Toke of the Town — Marijuana and Cannibis News

Legalization For Medication: College Student Speaks Out

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 17, 2010 Legislation, Medical

Photo: Ron Crumpton

Ron Crumpton: “The truth is that the war on marijuana is almost over; the stigma is gone.”

From time to time, Toke of the Town reads something that helps to shore up our sometimes shaky faith in the possibility, at some time in the future, of sane marijuana laws in the United States. Now and again, we see a piece of writing on the Web that makes us say, “Yeah! Things are going to be just fine.”

I had one of those moments recently when reading an op-ed from a student-run university newspaper in Alabama.

“Which university?” You might ask. Well, I can’t tell you, since they don’t want their name associated with Toke of the Town… which shows us there’s still a lot of work to do.

In any event, Ron Crumpton, who wrote the editorial in question, has generously agreed to allow us to reproduce the piece in its entirety.

Survey: Many Veterans, Others Use Cannabis For PTSD

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 16, 2010 Medical, News

Graphic: Esquire

Many veterans and others are using cannabis medically to treat the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), according to preliminary results of a new survey.

Cannabis Science Inc., which describes itself as “an emerging pharmaceutical cannabis company,” is reviewing the interim results of its survey of more than 1,400 people.

“It is clear that many veterans are already using herbal cannabis to self-medicate to relieve the symptoms of PTSD,” said Dr. Robert Melamede, president and CEO of Cannabis Science.

“Consequently, there is a clear need for standardized, FDA approved, oral cannabis products which can, and should be, provided to veterans and others who can benefit from its use,” Melamede said.

California To Host Psychedelic Science Conference

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 16, 2010 Culture, News

Graphic: MAPS

MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, has announced “Psychedelic Science in the 21st Century,” its international conference on psychedelic research.

The conference, which will be held in San Jose, California April 15-18, brings together international experts on psychedelic drugs.

According to MAPS, it will be the largest such conference in the United States in 17 years.

There will be three full days of programming with concurrent tracks exploring clinical and spiritual applications, issues relevant to health care professionals, and social and cultural issues surrounding the therapeutic, spiritual, cultural and recreational uses of psychedelics.

Patient Advocates Argue Against Marijuana Dispensary Ban

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 16, 2010 Dispensaries, Legislation, News

Photo: Laurie Avocado

Are California cities legally allowed to ban medical marijuana dispensaries? We may soon find out.

Legal briefs were filed Tuesday by patient advocates Americans for Safe Access (ASA) and California State Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) in an appellate court case that is expected to decide whether local governments can ban storefront distribution of medical marijuana.

Iowa Poll: 64% Back Medical Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 16, 2010 Legislation, Medical, News

Photo: Des Moines Register

Almost two-thirds of Iowans believe medical marijuana patients shouldn’t be arrested.

A new Iowa poll shows that almost two-thirds of Iowans — 64 percent — think patients should be allowed to use marijuana as medicine if their doctors approve.

However, fewer than a third of Iowans want to legalize cannabis for recreational purposes, the same poll shows, reports the Des Moines Register.

Fourteen states in the U.S. have already legalized the medical use of marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation.

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy plans to decide Wednesday whether to recommend that the Iowa Legislature follow suit.

Medical marijuana supporters say that cannabis can relieve pain and nausea for many patients suffering from debilitating diseases, including cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis.

Florida Man Thrown In Jail For Telling Police Dog To ‘Sit’

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 16, 2010 News

Photo: The Patriot-News
“That’s a good boy… We wont let those mean old potheads talk to my good boy anymore, no we won’t…”

A Florida man has been charged with striking a police animal for telling a drug dog to “sit.”

Mario Duane Porter, 21, of Gainesville, was charged last week with “striking a police animal” (which supposedly includes “interfering with a working police animal”), disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia and refusing to sign a citation for violating the city’s noise and window tint ordinances, reports Karen Voyles of The Gainesville Sun.

Prisoner Sets Up Pot Farm While On Day Release For ‘Work Experience’

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 15, 2010 Global, Growing

Photo: DEA

A British prison inmate turned an empty office into a marijuana farm while out on day release for “work experience.”

Disgraced businessman Christopher Sanders had been given time out by Sudbury Prison officials to find a job on the outside, in preparation for being released early from a seven-and-a-half-year prison stretch for fraud, according to the Daily Mail.

The 41-year-old instead spent £10,000 (more than $15,000) of his savings on high-tech equipment to grow a crop of cannabis.

Not A Hap-Hap-Happy Place: Ronald McDonald Busted For Marijuana

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 15, 2010 Culture, News

Photo: Foods For The Soul

McDonald’s is my kind of place. Iowa City Police arrested Ronald McDonald for possession of marijuana and allowing others to use pot at his residence on Sunday.

Officers responded to the 44-year-old’s residence after receiving a report of a “suspicious odor,” according to police. Outside McDonald’s residence, officers said they could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the house, reports Lee Hermiston at the Iowa City Press-Citizen.

Further investigation revealed “a quantity of marijuana” and other drug use paraphernalia, police claimed.

EBay Yanks High Times ‘At Request Of Federal Government’

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 15, 2010 Culture, News

Photo: Lisa Provence/The Hook

Merchant Fred Carwile was surprised when eBay, without warning, removed his listings for back issues of High Times magazine

A Virginia man says eBay deleted his sales listings for back issues of High Times — which he’s sold for years at the online auction site — at the request of the federal government.

Fred Carwile of Crozet, Va., said he was “frustrated and angry” that eBay pulled the ads without warning. What’s worse, he said two different eBay customer service representatives told him the marijuana-culture magazines were pulled “at the request of the federal government,” reports Lisa Provence at The Hook.

“The federal government cannot ban books,” Carwile said, noting that High Times is sold at Barnes and Noble and at convenience stores across the United States. “They’re pressuring a business to ban books.”

Denver Pot Grower Awaits Word On Federal Charges

By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ on February 15, 2010 Growing, Medical, News

9 News

Bartkowicz in the midst of giving the ill-advised interview which destroyed everything for which he had worked so hard

A Colorado man accused of running an illegal marijuana grow operation in his basement will likely appear later this week in federal court after a raid took place at his Highlands Ranch home.

The case of Chris Bartkowicz has ignited a battle between medical marijuana advocates and the U.S. Justice Department, reports Valerie Castro of CBS 4 Denver.

Jeffrey Sweetin, special agent in charge of the Denver office of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, oversaw the Friday raid of Bartkowicz’s home and subsequent arrest of the licensed medical marijuana provider after Bartkowicz bragged on television about his profitable grow op.