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ECONOMICS
Cannabusinesses, prohibition economics, legalization revenues, industrial hemp
Obama tops in Big Pharma campaign dollars for 2012
If I had a dollar for every Obama supporter who told me “don’t worry, in the 2nd term, then he’ll be able to support marijuana reforms, because he won’t have to worry about it being used against him in a re-election campaign,” I’d take them all and donate them to the state legalization campaigns in California, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado.
Montana Judge Rules On States Protection for Providers
A judge on Friday has ruled that Montana’s medical marijuana law does not protect those that provide medical marijuana to other from federal prosecution. US District Judge Donald Malloy dismissed a civil lawsuit that was filed by 14 individuals and businesses that were part of more than two dozen medical marijuana providers that were raided [...]
California Supreme Court Agrees to Review Dispensary Cases
The California Supreme Court decided today to review two lower court rulings that would look again into the legality of regulating dispensaries in the state. During a weekly closed-door session, the judges decided unanimously to hear the cases that deal with dispensaries suits in Long Beach and Riverside. In the Long Beach case, an appeals [...]
Washington Dispensary Bill Moves Forward
In the state capital of Washington, Senate Bill 6265 got a hearing yesterday. The bill is sponsored by Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles of Seattle, a long time proponent of common sense cannabis law reform. Senate Bill 6265 would legalize non-profit medical marijuana dispensaries, but kick the regulation aspect to the cities of Washington. If passed, the [...]
DC Medical Marijuana Program Still Setting Rules
Much like New Jersey, Washington DC also passed a medical marijuana law, but is having challenges to put the program into place. Yesterday the DC City Council approved some emergency legislation to restrict how much marijuana for medical use will be allowed in each of the city’s eight wards. The council was getting pressure from [...]
LA City Council Moves to Ban Dispensaries…again
The federal assault on medical marijuana dispensaries is heating up in Colorado and re-igniting in long embattled Los Angeles, California as well. LA’s City Hall is trying to ban medical marijuana dispensaries outright, and they are getting some help by the US Attorney’s Office. Three dispensary operators in Long Beach were convicted for selling marijuana [...]
Federal Prosecuters Put Colorado Dispensaries on Notice
The letter from the US Attorneys office said the dispensaries had only 45 days to close or they would face criminal prosecution along with having their assets seized under drug forfeiture laws. Letters were also sent to the property owners where the dispensaries were located, a tactic that has been very effective in the closure of many Californian dispensaries.
Michigan MMJ Clinic Owner Acquited on Charges of Buying Votes
She was charged with violating Michigan election law and charged with a misdemeanor count of trying to influence voters with a “valuable consideration” – not money in this case, but with the ½ gram of marijuana. She could have received a penalty of 90 days in jail, and a $500 fine.
Judge Steps Down in Medical Marijuana Collective Case
The Judge admitted he made a serious error saying it was inappropriate to send the letter while the case was still active. The letter was dated on January 5th, and it was a congratulations to the prosecutor on a job well done. Defense Attorney for one of the two defendants said that the letter showed a clear bias on the Judge’s part, adding, “I’ve never seen anything like it” and that it was obvious that Judge Sheldon was biased from the beginning that there are no legal sales of marijuana of any kind.
Boulder Colorado Places Emergency Moratorium on Dispensaries
The city of Boulder Colorado had a city council meeting on Tuesday night, and in an unexpected move, approved a temporary ban on new dispensaries and growing operations…at 11pm. The move came after a request by City Attorney Tom Carr. The ban is immediate, and will be in effect until at least February 8th.