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2012 presidential election

Colorado Medical Marijuana Makes it To 60 Minutes

60 minutes

With two weeks to go until the presidential election it is no surprise that the race is dominating the news cycle.  Other topics have been anxiously awaiting their turn in the limelight but have taken a backseat as the media has left little room for other news.  Surprisingly, medical marijuana was able to make it to one of the rare free time slots on major prime time network news.

Last night 60 minutes described what is being called the “Colorado Green Rush”.  The coverage highlighted several key areas of the marijuana reform movement.  For one, the enormous tax dollars that can be collected score big points with even those who are not passionate about reforming marijuana laws.  Additionally, 60 minutes highlighted another key area that shows a cultural shift.  Medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado outnumber McDonalds and Starbucks combined. This is why federal intervention is becoming more difficult as 60 minutes suggested.  The will of the people is becoming clear and Colorado residents are increasingly supporting marijuana reform.  Colorado has a high number of independent voters who are not keen on federal bullying.

While some of this may be familiar to patients, activists, and those in the industry, national prime time stories regarding medical marijuana help the issue to reach people who are not as familiar with the medical marijuana movement.  Social media and the internet may cover this topic daily, but the mainstream news is only finally realizing the social and economic impact of the “green rush”.   Additionally, while perhaps not perfect, the reporting does seem to shifting toward much fairer and open minded coverage.  There is less snickering and scare tactics in most mainstream news coverage of marijuana reform.  A second Obama term or a Romney presidency will almost certainly have to deal with medical marijuana, so even more major news coverage is to be expected after the November election.

Many of the political pundits have called the upcoming vote as a “pocketbook election” as the state of the economy is still the number one issue on voter’s minds.  If that is the case then it may only be a matter of time and awareness before the American people decide against marijuana incarcerations and leaving tax dollars on the table.  Inevitably we seem to be moving toward “pocketbook green laws”.

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Mitt Romney: I Will Fight Medical Marijuana Tooth and Nail

romney

Last week the Republicans held their convention and officially nominated Mitt Romney for president.  Tonight the Democratic National Convention will get underway.  Similar to the RNC, the Democrats will have many high profile speakers, including former President Bill Clinton who will speak later in the week.  We hope the bizarre Clint Eastwood chair incident will teach the Democrats an important lesson and stay on message, engaging the public on the issues that are important.  As many issues including the economy, abortion, and foreign policy will be discussed, marijuana reform and the war on drugs are not likely to be mentioned.

On the 2008 campaign trail President Obama took a friendlier tone to medical marijuana than the recent federal raids suggests.  In all fairness, we at marijuana.net have called him out on what appears to be a policy shift, or at the very least misleading.  However, he does still respect patients and has vowed not to arrest any patients.  He has kept that promise.  While politics as usual will not be enough for patients and activists, that may be what we have here.  Many analysts believe a second Obama term would see a friendlier atmosphere toward medical marijuana.  Some even believe he could finally reschedule.  Of course no one knows for sure what the president may or may not do.

However, we are pretty certain a Mitt Romney presidency could be disastrous for medical marijuana patients and legalization advocates.  Mitt Romney infamously walked away from a wheelchair bound patient who was asking if Romney would arrest him for using medical marijuana.  Romney sidestepped the question and never fully answered it.  However, in an uncharacteristic move Romney stated his views on marijuana reform very directly in a video we recently uncovered.  Addressing a crowd Romney utilized the typical and outdated talking points that marijuana is a gateway drug and that leads to an entrance into “the drug culture”.  He went on to say that medical marijuana was an excuse to legalize totally.  While many activists believe in legalization, there are many patients out there who rely on medical cannabis.  Their quality of life would be severely damaged without it.

The issue may not creep up too much as the candidates will surround themselves in very scripted atmospheres.  Unless one of the debate moderators decides raise the issue it is unlikely we will get to hear an exchange between Romney and Obama on the issue.  While many have not been thrilled with the president’s approach, patients should be terrified of what Mitt Romney has said.  Also in the video we mentioned above, is Romney swearing to fight medical marijuana “tooth and nail”.  We have not heard him take a passionate stance on much or even address issues directly so it is surprising that this is the issue Romney would take his stance on.

However, can we even be sure he believes in this anti-marijuana stance, as the elastic politician has successfully secured the GOP nomination while simultaneously flipping his position on almost every relevant social issue.  Perhaps marijuana will join abortion, TARP, the auto bailout, government healthcare, the stimulus, Ronald Reagan, global warming, and the many other issues Mitt Romney has altered his view on.  The Mitt Romney we watched on television Thursday addressing the attendees of the Republican National Convention looks nothing like (except  in hair style and choice of suit) the candidate who ran against Ted Kennedy for the US Senate in 1994, won the Massachusetts governorship in 2002, or even ran against John McCain in the 2008 primaries.  The silver lining for patients is that Mitt Romney is never married to his words and clearly reads polls.  With 75% of the country supporting medical marijuana, there is a good chance he will abandon an anti-marijuana policy.

 

You can check out the video for yourselves

 

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Medical Marijuana Industry News August 31, 2012

marijuana patients

Los Angeles Ban On Dispensaries Appears to be Put on Hold…

The controversial decision to ban medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles was met with resistance from activists.  Many patients have been anxious about how exactly they were going to safely access medication and if they would have to turn to traditional illegal methods of obtaining it.  The Los Angeles City Council, especially Councilman Huizar have seemed especially determined to end dispensaries even as the legalities mount against their actions.  It appears that court decisions have invalidated the right for municipalities to ban dispensaries.  While that did little to stop the city from threatening a closure which was set to take effect in days, apparently the ballot initiative from Americans for Safe Access did succeed.  Organizers submitted slightly over 49,000 votes with only 27,425 needed.  The signatures will be examined and validated which typically takes at least a few days.  If the signatures are approved then the Los Angeles City Council will have 30 days to either overturn the ban or put it a vote by residents.  Councilman Huizar still seemed determined to wipe any perceived egg off his face.  He said the city could still close shops that were in violation of state law and operating at a profit.  Of course marijuana.net searched extensively and could not find where ASA, or other organizers said any different.   However, eliminating all 700+ dispensaries, many of which are not making a profit is an altogether different story and may have been an overreach on the part of the City Council.

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Marijuana Decriminalization May Come to Springfield Missouri…

Many activists in Springfield Missouri have been seeking a new approach toward marijuana laws.  The goup Show Me Cannabis Regulation was successful in collecting enough signatures to get a ballot initiative to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana to the ballots.  The group was successful in collecting the required signatures.  As the case is in most areas, lawmakers can approve a ballot initiative or reject the issue and send it for residents to vote on.  While the City Council of Springfield voted 6-3 to approve the decriminalization effort, lawmakers now have 30 days to amend the bill.  The move appears to be a shrewd move aimed at keeping the issue away from a public vote.  As stated already, if the vote failed then voters would get a chance to approve the measure.  Now it seems several of the “yes” votes by the city council were simply to keep the issue in house.  Now they have 30 days to change and basically strip away the decriminalization law.  Councilman Jeff Seifried said of that he supported passing the legislation “then gutting, the entire ordinance.”  Unless our interpretation of this comment is incorrect, it sounds as if Councilman Tommy Bieker has similar plans.  He said “I will be voting in support with the intent of turning around and working out the amendment.”  Many residents may grow resentful that the City Council would take drastic measures to avoid having the people of Springfield ultimately decide the fate of the law.

 

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President Obama Participates in Reddit AMA Though Some were not Pleased…

As we close in on the 2012 presidential election, the candidates will try to utilize every way to connect with the people.  We are in the middle of the convention season as Mitt Romney concluded the Republican National Convention by making his speech and officially accepting the nomination.  On Tuesday the Democratic National Convention will get under way.  In the midst of high profile coverage it may be a surprise that the President decided to pursue a very new way of connecting with voters.  On Wednesday President Obama participated in a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) where he encouraged voters to submit questions.  The president has also taken part in other online forums aimed at connecting with voters.  While we cannot say they have not been effective, he has dodged the issue of marijuana reform and the war on drugs now several times.  Yesterday many were upset that the president seemingly ignored the growing calls for marijuana reform.  However, we at marijuana.net would like to applaud him for taking part, even if his answers were not ideal.  The president seems to be more in tune with the growing online culture than other current and previous candidates.  While he may be avoiding the conversation to some extent, it is a unique situation that a president would directly converse with voters.  However, in the future a free pass may not be granted if he partakes in another online forum encouraging  questions on everything but simply handpicking his answers.

 

For more on this story click here

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Chris Christie’s Mixed Message on Compassion

christieDuring a recent speech at the Brookings Institution Chris Christie made statements that called for an end to the war on drugs.  In fact he called it a failure and even referenced his pro-life views.  At one point during the speech he said “If you’re pro-life, as I am, you can’t be pro-life just in …continue reading

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Gary Johnson Demonstrates Conviction by selecting Judge Jim Gray for VP

gary johnson jim gray

 

Although the current political system has disenfranchised many eligible voters because of two party domination, the 2012 presidential election may get a necessary injection of 3rd party conversation.  Polls show that 80% of Americans would consider voting for a 3rd party candidate.  Coincidentally (or perhaps not so coincidentally) that is a similar number to the amount of people who support a physician’s right to prescribe medical marijuana.

Former two term Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson appears poised to win the Libertarian Party’s nomination for the 2012 presidential election.  Ahead of the more well known and establishment financed Mitt Romney, Gary Johnson was able to come to a quick decision about his running mate.  The popular marijuana culture website tokeofthetown, is reporting that Mr. Johnson has selected retired California Judge Jim Gray to be his vice president.  Justice Gray is known for his progressive views on marijuana.  This move appears to be paving a way for marijuana to be prominently on display for the Johnson campaign.  Governor Johnson told Reason.com he selected Justice Gray because “The thought process all along has been to find somebody that can articulate libertarian ideals and beliefs and I’ve thought all along that he would be a really solid pick.”

Conversely, the representatives of the two party system Mitt Romney, and Barack Obama, certainly do not seem to have as much conviction in some of their decisions.  Mitt Romney has changed his position (sometimes more than once) on virtually every important social issue (click here for compilation of Mitt Romney articulating then contradicting his views).  The former Governor of Massachusetts has prospective VP candidates running from his offer.  Unfortunately for the American public, it seems the only issue Mitt Romney has not waivered on is medical marijuana.  He actually has famously walked away from a wheelchair bound man who asked him about changing marijuana laws during his failed 2008 presidential bid.  The other major party representative, President Obama, is just starting to acknowledge medical marijuana questions directed his way. Critics feel it may be possible that the president reverts back to his 2008 tone if re-elected, but of course what guarantees are there in American politics?

The move by Gary Johnson does not appear to simply be a gimmick.  With a vast majority of Americans supporting medical marijuana and now at least half supporting overall legalization, marijuana is no longer a fringe issue appealing to a small passionate base.  Gary Johnson has selected a running mate who is a legal expert and a supporter of repairing one of the greatest injustices of this generation.  While politicians may often feel that an election should be scripted with the same talking points, it is important to understand that elected officials work for us.  Without a doubt some critics will try to dismiss Gary Johnson and Jim Gray as trying to capitalize on marijuana supporters.  While we have all heard this before, marijuana can provide relief to the economy, patients, and an overburdened penitentiary system.  We at marijuana.net have to ask why anyone would have a problem with making a rare American consensus issue the center of a political platform?

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