Billionaire Is Trying to Legalized Medical Marijuana

This is really amazing of Lewis to take such a step forward in the right direction. I believe with enough common sense practice we can create proper medical marijuana legislation. What do you think? Would you spend you money on the cause? Luisa Kroll wrote:

One of the biggest backers of medical marijuana in the country, Peter Lewis is seeking proposals to conduct a ballot initiative campaign to legalize marijuana for medical use in Ohio.

Fifteen states, according to the request for proposals, have made marijuana legal for qualified patients, most through the passage of similar voter initiatives. The first was California in 1996.

via medical marijuana - Google Blog Search

Billionaire May Try to Legalize Medical Marijuana in Ohio - Luisa ...

This is really amazing of Lewis to take such a step forward in the right direction. I believe with enough common sense practice we can create proper medical marijuana legislation. What do you think? Would you spend you money on the cause? Luisa Kroll wrote:

One of the biggest backers of medical marijuana in the country, Peter Lewis is seeking proposals to conduct a ballot initiative campaign to legalize marijuana for medical use in Ohio.

Fifteen states, according to the request for proposals, have made marijuana legal for qualified patients, most through the passage of similar voter initiatives. The first was California in 1996.

via medical marijuana - Google Blog Search

Marijuana Driving Bill Trashed in Senate

In Denver Capitol, a proposal that will set a limit on how stoned is too stoned to drive was being trashed last Monday night, May 9.

In a very critical vote, the lawmakers denied setting the amount of THC, the psychoactive element of marijuana, a driver could have in his system to be considered too high and too stoned to drive. Moreover, the Senate supported and sided with the marijuana advocates who said they should give more time to study the proposal.

And regarding the argument for further research, Sen. Shawn Mitchell of R-Broomfield, said, "We are being asked to make policy by anecdote… Policy should be well-considered."

After the rejection of the proposal, the Senate later finally voted to kill the bill. This decision withstood a subsequent procedural challenge 20-15.

Grand Junction Republican, Senator Steve King, was one of the Bill 1261’s sponsors and said that not setting a THC limit will really give bad consequences. He gave fatal incidences where the drivers are tested to be positive with THC.

 

Article review by: bubble hash

See full article here

Senate Says Yes to Marijuana

May 11, Wednesday late afternoon, Governor Jack Markell sent a legislation that could make Delaware the 16^th state to legalize marijuana for medical purposes.

The Senate voted 17-4 in favor of the legislation. They also approved the amendments of the bill the House added that would require marijuana be delivered in tamper-proof containers and would prohibit the smoking of the drug in vehicles and buses.

According to a spokesman, an order to initiate one-year licensing and regulatory- writing will be processed at the Department of Health and Social Services after Markell signs the bill soon.

Under the Senate Bill 17, physicians are allowed to recommend marijuana to patients who are suffering with cancer, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and post-traumatic stress disorder.

People with debilitating medical conditions or chronic diseases may qualify to seek medical marijuana treatment if all other medicines, procedures or treatments did not relieve the pain or worsen the patient’s conditions. All other medical treatments need to be tried first before marijuana can be recommended.

 

Article review by: bubble bags

See full article here

 

New Marijuana Bill in Washington

In Olympia, Washington, lawmakers are striving to negotiate that can get marijuana fully legalized and regulate marijuana dispensaries in the state.

And last Tuesday, a few senators passed a proposed bill that will make the jurisdiction decide whether to regulate the distribution outlets or not. In the recent years, several dispensaries sprouted all over Washington even though the state law does not specifically acknowledge them.

Some of the medical marijuana supporters are raising their concerns regarding this issue. According to Ezra Eickmeyer, Washington Cannabis Association’s political director, it would create conflict between the distributors and the state at the local level for years.

Governor Chris Gregoire, the one who recently vetoed the revised marijuana bill that could give a statewide overview. And two U.S. attorneys had indicated that no state employees involved in marijuana industry will be prosecuted.

 

Article review by: bubble hash

See full article here

Large Marijuana Growing Home Found in New Albany

The entire neighborhood in Ohio is still in shock after the authorities found a vast marijuana growing area and thousands of dollars worth of plants inside a New Albany Home.

Some of the law enforcement agencies found this marijuana-growing home while doing a search warrant on a home at 4100 block of Greensbury last Tuesday, May 10, around 7:00 AM. The Drug Enforcement Agency reported that the law officers found 100 well- manicured and high-grade plants. The investigators said that the plants are of super high-quality and it could be sold at 2.00 per pound.

They also reported that the front lawn of the house seems proper. The grasses are cut and the hedges are trimmed. And the neighbors were really in the state of disbelief after the raid that happened last Tuesday.

Vivian Sarpong, a woman living next door, said, “Shocking! Shocking! I was shocked when I found out something like that was going on just next door to my house.” She said that a few months ago, a couple with a child moved in there.

The couple is identified as Dana Kosla and Alex Edds, who are both 25 years old. They are charged with manufacturing drugs according to Franklin County Court Records.

 

Article review by: bubble bags

See full article here

Marijuana Supporters to Protest Against Oakland County

Medical marijuana caregivers and users are to gather around the Oakland County Circuit Court this Monday, May 9, to protest against the tactics used against them by the authorities of the county.

This protest signals as the start of the trial of Barb Agro, 70 years old, a registered patient who is charged with illegal drug dealing. However, Agro’s attorney, Jerome Sabotta said last Saturday that Monday’s hearing is to be dismissed.

Agro, who lives in Lake Orion, is a retired school bus driver. And according to her lawyer, Agro is a former dispatcher for the Lake Orion police with severe arthritis. She is charged with conspiracy and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Jamie Lowell, one of the organizers of the protest said that the protest is not just for Agro, but to all other defendants charged with drug dealing and denied with their rights. Lowell also runs Third Coast Compassion Club in Ypsilanti. He added that two more dozens of medical marijuana defendants are recently facing trials in Oakland County.

 

Article review by: bubble bags

See full article here

 

 

Medical Marijuana as a Blockbuster Drug

There is a very sweet and evident aroma drifting around the medical marijuana industry. And this smell is the smell of money – that signifies a very strong opportunity in the world of entrepreneurship.

Medical marijuana is now hitting $1.7 billion in the market as reported and released by See Change Strategy, an independent financial analysis firm which specializes on unique and new markets. The figure stated represents the approximated sales of medical marijuana on dispensaries on all the states with existing medical marijuana laws. This is the very first time that an actual dollar figure has been given ever since a medical marijuana industry existed.

If you will look at that number in a certain angle, the sales of medical marijuana rival which is Viagra, a business by Pfizer, earns an annual sales of $1.9 billion.

The increasing sales of medical marijuana draw attention and interest to many entrepreneurs and venture capitalists as medical marijuana market is expected to approximately double in a span of five years in 15 states that do have medical marijuana law. And if another 20 states legalize marijuana in the very near future, the market could generate $8.9 billion in 2016.

 

Article review by: bubble hash

See full article here

 

 

Global Marijuana March Lead by Toronto

Every year on the first Saturday of May, a Global Marijuana March takes places to many cities all over the world. And Toronto joined in this march last May 7, 2011.

More than 25,000 people have gathered around the Queen’s Park and marched the streets all the way downtown around 2:00 PM to protests on marijuana laws.

This annual event was participated by 250 more cities all over the world.

This year is the 13^th year of Toronto in hosting the Global Marijuana March, as the people from this state advocate on easier access of medical marijuana for the certified users, more free marijuana laws, and hopefully a total decriminalization on the use of marijuana in Canada.

The march in Toronto is one of the largest marches in the world; and so the commuters and residents are prepared with a big volume of marijuana advocates marching along their streets.

 

Article review by: bubble bags

See full article here

Global Marijuana March in Argentina’s Capital

A Global Marijuana March had been participated by at least 40 countries all over the world last May7, 2011; and the people from the center capital of Argentina did not except themselves in joining this global march.

From the Congress to Plaza de Mayo, around 15,000 people joined the march. And all of them are calling for drug possession to be decriminalized for personal consumption. In addition, a “national plan of care for addictions be universal and free.”

The people also requested that the rights of medical use of cannabis be recognized.

As stated on the website, the Global Marijuana March (GMM) has been done since 1999; and every first Saturday of March each year, simultaneously in many cities all over the world.

They also added that the march is done independently in many cities in Argentina for four years, which is also coordinated by the weed magazine, THC.

Article review by: bubble hash

See full article here

Initiatives on Marijuana Legalization Pushed

The organizer of the campaign that might put the marijuana legalization initiative in the 2012 ballot said last Thursday that the measure will most likely be applicable to people aged 21 years old and above and would permit to possess only small amount of pot.

The executive director of Sensible Colorado, Brian Vicente, who is also one of the voices on the Colorado Legalization 2012 campaign, said that the draft initiative will create a state-licenses system on marijuana shops, alike to the regulatory systems on liquor stores; and will allow users to grow small amounts of marijuana on their own. He added, “Sales on marijuana will mostly likely be added to a special excise tax.  Details are still being worked out.”The campaign still needs to file any initiative language with the state.

During the panel discussion at the annual conference of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Vicente said, “We think it's got a really good shot of passing.”

This campaign of Vicente is one of the two that they have been working to make the marijuana legalization be put in the 2012 ballot of Colorado. There is also this group named Legalize 2012 formulating an initiative. On their website the campaign proposes a freedom-based model, with no unreasonable limits on possession of marijuana and no extra taxes beyond the standard sales tax.

 

Article review by: bubble hash

See full article here

Medical Marijuana Legalization Chance in Olympia

In Olympia, Washington lawmakers are trying once again to rum the medical marijuana bill after Governor Chris Gregoire vetoed on the bill last month which could have led to the way of medical marijuana dispensaries’ legalization.

There have been dozens of dispensaries operating around the state without their legal protection. The supporters of the bill said that it would have been made easier for the 100,000 medical marijuana patients in the state to have their medicine.

Gregoire supported her decision on vetoing on the bill and said that she vetoed that part on the bill which because she feared that state employees get criminal charges which could prohibit the distribution of marijuana. Critics said that her veto could lead medical marijuana users to illegal drug dealers around the corner.

Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles, who sponsored the original bill, was frustrated by Gregoire’s veto. And now she is working on a bill that lets cities and counties approve licenses if they want. Gregoire said she might consider signing the bill if there will be employee protection from the state, and only if the Democratic and Republican leaders of the House and Senate allow the bill to pass.

 

Article review by: bubble bags

See full article here

Full Marijuana Legalization Highly Sought

The extensive efforts to fully legalize the sales of marijuana have been rejected to come through in Olympia. However, voters around the state might have the final say.

Washington is exerting so much effort to fully make their state the first state to legalize marijuana with their measure on reaching the ballot this year. `And they are expecting a better and bigger funded campaign next year.

Alison Holcomb, drug policy director of state’s Civil Liberties Union Chapter and is gathering people as potential supporters in Washington and all other places said, “We’re very interested in the possibility of something being on the ballot in 2012.”

Initiative 1149 this year seek legalization of marijuana for adults 18 years old and above if it will reach the statewide ballot for the election on November 2011. Volunteers kept on distributing the petitions but had just collected a total of 15,093 in six weeks since March 13.

They have a target of 241,000 valid signatures. And they are hoping for a warm weather so that they can campaign more and a warm reception from their donors.

They have raised funds of $18,600 between December and March. But they spent most of it for the printing and the mailing petition. But they could not get to hire professional signature gatherers. Initiative 1149 co-author Douglas Hiatt who is also an attorney in Seattle said that they need somebody with a big checkbook to simply pay them into the ballot.

 

Article review by: bubble bags

See full article here

 

 

Vacation Rentals, Medical Marijuana Rules Approved by County Supervisors

In Santa Cruz, the County Board of Supervisors finally has put the raging debate to rest last Tuesday, May 3. Initially, it passed a set of regulation laws. However, it did not summarize the number of medical marijuana outlets on separate county areas. Also a support on vacation rentals has been sought for a very long time, especially to those in Live Oak.

Supervisor John Leopold said, “To me, democracy works when people get involved,” Talking about the vacation rental law on various public hearings. He also added, “We've had very spirited debate at many community meetings about this, and democracy isn't always neat. ... What we have here is an ordinance that I think works well.”

And the providers heartwarmingly welcomed the new medical marijuana rules as they see this as a way for bad seeds to be pulled out and have greater acceptance on their operations. Ever since the Proposition 215 was passed, it took them 15 years to have this. However, many providers face a lot of uncertainties on issues such as how to manage marijuana.

Article review by: bubble hash

See full article here

Medical Marijuana Bills Advances to City Council

In Flushing, Michigan, two medical marijuana ordinances were approved by the Flushing Planning Commission members to be sent to the City Council for their approval as well.

The ordinance’s regulation is to allow caregivers to operate, and have special use permits. Also there are rules that of marijuana using within the perimeter of the city and imposed penalties to be applied with amendments to whoever violates the ordinance.

The first reading will happen at City Council on May 9 at 7:30 PM at Flushing City Hall, 725 E. Main Street.

Included in the ordinance are the caregivers only to operate in the city’s heavy commercial zone, and should be 500 feet away from schools, day care centers, parks, place of worships and other medical marijuana caregivers. Also, a caregiver must apply for Special Use Permit before using a building for the growing of medical marijuana and aid assistance to patients.

Neil Blackmore, Planning Commission member said, "By making it as conservative as possible it best serves us all.”

Article review by: bubble bags

See full article here

Medical Marijuana Bill Advances

The bill that would legalize medical marijuana goes to next stage as last Tuesday, May 3 as the public health committee voted 22-4 which is to be sent to the state Senate.

However, even if the bill passed a wide margin, the lawmakers are not totally happy with the measure’s wording. And the senate has not yet scheduled for the vote of the bill.

The proposed legislation indicated that people who have written certification from their doctors can legally possess a maximum of 1 ounce of marijuana and grow up to 4 marijuana plants not exceeding 4 feet in height. To be qualified to have a written certification, a person must have a certification that he has a severe medical condition such as cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis.

Some of the member of the committee said that they were concerned that the bill does not have any ground rules regarding to how patients can get marijuana seeds in the first place. And just a month ago, the same concerned was raised in a public hearing with the judiciary committee who also voted for the bill to be advanced. Supporters of the bill said that the bill’s wordings will be modified by the time it goes to General Assembly for a vote.

Representative Jason Perillo, R- Shelton said, "I'm optimistic that that will happen.” Last Tuesday he also voted for the bill. Yet, he said he will vote against it on General Assembly if the concerns are not addressed on the modification.

Article review by: bubble hash

See full article here

Colorado Medical Marijuana Law Captured the US Attorney’s Attention

Colorado US Attorney warned the state’s lawmakers that federal prosecutions may arise as the pending legislation that adjusts the laws of the existing medical marijuana bill.

Attorney General John Suthers of Colorado received a letter from US Attorney John Walsh which is a response from the attorney general’s request to clarify the issue that the pending marijuana law modification which is now taken into consideration bin House Bill 1043 can cause conflict with the federal treatment of medical marijuana use.

In Walsh’s letter, he wrote”the Department of Justice is still on the go to fully implement the Controlled Substances Act and the federal law in all states. Thus, if the provisions of H.B. 1043 are enacted and become law, the Department will continue to carefully consider all appropriate civil and criminal legal remedies to prevent manufacture and distribution of marijuana and other associated violations.”

The sponsor of the bill, Senator Pat Steadman, said on his mind that he thinks that the letter General Suthers sent only blurs the federal Department of Justice’s stand on medical marijuana instead of clarifying it. He also added, “We have had mixed messages from the federal government on this. I think this casts a big shadow upon this industry in Colorado. It does cause some uncertainty and trepidation.”

Under federal law, selling and using of marijuana is illegal. However, many states already allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes such as in Colorado.

The medical marijuana industry in Colorado was a success for the last two years.  This was partially because the state’s constitutional amendment allowing the use of medical marijuana, state court decided to expand the use of medical marijuana and the federal agents’ low priority over the medical marijuana usage in states. While the marijuana dispensaries and the users of marijuana multiplies each time, the legislature kept trying on creating some ground rules regarding this bombshell industry.

The purpose of the current bill sponsored by Sen. Pat Steadman and Representative Tom Massey was to fix and close the loopholes of the state’s medical marijuana law. However, this bill alarmed the concern of Suthers and other law enforcers as it gets pushed through the committee process.

 

Article review by: bubble bags

See full article here

 

 

Montana Lawmakers Pass the Revised Marijuana Bill

In Helena, last Thursday, April 28, after denying Governor Brian Schweitzer’s amendment that allows a marijuana provider to provide 25 patients and let them generate profit, the lawmakers gave the revised version of the medical marijuana overhaul bill.

Legislators of both chambers agreed to Gov. Schweitzer’s changes to the bill that increases privacy rights on patients and procedural changes on accessing the drug.

The legislators had a negotiation with Gov. Schweitzer; for which the government agreed to Schweitzer’s changes to the bill that would increase privacy rights on patients and on the procedural changes of the drug. However, after the negotiation turned into madness, the governor’s amendments on increasing the access of marijuana were denied and the legislators decided to stick with the strict regulations in the bill which was passed last Wednesday, April 27. And the measure will be returned to Gov. Schweitzer for his approval or veto.

This revised bill, Senate Bill 423 re-evaluated and rewrote the existing marijuana law and aims to significantly reduce the number of marijuana users and eliminate marijuana business on states that have approximately 30,000 users and a big marijuana industry.  The bill also aims on growing marijuana for free and pure grounds.

It was a major rewrite and was one of the biggest limitations on medical marijuana law attempted by a state ever.

Gov. Schweitzer wrote a letter to the president and said there that he is disappointed with the current form of the Senate Bill 423 that it has unconstitutional provisions and he is afraid that the limited access in the overhaul would provoke patients to settle for illegal marijuana market.

The rejected amendments of Gov. Schweitzer would have loosened the very tight restrictions of the bill that could allow providers earn profit and have them three patients each. However, the lawmakers could not promote an increase on number of patients per provider for the Department of Justice has stated clearly on their letter which was sent to the officials of different states that it will target large growing marijuana operations.

Just recently, the marijuana business in Montana has been the target of federal raids. And so, Montana’s US Attorney issued warning against marijuana businesses last week.

 

Article review by: bubble hash

See full article here