Fwd: [asa] Medical Cannabis in the News: 3 Weeks Ending 7/15

[Guest guest]

IN THE NEWS: 6/25-7/15

ASA’s Summary of Medical Marijuana Articles

 

 

[This week’s summary covers the last three weeks due to a technical problem with

our internet service provider.]

 

 

 

> ASA ACTION: In Court and in the Streets

 

> RHODE ISLAND: Governor Vetoes Bill, Faces Certain Override

 

> FEDERAL: Patient Sent to Federal Prison; Drug Czar Sued

 

> CALIFORNIA: ID Card Program Suspended

 

> SAN DIEGO: Movement Loses Activist, Dispensary Operator Arrested

 

> SANTA CRUZ: Protest March, New Dispensary

 

> CALIFORNIA: Local Regulation in SF, Roseville, Stockton, San Gabriel Valley

 

> COLORADO: Attorney General Says No Change to State Laws

 

> MASSACHUSETTS: Medical Cannabis Up for Consideration

 

> OPED: Supreme Court Ruling Prompts Extended Comment

 

 

 

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ASA ACTION: In Court and in the Streets

 

Protests and lawsuits are two of the methods Americans for Safe Access employ to

defend the rights of patients. As federal agents resume their attacks on

patients and caregivers and state officials claim confusion over the law in the

wake of the Supreme Court ruling, ASA is acting to hold them accountable.

 

 

 

Filing propels dispute over medical marijuana

by Josh Richman, The Argus

Medical marijuana advocates are mounting a double-barreled attack this week on

what they say is California's reticence to uphold its own compassionate use law,

putting Attorney General Bill Lockyer in the hot seat.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2403

 

 

 

Medical Marijuana Protests in Several Cities

by Associated Press, KESQ - TV

California supporters of the state's medical marijuana program held simultaneous

demonstrations in several cities today, accusing police of aiding federal agents

in closing marijuana dispensaries. In San Francisco, protesters said patients

and their caregivers are being arrested, too. Alex Bronco, with Americans for

Safe Access, called San Francisco " a medical cannabis sanctuary. "

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2408

 

 

 

Pot Proponents Protest SFPD's Role In Raids

CBS 5

A group of medical marijuana users and advocates in San Francisco have been

demanding that local police " cease and desist " participation in federal raids on

pot clubs.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2420

 

 

 

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RHODE ISLAND: Governor Vetoes Bill, Faces Certain Override

 

The next state to protect patients from prosecution will be Rhode Island, as the

state Senate has voted to override their governor’s veto of the medical

marijuana bill they passed last month. The House is poised to act, and given the

overwhelming bipartisan support for the bill on first passage, the override is

certain.

 

 

 

Medical Marijuana on the Way: 'Criminalizing sick' is wrong, says McHugh

by Leslie Rovetti, The Day (New London, CT)

Rhode Island is one step closer to the legalization of medical marijuana, after

the Senate overrode Gov. Donald L. Carcieri's veto of the bill that would

decriminalize marijuana for medical purposes.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2404

 

 

 

Senate overrides governor's veto of medical marijuana

by Liz Anderson, Scott Mayerowitz, and Bruce Landis, Providence Journal (RI)

Working late into the night, weary lawmakers slogged on toward adjournment

yesterday, battling over whether to institute new controls on prostitution and

wine sales, confirming a new director of the state Department of Environmental

Management and holding a Senate vote to override Governor Carcieri's veto of

medical marijuana legislation.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2371

 

 

 

In Rhode Island, Uncertainty About Medical Marijuana Law

by Katie Zezima, New York TImes

Hearing that the Rhode Island legislature approved the use of medical marijuana

Tuesday night, Rhonda O'Donnell sat in her Warwick, R.I., living room and

giddily thought about legally sautéing the drug in some butter and putting it

into a cake mix.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2367

 

 

 

Medical Marijuana? Rhode Island Says Yes

New York Times

The Rhode Island legislature passed a bill yesterday allowing the use of medical

marijuana, three weeks after the Supreme Court ruled that federal authorities

could prosecute those who use the drug for medicinal purposes, even in states

with laws allowing it.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2364

 

 

 

R.I. may allow medical marijuana

by Sarah Schweitzer, Boson Globe

Rhode Island is poised to become the 11th state in the nation to permit the use

of marijuana for medicinal purposes, with the divisive proposal expected to win

final passage today and reach the governor's desk tomorrow.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2365

 

 

 

______________

 

FEDERAL: Patient Sent to Federal Prison; Drug Czar Sued

 

Federal officials have claimed, in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling allowing

them to prosecute medical marijuana patients, that they are not interested in

persecuting the sick and suffering. Yet they are now doing exactly that,

attempting to intimidate the entire community through orchestrated raids on

caregivers and pursuing long prison terms for patients. Meanwhile, the Drug Czar

engages in unethical lobbying.

 

 

 

Medical marijuana grower sentenced

by Bob Egelko, San Francsico Chronicle

A Sonoma County marijuana grower who said his pot supply was for himself and

other medical patients was sentenced Wednesday to three years and five months in

federal prison.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2414

 

 

 

Group files suit over anti-pot visit

by Jennifer McKee, Billings Gazette

The group behind Montana's medical marijuana law wants the state to investigate

why a commander of the nation's war on drugs didn't disclose the cost of his

tax-funded Montana trip last year when he spoke against the ballot measure.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2417

 

 

 

______________

 

CALIFORNIA: ID Card Program Suspended

 

Despite legal opinions from the attorney generals of several states, including

Bill Lockyer of California, a state agency has suspended the issuance of ID

cards designed to protect patients and caregivers from arrest. The culprit

appears to be confusion over the difference between state and federal law, even

though the courts have ruled that state officials are obliged to obey and

enforce state law, not federal.

 

 

 

Lawsuit threatened over suspension of medical marijuana program

The Advocate

The American Civil Liberties Union’s Drug Law Reform Project and the Drug Policy

Alliance are threatening to sue California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for

suspending a program that issues state IDs to those determined to be eligible to

legally use medicinal marijuana.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2405

 

 

 

Medical marijuana ID cards suspended

by Lisa Leff, Associated Press

Citing uncertainty prompted by a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, California

health officials suspended a program on Friday that had begun providing patients

who smoke marijuana for medicinal reasons with state-issued identification

cards.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2413

 

 

 

California puts medical marijuana program on hold

Reuters

Following a Supreme Court ruling that said the U.S. government could prosecute

medical marijuana use, California officials said on Friday they would stop

issuing identification cards to state residents who smoke marijuana to treat

medical conditions.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2410

 

 

 

State suspends medical marijuana ID card system

by Clea Benson, Modesto Bee

Concerned that the state could be aiding a federal crime, the California

Department of Health Services on Friday suspended a fledgling program that

issues identification cards to medical marijuana users.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2412

 

 

 

Medical Marijuana ID Program Halted, Suit Threatened

by Brendan Coyne, The New Standard

Citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that federal laws barring the use,

distribution or possession of marijuana trump state statutes allowing the

medicinal use of the drug, the California Department of Health Services (CDHS)

halted a medical marijuana ID pilot program Friday.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2407

 

 

 

______________

 

SAN DIEGO: Movement Loses Activist, Dispensary Operator Arrested

 

Much of the concern over the Supreme Court ruling and federal policies gets

focused on somewhat abstract questions of law and science. But the real-world

impact on patients and their families is incalculably harsh. The specter of

prison again hangs over many who have done nothing more than either follow their

doctors’ advice or help ease the suffering of others. For patient-activist Steve

McWilliams, facing a return to prison and a life of pain, that was too much.

 

 

 

Medical Marijuana Activist Commits Suicide

NBC San Diego - TV

Medical marijuana activist Steve McWilliams took his own life Monday. Friends

said McWilliams might have killed himself because he was afraid of facing jail

time. They said he told them he might not survive in jail.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2411

 

 

 

Police Arrest Owner Of Medical Marijuana Storefronts

10 News (San Diego)

San Diego police have arrested the operator of two medical marijuana

dispensaries on charges he illegally possessed marijuana with the intent to sell

the drug, it was reported Thursday.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2415

 

 

 

______________

 

SANTA CRUZ: Protest March, New Dispensary

 

Patients and activists in Santa Cruz came together this past weekend to both

remember those they’ve lost and push forward for safe and legal access to

medical marijuana. One local patient is stepping up to help others with plans to

open a cannabis dispensary.

 

 

 

Medical pot parade to put festive face on ongoing, hard-fought battle

by Brian Seals, Santa Cruz Sentinel

Organizers of a medical marijuana march planned Saturday in downtown Santa Cruz

promise a bit of festivity and a bit of reverence for their deceased colleagues.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2401

 

 

 

Medicinal pot group plans protest

by Ken McLaughlin, Mercury News (San Jose)

Medicinal marijuana patients will carry live cannabis plants through the streets

of Santa Cruz on Saturday in what is expected to be the city's largest

demonstration since protesters passed out medicinal marijuana at City Hall

nearly three years ago.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2416

 

 

 

Medical Marijuana March Planned For Santa Cruz

KSBW -TV (Santa Cruz)

Organizers of a medical marijuana march in Santa Cruz Saturday promise a festive

atmosphere and a bit of reverence for their deceased colleagues.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2400

 

 

 

Medical pot parade set for July 16

by Brian Seals, Santa Cruz Sentinel

Members of the Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana plan a July 16 march

through downtown Santa Cruz — while carrying some pot plants.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2378

 

 

 

Advocate group began with wreck, court case

by Brian Seals, Santa Cruz Sentinel

These days the Santa Cruz-based the Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana is

an icon of an organization in the world of medical pot.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2402

 

 

 

Cancer patient seeks to open S.C. pot shop

by Shanna McCord, Santa Cruz Sentinel

Every time Lisa Molyneux makes the 150-mile round-trip to Oakland to buy medical

marijuana, the Boulder Creek resident wonders why she can’t find a safe place to

buy closer to home. All the driving she has done during the past three years has

pushed Molyneux to pursue her own medical marijuana dispensary, an alternative

pharmacy of sorts, to help Santa Cruz County residents facing the same dilemma.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2423

 

 

 

______________

 

CALIFORNIA: Local Regulation in SF, Roseville, Stockton, San Gabriel Valley

 

Throughout the state, local officials continue to work through the issues around

regulating the dispensaries and cooperatives state law allows. Much attention is

on San Francisco, where supervisors long ago declared the city a sanctuary for

medical marijuana patients but are just now taking on plans for ensuring good

business practices in local dispensaries.

 

 

 

Pot-Club Owners Seek Regulation

by Amy Argetsinger, Washington Post

The rapid growth of San Francisco cannabis dispensaries has become troubling

even to advocates of the movement. City police complain that medical marijuana

is slipping out of the clubs and into the hands of recreational users or drug

dealers. Last week -- not long after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the power of

federal prosecutors to charge medical-marijuana users even in the 11 states that

allow it -- agents raided three of San Francisco's clubs, alleging they operated

as fronts for larger drug-trafficking and money-laundering operations.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2379

 

 

 

Supervisors draft pot club legislation

by Justin Jouvenal, San Francisco Examiner

San Francisco's medical marijuana clubs would become the most heavily regulated

in the state under comprehensive legislation unveiled Tuesday that requires

permits and criminal background checks for owners and bans dispensaries in

residential neighborhoods.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2374

 

 

 

Sheriff watching pot club patrons

by Karen Holzmeister, Daily Review

As the train to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas

picks up speed, local law enforcement officials are scrutinizing pot club

clients as closely as transit police keep an eye on BART riders.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2421

 

 

 

Roseville set to ban pot shops

by Jennifer K. Morita, Sacramento Bee

Pot shops soon will be prohibited from operating anywhere in the city of

Roseville, under a new ordinance that some medical marijuana advocates say

violates state law.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2418

 

 

 

Medical Pot Shop Issue Hangs in Air

by Michael Fitzgerald, columnist, The Record (Stockton)

Is a marijuana dispensary wafting Stockton's way? The question came up this week

after the City Council voted not to extend its one-year moratorium on

medical-marijuana dispensaries.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2409

 

 

 

Ordinance requires permits for pot clubs

by Shirley Hsu, San Gabriel Valley Tribune

A ban on medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated county areas has been

extended for a little less than a year, but it won't affect a dispensary already

open in Hacienda Heights.http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2422

 

 

 

______________

COLORADO: Attorney General Says No Change to State Laws

The chief law enforcement officer of Colorado has joined with his colleagues,

the attorneys general in California, Hawaii and Oregon, in directing state

officials there to enforce and obey the state law protecting patients from

prison. Many have misinterpreted the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Gonzales v.

Raich as overturning or superseding state laws; it does not, as these legal

opinions make clear.

 

 

 

Colorado AG: No medical pot law changes

by Associated Press, Rocky Mountain News

Colorado's medical marijuana program will not change under a recent U.S. Supreme

Court ruling that such programs do not shield people from federal prosecution,

Attorney General John Suthers said

Thursday.http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2369

 

 

 

AG: Ruling means state users of medical pot can be charged

Denver Post

The U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling that the federal government can prosecute

people for medical use of marijuana doesn't snuff out Colorado's medical

registry for the drug.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2370

 

 

 

______________

 

MASSACHUSETTS: Medical Cannabis Up for Consideration

 

Vermont, Maine, and Maryland have all instituted some degree of protection for

medical marijuana patients; Rhode Island is on the brink; and Massachusetts may

soon join them, as the debate has begun there and support is strong.

 

 

 

Local views are strong on both sides of medical marijuana debate

by James Haynes, The Daily Item of Lynn (MA)

Though the federal government does not, and never has, recognized legitimate

medical uses for marijuana, competing claims regarding the use of cannabis in a

medicinal context continue. And, though the issue remains contentious, there is

an increasing effort among some in Massachusetts to change the current public

perception of its potential for legitimate medical use.

 

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2375

 

 

 

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FOR MORE MEDICAL MARIJUANA NEWS

Previous News Summaries from Americans for Safe Access are archived. The

complete text of all these articles and more is available by clicking the links

on the article name or the news source, as well as at the ASA website,

safeacccessnow.org. You can also see the latest news for the week by selecting

" News Articles " under the Press Room menu.

 

 

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