Tag: marijuana reform (page 7)

California's largest union, with 700,000 members, has endorsed Proposition 19, California's legislative initiative to legalize possession of marijuana for personal use.

The union did not say what resources it would provide along with its support.

Most union resources will go toward supporting Jerry Brown in the governor's race.

Other unions supporting the measure are the Northern California council of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union and Communications Workers of America Local 9415.

Some medical marijuana groups are now opposing the measure: [More...]

Via CelebStoner: Canada's leading magazine for marijuana reform, Skunk, has devoted its current issue to "lady legalizers." Among the features: "The Top 100 Women of Weed."

Thanks to Skunk for including me in the list. The list is pretty impressive with some names that surprised me: Arianna Huffington, Barbra Streisand, actress Kate Hudson and clothing designer Stella McCartney.

The list is heavier on activists, actresses and singers than attorneys, which makes me even more appreciative to be included. Examples: [More....]

In Colorado, it has been really hard for dispensary owners to get and keep a bank account. They don't want the business, fearing the tension between between state and federal law with federal law declaring all marijuana is illegal.

Wells Fargo was about the only one to buck the trend. According to the Denver Post, that's now changing. While it stopped accepting new accounts a while ago, this week it sent out letters to existing customers with dispensary businesses saying they needed to find another bank as it would be closing their accounts as well.

"It's based really on the complex and inconsistent legal environment across the country related to medical-marijuana dispensaries," said Wells Fargo spokeswoman Cristie Drumm.

Unless something is done, this will force the dispensaries to operate cash-only businesses, which is what states like Colorado, which have spent months drafting regulations for the businesses, are trying to avoid.[More...]

Colorado Rep. Jared Polis deserves some praise taking on Attorney General Eric Holder on medical marijuana at the House Judiciary Committee hearing this week. It's not the first time Polis has confronted Holder on the issue, he did so back in February when he wrote Holder this letter (pdf.)

Polis has signed on as co-sponsor of three marijuana bills pending in Congress. Two of the bills were introduced by Rep. Barney Frank. (He introduces them every year, and every year they go nowhere.) The question now, is can Polis do anything to get the bills heard and voted on?
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Reuters reports the marijuana growers in Humboldt County fear the Tax and Spend movement because if pot becomes legal, they may lose their position at the top of the illegal grow market as others move in, including tobacco companies.

At least one tobacco company, Reynolds American, says it has no intention of doing so. In other words, there are no plans for "Marlboro Green."

Are the fears justified? No. Just because California votes to legalize possession or cultivation for personal use, it doesn't follow that Congress will pass a law allowing unfettered cultivation. It hasn't even exempted medical marijuana patients from federal prosecution in states where their conduct is lawful. Regardless of what happens in California, the D.E.A. is going to ratchet up grower busts, particularly commercial ones, not look the other way. [More...]

Looks like it was quite the scene outside the state capitol in Denver yesterday, as marijuana advocates celebrated 4/20, known as Marijuana Freedom Day. Inside, legislators were toughening the rules for medical marijuana. It will allow local governments to ban dispensaries, notwithstanding our state constitution. Here's the bill, as introduced. More on the House passage here.

It's 4/20 day, also known as Marijuana Freedom Day, celebrated around the world by marijuana users and those who want to see the end to criminalization of its use.

Also today, NORML launches a new advertisement for 4/20 on Times Square’s largest electronic billboard calling out New York City politicians and law enforcement for having one of the highest—and most racially disparate—cannabis arrest rates in the United States. The advertisement will run 18 times a day until late May, and will be seen by an expected 1.5 million Times Square visitors.

California will be front and center this year, as marijuana legalization will be on the ballot. If you'd like to help them, go on over to TaxCanabis and make a donation.

The War on Drugs is a failure. Let's bring it to an end.

Via CelebStoner,

NORML's famous "Money Tree" ad is currently running 18 times a day in New York's Times Square in the Super Screen located below the CBS eye across the street from Ripley's Believe it or Not. From 9 am to 1 am, the 15-second spot flashes once an hour.

CBS initially banned the ad but changed it's mind in March.

Voters in Nederland, Colorado (15 miles west of Boulder) yesterday approved an initiative removing criminal penalties for adult marijuana offenses. The ordinance reads:

Shall the electors of the town of Nederland adopt an amendment to the Nederland town code, effective June 1, 2010, removing all criminal penalties under town law to buy, sell, possess, consume, transport, cultivate, manufacture and dispense marijuana and its concentrate and related paraphernalia by persons twenty one years of age and older?”

482 votes were tallied. On the marijuana initiative, the vote was 259 to 218.

In November, Breckenridge legalized possession of up to one ounce. Question: Is Nederland the first municipality to legalize selling of marijuana for recreational (vs. medical)use?

Philadelphia is making a big change in its marijuana prosecution policy. It will no longer charge adults possessing small amounts of pot with a crime. Rather, they will be charged with a "summary offense" that carries a fine and has no effect on a criminal record.

Under a policy to take effect later this month, prosecutors will charge such cases as summary offenses rather than as misdemeanors. People arrested with up to 30 grams of the drug - slightly more than an ounce - may have to pay a fine but face no risk of a criminal record.

"We have to be smart on crime," said District Attorney Seth Williams, who took office in January. "We can't declare a war on drugs by going after the kid who's smoking a joint on 55th Street. We have to go after the large traffickers."

Two justices of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, including Justice Seamus P. McCaffery, a former homicide detective, have been working with the D.A. on the new policy. The cops aren't happy. [More...]

The petition signatures have been counted and certified in California. Voters in November will decide whether to legalize recreational use of marijuana.

Secretary of State Debra Bowen certified that the petitions seeking to place the question on the ballot had more than 433,971 valid voter signatures, the minimum number needed to qualify.

If approved, the initiative would allow those 21 years and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, enough to roll several marijuana cigarettes. Residents also could cultivate the plant in limited quantities.

If passed, California will be the first state in the nation to legalize marijuana. Local governments would then decide whether to allow and tax marijuana sales.

Tomorrow the votes will be counted on a California ballot initiative that would legalize marijuana:

The 10-page California initiative would allow anyone 21 or older to possess, share and transport up to an ounce for personal use and to grow up to 25 square feet per residence or parcel. It would allow local governments, but not the state, to authorize the cultivation, transportation and sale of marijuana and to impose taxes to raise revenues.

To make the ballot, the measure needs 433,971 valid signatures. By Tuesday, it was just 15,000 short. Los Angeles County, where supporters collected 142,246 signatures, is expected to put it over the top.

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