probably” not as dangerous as heroin.

Rosenberg’s comments, issued Tuesday, are seemingly in conflict with marijuana’s Schedule I classification under federal law, which places it in the same category as heroin and is a lesser category than cocaine. The law defines cannabis and its dozens of distinct cannabinoids as possessing “a high potential for abuse … no currently accepted medical use, … [and] a lack of accepted safety for the use of the drug … under medical supervision.”

Predictably, Rosenberg did emphasize that he believed cannabis posed potential harms, stating:“If you want me to say that marijuana’s not dangerous, I’m not going…

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2016 Marijuana Legalization Initiatives: An Overview

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Marijuana legalization initiative campaigns aiming at November 2016 are underway in nearly a dozen states. Here’s a look at what’s likely to pass and what isn’t.

Marijuana is going to be part of the political conversation between now and Election Day 2016. Support for legalization is now consistently polling above 50% nationwide, four states and DC have already voted to legalize it, and activists at least ten states are doing their best to make it an issue this time around.

In those states, they’re working to take marijuana legalization directly to the voters in the form of initiatives. Not all of those efforts will actually make the ballot — mass signature-gathering campaigns require not only enthusiasm but cold, hard cash to succeed — and not all of those that qualify will…

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NIDA Director Says Cannabidiol is a “Safe Drug”

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The director of the US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Nora Volkow, believes that cannabidiol (CBD) – a nonpsychotropic cannabinoid – is “a safe drug with no addictive effects.”

Volkow made the comments in an op-ed published by The Huffington Post.

Volkow further acknowledged, “[P]reliminary data suggest that it may have therapeutic value for a number of medical conditions.”

Preclinical studies have documented CBD to possess a variety of therapeutic activities, including anti-cancer properties, anti-diabetic properties,…

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Chris Christie’s Proposed 50 State War On Marijuana

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This week New Jersey Governor Chris Christie set off a small firestorm saying he would use the power of the federal government to end state-level access to marijuana saying, “Marijuana is against the law in the states and it should be enforced in all 50 states.”

Although Colorado and other states with recreational marijuana laws have received the lion’s share of Christie’s criticism he has previous called medical marijuana “a front for legalization” so there is every reason to fear that a theoretical Christie administration would mean a new war on medical marijuana patients.

It goes without saying that Christie is behind the times on medical marijuana, but its worth noting just how out of the mainstream Christie is compared to the rest of the country.

It’s Going To Be…

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ASA Debuts ‘Truth About Medical Marijuana’ Educational Series

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New Campaign Aims to Deepen Public Knowledge about Medical Marijuana

WASHINGTON, DC —  Americans for Safe Access (ASA) on Wednesday launched the “Truth About Medical Marijuana” educational website and accompanying event series.

The Truth About Medical Marijuana will focus on emerging issues in the area of medical marijuana, including understanding the research behind the medicine, emerging policies issues surrounding cannabidiol (CBD) and consumer safety issues.

During each of the next three months, event hosts will focus on these issues and prepare attendees to share that information with politicians and key decision makers, as well as providing tools to counter misinformation in the media.

“With the majority of Americans living in states that allow at least some kind of medical…

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Recreational Marijuana Sales to Begin October 1 in Oregon

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Oregon will have the quickest start of lawful marijuana sales out of the four states that have approved legalization, doing so less than a year after voters approved Measure 91. The bill, Senate Bill 460, was overwhelmingly approved by the legislature at the beginning of July, as possession and limited cultivation of marijuana became legal for adults 21 and older with parts of 2014’s Measure 91 taking effect. The new law is intended to provide adults with legal access to marijuana…

Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed into law Tuesday legislation allowing medical marijuana dispensaries in the state sell recreational cannabis to adults beginning October 1.

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Pierce County, WA to Dispensaries: Get Licensed or Get Out

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TACOMA, WA — All unlicensed marijuana retailers — medical or recreational — in unincorporated areas of Pierce County, Washington, must obtain licensing by July 1, 2016 or close, officials said Monday.

“It’s important that these individuals know that after a certain date they will no longer be allowed to operate,” said Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy in a statement Monday.

Pierce County, WACounty officials estimate approximately 60 marijuana retailers — mostly medical marijuana dispensaries — are currently operating in unincorporated parts of the county, and could be effected.

McCarthy added that it is not the County’s intention to force these retailers out of bushiness.  Instead, the county will work with dispensaries to obtain licencing before the July 2016 deadline.

“It is…

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NY Sen. Schumer Throws Weight Behind Federal Medical Marijuana Bill

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Senator Schumer Joins NY Senator Gillibrand in Sponsoring the CARERS Act, a Bill that Would End Federal Prohibition of Medical Marijuana

NEW YORK, NY — New York Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) added his name to the Senate’s sweeping medical marijuana bill on Tuesday.

The CARERS Act, introduced in March by Senators Gillibrand (D-NY), Booker (D-NJ), and Paul (R-KY) would end federal prohibition of medical marijuana, and remove barriers for research, veterans, and banking.

The move comes just days before New York State is expected to announce the names of five companies that will be allowed to produce medical marijuana in New York. New York’s medical marijuana is expected to become fully operational in January 2016.

New York patients have expressed their gratitude for Senator Schumer’s…

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mCig Announces Financing Programs for Cannabis Growers & Dispensaries

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BEVERLY HILLS, CA — mCig, Inc. (OTCQB: MCIG), a leading provider of technology, products, and services for the global medical and legal recreational cannabis industry, announced today that the Company is now offering a complete range of financing services for marijuana growers and dispensaries.

This program is designed to provide cannabis entrepreneurs with easy access to much needed startup and operational capital necessary to develop their business and underscores mCig’s commitment to not only seek out innovative products and distribute them, but now even help the industry to buy them.

mCig’s flexible loan programs are designed for businesses that have been turned down for conventional bank loans due to banks’ refusal to loan to cannabis companies and ensures investment…

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UK: Parliament to Debate Marijuana Legalization After Petition Gathers 150k Signatures

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LONDON — In less than a week, a petition to legalize the production, sale and use of marijuana in the United Kingdom has gathered over 150,000 signatures, more than enough to force a debate in Parliament.

The online petition, launched Tuesday, calls on Parliament to “make the production, sale and use of cannabis legal.”

According to the petition, legalizing cannabis in the United Kingdom could bring in £900m ($1.4 million USD) in taxes annually, save £400m ($6.2 million USD) on policing cannabis and create over 10,000 new jobs.

To…

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Georgia’s Medical Marijuana Law Falls Short

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ATLANTA, GA — While some patients in Georgia have benefited from the new low-THC / high-CBD law, others are no closer to medical access than before the law was enacted. Better legislation is needed.

It was reported last week that just over 50 patients have registered and received a medical marijuana card which provides some immunity from prosecution for some patients, while other patients are having difficulty getting access.

According to public reports to Georgia C.A.R.E. Project, patients who qualify under the new law say their doctors are refusing to participate in the program leaving them searching for help. Some doctors have even threatened their patients with denial of medical services if the patient test positive for cannabis.

According to Georgia C.A.R.E. director James Bell,…

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Changes to Washington Medical Marijuana Law Takes Effect

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OLYMPIA, WA — Several changes to Washington state’s medical marijuana law took effect on Friday.

The changes were made as part of Senate Bill 5052, the “Cannabis Patient Protection Act,” which was approved by lawmakers in April.

Among the regulations now in effect:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury are added as qualifying conditions.
  • A qualifying condition must be severe enough to significantly interfere with the patient’s activities of daily living and ability to function, which can be objectively assessed and evaluated.
  • All new authorizations must be written on a form developed by the department and printed on tamper-resistant paper.
  • It is now prohibited to make marijuana concentrates with butane. Concentrates are still allowed, but highly flammable…

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Study: Sleep-Disturbed Patients Report Relief from Cannabis

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BERKELEY, CA — Patients with sleep disorders find relief from the ingestion of various strains of cannabis, according to data published in the journal Addictive Behaviors.

Investigators from the University of California at Berkeley, the National Center for PTSD, and John Hopkins University in Baltimore evaluated cannabis species and cannabinoid concentration preferences among medical cannabis users who reported using the plant for the management of sleep problems.

Participants who consumed cannabis for nightmares preferred sativa strains to…

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Support for Marijuana Legalization Growing in New Hampshire

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DURHAM, NH — A growing number of adults in New Hampshire support legalizing marijuana, according to a new poll released Thursday.

According to the Granite State Poll released Thursday, sponsored by WMUR-TV and conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, 60% of adults in New Hampshire support legalizing marijuana for recreational use, with only 35% opposed.  The remaining 5% were neutral or unsure.

The poll’s findings represent an increase since a similar Granite State Poll released in May, which found 54% in favor of legalization.

If marijuana were to be legalized in the Granite State, 70% of those polled approve of selling it at licensed retail outlets and taxing it, similar to how alcohol is sold.

Support for decriminalizing marijuana in New Hampshire is even…

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Senate Appropriations Committee Allows Marijuana Legalization to Move Forward in Nation’s Capital

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Also Votes to Allow Banks to Provide Services to State-Legalized Marijuana Stores

WASHINGTON, DC — A key Senate committee passed a bill today allowing the nation’s capital to establish regulated marijuana stores and to let banks provide financial services to state-legalized marijuana dispensaries.

These are just two of several marijuana reforms advancing in Congress.  Meanwhile, sentencing reform is gaining steam, and the U.S. is shifting towards treating drug use as a health issue instead of a criminal justice issue.

“The stage has been set to end the federal government’s failed war on marijuana,” said Michael Collins, policy manager at Drug Policy Alliance’s Office of National Affairs. “A bi-partisan consensus has emerged in favor of reform.”

Last November nearly 72% of…

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Teens with medical marijuana cards much likelier to say they're addicted, but few teens have them

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Teens using marijuana for medical reasons are 10 times more likely to say they are hooked on marijuana than youth who get marijuana illegally, a new study shows. The study is the first to report on a nationally representative sample of 4,394 high school seniors and their legal or illegal medical marijuana use as it relates to other drug use. In the study, 48 teens had medical marijuana cards, but 266 teens used medical marijuana without a card.

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Senate Committee Approves Measure to Ensure Marijuana Businesses Have Access to Banking Services

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Amendment to appropriations bill would prohibit the Treasury Department from using funds to punish banks that provide financial services to state-legal marijuana businesses

WASHINGTON, DC — The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a measure Thursday (16-14) that is intended to ensure marijuana businesses have access to banking services.

The amendment, offered by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, would prohibit the Treasury Department and its enforcement arm, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network or FinCEN, from using federal funds to punish banks that provide financial services to marijuana businesses that are operating legally under state laws.

Many banks are currently unwilling to provide depository and other basic…

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MPP Releases Report Criticizing New Hampshire Medical Marijuana Program

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Delays, Confusion, and Continued Arrests: A Two-Year Retrospective on New Hampshire’s “Therapeutic Use of Cannabis” Law

WASHINGTON, DC — On two year anniversary of New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan signing legislation making New Hampshire the 19th medical marijuana state, the Washington, DC-based Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) released a report Thursday heavily criticizing the state’s implementation of the law.

Gov. Hassan signed House Bill 573 into law on July 23, 2015, creating the limited and restrictive “Therapeutic Use of Cannabis” program, which was to be administered by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Two years later, however, patients in the state who’s motto is “Live Free or Die” have yet to be provided with any safe, legal access…

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Poll: 4 in 10 Americans Have Tried Marijuana

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WASHINGTON, DC — More than four out of every ten Americans admit to having tried marijuana at least once, a new poll has found.

The Gallup poll conducted in July found that 44% of Americans say they have tried marijuana. This is the highest percentage Gallup has found since it began asking the question in 1969, when only 4% admitted to having tried it.

The poll also asked respondents if they currently smoke marijuana, with 11% saying they do, up from 7% in 2013.  In comparison, a separate question in the poll found that 19% of…

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US Senate Committee Votes In Favor of Marijuana Banking Bill

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WASHINGTON, DC — Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee voted 16-14 Thursday in favor of an amendment to allow state-compliant marijuana businesses to engage in relationships with financial institutions.

Sponsored by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D) of Oregon and Patty Murray (D) of Washington, the amendment to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill prohibits the US Treasury Department from using federal funds to take punitive actions against banks that provide financial services to marijuana-related businesses that are operating legally under state laws.

Presently, most major financial institutions refuse to provide services to state-compliant operators in the marijuana industry out of fear of federal repercussions. Their refusal to do so presents an…

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Cannabis psychosis: gender matters

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A greater proportion of men than women suffer from cannabis psychoses, a new research study shows. There has been much research exploring the nature of the relationship between cannabis and psychosis, however the role of gender in relation to cannabis psychosis is less well explored and understood.

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Where’s Weed Launches Marijuana Pre-Ordering Service with New Apps

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Where’s Weed allows consumers to pre-order legal marijuana purchases through new online apps

DENVER, CO — Where’s Weed, the largest online source for finding legal marijuana businesses, has announced the release of a new online pre-ordering platform through the website and newly launched mobile applications.

With the new platform, customers can quickly and safely pre-order legal marijuana with trusted businesses in their community. Within 60 seconds, customers can select products, upload medical verification and schedule a pick-up at their convenience.

On a small scale beta test across three states, Where’s Weed recorded hundreds of pre-orders in the first 30 days, amounting to tens of thousands of dollars in business to consumer transactions.

A large portion of the pre-orders…

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Introducing Marijuana-Infused Single-Serve Coffee, Tea and Cocoa

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Pot-O-Coffee aims to become nation’s first national cannabis and CBD-infused single-serve coffee line featuring coffee, tea and cocoa.

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Equvest LLC, a California-based beverage company, announces the launch of Pot-O-Coffee, a product line of cannabis-infused beverages consisting of single-serve coffee, tea and cocoa, for multiple state distribution.

Designed for new and experienced cannabis users, the Pot-O-Coffee product line consists of two variants for cannabis infusion; one infused with cannabis plant-extracted tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oil, while the other is infused with non-psychotropic cannabidiol (CBD) derived from agricultural based Hemp Oil.

In an effort to create the first national medical and recreational consumer-friendly cannabis and…

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Arizona Appeals Court Rules Marijuana Smell Not Enough for Search Warrant

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TUCSON, AZ — An Arizona court ruling says legalization of medical marijuana means the smell of pot cannot be the only basis for obtaining a search warrant to investigate suspected illegal activity.

“Medical marijuana use pursuant to AMMA is lawful under Arizona law,” said Judge Peter Eckerstrom in the court’s ruling. “Therefore its scent alone does not disclose whether a crime has occurred.”

“Were we to adopt the state’s suggestion that scent alone furnishes probable cause of a crime, medical marijuana patients would become second-class citizens, losing their rights to privacy and security, including privacy within their own homes,” said Eckerstrom.

Ruling that a judge in Tucson shouldn’t have allowed evidence from a search, the state Court of Appeals overturned a…

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California Marijuana Legalization Efforts Receive Guidance from Blue Ribbon Commission

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California will be joined by a number of other states hoping to legalize marijuana in 2016.

SACRAMENTO, CA — A Blue Ribbon Commission led by California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom released a report Monday providing a total of 58 recommendations for advocates to consider as they move forward to place a legalization initiative on the statewide ballot in November 2016.

California will be joined by a number of other states hoping to legalize marijuana in 2016.

This report seeks to provide regulatory guidance for the state’s forthcoming legalization effort. The commission prefaced its report by stating: “Legalization of marijuana would not be an event that happens in one election. Rather, it would be a process that unfolds over many years requiring sustained attention to…

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Congressional Briefing to Highlight Need to Fix Research System for Marijuana

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Top Experts to Testify on Federal Restrictions Holding Back Medical Marijuana Research

WASHINGTON, DC — On Thursday, July 23rd Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is hosting a Congressional Briefing with Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) on federal barriers faced by researchers working to understand the medical uses of marijuana.

The briefing will provide expert testimony on how federal policy has undermined medical marijuana research, the state of  contemporary medical marijuana research and the impact of reform proposals.

Dr. Sue Sisley will present testimony on how federal barriers have directly blocked her research on using marijuana to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder including the adverse impacts of the Drug Enforcement Agency licensing only one entity — the National…

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Marijuana Legalization Ballot Drive Launches in Michigan

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I favor this petition from MILegalize. Please contribute to its campaign fund
soon. My understanding is that the MRC’s opposing plan would include repealing
the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. That would outlaw free-market competition
from small businesses, mid-sized growers, and the farmer’s roadside stand.

Michigan is a Right to Farm State. If your land is suitable and you raise crops according to State standards, you may compete in the State’s open market. I’d say legalize it but don’t corporatize it. Never interfere with…

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Google Boots Medical Marijuana Delivery App from Play Store

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Loud Cannabis Awarded Top New Marijuana App, then Booted off Google Play; Users can still access popular farm-to-table marijuana delivery service through mobile-compatible website

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The Green Exchange, Inc., the developers of “Loud Cannabis” (www.tryloud.com), the world’s first HIPAA compliant mobile app that connects marijuana growers directly to patients, announced today that their app was removed from Google Play – the tech giant’s app download center.

The expulsion from Google came just days after Loud Cannabis received an award for “Best New Marijuana App” from CannaNews.

The app had a flurry of new downloads after the award was announced, and company executives believe that the increased activity may have stimulated Google’s scrutiny. The app was…

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Inhaled cannabis shown effective for diabetic neuropathy pain

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Inhaled cannabis reduces diabetic neuropathy and the analgesic effect is dose-dependent, new research suggests. Researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind study evaluating 16 subjects to assess the efficacy and tolerability of inhaled cannabis for treating pain caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

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Bill to Expunge Federal Marijuana Offenses to be Introduced in Congress

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WASHINGTON, DC — Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) announced on Monday plans to introduce legislation in Congress to expunge certain federal marijuana offenses.

The Clean Slate for Marijuana Offenses Act of 2015, to be introduced in Congress on Tuesday, creates a pathway for two types of federal marijuana offenders to expunge – or clear the criminal record of – their marijuana offense: those who were federally charged for activity that was state legal at the time; and those whose offense was the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.

“The penalties of failed prohibition policies should stop ruining people’s lives. The Clean Slate for Marijuana Offenses Act of 2015 follows Oregon’s lead to provide a pathway for expunging certain federal marijuana crimes,”…

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Medical Marijuana Grower Helps Victims of Illinois Tornado

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Revolution Enterprises CEO Tim McGraw is paying for hotel rooms for residents displaced by Thursday night’s tornado in Delavan, Illinois

DELAVAN, IL – People who lost their homes when a tornado roared through their central Illinois town last week received help from a new neighbor: the top executive of a medical marijuana-growing company.

Delavan, ILDelavan Mayor Liz Skinner said Sunday that Revolution Enterprises CEO Tim McGraw is paying for hotel rooms for residents displaced by Thursday night’s tornado.

More than 50 homes were damaged as the tornado, which reached wind speeds of 120 mph, tore a 1-mile path through the community of 1,700 residents. “Nine homes were declared uninhabitable,” Skinner said.

No one was killed in the twister, which also took down trees, garages and grave markers…

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North Carolina Governor Signs Bill Improving CBD Law

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RALEIGH, NC — North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory (R) signed into law House Bill 766 late last week, giving final approval to a bill that makes significant changes to a law enacted last year allowing the use of some medical marijuana extracts to treat seizures associated with epilepsy.

House Bill 766, the North Carolina Epilepsy Alternative Treatment Act, was approved by the legislature earlier this month.  The new law, which takes effect August 1, amends the exemption for the use or possession of some medical marijuana extracts containing high amounts of cannabidiol, and allows neurologists to use the extracts to treat intractable epilepsy without being required to participate in a research study.

Last year, lawmakers in North Carolina approved the Hope 4 Haley and Friends…

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Senators Demand Answers on Administrative Barriers to Cannabis Research

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Earlier this week, Senator Elizabeth Warren (DMA) and 7 other U.S. Senators sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the Drug Enforcement Agency seeking specific answers on a number of bureaucratic barriers to medical marijuana research.

The letter comes just a few weeks after the Senate Drug Caucus hearing on cannabis-based medicines and the White House announcement to terminate the Public Health Service review process for marijuana, which had been cited by many as one of the major pieces of federal red tape standing in the way of scientists and physicians.

Joined by Senators Merkley (OR), Wyden (OR), Mikulski (MD), Markey (MA), Boxer (CA), Booker (NJ), and Gillibrand (NY), the letter acknowledges that there is a…

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Guam Releases Draft Medical Marijuana Regulations

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HAGÅTÑA, GUAM — Following up on a successful 2014 ballot initiative that legalized medical marijuana in the US territory of Guam, the island’s Department of Public Health and Social Services released draft regulations for the medical marijuana program Thursday.

In a 151-page document published on the department’s website, proposed rules and regulations — including licencing fees and qualifying conditions — are outlined.

The department has announced public hearings on the proposed rules later this month.

Once the rules and regulations are finalized, they will be sent to the Legislature for final approval.

Under the proposed regulations, patients must be suffering from one of the following debilitating conditions to qualify for the medical marijuana…

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Hempcrete: A Revolutionary Building Material Made from Hemp

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Hemp is now revolutionizing the way we build homes and office buildings. By using the wood-like inner stalk of the cannabis plant, combined with some lime and water, manufacturers are now molding ‘Hempcrete’ bricks.

What Is Hempcrete?

Grinding the inner stalk of the cannabis plant into fine chips and mixing them with lime and water creates incredibly durable bricks of hemp.
Hempcrete is a strong, breathable, flexible, mold-proof and fire resistant material that offers distinct advantages over conventional building materials.

Benefits of…

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Entering the Home Stretch for Medical Marijuana in California

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The California legislature has a full plate this year when it comes to medical cannabis

SACRAMENTO, CA — The California State Legislature will adjourn for their summer recess Friday, following a flurry of activity surrounding medical cannabis.

Legislative policy committees have approved at least eight bills that touch on almost every aspect of the issue. These bills are both good and bad for patients, providers, and others. However, they all share one common trait: they are moving easily through the process. After failing to adopt a significant medical cannabis bill since the Medical Marijuana Program Act in 2003 (SB 420), lawmakers are determined to pass bills this year.

Most of bills have passed easily through committee votes so far – some with no opposition at all.

Lawmakers will…

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No bones about it: Cannabis may be used to treat fractures

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A new study explores another promising new medical application for marijuana. According to the research, the administration of the non-psychotropic component significantly helps heal bone fractures.

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ASA Testifies before DC Council on Medical Marijuana Reforms

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WASHINGTON, DC — Americans for Safe Access (ASA) this week submitted expanded testimony to the DC Council on Bill 21-192, the “Medical Marijuana Laboratory Testing Amendment Act of 2015” and  Bill 21-210 the “Medical Marijuana Reciprocity Amendment Act of 2015.”

These bills represent important steps towards modernizing the District of Columbia’s medical marijuana program. ASA supports both bills, but is seeking improvements to B21-210 to ensure adequate supply and address technical issues. ASA also asked the Council to add delivery and civil protections to the bill.

The Medical Marijuana Laboratory Testing Amendment Act would allow DC to finally have laboratory testing by third parties. This is an essential step for patients to have the confidence they deserve in their…

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Italy Takes First Step Towards Legalizing Marijuana

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ROME, ITALY — Italy took the first step towards legalizing marijuana for recreational use on Wednesday when over 200 lawmakers agreed on provisional text of a proposal to legalize the consumption, growing, production and sale of cannabis under certain conditions.

The proposal would make it legal to possess up to 15 grams of cannabis, to cultivate up to five cannabis plants at home, and to smoke it in private, and would allow its sale in government-approved cannabis shops.

The proposal was created by Intergrupo Parlamentare Cannabis…

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One State, Two Initiatives. What then?

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Terry,
Thanks for this ardent plea to come together to accomplish common goals, one way or another. It’s an issue many places and, in one sense, reflects the diversity and success of our movement. People want to be on this bandwagon. Even more importantly for getting things accomplished, they want to take an active role and have input into the results.

However, we face a dilemma if the current round of consecutive successes were to degenerate into a fight over who gets to take credit for defeating prohibition. Frankly, no matter whose proposal is passed and implemented, nowhere can any group claim exclusive credit for making that happen. Even at the most local level, the wide influence of many different people, groups, and voices, as well as the broad sweep of those who support our…

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Senators Press Feds for Answers Regarding the State of Medical Marijuana Research

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WASHINGTON, DC — Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), along with seven other Senators, has directed a letter to the Obama administration demanding regulators answer questions specific to the facilitation of research into the medical benefits of marijuana.

Senators acknowledged the need for unbiased research. They wrote:

“While the federal government has emphasized research on the potential harms associated with the use of marijuana, there is still very limited research on the potential health benefits of marijuana — despite the fact that millions of Americans are now eligible by state law to use the drug for medical purposes.”

The Senators applauded a recent decision by the Department of Health and Human Services to eliminate the HHS Public Health Service…

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Jamaica Law to Expunge Minor Marijuana Convictions Takes Effect

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KINGSTON, JAMAICA — Jamaica’s justice minister has signed an order to expunge some marijuana-related convictions now that the island has partially decriminalized small amounts of ganja.

Justice Minister Mark Golding said Wednesday that he signed an order to provide a path for people to get criminal records purged if they have minor convictions for smoking or possessing marijuana.

In April, drug law amendments went into effect that partially decriminalized small amounts of cannabis and paved the way for a lawful medical marijuana sector…

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Colorado Health Officials Reject Medical Marijuana For PTSD

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DENVER, CO — Citing insignificant research, Colorado health officials voted Wednesday against adding post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of ailments eligible for treatment with medical marijuana.

The 6-2 vote came despite a recommendation from the Colorado Chief Medical Officer and a panel of physicians to make PTSD the first condition added to Colorado’s medical marijuana eligibility list in 15 years. Board members said they weren’t swayed by the recommendation because studies on using pot for PTSD are lacking.

“We can’t have physicians counseling people in favor of it because we don’t have data to show it’s correct,” said Jill Hunsaker-Ryan, one of the board members who voted no.

The vote was the third time the board has rejected petitions to add PTSD to the…

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Hawaii Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

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HONOLULU, HI — Nearly 15 years after medical marijuana became legal in Hawaii, Governor David Ige has signed into law a bill that for the first time will establish a system of state regulated medical marijuana dispensaries.

Governor Ige signed the bill into law on Wednesday.

“I support the establishment of dispensaries to ensure that qualified patients can legally and safely access medical marijuana,” said Gov. Ige. “We know that our challenge going forward will be to adopt rules that are fair, cost effective and easy to monitor. The bill sets a timeline. We will make a good faith effort to create a fair process that will help the people most in need.”

Medical marijuana has been legal in Hawaii for nearly 15 years, and now the state’s first dispensaries could open as soon…

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Hawaii Bill to Allow Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Becomes Law

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Legislation to establish a system of medical dispensaries for the state’s nearly 14,000 medical marijuana patients has become law.

Governor David Ige signed the measure Wednesday, stating:

“I support the establishment of dispensaries to ensure that qualified patients can legally and safely access medical marijuana. We know that our challenge going forward will be to adopt rules that are fair, cost effective and easy to monitor. The bill sets a timeline. We will make a good faith effort to create a fair process that will help the people most in need.”

House Bill 321 permits the state “to issue eight dispensary licenses statewide; provided that three dispensary licenses shall be issued for the city and county of Honolulu, two dispensary licenses each shall be issued for the county of…

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Maine Marijuana Legalization Campaign Raises Over $53,000 to Support 2016 Ballot Initiative

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FALMOUTH, ME — The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol reported Wednesday that it raised $53,011 in the second quarter of 2015 in support of a ballot initiative to end marijuana prohibition in Maine.

“Mainers are clearly excited about the opportunity to end marijuana prohibition,” said campaign manager David Boyer. “Most people agree that it’s time for our state to adopt a more sensible marijuana policy, and that’s exactly what we’re proposing. Regulating marijuana and taxing it like alcohol just makes sense.”

Maine residents accounted for more than 90% of the 190 total contributions that were made to the committee during the three-month period. The largest contribution, $50,000, was made by the Marijuana Policy Project, which has more than 200,000-plus supporters…

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