Medical Marijuana Update (2014.08.13)

California’s controversial medical marijuana regulation bill is going down to the wire, Delaware will soon see its first dispensary, Guam will vote on a medical marijuana initiative in November, and more. Let’s get to it:

Arizona
On Monday, Northern Arizona University rejected a medical marijuana research proposal from Dr. Sue Sisely. Dr. Sisley, who was fired by the University of Arizona over what she says is her support medical marijuana, has lost a bid to do her study at the University of Northern Arizona. She had received FDA approval and a $1 million grant from the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies to study its effects on PTSD in veterans, but that study is now in limbo until she finds a new home for it.

California
On Wednesday, the Assembly put off deliberating on the medical marijuana regulation bill until tomorrow. The bill, Senate Bill 1262, is supported by law enforcement and state municipalities, as well as by some member of the medical marijuana community, but not by others. This is the last chance to get a regulation bill through in Sacramento this year.

Delaware
On Wednesday, Delaware officials signed the contract for the First State’s first dispensary. Finally, a dispensary is coming to Delaware. Officials have signed a two-year contract with First State Compassion Center. A growing operation for it will begin this fall, and sales should commence sometime early next year. Delaware passed a medical marijuana law in 2011, but Gov. Jack Markell (D) balked at allowing dispensaries, fearing federal intervention. Last year, he decided to move forward with one dispensary, instead of the three called for in the state law.

Guam
Last Thursday, the Electoral Commission approved putting a medical marijuana initiative on the November ballot. The commission approved putting the Joaquin “KC” Concepcion II Compassionate Cannabis Use Act of 2013 on the ballot. The act would allow for the creation of medical marijuana dispensaries, with regulations and rules to be developed later by a government commission. The commission had balked at the move, but a Guam Supreme Court decision earlier last week said the legislature has the right to put measures before the voters. Under Guam law, the referendum must get more than 50% of the voters of all voters who vote in the general election, not just a simple majority.

Illinois
Last Friday, officials announced that medical marijuana licensing starts next month. Patients and caregivers wanting to enroll in the state’s medical marijuana program can begin applying for licenses on September 2. Application materials are available at the web site for the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program.

Oklahoma
On Wednesday, Gov. Mary Fallin (R) said she supported limited access to CBD cannabis oil. She asked lawmakers to support the legalization of high-CBD cannabis oil, but only for limited trials. She says CBD could be “potentially life-saving” for some children.

Oregon
On Monday, Oregon banned medical marijuana patients from being daycare providers. Oregon’s Early Learning Council has passed a temporary rule barring child daycare owners and operators from holding medical marijuana cards. Owners and operators must now also report this information to the council. The rule doesn’t apply to users of any other medicines.

Utah
As of Monday, the state had issued its first registration cards for high-CBD cannabis oil treatment. The Department of Health has issued registration cards to 11 patients for its new program allowing people with severe epilepsy to use high-CBD cannabis oil. People with the cards can legally possess high-CBD cannabis oil, but they will have to get it out-of-state. The main producer of the extract, next door in Colorado, has a lengthy waiting list.

Article republished from Stop the Drug War under Creative Commons Licensing