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World Leaders Call For Ending Criminalization of Drug Users and Responsible Legal Regulation of Drugs

This week the Global Commission on Drug Policy is releasing a new, groundbreaking report called Taking Control: Pathways to Drug Policies that Work. It reflects a new evolution in the thinking of the Commissioners, who include Kofi Annan, Richard Branson, and the former presidents of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Poland, Portugal and Switzerland.

They not only reiterate their demands for decriminalization, alternatives to incarceration, and greater emphasis on public health approaches – but now also call for responsible legal regulation of currently-illegal drugs. In perhaps the strongest line of the report, they state:

“Ultimately the most effective way to …read more

Advocates Mourn the Passing of Anna Conte, a Child at the Center of New York’s Battle for Medical Marijuana

New York — Anna Conte, a nine year old from Orchard Park, NY who passed away last week after falling into a coma following a severe seizure, was laid to rest today. Anna suffered from Dravet Syndrome, a life-threatening seizure disorder that has been treated with medical marijuana in states where it is legal. Medical marijuana has dramatically reduced the number of seizures in many children with similar seizure disorders.

In an effort to help their daughter, the Conte family joined the successful fight to pass a medical marijuana bill in New York. The Contes travelled repeatedly to Albany, persuading …read more

Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Supports Medical Marijuana

Eighty-seven percent of Ohio voters think that people should be able to use marijuana as medicine, although nearly all of the currently elected state officials, including Gov. John Kasich, disagree.

However, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, some of the candidates running in November’s election — Ed FitzGerald (D), David Pepper (D), Micah Kamrass (D), and Charlie Winburn (R) — believe marijuana use should be legal with a doctor’s recommendation.

Ed FitzGerald

“There are people that are suffering from conditions that medical marijuana can alleviate, especially those chronic pain types of conditions, “ FitzGerald, struggling Democratic candidate for governor, said in …read more

CO Retail Pot Sales Surpassed Medical for the First Time in July

sheet-of-money-hemp

Retail marijuana purchasers in July outspent medical cannabis buyers for the first time since the launch of Colorado’s adult-use market 9 months ago.

The state’s Department of Revenue recently reported that customers bought $29.7 million worth of legal marijuana last month ($5 million more than June), surpassing medical marijuana purchases which totaled $28.9 million in sales. Interestingly, this is despite the fact that medical dispensaries outnumber retail stores by a margin of 4 to 1.

According to Colorado Public Radio (CPR), there has been a 112% increase since sales first started, with more than 100 stores across the state having sold …read more

Coloradans Still Support Legal Marijuana Sales, Poll Finds

Since Colorado voters approved Amendment 64 in 2012, and after the historic first sales of recreational marijuana began in January 2014, a majority of state residents still support legal marijuana sales.

NBC News/Marist Poll

According to the Huffington Post, a new NBC News/Marist Poll demonstrates that 55 percent of adult Colorado residents back the law that made the regulated use, possession, and sale of marijuana by adults legal, as opposed to the 41 percent that do not support the law, including 8 percent who said they are actively trying to overturn the current legislation.

The majority that are supportive of …read more

NFL May Finally Change its Outdated Drug Policy

It appears as though the NFL is finally progressing towards changing its controversial drug policy. According to a NBC Sports story, the NFLPA plans to vote tonight on proposed changes to the NFL’s existing drug policy. The changes, if ratified, may include an increased threshold for which players are allowed to test positive for marijuana. However, the NFLPA first needs to get a proposal from the league itself. According to the NBC Sports posting, that has not happened yet.

“The players are prepared to vote on a proposal from NFL tonight but they will need something to review well in …read more

Philly Mayor Agrees to Compromise, Will Sign Decriminalization Bill

Jim kenney

Councilman Jim Kenney

Yesterday, Mayor Michael Nutter announced that he had agreed to sign a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession in Philadelphia, with one small tweak. The bill was first introduced by Councilman Jim Kenney. In June, the City Council voted 13-3 to replace the current penalties of a $200 fine and an arrest record for possessing up to an ounce of marijuana, with a civil fine of $25. Mayor Nutter’s compromise deal would still make smoking in public punishable by a $100 fine.

A 2013 report by the ACLU found that, although marijuana use is nearly identical across all …read more

The Legal Use of Marijuana Versus Drug-Free Workplace Policies

According to a New York Times story, even as 23 states (and the District of Columbia) allow the use of medical or recreational marijuana, many businesses continue to strictly enforce their drug-free policies, creating a cultural schism between a society that increasingly accepts marijuana and companies that will fire employees who use it.

Brandon Coats

Brandon Coats, for example, was fired for violating Dish Network’s drug-free workplace rules, despite having a medical marijuana card. Coats was paralyzed in a car accident when he was 16 and has been using medical marijuana since 2009 to relieve painful spasms that jolt his body. …read more

New Report: World Leaders Call For Ending Criminalization of Drug Use and Possession and Responsible Legal Regulation of Psychoactive Substances

Today, the Global Commission on Drug Policy will release Taking Control: Pathways to Drug Policies that Work, a new, groundbreaking report at a press conference in New York City. The event will be live-streamed and speakers include former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, former Colombian President César Gaviria, former Swiss President Ruth Dreifuss, Richard Branson and others.

The Commissioners will then meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson in the afternoon following the press conference.

The report reflects the evolution in the thinking of the Commissioners, who reiterate their demands …read more

DPA Responds to New Global Commission Report

On Tuesday, the Global Commission on Drug Policy will release a new, groundbreaking report at a press conference in New York City. The event will be live-streamed and speakers include Richard Branson, former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, former Colombian President César Gaviria, former Swiss President Ruth Dreifuss and others.

The report reflects a new evolution in the thinking of the Commissioners, who reiterate their demands for decriminalization, alternatives to incarceration, and greater emphasis on public health approaches – and now also call for permitting the legal regulation of psychoactive substances. The Commission is the …read more

Breaking News: Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) to Offer Groundbreaking Medical Marijuana Amendment on Senate Floor

Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) will offer an amendment to a federal spending bill that would prohibit the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from undermining state marijuana laws. The House approved a similar bipartisan measure on May 29th. An amendment prohibiting the DEA from interfering with state hemp production for research purposes also passed the U.S. House. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a similar hemp amendment in committee June 5th that was offered by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

“The House just made history last month by voting to stop the …read more

Philadelphia: Mayor To Sign Marijuana Depenalization Measure

City mayor Michael Nutter announced today that he will sign municipal legislation into law decriminalizing marijuana possession penalties.

Under the measure, penalties pertaining to the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis would be reduced from a criminal misdemeanor to a non-summary civil offense, punishable by a $25 fine – no arrest and no criminal record.

Members of the City Council in June voted 13 to 3 to reduce municipal marijuana penalties. A slightly amended version of this proposal is anticipated to be before the mayor by the end of this month.

Anyone cited under the pending ordinance would …read more

Julie’s Baked Goods Joins the NORML Business Network

Julie's 2-c logo

NORML is pleased to announce the newest member of the NORML Business Network, Julie’s Baked Goods. This Denver-based edibles company produces of some of the highest quality, all-natural cannabis infused snacks in the state, and is also a prime example of responsible labeling among infused food companies. Formerly known as Julie & Kate’s Baked Goods, the inspiration behind starting the business came when both women were dealing with a serious illness and agreed that marijuana could be beneficial to managing their symptoms. What started as a friendly trial, with a bag of weed in a domestic kitchen …read more

A Badge of Honor: Busted on the Boston Common

6_8_NORMLK.StroupPortrait_z

As we approach the annual Boston Freedom Rally in mid-September, held on the historic Boston Common, I thought it might be a good time for me to share with the readers the details of a bust I experienced, along with High Times associate publisher Rick Cusick, for sharing a joint at the combined NORML/High Times booth at the 2007 Freedom Rally.

The reality is that marijuana smokers remain the target of aggressive and misguided law enforcement activities in most states today. They read about the newly-won freedoms in a handful of states, and dream of the day when their state laws …read more

Another Maine City Puts Marijuana Initiative On Ballot

Earlier this week, the City Council of Lewiston, Maine voted unanimously to send an initiative that would make possession of marijuana legal for adults to the voters.

Citizens for a Safer Maine submitted more than 1,250 signatures to get the measure in front of the council, which had the options of adopting it or placing it on the ballot. Just 859 valid signatures of registered city voters were required. A similar measure will appear on the November ballot in South Portland, and the group has submitted more than the number of signatures required to place one on the …read more

MPP’s Mason Tvert Debates Bishop Ron Allen on ‘Fox & Friends’

On Thursday, MPP’s Mason Tvert appeared on Fox & Friends to discuss a law that was recently passed in Berkeley, California that directs medical marijuana dispensaries to donate a portion of their medicine to low-income patients. This idea did not sit well with noted prohibitionist Bishop Ron Allen:

Mason will be back on Fox & Friends this Saturday morning, where he will reportedly continue his discussion with Bishop Allen.

…read more

United States Sentencing Commission Votes to Retroactively Apply Drug Sentencing Reductions to Tens of Thousands of People in Federal Prison

Washington, D.C. – Today the U.S. Sentencing Commission voted to retroactively apply an amendment approved earlier this year by the U.S. Sentencing Commission that lowers Federal Guidelines for sentencing persons convicted of drug trafficking offenses. Today’s vote could shorten sentences for tens of thousands of people who are already incarcerated and serving sentences for drug offenses by granting eligible individuals a hearing before a federal judge to evaluate whether their sentence can be reduced to match the reduced guidelines. The underlying drug guidelines amendment was approved by the U.S. Sentencing Commission and submitted to Congress for review in April. Provided …read more

Letters From the Front Lines of the Drug War

Locking people up for nonviolent drug crimes has become the way of life in the United States. Because of this, our prisons have become tremendously overcrowded and our criminal justice system is broken.

To remedy this, Attorney General Eric Holder has initiated a number of proposals to end mass incarceration, including the revamping of harsh sentencing guidelines and the rollback of mandatory minimums. Even President Obama has offered to help fix the broken system by using his pardon powers to help free nonviolent drug war prisoners who have fallen into the cracks of the criminal justice system.

When thinking about …read more

Friday: 25th Anniversary of President George H.W. Bush’s Infamous Oval Office Speech Escalating “War on Drugs”

On September 5th, 1989 President George H.W. Bush gave a speech from the Oval Office that defined a generation (link: http://www.c-span.org/video/?8921-1/presidential-address-national-drug-p…). Declaring an escalation of the war on drugs he held up a bag of crack cocaine that he said undercover agents bought in the park across the street from the White House. It later turned out that federal agents lured someone to the park to sell crack just so the president could say it was bought from in front of the White House (the crack seller did not even know where the White House was and …read more

Planet Green Trees Episode 215- Medical Marihuana’s POW’S

Tonight 8-10pm www.planetgreentrees.com or call in 347-326-9626   Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight- We revisit the POWs from Michigan and around the country who are currently incarcerated […]

For-Profit Institutions Ineligible to Receive Medical Marijuana Research Grants

According to the Denver Post, for-profit companies will not be awarded funding for state-supported medical marijuana research, under the terms of the grant program released Wednesday. However, for-profit firms will be approved as subcontractors on grant proposals.

In the official request for applications, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment indicates that only certain institutions are qualified to apply as primary recipients for the $9 million in available research grant money to study the benefits of medical marijuana, including “not-for profit organizations, health care organizations, governmental entities and higher education institutions.” In addition, there is no requirement for …read more

White House Releases 2014 National Drug Control Strategy – Steps in Right Direction but Largely Kinder, More Gentle Drug War

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (more commonly known as the Drug Czar’s office; ONDCP) released its 2014 National Drug Control Strategy today. The strategy has shifted some from previous years in that it more clearly focuses on reducing the harms associated with substance misuse, such as overdose and the transmission of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and other infectious diseases, while also reducing the harms associated with punitive drug policies, such as reducing the use of mandatory minimum sentencing. The Administration’s rhetoric has evolved over the last couple of years – reflecting the fact that three-quarters …read more

Survey: 58 Percent Of Americans Say Treat Cannabis Like Alcohol

Nearly 60 percent of Americans support regulating cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol, according to an analysis of over 450,000 online responses collected by the online polling data company CivicScience over a nearly two-year period.

Fifty-eight percent of respondents said that they would support “a law in [their] state that would legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana like alcohol?” Thirty-five percent of respondents said that they would oppose such a change in law.

An analysis of responses provided within the past three months found even stronger support for legalization, with 61 percent of those polled endorsing marijuana law reform.

Democrats, men, …read more

Concern over Colorado’s Medical Marijuana Research Grant Program

Dr. Larry Wolk

According to a Denver Post story, Colorado is scheduled to begin administering significant funding for the largest ever state-supported medical marijuana research grant program starting in early 2015. It is anticipated that Colorado’s health department will release the program’s official request for applications sometime this week. The state expects to deliver $9 million geared towards research on the medical effects of marijuana. There is, however, skepticism over who will be able to accept funding for the research program due to marijuana’s federally illegal status.

Dr. Larry Wolk

At a recent meeting, several members of the health department questioned whether or …read more

MPP’s New Hampshire Primary Voter Guide

MPP’s voter guide for the New Hampshire primary election has now been published. Click here to find out if the candidates on your ballot agree it’s time for a more sensible approach to marijuana. The election will take place next Tuesday, September 9 — one week from today — so mark your calendars now and don’t forget to vote!

There are many contrasts between the primary election candidates on marijuana policy. This is especially true on the Republican ballot, where reform advocate Andrew Hemingway is seeking the nomination for governor over Walt Havenstein. The winner will face …read more

Many Illinois Medical Cannabis Patients May Begin Applying For Program

The Illinois Department of Public Health began accepting patient applications today for the state’s medical cannabis pilot program. Applicants whose last names begin with the letters A through L may apply today through the end of October. Applicants with last names that start with M through Z may apply during the months of November and December. Beginning in January, applications for patient registry ID cards will be accepted for all applicants year-round.

Here are some useful links and information for patient applicants:

Patients may sign up online here.
For questions, the department’s Frequently Asked Questions are here.
Patients …read more

World Leaders to Make Bold, Groundbreaking Recommendations for Major Paradigm Shift in Global Drug Policy

On Tuesday, September 9, the Global Commission on Drug Policy will release Taking Control: Pathways to Drug Policies that Work, a new, groundbreaking report at a press conference in New York City.

The event will be live-streamed and speakers include, former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, former Colombian President César Gaviria, former Swiss President Ruth Dreifuss, Richard Branson and others.

The Commissioners will then meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson in the afternoon following the press conference.

The report reflects a new evolution in the thinking of the Commissioners, …read more

TODAY: Over 100 Patients, Caregivers, and Advocates Travel to Albany to Urge Passage of Comprehensive Medical Marijuana Legislation – the Compassionate Care Act

Albany – With only two days left in the legislative session, over 100 patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers will gather in Albany for rallies urging Governor Cuomo and Senate leaders to pass the Compassionate Care Act before it’s too late. They will travel from all over the state — New York City, Western New York, Long Island, and Central New York — to push the Legislature to pass the Compassionate Care Act — A.6357-D (Gottfried) / S.4406-D (Savino) – before the end of legislative session on Thursday, June 19th. The bill would create one of the nation’s most tightly …read more

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson Announces First-in-the-Country Plan to Stop Prosecuting Most People for Possessing Small Amounts of Marijuana

Albany – Today, Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson announced the implementation of his policy to end the prosecution of most low-level marijuana possession cases. With this bold and smart initiative, DA Thompson is using his discretionary authority as the top law enforcement officer in Brooklyn to refocus limited law enforcement resources on serious public safety issues, address and reduce unwarranted racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and ensure that Brooklyn residents are no longer saddled with lifelong arrest records for simple possession of marijuana. In a statement released by DA Thompson, he noted that he shares responsibility with NYPD …read more

Documentary – Kaneh Bosm: The Hidden Story of Cannabis in the Old Testament

Kaneh Bosm: The Hidden Story of Cannabis in the Old Testament Published on May 29, 2014 Chris Bennett takes a look at the fascinating references to cannabis, under the Hebrew name ‘kaneh bosm’ (spelling – qoph nun he’ – bet shim mem) in the Old Testament text that have been suggested by anthropologist Sula Benet […]

Poll: Sixty-Four Percent Of Florida Voters Back Constitutional Amendment To Legalize Medical Marijuana

More than 60 percent of Florida voters say that they support Amendment 2, a proposed constitutional amendment to permit cannabis therapy to qualified patients, according to a recently released Gravis Marketing poll.

Sixty-four percent of respondents said that they would vote in favor of the amendment, up from 50 percent in late June. Twenty-six percent of respondents said that they opposed the measure.

Because Amendment 2 seeks to amend the state constitution, 60 percent of voters must decide in favor of it before it can be enacted.

Although previous statewide polls have reported greater support among Floridians …read more

The Courts are AWOL in the War on Marijuana Smokers

Supreme_Court_Building

When one looks at many other important public policy debates in this country, at some point the courts can and must step in to render a decision that changes the entire debate, and corrects an injustice with the stroke of a pen. In our system of government, the courts have co-equal standing with the legislative and the executive branch, and can overrule an offensive or unfair policy based on Constitutional principles.

Perhaps the most important example of these modern decisions was Brown v. Board of Education, in 1954, in which a unanimous Supreme Court overruled the separate-but-equal policy of racial segregation …read more

PAINWeek Welcomes Ethan Nadelmann, JD, PhD, as Keynote Speaker at 2014 Conference

Montclair, NJ (PRWEB) August 27, 2014

PAINWeek, the National Conference on Pain for Frontline Practitioners, today announced that Ethan Nadelmann, JD, PhD, will deliver the Keynote Address at PAINWeek 2014. Dr. Nadelmann is the founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, the leading organization in the United States promoting alternatives to the war on drugs. As a longtime proponent of drug policy reform, both domestically and internationally, he has played a pivotal role in discussions and policy initiatives concerned with pharmaceutical legislation and drug sentencing, prevention of overdose fatalities, and marijuana policy. His address, entitled “The Sound and the …read more

Netroots Nation to Address Failed Drug War

DETROIT, MI—Marijuana arrests and mass incarceration will take center stage at Netroots Nation 2014 this week in Detroit.

On Friday, July 18 at 4:30 p.m. ET, the ninth-annual gathering of progressive voices will feature a panel, “Marijuana Arrests: the Gateway to Mass Incarceration.” The panel will feature Kassandra Frederique, a policy coordinator for the Drug Policy Alliance. Frederique is currently organizing with groups around the state of New York to address bias policing practices, unlawful marijuana arrests and collateral consequences of criminalization.

Every 48 seconds someone is arrested for marijuana possession in the United States. Most of these arrests are …read more

What It Means to Help Your Friends at Electric Zoo and other EDM Festivals

When preparing for a festival, we put a heavy emphasis on the preemptive measures we ought to take before we do anything that may alter our minds – like educating ourselves on drugs and their effects, testing what we ingest, and staying hydrated.

But real harm reduction is about so much more than reducing the negative consequences associated with our own drug use.

It’s about the opportunity to combat ignorance with information by helping others make better, safer choices. And when that opportunity comes, we should take it.

I’d like to say that when it comes to my personal safety, I’ve always …read more

Thousands of Rapists Are Not Behind Bars Because Cops Focus on Marijuana Users

A piece in the Washington Post highlights the growing backlog of untested rape test kits that are sitting in police storage units while rapists run free and victims suffer. Missing from the story, however, is one of the biggest contributors to this backlog, the enormous amount of police and tax resources spent targeting drug crimes, particularly marijuana possession.

The backlog is a disgrace. The total number of rape test kits that have never been sent to laboratories for testing exceeds 100,000. In some cases, the kits have been sitting in storage for decades. From the Washington Post:

“In 2009, authorities …read more

Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rand Paul (R-KY) to Introduce Groundbreaking Criminal Justice Reform Legislation

Today Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rand Paul (R-KY), will introduce the REDEEM Act, groundbreaking bipartisan legislation that makes it easier for formerly incarcerated individuals to reintegrate into society and provides greater rights to juvenile offenders. The amendment comes on the heels of an amendment offered several weeks ago by Senators Booker and Paul that would prohibit the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from arresting and prosecuting people in compliance with their state medical marijuana laws. Senator Paul also has a bill with Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) that would provide federal judges more discretion in sentencing. A bipartisan bill reforming …read more

Virginia Governor McAuliffe Expresses Support For Medical Marijuana

McAuliffe

Gov. Terry McAuliffe

Earlier this week, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe took a question about legalizing and regulating marijuana for adults’ use, as Colorado has done. While he is not “yet” supportive of this sensible policy change, he did use the question as an opportunity to express his support for medical marijuana. The Virginia General Assembly should follow suit by sending Gov. McAuliffe a comprehensive medical marijuana bill in 2015.

Virginia law already recognizes marijuana’s medicinal benefits, but, because of the way the law is written, patients are left without a legal way to access, possess, or even use their medicine …read more

Rhode Island Primary Is Two Weeks Away – Where Do The Candidates Stand?

Tuesday, September 9, is Primary Election Day in Rhode Island. With an open race for the top slot in the state, all eyes are on the gubernatorial primary races. Next year, the legislature will continue discussing whether Rhode Island should replace marijuana prohibition with sensible regulations, so it is important to know how the candidates for governor view the issue.

Democratic primary gubernatorial candidates: When asked in March, all three major candidates — Gina Raimondo, Angel Taveras, and Clay Pell — indicated that they are monitoring the effects of regulation and taxation in Colorado and Washington. However, all …read more

Planet Green Trees Episode 214- The Return of Sheriff W.L. Federspiel

Tonight 8-10pm www.planetgreentrees.com or call in 347-326-9626   Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-     Tonight- The news of a young, unarmed, black man shot to death by a white […]

Voters in Santa Fe to Consider Decriminalizing Marijuana Possession

The list of localities considering making marijuana legal or decriminalizing possession of small amounts is steadily growing, and two New Mexico cities were just added to the list last week.

In Santa Fe, organizers submitted almost 11,000 signatures to allow voters to decide to remove criminal penalties for simple possession.

Currently in Santa Fe, first-time offenders in possession of less than an ounce of marijuana are charged with a petty misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $50 to $100 and imprisonment of not more than 15 days. The proposal calls for possession to be treated as a civil infraction, requiring no …read more

Illinois: Governor Signs Hemp Research Measure Into Law

Democrat Governor Pat Quinn has signed legislation, House Bill 5085, authorizing state universities to cultivate industrial hemp for research purposes.

The new law takes effect in January.

Illinois joins more than a dozen states — including Hawaii, Indiana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah earlier this year — that have enacted legislation redefining hemp as an agricultural commodity and authorizing state-sponsored research and/or cultivation of the crop.

In February, federal lawmakers approved language in the omnibus federal Farm Bill authorizing states to sponsor hemp research absent federal reclassification of the plant.

…read more

High Times’ Cannabis Consumer Choice Polling

majority_support

Our friends at High Times (and former NORML director Dr. Jon Gettman) are running an online poll asking for consumers’ choice regarding the preferred marijuana distribution that emerges post-prohibition.

Legal Marijuana: Which Market Do You Prefer?
As we approach the new inevitability of legalized cannabis, three models have been proposed for a national marijuana market.
By Jon Gettman

In the past, the goal of marijuana legalization was simple: to bring about the end of federal prohibition and allow adults to use the plant without threat of prosecution and imprisonment. But now that legalization is getting serious attention, it’s time to examine …read more

Study: Marijuana Use Inversely Associated With Intimate Partner Violence

Marijuana use by newly married couples is predictive of less frequent incidences of intimate partner violence perpetration, according to longitudinal data published online ahead of print in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.

Investigators at Yale University, Rutgers, and the University of Buffalo assessed over 600 couples to determine whether husbands’ and wives’ cannabis use was predictive of domestic abuse at any time during the first nine years of marriage. Researchers reported: “In this community sample of newly married couples, more frequent marijuana use generally predicted less frequent IPV perpetration, for both men and women, over the first 9 …read more

Planet Green Trees Episode 213- Militarizing U.S. Cities

  Tonight 8-10 pm www.planetgreentrees.com or call in 347-326-9626   Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight- The news in Ferguson, Missouri, and the ensuing protests by the community […]

What Legal Marijuana Looks Like in Hawaii

Hawaii isn’t alone: A 2013 Gallup poll says 58 percent of Americans favor legalization; Gallup says it is the first time a majority has favored legalization in polling that stretches back to 1969. With trending numbers like these, locally and nationally, will cannabis legalization elsewhere become more reality than pipe dream? Read the rest of […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 212-Protecting Medical Cannabis Patients

  Planet Green Trees Radio Tonight 8-10pm www.planetgreentrees.com or call in 347-326-9626 Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight- Legal issues for patients (and their caregivers) getting doctor recommendations […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 211-Dismantling Drug Task Forces

Planet Green Trees Radio Tonight 8-10pm www.planetgreentrees.com or call in 347-326-9626   Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight- Six members of a Detroit police narcotics unit have been […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 211-Ending the Prohibition of Marihuana

Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-  Joining us tonight will be Dean Decker, a former police officer and author of the LEAP approved book ‘To End The War on Drugs’ which was […]

Easy Ways To Add Hemp Seeds To Your Diet

Hemp seeds are packed with nutrients and can be effortlessly added to many recipes. Hemp seeds are one of the most wholesome and nutritious foods available today. Despite being closely related to the cannabis plant, hemp seeds have become widely popular as a health food in recent years. The list of reasons to eat hemp […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 210-High Times & The Cannabis Cup

Planet Green Trees Radio Tonight 8-10pm www.planetgreentrees.com or call in 347-326-9626   Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight- The Federal Prison Panel has approved the early release of […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 209- 4271 & 5104 Moves to Senate Floor

July 17, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at   www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight- Robin Schneider Legislative Liaison for the National Patients’ Rights Association, will join […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 208- When will Michigan Legalize Cannabis?

July 10, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at   www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-     Tonight- Mason Tvert-Nationally renowned Cannabis Reform Activist Mason Tvert – How Colorado’s […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 207-The Declaration of Independence

July 3, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at   www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-     Tonight- The Emmy Award winning and internationally acclaimed television show ‘Ask Dr. […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 206-The Medical Cannabis Police State

June 26, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at   www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight- The US Senate is pending a vote on a spending bill that […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 205-Not Colorado Monkey Sky

June 19, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at   www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight-   Special Guests High Times Magazine Executive Editor- Dan Skye will be joining […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 203-I was right you were wrong.

June 12, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at   www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight- The Michigan Supreme Court decided today on whether or not to to […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 202-Footnote #9

Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight- Victory in Oak Park! Safer Michigan Coalition holds a fundraiser tonight at Dominick’s on Monroe St in Ann Arbor starting at 7:30. […]

Planet Green Trees Radio Episode 201- Mark Brewer -Political Cannabis

ay 29,  2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at  www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight- Special Guest Mark Brewer  Mark Brewer is an American lawyer, political consultant,and […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 200-Celebrating the 200th Episode

May 22, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-     Tonight:    Tonight- East Lansing attorney Jeff Hank , as he did […]

Planet Green Trees Radio Episode 199- Political Cannabis with Rep Jeff Irwin

May 15, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at  www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight- Medical marijuana community members work with law makers to get a proposed roadside oral swab drug […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 198- Saginaw County Sheriff William L. Federspiel

May 8, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion- Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight:  Saginaw County Sheriff William L. Federspiel   Saginaw is one of the Cities with […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 197- The Use of Cannabis in Treating Autism

May 1, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion- Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight: The Stupidity of the 5 Ng THC limit Dr. Karl Ebner, Ph.D., D.A.B.T and […]

Medicinal Marijuana in Japan – 大麻で難病を治す「医療大麻」最前線

大麻で難病を治す「医療大麻」最前線 Published on Apr 25, 2014 この動画の記事URL：http://www.vice.com/jp/read/medical-m… アメリカでは近年、「大麻はアルコールほど危険ではない」と公言したオバマ米大統領を­筆頭に、大麻の社会的受け入れ体制が強まっている。2013年にはコロラド州・ワシン­トン州で嗜好品として合法化され、そのほか多くの州で嗜好／医療目的の大麻規制を許容­する動きが。その一方、ここ日本では今なお「ダメ、絶対！」のスローガンの下、厳罰の­括りにある大麻。

Planet Green Trees Episode 196-Clemency

  April 24, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight- The Justice Department announced Wednesday their plans to overhaul the clemency […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 195- Cannabis-The De-Schedule v. Reschedule Debate

April 17, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight: -The De-Schedule v. Reschedule Debate We plan to open up the Debate […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 194-The Plan for Decrim in 2014 & Hash Bash Reviewed

April 10, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion- Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight: Legalization in Michigan for 2014 The statewide 2014 local ballet initiative for decriminalization and […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 193- Give me back my Cannabis

April 3, 2014 Thursday 8-10:00 p.m. call 347-326-9626 or Listen at www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion- Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight’s Topic: The U.S. Supreme Court denied the writ of Certiori filed by the […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 192-The Hemp Show

March 27, 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626    www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight- Two bills HB 5439 and HB 5440 have been introduced in the Michigan […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 191-MM Jury Trials with Neil Rockind.

  March 20, 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626   www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight- A medical marijuana dispensary criminal case has been outright dismissed without the […]

The Future of Healthy Snacks? Hemp Crackers, Say Scientists

Gluten-free hemp tortilla chips are available in some stores. (Photo: theimpulsivebuy/Flickr) No two phrases are better known in the health food community as ‘gluten-free’ and ‘antioxidant.’ Now, scientists say they’ve developed a snack from hemp that could offer both these benefits — and more. A team of Canadian and Serbian food scientists have come up […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 190-Does Cannabis Cure Cancer? Pt 1.

March 13, 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626  www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight- The Michigan Senate Government Operations Committee heard testimony Tuesday on patient friendly House Bills […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 189-Section 8 and PTSD

  March 6, 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626 www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-   Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center-   Tonight- The Michigan Medical Marijuana Review Panel met this morning in Lansing and […]

Why Your Next Pair Of Running Shoes Could Be Made From Hemp

(Photo: Trevor Brown Jr/Outside Online) Hemp seems to be making strides, in more ways than one. The age-old industrial crop is now capturing the attention of the most forward-thinking clothing manufacturers, including footwear company Vibram FiveFingers. While the FiveFingers may not look like the most hi-tech pair of sneakers, the concept behind its minimalist design […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 188-Let’s Talk about Hemp

February 27, 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626 www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion-Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight- Michigan House members in Lansing hold a public hearing to discuss allowing Industrial Hemp cultivation […]

Patient Ray Merriweather

Uploaded on Apr 1, 2011 Visit . for more medical marijuana patient stories. 420 reasons why medical cannabis should be legal. The goal is 420 videos, each telling their story of how medical marijuana was a necessity, how it changed their lives, how it saved them from prescription drugs. Ray, a medical marijuana patent discusses […]

$30 Million Hemp Factory Coming To Alberta

Dr. Jan Slaski and Dr. John Wolodko of Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures conduct research on hemp fibre products at an Edmonton lab. (Photo: AITF) A hemp processing company is planning to move its manufacturing operations from China to southern Alberta. Cylab International says it is finalizing plans for the construction of a $32 million factory, where […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 187-“Guns Medical Cannabis and SB 783 “

February 20, 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626 www.planetgreentrees.com or call in 347-326-9626 Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion- Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight- The discussion continues on SB 783, a bill that would […]

Kentucky Moves First On Hemp Research Projects

Hemp seed plant (Photo: D-Kuru/Wikimedia Commons) The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has announced plans to conduct some of the first U.S. hemp studies, which are now legal under the new farm bill. The state will partner with universities to investigate different aspects of hemp cultivation, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said on Monday. A provision […]

Scientists Develop New Line Of Cooking Oil From Hemp

A major breakthrough now allows hempseed oil to compete with other vegetable oils for cooking. Scientists at the University of York have developed a new line of hemp that produces oil with a much longer shelf-life and higher temperature stability. The breakthrough, published this week in Plant Biotechnology Journal, is believed to be a major […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 186-Ter Beek, The King & Rick Jones

February 13, 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626 www.planetgreentrees.com Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Komorn law& Birmingham Compassion- Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight- The discussion continues about the Michigan Supreme Court ruling in Ter Beek […]

For The First Time, U.S. Law Allows Hemp

(Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr) On Friday, President Barack Obama signed into law the new farm bill, which includes an amendment allowing industrial hemp to be grown for research purposes. While the farm bill only permits research in states with existing hemp laws, advocates still celebrated the turning point in federal policy. “This is the first time […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 185-“CBD-only, Hartwick and Tuttle”

February 6, 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626 www.planetgreentrees.com or call in 347-326-9626 Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight- CBD only based legislation creeps into the mix in some states. Bills allowing for […]

9 Surprising Health Benefits Of Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds, or hempseed, have drawn more attention in recent years from researchers and health advocates alike. Hempseed is considered a ‘superfood’ for many reasons. And while its link to the cannabis plant remains a barrier, scientists are continuing to discover new benefits of the seed and its derivatives. Last month, the American Chemical Society […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 184-Federalized

January 30, 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626 www.planetgreentrees.com or call in 347-326-9626 Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law and Chad from Birmingham Compassion Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight- Are Federal courts beginning to recognize the Department Of Justice […]

Patient Sylvie’s Story – a case for medical cannabis in Kentucky

Published on Jan 8, 2014 CBD (Cannabidiol) Oil is a form of medical cannabis that is showing promise for treating epilepsy and other chronic conditions. Kentucky’s Senate Bill 43, the Cannabis Compassion Act, sponsored by Senator Perry Clark, is being considered in the 2014 legislative session.

Planet Green Trees Episode 183- SB 736 and Duval Updates

January 23, 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626 Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law Chad from Birmingham Compassion- Tonight- Federal POWs Jerry and Jeremy Duval have their appeal heard in the US Court of Appeals today in front of family, friends, and advocates from around the country. The Duvals were served a […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 182- The True Story of Cush

January 16, 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626   Hosted by attorney Michael Komorn from Komorn Law Chad from Birmingham Compassion- Contributions from Rick Thompson from The Compassion Chronicles and Jamie Lowell from The 3rd Coast Compassion Center- Tonight- Recently elected Detroit City Councilman and former State Representative, George Cushingberry Jr., along with cannabis […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 181- Bona Fide Revisited

January 9, 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626 Tonight- Colorado experiences it’s historic first week of cannabis sales for personal use. Washington state is months away from implementing its new regulatory system and Alaska may join the ranks of legalized states as early as August.  Dr Bob Townsend of Denali Health Care, who recently […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 180- The Year in Review

January 2 2014 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626 Tonight- We will look back at the many significant events that have taken place in 2013 in Michigan, United States and around the world. We will hear from some of the central figures involved and we encourage anyone with a significant event or occurrence affecting medical […]

Planet Green Trees Episode 179- Carruthers – Entrapment/ Year in Review

December 19, 2013 Tonight 8-10:00 p.m. or call 347-326-9626 Tonight- An entrapment defense was successfully argued in a case involving an undercover officer posing as a patient in order to gain access to the services of a Southfield, MI dispensary. House bills 4271 and 5104 head to the Senate after passing in the House by […]