Ohio attorneys cannot use medical marijuana or help businesses that offer medicinal cannabis, according to an Aug. 11, 2016, opinion from the state’s Board of Professional Conduct. Medical marijuana is still prohibited by federal law.
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Health Canada Granting Patients Right to Grow Medical Cannabis at Home
On Aug. 11, 2016, Health Canada announced that it had replaced the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations with the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations, as prompted by the Federal Court of Canada’s decision in Allard v. Canada.
Hillary Clinton Campaign Says She Would Reschedule Marijuana
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton plans to reschedule marijuana if she is elected in November, according to a statement issued by the campaign.
Connecticut Welcomes Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Milford
On Aug. 3, 2016, Southern CT Wellness & Healing opened in Milford, Connecticut. With the addition of SCWH to the state’s list of licensed dispensary facilities, Connecticut now has a total of eight medical marijuana dispensaries.
DEA Denies Petitions to Reschedule Marijuana
On Aug. 11, 2016, the Drug Enforcement Agency announced that it would not reschedule marijuana. This announcement comes after months of rumors and speculation that the federal agency was preparing to change marijuana’s classification.
Millions in Cash Put Washington Marijuana Businesses at Risk
A break-in captured on video at a Seattle marijuana shop is just the latest in an increasing string of violent robberies, prompting renewed calls for Congress to authorize banks to do business with legal pot retailers, growers, and processors.
Nashville Could Decriminalize Possession or Exchange of a Half-Ounce of Pot
Some city officials in Nashville, Tenn., the country music capital of the world, are considering the decriminalization of a half-ounce or less of marijuana, according to an Aug. 10, 2016, article in The Tennessean. The decriminalization would apply to the amount whether it is possessed or exchanged.
South Dakota Judge Denies Ballot Access to Medical Marijuana Petition
Organizers behind New Approach South Dakota, a campaign to legalize medical marijuana, has suffered a serious setback. On August 9, 2016, Circuit Judge Mark Barnett denied the group’s lawsuit to place a voter initiative legalizing medical marijuana on the November ballot.
Cannabis Makes Headway in Mainstream Pharma
The medical sector of the cannabis industry continues to explode behind constant research and innovative studies for identifying viable cancer treatments and other therapies for different ailments.
Conversations in Cali: Humboldt’s Voters to Decide Fate of Cannabis Tax
On Aug. 9, 2016, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors unanimously decided to place a local commercial marijuana cultivation measure on the county’s ballot in November.
The Biggest Legislative Marijuana Policy Reforms Of 2016
On July 29, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill removing the threat of arrest for small amounts of marijuana, capping a record year of legislative and administrative marijuana policy reforms throughout the country.
Fewer Marijuana Dispensaries Have Opened in San Diego Than Once Expected
Despite city regulations allowing up to 36 dispensaries, San Diego has only eight after two years of legalized medical marijuana, according to an Aug. 9, 2016, article in the San Diego Union-Tribune. City regulations allow four medical marijuana dispensaries in each of San Diego’s nine city council districts. Six more were approved “months ago.”
NYC Marijuana Arrests Are Up By Nearly A Third Compared To Last Year
Mayor Bill de Blasio campaigned on a pledge to tone down the NYPD’s practice of turning possession of small amounts of marijuana into a crime, when officially it is supposed to be treated like a traffic ticket.
Missouri Medical Marijuana Amendment Falls Short on Signatures
A ballot amendment legalizing medical marijuana in the state of Missouri has failed to qualify for the November ballot.
As Legalization Spreads, Marijuana Use Now Poised to Overtake Tobacco
Declining tobacco use could soon intersect with a steady uptick in the smoking and consumption of another leafy drug – marijuana.
Alcohol Industry Group Raising Concerns About Pot Legalization
Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America recently raised concerns about marijuana legalization, according to a report at Marijuana.com. The revelation of the alcohol industry’s concerns was a minor part of the WikiLeaks release of Democratic National Committee emails suggesting an orchestrated attempt to nominate Hillary Clinton instead of Bernie Sanders.
Santa Cruz County Launches Online Registration for Cannabis Cultivators
On Aug. 8, 2016, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors launched an online registration system for existing medical cannabis cultivators in unincorporated areas of the county to register their cultivation sites.
QuickTake: Marijuana Legalization
Bloomberg’s Vonnie Quinn reports on today’s top “QuickTake” topic.
Gallup Poll: 1 in 8 American Adults Currently Smoke Marijuana
On Aug. 8, 2016, Gallup released the results for its latest poll on marijuana use in America, finding that one in eight American adults currently smoke marijuana, which is almost double the percentage calculated in 2013.
Backlog of Medical Cannabis Applications Creates Outrage in New Mexico
In recent days, the New Mexico Department of Health has come under fire from residents and state officials failing to process medical marijuana card applications in a timely manner.
Ohio Seeks Expert on Marijuana Cultivation But Wants a Drug-Free Firm
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Commerce is looking to hire an expert in growing marijuana to help write the rules for future Ohio medical marijuana cultivators.
Michigan Group Argues For Ballot Question on Pot Legalization
MI Legalize is arguing a question about pot legalization should appear on Michigan’s November ballot, despite the state’s claim that some of the group’s petition signatures are out of date, according to an Aug. 7, 2016, article at Michigan Radio. State law requires signatures on petitions for ballot questions to be no older than 180 days, but some on this petition are.
Tweed Hosting Free Summer Shindig in Ontario
On Aug. 15, 2016, Tweed Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canopy Growth Corporation (TSXV:CGC), is hosting the Front Yard Shindig, a free concert with multiple artists scheduled to perform on Tweed’s front yard in Smith Falls, Ontario.
Transparency of New York’s Medical Marijuana Program in Question
As of July 26, 2016, the New York State Department of Health had 639 physicians registered with the state’s medical marijuana program and 5,966 patients certified by physicians, but some New Yorkers and advocates are asking the state for more details. When New York Gov. Andew Cuomo signed the Compassionate Care Act, legalizing medical marijuana, into law…
Is Big Marijuana Calling the Shots in Nevada? Hardly, Records Suggest
As Nevada voters prepare to vote this fall on whether to decriminalize recreational marijuana use, they’re going to hear a sinister-sounding warning that the push for legalization is being fueled by out-of-state money.
With General Hydroponics Purchase, Scotts Miracle-Gro Stock Price Rises
After Scotts Miracle-Gro bought a hydroponic company, its stock price rose, and JP Morgan thinks it should be higher, according to an Aug. 4, 2016, article by CNN. The hydroponic company, General Hydroponics, makes liquids that can be used to grow marijuana indoors.
Advocates Sue Anti-Marijuana Campaign in California
Organizers behind the Yes on 64 campaign have filed a lawsuit to force the California Secretary of State to remove statements made by opponents that would be appear in the voter information guide for November’s election.
Cannabis in Colombia: Weeds of Peace
COLOMBIANS called it the bonanza marimbera (marijuana bonanza). In the 1970s and 1980s smokers in the United States were especially partial to Santa Marta Gold, a variety of cannabis grown on the slopes of Colombia’s Sierra Nevada.
Pennsylvania Hires Director for Medical Marijuana Program
On Aug. 4, 2016, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Health announced that John J. Collins had been named the director of the state’s Office of Medical Marijuana.
Illinois Patients Spent $2.9 Million on Medical Marijuana in July
On August 3, 2016, state officials announced that Illinois patients spent $2,947,223 on medical marijuana in the month of July, beating out the previous month’s record high of $2.57 million.
South Dakota Charges 2 Men Trying to Help Launch Pot Resort
FLANDREAU, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota’s top prosecutor charged two consultants who worked with a Native American tribe on its plans to open the nation’s first marijuana resort with drug offenses, accusing them of having seeds shipped from the Netherlands hidden in CD cases and sewn into clothing.
Former NFL Player Begins Column For The Cannabist
Medical marijuana advocate and former Baltimore Ravens player Eugene Monroe published his first column for The Cannabist on Aug. 1, 2016. “On a mission to get the NFL to accept cannabinoids as a viable option for pain,” says part of Monroe’s biographical information at the end of the column. The Baltimore Ravens released Monroe in June 2016.
Boston’s First Dispensary Now Open
On Aug. 3, 2016, Patriot Care Corp., a subsidiary of Columbia Care, opened Boston’s first medical marijuana dispensary at 21 Milk Street.
Volunteers Wanted: PTSD Cannabis Study Seeking US Military Veterans
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Scottsdale Research Institute are looking for U.S. military veterans in Maryland and Arizona to participate in a study examining the effects of medical cannabis in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Willie Nelson Launches Willie’s Reserve in Colorado
The who’s who of Colorado’s marijuana industry gathered Saturday night for the unveiling of Willie’s Reserve, Willie Nelson’s cannabis company.
New Hampshire Gubernatorial Candidate Advocates Pot For Revenue Stream
Steve Marchand, a Democratic candidate for governor in New Hampshire, advocates legalization of recreational marijuana for adults 21 years of age and older in his state, according to an August 2, 2016, article in the Concord Monitor. Marchand said full legalization could generate $30 million in revenues, based upon figures from other states like Colorado.
Miami Dislikes Marijuana More Than Any Other City in America, Study Says
Pot is everywhere in Miami. Its scent wafts from bus stops, floats through open windows, and cascades out from under lifeguard stands on the beach at night.
Alaska Officials Trying to Undermine Marijuana Industry Says Ousted Board Member
Are Alaska state officials attempting to undermine the state’s fledgling recreational marijuana industry? According to the ousted Marijuana Control Board member Bruce Schulte, the answer is yes.
Christie to Decide If Marijuana Can Be Used to Treat PTSD
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Republican Gov. Chris Christie will decide whether New Jersey residents with post-traumatic stress disorder can be treated with medical marijuana after lawmakers approved a measure Monday.
Leonard Marshall Partners With Hometowne RX For Cannabis-Based Medicine
Leonard Marshall, former defensive end for the New York Giants, has partnered with a small pharmacy chain in New Jersey to make cannabis-based medicines if the state legalizes pot, according to an article in the New York Daily News. Aisha Bhatti, director of pharmacy for Hometowne Rx, said her company is “watching the trends” with legalization.
Pharmacies in Croatia Now Stocking Medical Marijuana
National pharmacies in Croatia are now dispensing medical marijuana. According to Malay Mail Online, medical marijuana products hit the shelves in July and prospective patients are beginning to show interest in it.
Montel Williams Detained in Germany Over Medical Marijuana
On July 29, 2016, television star and medical marijuana activist Montel Williams was detained in Germany while on vacation with his family. According to TMZ, Williams was briefly detained at Frankfurt Airport after authorities in customs discovered a small bag of marijuana kief in his luggage.
Las Vegas Now A Bust for Most California Medical Pot Patients
This week, the Nevada medical cannabis industry is reeling from the news that Nevada pot shops cannot serve the biggest patient-base in the world — Californians with a doctor’s note.
Marijuana: A Potential Budding Industry in Southern Maryland
Hollywood, MD - After a series of delays from the estimated time of arrival, medical marijuana licensing is back on track and the announcement of the first set of approved growing licenses may come sometime in August.
California Legalization Supporters Outspending Opponents 40 to 1
While California law enforcement officers remain outspoken against marijuana legalization, supporters have outspent opponents 40 to 1, according to a July 31, 2016, article in the Orange County Register. The top five pro-legalization donors have given $6.5 million, versus the top 5 opposing donors, who have given only $159,150.
Nearly 500 Minn. Pain Patients are Ready to Buy Medical Marijuana
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Nearly 500 patients suffering intractable pain have registered to buy medical marijuana starting Monday.
Illinois Decriminalizes Simple Possession of Marijuana
On July 29, 2016, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed Senate Bill 2228, making Illinois the 21st state to decriminalize simple possession of marijuana.
FDA Approves Liquid Form of Synthetic Marijuana
As the debate around medical marijuana rages on, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a synthetic version of the substance. The recently approved Syndros, manufactured by Insys Therapeutics, is a liquid form of dronabinol, a synthesized version of THC.
Colorado Launches Survey to Capture Data on Retail Cannabis Use
On July 20, 2016, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced that it had launched the Cannabis Users Survey on Health, also known as the CUSH Survey, to gather information on marijuana use patterns in the state.
Gavin Newsom Explains Why Lawmakers Shouldn’t Be Neutral On Marijuana Legalization
PHILADELPHIA ― Gavin Newsom is a little tired of being the only state official in California to fully endorse legalizing recreational marijuana.