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Boulder's Medical Marijuana Shops Struggle with 'grueling' Paperwork

Following legislation passed earlier this year, medical marijuana businesses in Colorado must apply for operating licenses through both the state and the municipalities in which they operate. As of today, none of the estimated 100 dispensaries and greenhouses doing business in Boulder has turned in a completed application, which some business owners say is lengthy, complicated and expensive to put together.
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Even Drug Dealers Have to Pay Taxes

In some states drug dealers have to pay taxes on their drugs. If they don't in South Carolina, they can be fined up to $10,000 and get up to five years in prison. Perhaps the state needs to get the word out better -- in fiscal year 2007-2008, the South Carolina Department of Revenue collected only $214.
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In The Trenches

Public Hearing Scheduled for Medical Marijuana Bill (Press Release)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 11, 2010
Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana PA4MMJ
www.pa4mmj.org

CONTACT: Pittsburgh: Patrick Nightingale [email protected] 412-225-7959

Philadelphia: Derek Rosenzweig or Chris Goldstein [email protected] or 215-586-3483

PA: Public hearing for medical marijuana bill scheduled

8/11/2010 - The Pennsylvania House Health and Human Services Committee will hold a satellite hearing on medical marijuana in Pittsburgh, PA on August 19, 2010.

HHS Committee Chair Representative Frank Oliver issued a memo yesterday:

Please be advised that on Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. in the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health at 130 Desoto Street, Room G-23, Pittsburgh, PA 15320, there will be a public hearing on House Bill 1393.

Representative Mark B. Cohen introduced HB1393 and the first public hearings took place in Harrisburg last December. Residents living with chronic medical conditions, doctors, medical professionals and attorneys testified in favor of the bill.

Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana (PA4MMJ) is a statewide non-profit advocacy group promoting passage of the bill. Patrick Nightingale Esq., a criminal defense attorney in Pittsburgh, serves on the Board of Directors for PA4MMJ and coordinates efforts in Western Pennsylvania.

Nightingale commented on the memo, “We at Pittsburgh NORML and Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana are thrilled to learn of the upcoming hearing. We have heard from dozens of current medicinal patients or potential medicinal cannabis patients - veterans, retired school teachers, young people, grandparents, professionals and blue collar workers - all united by the belief that marijuana can provide relief for their medical conditions.”

Nightingale added, “ We believe that passage of the Barry Busch Compassionate Use Act will greatly benefit the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania just as it benefits the citizens of 14 other states and the District of Columbia who's legislatures have enacted medicinal marijuana laws.”

A Franklin & Marshall poll conducted this year showed that 80% of PA residents support the medical marijuana legislation.

The twenty-six-member House HHS committee includes HB 1393’s sponsor Rep. Cohen and co-sponsor Representative Tony Payton Jr.

Senator Daylin Leach introduced the companion bill, SB 1350, earlier this year. Senator Jim Ferlo of the Pittsburgh area recently co-sponsored the medical marijuana legislation. Senate committee hearings are expected in the fall.

Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana will be holding rally events, information seminars and fundraisers across the Commonwealth to raise awareness for HB 1393 and SB 1350.

PA4MMJ welcomes the opportunity to put legislators and the media into contact with local patients and cannabis experts.

www.pa4mmj.org

CONTACT: Pittsburgh: Patrick Nightingale [email protected] 412-225-7959

Philadelphia: Derek Rosenzweig or Chris Goldstein [email protected] or 215-586-3483

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If we can't keep drugs out of the prisons, how can we keep them out of the country?
If we can't keep drugs out of the prisons, how can we keep them out of the country?

This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

In Tulsa, a corruption scandal keeps on giving; in Austin, a cop is paying the price for partying a little too hearty; and in West Virginia, another jail guard goes down. Oklahoma doesn't get off with just Tulsa this week -- a Bureau of Narcotics agent in Oklahoma City has been charged with shipping weapons to Mexican cartels (yikes!).
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plantpic_0.png
plantpic_0.png

Is it Illegal to Legalize Marijuana?

It may sound like a dumb question, but opponents of marijuana reform have been arguing for years that federal law somehow prevents states from enacting their own marijuana policies.

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Mexican President Open to Change in Drug Strategy

President Felipe Calderon said today that he is willing to change Mexico's drug-war strategy -- even legalize drugs. But, he also said that unilateral legalization is not the answer, hinting that the United States needs to join any legalization effort.
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Group Turns in Petitions to Make Marijuana the "lowest possible priority" for Kalamazoo Law Enforcement

Voters in Kalamazoo, MI are one step closer to deciding the way law enforcement deals with the possession of small amounts of marijuana in the city. The Kalamazoo Coalition for Pragmatic Cannabis Laws turned in 4,776 signatures to the City Clerk’s Office — 2,000 more than required — seeking to amend the city charter to state that the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana by those 21 and older should be the “lowest possible priority” for law enforcement.
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Marijuana Legalization in Mexico Gaining Support

Once a subject so taboo that college kids didn't even whisper about smoking pot, the idea of legalizing marijuana in Mexico has gained increasing favor, especially among a vocal group of academics, intellectuals and politicians. Analysts say the shift – which echoes an increasing openness to legalization in the U.S. – is both a function of changing generational attitudes toward drugs and growing public frustration with the country's drug war.
Event

Southern California NORML Anniversary Party with Bambu Station

Please join us for this event presented by WorldBeat Center and Southern California NORML.

Bambu Station was founded in 1996 by Jalani Horton of St. Thomas, V.I. to present creative ideas that would impact peoples lives. In 1999, Andy Llanos of St. Croix joined Bambú Station as the bassist and Tuff Lion, with his brilliant guitar work offered his wealth of experience to help the young bredrens evolve and grow.

Their initial recording was the independently released single, “Amadou Diallo” (2000) and commenced a musical relationship with the addition of Warren Pedersen in 2003 that has galvanized roots fans across the world. Several of their releases are some of the most regarded works today. The sound of Bambú Station is best described as heavy, natural and relentlessly captivating. From its’ music to its’ lyrics, Bambú Station’s sound is very percussive, profound and inviting to any listener.

Their recordings and live shows are filled with a brilliant spirit, harmonies and an alluring quality. They are certainly one of the most significant artists representing reggae music in this generation.

VENDOR SPACE AVAILABLE: Contact [email protected].

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Marijuana Entrepreneur Tries to Trademark the Word "ganja" with U.S. Copyright Office

On April 1, the U.S. patent office announced a new trademark: "Processed plant matter for medicinal purposes, namely medical marijuana." The category was killed three months later when the Wall Street Journal asked about it, but in the meantime ganjapreneurs nationwide filed some very interesting pot trademarks -- with some of the most colorful coming from Colorado.
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Sex Party Wants Drug Use Decriminalised ?

Sex Party president and Victorian Senate candidate Fiona Patten said the party would push for the decriminalization of personal drug use if it won a seat in Australia's federal parliament. The policy calls for the decriminalization, not legalization, of possession and consumption of drugs for personal use, up to a quantity of up to 14 days' supply for one person.
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Felipe Calderon attending security conference
Felipe Calderon attending security conference

Mexican Presidents Talk Drug Legalization

After Mexican President Calderon toyed briefly with the notion of legalization last week, his predecessor, Vicente Fox, has jumped in with a forthright call for legalization. Calderon didn't bite this week, but did show signs of recognizing he's created a disaster.
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