News & Articles
Growing Marijuana Helps Save Families Across the World
While much of our news coverage focuses on domestic issues and our own western culture, it is important that we do not lose sight of the marijuana movement worldwide. In recent months we have had encouraging news in Central and South America as Columbia, Mexico, Uruguay and other countries have now seriously discussed decriminalization and legalization plans.
Moving toward the rest of the world, we can see that the recession has an even greater impact on struggling countries. With no industry and help in sight, villagers in trouble have turned to a new way to make ends meet and feed their families. Several months ago many news outlets reported that Rasquera, a small village in Spain was considering renting out their fields to help pay off a large debt owed to the European Union. The small village has been growing concerned that its younger population is moving out, seeking jobs in larger metropolitan areas. Though the village voted to enact the plan, an official from the Spanish government said there was virtually no way this program would ever get started. Officials in Spain may be forced to think outside of the box as Spain is suffering from 23% unemployment (unemployment is considered a huge problem in the U.S. and is currently at 8.3%) with economists predicting another upcoming and prolonged recession.
While the Spanish government may be dragging their feet and standing in the way of villagers taking their own initiative, the New York Times recently reported on a grandmother in Swaziland who has become a cannabis grower as a way to support her 11 grandchildren. Khathazile, (she only provided her middle name to the Times reporter) has lost her 3 daughters who all died young and is growing the famous “Swazi Gold” strain as a way to take care of her motherless grandchildren. Marijuana was not necessarily her first choice to grow but traditional crops do not provide enough for the large family to survive. As Khathazile says “If you grow corn or cabbages, the baboons steal them.” Another local woman, Sibongile Nkosi, started to grow marijuana before her daughter died and was impressed with the ease of the grow. She described her first attempt by saying “I put the seeds in the ground, watered them, and it grew. I was able to feed my children.”
While these stories may seem controversial to some, it is easy to criticize the idea from more economically vibrant regions of the world, where we may not be faced with having to break the law in order to clothe and feed our children. HIV/AIDS has ravaged much of Africa with so many children becoming orphans at a young age. We can no longer afford ignorance, and the luxury of fear mongering and propaganda. Simply put, marijuana saves and improves lives both medically and economically. As men in pressed suits try to put their expensive western education to work and try to create elaborate economic recovery plans, Khathazile already has a sustainable low cost plan for pulling the world out of this recession.
FSU Star Greg Reid’s Dismissal Highlights Huge Contradiction
Evidence of organized athletics outdated views on marijuana have been mounting. Recently, marijuana.net published an article that described several American athletes being banned from the Olympic games for testing positive on marijuana tests, even as marijuana is not considered a performance enhancer. Even Michael Phelps was suspended from competition (previous to the London Games) for being photographed smoking marijuana and never officially failing a drug test. As marijuana has gained acceptance, most sports organizations have not done their homework or acknowledged the generational differences.
We no longer live in an “alcohol only” society. Marijuana is quickly becoming the new generations choice when it comes to social substance use. Marijuana is not known to produce the common “hang over” side effects of alcohol. Additionally, research is showing that it does not seem to have the long term health implications found with alcohol or substance use. Unfortunately, the approach by most sports organizations is as archaic as ever. Another star joining the list of those suffering extreme consequences due to marijuana use is former Florida State corner back Greg Reid. Reid was pulled over recently and was charged with a misdemeanor after an officer discovered a small amount of marijuana in the car. As a result, the talented Greg Reid, both a media and fan favorite has been dismissed by Florida State University. As Orlando Sentinel reporter Mike Bianchi said in a recent article, “if Reid had been arrested for DUI with an open bottle of Jack Daniels in the front seat, he’d probably still be on the team.”
It is understandable that will only naturally be a generational gap when accessing the dangers of marijuana. Previous generations endured pseudo science and decades of anti marijuana propaganda. Newer generations have grown up in a world where shared experiences are accessible on their cell phones with information on marijuana being readily available. Teens are smoking marijuana at higher rates the propaganda ultimately may have had the opposite effect than its initial intention, as distrust in the government’s approach toward cannabis has increased. However, even for those who may not support marijuana, it still is abundantly clear that cannabis is here and needs to be dealt with.
Florida State’s coach, Jimbo Fisher is not exactly a supporter of marijuana use. He sees it as a drug with its use reaching “epidemic” levels. However, he seems to accept that cannabis is here and does not want to turn his back on the issue. At a recent press conference he said “We look at alcohol like it’s not a problem. “Alcohol isn’t illegal, and I understand that, but I’ll tell you what, it causes as many deaths and bad circumstances as any other drug. But alcohol is accepted.” He then went on to say “What if somebody told everybody in this room that you can’t drink a beer again or you’re going to get fired?” Coach Fisher feels it is our duty to help and also told reporters “There’s more drug and alcohol abuse in this country than there’s ever been. We can stick our head in the sand and act like it’s not there, but it is. It doesn’t make them bad kids; it’s our job to help fix it.”
Even if many of us do not totally agree and view marijuana as dangerous as alcohol, we at marijuana.net were pleased to see a high profile coach engage the issue instead of pretending it does not exist. For those who oppose marijuana, we challenge you to explain why the approach of sticking your fingers in your ears and yelling loudly had been an acceptable solution for what you consider such a destructive substance?
Hempcrete To Be used in Construction of Florida Home
We at marijuana.net have posted many articles that highlight hemp’s varied uses. Food, paper, clothing, rope, and so many other products can be made by utilizing the hemp plant. During a time where we hope the green movement catches on, American Lime Technology is begining the construction of a home that will showcase an entirely new way of construction. America’s first home made from hempcrete will hopefully pave the way for future buildings. The home is expected to sustain hurricane force winds (up to 123mph). Bob Clayton of American Lime Technology is hoping hempcrete construction catches on across the U.S. He says that it is common in Europe to use hempcrete in construction and would like to see it gain popularity here. Many believe hempcrete offers a healthier lifestyle and does not trigger allergies linked to latex and other materials used in building traditional American homes.
For more on hempcrete an Americal Lime Technology click here
Patient Care Alliance To Sue Los Angeles Over Dispensary Ban
It did not take long for activists to fight back against the recent ban on medical marijuana dispensaries by the City of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles City Council made a very controversial decision to ban all of its medical marijuana collectives. A decision so controversial, it may even be illegal when considering the recent ruling of California’s 2nd District of Appeals Court which said cities do not have the right to ban marijuana dispensaries.
Many analysts wondered exactly why the city when forward with the ban as many lawsuits were expected, especially as it seems activists have the upper hand legally. Marijuana.net mentioned yesterday that letters were sent to marijuana dispensaries informing them that they have until September 6th to shut down, or face a fine of $2,500 per everyday they remain open. We now have learned that the September 6th forced closure date may be in jeopardy.
According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, the trade group named “Patient Care Alliance”, which represents 300 area dispensaries has filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles over the upcoming dispensary closures. Marc O’Hara who is in charge of the group called the ban “heartless”. The city of Los Angeles is also likely to have another legal headache as GLACA (The Greater Los Angeles Collectives Alliance) and ASA (Americans for Safe Access) are working on a ballot initiative to overturn the ban. They have already began to collect signatures and if they are successful residents of Los Angeles may vote to repeal the ban.
Critics of the ban are concerned that patients will no longer have access to safe medicine and may even have to turn to illegal methods of obtaining cannabis. The City Council claims that patients have not been left out in the cold because they are still allowed to grow their own cannabis and distribute it within groups of three. This proposal seems unenforceable (how exactly will law enforcement prove patients are operating within their groups?) and seems to carry the potential for organized crime to regain their stronghold on the Los Angeles marijuana market. However, growing quality and safe marijuana that is free of pesticides, mold, and other harmful agents can take years of practice, something many patients are unable to do. Additionally there is considerable cost associated with starting a grow operation from scratch. The need for safe access to medication is important, especially for a city that has had legalized medical marijuana for 16 years. Check back with us soon as well will keep an eye on any new developments pertaining to the September 6th closures.
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.”
For more on this story click here
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.
For more on this story click here
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.
News Of Marijuana Benefit May be Weighed Down By Political Arguments
Despite political squabbling as to how America should handle its growing healthcare problem, millions remain uninsured. With mental disorders being diagnosed more frequently and skyrocketing treatment costs, we seem to be heading down a path of widespread medical disaster, where many still will not be able to afford treatment.
Repealing Obamacare (the goal of presidential hopeful Mitt Romney who ironically can be considered its architect) will be a huge topic for debate in the upcoming presidential election. We have witnessed the obsession with eliminating the president’s healthcare plan since it was passed. However, we have heard very few ideas as to how the next plan would provide help to so many who are in desperate situations. Marijuana activists have offered their own plans to provide relief for millions, though marijuana alone cannot address all of our healthcare needs. However, when it comes to affordable medicine with little side effects, marijuana could act as an viable alternative. Government sponsored clinical trials with cannabis could produce some of the most effective treatments from both a standpoint of financial accessibility and medical effectiveness.
Neither President Obama nor Mitt Romney have embraced medical marijuana, but as their endless debate unfolds, we at marijuana.net want to make sure a new development does not get lost in the campaign squabbling. We were pleased to learn of even more evidence that cannabis holds more than just pain relief potential. In the journal titled “Psychiatry Research” a study was recently published that showed frequent cannabis users demonstrated higher neurocognitive performance when suffering from bi-polar disorder than those who did not use cannabis. The scientists were not willing to say that marijuana should be used specifically as a treatment for bi-polar disorder. Authors of the study were concerned about side effects and supposed links to possible psychological problems linked with marijuana use.
Scientists who were part of the study concluded that may need to develop treatments that mimic the positive effects of cannabis while limiting any negative side effects. Clearly more research is needed, but even if cannabis has some negative effects for those with mental disorders, lifting restrictions on marijuana research could eventually produce a strain of marijuana that could be ideal for bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, or other mental disorders. In Israel, where partisan politics have not restricted and severely hindered research, scientists were able to produce a strain of marijuana with high levels of CBD and low levels of THC (CBD and THC are both cannabinoids). The result is a strain that will address pain relief without creating the expected psychedelic effects commonly associated with marijuana. If our president and congress were to abandon the rhetoric, we may soon see scientists create treatments for the new age, medicine that is affordable, natural, and effective.
Updates on Upcoming Ballot Initiatives
We at marijuana.net are always trying to report on the newest developments for the upcoming 2012 election in November. Ballot initiatives have been the largest contributor to a restoration of rights that we have seen dissipate over the last century. Because of this, we would like to provide highlights on some of the ballot initiatives that could see result in more legalization and decriminalization of cannabis.
First we were happy to read about new polls that show Colorado residents seemed inclined to legalize marijuana this November. The group Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol collected enough signatures to get the issue to the ballots and will be voted on by the people. However, a previous 2006 vote in Colorado was rejected by the people so there is still doubt. Fortunately polls are showing that a majority of residents in Colorado seemed more likely to approve the measure this time around. A survey conducted by the Public Policy Polling group showed that 47% are currently in favor of Amendment 64 and legalization while 38% oppose the measure with 15% unsure. There appears to be a very real chance that Colorado will be legalizing and regulating marijuana after November.
Michigan has demonstrated the value of ballot initiatives for a while now. Kalamazoo had its residents vote and approve a measure that made marijuana the lowest priority for its police department. Additionally, Detroit will vote to drastically decriminalize marijuana this November. Grand Rapids appears to be the next Michigan city ready to take matters into their own hands. A group named Decriminalize GR collected enough signatures which had to amount to 5% (6,565 signatures) of the Grand Rapids population. The signatures were approved and were considered valid by the City Commission.
A failure of governing has resulted in the people taking the initiative. We need access to medication and a system of regulation that will tax, test, and dispense marijuana. As politicians have begged for the issue to disappear we can thank the people for accepting that cannabis is here to stay, and needs to be regulated.
Marijuana Industry Needs To Become Wall Street
The United States policy direction is largely dictated by successful industries and their lobbyists. Once the money has the ear of the politician, favorable laws that can ensure market consistency tend to follow. Wall Street, for example, thrives on being able to predict consistency and we all know that candidates on either side of the aisle think of New York’s financial district when drafting many laws. While the success of our investments on Wall Street is volatile and anything but consistent, investors do not have to question if they will be open for business, or if their industry will be shut down due to federal influence. When regulations are not working for them they simply put the pressure on Congress to help increase profits.
The idea of consistency is a tremendous hurdle for the legalized marijuana industry. Three states will put a legalization, taxation, and regulation plan to a vote by the people this November. According to a recent article by The Seattle Times, Washington State could see as much as 1.9 billion in new tax revenue, or they could see $0.00. This is all contingent upon the how much interference Washington State will have from federal authorities. However predicting the federal government’s response has been difficult at best. Team Obama indicated they would not divert resources toward medical marijuana patients and dispensaries that are in compliance with state law. That has not proved to be the case and many jobs and patients have become collateral damage from this change in policy direction by the White House.
This November could prove to be a turning point for the marijuana reform movement. Even if one of the three states eligible (Colorado, Washington, Oregon) vote to legalize and regulate cannabis, the move will symbolically show the country is heading in a new direction. While full legalization may not prevent federal agents from storming dispensaries, it could force them to think twice. Exactly how eager is our government to prevent job/economic growth and billions in tax revenues? We also need to take into consideration that although much of our money goes toward funding the overzealous DEA agents, as they too are on a budget.
As our article suggested yesterday, the wheels of progression cannot be stopped and eventually the federal government will not possess enough agents and dollars to continue their assault on our civil rights. However, with any struggle the powers that be will not give up willingly and are unmoved by patient stories, youth incarcerations, and our rights as citizens. This industry needs to ratchet up its pressure on our elected officials. We need to demand that the will of majority is considered and that we need consistency in order to regulate and forecast how much revenue we can rely on in the worst economic period of our generation. We need laws that protect jobs. In the sense of political movement and protecting our interests, we need to become Wall Street.
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.
New Bill Aims to Fix Hemp Laws
Patients are all too aware of how destructive the war against marijuana has been. For reasons that defy logic marijuana has been treated like the “The Devil’s Smoke”. Another unfortunate by product of the common senseless approach to marijuana has to do with its impact on hemp. Even with low levels of THC that could not produce psychedelic effects, hemp production in the U.S. has been outlawed since the 1930s. Hemp offers so much potential and can be used in food, building materials, rope, paper and has many other practical uses. Many analysts have wondered why our government has not altered hemp laws, especially in this struggling economy.
Fortunately a few elected officials are seeking to change this. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rand Paul (R-KY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) are pushing for a bill to be passed that once again legalize hemp production and could help create jobs. Senator Wyden said “Introducing this bill is the first step toward a common sense policy on hemp that helps create American jobs. It is vital that all advocates for industrial hemp redouble their efforts tow in support in Congress if we are going to reestablish this economically important crop.”