USA: Bipartisan Bill Asks Congress to - 'Respect States With Medical Marijuana Laws' | Marijuana.com

USA: Bipartisan Bill Asks Congress to - 'Respect States With Medical Marijuana Laws' | Marijuana.com

Rep. Dana Rohrbacher (R-Calif.) introduced a bipartisan bill on Friday to protect marijuana users and businesses from federal prosecution when they are following state laws. The Respect State Marijuana Laws Act would shield both medical and recreational pot users.

University of Michigan in Ann Arbor: 42nd annual Hash Bash | Marijuana.com

University of Michigan in Ann Arbor: 42nd annual Hash Bash | Marijuana.com

"I think we should decriminalize cannabis -- period," Worick of Portage said as he steadied the flag, which also had marijuana leaf images similar to stars, high above the crowd. "My flag represents the United States of Euphoria."

Kentucky Industrial Hemp Legislation to Become Law Minus Gov.'s Signature

by Erik Altieri - On Friday, April 5th, Governor Steve Beshear of Kentucky stated that he will let Kentucky’s industrial hemp measure become law without his signature. Gov. Beshear had expressed concerns that marijuana growers could hide their illegal growing operations with hemp plants. Despite his concerns, he allowed the measure to become law without his signature and did not veto the legislation.

Source: SeedMine

Colorado's Medical Marijuana Program Under Nourished - How Will This Effect Recreational Pot Rules | Marijuana.com

Colorado's Medical Marijuana Program Under Nourished - How Will This Effect Recreational Pot Rules | Marijuana.com

As the many eyes of the country - particularly the feds - watch to see how Colorado's lawmakers cultivate their new recreational marijuana rules and regs. More than a few politicians count themselves among the skeptical, that CO's current regulators can handle the task at hand.

Anna Panoka -- On Thursday the panel reversed an earlier decision to consolidate recreational and medical marijuana under the current enforcement division, after a scathing audit described the office as mismanaged and underfunded.

Committee Chair Dan Pabon [D-Denver] wants answers on what the Division is doing to fix those issues and how soon.

“We need to have the select committee ask for hard numbers from the Department of Revenue about what is needed to fully enforce to protect the public safety, protect children’s access, enforce packaging and labeling and purchasing requirements,” Pabon said after the committee meeting.

Pabon says once the committee has hard numbers, it needs to figure out how to finance enforcement to avoid some of the problems auditors found at the Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division. Part of that may depend on voters approving high taxes on the product in November.

The committee is pushing back its deadline and has four more meetings to work out what will be in the final package of legislation. Pabon insists the bill or bills will be introduced early enough to avoid any need for a special session after the legislature adjourns.

Source: Colorado Public Radio

Here are a few other ideas the task force are considering...

Dylan Ratigan Praises Marijuana Cultivators For Creating High-Tech Hydroponics | Marijuana.com

Dylan Ratigan Praises Marijuana Cultivators For Creating High-Tech Hydroponics | Marijuana.com

What a long, strange trip life can be … The one time host of MSNBC's Fast Money – Dylan Ratigan has turned on, tuned in, and dropped out of the hired liar business. Instead he has taken up a much more honorable trade, hydroponic gardening. As such, Dylan reached out and acknowledged the great work done by comedian Tommy Chong for promoting marijuana legalization, as well as today's marijuana cultivators, for taking hydroponic technology to a whole new level of efficiency and production.

 “I’d like to issue a letter of gratitude to Tommy and all the hydroponic marijuana growers in the world,” he said on The Young Turks. “Much as porn made the Internet, the cutting edge of hydroponic lighting and water flow and nutrient film technique that really has been been perfect as a result of the marijuana industry is the very techniques that we are now benefiting from to yield incredibly nutritious kale, bok choy, swiss chard, basil, bell peppers — you pick it. So, Tommy, thank you.”

After ending his three-year run at MSNBC, Ratigan moved to southern California to pursue a career as an organic, hydroponic farmer. He claimed the farm he now works on uses 90 percent less water, yet produces three times the amount of food compared to traditional farms.

 “Because of the incredible investment from the marijuana industry over the past couple of decades, the available technology for hydroponic kale farmers and basil farmers like myself is absolutely stunning, and because of the legalization of marijuana in so many places, while marijuana prices are declining, kale prices are rising,” he added.

 Source

Watch video – courtesy of Current TV:

Different Country, Different Problems: Uruguay President Wants Pot legalized, While The Public Remains Skeptical | Marijuana.com

Different Country, Different Problems: Uruguay President Wants Pot legalized, While The Public Remains Skeptical 

“Mujica, a former leftist guerrilla in the 1970s, has argued that legalizing the commerce in marijuana would weaken drug smuggling gangs and fight petty crime.”

And he should know…
It seems like a lifetime since Uruguay’s president announced his groundbreaking idea of legalizing the business of marijuana cultivation and sales. But after an overwhelming majority of Uruguayans expressed their potential reservation of a ‘Uruguayan OG’ hitting the open market, Jose Mujica was forced to reevaluate his position.
At least for a little while.

Philip Smith – Last fall, Uruguayan President Jose Mujica proposed legalizing marijuana commerce and cultivation (marijuana possession has never been a crime there), but shortly thereafter postponed action on the proposed legislation in the face of public opposition. Now he’s ready for the country to have a discussion about it.

In December, Mujica postponed action on the bill, even though his party and its allies control the legislature. He cited polling that showed 64% of the public had reservations about allowing pot sales and cultivation.
Mujica continues to support the bill, but wanted to slow the process down to educate the public. Now, that process is beginning. Starting on April 4, a nationwide dialog on the bill is set to get underway. The three-month public debate will feature round tables, seminars, and conferences across the country and, Mujica hopes, bring public opinion around.

Mujica, a former leftist guerrilla in the 1970s, has argued that legalizing the commerce in marijuana would weaken drug smuggling gangs and fight petty crime. Uruguay is one of the safest Latin American nations, but has been scarred by criminal violence associated with the drug trade.

The bill would create a National Cannabis Institute to regulate commercial marijuana production and distribution. But unlike reports from last fall, it will not create state marijuana stores. The Institute would also come up with penalties for rule-breakers and help design programs to warn of the risks of pot smoking. For private households, the bill would allow the cultivation of up to six plants and the possession of up to 17 ounces.

"I'm Just A Bill...Yes I'm Only A Bill" -- And I'm Here To End Marijuana Prohibition On Capitol Hill | Marijuana.com

"I'm Just A Bill...Yes I'm Only A Bill" -- And I'm Here To End Marijuana Prohibition On Capitol Hill | Marijuana.com

It will take more states moving in the direction Washington and Colorado have before there’s a sufficient pressure on (Congress) to change the law

Approximately 10 US congressmen and a hand full of House members have have sparked an effort to toss out the ill-conceived federal ban on cannabis. Noting that they’re in it for the long haul, and are prepared to keep stoking the flames of common sense, regardless of how long it takes. While its true that the liberal Democrats are doing most of the heavy lifting right now, preparing pro marijuana bills that will provide a legislative trail of pot seeds — should the Republican-controlled House — fail to act as expected during this session of Congress.

Raju Chebium— Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said it’s time to end the federal ban because 18 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana and many other states are exploring that option in response to growing public pressure.

“Maybe next year, maybe next Congress, but this is going to change. And the federal government will get out of the way,” he said. “I’m very patient. I’ve been working on this one way or another for 40 years, and I think the likelihood of something happening in the next four or five years is greater than ever.”

Peter Bensinger, a former head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, urged lawmakers to keep the ban despite the pressure to legalize pot.

Advocacy groups, which have spent a lot of money over the years to push legalization, gloss over the negative effects of marijuana though studies show people do get hooked and smoking pot impairs judgment and could cause cancer like cigarettes, he said.

“Legalizing it is going to cost lives, money, addiction, dependency,” Bensinger warned in an interview Wednesday.

A number of lawmakers share that view, which is why previous congressional attempts to decriminalize marijuana went nowhere.

Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., acknowledged that getting any marijuana bill through a bitterly divided Congress — which is consumed by debates over spending, gun regulations and other matters — won’t be easy.

“It will take more states moving in the direction Washington and Colorado have before there’s a sufficient pressure on (Congress) to change the law,” he said. “It’s harder to get the attention of members of Congress from states where the legal status has not been changed because it’s simply not a relevant issue for their constituents.”

In February, Polis and Blumenauer introduced bills against federal marijuana policy, which makes it illegal to grow, use, possess or distribute pot.

Polis’ measure seeks to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act. Blumenauer’s bill would allow the government to tax marijuana like tobacco and alcohol. If both bills become law, states would decide whether to legalize marijuana, not Uncle Sam, and state lawmakers would have Washington’s blessing to impose taxes on pot.

More proposals are likely in the coming months. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., is writing a bill that would create a commission to study whether marijuana has medicinal value.

Though legalization advocates argue pot has proven benefits such as relieving chronic pain and is not addictive, the federal government cites other studies showing pot has no medical benefits and acts as a “gateway,” leading users to try even more dangerous drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

According to a 2011 federal survey, about 18 million people over the age of 12 have used marijuana at some point in their lives, making pot the country’s most-popular illegal drug under federal law. That means 7% of the nation’s 12-and-over population has used pot at some point.

The legalization push in the House has very little bipartisan support.

“You’d have to undo the federal law, you’d have to have the Congress be willing to pay no attention to the supremacy clause, and you’d have to break an international treaty,” he said. “This is uphill sledding.”

Source

CA: Rep Nancy Pelosi..."I Think State Marijuana Laws Have to Be Respected" | Marijuana.com

CA: Rep Nancy Pelosi..."I Think State Marijuana Laws Have to Be Respected"

I Think Tax and Regulate!

In an interview with the Denver Post, published this week, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke about the marijuana legalization initiatives passed in Colorado and Washington in November.

When asked, “What are the measures in Washington (DC) that might address states that legalize marijuana and what is your view of federal policy?,” Minority Leader Pelosi expressed her support of state laws regarding marijuana and encouraged a tax and regulate policy:

Q: What are the measures in Washington (DC) that might address states that have taken steps to legalize marijuana and what is your view of the federal role?

Rep. Pelosi: I support the leadership of Jared Polis, who has been a leader on this issue as well as other members..I understand some of the Republican members support the law now that is passed, even if they didn’t before.

But in any case, to answer your question, what is my position regarding the states that have medical marijuana or recreational marijuana as the law of their states: I think that has to be respected. I think tax and regulate.

In order to do that, there has to be a level of respect for the fact, that if you are going to have recreational marijuana, someone is in business to do that and they have to have tax treatment in order for them to function as a business.

How the state of Colorado interacts with the federal government on the taxation issues is something they have to work out, but I think they should.

You can view the full interview here.

Medical Marijuana Proposed For Florida's Sick: “Stoned Old Dudes” Stoked | Marijuana.com

Medical Marijuana Proposed For Florida's Sick: “Stoned Old Dudes” Stoked | Marijuana.com

One veteran Stoner pointed out – that pot smokers come from all walks of life, including the highly educated and extremely successful.

The burning question for Florida’s sick and suffering this morning, is whether or not the country’s fourth populous state will follow the rapidly growing list of states that seek to legalize medical marijuana for its ailing residents.

As the heated debate fires up, proponents and opponents on both sides of the Florida legislature’s are ready to do battle over this national hot topic. As a means of attaining feedback from the public at large, a hearing was held, where over 200 people attended.

As the group “Stoned Old Dudes” stood up and spoke out…making it clear they are not a bunch of “burnt out time wasters.”  One veteran Stoner pointed out – that pot smokers come from all walks of life, including the highly educated and extremely successful.

Unfortunately for Floridians marijuana is currently still legal and with a Republican-controlled legislature, not much looks to be changing anytime soon.