legalization

The Carnival of Renewal

Ed Rosenthal — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:21:32 -0700

It has been more than a year since Obama has been in office and the best thing that can be said about his administration so far is its been a mixed bag of goals, policies, and effectiveness.

In fact, I think the last really good thing that Obama did before his Marijuana Deficiency Syndrome (MDS) set in (Look, I found SCIENTIFIC PROOF!) was the great inauguration concert he threw. From Aretha Franklin, to Pete Seeger, to Yo-Yo Ma--- he knew how to tug on the heart strings of every American, and even the rest of the world.

Harper Blows More Hot Air on YouTube Marijuana Questions

jeremiah — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:23:33 -0700

Harper giving a smug grin after (barely) answering questions about marijuana which dominated YouTube's question/answer poll.CANNABIS CULTURE - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper answered questions this evening in a YouTube-sponsored poll and interview where marijuana was the #1 issue. As expected, the PM rehashed the same old tired arguments in defense of his destructive cannabis policies.

Is America Ready to Legalize Marijuana?

jeremiah — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:44 -0700

In California, marijuana stores legally exist to sell different varieties of pot to customers that need the drug for medical purposes. One shop, for example, pays the state some $300,000 in taxes and the federal government $500,000 in taxes. One problem: DEA could shut them down and arrest the people working and selling in the store. State and Federal laws are contradictory.

CLICK HERE to vote in the MSNBC Poll

Slowly, States are Lessening Limits on Marijuana

jeremiah — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:04:54 -0800

James Gray once saw himself as a drug warrior, a former federal prosecutor and county judge who sent people to prison for dealing pot and other drug offenses. Gradually, though, he became convinced that the ban on marijuana was making it more accessible to young people, not less.

"I ask kids all the time, and they'll tell you it is easier to get marijuana than a six-pack of beer because that is controlled by the government," he said, noting that drug dealers don't ask for IDs or honor minimum age requirements.

Dear Ross

jeremiah — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:24:26 -0800

"Take heed of crafty politicians and subtle Machiavellians, and be sure to trust no man's painted words; it being high time now to see actions..."

- The Levellers, "From a Call to All the Soldiers of the Army By the Free People of England", 1647

Dutch Public Split on Cannabis Legalization

jeremiah — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:41:58 -0800

Some 50% of the population think cannabis should be fully legalised while 25% want a complete ban, according to the latest Maurice de Hond opinion poll.

The Netherlands has a policy of turning a blind eye to the possession of up to five grammes of marijuana for personal use. The drug can be bought in small quantities from cafes known as coffee shops which operate under local government licence.

Is Kansas Ready to Embrace Medical Marijuana?

jeremiah — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:22:03 -0800

Kansas was the first state to embrace alcohol prohibition, and one of the last to end it.

Now, could it become the 15th to pass medical marijuana? Yesterday, Kansas state Representative Gail Finney (D-Wichita) introduced a medical marijuana bill.

Former Mexican Official Urges Legalizing Marijuana

jeremiah — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:24:56 -0800

The United States and Mexico should both legalize marijuana in an attempt to break the power of the Mexican drug cartels and end the spiraling violence south of the border, a former Mexican foreign minister said Tuesday.

Jorge Castaneda, in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, said marijuana "should be legalized in both countries," and said it is ridiculous for Mexico to try to stop marijuana from entering the United States when it's legally sold for medical purposes in California.

Marijuana Legalization Tops List of YouTube Questions for Obama

jeremiah — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:03:21 -0800

On Wednesday, January 27, CitizenTube streamed the State of the Union address live on its YouTube site, http://www.youtube.com/CitizenTube, and hosted a Google Moderator series that allowed viewers to submit and vote on questions in response to President Obama’s address.

Four days... 11,697 questions... and 643,527 votes later... the results are in!

Bid to Legalize Marijuana in California Takes Key Step

jeremiah — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:43:50 -0800

Howard Dillon unloads boxes of signatures as Judge James P. Gray looks on at the Los Angeles County registrar/recorder-county clerk's office in Norwalk. (Photo by Francine Orr)Proponents of an initiative to make California the first state to legalize marijuana have collected about 693,800 signatures, virtually guaranteeing that the measure will appear on a crowded November ballot.

"This is a historic first step toward ending cannabis prohibition," said Richard Lee, the measure's main backer.

Will Pot Go Corporate and Spoil It for Everybody?

jeremiah — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:08:06 -0800

In the warm, luminescent glow of the dust encrusted light fixture, the carpeted and dank hallway disappears into unvacuumed recesses. Darren grabs an unobtrusive handle along the wall’s flimsy wood paneling, pulls, and a crack of light pierces the gloom. Pushing aside a black screen of Hefty bags intended to block light and trap heat, he reveals his miniature grow closet. A heavy, supple branch tumbles out. It brushes my hand, leaving a telltale streak of sticky, stinky moistness. The resin goes away with a bit of water.

Marc Emery and CCHQ on Finnish TV

jeremiah — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:46:23 -0800

CANNABIS CULTURE - One of Finland's largest television channels recently paid a visit to CCHQ to talk to Marc Emery about cannabis legalization, pot politics, and the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Washington House Committee Votes Down Marijuana Bills

jeremiah — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:06:13 -0800

Efforts to reform Washington state's marijuana laws were voted down by a House committee Wednesday.

The Public Safety Committee rejected a measure to legalize marijuana for those 21 and older, and another that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot for adults.

Chairman Chris Hurst, D-Enumclaw, voted against both, saying he couldn't vote for something that conflicted with federal law.

Cheech and Chong: "Get It Legalized"

jeremiah — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:43:54 -0800

CANNABIS CULTURE - Legendary Stoners Cheech and Chong appeared on the CBSNews.com program Washington Unplugged to discuss marijuana legalization and their new "Get it Legal" tour.

"Get it legal, that's what we are going to do," Tommy Chong said. "The truth is, marijuana really is a medicine, and it has been a medicine for 5,000 years. [...] Recreational is medical."

New UK Drug Czar Said Cannabis Should be Legalized

jeremiah — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:03:41 -0800

Professor Les Iverson, a retired pharmacologist, has in the past mirrored Professor Nutts comments that cannabis is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco and even called for the drug to be made legal.

He said: "Cannabis should be legalised not just decriminalised because it is comparatively less dangerous than legal drugs alcohol and tobacco."

Don't Like the Laws? Make YOUR OWN!

Ed Rosenthal — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:52:16 -0800

Did you ever have a friend ask to borrow something, and when you said no it was taken anyway? I have, and I felt ripped off and betrayed. That’s exactly how I feel now.

I am not the only one, the voters in Colorado, Michigan and California have made it amply clear that they are tired of the cops hassling them about pot, and the cops just don’t seem to get it! They don’t seem to understand that people want them out of their personal lives. They don’t understand that they just can’t pick on somebody because they happen to own some pot (or be incinerating it).

New York May Be Next in Line to Legalize Medical Marijuana

jeremiah — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:30:01 -0800

New Jersey’s passage of a bill legalizing medical marijuana brought new hope to dope in New York State.

The New York Assembly's Committe on Health passed a similar bill Tuesday morning, paving the way for an eventual vote on the Assembly floor.

Manhattan Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, who has unsuccessfully sponsored the medicinal marijuana legalization bill for the past 12 years, is optimistic that this year things might be different.

California Committee Passes Marijuana Legalization Bill, but Bill Dies

jeremiah — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:53:13 -0800

Assemblyman Tom Ammiano has vowed to reintroduce the legalization bill.California lawmakers took a historic first step toward legalizing marijuana when an Assembly committee approved legislation that would put the drug on the open market as a regulated and taxed product.

Washington Activists File Initiative to Legalize Pot

jeremiah — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:25:37 -0800

Five activists filed a ballot initiative Monday that would legalize all adult marijuana possession, manufacturing and sales under Washington state law — one of the most sweeping efforts at marijuana reform playing out around the country this year.

L.A. Daze

jeremiah — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:45:33 -0800

The Los Angeles City Council, through many a protracted meeting, is inching closer to passing a medical marijuana ordinance that’s been four years in the making, and will revisit the issue at a special meeting on January 13.

Wal-Mart Doesn’t Like Pot Initiatives

jeremiah — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:11:22 -0800

A pair of signature gatherers who were ordered by a court to stay away from Wal-Mart stores are claiming that they were harassed by store managers who didn’t want them getting signatures for an effort to legalize marijuana.

California Ready for Historic Vote on Marijuana Regulation

jeremiah — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:01:13 -0800

On Tuesday, January 12, members of the California Assembly will hold a historic vote on statewide marijuana policy.

Members of the Public Safety Committee will decide on Assembly Bill 390, the Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act, which seeks to regulate and control the production, distribution, and personal use of marijuana for adults age 21 and older.

Bid to Legalize Pot Counter To U.S. Trend?

jeremiah — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:25:08 -0800

With Californians likely to vote in November on whether to legalize marijuana, some key swing voters - Democratic and independent women - are expressing a surprising reason why they would support the initiative.

The suburban "soccer moms" who are likely voters have told pollsters that the measure, which would give local governments the authority to tax and regulate the sale of cannabis to adults 21 or older, would provide a safer way for their adult children to buy pot.

Canadian Pot Conundrum?

jeremiah — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:15:59 -0800

Paul Walton: Canada's pot conundrum

by Paul Walton, Nanaimo Daily News

The only appropriate message for those obsessed with the idea of making pot legal is get a life.

Last week I wrote a story that resulted in a letter advocating that Canada take a strong stand against marijuana production.

The letter writer has a point.

This is not a wonder drug that deserves to be made legal; nor is it a great evil that we should allow to be controlled by criminals.

Some Medical Marijuana Millionaires Are Turning to Philanthropy

jeremiah — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:17:45 -0800

Richard Lee, left, owner of the Blue Sky Shop/dispensary, teaching Chris McCatheran about medical marijuana plants. (Photo by Peter Dasilva)The popularity of pot clubs in the Bay Area has led to a burgeoning crop of medical marijuana millionaires.

Call them the ganja riche. Like many of their nouveaux predecessors, they are trying to figure out what to do with their cash.