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Sacramento Group Files Medical Marijuana Act; Will Gather Signatures

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 7, 2012 Dispensaries, Legislation, Medical

The Patient Access to Regulated Medical Cannabis Act of 2012 has been filed with Sacramento County Elections Office and will begin gathering signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

Medical cannabis patients, providers, activists and supporters in Sacramento County, California have come together in an effort to qualify a measure for the November 2012 ballot that will establish a reasonable and controlled system for qualified patients to access their medicine.

Over the past two years, medical cannabis advocates said they have attempted to work with Sacramento County officials to develop a regulatory system that would allow for safe access points throughout the unincorporated areas of the County.

Former Pot Smuggler Educates Seniors On Medical Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 7, 2012 Culture, Medical

The Silver Tour

Robert Platshorn, America’s longest-serving marijuana offender (almost 30 years), educates seniors on the benefits of medical marijuana on The Silver Tour

“They heard about it at their bridge games, or from the corkboard at the senior center, or through their grandkids who use the Internet,” writes Gus Garcia-Roberts at Miami New Times. “Then they carpooled to Temple Shaarei Shalom in Boynton Beach this recent Sunday afternoon — trios of little old ladies with short white hair and thin sweaters, and wizened men reading the Sun-Sentinel while wearing clunky black shades indoors.

“Now the 200-plus attendees — most of them seniors — are snacking on a mushroom quiche and iced tea while discussing the myriad health benefits of getting high.”

Robert Platshorn, 69 — who in the 1970s smuggled tons of Colombian weed into the United States, making Santa Marta Gold a legend in the process — was one of the most famous pitchmen in the U.S. before becoming an herbal entrepreneur and eventually getting busted by the Drug Enforcement Adminnistration. He became the longest-serving marijuana offender in U.S. history, serving more than 29 years in federal prison.

New Group Aims To Protect Medical Marijuana Patients’ Rights

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 7, 2012 Medical, News

NPRA

Advocates have formed a new Michigan-based medical marijuana coalition, the National Patients Rights Association (NPRA). The group said it will encourage legislators, prosecutors, and local governments to fully honor the decision of citizens who voted to legalize medical marijuana in 16 states and the District of Columbia.

Michigan, whose Medical Marihuana Act was approved by nearly two-thirds of voters (63 percent) in 2008, will be among the first states targeted by the NPRA.

The new group said it is “backed by patients, caregivers, businesses, and a range of other supporters.” The coalition said it “will work to broaden awareness, reach legislators in a targeted manner, and help mobilize patients and caregivers who are affected by these laws.”

Medical Marijuana Reduces Suicides: Study

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 7, 2012 Medical, News

The Medical Cannabis Resource Center

Suicide rates among males are reduced by as much as 11 percent in medical marijuana states. Overall, suicide rates are 5 percent lower in MMJ states, according to a new study.

A new study suggests that legalizing medical marijuana lowers suicide rates by almost five percent.

The study, brought to you by the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) in Bonn, Germany, the same firm that recently found that legalizing medical marijuana was associated with fewer deaths on the highways — possibly because people use marijuana instead of drinking — is titled “High on Life? Medical Marijuana Laws and Suicide,” reports Christopher Shea at the Wall Street Journal.

“Using state-level data for the period 1990 through 2007, we estimate the effect of legalizing medical marijuana on suicide rates,” says the IZA Discussion Paper from January. “Our results suggest that the passage of a medical marijuana law is associated with an almost 5 percent reduction in the total suicide rate, an 11 percent reduction in the suicide rate of 20- through 29-year-old males, and a 9 percent reduction in the suicide rate of 30- through 39-year-old males.”

Anti-Marijuana L.A. City Attorney Falsely Claims Endorsements

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 6, 2012 Medical, News

Los Angeles Dragnet

Among all the tinhorn dictators who rail against California’s liberal medical marijuana laws, Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich — notorious for his rabid anti-cannabis stance — stands out for his constant hotdogging and grandstanding on the issue.

Officials with three law enforcement organizations said they have yet to formally decide whom to back — if anyone — in this year’s race for Los Angeles district attorney, reports Jack Leonard at the Los Angeles Times. Trutanich, the obvious frontrunner, is now in political hot water after falsely claiming several key supporters, including the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association, the Los Angeles School Police Association, and the National Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.

Firm Introduces New Technology For Medical Cannabis Industry

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 3, 2012 Dispensaries, Medical, Products

QuantaCann

QuantaCann Says Its New System Delivers On-Site Safety & Potency Analysis

Steep Hill Lab says it became the nation’s first medical cannabis screening facility in collaboration with some of the industry’s stakeholders, when it opened for business in Oakland four years ago.

Now, by utilizing their industry experience and developing innovative software and scientific instrumentation, Steep Hill says it has significantly improved the ease by which cannabis can be tested for medical use on site.

Panel Votes To Ban Medical Marijuana On Arizona Campuses

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 2, 2012 Legislation, Medical

The Weed Blog

An Arizona House panel voted on Wednesday to ban medical marijuana use and possession on all college and university campuses, setting the stage for a lawsuit.

The unanimous vote by members of the House Committee on Higher Education came after Rep. Amanda Reeve (R-Phoenix) said the schools fear losing both direct federal aid and federally backed student loans if they allow faculty and students to possess medicinal cannabis, reports Howard Fischer at Capitol Media Services.

The move was backed by Kristen Boilini, who lobbies for several community colleges. She said the law will reinforce policies the schools already have in place.

Joe Yuhas, spokesman for the Arizona Medical Marijuana Association, did not attend the hearing. He told Capitol Media Services he believes his opposition would be meaningless.

AZ Moves To Make Medical Marijuana Illegal For College Students

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 1, 2012 Legislation, Medical, News

BizzaroBlog

Arizona lawmakers are preparing on Wednesday to deny university and college students living on campus the right to use medical marijuana, even if they have the legally required doctor’s recommendation to use it.

Legislation written by Rep. Amanda Reeve (R-Phoenix) would make it illegal to use and even to possess marijuana on the campus of any public or private post-secondary institution of learning, reports Howard Fischer at Capitol Media Services.

Included under the overbearing law would be not only the state university system and network of community colleges but even various private schools that offer degrees or certificates.

That doesn’t just mean keeping marijuana out of classrooms and open areas.

HB 2349, set for debate in the House Committee on Higher Education, also would prohibit students from using cannabis in their dorm rooms — even if the patient is drinking a cannabis infused drink or eating a cannabis edible.

Kansas Legislature Shows No Interest In Medical Marijuana Bill

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 1, 2012 Legislation, Medical, News

tilrc.org

Doesn’t care about patients: Sen. Vicki Schmidt (R-Topeka) said “I have no interest on hearing the bill”

Even though a bill which would legalize the medical use of marijuana is now in both houses of the Kansas Legislature, lawmakers haven’t shown any interest in making it a law.

Sen. David Haley (D-Kansas City) introduced Senate Bill 354, the Cannabis Compassion and Care Act, during Monday’s session. It was referred to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, where it will likely sit without a hearing, reports Chris Hong at LJWorld.

“I have no interest on hearing the bill,” the arrogant and uncaring Sen. Vicki Schmidt (R-Topeka) said haughtily. Schmidt chairs the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.

AZ Governor Humiliated In Dismissal Of Anti-Marijuana Lawsuit

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 1, 2012 Dispensaries, Legislation, Medical

CBS News

“That’s not how lawsuits work,” the exasperated judge told Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s legal team

You probably thought that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s recent anti-medical-marijuana lawsuit — through which she sought to thwart the will of Arizona’s voters, as expressed at the polls — was not only an exercise in futility, but also damn silly as well.

Turns out that you’re not the only one who thinks so. U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton agrees, and she gave quite a spanking to Gov. Brewer and Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne on January 4 while dismissing the lawsuit.

The dismissal came after a December 12 hearing that didn’t go well for one of Atty. Gen. Horne’s lawyers, reports Ray Stern at Phoenix New Times. Horne — go figure — decided to stay away from this one and sent assistant AG Lori Davis to “take one for the team,” New Times reports.

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