A current bill suggested towards the condition legislature might have Florida join the 16 states that presently have legal medicinal marijuana.
American support for legalizing marihuana reaches a brand new a lot of 50 %, based on an October Gallup Poll. Conservative pollster Fabrizio, McLaughlin & Affiliates reported in March that 57 percent of Floridians support it, along with a 2010 survey from Gallup discovered that 70 % of People in america preferred legalizing the drug for medicinal use.
However, it's unlikely the measure will reach the 2012 ballot, stated Janet Rosenson, a UF political science connect professor.
The majority of the people around the Florida legislature are Republican, and passing a bill of the character is going to be difficult due to variations in political opinion, she stated.
"I'd think this is an uphill fight," she stated.
Additionally, political figures don't wish to look like supporting drugs, even when the key behind medicinal marijuana is relieving ailing patients, she stated.
"There is a stigma in marketing something which supports drug abuse,Inch she stated.
Grassroots actions happen to be the reason for medicinal marijuana legislation in the majority of the states where it's been legalized, political science instructor Joshua Huder stated.
Some states allow people to gather signatures for any petition to place an problem on the ballot, going completely around condition legislatures. But it is nothing like that in Florida.
"I do not think it's a chance to get at the ground,Inch Huder stated.
For medicinal marihuana being broadly recognized, he stated, more states will need to legalize it first.
"The greater it's in conventional make use of the more institutions that support this, the greater chance it's,Inch he stated.
Despite the fact that medicinal marijuana is legal in other states, will still be illegal under federal law.
An Agenda I drug, marijuana is determined by the us government like a substance having a high possibility of abuse without any recognized medical use, based on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's website.
Consequently, the DEA is cracking lower on regulating marijuana in states where it may legally be utilized for medicinal reasons. It has brought the governors of Washington and Rhode Island to petition the us government to reclassify marijuana like a Schedule II drug, exactly the same category as drugs like morphine and OxyContin, meaning it may be legally recommended with a physician under federal law.
John Rohde, the treasurer for that student chapter from the National Organization for that Reform of Marijuana Law, stated because marijuana is presently an agenda I drug, the us government will not fund research for medicinal usage. For now, individuals will remain doubtful associated with a possible benefits it might have, he stated.
On campus, NORML has recommended for medicinal marijuana. This past year, the business collected signatures for any petition to legalize marijuana and assisted register individuals to election, based on Rohde.
Despite his support for that suggested bill, Rohde stated he could not begin to see the bill being passed using the partisan makeup from the legislature.
"It might be wonderful because you will find lots of patients in Florida who frantically need that care," he stated.
Not everybody concurs that medicinal marijuana will be a positive thing.
Patrick Shaffer, a 19-year-old political science newcomer, thinks if medicinal marijuana was legalized it might be mistreated.
"It simply appears as an illegitimate approach to me," he stated. "There is a reason it isn't legal now."
As they sees the way it may help people, Shaffer stated the issues would over-shadow the advantages.
"It might just cause more problems of computer solved," he stated.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Dem's and Rep's agree! Give the Sick What They Need!
Democratic Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Republican Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee have filed a petition using the Drug Enforcement Agency requesting a reclassification of marijuana - from the substance with “no presently recognized medical use” to some drug with “currently recognized medical use within treatment.” On Thursday, Democratic Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin became a member of them.
“It 's time to show empathy and time for you to show good sense,” Gregoire told reporters throughout a business call.
The 3 governors’ states, and 13 others, have passed medicinal marijuana laws and regulations, casting doubt on the concept that cannabis doesn't have medical value. Plus some studies claim that the analgesic results of marijuana are similar to individuals more addictive pain relievers.
The governors’ papers are the most recent within an ongoing battle to reclassify cannabis that goes back to some legal challenge in 1972.
“Each of those areas is battling with controlling safe use of medical cannabis for patients with serious health conditions,” they authored. “Our use the government agencies hasn't resolved the problem.”
The DEA has in the past overlooked applications for deleting marijuana, stating a scientific consensus it adds no value in dealing with patients of any sort. But that consensus seems to become fracturing when confronted with new research and concerns concerning the ongoing costs from the drug war.
Drug Policy Alliance Leader Ethan Nadelmann authored inside a statement the Governors’ petition would be a useful step, but that federal rules shouldn’t stop them motionless forward with therapeutic pot programs in their own individual states.
“It 's time to show empathy and time for you to show good sense,” Gregoire told reporters throughout a business call.
The 3 governors’ states, and 13 others, have passed medicinal marijuana laws and regulations, casting doubt on the concept that cannabis doesn't have medical value. Plus some studies claim that the analgesic results of marijuana are similar to individuals more addictive pain relievers.
The governors’ papers are the most recent within an ongoing battle to reclassify cannabis that goes back to some legal challenge in 1972.
“Each of those areas is battling with controlling safe use of medical cannabis for patients with serious health conditions,” they authored. “Our use the government agencies hasn't resolved the problem.”
The DEA has in the past overlooked applications for deleting marijuana, stating a scientific consensus it adds no value in dealing with patients of any sort. But that consensus seems to become fracturing when confronted with new research and concerns concerning the ongoing costs from the drug war.
Drug Policy Alliance Leader Ethan Nadelmann authored inside a statement the Governors’ petition would be a useful step, but that federal rules shouldn’t stop them motionless forward with therapeutic pot programs in their own individual states.
Friday, November 25, 2011
As the Fed's Step it Up, So Can You!
It looks like WeedMaps is stepping up their game. As the Fed's start their crack down on your local medical cannabis collectives, WeedMaps has started their Medical Marijuana political action alert page. We should all know about it and share it. If you have a medical cannabis event that you want your fellow Prop 215 patients to be aware of contact them at
TeamWeedMaps
Here are the current events on the TeamWeedMaps political action alert page for November 25th - December 13:
NorCal ASA Action Meeting
When
Thu, December 1, 5pm – 7pm
Where
625 5th Street Santa Rosa, CA 95401 (map)
Description
Update on recent/current Cannabis patient events and discussion. Cool stuff to hear, and usually some refreshments.
Contact:
Chet
chetajenkins@yahoo.com
707-721-5420
==========================================
OC NORML South County Meeting
When
Fri, December 2, 7pm – 9pm
Where
Fuddruckers in Lake Forest (map)
Description
26221 El Toro Road Lake Forest, CA 92630
Contact Kandice Hawes for questions
Executive Director of Orange County NORML
1-877-OC NORML
===========================================
CPR-ASA meeting
When
Tue, December 6, 7pm – 9pm
Where
Crusaders Hall is one block off I80 and Norwood 320 Harris Ave suite H Sacramento, CA 95838 (map)
Description
Please join our medical cannabis activist meeting! We are involved in patient and professional education, legislation, court support and participate in community events! Refreshments are served and we welcome non-patients also!
Contact:
Lanette Davies
cpr4mercy@yahoo.com
916-502-7677
===========================================
ASA chapter meeting
When
Tue, December 13, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Where
847 Howard Street (Between 4th and 5th Street), San Francisco CA, 94103 (map)
Description
Come join medical cannabis activists and friends for delicious pizza and soft drinks as we educate on all issues related to medical cannabis. Normally 50 to 70 people attend meetings.
We also do court support and actively participate in San Francisco's Medical Cannabis Task Force. Expect fun and surprises while supporting medical cannabis activism.
Contact:
David Goldman
dcgoldman@yahoo.com
415-728-7631
==============================================
Don't have a NORML chapter in your area? Start One! Contact them at
TeamWeedMaps
Here are the current events on the TeamWeedMaps political action alert page for November 25th - December 13:
NorCal ASA Action Meeting
When
Thu, December 1, 5pm – 7pm
Where
625 5th Street Santa Rosa, CA 95401 (map)
Description
Update on recent/current Cannabis patient events and discussion. Cool stuff to hear, and usually some refreshments.
Contact:
Chet
chetajenkins@yahoo.com
707-721-5420
==========================================
OC NORML South County Meeting
When
Fri, December 2, 7pm – 9pm
Where
Fuddruckers in Lake Forest (map)
Description
26221 El Toro Road Lake Forest, CA 92630
Contact Kandice Hawes for questions
Executive Director of Orange County NORML
1-877-OC NORML
===========================================
CPR-ASA meeting
When
Tue, December 6, 7pm – 9pm
Where
Crusaders Hall is one block off I80 and Norwood 320 Harris Ave suite H Sacramento, CA 95838 (map)
Description
Please join our medical cannabis activist meeting! We are involved in patient and professional education, legislation, court support and participate in community events! Refreshments are served and we welcome non-patients also!
Contact:
Lanette Davies
cpr4mercy@yahoo.com
916-502-7677
===========================================
ASA chapter meeting
When
Tue, December 13, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Where
847 Howard Street (Between 4th and 5th Street), San Francisco CA, 94103 (map)
Description
Come join medical cannabis activists and friends for delicious pizza and soft drinks as we educate on all issues related to medical cannabis. Normally 50 to 70 people attend meetings.
We also do court support and actively participate in San Francisco's Medical Cannabis Task Force. Expect fun and surprises while supporting medical cannabis activism.
Contact:
David Goldman
dcgoldman@yahoo.com
415-728-7631
==============================================
Don't have a NORML chapter in your area? Start One! Contact them at
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Fifth Annual Medical Cannabis Competition
The winner for Best cannabis from seed Strain was Humboldt Royal Kush grown by EarthGreenCali Farms. The strawberry dread-headed gentleman that came to the stage to claim the trophy first thanked everyone in attendance for being there and a special shout-out to Kevin Reed for putting on the event.
The second and third place was won by the dispensary, The Green Door for the strains Platinum Cookies and Candy Jack. With all the good work that The Green Door does for the city, it was a fitting tribute to the political and spiritually minded pot shop that they were recognized.
The Patients' Choice includes both indoor and sungrown cannabis; the winner reminded everyone why he thought that outdoor, organic was the way to go. In summation, he professed his love for the herb and seeds would be available soon.
Carrying the heavy-duty trophy off the stage to heartfelt congratulations of high-fives and THC infused hugs, the winner held the award high and also up in the air.
When the night ended, I followed the winning group out. With the trophy in hand the gentleman grower and entourage enter one of the more swankier hotels in SF. I watched as the doormen, bellstaff and hotel employees read the gold plaque on the crystal cup stating 'Best Cannabis Strain of 2011."
My favorite quote of the evening: After the winners were announced, hash brownies were being distributed by a sponsoring company. There was a big Santa Claus like satchel left to the right of the door with a couple of hundred wrapped brownies still in the bag. A very medicated person turned to me when passing the sack of brownies and said, "That looks like a very comfortable chair."
(Source)
The second and third place was won by the dispensary, The Green Door for the strains Platinum Cookies and Candy Jack. With all the good work that The Green Door does for the city, it was a fitting tribute to the political and spiritually minded pot shop that they were recognized.
The Patients' Choice includes both indoor and sungrown cannabis; the winner reminded everyone why he thought that outdoor, organic was the way to go. In summation, he professed his love for the herb and seeds would be available soon.
Carrying the heavy-duty trophy off the stage to heartfelt congratulations of high-fives and THC infused hugs, the winner held the award high and also up in the air.
When the night ended, I followed the winning group out. With the trophy in hand the gentleman grower and entourage enter one of the more swankier hotels in SF. I watched as the doormen, bellstaff and hotel employees read the gold plaque on the crystal cup stating 'Best Cannabis Strain of 2011."
My favorite quote of the evening: After the winners were announced, hash brownies were being distributed by a sponsoring company. There was a big Santa Claus like satchel left to the right of the door with a couple of hundred wrapped brownies still in the bag. A very medicated person turned to me when passing the sack of brownies and said, "That looks like a very comfortable chair."
(Source)
Monday, November 14, 2011
45 Days are up... Were the Fed's faking?
California's four US Attorneys set a 45-day deadline for MMJ dispensaries and their landlords to make themselves scarce or face the consequences, and that deadline expired on Saturday. Whether the federal authorities have the nerve to carry out the threat remains to be seen, since their belligerence has provoked an extraordinary backlash in the media, in Congress and in the courts.
The federal authorities like to paint a picture of a free-for-all marijuana market, in which bogus dispensaries effectively hand out drugs to all-comers. But that does not account for the rapidly evolving regulatory framework imposed by states and local municipalities.
Steve DeAngelo doesn't have the luxury of worrying about a threatened US government crackdown on medical marijuana dispensaries like the one he runs in Oakland, California. For him, the crackdown is already in full swing.
As the head of the largest pot dispensary in the country, with more than 80,000 customers and annual revenues of more than $20m, DeAngelo always knew he would have a big target on his back if the federal authorities chose to challenge the state laws that allow him and thousands of other operators across the United States to sell marijuana on the open market.
At the end of September – even before California's top federal prosecutors announced their intention to start filing criminal charges against medical marijuana purveyors, their landlords and the newspapers and television stations where they advertise their services – the feds fired their first shot. The Internal Revenue Service, America's tax collecting agency, sent a letter demanding an initial $2.5 million in back taxes and characterised DeAngelo's dispensary, the Harborside Health Center, as a drug trafficking organisation.
Using a provision of the tax code originally written to help seize the assets of gangsters and organised criminals, the IRS said Harborside was disqualified from claiming its ordinary business expenses – payroll, insurance, rent and so on – as deductions and needed to pay taxes on them instead.
Seeing himself not as a drug pusher but as an advocate and carer for the sick, DeAngelo is fighting with everything he has, and so is the rest of the medical marijuana movement. He has helped establish a nationwide publicity campaign to push back against the IRS and its characterization of regulated dispensaries as traffickers.
His dispensary is about to be featured in a television reality show called "Weed Wars" in which his battles with the feds will be front and centre. He and other advocacy groups have organised protest marches up and down California.
(Source)
The federal authorities like to paint a picture of a free-for-all marijuana market, in which bogus dispensaries effectively hand out drugs to all-comers. But that does not account for the rapidly evolving regulatory framework imposed by states and local municipalities.
Steve DeAngelo doesn't have the luxury of worrying about a threatened US government crackdown on medical marijuana dispensaries like the one he runs in Oakland, California. For him, the crackdown is already in full swing.
As the head of the largest pot dispensary in the country, with more than 80,000 customers and annual revenues of more than $20m, DeAngelo always knew he would have a big target on his back if the federal authorities chose to challenge the state laws that allow him and thousands of other operators across the United States to sell marijuana on the open market.
At the end of September – even before California's top federal prosecutors announced their intention to start filing criminal charges against medical marijuana purveyors, their landlords and the newspapers and television stations where they advertise their services – the feds fired their first shot. The Internal Revenue Service, America's tax collecting agency, sent a letter demanding an initial $2.5 million in back taxes and characterised DeAngelo's dispensary, the Harborside Health Center, as a drug trafficking organisation.
Using a provision of the tax code originally written to help seize the assets of gangsters and organised criminals, the IRS said Harborside was disqualified from claiming its ordinary business expenses – payroll, insurance, rent and so on – as deductions and needed to pay taxes on them instead.
Seeing himself not as a drug pusher but as an advocate and carer for the sick, DeAngelo is fighting with everything he has, and so is the rest of the medical marijuana movement. He has helped establish a nationwide publicity campaign to push back against the IRS and its characterization of regulated dispensaries as traffickers.
His dispensary is about to be featured in a television reality show called "Weed Wars" in which his battles with the feds will be front and centre. He and other advocacy groups have organised protest marches up and down California.
(Source)
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
NORML throws down on the Fed's
The NORML attorneys allege the federal government has engaged in entrapment of California marijuana patients and their caregivers. They point to the courts’ dismissal of County of Santa Cruz, WAMM et al. v. Eric Holder et al.where the Department of Justice (DOJ) “promised a federal judge that it had changed its policy toward the enforcement of its federal drug laws relative to California medical cannabis patients.” So after 2009, California providers had reason to believe that the federal government had changed its policy. The legal argument is called ‘judicial estoppel’, which basically means that courts can’t hold true to a fact in one case and then disregard it in another.
Kumin, Michael, and Silber also argue the government has engaged in ‘equitable estoppel’, which most people commonly think of as ‘entrapment’. That is to say, you can’t bust a person for committing a crime when the authorities told him it wasn’t a crime to do it!
(Source)
Kumin, Michael, and Silber also argue the government has engaged in ‘equitable estoppel’, which most people commonly think of as ‘entrapment’. That is to say, you can’t bust a person for committing a crime when the authorities told him it wasn’t a crime to do it!
(Source)
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Medical marijuana? Montel Williams impressed by Israeli approach
Montel Williams says the U.S. could learn a thing or two from Israel's liberal stance on medical marijuana. The Emmy Award-winning TV personality was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999 and he has been an outspoken advocate of medical marijuana to relieve pain caused by the disease since then.
Medical marijuana: Which 16 states permit pot
Williams, 55, is in Israel on a fact-finding mission to learn about its approach to medical weed. He's meeting with legislators, scientists and doctors.
In Israel, certain doctors can approve cannabis prescriptions and disperse them to patients, said Itay Goor-Aryeh, the head of the pain management unit at the Sheba Medical Center in central Israel. He said that while marijuana use is carefully regulated, many doctors prefer prescribing it to patients who qualify because it is "the lesser of evils."
Those patients, if they do not get cannabis, they will get morphine-like drugs and other harmful drugs," said Goor-Aryeh. "I think that in many ways, cannabis is tolerated and is less addictive that morphine-based drugs.
Sixteen U.S. states have decriminalized the use of medical marijuana. Critics claim dispensaries are often no more than drug trafficking fronts.
"For me, there is nothing else that can do what it does," he said. "It helps me suppress my pain... When I am not using cannabis, I am thinking about my pain every 45 seconds."
He said the drug had been "vilified to substantiate the false reason why it was banned in the first place," and that he hoped it would one day become a regular prescription drug.
"There are chemicals within that plant," he said, "and some of the leading science on where and how those chemicals work is being done right here in this country," referring to Israel.
Medical marijuana: Which 16 states permit pot
Williams, 55, is in Israel on a fact-finding mission to learn about its approach to medical weed. He's meeting with legislators, scientists and doctors.
In Israel, certain doctors can approve cannabis prescriptions and disperse them to patients, said Itay Goor-Aryeh, the head of the pain management unit at the Sheba Medical Center in central Israel. He said that while marijuana use is carefully regulated, many doctors prefer prescribing it to patients who qualify because it is "the lesser of evils."
Those patients, if they do not get cannabis, they will get morphine-like drugs and other harmful drugs," said Goor-Aryeh. "I think that in many ways, cannabis is tolerated and is less addictive that morphine-based drugs.
Sixteen U.S. states have decriminalized the use of medical marijuana. Critics claim dispensaries are often no more than drug trafficking fronts.
"For me, there is nothing else that can do what it does," he said. "It helps me suppress my pain... When I am not using cannabis, I am thinking about my pain every 45 seconds."
He said the drug had been "vilified to substantiate the false reason why it was banned in the first place," and that he hoped it would one day become a regular prescription drug.
"There are chemicals within that plant," he said, "and some of the leading science on where and how those chemicals work is being done right here in this country," referring to Israel.
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