Pot
Senator Patrick Leahy Organizes Federal Conference on Marijuana Policy
Marijuana Industry News August 23, 2013
White House Trying to Create Distance from Dr. Sanjay Gupta Marijuana
Reversal…
CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, has created many
headlines and conversation since recently announcing he his previous
anti-marijuana stance was incorrect. Dr. Gupta . President Obama had
considered Gupta for Surgeon General in 2008. Dr. Gupta, however did
not want to walk away from his surgical career and did not want to
lose time with his family. Many have been wondering if Gupta’s
reversal will have policy impact. So far it has not, but the White
House is answering questions it would rather not. Deputy Press
Secretary, Josh Earnest was asked if a position flip by a well known
White House ally would have any impact on President Obama’s marijuana
policy. Earnest said that President Obama ‘does not, at this point,
advocate a change in the law” and “The administration’s position on
this has been clear and consistent for some time now” There are two
curious phrases in Josh Earnest’s quotes. For one, they make sure to
say nothing will change “at this point”, perhaps opening the door to
future changes. Additionally, many would disagree very much so
that President Obama has been “consistent” on his marijuana views.
The administration signaled a much different view on the 2008 campaign
trail and the early days of his first term. However, a major change
appears to be on the horizon as it is becoming more difficult to
locate someone who will actually defend the current Schedule 1 status
of marijuana.
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City of Washington D.C. May Create Program to Subsidize Poor Medical
Marijuana Patients…
Fiscal conservatives will likely have a field day criticizing a new
proposal by city government officials in D.C. Others will praise a
proposal aimed at helping struggling patients who may not be able to
afford their medication. D.C. city officials are considering a
program that would require dispensary operators to put aside 2% of
profits in order to subsidize lower income patients who may not be
able to afford their medication. While there have been calls in many
municipalities across the nation to address access to the poor, there
has not been any initiative such as this one from any government
entity.. Arizona allows for a reduced registration fee for low income
patients and many dispensaries have taken it upon themselves to offer
discounted meds but there have yet to be significant laws requiring
this. One issue in the medical marijuana world is that medicine is
often priced at the prohibition street prices. Allen St. Pierre, of
NORML, said “The rule is totally unprecedented in the medical
marijuana community.”
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National Marijuana Expert Suggests Fed Government Enter into a
Contract with Washington and Colorado on Medical Marijuana…
In an ideal world, the federal government would respect the laws and
wishes of state residents. For decades many have tried to make this a
reality. Marijuana reform activists have lobbied the federal
government to rethink their outdated position that marijuana is one of
the most dangerous substances on Earth, even more so than cocaine. A
leading expert on marijuana law, and professor of public policy, Mark
Kleiman, is seeking to change this. Mr. Kleinman is the lead
consultant for Washington state on their recently legalized medical
marijuana program. The professor suggested that the Department of
Justice could enter into a contract with Colorado and Washington which
would have the states do everything in their power to prevent
marijuana from flooding other markets while the federal government
would vow not to prosecute the states who would be in violation of
federal law. Earlier this week he told reporters “I think that
authorizes the (attorney general) to essentially enter into treaties
with Colorado and Washington… That’s messy, but I think it’s
workable. It would prevent flooding the country with cheap pot.” It
would also make it easier for businesses and patients to move forward,
as the battle of state vs. federal law has left everyone in limbo.
Federal Authorities Refuse to Admit Marijuana less Dangerous than Alcohol
Last week, we at marijuana.net were pleased to report on Attorney General Holder’s decision to alter the way federal minimum drug sentences would be handled. This week we found out it may have been a case of the Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away.
The momentum for marijuana reform has been rising steady so it was right on cue that federal authorities needed to fight back with false and ridiculous propaganda. On Monday, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) released a statement that not only calls into question their grasp of the facts, but also questions whether or not the agency is operating in 2013 and not 1933. On Monday decision makers at the NIDA thought the following statement was a well thought out idea: “Claiming that marijuana is less toxic than alcohol cannot be substantiated since each possess their own unique set of risks and consequences for a given individual.” The statement seems to be a response to the group Marijuana Policy Project’s (MPP) recent ads that describe marijuana as less dangerous than alcohol.
Mason Tvert of MPP commented on the odd NIDA statement by telling Huffington Post “Our federal government has been exaggerating the harms of marijuana for decades, but at this point it has gone off the deep end…NIDA’s statement that marijuana can be just as toxic as alcohol would be on par with the FDA announcing sushi is as fattening as fried chicken.” The Huffington Post article also pointed out that PolitiFact was unable to identify a single marijuana related death in 2010 but found 41,682 linked to alcohol during the same year.
The public trust in federal drug policy has been declining for decades. However, the feds have learned to smile, dress nice, and say little when questioned on these issues. NIDA’s mission statement is “to lead the nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction .” Their actions indicate that perhaps the NIDA does not hold its mission statement in any sort of high regard. As we said last week with Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s reversal on medical marijuana, how do we trust those who have policy making influence when they are the last to be educated?
Celebrity Physician Sanjay Gupta Reverses Position on Medicinal Marijuana
An advanced of medical and scientific understanding, clearly separate physicians the from others, though character traits don’t. Doctors could be persistent, and possibly even much more than an average joe at certain occasions.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is showing is simply how much personality can infiltrate an expert opinion. I personally enjoy a lot of what Dr. Gupta needs to say in the posts and looks as CNN’s chief medical correspondent. However, it have been apparent he had skipped the boat on medicinal marijuana. In 2009, he notoriously authored an item for Time entitled “ Why I’d Election No on Pot“. In in he signifies that marijuana lacks medical effectiveness regardless of the considerable amount of evidence provided by his peers within the health care industry. In another section he states “I’m constantly amazed that in the end these years–and all of the wars on drugs and all sorts of public-service announcements–nearly 15 million People in america still use marijuana at least one time per month.” At that time, many were amazed he experienced no curiosity within an apparent culture change.
Dr. Gupta has become altering his mind. He accepted not to researching enough around the problem and lately told Piers Morgan “I’ve apologized for a few of the earlier confirming since i think, you realize, we have been terribly and methodically fooled within this country for many , and that i did a part of that misleading.” That is really a candid admission and that we at marijuana.internet applaud him. Also, he lately published “Why I transformed my thoughts on weed” on CNN.com However, when one really wants to contain the layer of national television physician, stubbornness and idleness( meaning of not doing the study) is unacceptable. In a shorter period than he likely allocated to this year’s article, Dr. Gupta might have found an abundance of information, research, and recommendations that highlight the medical advantages of marijuana.
Dr. Gupta’s admission may highlight a much deeper problem than simply one man’s misjudgment. Medical doctors frequently appear to achieve the least understanding on medicinal marijuana. How will a physician know they’re against cure with no significant understanding from the problem? It appears our training if doctors is missing and shuts out any remedies that aren’t considered conventional. Administrators managing medical schools might have to consider training doctors to pay attention. All from the levels on the planet don’t disqualify a lot of patient testimonies. Did Dr. Gupta feel numerous patients was together in conspiracy all avenues of life to get hold of marijuana? Hopefully his recent admission may even further accelerate the marijuana reform discussion and influence policy makers.
If our doctors would be the last to become up-to-date on modern remedies then just what performs this say about modern American medicine? Doctors, typically, are highly intelligent people. Using the information age under way they are able to longer hide behind levels along with a fraternity of individuals knowledgable. All people have access to to scientific information. This does not necessarily mean we ought to visit WebMD and self identify, but it will mean doctors might have to leave their safe place and explain their rationale a little more.
Eric Holder Tries Patchwork Fix For Federal Drug Sentencing
Many of us have heard the outrageous examples of rapists and murderers serving less time in prison than low level marijuana and drug offenders. To some, this is just an odd quirk or a glitch in federal policy, a conversation that will soon find it’s way to back of our minds, buried deep in the abyss of our sub consciousness, well below the layer our daily stresses. To others, this is a broken family, this is children growing up without a father, this is the realization that your teen’s mistake in college could ruin the rest of his or her life.
The Obama Administration had initially vowed to fix the broken state of drug laws. He and now Attorney General, Eric Holder signaled an end to the War On Drugs, or at least a drastically different approach. The two indicated that going after the medical marijuana industry would not be an effective use of federal resources. Apparently, what they meant was that we were not spending enough on attacking medical marijuana patients. Less than one year through his second term, President Obama enjoys the unique status of pursuing legal action against far more collectives than the Bush and Clinton years combined.
Perhaps feeling the sting of broken vows, an over saturated corrections system, and an economy that remains barely in gear, has finally led to policy change. Yesterday Mr. Holder announced a change in sentencing on a federal level for low level drug charges and that he wishes to circumvent “draconian mandatory minimum sentences.” Small cases that accompany mandatory federal sentences will be shifted to the states. In regards to the states handling more of the cases, Mr. Holder said “Some issues are best handled at the state or local level…And that’s why I have directed the United States Attorney community to develop specific, locally-tailored guidelines – consistent with our national priorities – for determining when federal charges should be filed, and when they should not.”
The change is certainly welcomed but it may be comparable to placing a Flintstones band aid over a large fatal wound. Mr. Holder and federal authorities are basically conceding that federal drug laws are out of control and is not in line with the majority of American’s wishes. Specifically, a large portion of the public wants marijuana to be taken off as a schedule 1 substance. Instead of fixing the issue and reclassifying, Mr. Holder will run from the laws he oversees. Additionally, shifting the responsibilities to the states only works if they do not operate under similar ” draconian law”. Otherwise, those states could require additional funding. Will this deadlocked Congress, that initially decline Storm Sandy victim relief be willing to designate additional funds to state level drug cases?
There may some optimism to take out of Mr. Holder’s actions. This is the first time in quite a bit that the federal government is making a significant policy change in low level drug offenses. Could this be setting up for future maneuvers and a reconciliation of state vs. federal laws?
Marijuana Industry News August 9, 2013
Older Generations Trying Marijuana in Higher Numbers Than Younger…
Earlier this week Marijuana.net reported on a recent Gallup survey that found the number of teens co summing marijuana has remained steady for years. The conversation revolved the perceived notion that legal medical and recreational marijuana would lead to a spike in usage by the teen to 29 year old bracket. In 1985, 56% of of those ages 18-29 had tried marijuana. Now, according to the new Gallup data, that number is just 36%. Of from the ages of 30-49, 49% have tried cannabis. As much or more of a surprise is that those from the 50-64 age bracket are smoking marijuana at much higher rates. In 1985 only 9% of Americans from the age of 50-64 smoked marijuana. Now that number has risen to 44%. The makeup and attitudes of this age group is considerably different. In 1985, many people from this group were World War 2 and Korean War vets. Today many from this age group were part of the Hippie Movement. Additionally, critics of legal marijuana dismiss the chance that regulation works. Any marijuana to them will result in waves of zombie like teens willing to anything for access with caregivers driving around in vans willing to distribute. Perhaps medical cards has been a deterrent for teens.
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Chilean Psychologist Leads Push To Follow Uruguay’s Legal Marijuana Path…
Recently we learned that Uruguay has moved very close to legalizing marijuana. The impact may be spreading thought Central and South America as there seems to be even more interest in Chilean marijuana activist, Dr. Milton Flores. He is considered to be the most well known marijuana reform advocate in Chile. The psychologist has been a long time advocate of legalizing marijuana. He is trying to end the criminalization of those who are non violent or require medical relief. Dr. Flores has been He recently said “Cannabis is neither good nor bad. Its use can be appropriate or inappropriate. It’s a tool that can have very significant effects.” While Dr. Flores had been trying to bring awareness the issue for decades, he has found much more support in recent years. There has been growing support for legalization in Chile as of late. Mexico may also consider legalization soon as their former president, Vicente Fox had been quite vocal on the issue. With Uruguay’s plans to move forward on marijuana legalization, the idea seems to be generating momentum all over South and Central America.
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Arkansas Activists Revise and Resubmit Medical Marijuana Ballot…
The Deep South may represent the last stronghold of marijuana reform opposition. When it comes to reform, the west was first, the northeast has been on fire, and medical marijuana has even made its way to the Midwest. However, with Florida having an elderly population in need of medicine and already producing the highest quantities of illegal marijuana, there clearly is demand in the sunshine state. While reform in Florida may be on the way, it is Arkansas who may be the first to drastically alter marijuana laws. The group Arkansans for Medical Cannabis are working hard to get the decision into the hands of the people. A previous ballot proposal was rejected by state Attorney General Dustin McDaniels lady month. If approved this time, which is certainly not guaranteed, those with Arkansans for Medical Cannabis would have the opportunity to collect enough signatures and put medical marijuana to a vote of the people in 2014.
Gallup: Rate of Individuals Who Try Marijuana Almost Unchanged Since ’80s
Legal marijuana should be resulting in an increase in consumption. Right? Even when this really is the usual understanding for many, recent info launched by Gallup signifies otherwise. In a poll carried out recently, Gallup discovered that 38 percent of participants reported getting attempted marijuana. This is just up from 34% in 1999 and33% in 1985. Only 7% of participants reported current marijuana use. The data seemed to be divided by political preference with 49% of liberals showing they’d attempted marijuana sooner or later and 32% of conservatives saying exactly the same. Only a tiny 2% of conservatives stated to presently use marijuana. This comes at any given time where individuals in support of overall legalisation is booming continuously, so that as PolicyMic.com lately reported, many for don’t even consume cannabis.
Many feel it’s a formality more individuals are smoking or consuming marijuana. Legal cannabis laws and regulations have broadened in the medical and leisure realm. To date, it doesn’t appear the development of legal marijuana includes a significant effect on overall use. Marijuana isn’t considered physically addictive. Possibly people searching for marijuana, is going to do so in either case, while individuals who abstain will probably still abstain.
There’s also not a way of knowing if individuals questioned by Gallop really believe if marijuana me is rising. Hysteria within the results of cannabis are mainly gone. Two decades have passed because the sixties and individuals gripping towards the old fears are few in number. Lots who attended Woodstock take presctiption Medicare insurance. Because the anxiety about marijuana drops, the frustration using the Fight against Drugs increases. The ultimate price of prohibition and insufficient results is really a strategy most want to see upon the market.
The near future ought to provide a good deal conclusive info on any possible links between marijuana consumption rates and availability. Additional states will probably pass medicinal marijuana legislation. Leisure marijuana could also soon be growing. A boost in marijuana use might be likely, although not always due to the reason why formerly feared. Scientists are learning a good deal about marijuana daily. The medical potential is just now being understood. More patients might find relief and extra education will state and lower the outcome of past propaganda.
Quick Marijuana Updates on Dale earnhardt jr . and Autism
Among the oldest medical remedies is rapidly becoming the latest treatment method for a lot of patients. Medical marijuana’s possibility to provide relief is really huge it frequently appears hard to stay current with only the number of conditions it may be helpful for.
Autism has shown to be a hard condition for contemporary western medicine to deal with. The condition impacts one out of 88 children. Previous research has outlined marijuana’s effectiveness from the condition. Endocannabinoid signals come with an important function as they possibly can affect memory, learning, along with other important brain processes. Autism can block these signals, clearly leading to developmental issues. A new study carried out at Stanford discovered that when cannabinoids (compounds for example THC and CBD) were contained in lab rodents the signals could go through.
Apparently Dale earnhardt jr . is reluctant or afraid to endorse a plant that really is consistent with an underlying cause they already support. Dale earnhardt jr . makes significant donations to Autism research and something of the motorists, Denny Hamlin, has driven a vehicle with “Autism Talks” colored around the hood. A professional marijuana add highlighting it’s safety in comparison to alcohol was scheduled to operate throughout the Brickyard 400. However, the ad was drawn after The Drug-free America Foundation complained. Calvina Fay, executive director from the organization stated “This campaign wrongly claims marijuana is safer than alcohol and encourages illicit drug abuse in a condition where marijuana is against the law…It’s irresponsible marketing and that i commend Grazie Media for his or her quick action towards removing this ad.” Many would find it hard to still find it false to say that marijuana is safer than alcohol.
NASCAR’s social conscious has revealed itself in an odd time. It is really an organization which has no difficulties with splashing cigarette, alcohol, and penile enhancement advertisements conspicuously around the sides of the cars previously. Claims for example individuals produced by Calvina Fay have forfeit their credibility and appear laughable. With marijuana awareness constantly growing can we soon visit a eco-friendly sponsor along the side of a race vehicle?
Marijuana Industry News This summer 26,2013
California Democratic Party Formally Requires Alternation in Federal Marijuana Law…
The American medicinal marijuana movement began in California when citizens passed Proposition 215, an invoice that found be due in large parts towards the efforts of Dennis Peron. However, legislators have sent mixed messages and also have unsuccessful to institute a good and sensible group of laws and regulations to supervise the medicinal marijuana program. Without any strong condition rules, there’s considerable legal confusion as shops are allowed in a few cities and never others. The legal mess has caused federal government bodies to salivate as they have regularly carried out raids on shops. The California Democratic Party has become trying to change that. In the party’s executive board meeting days ago, the party passed two resolutions and also have adopted the positions to their official platform. Here are the resolutions passed:
“The first resolution known as on Leader Obama to (1) respect the voters of Colorado and Washington and also to not allow any federal interference within the enactment of the marijuana legalisation initiatives, (2) finish the government raids on patients and companies in medicinal marijuana states and (3) appoint a commission to consider the reform in our nation’s marijuana laws and regulations.
“The second resolution calls on our condition legislature to enact state-wide recommendations for medicinal marijuana distribution that respects the privileges of local cities to manage and license but probably provide marijuana ‘to all patients in most regions of California, rural in addition to urban.’
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Answer Page:Marijuana May be Best Strategy to Migraines…
The fight to find the best migraine reliever choose to go on for many years. Which brand is better? Tylenol?Advil,? Or possibly sour diesel? Dating back to 1892, Dr. Mister William Osler stated in “The Concepts and exercise of Medicine” that “Cannabis indica is most likely probably the most acceptable fix for migraines.” The answerpage.com, an academic website operated by earliest American medical society still around, The Massachusetts Medical Society, has made the decision to get where Dr. Osler left off. The answerpage really has courses on medicinal marijuana created for health care professionals. While complex, additionally they offer Q&A periods for individuals who might not be too experienced because the health care professionals in medicinal marijuana. Answerpage does well in distributing the term one of the health care industry. NYU resident physician, Sunil K. Aggarwal, MD, PhD, appreciated the efforts of answerpage and lately stated “Most medical schools are lagging in teaching the scientific details concerning the medicinal utilization of cannabis. It’s great that doctors are now able to get excellent and rapid CME training on medicinal marijuana at TheAnswerPage.”
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U.S. Congressman Looks to supply Bank Use of Marijuana Shops…
Competitors of marijuana reform have frequently mentioned their concern for a boost in crime. However, current marijuana laws and regulations prevent financial transparency as shops are avoided from opening accounts. When banks do let dispensary operators open accounts, they’re then threatened by the us government to shut the accounts. This leads to considerable cash available, and places a target for crooks squarely being worn by shops. It’s wideley known that dispensary employees cannot possess guns while at the office. Crooks are extremely conscious of this and frequently possess the chance to focus on a business with cash available and never method of protecting themselves. U.S. Repetition. Erectile dysfunction Perlmutter (D-CO) needs to rectify this case. “This isn’t about whether you agree or disagree or support using marijuana,” stated Leslie Oliver, Perlmutter’s communications director. “It’s about making certain public safety which companies which are legal can perform the other legal companies can perform.Inches
New Hamphire Governor Keeps Campaign Promise and Signs Medicinal Marijuana Law
Many ambitious promises are created by campaigning political figures. It appears simple to explore the moment and deliver high offers to huge crowds. Regrettably, very frequently these promises are damaged once politics as always begins dictating the legislative direction in our chosen authorities. It might be even simpler to interrupt these promises from behind closed office doorways, without needing to look excited voters within the eyes.
Marijuana activists know all of this too along with a youthful and vibrant (and recorded regular smoker of marijuana) Barack Obama signaled a hands off approach from the us government on marijuana. Not just was that advertise damaged, the Obama Whitened House is just about the most aggressive administration in going after condition law abiding care providers. This Audacity of Hope for brand new laws and regulations, patient privileges, as well as an finish towards the unsuccessful Fight against Drugs had converted into government business as always, and maybe even worse.
Fortunately, condition and native authorities have recognized they have to make the effort because the futility in Washington continues. Now Nh grew to become the 19th condition to legalize medicinal marijuana. Governor Maggie Hassan guaranteed she’d sign a medicinal marijuana bill into law while on the campaign trail. , we discovered that they did indeed keep her word.
New Hampshire’s medicinal marijuana is going to be strict as patients must be using their physician for 3 months, attempted other remedies, and will need a being approved illness. To date, it appears the being approved illness list is going to be stored to mostly existence threatening conditions. Patients who qualify is going to be permitted to own as much as 2 oz . of cannabis. Initially you will see 4 shops permitted, with every nonprofit only having the ability to develop to 80 plants each.
Governor Hassan said on filling out the bill by saying ‘‘Allowing doctors to supply relief to patients by using properly controlled and distributed medicinal marijuana may be the compassionate and right insurance policy for the condition of Nh, which legislation guarantees that people approach this insurance policy correctly with measures to avoid abuse.” We at marijuana.internet are content to determine an chosen official keep their word.