Legislation

Court To Hear Landmark Medical Marijuana Case In San Diego

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 10, 2012 Dispensaries, Legislation, News

Jovan Jackson, manager of a now-defunct medical marijuana dispensary in Kearny Mesa, is accused of illegally selling cannabis

Advocates fight to overturn a wrongful conviction and preserve the right to a medical marijuana defense

Appellate court oral arguments are set to occur Thursday in a widely watched medical marijuana dispensary case that raises the question of what defines a legitimate dispensary. Nearly a year ago, medical marijuana patient advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) appealed the September 2010 conviction of San Diego dispensary operator Jovan Jackson.

Women’s Rally: Save Our Children, End Marijuana Prohibition

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 10, 2012 Legislation, News

Weedist

On, Monday, October 15, Women for Measure 80 will hold a rally on the steps of the Oregon State Capitol in Salem to call for an end to 75 years of failed marijuana prohibition.

Mothers, women, seniors and supportive men will come together in support of passing Measure 80, which will regulate marijuana like liquor — for adults 21 and over, sold through state-licensed stores only, and with 90 percent of tax revenues going to the state’s general fund to pay for schools and social services.

Measure 80 will also finally re-allow Oregon farmers to grow hemp for biofuel, food, sustainable fiber and medicine.

The Oregon Women for Measure 80 rally is being held in solidarity with the national Moms For Marijuana rally on the steps of our nation’s capitol that same day.

Montana’s IR-124 Medical Marijuana Repeal Under Attack

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 10, 2012 Legislation, News

Montana Department of Justice

Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock on Tuesday said he’d vote against IR-124

Attorney General Bullock Says He’ll Vote Against IR-124

No poll shows IR-124 with majority support, and the new law — which repeals a voter initiative which legalized medical marijuana in the state back in 2004, with the support of 62 percent of state voters — now faces two new hurdles to approval by the voters this year.

Patients for Reform, Not Repeal has begun its second radio advertising campaign with a new spot, entitled “Running Away,” which points to the measure’s weak voter support and even opposition from the Montana Republican Party. The spot notes that Sen. Jeff Essman, sponsor of SB 423 – the subject of the referendum – has conceded that his work will be changed next year.

Federal Trial Against Medical Marijuana Provider Set To Begin In L.A.

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 8, 2012 Dispensaries, Legislation, News

Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/San Bernardino Sun

Aaron Sandusky, president, G3 Holistic: “I had four patients in there and they were all handcuffed and interviewed”

Justice Department denies defendant ability to show evidence of state law compliance at trial; Sandusky could face life in prison

The operator of three state-compliant medical marijuana dispensaries will be tried in federal court this week in Los Angeles. Aaron Sandusky, 42, who operated facilities in Upland, Colton and Moreno Valley, was raided by federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents last November and was charged with six felonies, including manufacturing marijuana, possession with intent to distribute, and conspiracy.

Five others were similarly charged in the raid, but they have since accepted plea deals and may be called to testify against Sandusky. If convicted on all counts, Sandusky could face life in prison. Jury selection begins at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday in a trial that is expected to last all week.

“This trial is nothing more than a cynical attempt by the federal government to intimidate dispensary operators in Los Angeles and undermine the implementation of California’s medical marijuana law,” said Kris Hermes, spokesperson for the medical marijuana advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA). “The Justice Department holds all the cards in federal court and uses that leverage to terrorize the medical marijuana community.”

Sensible Washington: Here’s Why We Oppose I-502 ‘Legalization’

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 7, 2012 Legislation, News

The Daily Chronic

By Anthony Martinelli

Communications Director

Sensible Washington

Our opposition to Initiative 502 was not a decision made in haste. We examined this measure from multiple angles, looking at the political ramifications, the legal implications, and the social benefits and consequences. We came to a clear conclusion: Initiative 502 is not a positive step forward for our state, and we can do better.

The initiative proposes dangerous and arbitrary policies, and sets up a legal distribution system that will fall to federal preemption. Here are the key reasons why, after deep consideration, our organization voted unanimously to oppose this measure (you can read our full analysis here):

Medical Marijuana Suit Reaches Federal Court: 1st Time In 20 Years

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 5, 2012 Legislation, Medical, News

The Daily Chronic

Audiotape of October 4 teleconference briefing with researchers, legal counsel and lawsuit plaintiff now available

For the first time in nearly 20 years, a United States Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s classification of marijuana as a dangerous drug with no medicinal value: Americans for Safe Access v. Drug Enforcement Administration.

This historic case will force a federal court to finally review the scientific evidence regarding the therapeutic efficacy of marijuana.

GOP Oregon State Senate Candidate Endorses Measure 80

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 4, 2012 Legislation, News

vote80.org

Just days ahead of the Oregon Republican Party’s State Central Committee Meeting in Bend, Republican State Senate candidate Cliff Hutchison has officially endorsed Measure 80. Hutchison, the first Oregon Republican to endorse Measure 80, is also secretary of the new Republican Liberty Caucus of Oregon.

“Alcoholism is a real problem in our society, but prohibition of alcohol didn’t work when it was tried,” Hutchison said. “Seventy-five years is long enough to see that prohibition of marijuana has failed.”

The Union Helps Cities Craft Sensible Marijuana Ordinances

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 4, 2012 Dispensaries, Legislation

Union of Medical Marijuana Patients

The Los Angeles Times, in a September 24 editorial, called on the L.A. City Council to come up with a new medical marijuana ordinance that would provide safe access through regulation that would avoid legal challenges. The Union for Medical Cannabis Patients says it is providing the Council and Planning Commission with a formula for exactly this type of legislation.

James Shaw, director of the Union, has presented to the City Council two draft ordinances which represent parts to a whole. “These Ordinances should enable the City to finally get a handle on regulating medical marijuana patient associations in Los Angeles, while providing the added benefit of avoiding litigation or having the law overturned by courts,” Shaw said.

Bill Introduced To Legalize Marijuana In Chile

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 3, 2012 Global, Legislation

Mary Jane’s Garden

A proposed bill in Chile would legalize the consumption, possession and cultivation of marijuana in this South American nation. The proposed reform was introduced in July by liberal senators Fulvio Rossi and Ricard Lagos Weber.

If the bill is passed, it would legalize cannabis for both personal and medical use, reports Tom Murphy at the Santiago Times. The logic behind the bill, the Times reports, is that by creating a legal way for users to consume marijuana, drug cartels will be robbed of business by those who choose to take advantage of the legal channel.

Signatures Submitted For Marijuana Initiative In La Mesa, CA

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on October 2, 2012 Dispensaries, Legislation, News

Citizens For Patient Rights

More than 6,500 signatures were submitted on Monday to the La Mesa City Clerk for review

Citizens for Patient Rights has announced the successful submission of signature petitions for an initiative to allow and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in the City of La Mesa, California.

On Monday, October 1, the group submitted over 6,500 signatures to the La Mesa City Clerk for review. Next, these signatures will be forwarded on to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, who will have 30 days to verify the successful submission of the 3,034 valid signatures needed in order to qualify our initiative for a vote of the people.

“This submission is a victory for the thousands of patients, caregivers and supporter in La Mesa who supported this signature drive and is another step towards giving the voters of La Mesa a voice on whether to allow regulated medical marijuana access for the patients and caregivers in their community,” Citizens for Patient Rights said in a press release.

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