Cannabis Not Associated With Increased Lung Cancer Risk Or Other Pulmonary Complications

 Posted by at 6:05 PM on June 19, 2013  Marijuana Science, Medical Marijuana Policy  No Responses »
Jun 192013
 
Cannabis Not Associated With Increased Lung Cancer Risk Or Other Pulmonary Complications

By Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director A forthcoming review to be published in journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society reiterates that the ingestion of cannabis smoke poses nominal pulmonary risks compared to those associated with tobacco smoke. The author of the paper, Donald P. Tashkin, MD, emeritus professor of medicine and medical director of the Pulmonary Function Laboratory at the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles performed US-government sponsored studies of marijuana and lung function for over 30 years. A preview of Dr. Tashkin’s forthcoming review appears [Continue Reading]

Michigan Bills Would Hurt State’s Neediest Children

 Posted by at 5:58 PM on June 19, 2013  Medical Marijuana Policy  No Responses »
Jun 192013
 
Michigan Bills Would Hurt State's Neediest Children

By Chris Lindsey, Marijuana Policy Project The Michigan Senate will likely consider two bills in the coming days that would punish children of needy parents who rely on the Family Independence Program (FIP) for assistance. If parents either test positive for illegal marijuana use or refuse to take a screening or drug test, they would be diverted to costly treatment and could lose benefits entirely. Please tell your state senator to vote no on SB 275 and HB 4118 today! The purpose of FIP is to help maintain and strengthen [Continue Reading]

State Medical Marijuana Laws Do Not Lead To More Teen Marijuana Use

 Posted by at 7:10 AM on June 19, 2013  Medical Marijuana Policy  No Responses »
Jun 192013
 
State Medical Marijuana Laws Do Not Lead To More Teen Marijuana Use

According to a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health, researchers at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainseville have determined that the enactment of state medical marijuana laws (MML) does not lead to an increase in teen marijuana use. The researchers used data from 2003-2011 compiled from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey for the states of Montana, Rhode Island, Michigan, and Delaware.  In their conclusions, researchers wrote: “Our results suggest that, in the states assessed here, MMLs have not measurably affected adolescent marijuana use in the first few [Continue Reading]

Oregon Attorney General And League Of Oregon Cities Endorse Safe Access To Medical Cannabis

 Posted by at 7:01 AM on June 19, 2013  Medical Marijuana Policy  No Responses »
Jun 192013
 
Oregon Attorney General And League Of Oregon Cities Endorse Safe Access To Medical Cannabis

Yesterday was a big day for safe access to medicinal cannabis in Oregon. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and the League of Oregon Cities both endorsed HB 3460, which would license and regulate medical marijuana collectives in Oregon. Below is a copy of Ellen Rosenblum’s endorsement letter, and an endorsement letter from the League of Oregon Cities: Dear Senator Prozanski and Representative Buckley: As you know, under the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act (“OMMA“), physicians are legally able to recommend medical marijuana to treat their patients. Under current law, because the OMMA does not [Continue Reading]

Florida: Selling A Marijuana Pipe Is A Felony, But Illegally Pushing Millions Of Oxycontin Is A Fine

 Posted by at 7:03 AM on June 18, 2013  Medical Marijuana Policy, Opinion  1 Response »
Jun 182013
 
Florida: Selling A Marijuana Pipe Is A Felony, But Illegally Pushing Millions Of Oxycontin Is A Fine

Florida has a massive problem with its “Oxycontin Express”.  The state is home to more “pill mills” where addicts get their “hillbilly heroin” than any other.  Walgreen’s, the national pharmacy chain, has been under DEA investigation for distribution of millions of Oxycontin sales where thousands of sales should be expected.  Yet the drug Florida’s legislature can’t stop trying to control isn’t Oxycontin, it’s cannabis. Florida Governor Rick Scott signed into law the “bong ban” bill this weekend. Under this statute, someone caught owning or selling a pot pipe twice in [Continue Reading]

Rally To Save Medical Cannabis In Washington State

 Posted by at 6:40 AM on June 18, 2013  Major Events, Medical Marijuana Policy  5 Responses »
Jun 182013
 
Rally To Save Medical Cannabis In Washington State

When: June 19, 2013, 12 noon Where: The State Capitol campus, Olympia Why: The Washington State House and Senate have both added budget amendments that, if passed, will turn control of medical cannabis over to the control of the same Liquor Control board that has publicly stated that medical cannabis is the biggest external threat to the success of their recreational pot stores. The goal of the legislation is to “bring medical cannabis laws into compliance with I-502″. That’s a solution that just won’t work for patients. What will bringing [Continue Reading]

Lawmakers Pass Measure Expanding Maine’s Medicinal Marijuana Program

 Posted by at 5:44 PM on June 17, 2013  Medical Marijuana Policy  No Responses »
Jun 172013
 
Lawmakers Pass Measure Expanding Maine's Medicinal Marijuana Program

By Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director House and Senate lawmakers last week gave final approval to legislation, LD 1062, to allow patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, inflammatory bowel disease, and other debilitating disorders to be eligible to engage in the therapeutic use of cannabis. The measure expands the list of qualifying conditions for which a Maine physician may legally recommend cannabis to include “post-traumatic stress disorder, inflammatory bowel disease, dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders and other diseases causing severe and persistent muscle spasms.” It is the second time that Maine legislators have acted to [Continue Reading]

San Diego Medical Marijuana Draft Ordinance References Medbox Technology In Dispensaries

 Posted by at 9:18 AM on June 17, 2013  Marijuana Business, Medical Marijuana Policy  No Responses »
Jun 172013
 
San Diego Medical Marijuana Draft Ordinance References Medbox Technology In Dispensaries

Medbox, Inc. (OTC Markets: MDBX) (www.medboxinc.com), a leader in providing industry-specific consulting services and patented systems to medical and retail businesses worldwide, announced that proposed modifications to San Diego’s medical marijuana ordinance has been released to the public. In summary, the proposed legislation would permit Medbox systems, and prohibit other types of “vending” units that dispense medical marijuana. The ordinance reads, “The use of vending machines which allow access to medical marijuana except by a responsible person as defined in San Diego Municipal Code 42.1502 (a dispensary employee), is prohibited. For purposes [Continue Reading]

New Study Finds Cannabis Combats Brain Degeneration And Increases Stamina

 Posted by at 9:13 AM on June 17, 2013  Marijuana Science, Medical Marijuana Policy  5 Responses »
Jun 172013
 
New Study Finds Cannabis Combats Brain Degeneration And Increases Stamina

A new study conducted at the Institute of Molecular Psychiatry at the University of Bonn in Germany has found that cannabis triggers the release of antioxidants, which acts as a cleansing mechanism – resulting in the removal of damaged cells and improving the efficiency of mitochondria, the energy source that powers cells, potentially increasing stamina. The study, published in Philosophical Transactions Of The Royal Society,states: ”Neuroinflammatory processes contributing to the progression of normal brain ageing and to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases are suppressed by cannabinoids”. The findings show the benefits of the application of [Continue Reading]

2013′s Biggest Cannabis Law Reform Victories (So Far)

 Posted by at 5:41 PM on June 16, 2013  Ending Marijuana Prohibition, Hemp, Medical Marijuana Policy  4 Responses »
Jun 162013
 
2013's Biggest Cannabis Law Reform Victories (So Far)

Nearly halfway through 2013 and it’s already been an incredible, unprecedented year for cannabis law reform. Things are moving at an incredibly fast pace all across the globe, and there’s not even the slightest indication that it’ll slow down until cannabis prohibition is put to an effective end. Here’s a list, in no particular order, of some of the biggest and most impactful victories so far this year. Colorado now has a regulated and taxed recreational cannabis market. In 2012, Colorado voters approved Amendment 64, making legal cannabis a constitutional right. [Continue Reading]

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