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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, a bipartisan group of Senators announced a historic deal on criminal justice reform, rounding out a negotiation process that has lasted almost five months. The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, spearheaded by Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), will involve reductions in mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses, an expansion of […]
Medical Cannabis Patient Advocates Call on Federal Government To Remove Barriers That Undermine Domestic Cannabis Research MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC — Researchers associated with McGill University and the University of British Columbia recently published results from a study showing that medical cannabis patients were no more likely to suffer serious adverse events during treatment than non-cannabis patients. […]
LOS ANGELES, CA — The long-awaited pot legalization initiative from the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform, also known as ReformCA, is about to be filed with state officials. Backers of the initiative told the LA Weekly Tuesday that language for circulation will be filed with the attorney general’s office in a matter of “days.” There […]
BOSTON, MA — Civil rights advocates and marijuana legalization supporters are welcoming a decision from the state Supreme Judicial Court that says police can’t stop motorists solely because they suspect the vehicle’s occupants are carrying marijuana. The decision came in Commonwealth v. Rodriguez. The Rodriguez in question was Elivette Rodriguez, who was a passenger in […]
PORTLAND, OR — Limited retail sales of marijuana to adults 21 or older will begin in Oregon on Thursday, October 1st, making Oregon the third US state to allow for the legal sale of marijuana to adults without a medical marijuana card. With the early start to legal retail marijuana sales, Oregon will have the quickest start of […]
DENVER, CO — Four war veterans and a victim of sexual assault sued Colorado for refusing to allow medical marijuana to be prescribed for post-traumatic stress disorder — an odd case for a state that allows marijuana to be used for fun. The plaintiffs include an Army sniper who served two tours of duty in […]
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Oakland cannot challenge the government’s forfeiture action against a medical marijuana dispensary because its collateral attack would “impermissibly disrupt” forfeiture framework, the Ninth Circuit ruled Thursday. The U.S. Attorney’s Office accused Harborside Health Center’s two dispensary locations in Oakland and San Jose of selling marijuana in violation of the Controlled Substances Act in […]
HARTFORD, CT — On Wednesday, August 19, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Medical Marijuana Program Board of Physicians will meet to discuss adding complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) to the list of conditions covered under the state’s medical marijuana law. Complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition that usually arises following a brain […]
There will be a series of meetings over the next several days to discuss locations for where the state’s medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation centers will be licensed. The meetings will take place in the towns of Plymouth, Peterborough, Lebanon, and Merrimack. We encourage you to attend these meetings and show your support for safe […]
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday issued an amendatory veto to House Bill 218, which seeks to decriminalize minor marijuana possession offenses. As initially approved by the legislature in May, HB 218 reduced personal use possession penalties (up to 15 grams) from a Class A criminal misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail, […]
While marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug, its medicinal uses can be traced back to years. And as this drug’s reputation shifts from that of an illicit drug to that of a therapeutic one, pharmacists need to gear up to provide the best possible advice to their patients. If you are worried about […]
LAS VEGAS, NV — Nevada defrauds patients by charging annual fees for medical marijuana identification cards, but refuses to license dispensaries in and around Las Vegas, a medical marijuana cardholder claims in a federal class action lawsuit. John Doe sued the state, the governor and the Department of Health and Human Services, which has the power to […]
State lawmakers have 15 days from next session date to approve the amended measure, which would make Illinois the 21st state in the nation to remove the threat of jail for simple marijuana possession SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an amendatory veto Friday of a bill that would remove criminal penalties for possession […]
DENVER, CO — Supporters for a campaign to allow some social consumption of marijuana in Denver have submitted more than double the number of signatures needed to place the measure before voters this November. The Denver Campaign for Limited Social Use submitted more than 10,000 signatures Monday in support of their proposed city-wide initiative that would […]
WASHINGTON, DC — The National Council of State Legislatures passed a resolution Thursday urging the federal government to amend the Controlled Substances Act and to refrain from interfering with state laws permitting the legal production and use of cannabis. The National Council of State Legislatures is a bipartisan, non-governmental organization founded in 1975 to unite members […]
Resolution approved by state lawmakers from around the nation expresses support for amending the Controlled Substances Act and other federal laws ‘to explicitly allow states to set their own marijuana and hemp policies without federal interference;’ it also ‘urges the administration not to undermine state marijuana and hemp policies’ SEATTLE, WA — The National Conference […]
WINNIPEG, MB — Glenn Price has been in the news quite a bit over the past couple of months. Price owns and operates the only medical marijuana dispensary in Winnipeg, MB, Your Medical Cannabis Headquarters. Health Canada Pressures Police To Crack Down Earlier in July Winnipeg police warned Price they would shut him down if […]
As first reported by Marijuana.com, a Justice Department internal memo distributed to U.S. House Representatives last year misinformed members on the scope of a medical marijuana amendment they were voting on. Last year, lawmakers approved 219 to 189 an amendment aimed at prohibiting the Department of Justice from using funds to interfere with the implementation […]
WASHINGTON, DC — Marijuana is safer than heroin, the new head of the US Drug Enforcement Administration said this week. During a press conference Wednesday morning, newly appointed DEA chief Chuck Rosenberg clarified a statement he made last week, admitting to reporters “heroin is clearly more dangerous than marijuana.” Last week, Rosenberg said that marijuana was “probably” not […]
SWR 50: Efficient water solution for growers PORTLAND, ME – Strategic Water Resources of Mystic, CT has partnered with Portland, Maine-based Vista Green Grooup to introduce its advanced water purification, oxygenation, and conservation system—SWR 50—to US and Canadian cannabis growers and producers. The SWR 50 provides a solution for growers needing to implement more effective and efficient water […]
SANTA CRUZ, CA — On Wednesday at the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting, a historic event in medical marijuana history took place. The County Board of Supervisors voted 4 to 1 to repeal ordinance 5201, the ban on cannabis cultivation, and approved appointments to a thirteen member Cannabis Cultivation Choices Committee. This is […]
Multiple Marijuana Legalization Initiatives to be Filed with Attorney General Today BOSTON, MA — At least two groups hoping to legalize marijuana in Massachusetts in 2016 will formally file the language of their proposed ballot initiatives with state Attorney General Maura Healey today. At least four proposals are expected to be filed by activists today, all hoping to […]
On Wednesday, Tom Angell chairman of Marijuana Majority scored a big scoop revealing for the first time the Department of Justice’s detailed response to the Rohrabacher-Farr Medical Cannabis Amendment. Sadly, if not completely surprisingly, the DOJ argues that federal prosecutions against private citizens participating in state-level medical cannabis programs would not be impacted by the amendment. […]
Last Friday, Silver State Relief became the first medical dispensary to open in Nevada. In the year 2000, voters overwhelmingly supported an initiative that made Nevada one of the earliest states to adopt a medical marijuana law. It took another 12 years for the legislature to create a law allowing regulated businesses to provide safe access to medical […]
SPARKS, NV — Fifteen years after Nevadans voted to legalize it, medical marijuana was sold legally in the state for the first time Friday at a dispensary in a strip mall about 5 miles east of downtown Reno. Dressed in polo shirts, tie-dyes and button-downs, about 75 people with medical marijuana cards lined up outside […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]