New Jersey
New Study Shows Teen Brain Tissue Not Impacted by Marijuana Use
Lately, much of the marijuana talk has been the historic legal victories in Washington and Colorado. Other stories have discussed New Jersey distributing medical marijuana to patients after years of delays. However, it is important not to lose focus on one of the major reasons why marijuana has gained mainstream acceptance. It is proving to be an incredible medicine.
Opponents of marijuana reform are keen on hiding behind the “what about our children” remarks. In no way do we feel that minors should use marijuana, but we do want to highlight the truth. A new study, conducted at UC San Diego, examined the scanned results of 92 teenage brains over an 18 month period. Half of the group used marijuana and alcohol frequently before on during the 18 months. The other group abstained or consumed very little amounts of alcohol during the period. For teens who drank more than 5 drinks at least twice per week, the scanned images showed a reduction in white matter brain tissue. This could greatly impact memory, decision making, and other mental processes as they become adults.
Those who primarily smoked marijuana yielded very different results. For those who smoked at least 9 times per week, there was no change in brain tissue. The results come at a time where some may fear marijuana’s legalization in Colorado and Washington. Perhaps this will help push forward new plans to reform marijuana policy. Additionally, we may want to continue this research, as alcohol’s impact on the developing brain needs to be more understood.
Those who simply want to keep the status quo, or who hide behind pills and alcohol being legal should pay full attention. The previous century saw propaganda and fear construct our marijuana policy. We have a failed war on drugs, teens being unfairly incarcerated, billions of dollars wasted, and sick patients in need of relief. Their time has passed as information is exchanged more quickly and freely than ever before. Scare tactics will no longer dictate our legislative direction.
New Jersey Dispensary Finally Serves Patients Medical Marijuana
After what has felt like a soap opera, New Jersey patients have finally now been able to legally access medical marijuana. The former Governor, Jim Corzine signed off on legislation permitting medical marijuana during his final days in office. However, Governor Christie and other lawmakers have delayed the program with as many bureaucratic and administrative delays as they could muster. After that, local townships refused to grant zoning permits.
Although officially legal, medical marijuana would remain in a stalemate until Montclair finally decided to consider the needs of patients and granted Greenleaf Compassion Center its zoning permit. On Thursday, after years of frustration and delays, Greenleaf’s doors finally opened to patients. At first supplies will be limited and patients will only have the option to purchase in half ounce increments. Greenleaf president Joseph Stevens expects supply to be a non issue soon and recently said “everything’s been going great”at the center.
New Jersey has some of the strictest rules in the nation for patients to receive a medical marijuana prescription. So far there are only 300 patients registered. However, the program will grow and more patients will be granted relief as time goes on and more conditions are recognized in the program. Additionally, there may soon be six dispensaries in the Garden Staten as five other collectives have received approval. New Jersey is one of the most populous states in the nation. We believe and hope they will show other states in the northeast and east coast how to run medical marijuana dispensaries. We all know who New Jersey’s big brother and it may only be a matter of time now before the Big Apple approves medical marijuana.
Medical Marijuana Industry News October 19, 2012
Montel Williams Calls Anti-Medical Marijuana Ads Racist in Arkansas…
Before it was cool for celebrities to come out and support marijuana reform, patients and activists always knew they could count on Montel Williams. The former talk show host suffers from MS and has been very vocal about marijuana providing him with relief and has done a great deal of work to highlight marijuana’s medicinal benefits. Now that medical marijuana is gaining acceptance, opposing groups are ratcheting up their efforts to promote propaganda. Montel Williams is coming out against an ad that opposes the proposed medical marijuana program in Arkansas that will be voted on by residents in three weeks. In the ad promoted by the Family Council Action Committee, a black man is shown dealing drugs as the narrator says “dope dealers” will be able to take advantage of legalized medical marijuana. Yesterday Mr. Williams told a crowd in Little Rock that the ad was “the most egregiously false, racist statement you’ve ever seen in your life.” Montel Williams said of his medical marijuana use that “For me, cannabis became a choice that my doctor and I had to make.” Arkansas can become the first southern state to pass medical marijuana legislation.
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New Jersey Dispensary Receives Go Ahead to Start Selling Medical Marijuana…
For those who appreciate a good legal drama, New Jersey has provided a great deal of material. New Jersey passed a bill permitting medical marijuana several years ago and has seen progress come in small intervals due to bureaucratic delays and challenges from Governor Chris Christie. No patients have been served in the years since the program received its initial approval. However, that all appears ready to change as Greenleaf Compassion Center in Montclair has received a permit to distribute marijuana. New Jersey Health Commissioner Mary O’Dowd said “This permit marks a significant step forward in the implementation of New Jersey’s medicinal marijuana program.” Patients who have been approved are expected to be receiving their medical marijuana cards any day. Analysts are still unsure as to exactly when Greenleaf Compassion will open its doors but most feel it will be operation before the end of the year.
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Arizona Officials Keep Up Battle with Residents and Medical Marijuana….
Arizona has some of the strangest and maybe even most unfair laws on record. However, officials only seem to be able to focus on two issues, immigration and marijuana. Earlier this week marijuana.net reported on a story where Arizona police officers raided a patient’s home and arrested her on felony narcotic possession, seemingly because they were not familiar with what a marijuana tincture is. Now, Maricopa County will be making its case in court as they refuse to provide zoning permits for medical marijuana dispensaries, despite a state law passed by residents that has legalize medical cannabis. Officials in Maricopa County claim that the law is in violation of Federal law. Ironically, many critics have made a similar accusation in regards to how Arizona handles immigration law. The Arizona “show me your papers” and other parts of the state’s immigration laws seem to be at odds with Federal laws, though state lawmakers do not seem to mind. Today a judge in Maricopa County will hear the opening arguments in a case filed by the ACLU.
Medical Marijuana Industry News September 28, 2012
Probation Workers Find That Chris Brown Tests Positive for Marijuana…
It has been an eventful few weeks in terms of marijuana developments in regards to celebrity. Lady Gaga publically smoked a joint onstage in Amsterdam and Fionna Apple was arrested in Texas for marijuana and hashish possession. Enter Chris Brown. The controversial star is again in the news. Because of his conviction in 2009 for assaulting then girlfriend, Rihanna, Chris Brown was placed on probation for 5 years. Mr. Brown failed a drug test in June while performing community service in Virginia. However, the plot thickens a bit because he is medical marijuana card holder. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Patricia Schnegg, said that mandatory drug tests were not a part of Chris Brown’s sentence. The judge scolded him and said “You are not an ordinary person who can sit in your living room and do whatever you want to do. More importantly, a lot of people look up to you, a lot of kids. What you do and what you say impacts a lot of people.” It appears this may just be grandstanding by authorities as Brown has not officially done anything that is in direct violation of his probation.
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Momentum Building in New York State For Marijuana Reform…
Several months ago New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he was seeking to change the controversial “Stop and Frisk” tactics used primarily by NYPD officers. Now it appears there is a growing call to institute a medical marijuana program. New York’s closet neighbors, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Vermont now have all either passed or started medical marijuana programs. Additionally, at a recent forum in Syracuse, many speakers came out in support of marijuana for MS patients. The forum received considerable media coverage and could be important to changing minds of upstate New York politicians. New York City and Long Island residents support medical marijuana with upstate residents and lawmakers a bit more on the fence. Even though the overall population of New York supports marijuana (61%), many upstate politicians work for residents in rural areas that are divided on the issue. The result contributes to Albany’s epic reputation for stalemate politics. The momentum appears to be changing and New York should be joining the growing list of states with medical marijuana within a few years.
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Arkansas Upholds Ruling for Medical Marijuana To Appear on Ballot…
Medical marijuana has typically been a coastal and Midwest conversation. However, in a testament to compassion, economics, and widespread communication, Arkansas now may become the first state to legalize medical marijuana. The ballot initiative has been successful due in large part to the efforts of Arkansas for Compassionate Care. The group contributed significantly to gathering enough signatures to get the issue to the ballots. This seemed to have been decided months ago, however, a group named Coalition to Preserve Arkansas Values filed a lawsuit to remove the issue from the ballot on the basis that it mislead voters. The Arkansas Supreme Court disagreed and ruled that “We hold that it is an adequate and fair representation without misleading tendencies or partisan coloring. Therefore, the act is proper for inclusion on the ballot at the general election on Nov. 6, 2012, and the petition is therefore denied.” Even if voters pass the measure, there will probably be resistance from the Governor who has previously stated his opposition to the bill. However, as Arizona Jan Brewer has found, it may be a slippery slope to challenge the will of voters.
Medical Marijuana Industry News September 14, 2012
New Bills In Congress Would Allow States to Decide Medical Marijuana…
As detailed often on marijuana.net, one of the biggest concerns for the medical marijuana industry is that is in a state of legislative limbo. Patients are often left to wonder if they will have access to their medication. Additionally, dispensaries face many difficulties operating in under the current system. For the most part they are prevented from utilizing bank accounts or credit unions. This results in high levels of marijuana and cash on premises, and dramatically increases the likelihood of being robbed. Additionally, these businesses cannot benefit from the tax code or deduct expenses, making their survival challenging. Several new laws in Congress have been introduced that would actually address these concerns. Three different bills, HB 1983, HB1984, and HB1985, would allow dispensaries to take advantage of electronic banking, tax deductions, and would allow states to decide if they wish to permit medical marijuana by re-scheduling marijuana. While similar bills have failed previously, there seems to be more bi-partisan support than ever for re-hauling the government’s approach toward medical marijuana. While support was previously higher from Democrats, they have now been joined by fiscally conservatives who no longer want to see funds wasted on DEA raids. Additionally, there is a growing call for returning many rights back to the states.
Two Marijuana Dispensaries to Open in Vermont…
The federal crackdown and raids on marijuana dispensaries may not be producing the intended outcomes, especially in the Northeast. In recent months, Connecticut has approved a measure to permit medical marijuana and even under the well known Republican Governor, Chris Christie (who does not support the program) New Jersey is close to dispensing marijuana to patients. There is momentum across the country as Detroit, the state of Washington, Colorado, and Oregon will see their residents vote to regulate and legalize even recreation marijuana use. A successful ballot initiative has also given residents of Arkansas the opportunity to vote on enacting a medical marijuana program. In Vermont, two marijuana dispensaries have been given the green light to open. One of the dispensaries will be located in Burlington while another will open its doors in Waterbury. Vermont legalized medical marijuana in 2004 but patients are responsible for growing and cultivating their own medicine. Patients in Vermont can possess up to 2 ounces and own 3 plants. Last year Vermont lawmakers passed a new law that would allow up to 4 dispensaries to open. The two dispensaries are expected to open in 6 months with additional applications to fill the other 2 openings under review.
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Seattle’s Children’s Alliance Supports Marijuana Legalization Initiative…
Supporting marijuana reform was previously career suicide in the public arena. Over the past few years there have been surprising supporters of marijuana reform including televangelist Pat Robertson and Progressive Insurance Chairman Peter B. Lewis. However, an even more surprising group of supporters have revealed themselves. A Seattle based non-profit group named The Children’s Alliance has come out in support of Initiative 502, which if passed by Washington State residents, would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana in a way that is similar to how alcohol is handled. The group’s main focus is on protecting children’s futures. Although whites and African Americans consume marijuana at similar rates, non whites are significantly more at risk for being arrested for it. Often these arrests are of teens and having a criminal record can seriously jeopardize their ability to get a job, housing, or gain college acceptance. Jon Gould, Deputy Director of The Children’s Alliance said “The status quo is not working for children, particularly children of color. Public policy ought to move us further toward racial equity and justice, and Initiative 502 is one step forward to that.”
Medical Marijuana Industry News September 7, 2012
More and More Evidence Supporting Marijuana’s Ability to Fight Cancer…
Marijuana.net has extensively covered the constant updates on the ability of cannabis to provide medical relief. One of the most promising areas of marijuana medicine is in its potential to reduce and fight cancer. Many simply cannot believe this as the propaganda machine has told a very different story. However, research and even a government study has indicated that marijuana and hemp oils may be the future of cancer medication. A new article on Daily Beast, highlights many of the marijuana medical breakthroughs over the course of the last 15 years, especially in cancer research. The article avoids political talking points and tired discussion, rather, opting to describe studies and research conducted at prestigious educational institutions including Harvard and Lancaster University and research printed in medical journals such as British Journal of Pharmacology and Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry.
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Jimmy Carter’s Drug Czar Criticizes President’s Handling of Marijuana…
Every four years both major political parties in the United States hold conventions. Jimmy Carter continuously serves as a punching bag for Republicans and a stepping stone to gush over former Ronald Reagan. Decades later, while still perhaps not viewed as a successful president, some forward thinking ideas from President Carter are gaining traction. In 1977, President Carter wrote a letter to Congress urging re-prioritized efforts to focus on heroin and barbiturates as they were accounting for 90% of narcotic related deaths. Redirecting the drug war still has not been properly done but the momentum for this 35 years later is at an all time high. Echoing this are recent statements by Peter Bourne who served as the director of the National Drug Control Policy. Mr. Bourne characterized President Obama’s approach to drug enforcement as “totally insane” and urged the president to enact executive orders if Congress was unwilling to amend laws. The president is familiar with utilizing executive orders as the partisan gridlock of Capitol Hill has prevented many new laws from being passed. The president most recently used an executive order with his new immigration directive, which will allow those who came to this country as children illegally to stay here without fear of deportation. Bourne went on to say that federal raids of marijuana dispensaries and keeping marijuana as a schedule I drug (the same classification as heroin meth and other destructive narcotics) “doesn’t make any sense at all”. Peter Bourne also praised legalization efforts such as Colorado’s Amendment 64 and Washington’s Initiative 502.
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More Marijuana Doctors than Patients In New Jersey…
The soap opera that is New Jersey’s medical marijuana program continues. It has been well documented and publicized that New Jersey lawmakers have dragged their feet on the issue. Medical marijuana was passed several years ago under exiting Governor Jim Corzine. Still, there has not been one single patient served. The current Governor, Chris Christie who delivered the keynote speech at the Republican National Convention, has tried to delay the program as much as he could. Getting approved as a medical marijuana patient is extremely difficult and seems to require more vetting than becoming an approved doctor to prescribe marijuana. Currently there are 130 approved patients who will eligible to receive marijuana prescriptions when the program finally gets underway. However, there are over 160 doctors who have been approved to issue these prescriptions. Conversely in Arizona, regarded as a tough state to receive a marijuana prescription, issued 700 prescriptions in its first year and has a significantly smaller population than New Jersey. Another issue perplexing patients is even getting an appointment. Of the 160 doctors, many are not even accepting patients.
Medical Marijuana Industry News August 17, 2012
Los Angeles Marijuana Dispensaries Ordered To Close on Sept 6…
Several weeks ago the Los Angeles City Council decided to issue an order to ban all marijuana dispensaries within city limits. The move has caused a fair amount of commotion and legal experts do not even know for sure if they city is operating within their rights. A recent decision by California’s second District of Appeals ruled that local municipalities cannot outlaw marijuana dispensaries. Earlier in the week, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office sent out 1,000 letters to buildings they believe are dispensaries informing them that they need to close their doors or face possible fines of $2,500 per day fine after September 6th. There is a considerable amount of legal confusion in the air. Besides the 2nd district decision, there are also referendums in the works with activists collecting signatures. This could also delay or eliminate the city’s ban. Kris Hermes of Americans for Safe Access said “We don’t have a clear-cut response for them on what’s going on. It would be imprudent to tell them to stay open. But at the same time, there is all this other activity going on that could change the situation in a matter of weeks.”
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Colorado Legalization Initiative Could Mean Big Bucks for State…
Earlier in the week marijuana.net ran a story that described how much money could be made in the state of Washington should residents vote to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis. Colorado has also released a report that shows how much money could be generated if their similar law, amendment 64 is passed. A report released by The Colorado Center on Law and Policy (CCLP) indicated that in the first year alone legalizing cannabis could generate $60 million in its first year and rise to $120 million by 2017. Of the $120 million $80 million would go toward alleviating financial burdens of local and state government with the remaining $40 million being directed to a fund that would construct new schools. Showing its potential for job creation the program would create 350 new construction jobs. This is independent of the jobs created for medical personnel, dispensary workers, security companies and several other industries.
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New Jersey Off to Slow Start in Registering Patients…
Matching the snail’s pace of the launching the entire medical marijuana program in New Jersey, only 50 patients so far have been approved to be legal cannabis patients in the Garden State. The good news is that the program is moving forward after almost no action for two years after it was approved by exiting former Governor Jim Corzine. So far state lawmakers have delayed the program for as long as they can and the small patient registration numbers come as no surprise. The point of the program is to prevent patients from having to secure their medication from illegal sources. So far the program is doing the opposite. Chris Goldstein, a spokesperson for The Coalition for Medical Marijuana in New Jersey said “Patients meanwhile are going on the underground market. “It’s not like they’re not accessing medicine out there.” New Jersey aimed to be a state with strict guidelines but has been outpaced by other known strict medical marijuana states such as Arizona. However, there is reason to believe that patient registration will pick up as every aspect of the program has been hastened by the threat of lawsuits. Expect more of the same as advocates will surely pursue the legal route if patients are not being accepted into the program.
New Jersey Shows that the Wheels of Progression Cannot Be Stopped
Despite the best efforts of Governor Chris Christie, state legislators, and local townships, New Jersey’s medical marijuana program is moving along. Patients have clearly stated that they are in favor of the program that was passed several years ago only to see bureaucratic delays on every level. However as marijuana becomes widely accepted and research confirms its medical usefulness and lack of side effects, those trying to slow the unstoppable force of progression seem to be accepting the futility of such action.
Other states have deployed similar political tactics to delay the start of their marijuana program. Arizona’s governor Jan Brewer has tried several times to prevent dispensaries from serving patients. The result has created a rift between voters and the governor. Looking to avoid such tension New Jersey has given approval for patients to register and receive their medical marijuana identification cards. Patients with terminal cancer, Crohn’s disease, glaucoma, MS, and other qualifying conditions will have the opportunity to apply for the ID card. Patients can go to the New Jersey Department of Health Website to register or call 609-292-0424. A registration card costs $200 and will be valid for 2 years.
Patients in New Jersey may still have to wait a bit for their medication as only 6 dispensaries have been approved and only one seems close to opening its doors. Greenleaf Compassion Center has previously stated that it would have a crop available to distribute by September. However they still have not yet received the final approval to dispense marijuana. While there still may be time before the program is serving patients around the state, it seems to finally be moving on the right track. There are over 150 doctors have registered to be a part of the program. State Assemblyman Assemblyman Reed Gusciora also felt the program was moving in the right direction and recently said “The opening of a patient registry is a crucial and welcome step. . . . This represents the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Our elected officials often forget they are expected to work for the people. New Jersey officials have finally gotten the message but were close to facing lawsuits. Democracy is all about abiding by the will of the people and right now the people are expecting progress. Trying to stop that is as pointless as trying to stop the ocean currents.
Arizona Gives Cold Shoulder to Returning Veterans
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Medical Marijuana Industry News July 20, 2012
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