http://www.420magazine.com/forums/ Marijuana News - Updated Daily! en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:11:46 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.420magazine.com/forums/images_greenish/misc/rss.jpg http://www.420magazine.com/forums/ http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106519-health-dept-licenses-5-marijuana-farms.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:16:33 GMT The New Mexico Department of Health now has licensed five growers of medical marijuana although one of them says he was surprised the state didn't set more rules for his mini-farm.

Four of the growing licenses are newly issued.

The state wants to be sure the pot intended for easing pain doesn't end up on the streets.

Other states have laws permitting the use of marijuana for medical needs, but New Mexico is the first to license growers. Each can produce enough marijuana for 100 sick people.

“This is all a learning process for everybody,” Executive Director Len Goodman of NewMexicann Natural Medicine said. “If we make deliveries by the end of February, it will be amazing.

"It's more likely March.”

He's not allowed to tell anyone where his pot plantation is, Goodman added. That's one of the security measures the state makes these growers follow.

Goodman, himself a user of medical marijuana, said his facility will be like a mini-fortress.

”A secure building, block building," he said. "Whatever windows there might be, bars on the windows, normal security system, surveillance systems, taping systems."

Goodman came up with the plan, and the state gave him a license. He was surprised health officials did not have a set standard for potential growers.

”They don't give you any answers, and they don't give you any guidelines," he continued. "They are saying you do the work.”

Dr. Steve Jenison heads up the medical cannabis program for the State Health Department.

“Certain applicants will learn from the experience of other applicants and people that are producers but, I don't think that there is a set solution to the problem.” Jenison said.

Before approval the Health Department does a walk-through of the facility. After the permit is signed, the checkups don't stop.

”What we will do initially is probably two inspections a year and then increase those depending upon whether or not we feel we are getting the information we need out of that many inspections,” Jenison said.

Inspectors will examine the books to make sure no one's making any money on the side.

”We will be checking to make sure there is no diversion of medical cannabis into the illicit marijuana market,” Jenison said.

Goodman conceded there's room for abuse as with any business, but he said he's not in it for the money. Instead he just wants to help people, he said.

One of the five licensed growers is in an urban area; the other four are in the middle of nowhere. Their permits are good for one year and can be revoked at any time.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: KRQE News 13
Author: Alex Tomlin
Contact: KRQE News 13
Copyright: 2009 KRQE News 13
Website: Health Dept. Licenses 5 Marijuana Farms ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106519-health-dept-licenses-5-marijuana-farms.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106518-jack-herer-initiative-legalize-marijuana-receives-official-title-summary.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:14:15 GMT The Office of the California Attorney General released the official title and summary of the Jack Herer California Cannabis Hemp Initiative Wednesday. The proponent has until 19 Apr 10 to gather 433,971 valid signatures to qualify for the November 2010 ballot. Three other initiatives are... The Office of the California Attorney General released the official title and summary of the Jack Herer California Cannabis Hemp Initiative Wednesday. The proponent has until 19 Apr 10 to gather 433,971 valid signatures to qualify for the November 2010 ballot.

Three other initiatives are currently gathering signatures and the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 has announced they have at least 500,000 signatures and are confident they will have enough to qualify.

The official title is "Changes California Law to Legalize Marijuana and Release Non-Violent Marijuana Offenders from Jail." Thus, it will be easy to differentiate from the other three as it is the only one that does not contain the word "tax" as well as the only one to contain the word "jail".

The official summary is as follows:

Repeals state laws that make it a crime to possess, cultivate, transport, distribute, or use marijuana or hemp. Provides persons convicted or serving time for non-violent marijuana offenses be immediately released from prison, jail, parole, or probation, and have their convictions erased. Authorizes Legislature to adopt laws to license and tax commercial marijuana sales. Allows doctors to prescribe or recommend marijuana to patients, regardless of age. Prohibits testing for marijuana for employment or insurance purposes. Bars state from aiding enforcement of federal marijuana laws. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Savings in the several tens of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments on the costs of incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders. Unknown but potentially major tax and fee revenues to state and local government related to the production and sale of marijuana products. (09-0044.)



News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: Examiner.com
Author: J. Craig Canada
Contact: Examiner.com
Copyright: 2009 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
Website: The Jack Herer Initiative To Legalize Marijuana Receives Official Title And Summary ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106518-jack-herer-initiative-legalize-marijuana-receives-official-title-summary.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106517-time-legalize-medical-use-marijuana.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:11:56 GMT It is time that Wisconsin has a serious debate about legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes. If the state engages in a serious, factual debate that is not derailed by ideology and political posturing, the State Legislature will have the compassion and humanity to legalize the drug for... It is time that Wisconsin has a serious debate about legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes. If the state engages in a serious, factual debate that is not derailed by ideology and political posturing, the State Legislature will have the compassion and humanity to legalize the drug for patients.

A bill sponsored by two Democratic state lawmakers, Sen. Jon Erpenbach and Rep. Mark Pocan, will have a public hearing in the Assembly and the Senate on Dec. 15 and possibly come up for a vote in January.

"This issue is first and foremost about compassion," Pocan said in unveiling the bill this week. "A patient and their doctor should have as many options as possible available when treating a patient's condition."

It is also worth noting that former Rep. Gregg Underheim, an Oshkosh Republican, first sponsored a medical marijuana bill in 2006.

There is incontrovertible and overwhelming scientific research that shows marijuana can relieve the pain from a variety of chronic conditions and ease the side affects of cancer and HIV treatments. The fact that 14 states - Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington - presently allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes should give Wisconsin lawmakers courage to overcome the knee jerk reaction that will inevitability oppose the thought legalizing the drug.

We are confident that as proposed, the bill has the requisite safeguards to prevent the abuse of marijuana. Those safeguards include requiring physician's prescription and a well-defined list of medical conditions for which the drug could be prescribed. The law also requires that distribution of the drug would be regulated by the state. Additionally, users would be registered with the state Department of Health Services and would not be allowed to drive or operate heavy machinery while under the influence of medical marijuana. And the bill specifies a maximum amount of marijuana a patient may have.

The time is right for Wisconsin to act on legalizing marijuana for medical use. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said recently that the Justice Department would not enforce federal drug laws in states that permit medicinal use of marijuana and Gov. Jim Doyle said he would sign the bill if passed by the legislature.

The legislature should pass the bill. It makes no sense to ban a drug that has proven to be medically beneficial when physicians are legally prescribing more toxic and addictive drugs.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: Oshkosh Northwestern
Contact: Oshkosh Northwestern
Copyright: 2009 Oshkosh Northwestern
Website: Time To Legalize Medical Use Of Marijuana ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106517-time-legalize-medical-use-marijuana.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106516-wamm-issues-press-release-supporting-medical-marijuana-dispensaries.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:09:13 GMT The Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM), would like to voice our concern with the upcoming medical marijuana dispensary ban. On Thursday, November 19, 2009, the Santa Cruz Planning Commission will hear testimony and discuss the medical marijuana dispensary ban. This will have drastic... The Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM), would like to voice our concern with the upcoming medical marijuana dispensary ban.

On Thursday, November 19, 2009, the Santa Cruz Planning Commission will hear testimony and discuss the medical marijuana dispensary ban. This will have drastic impacts on patients in Santa Cruz.

In the ordinance, the total number of dispensaries allowed in Santa Cruz would be set to two, the two that are currently operating near Harvey West Park. Presently, the dispensaries are unable to meet the demand for affordable medicine. Limiting the number of dispensaries without creating an avenue for the development of low cost collectives, eliminates competition and in effect creates a financial snare for patients who are forced to pay the high prices or who are pushed into the black market.

We support the dispensary model as long as it is tempered by competition and compassion.

This ordinance also does not address patient collectives, which is the only form of legal access specifically outlined in Senate Bill 420. This glaring omission to patient collectives does nothing to rectify the very problems the city wishes to address with the ordinance.

Furthermore, this ordinance ignores the future of the “Office of Compassionate Use” (ORDINANCE NO. 2005-28) that the City Council voted to implement in 2005. We hope that the City Council recalls that the best way to support patients is not by limiting safe access, but by expanding options.

We know that Santa Cruz is medical marijuana friendly, but this ordinance suggests otherwise by pushing patients into a closed system that supports high costs and no competition. We honor the work that the City Council has undertaken and we hope that they will apply the same diligence with regard to this ordinance.

We encourage all community members, patients, caregivers, and friends and family of medical marijuana patients to voice their opinion at the Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 19, 2009. The meeting will take place in City Council Chambers, 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz.



News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: Examiner.com
Author: J. Craig Canada
Contact: Examiner.com
Copyright: 2009 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
Website: WAMM Issues Press Release Supporting Medical Marijuana Dispensaries ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106516-wamm-issues-press-release-supporting-medical-marijuana-dispensaries.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106515-marijuana-mug-shots-cost-city-3-million-annually.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:07:35 GMT Minor marijuana possession arrests in Philadelphia are handled with mandatory custody; this is a different process than every other county in Pennsylvania costing the city millions of dollars each year. That is the focus of a new report from PhillyNORML, detailing the issue and meetings the group... Minor marijuana possession arrests in Philadelphia are handled with mandatory custody; this is a different process than every other county in Pennsylvania costing the city millions of dollars each year. That is the focus of a new report from PhillyNORML, detailing the issue and meetings the group has had with city officials.

Data indicates that 4,716 adults were arrested in 2008 on the singular criminal misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession - less than 30 grams. In Philadelphia such arrests are required to be custodial. For even a single cannabis joint this means an offender must be handcuffed, transported to a holding cell, photographed and perhaps make bail before release. In every other county in Pennsylvania there is no mandate for the custodial arrest of citizens found with small amounts of marijuana. Instead, summary violations are issued along with a date to appear in court.

Philadelphia could save more than $3,000,000 annually by not taking pot smokers in for mugshots and conforming to the rest of the counties’ guidelines on the custodial portion of the misdemeanor charge.

Following a steady dialogue with advocates, Philadelphia Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison convened a meeting of city officials on the issue. PhillyNORML spokesperson Chris Goldstein, supported by local attorney Brad Shuttleworth of Alva & Associates, met with Deputy Police Commissioner William Blackburn, Police Narcotics Division's Tom Snyder and Deputy District Attorney (Trial Division) John Delaney on May 20th 2009. Deputy Mayor Gillison and his staff along with other staffers from the police and DA's office attended the spirited, professional discussion.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: Examiner.com
Author: Chris Goldstein
Contact: Examiner.com
Copyright: 2009 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
Website: Philly: Marijuana Mug Shots Cost City $3 Million Annually ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106515-marijuana-mug-shots-cost-city-3-million-annually.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106514-med-pot-advocates-fired-up-over-security-video-other-reforms.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:04:42 GMT Medical marijuana advocates are lit up over the possibility that Denver police officers might be able to confiscate the security tapes of medical marijuana dispensaries at any given time. Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown Wednesday presented an outline of his medical marijuana reform bill.... Medical marijuana advocates are lit up over the possibility that Denver police officers might be able to confiscate the security tapes of medical marijuana dispensaries at any given time.

Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown Wednesday presented an outline of his medical marijuana reform bill. One of the proposed reforms would require all medical marijuana dispensaries to have a security camera with footage that goes back at least three days. Under the proposed bill, law enforcement agencies would then be granted access to the surveillance videos without having to get a warrant.

While Brown positioned the security cameras as a safety issue, several lawyers that represent dispensaries called the proposal a violation of patients’ right to privacy.

“For the police to be able to walk in and just say we think something is going wrong here and we have to seize everything, that is not the type of protection that is afforded to a legitimate business,” said Brett Barney, an attorney who represents medical marijuana dispensaries. “And because we are dealing with a legal product, we should have the same protections that a legitimate business should have.”

Under Brown’s proposed bill, a medical marijuana dispensary would have to be in a fixed location — meaning no traveling vans — and only sell the drugs indoors. Additionally, the dispensaries must be at least 500 feet from schools and childcare facilities, more than 1,000 feet from other dispensaries, and potentially have their hours restricted from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Owners of the dispensaries would be subject to criminal background checks.

“I think it’s a privilege to have a (business) license … (and) with that privilege comes responsibility,” Brown said.

Several lawmakers Wednesday said their constituents have expressed worry about being inundated with medical marijuana signs as they drive with their children across town. Although he called the marijuana leaf “a beautiful thing,” medical marijuana attorney Rob Corry said that he thinks the dispensaries could reach a compromise with the city over signage. However, in return he implied that the dispensaries and patients would want more confidentiality, including forcing law enforcement agencies to get a warrant before confiscating surveillance videos.

“Safety has to be the primary goal … (and) patients are safe through confidentiality,” he said.

Brown’s bill seeks to define a medical marijuana dispensary and regulate the industry on the city level. Meanwhile, Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, is looking to address some of the broader issues on the state level.

Romer said Wednesday that he is looking to create a “robust regulatory model” in his reform bill. Part of that regulatory model might include licensing dispensaries like a liquor store, not allowing large cash transactions, and.
The senator added that the state would levy a 2.9-percent sales tax on dispensaries, and that his legislation might allow cities to levy an excise tax of up to 20 percent. Starting Dec. 1, medical marijuana dispensaries will be subject to a 3.62-percent city sales tax.

As Corry pointed out, Denver’s medical marijuana industry is one of the few business groups in history that has been openly asking to be taxed.
“We want legitimacy, and this is a revenue source for the city that is suffering from severe financial problems,” he said.

The Denver City Council is looking to finalize some of its initial plans on regulating the medical marijuana industry during a Dec. 2 meeting.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: State Bill Colorado
Author: Gene Davis
Contact: State Bill Colorado
Copyright: 2009 State Bill Colorado
Website: Med Pot Advocates Fired Up Over Security Video, Other Reforms ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106514-med-pot-advocates-fired-up-over-security-video-other-reforms.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106513-its-new-green-industry.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:01:52 GMT Rifle just got a little greener.

But not in an environmental way. This green is in the form of a marijuana plant as the city's third medical marijuana dispensary opened downtown last week next to the Base Camp Cafe and Miller's Dry Goods on East Third Street.

According to city officials, there are currently three medical marijuana dispensaries in Rifle city limits — Green Cross on East Third Street, Rifle Mountain Dispensary on West Third Street and Herbal Outfitters in the Remington Square Plaza on West Fourth Street.

And with the growing number of medical marijuana dispensaries, Rifle City Council members on Wednesday, Nov. 4, passed an ordinance on first reading, establishing city regulations and zoning requirements for the facilities.

While the city is not regulating the businesses, they are putting rules in place that determine things such as where they can be located, hours of operation and signage.

“We're putting some location requirements,” said Assistant City Attorney Jim Neu. “They're only allowed in the Central Business District, only four can have ground level store fronts and they must be 500 feet apart from each other. We don't want the downtown area being taken over by them.”

Other requirements in the ordinance say that operators of a medical marijuana dispensary must be fingerprinted and a criminal background check will be done. Signs for medical marijuana dispensaries cannot use the word “marijuana,” “cannabis” or any other word or phrase commonly understood to refer to marijuana unless it is immediately preceded by the word “medical.” The marijuana must also be stored in a safe and secure location that would include a locking safe or secure vault.

A legal issue

Although Colorado voters approved the use of medical marijuana back in 2000, it is still against federal law. Neu said it has only been since the Obama administration, which said it would not be enforcing the federal law in states where medical marijuana use has been legalized, that dispensaries have been popping up.

But if pot is a legally prescribed drug, why shouldn't it be sold in pharmacies like other prescription drugs?

That's the thinking behind legislation recently proposed by Sen. Al White, R-Hayden who wants to regulate the industry and give the government more control over medical marijuana.

Kamela Morris is the manager of the newly opened Green Cross on East Third Street.

“We serve people with (ailments) such as glaucoma, AIDS and cancer,” Morris said. “We have five different types includes ointments, edibles smokeables, dried and butters.”

Cannabis is also very effective in healing skin disorders, Morris said.

“We're trying to create a world where people can legally use marijuana for whatever there ailments may be,” she added.

Patients must obtain a written prescription from their physician, which is then verified.

“We're treating a lot of senior citizens for pain,” Morris said. “But we're also going to be offering massage therapy and we'll be having a doctor coming into the facility. Holistic wellness is our focus.”

And while the city is trying to implement some regulations with regard to medical marijuana, it's still kind of confusing.

“It's all so new,” said Mayor Keith Lambert. “There's nothing to look at to go for guidance. We're looking at it almost from a land use position. The only thing we're doing is regulating things like security kinds of issues. “

Just another business

City council members approved the first reading of the ordinance 4-2 with councilors Jen Sanborn and Randy Winkler dissenting. On the issue of whether a marijuana leaf could be displayed on a sign, the council was split 3-3. Councilor Alan Lambert was absent from the meeting.

But so far, the neighboring businesses haven't had a problem with the dispensaries.

“I think their storefront is in extremely good taste,” said Gary Miller, owner of Miller's Dry Goods on East Third Street near Green Cross. “It's every well done. They're extremely professional. I have never used the product, so there's information I would like to know, like, can they smoke it on the street?”

According to Neu, Amendment 20 that voters passed, prohibits smoking medical marijuana in public places. Rifle's ordinance prohibits utilizing any form of the product that is in plain view or open to the general public.

On West Third Street, Rifle Mountain Dispensary opened about a month ago and provides edible medical marijuana, along with educational literature. Volunteers also provide services to clients with extra needs, such as rides to doctor's offices and therapy.

“We have so many types of patients,,” said John, the owner of Rifle Mountain Dispensary, who asked that his last name not be used as he also owns another business. “We treat people for things such as cancer, epilepsy, severe pain and unstable mental conditions.”

He said the medical marijuana helps patients to relax and deal with their pain better and does so in a natural way instead of using narcotics.

“We've had amazing results with people who have headaches and cancer patients,” John said. “We verify our client's prescriptions and records. We're not doctors, but we try to educate people..”

Along with smokeable marijuana, there are brownies, cupcakes, candies and breads.

The ordinance putting some regulations on where medical marijuana dispensaries could be located went before Rifle City Council members again on Nov. 18.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: CitizenTelegram.com
Author: HEIDI RICE
Contact: CitizenTelegram.com
Copyright: 2009 CitizenTelegram.com
Website: It's The New GREEN Industry ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106513-its-new-green-industry.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106512-colo-medical-pot-suppliers-will-have-pay-taxes.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:59:41 GMT Colorado is gearing up to officially tax and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, a move lawmakers say amounts to legal recognition of a growing industry. The state Attorney General John Suthers concluded in an opinion issued Monday that medical marijuana is considered personal property that... Colorado is gearing up to officially tax and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, a move lawmakers say amounts to legal recognition of a growing industry.

The state Attorney General John Suthers concluded in an opinion issued Monday that medical marijuana is considered personal property that can be taxed and shouldn’t be treated like prescription drugs, which are tax exempt.

The move would make Colorado the latest provincial government to tax marijuana for medical use, after voters in California adopted a similar program when the use was legalized in 1996. Cities such as Denver and Oakland, Calif., also plan to levy municipal taxes on local cannabis dispensaries.

Colorado Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, said he plans to introduce legislation in January that would require dispensaries to buy licenses, as well as pay the state’s 2.9 percent sales tax. He estimates the state could collect up to $15 million a year on the sales, and communities could collect an additional $45 million a year through city and county taxes.

Revenue department spokesman Mark Couch said the state has no official estimate but added that California collected $11.4 million on sales of $142 million in 2006. A bill to tax and regulate all marijuana use in California like alcohol would generate nearly $1.4 billion in revenue, according to an analysis released in July by tax officials.

Couch said the revenue agency recently surveyed about 60 dispensaries and found half of them already had sales tax licenses and were paying taxes because they sold other products, but that not all of those were paying taxes on marijuana sales. With the backing of Suthers’ opinion, he said the department will begin collecting taxes on all medical marijuana sales immediately.

“This is not a new tax, it’s just an existing tax being applied to a new product,” Couch said.

Denver plans to notify dispensaries that it will start collecting municipal sales tax starting in December.

Romer said licensing and collecting taxes are signs that the industry is going mainstream and it’s time for regulation. Colorado voters approved medical marijuana in 2000 but rejected a measure to legalize recreational marijuana in 2006.

“This will make medical marijuana a mainstream business. Not recreational marijuana, medical marijuana,” he said.

Marijuana support groups welcomed Colorado’s decision limited to medical marijuana and called it a validation of their legal rights.

Sean McAllister, chairman of the board of Sensible Colorado, a group that promotes medical marijuana use, said dispensaries were expecting Suthers’ opinion.

“This is not a black-market industry, it’s a legitimate industry so it should be taxed like everything else,” he said.

The group’s executive director, Brian Vicente, estimated that 90 percent of the state’s dispensaries are already paying state and local taxes though most have not registered as dispensaries.

Many dispensaries, which aren’t regulated by the state now, have registered as wellness centers and alternative health clinics, he said.

Vicente said the state could bring in another $12 million by charging for annual licenses and imposing other fees similar to those charged on tobacco sales.

While other industries may look for breaks, Vicente said paying taxes helps give dispensary owners more legitimacy and protection from possible raids.

“I think the state has less incentive to shut these wellness centers down when they receive so much tax revenue from their existence,” Vicente said.

Bruce Mirken, spokesman for a marijuana advocacy group, the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, said it’s better for government to have control of the process and regulate marijuana use than to have a rogue industry taking advantage of new laws, inviting crackdowns by law enforcement.

“This shows that medical sales are in fact possible,” he said.

State Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, said taxing marijuana dispensaries amounts to defacto legislation of marijuana use for recreational users, as well as medical users.

He said the industry needs further regulation to ensure patients get the drugs they need and aren’t abusing them, but lawmakers also need to honor the voters’ wishes.

“It’s going to be hard to do, but we have to get it right,” Brophy said.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: The World Link
Author: Steven K. Paulson
Contact: The World Link
Copyright: 2009 Southwestern Oregon Publishing Company
Website: Colo. Medical Pot Suppliers Will Have To Pay Taxes ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106512-colo-medical-pot-suppliers-will-have-pay-taxes.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106511-new-police-chief-s-stance-marijuana.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:57:15 GMT In the article on the approval by the City Council of former Seattle top cop Michael Meehan as Berkeley’s new police chief (Daily Planet, Nov. 12–18), Mr. Meehan is quoted as saying with reference to Seattle’s voter-approved policy of making marajuana arrests the lowest police priority, “I don’t... In the article on the approval by the City Council of former Seattle top cop Michael Meehan as Berkeley’s new police chief (Daily Planet, Nov. 12–18), Mr. Meehan is quoted as saying with reference to Seattle’s voter-approved policy of making marajuana arrests the lowest police priority, “I don’t want to send a message to kids that drug use is ok.” That wasn’t just a personal opinion. That was a professional judgment. Moreover, a majority of Seattle voters thought differently and passed the ordinance but Meehan was against them and it.

We have a similar policy in Berkeley. If Meehan still thinks the same way, then from the onset of his Berkeley tenure, he is out of step with the majority of voters here. Councilperson Worthington is quoted as saying of Meehan: “It will take some time for him to fit into Berkeley, but hopefully, he will acclimatize.” That “hopefully” is pitiful.

Does Meehan’s annual salary of $205,400 plus a $500,000 housing loan from our generous city, begin before or after he fits in and acclimatizes or is that what on-the-job training gets these days?

The article also states that Meehan tried to make changes to Seattle’s ordinance by indicating rising drug-crime rates “although the data showed the opposite.” So then, he’s not a reliable source.

Even more troubling is that while Seattle’s lowest priority law did result in a decrease in marijuana arrests and prosecution, there was “a racial disparity in the number of arrests.” Meaning, institutionalized racism strikes again! This is what our Council has brought us.

More telling is Dominic Holden, Seattle writer and editor of an alternative newsweekly’s assessment of Meehan: “a police chief cut from the mold of the Bush-era drug policy.” Holden is quoted saying that he’s surprised that Berkeley choose Meehan. I myself am disappointed but not surprised, given the mayor and the majority on the city council that we have.

Additionally, any intelligent person who calls marijuana a drug, and especially a police chief to be of our city, is revealing his own ignorance. He should know it’s a mild euphoric that even the APA states is non-addictive. It’s the prohibition of marijuana that’s dangerous. Legalize it and that’s the end of the crime surrounding it.

Mr. Meehan may turn out to be no better and perhaps worse than our last chief, but until we know how he implements Berkeley law, he will have to be carefully monitored.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: Berkeley Daily Planet
Author: Maris Arnold
Contact: Berkeley Daily Planet
Copyright: 2009 Berkeley Daily Planet
Website: New Police Chief’s Stance on Marijuana ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106511-new-police-chief-s-stance-marijuana.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106510-moratorium-won-t-affect-exisitng-herbal-dispensary-orchard-city.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:53:36 GMT With the Orchard City Town Board ready to consider a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries, officials learned last week that an “herbal dispensary” in Eckert has been established as a limited liability corporation since July. Orchard City Mayor Don Suppes said he did not know about Grand... With the Orchard City Town Board ready to consider a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries, officials learned last week that an “herbal dispensary” in Eckert has been established as a limited liability corporation since July.

Orchard City Mayor Don Suppes said he did not know about Grand Mesa Herbal Dispensary LLC on Nov. 4 when he announced his plans to propose a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in town.

“I really don’t think it makes any difference as far as a moratorium goes if anyone might already be legally dispensing marijuana,” Suppes said. “There’s not too much we could do about that.”

The town board has not yet seen nor acted on the moratorium idea. Suppes added that he will propose it at the trustee’s December meeting as an emergency ordinance that would take effect immediately upon passage.

Earlier this year, The Grand Mesa Herbal Dispensary LLC placed advertisements saying, “Now accepting patients. Please call to schedule an appointment.”

A call last week to the cell phone number given in an ad was answered by a recorded woman’s voice. It said, “Hello, and thank you for calling the dispensary.” The call then switched to an automated voice attendant offering to take a message.

“What we do is strictly low-key. The only reason we got into this is because my wife was discovered with inoperable cancer,” the LLC’s registered agent, Jay, told the DCI. “I was asked by a local oncologist to start the dispensary,”

When asked about the town’s proposed moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries, Jay said, “I’ve lived here (in Orchard City) 17 years, We all know this is a conservative area. I have a license. My plan was to open a location in Telluride. Telluride is an adult town, and I thought they would legalize it (marijuana) there the way Breckenridge did.”

Breckenridge voters approved a measure to legalize adult possession of marijuana on Nov. 3.

There were no questions concerning legalizing marijuana on Telluride’s Nov. 3 election ballot. Instead, the town has adopted its own moratorium and Grand mesa Herbal Dispensary’s application for a store front operation there was turned down.

“We haven’t even been charging the patients we work with,” Jay said. “But now, with a moratorium, I will have to begin charging them just so I can prove that I’m a legitimate business.”

He explained that Grand Mesa Herbal Dispensary only deals with terminally ill patients. Though Jay would not state the number of patients they have, he said they are all Orchard City or Delta County residents.

“They are all doctor approved and have their state Registry cards. Yesterday I visited one of our patients in Hotchkiss; an elderly lady with terminal cancer. The marijuana has been a godsend for her. She can actually eat now after her chemotherapy sessions”

Though Colorado’s medical marijuana law protects patients and caregivers from state and local prosecution, federal laws against marijuana possession and sale still apply.

Since there is no state licensing of dispensaries, the terms “permit” or “license” used in regard to medical marijuana is often a reference to the Medical Marijuana Registry Identification Card. The cards are issued by the CDPHE. They allow individuals to possess and use marijuana for medical reasons. People who provide medical marijuana to a patient are required to have a copy of the patient’s Registry Identification Card.

As part of the application process, a patient designates a “primary caregiver.” The primary caregiver must be a person over 18 years of age who will have “significant responsibility” for managing the patient’s well being. No specific medical training is required to be a primary caregiver.

Patients with a Medical Registry Identification Card may buy, grow, possess and use marijuana for medical reasons. Designated primary caregivers are able to grow and possess, and buy and sell medical marijuana for use by their patients.

On Monday, Nov. 16, the Colorado Attorney General John Suthers issued a formal opinion that medical marijuana, in most instances, should be subject to state and local sales taxes. “Many other questions surrounding medical marijuana and Amendment 20 to the Colorado Constitution will have to be resolved by the courts or the Colorado legislature,” noted Suthers.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: Delta County Independent
Author: Hank Lohmeyer
Contact: Delta County Independent
Copyright: 2009 Delta County Independent
Website: Moratorium Won’t Affect Exisitng ‘Herbal Dispensary’ In Orchard City ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106510-moratorium-won-t-affect-exisitng-herbal-dispensary-orchard-city.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106509-mn-legislature-make-new-effort-medical-marijuana.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:51:35 GMT Tim Pawlenty, the so-called “states’ rights” governor of Minnesota, feels that marijuana should be illegal in his state. OK. I disagree, but I live in California, so if the people of Minnesota agree, that’s their concern. At least that’s how the Constitution see it. Problem is, Governor Tim has... Tim Pawlenty, the so-called “states’ rights” governor of Minnesota, feels that marijuana should be illegal in his state. OK. I disagree, but I live in California, so if the people of Minnesota agree, that’s their concern. At least that’s how the Constitution see it.

Problem is, Governor Tim has no problem making the people of the other 49 states pay for the enforcement of his beliefs. That’s the position he took when he vetoed a medical marijuana law for MN earlier this year.

By using the veto, he kept enforcement primarily in the hands of the federal DEA – thus, requiring everyone else around the country to pay for it. The proper way to handle it is this – if the people of Minnesota want to arrest and jail people for marijuana, then they should pay for it.

According to the Minnesota Daily, another bill is expected in 2010:

After passing the Legislature last year only to have it vetoed by the governor, supporters of a medical marijuana bill in Minnesota plan to resubmit a similar bill this year.

If it passes the legislature again, this will be another chance for Pawlenty to prove his “states’ rights” cred. Question is – will Pawlenty recognize that marijuana laws are not authorized to the federal government by the Constitution? If so, he’ll sign the bill. If not, just put him in the ranks of yet another 10th Amendment hypocrite on the national republican scene.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: Tenth Amendment Center Blog
Author: Michael Boldin
Contact: Tenth Amendment Center Blog
Copyright: 2009 Tenth Amendment Center Blog
Website: MN Legislature to Make New Effort at Medical Marijuana ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106509-mn-legislature-make-new-effort-medical-marijuana.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106508-pro-pot-group-says-l-city-council-its-pocket.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:47:23 GMT Pro-medical-marijuana group Americans For Safe Access this week claimed victory in its campaign to get the Los Angeles City Council to see things its way when it comes to regulating L.A.'s 800 or so registered pot shops.
​
After campaigning on-air at KPCC (89.3 FM), ASA claims it has beaten back the strict, anti-dispensary stances of county District Attorney Steve Cooley and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and that the council will eventually emerge with legislation that allows the kind of over-the-counter pot shops that have proliferated in neighborhoods such as Venice, Hollywood and Sherman Oaks.

"We've overcome the threat to ban medical marijuana sales in Los Angeles," writes ASA spokesman Chris Hermes. "The City Council seems poised to vote next week on an ordinance, and while it may still have flaws, we can at least celebrate the defeat of Trutanich and Cooley's anti-sales campaign. By all appearances, we are nearing the passage of an historic medical marijuana dispensary ordinance for the City of Los Angeles."

The council has been struggling for more than a year to come up with an ordinace that would get a grip on what some would say is an out-of-control medical marijuana business in Los Angeles. While the voter-approved Prop. 215 did allow for "seriously ill" patients to get marijuana from nonprofit collectives, few government attorneys, including state Attorney General Jerry Brown, believe that voters envisioned the kind of retail-pot explosion now seen in L.A.

At the heart of the matter is whether such pot shops are even allowed under state law. Cooley and Trutanich say no: Pot-providing organizations must be nonprofit, membership collectives that are transparent about their costs, member lists and supply lines. Proponents like ASA and even city Councilman Ed Reyes believe there is room for over-the-counter, retail-like sales.

Reyes has moved to have portions of Trutanich's proposed ordinance rewritten so that retail-like cash transactions are allowed in the city. As such, the council has once again pushed back its vote on a dispensary law until at least next week. The ASA is already claiming victory. At this rate, we have little reason to doubt the group: It looks like pot shops, which outnumber Starbucks in some neighborhoods, are in L.A. to stay.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: LA Weekly
Author: Dennis Romero
Contact: LA Weekly
Copyright: 2009 Village Voice Media
Website: Pro-Pot Group Says L.A. City Council In Its Pocket ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106508-pro-pot-group-says-l-city-council-its-pocket.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106507-holmes-backs-marijuana-decriminalization-bill.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:45:52 GMT Incoming Seattle city attorney Peter Holmes says he's still stunned by his election victory over incumbent Tom Carr. One area where Holmes hopes to bring change is in the city's attitudes toward marijuana enforcement. Holmes says he has no plans to charge anyone with simple marijuana possession. And he's supporting a state bill to decriminalize small amounts of pot altogether.

Newly elected city attorney Peter Holmes says the transition process is more chaotic and uncharted than he expected. He will take office in January. Holmes says the success of his "outsider" campaign has clearly left employees with the city's legal department nervous, and he's trying to change that.

Holmes: "And I'm also in the process of reaching out to a 159–employee law department trying to calm them, that this is going to be a very deliberate process, that I'm going through. That I'm going to meet every one of them and talk with them before any decisions are made."

Holmes spoke as part of a panel hosted by the Metropolitan Democratic Club in downtown Seattle Wednesday. The focus was drug policy, specifically a bill that would make possession of small amounts of marijuana in Washington state a civil offense, punished with a $100 fine. The bill will be introduced in the next session of the state legislature. Holmes says he supports the bill as a way for governments to save money and jail space. He says he won't pursue any charges of simple possession once he takes office.

Holmes: "My hope is if this bill passes there will be no more misdemeanor marijuana charges to prosecute. And so if it passes in this session – in the interim we're not going to bring any more charges. There are other more important, more pressing public safety matters in need of attention with the limited resources we have."

Holmes says Tom Carr has used marijuana possession as an "add–on" charge, but has not charged people for possession alone. So their approaches aren't drastically different. Seattle voters made marijuana possession the city's lowest law enforcement priority in a 2003 vote.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: KUOW.org
Author: Amy Radil
Contact: KUOW.org
Copyright: 2009 KUOW
Website: Holmes Backs Marijuana Decriminalization Bill ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106507-holmes-backs-marijuana-decriminalization-bill.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106506-district-attorney-says-he-will-target-marijuana-dispensaries.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:44:09 GMT Los Angeles - District Attorney Steve Cooley said Tuesday he will continue prosecuting operators of dispensaries that sell medical marijuana, regardless of a proposed city ordinance that would allow cash “transactions” between patients and those cultivating the drug.

“Any proposed ordinance allowing for the sales of marijuana is in direct conflict with California’s Compassionate Use Act and Medical Marijuana Program,” according to a statement from the district attorney’s office.

“The City Council has no authority to amend state law or Proposition 215,” according to the statement. “Such authority is solely possessed by California voters. They voted for and passed the Compassionate Use Act, which only authorizes the possession, use and cultivation of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The sale of marijuana is illegal under state law.”

The City Council’s Public Safety and Planning and Land Use Management committees on Monday watered down a proposed ordinance crafted by the City Attorney’s Office, with the revised version stating, “cash contributions, reimbursements and compensations shall be allowed, provided it’s in compliance with state law.”

The full City Council delayed a vote on the topic until next Tuesday after several amendments were proposed at Wednesday’s meeting.

Before the amendments, the proposed ordinance allowed only collectives — not dispensaries — to grow marijuana for patients. It defined collectives as groups of people with severe medical problems, their primary caregivers, and people they authorize to cultivate marijuana for them.

The proposed ordinance barred collectives from deriving any profit, allowing them only to recoup “out-of-pocket costs of [medical marijuana’s] collective cultivation.”

Several committee members raised concerns that such provisions would virtually eliminate access to a drug that helps relieve chronic pain.

“This is not about creating the Starbucks of marijuana sales,” City Councilman Ed Reyes said. “This is about creating access for people who really need it and to do that, there has to be some form of transaction because it costs money to cultivate, it costs money to have a facility, it costs money to have a staff, so they should be reimbursed for that.”

David Berger, a special assistant to City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, likened the amendments to “putting lipstick on a pig.”

“You’re just going to call it something else,” he said Monday. “It is for all intents and purposes a sale — you’re just going to take away the profit element by hiking up the costs of operation.”

Despite his reservations, Trutanich Tuesday said his office will “provide an ordinance that comports with the committee’s wishes.”

However, he added, “I think [the City Council is] bound by state law as we are, and the law appears to be pretty clear that sales are banned.”

“I think at this point, we want to be clear that we don’t pass something that’s going to subject those that are truly collectives to prosecution by another authority.”

Berger said the proposed ordinance — even with the amendments to which he objected — would still result in the closure of most dispensaries.

The two City Council committees also directed the chief legislative analyst’s office to draft a separate ordinance to mirror that of West Hollywood, which allows over-the-counter sales at four dispensaries.

Councilman Paul Koretz, who used to sit on the West Hollywood City Council, said the permanent ordinance proposed by the city attorney’s office is “unworkable.”

“I think we have one goal here, which is to provide access but at the same time eliminate the problems that medical marijuana dispensaries have been causing. And to do that, I would ask colleagues why we have to take the hardest-ass approach to the law that we could, rather than trying to take the approach that will make this as practical as possible.”

Under the measure, medical marijuana “collectives” would be allowed to grow pot for members with serious illnesses but would not be able to sell marijuana for a profit.

A collective is defined as a group of people with severe medical problems, their primary caregivers and people they authorize to cultivate marijuana for them.

Over-the-counter sales of medical marijuana would be outlawed, and collectives would have to be at least 1,000 feet from other collectives, schools, playgrounds, child care facilities, religious institutions, public libraries, public parks hospitals and rehab centers.

The latest version still prohibits the sale of marijuana for profit but would allow dispensaries to recoup “out-of-pocket costs of their collective cultivation.”

It also would allow edible marijuana products that enable people to ingest the drug without smoking it, and gets rid of a provision that would have required medical marijuana collectives to provide authorities with lists of its members.

It also broaches the concept of limiting the number of dispensaries by council district or community plan area.

Under the proposed permanent ordinance, dispensaries that began operating before Sept. 14, 2007, and registered with the city clerk’s office before Nov. 12 of that year would be given 180 days to comply with the ordinance.

Any dispensaries that opened after Sept. 14, 2007, would have to comply with the rules immediately.

Voters legalized medical marijuana when they approved Proposition 215 in 1996, but there has been little agreement about regulating dispensaries.

Initially, only individuals were allowed to grow pot, but the law was amended in 2003 to allow collectives to grow the plants.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown has said medical marijuana outlets are supposed to operate as nonprofit groups, but few do.

Trutanich and Cooley have said most of the 1,000 or so pot shops in the Los Angeles area are in violation of state law.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: The Los Angles Independent
Contact: The Los Angles Independent
Copyright: 2009 The Los Angles Independent
Website: District Attorney Says He Will Target Marijuana Dispensaries ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106506-district-attorney-says-he-will-target-marijuana-dispensaries.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106505-state-medical-association-says-pot-prohibition-failed-public-health-policy.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:42:20 GMT In a laudable nod to the obvious, members of the California Medical Association's (CMA) House of Delegates have endorsed a resolution stating that the criminal prohibition of marijuana is a "failed public health policy."

As enacted, Resolution 704a-09, the "Criminalization of Marijuana" states: "[The] CMA considers the criminalization of marijuana to be a failed public health policy, ... and encourage[s] ... debate and education regarding the health aspects of changing current policy regarding cannabis use." [PDF] The CMA has more than 35,000 members statewide.

A report just published in the British Columbia Mental Health and Addictions Journal highlights another good reason to question marijuana prohibition: Health-related "social costs" per user are eight times higher for alcohol users than for those who use marijuana, and more than 40 times higher for tobacco smokers.

The report gauges related costs per user at more than $800 yearly for tobacco; $165 for alcohol; and only $20 for cannabis.

The newly adopted CMA resolution coincides with the scheduling of legislative hearings regarding Assembly Bill 390, the Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act, which seeks to tax and regulate the commercial production and retail sale of cannabis to those age 21 or older. The California Assembly Committee on Public Safety is anticipated to vote on AB 390 by late January.

The CMA's resolution comes on the heels of last week's resolution from the American Medical Association (AMA) that "marijuana's status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines."

This was a significant reversal, since the AMA had previously called for cannabis to be "retained in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act," a legal classification that defines the substance and its natural compounds as possessing "no currently accepted use in treatment in the United States."


News Hawk- Ganjarden 420 Magazine
Source: San Francisco Weekly
Author: Steve Elliott
Contact: San Francisco Weekly
Copyright: 2009 Village Voice Media
Website: It's Obvious -- State Medical Association Says Pot Prohibition Is 'Failed Public Health Policy' ]]> International Cannabis News Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/106505-state-medical-association-says-pot-prohibition-failed-public-health-policy.html