Read a little. Learn a lot. • Tightly-written news, views and stuff • Follow us on TwitterBe a Facebook FanTumble us!

25 Feb 2012 09:43

tags

U.S.: New study links medical marijuana laws to lower suicide rates

  • 11% reduction in the suicide rate of men ages 20-29
  • 9% reduction in the suicide rate of men ages 30-39 source
  • » Who would have guessed that getting high reduces stress? While the study stopped short of conclusively saying that medical marijuana was the direct cause of the lower rates, the authors did note that, when used in moderation, cannabis acts as an anti-depressant. The authors also found that states with medical marijuana programs saw a reduction in alcohol consumption by young men, and note that alcohol is a known depressant. Read the full results of the study here.

31 Oct 2011 14:16

tags

U.S.: Obama puts the kibosh on marijuana legalization

  • Simply put, [marijuana] is not a benign drug.
  • Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy • In the official White House response to a number of petitions calling for weed legalization. This is part of the Obama administration’s “We The People” program: Anybody can submit a petition on a topic of their choosing, and if it gathers enough signatures, the White House will issue an official response. It’s cool that they’re actually following up on the promise to address the petitions, though we imagine proponents of medical marijuana won’t be pleased at the response.  source

18 Oct 2011 11:04

tags

U.S.: Gallup poll: Americans favoring pot legalization at record levels

  • 50% of respondents want to see marijuana legalized — the first time it’s reached a full majority
  • 46% of respondents would rather that marijuana remain illegal … a number that’s been declining for years source
  • » Will we reach a tipping point? Quite possibly, the study suggests: “If this current trend on legalizing marijuana continues, pressure may build to bring the nation’s laws into compliance with the people’s wishes,” the summary noted. Considering the current state of affairs in California, public outcry is completely understandable. Think it’ll eventually happen?

09 Oct 2011 22:51

tags

U.S.: Federal attorney: Medical marijuana laws lead to drug trafficking

  • Where there’s marijuana there’s money. And lots of it. People are using the cover of medical marijuana to make extraordinary amounts of money. In short, (they’re) engaged in drug trafficking.
  • U.S. Attorney for Northern California Melinda Haag • Comparing medical marijuana dealers to drug traffickers — a harsh take, considering medical marijuana is legal in California. The U.S. government is planning a crackdown of medical marijuana dispensaries in the state within the next two months. This actually follows something Eric Holder said about a year ago, when Prop 19 looked like it might have a chance of passing in California. source

06 Mar 2011 11:32

tags

U.S.: Just chill out, bro: Montana may ditch medical marijuana

Montana’s medical marijuana industry is thriving. But some legislators are up in arms about who’s really benefiting and want to repeal the voter-implemented law. Boo! source

02 Sep 2010 22:20

tags

Politics: Smokin’: California gets its first medical marijuana TV ad

  • Wonder what they’re smoking. Wanna know the proof that cannabis is about to become legal in California? Because now medical marijuana shops are blatantly advertising their wares. It’s official: The tide has turned in their favor. Cheech and Chong are winning. source

27 Jun 2010 11:57

tags

U.S.: Colorado’s medical marijuana biz revels in capitalism

Thanks to Obama’s loosening of marijuana regulation, business is booming in Colorado, which doesn’t force non-profit status on pot dispensers. source
 

24 Mar 2010 22:26

tags

U.S.: California: The state that brought you Prop 8 could legalize pot

Thanks to a hard-fought ballot initiative, stoners who couldn’t marry their same-sex partners could soon legally purchase pot straight-up. source

26 Jan 2010 20:53

tags

U.S.: L.A. on medical marijuana: OK, we get the freaking point

“These are out of control,” said Councilman Ed Reyes, who wrote legislation to scale pot places back. “Our city has more of these than Starbuckses.” source

28 Nov 2009 21:02

tags

U.S.: Stoners looking to make “pot” a career: There’s a school for you

Medical marijuana enthusiasts in Michigan can take six weeks of classes at the Med Grow Cannabis College, where you can get high on learning or something. source