legalization
Marijuana Updates From Romania and Switzerland
The United States government has taken the first step toward repealing prohibition, Canada has relaunched and expanded the scope of their medical marijuana program, and Mexican leaders and celebrities are banding together in unprecedented fashion in order to legalize and reduce cartel violence. It was an eventful month in North America. Perhaps riding the momentum spilling out of North America for marijuana reform, Switzerland and Romania have announced major changes to their cannabis laws.
As of this month, marijuana possession for adults in Switzerland has been decriminalized. For those over the age of 18, getting caught with 10 grams or less will result in a ticket without jail time or a court appearance. The fine has been set at 110 Francs (approximately $120 in U.S. currency). The move was aimed at freeing up the courts, law enforcement resources, and creating a clear law across the board, as local municipalities have enacted different and conflicting laws. The penalties for selling marijuana to those under 18 have increased.
Romania also has moved forward with significant changes to their marijuana laws. Recreational use will remain banned, but a new medical marijuana program received the green light this week. They have become the 10th country within the European Union to legalize medical marijuana. Patients with certain debilitating conditions may be able to legally obtain marijuana to help with their symptoms. Manufacturers will soon be able to apply through Romania’s National Agency of Medicines.
We will keep you updated with any new developments on this or other international developments. Cannabis’ reputation as a healer and economy driver seems to be traveling far and wide these days.
Marijuana Industry News October 4, 2013
Legalizing marijuana would finish underground community states Israeli Study…
Prohibition continues to be associated with stimulating organized crime on several occasion. Our neighbors towards the south, Mexico have observed an excessive amount of top notch bloodshed as cartel energy continues to be in a position to flourish. The calls to legalize and reduce cartel influence haven’t been more powerful. Israel, such as the relaxation around the globe is attempting to develop a plans for additional revenue and fewer violence. A recent study there came to the conclusion they might accomplish both through marijuana legalisation. “Realizing the large financial gains that will originate from legalisation demands the government take serious consideration in the proposal to legalize cannabis use under specific recommendations,” stated Yarden Gazit, who co-written the research in Israel.
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Washington and Colorado with changes to marijuana banking…
As continues to be recommended formerly by marijuana.internet and lots of other sources, the greatest hurdles within the legal marijuana industry relates to banking. Federal government bodies have compelled the banking institutions to prevent letting shops operate business accounts. The outcome is marijuana, cash, with no recorded paper trail. Individuals in the market happen to be lobbying to alter this. With Colorado and Washington continuing to move forward using their recently legalized leisure market, the requirement for modern banking us essential. Washington Condition Gov. Jay Inslee and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper wrote instructions to federal government bodies, including Secretary of Treasury, Ben Bernanke. In it they condition that banking is a necessary aspect of ensure a correctly controlled system.
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Marijuana Policy Project’s effective advertising campaign strikes again…
Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) has already established a string of much talked about and effective advertisements launched lately. They have specific the National football league and Dale earnhardt jr ., getting contradictions to light how alcohol is treated versus. marijuana. Sticking with similar theme, MPP has become setting up advertisements at bus animal shelters in Tigard Maine. “I prefer marijuana over alcohol since it doesn’t cause me to feel rowdy or reckless,” among the advertisements reads. “Why must i be punished?” On Election Day in November, citizens in Tigard they would like to legalize small quantities of leisure marijuana for grown ups. Metro, Portland’s public bus service has gotten some complaints concerning the advertisements but stated the advertisements were considered political advertising, and turn into inside their advertising recommendations.
 
New Medicinal Marijuana System Implemented in Canada
Recently, the marijuana discussion within the U.S. has focused on the current claims through the Department of Justice as well as their claim that they’ll respect condition laws and regulations, and never prosecute individuals who follow them. Our neighbors up north did a little more for patients than simply simply making claims.
With what should eventually serve 500, 000 Canadian citizens, the nation’s health agency is starting a government run medicinal marijuana program. Instead of just private care providers licensed for everyone 3 patients, the brand new system may have massive farms with considerable safety and procedural oversight. The market is likely to eventually grow to at least one.3 billion dollars of revenue each year in Canada.
Doctors will complete an easy form for patients when they qualify. The new massive system may benefit patients in a number of ways . Additional oversight and safety screening can help prevent many problems, including individuals connected with mold and bugs. The cost of medicine is anticipated to fall as little as $3 per gram for several strains. Additionally, farmers will focus on offering different amounts of potency that ought to make sure that people are not removed if their comfort levels.
The machine sounds great theoretically though nobody will have the ability to determine the potency of it for a while. Many question if your system that’s moving from small , frequently personalized develops, to enormous sized procedures will have the ability to support the same attention and take care of patients. We at marijuana.internet are wishing patients in Canada don’t become an afterthought. It will likewise be worth keeping a watch onto find out if this pushes a leisure movement forward. Is the outcomes of the program have an effect in either case on whether Canada legalizes leisure marijuana?
 
Marijuana Industry News September 27, 2013
Poll: Majority of California Residents Support Legal Marijuana…
While many think that support for marijuana legalization in California is a foregone conclusion, that has not always been the case. Residents have supported medical marijuana for years. At times, residents against recreational legalization have seemed to outnumber those for it. That trend is starting to change and recent polls show a majority of residents do support legal marijuana. With what happened last year in Colorado and Washington, and the DOJ’s recent admission that they will not prosecute those in accordance with state law, it may not be a surprise if the trend continues all over. A recent poll conducted by Public Policy Institute of California, indicated that 52% of California residents would like to see marijuana legalized. Democrats favored legalization by a margin of 64-33 while Republicans favored keeping marijuana illegal by a margin of 53-45%. The poll also found significantly more support for federal authorities to respect state laws, 68% of likely voters said the federal government should not interfere with state marijuana laws. California has encountered considerable financial and budgetary problems, perhaps making the idea of green lighting new tax revenues popular.
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NORML Makes Attempt at Getting Marijuana Ad to Air During Superbowl…
The NFL may not be able hide under its archaic marijuana policy for much longer. Calls to reduce mandatory suspensions for marijuana violations
are coming from all over. There is no mandatory suspension for Dui related arrests. Marijuana Policy Project recently put up a billboard outside of the Denver Broncos stadium that questioned the NFL’s pro alcohol and anti-marijuana policies. The billboard received a great deal of press. Now there may be a chance NORML takes the issue to even newer heights. Intuit is running a contest where the organization that receives the most votes will have a Superbowl ad paid for. NORML’s ad is currently the leader in votes. It will be interesting to see if Intuit will award NORML or refuse to help the ad air. Fox, the television host of the Superbowl may also elect not air the commercial. Unfortunately for Intuit, they may find that you cannot send an open offer to the people if you are not prepared to discuss what is truly on their minds.
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High Profile Mexicans Urge Decriminalization In Newspaper Ad…
Former Mexican president Vicente Fox has been beating the marijuana legalization drum for years. The country is experiencing devastating cartel violence and the idea of legalizing marijuana to reduce cartel power is popular. Earlier this week, a newspaper advertisement was printed with many highly successful Mexican residents including a Nobel prize scientist, businessmen, actors, and lawmakers coming together to call for marijuana decriminalization. The ad had a caption that read :
“Mexico has paid a high cost for applying the punitive policy of prohibition. We know well that neither decriminalization nor any other individual measure represents a panacea to end the violence, corruption and lawlessness in Mexico. But effective decriminalization of marijuana consumption by raising the dose permitted for personal use is a step in the right direction.”
The Republican Case for Legalizing Marijuana
From the social movements in the 1960s, to the Democratic party embracing the idea in recent years, marijuana reform has not enjoyed a tremendous amount of conservative support. Oddly enough, the modern bullet points for legalizing actually match the Republican/conservative philosophy perfectly.
Republican campaign manager, Ryan Scheutte recently submitted a piece to www.policymic.com, highlighting the reasons that marijuana legalization is and should be a Republican mission. The article describes quotes from Pauline Sabin, the first woman to sit on the Republican National Committee and was also the founder of The Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform. Back in 1932, she commented on alcohol prohibition by saying publicly “The young see the law broken at home and upon the street, can we expect them to be lawful?” Scheutte mentions that she was correct, and credits her with being an integral part in revoking the disastrous experiment of alcohol prohibition.
Scheutte discusses that it is acceptable to change one’s mind. In 2009, he ran a campaign for a candidate looking to unseat Ron Paul (R-TX), an outspoken defender of personal liberties and marijuana rights. The campaign referred to marijuana as a “troubling substance” and any measure to normalize it was a “blatant disregard” for the
districts values. Scheutte now admits he was mistaken and compares his view of only a few years ago to his great grandmother’s.
Ryan Scheutte then outlines, in detail, four benefits to marijuana legalization with all of them matching Republican values:
1. Pot would create jobs and help prevent Detroit-style bankruptcies
2. We could unplug overcrowded prisons and save tax dollars
3. Legalization could help starve violent cartels at home and abroad
4. We could ease suffering for those who live with chronic illnesses
We at marijuana.net agree! There are even more benefits, but for the time being it would be great progress if the Republican party adopted the above four principles. New Republican support is not a surprise as the vast majority of this country believes in serious marijuana reform. It is becoming the consensus issue.
Marijuana Inudstry News August 30, 2013
World Drug Study: Marijuana Most Popular, Opiates Most Fatal…
The first ever global study on substance use was recently completed. The study included data from surveys conducted around the world in 2010. The goal was to measure substance use rates for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and others. Marijuana proved the most popular substance surveyed across the world and opiates proved to be the most fatal. Men in their 20s had the highest rate of abuse worldwide. The U.S, Australia, Britain, and Russia were the countries with highest substance abuse rates. Some of the data was may not be conclusive but “we can say definitely that there are drug problems in most parts of the world,” said Theo Vos, of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, the study’s senior author.
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Mexico City Considers Marijuana Legalization…
Since his departure from the Mexican presidency in 2006, Vicente Fox has been one of the most high profile and outspoken advocates of marijuana legalization. He even has said he would grow cannabis if legalized. With the human and financial casualties taking a huge toll on Mexico, support for major marijuana reform has been growing steadily. Now the discussion has escalated even further in Mexico City where legalization could soon be on the way. Mexican lawmakers have recently been debating legalization of marijuana and other substances in order to regulate and save money. Half of the marijuana consumed in the U.S. is believed to originate from Mexico. There are now many seeking to tax and help Mexico’s struggling finances. Additionally, legalization could help reduce the violence. Over 100,000 people have either been killed or have gone missing since 2006 because of cartel activity. Next month a final forum will be held by government leaders in Mexico City. Though it is not clear that the result will be legalization it seems like more and more of a possibility.
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Utah Mom Seeking Medical Marijuana to Treat Son…
There has been a growing trend of desperate parents who have no choice but to turn to marijuana as their only hope of providing a quality of life to their ailing children. Recently there was a high profile case in New Jersey where parents pleaded with Governor Christie to allow the use of medical marijuana for their child who struggled with an extreme form of epilepsy known as dravet syndrome. Governor Christie did change the state law so the child could receive care. This week we learned of another mother in a similar situation. Jennifer May is a Mormon from Utah who has run out of treatment options for her 11 year old son. He too has dravet syndrome. Ms. May, a self identified republican initially felt that administering marijuana to children was a crazy idea. Unfortunate Utah has not passed a law permitting medical marijuana. Jennifer May has now been pushing to change that. She recently said “We don’t think it’s a cure, we don’t expect it to be a miracle. It just needs to be something we can try for our kids that don’t have anything left. I want to see if this can even give my child a quality of life for a few years.” Utah is known as a very conservative state where legal medical marijuana previously seemed like a long shot. Her story is gaining traction however, and could possibly become a rally point for medical marijuana support in Utah.
Marijuana Industry News August 9, 2013
Older Generations Trying Marijuana in Higher Numbers Than Younger…
Earlier this week Marijuana.net reported on a recent Gallup survey that found the number of teens co summing marijuana has remained steady for years. The conversation revolved the perceived notion that legal medical and recreational marijuana would lead to a spike in usage by the teen to 29 year old bracket. In 1985, 56% of of those ages 18-29 had tried marijuana. Now, according to the new Gallup data, that number is just 36%. Of from the ages of 30-49, 49% have tried cannabis. As much or more of a surprise is that those from the 50-64 age bracket are smoking marijuana at much higher rates. In 1985 only 9% of Americans from the age of 50-64 smoked marijuana. Now that number has risen to 44%. The makeup and attitudes of this age group is considerably different. In 1985, many people from this group were World War 2 and Korean War vets. Today many from this age group were part of the Hippie Movement. Additionally, critics of legal marijuana dismiss the chance that regulation works. Any marijuana to them will result in waves of zombie like teens willing to anything for access with caregivers driving around in vans willing to distribute. Perhaps medical cards has been a deterrent for teens.
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Chilean Psychologist Leads Push To Follow Uruguay’s Legal Marijuana Path…
Recently we learned that Uruguay has moved very close to legalizing marijuana. The impact may be spreading thought Central and South America as there seems to be even more interest in Chilean marijuana activist, Dr. Milton Flores. He is considered to be the most well known marijuana reform advocate in Chile. The psychologist has been a long time advocate of legalizing marijuana. He is trying to end the criminalization of those who are non violent or require medical relief. Dr. Flores has been He recently said “Cannabis is neither good nor bad. Its use can be appropriate or inappropriate. It’s a tool that can have very significant effects.” While Dr. Flores had been trying to bring awareness the issue for decades, he has found much more support in recent years. There has been growing support for legalization in Chile as of late. Mexico may also consider legalization soon as their former president, Vicente Fox had been quite vocal on the issue. With Uruguay’s plans to move forward on marijuana legalization, the idea seems to be generating momentum all over South and Central America.
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Arkansas Activists Revise and Resubmit Medical Marijuana Ballot…
The Deep South may represent the last stronghold of marijuana reform opposition. When it comes to reform, the west was first, the northeast has been on fire, and medical marijuana has even made its way to the Midwest. However, with Florida having an elderly population in need of medicine and already producing the highest quantities of illegal marijuana, there clearly is demand in the sunshine state. While reform in Florida may be on the way, it is Arkansas who may be the first to drastically alter marijuana laws. The group Arkansans for Medical Cannabis are working hard to get the decision into the hands of the people. A previous ballot proposal was rejected by state Attorney General Dustin McDaniels lady month. If approved this time, which is certainly not guaranteed, those with Arkansans for Medical Cannabis would have the opportunity to collect enough signatures and put medical marijuana to a vote of the people in 2014.
Gallup: Rate of Individuals Who Try Marijuana Almost Unchanged Since ’80s
Legal marijuana should be resulting in an increase in consumption. Right? Even when this really is the usual understanding for many, recent info launched by Gallup signifies otherwise. In a poll carried out recently, Gallup discovered that 38 percent of participants reported getting attempted marijuana. This is just up from 34% in 1999 and33% in 1985. Only 7% of participants reported current marijuana use. The data seemed to be divided by political preference with 49% of liberals showing they’d attempted marijuana sooner or later and 32% of conservatives saying exactly the same. Only a tiny 2% of conservatives stated to presently use marijuana. This comes at any given time where individuals in support of overall legalisation is booming continuously, so that as PolicyMic.com lately reported, many for don’t even consume cannabis.
Many feel it’s a formality more individuals are smoking or consuming marijuana. Legal cannabis laws and regulations have broadened in the medical and leisure realm. To date, it doesn’t appear the development of legal marijuana includes a significant effect on overall use. Marijuana isn’t considered physically addictive. Possibly people searching for marijuana, is going to do so in either case, while individuals who abstain will probably still abstain.
There’s also not a way of knowing if individuals questioned by Gallop really believe if marijuana me is rising. Hysteria within the results of cannabis are mainly gone. Two decades have passed because the sixties and individuals gripping towards the old fears are few in number. Lots who attended Woodstock take presctiption Medicare insurance. Because the anxiety about marijuana drops, the frustration using the Fight against Drugs increases. The ultimate price of prohibition and insufficient results is really a strategy most want to see upon the market.
The near future ought to provide a good deal conclusive info on any possible links between marijuana consumption rates and availability. Additional states will probably pass medicinal marijuana legislation. Leisure marijuana could also soon be growing. A boost in marijuana use might be likely, although not always due to the reason why formerly feared. Scientists are learning a good deal about marijuana daily. The medical potential is just now being understood. More patients might find relief and extra education will state and lower the outcome of past propaganda.
Marijuana Industry News May, 31 2013
Study: Medicinal Marijuana Prevents Brain Damage…
Medicinal marijuana had certainly made the situation by itself like a great discomfort, anxiety, and stress reliever. Preventing brain damage can also be put into the constantly growing listing of conditions medicinal marijuana can help with. In research on rodents, marijuana was proven to safeguard the mind from damage connected with seizures, toxic drug exposure, and deficiencies in oxygen. Josef Sarne, of Tel Aviv College, made the findings. Many are looking forward to the potential for these studies. It may even become for marijuana to become given before dangerous surgical procedures in an effort to offer greater protection for that brain. Mr. Sarne also feels marijuana is an efficient tool in testing epileptic seizures.
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Activists Pushing for Legal Marijuana in Tigard Maine…
There already have been substantial conversations regarding legal and controlled marijuana within the condition of Maine. Portland citizens might not wait for a condition to come to a decision and it is thinking about legalizing small quantities of marijuana. The activist group, People for any Safer Tigard, are leading the charge to gather enough signatures to obtain the problem towards the ballot. Over 3,200 signatures happen to be posted while 1,500 are essential. Assuming the condition validates an adequate amount of the signatures, voters will ultimately determine if marijuana becomes legal. Tom Macmillan belongs to the coalition and lately stated “The citizens of Maine’s biggest city strongly offer the finish of marijuana prohibition for grown ups, just like alcohol prohibition ended decades ago.”
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NY Congress Approve Law to repair Stop and Frisk and Truly Decriminalize…
New York’s lengthy running Stop and Frisk cleaning soap opera might be visiting and finish. The condition set up has approved legislation, by a margin of 80-59, that will close the plain sight loophole frequently utilized by cops. Only hidden marijuana is decriminalized in New You are able to Condition. Officers frequently demand that people (who’re extremely Black and Hispanic) empty their pockets simply to arrest them marijuana in public places view. The bill will go prior to the condition senate. That might be probably the most challenging political hurdle as New You are able to Governor, Andrew Cuomo, has openly supported closing the loophole.
Marijuan Industry News May 3, 2013
Way forward for La Marijuana Industry Might be Made the decision by Voters inside a Couple of Days…
La has observed quite the cleaning soap opera if this involves marijuana law. City Council authorities have experienced a range of ineffective ideas through the years inside a desperate make an effort to provide some semblance of regulation. However safe access for patients is frequently an after thought when these politically motivated ideas are created. There are three ballots that’ll be chosen on by La citizens on May 21st. You will see three measures relating to medicinal marijuana regulation that La Voters will select from. Ordinance E has lost support and it is basically glitch, as congress and U . s . Food and Commercial Employees union leaped ship after initially supporting the measure. Although abandoned, Ordinance E can’t be removed the ballot. Proposition D may also be around the ballot and can require a tax increase on medicinal marijuana transactions. However, the measures would also neglect to correctly address safety, lab testing, marijuana worker background inspections, and barring minors from entering shops. This really is the key reason why Marijuana.internet is promoting Ordiance F. If passed, Ordiance F provides probably the most comprehensive method of modern medicinal marijuana law. Taxes would be employed to supplement costs connected with education, police, and also the fire department. It might also require detailed financial records and transparency from dispensary operators. The goup Angelenos for Safe Access is attempting to boost awareness and be sure that patient’s safety factors are the main priority of Los Angeles’ efforts to manage medicinal marijuana.
 
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Federal Suit Accuses Police of Distorting Marijuana Accusations to produce Busts…
New York’s questionable “Stop and Frisk” tactic has brought to a lot of unnecessary busts and it has snapped up many head lines. Many New You are able to citizens have desired to visit a change in the manner police make use of a loophole to bypass the state’s decriminalized marijuana possession laws and regulations. Having under 25 grams of marijuana in New You are able to is really a civil infraction, unless of course the marijuana is within plain view, which could then be a misdemeanor charge. When officials utilize “Stop and Frisk” they frequently arrest individuals The NYPD has defended the practice which appears to focus on mainly non whites. From the 50 plus,000 1000 busts for marijuana this year, 84% were Hispanic or Black. The space is much more pronounced within the Bronx and five citizens within the northern borough have filed a federal civil privileges suit from the NYPD. The suit accuses Police of distorting what the law states to conduct searches of Black and Hispanic people without cause. What The Law States Department of recent You are able to City has yet to said around the situation and states haven’t yet been offered using the suit.
 
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Ohio Lawmaker Introduces Marijuana Legalisation Bills…
 
As the conversation regarding marijuana reform has increased within the Northeast, and try to appears to become thriving out west, it is vital that we don’t neglect what’s going on in the center of the nation. Michigan is a Area trailblazer for a long time if this involves progressive marijuana law. Ohio has become also joining the conversation as Condition Democratic Repetition. Robert Hagan features two bills that will drastically reform Ohio’s marijuana law. House Bill 153 would permit using medicinal marijuana for individuals with chronic conditions. This could make Ohio the twentieth condition to legalize medicinal marijuana with Maryland becoming the 19th now. House Joint Resolution 6 would put a choice of a tax and regulation system of leisure marijuana towards the Ohio voters. Repetition. Hagan has in comparison Resolution 6 towards the lately passed legalisation enter in Colorado. Hagan lately stated “With invested allocated to the fight against drugs with little progress to exhibit for this, the time is right for additional sensible drug policy within this country…This problem warrants a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ election through the people.”