William Breathes

Bay Area researchers successfully use cannabis to fight cancer in animals

By William Breathes on April 11, 2013 Medical, News

Yup.

Marijuana has been used for medicinal purposes–relieving stress and pain and fighting hunger and nausea–for centuries if not millennia. But now, a pair of doctors in San Francisco claim that they’ve compiled reliable data showing that a certain compound in cannabis–cannabidiol–may actually cure cancer.
Unlike THC, the ingredient in marijuana that makes you feel stoned, cannabidiol is a non-toxic compound of the plant that has no psychoactive qualities, and it’s been the focus of an ongoing series of trials at the San Francisco-based California Pacific Medical Center. The OC Weekly has more.

Attorney says he won’t challenge Unversity of Colorado campus closure on 4/20

By William Breathes on April 10, 2013 Culture, Follow that story, News

CU students at the campus 4/20 party in 2011.

Last month, after The University of Colorado at Boulder announced that it would be closing campus on 4/20 for the second consecutive year, marijuana attorney Rob Corry (who unsuccessfully challenged last year’s shutdown) said he was exploring the possibility of seeking a permit for a 4/20 event at CU this year as an alternative to filing another request for a temporary injunction. After all, CU was known for their huge — but peaceful — pot protest/party for years.
Now, however, Corry says the permit plan is off the table and he encourages CU students to attend the 4/20 celebration in Denver instead. Denver Westword has the rest.

One year for a joint in Kenya? Better than some U.S. states

By William Breathes on April 10, 2013 Global, Say what?

Wikipedia commons.

Eighteen-year-old George NJoroge Chege apparently winds down like many of us do: with a nicely rolled joint. Unfortunately, marijuana laws in Kenya aren’t really conducive to his choice of recreational herb enjoyment.

Celebs, athletes, politicians, religious leaders urge Obama for drug law reform

By William Breathes on April 9, 2013 Culture, News

Wikipedia commons.

Rusell Simmons.

What do P-Diddy, Cameron Diaz, Nicki Minaj, Ron Howard and Mark Wahlberg all have in common? Aside from being ridiculously famous and wealthy, they all support the reformation of drug laws in this country.
More than 175 actors, artists, athletes and elected officials signed on to an open letter to President Obama today, asking him to change our drug policy laws from punitive, harsh jail times to one that favors evidence- based prevention and rehabilitation.

Stolen iPad leads to cannabis arrest in New Zealand

By William Breathes on April 9, 2013 Global, News, Say what?

Think differently (about cannabis).

Note: if you live in a place where growing marijuana isn’t legal, taking pictures with your cell phone or iPad and leaving them on there might not be a great idea.
Back in February, police recovered a stolen iPad. Good job, right? Wrong. To find out the owner of the iPad, we’re assuming they went through it. Now, that might be overlooked if they only used the information for the intended purpose.

National media ramps up pressure on feds to make decision on Wash. and Colo. pot laws

By William Breathes on April 9, 2013 News

Eric Holder.

It’s now been approximately five months since voters approved Amendment 64 in Colorado and I-502 in Washington which allows adults 21 and over to use and possess small amounts of marijuana. Moreover, almost four months have passed since the bills were signed it into law, and four weeks-plus since U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said a decision about a federal response would be announced soon.

No wonder a major political news source is wondering just when “soon” might be.

Today, Talking Points Memo published an item entitled “President Obama’s Marijuana Problem.”

Maryland Senate approves medical marijuana bill

By William Breathes on April 8, 2013 Legislation, Medical, News

The Maryland legislature has approved a bill creating a state-regulated medical marijuana program, pushing on to the governor’s office for final approval. Earlier today the state Senate passed a third and final reading of the bill 42-4, marking the end of its legislative journey over the last few months.

Marijuana and dogs: Vets warn (again) that you shouldn’t give pot to pets

By William Breathes on April 8, 2013 News

Back in 2010, Westword published a story in which a veterinarian warned that dogs shouldn’t be given marijuana. Shortly thereafter, Denver’s Fox31 did a lurid version of the same story, complete with imagery straight out of a ’60s-era psychedelic flick. Then, last year, Denver’s CBS4 reported about a vet who’d conducted a study on dogs and weed and come to the same conclusion — and now, 9News has produced its own report on the analysis, juxtaposing serious talk about danger to animals with a shot of a bulldog looking happily stoned. Denver Westword has the rest.

Majority of Americans support marijuana legalization according to study

By William Breathes on April 5, 2013 Culture, News

TokeoftheTown.com

A majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana, according to a poll released yesterday. This is the first time in 40 years of polling that the scales have tipped in favor of cannabis reform. Only 45 percent of the 1,501 adults polled though marijuana should remain illegal.

Alabama bill would legalize limited marijuana use, cultivation and sales

By William Breathes on April 5, 2013 Legislation, News

TokeoftheTown.com

Alabama legislators will have the opportunity to legalize personal use and cultivation of marijuana for adults 21 and up, create a state-regulated marijuana retail system and legalize industrial hemp production with House Bill 550, introduced yesterday.
Alabama might not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking of marijuana legalization, but people in the Cotton State love their herb and Birmingham Rep. Patricia Todd knows it: she’s already introduced two medical marijuana bills in the last two sessions. But House Bill 550 is a much bigger step.

Author William Breathes