William Breathes

Sober and charged with a DUI? In Arizona, that’s normal

By William Breathes on November 8, 2013 News, Say what?

Hrach Shilgevorkyan was charged with a marijuana DUI after a blood test revealed no active THC in his system. It did reveal an inactive metabolite of THC, though. The presence of that inactive metabolite has nothing to do with any potential impairment.
A judge eventually dismissed the case, but the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office appealed it, as the case eventually landed at the state Supreme Court.Prosecutors have argued that this was actually the intent of the Legislature. Essentially, they’ve argued that if you smoke a joint — medical marijuana patient, or not — you are forbidden from driving, probably for a few days, and possibly up to a month. Phoenix New Times has the full, absurd story.

U.K. real estate site unknowingly posts pics of indoor grow operation

By William Breathes on November 7, 2013 Global, Say what?

It may be a fixer-uper.

If you’re going to put your former grow house up for sale in a place where cannabis is illegal, clean out your pots, vents and lights before allowing the real estate agent takes photos for an online listing.
Police in Avon and Summerset, England say they raided a $230,000 two-bedroom home back in July after receiving a tip that a grow operation was blatantly listed online through Rightmove.com. Cops haven’t made any arrests, but removed all of the grow equipment according to the Telepgraph.

Marijuana accounts for 15 percent of smell complaints in Denver

By William Breathes on November 7, 2013 News, Say what?

Denver is still considering measures to cut down on the skunky odor wafting through the Mile High city, but a recent report shows that cannabis is hardly the worst offender.
According to information that the Denver Department of Environmental Health shared at the Monday council meeting, this city’s residents are bothered by a lot worse odors than marijuana. In 2010, the DEH collected 98 total odor complaints — seven involving marijuana. In 2011, it heard 118, with eight involving marijuana. In 2012, Denver residents apparently had much more sensitive noses, making 288 complaints to the department, DEH head Doug Linkhart told councilmembers Monday — but only sixteen involved marijuana. And through September 20 of this year, there have been 85 complaints made, with just eleven involving marijuana. Denver Westword has the full, stinky story.

Ireland marijuana legalization measure defeated

By William Breathes on November 7, 2013 Global, Legalize It, News

A measure that would have legalized cannabis use, possession and cultivation in Ireland was defeated handily yesterday, shot down with a 111 to 8 vote in the Dáil, Ireland’s lower house of representatives.
According to RTÉ News, the cannabis bill was allowed some debate but it seems most of the rhetoric was from stuffy politicians with no real idea what cannabis is or does. Even the health minister pulled out the often-debunked “cannabis causes schizophrenia” myth.

Portland, Maine legalizes possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for adults 21 and up

By William Breathes on November 6, 2013 News

Portland, Maine has legalized the possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for adults over 21, with more than 70 percent of voters in the city giving their approval to the measure.
While certainly a step in the right direction, the bill was mostly symbolic. Marijuana cultivation remains illegal, and 2.5 ounces of cannabis was already among the lowest civil penalties in the city. The legalization does eliminate up to $600 in fines for those caught with 2.5 ounces or less, however.

Three Michigan cities legalize limited cannabis possession

By William Breathes on November 6, 2013 Legalize It, News

Michigan capitol.

Update 11/06/2013: Voters in Lansing, Jackson and Ferndale, Michigan all legalized the possession and use of up to an ounce of cannabis on private property yesterday. Jackson voters passed their measure by more than 800 votes, and roughly 63 percent of Lansing voters approved their measure.
Supporters say the move will force the legislature to approve a similar statewide measure during the upcoming legislative session.

Michigan lawmakers propose selling medical marijuana in pharmacies

By William Breathes on November 6, 2013 Legislation, Medical, News, Say what?

Could medical marijuana be sold through actual pharmacies in Michigan? That’s the hope of a few Michigan lawmakers, who say that the plant should be rescheduled to include it along with other beneficial medicines and have it sold over-the-counter in licensed pharmacies.
The only catch: the feds would have to give their okay first.
Senate Bill 660, written by Michigan state Sens. Roger Kahn and Randy Richardville, would reschedule marijuana as a Schedule II drug, alongside drugs like morphine and OxyContin. Cannabis is currently a Schedule 1 drug, which means it has no medicinal value whatsoever in the eyes of the (clearly shortsighted) federal government.

Colorado passes 25 percent statewide recreational marijuana tax

By William Breathes on November 6, 2013 Follow that story, Legalize It

Votes are still being counted, but the suspense when it comes to the two biggest measures on ballots statewide is over — if there was ever any at all. The Denver Post has made the call on Proposition AA, the marijuana tax measure, and Amendment 66, an education proposal, with the former winning handily (the count is 64.6 percent yeah to 35.3 percent nay with 55 percent of the vote counted at this writing) and the latter getting crushed (66.1 percent “no” to 33.8 percent “yes,” also with 55 percent reporting). Denver Westword has the full story.

Legal pot outpacing smartphones in market growth

By William Breathes on November 5, 2013 News, Say what?

Could legal marijuana outpace smartphones on the economic front? According to a recent poll from the Huffington Post, the answer is a resounding yes.

According to HuffPo, more than $1.3 billion will be spent on legal cannabis in 2013 in the U.S, and a growth of up to $2.34 billion next year. That’s a growth rate of about 64 percent. By comparison, smartphone industry has only grown by 46 percent at its largest.

Colorado could have more than 100 recreational marijuana stores by 2014

By William Breathes on November 5, 2013 Follow that story, Legalize It, News

Denver, Colorado.

Come January 1, there could be as many as 100 recreational marijuana shops open to consumers.
According to statistics released by the state Marijuana Enforcement Division, 136 current medical marijuana dispensaries have applied to switch over to recreational cannabis stores. The division also saw 28 applications from edibles makers and 174 applications for independent grow operations. All of the October applications are expected to be finished by the MED before the New Year.

Author William Breathes