Fwd: [asa] Medical Marijuana in the News: 12-30

[Guest guest]

Good article in the Chron! - ASA’s Summary of Medical Marijuana

Articles > FEDERAL: JAMA Commentary Assails Prohibition

> CALIFORNIA: Editorial Says Pot Busts Hurt Law Enforcement

> ASA ACTION: Job Protections Sought for Patients

> ASA IN THE NEWS: Defending Against the DEA

> OREGON: Changes to Medical Cannabis Law Imminent

> NEVADA: Permit Problems Send Patient Across Border

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FEDERAL: JAMA Commentary Assails Prohibition

The Journal of the American Medical Association, one of the leading medical

journals in the world, published the following commentary by an attorney from

the Georgetown Law Center. The author assails federal prohibition as unwarranted

interference in medical practice, and answers a pointed question in the replies.

Medical Marijuana, American Federalism, and the Supreme Court

by Lawrence O. Gostin, JD, LLD (Hon), Journal of the American Medical

Association

In Gonzalez v Raich, the US Supreme Court held that federal law enforcement

authorities could criminally prosecute patients for possessing marijuana

prescribed by a physician in accordance with state law. The Court did not

overturn state medical marijuana laws but did open the door to criminal

prosecution under federal drug statutes. The Court also did not foreclose future

challenges to federal enforcement on other constitutional grounds (eg, an

unwarranted invasion of patient-physician privacy).

http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2956

 

Regulation of Medical Marijuana - Replies

by Rajiv Das, MD, MPH and Lawrence O. Gostin, JD, LLD (Hon), Journal of the

American Medical Association

To the Editor: In his Commentary, Dr Gostin expresses concern that the current

regulation of marijuana is flawed. He states that the Controlled Substances Act

does not adequately address the potential medical benefit that the use of

marijuana can provide, citing data from the Institute of Medicine that

tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may be useful in the treatment of pain, nausea,

vomiting, and appetite suppression.

http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2957

 

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CALIFORNIA: Editorial Says Pot Busts Hurt Law Enforcement

Beyond the simple waste of law enforcement’s limited resources that is entailed

by pursuing medical cannabis arrests and prosecutions, this editorial suggests

that they harm the reputation of those involved.

Marijuana madness

EDITORIAL, San Francisco Chronicle

American law enforcement has a proud tradition of courageous souls standing up

against corrupt and dangerous criminal elements. Think Eliot Ness, the federal

agent who prosecuted Al Capone, or Frank Serpico, the New York cop who at great

personal risk exposed dirty cops within his department.

http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2954

 

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ASA ACTION: Job Protections Sought for Patients

While voters and lawmakers have all made clear their intent to protect patients

from additional hardships related to their use of medical cannabis, some are

still being fired for exercising their rights. ASA is challenging these firings

all the way to the California Supreme Court.

Legal pot use can make jobs go up in smoke

by Kimberly Trone, Press-Enterprise

Donna Dixon found out the hard way that a state law allowing her to use

marijuana for glaucoma didn't keep her from getting fired from a casino job

after a positive drug test.

http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2952

 

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ASA IN THE NEWS: Defending Against the DEA

The federal drug enforcement agents who raided a San Francisco dispensary and

its owners home earn the Scrooge award for taking away the medicine of hundreds

of patients at the holidays. ASA activists helped resist the raids and provide

comment in the articles that follow.

Feds Try Stealing Xmas From Medi-Pot Dispensers, Hemp Growers

by Jordan Smith, Austin Chronicle

DEA agents have been doing their very best impression of the Grinch this month

by carrying out a string of raids at medi-pot dispensaries in San Diego and San

Francisco, Calif.

http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2951

 

In the dark

by Ann Harrison, San Francisco Bay Guardian

Days before new regulations for San Francisco's medical marijuana dispensaries

were due to take effect, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration targeted a

popular cannabis club and found itself in an unexpected showdown with angry

locals.

http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2950

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OREGON: Changes to Medical Cannabis Law Imminent

In a case of giving with one hand while taking away with the other, changes to

Oregon’s medical cannabis law will allow patients to possess more but no longer

permit a medical-necessity argument for those beyond the legal limit.

Medical marijuana changes among Oregon's new Jan. 1 laws

by Brad Cain, Associated Press

Holders of medical marijuana cards in Oregon now will be allowed to have up to 1

1/2 pounds of dried marijuana and six mature plants under a new state law that

takes effect Jan. 1.

http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2955

 

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NEVADA: Permit Problems Send Patient Across Border

With a law on the books allowing medical use of cannabis, the refusal of state

officials to allow a Nevada man to open a dispensary there seems misguided and

burdensome to patients. Rather than give up, he’s headed across the border to

more hospitable California.

Prescription for pain

by Emily Bristol, Las Vegas City Life

Pierre Werner just can't catch a break. All he wants to do is sell medicinal

marijuana, something Nevada voters have already approved. But Werner says the

state medical marijuana board told him they would never issue him a license to

dispense in Nevada, so the entrepreneur took his idea next door to California.

http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2953

 

 

 

" When the power of love becomes stronger than the love of power, we will have

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Jimi Hendrix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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