Royal Oak, MI – The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the only authorized solicitation of Federal employees in their workplaces on behalf of approved charitable organizations. Michigan Compassion is an eligible charity in the Southeastern Michigan Area CFC and has been participating in CFC fairs at federal properties amongst other local charities. The theme for the 2013 Southeastern Michigan Area CFC is “Giving the Gift of Hope”; in 2012 the regional CFC raised over $2.2 million for the approved charities.
Federal employees are able to make charitable contributions directly through payroll deduction to local, national and international charities. This is the first time in the programs history a Medical Cannabis Organization has been approved for the CFC Campaign. Federal employees now have the choice to support Michigan Compassion along with the other nonprofits eligible to participate in the CFC.
 
Full Article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michigan-compassion/michigan-compassion-a-mar_b_4558752.html

By Angelica Leicht

Photo by shirokazan via flickr

 
There’s a movement going on in other states, and it’s a movement we quite like. A movement toward the legalization of cannabis, y’all.
As we’re sure you know, Colorado has become the first state in the nation to legalize the recreational use of pot, and the response is overwhelming. On the first day of the legalization, there were anecdotes of pot shops selling out, lines forming around the block, and people all-out celebrating the legalization of weed.
And why wouldn’t they? Cannabis legalization is a great thing. Poor ol’ pot has had an undeserved rap sheet since the ’70s, when an effort toward waging a “war on drugs” began to rear its ugly head. Nixon began to persecute pot, labeling it a “Schedule 1” drug, despite being advised otherwise. The falsities about the dangers of marijuana only snowballed from there, reaching its height during the ’80s and ’90s drug hysteria.
Well, the whole “lying to the public about weed” to fulfill a political agenda is pretty bogus, if you ask me. And much like Colorado, I feel it’s time for Texas to forgive weed for its false sins and accept it for the wonderful plant it is.
 
Full Article:
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2014/01/the_top_ten_reasons_texas_shou.php

By Allison Geller

 
As state medical marijuana legalization laws gain ground across the country, Georgia parents are lobbying for action in advance of the 2014 legislative session, which will begin next week.
Georgia parents with children who suffer from seizure disorders have heard reports of children with similar afflictions finding greater relief from medical marijuana in edible or oil form than from any other medication. In states like California and Colorado, medical marijuana is some kids’— and parents’— saving grace.
“These kids in Colorado are not getting high, they’re taking it in an oil format, they’re not smoking it. It’s basically safer than any medicine we can prescribe our children today,” parent Blaine Cloud told WBS-TV.
Cloud’s 8-year-old daughter Alaina suffers from Dravet syndrome, the same rare genetic disorder that afflicts the daughter of a New Jersey couple who was forced to move to Colorado to seek treatment.
 
Full Article:
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/drug-law/georgia-parents-call-medical-marijuana-sick-kids#

By Amy Goodman, Democracy Now! | Video Interview

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/21078-drugs-arent-the-problem-neuroscientist-carl-hart-on-brain-science-and-myths-about-addiction

Image Credit: 420medicated.com
 
Advertisers and marketers are preparing for a universal legal pot market. The legal medicinal and recreational market is already estimated to be in the billions. 20 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medicinal marijuana use.
 
Full Article:
http://www.jdjournal.com/2014/01/06/ad-executives-foresee-cannabis-ads-for-legal-marijuana-will-generate-billions/#
 

CONOR FRIEDERSDORF

 
Under the law in 48 states, here’s what can happen when an adult is thought to possess marijuana: Men with guns can go to his home, kick down his door, force him to lay face down on the floor, restrain him with handcuffs, drive him to a police station, and lock him in a cage. If he is then convicted of possessing marijuana, a judge can order that he be locked in a different cage, perhaps for years.
There are times when locking human beings in cages is morally defensible. If, for example, a person commits murder, rape, or assault, transgressing against the rights of others, then forcibly removing him from society is the most just course of action. In contrast, it is immoral to lock people in cages for possessing or ingesting a plant that is smoked by millions every year with no significant harm done, especially when the vast majority of any harm actually done is borne by the smoker.
 
Full Article:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/01/it-is-immoral-to-cage-humans-for-smoking-marijuana/282830/

 
The NH house of representatives will be voting on legalizing cannabis on Wednesday, January 8th. Now is the time to contact the reps for your area regarding HB492 and let them know to vote AGAINST the COMMITTEE REPORT of Inexpedient to Legislate and then vote FOR Ought to Pass as Amended. The Committee Report MUST be overturned first, then the Minority Committee Report with Amendment can be adopted.
 
Full Article:
http://freekeene.com/2014/01/03/nh-house-to-vote-on-legalizing-cannabis-jan-8th/

Reuters/Andres Stapff
 
Peru should consider legalizing marijuana, the former head of the country’s National Drug Control Commission has said. Uruguay recently became Latin America’s first nation to legalize the marijuana industry, encouraging its neighbors to follow suit.
 
Full Article:
http://rt.com/news/peru-calls-marijuana-legalization-165/

By SUSANNE CRAIG and JESSE McKINLEY
 
 

NASHVILLE — A Democratic legislator has filed a bill for the upcoming legislative session that would authorize prescription sales of marijuana for medicinal purposes in Tennessee under somewhat stringent regulations.
 
Full Article:
http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/24362030/bill-would-make-medical-marijuana-sales-legal-in-tennessee