Browsing United States

Medical marijuana patients and supporters are celebrating a well-deserved win this week. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled unanimously that the Department of Justice is prohibited from spending funds to prosecute people in medical marijuana states if they are in compliance with state laws. Justice Diarmuid O’Scannlain rendered the decision on behalf of the panel in United States v McIntosh et al. – F.3d – (9th Cir. Aug. 16, 2016): “By officially permitting certain conduct, state law provides for non-prosecution of individuals who engage in such conduct. If the …

Medical marijuana dispensaries in Nevada are allowed to legally sell cannabis to visitors who possess a valid authorization card issued in other states, but the state’s top attorney believes that dispensaries should no longer be able to accept California doctors’ recommendation letters. Attorney General Adam Laxalt sent a letter to state health department Director Richard Whitley in late July saying that out-of-state residents should not be allowed to use a California physician’s note to purchase medical marijuana in lieu of a state-issued medical marijuana identification card. While most states issue mandatory identification cards to medical marijuana …

Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment to create a comprehensive medical marijuana law in Florida have received nearly 650 times more individual donations than the opposition. Despite this shocking fact, anti-marijuana foes have still raised more money, having received contributions from deep-pocketed prohibitionists. “In 2014, a similar proposed amendment to legalize medical marijuana in Florida was narrowly defeated, garnering 58% of the vote but needing 60% to pass.” United for Care, the organization responsible for placing Amendment 2 on the November ballot, has received over 7,000 individual donations in support of their campaign, with most donations ranging between $5 …

A proposed ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana in Missouri narrowly missed qualifying for the ballot. On Monday, supporters announced that they will be launching a lawsuit seeking to have some invalidated signatures overturned in the state’s largest district, in the hopes of making the November ballot. “The citizens overwhelmingly want Missouri to be the 26th state to allow state licensed physicians to recommend medical marijuana to patients with debilitating illnesses.” – Jack Cardetti, New Approach Missouri New Approach Missouri, the organization behind the signature drive, were confident they had collected more than enough signatures to …

Sponsored by CWCBExpo All eyes are on California with the impending passage of Prop 64 (AUMA) in November. The legalization of adult recreational use of marijuana in California would make this state the largest cannabis market in the US. There is no better place to learn how to be part of this incredible sea of change than at the Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition. Taking place September 7-9, 2016 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, CWCBExpo LA provides end-to-end information and resources for those just entering the business or for established businesses …

Following a long and troubled past with prohibition, cannabis is finally being legalized throughout the United States, and medical marijuana dispensaries are popping up all over the country. While the cannabis industry and laws vary from state to state, the importance medical marijuana dispensaries play in the lives of many patients is an immensely important role. The basic premise of a dispensary should be to serve the sick and needy. Unfortunately, there are those who see this as nothing more than an opportunity for personal financial gain, and will commit fraud and abuse to line their own pockets. No one …

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Republican Governor Bruce Rauner has signed into law Senate Bill 10, which extends the expiration date of Illinois’ Medical Cannabis Pilot Program through 2020 and adds post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the list of conditions that qualifies a patient to obtain medical marijuana legally. The changes to the state’s medical marijuana law, which took effect immediately upon Rauner’s signature, are co-sponsored by Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie). Rep. Lang was the driving force behind House Bill 1, the act that first authorized medical marijuana in Illinois in 2013. When the medical marijuana law was …

Voters in Arkansas are likely to be presented with a proposed ballot measure to legalize medical marijuana in the state this November, supporters say. On Monday, Arkansans for Compassionate Care, the organization behind the proposal, submitted 117,469 raw signatures to state election officials for verification. At least 67,877 of those signatures need to be deemed valid in order to qualify for the November ballot. The Arkansas Secretary of State now has 30 days to review and validate the signatures. “We are confident that we will qualify for the ballot and give Arkansans the opportunity to allow sick and dying …

Lawmakers in Rhode Island gave final approval Thursday to a bill that will allow veterans and others suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program. The bill, House Bill 7142, received unanimous support in the Senate, and passed the House by a vote of 67 to 1. The lone vote against the bill designed to help patients came from Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Morgan (R-West Warwick). Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that affects about eight million Americans annually, including many military veterans returning from combat, …

Lawmakers in the New Jersey Assembly voted 55 to 14 in favor of a bill that would add post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the list of accepted health conditions that qualify a patient to obtain medical marijuana in the state. Under Assembly Bill 457, New Jersey residents who suffer from PTSD would be eligible for the state’s Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Act for the first time. However, this is only possible if the bill is approved by the Senate and not vetoed by Republican Governor Chris Christie. Post-traumatic stress …