Colorado – Local farmers unite to talk about hemp

By Tobie Baker
 
About 20 area farmers convened over the weekend to discuss the viability of producing industrial hemp in Southwest Colorado.

After the hour-and-a-half long open discussion on Sunday, Jan. 5, nearly all the farmers packed inside a back room of the Spruce Tree Coffeehouse in Cortez indicated they were interested in growing industrial hemp locally for seed, oil and fiber production.
“If it’s economically viable and legal, I’ve got 500 acres I could start growing tomorrow,” one said.
 
Full Article:
http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/20140106/NEWS01/140109935/0/FRONTPAGE/Local-farmers-unite-to-talk-about-hemp

Agencies prepare for new Illinois medical marijuana law

By Jim Hagerty

 

Illinois has now joined 19 other states as legislation adopted last year legalizing medical marijuana went into effect Jan. 1.

The Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program is overseen by the Illinois Department of Health, Department of Agriculture and Department of Financial and Professional Responsibilities, which will regulate the state’s 82 marijuana cultivation facilities and dispensaries when they open later this year.

Regulating agencies have 120 days to develop official rules and file them with the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, a bipartisan legislative oversight committee that will review the rules and conduct a public comment period.

Spokesmen for the Marijuana Policy Project expect the process to be completed by April 1.

Full Article:

http://rockrivertimes.com/news/2014/01/08/agencies-prepare-for-new-illinois-medical-marijuana-law/

Bill Aims For Tennessee To Legalize Medical Marijuana

by Todd Walker

 
NASHVILLE, Tenn – For the first time, a new poll has suggested nationally the majority of Americans favor legalizing marijuana.
That poll comes on the heels of a bill filed by a member of the state legislature to begin allowing medical marijuana use here in Tennessee.
There has been a dramatic shift in marijuana opinions in this country over the past 30 years.
 
Full Article:
http://www.newschannel5.com/story/24390515/bill-aims-for-tennessee-to-legalize-medical-marijuana

Michigan Compassion a Marijuana Nonprofit makes history by taking their message to Federal Employees workplace

2014-01-08-CFCLogo.png
 
Royal Oak, MI – The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the only authorized solicitation of Federal employees in their workplaces on behalf of approved charitable organizations. Michigan Compassion is an eligible charity in the Southeastern Michigan Area CFC and has been participating in CFC fairs at federal properties amongst other local charities. The theme for the 2013 Southeastern Michigan Area CFC is “Giving the Gift of Hope”; in 2012 the regional CFC raised over $2.2 million for the approved charities.
Federal employees are able to make charitable contributions directly through payroll deduction to local, national and international charities. This is the first time in the programs history a Medical Cannabis Organization has been approved for the CFC Campaign. Federal employees now have the choice to support Michigan Compassion along with the other nonprofits eligible to participate in the CFC.
 
Full Article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michigan-compassion/michigan-compassion-a-mar_b_4558752.html

The Top Ten Reasons Texas Should Legalize Cannabis, Y’all

By Angelica Leicht

8132354318_9290b07db8.jpg
Photo by shirokazan via flickr

 
There’s a movement going on in other states, and it’s a movement we quite like. A movement toward the legalization of cannabis, y’all.
As we’re sure you know, Colorado has become the first state in the nation to legalize the recreational use of pot, and the response is overwhelming. On the first day of the legalization, there were anecdotes of pot shops selling out, lines forming around the block, and people all-out celebrating the legalization of weed.
And why wouldn’t they? Cannabis legalization is a great thing. Poor ol’ pot has had an undeserved rap sheet since the ’70s, when an effort toward waging a “war on drugs” began to rear its ugly head. Nixon began to persecute pot, labeling it a “Schedule 1” drug, despite being advised otherwise. The falsities about the dangers of marijuana only snowballed from there, reaching its height during the ’80s and ’90s drug hysteria.
Well, the whole “lying to the public about weed” to fulfill a political agenda is pretty bogus, if you ask me. And much like Colorado, I feel it’s time for Texas to forgive weed for its false sins and accept it for the wonderful plant it is.
 
Full Article:
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2014/01/the_top_ten_reasons_texas_shou.php

Georgia Parents Call For Medical Marijuana For Sick Kids

By Allison Geller
article image
 
As state medical marijuana legalization laws gain ground across the country, Georgia parents are lobbying for action in advance of the 2014 legislative session, which will begin next week.
Georgia parents with children who suffer from seizure disorders have heard reports of children with similar afflictions finding greater relief from medical marijuana in edible or oil form than from any other medication. In states like California and Colorado, medical marijuana is some kids’— and parents’— saving grace.
“These kids in Colorado are not getting high, they’re taking it in an oil format, they’re not smoking it. It’s basically safer than any medicine we can prescribe our children today,” parent Blaine Cloud told WBS-TV.
Cloud’s 8-year-old daughter Alaina suffers from Dravet syndrome, the same rare genetic disorder that afflicts the daughter of a New Jersey couple who was forced to move to Colorado to seek treatment.
 
Full Article:
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/drug-law/georgia-parents-call-medical-marijuana-sick-kids#

Ad Execs: Cannabis Ads for Legal Marijuana Will Generate Billions


Image Credit: 420medicated.com
 
Advertisers and marketers are preparing for a universal legal pot market. The legal medicinal and recreational market is already estimated to be in the billions. 20 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medicinal marijuana use.
 
Full Article:
http://www.jdjournal.com/2014/01/06/ad-executives-foresee-cannabis-ads-for-legal-marijuana-will-generate-billions/#
 

It Is Immoral to Cage Humans for Smoking Marijuana



 
Under the law in 48 states, here’s what can happen when an adult is thought to possess marijuana: Men with guns can go to his home, kick down his door, force him to lay face down on the floor, restrain him with handcuffs, drive him to a police station, and lock him in a cage. If he is then convicted of possessing marijuana, a judge can order that he be locked in a different cage, perhaps for years.
There are times when locking human beings in cages is morally defensible. If, for example, a person commits murder, rape, or assault, transgressing against the rights of others, then forcibly removing him from society is the most just course of action. In contrast, it is immoral to lock people in cages for possessing or ingesting a plant that is smoked by millions every year with no significant harm done, especially when the vast majority of any harm actually done is borne by the smoker.
 
Full Article:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/01/it-is-immoral-to-cage-humans-for-smoking-marijuana/282830/

New Hampshire House to Vote on Legalizing Cannabis Jan. 8th

Pot Leaf
 
The NH house of representatives will be voting on legalizing cannabis on Wednesday, January 8th. Now is the time to contact the reps for your area regarding HB492 and let them know to vote AGAINST the COMMITTEE REPORT of Inexpedient to Legislate and then vote FOR Ought to Pass as Amended. The Committee Report MUST be overturned first, then the Minority Committee Report with Amendment can be adopted.
 
Full Article:
http://freekeene.com/2014/01/03/nh-house-to-vote-on-legalizing-cannabis-jan-8th/