Medical Marijuana extract can reduce severe Epilepsy among Kids: Study

May 30, 2017

A recent study published by New England Journal of Medicine on pot medication, has revealed that a compound (oil) derived from marijuana can boost in reducing seizures among kids suffering from severe Epilepsy. The research ascertains the claims made by some parents for years now.

The compound ‘Cannabidol,’ is an oil derived from marijuana which can be purified and used.

The study was conducted on 120 children in the United States and Europe, aged between 2 to 18. As a part of the study, the children suffering from severe epilepsy were administered doses of liquid Cannabidol, two times a day or an inactive placebo treatment for two weeks. The report suggests around 43 per cent of kids showed a drop of 50 per cent during the course of the study.

The report published after the survey states that, “Among patients with the Dravet syndrome, cannabidiol resulted in a greater reduction in convulsive-seizure frequency than placebo and was associated with higher rates of adverse events.”

Though there have been instances of pot medication treating seizures in severe epilepsy, a survey and documentation has been done for the first time by scientists.

However, the study also noted several side-effects of using the treatment including diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite and gastrointestinal symptoms. Elevation in liver enzymes was also observed in a few patients leading to liver toxicity.

Cannabidol is not available to anyone except the manufacturer GW Pharmaceuticals, who also funded the study. Since, the marijuana compound id not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the company now plans to send it for approval this year, hoping to roll it out as a prescribed medication to reduce seizures in severe epilepsy patients by next year.

Employees of a Store uncover Marijuana in donations

May 28, 2017

The workers of a second hand store in Maplewood were in for a huge surprise, when they uncovered packets of marijuana in a Ziploc bag, among the clothing distributed as donations. 

As per information, while rummaging through the clothing donations, the workers of ‘Once Upon a child,’ a second-hand store in Maplewood, found more than 100 grams of marijuana stacked in separate plastic bags.

Following the finding, the Maplewood Minnesota Police Department has posted the photograph of the finding on their Facebook page and asked the rightful owner to come and collect it from the police department in a humorous post.

“If you accidentally donated 111 grams of marijuana along with your clothing earlier to a local store please come to the PD so we can reunite you! We know you spent a lot of time dividing them into these perfectly measured baggies & must be missing them,” the Facebook of the police department post read. The photo was also tweeted from the department’s handle.

As expected, no one has turned up to stake ‘claim’ over the cannabis plant. However, the police are hopeful to catch the culprit soon through the security camera footage. The police will also review the forms filled up at the time of donation, which has name and address and contact details, though the authenticity of the particulars filled are yet to be verified.

The marijuana stacked neatly in packets, are believed to be for circulation and not personal consumption. There are more than 50 neatly arranged packets. Once caught, the person who owns the marijuana can be charged with possession and intent to distribute.

Florida Health Officials outline Medical Marijuana Regulations

May 28, 2017

The Florida Department of Health is taking steps for adopting regulations to allow the use of medical marijuana by patients after the state lawmakers failed to resolve the issue during the session early this month.

The Department of Health on Thursday published a ‘Notice of Regulation Development Procedure,’ highlighting the procedures the Department intends to implement, using Amendment 2. Amendment 2 was cleared by more than 71 per cent of votes in November last year. It permits patients with medical conditions including HIV-AIDS, PTSD, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis and a host of others to access medical cannabis plant.

The Florida Department of Health came into action after lawmakers failed to act in the last session that ended on May 8. The Department now faces an ambitious deadline of July 3 to note that the regulations, which is said to boost the medical marijuana industry and might also make Florida as one of the country’s largest medical cannabis markets. The officials have time till October 3 to implement the regulations.

As per the procedure, the officials of the Department of Health will need to give a 15-day notice before adopting the regulations. The draft rules will also include a public-comment period of three days.

Though, Amendment 2 which was passed last year is now a part of the Constitution of Florida, the rules for passage of regulations do not apply.

The lawmakers will likely resume the discussions on the issue during a special summer session. Sen. Rob Bradley has supported a special session to discuss the issue so that the matter is decided by the lawmakers and not the Department. However, a session is likely if the Governor Rick Scott vetoes a portion of the budget, forcing the lawmakers to discuss issues other than marijuana.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice calls for decriminalizing Marijuana

May 28, 2017

Justice William O’Neil, an Ohio Supreme Court justice has called for a move to legalize marijuana. The justice, who is the only democrat to hold an Ohio office, was quoted stating that legalizing marijuana model is working in Colarado and pursuing the same in Ohio would raise millions in sales taxes.

The Supreme Court Justice, who early this year had said he was considering to step down and run for the Governor in 2018, also stressed on releasing marijuana offenders from prison, who are non-violent.

O’Neil stated these steps would generate approximately $350 million, a sum which can be used to create a state-run mental health network and also combat drug addiction.

“The time has come for new thinking. We regulate and tax alcohol and tobacco and imprison people for smoking grass,” the Supreme Court justice said in a recent address.

The Democrat also seeks the Ohio Department of Mental Health to reopen the state hospitals which were closed long back in a bid to change the way addicted is viewed.

Stressing the Democrats need fresh ideas to beat the Republicans in 2018, he said, “Treat addiction like the disease it is in the name of compassion.”

For the run-up to the Governor’s post, many names are fiddling from both sides. While Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, former Representative Betty Sutton, former state Representative Connie Pillich and Joe Schiavoni are in the race from the Democrats; U.S. Representative Jim Renacci and Secretary of State Jon Husted, Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor and Attorney General Mike DeWine are the Republicans probables.

Judge rules against company for violating rights of Medical Marijuana User

May 28, 2017

A textile company has discriminated against woman and violated the marijuana law, ruled a judge in a written decision.

Darlington Fabrics Corp, a westerly based textile company had denied a paid internship to a woman on the basis that she uses medical marijuana to treat migraine headaches.

The woman Christine Callaghan a graduate at the University of Rhode Island, had applied for paid internship at the textile company. Though she was initially approved for the internship, but the offer was withdrawn when she informed she was in possession of a medical marijuana card.

A case against Darlington Fabrics Corp was filed by state branch of American Civil Liberties Union and Christine was represented by Carly Beauvais Iafrate, a volunteer attorney from the Union.

While giving the ruling, the judge Richard A. Licht concluded that the textile company had violated the state’s Hawkins-Slater Medical Marijuana Act, which prohibits discrimination against medical marijuana card-holders.

“This decision sends a strong message that people with disabilities simply cannot be denied equal employment opportunities because of the medication they take. If employers were permitted to discriminate against those using medical marijuana, then the good work done by those to enact the law will be completely undone,” judge Iafrate said in a statement.

In its defense, the Westerly based company had stated that it had refused to offer paid internship to Christine, not because she was a medical marijuana card holder but denied her internship because of her inability to pass a drug screening test. because of her status as a card-holder but because of her inability to pass a drug screening test.

Thanking ACLU for taking up the case, Christine said she was forced to disclose her medical condition to professors after not being hired.

Capitol Lawmaker pushes for legalization of Marijuana

May 20, 2017

A section of the lawmakers in the Capitol are considering legalizing of the cannabis plant.

A Bill titled, ‘Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act,’ was introduced early this year by Representative Thomas Garrett of Virginia, which removes cannabis from Controlled Substances Act and gives states the permission to decide on regulating medical and recreational marijuana.

On Wednesday, Thomas Garret held a press conference to update the public and media on the progress of the Bill.

 “I have long believed justice that isn’t blind, isn’t justice. Statistics indicate that minor narcotics crimes disproportionately hurt areas of lower socioeconomic status and what I find most troubling is that we continue to keep laws on the books that we do not enforce,” said Garret, who believes there are medical uses for cannabis.

Marijuana is currently out of federal law, but is still legal in over half of the nation including states like Colorado.

Garrett said deregulating punishment for marijuana would enable states “to determine appropriate medicinal use and allows for industrial hemp growth.”

At a time when President Donald Trump’s administration is looking for a stronger enforcement of federal Marijuana laws, the Bill that has 11 co-sponsors has added to the chaos. There have been speculations of the cannabis industry being at risk, ever since Jeff Sessions was made in charge of US Department of Justice.

In his statement, Kevin Sabet, President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a non-profit organization criticized the policy.

“Common sense – not Cheech and Chong ideology – should drive our nation’s marijuana laws.  Make no mistake: Congressman Garrett’s legislation is designed to chip away at law enforcement’s ability to keep drug trafficking organizations out of our communities and support a growing for-profit industry that will target poor and young people throughout Virginia,” the statement read. 

First medical marijuana dispensary in Gainesville opens on Friday

May 20, 2017

The first medical marijuana dispensary in Gainesville opened on Friday. Knox Medical, a Central-Florida based medical marijuana firm will be delivering the medical cannabis plant. This is the first medical marijuana dispensary to be set up in Gainesville and one of the firsts in Florida after the approval of medical marijuana amendment.

Knox Medical, which is located on Southwest 34^th street and is close to the University of Florida, is attempting to make it appear more like a pharmacy than a stereotypical ‘pot-shop.’ The shop starts taking orders from 11am.

The dispensary has a waiting room, which has open access for all, but only people with prescriptions are allowed beyond the waiting area. There is consultation room and a section which has Knox’s products displayed.

Since, no medical dispensaries in Florida can legally sell marijuana to be smoked; Knox Medical’s product line would include vaporizers and liquid drops.

The doctors are allowed to prescribe pots for diseases including cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis and related diseases. Only a patient who has been treated three times by a physician would be eligible to receive cannabis treatment.

Operating out of Winter Garden for over 50 years, Knox Medical is part of the Knox Nursery, which manufactures more than 500 varieties of plants.

Knox also plans to open up dispensaries in other locations of Florida including Jacksonville, Lake Worth, Tallahassee and St. Petersburg in the next two years. A medical marijuana dispensary is due to be set up in Orlando in a few weeks.

Marijuana Legalization Bill in Governor Phill Scott’s Court for Veto

May 20, 2017

S.22 , the Bill to legalize marijuana, has been forwarded to Vermont Governor Phil Scott, who has time until next Wednesday to decide whether to sign the Bill or not. As per the law, once a Bill is sent, the Governor has five days (May 24) to respond. The Bill was handed over to Governor Scott on Thursday morning.

If the Governor doesn’t sign by next Wednesday and vetoes it, it becomes law without his signature. Both the chambers of the State Legislature have approved the Bill.

So far, Governor Scott has not revealed his intentions to sign the petition or not.Though, he has not opposed the legalization of the cannabis plant, he has asserted concerns about highway safety and youth access to marijuana.

Once approved, the Bill would legalize marijuana possession up to an ounce of marijuana and home-growing of cannabis plants per household from July 2018. However, the commercial production of cannabis plant is not permitted under the law. A commission to look into tax models will also come up after the passage of the Bill.

The Bill assumes significance because it is the first Bill to be passed in State legislature without the participation of citizen.

If the Bill is approved and passed, it will pave way for other states to follow suit and legalize cannabis plant without ballot initiative.

While opponents are reluctant to the introduction of marijuana in Vermont industry, fearing criminal justice system, the supporters argue the medicinal aspect of the weed.

Though, marijuana is not legalized under federal law, it is still available in most of the States. This comes at a time when President Donald Trump’s administration is looking for a stronger enforcement of federal Marijuana laws.

Roger Goodell believes Marijuana is 'Addictive' and bad for NFL Players

May 01, 2017

At a time when numerous American States are legalizing marijuana either for medical use or recreational purpose or both in recent times, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell thinks marijuana is “addictive” and generally bad for football players.

While appearing on the ESPN show Mike & Mike on Friday, Goodell also claimed that he won’t change his stance until his advisers prove the medicinal benefit of marijuana consumption for the players.

 “I think you still have to look at a lot of aspects of marijuana use,” Goodell said. “It does have an addictive nature”.

Goodell pointed out that the long-term effects of marijuana are not yet known.

“There are a lot of compounds in marijuana that may not be healthy for the players long term. All of those things have to be considered. We really want to help our players in that circumstance, but I want to make sure that the negative consequences aren't something that is something that we'll be held accountable for some years down the road”, Goodell stated.

However, the NFL Commissioner acknowledged that the league will continue to evaluate whether marijuana can be used for medicinal benefits..

'We look at it from a medical standpoint,' Goodell said. 'So if people feel that it has a medical benefit, the medical advisers have to tell you that. We have joint advisers, we also have independent advisers, both the NFLPA and the NFL, and we'll sit down and talk about that”.

Goodell has been criticized for his strict ruling of marijuana use in the league. The NFLLPA is down with dope as a tool for pain management, as are many NFL coaches.

Notably, marijuana has been banned in the NFL. The players face fines and suspensions for multiple drug-test violations in case of marijuana use.

Pennsylvania should legalize Recreational Marijuana: Mayor Kenny

May 01, 2017

In an effort to prevent more people from going to jail over marijuana possession, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney observes that the state should legalize marijuana for recreational purpose, and police don’t need to expend resources on busts

Mayor Kenny’s comment came after the recent bust at a Philadelphia pot party, in which police arrested 22 people, seized 50 pounds of marijuana, 100 pounds of THC-infused edible products and $50,000 in cash over the weekend.

Kenney, a Democrat, called the raid at a warehouse hosting a pot-smoking party in Philadelphia as “overkill." He said, “I just think the amount of resources that were put into it may have been a little overkill.”

The Mayor says that he understands why police busted the party, citing the large amount of marijuana present and potentially dangerous conditions in the building. He also agrees that it is “clearly illegal” to sell, or even possess, the amount of weed connected to the bust.

However the Mayor of Pennsylvania’s largest city believes such types of operations would not exist if the state had a fully legalized marijuana market. For Kenny, marijuana legalization is "the real solution."

 “The real solution to this is legalizing it in the state of Pennsylvania as they did in Colorado," Kenney said. "We won’t have to use police resources in these kinds of activities and actions.”

“It’s clearly illegal to sell in those quantities.” But, Kenny added, there must be “another way” to go about resolving the matter, “as opposed to the amount of resources that were put into this, especially considering our ongoing relationship with that community.”

In 2014, Philadelphia passed a citywide ordinance decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana with a punishment of monetary fine. However, marijuana sales weren't decriminalized in the city.

Mexico’s Lower House approves Marijuana for Medicinal Use

May 01, 2017

In a major development, Mexico's Lower House of Congress overwhelmingly passed a bill on Friday that would legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes, scientific research, as well as production and distribution of marijuana for those two stated purposes across the country.

 The measure was passed with 371 lawmakers in favor, 7 against and 11 abstentions.

The bill sailed through the Senate in December and will now be sent to President Enrique Pena Nieto for his signature to make it a law in a country mired in brutal drug violence.

"The ruling eliminates the prohibition and criminalization of acts related to the medicinal use of marijuana and its scientific research, and those relating to the production and distribution of the plant for these purposes," the Lower House said in a statement.

The bill authorizes the Health Ministry to design regulations for the use, import and production of pharmaceutical products made from marijuana, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the plant's main psychoactive ingredient.

According to the new measure, marijuana products with one percent concentration of THC will be allowed for medicinal marijuana. But, it does not allow smoking marijuana.

In April, President Pena Nieto, once a vocal opponent of drug legalization, proposed legalizing medical marijuana in a major policy shift after his government organized forums to discuss changes to the laws.

The day Pena Nieto signs the bill to make a law, Mexico will join several US states and other nations in Latin America that allow marijuana for medical purposes.

Recreational marijuana is still widely prohibited in Mexico. However, the Supreme Court in 2015 granted four people the right to grow their own marijuana for personal consumption, opening the door to marijuana legalization for recreational purpose as well.

Rep. Rosa Alba Ramirez of the small Citizens’ Movement party stated that, “this is not opening the door for a general and unchecked consumption because it includes measures so the health department can ensure it is not being abused or distorted to widen it to recreational use.”

Florida’s Medical Marijuana Bill heads to Full House

May 01, 2017

The Florida House of Representatives bill that aims to implement the state’s medical marijuana constitutional amendment has been passed by its final committee on late Monday afternoon. The bill now heads to the Florida House floor for approval.

The House Committee on Health and Human Services passed the proposal, HB 1397, sponsored by Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, by a vote of 14-4.

The measure would create many limitations on medical marijuana across the state. The patients would also be barred from buying more than a 90-day supply of marijuana, edibles would be off-limits and “vaping” would only be allowed for terminal patients.

“The goal was to have a reconciliation between the House medical marijuana implementing bill and the Senate medical marijuana implementing bill and present it at this committee,” said the House bill’s sponsor, Ray Rodrigues.

The Amendment 2 was overwhelmingly approved by voters in last November. It has been criticized by patients and advocates for being far too rigid to provide relief to so many suffering Floridians.

Supporters of the amendment object that the House bill is too restrictive, in part because it would rely too heavily on a 2014 law that legalized non-euphoric marijuana for patients with chronic muscle spasms, epilepsy or cancer.

Meanwhile, supporters of the measure want to see the marijuana regulation to be implemented in a tightly restricted but responsible manner where would be treated like a medicine rather than a recreational drug.

However, the critics of Rodrigues’ proposal consider that the measure continues to distance itself from the Senate bill, SB 406, which they see as a much more amenable way to implement medical marijuana in Florida.

Reno City considers temporary ban on Recreational Marijuana Business

May 01, 2017

The Reno City Council is considering a temporary ban on recreational marijuana business, including the application, licensing, and operation of recreational marijuana establishments and production facilities in the city.

The City Council on Wednesday decided a proposal for not to pursue a six-month delay on approving sales of recreational marijuana.

Several marijuana stake holders representing local medical marijuana establishments appeared at the council meeting to talk council members down from pursuing a moratorium as the state approaches its own summer deadline to begin an early start recreational marijuana program across the state.

One dispensary owner pointed out that neither the city of Sparks nor Washoe County has passed such a moratorium, so passing one in Reno would simply drive customers to seek recreational pot elsewhere in the county.

"Neither the city of Sparks nor Washoe County have passed moratoriums, which means folks may head over to Sparks and (other dispensaries in) Washoe County for marijuana," said Joey Gilbert, a co-owner of Mynt Dispensary in the council meeting. 

Reno Code Enforcement Manager Alex Woodley believed that the city is looking at recreational marijuana as a new industry. "Being the fact that we don't have any laws on the books right now, we have to consider creating new laws to make sure we address that particular industry", he said.

Currently, as many as four medical marijuana dispensaries are operating in the city of Reno. If the bill active in the state Legislature becomes law, adult people, eighteen years or older, will be allowed to use marijuana for recreational purpose.

Nevada voters approved Ballot Question 2 last November by a 54 to 46 percent margin, and in accordance with the initiative, Reno would be granted 20 recreational retail licenses.

Massachusetts Sheriffs urge Lawmakers to raise Marijuana Tax

May 01, 2017

In Massachusetts, Sheriffs have urged state lawmakers to use the legalization of marijuana as an opportunity to invest in substance abuse prevention and treatment by raising the tax on marijuana sales from 10% to 15% to support addiction treatment programs in the state.

The Massachusetts Committee on Marijuana Policy held their last public hearing on Monday to review the marijuana legislation that voters approved in last November. The committee is expected to issue recommendations by June this year.

"We are searching and starving for resources," said Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane, who predicted an uptick in addiction and more arrests from driving under the influence of marijuana. “Not everyone will smoke responsibly, much in the same way many people don’t drink responsibly”, he added.

Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi said, “The resources are not there when people are putting their hand up for support, and as my colleague said earlier, corrections is one of the front lines, first lines, of detoxification for people that are coming in.”

Cocchi further said, “I’m not saying everyone who smokes a joint is going to become an addict.” But he pointed to his own experience of trying to cope with substance abuse through the county correctional system and the lack of financial resources available from the state to deal with the crisis.

Notably, nine of the state's fourteen sheriffs are listed as co-sponsors of the proposed marijuana legislation.

Currently, marijuana sales would be subject to a 3.75 percent excise tax on top of the state's 6.25 percent sales tax and a local option tax of 2 percent. The Massachusetts tax would be lower than those imposed in several Western states, including Colorado, Oregon and Washington, that previously legalized recreational marijuana.

California releases rules for Medical Marijuana

May 01, 2017

With a view to impose a better order in marijuana business, the Brown administration on Friday released 114 pages of draft regulations for the sale and use of medical marijuana in California, and invited a 45-day comment period before they become law.

The regulation would establish the first comprehensive rules for growing, testing, transporting and selling medical marijuana across the state, a long time demand by various stake holders involved in the marijuana business.

“The broad objectives of these proposed regulations are to create a state licensed and regulated commercial cannabis market,” the rules said. “The specific benefits anticipated are increased protection of the public and the environment from the harms associated with an unregulated commercial cannabis market.”

According the rules, all medical marijuana would be lab-tested and tracked from seed to sale. Patients would be limited to buying up to 8 ounces of marijuana flowers a day and dispensaries could no longer be allowed to provide free samples.

In addition, edible marijuana products can contain no more than 10 milligrams of THC per serving, and no more than 100 milligrams per package. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive chemical compound in marijuana.

Commercial vehicle containing medical marijuana could not be left in a neighborhood overnight, all dispensaries would have to close by 9 p.m. and packaging would have to be difficult for children to open etc are some important rules featured in the regulations.

California voters approved a ballot to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults in last November.

The new medical marijuana rules in California will take effect by the end of the year in 2018. Medical marijuana businesses could see compliance costs jump by $125,000 per year for a small business and $310,000 per year for an average business, according to estimation by regulators.