Marijuana Blog

It's hard to understand the federal government's plan on marijuana. First, President Barack Obama helped encouraged a boom in cultivation and in dispensing when he said states were in charge and he wasn't going to get involved. Then his Justice Department shut down hundreds of dispensaries across the state -- and nine in San Francisco, a third of the city's total -- in a crackdown that began last Oct. 7.

 

Over the summer, the feds took aim at the biggest fish, Oakland's Harborside Health Center (who will meet the feds in court Dec. 13). Then something funny happened: it stopped. Cannabis dispensaries opened up in San Francisco without issue. One just opened in downtown, steps from Market Street. The feds did nothing. So now, one of the nine shut down by federal pressure, in the Mission District, has simply unlocked the door, flicked on the lights, and opened for business again. Is the crackdown over, or with small amounts of marijuana legalized for all adults in Colorado and Washington, do the feds simply have better things to do?

 

United States attorney for Northern California Melinda Haag has yet to conduct a single raid of a medical marijuana dispensary or arrest a medical marijuana provider or patient (though Oaksterdam University, the Oakland cannabis college, was raided in April). She shut down more of the local medical marijuana industry than George W. Bush's attorneys ever did using a simple method: a letter sent via registered mail. The letters said the dispensaries were too close to schools, to rec centers, to other places children congregated. The dispensaries needed to go, the letters warned landlords, otherwise stiff prison sentences and property forfeitures were possible.

 

Read more: http://blogs.sfweekly.com

5 News told you that election night made history. Two states legalized marijuana and another was added to the list of states that use it for medical purposes. Not a single person from our area wanted to go on camera but many wanted to talk about it. A majority feel marijuana remains illegal for political reasons, and it should be legalized. Others said it's illegal for a reason, but after learning how much money it could generate, many understand why it's such a big issue.

 

"Marijuana has never caused me a problem in my life - and I chose to use it at the advice of doctors," explained Ken Robidoux, who's epileptic.

 

But how safe is it? Studies show cannabis is actually ranked one of the least harmful drugs. It does less physical harm and has a smaller dependence than tobacco, alcohol and some of your most common prescription drugs. Dr. Paul Clancy, an emergency room physician, said there's fewer side effects for most people with cannabis than there are with opiates.

 

A college professor and business owner said marijuana is a life saver. After taking medications prescribed to him by doctors, he gained 120 pounds, his intestines shut down and later exploded. He was put in the ICU at Mon General where doctors saved his life. 

 

Delegate Mike Manypenny is fighting for medical marijuana in our state. "Substance abuse costs the state of West Virginia $2 billion a year in direct and indirect costs. By implementing a compassionate use medical marijuana bill in West Virginia, would free up law enforcement to look into and investigate and prosecute more serious crimes," explained Manypenny.

 

Using Oregon as an example, they now charge $200 for a medical marijuana card. In eight months that generated $7.5 million for the state. A Harvard study estimates that if they legalized recreational marijuana it would pump in $140 million a year, while saving $60 million. The savings being related to law enforcement.

 

"I really don't see a down side to passing Manypenny's bill. I think it should be passed as soon as possible," said Dr. Clancy.

 

Under federal law, marijuana remains illegal. The Drug Enforcement Agency continues to raid and arrest dispensary workers across the country. Even though the DEA's chief administrator and Senator Joe Manchin agree it should be between a doctor and patient to make the decision - neither of them are for the idea. 

 

"Any revenue that comes from people getting addicted is the wrong type of revenue that we shouldn't need," said Sen. Manchin. "I just think it's wrong from that standpoint. I would hope the state of West Virginia would choose to protect it's people."

 

85% of viewers that participated in our last Facebook Poll Question feel medical marijuana should become a reality in our state. Now 5 News wants to know how you feel about recreational marijuana. Head to our Facebook page and cast your vote.

 

Source: http://www.wdtv.com

Marijuana is an illegal substance because the government claims marijuana is a threat. However, there has not been a single death related to marijuana, and it should be legalized.

 

Alcohol is legal and proven to be more addictive than marijuana. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports numerous alcohol-related deaths annually.

 

Another reason marijuana is illegal is because the government categorizes it in the same class of drugs as heroin and PCP. Pharmaceutical companies play a big role in the politics of keeping marijuana illegal. Furthermore, I strongly agree that patients should be able to use marijuana for their pain and nausea management.

 

I know of two good friends who have medical marijuana cards, and they both grow their own marijuana. My friend in Bakersfield told me there are more than a dozen benefits from marijuana. For example, on a cold day when your bones are hurting from arthritis, it helps immediately for pain relief. Also, he said you can rub cannabis lotion on the pain you’re having, and it starts working in less than five seconds.

 

Over-the-counter medication, when taken in excess, can kill you and is much more dangerous than smoking marijuana.

 

Marijuana should be legalized.

 

Source: http://santamariatimes.com