At midnight on a recent Friday, in a backroom at Chemsun Global pharmaceutical laboratory in Shanghai, a Chinese chemist who called himself Terry was eager to close a deal. Outside in the lab a bright yellow liquid whirred around a flask. The smell of fumes was so intense it left a bitter, chemical aftertaste.
Cannabis News Links
Judge nixes state agency’s rule for medical marijuana card
A judge has ruled that the New Mexico Department of Health cannot require medical marijuana patients to exhaust “standard treatments” before they receive cannabis for relief.
Victoria eyes Vancouver as capital ponders cannabis dispensary overhaul
Victoria’s mayor says she is closely watching Vancouver’s bid to regulate marijuana dispensaries because there may be lessons as the B.C. capital grapples with the “regulatory quagmire” associated with such operations.
Capital Chatter: Will Hayes appear at hearing concerning her emails?
• Media hoping to catch a glimpse of former Oregon first lady Cylvia Hayes and perhaps hear her speak plan to attend a court hearing at 2 p.m. today at Marion County Circuit Court in Salem.
Assembly passes bill to end organ transplant black list for pot users
Medical cannabis patients could not be denied organ transplants solely based on their marijuana use under a bill the California Assembly passed on Thursday.
Colorado gov now says legalizing marijuana helps state’s fiscal health
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper seems to be softening his anti-pot stance.
Clark County bans e-cigarettes in public places
Beginning June 1, the use of electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices will not be allowed anywhere in Clark County where smoking is banned, except for specialty vape shops.
Medical marijuana caregivers challenge ordinance in York
The town of York is being sued by a group of medical marijuana caregivers who claim that a recently adopted town ordinance violates state confidentiality laws.
House barely rejects bid to let VA docs give advice on medical marijuana
WASHINGTON (AP) — The GOP-controlled House Thursday barely rejected a bid by supporters of medical marijuana to permit veterans to receive information about the drug from their government doctors.
Forty Acres’ new cannabis site is illegal says Berkeley
Three months after the city council ordered the Forty Acres Medical Marijuana Growers Collective to shut its doors at 1820-1828 San Pablo Ave. because it was a public nuisance, the medical marijuana organization has relocated to 1510 Ashby Ave. – and is once again operating illegally, according to city officials.
ABC Board votes to adopt regulation that defines ‘public places’ with pot
ANCHORAGE – The state’s five-member Alcoholic Beverage Control Board voted Thursday to adopt a temporary regulation put in place back in February that defines off-limits “public places” regarding marijuana consumption.
Homeowners consider legal action to stop pot farm
Benton County, WASH -- Some Benton County residents are considering legal action to try to stop a pot farm under construction on Clodfelter Road, just outside Kennewick.
Oklahoma governor signs legislation for cannabis oil trials
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Legislation authorizing medical trials for children with severe forms of epilepsy by using an oil derived from the marijuana plant has been signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin.
‘We aren’t deterred’: Medical marijuana protest set for Sen. Jabo Waggoner’s hometown
Alabama medical marijuana advocates are set to hold a protest rally in the home district of state Sen. Jabo Waggoner on Saturday.
Vallejo City Leaders Defy Constituents on Medical Cannabis Taxes
The Vallejo City Council formally rejected its own voter-approved medical cannabis taxes this week, in what has to be one of the most bizarre stories of California city-level pot regulation, or the lack thereof.
Facebook banned us for writing about pot
Medical marijuana may be legal in New York, but on Monday a Crain's article on the subject got the publication banned from Facebook's promoted news feeds.
Tenino’s recreational marijuana retailer opens Friday
The Herbal Center will officially open Friday as Tenino’s first recreational marijuana retailer.
Marijuana firm’s donation to fund summer jobs for at-risk youth
BLOOMINGTON — A medical marijuana grower and supplier may be planting seeds of a different kind with a $20,000 donation to the city of Bloomington to create summer jobs for at-risk youth.
Medical marijuana bills get fresh look in Lansing
Medical marijuana is back on agendas in Lansing.
Medford police may have to retire their pot-sniffing dogs
Narc and Cody are finding out there's truth to the adage "you can’t teach an old dog new tricks."
Marijuana debate returns to R.I. State House
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — If you believe the proponents of marijuana legalization, a regulated market could create a strong source of state revenue, make consumption safer and curtail a black market that leads to violent crimes.
Minnesota approves labs to test state’s medical marijuana
Two laboratories just got the job of quality testing Minnesota’s medical marijuana.
Bill limiting Oregon medical marijuana program faces additional legislative scrutiny
An Oregon legislative committee on Wednesday delayed action on a bill to put new limits on the medical marijuana program as they heard testimony raising divergent complaints about the legislation.
Proposed Bill Would Legalize Medical Marijuana for Those Under 18
REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - A proposed bill would legalize the use of low THC oil medical marijuana for those under the age of 18 in Delaware.
Washington lawmakers tackle marijuana taxes
On the first day of the special legislative session, Washington House members took up a bill that would change the way the state taxes recreational marijuana.
Agreement elusive on Hawaii medical marijuana dispensaries
Hawaii lawmakers are disagreeing on a bill that would establish an islandwide system of medical marijuana dispensaries.
Bill to legitimize marijuana money introduced in House
Marijuana businesses could open bank accounts under legislation unveiled in the House Wednesday.
Marijuana entrepreneurs to vie for investor dollars in ‘Shark Tank’-style event this week
Big marijuana money is in the D.C. area this week.
Did Medical Marijuana Bring About Its Own Demise?
Back in 2010, a group of medical marijuana patients and growers in Washington state got together and formed a group called the Coalition for Cannabis Standards & Ethics*. Among other things, the group established a code of conduct that all members agreed to follow—akin to best practices lists adopted by more established professions like realty and banking. The members of the coalition agreed to pay taxes, follow disability access laws, and try to maintain good relationships with their neighbors.
Rolling Meadows unhappy about having to prosecute minor marijuana tickets
Those cited for possession of a small amount of marijuana in Rolling Meadows will now have their cases heard through a city adjudication process rather than before a county judge, under a measure approved by the city council Tuesday.
Medical marijuana legalization passes first test in Louisiana Legislature
A legislative panel gave its full backing to legislation Wednesday (April 29) that proposes authorizing legal dispensaries for medical marijuana in Louisiana.
Canada’s public safety minister tells VPD its officers are expected to act against marijuana dispensaries
Canada’s minister of public safety has weighed in on Vancouver’s plan to regulate the over-the-counter sale of medicinal marijuana.
Giant Cincinnati union backs marijuana amendment
A union that represents 18,000 workers in Greater Cincinnati today endorsed ResponsibleOhio’s ballot effort to legalize marijuana.
Marijuana Party Of Nebraska Hosts Two Events This Weekend
This will be a big weekend for the Marijuana Party of Nebraska as it hosts two events in the metro area. The Marijuana Party says it is fed up with waiting for others to act. They demand the end of prohibition on marijuana and are now in action to make it happen.
Medical marijuana overhaul will close dispensaries and shift patients to I-502 retailers
Last week, Governor Jay Inslee enacted the most sweeping overhaul to the state’s medical marijuana system since voters first approved it in 1998. It was an effort to bring the mostly unregulated medical marijuana system in-line with the highly regulated recreational one.
UFC strips Jon Jones of title, suspends fighter indefinitely after his arrest
As soon as word began to spread that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was wanted by Albuquerque police in connection with a hit-and-run incident, his place atop May’s UFC 187 card seemed tenuous, at best. Sure enough, on Tuesday night, Jones was not only removed from that event, but he was suspended indefinitely and stripped of his title.
Sunnyside council votes unanimously to ban pot businesses
SUNNYSIDE — City leaders in Sunnyside finally had enough of their own indecision regarding recreational marijuana businesses.
NFL GM says ’30 to 40 percent of players in this draft class use marijuana regularly’
One of the many subplots for the NFL draft, which starts with Thursday’s first round, is where a pair of highly regarded defensive prospects, Shane Ray and Randy Gregory, will go. Both players are prized for their abilities to get to opposing quarterbacks, but both have also admitted to marijuana use, in Ray’s case just days before the draft.
Industry descends on DC for pro-pot push
Marijuana activists are descending on Washington this week to lobby Congress for more favorable drug laws in what promises to be one of the emerging industry’s biggest pushes yet.
Mardigrass protestival to be as serious and silly as ever
A SMALL, peaceful protest outside the Nimbin police station in May 1993 has grown into a cannabis law reform rally that attracts international speakers and worldwide attention.
Pot supporters target Yuba County supervisor for recall
A Yuba County supervisor was served with recall papers and other board members were threatened with the same after reapproving a new marijuana cultivation ordinance banning outdoor plants.
County extends medical marijuana ban
By a vote of 2-1 the Klamath County commissioners approved another one-year moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in the county.
County extends medical marijuana ban
By a vote of 2-1 the Klamath County commissioners approved another one-year moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in the county.
Denver pot sales blocked over unapproved pesticides
DENVER – City officials have temporarily barred the sale of potentially millions of dollars worth of legal marijuana over concerns it has been contaminated by unapproved pesticides.
Washington Tribal Marijuana Pact Bill Heads To Governor
Law360, New York (April 28, 2015, 7:20 PM ET) -- The Washington Legislature has sent a bill to the state’s governor that would permit federally recognized Native American tribes to sell and distribute marijuana under agreements with the state, subject to taxes at least equal to state taxes on marijuana.
Sea to Sky pot dispensary moves to conceal directors’ criminal charges
With the City of Vancouver looking at new rules to regulate the booming retail marijuana business, one of the hurdles some pot shops will face is police background checks of their operators.
Medical marijuana prescriptions prohibited for under-25s in B.C.
People under the age of 25 or suffering addiction should not be prescribed medical marijuana, according to stricter standards being introduced by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C.
Dancing Division marijuana leaf raises legal questions
SPOKANE, Wash. – If you drive down Division, you may have noticed someone spinning a sign and directing people toward a business North of Francis.
Washington hemp bill grows in scope, cost
OLYMPIA — The once-promising campaign to legalize hemp cultivation in Washington may be withering.
Paulsen: House will not consider medical marijuana bill
House Speaker Kraig Paulsen doubled down on his insistence that the House will not consider a medical marijuana bill this session after one senator called it a "moral obligation."