Cannitrol – Cannabis Control Agent

Marijuana news from around the world

Gilbert Arizona

Marijuana Updates Across the Country

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With the federal government’s refusal to reclassify marijuana, medical cannabis progression has been achieved state by state.  Most states have with medical marijuana programs are the result of  ballot initiatives and efforts of local residents as state policy makers are unwilling to disobey federal law.  The birth of modern medical marijuana got off to a bumpy start, and there may yet be future setbacks.  However, in a country that cannot agree on much, it appears we are coming together over compassion, relief, and the law.

In Maine we recently learned of a story that shows how important it is to regulate cannabis and not turn a blind eye .  Glenn W. Martin, a marijuana grower, used to illegally sell his crop to customers in New York and Boston.  He has struggled, like many, with rising cost of living and had trouble paying his rising property taxes.  Now that Maine has altered their laws, he is allowed to sell to patients and no longer has to hide his skills and the industry that he excels in.  Last week Martin said  “I’m focusing on how to make a high-quality product,’’ and It’s one of the best things to happen in our area.”

Moving across the country, there has been great news coming out of Arizona.  Residents of the state passed a marijuana program about two years ago.  However, Governor Jan Brewer and other state officials made every effort they could to derail the program.  Having realized that ultimately the state has little choice but to allow the program to operate, there has been a different tone lately.  The governor recently rejected formal letters by 13 county lawyers to stop the program.  Ms. Brewer stated that she could not do so and was bound to the resident passed law.  It now appears that dispensaries should be operating relatively soon.  The town of Gilbert has started things off and is expected to hold a lottery to determine which dispensary applicants will be granted permission to start operating.  Six potential dispensaries will be keeping their fingers crossed and hope that their name is on one of the two selected lottery balls drawn.  Gilbert has 900 qualified medical marijuana cardholders and overall Arizona has 30,000 approved patients.

It may have taken some time but Arizona finally appears ready to abide by the wishes of its residents.  On the side of the country Maine is showing a progressive approach to 40 years of failed laws and is starting to allow a necessary industry from operating in the shadows.  Maine and Arizona are on opposite sides of the political spectrum but are showing that relief and compassion has little to do with blue vs. red states.

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