Medical Marijuana

DC City Hall

DC Issues Draft Regulations for Medical Marijuana [FEATURE]

District of Columbia voters overwhelmingly passed medical marijuana but waited 12 years for it to become law. Now the DC government is making them wait an extra five months before even beginning to set up a medical marijuana system, and the framework they've crafted has problems.

Out-of-Staters Now Eligible for Medical Marijuana: New Rule Could Draw Patients Seeking Medical Marijuana Cards

Patients rejoice -- as of four weeks ago, people from out of state can go to Oregon and participate in the Oregon medical marijuana program. The state changed its rule after Department of Justice attorneys reviewed a Court of Appeals case and determined that the law as written doesnât actually exclude out-of-staters.

Shield Banks that Deal with Medical Marijuana Industry: The Federal Government Should Clearly State That Banks Won't Be Targeted for Doing Business with Legal Pot Producers (Opinion)

The Denver Post opines that as Colorado embarks on the laborious process of writing rules for the medical marijuana industry, it is clear that regulators would be in a much better position to enforce the complex new law if they had banking records to review. Unfortunately, that is becoming more difficult as banks, concerned that marijuana is still illegal under federal law, shy away from holding accounts for medical marijuana businesses.

Boulder's Medical Marijuana Shops Struggle with 'grueling' Paperwork

Following legislation passed earlier this year, medical marijuana businesses in Colorado must apply for operating licenses through both the state and the municipalities in which they operate. As of today, none of the estimated 100 dispensaries and greenhouses doing business in Boulder has turned in a completed application, which some business owners say is lengthy, complicated and expensive to put together.

Chris Diaz

Medical Marijuana Patient Faces Life in Prison for a Half Ounce in Texas

Carrying a little medicinal marijuana and hash can turn into a living nightmare if they catch you with it in Texas. Ask Chris Diaz.

Public Hearing Scheduled for Medical Marijuana Bill (Press Release)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 11, 2010
Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana PA4MMJ
www.pa4mmj.org

CONTACT: Pittsburgh: Patrick Nightingale [email protected] 412-225-7959

Philadelphia: Derek Rosenzweig or Chris Goldstein [email protected] or 215-586-3483

PA: Public hearing for medical marijuana bill scheduled

8/11/2010 - The Pennsylvania House Health and Human Services Committee will hold a satellite hearing on medical marijuana in Pittsburgh, PA on August 19, 2010.

HHS Committee Chair Representative Frank Oliver issued a memo yesterday:

Please be advised that on Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. in the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health at 130 Desoto Street, Room G-23, Pittsburgh, PA 15320, there will be a public hearing on House Bill 1393.

Representative Mark B. Cohen introduced HB1393 and the first public hearings took place in Harrisburg last December. Residents living with chronic medical conditions, doctors, medical professionals and attorneys testified in favor of the bill.

Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana (PA4MMJ) is a statewide non-profit advocacy group promoting passage of the bill. Patrick Nightingale Esq., a criminal defense attorney in Pittsburgh, serves on the Board of Directors for PA4MMJ and coordinates efforts in Western Pennsylvania.

Nightingale commented on the memo, “We at Pittsburgh NORML and Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana are thrilled to learn of the upcoming hearing. We have heard from dozens of current medicinal patients or potential medicinal cannabis patients - veterans, retired school teachers, young people, grandparents, professionals and blue collar workers - all united by the belief that marijuana can provide relief for their medical conditions.”

Nightingale added, “ We believe that passage of the Barry Busch Compassionate Use Act will greatly benefit the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania just as it benefits the citizens of 14 other states and the District of Columbia who's legislatures have enacted medicinal marijuana laws.”

A Franklin & Marshall poll conducted this year showed that 80% of PA residents support the medical marijuana legislation.

The twenty-six-member House HHS committee includes HB 1393’s sponsor Rep. Cohen and co-sponsor Representative Tony Payton Jr.

Senator Daylin Leach introduced the companion bill, SB 1350, earlier this year. Senator Jim Ferlo of the Pittsburgh area recently co-sponsored the medical marijuana legislation. Senate committee hearings are expected in the fall.

Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana will be holding rally events, information seminars and fundraisers across the Commonwealth to raise awareness for HB 1393 and SB 1350.

PA4MMJ welcomes the opportunity to put legislators and the media into contact with local patients and cannabis experts.

www.pa4mmj.org

CONTACT: Pittsburgh: Patrick Nightingale [email protected] 412-225-7959

Philadelphia: Derek Rosenzweig or Chris Goldstein [email protected] or 215-586-3483

Medical Marijuana Supporters Hold Statehouse Rally

Advocates are rallying around House Bill 478, which would legalize the use of medical marijuana. If passed, Ohio would be the 15th state in the country to allow the use of medical marijuana.

Marijuana Business Bans Hurt More Than Just Business Owners

To the detriment of their seriously ill citizens, several cities across Montana have banned or are considering banning medical marijuana businesses. That's forcing some patients to turn to the dangerous black market to get their medicine, exactly what medical marijuana laws are intended to guard against.

ACTION ALERT: Denver to BAN Caregivers (in most areas)

Sensible Colorado - working for an effective drug policy

Poor patients need caregivers; Don't let Denver destroy them!

ACT NOW:

Stop Denver from limiting safe access!

On Monday August 9th, the Denver City Council will hear a first reading of an ordinance to BAN caregivers from growing medical marijuana for any patient in any residential zone district. The ordinance will make it a zoning violation for anyone to grow more than 12 plants in any residential zone district. In addition, the 12 plants can only be grown for patients who live at that address. This ordinance will effectively ban the caregiver model of safe access in Denver!

It gets worse.....

Ordinance C10-0607 is being introduced by Councilmember Jeanne Robb, who admits that she did notconsult a single patient during the drafting process!

The ordinance will be heard for a first reading on Monday night at 5:30p. If it passes first reading, a public hearing will be scheduled for sometime in September, along with a final vote.

Please call you city council representative TODAY and tell them to vote NO on Ordinance C10-0607. The city council should send the ordinance back to the drawing board and draft an ordinance that regulates - not bans - small time caregivers in Denver.

Important Targets:

Councilwoman Jeanne Robb: 303 377 1807

Councilman Chris Nevitt: 720 865 8900

Councilwoman Carla Madison: 303 298 7641

Message: Please vote NO on C10-0607. This change will hurt medical marijuana patients who rely on small caregivers to provide them with low cost medicine. Please don't act to limit patient access to medicine in Denver!

**Support Sensible Colorado's efforts to help patients and caregivers by clicking here.

Sensible Colorado | PO Box 18768 | Denver CO 80218

Tell Your Congressperson to Oppose S.258

Dear friends,

The US Senate passed S.258, the "Saving Kids from Dangerous Drugs Act of 2010." We are concerned that without amendments, this act goes too far and infringes on the rights of medical marijuana patients by doubling federal penalties. Now is the time to act -- Tell your Representative that medical marijuana patients deserve protection!

Many patients, particularly the elderly and those with compromised lung function, prefer to use medical cannabis in edible forms as opposed to smoking or inhaling their medicine. S. 258 unfairly puts these patients and their providers at a heightened risk of arrest and prosecution.

The House has an opportunity to make important changes to the legislation before they vote on the bill. Patients and advocates are leading the call for sensible and responsible amendments to the legislation, and they need your help. Take Action Now! Phone and email your Representative today! Please forward this action request to your friends, family and networks across the Country.

Sincerely

Steph Sherer
Executive Director

ASA needs your support!

Medical Marijuana

On The Web: