by Helen Richardson
 
Around Australia farmers are struggling, many have left because of drought, in other place orchards have been bulldozed; it is time to look for alternatives? Could industrial hemp be a possibility? Trevor Chappell discussed this with Charles Kovess who is an businessman and author.
 
(Every farmer should listen to this radio show!!!!)
 
Here it is:
http://www.abc.net.au/overnights/stories/s3800975.htm?site=melbourne

Dan Tynan

 
In some ways, getting into the legal marijuana industry is a lot like launching any small business. You need capital. You need grow lights. You need Febreze. And you need technology — which turns out to be the easy part.
 
Full Article:
http://www.cio.com.au/slideshow/520442/pictures_high_tech_high_times_what_it_takes_run_medical_marijuana_business/?image=1

Marijuana-related businesses, legal under state law, should be allowed access to the banking system according to a new bipartisan bill in Congress.
 
Eighteen U.S. House members, including five from Washington, have introduced legislation that would give legitimate marijuana-related businesses access to America’s banking system so they are not forced to operate on a cash-only basis.
The legislation’s sponsors claim that such crimes as robbery and tax evasion will be encouraged if marijuana-related businesses are forced to operate as cash-only enterprises — even in states where medical marijuana or recreational use has been made legal under state law.
The proposed solution:  Let such businesses go to the bank.
Under the legislation, federal banking regulators could not “discourage, prohibit or penalize” banks, credit unions and other depositing institutions that take deposits from or make loans to such legal marijuana businesses.  They could not halt any kind of banking services.
 
Full Article:
http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2013/07/10/let-legitimate-pot-business-go-to-the-bank-house-members/

 
Ziggy Marley came through with his wife an kids to visit and check out the KNACKA shop last week. It was truly wonderful to have him in the space and show him what we are up to in trying too educate the masses about industrial hemp. He left us an amazing gift and teaching tool that will help immensely in turning people on to the potential of this plant.
 
Full Post:
http://www.knacka.com/?p=883

By Paul Armentano

 
“Writing in an accompanying commentary, McGill University’s Dr. Mark Ware concludes: “Cannabis smoking is not equivalent to tobacco smoking in terms of respiratory risk. … [C]annabis smoking does not seem to increase risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or airway cancers. In fact, there is even a suggestion that at low doses cannabis may be protective for both conditions. … This conclusion will affect the way health professionals interact with patients, parents with teenagers, and policy makers with their constituents.”
 
Full Article:
http://www.thedailychronic.net/2013/24437/marijuana-smoking-not-associated-with-airway-cancers-copd-emphysema-or-other-tobacco-related-pulmonary-complications/

By Patricia Kime
 
Medical marijuana advocates in New Mexico launched a campaign Tuesday to protect veterans’ access to cannabis in the state, saying the initiative has national implications as more former troops with post-traumatic stress disorder find relief for their symptoms by using pot.
PTSD is a qualifying condition for New Mexico’s medical marijuana program, but former troops often face difficulties obtaining the drug or can be fired from jobs that prohibit its use, according to organizers of the “Freedom to Choose” campaign.
Protections for veterans are needed, advocates say, because vets suffer the top two conditions that qualify for medical marijuana in New Mexico — PTSD and chronic pain — more than other populations and often face job discrimination.
 
Full Article:
http://www.armytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013307100029

by Arthur Chi’en

 
http://pix11.com/2013/07/09/are-you-high-pot-lollipop-vans-open-shop-in-nyc/#axzz2Yfx7dL3x

ANI  Melbourne

By Thomas H. Clarke

 
PHOENIX —  Medical marijuana patients who have their medicine confiscated by police are legally entitled to get it back, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Monday, rejecting arguments by prosecutors.
The justices declined to review a challenge to a January ruling by The Arizona Court of Appeals, who ruled that the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office must return marijuana confiscated from a California medical marijuana patient in 2011.  By refusing to review the case, the Supreme Court upheld the ruling of the lower court without comment.
 
Full Article:
http://www.thedailychronic.net/2013/24472/arizona-supreme-court-to-police-give-medical-marijuana-back-to-patients/

By Larry Gabriel

 
This is big news for marijuana activists around the world: Michigan Compassion, a Taylor-based medical marijuana nonprofit, has received a major award from Google Grants to support its education efforts. Not only does it help the organization, it adds another layer of legitimacy in an area that had formerly been pushed into the shadows of society.
“Michigan Compassion is a recipient of a Google Grants award,” reads a letter Google provided the organization. “The Google Grants program supports registered nonprofit organizations that share Google’s philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy and the arts. Google Grants is an in-kind advertising program that awards free online advertising to nonprofits via Google AdWords.”
 
Full Article:
http://metrotimes.com/news/higher-ground/medical-marijuana-the-google-effect-1.1518202