medical marijuana
1956, a Grave Injustice
One of the more infamous events in drug law history was the passage of the Narcotic Control Act in July of 1956. One of its many effects was the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for possession, distribution and trafficking of drugs, particularly Marijuana. At this time, Marijuana was still highly castigated by the majority of the US population, especially those eager-to-please, power-hungry politicians. Henry J Anslinger (the man behind the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937) was still the drug czar of the era, and although this bill was not his brain-child, he certainly championed it as it gave enormous power to his organization (the Federal Bureau of Narcotics). Interestingly enough, some members of the Federal bureaucracy (those in law enforcement) were against this because it gave so much power to a sub-department of the Treasury Department. Some of its provisions wanted bureau agents to carry firearms and serve warrants. It also allowed them to make arrests and obtain wiretaps without warrants.
In the 1950’s, “narcotic” drug use was ramping up in the United States. Also, it was a time where the first congressional hearings were broadcast on television. These Senate hearings discussed organized crime and its continued rise in power. Where was this stemming from? More money = more power, and the crime lords were making vast swaths of money in drug trafficking, specifically heroin, cocaine and marijuana. For a quick tutorial on this, take a few minutes to check out The Godfather. There’s a great scene where the Dons of the Five Families get together and discuss how they will make peace between themselves and carve out their empires by building on drug revenue. Some were against drug sales due to moral objections (although they had no problem with gambling, prostitution and protection rackets) while others saw an untapped market just waiting to explode. Well, the entrepreneurs were right and drugs were indeed the wave of the future. It only takes a little taste to get most users hooked. So, a lot of society’s members were legitimately worried about this rising tide. It was a pity that Marijuana got caught up with the much more dangerous drugs, but alcohol and tobacco were once again ignored.
Let’s get to the meat-and-potatoes of this bill. It “increased the minimum and maximum penalties for all drug offenses to 1-10 years, 5-25 years, and 10-40 years for succeeding convictions; increased the fine in an categories to $20,000; and imposed 5-20 years upon first conviction for any smuggling or sale violation, and 10-40 years thereafter, with a separate penalty of 10-40 years for any sale or distribution by a person over eighteen to a minor, and from ten years to life, or death when a jury so recommended, if the drug was heroin. All discretion to suspend sentences or grant probation, and all parole eligibility-generally available to anyone convicted under any other federal criminal law-were prohibited except for first offenders convicted of possession only.” By removing the chance for parole, inmates had no incentive to reform their behavior and become functional members of society. Furthermore, the law required that anyone convicted of drug crimes must register and receive special licenses to exit and enter any borders of the United States. Failure to comply with this provision led to fines and further imprisonment. There are a few more caveats to this piece of legislation; if there are any interested people, that information can be found here.
This law stood until it was thankfully overturned in 1970. It led to many thousands of arrests and incarcerations. Many of the convicted were young offenders and served the majority of their lives in jail, if they lived long enough to be released. There were a lucky few who were pardoned by President Kennedy in 1962, but there were very few.
Surprised, horrified, and/or upset by this tidbit of history? Well, there’s plenty more where that came from. Luckily this law is gone, but the Marijuana community has many more battles to fight before they can declare victory.
Medical Marijuana Industry News March 30, 2012
Rhode Island Lawmakers Consider Legalizing Marijuana For Recreational Use…
Rhode Island has been full of marijuana updates lately. Earlier in the week it was reported that RI is considering three new medical marijuana facilities. Currently, medical marijuana is permitted if patients meet certain criteria. They are allowed to possess 2.5 ounces and 12 plants but there are no dispensaries. In a newer development, it was revealed that legislators in Rhode Island are now even considering legalizing marijuana for recreational use. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hear both sides of the debate on Tuesday. Decriminalizing cannabis will also be discussed at Tuesday’s hearing.
Initiatives to Make Marijuana Enforcement Lowest Priority are Underway in 6 Washington State Cities…
Washington State has already considered serious marijuana reform by the actions of New Approach Washington. The group was able to collect enough signatures for marijuana legalization (Initiative 502) to make it to the ballot and face a vote by the people. In the meantime however, it looks as if residents in Washington will attempt other ways in which to reform marijuana law. Sensible Washington is making a huge effort to push the decriminalization initiatives in Spokane, Olympia, Kent, Bellingham, Everett, and Bremerton. Seattle and Tacoma have already passed similar legislation making marijuana enforcement for personal adult use the lowest priority by authorities.
New York State Bans the Sale of Synthetic Marijuana…
Lawmakers in New York State have been pushing for a ban on synthetic marijuana for the past several months. They have finalized the ban preventing convenience store and tobacco shops from selling the popular products such as “K2” and “Spice”. Many have been concerned with recent health reports on the products. Teenagers seem especially vulnerable as there have been many emergency room visits reported that have been linked to use of synthetic marijuana. Many of these instances involve teens not being able to speak or acknowledge their surroundings. The National Poison Control Center has received 8,000 calls involving synthetic cannabis since 2011. The rise in the numbers is staggering as New York had 4 such instances in 2009 and 2010. New York State Senator Charles Schumer has led the charge for both a national ban and New York’s ban on synthetic cannabis. He has met opposition on a federal by those who feel any ban should be left up to individual states. Most states have already enacted similar bans.
The Danger in Delivery
Most of the updates we cover in the medical marijuana industry are very serious. Patients seeking relief need marijuana reform desperately so that there is no shame or embarrassment in acquiring their medicine. However, there are times when developments highlighting the need for change are actually quite comical.
The idea of criminals using masks to conceal their identities is nothing new. However, it appears we have seen a rise in crimes performed by those wearing costumes of our favorite popular culture figures. One famous case involved none other than Darth Vader himself who apparently was short on cash and felt compelled to rob a Chase bank in 2010. Two “ninjas”, or at least individuals with authentic costumes, robbed a medical marijuana delivery man. The man dropped a bag of cannabis that was intended for a patient and also money. The two costumed perpetrators thankfully were not armed with Katana blades, but instead batons. No one was hurt and authorities are on the lookout for the ninjas, who may evade capture if their stealth techniques are sharp enough. This story does provide something serious to take away from it however. Those who usually deliver products door to door are not in as much of a high risk situation as a marijuana worker. Pizza delivery employees do not have piles of cash and valuable marijuana on them. Those delivering cannabis should be taking extra precaution and perhaps even escorted by security personnel.
Another comical example of just how much marijuana laws need to be reformed was provided by a man in Massachusetts. Michael Sansone of Whitman did not exactly make much of an effort to conceal his illegal business. He had business cards printed that had a picture of marijuana plant with the words “for sale” and “medical”. Additionally the cards included a phone number and directions that stated “ask for Mike”. The business hours were listed as 3pm-7pm weekdays and 12pm-6pm on weekends. Local Deputy Police Chief Scott Benton said “I guess he’s not an early riser. Only in America.” Police arrested Mr. Sansone after he approached a woman and asked if she wanted to purchase marijuana. He opened the trunk of his car to show her that he had it. The frightened woman contacted local police. Massachusetts does not even permit medical marijuana, and certainly will have zero tolerance for public selling out of one’s car. Although the story may induce a few chuckles, Mr. Sansone is breaking state law and likely does not have his marijuana tested by a lab.
While we can have a little fun with these two news stories, in no way do we want to lose sight of the daily struggles for so many patients. More security precautions should be the future of any delivery service and may eliminate the “ninjas” from stealing medicine and cash. Safe access would prevent the black market that allows an eccentric individual to sell marijuana out of his car. While funny stories bring a smile to our faces, we would see even more smiles on patients faces if we take the stigma out of their medicine.
Landlords Renting to Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Could Face more Jail Time than Violent Offenders
A single article cannot even begin to decipher the priorities of our government. Law is supposed to be fair, just, and consistent. However, when comparing the penalties from one crime to another, the consistency just simply is not there.
A recent article posted on Opposing Views.com highlights several examples of how punishments are not fitting the crimes committed. Jonathan Janetski, a landlord in Montana is facing charges for maintaining a “drug involved premises.” By leasing his property to a medical marijuana dispensary, he could potentially be incarcerated for decades. That may not be the case and according to Opposing Views he is much more likely to serve about 3 years in prison, and will actually be behind bars for more time than those who cultivated the marijuana. The article then compares Mr. Janetski’s situation to another Montana resident, Kyle Eugene Avery.
Job recruiters often recommend that resumes should be no more than one page, because apparently, intelligent well read employers are bored easily. This obviously limits their casual reading choices. We could only imagine what recruiters would say about confining a criminal rap sheet to a single page. In Kyle Eugene Avery’s case he may have to use single space and 8 point font. In 2008, Avery served one (two year sentence) for first degree arson. The next year he was charged with sexual battery but the case was dismissed. He followed this up with a conviction for one count of lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child under 16 years of age. After that his ex girlfriend and her roommate accused him of raping them. Prosecutors also said he sexually assaulted a third woman while she slept. Authorities have dropped the two rape charges and a judge feels that Avery deserves a suspended sentence. Sexual assault in Montana carries a far lighter sentence and Avery faces a maximum of six months in jail while Janestski will likely spend far more time familiarizing himself with prison walls.
Hell hath no fury like a scorned politician. While the two situations outlined above describe problems with Montana law, the federal government has demonstrated a problem with how they allocate their legal resources. Despite the fact that medical marijuana has overwhelming support from Americans, politicians have insisted on using every tool at their disposal to punish those who use a naturally growing plant. They ask how dare anybody think differently than the likes of Rick Santorum and Orin Hatch who have not been able to adjust with a changing culture? We would ask that our government refocuses its efforts to protect the civil rights of Americans. Like any relationship, it is ok to admit when you have been wrong. In fact, it would be the mature thing to do, to tell patients they can have relief and that no one else will die due to re-election or presidential campaigns.
Other than Bernie Madoff, the government rarely seems inclined to bring down the hammer on those who commit financial crimes on Wall Street (despite how many retirement funds and lives are ruined) yet those leasing their property to allow a business to help patients should expect an extended stay in an 8×8 room. While we at marijuana.net usually do not like to bring up the “what about the children” argument, we do have to question what message we are sending. George Zimmerman has yet to be arrested and currently faces no jail time even as he shot and killed 17 year old Trayvon Martin, who was armed only with skittles and iced tea. Mr. Zimmerman claims that he was assaulted and we do respect the due process, but a teenager was shot dead by him and it is surprising no charges have been formally introduced. While the comparison between Jonathan Janetski and Kyle Eugene Levy may not become a dinner table conversation, Trayvon Martin has. Americans are long overdue to start questioning exactly what the goals of law enforcement on every level truly are.
Los Angeles Medical Marijuana Workers join Labor Union
Everyone in the American work force would appreciate more employment perks. However, most of us do not have to fear being arrested by federal authorities at work. Medical marijuana dispensary employees have to confront this fear regularly, and now workers in Los Angeles seeking better representation and protection have now joined the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 770.
UFCW 770 represents a wide variety of retail workers including barbers, beauticians, pharmacy workers, meat packing and food processing employees, and laboratory workers. Ricardo Icaza, president of Local 770, was eager to welcome the dispensary workers. He summed up his excitement by saying, “This is the next step in professionalizing and stabilizing this new sector of the health care industry. “This is a positive step towards successfully integrating compassionate care into our system of health care.”
The move is in response to the proposed ban on medical marijuana dispensaries by the Los Angeles City Council. Mr. Icaza indicated that he directed the union’s political influence toward pressuring officials to avoid the ban. The president of the Greater Los Angeles Collective Alliance (GLACA), Yamileth Bolanos, welcomed the help and said “It’s time to bring in some big guns,” she told the Los Angeles Times “Not only are they threatening access for patients, they’re also trying to take jobs away from our employees.”
Workers in this vulnerable industry are seeking more protection and assurances that they can serve patients. The Los Angeles employees are not the only medical marijuana workers to join a union. In October of last year, Colorado dispensary workers also joined the UFCW. While the moves may not yield results overnight, workers may benefit from greater representation. This ultimately may not eliminate federal raids but could possibly bring more attention to vulnerable jobs that our economy cannot ill afford to lose.
Marijuana Worldwide
When people talk about legal developments in marijuana, they’re usually talking about the United States or the Netherlands. It’s also famous in Jamaica and a few other countries. But there is a whole world out there where cannabis is grown and consumed. What about those other places? From Canada to Peru, Australia, Korea, Thailand and more, what do they have going on? Most of the countries of the world have laws against growing, selling and possessing marijuana. Why is that? Well, thanks to dependence on foreign aid, and big countries throwing their weight around, it can be pretty difficult to find decent herb. In some countries it is illegal but overlooked, others have minimal policing efforts (read: bribes are OK) and in some countries the penalties include harsh jail times or even execution. All that for a weed that, if left unchecked, will grow just about anywhere.
How did this happen? Until the early 20th century, hemp and cannabis were grown throughout the world for industrial and medicinal purposes. Some countries even had laws requiring farmers to grow it so they could meet minimum requirements for many different industries. In the space of just a few decades all this changed. US and UK governments pulled a 180 on their stance for the plant and suddenly everyone was forced to go along for the ride. They were superpowers of their day; the British Empire was waning, as the United States’ strength was gaining. The influence these two countries wielded was enormous. The British government passed the Dangerous Drugs Act in 1927, and exported versions of it to all its colonies and territories such as New Zealand and Australia. This effectively ended growth and trade for many drugs like opium and coca, but also included cannabis. In 1925 the League of Nations (Failed precursor to the UN) added it to the list of controlled substances. The United States followed suit shortly afterward (at the prodding of HJ Anslinger and the Hearst Media empire). So, the UK, US and League of Nations were busy sticking their nose in other people’s business and making life less enjoyable. There was a slight turnaround during World War 2 because hemp was needed for war purposes. But once the war was done, right back to ILLEGAL!
After World War 2 ended, the USA was the big dog and started telling more countries what to do. They were sending troops to some countries and withholding aid from others until they passed laws that agreed with our own. Trade barriers were erected, international interdependence increased and the US was busy buying and selling raw materials and finished products. If Thailand or Uganda or Columbia wanted in on the action they had to play by American rules. So laws were set down, with varying degrees of punishment, and they could enter the global trade game. As things stand today, there is a majority global ban on growth and sale of cannabis. Yet, if one takes the time to tour the world and hit up backwater areas, or derelict buildings with brand new electrical systems, they will find grow-ops flourishing. In Hawaii, drug enforcement uses helicopters for flyovers to see who is growing in their backyard. In Burma there are military crackdown raids with seek-and-destroy orders. But in England, the company that produces Marinol has several massive and state-of-the-art technology Classified grow-op centers that any California cooperative would drool over.
Times they are a changing and it seems the cannabis plant will bear fruit once more. Hopefully the laws against this plant will decay as more and more people realize it poses no harm, and can only help humanity. We may even see a domino effect once the US government pulls its head out of the sand and ends the federal ban. Stay tuned for more updates on the status of marijuana worldwide.
A Touch of the Vapors
For the majority of cannabis patients, smoking is the most common and easiest way to medicate. Herb, pipe and fire are all that is needed. Some people however, are unable to handle the smoke delivery method. There are those with weakened pulmonary systems, or are prone to infection. There are many other ways of bringing cannabinoids into the body. Today a patient can get edibles, tinctures, or use a vaporizer. These marvels of modern technology are capable of delivering all of the good chemicals from cannabis, without any of the junk that comes with smoking.
Vaporizers, as the name says, brings the chemicals to their just below their flashpoint (when a chemical ignites) without combustion. That means that tar, CO, CO2 and other toxic compounds are neither produced, nor inhaled. Only the desired chemicals, THC, CBD, CBN and other cannabinoids, are delivered to the lungs and absorbed into the body. So, it’s a purer delivery and safer for the user. While on the topic of safety, no combustion means no fire. And no fire means no accidentally burning down the house. Most vaporizers operate best between 170°C and 190°C. THC vaporizes at 150°C and other cannabinoids at slightly higher temperatures. Cannabis and its component chemicals have flashpoints just above 200°C, so try to avoid any machines that operate at that temperature, or else it will be just like smoking.
There are numerous machines are the market, from little portable devices, such as the iolite, to the king of them all, the Volcano. Some are activate and inhale, while others have a variety of settings allowing the user to customize to their preference. The more complex devices allow users the choice of setting the temperature so they can use it for other herbs such as sage and clove (which have their own therapeutic benefits). Iolite‘s portable devices are very easy to operate; they require only herbs and butane as a fuel. Volcano Vaporizers have require a little bit more work. They have adjustable temperature settings and numerous attachments. Theirs is an interesting setup. The machine works by vaporizing the herbs and expelling the vapor into a big plastic bag (similar in size to bags on the Sunday newspaper), which stores the gas and can be inhaled through a valve. That’s very convenient because the bag is portable, and can be passed around. However, the longer the vapor sits, the lower the quality is. As it cools, the cannabinoids condense onto the lining of the bag so potency will decrease over time.
There are a few rules that people should know about vaporizers. First of all, herbs must be broken up finely, preferably ground up, to maximize surface area for a clean burn (well, not really burning but don’t drop a whole nug into the chamber) Second, herbs should be properly dried. If it is still moist than water will vaporize to steam and that can damage sinus, esophageal and lung tissue. Nobody wants to medicate only to find themselves the victim of a steam burn. Also, higher moisture contents lead to stickier remains and more difficulty while cleaning the equipment.
Most of these devices are not cheap. Some users prefer to spend the same amount of money on a large pipe or a classy bong, but they won’t deliver the medication as kindly to the body. Third, remember to clean the device after use.
There are lots of vaporizers on the market so take time to look into your own requirements, whether for ease of use or level build quality. Some can be costly but well worth it so make sure it fits your needs. You can also check out vapornation for an excellent selection and prices on quality products.
Medical Marijuana Industry News March 23, 2012
Jeremy Lin calls a foul on “Linsanity” marijuana strain
New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin has taken the world by storm with game play that electrified Madison Square Garden. The internet has been abuzz with plays on his name, but “linsanity” has taken hold. Like other parts of popular culture, it would not be long before business owners would try to profit off of “Linsanity”. Jeremy Lin was not amused with those trying to capitalize on his name and his lawyers have sent out many cease-and-desist letters to dispensaries who are selling the “Linsanity” strains. Twenty four other dispensaries highlighted the problem with the “marijuana name game” and tried to apply for patents to a name they have no connection to. Lin’s lawyer, Pamela Deese said “You can’t file a trademark when there’s a clear connection to someone else’s name, In this case, Jeremy Lin has the right to his name and related names and marks, as well as his signature, voice and likeness. That’s all part of his intellectual property.”
Medical Marijuana Bill Overcomes First Legal Obstacle in Connecticut
A recent Quinnipiac poll of Connecticut residents was released on Wednesday. The poll showed an overwhelming support for medical marijuana with 68% of respondents favoring while only 27% opposed. Only hours after the poll results were released, a legislative committee in Connecticut voted in favor (35-8) of a newly proposed medical marijuana law. Lawmakers also approved a medical cannabis measure in 2007 only to see it get vetoed by then Governor Jodi Rell. Current Governor Dannel P. Malloy supported a medical marijuana bill last year that failed. Several Republicans voiced their concern over the potential for federal intervention. Under the proposed state run system, prescriptions would be valid for one year and all patients would register with Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection.
New Data shows that many Medical Marijuana Cardholders Over 50 in Arizona
New research in Arizona shows that patients possessing medical marijuana are hardly young rebels. The Arizona Department of Health Services has released new dating showing that patients between the ages of 31-50 make up the largest percentage of cardholders (40%). Patients who are 51-81 represent 35% of all medical marijuana cardholders in Arizona and 18-30 year olds make up the smallest major block at 25%. Less than 1% of medical marijuana patients are under 18. The data may surprise many as marijuana, even for medical use, is closely associated with younger populations. Some officials in Arizona claimed the data shows they are doing a good job of keeping recreational users out of the medical program while Carolyn Short, chairwoman of Keep Arizona Drug Free, felt that some recreational users are faking symptoms and that medical marijuana should only be available after patients have exhausted all other medical options and treatments.
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Mt. Sinai Doctors Discover that Medical Marijuana May Stop Spread of HIV in the Body
There are countless testimonials from patients who feel that cannabis has provided them with a quality of life that would otherwise not be possible as they combat symptoms of HIV/AIDS. Marijuana has been known to stimulate appetite and drastically reduce pain for suffering HIV/AIDS patients. Many of us have read these stories only to hear detractors in our government say “there is not enough scientific research” and that all the evidence is anecdotal.
Researchers at New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital have now uncovered a scientific breakthrough in HIV/AIDS treatments, which have been quite rare to come by for decades. A new discovery by scientists is not anecdotal and may highlight just how miraculous marijuana can be to the medical world. Cannabinoid receptors have been found to have an effect on the spreading of the disease. Specifically, cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 seem to have this ability. Since triggering CB1 can cause a “high” feeling, researchers are focusing their work on CB2. In a laboratory the Mt. Sinai researchers took healthy immune cells and infected them with HIV. Next, they treated these infected cells with a chemical that triggers CB2. This is referred to as an agonist.
Those conducting the study were pleased with the breakthrough. Study author, Cristina Costantino, PhD, said “We knew that cannabinoid drugs like marijuana can have a therapeutic effect in AIDS patients, but did not understand how they influence the spread of the virus itself.” Lakshmi Devi, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Benjamin Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases led the research study. They are seeking to take the research to the next step will hopefully be able to emulate these results using lab mice in the future.
Whether or not members of the federal government are moved by this research remains to be seen. Calls for marijuana reclassification have been loud and clear and even echoed by high profile governors. This disease which attacks the immune system has thrived for far too long and we hope patients will find relief soon. Marijuana.net will report any updates on the research from Mount Sinai.
Protests in New York City Held in Support of Marijuana Reform amid Giant St. Patrick’s Celebration
Over the weekend New York City upheld one of its most famous and long standing traditions. Over 100,000 people dressed in green were in attendance for the 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade where the consumption of corn beef and alcohol are commonplace.
Another celebration of green took place during the parade as well. Members of the New York State chapter of NORML made their way through the raucous crowd and to City Hall. This protest now marks the 3rd annual protest on New York’s City Hall. Holding the protest during the most recognized binge drinking holiday was not by accident. Doug Greene, the Legislative Director of Empire State NORML told CBS 880 news at the protest that “We’re reminding New York City that there is a safer alternative to pools of vomit in the streets.” He also went on to say “There were over 50,000 arrests last year for low-level marijuana possession, which is a waste of scarce city resources.”
New York City is known for setting trends in fashion, finance, cuisine, and social movements. However, it still is known as an unfriendly destination for cannabis patients and advocates. As Doug Greene mentioned, there was still a very amount of low level possession arrests last year. What is more troubling is this still occurred in the face of a direct memo from NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelly who released a memo trying to curb the low level convictions. Although the numbers did decline toward the latter part of 2011, convictions were still alarmingly high.
Although New York State decriminalized marijuana possession over 30 years ago, the New York City police have been overly aggressive in issuing misdemeanor arrests for public use and/or possession. One former NYC police officer joined the protest at City Hall and reflected on her time as a police officer. Joanne Naughton said ” I retired as a lieutenant from the NYPD… What I did decades ago wasn’t any good, didn’t do any good. It was a waste of time.” While activists may have more work ahead, there is a bill in New York State’s legislature that could legalize medical marijuana. New trends can seemingly come out of nowhere and as the famous Don Henley song suggests, situations in New York can change in a minute.