Virginia
Catching up with Jushi Creativity: A Q&A with Dre Neumann
Jushi Holdings is a large multi-state operator with a massive national footprint and a presence in key markets, including Pennsylvania, Illinois, Virginia, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio and California. About a year and a half ago, Aaron Green interviewed Andreas “Dre” Neumann, Chief Creative Director of Jushi Holdings to learn about his journey to the cannabis industry, […]
AG Sessions wants to put more cops on the opioid beat. Experts say that won’t solve the problem.
If the opioid epidemic was simply a problem of supply – people being able to access drugs too easily – then a targeted new effort in Appalachia announced by Attorney General Jeff Sessions this week would be a huge stride toward combating the crisis.
Virginia Gov Caught Smiling Suspiciously Close to Willie Nelson’s Weed
Over the weekend, the state of Virginia played host to the 31st annual Farm Aid charity concert, an event that has grown exponentially in size and scope from the time of its inception 31 years ago. Since Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp founded Farm Aid in 1985, the benefit concert has raised over […] Thanks to marijuana.com
Plenty of 420: Enjoy Your Smoke Sesh with Jay Z, Trippy Visuals, and the Brilliance of MF Doom
Retired Runners With their very high profile mutual friend in Kanye West and their similar pre-rap resume, it’s surprising that a Pusha T and Jay Z collaboration took so long to happen. Except for the occasional brilliantly-placed sample (1:30 mark), the two street rap pioneers have never appeared on a track together. The long awaited […] Thanks to marijuana.com
Medical Marijuana Industry News September 28, 2012
Probation Workers Find That Chris Brown Tests Positive for Marijuana…
It has been an eventful few weeks in terms of marijuana developments in regards to celebrity. Lady Gaga publically smoked a joint onstage in Amsterdam and Fionna Apple was arrested in Texas for marijuana and hashish possession. Enter Chris Brown. The controversial star is again in the news. Because of his conviction in 2009 for assaulting then girlfriend, Rihanna, Chris Brown was placed on probation for 5 years. Mr. Brown failed a drug test in June while performing community service in Virginia. However, the plot thickens a bit because he is medical marijuana card holder. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Patricia Schnegg, said that mandatory drug tests were not a part of Chris Brown’s sentence. The judge scolded him and said “You are not an ordinary person who can sit in your living room and do whatever you want to do. More importantly, a lot of people look up to you, a lot of kids. What you do and what you say impacts a lot of people.” It appears this may just be grandstanding by authorities as Brown has not officially done anything that is in direct violation of his probation.
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Momentum Building in New York State For Marijuana Reform…
Several months ago New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he was seeking to change the controversial “Stop and Frisk” tactics used primarily by NYPD officers. Now it appears there is a growing call to institute a medical marijuana program. New York’s closet neighbors, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Vermont now have all either passed or started medical marijuana programs. Additionally, at a recent forum in Syracuse, many speakers came out in support of marijuana for MS patients. The forum received considerable media coverage and could be important to changing minds of upstate New York politicians. New York City and Long Island residents support medical marijuana with upstate residents and lawmakers a bit more on the fence. Even though the overall population of New York supports marijuana (61%), many upstate politicians work for residents in rural areas that are divided on the issue. The result contributes to Albany’s epic reputation for stalemate politics. The momentum appears to be changing and New York should be joining the growing list of states with medical marijuana within a few years.
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Arkansas Upholds Ruling for Medical Marijuana To Appear on Ballot…
Medical marijuana has typically been a coastal and Midwest conversation. However, in a testament to compassion, economics, and widespread communication, Arkansas now may become the first state to legalize medical marijuana. The ballot initiative has been successful due in large part to the efforts of Arkansas for Compassionate Care. The group contributed significantly to gathering enough signatures to get the issue to the ballots. This seemed to have been decided months ago, however, a group named Coalition to Preserve Arkansas Values filed a lawsuit to remove the issue from the ballot on the basis that it mislead voters. The Arkansas Supreme Court disagreed and ruled that “We hold that it is an adequate and fair representation without misleading tendencies or partisan coloring. Therefore, the act is proper for inclusion on the ballot at the general election on Nov. 6, 2012, and the petition is therefore denied.” Even if voters pass the measure, there will probably be resistance from the Governor who has previously stated his opposition to the bill. However, as Arizona Jan Brewer has found, it may be a slippery slope to challenge the will of voters.
Gary Johnson in Charlotte During DNC
As the Democratic National Convention occupied most of the headlines this week, another candidate for President was also in Charlotte. Gary Johnson attended several events in the Charlotte area which included a NORML demonstration and a Tea Party event about a half hour away from the DNC. The marijuana reform advocate seemed to enjoy his status as a third party candidate and possible spoiler for either Mitt Romney or Barack Obama. Johnson said “I really do wish I was known as a spoiler on both sides, that the notion that people really do care about the fact that we are in endless wars, the fact that we do care about civil liberties, that we have a growing police state.” While third party candidates have little chance of winning the presidency they can bring attention to their cause. Many feel that Ralph Nader and Pat Buccanan had a significant impact on the 2000 election. Both candidates should probably be fearful but Mitt Romney his campaign in particular seem worried about Johnson upsetting their chances for the White House. Attorneys for the Romney campaign have been filing legal challenges in many states including important swing states such as Virginia, which could be the key to the election. Mr. Johnson is a former Republican and may still have support from voters in the party who are not energized by Mitt Romney.
For more on Gary Johnson and his upcoming appearances click here
New Developments in a number of States Bring Expect Marijuana Advocates
You will find already 16 states enabling legal utilization of medicinal marijuana (and Washington D.C). Furthermore, there’s momentum in a number of states to setup a regulating system for legalized marijuana. This type of system would treat marijuana like alcohol and would potentially result in a large tax revenue increase.
Voters in Michigan may get the opportunity to approve legal marijuana in November. Condition election authorities have just approved the forms that advocates uses to collect the required 323,000 signatures needed to obtain the problem to some election. Comprised of much talked about congress, the audience New Approach Washington needs an identical system to controlling marijuana. Two other states could also decide to setup a method of regulation and taxation too. Several several weeks ago Missouri approved the audience Show-Me Cannabis Regulation received approval to gather signatures for 2 marijuana initiatives. In Virginia, lawmaker David Englin continues to be vocal in the support of House Joint Resolution 140 which may also produce a regulation system for marijuana. It’s unclear when the law would pass but congress in Virginia are attempting to let the creativity flow in an effort to generate necessary funds.
Moving to the medical problem, Ohio condition Attorney General, Mike Dewine, grants permission for advocates to begin collecting signatures that can lead to a public election in November. What the law states could be referred to as Ohio Medical Cannabis Amendment. Once we have observed in other states, the brand new direction of medicinal marijuana appears to incorporate condition wide regulation. The Ohio law would also follow and generate a condition oversight commission. Ohio is really a condition where job deficits have hurt its economy considerably and lots of advocates believe that alternative treatment might be more essential now than ever before for that Buckeye condition.
With 6 states thinking about medicinal marijuana legislation presently, the amount of states legally enabling utilization of cannabis might be at 20 or over relatively soon. You will find certain to be additional ballot initiatives which are actually the best way to achieve legislative alternation in the U . s . States. Possibly earlier than later, marijuana advocates may have the ability to boast concerning the America getting 1 / 2 of its states enabling legalized marijuana.