Toke of the Town

Browsing: Medical

Medical Marijuana States Welcome Massachusetts

0
By on Legislation, Medical, News

Medical Marijuana Blog

It’s official: Massachusetts is becoming the 18th medical marijuana state in the U.S.

Massachusetts voters Tuesday night approved a new law legalizing the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes by people with cancer, hepatitis C, Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, glaucoma, HIV, AIDs, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis and other serious conditions.
Voters didn’t just approve the initiative. They, well, MASSively approved it by 63 percent to 37 percent, unequivocal landslide numbers equalling those of medical marijuana’s previous biggest victory — that one in Michigan.
The full text of the initiative, Question 3, is available here [PDF].
Read More

Massachusetts Voters Poised To Legalize Medical Marijuana

0
By on Legislation, Medical, News

The Daily Chronic

Massachusetts voters will get the chance Tuesday to make their state the 18th in the country to legalize cannabis for certain medicinal uses with a doctor’s authorization. Question 3 proposes the elimination of state penalties for the use of medical marijuana by patients with chronic or debilitating medical conditions.

The ballot issue calls for relatively tight regulation of medical marijuana, according to Steve Fox, director of government relations for the advocacy group Marijuana Policy Project, reports Stephanie Haven at The Tufts Daily.
“We’ve learned from [California’s law], and we now draft initiatives so only those who need [medical marijuana]can get it,” Fox said. (Of course, it isn’t up to Fox — or anyone except you and your doctor — to determine if you “need” medical marijuana.)
A poll was released and conducted by Public Policy Polling regarding the measure in late August. It revealed that 58 percent of those surveyed are in favor of medical marijuana.
Read More

Marijuana Vending Machine Co. Sues Arkansas Anti-Pot Group

0
By on Dispensaries, Legislation, Medical

Medbox

Medbox, Inc., which manufactures medical marijuana vending machines, has filed a lawsuit in Arkansas against Jerry Cox and the Family Council Action Committee (FCAC) for their use of the company’s trademarked imagery “in a derogatory fashion” during a press conference objecting to a medical marijuana ballot measure in the state.

During the anti-medical marijuana press conference, Cox stood next to a cardboard cutout of a Medbox machine and claimed, “It’s just yet another way to put more marijuana into the hands of the public. These machines … don’t run 8 to 5. They run 24/7.”
Medbox said they filed the lawsuit because they believe that Cox and the FCAC have “tarnished the image and the technology of the company.”
“Our machines are used for controlled and compliant dispensing of traditional medications in assisted living facilities, hospitals, urgent care centers and pharmacies, as well as in alternative medicine dispensaries — where the systems are placed behind the counter and are an important tool in improving and maintaining compliance,” a Medbox officer rebuked in a statement that was also sent to Cox and the FCAC. “We believe that the negative image portrayed in this press conference has harmed our company.”
Read More

Imperial Beach Council Member Endorses Marijuana Initiative

0
By on Legislation, Medical, News

The Weed Blog

By Eugene Davidovich
 
Imperial Beach, California City Council member Brian Pat Bilbray on Friday issued an official endorsement in support of Proposition S, a voter initiative slated to appear on the November 6 ballot in the city. 
 
“With my sister having to use medical marijuana to treat her stage three melanoma this issue is very emotional and personal for me and my family,” Bilbray said. “If the federal government is not going to take it up upon themselves to start regulating, allow the FDA to actually look at it so it can be put in pharmacies, then it is up to the states to do exactly what they have done.”
 
If passed, Prop S would repeal the city’s current prohibition on medical marijuana dispensaries and replace it with strict zoning and operational requirements that would allow for a limited number of patient collectives and cooperatives to open in industrial and commercial zones of the city. Those that open would have to meet all operational and zoning requirements laid out in the measure including video cameras, centrally monitored alarm systems, overnight security, as well as strict non-profit operation.
Read More

Williams Faces 90 Years For Medical Marijuana

0
By on Dispensaries, Medical, News

Free Chris Williams/Facebook
Chris Williams faces a mandatory minimum sentence of more than 90 years in federal prison

Courageous Caregiver Refuses Constitutional ‘Compromise’
By Kari Boiter
“I have decided to fight the federal government because for me, not defending the things that I know are right is dishonorable,” writes Chris Williams from his cell at Crossroads Correctional Center, a for-profit prison in Shelby, Montana. “Every citizen has a responsibility to fight for what is right, even if it seems like the struggle will be lost.”
 
Williams’ words are particularly poignant. As he writes from prison, he faces the near-certainty that he will spend the rest of his life locked away in an industrial-size cage. His crime? Providing medical marijuana to terminally ill and disabled patients authorized to use cannabis under Montana law. 
Williams co-owned Montana Cannabis, along with Tom Daubert, Chris Lindsey and Richard Flor. Daubert was a lobbyist who helped write Montana’s medical marijuana law; Lindsey was a former public defender; Flor was the first registered caregiver in Montana; and Williams was the consummate farmer. Together, these men established a “gold standard” for strict compliance with Montana law. 
Read More

‘Superstring Theory’ Co-Founder Hits Feds For Ignoring Science On Marijuana

0
By on Medical, News

California Institute of Technology
John Schwarz: The Obama Administration “is ignoring scientists’ voices on medical marijuana policy”

Physicist John Schwarz speaks out in support of marijuana reclassification, and for prioritizing science over politics
Taking his first public political stance, John Schwarz, co-founder of ‘Superstring Theory’ and a Theoretical Physics professor at California Institute of Technology, published a commentary piece Thursday in the Huffington Post, urging the federal government to put aside the politics surrounding medical marijuana and pay attention to the abundance of scientific evidence. Schwarz has also invited his fellow scientists to join him in co-signing an open letter to President Obama at ScienceInPolicy.com, calling on him to uphold his promises to put science before politics.
Read More

NM Cannabis Expert To Speak On Effects Of Medical Marijuana Program

0
By on Legislation, Medical, News

Jane Phillips/The New Mexican
Steve Jenison, who worked as medical director for New Mexico’s medical marijuana program until his retirement, will voice his support for the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act, Issue 5

Arkansas Doctors Show Support for Issue 5
A press conference featuring Arkansas doctors voicing their support of Issue 5, the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act, will be held Thursday, November 1. Dr. Steve Jenison, chair of the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Advisory Board, will be the featured speaker. Dr. Jenison will speak about the success of the New Mexico program — its regulations, oversight and impact on the State of New Mexico, and about the similarity of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act to New Mexico’s own program.
Dr. Jenison worked at New Mexico’s Department of Health as the medical director for the medicinal cannabis program before he retired.
Read More

Another Cheap Stunt From SB 423 Author Sen. Jeff Essmann

0
By on Legislation, Medical, News

Montanafesto
It looks like the rough and tumble of politics is too much for Senator Essmann

Thin-Skinned Senator Files Complaint Over Campaign Rhetoric
Just 2 Weeks Ago, Essmann Staged Bogus Lawsuit Threat Against Attorney General
 
Not satisfied to have decimated patients’ rights, Montana state Senator Jeff Essmann is now attacking his critics with a formal complaint to the Commissioner of Political Practices.
 
The charge? Essman didn’t like a radio spot that mentioned his name.
 
“It looks like the rough and tumble of politics is too much for Senator Essmann,” said Bob Brigham, campaign manager for Patients for Reform, Not Repeal. “Maybe he should find a new career. His complaint against a radio spot of ours is untimely, wrong and desperate.”
 
“The fact is, the Montana Republican Party platform rejects his bill, SB 423, and calls for new medical marijuana legislation that is both workable and realistic,” Brigham added. “The writing is on the wall. SB 423 will either be rejected by the voters or rewritten in the next legislature. Senator Essmann is in denial over the fact that his handiwork is deeply flawed and won’t be law for much longer.”
Read More

Marijuana Vending Machines Coming To Arkansas? Not True!

0
By on Legislation, Medical

Gawker
Yes, there are a few of these in California. No, they are not coming to Arkansas, even if voters there legalize medical marijuana next Tuesday.

Lobbyists opposing the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act claimed on Tuesday that they “are working to discover whether or not medical marijuana vending machines are coming to Arkansas.” They aren’t.
“That’s simply not true; medical marijuana is only allowed to be dispensed in one of 30 licensed, non-profit dispensaries,” said David Couch, legal counsel for Arkansans for Compassionate Care. “This would not be allowed in Arkansas, unless it was approved by the Arkansas Department of Health.”
In California, vending machines add another level of security–helping to ensure that only patients get the medicine. Let’s take a look at how it works:
Read More

Oregon Military Veterans Urge Yes On Measure 80 Legalization

0
By on Legislation, Medical, News

Salem-News.com

“Denying veterans access to therapeutic cannabis is making criminals of our heroes.”
 
National advocates, elected officials and representatives of Oregon’s 300,000 military veterans on Monday joined together in Ashland and Portland to call attention to Oregon’s appalling policy of denying medical cannabis to sufferers of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to urge Oregonians to vote yes on Measure 80, which would allow adults 21 and older to purchase taxed and regulated cannabis (marijuana) at state-licensed stores.
Read More
1 … 88 89 90 91 92 … 203