Illinois became the twentieth state (21st if you count Maryland’s recently-passed restrictive mmj program) to allow for medical cannabis yesterday, when Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation passed last May into law.
Quinn was flanked by Jim Champioin, a military veteran suffering from multiple sclerosis who uses cannabis to control his symptoms.
San Diego based Medical Marijuana Inc. (MJNA) is commonly regarded as being the first publicly held company to deal openly in the hemp and marijuana markets. Promoted as a sort of ‘one-stop-shop’ for marijuana, hemp, and hempseed oil based products, services, and development, their product line focuses primarily on the benefits of CBDs, or cannabinoids, and what they hope are new, innovative, and popular ways to ingest them. MJNA prides itself on its “range of over 85 proprietary and patented cannabinoid ‘delivery methods’ that are more ‘socially and medically acceptable’ than typical industry methods.”
Another favorable court ruling for the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act means that would-be dispensaries have much more time to set up operations. Maricopa Superior Court Judge Randall Warner’s July 29 ruling, released today, stops the state from denying dispensary approvals because of failure to meet a set deadline.
In a hempseed shell, the court order means that several planned dispensary companies won’t be shut out of the game, and that the state’s qualified patients will have no shortage of places to buy their medicine. Phoenix New Times has the full story.
| Illinois.gov |
| Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn. |
After months of waiting for their governor to sign laws into place, Illinois may finally have legalized medical marijuana by next week.
Or then again, they might not. Gov. Pat Quinn isn’t exactly saying which way he’s leaning at this point — only that something will happen next week.
| Washington D.C., now with MMJ! |
Legal medical cannabis is being sold just blocks from the White House doors.
After a long, drawn-out wait, Capital City Cannabis opened for business yesterday, making it Washington D.C.’s first medical marijuana dispensary. “It’s so exciting to welcome patients into Capital City Care for the first time,” general manager David Guard said in a prepared statement. “Every day we hear from people who are suffering from serious illnesses and need another option for treating their symptoms. It’s an honor to be able to help them improve their quality of life and provide care to this large under-served population.”
| Quack. |
Among the many natural benefits associated with medicating with marijuana is the sheer lack of detrimental side effects like you see at the end of every prescription drug commercial. But in a half-baked attempt to combat a recent string of favorable headlines for cannabis research, those opposed to the plant are issuing a stern new warning to anyone who smokes (or is even thinking of smoking) pot.
Abdominal cramping, power-puking, and the need for a hot shower – this, they say, is what you are in for if you choose to smoke weed. The prohibitionists are right about one thing; you might need a hot shower after trying to wrap your head around their latest attempt at reasoning.
| photo by Jamie Peachey. |
| Billy Hayes |
Phoenix police have busted marijuana activist Billy Hayes for the second time in two years in connection with running an unauthorized medical-marijuana dispensary.
Hayes seems to have more lives than a cat, so we’re not betting yet on whether Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery will be able to secure a successful prosecution. Phoenix New Times has the full story.
Several news sources have posted over the last few days about how the recent federal raids on medical marijuana dispensaries in Washington were especially surprising since Washington voters approved the possession and sales of limited amounts of cannabis back in November.
Several media outlets have conflated the two, when they aren’t the same thing. In fact, Washington has yet to open any recreational dispensaries. Any dispensary that is open now is following the exact same rules they had to follow before I-502 and recreational sales haven’t even begun yet.
| John Hanger. |
A Pennsylvania democrat with a pro-pot platform has his eye on the governor’s office in 2014.
John Hanger says he has a three-step process for marijuana in the state, starting with allowing doctors to legally recommend medical marijuana for qualifying patients and ending with the legalization, taxation and regulation of cannabis for all adults over 21.
| William Breathes. |
| “Take two hits and call me in the morning.” |
Crohn’s disease is a autoimmunity deficiency in the gastronomical tract that can cause anything from mild stomach pains to vomiting and in extreme cases, chronic bloody diarrhea. There’s no cure for the disorder but now, researchers in Israel say they’ve found evidence that marijuana causes complete remission of the disease. Check out OC Weekly for more on what many of us already knew to be true.