By ADAM K. RAYMOND

 
Kyle Turley spent eight years as an offensive tackle in the NFL, which means he spent eight years standing in the way of oncoming traffic. The gig led to two diagnosed concussions and, Turley says, a estimated 100 that went undiagnosed during his tenure on the turf.
Now that he’s retired, Turley is feeling the full force of those had injuries. And after years of trying to treat the symptoms with pharmaceuticals, he’s discovered the one drug that works better than anything else: marijuana. On Thursday, Turley appeared on ESPN’s “Highly Questionable” and described the difference smoking has made in his life.
 
Full Article:
http://www.maxim.com/entertainment/sports/article/nfl-medical-marijuana-testimonial-2015-11

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

 
 

Support for making marijuana legal is increasing around the world, and that is a good thing. Earlier this week, the Mexican Supreme Court opened the door to legalizing the drug by giving four plaintiffs the right to grow cannabis for personal use.

In Canada, the newly sworn in prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has said he intends to change the law so people can use the drug recreationally;medicinal use is already legal in that country. And in the United States, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president, recentlyintroduced a bill that would let states decide if they want to make the drug legal without worrying about violating federal law.

Laws banning the growing, distribution and possession of marijuana have caused tremendous damage to society, with billions spent on imprisoning people for violating pointlessly harsh laws. Yet research shows that marijuana is far less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, and can be used to treat medical conditions like chronic pain.

Full Article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/06/opinion/the-push-for-legal-marijuana-spreads.html?_r=0

Brad Tuttle

 
In this week’s election in Pueblo County, Colo., voters were asked to weigh in on a number of proposals. With the exception of two issues, according to the Pueblo Chieftain, “all of them have something to do with marijuana.”
On one question, voters approved a 5% excise tax on marijuana growers, which is expected to raise $3.5 million annually by 2020. Half of that money will pay for scholarships for local students who attend either of the county’s two public colleges. In other words, proceeds from marijuana sales will be used to fund college scholarships. That’s never happened before, and it’s a concept that probably would have been laughed off as a total joke just a few years ago.
“This is the first time you have marijuana tax money being used directly for scholarships, and that’s pretty remarkable,” the Denver Post summed up.
 
Full Article:
http://time.com/money/4101583/marijuana-taxes-college-scholarship/

BY CARIMAH TOWNES

 
s the battle to decriminalize — and legalize — weed in the U.S. continues, another country is taking a giant leap towards eliminating its stringent drug laws. In the near future, Ireland will decriminalize marijuana, cocaine, and heroin possession. Medically-supervised injection rooms will also soon be available to drug users, in order to reduce the stigma of addiction.
Ireland is following in the footsteps of countries that have started to tire of the fallout from the war on drugs driven by U.S. policy.
On Monday, during a speech at the London School of Economics, Minister of Drugs Aodhán Ó Ríordáin announced plans to open the injection centers for drug users in Dublin next year. Ríordáin also divulged that the parliamentary committee on Justice, Defence and Equality strongly supports decriminalization across the board, and will work towards making that a reality in 2016.
Calling on a “radical” shift in drug policy, Ríordáin pointed to the public health implications of decriminalization and the extent to which national funds are spent on law enforcement and court efforts to crack down on drug use.
“Too often those with drug problems suffer from stigma, due to a lack of understanding or public education about the nature of addiction. This stigma can be compounded for those who end up with a criminal record due to possession of drugs for their own use,” he said. “Addiction is not a choice, it’s a healthcare issue. This is why I believe it is imperative that we approach our drug problem in a more compassionate and sensitive way.”
 
Full Article:
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/11/04/3718843/ireland-drug-decriminalization/

BY JANET PATTON

Steve Bevan of GenCanna, left, and Andy Graves looked at a hemp plant on Graves’ farm near Winchester. GenCanna moved from Canada to Kentucky. HERALD-LEADER
 
Tucked away off a narrow country road in Clark County, in the middle of a farm, 27 acres of hemp grew all summer. Now, the plants will be harvested and processed.
Kentucky, hailed as a leader by industrial hemp advocates, has grown the hemp. Now the state is working on growing the industry.
“In two years, we’ve come a long way,” said Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, who is now running for Congress. “We’ve proven first of all that it’s not a drug, which was very important for the opposition to realize. And we’ve proven it’s economically viable, or there wouldn’t be 22 companies that have made an investment in the state. … What we’re doing now is working with the companies that want to go to the next step to commercialize the product. ”

by Medicinal Mike Boris

 
Nuglife’s Comedian Medicinal Mike Boris ‘Myself” awarded Tommy Chong the “Lifetime Achievement Canna Belt” and Jeannie Herer the “Activism Canna Belt” live on stage at Las Vegas Hempfest!
The Cannabis Belts were created by Michael Boris to raise awareness to cannabis regulations and those that stand to fight against prohibition. Cannabis activism is a thankless non paying job and it is time that we as a community stop and help educate those around us.
 
Full Article:
http://nugliferadio.com/nugliferadio-awards-tommy-chong-and-jeannie-herer-cannabis-belt-awards/

By Brian Nearing

Hempcrete insulation is applied between the joists in Jim Savage’s renovated 1850s farmhouse in Stuyvesant, Columbia County.
 
As the state takes its first tentative steps to allow growing of hemp, a Hudson Valley entrepreneur is betting that the plant — the non-psychoactive cousin of marijuana — will become a cash crop for an ecologically friendly building material.
Jim Savage is a former Wall Street analyst who lives in a 150-year-old farmhouse in Stuyvesant, Columbia County, that he has insulated in part using so-called “hempcrete” — a slurry-like blend of water, lime and the ground-up, balsa-like interior of the hemp plant.
 
Full Article:
http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-business/article/Hemp-houses-raise-high-hopes-in-Hudson-Valley-6567143.php
 

Kristy Cameron

 
A local chef is leading Ottawa-Gatineau’s first-ever “Cooking with Cannabis” class on Tuesday night.
As the country braces to discuss the legalization of marijuana with the newly elected Liberal party, National Access Cannabis is hosting the event at Tante Carole restaurant in Chelsea.
 
Full Article:
http://www.cfra.com/news/2015/11/03/local-chef-hosts-cooking-with-cannabis-class-at-chelsea-restaurant

By Connor Bland

Several United States veterans have formed a coalition called Weed for Warriors with a goal to shed light on and fight for veterans’ right to choose cannabis over prescription pills. Many veterans have come forward to support the use of cannabis to treat symptoms of several conditions commonly suffered by those who have served in the military, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pain, anxiety, and depression.
 
Full Article:
https://www.whaxy.com/news/weed-for-warriors-project