Legal Medicinal Cannabis In Britain ACHIEVED!

This is the most joyous news that I have dreamed of writing for years.  Legal access to herbal medicinal cannabis in Britain has been achieved!

Following a procedure on which we have offered advice and guidance, a CLEAR member has returned to the UK from Holland with 90g of Bedrocan medicinal cannabis which was prescribed by his UK GP. He declared the medicine at customs, all 18 tubs containing five grams each were examined, he showed the various documentation which we have obtained and he was authorised to proceed.

Clarence Clear (not his real name) is a 33 year old from just outside London who has a background working in the licensed trade.  His health problems started when he was beaten up and mugged at age 13 and at age 18 he suffered a severe spinal injury.  Further accidents exacerbated the problem and he now suffers from chronic pain, sciatica, degenerative spinal disease, spondylitis and spinal stenosis.  Most recently he has been diagnosed with adiposis dolorosa, also known as Dercum’s disease which produces painful tumours on the spine which may spread to other parts of the body.

He has been prescribed the usual cocktail of opioids and other  painkillers including fentanyl, tramadol and baclofen.  He developed analgesia migraines due to the large number of painkillers he was taking and even had to undergo cranial nerve injections in his skull to try and deal with the pain.  He had used cannabis occasionally in the past and discovered that it offered him enormous relief without side effects.

Fortunately, Clarence’s doctor was understanding of his cannabis use and quickly came to realise the enormous benefit it was offering him.  Great credit must go to this so far unsung hero who took it on himself to investigate the options available.  He determined that Sativex was not the answer, not least because of its cost and notorious post code lottery prescribing issues. Also, its very nature is to slow down absorption of cannabinoids into the system and so it cannot be as effective as vapourised or smoked cannabis.  In the  end, it was Clarence’s doctor who researched and recommended a Bedrocan product.

 

So Clarence obtained a prescription for Bedrobinol (Bedrocan’s 12% THC <1% CBD product) from his GP. On his behalf , I submitted an application for a personal import licence to the Home Office.

So, earlier this month, equipped with the prescription and copies of correspondence with the Home Office, Clarence set out, supported by his partner of four years. They flew to Schiphol and after a brief visit to an Amsterdam coffeeshop took the train to the northern city of Groningen where they had already made arrangements with a pharmacy.

The couple have now returned safely to the UK.  Ironically they were stopped at customs in Schiphol before boarding but there was no interest in the medicine, only in a jar of Dutch mustard which they were told they could not travel with and it was seized!

The flight home was uneventful and so, hearts in their mouths, they chose the red channel and told an officer that they had medicine to declare. I can only imagine the tension of the next few minutes. Apparently a group of young men who been stopped watched in disbelief as a Border Agency officer examined and smelt the cannabis and then waved Clarence and his partner through.  The officer commended them on being open, honest and straightforward, saying that if they had been stopped without making a declaration, things could have been very different.

I now intend to write to the Home Office, explaining what has happened and asking for confirmation that anyone else with a prescription from their doctor may follow the same process.  It maybe that they will claim this was a mistake but we have taken legal advice and it would be impossible to secure a conviction against Clarence.

We have made the breakthrough.  I believe we will be able to extend this to others.  We will be seeking to agree a protocol with the Home Office which will clarify the position for patients as well as Border Agency staff and the police and eliminate any uncertainty for everyone. What has made the difference is that the prescription was written by a UK doctor, we were completely upfront with the Home Office in advance and, as we discussed in some depth beforehand, Clarence was scrupulous in being open and honest at all stages.

So, many congratulations to Clarence and his partner for their courage.  I say again, we have made the breakthrough!

Source: http://www.clear-uk.org/legal-medicinal-cannabis-in-britain-achieved/

Snoop Lion shows off huge bag of marijuana after winning bet from Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s fight

The rapper, formerly known as Snoop Dogg, made a wager for fight night and was crowned victorious, winning a bag of weed. 'I'm gonna smoke 2 dat!!' he posted on his Instagram feed.

Snoop Lion is still on a high after the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Canelo Alvarez title fight Saturday.

While "Money" Mayweather proved victorious in the ring, the rapper formerly known as Snoop Dogg felt he was the real winner when he walked away with a large amount of marijuana as his prize.

"Thanks to the champ money may for winning me a pound from my Mexican buddy Lui!!" Snoop wrote along with an Instagram photo collage showing off his winnings. "U r the pound for pound best!"

The boxing champ faced off with Mexican-born Alvarez Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The fight drew a large audience and the stakes were high for some who made big bets.

While the norm would probably be putting up cash wagers, Lion pledged weed.

Without hesitation, the Long Beach, Calif., native bragged about his award. Adorned in a Captain America T-shirt, Snoop held up a huge plastic bag of greens and flexed his bicep while grinning in the snapshots.

"I'm gonna smoke 2 dat!!" he wrote and proved he had the last laugh before inviting a friend to join in the ganja festivities. "Hahahahahahahah. @bigglala where u at??"

But the hip-hopper-turned-reggae artist proved he's not always half-baked when he donated an undisclosed amount of money to the family of Tiana Rick, a 6-year-old girl who was shot and killed in Moreno Valley, Calif., on Sept. 8.

The incident was allegedly gang related and Lion took it personally when the young girl died at the hands of gun violence.

"Little 6-year-old girls are not supposed to die from a gunshot. But it keeps happening," he told the Los Angeles Times Sept. 12. "From the mass shootings in Aurora and Newtown, to gang violence in the streets and murders in our own backyards, too many tears are being shed, too many young lives are being cut short. We need to come together to change this."

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/snoop-lion-shows-marijuana-won-boxing-wager-article-1.1459781

Denver Becomes First City To Set Preliminary Rules For Retail Marijuana Sales

By Barry Poppins, Marijuana.Com

Legal, recreational marijuana is coming to Colorado real, real soon. In a matter of months (January 2014ish), Amendment 64 will officially go into affect and some medical marijuana dispensaries in the state will have the ability to transfer over to 21+, recreational retail sales (there are various options on for these dispensaries).

And Denver-which was the first city in Colorado to set MMJ rules-naturally just became the first city to set forth its PRELIMINARY rules and regulations for retail sales. The biggest takeaway: medical marijuana isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon in Colorado.

As is always (and unfortunately) the case with marijuana legalization and progression, it’s a constant game of push and pull and compromise between activists, entrepreneurs, and politicians. And that means there are always going to be catches.

The city of Denver (and state of Colorado) realizes the whole world is watching how this “experiment” goes in their state. And they (rightly) don’t want the state turning into a dab-riddled zombie apocalypse with 13 year olds carrying around bongs like backpacks.

“The whole world is watching, not just the country,” said Councilman Charlie Brown, who led the council committee on the issue. “There will be some changes. It is a work in progress. We did what we could, but this is a huge unknown.”

Several council members were upset after a free marijuana giveaway Sept. 9 in Denver’s Civic Center park that included public pot smoking, which is against the law. No one was arrested or cited for the violations.

“When people are blatantly flaunting our laws and putting it in our face, that is not what we want for the city,” Brown said.

“As a new industry, we recognize and accept the responsibility to ensure responsible use by adults and to keep this product away from minors,” he said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to work with the city to meet those shared goals.” [Denver Post]

Amendment 64-s initial rules will seek to limit most advertising opportunities for marijuana businesses and dispensaries, and will not allow the following kinds of ads:

Mass media, including TV, billboards, radio and print ads, visible to audiences that might include 30% or more minors.

Internet videos, radio shows, and podcasts that can’t be blocked off from minors

All pop-up ads online

Flyers or leaflets handed out or distributed to anyone in public – including on cars and door-to-door flyer drops

Mobile ads or apps that anyone under 21 might download or see

Signage or sponsorships at events where 30% or more of the audience — or passersby who could see the signage — might be minors

Any ads whatsoever run on media outside of Colorado, including tourism publications

Queue the “First Amendment rights” pleas from activists, stoners, and dispensary owners throughout the nation. While these restrictions certainly constitute as a modicum of bullshit, it’s important to remember Rome wasn’t built in a day, and marijuana in America is by no means a new development. This. Will. Take. Time. 

Keep in mind, these are initial rules and they are ones with good intent: to keep marijuana out of the faces of minors and assimilate the plant into society in a gentle, seamless manner. And clearly ones open to loose interpretation (it’s not so easy to block a Youtube video from minors).Likewise, we all must be patient here in Colorado, cause it’s going to take some serious time before this plays out how it should and eventually will be out. Until then, hold onto those red (or green) cards, comply with the law, and be a responsible medical marijuana patient.

We’ll have more on how to accomplish just that in the near future (specifically in Colorado), but in the mean time, take some time to read the entire document outlining all initial rules set into place right here.

Source: Marijuana.Com

D.C. Introduces Legislation To Tax And Regulate Marijuana

D.C. Introduces Legislation To Tax And Regulate Marijuana

Legislation Would Make Small Amounts of Marijuana Legal to Purchase and Possess

Historic Introduction Follows U.S. Department of Justice Decision to Allow Taxation and Regulation to Proceed in Colorado and Washington State

Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) will introduce legislation today before the Council of the District of Columbia that would eliminate all criminal and civil penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults over the age of 21 and provide the District of Columbia Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration with the authority to license and regulate the production and taxable sale of marijuana in the District.

“Marijuana prohibition has disproportionately criminalized black and brown people and wasted scarce law enforcement resources,” said Grant Smith, policy manager with the Drug Policy Alliance’s Office of National Affairs. “Following the introduction of marijuana decriminalization legislation by Councilmember Tommy Wells, Councilmember David Grosso’s proposal to tax and regulate marijuana will enhance efforts to provide District residents with relief from prohibitionist policies that have failed to curb the availability of marijuana to young people. Our nation’s Capital would be wise to follow Colorado and Washington,” said Smith.

Introduction of this legislation comes after recent developments elevated marijuana law reform as a major issue in the District. Over the summer, both the American Civil Liberties Union and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee on Civil Rights and Urban Affairs released reports documenting enormous racial disparities in arrests for marijuana possession in D.C. In early July, D.C. Councilmember Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) introduced legislation that would eliminate criminal penalties and impose a $100 civil fine for adult possession of up to one ounce of marijuana.

In late August, the Department of Justice announced that it would allow the states of Colorado and Washington State to implement ballot initiatives passed by the electorate last year that legalized the production, distribution, and sale of marijuana for adults. Additionally, a Department of Justice memorandum issued to U.S. Attorneys outlined priorities for federal prosecutors enforcing federal marijuana laws and noted that state regulation may further federal interests by reducing organized crime and making marijuana less available to youth. This Department of Justice guidance to federal prosecutors was the subject of an unprecedented hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary earlier this month.

A poll conducted in April by Public Policy Polling, commissioned by the Drug Policy Alliance and Marijuana Policy Project, found that more than 60% of D.C. voters in the survey would support a ballot measure similar to those approved by voters in Colorado and Washington. A solid majority (54%) said that all drug use should be treated as a public health issue and that people should no longer be arrested and locked up for possession of a small amount of any drug for personal use.

“As Councilmembers look to end marijuana possession arrests, they should also consider the broad human and fiscal toll that decades of failed drug prohibition has wrought on District residents,” said Grant Smith, policy manager with the Drug Policy Alliance’s Office of National Affairs. “Ultimately, drug use is most effectively addressed as a health issue instead of as a criminal justice issue – and this means that a person should not be criminalized for possession of any drug in D.C.,” said Smith.

A national survey released by the Pew Research Center in April found that, for the first time in its 40 years of polling on the issue, a majority of Americans (52%) support making marijuana legal. Similar national surveys conducted by Gallup and other polling firms have also found majority support for ending marijuana prohibition.

Source: http://www.theweedblog.com/d-c-introduces-legislation-to-tax-and-regulate-marijuana/

New Poll: 65% in Mexico Support Legalizing Medical Cannabis

         

A new poll conducted by the Parametria Research Group has found that a strong majority of those in Mexico support the legalization of medical cannabis. According to the poll, 65% are in favor of such a move, with only 29% being in opposition.

This new poll comes as advocates across the country – including former president Vincente Fox – have been pushing for the legalization of not just medical, but recreational cannabis.

In Mexico City, lawmakers are set to discuss this month the possible legalization of cannabis, including a proposal which would legalization the possession and home cultivation of cannabis, as well as authorize cannabis clubs.

As one of the nations most torn by the failed war on drugs, the legalization of cannabis could go a long way towards resolving some of the problems. At the very least, the legalization of medical cannabis would benefit countless individuals.

Source: http://thejointblog.com/new-poll-65-mexico-support-legalizing-medical-cannabis/

New Research: Average Pot Smoker Releases Fat Stored THC During Exercise

Exercise releases dormant THC in the bloodstream, increasing overall THC percentage

So you like to get high – then hike, surf, bike or swim? Well hopefully you’re not driving as well, because according to new research published April 9 2013, by the ‘Drug and Alcohol Dependence’ Journal – doing so may increase the THC concentration levels in the blood stream of marijuana smokers. While that may not seem like a problem initially. Any interaction with the local police or Highway Patrol on your journey to or from the hiking trail, the beach or the gym…that for one reason or another ended in a field sobriety test, could show elevated levels of THC. For no other reason, than exercising.

Apparently, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the primary psychoactive cannabinoid found in marijuana, is stored in the body’s fat tissue. It’s from there that the THC cannabinoid slowly leaches back into the blood stream. The THC / activity study indicated pre-treated lab rats have a tendency to show higher than normal plasma cannabinoid levels when exposed to conditions that promote fat utilization, such as fasting or exercise. In the drug and alcohol dependence study they examined whether fasting and exercise increase plasma THC concentrations in regular pot smokers.

Spoiler alert… it does.

Methodology:

14 regular marijuana smokers completed 35min of exercise on a stationary bicycle in either a fed or overnight fasted state. Plasma cannabinoid levels were assessed prior to exercise, immediately post-exercise and 2h post-exercise. Plasma samples were also analyzed for indices of lipolysis (free fatty acids (FFA) and glycerol).

Consequences:

Exercise induced a small, statistically significant increase in plasma THC levels accompanied by increased plasma FFA and glycerol levels. Exercise-induced increases in plasma THC concentrations were positively correlated with body mass index. Fasting induced a significant increase in plasma FFA levels, and a lowering of blood glucose, but did not significantly alter plasma cannabinoid levels.

Deductions:

Here we demonstrate that exercise enhances plasma THC levels in regular cannabis users. The lack of a fasting effect may reflect the modest duration of fasting used which was associated with only a modest increase in fat utilization relative to exercise. Overall, these results suggest that exercise may elevate blood THC levels by releasing dormant THC from fat stores. These data suggest the interpretation of blood THC levels in roadside and workplace tests might be complicated by recent exercise.

source: http://www.marijuana.com/news/2013/09/new-research-average-pot-smoker-releases-fat-stored-thc-during-exercise/

Grover Norquist: Don't Bogart Those Marijuana Dispensary Taxes

Earl Blumenauer is a Democratic congressman from Portland, Ore., and he’s basically what you’d expect. He’s a proponent of mass transit and a big fan of animal rights and bicycle commuting. He wears bow ties.

Grover Norquist needs no introduction. He’s the nation’s most famous anti-tax crusader, a conservative strategist, and a ubiquitous talking head always ready with pithy, acerbic formulations of his uncompromising small-government beliefs.

And so it will make for a charming bit of odd-couple theater this morning when the two men hold a joint conference outside the U.S. Capitol. They’ll be combining forces in support of what they agree is an embattled segment of the small business community: cannabis dispensaries. Pot tends to be an issue on which politicians on both ends of the political spectrum can find common ground: Civil libertarians on the Left think the state shouldn’t be throwing people in jail for smoking or selling a bit of grass, and libertarians on the Right agree. But today’s event, hosted by Blumenauer’s office, Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform, and the National Cannabis Industry Association, isn’t just about legalization. It’s about taxes.

Currently, cannabis dispensaries are proliferating in those states where marijuana is legal for medicinal purposes or, as in Colorado and Oregon, for simply getting baked. But dispensaries aren’t treated like other businesses as far as the federal tax code is concerned: They’re not allowed to deduct their business expenses from their taxable income, which effectively translates into a far higher tax rate. Dispensaries argue that tax policy forces them to charge more for their product, making it more likely that clients will simply turn to illegal and unregulated—and non-tax-paying—street dealers.

Blumenauer has introduced legislation to rectify this, and Americans for Tax Reform today will announce its support for it. This isn’t the first time Norquist has lent his name to the cause of marijuana legalization, and it probably won’t be the last. The Americans for Tax Reform’s white paper on the topic, also due to be released today, is entitled Legal Cannabis Dispensary Taxation: A Textbook Case of Picking Winners and Losers Through the Tax Code.

Drug policy types often argue that pot decriminalization will finally be on firm ground when governments start relying on tax revenue from it—making it that much harder to reverse course. That dispensaries are already complaining about the taxes they have to pay suggests just how mainstream the industry has become.

Source: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-09-12/grover-norquist-dont-bogart-those-marijuana-dispensary-taxes