Medical Marijuana
Legal News

Marijuana (Cannabis) is classified as a Schedule 1 drug. Per the DEA website:

Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule I drugs are the most dangerous drugs of all the drug schedules with potentially severe psychological or physical dependence. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are:

heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote

Well, we will never exactly be sure what they are smoking over at the DEA, but I don’t want any of it. Cannabis is a magical plant that needs to be exploited to its fullest potential and if it was found today in the rainforest, it certainly would be.

Minnesota Takes Half Step Toward Legalizing Marijuana

By TIME | June 22, 2015

Minnesota eased a statewide ban on medical marijuana products Wednesday, approving the use of pills and oils for seriously ill patients, while upholding a ban on products that can be smoked. - Full Article

Obama Administration Removes Crucial Barrier to Marijuana Research

By Drug Policy Alliance | June 22, 2015

In a long-sought move anticipated by many marijuana reform advocates, the White House today announced that it was removing a major obstacle to marijuana research – the Public Health Service (PHS) Review. “This announcement shows that the White House is ready to move away from the war on medical marijuana, and enable the performance of legitimate and necessary research,” said Bill Piper, Director of Drug Policy Alliance’s Office of National Affairs. “This is progress, but the White House should also end the NIDA’s unique monopoly on marijuana production, and allow private entities to grow marijuana, thus facilitating even more important research.” – Full Article

Bill helps medical Marijuana Users Access Organ Transplants

The Washington Times June 22, 2105

California lawmakers have passed a bill that prevents medical marijuana users from being denied organ transplants just because they use pot.

The state Senate on Monday passed AB258 by Democratic Assemblyman Marc Levine of San Rafael on a 33-1 vote. – Full Article

Medical Marijuana Bill Considered Catch-22

By WTOC | June 21, 2015

Georgia doctors are calling the medical marijuana bill that passed earlier this year a catch-22.

It is legal for patients to have it in Georgia, but patients will still have to break the law just to get the low-level THC oil.

This week, the Georgia Department of Public Health opened the online registry where doctors can apply for patients to legally carry the drug that can be used to help or treat conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, ALS, even late-stage cancer.
“So, depending on the condition, it might make them more comfortable which improves their quality of life, which is huge, or it might actually treat the underlying condition,” said Memorial Health’s Dr. Eric Pearlman.

Dr. Pearlman says he has some patients who may benefit from the oil.

Here is how the process works. Doctors first have to register themselves into the database and then they can only recommend eligible patients to the Georgia Department of Public Health. – Full Article

New York State Legislature Passes Bipartisan Bill to Create Emergency Access to Medical Marijuana for Critically Ill Patients

By Drug Policy Alliance | June 16, 2015

Last night, in an unusual show of bipartisan support, the New York Senate voted 50 to 12 in favor of a bill, sponsored by Senator Joe Griffo, that directs the state to establish a program to help critically ill patients obtain emergency access to medical marijuana as soon as possible. - Full Article

Medical Marijuana Laws Do Not Lead to Increases in Teen Use

By Drug Policy Alliance | June 16, 2015

A new Columbia University study published in Lancet Psychiatry shows that teen marijuana use does not increase after the passage of medical marijuana laws. The study, led by Dr. Debra Hasin, looked at past-30-day marijuana use among over one million adolescents over a 24-month period. While rates of use were higher to begin with in medical marijuana states, rates of use did not change after laws went into effect. - Full Article

Senate Committee Approves Protections For State Medical Marijuana Programs

By Huffinton Post | June 11, 2015

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a provision Thursday that would protect medical marijuana operations from federal crackdown in states where the substance is legal. - Full Article

In Historic Vote, Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Veterans Medical Marijuana Amendment

By Drug Policy Alliance | May 21, 2015

The Senate Appropriations Committee passed a bipartisan amendment today, 18 to 12, allowing Veterans Administration (VA) doctors to recommend medical marijuana to their patients in states where medical marijuana is legal. The vote is the first time the U.S. Senate has ever moved marijuana law reform legislation forward. - Full Article

U.S. Justice Department Says It Will Ignore Federal Law and Prosecute People for Medical Marijuana Despite Congressional Spending Ban

By Drug Policy Alliance | April 2, 2015

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) told the Los Angeles Times that a bi-partisan amendment passed by Congress last year prohibiting DOJ from spending any money to undermine state medical marijuana laws doesn’t prevent it from prosecuting people for medical marijuana or seizing their property. The statement comes as the agency continues to target people who are complying with their state medical marijuana law. - Full Article

Congressmen Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Don Young (R-AK) Introduce House Version of Groundbreaking Bipartisan Medical Marijuana Legislation

By Drug Policy Alliance | March 24, 2015

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK) have introduced the House companion to a groundbreaking bill legalizing marijuana for medical use that was introduced in the Senate two weeks ago by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). Senators Dean Heller (R-NV) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) co-sponsored the bill soon after. - Full Article