420 Use and Health

[Crow]

Washington (US)

Cannabis initiative captures place on ballot

An initiative to license, regulate and tax marijuana sales in Washington has collected enough valid voter signatures to go before voters in November, if the Legislature does not enact it first.

Washington may be in the unusual position this November of voting on both same-sex marriage and legalization of marijuana.

The State Elections Division reported Friday that Initiative 502 has garnered more than 278,000 signatures, far more than the 241,153 it needed.

I-502 goes to the Legislature, which can enact it into law, or reject it and send the measure to the ballot, let it go to the ballot without action, or offer the voters I-502 and an alternative written by lawmakers.

“Passing this measure will free up law enforcement resources, allowing police and prosecutors to focus on violent criminals instead of low-level marijuana users,” said Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes, a sponsor of the initiative.

Washington is one of 16 states that have approved medical marijuana, although federal law still forbids possession and sale: Marijuana is up there with heroin as a Schedule 1 drug, officially more dangerous than meth.

Article continued at: http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepol...ace-on-ballot/

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Marijuana legalization measure certified

The secretary of state's office has certified an initiative to legalize marijuana, and unless the Legislature takes action, the measure will appear on the November ballot.

OLYMPIA, Wash. —

The secretary of state's office has certified an initiative to legalize marijuana, and unless the Legislature takes action, the measure will appear on the November ballot.

The office of Secretary of State Sam Reed announced Friday that sponsors of Initiative 502 submitted nearly 278,000 valid signatures, more than the 241,153 necessary to qualify.

I-502 would create a system of state-licensed growers, processors and stores, and impose a 25 percent excise tax at each stage. Those 21 and over could buy up to an ounce of dried marijuana; one pound of marijuana-infused product in solid form, such as brownies; or 72 ounces of marijuana-infused liquids.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...marijuana.html

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[Crow]

Washington (US)

Legislators ask DEA to reclassify marijuana

Posted by Jonathan Martin, Seattle Times

A bipartisan group of 42 state lawmakers signed a letter asking the DEA to reschedule marijuana to a classification that could allow it be prescribed and sold in pharmacies.

The letter and a joint House-Senate resolution introduced yesterday piggy-back on Gov. Chris Gregoire’s existing petition to reschedule marijuana, which is also supported by a handful of other states. The lawmakers, like Gregoire, see rescheduling marijuana as the simplest, clearest solution to the conflict between federal prohibition of marijuana and Washington’s medical marijuana law.

“The divergence in state and federal law creates a situation where there is no regulated and safe system to supply legitimate patients who need medical cannabis. More to the point, it is clear that the long-standing classification of medical use of cannabis in the United States as an illegal Schedule I substance is fundamentally flawed and should be changed.”

Lawmakers – in the state, and in Congress – have taken this position before; Newt Gingrich in 1981 backed a rescheduling petition as a young U.S. Representative from Georgia. But it feels like a groundswell of renewed interest in reclassification and legalization from the less-than-usual suspects.

A hearing on the resolution is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 2 in the Senate Health and Long-term Care committee.

http://today.seattletimes.com/2012/0...ify-marijuana/

[Crow]

United Kingdom

British Cannabis Laws Downgraded 27th February? (Unconfirmed Report)

Well kind of. Police force numbers across the country are at an all time low, having fallen by over 6000 in the last year and clearly something has to give as the thin blue line is drawn even thinner by slashing cuts to enforcement budgets. In certain quarters, even amongst the rank and file, cannabis is that 'something.

He continued, "We would rather invest our time in getting high-level criminals before the courts, taking money off them and removing their illicit gains rather than targeting young people. We don't want to criminalise young people because, put bluntly, if we arrest young kids for possession of cannabis and put them before the courts we know what the outcome's going to be, so actually it's perfectly reasonable to give them words of advice or take it off them."

So in a move which mirrors many American 'lowest law enforcement priority' initiatives, cannabis will, from the 27th February 2012, be essentially decriminalised in all but name.

Peter Reynolds from Cannabis Law Reform organisation CLEAR-UK put it far more succinctly whilst baiting the Daily Mails cannabis anti-christ Peter Hitchens recently;

Peter Hitchen. You are right. It is happening. From 27th February, if you are growing fewer than nine plants, particularly if you can demonstrate a medicinal use, then you are looking at a discharge, low level fine or, at worst, a low level community order.

The CPS will not be interested. Therefore the police will not be interested.

Effectively, this is decriminalisation of small time, own use only, cultivation of cannabis. It is wonderful news! You can be sure that CLEAR will be doing all it can to inform people and spread this wonderful news far and wide.

Aside from the restoration of liberty, disgracefully proscribed for 80 years, now those who need cannabis as medicine, whose lives are transformed by its pallliative and restorative therapy, will have access to their medicine without fear of jail.

These are wonderful developments, long overdue on grounds of justice, mercy and human rights. The truth about cannabis is CLEAR!”

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Follow-up:

We have received a number of emails from cannabis activists asking for clarification on how the new Sentencing Guidelines will impact on cannabis cultivation and possession. Release provided detailed advice to the Council and has welcomed many of the changes in the guidelines as an improvement on the previous regime, but in relation to cannabis, there has only been a slight shift in approach.

With regards to possession of cannabis, there has been very little change from the current Magistrates Sentencing Guidelines. The starting point for sentencing remains the same, that is, a Band B fine. The sentencing range has changed, previously it was Band A fine (A is lower than a B fine) to 12 weeks custody (this covers sentencing for both small and large possession offences). The new guidelines range from discharge (more lenient than before) to 26 weeks in custody (harsher than before).

If someone comes before the court in respect of possession of cannabis for medicinal purposes that would mitigate the sentence, and if there were no other factors could reduce it down from a Band B fine. However, it is still a criminal conviction resulting in a criminal record even with an absolute or conditional discharge.

In terms of cultivation and production of cannabis there does seem to have been real movement, but this is primarily due to the recent guidelines in the Court of Appeal case of R v Auton. This case was decided only last summer and provided much harsher guidelines for sentencing cannabis production cases involving yields of approximately 1 kilo. The guidelines stated that:

* Where there is no element of supply the sentence range is likely to be between 9 – 18 months, depending on size of operation and the defendant’s personal circumstances;

* Where there is no evidence of commercial supply for profit but there is supply to others the range is likely to be 18 months to 3 years – operation and personal circumstances again relevant;

* Where the operation is a commercial one but falls below an industrial operation the range will be 3 to 6 years.
The new guidelines are certainly an improvement on R v Auton and sentencing will be determined through a two-step approach. The first step is to determine the role of the offender and there are three potential categories – lesser role, subordinate role or leading role. The second step is the quantity of drugs involved and there are four categories:

- Category 1 – 9 plants (presumed yield 40gram per plant)
- Category 2 – 28 plants (presumed yield 40 gram per plant)
- Category 3 – operation capable of producing significant quantities for commercial use
- Category 4 – operation capable of producing industrial quantities for commercial use

The Court will then consider mitigating/aggravating factors.

In relation to someone who is producing for their own purposes, or even where it is social supply, it is likely they will fall within the ‘lesser role’ category within the new guidelines. In terms of quantity 1kg (25 plants) would fall within category 3.

This would lead to a sentencing starting point of a high level community order and a sentencing range of a low level community order to 26 weeks custody, again depending on mitigating and aggravating circumstances. This is definitely an improvement on Auton but there is still a risk of imprisonment especially where there is a previous conviction.

Where someone was growing a lesser quantity (9 plants) and falls within the lesser role the guidance suggests a starting point of Band C fine, with a sentencing range of a discharge through to a medium level community order. This would then be increased/decreased through aggravating and mitigating factors. Frankly, this is only a slight departure from current Magistrates guidelines which state that the starting point for small scale cultivation is a Band C fine and the range is Band B fine to low level community order.

So overall, whilst we are pleased that our advice has been followed to some degree and has impacted on other areas of sentencing, the general approach to cannabis offences has not shifted a huge amount, and cannabis activists should be aware that the offences remain criminal, and so can result in a criminal conviction. There is also no evidence to suggest that the police will de-prioritise the policing of cannabis cultivation.

Fine Bands

Fine A – Starting point 50% of relevant weekly income; Category range 25% - 75% of relevant weekly income
Fine B – Starting point 100% of relevant weekly income; Category range 75% - 125% of relevant weekly income
Fine C – Starting point 150% of relevant weekly income; Category range 125% - 175% of relevant weekly income

[Crow]

Vermont (US)

Vermont to Consider Adding PTSD to Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions

by Morgan Fox, MPP

Vermont was the ninth state to allow seriously ill patients to use marijuana to treat certain illnesses, and now it may become the third to make post-traumatic stress disorder one of those qualifying illnesses. A new bill, introduced by Rep. Jim Masland, would allow patients afflicted with the serious psychological condition from war or other trauma to use medical marijuana without fear of arrest.

There are many people suffering from PTSD who have tried treating their symptoms with marijuana and have found it to be far more effective than the prescription pharmaceuticals they had been directed to use. Unfortunately, there is little scientific research to support their claims, and the federal government recently denied permission to study the potential benefits of marijuana for returning veterans.

If the law passes, Vermont will join New Mexico and Delaware as the only states to allow medical marijuana to be recommended for PTSD out of the 16 states (and the District of Columbia) that permit marijuana treatment for other conditions.

In June 2011, Vermont passed a bill that would regulate the establishment of four non-profit medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state.

http://blog.mpp.org/medical-marijuan...ions/01272012/

[Los ßnus]

Damn this thread is long! Any other Volcanizers out there or am I the only one?

Thinking of dusting it off and giving it a go tonight

[Crow]

Kentucky (US)

Ky Senate Proposes Medical Marijuana Bill

Kentucky State Senator Perry Clark has submitted Senate Bill 129. The Gatewood Galbraith Memorial Medical Marijuana Bill.
According to the Kentucky Legislative website the bill reads as follows:

AN ACT relating to medical marijuana.
Amend and create various statutes in KRS Chapter 218A to make marijuana a schedule II drug with the limitation that a person for whom the drug has been prescribed may not possess more than five grams per month of the drug or have under cultivation more than five marijuana plants; create a new section of KRS Chapter 315 to require the Board of Pharmacy to establish a certification program for pharmacies seeking to dispense marijuana; designate this Act as the Gatewood Galbraith Memorial Medical Marijuana Act.

Since the average medical marijuana user uses between 3/4 to 1.25 ounces a week, either the 5 grams are a misprint or the bill will have to be amended. At least now Kentucky's sick and disabled have a Bill to hang their hats on and it couldn't be better named.

http://www.state-journal.com/news/si...5153215?page=0

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Rhode Island (US)

Support for Marijuana Policy Reform in Rhode Island: More Popular than the Politicians Think

by Robert Capecchi, MPP

Late last month, the Marijuana Policy Project commissioned Public Policy Polling to survey Rhode Island voter attitudes toward marijuana policy. The results are in, and the numbers indicate that Rhode Islanders from both sides of the aisle are clearly aware that marijuana prohibition is failed policy, and they are ready for change.

A majority of Rhode Islanders appear to be fed up with the current marijuana prohibition. Of the 714 voters polled, 52% would like to see all penalties for personal possession and use of marijuana removed and marijuana treated in a manner similar to alcohol, where it would be taxed, regulated, and sold in state-licensed stores to adults over the age of 21. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the idea received bipartisan support and was backed by 55% of Democrats and 54% of Republicans. Legislation spearheaded by MPP to establish such a system will be introduced in Rhode Island this session.

When Mason-Dixon Polling and Research asked the exact same question in 2008, only 41% of 625 voters surveyed supported regulated legalization of marijuana. That’s an increase of 11 percentage points among all voters in less than three years. The ’08 poll showed majority support among Democrats (52%) but strong opposition among Republican voters, with only 26% supporting and 66% opposing the idea just 33 months ago. This means we’ve seen support more than double among Rhode Island Republicans. So what’s going on here?

Article continued at: http://blog.mpp.org/tax-and-regulate...hink/02032012/

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New York (US)

New York City: Still The Marijuana Arrest Capital Of The World

by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director

Low level marijuana arrests in New York City rose for the seventh straight year in 2011 to 50,680. The arrest total is the highest total on record since former pot smoker Mayor Michael Bloomberg took office and it is the second highest total of pot arrests ever recorded in the history of the city (just 587 arrests behind the record holding year 2000, when Mayor Rudolph Giuliani oversaw some 51,267 people arrested for marijuana violations).

Shockingly, the near-record high arrest total comes just months after New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly called on officers to cease making marijuana misdemeanor arrests. Apparently, NYPD officers aren’t very good at listening to their commanding officer.

Of course, what is most troubling about these arrest figures is that under state law they largely shouldn’t be occurring at all. Since 1977, New York State law has categorized the possession of 25 grams of marijuana or less as a violation, not a misdemeanor crime. So then how are NYPD making so many misdemeanor pot arrests? By violating the spirit of the law, if not the law itself.

Rather than ticketing low level marijuana offenders, City police for over a decade have been taking advantage of a separate statute, NY State Penal Law 221.10, which makes it a criminal misdemeanor to possess pot if it is ‘open to public view.’ According to an investigation last year by New York City public radio station WNYC, it was determined that City cops routinely conduct warrantless ‘stop-and-frisk’ searches of civilians, find marijuana hidden on their persons, and then falsely charge them with possessing pot ‘open to public view.’

Article continued at: http://blog.norml.org/2012/02/02/new...-of-the-world/


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Indiana (US)

EDITORIAL: Form a study committee on marijuana policy

Source: NWI (Indiana)

State Sen. Karen Tallian wants to make most marijuana possession cases misdemeanors. What a change that would be from a toke-free Indiana.

Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, did not request a committee vote on Senate Bill 347 but took nearly an hour to explain how reducing criminal penalties for marijuana possession could benefit Indiana.

It would have the effect of freeing up at least 250 beds a year in the state prison system and thousands of beds in county jails, according to the nonprofit Legislative Services Agency.

In Indiana, possession of an amount of marijuana is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. That's among the toughest penalties in the nation.

"Marijuana possession is a victimless crime, and there's no reason to do this to our citizens, especially our our young people," Tallian said.

But is it truly a victimless crime?

We have been told for years that marijuana is a gateway drug that leads to more serious illegal drugs. That argument must not be ignored in the discussion of whether to ease penalties for marijuana possession.

And does medicinal use of marijuana actually fight disease and ease symptoms, or would it simply create a state full of hypochondriacs who see various maladies as a way to legally possess an otherwise illegal substance?

Article continued at: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion...fd61ccea4.html

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Israel

Cannabis Is “An Effective Treatment” For Cancer Patients, Israeli Study Concludes

by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director

[Editor's note: This post is excerpted from this week's forthcoming NORML weekly media advisory. To have NORML's news alerts and legislative advisories delivered straight to your in-box, sign up here.]

Some two-thirds of Israeli cancer patients authorized to use cannabis report long-term, symptomatic improvement from the plant, according to clinical data presented in late January at a conference of the Israeli Oncologists Union and reported this week in several international media outlets.

Investigators at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv, in conjunction with the Israeli Cancer Association, assessed the efficacy of cannabis therapy over the course of one year in 264 patients with cancer. Israeli media reported the findings:

“Some 61 percent of the respondents reported a significant improvement in their quality of life as a result of the medical marijuana, while 56 percent noted an improvement in their ability to manage pain. In general, 67 percent were in favor of the treatment, while 65 percent said they would recommend it to other patients.”

The study concluded that cannabis is an “effective” treatment for certain symptoms of the disease cancer and recommended, “The treatment should be offered to the patients in earlier stages of cancer.”

In the trial, the most common types of cancer for which medical marijuana was authorized was lung cancer (21 percent ), breast cancer (12 percent ) and pancreatic cancer (10 percent ).

The study focused primarily on the use of cannabis to relieve various symptoms of cancer or cancer treatment, such as pain and nausea, but did not evaluate whether marijuana therapy could potentially suppress the proliferation of the disease. In preclinical trials, various cannabinoids – including THC and CBD (cannabidiol) – have been shown to selectively target and eliminate malignant cells and cancerous tumors.

To date, some 6,000 Israelis possess government authorization to use cannabis therapeutically. Patients authorized by the federal program may either cultivate cannabis at home or they may obtain marijuana from one of the nation’s 12 licensed cannabis farms.

Last summer, the Israeli Health Ministry formally acknowledged the therapeutic utility of cannabis and announced newly amended guidelines to more effectively govern the state-sponsored production and distribution of medical marijuana. The Ministry estimates that as many as 40,000 patients will eventually have access to medicinal cannabis once the Israeli program is fully implemented.

NORML’s literature review of the anti-cancer properties of cannabis and cannabinoids is available here.

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition...ients-1.409918

[Crow]

Damn this thread is long! Any other Volcanizers out there or am I the only one?

Thinking of dusting it off and giving it a go tonight

I had a Volcano, but I gave it to a friend who needed it more than me.

Right now, I'm in the market for a vaporiser; and I'm waiting for a review on a vape that PP ordered before I buy a replacement.

[Premium Parrots]

go here
http://www.snuson.com/forum/showthre...porizer-thread

to continue with vape discussion.

[Crow]

Maryland (US)

Medical Marijuana Bills Introduced in Maryland

ANNAPOLIS – A pair of bills were introduced today in the Maryland House and Senate that would allow patients with certain qualifying conditions to use medical marijuana with doctors’ recommendations. The bills, HB 1024 and HB 1148, are based on the recommendations of a study panel created by the legislature in 2011 and were introduced in the House by Del. Dan Morhaim. Senator Jamie Raskin is expected to sponsor similar legislation in the Senate. One version of the legislation, championed by state legislators on the work group, allows doctors to recommend medical marijuana to their patients who could then purchase it from licensed dispensaries, all of which would be overseen by an independent commission. The second version, put forward by Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary Joshua Sharfstein, tasks academic institutions with distribution of marijuana. Both bills would protect licensed patients from arrest and prosecution. Currently, patients are only afforded an affirmative defense in court, but are still subject to arrest even if they’re subsequently able to demonstrate medical necessity.

Del. Cheryl Glenn has already introduced another medical marijuana bill that would allow patients to cultivate limited amounts of marijuana, in addition to establishing a dispensary system. Both work group models would restrict cultivation to state-registered growers.

"There are some differences in these two plans when it comes to how medical marijuana is cultivated and distributed, but the bottom line is that both reports support changes to the status quo,” said Del. Morhaim, the only physician in the Maryland House. “Physicians, law enforcement officials, academics, and DHMH officials – we all agree that something needs to be done. Remember that the charge of the work group from the Governor and the Legislature was to "facilitate patient access to marijuana for medical purposes.” It's now our job as legislators to look at these proposals and enact workable solutions that for many patients can dramatically improve their quality of life."

Senate sponsor Jamie Raskin echoed Morhaim’s stance. "Last session the General Assembly decided that it is not a crime for very ill people in the State of Maryland to use marijuana for palliative purposes in accordance with medical advice,” Raskin said. “What we left open was how such people can safely and legally access the drug. I'm determined that this session we come up with an effective mechanism for making medical marijuana available for the sick and suffering Marylanders who need it."

If any of the bills pass, Maryland would become the 17th state, along with the District of Columbia, to allow seriously ill people to treat their conditions with medical marijuana. There are 17 other states considering similar legislation this year. A recent Gonzales Research poll showed that 64% of Marylanders support allowing medical marijuana in their state.

http://www.mpp.org/media/press-relea...ana-bills.html

[Crow]

United States

8 States May Legalize Marijuana This Year – Did Yours Make the List?

by Erik Altieri, NORML Communications Coordinator

2012 has only just begun and it is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting and active years for marijuana law reform in some time. More than a dozen state legislatures are currently considering reform measures in some respect and 8 states are attempting to put legalization initiatives before voters this November.

Many of these efforts are still in the signature gathering stage. Check out the list below to see if you might be able to vote ‘Yes’ on marijuana legalization in your state this year and how you can get involved to make that a reality. In addition to the legalization initiatives below several states, such as Ohio and Massachusetts, are working to also put medical marijuana initiatives before voters this year. To stay up to date on all the efforts to reform marijuana laws you can follow our “Legalize It 2012″ hub on Facebook and Twitter.

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California

Regulate Marijuana Like Wine

Details: “The “Regulate Marijuana Like Wine” initiative intends to repeal prohibition of marijuana for adults, strictly regulate marijuana, just like the wine industry, allow for hemp agriculture and products while not changing laws regarding medical marijuana, impairment, work place drug laws, or laws regarding vehicle operation. This initiative would also provide specific personal possession exemptions, require dismissal of pending court cases for marijuana possession, and ban the advertising of non-medical marijuana.”

More Info: www.regulatemarijuanalikewine.com

Repeal Cannabis Prohibition Act 2012

Details: “Aims to repeal current state criminal laws prohibiting the personal possession, use, transportation, and cultivation of cannabis by adults 19 years of age and older. During the first 180-days following the passage of the Act, the Legislature is authorized to create the California Cannabis Commission. This Commission will develop appropriate regulations for the commercial production and sales of cannabis, including licensing and taxation. Individuals are allowed to possess up to three pounds and grow a 100 sq. ft. canopy without being subject to regulations. It maintains penalties for possession by persons under 19, distribution to persons under 19, and driving while impaired.”

More Info: www.repealcannabisprohibition.org

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Colorado

Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act

Details: “The Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act of 2012 makes the adult use of marijuana legal, establishes a system in which marijuana is regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol, and allows for the cultivation of industrial hemp.”

More Info: www.regulatemarijuana.org

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Michigan

The 2012 Michigan Ballot Initiative to End Marijuana Prohibition

Details: “Proposes a state constitutional amend that states: “For persons who are at least 21 years of age who are not incarcerated, marihuana acquisition, cultivation, manufacture, sale, delivery, transfer, transportation, possession, ingestion, presence in or on the body, religious, medical, industrial, agricultural, commercial or personal use, or possession or use of paraphernalia shall not be prohibited, abridged or penalized in any manner, nor subject to civil forfeiture; provided that no person shall be permitted to operate an aircraft, motor vehicle, motorboat, ORV, snowmobile, train, or other heavy or dangerous equipment or machinery while impaired by marihuana.”

More Info: www.help.repealtoday.org

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Missouri

Show-Me Cannabis Regulation

Details: “A constitutional measure which would regulate cannabis like alcohol, provide access to medicine for cannabis patients, and open a market for farming industrial hemp in Missouri.”

More Info: www.show-mecannabis.com

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Montana

Montana First: Ending Criminal Penalties for Marijuana

Details: “The new petition is for a proposed amendment to the state constitution. It would add just two sentences to a portion of the constitution concerning adult rights, which already contains a reference to the legal age for the consumption of alcohol. [Stating] Adults have the right to responsibly purchase, consume, produce, and possess marijuana, subject to reasonable limitations, regulations, and taxation. Except for actions that endanger minors, children, or public safety, no criminal offense or penalty of this state shall apply to such activities.”

More Info: www.montanafirst2012.org

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Nebraska

The Nebraska Cannabis Initiative

Details: “Add Proposition 19 to the Nebraska Constitution whose object is to regulate and tax all commercial uses of cannabis, also known as marijuana, and to remove all laws regulating the private, noncommercial use of cannabis.”

More Info: www.neprop19.org

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Oregon

Oregon Cannabis Tax Act of 2012

Details: “The Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2012 is a citizen’s initiative campaign to regulate marijuana and restore hemp. Just as ending alcohol prohibition and regulating that market has protected society, regulating marijuana will help wipe out crime. Restoring hemp, made from the seeds and stems of the marijuana plant for fuel, fiber and food, will put Oregon on the cutting edge of exciting new sustainable green industries and create untold multitudes of new jobs.”

More Info: www.cannabistaxact.org

Citizens for Sensible Law Enforcement: Initiative IP-24

Details: “Currently known as IP-24, the measure would allow adults over 21 to use marijuana for personal use without fear of criminal sanctions. The bill has substantial safeguards to protect children and public safety. With hundreds of signature gatherers on the streets every day, CSLE is confident the measure will appear on the November 2012 ballot.”

More Info: www.ompicampaign2012.org

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Washington

Initiative 502

Details: “Washington State Initiative Measure No. 502 (I-502) would license and regulate marijuana production, distribution, and possession for persons over twenty-one; remove state-law criminal and civil penalties for activities that it authorizes; tax marijuana sales; and earmark marijuana-related revenues.”

More Info: www.newapproachwa.org

[Crow]

Article originally posted by Snusify (confirmed)

Sweden

Sweden approves medical 'marijuana'

Medicinal cannabis is now available as a prescription medicine in Sweden after the Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket) approved a cannabis-based mouth spray for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).

"This is great news for those who can't get any relief from the most common drugs," said Jan Hillert, an MS researcher at Karolinska Institutet, to the Dagens Nyheter daily.

The agency has said that it plans to closely monitor the prescription of the new drug to ensure against abuse.

According to the agency however, the spray does not give any sort of "kick" as the cannabis content is in such small doses and common side effects include dizziness, nausea and drowsiness.

People suffering from MS, which damages the brain and the central nervous system, often experience problems with stiffness and muscle cramps.

The spray, which is used under the tongue, has been proved to be successful in alleviating MS symptoms by a series of medical studies.

The cannabis spray is already available in the UK and Spain. Earlier this year it was approved by agencies in Germany and Denmark.

It is not strictly illegal today to prescribe medicinal cannabis in Sweden but it is a lengthy and complicated process.

The doctor has to apply for a special permit from the Medical Products Agency and if approved the closest pharmacy has to arrange a special import.

Many thanks to Snusify for reporting this article.

http://www.thelocal.se/39060/20120212/

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SIDE-NOTE: The cannabis-based mouth spray is called Sativex. It's a pharmaceutical drug produced by GW Pharmaceuticals (based in the UK). According to GWPharma, the drug is currently approved for use in the UK, Spain, Germany, Denmark, New Zealand, and Canada.

[BadAxe]

So if it ever becomes legal in states, what does that do for drug testing for jobs? Will they still test for MJ and deny the job if found positive? Or will they have to remove MJ things they look for? I mean, we all know that MJ stays in your system a lot longer than alcohol or any other drug. So I wonder what happens in employment drug testing in states where it becomes legal. What do you guys think?

[wa3zrm]

Deputies: Teen After Pot Steals Tomato Plant Instead Near Holly Hill
The Daytona Beach News-Journal ^ |Call it a case of mistaken plant identity.
A 15-year-old boy climbed into Angela Cartwright's kitchen window thinking to make off with a marijuana plant, but instead the young thief was actually stealing a potted tomato plant, a sheriff's arrest report shows.
As he was running from Cartwright's house on Carmen Avenue near Holly Hill on Feb. 10 just after 7 a.m., the teen even yelled at Cartwright, "See, I have one of your pot plants!" the arrest report states.
Cartwright had arrived at her residence that morning after leaving her 6-year-old son off at the school bus stop. When she walked into her home she saw a teenager whose torso was inside her kitchen window and the other half of his body was hanging outside, the report shows.
When Cartwright yelled, "Hey!" the suspect jumped back and bolted, the potted tomato plant in hand.
"I chased him and I yelled out, "You stupid little brat, it's a tomato plant!" Cartwright said Thursday.
The teen gave Cartwright the slip, but Wednesday morning as Cartwright and a friend walked Cartwright's son to the bus stop, they spotted the teenager a second time, the report shows.
The boy was wearing the same clothes Cartwright had seen on him five days earlier, she said.
"I said to my friend, 'That's him,' " Cartwright said. "It looked like he was going to hide from me, but then he stayed there."
According to the report and Cartwright, the boy, who The Daytona Beach News-Journal is not identifying because of his age, admitted to stealing the tomato plant, valued at under $5.
"He seemed like a nice kid," Cartwright said. "It almost seemed as if he wanted to get caught."
While Cartwright, her friend and the teen waited for a deputy to arrive at the bus stop, the 35-year-old mother took the opportunity to give a lecture.
"I gave him the 'mother lecture,' " Cartwright said. "He listened and I told him he should be in school."
The teen was charged with unarmed burglary of an occupied dwelling, his first offense, the report states.
When interviewed, the young suspect told a lawman the same thing -- he broke into Cartwright's house thinking he was getting away with a marijuana plant, the report shows.
"It wasn't pot, it was just Walmart tomatoes," Cartwright said with a laugh.
The teen was taken to the Volusia Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Daytona Beach.

[Crow]

So if it ever becomes legal in states, what does that do for drug testing for jobs? Will they still test for MJ and deny the job if found positive? Or will they have to remove MJ things they look for? I mean, we all know that MJ stays in your system a lot longer than alcohol or any other drug. So I wonder what happens in employment drug testing in states where it becomes legal. What do you guys think?

Well, as it stands now for medical patients, it's at the discretion of your employer (meaning they are legally allowed to terminate your employment).

If cannabis is legalised for all adults, then the issue will need to be re-visited. If the employer suspects that one of its employees is under the influence, they could use a modified saliva test that detects usage up to a few hours. Otherwise, it will need to be determined by the courts (or legislation) when the time arises.

[Crow]

Deputies: Teen After Pot Steals Tomato Plant Instead Near Holly Hill

As he was running from Cartwright's house on Carmen Avenue near Holly Hill on Feb. 10 just after 7 a.m., the teen even yelled at Cartwright, "See, I have one of your pot plants!" the arrest report states.

When Cartwright yelled, "Hey!" the suspect jumped back and bolted, the potted tomato plant in hand.
"I chased him and I yelled out, "You stupid little brat, it's a tomato plant!" Cartwright said Thursday.

That made my day.