MedicalMJ.org - News and Facts About Medical Marijuana

ASA Protests Federal DEA Raids in California

The medical marijuana activist community comes together for a protest against federal raids on medical facilities. Check out the protest. ( "ASA Protest")

Obama Will Not Tolerate Federal DEA Raids

Current DEA raids are contrary to President Obama's campaign promises to stop the raids. It is expected that these raids will end once Obama nominates someone to take charge of DEA which is still run by Bush administration holdovers. For more information,( "Bush Holdovers at DEA Continue Pot Raids")


Website Highlights Leading Medical Marijuana Cases

A website developed by Saint Louis University and the American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics has a focus on pain and corresponding state laws. Of particular use, an outline of the leading medical marijuana cases ("Pain and the Law").


Medical Marijuana Lawsuit Filed Against CA Department of Motor Vehicles

Americans for Safe Access has filed suit against the California Department of Motor Vehicles to stop the state from suspending and revoking the driving licenses of medical marijuana patients. For more information, click here.


Michigan Becomes 13th State To Allow Patients Access to Medical Marijuana; Other Midwestern States Prepare to Follow Suit

The passage of Prop 1 in Michigan has inspired advocates in other midwestern states to renew their efforts to allow patients in need to have access to medical cannabis. For more on this story, click here.


California Issues Medical Marijuana Guidelines

The state of California has issued guidelines designed to help patients, caregivers, and law enforcement navigate their way through that state's medical marijuana law. For more info, click here.


State Appeals Court Rejects Suit By Counties; California Medical Marijuana Law Upheld

A California state appeals court has upheld that state's medical cannabis law. The court dismissed a challenge filed by two counties against the law and against the state's patient ID program. For more information, click here.


San Diego and San Bernardino Counties Renew Fight Against Medical Cannabis Patients

San Diego and San Bernardino Counties were in the California Court of Appeals, continuing their fight against medical cannabis patients. For more information, click here.


NY Patients Urge State Senators

New York may potentially enlist as the 13th state in allowing medicinal marijuana use. The latest tactic is television ads. For more information, click here.


Hep C Victim Ineligible For Transplant Due To Medical Marijuana Use Dies

Timothy Garon was a Seattle-area man suffering from Hepatitis C who had a recommendation for medical marijuana from his physician for pain relief and nausea and also as an appetite stimulant. He was denied a spot on the transplant list at two of his local hospitals, allegedly largely because of his medical marijuana use, Shortly afterward, Tim Garon died. For more information click here.

Barack Obama Speaking About Medical Marijuana

Barack Obama, asked by the Medford, OR Mail-Tribune about his position on medical marijuana, specifically regarding state laws allowing access and whether the federal government should interfere with these laws, responded: "I'm not going to be using Justice Department resources to try to circumvent state laws on this issue."


Internists Endorse Legal Access to Medical Marijuana

The American College of Physicians, the nation's largest organization of Internists, is calling for protection of both doctors and patients from criminal and civil penalties in states that have adopted medical-marijuana laws. For more info, check out this CSDP Public Service Ad.


Major American Physicians Organization Endorses Medical Marijuana

The American College of Physicians has endorsed easing restrictions on medical marijuana. From their webpage: "ACP believes the science on medical marijuana should not be obscured or hindered by the debate surrounding the legalization of marijuana for general use." For more information, click here.


Kansas Legislature to Consider Medical Marijuana Bill

Legislators in the state of Kansas will have the opportunity to consider a bill granting limited protection to some medical cannabis patients. For more information, click here.


Medical Marijuana Vending Machines

A new vending machine product is now available in California: medical marijuana. For more information, click here.


New Research: Long Term Marijuana Users Seeking Medical Cannabis in California

This study yielded a somewhat unexpected profile of a hitherto hidden population of users of America's most popular illegal drug. It also raises questions about some of the basic assumptions held by both proponents and opponents of current policy. Read more by clicking here.

Tragic Casualty in the Federal War Against Medical Marijuana

Montana activist and patient Robin Prosser took her own life in October 2007. Read this touching tribute by Tom Daubert.

Justice Dept.'s Drug Enforcement Agents Raid Ten Dispensaries In Los Angeles

The US Justice Dept.'s Drug Enforcement Administration raided ten medical cannabis dispensaries in Los Angeles, CA on Wednesday, July 25. For more information click here.


DEA Threatens Los Angeles Landlords To Force Closure Of Dispensaries

The US Drug Enforcement Administration is threatening landlords in Los Angeles with seizure of their property and possible prison terms for renting to cannabis dispensaries. For more information, click here.


Ed Rosenthal Given One Day Sentence

Marijuana reform advocate and cultivation expert Ed Rosenthal was sentenced on Friday, July 6 to one day in prison, time already served. For more information, click here.


Rhode Island Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto Of Medical Marijuana Program

A bill to make the Rhode Island state medical marijuana law "permanent," allowing the program to continue, has passed into law in spite of the governor's veto. For more information, click here.


Rell To Patients: Forget About It

On June 20, 2007, Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell vetoed legislation which would have allowed patients in CT to have legal access to the medicine they need. For more information click here.


New York State Assembly Approves Medical Marijuana Legislation

The New York State Assembly passed a measure to legalize medical marijuana in that state. Differences with the State Senate on the other hand may hamstring efforts. For more information, click here.


Michigan Medical Marijuana Initiative Petition Approved For Circulation

An initiative petition to allow patients in need to have access to medical marijuana has been approved for circulation in the state of Michigan. For more info, click here.


Legislature Expected To Override Governor's Veto In Rhode Island

As expected, Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri vetoed the medical marijuana legislation which reached his desk recently. Proponents have enough votes to override the governor. For more information, click here.


Connecticut Medical Marijuana Legislation Goes To Governor For Approval

Legislation to allow patients in need to have access to medical marijuana has passed both houses of the state legislature and is on the way to the governor for approval. For more information, click here.


Vermont Broadens Its Medical Marijuana Law

The Vermont State Legislature has passed a measure expanding the state's medical marijuana law. The bill will be enacted without the governor's signature. For more information, click here.


Ed Rosenthal Convicted – Again – In Retrial For Cultivating Medical Marijuana

Noted author and marijuana legalization advocate Ed Rosenthal was found guilty by a federal jury in his retrial on marijuana cultivation charges, however he will not be punished further. For more information, click here.


Connecticut House Passes Medical Marijuana Legislation

The Connecticut State House of Representatives approved legislation allowing patients in need to have access to medical marijuana. For more information, click here.


Rhode Island Legislature Poised To Make Medical Marijuana Program Permanent

Legislation has passed both houses of the Rhode Island Legislature by margins sufficient to over-ride a threatened veto. For more information, click here.


IL Senate Votes No On Medical Marijuana Bill

The Illinois State Senate voted against SB650, that would have allowed some patients in Illinois to have access to medical marijuana. For more information, click here.


Minnesota Senate Passes Medical Marijuana Legislation

The Minnesota State Senate approved a bill allowing patients in need to get access to medical marijuana. For more information, click here.


New Mexico Legalizes Medical Marijuana

Governor Bill Richardson signed medical marijuana legislation, making New Mexico the 12th state to allow patients in need to have access to medical marijuana. For more information, click here.


Appeals Court Rules Against Angel Raich

On March 14, a federal appeals court decided against medical marijuana patient Angel Raich. The ruling rejected Raich's argument that she had a right to life. For more information, click here.


Flint, MI Approves Medical Marijuana

The city of Flint, MI, approved a ballot measure to allow patients in need to have access to medical marijuana. For more information, click here.


Americans for Safe Access Sues US Dept. of Health & Human Services

Americans for Safe Access have filed suit against the federal Department of Health & Human Services, accusing it of ignoring the scientific data regarding medical cannabis. For more information, click here.


Vermont Senate To Debate Medical Marijuana

Legislation which would allow authorized patients better access to adequate amounts of medical cannabis passed a Vermont State Senate committee and will proceed to the floor of the Senate for debate. For more information, click here.


UK Tory Leader David Cameron Endorses Legalization Of Medical Marijuana

David Cameron, the leader of the Conservative (Tory) Party in England, has endorsed the legalization of medical marijuana. For more information click here.

Court Throws Out County Suit Over Medical Marijuana Law

A California state judge rejected a lawsuit by three counties challenging state's medical marijuana law. For more information click here.

Update: San Diego County Supervisors vote to continue challenge to CA's medical marijuana law. Click here for the full story.


South Dakota Fails To Pass Medical Marijuana

South Dakota voters failed to approve a ballot measure which would have allowed patients in need access to medical marijuana. For more information click here.


Federal Grand Jury Re-Indicts Ed Rosenthal

A federal grand jury has re-indicted Ed Rosenthal and two co-defendants. For more information click here.


Federal Grand Jury Looks At Ed Rosenthal

The feds conduct a new grand jury investigation into Ed Rosenthal before his new trial. For more information, click here.


Court Ruling Allows Patients, Advocates To Oppose San Diego County In Lawsuit

Patients and their advocates, including the ACLU, will be allowed to join in defending against the suit by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors aimed at overturning California's medical marijuana laws. For more information click here.


Several San Diego Dispensaries Raided July 6; At Least 15 Arrested

Federal and county police in San Diego area raided several medical marijuana dispensaries. At least 15 people face a variety of charges. For more information click here.


Supporters put up a valiant effort and vow to continue.
Rep David Obey, D-WI: "If I am terminally ill, it is not anybody's business on this floor how I handle the pain or the illness or the sickness associated with that illness. With all due respect to all of you, butt out."

The state of California has enacted a policy which will allow the state's medical marijuana dispensaries to be able to secure business licenses and begin to collect and pay state sales tax. For more about this click here.


Santa Cruz, CA took the first step toward helping patients in need secure safe access to sufficient supplies of medical marijuana by moving to create the country's first city marijuana department, the Office of Compassionate Use. Click here for more info.


Americans for Safe Access held a series of protests at HHS offices around the country on Oct. 26, 2005. Click here for more information about these rescheduling rallies.


Performer/Songwriter/Cancer Survivor Melissa Ethridge appeared on Dateline NBC Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005, to speak about her breast cancer, her survival – she's now in remission – and medical marijuana. Click here to read the transcript.


Yanked from a Canadian hospital, turned over to US authorities with a catheter still attached, held for days without medical attention — Judge orders Steven Tuck temporarily released in order to be taken for treatment. Read more inside.


Legislation to allow patients in need in Rhode Island to have access to medical marijuana vetoed by governor was over-ridden by Senate but session ended before House could vote. Governor Carcieri has also called for a special session, during which House could bring bill to vote. Click here for an earlier blog entry on Rhode Island efforts.


Drug stores in Canada to begin stocking medical cannabis. Health Canada says a national pharmacy distribution program could take up to three years to implement. Learn more by clicking here.


Ed Rosenthal's appeal of his conviction on federal marijuana charges finally begins after more than two years. Click here to read more about Ed's case.


Report by Dr. Mitch Earleywine and MPP researcher Karen O'Keefe finds that marijuana use by young people declined in states with medical marijuana. Click here to learn more.


California Highway Patrol Revises Policy

CHP revises policy, will allow certified patients to possess and carry up to eight ounces of medical marijuana in a motor vehicle. Click here for more info.


California officials decide to reinstate medical marijuana patient ID program. To learn more click here.


California's state government suspended a new program to issue ID cards for medical marijuana patients. The suspension does not change the legal status of medical marijuana nor does it stop doctors from approving patients. For details, click here.


Three medical marijuana facilities in San Francisco raided by feds. Click for more info.


The US House by a 264-161 vote on Wednesday, July 15, failed to pass an amendment which would have barred the Justice Department from going after medical marijuana patients who are following state laws which allow the practice. For more on this story click here.


A setback, not a defeat: The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against medical marijuana patients. The Court's decision in the case of Ashcroft v. Raich was handed down on June 6, 2005. For more information click here.


New York State Sen. Vincent L. Leibell (R-Dutchess County) introduced S5040, a bill to allow legal use of medical marijuana. Click here to read more.


Canada becomes the first country to approve Sativex® for medical use. The drug will initially be made available to MS sufferers. Click here for more information.

Check out CSDP's new public service ad on Sativex.


Medical marijuana is on the move in states across the US in 2005. Bills have been introduced in several state legislatures including Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Alabama. Click here for more.


The federal government lost its case in the 9th Circuit against Angel Raich and Diane Monson, two patients in California. The feds took the case to the Supreme Court. To learn more about the case of Ashcroft v. Raich, click here.

Click here to view this CSDP public service ad on the medical marijuana issue featuring case of Raich v. Ashcroft, or download a PDF copy of the ad by clicking here.


Buckling to election-year pressure, the UK's Labour government has announced that it will re-examine the classification of cannabis, which it had moved from Class B to Class C in Jan. 2004.


Because there is no federal medical necessity exemption, juries cannot take all the facts into consideration when hearing a case involving medical marijuana. The US Justice Dept. is forcing hundreds of seriously ill patients, who rely on these support groups, to turn to the streets and black market in order to obtain their medicine while providers face long prison terms for their compassion. Contact your Congressperson and let them know how you want an end to the Federal assault against medical marijuana.


Statewide Billboard Campaign Proclaimed: "Medical Marijuana: Compassion Not Federal Prison"

As federal prosecutions against medical marijuana patients and providers escalate, a coalition of patients, care givers, doctors and public officials united behind the 8-year-old daughter of a now-free federal prisoner to call for an end to these injustices. The ads showed Ashley Epis holding a sign saying "My Dad is not a criminal," with the message, "Medical marijuana: compassion, not federal prison. www.MedicalMJ.org." For a copy of the news release from the SF ad launch, click here. For a review of news coverage of the campaign's launch, click here.

Help spread the word! Download, print and display these high-resolution copies of the billboard ad and of the transit shelter ad.

Also, download pics of Ashley & her mom at one of the billboards:
Billboard 1
Billboard 2


Relative Addictive Properties of Various Commonly Used Drugs

relative dangers and addictive properties of various drugs
Source: Dr. Jack E. Henningfield, Ph.D. for NIDA. Reported by: Philip J. Hilts, New York Times, Aug. 2, 1994 "Is Nicotine Addictive? It Depends on Whose Criteria You Use."
Image courtesy of Drug War Facts.

Legal Federal Patient Detained In Illinois After Testifying In Support Of Medical Marijuana Bill

Irvin Rosenfeld, one of the handful of remaining legal federal medical marijuana patients, was detained by police in Springfield, IL, after testifying in support of a medicalization bill. Click here for more about the Illinois legislation.


Cannabis-Based Medication Gets Preliminary Approval In Canada

Canadian health officials gave preliminary approval for trials of GW Pharma's drug Sativex, a medication derived from the cannabis plant. Already nearing approval in England, the UK-based company plans to apply for approval in other Commonwealth countries soon.


Medical Marijuana Debate In Illinois Legislature

Legislation to allow medical marijuana for patients in need has been introduced in the Illinois legislature. A former federal official, stumping the state to oppose the measure, refuses to debate the bill's merits with the sponsor, an AIDS victim and former cop.


Spain Moves To Allow Medical Marijuana

The Spanish Health Ministry is expected to approve a Catalonian plan to allow doctors to prescribe medical cannabis. This plan, involving 60 pharmacies and four hospitals, surpasses the reforms in place in The Netherlands and in England.


South Dakota Legislature Says No To Medical Marijuana

Jan. 2005: Legislators in South Dakota rejected legislation which would have allowed doctors to recommend marijuana to patients in need.


Feds Obstruct Medical Marijuana Research

The feds say they want scientific evidence that marijuana is medicine, but do they? In 2001, a researcher at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst applied to the government grow marijuana for research. Finally in 2004, after pressure from the courts and from advocates to issue a decision, the DEA announced it was denying permission. Click here for more about this issue. Also, view this Common Sense PSA on federal obstruction of legitimate research.


The federal raid on a Santa Cruz, CA, medical marijuana co-operative backfired in a big way. The city and county governments took the side of Valerie and Mike Corral and the other activists and supporters of WAMM, the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana. A federal judge finally agreed with Santa Cruz and WAMM, and told the feds to back off. Click here for more about the WAMM case.

View CSDP's PSA on the Santa Cruz-Corral case, also available in camera-ready PDF.


Marijuana is medicine for millions of patients around the US. Click here for medical marijuana news. Federal opposition persists in spite of successful medical marijuana programs in several states. States, cities moving to allow medical use by those in need.

For more information on medical marijuana and other drug policy reform issues, check out the Common Sense for Drug Policy. For the facts about medical marijuana, check out Drug War Facts: Medical Marijuana, and this CSDP public service ad on medical cannabis to learn more.


For The Latest News Check Out:

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Americans For Safe Access

Media Awareness Project

Drug Reform Coordination Network


Support The Campaign!

Support the Coalition campaign! To make a tax-deductible donation click here.


Get Active!

Help make sure that patients can access medical cannabis safely and legally. Americans for Safe Access maintains this terrific Take Action page on their site to help you decide what actions you can take. Common Sense for Drug Policy also maintains this organizers' toolkit on their website.


Meet The Patients

The US Justice Department continues to stand between patients and their medicine. Click here to meet some of the patients and read their stories, and learn why this issue is so important.


The drug war lies on a foundation of myth. Learn the truth. Get the facts. Drug War Facts is your premier information source, offering uptodate information with full citations to aid in further research. Individual sections as well as full edition available electronically at DrugWarFacts.org. Get the facts about medical marijuana, prisons, drug treatment, syringe exchange, and more.
Help spread the word! Put a Drug War Facts banner on YOUR website. Click here for more info.


Marijuana Is Safe, Effective Medicine

Cannabis, or marijuana as it is often called when referring to the drug form of the plant, is an effective medicine that is relatively safer than many commonly-used pharmaceutical products. In the last several decades US doctors and patients have been denied legal access to this substance. Click here to read this well-researched article about the medical benefits of cannabis and learn more about its uses.


The Ed Rosenthal Case

Rosenthal jurors outraged that medical marijuana aspect of case withheld from them. Read this lament by jury member Marney Craig, "Medical Marijuana: Blind Injustice," published by the San Jose Mercury News, Feb. 6, 2003.
Also check out this op-ed originally published in the San Francisco Chronicle, Feb. 19, 2003, "When A Jury Should Just Say No," and this op-ed published in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals, March 6, 2003, "In the Dark: Medi-Pot Juries Kept Uninformed Can't Seek Out the Course of Justice."
For more info see:
"Jurors Who Convicted Marijuana Grower Seek New Trial," NY Times, Feb. 5, 2003
"Misguided Marijuana War," NY Times, Feb. 5, 2003
"One Angry Jury," by Alexander Cockburn, WorkingForChange.com, Feb. 5, 2003


Get Informed!

Get the facts about medical cannabis from Drug War Facts.
NORML's website provides a great deal of useful medical cannabis information. California NORML maintains this list of CA medical cannabis resources. Access hundreds of articles on medical cannabis from the popular press.


The US Justice Department is pressing forward with an aggressive campaign to prosecute medical marijuana offenders in spite of California's medical marijuana law (Prop 215) and in defiance of efforts by local officials to support legal medicine for patients. Targets have included prominent medical marijuana patients groups, caregivers, and individual patients attempting to grow medicine for themselves.... Click here for more.


In the Dark: Medi-Pot Juries Kept Uninformed Can't Seek Out the Course of Justice -- Read this excellent piece from the March 6, 2003 LA and San Francisco Daily Journals:
"But the minute the jurors stepped out of Breyer's courtroom, they were hit with what they really had done. The defendant was not the cold-hearted drug kingpin portrayed by federal prosecutors. In fact, he was a hero to thousands of seriously ill Californians who were depending on him for relief. Outside the courtroom, Craig discovered that Rosenthal was an official agent of the city of Oakland - growing marijuana for the ill."
To read the rest, click here.


When A Jury Should Just Say No -- Read this excellent piece from the Feb. 19th San Francisco Chronicle:
"It is a long-standing precept that juries act as the collective "conscience of the community" -- hearing the facts of a case and applying them to laws developed through the democratic process. Serving on a jury is a fundamental civic duty -- right up there with voting -- and as such sits at the heart of our democracy. Yet, when members of a federal jury late last month convicted medical marijuana activist Ed Rosenthal without being able to consider that he was growing pot to be used as medicine under California's Proposition 215, the integrity of our system of justice was seriously threatened."
To read the rest, click here.

Read the news release, "Federal Government Supplies Medical Marijuana to Some While Prosecuting California Patients and Providers" for details. Photos from the news conference also available by clicking here.


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Top Stories On The Web

"Board hears stances on medical marijuana," DesMoines (IA) Register, August 20, 2009

"The science of THC medicine," Sacramento Press, August 19, 2009

"City says hands are tied when it comes to marijuana shops," Orange County (CA) Register, August 19, 2009

"Walnut Creek pot dispensary owner to defy city council," KTVU San Francisco (CA), August 18, 2009

"Walnut Creek passes emergency moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries," San Jose (CA) Mercury, August 18, 2009

"Whittier Planning Commission gives OK to medical marijuana dispensary," Whittier (CA) Daily News, August 18, 2009

"FBI raids marijuana clinic, takes patient info," CBS 4 Denver (CO), August 17, 2009

"The case for medical marijuana," Forbes, August 17, 2009

"The nuance of medical marijuana raids in California," The Liberty Papers, August 17, 2009

"Marijuana's journey to legal health treatment: the Canadian experience," CBC News (Canada), August 17, 2009

"14 states seek to legalize medical marijuana," Examiner, August 16, 2009

"WAMM pot garden threatened by blaze," San Jose (CA) Mercury News, Aug 16, 2009

"Medical marijuana meeting set," WHO-TV NBC 13 (Central Iowa), August 16, 2009

"Fresno medical marijuana could go up in smoke," ABC 30 (Fresno, CA), August 14, 2009

"Joyce man gets retrial in medical marijuana case," Peninsula Daily News (Port Angeles, WA), August 14, 2009

"Marijuana co-op sues to get pot, money back from sheriff's department," Bakersfield.com (CA), August 13, 2009

"Applying for medical pot ID cards begins today in San Bernardino County," Riverside (CA) Press Enterprise, August 13, 2009

"Debating medical marijuana," Iowa City (IA) Press-Citizen, August 13, 2009

"Medi-pot decision put off to 2010," The Union (Nevada), August 13, 2009

"Medical marijuana coming to Aspen," Aspen (CO) Times, August 13, 2009

"Police raid 2 marijuana dispensaries, arrest owner," San Jose (CA) Mercury, August 12, 2009

"Oregon veteran activist wants PTSD added to medical marijuana program," Salem News, August 12, 2009

"County puts clamp on pot shops," The Union (Nevada), August 12, 2009

"ABC News and Wayne Root on Steve Kubby," Independent Political Report, August 12, 2009

"Judge upholds city's pot ordinance," Palm Springs (CA) Desert Sun, August 12, 2009

"R[hode] I[sland] proposes rules for medical marijuana stores," AP, August 11, 2009

"Supervisors: More work ahead on medical marijuana zoning," Lake County (CA) News, August 10, 2009

"Thousands attend medical marijuana expo," Detroit (MI) News, August 10, 2009

"Drug czar's explanation on medical marijuana not enough," Opposing Views, August 10, 2009

"Medical pot is touted as job maker for Michigan," Detroit Free Press, August 9, 2009

"Marijuana dispensary laws vague," Craig (CO) Daily Press, August 7, 2009

"Medical marijuana trial of Jason Lauve results in full acquittal," Examiner, August 7, 2009

"S[an] D[iego] Co[unty] temporarily bans medical pot dispensaries," SFGate / AP, August 5, 2009

"Higher ground: Where will Christians fall when the marijuana debate lights up?" Patrol Magazine, August 5, 2009

"Contempt complaint dismissed in medical marijuana case," Montrose (CO) Daily Press, August 5, 2009

"San Bernardino County extends moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries," Riverside (CA) Press-Enterprise, August 4, 2009

"Does the pot pill work?" CBS News, August 4, 2009

"Whittier Planning Commission seeks limit on dosage for proposed medical marijuana dispensary," Whittier (CA) Daily News, August 4, 2009

"Man arrested for too much medical marijuana," NBC-2 WBBH News (Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Naples, FL), August 4, 2009

"Drug czar responds to outraged marijuana supporters," Opposing Views, August 3, 2009

"Oakland pot tax fuels statewide campaign," Sacramento (CA) Bee, August 3, 2009

"Company tables medical marijuana for swine flu," ABC News, August 3, 2009

"Board to consider marijuana zoning, One-Stop Center operations," Lake County (Lakeport, CA) News, August 3, 2009

"Dr. Jocelyn Elders: Americans need to be more healthy," New America Media, August 3, 2009

"Medical-marijuana proposal needs petitions to make ballot," Tallahassee.com (FL), August 3, 2009

"Pot clinic sees spike in patients under 30," The Coloradoan (Ft. Collins, CO), August 2, 2009

"Cannabis as a treatment against H1N1 swine flu," Salem News, August 2, 2009

"Wyatt: Pot question sparks surprising reaction," Modesto (CA) Bee, August 1, 2009

"Revealed -- California cops are trained 'marijuana is not medicine,'" SFWeekly / Chronic City, July 30, 2009

"Pruning pot spots," Los Angeles Times, July 30, 2009

"Cannabis Science to apply to the FDA to utilize their first track procedures to help speed the approval," PR-USA, July 30, 2009

"Ventura to consider nonprofit medical pot outlets," Ventura County (CA) Star, July 29, 2009

"Santa Barbara Council revisits medical marijuana ordinance," Noozhawk (Santa Barbara, CA), July 29, 2009

"Santa Cruz passes 6 month medical marijuana moratorium," Examiner, July 28, 2009

"LA Council creates hardships with denials," City Watch (Los Angeles, CA), July 28, 2009

"LA City Council considers marijuana tax," Examiner, July 28, 2009

"Marijuana reimbursement claims highlight how pot could be gold mine for employers," Workforce Management, July 27, 2009

"Marijuana mine in limbo," The Times (Johannesburg, South Africa), July 27, 2009

"Judge defends marijuana sentence," Rapid City (SD) Journal, July 26, 2009

"Green Cross issues press release condeming Oakland marijuana tax," The Examiner, July 26, 2009

"Medical marijuana hits roadblock," San Diego Union-Tribune, July 25, 2009

"Public can weigh in on medical marijuana," DesMoines (IA) Register, July 25, 2009

"Medical marijuana use & benefits: a reprise," Salem News, July 24, 2009

"Westlake reaffirms anti-pot stance as shuttered shop sues," Ventura County (CA) Star, July 24, 2009

"With 'med pot' raids halted, selling grass grows greener," Wall Street Journal, July 23, 2009

"Bureaucratic bud," Winnipeg Free Press (Canada), July 23, 2009

"Oakland voters approve tax on medical marijuana," Los Angeles Times, July 22, 2009

"Medical marijuana hearings planned," DesMoines (IA) Register, July 22, 2009

"S.C. could extend moratorium on new medical pot dispensaries," San Jose (CA) Mercury, July 22, 2009

"Pharmacy board rips pot activist's record," DesMoines (IA) Register, July 22, 2009

"Medical pot company leaves Manitoba mine," Vancouver Sun (Canada), July 22, 2009

"Chula Vista adopts moratorium for medical marijuana," San Diego (CA) 6 News, July 22, 2009

"A medical pot activist spends a night in jail for talking back to deputies at OC fair," Orange County (CA) News, July 22, 2009

"Health board nixes change to Colo. pot use," AP, July 21, 2009.

"Board of Pharmacy to discuss possible public hearing on medical marijuana use," Radio Iowa, July 21, 2009

"Apple approves iPhone marijuana app on medical grounds," Macworld UK, July 20, 2009

"Colorado Board of Health may revise marijuana law," Denver (CO) Post, July 19, 2009

"State medical marijuana centers get green light," The Brown Daily Herald (RI), July 19, 2009

"Sales brisk for Mendocino pot ID tags," Santa Rosa (CA) Press-Democrat, July 18, 2009

"Pot collectives apply to operate dispensaries," The Palm Springs (CA) Desert Sun, July 17, 2009

"US Congress ends decades-long obstruction of D.C. medical marijuana law," Common Dreams, July 16, 2009

"Mark Leno's aptly named 'joint resolution' in support of medical pot passes Senate committee," SF Weekly / The Snitch (blog), July 16, 2009

"Push to tax medical marijuana in Calif.," KABC-TV Los Angeles (CA), July 16, 2009

"Medical marijuana raid raises question: What's Obama's drug policy?," McClatchy / Columbus (GA) Ledger-Enquirer, July 15, 2009

"County tables medipot law," Corning (CA) Observer, July 14, 2009.

"Just the marijuana facts, Doc. No, wait -- the REAL facts," SF Weekly / The Snitch (blog) (blog), July 14, 2009

"Senate stingy, House soft on D.C. budget," Washington Examiner, July 14, 2009

"Cottleville officials support marijuana for medical use," St. Louis (MO) Post Dispatch, July 14, 2009

"Under the counter drugs," Seacoast Online (NH), July 13, 2009

"Override veto of medical marijuana bill," Seacoast Online (NH), July 13, 2009

"Judge's gag order on marijuana advocate Bob Newland raises questions," Rapid City (SD) Journal, July 11, 2009

"Lynch vetoes medical marijuana legislation," UPI, July 10, 2009

"West Sac[ramento] puts moratorium on opening of medical pot outlets," Sacramento (CA) Bee, July 10, 2009

"Gov. Lynch: No decision on medical pot bill," Seacoast Online (NH), July 10, 2009

"City puts brakes on medical pot clubs," San Diego (CA) Union-Tribune, July 10, 2009

"Limit proposal upsets medical marijuana providers," CBS 4 (Denver, CO), July 9, 2009

"Medical marijuana: 'Safe medicine' or crime magnet?," Grass Valley (CA) Union, July 9, 2009

"House panel OKs D.C. budget without abortion, pot amendments," Washington Examiner, July 9, 2009

"Pro-marijuana ad pushes pot as Calif. budget fix," AP, July 8, 2009

"L.A. targets cannabis clubs," Wall Street Journal, July 8, 2009

"D.C. medical marijuana passes another hurdle," Washington City Paper, July 7, 2009

"Drug war ceasefire holds for Mich. medical marijuana users," The Michigan Messenger, July 7, 2009

"Local medical pot provider accused of dealing drugs," KGTV San Diego (CA), July 7, 2009

"Medical marijuana bill nearing Lynch's desk," Nashua (NH) Telegraph, July 7, 2009

"Medical marijuana and psychiatric conditions," The Examiner, July 6, 2009

"Can weed save the arts in California?," News Junkie Post, July 5, 2009

"Republicans would be wise to support medical marijuana, too," Nashua (NH) Telegraph, July 5, 2009

"Pot store opens in Windsor," Fort Collins Coloradoan, July 5, 2009

"S.C.'s tight medical pot rules protect users and law enforcement after recent court ruling," Santa Cruz (CA) Sentinel, July 4, 2009

"Pot-based biotech firm hires investor relations firm," Silicon Beat, July 2, 2009

"Marijuana should be allowed; Sri Lanka Indigenous Medicine Minister says," NIDAHASA News (Sri Lanka), July 2, 2009

"Chronic city: court says patients can collectively grow medical marijuana," SF Weekly, July 1, 2009

"Medical marijuana backers wary as ID cards readied," Riverside (CA) Press-Enterprise, July 1, 2009

"Medicinal cannabis bill voted down," 3 News (New Zealand), July 1, 2009

"Medical marijuana milestone: Zip ties sold," Ukiah (CA) Daily Journal, July 1, 2009

"State legislators table medicinal marijuana bill," Delmarva Daily Times, July 1, 2009

"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Veterans for Medical Marijuana Access," The Examiner, July 1, 2009

"City moves against pot dispensaries, prompting anger," Los Angeles (CA) Times, June 30, 2009

"Medical marijuana goes mainstream," San Jose (CA) Mercury, June 30, 2009

"NH gov still wary of medical marijuana," Examiner, June 26, 2009

"Medicinal cannabis bill," Scoop Independent News (New Zealand), June 26, 2009

"Cops return stolen marijuana," KDVR-TV (Boulder, CO), June 25, 2009

"Surprise plea bargains end mega medical marijuana case," Oroville (CA) Mercury-Register, June 25, 2009

"After lawmakers' OK, marijuana bill goes to Lynch," Nashua (NH) Telegraph, June 25, 2009

"Solano to allow medical marijuana ID cards," San Francisco (CA) Chronicle, June 24, 2009

"Medicinal marijuana dispensaries open in Wash.," Seattle (WA) Times, June 24, 2009

"Pot dispensary moratorium approved in Santa Cruz," San Jose (CA) Mercury, June 24, 2009

"County supervisors OK issuance of pot ID cards," San Diego (CA) Union-Tribune, June 24, 2009

"San Bernardino County gets ready for medical marijuana," Riverside (CA) Press-Enterprise, June 23, 2009

"Rhode Island will license medical marijuana shops," AlterNet, June 22, 2009

"Medical pot bill is a sign of times," News Journal (DE), June 22, 2009

"R.I.'s vote to allow chronically ill to buy marijuana puts new focus on Connecticut," Hartford (CT) Courant, June 19, 2009

"N.C. state panel debates medical marijuana," Myrtle Beach Sun News, June 19, 2009

"Ambiguity in new marijuana law is cited," Detroit (MI) Free Press, June 18, 2009

"NC House Panel to consider medical marijuana bill," WFMY News 2 (NC), June 18, 2009

"Rhode Island allows medical marijuana sales," AP / Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, MA), June 17, 2009

"Order to testify in pot case puts doctors on the spot," Detroit (MI) News, June 17, 2009

"Care centers can dispense medical marijuana," Providence Journal, June 16, 2009

"Medical marijuana," (DC) Examiner, June 15, 2009

"Prison term for a seller of medical marijuana," NY Times, June 12, 2009

"Pot dispensary owner sentenced to a year and a day in prison," LA (CA) Times, June 11, 2009

"Federal judge suggests leniency for medical marijuana sentencing Thursday," CommonDreams.org, June 10, 2009

"Medical marijuana collective files complaint against Palm Springs," The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, CA), June 10, 2009

"Los Angeles closes marijuana dispensary loophole," (DC) Examiner, June 10, 2009

"RI lawmakers OK medical marijuana bill by wide margin," Providence (RI) Journal, June 9, 2009

"A modest proposal for medical marijuana," TriCity Herald (WA), June 9, 2009

"Croatian supreme court allows marijuana for stressed-out war veteran," Sofia Echo, June 9, 2009

"New Jersey wrestles with medical marijuana legislation," Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger, June 7, 2009

"Don't expect DEA raids on NM medical marijuana dispensaries," New Mexico Independent, June 6, 2009

"Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries could face closure," LA (CA) Times, June 6, 2009

"Assembly should OK medical marijuana," Courier-Post (NJ), June 5, 2009

"Tighter medical-marijuana bill clears panel," The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 5, 2009

"NJ Assembly committee passes bill to allow medical marijuana," Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger, June 4, 2009

"Supreme Court recognizes marijuana's medical benefit," Croatian Times (Croatia), June 4, 2009

"RI lawmakers poised to approve pot bill," AP / Cape Cod (MA) Times, June 3, 2009

"Medical marijuana bill clears Senate panel," WBOC-TV (Dover, DE), June 3, 2009

"L.A.'s medical pot dispensary moratorium led to a boom instead," Los Angeles (CA) Times, June 3, 2009

"Board shoots down medical marijuana," DesMoines (IA) Register, June 2, 2009

"Bill would regulate medical marijuana," Holland (MI) Sentinel, June 1, 2009

"Medical marijuana a longshot for Ohio," Toledo (OH) Blade, June 1, 2009

"Medical marijuana users defend benefits of plant," Muskegon (MI) Chronicle, May 31, 2009

"Frye wants medical pot task force back," San Diego (CA) Union-Tribune, May 30, 2009

"Entrepreneurs blazing trail with medicinal marijuana," Chicago (IL) Tribune, May 28, 2009

"Illinois Senate approves medical marijuana bill," AP, May 28, 2009

"Medical marijuana bill introduced," Delaware Online, May 28, 2009

"Medical marijuana measure wins Illinois Senate approval," Chicago (IL) Tribune, May 27, 2009

"Marijuana grower loses to robbers, then police," Seattle (WA) Times, May 27, 2009

"Medical-marijuana patients await county's rollout of ID cards," Union Tribune (CA), May 26, 2009

"Medical pot users need more than doctor's note," Detroit (MI) Free Press, May 25, 2009

"Clearlake begins drafting regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries, collectives," Lake Country News, May 25, 2009

"Club backs medical marijuana," Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer, May 22, 2009

"RI House approves 3 stores for medical marijuana," Boston (MA) Herald, May 21, 2009

"Religious, medical defenses go up in smoke as pot farmer sentenced to 10 years in prison," Law.com, May 20, 2009

"Pro-pot group pushes $5 fine," Times Call (CO), May 19, 2009

"Court rejects 2 California counties' appeal of medical-marijuana law," Seattle (WA) Times, May 19, 2009

"Difficulty lingers with medical marijuana," Honolulu Star Bulletin, May 19, 2009

"Should marijuana be legally prescribed as a pain reliever in New York?," Post-Standard (NY), May 18, 2009

"Legalize it? Medical evidence on marijuana blows both ways," Sacramento (CA) Bee, May 17, 2009

"City eyes medical marijuana business," The Mirror (Royal Oak, MI), May 17, 2009

"Island senator is behind push for medical marijuana," Staten Island (NY) Advance, May 17, 2009

"Medical marijuana backers file notice of ballot effort," Arizona Capitol Times (Phoenix, AZ), May 15, 2009

"Medical marijuana in RI: A growing, but still problematic, remedy," Providence (RI) Journal, May 13, 2009

"Poll boosts push for medical marijuana in Ohio," AP / Zanesville (OH) Times Recorder, May 12, 2009

"Paralyzed Kountze man pushes for medical marijuana bill," Beaumont (TX) Enterprise, May 10, 2009

"Medical marijuana advocates rally for drug's expansion," Las Vegas (NV) Sun, May 10, 2009

"Medical-pot moratorium will go before council," San Diego (CA) Union-Tribune, May 10, 2009

"Let Iowans ease their pain with medical marijuana," Des Moines (IA) Register, May 8, 2009

"Government-regulated marijuana might be America's best option," Star Exponent (VA), May 7, 2009

"Medical marijuana shops considered," Detroit (MI) News, May 7, 2009

"House creates team to work out pot bill," Nashua (NH) Telegraph, May 7, 2009

"Suspect claims he smoked marijuana to combat migraines," Eagle-Tribune (NH), May 5, 2009

"Local nonprofit, others sense momentum for medicinal cannabis," Charlottesville (VA) Daily Progress, May 3, 2009

"Tahoe medical marijuana provider reopens," Tahoe (CA) Daily Tribune, May 2, 2009

"Medical marijuana centers bill headed for House vote," Providence (RI) Journal, May 1, 2009

"Medical marijuana bill clears Minnesota Senate," Winona (MN) Daily News, April 30, 2009

"Pot use by chronically and terminally ill given OK, legislation moves to House," Nashua (NH) Telegraph, April 30, 2009

"Cohen proposing medical-marijuana bill in Pa. House," Philadelphia Inquirer, April 30, 2009

"Religious leaders ask Illinois lawmakers to allow medical marijuana use," Chicago Tribune, April 29, 2009

"Legalized medical marijuana debate expected in House session," Sun Gazette (PA), April 29, 2009

"Religious leaders back medical marijuana," Chicago (IL) Sun-Times, April 28, 2009

"Patients deserve right to medical marijuana," Chicago (IL) Sun-Times, April 28, 2009

"Medical marijuana bill moves forward," Laconia Citizen (NH), April 24, 2009

"Docs should use discretion in OK'ing medical marijuana, doc says," Saginaw (MI) News, April 24, 2009

"Pro-pot docs organize," Santa Barbara (CA) Independent, April 23, 2009

"Madison Heights couple challenge warrant in medical marijuana case," Detroit (MI) News, April 23, 2009

"Organization airs commercials promoting medicinal marijuana," Chicago Sun Times, April 22, 2009

"Medical marijuana OK, say DA hopefuls Leslie Crocker Snyder, Cy Vance and Richard Aborn," NY Daily News, April 22, 2009

"Group wants medical pot on ballot in 2010," Arizona Daily Star, April 22, 2009

"Aspen to get an outlet for medical marijuana?," Aspen (CO) Times, April 22, 2009

"N.H. bill would allow use of medicinal marijuana," The Dartmouth, April 21, 2009

"Medical marijuana bill may be gaining support in state Senate," New York Daily News, April 21, 2009

"Acquiring medical marijuana remains a challenge," Lansing (MI) State Journal, April 20, 2009

"Medical pot law gets first test," Livingston Daily (MI), April 17, 2009

"Haziness of medical marijuana law resurfaces," Gunnison (CO) Country Times, April 16, 2009

"Medical marijuana law put to the test," Detroit (MI) Free Press, April 15, 2009

"Group: Fix alleged misstatements on medical pot," San Francisco Chronicle, April 15, 2009

"Medical pot issue likely headed to voters," Bangor Daily News (ME), April 14, 2009

"Medical pot issue likely headed to voters," Bangor Daily News (ME), April 14, 2009

"In Calif., medical marijuana laws are moving pot into mainstream," Washington (DC) Post, April 12, 2009

"Medical marijuana bills stall but new dialogue opens doors," Great Falls (MT) Tribune, April 11, 2009

"Holder's pot policy unclear on old state cases," San Francisco (CA) Chronicle, April 11, 2009

"Marijuana active component may help fight brain cancer cells," TopNews, April 10, 2009

"Pot co-ops can take deep breath," San Francisco Examiner, April 10, 2009

"Despite federal ruling, cities still prohibit marijuana clubs," Caarillo (CA) Acorn, April 10, 2009

"Medical marijuana? Orlando woman wants question put to a vote," Orlando (FL) Sentinel, April 9, 2009

"Federal monopoly obstructs medical marijuana research," Opposing Views, April 8, 2009

"Police return medical marijuana to homeless man," Aspen (CO) Daily News, April 8, 2009

"101 sign up for medical marijuana," Lansing (MI) State Journal, April 7, 2009

"A medical marijuana face-off," Herald Tribune (FL), April 6, 2009

"NH bill would legalize medical marijuana," The New Hampshire (UNH), April 3, 2009

"Advocates charge SF pot raid defies Obama policy change," Bay Area Reporter, April 2, 2009

"Patient rules lacking in new medicinal pot law," Detroit (MI) News, April 2, 2009

"Michigan to start issuing IDs for medicinal pot users," AP / MLive, April 1, 2009

"Marijuana clinics could spur niche industry," Detroit (MI) News, April 1, 2009

"Medical marijuana," Baltimore (MD) Sun, March 30, 2009

"Changes to federal marijuana policy may play out soon in Calif. cases," The Recorder, March 27, 2009

"WAMM moves forward, cautiously," Santa Cruz (CA) Sentinel, March 27, 2009

"More states move toward allowing medical marijuana use," USA Today, March 26, 2009

"DEA raids SOMA marijuana dispensary," San Francisco Examiner, March 26, 2009

"House okays medicinal marijuana," Concord Monitor (NH), March 26, 2009

"N.H. medical marijuana bill debated," York Weekly (NH), March 25, 2009

"Lawmaker pushes bill to study medical marijuana," WJZ (MD), March 25, 2009

"Ex-police chief backs medical marijuana, says legalization could cut down on crime," Pioneer Press (MN), March 25, 2009

"Legal pot debuts in Midwest," Chicago Tribune, March 20, 2009

"Create system for distributing medical marijuana," Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 20, 2009

"No plans to prosecute legal pot dispensaries," Denver (CO) Post, March 19, 2009

"16 bills aim to reform medical marijuana program," Statesman Journal (OR), March 19, 2009

"Medical marijuana, legal in Illinois?," WBBM (IL), March 19, 2009

"NH House panel approves medical marijuana bill," WCAX, March 19, 2009

"The face of pot politics: Why Don Haumant - and some legislators - want Minnesota to legalize medical marijuana," Pioneer Press (MN), March 16, 2009

"Up in smoke," The Weekly Standard, March 16, 2009

"Marijuana activist gets her supply from unusual source: Uncle Sam," Register-Guard, March 16, 2009

"End marijuana raids, begin new sanity," Clarence Page, Detroit (MI) News, March 15, 2009

"State may take over growing medical pot," Statesman Journal (OR), March 12, 2009

"NH House to consider legislation on medical marijuana," NECN, March 9, 2009

"Ban on medical pot cases quickly lifted," LA (CA) Times, March 7, 2009

"Medical marijuana use no longer means automatic license suspension," Times-Standard (CA), March 5, 2009

"DMV revises guidelines on medical marijuana," San Francisco Chronicle, March 4, 2009

"Delegate wants medical marijuana law review," (MD) Gazette, March 4, 2009

"No more federal marijuana raids under President Obama," Health News, March 2, 2009

"Clash over medical marijuana," Bridgeton (NJ) News, March 2, 2009

"Medical marijuana on track," Cherry Hill (NJ) Courier-Post, March 1, 2009

"Local medical-pot laws likely to stay in place," San Diego (CA) Union-Tribune, March 1, 2009

"North Coast pot dispensaries welcome federal policy change," Santa Rosa (CA) Press Democrat, March 1, 2009

"Medical marijuana bill should advance in New Jersey," Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger, Feb. 28, 2009

"U.S. to yield marijuana jurisdiction to states," San Francisco (CA) Chronicle, Feb. 27, 2009

"Holder to stop raids on medical marijuana clubs," California Statehouse Examiner, Feb. 26, 2009

"The economics of growing medical pot," Capitol Weekly (CA), Feb. 26, 2009

"Medical marijuana bill clears Senate," Helena (MT) Independent Record, Feb. 25, 2009

"State should OK medical marijuana," Daily Journal (NJ), Feb. 25, 2009

"New Jersey Senate approves medical marijuana bill," Express-Times (PA), Feb. 24, 2009

"Marijuana bill heads to final vote in Senate," Missoulian (MT), Feb. 23, 2009

"State Senate votes today on bill to legalize medical marijuana," Press of Atlantic City (NJ), Feb. 23, 2009

"Anxiety in Massachusetts over softer marijuana law," Christian Science Monitor, Feb. 20, 2009

"Medical marijuana supporters sue DMV," The Herald (CA), Feb. 20, 2009

"Palm Springs allowing 2 medical pot dispensaries," AP / San Jose (CA) Mercury News, Feb. 19, 2009

"Will President Obama cross the 'Reefer Rubicon'?," Pocono (PA) Record, Feb. 19, 2009

"Ely man says pot eased his pain," Bemidji (MN) Pioneer, Feb. 19, 2009

"PS City Council to vote on medical marijuana ordinance," The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, CA), Feb. 18, 2009

"Pot Hole: A southwest Missouri hamlet is leading the latest fight to legalize medical marijuana," The Riverfront Times (St. Louis, MO), Feb. 16, 2009

"DMV sued over medical marijuana," Los Angeles Times, Feb. 16, 2009

"Laguna Woods' retirees still await medical pot dispensary," Los Angeles Times, Feb. 16, 2009

"Case tests medical pot law," Pueblo Chieftain (CO), Feb. 13, 2009

"DEA raids continue in Obama era," Bay Area Reporter (CA), Feb. 12, 2009

"Familiar debate over medical marijuana begins at Minnesota Capitol," Pioneer Press (MN), Feb. 12, 2009

"Medical pot smoker loses latest legal round against Merced County," Merced (CA) Sun-Star, Feb. 12, 2009

"New push for medical marijuana legalization," Minneapolis (MN) Star Tribune, Feb. 11, 2009

"Obama has hinted at support for medical marijuana," Minneapolis (MN) Star Tribune, Feb. 11, 2009

"Medical marijuana struck down in Hailey," Idaho Mountain Express, Feb. 11, 2009

"New Mexico moves slowly with medical marijuana law," AP, Feb. 10, 2009

"Medical marijuana bill to be introduced today," Brown Daily Herald, Feb. 10, 2009

"For ailing, an illicit necessity," Concord (NH) Monitor, Feb. 10, 2009

"The meaning of the new marijuana law," Cambridge Chronicle (MA), Feb. 9, 2009

"Whiff of change in US medical marijuana policy," AP / Quad City Times (Davenport, IA), Feb. 7, 2009

"Protests demand end to medical pot shop raids," San Francisco (CA) Chronicle, Feb. 6, 2009

"DEA medical marijuana raids condemned at LA rally," AP / San Jose (CA) Mercury News, Feb. 5, 2009

"Medical pot backers say LA raids betray Obama vow," Reuters, Feb. 5, 2009

"DEA continues pot raids Obama opposes," Washington Times, Feb. 5, 2009

"Debate rages over DEA raid of Westside medical marijuana dispensaries," LA (CA) Times, Feb. 4, 2009

"Judge allows medicinal pot plots," Canada.com, Feb. 4, 2009

"Rift with EU as US sticks to Bush line on 'war on drugs'," Guardian, Feb. 3, 2009

"Civic activists in L.A. have growing appetite to curb medical marijuana clinics," Los Angeles Times, Jan. 30, 2009

"Two things Obama could do on medical marijuana," San Francisco Chronicle, Jan. 29, 2009

"Bill on medical marijuana stopped in tie," Helena (MT) Independent Record, Jan. 27, 2009

"Medical marijuana hard to find in western Colorado," AP / Vail (CO) Daily, Jan. 26, 2009

"Oversight now has meaning for S.F. pot clubs," San Francisco (CA) Chronicle, Jan. 26, 2009

"Call off the medical marijuana raids, President Obama," (DC) Examiner, Jan. 23, 2009

"Medical marijuana debate goes to Greensboro City Council," WFMY News 2 (NC), Jan. 22, 2009

"Count on Supervisors to get fired up over medical pot," Modesto (CA) Bee, Jan. 20, 2009

"Lawmakers to hear pair of medical marijuana bills," Great Falls (MT) Tribune, Jan. 19, 2009

"Marijuana monopoly," Boston Globe, Jan. 19, 2009

"Marijuana is more than a drug to abuse," Daily Monitor (Uganda), Jan. 15, 2009

"UMass loses marijuana lab bid," Boston Globe, Jan. 13, 2009

"DEA denies professor's marijuana-for-research bid," AP, Jan. 12, 2009

"Fort Collins thieves target medical marijuana users," Denver (CO) Post, Jan. 12, 2009

"Marijuana collectives get the OK," The Desert Sun (CA), Jan. 9, 2009

"Sanjay Gupta: What the next Surgeon General doesn't know about pot," AlterNet, Jan. 8, 2009

"America begins to ease up on marijuana smokers," Vancouver (Canada) Sun, Jan. 8, 2009

"Landlords of medical cannabis centers threatened with real estate forfeiture," Coastal Post (CA), Jan. 7, 2008

"Solano County sued over pot ID cards," San Francisco (CA) Chronicle, Jan. 6, 2008

"Proposed state med pot rules rile users," Detroit (MI) News, Jan. 6, 2008

"County slow to meet pot law," Times-Herald (CA), Jan. 6, 2008

"Palm Springs city council may vote to allow pot co-ops," The Desert Sun (CA), Jan. 6, 2008

"Medical marijuana rules called a burden on police," Detroit (MI) Free Press, Jan. 5, 2008

"Medical marijuana causing controversy" WLNS (MI), Jan. 5, 2009

"Medical marijuana user to sue SB County," Contra Costa Times (CA), Jan. 1, 2009

"Physicians divided on medical marijuana use," Hammonton (NJ) News, Dec. 31, 2008

"Medical pot cards to be issued," The Record (CA), Dec. 31, 2008

"Compassionate, but still illegal," Times of Trenton (NJ), Dec. 30, 2008

"Making a simple law about marijuana too complicated," The Enterprise (Brockton, MA), Dec. 26, 2008

"Allow marijuana for medical use in NJ," The Courier Post (Cherry Hill, NJ), Dec. 21, 2008

"Could Obama's pro-marijuana Commerce Secretary spell a golden era for pot reform?," AlterNet, Dec. 18, 2008

"A safe prescription," TImes of Trenton (NJ), Dec. 18, 2008

"People v. Mentch defines marijuana caregiver," Willits News (CA), Dec. 17, 2008

"Medical marijuana act passes NJ panel," Press of Atlantic City (NJ), Dec. 16, 2008

"Sacramento supervisors urged to OK pot cards for patients," Sacramento (CA) Bee, Dec. 16, 2008

"State's first medical marijuana clinic opens in Southfield," C & G Newspapers (MI), Dec. 11, 2008

"Support for medical marijuana is high," Willamette (OR) Week, Dec. 10, 2008

"Site focuses on Mich.'s Medical Marijuana Act," WDIV (MI), Dec. 9, 2008

"German patients to receive medical marijuana," Salem-News (OR), Dec. 8, 2008

"Michiganders go to clinic seeking pot to dull pain," Detroit (MI) Free Press, Dec. 5, 2008

"Medical pot legal today...but not really," Muskegon (MI) Chronicle, Dec. 4, 2008

"Garden Grove cops: Give that pot back," NBC Los Angeles, Dec. 2, 2008

"Medical marijuana law hazy, law enforcement officials warn," Michigan Citizen, Dec. 1, 2008

"Medicinal marijuana legislation should be reconsidered," KOTA (SD), Dec. 1, 2008

"Marijuana sellers thriving with 'White Rhino,' 'Wonder Woman'," Bloomberg, Dec. 1, 2008

Medical Marijuana

Courtesy of Drug War Facts, a project of Common Sense for Drug Policy.

  1. Since 1996, ten states have legalized medical marijuana use: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ME, NV, OR, VT and WA. Eight of the ten did so through the initiative process, Hawaii's law was enacted by the legislature and signed by the governor in 2000, and Vermont's was enacted by the legislature and passed into law without the governor's signature in May 2004.

    Source:  National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), from the web at http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3391, last accessed Oct. 9, 2004.

  2. The Institute of Medicine's 1999 report on medical marijuana stated, "The accumulated data indicate a potential therapeutic value for cannabinoid drugs, particularly for symptoms such as pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation."

    Source: Janet E. Joy, Stanley J. Watson, Jr., and John A Benson, Jr., "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base," Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Research, Institute of Medicine (Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1999).

  3. The Institute of Medicine's 1999 report on medical marijuana examined the question whether the medical use of marijuana would lead to an increase of marijuana use in the general population and concluded that, "At this point there are no convincing data to support this concern. The existing data are consistent with the idea that this would not be a problem if the medical use of marijuana were as closely regulated as other medications with abuse potential." The report also noted that, "this question is beyond the issues normally considered for medical uses of drugs, and should not be a factor in evaluating the therapeutic potential of marijuana or cannabinoids."

    Source: Janet E. Joy, Stanley J. Watson, Jr., and John A Benson, Jr., "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base," Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Research, Institute of Medicine (Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1999).

  4. In the Institute of Medicine's report on medical marijuana, the researchers examined the physiological risks of using marijuana and cautioned, "Marijuana is not a completely benign substance. It is a powerful drug with a variety of effects. However, except for the harms associated with smoking, the adverse effects of marijuana use are within the range of effects tolerated for other medications."

    Source: Janet E. Joy, Stanley J. Watson, Jr., and John A Benson, Jr., "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base," Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Research, Institute of Medicine (Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1999).

  5. The Institute of Medicine's 1999 report on medical marijuana examined the question of whether marijuana could diminish patients' immune system - an important question when considering marijuana use by AIDS and cancer patients. The report concluded that, "the short-term immunosuppressive effects are not well established but, if they exist, are not likely great enough to preclude a legitimate medical use."

    Source: Janet E. Joy, Stanley J. Watson, Jr., and John A Benson, Jr., "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base," Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Research, Institute of Medicine (Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1999).

  6. "Conclusions: Smoked and oral cannabinoids did not seem to be unsafe in people with HIV infection with respect to HIV RNA levels, CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts, or protease inhibitor levels over a 21-day treatment."

    Source:  Abrams, Donald I., MD, et al., "Short-Term Effects of Cannabinoids in Patients with HIV-1 Infection - A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial," Annals of Internal Medicine, Aug. 19, 2003, Vol. 139, No. 4 (American College of Physicians), p. 258.

  7. "This study provides evidence that short-term use of cannabinoids, either oral or smoked, does not substantially elevate viral load in individuals with HIV infection who are receiving stable antiretroviral regimens containing nelfinavir or indinavir. Upper confidence bounds for all estimated effects of cannabinoids on HIV RNA level from all analyses were no greater than an increase of 0.23 log10 copies/mL compared with placebo. Because this study was randomized and analyses were controlled for all known potential confounders, it is very unlikely that chance imbalance on any known or unknown covariate masked a harmful effect of cannabinoids. Study participants in all groups may have been expected to benefit from the equivalent of directly observed antiretroviral therapy, as well as decreased stress and, for some, improved nutrition over the 25-day inpatient stay."

    Source: Abrams, Donald I., MD, et al., "Short-Term Effects of Cannabinoids in Patients with HIV-1 Infection - A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial," Annals of Internal Medicine, Aug. 19, 2003, Vol. 139, No. 4 (American College of Physicians), p. 264.

  8. "Nevertheless, when considering all 15 studies (i.e., those that met both strict and more relaxed criteria) we only noted that regular cannabis users performed worse on memory tests, but that the magnitude of the effect was very small. The small magnitude of effect sizes from observations of chronic users of cannabis suggests that cannabis compounds, if found to have therapeutic value, should have a good margin of safety from a neurocognitive standpoint under the more limited conditions of exposure that would likely obtain in a medical setting."

    Source:  Grant, Igor, et al., "Non-Acute (Residual) Neurocognitive Effects Of Cannabis Use: A Meta-Analytic Study," Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society (Cambridge University Press: July 2003), 9, pp. 687-8.

  9. In spite of the established medical value of marijuana, doctors are presently permitted to prescribe cocaine and morphine - but not marijuana.

    Source: The Controlled Substances Act of 1970, 21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq.

  10. Organizations that have endorsed medical access to marijuana include: the Institute of Medicine, the American Academy of Family Physicians; American Bar Association; American Public Health Association; American Society of Addiction Medicine; AIDS Action Council; British Medical Association; California Academy of Family Physicians; California Legislative Council for Older Americans; California Medical Association; California Nurses Association; California Pharmacists Association; California Society of Addiction Medicine; California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church; Colorado Nurses Association; Consumer Reports Magazine; Kaiser Permanente; Lymphoma Foundation of America; Multiple Sclerosis California Action Network; National Association of Attorneys General; National Association of People with AIDS; National Nurses Society on Addictions; New Mexico Nurses Association; New York State Nurses Association; New England Journal of Medicine; and Virginia Nurses Association.

  11. A few of the editorial boards that have endorsed medical access to marijuana include: Boston Globe; Chicago Tribune; Miami Herald; New York Times; Orange County Register; and USA Today.

  12. Many organizations have favorable positions (e.g., unimpeded research) on medical marijuana. These groups include: The Institute of Medicine, The American Cancer Society; American Medical Association; Australian Commonwealth Department of Human Services and Health; California Medical Association; Federation of American Scientists; Florida Medical Association; and the National Academy of Sciences.

  13. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 established five categories, or "schedules," into which all illicit and prescription drugs were placed. Marijuana was placed in Schedule I, which defines the substance as having a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. To contrast, over 90 published reports and studies have shown marijuana has medical efficacy.

    Source: The Controlled Substances Act of 1970, 21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq.; Common Sense for Drug Policy, Compendium of Reports, Research and Articles Demonstrating the Effectiveness of Medical Marijuana, Vol. I & Vol. II (Falls Church, VA: Common Sense for Drug Policy, March 1997).

  14. The U.S. Penal Code states that any person can be imprisoned for up to one year for possession of one marijuana cigarette and imprisoned for up to five years for growing a single marijuana plant.

    Source: The Controlled Substances Act of 1970, 21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq.

  15. On September 6, 1988, the Drug Enforcement Administration's Chief Administrative Law Judge, Francis L. Young, ruled:
    "Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known....[T]he provisions of the [Controlled Substances] Act permit and require the transfer of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II. It would be unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious for the DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance."

    Source: US Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency, "In the Matter of Marijuana Rescheduling Petition," [Docket #86-22] (September 6, 1988), p. 57.

  16. The DEA's Administrative Law Judge, Francis Young concluded: "In strict medical terms marijuana is far safer than many foods we commonly consume. For example, eating 10 raw potatoes can result in a toxic response. By comparison, it is physically impossible to eat enough marijuana to induce death. Marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within the supervised routine of medical care."

    Source: US Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency, "In the Matter of Marijuana Rescheduling Petition," [Docket #86-22], (September 6, 1988), p. 57.

  17. Between 1978 and 1997, 35 states and the District of Columbia passed legislation recognizing marijuana's medicinal value.
    States include: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IA, LA, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, and WI.

For additional research on medical marijuana, see this excellent analysis of medical marijuana research by Common Sense for Drug Policy President Kevin B. Zeese and this update from Common Sense for Drug Policy, as well as the Drug War Facts section on marijuana.

copyright © 2003-2005, Coalition for Medical Marijuana
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Updated: Thursday, Jul 16, 2009   ~   Accessed: 498708 times