tokeofthetown
Medical Marijuana Industry News June 1, 2012
Anti- Marijuana Stance may have caused Congressman his Job…
The Huffington Post’s website recently posted an article that describes a congressional election that may have been won and lost because of medical marijuana. What has marijuana advocates even more excited is this did not occur in California, Washington, or Colorado, but in Texas. El Paso Democrats decided to let Rep. Silvestre Reyes exit office in favor of Beto O’Rourke. While the race was for the primary, the mostly Democratic district is expected to choose O’Rourke, the winner of this race. Over the years, Reyes has been very adamant in his opposition to marijuana reform. The election seems to have highlighted El Paso voters concern with the growing violence along the Mexican border. Beto O’Rourke helped to push a 2009 legalization resolution in response to the growing problems along the border. Reyes, who maintains very close ties with President Obama and former President Clinton opposed and said that the district risked losing federal funding even if they simply discussed and debated the issue. Residents did not find the explanation of his opposition satisfactory and have moved on. Activists nationally are showing their political muscle as the Attorney General race in Oregon also may have been determined by the candidate’s position on marijuana.
Click here for the Huffington Post article which describes the story in further detail
Poll: California Residents overwhelmingly support medical marijuana but split on total legalization…
As the Los Angeles City Council is considering a ban on all dispensaries in the city, California residents should make them think twice. A new poll shows that an absolute vast majority of residents in the state support medical marijuana. Apparently, the growth of medical cannabis has not caused residents to want an end to the program. Today, the City Council may choose to shut down all of the dispensaries while allowing patients to grown their own medication. Activists say that could compromise “safe access” as many patients do not have the means or knowledge to grow safe medicine. Another plan will also be discussed that would limit the amount of legal dispensaries to 100. All of this is a temporary fix until the state supreme court issues a ruling which is expected next year. The poll also shows that Californians are mixed on recreational legalization and only 46% favored it. Interestingly enough, the rest of the country may support legalization even more than residents in California as a recent poll showed 56% of Americans were in favor. With such strong support from the people on medical marijuana but still opposition from lawmakers, an eventful year is expected.
Click here for info and Toke of the Town’s Coverage
White House Ignores Returning Soldiers Pleas for Medical Marijuana…
It is not secret that for generations American soldiers have returned home only to fight a new internal struggle. While marijuana has showed great promise in treating PTSD symptoms, the federal government has refused to alter their position. Thousands of veterans banded together and sent in a petition requesting that the White House reconsider its stance on medical marijuana. Unfortunately they have been rejected. PTSD is a serious and often underrepresented condition. Statistics actually show that suicides are far more of a risk for military personnel as they outnumber combat deaths by a staggering 25-1 margin. Al Byrne, co-founder of the Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access (VMCA) said in response, “Vets have used cannabis for PTSD since the Revolutionary War, we know what we need and to be told by our President, the Commander in Chief, that he does not care about those he has sent to war by denying medicine to the wounded is unconscionable.”
For more on this story click here
Strange News: Denny’s Customer tries to pay for meal with Marijuana…
Although marijuana.net is pleased with the progress the marijuana reform has made, the following story shows us why educating is so important. We encourage readers to check out our legal section and to verify the marijuana laws in your state. However, even education may not have been enough for a man in Niagara, NY. The man tried to pay for his burger and fries at a local Denny’s (approximately $10) with one dollar of acceptable United States currency, and the rest with marijuana. When employees did not accept the well thought out proposal, the man bolted for the nearby woods. Reports indicate that employees informed police of where the man lived. It is unclear as to what charges may be brought if he is caught because he did not eat any of the food and New York has decriminalized marijuana possession for amounts under 25 grams. The penalty is a civil citation carrying a maximum of a $100 fine. It is unclear if authorities will view the action more severely considering he attempted to use the marijuana in a transaction.
Gary Johnson Demonstrates Conviction by selecting Judge Jim Gray for VP
Although the current political system has disenfranchised many eligible voters because of two party domination, the 2012 presidential election may get a necessary injection of 3rd party conversation. Polls show that 80% of Americans would consider voting for a 3rd party candidate. Coincidentally (or perhaps not so coincidentally) that is a similar number to the amount of people who support a physician’s right to prescribe medical marijuana.
Former two term Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson appears poised to win the Libertarian Party’s nomination for the 2012 presidential election. Ahead of the more well known and establishment financed Mitt Romney, Gary Johnson was able to come to a quick decision about his running mate. The popular marijuana culture website tokeofthetown, is reporting that Mr. Johnson has selected retired California Judge Jim Gray to be his vice president. Justice Gray is known for his progressive views on marijuana. This move appears to be paving a way for marijuana to be prominently on display for the Johnson campaign. Governor Johnson told Reason.com he selected Justice Gray because “The thought process all along has been to find somebody that can articulate libertarian ideals and beliefs and I’ve thought all along that he would be a really solid pick.”
Conversely, the representatives of the two party system Mitt Romney, and Barack Obama, certainly do not seem to have as much conviction in some of their decisions. Mitt Romney has changed his position (sometimes more than once) on virtually every important social issue (click here for compilation of Mitt Romney articulating then contradicting his views). The former Governor of Massachusetts has prospective VP candidates running from his offer. Unfortunately for the American public, it seems the only issue Mitt Romney has not waivered on is medical marijuana. He actually has famously walked away from a wheelchair bound man who asked him about changing marijuana laws during his failed 2008 presidential bid. The other major party representative, President Obama, is just starting to acknowledge medical marijuana questions directed his way. Critics feel it may be possible that the president reverts back to his 2008 tone if re-elected, but of course what guarantees are there in American politics?
The move by Gary Johnson does not appear to simply be a gimmick. With a vast majority of Americans supporting medical marijuana and now at least half supporting overall legalization, marijuana is no longer a fringe issue appealing to a small passionate base. Gary Johnson has selected a running mate who is a legal expert and a supporter of repairing one of the greatest injustices of this generation. While politicians may often feel that an election should be scripted with the same talking points, it is important to understand that elected officials work for us. Without a doubt some critics will try to dismiss Gary Johnson and Jim Gray as trying to capitalize on marijuana supporters. While we have all heard this before, marijuana can provide relief to the economy, patients, and an overburdened penitentiary system. We at marijuana.net have to ask why anyone would have a problem with making a rare American consensus issue the center of a political platform?