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Super Pacs

Marijuana Industry News April 5, 2013

marijuana rally

New Poll Shows Growing Majority of Americans  Want Legal Marijuana …

Recent polls in the past few years seem to highlight a shrinking gap between those for and those against the legalization of marijuana.  Even more recently, polls have started to show that a slight majority of Americans, for the first time since polling on the issue began, support the legalization of recreational cannabis use.  There now seems to be a gap growing in the opposite direction.  This week,we learned that a new poll found that Americans are in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana use by a margin of 52-45%.  Adults between the age of 18-32 supported legal marijuana in even higher numbers (65%).  Tom Angell of Marijuana Majority commented on the poll by saying “Not too long ago, it was widely accepted in political circles that elected officials who wanted to get re-elected needed to act ‘tough’ on drugs and go out of their way to support the continued criminalization of marijuana.  “The opposite is quickly becoming true.”

 

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Colorado Hoping for Big Revenues from Marijuana Industry…

Even as the Federal government refuses to provide their outright approval, states are already making plans to generate new revenues in order to combat the long lasting fiscal crisis.  In November, Colorado residents passed historic legislation that potentially created a tremendous new stream of revenue.  Matt Brown and James Walker have started a marijuana travel agency of sorts.  My 420 Tours will serve as an all in one travel company that will lead customers to marijuana friendly hotels, tours of dispensaries, as well as tickets to other marijuana events.  State officials are likely not thrilled about the idea however it shows the degree of variety that businesses can capitalize on.  Many jobs, in theory, could be created with revenues and taxes pouring in.  Matt Brown recently told NBC “It’s an opportunity for people who prefer marijuana to alcohol to come to Colorado and know that they’re not going to have to walk around downtown asking strangers for pot.”

 

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Marijuana Legalization Super PAC Joins a Growing Trend….

Super PACs were certainly in fashion during the 2012 presidential campaign season.  Even Comedy Central host, Stephen Colbert, formed a Super PAC.  The corporate groups, free from traditional campaign regulations, have been sprouting up all over as interest groups have found a new way to target their audience.  Brothers Mark and Dennis Rogers have started Legalize Marijuana Super Pac.com. The timing seems to be advantageous as there already is a eager audience.  As we pointed out in one of the above stories, support for legalizing marijuana is reaching historic levels.  Mark Rogers told the Huffington Post this week “We do a lot of activism up and down the West Coast, and we have relations with many dispensaries, so it just made sense.  If we could all pool our collective interests and pockets books, maybe we could actually shine a light on the hypocrisy of the laws being put on the books.”  Super Pacs have a tainted reputation at best, but activists may be forced to utilize them in order to push marijuana past the bureaucratic roadblocks and into mainstream media conversation.  Concern may rise over the direction of the marijuana reform movement once a high level of politicized/corporatized money enters the arena.

 

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Maine Lawmakers Target Medical Marijuana and the Poor

section 8 housing

The poverty rate in the United States is set to reach its highest numbers in 50 years.  During an election the assumption would be that both candidates running for president would champion the cause of reducing poverty.  While we have heard about job growth, we do not hear the “p” word much, as both candidates are likely hoping poor people just goes away.  Perhaps a sitting president and one of the richest men in America just cannot relate.

Unfortunately, this election season has taught us that there are other priorities.  Millions of dollars have been spent on political Super PACS.  These outside groups that are allowed to spend as much secretive money as they want on campaign ads thanks to the Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizen’s United v. Federal Election Commission case.  The result is a political mess that focuses much more on large donors than the working class who is in dire need of help.

In a move that mirrors the greater social shift in ignoring the poor, Maine lawmakers have decided its time to target those who do not have Super Political Action Committees to fight their battles.  By a vote of 4-3, members of Maine’s Housing Board decided that medical marijuana is banned from all section 8 housing.  This builds on momentum from other states who have tried to enact drug testing for welfare recipients.  The idea sounds great from the surface, but it also costs significantly more in tax revenues to do so and seems specifically targeted at lower income families.  While critics say it is fair because government money is used supplement section 8 housing, we have to wonder why this is not across the board.  Will the government start to drug test seniors on Medicare, or the elderly who live in government supplemented retirement homes?

Medical marijuana has become a reliable and more cost effective solution for many who simply cannot afford traditional modern medicine.  While this may score points with many in Maine, the policy seems specifically targeted toward those who are unable to fight back in world of corporate politics.

 

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Bruce Margolin’s Congressional Run Brings Hope for Marijuana Patients and Activists

bruce margolin

To the dismay of some of our elected officials, marijuana reform is moving higher on the list of voter priorities. President Obama has has been dogged by questions regarding what appears to be a shift in his marijuana enforcement position.  More recently, voters showed that they are no longer willing to tolerate the failed 40 year war on drugs and elected retired judge Ellen Rosenblum, a huge supporter of marijuana rights.

High profile attorney and longtime ally of the marijuana movement, Bruce Margolin, provides even more hope for those seeking a common sense approach to cannabis law.  Margolin announced last month that he would be running for California’s 33rd Congressional district.  This district covers the Los Angeles’ coastal area and many feel the district could benefit tremendously from Mr. Margolin’s leadership.  He is running on a platform that seeks changes in many key areas such as immigration reform, economic fairness, and defending civil liberties.

Bruce Margolin also has a long track record for defending patients and activists.  He has lent his assistance to individuals involved with marijuana cases for over 40 years.  On his legal website 1800420laws.com, Mr. Margolin directly states his view on marijuana by saying “NO ONE belongs in jail for marijuana.”  He also has served as a director of Los Angeles chapter of NORML for 29 years, contributing to so much of the progress in the marijuana reform movement.  His long track record in marijuana law has made him the premiere legal expert on cannabis law in the United States.

With the injection of Super Pacs on an already polarized nation, the 2012 election already had the makings of a historic and nasty election.  Additionally, there will be at least two states (Washington, and Colorado) and possibly others where residents will have the opportunity to vote on legalizing recreational marijuana use. Bruce Margolin is entering the congressional race at the perfect time.  Patients, marijuana activists, immigrants, same sex couples and so many others desperately need representation in this political climate where federal authorities are still intent on violating our freedoms.

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Study Shows Medical Marijuana States have Reduced Suicides

marijuana

 

As study after study confirms the medicinal qualities of marijuana, we should probably stop being surprised.  However, there are times when new benefits are discovered that are so groundbreaking, even advocates have to take a step back and breathe a sigh of relief.

While many medical marijuana advocates focus on physical pain relief from HIV/AIDS, cancer treatments, MS, Nausea, and chronic pain, the psyche also benefits greatly from cannabis.  New research has demonstrated a link between PTSD relief and marijuana use as many returning soldiers say it is the only way they can relieve their symptoms.   Now it appears another significant link between the psyche and marijuana has been discovered.  According to a research paper entitled “High on Life? Medical Marijuana Laws and Suicide”, states that have legalized marijuana have seen a significant drop in suicides.  The paper was written by D. Mark Anderson, Daniel I. Rees, and Joseph J. Sabia.

The paper analyzed data from 1990-2007 and found an overall reduction by 5% in overall suicides.  Males aged 20-29 saw an 11% drop in suicides.  In states that do not permit legalized marijuana, suicide rates actually rose during this time period.  While suicide does not garner the attention of many other causes of death, it is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.  The authors mentioned above believe that legalizing marijuana may “lead to an improvement in the psychological well-being of young adult males, an improvement that is reflected in fewer suicides.” They also went on to say “The strong association between alcohol consumption and suicide-related outcomes found by previous researchers raises the possibility that medical marijuana laws reduce the risk of suicide by decreasing alcohol consumption.”

While lawmakers still drag their feet and state that marijuana is extremely dangerous, advocates are concentrating on how we can treat the a top ten leading cause of death in the United States.  While this may sound naïve in this day and age, we are expected to look up to our government officials.  How can we do that?  How can we seek help from those who will not even pass a congressional insider trading bill, or allow Super Pacs to influence an election.  For the time being, both physical and mental relief are in direct violation of federal law.


For the full research paper including additional statistics from the study click here

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Victory for Romney in Florida, But could it be a Victory for Patients?

mitt romney

The GOP primaries have experienced intense debate and battles from the candidates.  Prior to the process even started, Mitt Romney was considered both your hands lower front runner.  When the process was going ahead the press was treated with a unforeseen surprises. First,  Bachmann Wanted won the very first official event from the election campaign, the Ames Iowa Hay Poll.  After that we had the fall and rise of Ron Perry and Herman Cain (due largely for their promoted mistakes).

Even while lately like a couple of days ago, Newt Gingrich might have been considered the leader for that GOP nomination, but his comments on The spanish language being “the word what from the ghetto” considered him lower in a condition having a large Hispanic population.  Furthermore, Gingrich was without his best debate performances prior to the Florida election.  He was removed message and elevated eye brows together with his comments regarding his desire to have a moon base.  Although Gingrich still obtained well with individuals who connect themselves as “very conservative”, many voters were worried about the perception that he’s not really a viable candidate for any national election.

With Tuesday’s victory, Mitt Romney has clearly established themself because the leader.  Mitt Romney cruised to victory by winning 46% from the election instead of Gingrich’s 32% (Ron Santorum finished 3rd with 13% and Ron Paul trailed within the 4th position with 7%) .  Following a reduction in Sc lately, team Romney was charged with being too soft and experts predicted the former Governor will have to intensify his attacks on Newt Gingrich.  This is just what happened as Romney considerably outspent the previous Speaker of the home through campaign contributions as well as with the aid of Super Pacs.

With patients already being disenfranchised with how Leader Obama has handled medicinal marijuana, many were wishing for any GOP candidate who’d enact true reform.  While Ron Paul might be that candidate, his performances within the primaries appear to become losing momentum with every passing condition primary (a number of this really is because of his supposed racist news letters).  Although an advocate of medicinal marijuana throughout the eighties, Newt Gingrich lately made very aggressive comments against medicinal marijuana as well as went so far as adoring Singapore’s criminal justice system (Singapore is renowned for its very violent and harsh legislation).

Mitt Romney has lengthy mentioned his opposition to medicinal marijuana.  Reviews have resurfaced about him leaving without responding to questions from the motorized wheel chair bound patient struggling with muscular dystrophy who found relief with cannabis.  Furthermore, battling patients won’t find encouragement using the statement Mitt Romney made yesterday.  Within an interview with CNN’s Soledad O’brien, Mitt Romney mentioned he “was not worried about the poor.”  He stated his focus was around the middle-class since the weakest within our nation “have a security net”.  Many experts and patients question precisely what back-up he’s mentioning too.  He clearly doesn’t have aim of marketing cheaper alternative treatment which may give a true back-up for America’s poor.

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