-
Wash. could become first state to OK pot sales
Washington state is on the verge of becoming the first in the nation to let adults over 21 buy taxed, inspected marijuana at state-licensed shops
The Seattle Times (US)
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Supporters say passing Initiative 502 on Nov. 6 could make drug laws more reasonable, prevent thousands of arrests a year, and bring Washington hundreds of millions of dollars to help pay for schools, health care and basic government services. It could also set up a big fight with the federal government. Voters in Colorado and Oregon are considering similar measures. But based on polls, Washington's initiative might stand the best chance of passing. -
Oakland sues U.S. to halt closure of marijuana dispensary
Reuters
Thursday, October 11, 2012The city of Oakland has sued to block U.S. authorities from closing down a medical marijuana dispensary that bills itself as the world's largest, marking the latest clash with federal authorities over California's cannabis industry. The lawsuit, which was filed by Oakland's city attorney in U.S. District Court, seeks an injunction to halt efforts by federal prosecutors to shut down Harborside Health Center through civil forfeiture actions they filed in July against two properties where the clinic operates.
-
Powerful Court quietly takes marijuana case that could shatter federal prohibition laws
For the first time in two decades federal courts will consider the science behind medical marijuana -- and today there is more evidence than ever
Alternet (US web)
Thursday, October 11, 2012
On October 16, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the federal appeals court that usually handles cases involving government regulations, will hear oral arguments on Americans for Safe Access v. DEA. Specifically, Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a California-based patient-advocacy group, is trying to get the Drug Enforcement Administration to move marijuana out of Schedule I, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970s category for drugs with "a high potential for abuse," "no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States," and no "accepted level of safety for use under medical supervision." -
Study: Pot arrests cost state $300 million in past 25 years
The Seattle Time (US)
Thursday, October 11, 2012
A new crime-data analysis has found that 241,000 people in Washington were arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession over the last quarter-century, adding fuel to a campaign seeking to make this state the first to legalize recreational marijuana sales. The analysis estimates those arrests translated to nearly $306 million in police and court costs — $194 million of it the past decade. African Americans were arrested twice as often as whites for possession in Washington in the past 25 years, even though whites use marijuana more. -
Government cracks down on legal highs
New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Legal highs will undergo a costly and lengthy testing process involving human clinical trials under a strict new regime that could see manufacturers jailed for up to eight years. Under the new regime, manufacturers would have to pay an application fee of about $180,000 plus testing costs of up to $2 million before any new product was deemed safe for sale - a process that could take up to two years. -
How Latin America may lead the world in decriminalizing drug use
Even as Latin American countries are at the forefront of the war against narcotraffickers, they are also pushing alternative strategies — including the legalization of drugs, particularly marijuana
Time Magazine (US)
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
While Latin America insists that policy change must be the focus of a coordinated global effort, the region seems bent on advancing reform, with or without international support. “We have systematically called for ample discussion on these matters on the international stage, but we have only found obstacles. Ultimately, Latin America has the autonomy to advance measures that we feel are most pertinent for our citizens,” says Julio Calzada, secretary general of Uruguay’s National Committee on Drugs. -
Dutch 'weed pass' law driving cannabis trade underground
By driving the soft drugs trade underground, the Dutch town of Maastricht has triggered a crime wave
Public Service Europe
Monday, October 8, 2012
Maastricht - formerly a mecca for drug tourists from across western Europe - has called for police reinforcements to handle "aggressive" street pushers, who have taken over almost all trade in marijuana and cannabis since authorities introduced tighter controls on legal outlets. The Dutch town's Mayor Onno Hoes wants to double the number of dedicated police officers in order to control the black market, which has benefited from the region's draconian "weed pass" law. -
Bientôt des «cannabistrots» ?
En trois mois, la France a vu naître 150 «Cannabis social clubs».
Libération (France)
Lundi, 8 octobre 2012
Le modèle du «Cannabis social club» (CSC), sorte de coopérative régulant la production et la distribution du cannabis, vient de Belgique et d’Espagne. Dans ces pays, la culture du cannabis est dépénalisée en-dessous d’une certaine quantité [5 plants par personne en Espagne, ndlr]. En France, sur les trois derniers mois, 150 «Cannabis social clubs» se sont montés, ce qui représente entre 1200 et 1500 consommateurs.Un adhérent commente l’essor de ces associations autogérées de consommateurs qui entendent peser dans le débat sur la dépénalisation. -
Marijuana only for the sick? A farce, some Angelenos say
The New York Times (US)
Sunday, October 7, 2012
One year after federal law enforcement officials began cracking down on California’s medical marijuana industry with a series of high-profile arrests around the state, they finally moved into Los Angeles last month, giving 71 dispensaries until Tuesday to shut down. At the same time, because of a well-organized push by a new coalition of medical marijuana supporters, the City Council last week repealed a ban on the dispensaries that it had passed only a couple of months earlier. -
Medical marijuana advocates hope lawsuit relaxes US drugs policy
A US appeals court will hear evidence that the drug has medical benefits – a claim with which the federal government disagrees
The Guardian (UK)
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Advocates for medical marijuana will go before the US court of appeal as part of a historic lawsuit that they hope will challenge the federal government's classification of marijuana. Under the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is classified alongside heroin as a dangerous drug, with no medical benefits. Advocates argue that marijuana has a medical benefit and so should be reclassified. A wide range of US organisations support either medical access to cannabis, its reclassification or both.
Page 398 of 471
