Marijuana
CN MB: Head Shops Raided In Secret Operation
Winnipeg Free Press, 03 May 2013 - The future of three controversial Winnipeg head shops is hazy following a series of police raids and seizures linked to an ongoing investigation. At least two people were taken into custody Wednesday as the RCMP and Winnipeg police executed search warrants at The Joint locations on St. Mary's Road, Pembina Highway and Marion Street. Police also backed a U-Haul truck up to the locations and appeared to remove numerous items from inside.
Categories: Marijuana
US CA: Ukiah Pot Dispensary Faces Eviction
The Press Democrat, 03 May 2013 - The owners of a Ukiah-area medical marijuana dispensary are scrambling to find a new home after their landlord received a letter from the U.S. Attorney's Office demanding they evict the business or risk losing the property. The letter is part of a national wave of cease-and-desist notices sent by federal authorities to marijuana dispensaries and their landlords in California, Washington and Colorado. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law.
Categories: Marijuana
US NM: OPED: State Decision Correct On Medical Marijuana
Albuquerque Journal, 03 May 2013 - Drug Proven to Help With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder I am extremely grateful that New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Retta Ward has decided to support the thousands of patients who find cannabis helpful to manage symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Categories: Marijuana
CN MB: One Joke Over The Line?
Winnipeg Sun, 03 May 2013 - There were no bongs like Donkey Kong, but drug paraphernalia with Luigi and other licensed characters were seized when RCMP raided three city businesses Wednesday. The RCMP's Federal Enforcement Section (FES), with help from Winnipeg police and Manitoba Finance, executed search warrants at retail outlets of The Joint on St. Mary's Road, Pembina Highway and Marion Street.
Categories: Marijuana
US DC: Would-Be Assassin Enraged By Pot Laws
Washington Times, 03 May 2013 - Fired Shots at White House in 2011 A man accused of trying to assassinate President Obama in 2011 was angry about the federal government's policy on the criminalization of marijuana, according to new court documents.
Categories: Marijuana
US CO: Column: Ask A Stoner
Westword, 02 May 2013 - Dear Stoner: What are these "clones" I see advertised?Are people really cloning marijuana plants like that sheep in Scotland? Dolly Lama Dear Dolly: We're actually amassing an army of tiny clone warriors, not unlike in Star Wars - only we're doing it with cannabis plants.The whole peaceful-revolution thing isn't working out, and we've collectively watched a lot of Empire Strikes Back - so it just made sense. Actually, that's not far from the truth.[Mind is blown!]
Categories: Marijuana
US CA: Column: Weed Gets Boozy
Sacramento News & Review, 02 May 2013 - I heard that California medical cannabis is going to be regulated by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Is this true? - -Teetotaler Terry It could happen. Assembly Bill 473, introduced by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, would indeed place medical marijuana under the purview of the ABC. The bill has gained traction, passing through the Committee on Public Safety, and could soon become law.
Categories: Marijuana
CN ON: Muskoka Arena May Go To Pot
Toronto Star, 02 May 2013 - Schoolkids Across From 'Marijuana Grow-Op' It came out of nowhere and sounded like a belated April Fool's joke. Late last week in the Muskoka town of MacTier, word began spreading that councillors had quietly voted to consider a plan to shut down the local arena and allow a private company to take it over.
Categories: Marijuana
US DC: Pot Motive Seen In White House Shooting
Washington Times, 02 May 2013 - (AP) - An Idaho man charged with attempting to assassinate President Obama by shooting at the White House practiced with his weapon for six months and may have been upset about the country's marijuana policy, prosecutors said in a newly filed court document. Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez is awaiting trial in the 2011 shooting, which didn't injure anyone but left more than five bullet marks on the executive mansion. Prosecutors filed a 14-page court document Tuesday that adds more detail about Mr. Ortega-Hernandez, who is accused of shooting at the White House the night of Nov. 11 while the president and first lady were away.
Categories: Marijuana
US FL: Starting in Fall, Lake Highland Prep Students Will Be
Orlando Sentinel, 02 May 2013 - Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando plans to begin drug-testing all of its students in grades seven through 12 in the fall, school officials have told parents. "We're convinced this will give us a safer, drug-free environment," said school President Warren Hudson.
Categories: Marijuana
US OR: High Noon March For Cannabis
Eugene Weekly, 02 May 2013 - Marijuana is legal in Washington and Colorado, and it should be in Oregon, too. That's the goal of the upcoming Global Cannabis March to be held at high noon on Saturday, May 4, in downtown Eugene's Free Speech Plaza. Eugene is one of 235 cities participating worldwide, and it joins Portland and Medford in a localized effort to pass legislation. In trying to make the most out of the march, organizer Jim Greig and his fellow legalization proponents will bring in a wide variety of speakers. A local representative from the ACLU, another from Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and several activists are among those scheduled to speak.
Categories: Marijuana
US PA: Column: Legal Pot Means More Money For States
Republican & Herald, 02 May 2013 - The good things that should happen after marijuana is legalized are happening in Colorado. In November, voters in Colorado - and Washington state - legalized pot for recreational use. (Many states allow medical use of marijuana.) What are the good things? For starters, money, money, money for the state coffers. As of last week, lawmakers in Denver were still tussling over how heavily to tax marijuana sales. A leading plan centers on excise and sales taxes totaling 30 percent. The tax can't go so high that it encourages a black market. The first $40 million collected from the excise tax would go to schools. And revenues from a 15 percent sales tax on pot plus the 2.9 percent ordinary state sales tax would be sent to local governments and cover the cost of enforcing the new marijuana regulations.
Categories: Marijuana
US AZ: Column: The Numbers Game
Tucson Weekly, 02 May 2013 - With 17 Dispensaries Cleared to Open and 37,422 Patients, Mr. Smith Looks at the State of MMJ in AZ When the MMJ program launched in Arizona, there was a lot of cock blocking and stalling and excuses from the governor's office and other chambers of government across the state. It took more than two years to get a dispensary, and so far just 17 have been cleared to open.
Categories: Marijuana
US CA: OPED: A Father's Plea To Two Presidents
Los Angeles Times, 02 May 2013 - Obama and Mexico's Pena Nieto need to focus on curbing drug-war violence. President Obama has much to discuss with Mexico's new president, Enrique Pena Nieto, when they meet in Mexico City this week. No issue, however, is more urgent than the search for peace, justice and dignity for and between our peoples.
Categories: Marijuana
US NY: Federal Suit Claims Police Distort Marijuana Searches
New York Times, 02 May 2013 - One man was walking home with groceries. Another was on a break from his job at a meat market. A third was walking down the street listening to headphones. That is when the men say police officers confronted them, sometimes violently, searched their clothing and discovered small amounts of marijuana, according to a federal civil rights lawsuit that is expected to be filed on Thursday in United States District Court for the Southern District, in Manhattan.
Categories: Marijuana
US WA: DEA: Warning Letters to 11 Pot Dispensaries Aren't
Seattle Times, 02 May 2013 - Dispensaries Located Too Close to Prohibited Areas, Agency Says Cease-and-desist letters were sent to 11 Seattle-area pot dispensaries because they are within 1,000 feet of schools or other prohibited areas, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Categories: Marijuana
US WA: State Changes Definition Of Pot
Seattle Times, 02 May 2013 - Washington finalized swift changes to the state's definition of marijuana Wednesday after prosecutors and crime-lab scientists expressed concern about the technical aspects of a voter approved legalization initiative. Gov. Jay Inslee approved the revision, which also was supported by the Seattle lawyer who drafted the initiative that legalized recreational marijuana last year. The bill was first submitted in the Legislature just a week ago, and lawmakers in both chambers quickly moved it to the governor's desk.
Categories: Marijuana
US WA: Director Leaving Agency Crafting New Pot Rules
Seattle Times, 02 May 2013 - OLYMPIA (AP) - The agency creating a regulated marijuana system in Washington state will lose its director, whom Gov. Jay Inslee appointed to a new job. Pat Kohler will leave the Washington State Liquor Control Board to become director of the state Department of Licensing, according to Inslee's office.
Categories: Marijuana
Medical Marijuana Update
Lots of action in California this past week, including more raids and more threat letters, plus action in various state legislatures and elsewhere. Let's get to it:
[image:1 align:right]California
Last Wednesday, local law enforcement raided three San Bernardino dispensaries. City Attorney's office officials, and police, fire, and code enforcement officers served search warrants and issued demands that they cease and desist from allegedly unlawful activities. The dispensaries hit were Trio Holistic Center, Berdo Medical Center, and THC First Time Patients. San Bernardino authorities banned dispensaries last year. In February, they raided three other dispensaries.
Last Tuesday, the Vallejo city council approved a 45-day moratorium on new dispensary applications. A number of dispensaries already operate in Vallejo without the city's permission, although voters last year approved a 10% tax on their sales. The city quit accepting business license tax applications for dispensaries in January. City officials said they need time to sort out the confusion. Now, the city must move forward to either regulate or ban dispensaries, although the moratorium could be extended another two years.
On Wednesday, Vallejo police returned marijuana to two dispensaries raided last year. Nearly 60 pounds of medical marijuana and hundreds of dead plants were returned to Better Health Group and the LES collective. Police gave the property back after a judge dismissed the criminal cases against the two dispensaries. Police last year raided numerous Vallejo dispensaries, but have lost every criminal case they have brought, and prosecutors have dropped the charges in others.
On Tuesday, a medical marijuana regulation bill passed the Senate Public Safety Committee. Senate Bill 439 is described by its sponsor, Sen. Steinberg, as a placeholder, "a vehicle to engage stakeholders" in the process of legislating statewide regulations. Steinberg said he is in close contact with Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, who has introduced companion legislation, Assembly Bill 473, and that it could take one to two years to complete the process.
Also on Tuesday, the Senate Public Safety Committee refused to pass a drugged driving bill that could impact medical marijuana patients. The bill, Senate Bill 289, would create a zero-tolerance drugged driving offense, but the committee was skeptical. It did, however, leave the door open for the bill to be amended.
Also on Tuesday, word emerged that federal prosecutors have sent out more dispensary threat letters. They were issued by the office of US Attorney for the Northern District of California Melinda Haag and target the landlords of dispensaries in San Jose, San Francisco, and Ukiah. The letters warn landlords that the facilities are operating too close to a school or park. In addition, the letters warn landlords that they are liable for forfeiture under USC Title 21, Section 881(a) 7. Unlike some previous letters, they do not threaten immediate prosecution or set a deadline for compliance.
Colorado
Last Thursday, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that employers can fire medical marijuana users who fail a drug test. The ruling came in the case of a quadriplegic telephone operator for the Dish Network, who was fired after failing a drug test. He argued that he shouldn't have been fired because his actions were legal under state law, but the court held that because marijuana remains illegal under federal law, the state law he cited did not apply.
Hawaii
On Wednesday, two medical marijuana bills were approved by the state legislature. House Bill 668 transfers control of the medical marijuana program from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Public Health, while Senate Bill 642 increases the amount of medicine a patient can possess from three to four ounces and allows patients to have up to seven plants, but also amends the law so that only a patient's primary care physician can recommend marijuana.
Idaho
On Monday, Idaho medical marijuana activists fought back after authorities seized their children. The children were taken from a Boise couple and a Boise single mom who are leading Idaho activists after a child at the school their children attended fell ill and marijuana was blamed. Police and child protective services workers went to the home while the parents were on a retreat and took the kids, as well as some marijuana and paraphernalia. One set of kids has been returned, the other two remain in foster care.
Maryland
On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Gov. Martin O'Malley confirmed he will sign a medical marijuana bill. The formal signing is set for Thursday. The bill allows academic medical research centers to establish programs to dispense marijuana to sick patients.
New Hampshire
On Tuesday, Gov. Maggie Hassan said she wants home cultivation stricken from a pending medical marijuana bill. Bill supporters said they were disappointed and that patients with terminal conditions couldn't wait the 18 months to two years it could take for dispensaries to get up and running. The governor "shares the concerns of law enforcement about the state's ability to effectively regulate a home-grow option," spokesman Marc Goldberg said in a statement. Hassan voted for a medical marijuana bill in 2009 that included a home-grow option. The proposal is now being rewritten in a Senate committee.
New Mexico
On Tuesday, the state Department of Health agreed that PTSD should remain a qualifying condition for medical marijuana. The move upheld a recommendation by the Medical Cannabis Program's Medical Advisory Board, which had faced an effort to withdraw PTSD as a qualifying condition.
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