Medical Marijuana Update (2014.07.30)
Here's the latest major medical marijuana news around the United States from the past week, as of July 30, 2014:
Topic
drug policy — page 11
537 articles
Study: Arrests for Marijuana Offenses Increasing in Many States
Law enforcement in many states are making a greater number of marijuana arrests than ever before despite polling data showing that the majority of Americans believe that the adult use of the plant ought to be legal.
Weed LifestyleLink
What Obama Can Do to Loosen Marijuana Laws, Even Without Congress
In January, Jacob Sullum called bullshit on Barack Obama's insistence that his administration had no control over how cannabis is classified. But can the stroke of an admitted stoner's pen change drug policy for potsterity? It turns out, the answer is yes — simply by changing...
Law & PoliticsLink
New York Lawmakers Want Faster Medical-Marijuana Process
New York lawmakers urged Gov. Cuomo to consider different ways to get the drug to epileptic children and terminally ill patients more quickly, such as obtaining marijuana from other states. But, they acknowledge, there's a potential problem...
Debunking the White House’s Reefer Mad Reaction to the NYT
The New York Times has joined the majority of US citizens in the call for a more rational marijuana policy. The White House responded with an attempt to explain why a taxed and regulated market is no “silver bullet solution.” Alluding to The Lone Ranger probably wasn't a great idea...
Law & PoliticsLink
The Required White House Response on Marijuana
When the White House issued a statement last night saying that marijuana should remain illegal, they were following the law. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy is required by statute to oppose all efforts to legalize any banned drug.
CannabusinessLink
Five Things the "Straight" Business World Continues to Get Wrong About Marijuana
There is no shortage of conflict and confusion while investors and entrepreneurs scramble to get their hands in the legal pot. If you are considering getting into the cannabis business, here are five misconceptions about the industry that are imperative to understand.
New York Times: End Federal Marijuana Prohibition
What is arguably the most influential and respected newspaper in the United States is ready to free the weed. In a Sunday editorial, the New York Times called forthrightly for the end of federal marijuana prohibition.
Law & PoliticsLink
At Colorado's Borders, a Dividing Line Over Marijuana
The legal marijuana market in Colorado has created a bonanza for “green entrepreneurs” and tax collectors in the state. At the same time, it has put pressure on budgets in neighboring states. Post TV takes you to rural Colorado to experience...
Sentencing Commission Cuts Up to 46,000 Drug War Prisoners' Sentences
In a much anticipated move, the US Sentencing Commission last Friday voted unanimously to retroactively apply previously approved reductions in federal sentencing guidelines to federal drug war prisoners already serving their sentences.
Dabless in Seattle?
I must admit the suspense is killing me. It would appear that bad news is coming, but it's just how bad that worries me. Legal weed is officially here in Washington and the coverage I am reading says up to a 1/4 ounce of hash will eventually be permitted.
Law & PoliticsLink
Alaska Will Vote on the Legalization of Recreational Marijuana in November
Since Colorado began selling legalized recreational marijuana January 1, 2014, and Washington followed on July 8, 2014, the rest of the country has been wondering which state will be next, and while Oregon has been on the tips of most people’s tongues, it could also be Alaska that becomes the next to capitalize on the so-called “green rush.”
Law & PoliticsLink
DC Newspaper Will Pay Your Marijuana Fine
A DC newspaper is eager to see how local law enforcement will be dealing with the recent marijuana decrim, so they’ve offered to pay the $25 fine for the first five people they hear from who have received citations.
Sh%t The Feds Say: Weed Becomes More Dangerous When Legal
There is just something fundamentally unjust about demonizing a thing of which you have no experience. Nora Volkow, head of the National Institute for Drug Abuse, feels completely justified in vilifying legal cannabis.
The White House Opposes Congressional Attempts to Hinder DC Marijuana Reform
President Obama’s administration took a firm stance against recent efforts by Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) to restrict the District of Columbia from using any of its funds towards reducing the penalties for, or legalizing, marijuana for recreational use. The white house
Benton Mackenzie: Terminal Cancer Patient Treated Like Cartel Boss
The American judicial system has displayed another staggering lack of humanity and compassion. Iowa resident and terminal cancer patient Benton Mackenzie faces up to three years in jail as a result of a police raid in 2013 that found him, along with his family, to be growing cannabis.
Schedule 1 Lunacy and Montana Weed
One group of hyper-conservative prohibitionists, going by the moniker of SafeMontana, illustrate yet another problem with roots in the irrational Schedule 1 status of cannabis.
Pot LuckLink
Loophole Offers Potential Path for Some Minor League Players to Smoke Way Onto Major League Rosters
Inside a minor league clubhouse this year, a player who had tested positive for marijuana a second time wasn't concerned, according to a witness. He didn't plan on curtailing his marijuana use, either. "I'll just smoke my way onto the 40-man," he said.