Pot
Marijuana Industry News March 8, 2013
Ex-DEA Officials Pressure White House to Go After New Recreational Marijuana States…
As we have previously reported at Marijuana.net, federal authorities have remained relatively quiet on the issue of legal marijuana ever since the voters of Colorado and Washington state decided to legalize recreational use. The issue is gaining national acceptance as a recent Reason/Rupe poll suggested that 72% of Americans do not think marijuana users should be arrested. The poll also found that 68% of respondents do not feel growers should be arrested. Fifty three percent of those included in the national poll said they felt marijuana should be regulated in a similar fashion to alcohol. Even with swelling public support, former DEA officials are trying to convince the federal government to overpower Colorado and Washington. The retired DEA members feel that if the feds do not act now, they may lose the issue forever. Peter Bensinger, a former DEA administrator recently told the Associated Press that “My fear is that the Justice Department will do what they are doing now: Do nothing and say nothing. If they don’t act now, these laws will be fully implemented in a matter of months.” In a country where consensus is becoming a rare phenomenon, these soaring levels of support may already have signaled the point of no return. As we start to feel the impact of sequestration and lack of compromise, DEA officials may find it a tough sell to continue using tax dollars to go after marijuana users and growers. Additionally, federal law is actually preventing billions in potential tax revenue that is desperately needed.
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New Jersey Lawmakers Seeking to Keep Medical Marijuana Patients on Organ Transplant List…
Many lawmakers around the United States have long snickered at medical marijuana. The easy and quick analysis is that it MUST be front a for those looking to circumvent the law. However, for many this is the most serious issue they have ever encountered in their life. As millions worldwide have improved their quality of life with medical marijuana use, naïve talking point politicians have been slow to research the issue. One major problem for elderly medical marijuana patients is that they typically taken off organ recipient lists. This places them in a difficult situation. How does one value the long term (needed organ transplant) over the short term (immediate daily pain relieved by cannabis)? New Jersey is attempting to fix this before it becomes a major issue in the Garden State. Earlier this week, New Jersey’s Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee passed S-1220. The panel stated that S-1220 “would provide that a registered, qualifying patient’s authorized use of medical marijuana would be considered equivalent to using other prescribed medication rather than an illicit substance and therefore would not disqualify the person from needed medical care, such as an organ transplant.” It took New Jersey several years to cut through their bureaucratic red tape and institute a medical marijuana program passed under previous Governor, Jim Corzine. However, it is reassuring to see that they are taking a compassionate approach with this issue. In a press release by the bill’s co-sponsors, lawmakers said that removing patients from the organ recipient list because of medical marijuana use is a practice that is “unconscionable as the patients have followed their doctors’ orders and have taken a legal medication to reduce the pain and suffering associated with their illness. Transplant centers should not be able to discriminate against people for using this prescription pain killer.”
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Michigan Judge Rules that Medical Marijuana Patients Cannot be Denied Unemployment Benefits…
The story above highlighted a victory for patients in New Jersey. We also have good news to report for those patients in Michigan. Last August, a Michigan court ruled that the Michigan Marijuana Act of 2008 “does not offer any employment protection to card holders” and “does not regulate private employment.” In September the decision was upheld when former Walmart employee, Joseph Casias, was let go for marijuana use even as he was suffering from an inoperable brain tumor. He was also denied benefits after being let go. This week, Ingham County Circuit Judge William Collette ruled that medical marijuana patients can receive unemployment benefits after termination of employment. Medical marijuana has had a wild ride in Michigan over the course of the past several years since it was legalized in 2008. Even as Michigan lawmakers and state Attorney General, Bill Schuette, try to fight against medical marijuana, residents have made it clear they support a patient’s right to use medical cannabis. Michigan has some of the most progressive medical marijuana laws and is one of the only states that allows for minors to receive legal marijuana for certain qualifying conditions.
Hawaii Senate Votes to Decriminalize Marijuana
New states seem to be joining the marijuana reform movement on a regular basis. Last week we discussed that several states, including Maine and Maryland, are considering drastic changes to their marijuana laws. This week another state joined the conversation.
The Hawaii Senate has voted in favor of decriminalizing marijuana. The bill will now have to go before Hawaii House members. If passed by the House, the bill will decriminalize possession marijuana up to one ounce. For those charged with possession of less than one ounce, they will receive a civil citation and a $1,000 fine. The fine was included in the bill because lawmakers wanted to stress that marijuana is still illegal. A bill to legalize recreational marijuana was rejected several weeks ago by Hawaii lawmakers.
Hawaii state Senator, Clayton Hee, stated that the change in the law was not to legalize marijuana, but rather, an attempt to reduce the backlog of marijuana cases awaiting trial. If the bill passes it is expected to save Hawaii taxpayers money that would normally be allocated toward arrest, incarcerations, and trials. New Mexico lawmakers have also passed a similar bill, but former prosecutor and current Governor, Susana Martinez, has indicated that she is against relaxing any drug laws.
As economic struggles continue in America, there may be many other states that decide to re-consider how they allocate tax dollars. This week we are starting to feel the effects of sequestration. Unless Congress comes to an agreement soon, the sequestration cuts will have an even greater impact on our economy. There may be no better time for activists to make the financial case for marijuana reform.
Medical Marijuana Industry News March 1, 2013
Police Confiscate Cannon used to Fire Marijuana Across Border Fence…
Many of us have fired a potato cannon at some point in our lives. Watching a potato fly across a field is one thing, but drug traffickers have taken the idea a bit further. Recently a homemade cannon had been used to fire bags of marijuana over fences dividing the United States and Mexico. The cannons have been modified and seem to be a significant improvement over traditional potato cannons. Bags with as much as 30 pounds of marijuana have been travelling up to 500 feet. This is not the first time cannons have been used. Mexican authorities claimed to have recovered similar devices over the years. Authorities have their hands full as this is another example of difficult it has been to try and stop drug smuggling.
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Medical Marijuana Support Taking Hold in More States…
The acceptance of medical marijuana seems to be spreading at an accelerated rate. Even in the deep south, a change in attitude toward medical marijuana seems to be taking place. In Iowa, a recent poll conducted by The Des Moines Register showed that 58% of residents supported medical marijuana. In Florida, the support runs even higher. About 70% of Florida residents support a state constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana. The support numbers are so high that many political analysts believe the issue may impact the state’s governor race. Florida has a high number of elderly residents who may need pain relief. Additionally, Florida is also known for illegal indoor grows, and is considered to have the most in the United States.
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Majority of California Residents Support Legalization of Recreational Marijuana…
While many around the country think the title of this section is a no brainer, overall support to legalize recreational marijuana has a rocky history in the state. Past efforts have failed to gain enough support. Like many states, there is a difference in attitude in rural areas vs. urban areas. However, as the entire country starts to accept marijuana, the state where the modern movement started may also be on board. The Field Research Corporation conducted the poll which found that 54% of California voters support legalizing recreational marijuana. In 2010, a similar poll found that 50% supported the idea. Support for the continued federal efforts to raid medical marijuana dispensaries received support from only 27% of residents.
After Months of Silence U.S. Government Responds to New Marijuana Laws
After the historic vote by the people of both Colorado and Washington to legalize recreational marijuana, a swift response by the federal government was expected. However, most federal officials have yet to utter a public response to Colorado and Washington taking legalization into their own hands. United States Attorney General, Eric Holder, did meet with high ranking officials from Washington State but made no comment to the public regarding the discussions.
The people are finally being informed of the federal government’s position on marijuana since the November election. Unfortunately, it seems only Canadian residents are being kept in the loop for the time being. U.S. Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske, told the Canadian based Maclean’s magazine that the federal government will still target marijuana growers and providers. He went on to say “I think a patchwork of policies would create real difficulties… “I don’t see the legalization of drugs and making them widely available as a good thing.”
Mr. Kerlikowske was also asked if he noticed any parallels between same-sex marriage and the current legal situation with marijuana. He responded by saying “I don’t look at marijuana as a human right, or a civil right, or even in the same venue as gay marriage…this is a public health issue.” Struggling patients seeking pain relief will likely disagree with the initial portion of the quote. As traditional medical treatments have failed so many, medical marijuana is considered a right by millions of Americans.
Mason Tvert of the Marijuana Policy Project responded by saying “We are hopeful [federal officials] will see the benefits of regulating marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol, and we are pleased to see the progress these two states are making toward doing just that.” There is validity to some of what Gil Kerlikowske stated. Marijuana is a public health issue. Providing pain relief without physically addictive opiate based medications is in the utmost interest of the people. It will be interesting to see what is said when the federal government decides to finally address its own people.
Pennsylvania Senator Wants State to Regulate and Sell Legal Marijuana
Inaction by the federal government has been prompting states to alter their marijuana laws for over 15 years. Until November, state government officials and activists have mostly been discussing medical marijuana and decriminalization laws. With residents voting to legalize recreational marijuana in Colorado and Washington, the discussion has widened its scope.
Pennsylvania State State Senator Daylin Leach is seeking to have the state government regulate marijuana in the same way as alcohol. This would increase tax revenues and place a system of control that officials currently do not have in regards to regulating marijuana. As the idea of respecting state rights, individual freedoms, reducing incarcerations rates for non violent acts, and saving tax payer dollars grows in popularity, these proposals no longer seem so far fetched.
His plan to drastically update marijuana laws has certainly gained momentum. The voter initiated plans in Colorado and Washington seems to have prompted state lawmakers across the country to propose similar measures. Rhode Island lawmakers are also discussing a similar bill. Although a recent bill has stalled among lawmakers in Hawaii earlier this week, the momentum appears to be gaining. In West Virginia, a recent Marijuana Policy Project poll show that 53% of West Virginia residents support legalizing medical marijuana. An even greater number (63%) decided feel that marijuana was a safer choice than oxycontin for debilitating pain.
Senator Leach feels legalization is only a matter of time because the majority of younger Americans “have very little interest in continuing prohibition.” He also said the legislation was important because “There are other intoxicants that are far worse that we do not treat the same way. We do not accuse people of criminal offenses for consuming.” Senator Leach is hoping to save Pennsylvania over $500 million per year with a combination of law enforcement savings and tax revenue.
Teen Highlights the Failure of Prohibition
Banning the sale and consumption of alcohol did not exactly create the moral utopia some expected in the 1920s and 30s. In fact, it created bootlegging and organized crime which still presents major problems almost a century later. Banning and ignoring marijuana has also created an unregulated black market, however our government does not seem to be learning a quick lesson this time around.
Many experts also believe that banned substances can become in vogue. While marijuana happens to be a banned substance with little to no side effects, its chemical copies offer far more devastating consequences. Synthetic marijuana or cannabinoids, can mimic many of the effects of marijuana, but also carry the potential for massive health complications. These include high risk for strokes, heart problems, stomach/intestinal issues, and mental problems. Despite this, synthetic marijuana has become very popular with teens as it can be purchased at local convenience stores. Last year, a federal ban was enacted to stop the sales of products that include these lab created compounds such as JWH-018.
A teen from Cypress, Texas, knows all too well of just how serious the side effects of synthetic marijuana can be. Emily Bauer spent two weeks in an ICU after purchasing and using synthetic marijuana. Two weeks before her ICU stay, she was experiencing persistent migraines. Her symptoms grew worse as her mental state deteriorated. She became violent and when her parents decided to have paramedics take her to the hospital, she fought vigorously and bit guardrails and anybody who attempted to help her. Her symptoms were so severe that it appeared she would not recover. Bauer survived but has endured a traumatic experience. She finds herself part of the group that is most at risk to wind up in the hospital for synthetic marijuana use, those between the ages of 12-17.
Unfortunately, the propaganda and exaggeration machine has eroded the trust between teens and government officials. Teens have heard and found firsthand that marijuana is not nearly the villain that films such as reefer madness have made it out to be. The problem now has become trying to earn this trust back. People are willing to try out dangerous products such as K2 and Spice despite health warnings. Additionally, the bans may never be fully effective as labs can create new synthetic cannabinoids with relative ease. The government has a tremendous credibility issue and has to engage in a realistic conversation on marijuana. It is here, it is not going away, and with proper regulation will be far less harmful than prescription drugs, homemade drugs, alcohol, and synthetics.
Washington State Looking to Keep Tight Legal Marijuana Regulations
The demographics of the United States are changing everyday. The newer generation of Americans no longer wish to see their peers treated unfairly because of who they wish to spend the night with. Even the Boy Scouts of America, an organization that has traditionally banned any gay members, is now reconsidering their position. Last November’s election showed that the country is heading in a new direction as states enacted marriage equality acts, and two states (Colorado, Washington) legalized recreational marijuana use.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson met with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder last week. The meeting was aimed at striking a balance between federal and state regulations. Washington state is moving forward with what their people want, a taxed and regulated marijuana market. However, Washington officials are not abandoning caution, and understand the concerns that opponents have about marijuana leaving state lines. The state is seeking the help of marijuana experts to help ensure that the proper regulations are set in place.
Washington and Colorado are hoping to create the model for how this can be done. Polling and recent voting shows a surge in support for drastic marijuana reform and there are no signs of this trend slowing. Washington’s Liquor Control Board has posted ads that indicates they seeking individuals with “at least three years of consulting experience relating to the knowledge of the cannabis industry, including but not limited to product growth, harvesting, packaging, product infusion and product safety.” Medical marijuana employees will likely be the target employees. The state is looking to determine safety and testing regulations, the proper amount of storefronts. There is time to work this out but the regulations are expected to be in place sooner than later as legal sales are expected to begin in December.
It may be about time for the federal government to start posting their own job advertisements. We are supposed to look to the federal government for guidance and should not have to enact common sense law ourselves years before they will even consider discussion. It is a fast paced, internet and technologically driven world that will soon not tolerate snail paced governing. Tough talk, failed policy, one liners, and bitter partisan politics are no longer in step with what most Americans want. If Washington state can demonstrate a connection to what the people want, we hope that Washington D.C. follows suit.
Parents Find Success in Treating Autistic Son With Marijuana
The medical marijuana movement has gained traction simply because it has produced results. Despite the talking points of politicians who still claim to want more research but also want to block said research, patients testimonials have been strong and heartfelt. Also during this time of medical marijuana expansion we have seen a significant rise in autism diagnoses. One family living Oregon has found that marijuana has done wonders in treating their son’s violent episodes related to his autism.
This story is sure to cause considerable controversy. Those looking in, who are not faced with this difficult situation may be quick to render judgement. However, the parents of Alex Echols seem to want to provide a better and safer quality of life for their son. Traditional medicine and treatments were not effective in reducing Alex’s violent outbursts. As a result the family decided to try something unconventional. They have noticed results and seem pleased with their son’s progress. However, they are not advocating that everyone in their situation try this.
We are only going to get to the bottom of marijuana’s efficacy by research. With the vast majority of the country feeling that the federal approach to this issue is a failure at best, when will we see change? Federal authorities are still hiding behind the red tape. We have heard so much about individual rights from Congressional members, though most members in the House are eerily quiet on the subject. If marijuana is so devastating and deserving of its Schedule I classification, WHY NOT conduct the research and prove once and for all it’s dangers? The federal government owes the American people this protection. We need and must know if this plant, that is available everywhere, is causing the widespread damage authorities claim. We owe it to 11 year old Alex Echols if his reduction in violent behavior carries with it an even greater risk. The only conclusion is that our government is outright lying/misleading on marijuana, or that they have absolutely no concern for our safety.
President Obama Officially Starts His Second Term
Earlier today America watched the President of the United States be sworn in for his second term. There was an enormous crowd on hand to witness the historical event. Unfortunately, in modern day politics, the day would not be complete without House GOP members playing politics with the Presidential Inauguration. Many skipped the event with critics accusing them of making America “look like brats.”
It does not feel as if four years have passed since we lasted watched Barack Obama recite the oath. There was optimism in the air for activists when President Barack Obama became president in 2009. The self proclaimed fan of marijuana took a progressive stance on our failed marijuana policy. He informed the public that marijuana was a low priority and that he did not envision the Department of Justice using significant resources to attack the medical marijuana industry. Over the course of the last year and a half, however, those statements seemed to be challenged by federal raids in California, Colorado, and Montana.
As we have already covered in previous articles, 2012 looks to be serving as a key turning point in the marijuana reform movement. If the recent tax and “fiscal cliff” debate are any example, then finances are going to be a point of contention for some time. It is time for this president to re-prioritize our resources. America wants our children protected and lack of funds for mental health facilities, or additional police officers for schools will be considered unacceptable by the public.
Marijuana.net recently reported that a high profile Obama ally, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, has publicly discussed reforming marijuana laws in his state. Cuomo may be testing the waters for future political action. Since his statements have not resulted in a political suicide, we hope the president takes note. Any president is conscious of his legacy and we wonder exactly what President Obama was thinking as he placed his hand on that bible and said “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Somewhere in that Constitution we are pretty it says something about protecting the rights of the people.
After an Up and Down 2012, Americans Welcome 2013
The new year represents a fresh start for everyone. Last year was eventful and saw difficult times especially toward the end. The Newtown school shootings (among the other horrific acts which include3 the Aurora movie theater massacre) and Hurricane Sandy have made the end of this year painful for so many. A tense election and the so-called “fiscal cliff” left a sour political taste for many Americans.
However there were many highlights in 2012 as well. The November election saw one of the rarest sights in America. Individual rights were returned to the people in several ways. Several states legalized and/or voted down amendments to outlaw same sex marriage. Children brought here through no fault of their own illegally, will be allowed to stay since President Obama signed an executive order in June. Of course, there were marijuana victories as well. Connecticut and Massachusetts will join the growing list of states that will provide relief for patients through medical marijuana. New Jersey also served its first patient, after years of bureaucratic delays. Of course, the biggest developments in marijuana reform took place in Colorado and Washington where recreational marijuana will now be taxed, regulated, and distributed by state governments.
The ripple effects from Colorado and Washington appears to be putting pressure on the federal government to stand aside. There is much to look forward to in 2013, including the future of a bill introduced in Congress that would prevent federal agents from interfering with state marijuana laws. The bill, which is being referred to as “The Citizens Rights Act” and “Respect States Act”. This bill would allow federal law to remain intact, but it would step aside and not take precedence over state laws. Although 2012 was a wild year, we have high hopes for 2013. We wish everyone a happy and safe new year!