Medical Marijuana not allowed on CMU’s campus; legal disputes mounting throughout Michigan
Sep 3, 2010 Online Issue
Marijuana is prohibited on Central Michigan University’s campus, despites the state’s legalization of the substance for medical purposes.
CMU must abide by federal law, which states the substance, whether medicinal or recreational, is illegal to use or possess.
“Federal law supersedes state law,” said Joan Schmidt, associate director of Residence Life. “No marijuana is allowed on campus.”
Campus Police Chief Bill Yeagley said the university policy forbids possession, storage and use of medical marijuana.
But he said Residence Life is willing to work with students who need marijuana for medical purposes.
“If (students) live on campus, they’re not going to say, ‘We’re kicking you out,’” Yeagley said. “If you have an issue, you need to move off campus and it’s a legit reason to move off campus.”
Tags: legalize marijuana, marijuana, marijuana for medical use, marijuana laws, marijuana legalization, medicinal marijuana
First Medical Marijuana Commercial Airs in California
Sep 3, 2010 Online Issue
Headache? Try CannaCare.
Earlier this week, a television commercial advertising medicinal marijuana was aired in California – the first ever broadcast in the U.S. The ad was shown over Fox affiliate KTXL in Sacramento, and has swirled up a nice little cloud of controversy from community members who worry about the commercial’s effect on children. The ad itself features a series of testimonials from customers, all A-typical of our drug culture stereotypes: A pretty young woman claims she was diagnosed with a bone disease, while a middle-aged woman says she was hit by a drunk driver.
Tags: legalize marijuana, marijuana for medical use, marijuana legalization, Medical Marijuana, medicinal marijuana
Marijuana-legalization supporters launching new campaign
Aug 24, 2010 Online Issue
Sensible Washington, the group that sponsored a marijuana-legalization bill that didn’t make it to the ballot this election season, plans to launch its 2011 legalization campaign at Seattle Hempfest this weekend.
The group will be among the variety of musicians, artists, vendors and activists at the annual August festival and political rally at Myrtle Edwards Park.
Sensible Washington chairman and Seattle medical-marijuana attorney Douglas Hiatt said I-1068, the proposed bill, didn’t get enough signatures to qualify for this year’s election, but he hopes things will improve for the group next year.
The past year has been a tough one for marijuana-legalization proponents. In the last legislative session, the state House of Representatives killed a legalization bill. Then, a bill that would have reclassified marijuana as a civil infraction rather than a misdemeanor never made it to a vote.
Tags: legalize marijuana, marijuana bust, marijuana laws, marijuana legalization
Medical marijuana crackdown in front of lawmakers
Aug 23, 2010 Online Issue
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Lawmakers are meeting to make final recommendations on a slate of proposals aimed at cracking down on medical marijuana.
An interim legislative committee meeting Monday will be sending the draft laws to the full Legislature for consideration in early 2011.
Through the end of July, about 23,500 Montanans had medical marijuana cards. The big increase has prompted concern in many communities around the state.
The proposals would make it more difficult to get a medical marijuana card, clarify the list of eligible diseases, and in some cases require approval from at least two doctors.
The long list of new rules also includes a ban on driving under the influence of medical marijuana and puts the licensing of growers and sellers under the Department of Revenue.
Tags: legalize marijuana, marijuana laws, marijuana legalization
Supporters rally for legalization of marijuana
Aug 23, 2010 Online Issue
IRVINE – A group of about 15 Proposition 19 supporters gathered with signs and slogans Sunday evening at the intersection of Alton Parkway and Culver Drive.
Proposition 19, also known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, is on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot. If passed by voters, it will legalize purchase and sale of marijuana and allow local governments to regulate and impose taxes on such sales. Despite the passage of Proposition 19, marijuana will remain illegal under federal law.
Those who oppose Proposition 19, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the California Chamber of Commerce, believe the initiative could make it impossible for businesses to effectively enforce the drug-free workplace requirement mandated by the federal government.
Matt Mirmak, organizer of the demonstration and Orange County volunteer coordinator for Yes on 19, said he is optimistic that voters will support the legalizing marijuana this November.
“I think people realize that we are faced with a war that we cannot win,” he said.
This proposition will also be a solution for the state and local governments to get out of what has become a financial mess, Mirmak said.
Source : The Orange County Register
Medical marijuana shops sprouting across the region
Aug 9, 2010 Online Issue
BY MARIA ST.LOUIS-SANCHEZ
From Interstate 25 to Old Colorado City, you’ll pass a medical marijuana dispensary on almost every block. Businesses like Springs 
Natural Medicine, The Healthy Connection and Altitude Organic Medicine — “home of the $39 special” — can make you feel like you’re in pot head heaven.
But for residents and business owners in the midst of the business boom, their presence has raised eyebrows and often ire.
“It’s no longer West Colorado Avenue, it’s West Cannabis Avenue,” said Jim Lamphear, who lives a block north on Pikes Peak Avenue. Lamphear chuckled to himself when he saw the first dispensary pop up because he figured every neighborhood would have one. But he’s not chuckling any more.
Tags: cannabis, legalize marijuana, marijuana, marijuana dispensaries, Marijuana Growers
Out-of-state residents can get medical pot cards
Aug 9, 2010 Online Issue
By MATT VOLZ
HELENA, Mont. — A person doesn’t have to live in Montana to receive a medical marijuana card from the state, health officials said Friday.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services discovered what it calls a loophole in state law after reviewing plans to require medical marijuana applicants to have a Montana driver’s license or state-issued identification, said department spokesman Chuck Council.
The new driver’s license policy was to begin on Monday, but the legal review has halted those plans.
”The law is mute on the subject of legal residency and there is no recourse for the Department of Public Health and Human Services but to keep the situation as it stands,” Council said. “On Monday, we will be moving forward, status quo, on the processing of out-of-state applications.”
The state health department maintains the medical marijuana patient registry, which stood at about 23,500 patients at the end of July. That’s an increase of nearly 4,000 people in just a month, a continuation of the medical pot boom that in the first six months of 2010 has seen more than 12,300 registered users added to the state registry.
Tags: legalize marijuana, marijuana, marijuana laws, marijuana legalization
