Uncategorized
Obama’s Drug Czar Lies to Congress About Drug War Budget
Federal drug policy officials in recent years have done everything they can to send the message that they have a balanced, health-focused strategy that acknowledges drug abuse is a medical problem we can’t arrest our way out of. While Obama administration officials often use fuzzy math or artful language to obscure the fact that most […]
A Second Look at Ohio: Why It’s Worth Supporting
With the 2015 election day only two weeks away, and prodded by our friend Russ Belville at 420 Radio for failing to more enthusiastically embrace Issue 3 in Ohio, this seemed like a good time to take a second look at the measure on the ballot in Ohio to both legalize marijuana for medical purposes and fully legalize marijuana for all adults.
First, one might justifiably ask the authors of this measure why they would bother with medical marijuana at all. If marijuana is legal for all adults, that includes patients as well as recreational users, and it removes the need for patients to pay a physician to confirm their need for marijuana. With the exception of a small medical use program that would cover those minors who have a legitimate medical need, there is no need for two separate legalization distribution systems.
But having somewhat duplicative legalization systems, while it may not be efficient, is not a reason to oppose Initiative 3.
Provisions Limiting Access to the New Market Are Not New
The reason given by most who claim to support legalization, but who oppose the Ohio proposal, is the reality that the investors who have put up millions of dollars to qualify the initiative for the November ballot also stand to profit handsomely from their investment, by controlling the 10 commercial cultivation centers allowed under this plan. It strikes many of us as inappropriate to build such an economic advantage by a few rich investors into the state’s constitution.
But as Belville and others (including this author) have noted, several other states that have legalized marijuana (for medical use) have limited entry into the legal industry by placing severe limits on the numbers of licenses that will be permitted, or by requiring such enormous financial investments that ordinary citizens are effectively shut out of the industry. So limiting access to the commercial cultivation centers in the newly legal market would be nothing new, nor should it justify opposing this opportunity to end marijuana prohibition in Ohio. We should focus on ending prohibition, and not get distracted by who will profit from the legal market.
Why NORML Supported I-502
In his latest rant, Belville questions why NORML and other pro-legalization organizations would endorse I-502 in Washington state in 2012, which failed to legalize personal cultivation, and included a 5 nanogram per se DUID provision that would leave many smokers unfairly subject to a DUID charge, but would either remain neutral on Issue 3 in Ohio (MPP, ASA and DPA) or tepidly endorse the proposal (NORML).
The answer to this question is simple: In 2012 marijuana for personal use was illegal in all 50 states, and had been for more than 75 years. It was crucial that some state – any state – show the courage to break the mold and openly defy federal law, as New York and a handful of other states did near the end of alcohol prohibition. For the legalization movement to gain credibility and force our way onto the mainstream political agenda, we had to take legalization out of the theoretical realm and demonstrate that it actually works.
Our opponents had always claimed that if we legalize marijuana, the sky would fall. Everyone would sit home and get stoned all day; no one would go to work or live an ordinary life; and western civilization as we know it would come to an end (perhaps that’s a slight exaggeration, but you get the point).
Of course, we would counter that legalization would stop the senseless arrest and prosecution of otherwise law-abiding citizens who smoke marijuana responsibly, and save enormous amounts of law enforcement resources that could be redirected to fighting serious and violent crime.
But until we had at least one state with the fortitude to declare itself out of the prohibition game, we had no actual data to validate either position. It was an endless theoretical argument, with no clear winner.
The approval of legalization in Washington and Colorado in 2012, by giving us these two state laboratories where we could measure the actual impact of legalization, was the game changer that catapulted full legalization into the mainstream political debate, and gave us the measurable evidence that legalization is indeed the solution that most Americans are looking for. And the fears that were stoked by our opponents – of a spike in adolescent marijuana smoking, or carnage on the roads caused by stoned drivers – simply did not materialize. In fact, just the opposite. Adolescent use is slightly down in the legalization states, and there has been no increase in DUID cases.
We gave our strong support to I-502 in Washington (as well as A-64 in Colorado) even with its limitations, because of the crucial need to demonstrate that a majority of the voters in a state would support full legalization, and that legalization actually works on the ground, with few, if any, unintended consequences. Those first two victories made it possible for our subsequent victories in Alaska and Oregon in 2014, and hopefully many more to follow.
Issue 3 in Ohio Should Be Approved
There. Now I have said it, clearly and unequivocally. Issue 3 in Ohio should be endorsed by all who favor legalization, even with its imperfections. As the NORML board of directors concluded when we endorsed the Ohio proposal, unless the current proposal in Ohio is approved, it will likely be five years or more (perhaps far longer) before marijuana will be legalized in Ohio. Under their current laws, roughly 12,000 Ohioans are arrested on marijuana charges each year. Does anyone really believe we should sit by waiting for a more acceptable version of legalization to magically appear, while another 60,000 to 100,000 smokers are arrested in Ohio?
In addition, just as the victories in Washington and Colorado were especially significant because they were the first, and opened the door for serious consideration in additional states, it would be an enormous step forward politically to adopt full legalization in Ohio — a large, conservative midwestern state. And it would suddenly put full legalization on the table for serious consideration by many other similarly situated states.
Its time to legalize in Ohio.
Leaked Report: UK Legalization Would Generate 100s of Millions for Government
Legalizing marijuana in the United Kingdom would generate new tax revenues and savings totaling over half a billion pounds, according to a newly leaked report from the nation’s Treasury.
The analysis finds that ending cannabis prohibition and legalizing sales could “generate noteable tax revenue” somewhere in the range of £397-£871 million per year and says that lessened enforcement would “lead to overall savings to public services” by an estimated £211 annually.
Not having to chase down, arrest and process cannabis users would save approximately 672,000 hours of police time every year, the report indicates.
The analysis was commissioned months ago by then-Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg but was kept under wraps until Monday, when it was leaked to the The Independent newspaper and BBC’s Newsnight program.
The document came to light on the same day Members of Parliament convened a debate on marijuana law reform that was spurred by an online government petition that garnered more than 200,000 signatures.
The report also notes that “evidence suggests that alcohol and tobacco – both legal – may cause greater harm” than cannabis. And whereas U.S. states that have ended prohibition have set the age for legal use at 21, the Treasury calculations assume that the U.K.’s legal age would be 18.
In addition to legalization’s economic impact, the report details some additional benefits that ending prohibition would have, such as mandated potency and purity testing on marijuana, sting operations to curtail underage sales and licensing conditions that would help keep the market under control.
Prime Minister David Cameron remains opposed to legalizing marijuana for now, but reform advocates say that the new report could boost the debate further into the mainstream to the point that ending prohibition will eventually become a political reality.
“We have a Conservative government who have not responded to rational argument on drug reform historically — but who are facing a massive deficit and struggling with unpopular cuts to public services,” Steve Rolles, a senior policy analyst with Transform Drug Policy Foundation, told Marijuana.com in an email. “In this context a strong economic argument from a trusted source can change minds where more established social justice arguments have failed. The government is doing its own cost-benefit analysis, but a political one — and a report like this can only helps tip the scales in favour of change.”
Read the leaked report in full here.
Legal Marijuana Creating Greater Than Expected Tax Revenues for CO
Change can be very hard for some to deal with. Many shun progress, rather choosing to defer towards the old method of how things were completed in their time. We romanticize our childhood and assume it had been “the proper way.” We have seen this using the media’s representation from the traditional nineteen fifties. So let’s say …continue reading through
Marijuana Industry News November 8, 2013
It had been an eventful week for marijuana law as voters passed several initiatives. Below we’ve recapped a few of the election highlights:
Michigan
Citizens in the Michigan metropolitan areas of Ferndale, Jackson, and Lansing chosen to decriminalize marijuana. In the 3 metropolitan areas, citizens 21 and older will be allowed to own as much as one ounce of marijuana on private property without penalty. The metropolitan areas of Flint and Detroit also have passed similar laws and regulations. Michigan voters approved medicinal marijuana in November of 2008.
Colorado
Citizens in Colorado made the decision to do something on the concept that marijuana might help purchase needed services. Voters passed a stride which will permit a 25% tax on marijuana. The 25% really is jeopardized if your 15% excise tax along with a 10% florida sales tax. The money produced is anticipated to pay for the expense connected with running the marijuana industry too for creating new schools in Colorado. Governor Hickenlooper said around the voter passed law by saying “We are grateful voters approved funding which will permit a powerful regulating atmosphere, much like liquor is controlled.” “We is going to do all things in our energy to make certain kids don’t smoke pot which we do not have people driving who’re high. This ballot measure gives Colorado the opportunity to regulate marijuana correctly.” However, much like Washington, you will find concerns the condition will phase the medical program which may pressure patients in have to pay more for his or her medication. Some experts have the taxes will end up being excessive.
Miami
As the law is not transformed in Miami, it’s obvious the minds of citizens have, like the relaxation of the nation. To gauge curiosity about medicinal marijuana, Miami voters were requested when they support medicinal marijuana. Apparently they are doing as 64% of voters approved to simply 36% disapproving. The idea am popular, it received 1,000 more yes votes compared to mayor did. The group People U . s . for Medicinal Marijuana, were pleased. They intend on attempting to introduce an amendment to Florida’s metabolic rate that will permit medicinal marijuana. Benjamin Pollars from the organization stated “This would be a really low turnout election in Miami Beach it’s a comparatively old electorate, but still it got near to 65 % from the election.” Medical treatment is a vital problem for Florida’s older population and it is no wonder
Legal Marijuana Industry Growing Faster Than Smartphones?
At some point, everyone will have the power of the internet in the palm of their hands. Although the “smart phone” has witnessed a dramatic rise in popularity, it should be a safe bet to assume the industry is poised to continue to be the fastest growing in the future, right? They should be cheaper and easier to use so the market should still be unreachable. Perhaps we should not be so quick to draw that conclusion.
According to Steve Berg, a former managing director of Wells Fargo, this may not be the case. The smart phone industry grew by 46%, when comparing 2012 to 2013, a tremendous increase. However this number is dwarfed by the 64% increase legal marijuana experienced during the same time period. Mr. Berg recently said that “Cannabis is one of the fastest growing industries. Domestically, we weren’t able to find any market that is growing as quickly.”
Of course we do not mean to be misleading. The smart phone industry is considerably larger than legal marijuana. This type of market growth may not expand at such a high rate every year. However, we at marijuana.net were surprised that any industry could experience an almost 20% higher increase than smart phones, even if just this once.
The legal marijuana market is wide open, with more investors and money expected to come on board, especially with the federal government indicating they will soon get around to regulating it. Steve Berg also said “Entrepreneurs and private investors are flocking to cannabis markets. Those who really understand market dynamics will reap large rewards.” We are glad he agrees, marijuana.net has long predicted that the next economic boom will be fueled by green.
Marijuana Industry News October 25, 2013
Marijuana Breathalyzer May Come to California with Legalization…
One of the largest obstacles in governing the legal recreational marijuana industries is being able to assess a driver’s impairment. Tests for alcohol and drunk driving have become reliable and acceptable. Setting a blood alcohol limit of .1 or .08 is straight forward. Determining acceptable marijuana levels has not been as easy. California authorities and law makers are looking into having a similar test put into place. However deciding on where to set the legal levels may prove difficult. When asked about hard limits set in Washington state, Gabriel Reeves, the executive Chef at the Elemental Wellness Center in San Jose recently told NBC don’t feel that that sort of a limit has been established as scientifically accurate or something that would able to be standardized across the medical cannabis industry for each patient. Because each patient, each patient’s needs, vary with the amount of milligrams of THC that they need to alleviate their symptoms.”
For more on this story click here
Support for Legalizing Marijuana Rising Quickly to all Time High…
American’s support for legalizing marijuana has been rising steadily over the past few years. Washington and Colorado provided evidence if this, but until recently, most polls showed just over 50% of Americans were in support with higher numbers backing decriminalization and medical use. A recent Gallop poll indicates that even the idea if legalizing for marijuana for recreational use is gaining support. In the poll 58% supported legalization, an all time high. The news came at a time when federal authorities have signaled a softer stance on marijuana. Marijuana enjoys a much higher approval rating than congress and may even offer a better chance at helping the economy.
For more on this story click here
D.C. Mayor Seeks to Decriminalize Marijuana…
It has taken federal authorities years to even signal the possibility of bringing common sense to marijuana policy. However, right under their noses, in Washington D.C., the city has moved forward with major marijuana reforms. Medical marijuana has already been legalized, giving patients the chance at a better quality if life. Now there is a bill sitting with the D.C. Council that, if passed, would decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray has now signaled his support for the bill making passage more likely. Possession of less than one ounce would no longer accompany a six month jail sentence and $1,000 fine, rather, the penalty would be a civil citation ticket for $100 and no jail time. Like many other municipalities, D.C. has financial and correction center overcrowding issues to deal with.
Old Chocolate Factory to locate New Existence as Marijuana Grow Center
Because the lengthy economic recovery continues in a slow pace, many industries have either gone under or needed to re-brand. Legal marijuana is among the couple of industries which has grown , both when it comes to revenue and jobs. A classic Hershey factory within the providence of Ontario, no more getting used to create tasty chocolate bars, will obtain a rare chance another chance at existence.
This time around the factory will become a massive marijuana production facility. The factory is situated in Cruz Falls, Ontario, and opened up in 1963 at that time it introduced vacationers, jobs and cash to Cruz Falls. The Hershey factory even loved the nickname “Willy Wonka’s Wonderland of Eastern Ontario.” When the chocolate factory was shut lower, Cruz Falls experienced what a lot of other United States factory cities experienced. Jobs, vacationers, and revenue began full of exodus. Fortunately, a lot of that could return because the factory is going to be re-opened up for everyone a business increasing.
Canada has drastically refurbished its medicinal marijuana program. Patients will no more be allowed to develop their very own medicine, rather, massive producers under government oversight will give you cannabis. The factory in Cruz Falls is going to be one of several large productions sights across Canada. Besides wanting to supervise a fiscal revitalization from the city, the mayor of Cruz Falls includes a personal stake in making certain patient safety and excellence of existence. Mayor Staples’ brother died because of cancer of the colon, but stated that medicinal marijuana “made his last days about this Earth a lot more manageable.”
The thought of legalizing marijuana to be able to quick start local financial systems continues to be included in media shops, including marijuana.internet. A little local dispensary alone produces many jobs. Lawyers, security, budtenders, farmers, receptionists, doctors and staff, and lots of other tasks are produced when cities allow legal marijuana sales. A bigger production center, would hopefully create much more jobs. One of the drawbacks pertains to whether a massive government run grow center will forget patients, as well as their interests. However, the time is right for brand new direction in the road to economic recovery. With old ideas and industries diminishing a massive factory should produce increased financial benefits and possibly a blueprint for other battling metropolitan areas past attempting to restore their form.
Marijuana Industry News October 4, 2013
Legalizing marijuana would finish underground community states Israeli Study…
Prohibition continues to be associated with stimulating organized crime on several occasion. Our neighbors towards the south, Mexico have observed an excessive amount of top notch bloodshed as cartel energy continues to be in a position to flourish. The calls to legalize and reduce cartel influence haven’t been more powerful. Israel, such as the relaxation around the globe is attempting to develop a plans for additional revenue and fewer violence. A recent study there came to the conclusion they might accomplish both through marijuana legalisation. “Realizing the large financial gains that will originate from legalisation demands the government take serious consideration in the proposal to legalize cannabis use under specific recommendations,” stated Yarden Gazit, who co-written the research in Israel.
For additional about this story click the link
Washington and Colorado with changes to marijuana banking…
As continues to be recommended formerly by marijuana.internet and lots of other sources, the greatest hurdles within the legal marijuana industry relates to banking. Federal government bodies have compelled the banking institutions to prevent letting shops operate business accounts. The outcome is marijuana, cash, with no recorded paper trail. Individuals in the market happen to be lobbying to alter this. With Colorado and Washington continuing to move forward using their recently legalized leisure market, the requirement for modern banking us essential. Washington Condition Gov. Jay Inslee and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper wrote instructions to federal government bodies, including Secretary of Treasury, Ben Bernanke. In it they condition that banking is a necessary aspect of ensure a correctly controlled system.
For additional about this story click the link
 
Marijuana Policy Project’s effective advertising campaign strikes again…
Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) has already established a string of much talked about and effective advertisements launched lately. They have specific the National football league and Dale earnhardt jr ., getting contradictions to light how alcohol is treated versus. marijuana. Sticking with similar theme, MPP has become setting up advertisements at bus animal shelters in Tigard Maine. “I prefer marijuana over alcohol since it doesn’t cause me to feel rowdy or reckless,” among the advertisements reads. “Why must i be punished?” On Election Day in November, citizens in Tigard they would like to legalize small quantities of leisure marijuana for grown ups. Metro, Portland’s public bus service has gotten some complaints concerning the advertisements but stated the advertisements were considered political advertising, and turn into inside their advertising recommendations.
 
The Republican Case for Legalizing Marijuana
From the social movements in the 1960s, to the Democratic party embracing the idea in recent years, marijuana reform has not enjoyed a tremendous amount of conservative support. Oddly enough, the modern bullet points for legalizing actually match the Republican/conservative philosophy perfectly.
Republican campaign manager, Ryan Scheutte recently submitted a piece to www.policymic.com, highlighting the reasons that marijuana legalization is and should be a Republican mission. The article describes quotes from Pauline Sabin, the first woman to sit on the Republican National Committee and was also the founder of The Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform. Back in 1932, she commented on alcohol prohibition by saying publicly “The young see the law broken at home and upon the street, can we expect them to be lawful?” Scheutte mentions that she was correct, and credits her with being an integral part in revoking the disastrous experiment of alcohol prohibition.
Scheutte discusses that it is acceptable to change one’s mind. In 2009, he ran a campaign for a candidate looking to unseat Ron Paul (R-TX), an outspoken defender of personal liberties and marijuana rights. The campaign referred to marijuana as a “troubling substance” and any measure to normalize it was a “blatant disregard” for the
districts values. Scheutte now admits he was mistaken and compares his view of only a few years ago to his great grandmother’s.
Ryan Scheutte then outlines, in detail, four benefits to marijuana legalization with all of them matching Republican values:
1. Pot would create jobs and help prevent Detroit-style bankruptcies
2. We could unplug overcrowded prisons and save tax dollars
3. Legalization could help starve violent cartels at home and abroad
4. We could ease suffering for those who live with chronic illnesses
We at marijuana.net agree! There are even more benefits, but for the time being it would be great progress if the Republican party adopted the above four principles. New Republican support is not a surprise as the vast majority of this country believes in serious marijuana reform. It is becoming the consensus issue.