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Sssh, it's on in Michigan - Episode #27, Aug 30, 2010
This week on the Agenda:
CALIFORNIA UPDATE
- L.A. City Attorney Files Suit to Close All but 41 Medical Pot Dispensaries
- National Police Association Backs Prop 19
International News:
Stoned in the South
Vermont
Michigan
- http://blog.mpp.org/tax-and-regulate/detroit-petitioners-file-appeal-to-keep-marijuana-measure-on-ballot/08132010/
- Michigan Medical Marijuana Clinics Raided
Midwest Malaise and Glimmers of Hope - News from the Midwest
Grow Tips
- Don’t grow males. Just don’t.
East Coast
News from the Feds:
Canada? Free Mark Emery? Advertising From the research bin:
- Canadian study finds pot can help pain without making you high
Decriminalize Dope in Detroit 2010
Detroit, Michigan - Apparently there are a bunch of dope smokers fighting for their rights in Detroit. Their city council decided against an ordinance that would have decriminalized adult cannabis possession of less than one ounce on private property. Instead voters will determine through the initiative process in November. The campaign has been led by SAFER Detroit.
Colorado Activists Plan Legalization Initiative for 2012
A group known as the Cannabis Therapy Institute announced its planning to work on a legalization ballot initiative for 2012. Some polls have shown as much as 49% of registered Colorado voters would support legalizing, regulating and taxing cannabis. In 2006 a similar measure failed by a 61%-39% margin.
California Legislative Update
There's a lot of change going on in Cali, but not all of it is good.
Medical Marijuana in Maine to be Taxed
Maine- Last week a law was signed that will allow 8 dispensaries to open up in the state of Maine. In a tax bill signed by Governor John Baldacci, the state decided to collect sales tax from the dispensaries. Critics disagree on two things. First, they don't believe that 8 dispensaries will be enough. Second, they don't believe medical cannabis should be subject to sales tax. Federal law prohibits applying sales tax to prescription drugs. However, most states have implemented sales tax on over the counter medications. Law makers claim that medical marijuana can be taxed because people are allowed to use it via a doctor recommendation, rather than a prescription.
Doomsday for pot clubs in Los Angeles
Los Angeles —A Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge denied requests for a temporary restraining order that would have barred the City from enforcing the ordinance that will shut hundreds of pot clubs.
A class-action lawsuit was filed last week on behalf of patients, claiming that the L.A. ordinance will unconstitutionally prevent patients from having access to their medicine. The lawsuit claims the ordinance will effect over 100,000 patients. Attorneys showed a map of all of the clubs that will probably have to be shut down as a result of the ordinance.
The judge claimed there was no reason to issue an emergency order to stop the city from implementing the law because patients can still grow their own marijuana and there will still be an estimated 137 shops which will remain open.
The Judge said, "I believe access to medical marijuana is supposed to be limited. It is not supposed to be freely available on the street to anyone who wants it; that was the intention of the people."
However, the judge did say that patients may have proper grounds to ask for an injunction based on their privacy rights because the ordinance says police will be able to obtain collectives' patient list and doctors' recommendations without a warrant.
Today is the day that as many as 9 out of 10 pot clubs in Los Angeles are supposed to close their doors. How is the city going to enforce the ordinance? Who will they choose to close first and why? Can pot clubs be good neighbors? How will this effect the overall marijuana market in California? How do I get my hands on that map?
Medical Marijuana Headed Back To Ballot in Arizona
Phoenix — For the fourth time, Arizonans will decide in November whether people with certain ailments should be able to legally use marijuana. The Secretary of State’s Office confirmed Tuesday that backers of the latest medical marijuana initiative had enough valid signatures on their petitions to be on the ballot. Here they go again...
Shades of Grey: Why the Emerald Triangle won't go green.
This week Pot Green is going to explain why the Emerald Triangle's vote will tilt heavily towards the NO side in November's marijuana legalization initiative.
Detroit Ballot Initiative Would Make Private Marijuana Possession Legal
A ballot initiative in Detroit that would make it legal for adults to possess up to one ounce of marijuana for personal use has been certified by city election officials, according to local reports.
A local group called Coalition for a Safer Detroit turned in more than 6,000 signatures to place the initiative on November’s ballot. According to the Detroit News, the City Council now has 30 days to pass the initiative into law or it will be up to voters to pass it in November.
Should the initiative pass, Detroit will join the growing ranks of cities that are now taking it upon themselves to implement sensible marijuana laws in the absence of federal leadership.
New poll in California proposition shows 49% support and 10% undecided, contrasts recent internal campaign poll
It's a bit too early to call the election, but the California Tax and Regulate Cannabis Initiative shows 49% support, in contrast with a recent internal campaign poll showing the race more neck and neck.
Critics of new Colorado medical marijuana law fear it will push access underground
Colorado HB1284, which enacts stricter regulations on the state's burgeoning medical marijuana industry and was passed by the legislature in May, has the industry fearing it will push medical access to cannabis back further underground.
Gov. Bill Ritter has yet to sign the legislation, but has said he will do so.
