Browsing Activism

Residents in Michigan may submit medical conditions to LARA in order for the Michigan Medical Marihuana Review Panel to review whether there is ample evidence that cannabis may have palliative relief in the treatment of that condition. It is the voter’s intent to protect those with debilitating medical conditions that may receive palliative relief from cannabis. When the panel is provided sufficient evidence it is their mandate to ensure that new medical conditions be added to the list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis. In 2012 Jenny Allen, the mother of an autistic child, petitioned LARA to …

People with new and innovative business ideas are quickly joining the marijuana movement, making legal cannabis the nation’s fastest growing industry. If you have been following the cannabis industry intently, chances are fairly good that have noticed more and more canna-business events sprouting up on a daily basis, all over the country. It’s almost impossible to keep track of them all, let alone figure out which ones are worth your time and energy as a cannabis start-up. One of these events, the Indo Expo, is looking to expand on its previous …

The cannabis industry is booming and Colorado is its epicenter (until California gets its act together and legalizes the plant for adult-use). For the second year, the largest cannabis trade association in the United States is hosting a business summit in Denver. Exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and attendees will discuss and make their plans to take the cannabis industry by storm and push cannabis reform in 2015 and beyond. The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) will host the event who expect over 100 exhibitors and 2,000 attendees. The summit will serve as …

Different people participate for different reasons. But whatever the reason, the 3rd Annual National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference, hosted by Americans for Safe Access, was the place to be for those wanting to gain more knowledge about medical cannabis. The event took place last week in Washington, D.C. at the Loews Madison Hotel. Over five days, doctors, researchers, activists, and patients from around the country convened to discuss the future of medicinal cannabis policy reform and science. The amount of information shared in such a short time was stunning. Day One – History of Progress and Looming Issues The reception …

In August 2012, the beginning of a tragic ordeal started for Larry Harvey and his family. Their home was initially raided by state authorities, who seized part of their cannabis crop so that the remaining amount would comply with state medicinal cannabis laws. The family thought they were already within the legal limit. However, federal authorities raided the home a week later, seizing the remaining plants, raw cannabis, a car, firearms, and more. The family was then charged with numerous federal offenses, including growing, possessing, and distributing cannabis. The Kettle Falls Five The now famous “Kettle Falls …

On Monday, March 2, 2015, Jesse Teplicki became the first person in Florida history to be acquitted of a cannabis-related criminal charge by a jury because of medical necessity. Teplicki, 50, has battled anorexia since age 9, and cannabis has been the only medicine that effectively alleviates his condition. His acquittal is legal history in Florida and may influence future decisions by prosecutors and juries. Jesse Teplicki’s Arrest In January 2013, Teplicki was arrested by the Broward’s County Sheriff’s Office for growing cannabis. He faced up to five years in prison …

Activists in Arkansas are looking to make their state the next to legalize medicinal cannabis. Unlike other southern states, they are not taking a CBD-only approach, but are fighting to allow whole-plant cannabis. Medical Jane spoke with Melissa Fults, who runs Arkansans for Compassionate Care, about the upcoming Arkansas medicinal cannabis initiative. Details of the Arkansas Initiative The medicinal cannabis production and distribution system that would be created from the Arkansas initiative is strong and comprehensive. Fults said they tried to think of everything to allay the fears of opponents, while providing a framework for quality care …

In less than two years, California voters turn to the polls and face the serious choice of reforming state law in favor of cannabis legalization. It has only been about five years since 53.5% of California voters rejected California Proposition 19 (also known as the Regulate, Control & Tax Cannabis Act) on the November 2, 2010 statewide ballot. Will 2016 be déjà vu all over again? Following In The Footsteps of Other States The silver lining to the cloud of Proposition 19’s defeat are the victories in the ongoing national legalization war. Since 2010, the states of …

Cannabis reform is sweeping the nation, and more states are legalizing whole-plant medical cannabis as well as high-cannabidiol extracts. Utah lags behind other states, with no current medical or decriminalization laws. Possession of less than one ounce of cannabis is a misdemeanor, which can result in up to six months of incarceration and a $1,000 fine. The Need for Change in Utah There is a critical need for safe access to cannabis …

I met Dan Haslam on November 20th, 2014, the first time I had ever been to Australia. He came to a dinner arranged to acquaint the speakers and organizers of the Inaugural Australian Medicinal Cannabis Symposium, which took place in Dan’s hometown of Tamworth. Daniel Haslam’s Legacy: Legalizing Medicinal Marijuana I was lucky enough to sit next to him for around an hour, where we talked about his experiences as well as light-hearted subjects. Although it was a relatively short introduction, Dan’s strength and courage was abundantly apparent. He was also a truly humorous individual who maintained …