Weed News: April 2014

Wednesday 30 April 2014

Governor Signs Bill Authorizing Industrial Hemp Research Program

Rep. Cynthia Thielen stands before a hemp crop in France

REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR – HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed Senate Bill 2175 (Act 56), a measure that allows the University of Hawaii (UH) College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) to establish a two-year industrial hemp remediation and biofuel crop research program.

Act 56 authorizes the growth and cultivation of industrial hemp in accordance with requirements established by the federal Agriculture Act of 2014, which allows higher education institutions and state departments of agriculture to conduct industrial hemp research.

“Hawaii’s environment and economy will benefit from this research,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie said. “Industrial hemp can be used to decontaminate soil and increase the state’s production of biodiesel, therefore reducing our dependency on imported fuel.”

Act 56, which takes effect July 1, requires the state Department of Agriculture to certify the industrial hemp seed stock and verify that plants grown are not marijuana. The program will be limited to one test site. It also states that the dean of the UH CTAHR must submit a final report, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature prior to start of the 2016 legislative session.

Short URL: http://www.hawaiireporter.com/?p=499175

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Governor Signs Bill Authorizing Industrial Hemp Research Program

420 Toronto 2014 - HUGE CANNABIS SMOKE CLOUD AND MASSIVE CANNABIS CANNON ...

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420 Toronto 2014 - HUGE CANNABIS SMOKE CLOUD AND MASSIVE CANNABIS CANNON ...

Public barred from marijuana cultivation tour

DENVER – State legislators asserted the right Wednesday to exclude the public from some of their meetings, a move that an open-government advocate said was a violation of Colorado’s sunshine laws.

The House and Senate agriculture committees took a field trip Wednesday morning to a marijuana cultivation warehouse operated by a company called iVita. The trip was noticed on the Legislature’s daily agenda as a meeting of the two committees. But when a Herald reporter attempted to enter, a lobbyist for iVita told him it was closed to the public.

Legislators have several marijuana-related bills to decide before their session ends next Wednesday, and iVita – like many companies in Colorado’s booming marijuana industry – has hired lobbyists to influence legislation. Wednesday’s tour was closed to everyone but legislators, their staff and the company’s employees and lobbyists.

The chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Rep. Randy Fischer, D-Fort Collins, said iVita’s owners asked for the meeting to be closed because of proprietary information about their marijuana business. Legislators got an opinion from their lawyers that it was OK to exclude the public “based on the finding that we weren’t conducting any official business,” Fischer said.

But Steve Zansberg, president of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, disagreed.

“The exclusion of the public from this fact-finding mission of a legislative committee … was a violation of the open-meetings law. The public cannot be excluded from a meeting that is noticed as a public meeting,” said Zansberg, a lawyer specializing in First Amendment issues.

In general, the law requires that a meeting must be open if two or more legislators are discussing public business.

A lobbyist for iVita said neither he nor anyone at the company would comment.

Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, is chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. She said the tour was educational, and iVita can be proud of its operation, but she could understand why the company wanted privacy.

“Having a young industry like this – security, and handling of their funds – probably for good reason, they’re being cautious,” Schwartz said.

Before they took the tour, Fischer and Schwartz sought advice form the Legislature’s lawyers.

Dan Cartin, director of the Office of Legislative Legal Services, wrote to the agriculture committees that the private tour would not violate the open-meetings law.

“No formal action can or will be taken by the joint committee, either during the tour or at a meeting convened to act formally on a decision made in the facility during the tour,” Cartin wrote in an email to the committee’s staff.

Members of the public could sue, but they would be unlikely to win, he wrote.

“Of course, that does not ensure against public or media criticism of a closed tour, even though, again, that seems unlikely here,” Cartin wrote.

The House and Senate agriculture committees meet jointly most Wednesday mornings for educational briefings, but they don’t vote jointly on bills. Cartin’s email raised doubts about whether legislators have to consider other joint meetings as open to the public.

“In fact, it is unclear whether the Joint Committee has any authority with regard to taking formal action or policy-making,” Cartin said.

But that exception would swallow the rule, Zansberg said.

“The public is entitled to know what information is being gathered and promulgated to these legislators in their policy-making function. That’s the whole reason there is a public-meeting law,” Zansberg said.

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Public barred from marijuana cultivation tour

Many Medical Marijuana Users Oppose Legalization of Recreational Use

File photo

SACRAMENTO-

Recreational marijuana is thriving in Colorado; officially legal since January. Close behind is Washington, with recreational sales expected to start in July. There’s speculation that California is next.

There’s an assumption those involved in California’s medicinal cannabis fully support recreational legalization, but that’s where some of the biggest opponents are.

“I am a marijuana user, a medical marijuana patient, and I do not support legalization,” said a patient and grower, who asked to remain anonymous.

Sharing his opinion is Taylor, who runs Green Heart Club, a medical marijuana delivery service in Davis.

“A lot of us are concerned about legalization because it could better profit (pharmaceutical companies) than the patients,” he said.

Taylor has seen marijuana make a difference.

“Most of our patients aren’t on some sort of pharmaceutical drug that they were once on before cannabis,” Taylor said.

So why are these medical marijuana supporters are against recreational legalization? There are a few reasons and they all center on money; mainly how big money will profit.

“More regulation potentially, with more opportunity for corporations to get involved,” said Taylor, “The smaller fish are typically who gets hosed by regulation.”

Though, some people in the marijuana industry feel regulation is needed.

“California’s law only says collectives can exist, doesn’t say how it can operate,” said Nate Bradley, executive director of the California Cannabis Industry Association, “It’s the wild west because people can make up their own rules. There are no state requirements and that’s the problem.”

CCIA is working to get recreational legalization on the 2016 ballot. If it passes it could also mean changes to medical marijuana regulations. Taylor is worried delivery companies like his would be shut down; hurting his patients who rely on deliveries. He explained there are a number of reasons why delivery companies like his are needed.

“Could be financial, or a health issue prevent people from leaving the home. We serve veterans and people with disabilities,” Bradley said.

It’s also worth pointing out, under legalization and stricter medical regulations, current patients may not qualify as patients.

“You’re not going to be able to acquire a card, and you’re not going to be able to grow medicinally,” said the grower, “You’re going to clump under recreational use and you’re going to pay the sales tax.”

While that may not seem like a big deal consider medical marijuana sales tax is around 10% and recreational sales tax would be upward of 20%. The price difference could lead to problems.

Bradley said recreational needs to find the right tax to not encourage a black market. “Washington is overly taxed,” he said, “25% at each tier.”

Meanwhile, our anonymous grower thinks recreational sales tax will cause a bigger black market than already exists. “Why would people go to a store and 25, excuse me, pay a proposed 27% sales tax when they can get it from their neighbor?”

It’s a fine balance that’s worth a lot. In the first two months of recreational sales Colorado made over $6 Million in taxes. When you consider Colorado is a fraction of the size of California it’s easy to see why legalization is being seriously considered.

Though it’s that hypocrisy pro-medical anti-recreational users have a problem with.

“For years people have been arrested and done time,” the grower explained, “And now the government has a way to make money it’s okay to sell?”

Though if recreational legalization happens, those in medical cannabis are trying to remain optimistic.

“If it’s legal the fear that goes along with growing it now can subside, and we can grow better cannabis,” said Taylor.

“Until patients don`t have to worry about having their kids taken away, or losing their job they`ll never be treated like an actual patient,” explained Bradley, “That`s what we’re trying to create.”

Recreational marijuana legalization was on the ballot back in 2010 with Proposition 19. It failed with 53.5% of voters saying “No.”

Governor Jerry Brown has said he would wait to see how Colorado and Washington handled their recreational roll outs.

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Many Medical Marijuana Users Oppose Legalization of Recreational Use

'Marijuana minister's' prosecution invigorates legalization fight in Hawaii | Say Anything

Roger Christie

By Malia Zimmerman | Watchdog.org

HONOLULU — Dope-smoking Big Island minister Roger Christie learned his legal fate Monday, and his case has invigorated lawmakers and advocates who believe, as Christie does, that marijuana should be made legal.

Christie was held for 3 years and 9 months in Hawaii’s Federal Detention Center without bail and or a trial on charges related to growing and distributing marijuana.

The 64-year-old preacher, who claims marijuana is a religious sacrament and openly sold cannabis in Hilo as part of his services at his THC Ministry, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and four years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi as a part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors. He’ll be credited with time served, and could be released within two months, said Thomas Otake, Christie’s attorney.

Roger’s wife, Sherryanne “Share” Christie, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release, the maximum time allowed under federal law. She will likely begin her imprisonment in the next two months, just as her husband is released.

During the 2014 session, which ends this week, the Christies’ case energized drug legalization advocates and civil libertarians, who backed several measures to legalize marijuana for recreational use or decriminalize the drug. Those measures failed largely because of opposition from law enforcement.

However, House Bill 1503 gained lawmakers’ approval. The bill prevents landlords from evicting tenants who use medical marijuana.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie is expected to sign the measure.

House Concurrent Resolution 48, which establishes a task force of physicians, patients and caregivers and community allies to make recommendations for a dispensary system, also passed the Legislature this year.

Roger and Share Christie

Religious freedoms violated?

Share Christie’s defense attorney portrayed her client as an innocent participant who believed her husband’s claim that the marijuana distribution to church members as “sacrament” was legal.

However, assistant U.S. attorney Michael Kawahara, who oversaw the case, claimed Share Christie, 62, was the primary manager of a drug business who handled finances and directed employees.

The judge told the Christies they could continue to participate in religious services, but wouldn’t be allowed to use marijuana or be in the presence of someone with marijuana.

The case involving the Christies received national attention, because the couple used religious freedom as a part of their defense under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

The Christies’ attorneys also produced witnesses in earlier hearings offering evidence about the harmlessness of marijuana and how the drug should be made legal throughout the country. They noted 19 states have approved marijuana for medical use and two states, Colorado and Oregon, have approved marijuana for recreational use.

Although no cost estimate was released, the government likely spent millions of dollars on the two-year investigation into the Christies’ operation between 2008 and 2010, Share Christie said in an earlier interview with Watchdog.org.

A thorough investigation

How keen were the authorities on nabbing the Christies?

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Division, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, the National Park Service, the Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Public Safety, the Hawaii Police Department and the Honolulu Police Department were all involved in the investigation, which included extensive wiretapping and undercover drug buys from the Christies.

As a result of the investigation, 13 people working with the THC Ministry were indicted. Roger Christie apologized to them in court Monday.

“I did my best to make the THC Ministry a safe, legal place to worship and to obtain sacrament and medical marijuana. I hope they can forgive me for my errors in judgment,” he said.

Government records show Roger Christie pled guilty in September 2013 to “conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, involving 100 or more marijuana plants and two separate tax counts for failure to file federal income tax returns for calendar years 2008 and 2009.”

Share Christie pled guilty to “conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, involving 50 or more marijuana plants.”

Intrigue built around the case because media from around the country were prevented from interviewing Roger Christie in prison, including Watchdog.org, who tried several times over a period of four months to get permission.

Hawaii Island Minister Roger Christie

During the 2013 legislative session, the Hawaii Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs passed two resolutions urging the federal government to release the Big Island Minister on bail, pending trial.

Both Sens. Russell Ruderman, D-Hawaii Island, and Senate Minority Leader Sam Slom, R-Hawaii Kai-Diamond Head, introduced similar resolutions in support of Christie. Will Espero, D-Ewa, the chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, supported the resolution.

Reach Malia Zimmerman at Malia@hawaiireporter.com

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'Marijuana minister's' prosecution invigorates legalization fight in Hawaii | Say Anything

Police seize cannabis from Chifley home

Drugs suspected to be cannabis seized from a home in Chifley Photo: ACT Policing

ACT Policing seized 29 cannabis plants and 35 shopping bags filled with cannabis from the garden of Chifley residence on Wednesday morning.

Members of ACT Policing’s Criminal Investigation Team also seized a significant sum of cash and a substance believed to be methamphetamine after searching the property around 9.30am.

Police say hydroponic equipment including lights and transformers were also located at the property.

Investigations are continuing.

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Police seize cannabis from Chifley home

18kg cannabis, $67000 seized from Swan View property

Part of an 18kg haul of high grade cannabis material, worth $180,000, seized from a Swan View property, along with $67,000 cash. Source: Supplied

POLICE have disrupted a major drug operation in Perth, seizing $180,000 worth of high-grade cannabis and more than $67,000 cash.

The drugs and cash were seized in a search of a house in Swan View on Monday.

A spokesman from WA Police said the search was the culmination of a sustained investigation into an alleged drug dealer who lives at the property.

The search yielded 18.15 kilograms of cannabis, which has an estimated street value of $180,000, as well as $67,200 in cash.

A 34-year-old Swan View man was charged with possessing cannabis with intent to sell or supply, possessing MDMA and unlawful possession of the cash.

A second man, who turned up during the search, allegedly had 100 MDMA tablets and was charged with possessing MDMA with intent to sell or supply.

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18kg cannabis, $67000 seized from Swan View property

Public Meetings Set For Medical Cannabis Rules

The Illinois Department of Public Health will host two public hearings regarding the administrative rules proposed for the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Patient Registry, including one in Springfield.

The first meeting will be held at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago on May 5, at 9:30 a.m., in the Assembly Hall Audiorium.

The second meeting will be held at the University of Springfield, at 1 University Plaza, at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21.

In March, lawyers representing a group interested in placing a cultivation center and dispensary in Litchfield addressed the Litchfield City Council regarding their initial plans.

The proposed rules for implementing the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act were published in the Illinois Register on April 18, which marked the beginning of the formal rule making process, and will be available for 45 days of public comment until the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) begins its review.

Among the changes announced by the state were the reduction of cultivation centers from 22 to 21. The number of cultivation centers is based on Illinois State Police Districts, but District 15 is the Illinois Tollway system and does not apply, hence the reduction.

Other changes to the cultivation center rules include that one entity can be awarded licenses for up to three cultivation centers, the Illinois Department of Agriculture will inspect each facility at least weekly and live security camera video will feed to the IDOA and to the Illinois State Police, and the single-stage application process includes a $25,000 non-refundable application fee, proof of $500,000 in liquid assets and documentation satisfying selection and optional bonus criteria.

For dispensaries, the changes included rules defining residential zoning areas and an explanation of the two-stage application process, which includes a $5,000 non-refundable application fee, proof of $400,000 in liquid assets and documentation satisfying selection and optional bonus criteria.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will permit up to 60 dispensaries around the state and one entity can receive permits in up to five districts.

For patients and caregivers, the Illinois Dpeartment of Public Health reduced the registration fees to $100 for eligible patients; $50 for eligible patients on Social Security Insurance and Social Security Disability Insurance, as well as veterans; and $25 for caregivers.

Other rule changes include the removal of language regarding Firearm Owners Identification cards and medical cannabis identification cards (the state is still looking at how the medical cannabis and firearm laws may interact with federal firearm laws) and the clarification of physician written certification and pre-operation cultivation center inspections.

The Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee was also expanded to include qualifying patients, a health care provider with general practice experience and nurses or nurse practitioners with experience working with medical cannabis patients. The 15-member committee will review petitions to recommend adding qualifying medical conditions twice each year.

Cultivators will also pay a seven percent privilege tax on sales to dispensaries and patients/caregivers will pay a one percent sales tax.

JCAR follows a two-step process that generally lasts for a minimum of 90 days. Both the general public and the General Assembly, through JCAR, have the chance to offer input prior to the rules being adopted. For more information visit www.ilga.gov/commission/Jcar/.

The complete rules for the dispensing sites and cultivation centers can be found at www2.illinois.gov/gov/mcpp.

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Public Meetings Set For Medical Cannabis Rules

Bluestem Prairie: Not a mention in MNSOTS: Medical cannabis bill advances in Senate, next stop ...

In Wednesday night’s State of the State address, Governor Dayton didn’t mention the popular medical marijuana legislation making its way through Minnesota Senate committees this week.

Perhaps the policy question is hiding behind his desk.

SF1641 was heard this afternoon in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which passed it on a voice vote without recommendation to the Finance Committee. Bill sponsor Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) agreed to accept Scott Newman’s (R-Hutchinson) motion after Senator Newman agreed not to use the lack of recommendation as a talking point against the bill when it comes to the floor.

A pro-cannabis site reports in Medical Marijuana Compromise Bill Continues To Advance In State Senate:

Senate Committee on Judiciary refers SF 1641 to Senate Committee on Finance; measure would allow people with specific debilitating medical conditions to access medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it

A bill that would provide legal access to medical marijuana for people with specific debilitating medical conditions continued to advance on Wednesday in the Minnesota Senate. The Senate Committee on Judiciary referred the measure to the Senate Finance Committee, where it is expected to receive a hearing and a vote.

The Senate Committee on State and Local Government approved the bill Tuesday, and the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Housing approved it last week.

“This week has been a breath of fresh air for seriously ill Minnesotans who would benefit from legal access to medical marijuana,” said Heather Azzi, political director for Minnesotans for Compassionate Care. “We knew this legislation would enjoy broad support once it received the consideration it deserves. The rate at which it is advancing finally reflects its urgency.”

However, law enforcement lobbyists aren’t going down quietly. The Star Tribune’s Patrick Condon reports in Minnesota law officers seek to slow medical marijuana effort:

Minnesota police officers, sheriffs and prosecutors pushed back hard Wednesday against legalizing marijuana for medical use, as a proposal to do just that picks up steam in the state Senate.

“It will end up in the hands of our children,” said John Kingrey, executive director of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association. “It will result in more kids being arrested for possession of marijuana. We believe it sends the unintended message to our youth that marijuana is a safe substance.”

Condon writes as if the bill is barely limping along, although his article doesn’t include any of the testimony in favor of the bill. Minnesota Public Radio’s Tom Scheck’s report, Cops hint at medical marijuana compromise, is a bit more sunny:

Police and prosecutors say they’re open to a compromise on medical marijuana but remain firmly opposed to efforts to allow patients to smoke it.

Law enforcement groups told the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday that they might not oppose marijuana extracts like oils or pills for treatment, but they don’t want to see the creation of 55 marijuana dispensaries, as allowed in the bill. . . .

ut state Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis disagreed that law enforcement groups were willing to compromise.

“Sure, they’ve agreed to talk but they’ve asked me to simply leave my legislation at home because there’s nothing in the bill that they would support, effectively telling me ‘take our idea or nothing,’” he said.

Dibble said patients need to be able to smoke marijuana because oils and extracts don’t work on everyone.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measure. The bill now moves to the Senate Finance Committee.

We’ll post the entire video of the hearing here as it becomes available so that readers can watching the hearing themselves.

More legislators are publicly stating where they stand on the legislation. The Pierce County Herald reports in a Minnesota news wrap-up:

The medical marijuana bill has its third Senate hearing this afternoon but the measure has stalled in the Minnesota House. There’s been no action since it cleared the Health and Human Services committee last month. Rep. Shannon Savick of Wells says she’d support the legalization of marijuana for seriously ill Minnesotans. She says “what I wouldn’t want is legalizing all marijuana.” Savick says her son was addicted to marijuana after high school and it changed his personality. Supporters say they have the votes in the Senate and House to pass the medical marijuana bill.

Bluestem has added Savick’s statement to the House Whip Count. You can review the MN Senate medical marijuana people’s whip count here. While we restricted by the guidelines we set-up for a “people’s” whip count, we are inclined to agree with the supporters.

Photo: Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis.

If you enjoyed reading this post, consider giving a donation via snail mail (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or paypal:

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Bluestem Prairie: Not a mention in MNSOTS: Medical cannabis bill advances in Senate, next stop ...

State's marijuana license lottery will not pause for appeals

A judge Wednesday refused to halt the state government’s lottery for licenses to operate marijuana stores.

The state Liquor Control Board is holding lotteries for each part of the state where there’s competition for a limited number of retail licenses. The winners were chosen last week. The board expects to announce them by Friday, then start considering the winning applicants for 334 licenses.

On the outside looking in: hundreds of applicants who learned days before the lottery they had been disqualified.

Two of them, Angel Swanson and Mark Dixon, asked Thurston County Superior Court Judge Carol Murphy to stop the release of names of winners in their parts of Pierce and Skagit counties while they appeal their disqualifications. She declined.

“I recognize that there are very serious rights at issue here,” Murphy said, “and my denial is based in part on the state’s representation that there very well may be a remedy that would be adequate to the applicants who are successful in their administrative appeals.”

A lawyer for the state acknowledged it’s not clear what that remedy would be. The lottery will be over by then and the winners, or runners-up if winners are disqualified, may have their licenses in hand.

The state lawyer, Assistant Attorney General Kim O’Neal, said a court could order the liquor board to give them a license demanding additional stores or, less likely, bumping a lottery winner.

With that possibility looming, Murphy urged the board to notify apparent lottery winners up front they might be displaced.

Still, Murphy said she recognized the need to move ahead with licensing. The board wants stores open by July.

Out of more than 2,100 applicants, about 1,000 were disqualified ahead of the lottery, said Liz Hallock, the attorney for Swanson and Dixon.

Swanson runs a medical marijuana shop, the Cannabis Emporium, in unincorporated central Pierce County. She wants to sell products in Washington’s newly legal recreational market. But Hallock says the board told Swanson she didn’t prove she has a right to use the property where her current business is located, even though she provided a copy of her lease. Hallock suspects a software glitch.

Dixon is seeking a license in Mount Vernon. Hallock said the liquor board cited his criminal record in disqualifying him. But she said his felony conviction was for growing marijuana in the 1980s. Under rules written by the liquor board, convictions more than 10 years old aren’t relevant.

O’Neal defended the vetting process. Considering the number of applicants, the error rate appears to be very small, she said.

The case is personal for Hallock, whose application for a store in Longview was also rejected. She is asking a Cowlitz County judge to halt the lottery in Longview, and has won a temporary pause.

There could be many more court proceedings ahead before stores are sorted out.

“The only solution that will protect the state from hefty lawsuits is to grant every candidate with a successful appeal a license,” said Matt Dixon, Mark Dixon’s son. “If they don’t, the successful appellants could sue, and if they bump others off the list, those people could sue.”

Source

State's marijuana license lottery will not pause for appeals

DEA Raids Four Denver Marijuana Sites | Peace . Gold . LOVE - Daily Paul

A Denver medical marijuana business owner wanted in connection to money-laundering charges surrendered to authorities Wednesday, shortly after masked federal agents raided four locations that are part of the long-running investigation.

The early-morning raids involving several law-enforcement agencies targeted businesses that had been raided first in November.

http://www.thecannabist.co/2014/04/30/dea-raids-denver-marij…

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DEA Raids Four Denver Marijuana Sites | Peace . Gold . LOVE - Daily Paul

Marijuana in vehicle leads to no charges: Lyndhurst Police Blotter

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LYNDHURST

Drug abuse, Mayfield Road:

Marijuana was found in a vehicle April 22 after the driver was pulled over. Nobody has been charged yet as the incident remains under investigation.

Theft, Richmond Road:

An apartment resident reported April 22 his bike, valued at $500 at the time of purchase three years ago, was stolen.

Theft, Mayfield Road:

A former employee of Amy Joy Donuts was said April 23 to have stolen a donation jar from the store that belonged to the Little Sisters of the Poor. There were no charges filed and restitution was made to the organization.

Harassment, Cranover :

A woman said April 24 a parent was following her son, 11, home from school.

Criminal trespassing, Churchill :

A resident reported at 3 a.m. April 25 someone was trying to break into his home through a back door. Responding officers located the South Euclid man, 37, in a nearby backyard and took him into custody.

Impaired driving, Cedar Road:

After causing an accident April 25 a Solon man, 62, was charged with suspicion of operating a vehicle while impaired.

Menacing, Cedar Road:

A Shaker Heights woman said April 25 someone harassed her and made threats toward her while she was at Giant Eagle two days earlier.

Theft, Sunview Road:

A man reported April 26 another man stole a wristwatch from his home.

Suspicion, Richmond Road:

A male was said to have exposed himself April 27 through a window but an exact location was undetermined.

Juvenile complaint, Glenlyn Road:

An officer said April 22 two people at Brush High School may have been involved in drug activity. It was subsequently determined there wasn’t any drugs or criminal activity involved in the incident.

See more Lyndhurst news at Cleveland.com/south-euclid-lyndhurst.

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Marijuana in vehicle leads to no charges: Lyndhurst Police Blotter

Week 1 my cannabis plant - YouTube

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Week 1 my cannabis plant - YouTube

Cannabis-Rx CEO Interview - YouTube

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Cannabis-Rx CEO Interview - YouTube

Push To Erase Cannabis Crimes Of Past Now That Pot's Legal

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DENVER (CBS4)- There is a push to erase cannabis crimes of the past now that pot is legal in Colorado.

Amendment 64, which made marijuana possession and consumption legal in Colorado, was approved by voters on Nov. 6, 2012. Gov. John Hickenlooper signed the bill into law December 10, 2012.

The first retail pot stores opened for business on Jan. 1 of this year.

(credit; CBS)

The so-called pot freedom bill would seal the records of those convicted with no hearing and no review. All it would take is to file a petition and pay $250 and regardless of how long ago it happened and how serious the initial charge was– those records would be sealed.

“To continue punishing people for something they did that’s legal now is completely wrong,” said Sen. Jessie Ulibarri, a Democrat representing Westminster.

Supporters of the measure believe it’s meant to allow people who were convicted of behavior that’s now legal in Colorado to move on with their lives.

“When folks go to apply for a job or housing and their record is pulled up related to what is now constitutionally legal behavior, they may be denied access to employment, housing or some other issue,” said Ulibarri.

Opponents believe it’s not just petty crimes that would be sealed. Those against the measure include district attorneys, Attorney General John Suthers, police chiefs and sheriffs.

Some of the convictions are for crimes that aren’t legal even today but were pleaded down so they would qualify.

“In the worst of scenarios, you could have someone who was charged with a high-level distribution case 10 years ago and pled to lower-level cultivation case, just as a matter of how cases resolve themselves, and the court would never know,” said Colorado District Attorneys Council spokesman Tom Raynes.

That’s because under the bill district attorneys aren’t notified and have no say when someone petitions to have a record sealed.

“Even the court doesn’t have the ability to really review anything, There’s no looking back into the file to see what the history means,” said Raynes

When asked why not give the district attorney’s a say, marijuana attorney Rob Corry said, “Because they’re just going to gum up the process.”

Corry said the voters’ intent with Amendment 64 was to forgive and forget.

“The drug war is over. The marijuana prohibition is over. It’s time to release prisoners of war,” said Corry.

Opponents believe like other laws, Amendment 64 is prospective, not retrospective.

“It’s highly unusual and extremely bad policy to consider reaching back to undo convictions like that,” said Raynes.

The senate committee reviewing the bill passed it but amended it significantly.

Now the bill applies to petty offense possessions or less than six plant cultivation convictions only.

It also gives district attorney’s notice to object to a record being sealed and allows for a hearing.

Source

Push To Erase Cannabis Crimes Of Past Now That Pot's Legal

The Cannabis Question: A Patient's Perspective

The Cannabis Question: A Patient’s Perspective

The bill has taken yet another step in the Senate and seems to be gaining momentum. Public Policy Polling says 65% of Minnesotans approve of legalizing medical marijuana, but the governor has said he won’t sign it.

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton Delivers State of the State

In his State of the State Address, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton made a last-ditch plea for a billion-dollar construction projects bill, and said mandatory testing in schools is excessive, and counterproductive.

Walk With Courage Honors Child Abuse Victims

Law enforcement officers nationwide say they get a report of child abuse every 10 seconds. The Fargo Police Department says last year alone they investigated 180 cases of child abuse and neglect.

ND Measure 1 on November Ballot Aims to Protect Life

Voting on Measure 1 in North Dakota is scheduled to be on the November 4 ballot. The measure, if approved, would be for the “inalienable right to life” at every stage of human development.

No Licenses Required For E-Cigarettes

Electronic cigarette shops are popping up all around the Fargo Moorhead area and why shouldn’t they? There is no licensing required to sell popular product.

NDHP Trooper Given Legion of Honor Ribbon

A North Dakota trooper is being recognized for his efforts to keep others safe, even after being injured in the line of duty.

Train Carrying Crude Oil Explodes In Virginia

A CSX train carrying tankers of crude oil derailed in downtown Lynchburg, Va., Wednesday afternoon,according to city officials, exploding into flames and spilling oil into the James River.

Free Skin Cancer Screenings at Sanford Health

Ahead of summer fun in the sun, Sanford Dermatology is offering a free skin cancer screening.

Bemidji Could Move Columbus To History’s Trash Heap

A movement is underway in Minnesota that could throw the name of Christopher Columbus into the trash heap of history. On Friday, The Minneapolis City Council voted to use “Indigenous Peoples Day”, instead of “Columbus Day”. This week, the city of Red Wing named it, “Chief Red Wing Day”.

Man Faces 19 Charges in Jamestown Robbery

A Hazen man is facing 19 charges in Barnes and Stutsman Counties after he and a 17-year-old male allegedly robbed a woman and fled from police on Friday in Jamestown.

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The Cannabis Question: A Patient's Perspective

Hemp seeds expected to arrive in Kentucky in coming days

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer says it’s been a long road to bring back industrial hemp.

Kentucky lawmakers passed a bill in 2013 to allow the reintroduction of industrial hemp if the federal government lifted its ban.

Then, a federal farm bill agreement allowed pilot growing programs. Comer says Kentucky helped lead the way.

“Here we are, we passed it in Kentucky. Now other states are saying ‘Yeah, we want to do that too’. Indiana’s following suit. Tennessee’s followed suit passing legislation,” Comer said.

However, the big challenge has been getting the hemp seeds into the country, since it has been illegal to import them into the U.S.

The federal government banned hemp several decades ago when it classified the crop as a controlled substance related to marijuana.

“Even though legislation passed in the Farm Bill to legalize it, the customs agents and border patrol and all the different federal bureaucracies didn’t know about that, so we’ve had to educate all the federal bureaucracies,”Comer said.

In the next few days, the seeds will finally arrive to Kentucky.

They’re coming in from Europe, Canada, and possibly even China. The seeds are first arriving to a port in Chicago.

Comer says six Kentucky universities will do pilot projects on industrial hemp, including the University of Louisville.

They are hoping the projects will answer many questions.

“Like what is the cost of production per acre, what is the yield per acre, what types of invasive species may come in and harm the crop, what types of farm equipment can we harvest this crop with, which variety of seeds grow best in which types of soil,” Comer said.

Comer says they must also determine how marketable some of the hemp will be.

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Hemp seeds expected to arrive in Kentucky in coming days

Marijuana businesses may have trouble finding a bank

LAS VEGAS (KSNV & MyNews3) — It’s a budding business in Nevada that will bring in big time money. Even though medical marijuana is legal under Nevada law, most banks steer clear of these all-cash operations.

So where will their owners store their money, when they open shop in Clark County?

The same federal government that regulates banking transactions also says selling marijuana is a crime, so people who open medical marijuana businesses in Clark County, for the most part can’t get the banks to do any business with them.

It could be several tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars a month to operate a medical marijuana business.

Medical marijuana is a cash cow for several states but still a piece of the illegal drug trade in the eyes of the Unites States government.

The result is entrepreneurs who are hoping to cash in on Clark County’s cannabis industry know most banks won’t take their money.

Potential entrepreneurs are left to wonder where to put all that cash.

“It makes them prime targets for burglary, for theft, to be held up,” said attorney Alicia Ashcraft.

The Obama administration recently issued guidelines giving banks the green light to do business with marijuana dispensaries in states that have legalized the drug.

“For most banking institution and i think the American Banking Association came out and said, that’s just not enough for us to feel comfortable, to feel safe from prosecution,” Ashcraft said.

Attorney Bruce Gale says it’s difficult to find a local bank that will accept medical marijuana money.

“In Clark County, I’m still shopping for a friendly bank and or credit union. I’ve spoken with Wells Fargo, and they’ve said no,” said attorney Bruce Gale.

This is a predicament for any business, especially one dealing in cash.

“For now, initially i think most establishments are going to have large safes on property to keep that cash,” Ashcraft said.

Ashcraft believes that will continue as long as state and federal laws continue to clash.

“Hopefully the law is going to change,” Ashcraft said.

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Marijuana businesses may have trouble finding a bank

Mixing Marijuana and Alcohol Especially Dangerous for Teen Drivers: Study « Substance Abuse ...

Join Together (4/29/14): Teens who used alcohol alone were 40 percent more likely to admit they had gotten a traffic ticket and 24 percent more likely to admit involvement in a traffic crash, compared with teens who didn’t smoke marijuana or drink. Teens who smoked marijuana and drank were 90 percent more likely to get a ticket and 50 percent more likely to be in a car crash, compared with their peers who didn’t use either substance.

To read more, click here.

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Mixing Marijuana and Alcohol Especially Dangerous for Teen Drivers: Study « Substance Abuse ...

Drug Alcohol Treatment Center Orange County: Volkow Speaks Against Marijuana Legalization

Americans’ view of marijuana continues to change and more states are considering legalizing the drug. However, there are still a number of experts who believe that legalization may be a poor decision. At a House subpanel hearing, world renowned substance abuse expert Dr. Nora Volkow, urged lawmakers this week to hold off on legalizing marijuana, saying that marijuana can act as a gateway drug.

Volkow is the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and her opinion is highly respected in the field of substance abuse. She said that because of all the reports that show marijuana’s medicinal benefits that many people have the misconception that marijuana is harmless. Volkow claimed that studies show changes in the brain amongst people who use marijuana and that using marijuana may get certain users ready for harder drugs, The Hill reports.

Volkow wrote on NIDA website last year, “Regular marijuana use in adolescence is part of a cluster of behaviors that can produce enduring detrimental effects and alter the trajectory of a young person’s life—thwarting his or her potential. Beyond potentially lowering IQ, teen marijuana use is linked to school dropouts, other drug use, mental health problems, etc. Given the current number of regular marijuana users (about 1 in 15 high school seniors) and the possibility of this number increasing with marijuana legalization, we cannot afford to divert our focus from the central point: Regular marijuana use stands to jeopardize a young person’s chances of success—in school and in life.”

Whatever one’s view on marijuana, it is hard to argue with the fact that more research is needed before the United States moves forward with legalization. However, opposing marijuana legalization is difficult while alcohol continues to be a legal substance despite the negative health consequences that go with it.

Labels: alcohol, brain, drugs, legalization, legalizing-marijuana, marijuana, nida, Nora-Volkow, substance-abuse, teen, Volkow

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Drug Alcohol Treatment Center Orange County: Volkow Speaks Against Marijuana Legalization

Bill to Improve Medical Marijuana Access in Vermont Gets Final Approval | MPP Blog

On Wednesday, the Vermont Senate gave final approval to a bill that will improve access to medical marijuana and remove the arbitrary cap of 1,000 patients who may benefit from dispensaries. S. 247 was approved by the House last week, and the bill will now move forward to Governor Peter Shumlin’s desk where it will receive his signature.

Sponsored by Sen. Jeanette White (D-Windham), this bill will increase possession limits for dispensaries, allow them to deliver medical marijuana to patients, and permit naturopaths to certify patients for the program. Additionally, the bill was amended by the House to initiate two studies: One will explore the possibility of adding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying condition for the state’s medical marijuana program, and one will evaluate the potential impact of making marijuana legal for adults and regulating it similarly to alcohol.

Sen. Jeanette White

That’s right — not only did Vermont legislators improve the medical marijuana law this year, but they are already gathering the information they will need to consider sensible marijuana policy reforms during next year’s legislative session.

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Bill to Improve Medical Marijuana Access in Vermont Gets Final Approval | MPP Blog

Medical Marijuana Gets a Push From a Surprising Source in Congress | Just Say Now

Rep. Griffith’s bill would move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II, which is the same as Oxycodone and Hydrocodone

A conservative southern Republican congressman has begun a pushing to change federal law prohibiting the use of medical marijuana. On Tuesday Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Virginia) introduced HR 4498 the ‘Legitimate Use of Medicinal Marijuana Act’ (LUMMA).

As a Republican from a state without a functioning medical marijuana program Griffith is an unusual advocate on this issue. What motivated Griffith to begin push for federal change, though, was personal experience. Years ago Griffith knew someone suffering from cancer who was helped significantly by medical marijuana — but only because the hospital was willing to turn a blind eye to this treatment. When Griffith heard about a constituent in a nearly identical situation he decided need to step up.

The bill would move marijuana from Schedule I, where it is defined as having no accepted medical value, to Schedule II, which is the same as Oxycodone and Hydrocodone. It would also allow medical marijuana to be used and produced at a state level for authorized patients with a prescription.

When I spoke to Griffith he stressed that what separates his bill from some other proposals in Congress is that his would require actual prescriptions to obtain medical marijuana instead of mere recommendations. Since marijuana is still Schedule I, doctors aren’t actually allowed to prescribe it. To get around this federal hurdle current medical marijuana states had to jury rig systems that require only doctor recommendations.

What Griffith wants is for medical marijuana to be treated much like other legal prescription medications. He makes it clear this is not about recreational use but ending a “mean” set of restrictions that stops patients from accessing a legitimate treatment.

If the bill is adopted it should potentially bring relief to people suffering in his home state. Since 1979 Virginia has technically had a law on the books that would allow prescription marijuana for the treatment of cancer and glaucoma, but it hasn’t help anyone so far since the federal government still won’t allow doctors to actually prescribe it.

Griffith is not overly optimistic about success this year but he feels the current rules are “cruel,” so he is going to actively work toward eventual change.

Hopefully, the willingness of Griffith to speak out on the issue will make other members of Congress from both parties finally realize there is no political downside in supporting medical marijuana. It has overwhelmingly support among both parties and all age groups with polls showing 86 percent of Americans support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana for medical use.

The Obama administration actually has the power to reschedule marijuana without Congress, but so far they refuse to do for political reason.

Jon Walker is the author of After Legalization: Understanding the future of marijuana policy

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Medical Marijuana Gets a Push From a Surprising Source in Congress | Just Say Now

Recreational Marijuana Could Get Legalized in Arizona | AZ Marijuana News and Info | Weed Blog

A current ballot in Arizona revealed that most individuals want to see marijuana legalized for leisure use.

Based on the Conduct Analysis Middle’s ballot, fifty one % of Arizonans comply with legalizing leisure marijuana and simply forty one % are disagree.

The Nationwide Group for the Reform of Marijuana Legal guidelines (NORML) says marijuana is way much less harmful than alcohol. “You by no means ever hear ‘[Look at] that smoker beginning a bar battle,’ or ‘that marijuana consumer driving a automotive and killing 5 individuals.’ When is the final time you will have heard of that?” stated NORML’s Eric Johnson.

Lawyer Basic Tom Horne, the chief regulation enforcement officer for the state of Arizona, has adopted a wait-and-see strategy.

“Colorado and Washington are experimenting with that [recreational marijuana legalization] proper now and there are a selection of questions which were answered and shall be answered,” stated Horne. “It appears to me clever to attend and see what occurs; does it have unfavorable results on society or does it not?”

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La Grange leaders question if village is ready for marijuana dispenary

La Grange trustees are questioning whether the village is ready to embrace medical marijuana ahead of a likely vote on where to allow a marijuana dispensary in the village under a new state law.

“I’ve got a hill to climb here yet before I’d jump off with both feet on medical marijuana,” Village President Tom Livingston said at an April 28 meeting.

Illinois’ Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act allows 60 dispensaries to be opened in the state. The law limits where the dispensaries can go and gives local governments leeway to add more restrictions as long as the restrictions are “reasonable.” The law allows one dispensary in an area that covers Lyons Township, Lemont Township and Palos Township.

La Grange is an attractive location for that one dispensary, said Tanya Griffin, who said she represents a group of medical specialists interested in opening a dispensary.

“You’ve always been progressive,” Griffin said. ” … I think this is a very good town to showcase a medical marijuana dispensary.”

La Grange’s reputation as a safe, affluent area with a dynamic shopping center makes it appealing, she said. She expects the average medical marijuana patient will have a significant disposable income, will want to feel safe purchasing the drug and might shop at other businesses in the same trip.

The group is especially interested in opening a dispensary at 120 E. Burlington Ave., just east of Jackson Square Mall, she said. She encouraged the Village Board to pass zoning rules that would allow the shop in the prominent commercial area. The board is scheduled to vote on zoning rules May 12.

But Trustee Jeff Nowak questioned how progressive La Grange is. He said he welcomed feedback from residents, but said his sense is that “La Grange residents do not want us to be on the cutting edge in terms of having a medical marijuana dispensary in our village.”

Livingston expressed a concern about preserving La Grange’s character.

“We want to make sure whatever policies we enact do not create a dissonance, or do not chase away the vibrancy of our town,” he said.

The state law prohibits dispensaries in residential areas and within 1,000 feet of schools and child care centers. Only La Grange’s northeast corner and a couple commercially zoned pockets along South La Grange Road are eligible for the shops under the law, Assistant Community Development Department Director Angela Mesaros has said.

If the village were to add more restrictions — like a buffer zone outside residential areas as some municipalities have enacted — the available space for a dispensary would quickly shrink to nothing, Mesaros has said.

The Village Plan Commission made a recommendation in March that the Village Board allow medical marijuana dispensaries across the street from residences but not next door to them.

wjventeicher@tribune.com

Twitter @wesventeicher

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La Grange leaders question if village is ready for marijuana dispenary

The Low Carb Diabetic: Can Marijuana Treat Diabetes?

If medical marijuana evokes a picture of folks sitting in circles passing marijuana cigarettes, then you’ll likely be surprised to learn how drugmakers like GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:GWPH ) are using the plant to develop next-generation medicine.

GW Pharma has been studying ways to use the chemical compounds found in marijuana since 1998, and the company already markets one marijuana based drug, Sativex, in more 11 countries. That drug combines two key marijuana cannabinoids, THC and CBD, to treat multiple sclerosis.

However, GW Pharma doesn’t believe the medical benefit from THC and CBD is limited to MS. It thinks they could play an important role in improving patient treatment for a variety of disease, including diabetes.

Marijuana as a a diabetes therapy?

While the market embrace of Savitex has been tepid at best — it sold less than $4 million of the drug in 2013 — GW Pharma thinks it may have a chance for greater success in diabetes. That thinking is certainly backed up by the significant, and growing, need for new diabetes treatment. Roughly 70 million diabetics live in developed countries, and nearly 2 million people in the U.S. alone are diagnosed with the disease each year.

The sheer size of the patient population makes diabetes the most expensive disease in terms of drug spending, according to drug wholesaler Express Scripts. Spending on diabetes medication jumped 14% last year, and is expected to grow by 11% this year, and another 12% next year.

As a result, treating diabetes has spawned a slate of billion-dollar blockbuster treatments, the biggest of which is Sanofi’s Lantus. Sanofi’s Lantus commands 7% market share among diabetes drugs, and Lantus sales totaled more than $7.5 billion last year.

While Lantus is a long-acting insulin, Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO ) and Eli Lilly are two of the globe’s biggest sellers of short-term insulin. Novo’s Novalog has more than 40% market share in rapid-acting insulin, and Lilly’s Humalog had sales of $2.6 billion last year.

The commercial success of those drugs is driving significant innovation in diabetes treatment, too. Drugmakers like Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ ) are launching SGLT-2 inhibiting drugs that help the kidney better regulate glucose levels.

Johnson’s Invokana was the first SGLT-2 to reach the market, and while J&J doesn’t break out sales of Invokana yet, the company’s “other” drug sales, which includes Invokana, grew 15% year over year to nearly $300 million in the first quarter.

And Novo’s Victoza, a GLP-1 drug that hit the market in 2010, is already selling more than $300 million a quarter — despite competing against AstraZeneca’s Byetta and Bydureon, which combined generated about $1 billion in sales for AstraZeneca last year.

Given the number of top-selling therapies, investors can understand why GW Pharma is eager to tap into that large and growing market. To do that, GW Pharma has already conducted a pre-clinical and an early stage trial of its cannabis-based drug GWP42004.

In the company’s pre-clinical animal studies, low doses of THC helped mice gain less weight and boost activity, and when GW Pharma combined THC with CBD, it saw that levels of good cholesterol climbed, while overall cholesterol levels fell. That prompted GW Pharma to conduct a small human trial that showed that GWP42004 may help type 2 diabetics improve fasting glucose levels, lower blood pressure, and improve pancreatic cell function.

Whether those desirable effects will be enough for GW Pharma to eventually capture a part of the diabetes treatment market is a reasonable question. First, GW Pharma will need to prove that those benefits hold up in larger studies. The first of those studies, a phase 2 trial, is expected to begin this year.

What's Inside an Ounce of Marijuana? | Drugs | AltWeeklies.com

A Veiled Problemnew

A new study looks at how to get Colorado’s Muslims on the health-care wagon.

Tags: Islam, Muslim, health care, grant, Arshad Yousufi, Colorado Muslim Society, Islamic Society of Colorado Springs, Medical Reserve Corps, Mohamed Hamdy, mosque, Qusair Mohamedbhai

Trading Placesnew

Yobel International combats the sex trade via fair trade, but that’s only half the mission.

Some Colo. Insurers Covering More for Transgender Peoplenew

Last March, the Colorado Division of Insurance changed the lives of transgender Coloradans by issuing a bulletin stating that in the division’s interpretation, state law prohibits “the denial, cancellation, limitation, or refusal to issue or renew health coverage because of a person’s sexual orientation.”

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What's Inside an Ounce of Marijuana? | Drugs | AltWeeklies.com

Almond & Hemp Stuffing Balls | Things My Belly Likes | Weed Blog - We Love The Herb

sure, I’m conscious that it seems as if the hen has pooped out the stuffing

I really like cooking with hemp. Know why?

As a result of hemp is such an ideal mixture of important vitamins that some researchers consider hemp seeds might maintain an individual for months if there was no different meals out there.

(transfer over coconuts, I need a massive field of hemp on my desert island when the time comes)

regardless of being a lifelong stuffing-hater, hubs proclaimed it: “One of the best stuffing I’ve ever tasted”

Hemp seeds include the right ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s, which is essential as a result of if these fatty acids are out of whack you possibly can anticipate critical irritation.

It’s additionally bursting with very important amino acids. Want I say extra?

When you do determine to start out getting the marvel meals in your food plan, this stuffing is all the time a very good place to start out.

Almond & Hemp Stuffing Balls (makes three)

1/three cup sliced almonds

1 half tbsps hemp seeds

1 tbsp butter

1 giant clove, garlic, minced

half small, white onion, finely chopped

1 tsp recent thyme

1/eight tsp sea salt

1/four tsp black pepper

Soften the butter in a saucepan and add the garlic and onion. Gently simmer for a couple of minutes then stir within the thyme and take away from the warmth.

Grind the almonds to a tough crumb. Pour into the butter and stir till it begins to return collectively.

Stir within the hemp seeds and, utilizing your palms, scoop a few tbsps value – rolling it right into a small ball. Repeat till the stuffing is used up. Bake at 420 on a greased or lined baking tray for quarter-hour.

Like this? You may also like:

Hemp Oil & Chive Dressing

Pistachio, Lemon & Basil Stuffing

Chestnut & Rosemary Stuffing

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Almond & Hemp Stuffing Balls | Things My Belly Likes | Weed Blog - We Love The Herb

Colorado's legal cannabis gives MardiGrass a buzz

Luis Feliu

Cannabis law-reform campaigners, buoyed by the legalisation of recreational marijuana use in two US states and Uruguay this year, will highlight Australia’s continuing prohibition ‘nightmare’ at this weekend’s 22nd annual Nimbin Mardi Grass.

Organisers of the Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) festival and drug law-reform rally on Saturday and Sunday say their patience is wearing thin with parliamentary representatives not standing up for their communities and have planned a march from Lismore court house to the offices of local MPs in the town today (Thursday).

They’ve dubbed this year’s annual event a ‘Protestival’ with a theme of ‘Colorado Dreaming’, a reference to one of the two US states which legalised recreational cannabis earlier this year in the wake of up to 16 states there approving the drug for medical use over recent years.

Medicinal-cannabis advocate Tony Bower, who was controversially jailed last year by a Kempsey magistrate for growing cannabis plants for his medical-cannabis tincture, will be a keynote speaker at one of the festival forums.

Another will be the political fixer known as ‘the preference whisperer’, Glenn Druery, who’s been credited with the shock success of minor single-issue parties at last year’s federal election.

Ironically, it was the involvement of the HEMP Party in a preference-swap deal with other minor parties under an arrangement promoted by Mr Druery which sparked angry resignations from the organisation.

Other minor parties such as the Stop CSG Party and Wikileaks Party also copped flak for their preference swaps which critics say put parties such as the Shooters and Fishers ahead of the Greens.

Before last year’s federal poll, Mr Druery arranged senate preferences for an alliance of 35 micro parties advocating a range of single issues, including cannabis decriminalisation.

As a result, some of those candidates scraped in with a tiny share of the primary vote, sparking criticism of the senate voting system as flawed and complicated.

Other ‘special guests’ include Liberal-National Party Queensland MP Jason Woodforth.

This weekend, thousands of people are again expected to make the annual pilgrimage to Nimbin in a show of support for drug law reform and to join Sunday’s main-street rally.

As usual, a police operation using drug-detection units and dogs, mounted police and extra officers from outside the region will be conducted during the two days of the festival.

HEMP Embassy spokesman Michael Balderstone said ‘there’s a whiff of change in the air as cannabis lovers from all around the world and Australia converge on the village for a weekend to celebrate all things cannabis’.

‘imagine peace and prosperity and a fair go, rather than persecution of a much loved plant and its protectors,’ he said in the anual event preview.

‘What were the ANZACs fighting for? Surely not an eternal war on our own children like the American led War on Drugs has become,’ he said.

‘Isn’t it time for the cannabis plant to start flourishing economically on behalf of the community, not the criminal?

‘This is already happening in Uruguay in South America, as well as in two US states, Colorado and Washington, which have legalizsd cannabis use for not only medical purposes but for those who simply enjoy the herb recreationally.

‘When will Australia be jolted out of the prohibition nightmare?’ he said.

The festival includes talks and workshops, ‘Plant Freedom Forums, comedy shows and entertainment, the ‘world famous’ Hemp Olympix (‘joint rolling, growers iron person event and bong throw and yell’), and ‘Tug of Drug War’ between the ‘Polite’ and the Police.

Other events include hemp masonry talks and demonstration, the Kombi Konvoy and the ‘Million Marijuana March and mass smoke in’.

For the latest program and tickets visit www.NimbinMardiGrass.com

In Echonetdaily on Monday, you can view Sharon Shostak’s video of the 2014 MardiGrass.

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Colorado's legal cannabis gives MardiGrass a buzz

Colorado Symphony Orchestra Introduces 'Weed Friendly' Classical Music Series « Radio.com

By Scott T. Sterling

Like any upstanding music fan, you’ve been known to, on occasion, enjoy the strains of classical music. But have you enjoyed it…on weed?

In a bold move, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra is partnering with the state’s burgeoning marijuana industry to raise money and awareness for classical music with a series of “weed friendly” events at downtown Denver’s appropriately named Space Gallery. The first show is set for May 23, with additional events planned for July 18 and August 15.

The concert series has been coined “Classically Cannabis: The High Notes Series,” with CBS Denver reporting that the shows will culminate in one big classical music smoke-out, um, blow-out at the legendary Red Rocks outdoor amphitheater on September 13 (CBS News makes a point to emphasize that cannabis consumption is strictly prohibited at the Red Rocks event, although patrons have notoriously been known to ignore that fact).

“This partnership is part of an overall effort to reach out to every segment of our community,” said Colorado Symphony CEO Jerome H. Kern. “Like the Colorado Symphony, the cannabis industry is entrepreneurial, innovative and responsive to the people of Colorado. These businesses have expressed a willingness to support the Colorado Symphony’s mission. Our doors are open to any legal, legitimate business that wants to help.”

The series is curated by Edible Events Co. and presented by Ideal 420 Soils, with additional support from The Farm of Boulder and Gaia Plant Based Medicine with all proceeds benefiting the Colorado Symphony.

“This is the perfect partnership for Edible Events Co, Colorado’s premier producer of cannabis-friendly events,” stated Jane West, founder of Jane West Productions, parent company of Edible Events Co. “I’m proud to be associated with an event that provides cannabis businesses an opportunity to support the local arts community. I look forward to producing many more fundraisers for the Colorado Symphony and other local organizations that the cannabis community can come together to support.”

Tickets for the “Classically Cannabis” concerts at Space Gallery are expected to go on sale today (April 30) at $75 each, and include beer, wine and light bites from local food trucks. All shows are “BYOC(annabis),” as marijuana will not be sold on the premises (details for the Red Rocks show are forthcoming). Given the nature of the events, the venue encourages alternative means of transportation, so patrons should be sure those Lyft and Uber accounts are up to date.

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Colorado Symphony Orchestra Introduces 'Weed Friendly' Classical Music Series « Radio.com