Medical

Kansas medical marijuana bill likely not seeing the light of day in 2013

By William Breathes on January 28, 2013 Legislation, Medical, News

Well Kansas, you almost had it. Earlier this month Dave Haley, a state rep. from Kansas City, introduced Senate Bill 9 which would have legalized medical marijuana in the Sunflower State. Unfortunately, the bill already seems doomed to meet the fate of the three unsuccessful medical marijuana bills from previous years.
The bill would allow doctors to recommend medical marijuana for certain qualifying conditions like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. Patients could grow up to twelve plants in their home and possess up to six ounces at a time. Commercial medical marijuana dispensaries would be allowed, and would be regulated by the state health department. Marijuana paraphernalia would also be allowed.

Marijuana Dispensary Controls Coming to L.A. May Ballot

By Dennis Romero on January 22, 2013 Medical

Chuck Coker / Flickr

It looks like Angelenos will get to vote on at least two initiatives that seek to regulate L.A.’s booming medical marijuana business.
The L.A. City Council today gave its initial approval to competing measures that aim to place some kind of rules around the pot shop industry. One of the two would eliminate most of the 1,000 or so dispensaries in town and allow fewer than 200 to survive.
The other is more laissez-faire: It would allow most shops to remain so long as they abide by basic rules such as hours of operation and background checks.
There’s also a third option:

Marijuana Remains ‘Schedule 1’ Outlaw Under Federal Court Ruling Today

By Dennis Romero on January 22, 2013 Medical

ostrowitzs / Flickr

Despite growing evidence that marijuana is more than just a buzz-drug, a federal appeals court rejected an attempt to reclassify pot as a medically recognized substance.
The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today voted 2-1 to agree with lower courts that “adequate and well-controlled studies” do not exist to support the legitimacy of medical marijuana.
As it stands then, marijuana will remain a federal outlaw drug with no recognized uses — worse than cocaine in the federal government’s eyes.
The ruling won’t help those states like California that have legalized medical pot, as federal authorities can still cite its schedule I status and crackdown.

Lori Burnam, Heroine To Medical Marijuana Patients, Dies

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 14, 2013 Medical, News

KXLH

Rest in peace, Lori Burnam, 66, of Missoula, Montana. Lori was suffering from emphysema and advanced cancer

Burnam’s Bout with Cancer, Emphysema & Glaucoma Has Ended, But Her Fight for Common Sense Marijuana Laws Remains

Lori Burnam of Hamilton, Montana — a much-loved and admired champion of medical marijuana patients’ rights — has died. But the principles she stood for and the goals she worked for will not be forgotten or neglected, according to Chris Lindsey, president of Montana Next, a marijuana education group.

“Lori Burnam’s legacy is one of compassion for others and respect for scientific facts and reality,” Lindsey said. “Thousands of Montanans have been inspired by the kindness of her life and her effective advocacy for common sense marijuana laws, and all of us intend to continue working for Lori’s goals.”

Poll: 59% Support for AZ Medical Marijuana Act, Legalization

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 14, 2013 Legislation, Medical, News

weGrow

59% of Arizonans — including a majority of independents — support the law allowing medical marijuana dispensaries

In a poll conducted January 9 and 10, Public Policy Polling found that 59 percent of Arizonans support the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, and also 59 percent would vote “yes” on a future initiative to legalize and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol.

The poll of 600 Arizona voters was commissioned by the National Cannabis Industry Association. You can view the results by clicking here [PDF].

Despite multiple delays caused by governmental inaction and meritless lawsuits, the strictly controlled nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries mandated by 2010’s Proposition 203 are beginning to operate.

Patient Advocacy Group To Train DC Marijuana Dispensary Staff

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 10, 2013 Dispensaries, Growing, Medical

O’Dea/Wiki Commons

Americans for Safe Access will hold its first compulsory training course on February 1st

The medical marijuana advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) was awarded a permit by the D.C. Department of Health last week to implement its compulsory training for cultivators and distributors licensed by the District. ASA Foundation was selected to be the Medical Marijuana Certification Provider based on its longstanding experience providing such trainings across the country.

Poll: 2/3 of New Hampshire Voters Support Medical Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 10, 2013 Legislation, Medical, News

ReLegalize Indiana

Survey also finds 62 percent would support decriminalizing marijuana and a majority would support regulating it similarly to alcohol

More than two-thirds (68 percent) of New Hampshire voters think the state should enact a law allowing seriously ill patients to use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it, according to a survey conducted this week by Public Policy Polling (PPP). Just 26 percent said they were opposed.

The poll, which is being released just as state lawmakers prepare to consider a medical marijuana bill in this year’s legislative session, also found that 52 percent of voters would be more likely to vote for a state legislator if he or she voted for such legislation. Just 27 percent said they’d be less likely.

Advocates Ask Kennedy To Better Understand Medical Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 9, 2013 Medical, News

Weedist

Patrick Kennedy announced on Wednesday the formation of a new group, “Smart Approaches to Marijuana,” or SAM, which simply uses a new narrative to make the same arguments used by cannabis opponents for years

National conference in February will better equip Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, others to develop public health policy based on science

In response to public comments made against U.S. marijuana reform on Wednesday by former Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy, patient advocates wrote to Kennedy inviting him to attend a national conference on medical marijuana scheduled for February 22-25 at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Kennedy announced today the formation of a new group, “Smart Approaches to Marijuana,” or SAM, which claims to take a different approach to marijuana use than legalization advocates or government drug warriors. However, advocates argue that SAM’s apparent pro-public health approach ignores the therapeutic benefits of the marijuana plant and is simply using a new narrative to make the same arguments used by marijuana opponents for years.

Drug Czar: Calling Marijuana Medicine Sends Terrible Message

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 9, 2013 Medical, News

Reason

Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske: “Calling it medicine sends a terrible message”

Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske — required by law to lie about the medical efficacy of cannabis — has, unsurprisingly, attacked the herb again in a speech in San Francisco.

“Calling it medicine sends a terrible message” to American youth, according to the Czar, reports Chris Roberts at NBC Bay Area. Gil seems unfamiliar with or indifferent to the fact that the U.S. federal government itself has been providing free medical marijuana to a handful of patients for 30 years under the Compassionate Investigational New Drug program.

Gil could also use a refresher course on the thousands of scientific studies which show marijuana’s medical effectiveness. Oh well; I guess Science “sends a terrible message” to youth, as well.

Legal Marijuana Provider Gets 10 Years, Lecture From Judge

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on January 7, 2013 Medical, News

Cannabis Culture

Aaron Sandusky: “This is a terrible injustice. Nobody wins.”

Aaron Sandusky Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

By Cheri Sicard

Cannabis Cheri

Aaron Sandusky, the president of G3 Holistics, which operated three legal (under state law) California medical marijuana dispensaries, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on Monday in Los Angeles. Once his sentence is served, Sandusky will then face five years of supervised probation, including random drug testing.

He is also being compelled to complete a drug rehab program, despite any evidence he actually has a drug addiction problem.

Defense attorney Roger Diamond made an impassioned plea on behalf of his client, highlighting the conflicting opinions not only between state and federal law, both also laws within the state of California. He pointed out that Sandusky provided much needed medicine to seriously ill patients in full and open compliance with California state laws.

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