by David Downs

 
OncologyPractice.com reports today that, “Regular cannabis smokers are no more likely to develop lung cancer than are people who indulge occasionally.” The cancer news site relates the findings of Dr. Li Rita Zhang reported at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research.
 
Full Article:
http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2013/05/09/marijuana-habit-not-linked-to-lung-cancer-oncology-practice-reports/

By NORML

Robert and Cathy Jordan
 
BRADENTON, FL – Longtime Florida activist Cathy Jordan, a 63-year-old woman who consumes cannabis to mitigate symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease — a debilitating condition that she has lived with since 1986, filed a law suit Wednesday against Sheriff Brad Steube of Manatee County, FL.
Ms. Jordan alleges wrongful conduct on the part of the sheriff’s department when, on February 15, 2013, they raided her home and confiscated 23 medical cannabis plants, which were being cultivated for her by Cathy’s husband Robert Jordan.
The Jordans were both cooperative when the sheriff’s department arrived at their home, and they acknowledged they were growing medical marijuana for Cathy’s medical use.
The police raid of the Jordan’s home came just days after lawmakers introduced legislation, theCathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act, which sought to authorize the physician-supervised use of cannabis for those diagnosed with serious debilitating conditions.
After the Manatee County State Attorney’s office reviewed the facts of the case, they issued a memorandum on April 2, 2013 declining to prosecute either Cathy or her husband.
The Manatee County State’s Attorney’s office found that they could not likely overcome a medical marijuana necessity defense, which would be raised by the defendant should a prosecution be initiated.
However, the sheriff’s department has refused to return any of the cannabis that they confiscated from Ms. Jordan during the February 15 raid.
With this lawsuit, the plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment finding that they have a legal right to cultivate and possess medical marijuana under Florida law; an injunction barring the sheriff’s department from making further seizures of medical marijuana from Cathy and Robert Jordan; and an injunction barring the initiation of criminal charges against either of the plaintiffs for their continued cultivation and possession of medical marijuana.
 
Full Article:
http://www.thedailychronic.net/2013/17735/florida-medical-marijuana-patient-sues-sheriff-for-protection/

Peter Cluskey

The cannabis plant for the new king took four years to develop, according to a Dutch cannabis lobby group, which says it is ideally suited to growing outdoors in the changeable weather
 
In a uniquely Dutch tribute a week after his investiture, the new king of the Netherlands has had a strain of cannabis plant named in his honour.
The plant, to be called Koning (King) Willem-Alexander, took four years to develop, according to the cannabis lobby group, Nederwietland, and is ideally suited to growing outdoors in the changeable Dutch weather.
“Anybody with a small balcony will be able to grow this weed and within eight weeks, it will produce enough cannabis to last a year”, said the group, which wants changes to the way cannabis production is regulated.
 
Full Article:
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/cannabis-plant-named-for-new-dutch-king-in-effort-to-have-drugs-policy-regulated-1.1387567

By Sarah Rae Fruchtnicht

 
Former Libertarian candidate for Congress Hardy Macia, who suffers from Hodgkin’s lymphoma, recorded a personal plea to New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan to pass the medical marijuana bill.
Macia said he supported medical marijuana for the last decade, initially because of a cousin who became quadriplegic after a car accident. “Coming down with cancer was not something on my radar at all,” said Macia, who became ill in August.
The state Senate already altered its current medical marijuana proposal to gain the approval of the democratic governor. The revised version of the bill will ban the use of homegrown plants, lengthen the amount of time before marijuana dispensaries can begin operating, and eliminate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying condition.
In the video, Macia accuses Hassan of “balking at passing this medical marijuana bill, just because a bunch of police union chiefs are getting up your crotch about it.”
Hassan formerly supported the previous bill four years ago when she was senator, accordingto New Hampshire Public Radio.
Matt Simon of the marijuana policy project was disappointed with the changes to the bill. “We were confident that when [Hassan] met the patients and heard what their needs were that she would be convinced to support this, at least on a short-term basis, and it was shocking and disappointing that the answer was no.”
“Let the patients grow their three plants,” Macia said. “It’s not going to affect the market share of marijuana on the market here in New Hampshire because people can get it regardless … think about the people, think about the patients, ignore the police unions. You really need to do this for the state.”
Macia, who has a collapsed lung, sometimes uses edible marijuana to sleep.
 
Full Article:
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/drug-law/cancer-patient-and-former-congressional-candidate-hardy-macia-makes-plea-nh-gov

Posted by Jennifer Jones – email

 
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a bill that would allow public colleges and universities to conduct medical marijuana research.
Brewer’s action Tuesday comes roughly a year after she signed a bill banning medical marijuana on higher education campuses.
Critics say last year’s law was too strict.
The new law would benefit a University of Arizona researcher studying whether medical marijuana helps veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
 
Full Article:
http://www.kpho.com/story/22189081/brewer-signs-bill-permitting-marijuana-research

Matt Mullin, Sports Editor

 
 
This September, Riley Cote and Live Nation will host the second annual Hemp Heals Music Festival at Festival Pier. This year’s lineup includes Rebelution, Matisyahu, Collie Budz, and Zion I.
I wasn’t sure what to make of this at first, because judging by the name, not to mention the acts – three of which I saw in Miami at something called Marley Fest – it seems to be an event supporting the cause of legalizing marijuana.
I would be wrong…as usual.
According to a Live Nation Press release, the festival “combines several different styles of music to promote the positive benefits of hemp” and “dedicated to promoting healthy living through the use of hemp products and other natural and organic goods by reaching out to the public with a music festival promoting musicians and businesses.”
More from the press release:
All funds raised for the festival will benefit a charitable organization that promotes wellness by healthy living.
The festival will also feature a vendor area for participating businesses to promote their healthy, sustainable, organic and hemp products. The vendor space is committed to products that further the public knowledge of holistic living, in addition to the incredible diversity and abilities of the fascinating hemp plant. Hemp is a great renewable resource that can be made into anything from clothing, food products, paper and more.
 
Full Article:
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pattisonave/Flyers-NHL-Riley-Cote-Hemp-Heals-Music-Festival-Rebelution-Matisyahu-Collie-Buddz-Zion-I-Penns-Landing.html

By Chris Roberts
 
A major roadblock in the way of medical cannabis reform in California was removed Monday when the California Supreme Court issued a long-awaited ruling, which says that cities can ban pot clubs. For now.
At least 200 places across the state, including San Mateo County and the East Bay’s tonier cities, have not taken kindly to the state’s medical marijuana scene and have banned pot clubs. They are within their rights to do so, the court ruled on Monday. This means the Southern California dispensary that fought a ban in Riverside will be shut down, and other cities and counties could follow suit.
That might sound bad to cannabis advocates; however, the court did point out that medical cannabis dispensaries are perfectly legal in California. What’s more, nothing is stopping the Legislature or the electorate from going further and crafting a law that says bans aren’t allowed.
 
Full Article:
http://www.sfweekly.com/2013-05-08/news/california-supreme-court-cannabis-medical-marijuana-dispensaries/

Stephan Cho
 
SAN DIEGO—For the first time, a study has found that cannabis use may be associated with a decreased risk of bladder cancer, researchers reported at the American Urological Association 2013 annual meeting.
In a study of nearly 82,000 men, bladder cancer developed in 279 over an 11-year period. Subjects who smoked marijuana, but not tobacco, had a significant 45% decreased risk of bladder cancer compared with those who did not, after adjusting for age, body mass index, and race and ethnicity, according to lead investigator Anil A. Thomas, MD, a researcher with Southern California Permanent Medical Group in Los Angeles.
 
Full Article:
http://www.renalandurologynews.com/bladder-cancer-risk-lower-in-pot-smokers/article/292174/

By DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer

 
Tulsa attorney Sabah Khalaf advertises his opposition to marijuana laws on a brightly colored van that is decorated with pot leaves.
The yellow 1975 Volkswagen van, which has been parked in downtown Tulsa parking lots in recent weeks, acts as a rolling invitation for those accused of marijuana crimes to call Khalaf if they find their hobby has gotten them in trouble with the law.
However, it also acts as a sort of high-mileage political statement.
“I am not afraid to stand up for what I believe,” he said.
Khalaf, 30, said he believes marijuana laws are a “waste of resources.” He said police and prosecutors would be better served spending their time on more important things.
 
Full Article:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/article.aspx/The_Drug_Lawyer_Tulsa_attorney_puts_his_opposition/20130505_14_A19_CUTLIN6430?subj=1

Posted by Johnny Green

 
We all know that hemp is a very versatile plant. It can be turned into bio-fuel, it can be made into fiber for clothing, it can be turned into paper, etc. But one thing that I think a lot of people don’t know enough about is the tasty things you can do with hemp see. I once ate a hemp seed burger at an event in the Bay Area, and I was blown away by how tasty it was. I’m not a vegetarian, but if there were enough hemp seed burger places in my area, I would definitely re-consider.
 
Full Article:
http://www.theweedblog.com/have-you-ever-eaten-an-organic-hemp-seed-burger/