News

Maryland legislature approves of MMJ caregiver protections, bill moves to guv for signature

By William Breathes on April 2, 2013 Legislation, Medical, News

Maryland caregivers may soon have the same protections as medical marijuana patients in that state after the general assembly yesterday passed laws allowing them to possess up to an ounce at a time.
Laws passed in 2003 and 2011 allow patients to use medical necessity as a defense in court if they are busted with pot and paraphernalia. Caregivers would now have the same protections, which won’t necessarily keep them from being arrested but will allow them a valid argument in court. Charges could either be dismissed or dropped to a $100 civil fine.

South African residents find marijuana plantation, harvest it before police can act

By William Breathes on April 2, 2013 News, Say what?

Pretoria, South Africa.

Last weekend, residents of Saulsville, Pretoria, South Africa discovered a field of cannabis – called “dagga” in South Africa – growing in a field behind a community park.
But instead of calling the police, who would have destroyed the field, word spread quickly to the ganja smokers of the neighborhood who turned out in droves to harvest the buds before officials could do anything about it.

Colorado THC DUI bill moves forward to House floor

By William Breathes on April 2, 2013 News

Legislation to set THC driving standards in Colorado has failed twice before. However, a new version that also tweaks alcohol DUI rules won unanimous approval during its first House committee hearing in late February.
Momentum for the bill has not flagged in the month-plus since then. Yesterday, it was favorably reported out of the appropriations committee. It’ll next head to the House floor, where it faces little organized opposition. Why the change? Denver Westword has the rest of the story.

Marijuana decriminalization takes effect today in Rhode Island, up to an ounce now civil penalty

By William Breathes on April 1, 2013 Legislation, News

William Breathes.

A greener Rhode Island.

Congrats, Rhode Island residents over 18! Walking around with an ounce or less in your pocket will no longer be a criminal offense in your state starting today. Instead, possession of 28 grams or less is a civil violation (like a traffic ticket) that will get you a $150 fine.
No, this is not an April Fools joke.

Kansas family growing hydro tomatoes raided in failed marijuana bust

By William Breathes on April 1, 2013 News, Say what?

Wikipedia commons.

Apparently growing vegetables in your basement in Leawood, Kansas is reason enough for the local police to raid your house, hold you and your family at gunpoint and accuse your 13-year-old son of using marijuana. At least, that’s the message sent after Johnson County Sheriff deputies blew in the door of the Harte family home last year looking for marijuana.

Michigan medical mariuana program changes start today

By William Breathes on April 1, 2013 Legislation, Medical, News

Some big changes to Michigan’s medical marijuana laws go into effect today, including extending the length of time a recommendation is good for, redefining a doctor-patient relationship and clarifying who can be a state-registered caregiver.

Marijuana reform radio ad shut down by St. Louis station

By William Breathes on April 1, 2013 News

wikipedia.com

It’s all about the variety — unless, of course, you’re talking about marijuana.
It appears that 106.5 The Arch — the St. Louis FM radio station with the slogan “it’s all about the variety!” — declined to accept a paid advertisement from local marijuana reform advocacy group Show-Me Cannabis Regulation, because it was worried about the subject matter. The Riverfront Times has the rest.

Marijuana vending machines: helfpul or just hype?

By Jack Daniel on March 29, 2013 Dispensaries, Medical, News

Innovation is inevitable in any industry, and the field of medical marijuana is no different. With laws already in the books in 18 states and more on the way, investors who might not know their Blue Chips from their Blue Dream are flocking to these regions to stake their claim in what they see as the next big commodity.
White-collar Wall Street-types can certainly see the budding upside to sinking money into dispensaries, growing operations, and other cannabis related retail outlets. But those potential gains are often outweighed by the prospects of inventory control, employee management, product naiveté. And of course, the grey area that exists in all current state-level medical marijuana laws that fly in the face of Federal statute. Cue MedBox.

Massachusetts draft medical marijuana regulations released

By William Breathes on March 29, 2013 Legislation, News, Say what?

Massachusetts medical marijuana laws passed last November allows for up to 35 nonprofit dispensaries around the state, and draft regulations to guide the industry were just released today.
Among the proposed rules is the determination that a 60-day supply of marijuana can be up to ten ounces per patient and that all dispensaries would have to grow their own cannabis.

Colorado medical marijuana program flunks state audit

By William Breathes on March 29, 2013 Dispensaries, Medical, News

FAIL.

Colorado’s Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division has been a colossal waste of money and has failed to meet the goals set for them in 2010. That’s the sum of an audit released earlier this week by the state that lambasts the agency for their ineptitude over the last two-plus years.

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