Massachusetts
Vapes on black market may contain toxic chemicals, pesticides, harmful flavorings
Ingredients lurking inside marijuana and nicotine black-market vapes can transform into dangerous, toxic chemicals when heated and inhaled, with the worst impacts of vaping still unknown, according to experts. “We see in black market products, horrible pesticide contamination,” said Dr. Chris Hudalla, founder and chief science officer at Proverde Labs in Milford, which tests marijuana […]
Gambling Mogul Donates $1 Million To Snuff Out Marijuana Reform
Demonstrating a penchant for bad judgment, duplicity, and ignorance, Sheldon Adelson is doubling down on his dark brand of “logic” and fighting the effort to legalize marijuana from Nevada to Massachusetts. According to the Boston Globe, Sheldon Adelson is betting another massive pile of cash that he and his cohorts can persuade voters in Massachusetts […] Thanks to marijuana.com
Record Amount of States to Vote on Marijuana Reform
Back in June we covered which states were going to be voting on marijuana law reform in November 2016. We also listed each state and the initiatives that they were hoping to be voting on this November. Recently, I read a blog at Sensi Magazine with updates for the record amount of states that will be voting on marijuana […]
The post Record Amount of States to Vote on Marijuana Reform appeared first on The Weed Blog.
Pot Prohibitionist Kevin Sabet Violates Massachusetts Drug Law
Yesterday in Boston, TV station WGBH assembled a panel to conduct an in-depth discussion about marijuana legalization, specifically, the ballot question Massachusetts voters will answer this coming November. The good people of the Commonwealth will have the chance to determine whether or not marijuana should be available for recreational use and subsequently regulated like alcohol. […] Thanks to marijuana.com
Mass Extortion for Hopeful Dispensaries
Massachusetts voters approved the cultivation and sale of medical marijuana for predetermined medical conditions back in 2012, but the state calls itself home to a mere six dispensaries. So where are the rest? Most are still awaiting approval for their licenses. A whopping 174 dispensary applications are currently held up in legal limbo with Massachusetts, […] Thanks to marijuana.com
Marijuana Industry News May 10,2013
Respect the usa Marijuana Law Attaining More Support in Congress…
 
Lately legislation continues to be introduced in Congress that will allow states to pass through and regulate their very own marijuana laws and regulations. H.R. 1523, Respect Condition Marijuana Laws and regulations Act of 2013 would supply legal protection against federal government bodies for individuals following condition law. The balance presently has 15 co-sponsors and it is taking pleasure in bi-partisan support. The GOP has typically was firm against marijuana reform, however, it matches a lot of their political criteria. This law would return more privileges towards the states, create more jobs, keep your government from our way of life. The GOP is beginning in the future around on marijuana with Alaska Repetition. Don Youthful now supporting HR1523. The 2009 week Repetition Youthful told news shops that marijuana is “a states’ privileges problem, period.” He was certainly straight to the stage around the problem. As they keeps he hasn’t used marijuana personally, he lately stated I have existed it because many people who’re dear in my experience tried on the extender.Inch Marijuana reform has clearly acquired incredible momentum even though this specific bill might not pass, the writing on your wall is clearly there.
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Colorado Congress Election to Tax Marijuana…
Last November, Colorado became a member of Washington inside a historic event by becoming 1 of 2 states to legalize leisure marijuana. Area of the benefit of legal marijuana would be the revenues it may potentially generate, especially as our economy still struggles. However, simply passing the legislation was just the start. Colorado has needed to envisage to correctly regulate the legal marijuana industry. Now we observed the initial step as condition congress chosen to tax the purchase of marijuana. Congress approved two taxes, a 15 % excise tax, along with a 10 % florida sales tax. Additionally they talked about restrictions how much could be bought (ounce for citizens, quarter ounce for non citizens). Governor Hickenlooper indicated he props up rules. Voters may have the ultimate say in November around the high tax rates.
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Mass. Health Authorities Approve Final Rules For Medicinal Marijuana Program
 
We at marijuana.internet wrote extensively concerning the Northeast being a hotbed for marijuana reform. Massachusetts seems set to have their marijuana program off the floor. Voters approved a medicinal marijuana law in November but there have been many particulars to become completed. The state’s Public Health Council approved a 60 page document setting out the parameters from the program. Patients is going to be allowed to possess up t 10 oz . of marijuana per two months. The rules includes needs that medical cannabis be examined for pesticides, mold, along with other risks. Massachusetts is going to be among the couple of states that enables minors to get a prescription. Individuals under 18, with existence threatening ailments may be eligible for a a medicinal marijuana prescription. Michigan is presently among the only other states which has permitted minors to legally obtain marijuana.
 
 
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Marijuana Industry News March 15, 2013
International Leaders Want U.S. to Go After Legal Pot in Colorado and Washington…
Even as it is clear a vast majority of Americans wish to see marijuana laws reformed, the Federal government has resisted. One of the most complex situations for federal authorities is permitting legalized marijuana while abiding by international treaties. In 1961, the U.S. took part in the U.N. Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Officially we are expected to uphold our part as a party of this agreement. However, the United States has not exactly been weighed down by the past burdens of international treaty. Raymond Yans, president of the International Narcotics Control Board, recently said that federal law (where marijuana is still illegal, despite state laws on the contrary) was “good, but insufficient.” The momentum has clearly shifted and now fewer politicians in the United States seems inclined to come on to national airwaves and voice support for the continued and failed War on Drugs. Whether or not it is correct on the part of the American people, we typically do not respond well to the U.N. lecturing us. If Raymond Yans decides to come to America and give a speech on how he feels a 50 year old treaty is more important than suffering patients, or individual liberties, it should make for excellent television.
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Mass. Attorney General Dismantles Ban on Dispensaries…
Due to a successful ballot initiative by residents, Massachusetts is one of the newest states to approve the use of medical marijuana. Of course, controversy soon followed. Even before any dispensaries have opened, local municipalities have enacted bans. However, outright bans have been ruled illegal by the attorney general. A spokesperson for the Massachusetts attorney general’s office said “The act’s legislative purpose could not be served if a municipality could prohibit treatment centers within its borders, for if one municipality could do so, presumably all could do so.” However, local municipalities will have considerable power in overseeing dispensaries. They will be able to set out guidelines as to where dispensaries can be located, such as requiring they be a certain distance from schools, parks etc. This represents a major victory for patients as other states have adopted medical marijuana legislation, only outlaw dispensaries. This leaves the program in limbo. Most patients cannot be depended on to cultivate their own effective and safe medicine without the help of dispensaries.
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Governor Andrew Cuomo Includes Marijuana in NY State Budget Discussions…
Last year, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo decided to shift his hard line view on marijuana reform. The second generation New York governor ran his 2010 campaign with a seemingly inflexible view on marijuana. However, clarifying New York’s decriminalization law from the 1970s has been gaining momentum, especially in New York City. While possession of less than 25g is supposed to yield a civil citation (ticket), a loophole has allowed police to slap harsher charges. However, if marijuana is in plain view, then the offense is escalated to a misdemeanor charge. A tactic known as “Stop and Frisk”, easily allows police to capitalize on the loophole. Officers will tell someone to take marijuana out of their pocket, police can then arrest the individual for having it in “plain sight”, even as they were following the instructions of the officer. The tactic tends to disproportionately target young Hispanic and African Americans even as white teens smoke marijuana in higher numbers, and represent more of the general New York population. Governor Andrew Cuomo was initially mocked for proposing a solution to “Stop and Frisk”. He has argued that “plain sight” and concealed possession should both result in a civil citation charge. The proposal has gained popularity as communities have grown weary from seeing their teens jailed, and having criminal charges following them for the rest of their lives. Brooklyn Democrat, Karim Camara, echoed the growing sentiment and told reporters “We’re not only punishing the individual; we’re punishing society.” Mr. Camara cited how difficult it is for teens with a criminal record to get into college. Additionally, measures that would save the state money (especially post Sandy) are getting their time in the limelight. As New York state enters into bitter budget negotiations, Governor Cuomo appears to be holding at least a semi hard line on reforming marijuana law. It is not yet clear how this will play out politically and if this will force state republicans to accept the change in marijuana law.
Michigan May Be Election’s Unsung Hero
Now that we are almost a week removed from the historic 2012 election, new stories are emerging in the aftermath. Colorado and Washington State are receiving most of the headlines in the world of marijuana reform for enacting landmark legislation that will see recreational marijuana legalized. Massachusetts has received some attention as well for approving a medical marijuana program and becoming the 18th state to do so. These stories cover both the west and east coast, but as was the case in the presidential election, the Midwest would have a lot to say about marijuana reform.
Michigan is known for its progressive medical marijuana program. It is one of the only states that allows for suffering minors to receive legal medical cannabis prescriptions. Its flagship city, is now going to take a more progressive approach toward rebuilding its ailing economy and crime problem. Last week, Detroit voters decided to decriminalize marijuana. Several other Michigan cities witnessed residents enact similar measures as Flint and Grand Rapids also decided to shift away from failed marijuana policies.
The tension between law enforcement and Michigan residents has been steadily rising for several years now. Even as Michigan residents have voiced their desire to alter marijuana laws, state Attorney General Bill Schuette has been notorious for disregarding the will of the people. Nobody likes a sore loser, and elections are set up to highlight which ideas win out. However, it seems that many are sticking their fingers in their ears and singing loudly and ignoring the vote tallies. Previously, those who lost the elections were expected to step aside.
In Michigan, we still now hear the losers resolving to carry on as if there was not some monumental election last week. Flint police Chief Alvern Lock said “We’re still police officers and we’re still empowered to enforce the laws of the state of Michigan and the United States. We’re still going to enforce the laws as we’ve been enforcing them.” We at marijuana.net are wondering exactly when Michigan police were granted the authority and time of day to act as enforcers of federal law. It would seem there is much to do in fighting crime in Michigan besides moving heaven and earth looking for artificial crimes. As Brian Morrissey of Coalition for a Safer Flint stated “”If the city police want to follow state law rather than city law, then maybe the state should be paying their salary.” Is there room for police in Michigan to moonlight as federal agents?
Even if officials are still desperately clinging to failed policy and false memories of the imaginary golden age of the 1950s, this election clearly showed the people are not living inside such ridiculous bubbles. Elected officials are not accustomed to answering to anyone, but they certainly have bosses. In fact, over 100 million of them casted their votes last week. Lawmakers and officers may not yet respect their bosses, but the writing on the wall is clear. There may be more peaks and valleys but marijuana reform is coming, via the will of the people and bureaucrats beware, suppressing the majority has a habit of accelerating change. Many analysts believe we saw this last week, as the non-white voter turnout was higher than ever and perhaps in response to voter suppression attempts. We would like to take this time to congratulate the voters in Detroit and to send a friendly warning to authorities. The Detroit metro area is one of the most populous regions in the America, located in one of the larger states. Politicians and law enforcement beware, you are drastically outnumbered in your misguided quest to fight the people. Even as the economy improves, nobody wants to be unemployed, most especially elected officials.
Newest Marijuana Initiative Polls
Political junkies or those working in campaigns have been spending a considerable amount of time analyzing polls recently. Even those who are not as enthusiastic about the election probably cannot escape the constant updates on polling. Yesterday marijuana.net spoke about a polls showing that Colorado voters seem to be heavily leaning toward enacting a measure that would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana.
Today, we thought maybe we would talk about some polls on marijuana initiatives in other states. Colorado is not the only state with a major marijuana legislative overhaul law that will be voted on by the people in November. Arkansas, Montana, Massachusetts, Washington State and Oregon will leave the future of marijuana reform in the hands of voters in November. These polls are gauging the public’s interest in bills they will be voting on. However, there is also pending legislation in other states to legalize medical marijuana or decriminalize.
The news for activists has been in mostly in their favor. As marijuana.net mentioned yesterday, polls showed a strong majority of Colorado residents favoring the legalization of marijuana. Similar results were found in Washington State as 57% supported legalization with 34% opposed. In Massachusetts 58% of those polled signaled their support to legalize medical marijuana with only 27% opposing the measure. Additionally, a majority of Montana voters do not support the state setting up additional limits on the state’s medical marijuana program. Oregon voters were much more on the fence when it comes to legalizing marijuana with a slight majority disapproving of the measure (46%-43%). There has not been polling data on residents of Arkansas, where they will vote on bring medical marijuana to the south.
The likelihood of at least one state passing a legalized marijuana bill seems extremely high. Additionally it seems at one or more states may soon be joining the growing list of 17 states (and Washington D.C.) that have medical marijuana programs. While many of us have grown weary from polling and statistics being directed our way, we thought many marijuana activists would be pleased to see their efforts are winning over the people.