DEA AGENTS

House Votes to Block the DEA’s Interference with Medical Marijuana Operations

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The US House of Representatives passed an amendment to restrict the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from interfering with medical marijuana programs that are legal under state laws.

Currently, 22 states and the District of Columbia allow eligible patients to use medical marijuan,a and five other states have legalized cannabidiol (CBD) oils, a non-psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.  Although medical cannabis has been legalized under certain state’s law, the DEA classifies marijuana as a Schedule I substance, with no currently accepted medical use, and have continued to raid marijuana dispensaries that comply with state laws.

The amendment passed by a bipartisan coalition of House members would prohibit the DEA from spending funds to arrest state-licensed medical marijuana businesses and patients. The amendment, offered by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) passed 219-189. This legislation is the first time in history that Congress has voted in favor of stopping the federal government’s interference with medical marijuana patients and providers. Since 2003, the amendment has been offered seven times.

“Congress is officially pulling out of the war on medical marijuana patients and providers. Federal tax dollars will no longer be wasted arresting seriously ill medical marijuana patients and those who provide to them. This is a historic vote, and it’s yet another sign that our federal government is shifting toward a more sensible marijuana policy,” said Dan Riffle, director of federal policies for the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), which has been lobbying in support of the measure since first introduced in 2003. “This measure passed because it received more support from Republicans than ever before. It is refreshing to see conservatives in Congress sticking to their conservative principles when it comes to marijuana policy. Republicans increasingly recognize that marijuana prohibition is a failed Big Government program that infringes on states’ rights.”

Several recent studies have shown the benefit of medical cannabis for treatment of patients with cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and more.

“It’s becoming clearer and clearer that marijuana prohibition’s days are numbered. Polls are consistently finding that a strong majority of Americans think marijuana should be legal, and an overwhelming majority support legal access to medical marijuana. It’s nice to see more members of Congress standing up for their constituents instead of standing in the way of reform,” said Riffle.

Source: Marijuana Policy Project

Last updated: 5/30/14; 3:15pm EST

 

 

CannabisOil

Governor Signs Bill to Legalize Use of Medical Cannabis in Minnesota

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Governor Mark Dayton on Thursday signed a bill legalizing the use of medical cannabis in liquid or pill form for treatment of patients with certain medical conditions in Minnesota.

With Dayton’s signature, Minnesota joins the 21 other states, and the District of Columbia, that have legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The program has tight controls over qualifying conditions and the way it is administered. Eligible patients will not be able to smoke marijuana, but will have access to the drug in pill, oil and vapor form.

“I thank everyone who worked together to craft and pass this legislation. I pray it will bring the victims of ravaging illnesses the relief they are hoping for,” Gov. Dayton said in a statement.

Earlier this month, Minnesota lawmakers approved the measure on bipartisan votes. Medical cannabis is expected to be available for eligible patients in Minnesota starting July 1, 2015. According to the state health department, roughly 5,000 people in the state could apply to enroll in the program.

The bill provides patients with nine medical conditions access to medical cannabis. These conditions include cancer; seizures, including epilepsy; glaucoma; multiple sclerosis; Tourette’s syndrome; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; HIV; AIDS; and Crohn’s disease. Patients who are eligible will have to have their medical providers confirm to the state that they are eligible to participate.

Some advocates objected to the law’s limits on the number of conditions covered, as well as the prohibition on use of the cannabis leaf and a ban on smoking the drug. However, police and prosecutor groups lobbied heavily against allowing plants or smoking in the program.

The state health department will select and regulate two manufacturers and eight dispensaries statewide.

Last updated: 5/30/14; 10:50am EST

medical marijuana

Organizations Sign Declaration in Support of Medical Cannabis

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An international consortium of medical cannabis organizations are demanding that people be able to use cannabis therapeutically, regardless of state or allegiance and without qualification.

The initial signatories of the declaration include eleven organizations from Europe and North America. The group refers to Article 3 of the Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948. The declaration is the beginning of a worldwide campaign on the use of cannabis for medical reasons.

The declaration, which was published in ten languages, states, “Every medical doctor has the right to treat his or her patients with cannabinoids and cannabis products according to the rules of good medical care” and “ever patient has the right to access cannabis and cannabinoids for medical treatment supervised by a medical doctor, regardless of social status, standard of living or financial means.”

The declaration is aimed to generate worldwide support and allow organizations worldwide to adopt a position. It is the product of knowledgeable experts from several countries who are working to take on forces who are against cannabis.

Cannabis has established medical use worldwide throughout history and the recent discovery of the role of the endogenous cannabinoid system in the human body. The declaration’s creators designed it to encourage and allow both organizations and individuals to join them by signing the document in support of the common goal to create a worldwide campaign to end the prohibition of medical cannabis. According to the consortium, many scientists, doctors and other experts in the field have already offered their support by signing.

“The declaration is based on overwhelming scientific evidence. It takes a strong stance against the prejudices and untruthfulness of lawmakers, other political players and ‘experts’ with limited medical knowledge on the issue,” said Franjo Grotenhermen, MD, Executive Director of the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines (Germany).

Source: Cannabinoid Medicines International

Last updated: 5/23/14; 3:35pm EST

Minnisota

Minnesota Lawmakers Agree to Legalize Use of Medical Marijuana

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Minnesota lawmakers recently struck a deal to legalize medical marijuana.

The deal was considered a major win for severely ill children and adults whose appeals helped propel a major policy change. On Friday night, the state Legislature approved a bill in separate House and Senate votes.  In mid-March, legislation stalled. However, a small group of parents and families pushed for Gov. Mark Dayton to reopen the issue.

Families testified, with stories of their kids who suffer from rare and debilitating seizure disorders that don’t respond to conventional treatments and those suffering from severe pain. The testimonies were successful, and Gov. Dayton pledged to sign, granting certain patients access to medical marijuana.

Although the legislation allows for use of medical marijuana, it explicitly bans smoking the drug and prohibits patient access to plant material. Among the twenty-one other states and the District of Columbia that have legalized marijuana for medical use, Minnesota is the only state to ban smoking of the drug. Under the legislation, the drug would be available in oil, pill and vapor form. Under the legislation, eight medical conditions would qualify for treatment, including cancer, glaucoma and AIDS. Additionally, “intractable pain” could be considered as the ninth medical condition of which patients would qualify for treatment with medical marijuana.

Under the bill, the state Health Department would select and regulate two manufacturers and eight dispensaries statewide. Anyone working at the manufacturing sites and dispensaries would be required to undergo a background check. Patients would receive an identification number if they qualified for treatment with medical marijuana, determined by a doctor, physician assistant or advanced-practice registered nurse.  Anyone within the medical marijuana program who is caught using cannabis for non-medical purposes would be ousted and subject to criminal penalties.

Last updated: 5/19/14; 2:50pm EST