| AlexanderTorrenegra/FlickrCommons |
The internet was abuzz this weekend about the announcement from the New York Times regarding a series of editorial articles to be released in the upcoming week covering the argument in favor of legalizing marijuana nationwide.
Though the title of the series may not be too creative, “High Time” will consist of a week’s worth of interactive articles, web-based seminars, and Q&A sessions that promise to take an honest look at all sides of the debate.
| Flickr Commons |
| Homegrown Lemon Kush |
Stretching from the eastern edge of Los Angeles County, all the way to the western Arizona border, Riverside County in California’s Inland Empire has been rapidly rising in the ranks of the most populous counties in the entire nation.
In an almost synchronized timeline of events, the population explosion in Riverside County coincided with the massive growth of medical marijuana demand in the region, and local growers soon found the Mediterranean-esque climate to be more than adequate for growing their own crops. However, a newly proposed county-wide ordinance would put an outright ban on outdoor cultivation of cannabis.
| The beaver thinks you should legalize pot. |
Should the possession, cultivation and sales of limited amounts of marijuana be legal in Oregon?
We say yes, of course, but that decision will ultimately be up to Oregon voters this November as a legalization ballot measure has officially qualified for the ballot. Read more below.
It has long been known that the various compounds (cannabinoids) found within the cannabis plant have amazing healing capabilities, particularly when it comes to fighting cancer.
The American mainstream media finally began to catch on after Dr. Sanjay Gupta went primetime on CNN with his groundbreaking documentary, simply titled WEED. Almost overnight, the acronym “CBD” had entered households and vocabularies who would otherwise never consider any form of cannabis.
| The now-closed Maryjane’s Social Club in Denver. |
Though limited amounts of marijuana are legal for adults 21 and up in Colorado, there’s still not many places to actually legally use cannabis other than in a private home or in a smoking room in a hotel. And while most Coloradans don’t want people lighting weed up in bars or restaurants, they agree that tokers should have a place to congregate. Currently, such places are tolerated in some municipalities but not others, notably in Denver where police have raided pot clubs in recent weeks.
According to data from from Quinnipiac University, members-only marijuana clubs were embraced by a 66-29 percent margin of Colorado voters.Not nearly as many poll participants liked the idea of pot smoking being allowed at bars and other venues where alcohol is served. This idea got a 65-31 percent thumbs down. Likewise, a 63-33 percent negative response greeted a question about cannabis at ticketed entertainment events. And even marijuana smoking amid invitation-only entertainment events with no admission charge was rejected, albeit in closer fashion: 49-46 percent.
Read the local take over at The Latest Word.
In an era of 24-hour cable news, non-stop talk radio, and a never ending list of politically flavored blogs, it is easy to be overwhelmed by it all. Planes are going down over Russia, bombs are being dropped in Gaza, and back at home, Republicans and Democrats bide their time bickering over gay marriage and contraception coverage.
It’s enough to make people want to just tune out altogether, and unfortunately, they are in droves. This manufactured apathy for all things “political”, trickles down from global, to national, to state, and ultimately to local politics; and can have dire real-world consequences in the community.
The city of San Jose, in northern California’s Bay Area, is realizing this sad reality the hard way when it comes to medical marijuana. There, as in many Californian municipalities, the local City Council has turned a tuned-out public against its own best interests when it comes to weed.
| Legalize it. |
What would marijuana legalization look like in Vermont? We know the answer is “awesome” but state leaders want to examine the fiscal, social and health impacts that legalizing even limited amounts of cannabis for adults would bring. So the state is pairing up with the Rand Corporation to study those questions and have an answer by next fall so lawmakers can begin discussing the issue.
“In conjunction with the team from Rand, and our internal system we’re going to really try to put together a really high quality report,” said Jeb Spaulding, administration secretary for the governor’s office. “That addresses all of the issues that are related to the legalization of marijuana use.”
| For adults only. |
In a move so that defies common sense so much that it is baffling, recreational and medical pot stores in Washington can sell cannabis brownies and cookies but can’t sell candy or lollipops because the latter might be appealing to kids.
Adults apparently don’t ever eat candy in Washington, ever. Movie theaters must be stocked with kale chips.
Lakewood, Colorado has become the latest city in Colorado to ban cannabis businesses. But voters will decide in November if retail marijuana shops should be allowed.
During a meeting Monday night, the Lakewood City Council voted to ban marijuana businesses such as cultivation facilities, infused-product manufacturers, marijuana-smoking clubs and research labs, as well as outlawing hash oil extractions. However, council members agreed to let Lakewood residents decide the future of retail dispensaries at the ballot box on November 4.
| Toke of the Town. |
An Alabama political leader did what any good old boy from the anti-pot Bible belt would have done if caught with a marijuana grow operation on their property – he up and quit, y’all.
A report released earlier this week by The Gadsden Times verified that 52-year-old John Lloyd Ellis resigned from his position as the Cherokee County Republican party chairman after getting busted last Friday growing dope in his backyard. The big dog, State party chairman Bill Armistead says Ellis has since severed all ties with the Alabama GOP, and that the party wishes to refrain from issuing any further comments about the incident. “We will allow legal and judicial system to follow its course,” said Armistead.