GOP big shots reach mutual understanding Sep 13, 2008
He still leans libertarian and casts the occasional protest vote, even if, like votes against small-business loans for veterans or prosecuting medical marijuana users, it sometimes gets him in political hot water. "(Perdue) realizes that I'm going to be my own person," Broun said. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Democrats call for foreclosure freeze Sep 13, 2008
PoorMe wrote on Sep 12, 2008 3:16 PM:" Lotta good the stimulus checks did.First, get a miserable job.Next, turn around to buy your folk's house.Then, use calculus to figure how your dad paid off a 25k house and how you are going to sell your soul to pay for the same house @ 75k.If anyone ever bought the farm, they'd put their feet up and everyone would starve. That's why the house that needs a new roof, new furnace, new electric,... appreciates to become beyond the means of anyone practical.... (Ontario Argus Observer, OR)
More of this story Sep 13, 2008
Feldtz believes Benwell was supplying medical marijuana dispensaries, though he could not comment on evidence of that without jeopardizing the Sheriff's Department investigation, he said. The LAPD is not involved in the homicide investigation, but the incident could be a prelude to future marijuana-related investigations Downtown, Feldtz said. (Los Angeles Downtown News, CA)
Medical marijuana controversy Sep 11, 2008
" Day's death brought harsh comments from Tom Daubert, director of pro-medical marijuana group Patients and Families United in Helena. He called the prosecution of Day "a functional death sentence" and a "witch hunt straight out of the Dark Ages" because of the stress it caused.He said Day had a strong case and the entire prosecution was done at the expense of public coffers."Taxpayers deserve to know what they're spending in the taxpayers' name to cause so much pain to a gentle, kind man like... (Montana Standard, MT)
Man facing marijuana charges dies (32) Sep 11, 2008
Day s death brought harsh comments from Tom Daubert, director of pro medical marijuana group Patients and Families United in Helena ... He was definitely sick and I agreed that if anybody should get the medical marijuana status, Scott Day should, Fitch said ... Fitch added there is no case law about Montana s medical marijuana law because it s only three years old. (Helena Independent Record)
SC Divided Over Wammfest Smoking Exemption Sep 10, 2008
Annual Medical Marijuana Festival Needs Exemption For Smoking In City Parks ... The one-day exemption would allow medical marijuana patients to light up during the annual Wamm Festival at San Lorenzo Park at the end of the month, but city council members have tabled the issue for another two weeks ... The Wammfest is an annual event that raises money and awareness for medical marijuana issues. (KSBW 8, CA)
Politics Blog: What do you want to ask Sarah Palin? Sep 10, 2008
Would you favor relaxing marijuana laws at the Federal Law, partiuclarly as applies to Medical Marijuana use. Posted By: AbideWiser | September 09 2008 at 12:33 PM. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Medical-marijuana cards OK'd Sep 10, 2008
Fresno County on Tuesday became the 41st county in the state to agree to participate in California's Medical Marijuana Program registry ... Medical marijuana users applauded Fresno County supervisors for joining the state registry. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Remorseful jurors want retrial in medical pot case Sep 9, 2008
Two jurors who convicted two Modesto men of running a criminal enterprise in connection with a medical marijuana dispensary want the defendants to get a new trial ... They said a story in the San Francisco Chronicle about medical marijuana led them to believe the crimes weren't that serious. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
High Life: Medical Marijuana's Boomtown Sep 9, 2008
ABC News: Medical Marijuana's Eco Boomtown ... Medical Marijuana's Eco Boomtown ... Gasparas, who ran a flooring business in Chicago before heading west, seems to have found far greener pastures in Humboldt County's medical marijuana industry. (ABC News -- Business)
Second thoughts and a new pot trial? Sep 8, 2008
Buyer's remorse from two of 12 jurors is not enough to toss out guilty verdicts that could send two men who ran a Modesto-based medical marijuana dispensary to prison for decades or even life ... Jurors saw a video featuring would-be rap artist Scarmazzo flashing wads of cash and shaking his fist at a mock-up of the City Council, which failed to shutter the business even after two votes aimed at banning medical marijuana dispensaries. (Modesto Bee, CA)
Medical pot activist convicted of growing 24K pot plants Sep 7, 2008
Medical marijuana activist convicted of growing 24,000 pot plants. Article:Medical marijuana activist convicted of growing 24,000 :/c/a/2008/09/05/BAVJ12OIKI.DTL Article:Medical marijuana activist convicted of growing 24,000 :/c/a/2008/09/05/BAVJ12OIKI.DTL ... Medical marijuana activist convicted of growing 24,000 pot plants. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Pot-Candy Boss Sentenced On Drug Charges Sep 6, 2008
Martin said he joined the medical marijuana movement after seeing his father die painfully of prostate cancer in 2002 after a 10-year battle ... Martin said he uses medical marijuana to ease pain after a fall left him with seven screws and a steel plate in his left heel. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Always remember: Literacy is your friend Sep 5, 2008
For example, we could design a billboard to read, "Dude, We Don't Have a Slogan but We Sure Have the Munchies American Medical Marijuana Association" or "Rap: As much like music as a can of creamed corn." Give it a try I know you can do it. I think print media is the cat's meow. (Montana Standard, MT)
3rd man in home robbery sentenced Sep 5, 2008
When the girls' father, Joey Conn, came home, Saltzsman pistol-whipped him and the trio made off with his medical marijuana crop, watch collection, knife collection and safe. Conn called 9-1-1. (OregonLive, OR -- News)
Identity thieves claim local is trapped in Malaysia Sep 4, 2008
The suspect claimed to have a medical marijuana card but was unable to provide any paperwork as proof. Half Moon Bay. (Half Moon Bay Review, CA)
Our View: Medical marijuana progress Sep 2, 2008
When we read the first headlines, we were concerned that California Attorney General Jerry Brown had become part of the campaign to subvert California's medical marijuana laws by recommending that police go after so-called medical marijuana dispensaries more aggressively ... Our main problem with Brown's guidelines has to do with his contention, as stated in the summary, that the "guidelines affirm the legality of medical marijuana collectives and cooperatives, but make clear that such entities... (Appeal Democrat, CA)
Church and State Aug 31, 2008
Editor - Kudos to Attorney General Jerry Brown for going after profiteering businesses that pose as nonprofit outlets for medical marijuana ("Jerry Brown gets tough on medical pot clubs," Aug. 27). Hopefully, Brown will turn his attention to San Francisco in particular. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Calif. bill would bar firing medical pot users Aug 30, 2008
California employees can't be fired just because they use medical marijuana, according to a bill that has passed the Legislature. The measure by Assemblyman Mark Leno would overturn a ruling issued by the state Supreme Court last January. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Billionaire Funding Mass. Effort to Decriminalize Pot Aug 28, 2008
From 1996 to 2000, Soros backed medical marijuana questions there and in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Nevada and Maine. More recently he has focused on criminal justice reform efforts including pushing a proposal in California this year that would prohibit sending drug offenders back to prison for parole violations unless they commit a new felony, have a violent or serious record, or are considered high risk by prison officials. (Fox News)
Attorney general proposes sensible rules on medical pot Aug 28, 2008
The hazy legality of medical marijuana just got a little clearer ... Neither police nor medical marijuana sponsors are happy with the confusing present-day picture ... Brown's idea would have the practical effect of clarifying what medical marijuana is all about: modest amounts of pot for the sick. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Don Cheadle's Traitor Embarks Upon Prickly Issues Aug 28, 2008
Don Cheadle's Traitor Embarks Upon Prickly Issues. Don Cheadle's Traitor Embarks Upon Prickly Issues. (eFluxMedia)
Calif. AG: Some medi-pot dispensers may be illegal Aug 27, 2008
The nonbinding guidelines aimed to clarify California's medical marijuana law, which has caused varied and confused responses from local law enforcement but has led to an aggressive federal crackdown on the dispensaries. Federal law makes marijuana illegal in all circumstances, and the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the state law doesn't shield anyone from federal prosecution. (Rensselaer Republican, IN)
Jerry Brown gets tough on medical pot clubs Aug 27, 2008
"The voters wanted medical marijuana dispensaries to be used for seriously ill patients and their caregivers - not as million-dollar businesses," Brown said ... Although medical marijuana is still illegal under federal law, the feds say many of their targets were actually sham outfits that were dealing marijuana for, shall we say, nonmedicinal uses ... This week, Brown issued an 11-page directive laying out guidelines that medical marijuana cooperatives must follow to comply with Prop. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Bratton: Medical Marijuana Guidelines Will Help 'Restore Some Sanity' Aug 27, 2008
MoreMEDICAL MARIJUANA ... Bratton: Medical Marijuana Guidelines Will Help 'Restore Some Sanity ... Medical marijuana dispensers that operate for-profit likely violate law, according to guidelines that may encourage local police to join a federal crackdown against the enterprises. (NBC4.tv, CA)
Medical marijuana cards requested Aug 27, 2008
The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday heard a plea to issue state-mandated medical marijuana identification cards ... The ID cards help law enforcement officers sort out state-legal medical marijuana users from criminals, Pottle said, and make patients more comfortable about possessing marijuana ... The Board of Supervisors also received a letter from Americans for Safe Access, a group advocating for medical marijuana, urging them to implement an ID card program. (Modesto Bee, CA)
Medical marijuana dispensers may face crackdown Aug 27, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Medical marijuana dispensers that operate for-profit likely violate California law, according to guidelines that may encourage local police to join a federal crackdown against the enterprises ... The nonbinding guidelines aimed to clarify California's medical marijuana law, which has caused varied and confused responses from local law enforcement but has led to an aggressive federal crackdown on the dispensaries. (USA Today -- News)
Protesters Rally Before Convention Aug 25, 2008
The signs they carried promoted causes from medical marijuana to trade to ending the war. Police in riot gear patrolled on bicycles and on foot. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Sentinel Morning Update: Residents celebrate history at annual steam engine show Aug 25, 2008
To be argued is whether the money has been well spent, Kenney said, whether legalization for personal consumption would benefit the state or create reefer madness; what political implications a state legalization initiative would have during an election year; and whether medical marijuana should continue to be outlawed. NORML is a public-interest lobby that for more than 30 years has opposed marijuana prohibition, believing that the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana should no... (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Park County judge orders marijuana partners to split assets Aug 25, 2008
- A judge in Park County has ordered two partners in a Livingston-based medical marijuana operation to split their clients and assets in three weeks as the first step toward dissolving their business relationship ... The civil trial stems from a dispute between Richard Rosio and Rollin Minnick, partners in Caregivers Montana LLC, a medical marijuana supply business. (Montana Standard, MT)
Obama Hopes Message Hits Working Folks Aug 25, 2008
Some carried signs promoting causes ranging from medical marijuana to free trade to ending the war. Police officers in riot gear patrolled on bicycles and on foot and stood in small groups along a pedestrian mall downtown as the march got under way. (Click2Houston, TX)
POWAY: City revising housing element Aug 23, 2008
Why wrote on Aug 22, 2008 2:27 PM:does the county have no problem telling the state to get lost when it comes to medical marijuana, but communities like Poway just roll over and accept idiotic rules like mandatory low cost housing requirements. I say Poway should tell the state NO, we are not building any more low cost housing. (North County Times)
County to raise its prices Aug 23, 2008
The county Board of Supervisors got its first look Tuesday at the master fee schedule that includes across-the-board increases for all departments. The study session held after the board s regular session provided detailed line-item proposals for every service and document the county provides. (San Andreas Calaveras Enterprise, CA)
Federal Judge Backs Medical Pot Activists' Suit Against Government Aug 22, 2008
In the first decision of its kind, a federal judge has ruled that California's medical marijuana advocates may go forward with a claim that the federal government has a pattern of drug law enforcement intended to subvert California law in violation of the U.S. Constitution ... Medical marijuana advocates contend the federal government has engaged in a calculated campaign to force states to repeal medical marijuana use laws, in violation of the 10th Amendment, which reserves states' powers ...... (Law.com)
Federal war on medical pot challenged Aug 21, 2008
A federal judge breathed new life Wednesday into medical marijuana advocates' effort to ward off the federal crackdown on medical pot in California, saying enforcement of U.S. drug laws can go too far if it seeks to interfere with state authority ... U.S. District Judge Jeremy Fogel of San Jose denied a Bush administration request to dismiss a lawsuit by Santa Cruz city and county officials and members of a medical marijuana collective whose drugs were seized by federal agents in a 2002 raid ...... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Today's letters Aug 20, 2008
Aug. 10 (UNION-TRIBUNE) : County marijuana suit is costing taxpayers As California organizer for the Marijuana Policy Project, thank you for finally seeing the futility of San Diego County's medical marijuana challenge and urging the Board of Supervisors to hang it up, once and for all ( In brief/Rx marijuana; discovering a workout pill, Editorial, Aug. 2). Aug. 10 (UNION-TRIBUNE) : SOMETHING IN THE AIR TONIGHT: Re: Olympic Smog (Aug. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Opinion)
Q & A: Tommy Chong Aug 20, 2008
Do you think the rest of the country is headed towards medical marijuana laws like California's. Yes. (Time.com)
Our View: Readers have right to know tax-paid salaries Aug 17, 2008
Breaking news coverage of the deadly early January storm, two front-page presentations and an editorial advocating local adoption of medical marijuana ID card programs were awarded the top prizes. In addition, reporter Nancy Pasternack, photo editor Chris Kaufman and photographer Nick Adams were named blue-ribbon finalists for their work. (Appeal Democrat, CA)
Employers tied in knots Aug 16, 2008
It s as complicated as medical marijuana, said Nancy Sheehan, another Sacramento attorney who specializes in employment law. If I had a prescription for medical marijuana, I could go out and buy it in California. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Judge Rules Medical Marijuana Users Can Be Arrested Aug 16, 2008
The latest legal wrangling once again highlighted the conflict between the federal government, which declares marijuana an illegal controlled substance with no medical value, and the 11 states allowing medical marijuana for patients with a doctor's recommendation. The Supreme Court ruled against Raich two years ago, saying medical marijuana users and their suppliers could be prosecuted for breaching federal drug laws even if they lived in a state such as California where medical pot is legal ...... (Yahoo News -- Medical Marijuana)
US upholds medical marijuana ban Aug 16, 2008
Eleven US states allow medical marijuana on doctors' orders ... The three-judge appeals panel acknowledged that although support for the medical use of marijuana was growing, the US was not yet at the point where "the right to use medical marijuana is 'fundamental' and 'implicit in the concept of ordered liberty'.". (Yahoo News -- Medical Marijuana)
News Stories Aug 16, 2008
Medical Marijuana Full Coverage on Yahoo. News. (Yahoo News -- Medical Marijuana)
Medical Marijuana Back Before Calif. Supreme Court Aug 15, 2008
com - Medical Marijuana Back Before Calif ... Medical Marijuana Back Before Calif ... The California Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to step back into the medical marijuana debate to resolve conflicts between the voter-approved and 2003 legislative change that imposed a limit on the amount of marijuana patients could possess for medical use. (Law.com)
Challenge to partnership law in Oregon rejected Aug 15, 2008
"It doesn't matter what the issue is, whether it's land use or medical marijuana, the process needs to be fixed," she said. Frazzini disputed that claim, saying opponents challenged the process because they could not find enough support by attacking gay rights. (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
Access denied to a way to combat cancer Aug 15, 2008
Re: Medical Marijuana Advertisement In the Aug. 9 edition of New Scientist Magazine, we are told that cannabinoids are a very powerful tool in combating colon cancer ... Since Arizonans passed a medical marijuana initiative, colon cancer patients can now find relief. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
State top court to review medical pot limit Aug 15, 2008
The state Supreme Court returned to the medical marijuana wars Wednesday, agreeing to decide the validity of a law that shields doctor-approved pot users from arrest for possessing up to eight ounces of dried marijuana or growing six plants ... In that ruling, an appellate court found the 2003 law conflicted with California's 1996 medical marijuana initiative, which allows possession of an amount of marijuana "reasonably related to the patient's current medical needs," but did not set specific... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Newswatch, Police/Fire Aug 13, 2008
Medical marijuana big on Big Isle ... Under existing law, patients applying for medical marijuana must be diagnosed with either cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures or severe muscle spasms. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
3 pounds of marijuana, scale found at I-90 crash site (98) Aug 13, 2008
ROADWARRIOR wrote on Aug 13, 2008 7:11 AM:" HMMMM??? I wonder if it was "MEDICAL MARIJUANA"? ". Related Stories. (Montana Standard, MT)
Plant Prejudice vs. the Constitution Aug 13, 2008
His parents, desperate to find a drug that would relieve their son's excruciating phantom limb pain, brought him to Charlie Lynch's medical marijuana dispensary in Morro Bay, Calif ... Wu decreed there would be no talk of the symptoms marijuana relieves, no references to California's recognition of marijuana as a medicine, no mention even of the phrase "medical marijuana" in front of the jury ... The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has raided more than 60 medical marijuana... (Townhall.com)
Mistrial In Best Friends Killing Case Aug 12, 2008
Hopkins had argued that Hughes, Williams and Foster had hatched a "harebrained scheme" to steal the homeowner's medical marijuana, resulting in a bloody free-for-all between the three intruders and the five people living in the house. The defense called it a pot purchase gone bad. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Our View: California wins on medical pot law Aug 12, 2008
On July 31 California's Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed that California's medical marijuana laws are valid despite the fact that federal law does not make any provision for the medicinal use of marijuana ... San Diego County and all the officials who have been blatantly or subtly dragging their feet are on notice that their legal obligation is to follow state law, not federal law, when it comes to medical marijuana. (Appeal Democrat, CA)
San Francisco man not guilty in Clearlake double homicide Aug 11, 2008
He had argued that Hughes, Williams and Foster had hatched a "hair-brained scheme." He alleged that the three had broken into Edmonds' home just after 4 a.m. on Dec. 7, 2005 to steal his medical marijuana, resulting in a bloody free-for-all between the three intruders and the five people living in the house. The defense called it a pot purchase gone bad. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Legal pot backer sees pluses for state, businesses Aug 10, 2008
When her family moved to Portland in 1995, she joined the campaign to persuade voters to enact the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, which they did in 1998 ... If I were an employer, my biggest worry about the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program is that my employees would be impaired ... Have you found that cardholders can go back to work because of medical marijuana. (OregonLive, OR -- Business)
New opportunities, climate await Dannels in Oregon job Aug 10, 2008
Of course, there will be some differences for Dannels to learn, to include Oregon s more liberal views of personal medical marijuana use and all the nuances of state law, which is much different than how the issue is seen in Arizona, the city manager said. Born and raised in Illinois, Dannels said as a youth he did a lot of fishing in the Mississippi River, and he is anxious to once again fish, and Oregon is a good place to do that. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
Oregon illegal drug use called higher than average Aug 9, 2008
The Oregon medical marijuana law has been consistently violated. But there was some progress. (Ontario Argus Observer, OR)
ANSWERS: Dude, how'd you do? Aug 8, 2008
Dave Chappelle and his friends have to sell medical marijuana to bail their buddy out of jail in 1998's Half Baked. 6. (USA Today -- Life)
Medical Marijuana Raids Lead To Arrests, Pot Seizure Aug 6, 2008
SAN DIEGO -- Federal raids on four San Diego medical marijuana dispensaries this week led to four arrests and the seizure of about 20 pounds of pot, it was reported Wednesday. The businesses were allegedly not selling the drug within the limits of state Proposition 215, the 1996 initiative legalizing the sale of marijuana by prescription to seriously ill people, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. (TheSanDiegoChannel.com, CA)
Oakdale rules out medical marijuana dispensaries Aug 6, 2008
OAKDALE -- Fearing the city could become a magnet for medical marijuana dispensaries, and the criminal element the police chief says comes with them, the City Council has voted 4-0 to ban the businesses ... He cited reams of reports from law enforcement across the state detailing assaults, robberies and home invasions, all of which he attributed to the presence of medical marijuana dispensaries ... State law allows residents with medical marijuana cards to buy and consume it, but West said... (Modesto Bee, CA)
Medical marijuana dispensary owner convicted Aug 6, 2008
The owner of a Morro Bay medical marijuana dispensary has been convicted on federal drug distribution counts. Charles Lynch was found guilty on Tuesday of distributing more than 100 kilos of marijuana, some of it to minors. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Supervisors battle medical marijuana laws Aug 6, 2008
Supervisors continue to battle medical marijuana laws ... SAN DIEGO The county Board of Supervisors is continuing its court battle against the state's medical marijuana laws ... The board voted 4-1 Tuesday, with Supervisor Ron Roberts opposing, to ask the California Supreme Court to review its lawsuit challenging the state requirement that counties issue government identification to qualified medical marijuana patients. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Canal's first festival smooth sailing Aug 5, 2008
Should licensed medical marijuana users be allowed to smoke joints anywhere cigarettes are allowed. Yes. (Canoe.ca)
Marijuana bust in bank parking lot Aug 4, 2008
DaTruth wrote on Aug 3, 2008 12:54 AM:" This takes place every day... Im glad they busted these low lives, but this isnt really news worthy. Other agencies are pulling pounds of marijuana off the street daily, yet HPD gets a little and its a new flash.Marijuana is being abuse state wide, thanks to crooked DRs who are signing off on bogus medical excuses, so teenagers can claim their marijuana is for medicinal use. The medicinal marijuana law was passed on the thought only terminally ill or... (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
In brief ... Aug 3, 2008
We have long argued that the whole idea of medical marijuana is a contradiction in terms ... And the county Board of Supervisors has fought the good fight in resisting implementation of a state law requiring counties to issue official identification cards to qualified medical marijuana patients. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Opinion)
State's Pot Law Upheld In Appeals Court Aug 2, 2008
A state appeals court upheld California's 12-year-old medical marijuana law Thursday, rejecting two counties' arguments that allowing patients to use the drug with their doctor's approval condones violations of federal narcotics laws ... The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government can enforce its drug laws, which ban marijuana use and cultivation, against patients and their suppliers in California and the 11 other states that have legalized medical marijuana under their own laws... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Calif. counties lose bid to overturn marijuana law Aug 2, 2008
Federal law does not pre-empt state law in a court battle over the licensing of medical marijuana, an appeals court has ruled. San Diego and San Bernardino counties had argued that issuing identification cards to eligible users, as required by the 1996 state law, would violate federal law, which does not recognize the state measure. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Technology)
