Hawaii Cannabis logo
Facebook-f Twitter

Category: All Medical Marijuana News

Florida Senate Passes Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Unanimously

(New York, NY) – Today, the Florida Senate voted unanimously to approve SB 1044, which reforms the state’s “Contraband Forfeiture Act”. Introduced by Sen. Jeff Brandes, the bill now heads to Florida House of Representatives for a floor vote. The House companion, HB 889, passed its final committee of reference last week. The two bills […]

S 02, Ep. 13: He founded Leafly; He helps protect pot shops

Published: Jul 13, 2016, 5:12 pm • Updated: Jul 13, 2016, 5:19 pm Featured guests: Leafly and Headset founder Cy Scott and Derek Porter, CEO of Security Grade Protective Services LOTS TO TALK ABOUT •  The unique security concerns in the cannabis industry. •  Who legalized marijuana better, Colorado or Washington State? •  Banking is […]

State of the Leaf: With Legalization on Horizon, California Turns to Water Restrictions

U.S. News Updates Arizona Legalization opposition group Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy filed a lawsuit to bar a leading legalization measure from the state’s November ballot. The suit was brought by 13 groups and individuals, including anti-cannabis crusaders Bill Montgomery, who is the Maricopa County attorney, and Sheila Polk, the Yavapai County attorney. Arizona’s Campaign […]

The Drug War Provides Post-Civil Rights Cover for an Old Problem

It’s not hard to make the simple argument that Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were murdered by the police because they were black.  The lack of de-escalation employed in these tragic events is mind boggling when compared to white folks who verbally threatened police before brandishing weapons, or killing dozens of people in a movie […]

TODAY: Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Medical Marijuana

Today at 2:30pm, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism will hold a hearing entitled, “Researching the Potential Medical Benefits and Risks of Marijuana.” Senators will hear from witnesses from the FDA, NIDA, as well as medical professionals who will discuss the pros and cons of medical marijuana. Senators Booker (D-NJ) and Gillibrand (D-NY) […]

End the Drug War: Philippines President Duterte Says Kill All Drug Dealers

President Rodrigo Duterte, the new leader of the Philippines is out of his mind. His method in solving the drug war is simple, curb demand and supply by killing off drug dealers. What if he continues his madness and wipes out thousands of suspected dealers and suddenly illegal drugs disappear from the streets of that […]

Tuesday: D.C. Council Expected to Vote to Proceed with Permanent Ban on Marijuana Clubs

The Council of the District of Columbia has scheduled a vote today on legislation that restricts adult marijuana use in the District, prohibiting marijuana consumption everywhere but the home. The legislation is opposed by a majority of District residents and a growing number of councilmembers who oppose limiting consumption of marijuana to private residences, favoring […]

New Poll Shows Strong Support for Asset Forfeiture Reform in Utah

An overwhelming majority of registered Utah voters support civil asset forfeiture reform, according to a new poll released by Drug Policy Action. The poll was released the day before Utah’s primary election vote. 83% of Utah registered voters, including 83% of all Republicans, think police should not be able to seize and permanently take away […]

Colombia’s Peace Agreements Pose a Challenge to the War on Drugs

Last week, Colombia’s President, Juan Manuel Santos, and Timoleon Jimenez, the top leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the country’s largest guerrilla group, announced a historic ceasefire, bringing an end to five decades of civil war. The result of four years of negotiations in Havana, the ceasefire agreement is viewed as the […]

Healthcare Advocates & Elected Officials Call for Supervised Injection Facilities After Fifth Straight Year of Increasing Drug Overdose Deaths in NYC

New York, NY – Following Mayor Bill de Blasio’s announcement last night that fatal drug overdoses increased by 10% in 2015 – the fifth straight year – advocates applauded new city initiatives to curb the epidemic while renewing their call for supervised injection facilities (SIFs), a public health strategy that has been proven to reduce […]

Ohio Takes a Baby Step Toward Building a More Equitable Marijuana Industry

Gov. John Kasich recently signed into law Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Program, making Ohio the 25th state to implement its own medical marijuana laws. The program, like many others across the country, is heavily regulated – requiring oversight by the Ohio State Medical Board and the Board of Pharmacy – and like in many other states, […]

Florida Governor Rick Scott Signs Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Bill

Today, Florida Governor Rick Scott approved a bill aimed at reforming the practice of civil asset forfeiture, following unanimous passage in both the House and Senate. The bipartisan unanimity of passage in both chambers was driven by a diverse and disparate coalition of law enforcement and reform advocates, including the Drug Policy Alliance, which retained […]

Ricky Williams: Cannabis Connoisseur and the NFL’s Most Enigmatic Player

Ricky Williams went from being one of the most feared and dominating running backs in college football history to, during his 12-year pro career, one of the most controversial and least understood players in NFL history. In the past year he’s become one of the most visible leaders of the Gridiron Cannabis Coalition, a group […]

Will You Pick Up The Phone? Veterans Need Your Help

By now the majority of you who follow Illegally Healed probably know, or have at least heard about the recent removal of the Veterans Equal Access Amendment from the 2017 Military Construction & VA Appropriations Bill. Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Oregon has been a champion of this legislation, and has as a result of years […]

‘Synthetic Cannabis’ Rears Its Ugly Head, Sends 33 to NY Hospital

Synthetic cannabis — which, more on this later, is not a cannabis product — has once again popped up and reared its ugly head. On Tuesday, the designer drug was responsible for hospitalizing 33 people in Brooklyn. A witness who watched three people collapse on his way to work described what he saw to the […]

There’s a New Cannabis Warning Symbol in Washington State

The Washington Poison Center (WAPC) unveiled a new warning symbol to identify cannabis at a state Liquor and Cannabis Board meeting Wednesday. The WAPC developed the warning symbol as a deterrent for children who might accidentally come in contact with cannabis products intended for adults. The new symbol, a red “stop” hand with the phrase […]

Press Release: LEAP Declares Support for California Marijuana Legalization, Prop. 64

Medical Cannabis

Contact: Mikayla Hellwich media@nullleap.cc 240.461.3066 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION (LEAP) THROWS SUPPORT BEHIND CALIFORNIA MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION Criminal Justice Experts Across California and the U.S. Endorse AUMA to Promote Public Safety On July 1st, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced that the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), an initiative to legalize marijuana in the state, is […]

Ron Funches Headlines the Leafly Comedy Tour Stops in Portland and Phoenix

  The Leafly Comedy Tour is making two more stops this month! After bringing the laughs to Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Toronto, and San Francisco, we’re bringing Ron Funches with us for back-to-back nights in Portland, OR and Phoenix, AZ! Ron Funches Performs in Portland and Phoenix RSVP for Ron Funches in Portland at […]

Five months into 2016, Colorado marijuana sales near half-billion mark

Published: Jul 13, 2016, 11:56 am • Updated: Jul 14, 2016, 10:23 am By Alicia Wallace, The Cannabist Staff In the first five months of 2016, Colorado marijuana sales already were starting to flirt with the half-billion mark. Colorado recreational pot shops and medical marijuana dispensaries reeled in nearly $98.6 million in sales during May, […]

MJardin Reports Strong Growth

… in the cannabis industry, today announced continued growth in operations and expansion into new markets during the 2nd Quarter of 2016. … one of the eight medical marijuana licenses ISSued in the State of Hawaii and two …

MJardin Reports Strong Growth

… of the eight medical marijuana licenses issued in the State of Hawaii and two Massachusetts clients being granted provisional cultivation licenses.

10 Signs You’re a Southern Cannabis Smoker

This article is sponsored by Smoke Cartel, an online retailer and head shop made up of a close-knit team of glass lovers dedicated to making sure you get the best possible smoking gear. Here at Smoke Cartel in Savannah, we know that smoking is a fundamental part of every cannabis lover’s day. Like all pastimes, […]

U.S. Senate Subcommittee to Hold Hearing Today on Researching Marijuana’s Potential Medical Benefits and Risks

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism is scheduled to hold a hearing Wednesday on “Researching the Potential Medical Benefits and Risks of Marijuana.”  Testimony will be heard from Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), who are original co-sponsors of medical marijuana legislation introduced last year in the Senate known as

Former Running Back Ricky Williams Claims NFL Drug Tested Him Over 500 Times

The AP has reported that former running back Ricky Williams spoke with Sports Illustrated in a film to be released on SI.com Wednesday, that he “might have the world record for most times drug tested.” Williams, who won the 1998 Heisman Trophy, has been a huge advocate for medical marijuana during and after his 11-year

Why Whoopi Will Win a Weed Award and It’s a Victory for Women Everywhere

By: Meghan Ridley of Dope Magazine Whoopi Goldberg has been figuratively bleeding for causes across platforms ranging from entertainment to advocacy for decades. Starring in definitive roles and standing up for humanitarian causes has earned her numerous awards—including being one of only 12 artists in the world to receive an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony,

New Research Sheds Light on Cannabis’ Bronze Age Roots

Thanks to a recently developed database of archeological records, researchers at Berlin’s Free University have been able to dig up new information about the role cannabis played in ancient civilization.  In a study published in the journal Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, the Berlin team, led by Tengwen Long and Pavel Tarasov, writes that cannabis was […]

Should L.A. County Tax Medical Cannabis to Fight Homelessness?

Los Angeles has a homelessness problem. It’s a problem expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. And to foot the bill — or at least part of it — county supervisors are eying Southern California’s sprawling cannabis industry. On Tuesday, Los Angeles County supervisors voted 3–2 to put a measure on November’s ballot that […]

Dogs, Cats, or Other Animals and THC: What to Do if They Eat Your Cannabis

  There have been a number of studies reporting the positive benefits of treating certain disorders in animals with cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. In fact, there are even CBD dog treats available at some dispensaries. However, although CBD may be beneficial for your pet, keep in mind that dogs, cats, and other […]

Take Advantage of Amazon Prime Day with These Cannabis-Friendly Deals

For those of you who enjoy the savings Black Friday offers but don’t like the idea of putting on pants or interacting with other humans, I have good news for you: today is Amazon Prime Day, a 24 hour blitz where the online retail behemoth offers screamin’ deals on an array of products. And while […]

Thanks and Blessings

Post heavy consideration and consultation with family and friends — and after a serious life changing event recently — I’ve decided to resign as NORML’s executive director after some 25 years with the organization. In Malcolm Gladwell’s best selling 2008 book Outliers, he puts forward the premise that when humans focus intensely on a vocation […]

Here’s Why Arkansas Seniors Are Advocating For Medical Cannabis

Are you an Arkansan 55 years of age or older? Have thought about talking with your doctor about medical cannabis? Good news, you’re not alone. Arkansas will have a chance to vote for medical cannabis on November 8th. If passed, it will allow patients to have an open discussion about medical cannabis treatments with their physician. […]

Maine Rejects Petition to OK Medical Cannabis as Opioid Addiction Treatment

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The state says the science just isn’t there to allow opiate addiction to be treated with medical marijuana. Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services has denied a petition brought forward this spring by Dawson Julia, who runs a medical marijuana caregiver business in Unity. In its denial, the agency said […]

Anti-Marijuana Campaign Files Suit to Block Arizona Legalization

PHOENIX (AP) — Opponents of the campaign to legalize recreational cannabis in Arizona filed a lawsuit Monday asking a judge to bar the initiative from the November ballot. Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy argue that legalization backers are deceiving voters while pitching the measure. The motion seeking a preliminary injunction alleges that the petition sheets […]

Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Prescription Drug Use, Medicare Spending

The enactment of statewide medicinal cannabis laws is associated with a quantifiable decline in the use of traditional prescription drugs, according to data published in the July edition of the scientific journal Health Affairs. Investigators at the University of Georgia assessed the relationship between medical marijuana legalization laws and physicians’ prescribing patterns in 17 states […]

Fed Up with Federal Barriers, American Researchers Take Action

By Chloe Sommers A couple of researchers from the University of New Mexico wrote a letter in Science magazine, of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), about the ridiculous hurdles medical researchers face when it comes to studying cannabis. “Our report was just a short (but much overdue) opinion piece designed to inform

North Dakota Could Be Voting On Medical Marijuana This Election

BISMARCK, N.D. — The chairman of a group gathering petition signatures to put a medical marijuana initiative before North Dakota voters says it has successfully reached the signature count needed for November ballot access. Apparently supporters of the North Dakota Compassionate Care Act, the North Dakota medical marijuana initiative, will hold a press conference Monday

Washington Recreational Marijuna Sales passes $1 Billion

Written by Jake Ellison Well, Washington (and tourists and neighbors from border states), you’ve gone and consumed more than $1 billion worth of marijuana since the legal market began in July 2014. So far, the great destruction of our society has not occurred … or if it is ongoing, it’s slow and sneaky. What has

5 Steps to Effectively Handle the Political Climate

Written by: Rosalie Chamberlain In the political season, tensions are often high and conversations can be heated or even non-existent. But let’s consider the impact on your current workplace, your community, neighborhood, or wherever you find yourself stuck in a sticky situation where politics come up. Chances are in any of these situations, you have

Cannabis in Germany: Steer Clear of Bavaria

Bavaria and Texas have a lot in common: distinctive local patriotism, unique dialects, a strong sense of tradition, and a whole lot of cows and cattle. The cannabis policy of both regions has remarkable parallels, too — much to the disappointment of cannabis consumers in München, Houston, Austin, or Nürnberg alike. Bavaria’s strict stance is […]

Hawaii Law Lets Nurses Certify Medical Cannabis Patients

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii patients may have easier access to medical marijuana now that nurses can certify them for the drug. Advocates say the change was needed because there’s a shortage of doctors willing to certify patients. Gov. David Ige signed a bill Monday updating the state’s medical marijuana dispensary law. The bill also fixes […]

US FL: City Votes For Pause On Pot Dispensaries

Orlando Sentinel, 12 Jul 2016 – Orlando commissioners voted to approve a temporary moratorium on marijuana dispensaries in the city Monday, months before Florida voters will again weigh in on medical uses for the drug. The City Council vote comes after three would-be sellers of either medicinal marijuana or the low-THC oil known as Charlotte’s […]

US PA: Leach Paves Way For Medical Marijuana In Pa.

Daily Times, 12 Jul 2016 – Proposals for Sites Starting to Bubble Up in Delco UPPER MERION – Passage of legislation that legalized medical marijuana in Pennsylvania marked the end of seven long, hard years of negotiation. Now that Gov. Tom Wolf has signed the measure into law, the push is on to explain the […]

US AZ: Ariz. Court: Pot Smell Enough To Ok Search

The Sun, 12 Jul 2016 – PHOENIX – Got marijuana? Not legally? Might want to keep the smell down. A pair of new court rulings Monday allows the police to pursue a search of your place or your vehicle solely based on the odor.

US MA: Column: Like Bill Clinton, I Didn’t Inhale

Boston Globe, 12 Jul 2016 – The Fight Against Marijuana Legalization When it comes to marijuana legalization, what do you trust? Studies that conclude cannabis is not a harmful gateway drug – or the memory of a glassy-eyed college roommate who stopped going to class?

US ME: Maine Receives Just Two Applications To Grow Hemp

Boston Globe, 12 Jul 2016 – AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – So far, only the Passamaquoddy Tribe and a Portland resident have received permission to grow what would be the state’s first licensed crops of industrial hemp. They are going into unknown territory in Maine at a time when federal law prohibits commercial hemp cultivation. Republican […]

US AZ: Anti-Marijuana Campaign Files Suit Vs. Legalization

The Sun, 12 Jul 2016 – PHOENIX – Foes of legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Arizona are trying to block voters from getting their say on the measure. In a lawsuit filed Monday, challengers say the 38-page initiative is legally flawed, to the point where it would be illegal to put the question on […]

US: You Can Lose Out Just Being Associated With Pot

The Herald, 11 Jul 2016 – A few weeks ago, Derek Peterson got a letter from Mutual of Omaha, turning him down for life insurance. “Our decision was based on,” the letter said, then trailed off (Monty Python-style) and picked up in all caps:

US: Government To Decide On If Pot Has Medical Use

Boston Herald, 11 Jul 2016 – WASHINGTON – The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 put marijuana in the category of the nation’s most dangerous drugs, along with LSD, heroin and mescaline. That law might soon change. Suspense is mounting after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration missed its self-imposed June 30 deadline to decide whether to […]

Can Cannabis Treat Fibromyalgia Better Than Prescription Drugs?

Anyone suffering from fibromyalgia will tell you it can be devastating. On some days, simple chores like doing laundry or making breakfast can be exhausting, if not downright impossible. Just ask Teri Robnett, a Denver-based medical marijuana patient’s rights advocate who runs the Rx MaryJane blog: “There used to be days that I didn’t feel […]

Catch These 7 Cannabis Strains for Your Next Pokémon GO Session

Have you noticed more people walking around your neighborhood swiping on their cell phone in an almost zombie-like-state recently? Chances are, that person is trying to catch ‘em all on the new gaming app Pokémon GO, which his already been installed more times in its first week than the dating app Tinder in its five […]

North Dakota Medical Cannabis Backers Submit Signatures

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Supporters of a ballot initiative campaign that would legalize cannabis for medical purposes turned in about 17,600 signatures Monday, saying they were confident their efforts would put the issue to a statewide vote. Backers of the so-called North Dakota Compassionate Care Act must have 13,500 qualified signatures to put it to […]

Dems Move Party Platform a Little Closer to Legalization

The Democratic Party heard the call of its constituents and took an unexpected step in support of cannabis reform last weekend, officially endorsing a “reasoned pathway to future legalization.” The party also recommended cannabis be rescheduled under the Controlled Substances Act.  The Democratic Platform Drafting Committee had earlier proposed a policy related to marijuana, but, […]

Arizona’s Top Court Affirms ‘Plain Smell’ Doctrine for Cannabis

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled this morning that the smell of growing cannabis constitutes probable cause for a search warrant. The court’s decision overturned a lower appeals court ruling, which held that Arizona’s medical marijuana law legally negated the so-called “plain smell doctrine.”  In the short term, this is bad news for Ronald James Sisco, […]

Benefits of Cannabis Terpenes: Ocimene, Terpinolene, and Guaiol

This article is sponsored by Tilray, one of the largest and most sophisticated producers of premium medical cannabis in the world. Tilray is dedicated to providing safe, consistent, and reliable products to patients and furthering clinical research. Terpenes are a group of fragrant essential oils – secreted alongside cannabinoids like THC and CBD – that […]

National Epidemic: Another Veteran Commits Suicide After Being Refused Treatment

Over the weekend I was notified that another Brother took his own life. Former Marine Brandon Ketchum I didn’t know former Marine Brandon Ketchum, but I know his story. It’s the same story shared by countless Veterans across the United States, including myself. In 2005 I was in a pharmaceutical induced haze in “1W,” the psych […]

Improving Brief Marijuana Interventions With a Behavioral Economic Supplement

Experimental: BMI + SFAS Participants first receive a 50-minute standard brief motivational intervention designed to reduce marijuana use. A week later, they will receive the SFAS (Substance-free Activity Session., a 50-minute counseling session designed to increase the salience of the student’s academic and career goals, draw attention to the potentially negative relationship between substance use […]

New Study Finds the Average Amount of Weed Per Joint

USA — 0.32 grams. That’s how much marijuana is in the typical American joint, according to a rigorous statistical analysis recently published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence by drug policy researchers Greg Ridgeway of the University of Pennsylvania and Beau Kilmer of the Rand Corp. The amount of weed in the typical joint

Democrats Call for ‘Pathway’ to Marijuana Legalization

The Democratic Party endorsed a “reasoned pathway to future legalization” of marijuana and called for the drug to be downgraded in the Controlled Substances Act, in a tense and unexpected victory for supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders. Going into the platform committee meeting, Sanders’s campaign had no new language about marijuana. The senator from Vermont had favored

Star-powered weed strains are gold mine for cannabis industry

Published: Jul 11, 2016, 1:30 am • Updated: Jul 12, 2016, 6:48 pm By Jason Blevins, The Denver Post Pot is going the way of sneakers and snowboards. As cannabis fights for a foothold in the U.S. economy, innovative weed growers are taking cues from a variety of industries — footwear, musical instruments, skis and […]

US: It’s Cash Only, And Robbers Know It

Los Angeles Times, 11 Jul 2016 – Marijuana Shops Become the Targets of Violent Heists. The recent killing of a marijuana store security guard in Colorado and the wounding of a guard in San Bernardino are the latest examples of the crime lure posed by cash-only pot dispensaries, industry observers say.

The Many Types of Solventless Cannabis Extracts

The world of cannabis extracts is expanding rapidly with no intention of slowing down. In most legal markets, concentrate sales are increasing steadily as they continue to grab larger shares of the market year over year. Emerging trends within cannabis concentrate sales have undoubtedly fueled innovation at a staggering pace as a result of high […]