Weed tax on the horizon: Colorado is set to become the first state in the nation to collect tax revenue from marijuana sales. Both chambers of the state legislature have passed legislation that would tax the substance—which is legal for recreational use in the state—and Governor John Hickenlooper is expected to sign it. Asked what how the federal government will respond should the legislation take effect, a spokesman for the US Attorney’s office in Colorado said that the DOJ “is taking into consideration all aspects of this issue.” (Photo: Reuters) source
A Map That Shows the Dramatic Spread of Legal Weed in the U.S.
Very pertinent today, with a bill awaiting Maryland governor Martin O’Malley’s signature to legalize medical marijuana.
The Maryland Senate has approved a medical marijuana bill on Monday by a vote of 42 to 4.
The bill passed on the last day of the legislative session.
The bill now heads to Gov. Martin O’Malley’s desk. According to the Baltimore Sun, he is expected to sign the bill, having called the bill a “yellow light” approach toward medical marijuana. The AP reports the bill would create a state commission to oversee medical marijuana programs at academic medical research centers that decide to participate.
Of course, as the Department of Justice will likely remind people when asked about the new laws later today/this week, marijuana remains a Schedule 1 substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Still, with the majority of Americans firmly against the continued criminalization of marijuana use, we imagine that even the federal government knows it will likely be forced back down on this issue relatively soon.
Nearly half (48%) of all adults have tried marijuana, including 57% of Millennials. In the past year, 12% of Americans have used marijuana either for a medical issue or recreationally, or both. Age makes a difference: 27% of those under 30 say they have used marijuana in the past year, three times the percentage in any other age category.
To whatever extent cannabis use among adults still holds a level of stigma or taboo thanks to its illegal nature, by the numbers it’s clearly something of an open secret. Support for legalizing it has now reached majority levels, and this isn’t something to be laughed off with some lame joke about Cheetos — countless thousands of Americans now languish in prison for non-violent use.
52% support marijuana legalization in a new Pew poll, compared with 45% who don’t. It’s the first national poll ever to show majority support for legalization.
We knew it was too good to be true. Why didn’t Tancredo realize when he made the bet, or when he agreed to uphold it several days ago, that smoking weed would set a bad example for his grandchildren? source
In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, the L.A. City Council voted to end the era of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. Letters demanding an immediate end to all operations will be sent to all 762 registered dispensaries in Los Angeles; however, some older dispensaries may be allowed to re-open at a later date thanks to a “grandfather clause” proposal which also passed a vote. Many activists have pledged to fight the new measure — both in court and with ballot initiatives if necessary — including the California branch of Americans for Safe Access. So, do you think this was the right move? (Photo via Dank Depot) source
House Resolution 6134, also known as theThe Truth in Trials Act, was introduced Tuesday by Representative Sam Farr on behalf of himself and 18 other congressmen. The bill aims to overturn existing federal regulations which prevent medical marijuana patients from discussing state law, and their compliance with it, during federal prosecution of marijuana-related offenses. It also aims to crack down on federal raids of dispensaries and caregivers by declaring that “No plant may be seized under any federal law otherwise permitting such seizure if the plant is being grown or stored pursuant to a recommendation by a physician or an order of a state or municipal agency in accordance with state law.” (Photo via Dank Depot) source
With the state’s Democratic governor expected to sign the bill into law, Connecticut would become the 16th of 50 U.S. states to embrace marijuana as an option for people seeking medical relief, though in Connecticut they’ve approached it with tightened regulation to try to avoid abuse of the system, and trouble with the federal government. In particular, all patients must register with the Department of Consumer Protection in order to receive the drug, which is used for a variety of ailments, glaucoma, cancer and multiple sclerosis being prominent examples. (Photo by the appropriately named Dank Depot) source
» Who would have guessed that getting high reduces stress? While the study stopped short of conclusively saying that medical marijuana was the direct cause of the lower rates, the authors did note that, when used in moderation, cannabis acts as an anti-depressant. The authors also found that states with medical marijuana programs saw a reduction in alcohol consumption by young men, and note that alcohol is a known depressant. Read the full results of the study here.
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Simply put, [marijuana] is not a benign drug.Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy • In the official White House response to a number of petitions calling for weed legalization. This is part of the Obama administration’s “We The People” program: Anybody can submit a petition on a topic of their choosing, and if it gathers enough signatures, the White House will issue an official response. It’s cool that they’re actually following up on the promise to address the petitions, though we imagine proponents of medical marijuana won’t be pleased at the response. source (via • follow)
» Will we reach a tipping point? Quite possibly, the study suggests: “If this current trend on legalizing marijuana continues, pressure may build to bring the nation’s laws into compliance with the people’s wishes,” the summary noted. Considering the current state of affairs in California, public outcry is completely understandable. Think it’ll eventually happen?
Where there’s marijuana there’s money. And lots of it. People are using the cover of medical marijuana to make extraordinary amounts of money. In short, (they’re) engaged in drug trafficking.U.S. Attorney for Northern California Melinda Haag • Comparing medical marijuana dealers to drug traffickers — a harsh take, considering medical marijuana is legal in California. The U.S. government is planning a crackdown of medical marijuana dispensaries in the state within the next two months. This actually follows something Eric Holder said about a year ago, when Prop 19 looked like it might have a chance of passing in California. source (via • follow)
Federal officials are warning California medical marijuana dispensaries they must shut down within 45 days or face criminal prosecution and having their property confiscated.
The state’s four U.S. attorneys sent letters Wednesday and Thursday notifying at least 16 pot shops or their landlords that they are violating federal drug laws, even though medical marijuana is legal in California. The attorneys are to announce their coordinated crackdown at a Friday news conference.
Because this is the biggest problem facing the country.
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