The Weekly Weed

Group suing to repeal medical marijuana law says donations must pick up to continue lawsuit

May 8, 2012Online IssueLeave a comment

HELENA, Mont. — Advocates suing for the repeal of the restrictive medical marijuana law passed by Montana legislators last year say donations must pick up for it to continue with the lawsuit.

Montana Cannabis Industry Association president Chris Lindsey said Monday that the organization has no plans to drop the case, and there is enough money to see it through a Supreme Court hearing later this month. But the advocacy group needs medical marijuana providers to increase their support, he said.

“We wanted to emphasize to the folks benefiting from the lawsuit that there is no free lunch,” Lindsey said. “Those who remain, who we support 100 percent, there is a price tag associated with keeping them operating.” Read More..

Marijuana supply piles up in California as growers take a hit

May 8, 2012Online IssueLeave a comment

The pot market is crashing in California’s legendary Emerald Triangle.

The closure of hundreds of marijuana dispensaries across California and a federal crackdown on licensing programs for medical pot cultivation are leaving growers in the North Coast redwoods with harvested stashes many can’t sell.

Purportedly legal medical cultivators are fleeing to the black market. So much cheap weed is getting dumped in the college town of Arcata, some local dispensaries say business is down 75 percent.

Even the region’s itinerant and colorful bud trimmers are going broke. Read More..

Why I Want a Medical Marijuana Dispensary Near My Children’s School

May 8, 2012Online IssueLeave a comment

Last week, one of California’s oldest and most respected medical marijuana dispensaries, Berkeley Patients Group, closed its doors. It shut down because its landlord, like dozens across the state, received a letter from United States Attorney Melinda Haag threatening to seize the property for renting to a medical marijuana dispensary located within 1,000 feet of a school. My three children attend elementary school and preschool in West Berkeley, just blocks from Berkeley Patients Group. The notion that the closure of Berkeley Patients Group is going to somehow serve to protect my children is patently absurd.

Berkeley Patients Group served thousands of medical marijuana patients in the Berkeley area for 12 years. It was an industry leader and a model of compassion and legal integrity. It was in strict compliance with state and local law, and has long worked with the City of Berkeley and the local community to provide a safe and responsible service to patients in need. As a small business, it employed 75 people and was one of the top sales tax generators in the city. Read More..

Medical marijuana passes Senate

May 8, 2012Online IssueLeave a comment

Legislation allowing medical marijuana use in Connecticut cleared the Senate early Saturday after nearly 10 hours of debate, and is ready for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s signature. The bill cleared the Democrat-controlled Senate in a 21-13 vote at 2:34 a.m. The debate started Friday just before 5 p.m. Sen. Antonietta Boucher, R-Wilton, spoke for most of that time, arguing against the bill for health, safety, legal, and budget reasons. The bill already cleared the Democrat-controlled House and now goes to the desk of Malloy, also a Democrat. The governor said he will sign it.

SOURCE: JOURNALINQUIRER

Barney Frank Criticizes Obama Administration On Medical Marijuana Raids

Apr 30, 2012Online IssueLeave a comment

Retiring Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) sharply criticized the Obama administration’s recent raids of medical marijuana dispensaries in states where its use is legal.

“I think it’s bad politics and bad policy,” he told The Hill in an interview Friday. “I’m very disappointed. I think it’s a grave mistake.” He added that he had brought the criticism to the president.

Frank has introduced the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act, which would prohibit federal actions in state medical marijuana programs. He also doesn’t smoke marijuana, once telling an interviewer, “Do you think I’ve ever had an abortion? I don’t play poker on the Internet, either.” Read More..

School teacher, husband arrested in marijuana bust

Apr 30, 2012Online IssueLeave a comment

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -
A Charlotte County elementary school teacher and her husband have been arrested in a marijuana grow house operation.

Deidra Michelle Hanna and Paul Shane Hanna were arrested Sunday at their home in Port Charlotte. They face several charges including cultivation of marijuana and tampering with evidence. They’re being held on $9,500 bond each.

A sheriff’s office statement says deputies found items outside the home that were “consistent with a marijuana growing operation.” Officials later noticed smoke billowing from the home and a strong smell of marijuana. Fire rescue officials were called to the scene and detectives went inside. They found a barrel in the garage that was used to burn marijuana.

With a signed search warrant, detectives also found the garage fully equipped to grow hydroponic marijuana.

SOURCE: NEWS4JAX

Medical marijuana at issue in AG race

Apr 30, 2012Online IssueLeave a comment

PORTLAND — Of the thousands of laws that Oregon’s attorney general enforces or interprets, the one allowing medical marijuana has lit up the campaign for that office more than any other.

In a Democratic primary where the candidates agree on many things, their differences over marijuana stand out.

It’s anyone’s guess whether the pot vote will be enough to tip the scales. But no Republicans are seeking the job, so Democrats alone will choose the state’s top lawyer the May 15 primary. Read More..