Time for State Leadership on Medical Marijuana

The Los Angeles City Council last week finally adopted a medical marijuana ordinance. Though not perfect, it balances the needs of local communities with those of patients who truly need access to medical marijuana. And it will rein in an out-of-control situation in which a federally banned substance has been sold for the last four years as hundreds of dispensaries proliferated in the city of Los Angeles,... [Read more]

Legalize medical marijuana - The Phoenix

Since the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, cannabis, also known as marijuana, has been federally classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it has no legally accepted medical use and has the same classification as, for example, heroin. Over the last couple of decades, however, that classification has started to be challenged, especially at the state level. Currently, 13 states have passed some... [Read more]

Wisconsin looking to legalize medical marijuana

Great news for those in Wisconsin… It is time to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. As one who is recovering from several surgeries, and the accompanying pain that goes with them, marijuana should be available for pain relief under doctor’s supervision. For years, doctors were stingy with the amount of pain medication given in the hospital and later at home. That seems to be changing,... [Read more]

California lawmaker holds hearing on legalizing pot

No tie-dye was on display at a standing-room only hearing held by a California lawmaker on Wednesday in a bid to get his marijuana legalization bill taken seriously. Instead, suits and sober discussion were the rule at the state Capitol as Assemblyman Tom Ammiano presided over what his office said was the first legislative consideration of the issue since California banned the drug in 1913. Both sides... [Read more]

44 Percent Support Marijuana Legalization in Latest Poll

A new poll from Gallup shows that 44 percent of Americans now support legalizing marijuana, with 54 percent opposed. This is the highest-ever support for legalization in the Gallup poll. The poll comes on the heels of the announcement by the Obama administration yesterday telling federal prosecutors not to focus on medical marijuana users and suppliers in states where medical marijuana is legal. Gallup... [Read more]

Is Justice paving the way for legalizing marijuana?

Marijuana smokers might be breathing a little easier thanks to a policy switch by the U.S. Justice Department. Attorney General Eric Holder announced that federal prosecutors would not spend limited time and resources on people who use or sell medical marijuana “in strict compliance with state law.” Thirteen states have medical marijuana laws, which are controversial because federal narcotics... [Read more]

Did we just legalize marijuana?

Last week we had numerous federal laws that make possessing and distributing marijuana a crime. This week the laws are still there. Nothing’s changed on that front. What has changed is that our U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has directed federal prosecutors not to go after possessors and distributors of marijuana who are complying with state medical marijuana laws. He said, “It will not... [Read more]

States Pressed Into New Role on Medical Marijuana Issues

Legalized pot a tough sell in govenors race

Legalizing marijuana in California could generate $1.4 billion a year for the cash-starved state treasury, according to the state Board of Equalization. It’s supported by 56 percent of the public, according to a Field Poll in April. But it’s not a proposal that any of the five leading candidates for governor is willing to embrace. “If the whole society starts getting stoned,... [Read more]

Marijuana - Science tells us it’s not as bad as we thought

Growing up in the ’60’s, marijuana was the preferred recreational drug of my generation. While beer and other alcohol may have been the choice of the fraternity crowd, the cool kids recreational drug of choice was marijuana. Living close to Santa Monica Bay, my wife and I frequently stroll the Venice boardwalk to soak in the flavor of the beach and witness the antics of the wacky local... [Read more]