U.S. Surgeon General to Headline San Francisco Marijuana Conference
Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders will headline the International Cannabis Business Conference on Feb. 13 and 14 in downtown San Francisco. She’ll be joined by Andrew Sullivan, a prominent author and blogger; Tommy Chong, star of the Cheech & Chong movies; Arjan Roskam, who started the “Strain Hunters” documentary series; and Anthony Johnson, the executive director of Oregon’s successful campaign to legalize marijuana. “Business and Politics” is the theme of the conference, which comes as several legalization initiatives vie for a spot on the state’s November ballot. California has a …
Jim McMahon: “Medical Marijuana Got Me Off Narcotic Pain Pills”
Former Super Bowl champion and Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon credits medical marijuana for helping him recover from the chronic pain he developed from his long and arduous career as a football player in the NFL. Now 56, McMahon has been plagued by debilitating health problems following his 15-year career in the National Football League which included multiple concussions and a broken back. Since retiring from football, McMahon has been diagnosed with early onset dementia and experiences severe headaches, depression, memory loss, and vision and speech problems. As a result of all these health issues, …
Medical Marijuana Startup Vireo Raising $31.5M to Expand into More States
Medical marijuana venture Vireo Health is seeking $31.5 million in equity financing as it prepares to expand into more states. According to CEO Dr. Kyle Kingsley, the Minneapolis-based parent company of Minnesota Medical Solutions (MinnMed) is close to reeling in $6 million of that amount. As of today, Vireo’s staff has a headcount of nearly 50 employees but expects its staff to expand ten-fold in the upcoming years. Vireo is largely targeting individual investors as opposed to institutional funds, an approach it used to bankroll its original launch in Minnesota and New York. “Thing are going very well,” Kingsley …
Will Vermont Be The Next State to Fully Legalize Marijuana?
MONTPELIER, VT — Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin and the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, have announced legislation “to cautiously and deliberately” legalize cannabis for adult-use in Vermont. The proposed bill would remove the civil penalties for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana for those over 21 in the state of Vermont. However, the bill also suggests enhanced penalties for people over 21 who furnish alcohol or marijuana to minors. “The war on drugs has failed when it comes to marijuana prohibition.” – Governor Shumlin Cannabis lovers in Vermont: Do not get too excited. The bill does have …
Green Medicine: New Documentary Highlights Chile’s Medical Cannabis Revolution
A new documentary follows the extraordinary journey of the Daya Foundation, a group which made international headlines in 2014 by becoming Latin America’s first legal medical cannabis plantation. Green Medicine: Chile’s Medical Cannabis Revolution had its premiere at Expo Weed in Santiago in November and is released online to the world on December 15th. In September 2014 the Daya Foundation, a Chilean charity, received Government authorization to grow 400 cannabis plants to use as treatment for medical patients in a district of the country’s capital, Santiago. The publicity surrounding the project prompted huge debate in Chile in …
Arrested Hawaii Medical Marijuana Collective Owner Launches Fundraising Campaign
Big Island man Mike Ruggles launched a crowdfunding campaign this week to help pay for legal fees after being arrested for opening Hawaii’s first medical marijuana collective. Ruggles says this is an opportunity to help set legal precedence to establish medical marijuana collectives in Hawaii. “The collective was the first way for sick people to acquire their doctor recommended medicine since the program started 15 years ago. It doesn’t make sense that they’re trying to throw the only person doing this legally in prison.” – Mike Ruggles Ruggles had …
Edipure Issues Second Voluntary Product Recall in 5 Weeks
Edipure, a marijuana infused products provider (MIP) based in Colorado, has issued a recall of 7,770 packages of marijuana infused edibles this week. According to the Denver Department of Environmental Health the edibles being recalled “tested positive for one or more of the following pesticides that the Colorado Department of Agriculture has determined cannot be used legally on marijuana in Colorado: Myclobutanil, Avermectin, and Imidacloprid.” These pesticides, known more commonly by brand names such as Eagle 20 and AVID, are banned for use on inhaled substances due partially to the toxic chemicals released from them when they are heated …
High Holiday Bash in Portland: Northwest Cannabis Classic Changing Perceptions of Marijuana
Have you ever dreamed of a place where you could sample the finest flowers, edibles and concentrates from dozens of artisan growers and processors in the legal cannabis industry? Imagine the opportunity to sit-in on your favorite cannabis seminars, presentations, and demonstrations about growing organically, cooking with cannabis, making cannabis topicals and much more. Meet other like-minded individuals who are working to change public perceptions of the ever-amazing Cannabis plant. Wait no longer to make your dream a reality. Order your tickets now and get your bags packed for the NWCC’s upcoming High …
Review: Micro Vape Double Kit from NY Vape Shop
Vaporizing on the go is easier than ever. With hundreds (if not thousands) of brands offering portable vaporizers to the public, consumers have a plethora of options available to them. So many options makes buying a vaporizer an overwhelming process. It’s important to look at the differences in each vaporizer’s overall quality, construction, cost, and various use-cases, to get a feel for which style is the right fit for you. Vaporizer pens are quickly growing in popularity. In fact, it’s beginning to feel normal seeing someone puff a cloud of vapor in public. Many people opt for these pen …
Ohio’s Bid for Legalization Goes Up In Flames: Top 3 Reasons Issue 3 Burned
Despite a $20 million campaign, voters rejected an amendment to the constitution that would make Ohio the fifth state to legalize recreational marijuana. A blow to marijuana legalization nationwide, other states should take note of what happened. Issue 3 was more than a legalize or don’t legalize debate and the ballot measure divided even those who are pro-legalization. An overwhelming majority opposed the issue (about 65 opposed compared to 35 in favor). Many of the opposed actually support legalization, however they refuse to allow the voting process to be used to incorporate a business plan into legislation that seizes …