Global Marijuana March
Marijuana Friendly Gary Johnson Nominated as Libertarian Candidate for President while D.C. Program off to Rough Start
It has been an eventful week for marijuana law as Connecticut is poised to enact a strict medical marijuana program, aimed at avoiding the legislative pitfalls seen in other states, especially California. Over the weekend there was also the Global Marijuana March, which saw hundreds of thousands gather across the world with events held in over 160 cities in 29 different nations.
As always, there were many other stories that developed over the weekend. Although presumed to be the nominee for months, two term New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson has officially been named the Libertarian Party’s choice for President in the upcoming 2012 election this November. The long time supporter of marijuana reform/legalization won by capturing 70% of the party’s 632 delegates at the Libertarian Party’s convention held in Las Vegas. Mr. Johnson told Reuters that “I am very humbled. This is just the start.” In addition to his promise to reform marijuana laws, Gary Johnson has taken aim at big government spending and income tax laws. Gary Johnson shares Ron Paul’s view on ending income tax and replacing it with a “Fair Tax”. The proposal would see an end to the current income tax structure and replace it with flat rate 23% tax on new goods. Resold goods would not face any sales tax. Mr. Johnson is also hopeful that Ron Paul and his supporters will back the ex-Governor.
As Gary Johnson prepares for a possible journey to the White House, he may face the issue of marijuana reform before he even unpacks his bags. Washington D.C. has finally started to move forward with a medical marijuana program that has been weighed down by legal disputes. The program was originally voted on and approved by D.C. residents 12 years ago. Six licenses have finally been granted to cultivation centers with hopes of patients being served within a few months. Despite the approvals finally being issued, some applicants seeking to open dispensaries are filing lawsuits. They feel they have easily met the criteria laid out by the Health Department in order to open and have been denied anyway.
According to the Washington Times, 3 law firms have filed a total of 5 civil complaints that contest the way in which the D.C. Department of Health scored and denied the applicants. Dr. Duplessie is one of the plaintiffs and is seeking his application to be re-sent to Department of Health with a third party to oversee the second review. The Washington Times article quoted Dr. Duplessie as saying “It appears that the D.C. Board of Health has either not read my application or the playing field is not level, I think the process is beyond flawed.” Dr. Duplessie’s attorney has questioned what they believe is a lack of transparency, and said city health officials should elaborate on their decision further than simply saying “it’s just our right.”
While the D.C. story is not what patients want to hear, it is important to note how much progress has been made. With a presidential candidate and the city of Washington D.C. supporting cannabis reform, the future for patients appears bright. Despite whatever recycled statements are emitted from the well dressed men in landmark buildings, compassion seems to be winning out.
Medical Marijuana Industry News May 4, 2012
Minority House Leader Nancy Pelosi Challenges Federal Government Over Marijuana Raids… As the federal raids continue against marijuana dispensaries, President Obama has had to deal with comments from all over the world. Perhaps he was surprised to hear that his newest critic is one of his closest political allies, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). …continue reading
Medical Marijuana Industry News April 27, 2012
President Obama Finally Addresses Medical Marijuana…
While it may not have been exactly what patients and activists were hoping for, the constant pressure from voters and media outlets may have finally forced the president into speaking about a topic he has tried so vigorously to avoid. In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, President Obama may be shifting the blame on to Congress, somewhat. He told the popular culture magazine that “What I specifically said was that we were not going to prioritize prosecutions of persons who are using medical marijuana. I never made a commitment that somehow we were going to give carte blanche to large-scale producers and operators of marijuana – and the reason is, because it’s against federal law. I can’t nullify congressional law.” He then went on to say “I can’t ask the Justice Department to say, ‘Ignore completely a federal law that’s on the books. What I can say is, use your prosecutorial discretion and properly prioritize your resources to go after things that are really doing folks damage.’ As a consequence, there haven’t been prosecutions of users of marijuana for medical purposes.” Even if the president does not agree with over 70% of Americans who agree with medical marijuana, it is a step in the right direction that he is finally addressing the issue and articulating his position, even if some consider it a policy shift. The President seems to have placed the issue in Congress and said there will be no legalization “anytime soon”. If Congress were to pass a law requiring his signature, it would prove to be an interesting situation. If he wins re-election maybe we will get the chance to see how it plays out.
Click here for a link to the Rolling Stone Interview
Marijuana Found in Mendocino Prosecutor’s Home…
An unfortunate trend seems to be making itself known. Another high profile public prosecutor has been caught defying marijuana laws. Recently, a prosecutor in North Bergen New Jersey was found to be aiding a highly lucrative marijuana smuggling ring. Now, we have another public official who has been caught with marijuana in his home. Deputy District Attorney Sergio Fuentes, The Mendocino prosecutor was supposedly found to have approximately 150 plants in his home, according to the County Sheriff’s Capt. Kurt Smallcomb. Since we are now seeing this occur often it may be time for authorities to re think their marijuana laws. If they cannot abide by them perhaps they should amend them, unless authorities find black markets too profitable to amend the law.
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Marijuana Vending Machine Tested in Santa Ana…
Perhaps replacing your red box movie dispenser could be an automated marijuana machine that is not bound to hours of operation. This story is quite surprising considering marijuana’s delicate legal situation. However, in Santa Ana a marijuana dispensary machine is being tested. The machine is called Autospense. There are high tech safety measures included such as a prescription card reader and finger print recognition. However critics will likely jump all over this concept. How would a community feel about a beer vending machine? That too may alarm residents. It is understandable that the community may not be in love with this, but it is interesting to take note of technology. The company responsible for creating the machine is known as Dispense Labs. They will not be filling the machine with marijuana. Dispense Labs clearly have done a great job from a technological standpoint and maybe a machine like this would be best used at a dispensary, such as ticket kiosks located inside the airport to provide quicker service.
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Global Marijuana March To Be Held Next Week…
Known by several different names including Million Marijuana March and World Cannabis Day, the Global Marijuana March occurs on the first Saturday of May every year. There have been 738 cities and 64 countries that have signed up for the event since its inception in 1999. This year is expected to have a large turnout as marijuana has gained significant traction over the course of the previous year.
Click here for more on this and to see about the Global Marijuana March Event in your area