Rand Paul
Hemp industry lawsuit challenging DEA’s position on CBD picks up support of 28 U.S. legislators
A bipartisan congressional coalition pushed back on the DEA’s assertion that cannabidiol and extracts derived from hemp are Schedule I substances.
Gardner to co-sponsor federal bill to let canna-businesses take tax deductions
Senator Cory Gardner, a Republican from Colorado, is backing federal legislation that would allow state-legal marijuana businesses to claim tax deductions.
Vice Presidential Showdown Being Held in Hemp Country
The political world has been buzzing since last week’s presidential debate between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. Most analysts and viewers felt Mr. Romney won the debate and that the President seemed distant and unmotivated. The president has vowed to turn up the intensity next week as the polls have shifted toward Romney a bit. However before next week’s showdown we will watch the right hand men of the two candidates go into political battle.
Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan will be in Danville Kentucky for their debate. While this may not seem significant for some, Kentucky is hemp country both in a historical sense and in a modern sense. Kentucky lawmakers, one of them being the widely known Rand Paul, have been fighting to reform hemp laws, which if possible, make even less sense than our marijuana laws. Our politicians are the quickest to include American flags on their lapelle but often the slowest to remember exactly what the stars and stripes stand for. America’s history on hemp will forever be intertwined as George Washington even required farmers to grow the plant in order to help during the revolutionary war.
Irrational and overblown fears of marijuana during the turn of the 20th century into the 1930s lead to lawmakers also outlawing hemp. The fact that it is virtually impossible to get “stoned” from this part of the marijuana plant would not serve as a deterrent for dogmatic lawmakers. Hemp stalks include a fraction of 1% of THC, where most strains of marijuana can range from 10-25% THC. As more is being uncovered about hemp’s versatility, even politicians who love reminiscing in the good old days of anti science are forced to reconsider their opposition.
The two vice presidential candidates will probably stick close to the talking points of their runningmates/bosses. Even as Joe Biden is known for abandoning the script, we do not feel he will be fielding questions on marijuana and hemp, even though much of the debate will revolve around recycled ideas as to how we get America back to work. If only each debate required a local segment, where the issues impacting the region where the debate is being held were discussed. If that were the case then last week we may have heard President Obama and Governor Romney articulate their position on compassion and relief while this week we would be treated to Paul Ryan and Joe Biden telling us how they would jumpstart hemp farming, create jobs, and educate Americans about the wonder fiber.
As Convention Politics Dominate It is Important not to Lose Sight of Hemp Developments
Rand Paul, the son of the popular marijuana legalization advocate Ron Paul, has secured a passionate following in his own right. Rand Paul is a U.S. Senator from Kentucky, a state with an extremely rich hemp history. This week he spoke at the Republican National Convention, of course to no one’s surprise he did not bring up hemp and marijuana reform. We will not hold Rand Paul accountable for that as the RNC heavily vetted his speech, perhaps worried he would channel some of the ideas the Paul’s that are not in step with the GOP. However, while August has been a highly national political month as the presidential election kicks into full gear, another issue has gained momentum. Joining Rand Paul is Kentucky Agricultural Commissioner James Comer who is also seeking to reform outdated an ill advised laws restricting hemp farming. The two would like to alter Kentucky law before it becomes fashionable for other states to do so. Kentucky has traditionally been the center of hemp production in the U.S. and the feeling is that economic prosperity could return to Kentucky if they act now.
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.”
Medical Marijuana Industry News May 25, 2012
Andy Caffrey Plans to Smoke Marijuana in front of U.S. Capitol if he wins election…
A marijuana patient and activist is seeking to win the congressional seat for California’s 2nd district which includes much of the northern region of the state. Andy Caffrey has been known to light up a joint during his campaign stops. If elected he has vowed to continue the tradition on the steps of the United States Capitol building. The district has been occupied by long time law maker Wally Herger (R-CA) since 1987. Earlier this year, Mr. Herger announced that he would not be seeking re-election in November. Caffrey is hoping that he can win the soon to be vacant seat by advocating for major changes in marijuana law and voiced his frustration with both Republicans and Democrats. The race will be interesting as many hats have been thrown into the race with almost all of them supporting legalized or medical marijuana. Caffrey has spent previous time working with the environmental group Earth First.
For more on this story click here
Appeals Court Rejects Medical Marijuana Suit by Disabled Plaintiffs…
Struggling patients were not granted the compassion they were seeking by federal courts. A lawsuit was filed against California (Marla James vs. the City of Costa Mesa) cities for cracking down on marijuana dispensaries. The plaintiffs claimed the actions of city municipalities were in direct violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The plaintiffs who are legal marijuana card holders say that other treatments have failed to reduce pain. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination in providing public services. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals seemed to sympathize with the plaintiffs but felt they could not offer protection because the Americans with Disabilities Act recognizes federal law instead of state legislation.
For more on this story and the court’s decision click here
US Judge says GPS Use in Marijuana Bust Illegal…
The Drug Enforcement Agency followed Robert Dale Lee by installing a GPS device on his truck. In September of last year, Kentucky State Troopers pulled over Lee already having vital info provided by the GPS. Lee arrived in Kentucky with over 150 pounds of marijuana in his truck from Chicago. A US judge is throwing out the case because the DEA failed to get a warrant before installing the GPS. In January, the United States Supreme court ruled against the DEA having permission to use GPS locators without a warrant.
United States Senate Officially Outlaws Synthetic Cannabis…
While the outlawing of synthetic cannabis pretty much was handled several months ago by the US Senate, it is now official. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) previously objected to the legislation but now the Senate is finally able to move forward. A bill was also passed by the house toward the end of 2011. Both bills will likely be combined and then be presented to the president for his signature. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) has led the federal charge against synthetic cannabis. Synthetic marijuana products such as “K2” and “Spice” have come under fire as they have been linked with serious side effects and emergency room visits, especially by teenagers.