Weedmart: Marijuana Superstores. IPOs. Reality TV.
Read about the new ganja service industry, test your medical marijuana knowledge with a quiz, or see the full Mother Jones special report on the coming pot boom.
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Event
Greenway University's Medical Marijuana Seminar
In November, voters went to the polls and passed a proposition to allow medical marijuana in Arizona.
Later this year, the drug will be legally sold for medicinal use.
There are a lot of rules when it comes to dispensaries and hydro-shops, including where they can be built and how many permits will be granted.
As the first state approved and regulated medical marijuana industry education provider, Greenway University will hold seminars during a two day event. Topics include political issues, legal procedures, edibles, nutrition, growing and cultivation. Attendees can even learn how to become "budtenders."
"We aim to not only educate on the laws and how they work, but also on how to go about opening a dispensary, techniques and information on cultivation, in addition to holding seminars by industry experts throughout the Valley and the nation," said Founder and CEO of Greenway University Gus Escamilla. "This is going to be a thriving industry which can really boost the local economy, but only if it's done right. We hope to drive the message of how important it is to have education before implementation."
There will also be video presentations, product testing and business management education.
For more information, contact 1-888-694-2033 or [email protected], or see www.greenwayuniversity.com
Tickets: $295
Latest News
Will Obama Answer Marijuana Legalization Questions Online?
This Thursday, President Obama will field questions submitted from the world of social media during a live-streamed YouTube interview. In two prior online question-n-answer sessions with the American public since taking office over two years ago, the question of ending Americaâs failed Cannabis Prohibition was a top question both times â- which speaks to the importance and urgency of the publicâs want to actually control cannabis via taxation and regulation. However, regrettably, President Obama has dismissed ending Cannabis Prohibition in no uncertain terms.
Latest News
The War on Drugs' Female Victims
The untold story of Mexico's prohibitionist campaign against drug trafficking organizations is the surge in lethal violence against women. As Mexico enters its fifth year of conflict and escalating militarization, the country's ability to ensure basic protections for its citizens â and, in particular, for those most at risk â has never been less certain.
In The Trenches
Montel Williams Urges Passage of Maryland Medical Marijuana Bill (Press Release)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 24, 2011
MONTEL WILLIAMS URGES PASSAGE OF MARYLAND MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL
Multiple Sclerosis Patient and Baltimore Native to Speak at Press Conference to Announce Medical Marijuana Legislation in Maryland
CONTACTS: Morgan Fox, MPP Communications Manager …………… 202-905-2031 or [email protected]
Dan Riffle, MPP Legislative Analyst …………………….. 202-905-2026 or [email protected]
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND — Montel Williams, multiple sclerosis patient and popular former talk show host, will attend a press conference today to urge General Assembly members to support legislation that would make Maryland the 16th state in the nation to allow the medical use of marijuana. Williams and other patients will be joined by Deputy Majority Leader and physician Dan Morhaim (D-Baltimore County), Sen. Jamie Raskin (D-Montgomery County), and Sen. David Brinkley (R-Frederick & Carroll Counties) for a press conference at 4:00 pm, Monday, January 24, in room 302 of the House Office Building.
“I grew up in Maryland, graduated from the Naval Academy, and my family still lives in Baltimore today, so I’m excited about the prospect of helping my home state put in place a policy that’s more compassionate toward our most vulnerable residents,” said Williams, whose father was Baltimore’s first African-American fire chief. Prior to beginning his television career, Williams retired from the U.S. Navy as Lieutenant Commander after more than two decades of service. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a decade ago and has sought treatment at Maryland’s Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The Maryland Senate passed similar legislation last year by an overwhelming margin of 35-12, and this week, Del. Morhaim plans to file a new medical marijuana bill.
“As a physician, I see this as just another tool in the toolbox,” said Morhaim. “This isn’t about ending the war on drugs – it’s about getting the sick and dying off the battlefield.”
Sen. Raskin, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer, noted that Maryland law already provides reduced penalties for marijuana possession to anyone who can show a medical necessity, but that patients have no legal way to obtain it and are still given a criminal conviction even if they are successful in showing a medical need.
“Maryland law already recognizes the medical benefits of marijuana but, bizarrely, sends very sick people into the streets and alleys to find medical relief and then exposes them to criminal arrest and prosecution for seeking relief from pain and nausea,” says Sen. Raskin. “We need to put the doctor-patient relationship at the heart of our policy and we have done that with the most carefully regulated and defined proposal in the country.”
Sen. David Brinkley, a two-time cancer survivor, sponsored the Senate version of last year’s bill and joined with Raskin in leading the bi-partisan effort to pass it.
Says Sen. Brinkley, “This is a bi-partisan bill because compassion is a bi-partisan issue. If it were my loved one suffering from a devastating disease, I would want every treatment option that could relieve their suffering to be on the table. There should be nothing controversial about that.”
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In The Trenches
Medical Marijuana Rules in Colorado -- Your Chance to Speak Out
Public Hearing on Medical Marijuana Rules This Thursday and Friday
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Latest News
Dutch Parliament to Be Lobbied to Legalize All Recreational Drugs
The recently formed Dutch coalition government is expected to be handed a 40,000-signature petition in the next few months aimed at opening a debate in parliament on the legalization of all recreational drugs. The petition is being promoted by the Netherlands Drugs Policy Foundation, and has high-profile support from former EU commissioner Fritz Bolkestein and former deputy prime minister and scientist Dr. Els Borst-Eilers.
In The Trenches
Want to See Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) Ask President Obama a Question? (Action Alert)
Friends,
Go to http://www.youtube.com/askobama and use the search box on the right side to find the question below and then vote it up! Or choose "sorted by popularity," as we're currently at number one!
Q: "As a police officer, I saw how waging the war on drugs has cost a trillion dollars and thousands of lives but does nothing to reduce drug use. Should we discuss legalizing marijuana and other drugs, which would eliminate the violent criminal market?"
We'd really appreciate it if you could activate your Facebook, Twitter and e-mail followers behind this effort. This is a huge opportunity to get our message in front of the nation, and we have until this Wednesday at midnight EST to get as many votes as it takes to stay on top.
Thanks!
Tom
--
Tom Angell, Media Relations Director
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
Latest News
Will the IRS Extinguish Medical Marijuana?
The Internal Revenue Service is reportedly auditing some of California's largest and most reputable medical marijuana dispensaries, examining their compliance with an obscure section of tax law aimed at drug dealers. Dispensary owners say that the provision, if strictly applied, could effectively snuff out the nation's burgeoning medical marijuana industry.
Latest News
On Eve of Clinton Visit Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization Gunmen Kill Seven at Soccer Match
Gunmen who attacked a group of youths playing soccer killed seven people in the violent northern border city of Ciudad Juárez. The latest drug prohibition violence came on the eve of a one-day visit to Mexico by US secretary of State Hillary Clinton to discuss bilateral cooperation against the country's powerful drug trafficking organizations. The stadium where the shooting occurred was inaugurated just four months ago as part of a campaign called "We are all Juarez" that the local government has hoped will help stem a wave of drug prohibition related violence.
Chronicle
Virginia Capitol
Welfare Drug Testing Bills Filed in Virginia
Add Virginia to the list of states where imposing drug testing on recipients of public assistance is on the legislative agenda.
Latest News
Ex World Leaders, Branson Launch Anti-Prohibitionist Drug Campaign
"There is a growing perception that the 'war on drugs' approach has failed," the Global Commission on Drug Policies said in a statement, as it began an inaugural two day meeting in Geneva. "Eradication of production and criminalization of consumption did not reduce drug traffic and drug use," the commission said. It concluded that the harm from corruption and violence resulting from prohibition "largely exceeds the harm caused by drugs."
Latest News
Clinton to Focus on Drug Prohibition Violence in Mexico
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Mexico today for talks expected to focus on the country's accelerating drug prohibition violence. The Mexican government says the bloodshed is a sign the gangs are weakening. But business leaders and rights groups worry the strategy has backfired, sparking an endless stream of revenge killings that is spilling across the country.
Latest News
Medical Marijuana Called Boon to Ailing Seniors
Proponents of medical marijuana touted its benefits for aging baby boomers at a weekend conference in California. Speakers, including physicians and researchers, described the benefits of medical cannabis and efforts at quality control and self-regulation.
Latest News
Australia Clean Needle Program Keeping HIV at Bay
Australia's early and widespread use of clean needle programs seems to have kept HIV rates among injection-drug users in check over the long term, according to a study. In many countries, needle exchange programs allow drug users to trade in used needles for new ones, but in Australia users are simply given new ones.
In The Trenches
Drug Truth Network 01/23/11
Cultural Baggage * Century of Lies * 4:20 Drug War NEWS * Time 4 Hemp
Cultural Baggage for 01/23/11 29:00 Terry Nelson, after a year in Iraq rejoins the Drug Truth Network + Kathy Bates from Harry's Law the new NBC show + DTN Editorial: Outrage? Not strong enough word!
LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/node/3248
TRANSCRIPT: MONDAY
Century of Lies for 01/23/11 29:00 Washington Post reporter Pamela Constable, fresh from another junket to Afghanistan + Mary Jane Borden asks: "What are Entheogens?" & Abolitionist's Moment
LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/node/3240
TRANSCRIPT: Mon Late
4:20 Drug War NEWS, 01/24 to 01/30/11 Link at www.drugtruth.net on the right margin -
Sun - DTN Editorial: Outrage? Not strong enough word!
Sat - Abolitionist's Moment
Fri - Pamela Constable, Washinton Post Reporter just returned from junket to Afghanistan, 2/2 Thu - Pamela Constable, Washinton Post Reporter just returned from junket to Afghanistan, 1/2 Wed - Mary Jane Borden of Drug War Facts asks: "What are Entheogens?"
Tue - Actress Kathy Bates, from the new NBC program Harry's Law Mon - Terry Nelson Returns! Fresh from another tour in Iraq, Terry files the first of many reports on DTN for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
Programs produced at Pacifica Radio Station KPFT in Houston, 90.1 FM. You can Listen Live Online at www.kpft.org
- Cultural Baggage Sun, 7:30 PM ET, 6:30 PM CT, 5:30 PM MT, 4:30 PM PT
- Century of Lies, SUN, 8 PM ET, 7 PM CT, 6 PM MT & 5 PM PT
- Time 4 Hemp, NEW TIME: Fri 12:45 PM ET, 11:45 AM CT, 10:45 AM MT, 9:45 AM PT at www.americanfreedomradio.com
Who's Next?": Steven DeAngelo of Harborside Health Center, worlds largest cannabis dispensary
Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and now at James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. http://www.bakerinstitute.org/dtn
We have potcasts, searchability, CMS, XML, sorts by guest name and by organization. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates. You can tune into both our 1/2 hour programs, live, at 6:30 central time on Pacifica's KPFT at http://www.kpft.org and call in your questions and concerns toll free at 1-877-9-420 420.
The two, 29:00 shows appear along with the seven, daily, 3:00 "4:20 Drug War NEWS" reports each Monday morning at http://www.drugtruth.net . We currently have 95 affiliated, yet independent broadcast stations. With a simple email request to [email protected] , your station can join the Drug Truth Network, free of charge.
Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, DTN Producer, 713-462-7981
Chronicle
Medical marijuana is a burning issue in Helena (image via Wikimedia)
Montana Medical Marijuana Hearing Draws Crowd
The fight over medical marijuana in Montana has moved to the state house, some trying to repeal it but most debating what are the best regulations.
Latest News
Ex-Border Patrol Agent Sues Over Firing After Making Drug Legalization Statement
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit for a former Border Patrol agent who claims he was fired - just weeks before his probationary period ended - in part because he said drug legalization would reduce violence in Mexico.
Latest News
Family Home Stormed in Another Botched Drug Prohibition SWAT Raid
Another police raid and yet another innocent family caught up in a failed drug prohibition war that sends heavily armed, masked and hyped up cops in search of largely nonviolent offenders. This time the raid happened in Spring Valley, New York, and left a 13-year-old child vomiting and gasping for air in an asthma attack triggered by the over-the-top and misdirected actions of police and DEA agents.
Event
Press Conference: Montel Williams Discusses His Support for Medical Marijuana in Maryland
Multiple sclerosis patient and popular former talk show host Montel Williams will speak at a press conference in Annapolis in support of legislation that would make Maryland the nation’s 16th state allowing physician-approved use of medical marijuana.
Williams grew up in Baltimore where his father was the city’s first African-American fire chief. Williams is a graduate of the Naval Academy in Annapolis and retired from the U.S. Navy as a decorated naval intelligence officer after more than two decades of service before embarking on his second career as a national television talk show host. In 1999, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and has sought treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Following his diagnosis, he created the Montel Williams MS Foundation, which is committed to raising awareness of the disease and providing inspiration to those who live with MS. Williams has served as an advocate for the compassionate use of medical marijuana in a variety of states that have approved new laws.
Montel will be joined at the Maryland press conference by the chief sponsors of the state’s medical marijuana legislation: physician and Delegate Dan Morhaim, and Senators Jamie Raskin and David Brinkley, both cancer survivors.