Survey: Majority of Pharmacy Students Say Legalize Marijuana for Medical Purposes

Survey: Majority of Pharmacy Students Say Legalize Marijuana for Medical Purposes

LAWRENCE, KS — Nearly six out of ten pharmacy students believe that the therapeutic use of cannabis should be legal, according to survey data published in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education.

Investigators at the University of Kansas assessed students’ knowledge and attitudes toward the medical use of cannabis. Three hundred and eleven UK pharmacy students completed the survey.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents said, “[M]arijuana should be legalized for medicinal uses.” Respondents who acknowledged having previously…

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New House Speaker Paul Ryan’s Mixed Views on Medical Cannabis

New House Speaker Paul Ryan’s Mixed Views on Medical Cannabis

WASHINGTON, DC — Wisconsin Congressman and former Vice Presidential Candidate, Paul Ryan, was elected as the 54th Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday. The question that may be on the minds of patient activists is how the new Speaker will act on the issue of medical cannabis.

Outgoing Speaker John Boehner may not have been a genuine champion, but his relative indifference to the subject was helpful in the successful budget of several amendment votes on medical cannabis over the past two years. Ryan’s record on the…

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Researchers study differences in ischemic stroke in marijuana users

Strokes in young adults who use marijuana are more likely to be caused by stenosis, narrowing of the arteries, in the skull than strokes in non-users, new research shows. Previous studies found an association between marijuana use and stroke, but the new study is the first to explore differences in stroke in marijuana users and non-users, an approach that can help identify possible mechanisms for stroke in users.

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'Love hormone' helps produce 'bliss molecules' to boost pleasure of social interactions

The hormone oxytocin, which has been associated with interpersonal bonding, may enhance the pleasure of social interactions by stimulating production of marijuana-like neurotransmitters in the brain, according to a new study. The research provides the first link between oxytocin — dubbed the ‘love hormone’ — and anandamide, which has been called the ‘bliss molecule’ for its role in activating cannabinoid receptors in brain cells to heighten motivation and happiness.

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Constitutionality of California’s New Medical Marijuana Law Challenged in Court

Constitutionality of California’s New Medical Marijuana Law Challenged in Court

SAN JOSE, CA — California’s Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, signed into law this month to regulate the state’s medical marijuana industry, violates the state’s constitution, a medical marijuana collective operator claims in court.

Governor Jerry Brown signed the law on Oct. 9, to establish a comprehensive legislative framework for the production, transportation and sale of medical marijuana in California.

The bipartisan group of legislators who drafted the laws says they will provide a licensing structure for the…

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ADHD Patients Successfully Treated with Cannabis

ADHD Patients Successfully Treated with Cannabis

The use of herbal cannabis eases symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD (attention deficiency hyperactivity disorder), according to clinical trial data presented at an international symposium on cannabinoid therapeutics last month.

German researchers evaluated the effects of marijuana in 30 patients suffering from ADHD. All of the subjects participating in the trial had previously tried various forms of conventional therapies, but their condition had proven resistant to alternative treatments. Under German law, patients who are unresponsive…

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More than 25 percent of women giving birth who test positive for marijuana also using other drugs

As an increasing number of states legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use, health officials expect consumption of tetrahydrocanabis during pregnancy to increase. A new study suggests a mother’s use of marijuana while pregnant could indicate other drug use as well.

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Historic Criminal Justice Bill Passes Senate Judiciary Committee

Bipartisan Bill Reduces Mandatory Minimums, Increases Early Release and Returns Some Discretion to Judges; Legislation Heads for the Senate Floor Amid Public Demands to End the Drug War and Mass Incarceration

WASHINGTON, DC — The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 15 to 5 on Thursday to advance the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act.

The bill, introduced by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and sponsored by ten other Senators, would reduce mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses, expand the federal “safety valve” (which allows judges to use their discretion to sentence people below statutory mandatory minimums), expand reentry programming and early release, and make many of the sentencing reductions retroactive.

“This vote today is a huge step toward ending the failed policies…

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Major Think Tank Explains How the Federal Government Undermines Cannabis Research and How to Fix It

Major Think Tank Explains How the Federal Government Undermines Cannabis Research and How to Fix It

Earlier this week, the Brookings Institution issued a report that takes the federal government to task for undermining research on medical cannabis. In “Ending the U.S. government’s war on medical marijuana research,” Brookings fellow John Hudak and senior research assistant Grace Wallack explain the various barriers that make authoritative research on cannabis extremely difficult to conduct in the United States.

While many legitimate studies of medical cannabis do exist,  federal government policy makes it extremely difficult for…

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New Gallup Poll Shows 58% of Americans Support Making Marijuana Legal

A Gallup poll released Wednesday shows 58% of adults in the United States think marijuana should be made legal, up from 51% in October 2014. Just 40% think it should remain illegal.

The national poll of 1,015 adults was conducted October 7-11 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4%. The full results are available at here.

 

Americans’ support for legalizing marijuana is the highest Gallup has measured to date, at 58%. Given the patterns of support by age, that percentage should continue to grow in the…

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Gallup: Support For Legalizing Marijuana At Historic High

WASHINGTON, DC — Fifty-eight percent of Americans believe that “the use of marijuana should be made legal,” according to nationwide polling data released today by Gallup.

The percentage ties the highest level of support ever reported by Gallup, and is more than twice the level of support reported in the mid-1990s.

Younger Americans, Democrats and independents are the most likely to favor legalizing cannabis, while Republicans and Americans over the age of 65 are least likely to do so. Among those poll respondents age 18 to 34, 71…

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Marijuana use more than doubles from 2001 to 2013; increase in use disorders too

The estimated prevalence of adults who used marijuana in the past year more than doubled in the United States between 2001 and 2013 to 9.5 percent, according to a new article. As is the case with alcohol, many individuals can use marijuana without becoming addicted. However, the clear risk for marijuana use disorders among users (approximately 30 percent) suggests that as the number of U.S. users grows, so will the numbers of those experiencing problems related to such use.

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New Gallup Poll: Support for Legalizing Marijuana at 58%

Majority Favors Marijuana Legalization for 3rd Consecutive Year; Millennial Support at 71%, Older Generations More Supportive Than in the Past

WASHINGTON, DC — According to a new Gallup poll, a majority of Americans continue to say marijuana use should be legal in the United States, with 58% in support, tying the high point in Gallup’s 46 years of polling on the subject. These results are consistent with other state and national polls, both public and private, in recent months.

With 7 in 10 young adults supporting legalization, and senior…

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Pennsylvania Religious Leaders Announce Support for Medical Marijuana Legislation

I’d like to say loudly and proudly that I’m one of the Reverends who signed it, and in addition I’ve this to say—

To all Pennsylvania and US lawmakers, court officials, and law enforcement officers—

I am a taxpaying Pennsylvania native, Reverend, Eagle Scout, and medical cannabis user for ADHD, depression, and anxiety. I have consulted with several excellent doctors and therapists, from various US states and other developed nations of the world including Germany, Israel, and Denmark— all of whom have seen that it is fitting and…

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Join the call to ↑ harm reduction funding, end criminalization…

Join the call to ↑ harm reduction funding, end criminalization of drug use #10by20 #HarmReductionDecade Pls Sign & RT http://thndr.me/4FSq9S

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Canada, Mexico to Consider Making Marijuana Legal

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

On Monday, the Liberal Party in Canada won the national elections by wide margins, promising an impending shift in a number of policy areas, including marijuana. Newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised that the Canadian government would quickly begin the process of making marijuana legal for adults.

USA Today reports:

Trudeau promised that under his leadership Canada would create a system to tax, regulate and sell marijuana, along with stiff penalties for anyone giving pot…

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Federal Court Ruling Is Big Win for Medical Marijuana Patients, Businesses

A federal judge ruled Monday that a budget amendment approved by Congress prevents the Department of Justice from taking action against medical marijuana patients and providers who are operating in compliance with state laws.

Northern District of California Judge Charles Breyer

Judge Charles Breyer (Photo: Hillary Jones-Mixon / The Recorder)

said that by enacting the so-called Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, “Congress dictated…that it intended to prohibit the Department of Justice from expending any funds in…

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Maryland Medical Marijuana Seminars This Week – Free for Physicians

Our allies at Patients Out of Time, in partnership with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission and the Maryland Cannabis Industry Association, are hosting two half-day seminars about medical marijuana and the endocannabinoid system this week — one in Columbia and one in La Plata. Registration is required and the events are free for physicians.

Medical Cannabis 101: The Physician’s Primer

Maryland Pharmacists Association
9115 Guilford Rd., Suite 200
Columbia, MD 21046
Thursday, October 22, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

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New Canadian Prime Minster Plans to Legalize Marijuana

Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party Supports Drug Policy Reform, including Marijuana Legalization and Cutting Edge Harm Reduction Policies

Monday night, Canada voted in Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party in a general election, which will have outstanding implications for drug policy reform in the country. The election puts an end to Conservative Party Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s 9-year rule, which was marked by a repressive approach to drugs, including a commitment to rolling out mandatory minimum sentences, pushback to effective supervised injection sites that reduce the harms of drug use, and strong opposition to marijuana reform. In contrast, the Liberal Party has promised to legalize and regulate marijuana and Trudeau has expressed support for harm reduction and the expansion of…

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What Justin Tradeau’s Win Means for Marijuana Legalization

Liberal Party candidate Justin Trudeau has defeated incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper to become Canada’s next Prime Minister. Tradeau’s win is expected to usher in a new wave of political priorities, with marijuana legalization nearing the top of the list.

From the Liberal Party’s website:

We will legalize, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana.

Canada’s current system of marijuana prohibition does not work. It does not prevent young people from using marijuana and too many Canadians end up with criminal records for possessing small amounts of the drug.

Arresting and prosecuting these offenses is expensive for our criminal justice system. It traps too many Canadians in the criminal justice system for minor, non-violent offenses. At the same time, the proceeds from the…

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Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment Prevents Feds from Continuing to Shut Down California Dispensary

Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment Prevents Feds from Continuing to Shut Down California Dispensary

Ruling Undermines Department of Justice Interpretation of Congressional Restrictions On Interference With State-Legal Medical Cannabis Programs

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer ruled that enforcement of the injunction against the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana (MAMM), which has prevented the medical cannabis dispensary from engaging in business, must be consistent with the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment and therefore, was only enforceable against activity that is not allowed within state law.

The…

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Pennsylvania Religious Leaders Announce Support For Medical Marijuana

I’m one of the Reverends who signed it, and in addition I’ve this to say—

To all Pennsylvania and US lawmakers, court officials, and law enforcement officers—

I am a taxpaying Pennsylvania native, Reverend, Eagle Scout, and medical cannabis user for ADHD, depression, and anxiety. I have consulted with several excellent doctors and therapists, from various US states and other developed nations of the world including Germany, Israel, and Denmark— all of whom have seen that it is fitting and proper to recommended cannabis to me,…

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Federal Court Ruling: Spending Limitation Approved in Congress Shields Medical Marijuana Patients and Providers Acting in Compliance With State Laws From Justice Dept. Actions

Federal Court Ruling: Spending Limitation Approved in Congress Shields Medical Marijuana Patients and Providers Acting in Compliance With State Laws From Justice Dept. Actions

DOJ officials had said they did not believe the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment would affect individual cases; the sponsors of the amendment disputed that claim in letters to the attorney general and a request for an inspector general investigation

WASHINGTON, DC — A federal judge ruled Monday that a budget amendment approved by Congress prevents the Department of Justice from taking action against medical marijuana patients and providers who are operating in compliance with state laws.

Northern District of California Judge Charles Breyer said…

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Federal Ruling Protects Medical Marijuana Dispensaries That Follow State Law

Federal Ruling Protects Medical Marijuana Dispensaries That Follow State Law

In Precedent-Setting Case, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer Rules Justice Department in Violation of Federal Law and Lifts Injunction Against Medical Marijuana Dispensary; Judge Cites Recent Congressional Reforms, as Support for Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Continues to Grow in Congress

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — On Monday, a federal judge lifted an injunction against one of California’s oldest medical marijuana dispensaries.  The injunction can no longer be enforced in the wake of a congressional spending amendment passed by…

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Canada’s Liberals Sweep to Victory — With a Marijuana Legalization Platform

Led by Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Liberal Party swept to a strong victory in Monday’s elections.

While results were still being tallied Monday night, it looks as if the party has won enough seats to form a majority government by itself. At press time, the Liberals had won 156 six seats in the lower house of parliament and were leading in 34 more. They only need 170 seats to form a majority in the 338-seat lower chamber.

The Liberal platform included, among other things, marijuana legalization:

“We will legalize, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana,” the platform states. Marijuana prohibition doesn’t prevent youth use, causes socially disruptive and expensive arrests, and supports organized crime, the statement adds. “We will remove marijuana consumption and incidental…

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Leaked UN Paper Calls for Decriminalizing Drug Use and Possession

Drug Decriminalization Rapidly Emerging as Consensus Goal of Drug Policy, Public Safety and Health Stakeholders as 2016 UN Special Session on Drugs Approaches

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) appeared set to call on governments to end the criminalization of drug use and possession, according to DPA Honorary Board Member Richard Branson – but in a dramatic turn of events withdrew a briefing paper under pressure from at least one country, according to the BBC.

“On the one hand it’s promising that such a powerful statement strongly…

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Washington: Tacoma Collectives Win Temporary Reprieve – Daily Chronic

TACOMA, WA – A dozen unlicensed medical marijuana shops won a temporary reprieve last week when a Washington state judge gave them time to prove they are operating legally in Tacoma.

Pierce County Superior Court Judge Frank Cuthbertson granted a temporary injunction despite the city’s argument that it had the right to shut down the pot shops immediately.

City officials said that only marijuana businesses licensed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board could operate in Tacoma, which planned to start closing unlicensed shops on Oct. 1.

The shops filed separate complaints seeking injunctive relief against the city. They are operating under a previous state law that allowed medical marijuana patients to form “collective gardens” to grow and sell cannabis.

A new law combines…

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Heavy drinkers, drugs users underestimate their levels of consumption compared to others'

Heavy drinkers and users of illegal drugs downplay their relative levels of consumption, when comparing themselves to others, reveals research. The research shows that 68 per cent of respondents were drinking at hazardous or harmful levels, yet the vast majority (83 per cent) felt they were drinking at low or average levels.

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Arizona Marijuana Legalization Campaign Launches Halloween Themed Billboard

Ad satirizing ‘Reefer Madness’-style propaganda comes as opponents ramp up efforts to scare voters into keeping marijuana illegal for adults

PHOENIX — Backers of a proposed 2016 ballot initiative to end marijuana prohibition in Arizona launched a Halloween-themed billboard Monday morning that highlights the relative safety of marijuana compared to alcohol.

The orange and black ad, which satirizes “Reefer Madness”-style anti-marijuana propaganda, comes as opponents of the proposed initiative are ramping up efforts to scare voters…

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MPP’s Dan Riffle Discusses Impact of Marijuana Initiatives on Presidential Election

MPP has been paying close attention to the slate of candidates running for president next year. Marijuana policy reform has been coming up more and more as the hopefuls try to adjust to increasing public support for ending prohibition, but could the issue have an impact on who is the next leader of the United States?

Last night, MPP’s Dan Riffle spoke with Fox News about how marijuana initiatives could affect the 2016 presidential election.

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Australia to Allow Marijuana to be Grown for Medical Trials – Daily Chronic

PERTH — Australia is altering its drug laws to allow for the cultivation of marijuana for medicinal and scientific purposes, removing a major hurdle to the establishment of clinical trials of the drug, the government said on Saturday.

Draft amendments to the Narcotics Drugs Act are being finalized to allow for the controlled cultivation of marijuana, giving patients access to “a safe, legal and sustainable supply of locally produced products for the first time,” Health Minister Sussan Ley said in a statement.

Australian manufacturers, researchers and patients currently have to access international supplies of legal medicinal marijuana, with cost, limited supply and export barriers making this challenging.

Allowing for the controlled cultivation of marijuana in Australia will…

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2 Minutes Could Change the Lives of 3 Medical Marijuana Patients – Daily Chronic

Two minutes or less could help put an end to the federal war on patients and change the lives of the three members of the “Kettle Falls Five”!

Rolland Gregg, his wife Michelle Gregg, and his mother Rhonda Firestack-Harvey are three members of the “Kettle Falls Five,” a small group of family members and friends who were prosecuted and sentenced in federal court earlier this month for cultivating approximately forty-four plants in rural Kettle Falls, WA.

The three legal medical cannabis patients were sentenced to terms from one year to two years and nine months, for growing medical cannabis for their own personal use. Federal prosecutors have committed hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to unjustly prosecute and imprison these legitimate medical cannabis patients. Despite,…

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Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Work Group Issues Report Urging Swift Legislative Action

Rep. Dave Reed

At the beginning of the summer, Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Dave Reed appointed a work group to develop recommendations for House medical cannabis legislation. Late last month, the group sent its recommendations to Leader Reed, and a bill is being drafted that incorporates them.

The work group recommendations included several favorable provisions such as vaporization for all patients, a minimum of 65 dispensaries, and a broad list of conditions including PTSD and chronic pain. While the…

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Report Dispels Myths about Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Patient Advocates Release Comprehensive Guide to Crafting Fair Rules to Create Local Medical Cannabis Access

WASHINGTON, DC — On Thursday, advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) released a white paper on the impact of medical cannabis dispensaries on patients, teen cannabis use, crime and communities titled “Where Will Patients Obtain Their Medicine?”.

Since legal medical cannabis dispensaries first emerged following the creation of California’s medical cannabis program in 1996, the location of medical cannabis dispensaries has been a contentious issue. Although critics have long suggested that medical cannabis dispensaries will worsen crime rates or otherwise undermine the communities that host them, empirical research shows that dispensaries bring economic development…

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Bernie Sanders Becomes First Major-Party Presidential Candidate to Express Support for Legalizing Marijuana

During Tuesday night’s Democratic presidential debate in Nevada, Sanders said he would vote ‘Yes’ on the initiative to regulate and tax marijuana that is set to appear on that state’s ballot next year

LAS VEGAS, NV — During Tuesday night’s Democratic presidential debate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders became the first-ever major-party presidential candidate to express support for legalizing and regulating marijuana for adult use.

When asked how he would vote on an initiative to regulate marijuana like alcohol that is set to appear on Nevada’s ballot in 2016, Sen. Sanders said he would vote “yes.”

Hillary Clinton was asked if she has taken a position on such proposals now that it has been a year since she said she wanted to wait to see what happens in Colorado and…

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Clinton Says She's Not Ready To Take A Position On Marijuana Legalization Yet

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declined to support legalizing recreational marijuana during the Democratic presidential debate Tuesday.

Clinton said she isn’t ready to take a position on the issue yet.

“We have the opportunity through the states that are pursuing recreational marijuana to find out a lot more than we know today. I do support the use of medical marijuana, and I think even there we need to do more research so we know exactly how we’re going to help people for whom medical marijuana provides relief.”

Clinton’s comments came after Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said during the debate that he would support legalization if given the chance.

The former secretary of state did say she believes too many people have been imprisoned for…

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Source: The Huffington Post

Democrats, Debate and Marijuana Legalization: Sanders ‘Yes’; Clinton ‘No’, But…

Teased out by CNN host Anderson Cooper’s comment about ‘everyone in the room having probably smoked pot before’, American voters were informed by a question from CNN el Espanol’s Juan Carlos Lopez to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders about the state’s pending cannabis legalization initiative that will be on the 2016 ballot in Nevada (the state where the debate was being held), and whether or not if he were a Nevadan that he’d vote to support legalization.

Senator Sanders indicated that he ‘suspected he would vote for the measure’ and went on to enumerate numerous problems with America’s so-called ‘war on drugs’ and the criminal justice system in general.

Mr. Lopez did a follow up question with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, referencing an earlier CNN…

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Swing States: Super-Majorities Endorse Medical Cannabis Access, Men Support Broader Legalization

Swing States: Super-Majorities Endorse Medical Cannabis Access, Men Support Broader Legalization

HAMDEN, CT — Super-majorities of voters believe that medical cannabis should be legal, and most men additionally support legalizing marijuana for all adults, according to the results of a Quinnipiac University Swing State poll.

Pollsters gauged support for marijuana law reform in Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Florida voters backed legalizing cannabis therapy by a margin of 87 percent to 12 percent. A majority of male voters (57 percent) also supported broader legalization, while only 49 percent of women agreed.

Reform advocates are…

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Gov. Brown Signs Historic California Medical Marijuana Regulation Bills

Under the new laws, businesses will be licensed to produce, test, and distribute medical marijuana, and a Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation will be established to develop and enforce uniform state regulations

SACRAMENTO, CA — Gov. Jerry Brown signed three bills into law Friday that establish a statewide regulatory framework for California businesses that produce and distribute medical marijuana in the state. AB 243, AB 266, and SB 643 create standards for licensing businesses as well as testing, packaging, labeling, and tracking marijuana products, among other things.  

The bills establish a new agency within the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation, which will oversee the system and work with other agencies that will be involved in licensing…

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California Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Regulation Bills

Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act Will Establish State-Level Regulation in California

SACRAMENTO, CA — On Friday, California Governor Jerry Brown signed the trio of bills known as the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act that will establish regulation of commercial medical cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and transportation, as well as create a state-level licensing system in California for the first time since the medical cannabis program was enacted in 1996.

The California legislature passed Assembly Bills 243 and 266 and Senate Bill 643 on September 11th, 2015, with overwhelming support in both the Assembly and the Senate.

“Governor Brown’s approval of the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act ushers in a new era in California,’” said…

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Sex is more likely on days college students use marijuana or binge drink

Undergraduate college students were more likely to have sex on days they used marijuana or binged on alcohol than on days they didn’t, new research has found.

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Study: Marijuana Smoking Does Not Promote Head and Neck Cancer

Marijuana smoke exposure is not positively associated with the development of cancers of the head or neck, according to the results of a systematic literature review published online ahead of print in the journal Archives of Oral Biology.

Investigators from the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil reviewed nine case-control studies to assess whether marijuana smoking favored the development of head and neck cancer.

Authors reported that subjects who used cannabis were no more likely to develop the disease than were subjects with no…

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6,000 People to be Released from Federal Prison Nov. 1st Due to New Drug Sentencing Guidelines

Move Will Right Some Wrongs of Extreme Drug Sentencing Laws

WASHINGTON, DC — Starting November 1, 6,000 federal prisoners are to be released from federal prison, a move that is the result of changes made by the U.S. Sentencing Commission last year that lowered federal sentencing guidelines for people convicted under draconian drug war-era laws.

“It warms my heart to hear that 6,000 people will be coming home,” said Anthony Papa, manager of media relations at the Drug Policy Alliance, who spent 12 years behind bars on a mandatory minimum…

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Maryland: Take Action to Stop County-Wide Dispensary Bans

As the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission moves forward with implementing Maryland’s medical cannabis program, local governments in the state are now considering the issue of zoning requirements for medical cannabis business.

Currently, the Anne Arundel County Council is the only local government with current zoning legislation pending and the impact could harm patients across the county.

Last week, Vice Chair Pete Smith introduced a drastic bill on behalf of County Executive Steve Schuh. The bill would effectively ban all medical cannabis businesses from operating in the county, despite Senator Bobby Zirkin and the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office forcefully speaking out against county bans.

Banning medical cannabis dispensaries would be devastating…

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Here Comes the Big One: ReformCA Files Its California Marijuana Legalization Initiative

SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform, also known as ReformCA, has filed a draft marijuana legalization initiative with state officials, the group announced Sunday. The long-anticipated move means the campaign best-placed to bring legalization to the Golden State can finally get underway.

The Control, Regulate and Tax Cannabis Act of 2016 would allow people 21 and over to possess and cultivate limited amounts of marijuana and it would set up legal marijuana commerce overseen by a pair of new state agencies, the California Cannabis Commission and the Office of Cannabis Regulatory Affairs.

“We believe this effort has the most statewide input and consensus, and thus the greatest likelihood of succeeding on the 2016 ballot,” ReformCA said. “We engaged…

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Final 3 Defendants in Kettle Falls Five Medical Marijuana Case Get Federal Prison

Patient Advocates Call On President Obama to Pardon All Defendants and Fully End Federal Prosecution of Medical Cannabis Patients

SPOKANE, WA — Kettle Falls Five medical marijuana defendants Rhonda Firestack-Harvey and Michelle Gregg on Friday were sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison in connection to federal cannabis cultivation charges. Fellow defendant Rolland Gregg received a sentence of 33 months.

All three were released pending appeal.

In March, the trio was acquitted of all crimes they were initially charged with, except for the “lesser included” charge of cannabis cultivation. The defendants were arrested in August of 2012 after the Drug Enforcement Administration seized cannabis plants on their property, which had been grown for medical purposes.

They were…

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Are You Prepared to Meet Maryland’s Medical Marijuana Regulatory Requirements?

Nearly two and half years after the passage of Maryland’s medical cannabis law, the Maryland Cannabis Commission is now accepting applications for those seeking licenses to operate as a medical cannabis grower, processor or dispenser in Maryland. The deadline for applications is November 6th and the commission will issue 15 licenses for cultivation, up to 92 for dispensaries, and an unlimited number for processors.

ARE YOU PREPARED TO MEET MARYLAND’S REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS?

Maryland has adopted the AHPA’s recommendations to regulators, which requires business to meet extensive staff training requirements, the most robust product safety protocols in the country and require local zoning sign-off.  Don’t go through the application process alone. Let PFC help you adequately…

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Ecuador Backtracks on Criminal Justice Reforms, Increases Penalties for Drug Selling

QUITO, ECUADOR — In a disappointing move, Ecuador increased penalties for small-scale drug sellers yesterday, reversing reforms approved last year that differentiated between possession of small amounts of drugs and larger quantities with intent to sell, where there had previously been no differentiation. However, yesterday the National Assembly voted to modify the criminal code and toughen penalties once again.

The vote took place after Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa said that small-scale sellers (or “microtraffickers”) were…

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NM: Albuquerque Mayor Vetoes Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinance (Again)

Mayor Berry’s Veto of Marijuana Decriminalization Lags Behind History and the Public’s Will

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry on Wednesday vetoed legislation that would have decriminalized small amounts of marijuana for personal possession as well as a resolution that would have made marijuana a low priority for law enforcement.

The vetoed ordinance would have made possession of one ounce or less of marijuana and possession of any drug paraphernalia a civil infraction with a fine of $25. A civil infraction is not considered a criminal conviction, and would have taken away the potential for jail time. Currently a violator could spend more than two weeks in jail for a first offense and 90 days for a subsequent offense.

“Mayor Berry, in his public statement on why he…

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Texas Marijuana Activists Mobilizing Statewide in Advance of 2016 State Legislative Races

First of several regional advocacy training events will be held Saturday in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, TX — Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy will hold an advocacy training event Saturday in San Antonio that will mark the beginning of a statewide effort to inject the marijuana policy debate into 2016 state legislative races.

Regional events are also scheduled for Dallas on October 31, Corpus Christi on November 7, East Texas on December 5, and Houston on December 12.

“Comprehensive marijuana reform saw tremendous progress this…

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