Cannitrol – Cannabis Control Agent

Marijuana news from around the world

Washington DC

Bipartisan legislation seeks to undermine Jeff Sessions’ sentencing memo

A bipartisan group of senators are introducing legislation to give federal judges more discretion to impose lower sentences, pushing back on Jeff Sessions’ order.

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New federal bill would reschedule marijuana as Schedule III

The latest marijuana-centric bill before Congress would place cannabis as a Schedule III substance, a classification shared by Tylenol with codeine.

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U.S. Rep. Jared Polis joins with congressional colleagues to create Cannabis Caucus

Marijuana now has its own official club in Congress, thanks to Colorado congressman Jared Polis and three of his colleagues.

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Washington DC: Marijuana Arrests Plummet Over 90% – Embracing the New Normal

In what now seems like a dark and distant reality, 2,346 people were arrested for simple marijuana possession in Washington D.C. during the 2011 calendar year. But once voters in the District of Columbia sank their teeth into initiative 71, passing it decisively, marijuana legalization/decriminalization became the new norm in our nation’s capital. Ultimately reducing the total number of marijuana related arrests to seven, as of November 6, 2015.

Yep, there’s little doubt this has been an elevated year for the marijuana reform movement, a year whose influence could alter the direction of this country’s marijuana policy for future generations.

California, which first legalized recreational marijuana in 1996, has cultivated strong public support for their 2016 ballot initiative, and looks forward to that critical day in November when they can cast their ballot for full legalization. Would-be Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders planted the seed of true reform via a piece of landmark legislation, hoping to finally snuff out the feds prohibition on marijuana. This action, many believe, compelled Hillary Clinton to reevaluate her fluctuating position on marijuana reform. Mexico’s Supreme Court recently sided with personal liberty and private medical marijuana use; a ruling many believe will end in legalized recreational marijuana south of the border (move over Canada). And last but not least – constituents in Ohio contemplated – and spurned – an ill-conceived and monopolistic initiative that would have handed over Ohio’s recreational marijuana market to the likes of Nick Lachey.

Just the facts…

As the remaining states grapple with the new norm, Washington DC’s dramatic decline in smalltime marijuana related arrests demonstrates the socioeconomic value of marijuana legalization. Rather than wasting millions of dollars sending people to jail and ruining lives for getting high, the voting populace in our nation’s capital opted to preserve and protect future generations from having lives trashed and opportunities withheld.

Washington DC Marijuana Arrests By The Numbers:

2010: 2161

2011: 2346

2012: 1553

2013: 1215

2014: 895

2015: 7 (as of Nov. 6)

If we were to extrapolate the dramatic decline in our nation’s capital for marijuana related arrests, one can only imagine the lives saved, intellectual property protected, tax dollars safeguarded, and revenue earned from coast-to-coast.

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Calling All Activists!

tommy Chong

When the 2008 election was still up in the air, Barack Obama was campaigning as a medical marijuana-friendly candidate.  In that time, we have seen numerous states struggle towards legalizing medicinal marijuana, and still others that have already passed their legislation are finding constant resistance in the forms of unconstitutional bans and arbitrary paperwork that continually holds up the process of getting safe medicine to patients.

California has seen more dispensary raids from the IRS and DOJ during Obama’s reign than during all of GW Bush’s eight years.  Why is this happening?   We need to raise our voices, louder and more unified than ever.  America stands at a crossroads, but now more than ever patients and all citizens must stand behind what they believe in. In this modern era of instant communication, our country can have a stronger, more powerful voice, if only we are willing to use it.

For people who care about the laws of our land and the future it endows, there is so much that can be done.  Stand up and make your vote count!  Become active in your community.  Join a protest at city hall, help spread education and awareness about all the benefits of medical marijuana, or maybe even go as far as to head to D.C. and march on the state capital. Show them who we are by making our presence known through peaceful protests.  For those who are less inclined to leave the home, or who simply cannot, there is still much that can be done.  Concerned citizens should call their legislators, write a letter to your congressmen, sign petitions, send emails, start a blog and rile up some additional supporters and encourage them to get involved.

Dispensaries have flourished in recent times and have grown some of the finest medication in the world.  Colorado, California and other states have led by example, but make no mistake,we still have a long road ahead.  The medical marijuana system may not be perfect yet, but it is working in the right direction.  Other states, like New Jersey and Hawaii, have passed laws that allow for programs, yet their laws were poorly constructed and they remain unusable.  In Hawaii you can get a card to allow you to medicate legally, but there contain no provisions for legally procuring medicine.  It is legal to grow and own up to seven plants, but it is still illegal to purchase marijuana plants or seeds to begin a personal grow operation.  Also, many employers utilize zero tolerance drug policies that make no exceptions for people who are otherwise abiding by state laws.  How does a patient grow their own plants if they can’t hold down a job, therefore they have no income for a home to grow in, or even have money to feed themselves?

Americans need to stand up now and tell all the power-hungry naysayers that we will no longer tolerate the abuse of power and stifling of freedoms.  We the people have no more excuses for being lazy.  If you can’t figure out how to get involved, then look no further.  Marijuana.net will spell it out for you.

Are you in California?  Cypress Hill’s San Bernadino SmokeOut was Saturday March 3rd, and two days earlier was the March on LA’s City Hall to demonstrate unhappiness with how laws are being carried out.  Thank you to those who made it out. There is more for us to do.  Those near San Francisco will also have their opportunity to ensure Safe Access.  March will see several County Board Meetings that need people to help out.

Maryland is another state seeking to pass laws in favor of medical marijuana.  They need help to guarantee it passes. Furthermore, the right law needs to be passed so that Maryland does not become another New Jersey or Hawaii.  Want to help? Check this out.

Michigan is reviewing its current laws and is looking to alter them with several bills that will give its program a chance to grow into something as grand as California, and not stumble where the Golden state has.  Concerned citizens near Lansing are holding a forum on March 4th to coordinate a uniform front as they approach legislators and hope to pass a proper set of laws.

We can’t list what every state is doing right here, but we encourage you to find out and help wherever you are. Marijuana.net has been covering developments for some time so please check our archives to find what is relevant.  Here are a few other resources for anyone who wants to help.

Americans for Safe Access

Marijuana Policy Project

Drug Policy Alliance

New Approach Washington

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

One more thing.  For those who find that political activism is the right thing to do, don’t stop with marijuana laws.  This country needs more people to help it be the best it can be.  As more people stand up for what they believe in, America will find itself less dominated by the interests of corporations and power-grabbing politicians.  It is our country, fight for it.

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