Al Madrigal investigates medical marijuana’s effects on America’s most vulnerable, Jazzy-riding citizens.

 

by Dave Smith

Image from University of Minnesota.
 
The newly designated speaker of the state House of Representatives today introduced a bill that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana.
House Bill 150 introduced by Rep. Joe Souki of Maui would legalize the use and possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by persons 21 or older, and allow for personal cultivation of the plant. It would also provide for the establishment of marijuana dispensaries licensed by the state.
 
Full Article:
http://bigislandnow.com/2013/01/18/souki-introduces-bill-legalizing-recreational-use-of-marijuana/

Jan Hefler

 
Ed Forchion, widely known as NJ Weedman, wassentenced to probationWednesday for possessing a pound of pot.  But first he got in a few defiant jabs at the prosecutor, the judge, and a legal system that he says criminalizes a plant.
At a hearing in Mt. Holly, Assistant Prosecutor Mike Luciano pushed for a 12-month prison term.  “He’s one of the most interesting characters I’ve come across,” said Luciano, who earlier was mailed an unsolicited package of marijuana seeds by the longtime marijuana activist.
 
Full Article:
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/burlington/187350291.html

By Thomas H. Clarke

 
The city of Bothel, WA was ordered to pay nearly $40,000 to a marijuana grower in a civil lawsuit stemming from the illegal search and seizure of property from his home during an investigation into a marijuana-grow operation.
U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman ordered the settlement on Wednesday as a result of a civil lawsuit filed by marijuana grower Eric Scott Levine against Snohomish County and the City of Bothell.
Levine will receive a $25,000 settlement for the illegal search and seizure of property from his home, and an additional $14,700 in attorney fees.
 
Full Article:
http://www.thedailychronic.net/2013/14694/washington-marijuana-grower-awarded-40000-settlement-from-illegal-search/

By Timothy Boyer

 
Anti-aging oil #1: Hemp Oil

Hemp oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant that is known for its durable fiber that sailors of long ago used in making rope for their sailing ships. Today, you can find a wide assortment of clothing and accessories made from hemp that is popular among counter-culture individuals who are pro-legalization of marijuana. Although the plant that hemp oil is derived from is related to the type of Cannabis grown for marijuana, it either has no or very little of the psycho-active delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In spite of this, growing hemp is illegal in the US. However, in its oil extract form, it is commercially available from seeds grown in other countries.
Used as cooking oil known for its nutty taste, the chief benefit of hemp seed oil is that it is rich in alpha-linoleic acid that reportedly can reverse the atherosclerosis developing in your arteries.
“Hemp oil helps keep your heart healthy as your age,” says Ms. Reinagel. “It’s one of the richest vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acids,”
Aside from using as a healthy anti-aging cooking oil, hemp oil can also be integrated into your butter. Ms. Reinagel recommends making a spread of hemp seed oil by mixing one stick of butter with ½ cup of hemp seed oil in a blender into a smooth consistency that spreads over bread without tearing.
“You’re going to get a spread with all the taste of butter, but with only half the saturated fats,” says Ms. Reinagel.
 
Full Article:
http://www.emaxhealth.com/8782/dr-oz-3-anti-aging-cooking-oils-kitchen-can-help-you-live-longer

 By Lauren Maschmedt, KTVM Reporter, lmaschmedt@ktvm.com
A judge decides to block portions of the stricter medical marijuana laws outlined in Senate Bill 423 on Wednesday- portions that providers say would have put them out of business and leave patients without access.

That injunction was established last year, but the Supreme Court overturned it. The MTCIA fought back.
He said the decision is good news for Montana medical marijuana patients, who won’t have to start growing their own marijuana.
 
Full Article:
http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/Judge-blocks-portions-of-Montana-medical-marijuana-law/-/14594602/18159912/-/cr1dtlz/-/index.html

by Dawn M. Kurry
Richmond County Daily Journal

Contributed photo Jon Kennedy represents the North Carolina chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, and recently conducted a survey that shows 58 percent of North Carolinians as being in favor of medical marijuana.
A poll conducted by Public Policy Polling reveals that most North Carolinians believe a doctor should have the right to prescribe marijuana for patients. Support for medical marijuana is at 58 percent overall, with 33 percent opposed and 9 percent undecided. A majority of every age group younger than 65 supports medical marijuana. The poll reached 608 North Carolina voters between Jan. 10 and 13.
Full Article:
http://www.yourdailyjournal.com/view/full_story/21431950/article-Survey–More-than-half-of-North-Carolinians-favor-medical-marijuana?instance=popular

Veda Dante

 
BANGALOW-based Hemp Foods Australia is calling for local farmers to help cater for the growing worldwide demand in hemp products.
The company grows industrial hemp under government licence, but has been unable to keep up with consumer needs.
“We are using as much Australian-grown hemp seed as we can get our hands on,” said managing director Paul Benhaim. “We are actively looking to expand contracts to support more Australian farmers and supply our operational manufacturing plant,” Mr Benhaim said.
 
Full Article:
http://www.byronnews.com.au/news/farmers-wanted-to-grow-hemp/1719200/

By Aaron Sankin

 
A case headed for the California Supreme Court early next month is expected to have a big impact on the future of medical marijuana in the Golden State.
The City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patients Health and Wellness Center, which will be heard at the University of San Francisco’s School of Law, is looking at cities’ ability to implement bans on medical marijuana clinics operating within their limits.
“You can imagine how glad I am to see this finally coming to an end–to decidewhether cities can ban collectives or not,” Lanny Swerdlow, founder of the Inland Empire center, told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. “I just hope that if we win, the City of Riverside will sit down and do what we asked them to do 2 1/2 years ago, and enact an ordinance to license and regulate medical marijuana collectives.”
The clinic, which has operated in Riverside since 2009, argues that California’s voter-backed Compassionate Use Act (aka Proposition 215) permits medical marijuana dispensaries, and that governments are overstepping constitutional limits by banning them outright.
 
Full Article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/16/california-medical-marijuana_n_2490210.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA8tgyAuSkQ&sns=fb