Pot
Marijuana Name Game Still Hazy
Last year marijuana.net published an article titled “The Marijuana Name Game.” While the article takes on a light tone in the beginning, it does highlight some big problems with medical marijuana. The article cites a quote from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (The Balcony Scene Act 2-Scene 2) where Juliet says “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.”
Although we are proud of our own efforts of The Werc Shop and Marijuana.net in trying to make sense of the name game, there still is so much work to be done. Marijuana is fun, but popular culture typically only focuses on “stoner” humor, forgetting that cannabis is a wonderful medicine providing relief to so many in need. Without a true labeling and classification system set in place by state governments, it can be difficult for patients to know exactly what medicine is ideal for them, especially based on the names alone. What exactly does OG Kush mean to someone with chronic pain. Green Crack actually sounds like it may be more harmful than helpful.
We recently learned that a strain named Elephant Crush was recently created but was initially based on a fictional strain included in the novel “Baked,” by Mark Haskell Smith. In the book, the fictional character Miro Basinas, a botanist creates elephant crush and wins the Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam. The character has grown tired of supposed tasteless hybrids and creates Elephant Crush to have a sweet mango taste. Waterfall Wellness now actually is carrying a strain named Elephant Crush and it is said to be based on the strain from “Baked”. Columnist David Downs recently wrote an article titled “Smell the Truth” which describes his trip to Waterfall Wellness. Downs inquires about the genetics of Elephant Crush, but the budtender has no answers and says the genetics are a mystery. We have to ask, would a shrug of the shoulders be considered an acceptable explanation for what is included in conventional medicines?
This is not the first time we have seen strains take on names from fictional works. Pineapple Express is one of the most famous examples of this as the strain did not exist before the Seth Rogen and James Franco movie was released. There is nothing wrong with having some fun with medical marijuana but the focus needs to be on genetics and science. With a proper labeling system, silly and fun names could continue to be the norm if the necessary genetic information was included.
Medical Marijuana Industry News August 3, 2012
Federal Crackdown on Dispensaries Continues in San Francisco…
There does not appear to be any end in sight for federal raids targeting marijuana dispensaries. Attorney General Eric Holder has reiterated that they will not use federal resources to go after law abiding collectives, however that statement no longer appears true. Without any evidence of wrongdoing, federal authorities announced their intention to shut down the iconic and world’s largest marijuana dispensary, Harborside Health Center. This week we learned that two prominent San Francisco collectives, Vapor Room and Hope Net would also be forced to shut their doors. HopeNet Co-founder Catherine Smith said, “The Justice Department sent our landlord one of those nasty letters. So this is our D-Day, we have to leave.” Ray Chico who operates the popular jar company Doob Tubes, said the dispensary closings are hurting more than just patients and collective employees. He noticed his business also take a turn for the worse and has been forced to let go of staff.
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Michigan Court of Appeals Rules Cities Cannot Ban Marijuana Dispensaries…
Recently California’s 2nd Circuit of Appeals ruled that cities cannot outlaw marijuana dispensaries. The Los Angeles City Council seemed undeterred by this and went forward with what may be considered an illegal ban on dispensaries. Michigan courts have now issued a similar ruling. In the city of Wyoming Michigan an ordinance was passed that outlawed collectives. John Ter Beek of Wyoming Michigan filed a suit in 2010 challenging the ban, and the ACLU also joined the suit. Michigan’s appellate court ruled that a local ordinace does not overrule a state law. In this case since medical marijuana is protected on a state level, local municipalities cannot enact laws that conflict with state laws and outlaw dispensaries. Dan Korobkin of the ACLU was pleased with the ruling and said “In 2008, people across the state overwhelmingly voted to protect patients who use marijuana to treat their medical conditions from punishment and penalty.”
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Arizona Asked to Expand Medical Marijuana Program…
Arizona’s medical marijuana program got off to a rocky start and was delayed by two years after being passed by a vote of the people. There are still calls by opponents of medical marijuana for Governor Jan Brewer to end the program. Ms. Brewer did not have her most triumphant political moment in court and was chided by a federal judge for the way they handled the situation. However, as the Governor has received a great deal of criticism by marijuana advocates, they may be praising her today. Thirteen county attorney’s in Arizona drafted a letter formally requesting that Governor Brewer halt the medical marijuana program. She has rejected the request and wrote a response letter where she said “I am duty-bound to implement the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, and my agency will do so unless and until I am instructed otherwise.” Patients will be pleased to hear this as the it ultimately is the responsibility of elected officials to carry out the will of the people, even if they do not agree with a situation on a personal level.
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Activists Urging Costa Mesa Voters to Lift Medical Marijuana Ban…
Advocates of medical marijuana submitted close to 6,800 signatures in an effort to get an initiative on the ballot to legalize non-profit medical marijuana collectives. Dispensary owner Robert Martinez said “It’s imperative to provide safe access for veterans and cancer patients. I’m super stoked to bring these signatures.” The number of signatures is 1,000 more than the 5,812 required signatures which represents 10% of the Costa Mesa population. However, often many signatures are invalidated during ballot initiatives and if the effort requires more signatures activists will only have until August 10 if they wish to have the issue placed before voters this November.
Marijuana Advocate and L.A. City Councilman Bill Rosendahl is Receiving Treatment for Cancer
Last week the Los Angeles City Council voted to ban marijuana dispensaries. As they say, “You’ll never understand a person until you walk a mile in their shoes.” Cannabis patients are judged harshly by our elected officials. Perspective often changes when a problem hits home.
Earlier in the week, Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl announced to the Los Angeles Times that he has been a medical marijuana patient himself for over ten years. The councilman said he medicates with cannabis to help alleviate symptoms related to neuropathy. Mr. Rosendahl said the neuropathy makes his feet “red hot with pain.” Yesterday we found out that he may have another reason to continue medicating with cannabis. In a letter titled “I’m Going To Beat This,” the councilman revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer in his pelvic area. In the letter he said “My doctors feel there is abundant reason for optimism. The cancer is slow moving, has not spread to any vital organs and does not affect my digestive system.” He then went on to say “I am going to beat this cancer and return to work soon. I am going to seek, win and complete a third term.”
The popular city councilman has been a longtime supporter of legalizing marijuana nationwide. He recently told the LA Times that “it’s been clear for 20 to 30 years where I stand on this issue. I think the war on drugs is destroying this great nation.” Councilman Rosendahl was unable to to attend last week’s City Council session where marijuana dispensaries were outlawed by a vote of 14-0. The councilman who did attend apparently did not share Mr. Rosendahl’s sentiments on failed marijuana laws. Taking away dispensaries could seriously jeopardize the ability for patient’s health and may lead to increases in illegal street sales.
With his recent admission, it may force the rest of the council members to acknowledge a marijuana patient up close and personal. Before the planned dispensary ban even begins fellow council members will witness the impact of their decision firsthand. They will have to look their colleague and peer in the eye and state exactly why they are against safe access. This seems significantly more difficult than occasionally hearing patient stories at public meetings in City Hall. We at marijuana.net are hoping for Bill Rosendahl to make a speedy recovery. Patients desperately need his compassion and leadership and we eagerly await his return to the City Council.
Can The Aurora Shooting Make Us Rethink Medical Marijuana?
Now that we are about a week and a half beyond the horrific shooting in the Aurora movie theater during a premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises”, we are still trying to deal with the shock of what occurred. We would like to extend our condolences to the families of the victims in the Aurora shooting.
There is simply no reason to detail the disturbing events as almost everyone is already familiar with the tragedy at the Aurora movie theater. This article was not written to get into a second amendment debate. The country seems evenly divided on gun rights but we do have to ask exactly why it is that the right to self-defense force enjoys much more protection than the right to seek self-relief? Should they not at least be equal? Firearms are responsible for thousands of U.S. deaths every year opponents of marijuana are still eagerly awaiting the first death attributed solely to marijuana use.
Perhaps the right to bear arms is necessary, but we know for sure the right to relief is absolutely a right we should all be entitled to. As mentioned before the country is evenly divided on gun ownership yet gun rights are protected by politicians with unusual vigor. However, a physician’s right to prescribe cannabis is supported by almost 75% of the country, though by far fewer elected officials. We live in a representative democracy and we have to start to wonder exactly when is it that lawmakers will start to resemble us. They certainly do not talk or dress like most of us so is it not in their job description to push for legislation that is in line with what we want and not lobbyist interests?
However politicians are similar to us in one way, they also seem to have no clue as to why James Holmes walked into that movie theater armed to the teeth. What drives someone to acquire weapons and then indiscriminately open fire without a care to individuals or their families? It should only be a matter of time before politicians blame video games. However blaming that familiar suspect is far too simple an explanation as millions play video games but only a micro percentage of the population storm into public places with the intent to take down as many people as they can. We cannot solve this problem quickly but we can solve one other problem troubling this nation. In the amount of time it would take for the ink to dry on a bill, we could solve the issue of intolerable pain, lack of compassion, and an inability to understand. Our government could legalize medical marijuana. Senseless violence is difficult to stop, so it
Marijuana to Finally get Day in Court
Rigid fear mongering politics is not exactly a new strategy when our government wants its people to be against a cause. However their dishonesty and misleading tactics do not usually face a federal trial. Thankfully, after decades of lies and ten years after Coalition for Rescheduling Cannabis (CRC) filed their initial petition, medical cannabis will …continue reading
Marijuana Reform Moving Past Red vs. Blue States
Conventional Wisdom regarding “blue” and “red” states is no longer holding water. Momentum for marijuana reform has moved south and inland with more than just the coastal states seeking change. Medicine, relief, and happiness known no particular religion or political alliance. Efforts in two new states give advocates and patients so much hope. Oklahoma for …continue reading
Can Hemp Repair Fractured Relationship Between Obama and Marijuana?
Barack Obama, the president of the United States, seems to have already found the love of his wife. Any quick internet search on he and Michelle Obama will yield many pictures where the couple looks genuinely in love. However, like many marriages, a former love can really make a situation difficult to deal with. It …continue reading
Dr. David Sack and Modern Marijuana Propaganda
As scientists provide more solid evidence and a generation of lies is being exposed, a vast majority of Americans now support medical cannabis. Since the science and the hearts of the people are now on the side of advocates, the propaganda machine has been forced to utilize more subtle but equally misleading tactics. Today’s modern …continue reading
Medical Marijuana Industry News July 27, 2012
Activists Vow to Fight Back Against Los Angeles Dispensary Ban… The decision by the Los Angeles City Council to ban marijuana dispensaries shocked many throughout the nation. Safe patient access has been now become an even greater concern. Patients are concerned that they will have to resort to illegal means of obtaining marijuana. It appears …continue reading
Support and Cash Flowing into Washington for Marijuana Legalization
Unfortunately common sense alone does not change policy. Even as patients, activists, and scientists have made sound arguments as to why marijuana offers so many benefits and why it is futile to fight the wheels of progression. Marijuana is here, and it will not be going anywhere anytime soon so it is time for leadership …continue reading