{"id":1448,"date":"2013-03-15T07:06:28","date_gmt":"2013-03-15T07:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/?p=20731"},"modified":"2013-03-15T07:06:28","modified_gmt":"2013-03-15T07:06:28","slug":"marijuana-industry-news-march-15-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/marijuana-industry-news-march-15-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"Marijuana Industry News March 15, 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"wp_fb_like_button\" style=\"margin:5px 0 5px 5px;float:right;height:100px;\"><script src=\"http:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/all.js#xfbml=1\"><\/script><fb:like href=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/marijuana-industry-news-march-15-2013\/\" send=\"true\" layout=\"standard\" width=\"450\" show_faces=\"false\" font=\"arial\" action=\"like\" colorscheme=\"light\"><\/fb:like><\/div><p><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/the-UN.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"the UN\" title=\"the UN\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-20732\" href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/news-and-articles\/marijuana-industry-news-march-15-2013\/attachment\/the-un\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-20732\" title=\"the UN\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/the-UN-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>International Leaders Want U.S. to Go After Legal Pot in Colorado and Washington\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Even as it is clear a vast majority of Americans wish to see marijuana laws reformed, the Federal government has resisted.\u00a0 One of the most complex situations for federal authorities is permitting legalized marijuana while abiding by international treaties.\u00a0 In 1961, the U.S. took part in the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.unodc.org\/unodc\/en\/treaties\/single-convention.html\" target=\"_blank\">U.N. Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs<\/a>.\u00a0 Officially we are expected to uphold our part as a party of this agreement.\u00a0 However, the United States has not exactly been weighed down by the past burdens of international treaty.\u00a0 Raymond Yans, president of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.incb.org\/incb\/en\/about.html\" target=\"_blank\">International Narcotics Control Board<\/a>,\u00a0recently said that federal law (where marijuana is still illegal, despite state laws on the contrary) was &#8220;good, but insufficient.&#8221;\u00a0 The momentum has clearly shifted and now fewer politicians in the United States seems inclined to come on to national airwaves and voice support for the continued and failed War on Drugs.\u00a0 Whether or not it is correct on the part of the American people, we typically do not respond well to the U.N. lecturing us.\u00a0 If Raymond Yans decides to come to America and give a speech on how he feels a 50 year old treaty is more important than suffering patients, or individual liberties, it should make for excellent television.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/news.yahoo.com\/crack-down-cannabis-world-body-tells-u-171500173.html\" target=\"_blank\">For more on this story click here<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mass. Attorney General Dismantles Ban on Dispensaries\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Due to a successful ballot initiative by residents, Massachusetts is one of the newest states to approve the use of medical marijuana.\u00a0 Of course, controversy soon followed.\u00a0 Even before any dispensaries have opened, local municipalities have enacted bans.\u00a0 However, outright bans have been ruled illegal by the attorney general.\u00a0 \u00a0A spokesperson for the Massachusetts attorney general\u2019s office said \u201cThe act\u2019s legislative purpose could not be served if a municipality could prohibit treatment centers within its borders, for if one municipality could do so, presumably all could do so.\u201d \u00a0However, local municipalities will have considerable power in overseeing dispensaries.\u00a0 They will be able to set out guidelines as to where dispensaries can be located, such as requiring they be a certain distance from schools, parks etc.\u00a0 This represents a major victory for patients as other states have adopted medical marijuana legislation, only outlaw dispensaries.\u00a0 This leaves the program in limbo.\u00a0 Most patients cannot be depended on to cultivate their own effective and safe medicine without the help of dispensaries.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.boston.com\/metrodesk\/2013\/03\/13\/state-attorney-general-office-strikes-down-local-ban-medical-marijuana-dispensaries\/OX1gbOOruzSdV2OilRJH7I\/story.html?s_campaign=8315\" target=\"_blank\">For more on this story click here<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Governor Andrew Cuomo Includes Marijuana in NY State Budget Discussions\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Last year, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.governor.ny.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\">New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo<\/a> decided to shift his hard line view on marijuana reform.\u00a0 The second generation New York governor ran his 2010 campaign with a seemingly inflexible view on marijuana.\u00a0 However, clarifying New York\u2019s decriminalization law from the 1970s has been gaining momentum, especially in New York City.\u00a0 While possession of less than 25g is supposed to yield a civil citation (ticket), a loophole has allowed police to slap harsher charges.\u00a0 However, if marijuana is in plain view, then the offense is escalated to a misdemeanor charge.\u00a0 A tactic known as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nyclu.org\/issues\/racial-justice\/stop-and-frisk-practices\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cStop and Frisk\u201d<\/a>, easily allows police to capitalize on the loophole.\u00a0 Officers will tell someone to take marijuana out of their pocket, police can then arrest the individual for having it in \u201cplain sight\u201d, even as they were following the instructions of the officer.\u00a0 The tactic tends to disproportionately target young Hispanic and African Americans even as white teens smoke marijuana in higher numbers, and represent more of the general New York population.\u00a0 Governor Andrew Cuomo was initially mocked for proposing a solution to \u201cStop and Frisk\u201d.\u00a0 He has argued that \u201cplain sight\u201d and concealed possession should both result in a civil citation charge.\u00a0 The proposal has gained popularity as communities have grown weary from seeing their teens jailed, and having criminal charges following them for the rest of their lives. \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/assembly.state.ny.us\/mem\/Karim-Camara\/bio\/\" target=\"_blank\">Brooklyn Democrat, Karim Camara<\/a>, echoed the growing sentiment and told reporters \u00a0&#8220;We&#8217;re not only punishing the individual; we&#8217;re punishing society.\u201d Mr. Camara cited how difficult it is for teens with a criminal record to get into college.\u00a0 Additionally, measures that would save the state money (especially post Sandy) are getting their time in the limelight.\u00a0 As New York state enters into bitter budget negotiations, Governor Cuomo appears to be holding at least a semi hard line on reforming marijuana law.\u00a0 It is not yet clear how this will play out politically and if this will force state republicans to accept the change in marijuana law.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.timesunion.com\/local\/article\/Easing-marijuana-law-in-play-4349842.php\" target=\"_blank\">For more on this story click here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/the-UN.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"the UN\" title=\"the UN\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-20732\" href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/news-and-articles\/marijuana-industry-news-march-15-2013\/attachment\/the-un\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-20732\" title=\"the UN\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/the-UN-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>International Leaders Want U.S. to Go After Legal Pot in Colorado and Washington\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Even as it is clear a vast majority of Americans wish to see marijuana laws reformed, the Federal government has resisted.\u00a0 One of the most complex situations for federal authorities is permitting legalized marijuana while abiding by international treaties.\u00a0 In 1961, the U.S. took part in the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.unodc.org\/unodc\/en\/treaties\/single-convention.html\" target=\"_blank\">U.N. Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs<\/a>.\u00a0 Officially we are expected to uphold our part as a party of this agreement.\u00a0 However, the United States has not exactly been weighed down by the past burdens of international treaty.\u00a0 Raymond Yans, president of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.incb.org\/incb\/en\/about.html\" target=\"_blank\">International Narcotics Control Board<\/a>,\u00a0recently said that federal law (where marijuana is still illegal, despite state laws on the contrary) was &#8220;good, but insufficient.&#8221;\u00a0 The momentum has clearly shifted and now fewer politicians in the United States seems inclined to come on to national airwaves and voice support for the continued and failed War on Drugs.\u00a0 Whether or not it is correct on the part of the American people, we typically do not respond well to the U.N. lecturing us.\u00a0 If Raymond Yans decides to come to America and give a speech on how he feels a 50 year old treaty is more important than suffering patients, or individual liberties, it should make for excellent television.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/news.yahoo.com\/crack-down-cannabis-world-body-tells-u-171500173.html\" target=\"_blank\">For more on this story click here<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mass. Attorney General Dismantles Ban on Dispensaries\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Due to a successful ballot initiative by residents, Massachusetts is one of the newest states to approve the use of medical marijuana.\u00a0 Of course, controversy soon followed.\u00a0 Even before any dispensaries have opened, local municipalities have enacted bans.\u00a0 However, outright bans have been ruled illegal by the attorney general.\u00a0 \u00a0A spokesperson for the Massachusetts attorney general\u2019s office said \u201cThe act\u2019s legislative purpose could not be served if a municipality could prohibit treatment centers within its borders, for if one municipality could do so, presumably all could do so.\u201d \u00a0However, local municipalities will have considerable power in overseeing dispensaries.\u00a0 They will be able to set out guidelines as to where dispensaries can be located, such as requiring they be a certain distance from schools, parks etc.\u00a0 This represents a major victory for patients as other states have adopted medical marijuana legislation, only outlaw dispensaries.\u00a0 This leaves the program in limbo.\u00a0 Most patients cannot be depended on to cultivate their own effective and safe medicine without the help of dispensaries.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.boston.com\/metrodesk\/2013\/03\/13\/state-attorney-general-office-strikes-down-local-ban-medical-marijuana-dispensaries\/OX1gbOOruzSdV2OilRJH7I\/story.html?s_campaign=8315\" target=\"_blank\">For more on this story click here<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Governor Andrew Cuomo Includes Marijuana in NY State Budget Discussions\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Last year, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.governor.ny.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\">New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo<\/a> decided to shift his hard line view on marijuana reform.\u00a0 The second generation New York governor ran his 2010 campaign with a seemingly inflexible view on marijuana.\u00a0 However, clarifying New York\u2019s decriminalization law from the 1970s has been gaining momentum, especially in New York City.\u00a0 While possession of less than 25g is supposed to yield a civil citation (ticket), a loophole has allowed police to slap harsher charges.\u00a0 However, if marijuana is in plain view, then the offense is escalated to a misdemeanor charge.\u00a0 A tactic known as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nyclu.org\/issues\/racial-justice\/stop-and-frisk-practices\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cStop and Frisk\u201d<\/a>, easily allows police to capitalize on the loophole.\u00a0 Officers will tell someone to take marijuana out of their pocket, police can then arrest the individual for having it in \u201cplain sight\u201d, even as they were following the instructions of the officer.\u00a0 The tactic tends to disproportionately target young Hispanic and African Americans even as white teens smoke marijuana in higher numbers, and represent more of the general New York population.\u00a0 Governor Andrew Cuomo was initially mocked for proposing a solution to \u201cStop and Frisk\u201d.\u00a0 He has argued that \u201cplain sight\u201d and concealed possession should both result in a civil citation charge.\u00a0 The proposal has gained popularity as communities have grown weary from seeing their teens jailed, and having criminal charges following them for the rest of their lives. \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/assembly.state.ny.us\/mem\/Karim-Camara\/bio\/\" target=\"_blank\">Brooklyn Democrat, Karim Camara<\/a>, echoed the growing sentiment and told reporters \u00a0&#8220;We&#8217;re not only punishing the individual; we&#8217;re punishing society.\u201d Mr. Camara cited how difficult it is for teens with a criminal record to get into college.\u00a0 Additionally, measures that would save the state money (especially post Sandy) are getting their time in the limelight.\u00a0 As New York state enters into bitter budget negotiations, Governor Cuomo appears to be holding at least a semi hard line on reforming marijuana law.\u00a0 It is not yet clear how this will play out politically and if this will force state republicans to accept the change in marijuana law.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.timesunion.com\/local\/article\/Easing-marijuana-law-in-play-4349842.php\" target=\"_blank\">For more on this story click here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[249,1472,52,391,739,1473,1474,528,56,9,392,670,51,70,1475,394,1,3,1476,1477,61],"tags":[2827,4041,2632,2969,3312,4042,4043,3102,2636,2970,3243,2631,5,4044,2972,4045,4046,6],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1448"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1448"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1448\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}