Toke Signals Radio 38: Clemency For 1,00s of Drug Prisoners! Medical Pot Doesn't Increase Teen Use! Mass. Holds Legalization Hearing!

Find out what you need to know about the week in cannabis/marijuana news, in just 25 minutes!

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Toke Signals Bud Pick of the Week

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 Obama Plans Clemency For 'Hundreds, Perhaps Thousands' Sentenced For Drug Law Violations

(Hemp News)

A White House official has told Yahoo News that President Obama is prepared to use his pardon power to grant clemency to “hundreds, perhaps thousands” of people who have been jailed for nonviolent drug crimes.

The White House’s new moves would follow in the footsteps of a January announcement that the Obama administration would taking the unprecedented step of encouraging defense lawyers to suggest inmates whom the president might let out of prison early, as part of its effort to curtail severe penalties in low-level drug cases.

Want Prison Reform? Start By Releasing Nonviolent Drug Offenders Serving Life Sentences

(Hemp News)

What do a former Indy 500 Rookie of the Year, an Illinois truck mechanic, and a Southern California teacher have in common? They are all serving life sentences in federal prisons for nonviolent marijuana offenses.

Study: Legalizing Medical Marijuana Doesn't Increase Use Among Adolescents

(Hemp News)

One common refrain from those opposed to medical marijuana is that its legalization would increase use among adolescents, but a new study indicates that's just not true.

Massachusetts Lawmakers To Hold Hearing On Bill To Regulate And Tax Marijuana Like Alcohol

(Hemp News)

The Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing Thursday on a bill that would make possession of limited amounts of marijuana legal for adults and establish a system in which marijuana is regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET in Room A-2 of the Massachusetts State House.

Alabama Supreme Court Rules Women Can Be Arrested For Using Drugs While Pregnant

(Hemp News)

The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday issued a 8-1 decision in Ex Parte Hicks upholding the conviction of Sara Hicks, who gave birth to a healthy baby who tested positive for cocaine in 2008. This decision affirmed the Court's prior ruling in Ex Parte Ankrom, holding that that the plain meaning of the word "child" in the Alabama law unambiguously includes fertilized eggs and that pregnant women may be arrested for using a controlled substance while pregnant.

Mississippi Governor Signs Law To Allow Marijuana-Derived CBD Oil For Seizures

(Hemp News)

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant last week signed into law a bill allowing marijuana-derived cannabidiol (CBD) oil for medical purposes.

'CBD Only' Legislation Doesn't Equal Real Medical Marijuana Laws

By Dr. Gil Mobley and Steve Elliott

(Toke Signals)

A tipping point has been reached in modern medicine where the medical utility of cannabis can no longer be denied in a wide variety of diseases. It effectively treats dozens of ailments from neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and epilepsy to inflammatory conditions as in Crohn’s disease and chronic pain. Miraculously, it can also stop seizures other medications can’t touch.

Toke Signals Must Read of the Week

Cannabis Deliver Us From Illness: A Day in the Life of an Educated Stoner

By Sharon Letts

 

Cannabis use can be confusing. The failed War on Drugs has ingrained negativity for the plant into the psyches of the average American for decades now, with the only enlightenment coming from those who have the insight and courage to experiment medicinally. When the plant helps, the stigma is broken and those who can are compelled to share.

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Kool Keith ~ Neumos Seattle April 24, 2014

Toke Signals Radio 37: Study Says Marijuana Changes Brain! Holder Smoked Weed! Man Gets 13 Years For 2 Joints!

Find out what you need to know about the week in cannabis/marijuana news, in just 26 minutes!

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Marijuana Use Changes The Brain, New Study Says

(Hemp News)

Young adults who smoke marijuana occasionally show changes in two key areas of their brains related to emotion, motivation and decision making, with the degree of changes related to the amount of cannabis used per week, according to a new study by researchers in Boston. Other scientists quickly pointed out that the research was partially sponsored by the federal agency charged with keeping marijuana illegal.

Holder 'Cautiously Optimistic' About Legalization; Admits He's Tried Weed

(Hemp News)

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said he is "cautiously optimistic" about marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington state, but added it's tough to predict where legalization will be in 10 years. In the same interview, Holder, the nation's top law enforcement official, admitted he had tried pot in college.

Louisiana Man Given 13 Year Prison Sentence For Two Joints

(Hemp News)

The Drug Policy Alliance on Wednesday filed an amicus brief urging the Louisiana Supreme Court to review the egregious prison sentence of Bernard Noble, a 48-year old man who was sentenced to 13.3 years of hard labor in prison without the opportunity for parole for possessing the equivalent of two marijuana cigarettes.

Illinois Nixes Proposed Rule; Would Have Barred Medical Marijuana Patients From Having Guns

(Hemp News)

A proposed rule that would have barred medical marijuana patients from getting Firearm Owner's Identification cards has been nixed.

Nearly 80 Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Now Open In Arizona; 126 Allowed

(Hemp News)

More medical marijuana dispensaries are open in Arizona than ever before, with nearly 80 shops now open throughout the state. The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act allows for up to 126 dispensaries to open.

Many more dispensaries plan to open in 2014, according to AZmarijuana.com, a medical marijuana industry website.

Florida Medical Marijuana Campaign Manager Blasts CPS Investigation Of Advocate

(Hemp News)

The campaign manager of Florida's medical marijuana ballot drive has expressed outrage after a woman last week was abruptly visited by Child Protective Services on an anonymous tip that she had been giving marijuana to her son, who suffers from a rare form of severe epilepsy.

 Illinois Medical Marijuana Entrepreneurs Say Fees Too High

(Hemp News)

Prospective medicinal cannabis businesspeople in Illinois say the high cost of entry will prevent many with expertise from entering the new industry. Under proposed rules for the new law legalizing medical marijuana in Illinois, would-be cannabis farmers need a $2 million surety bond, $250,000 in liquid assets, $25,000 for an application fee, and $200,000 for a permit fee, as well as an approved site.

 Top 10 Reasons Dispensaries Beat Going To A Marijuana Dealer

(Toke Signals)

We’ve all been there. A 7/11 parking lot, late at night, where every Slurpee-buying shopper looks like an undercover cop. Or you’ve just parked your buddy’s car near an apartment downtown where all the neighbors know why you’re walking towards that particular door.

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Toke Signals Radio 36: Holder Not Sure Feds Can Force Prohibition! Tribe Wants To Sell Weed! S.C. Voters Get Chance To Speak Up!

Find out what you need to know about the week in cannabis/marijuana news, in just 23 minutes!

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Atty. Gen. Holder Says It's Unclear Whether Feds Can Force States To Outlaw Marijuana

(Hemp News)

Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday appeared before the House Judiciary Committee for an oversight hearing in which he stated that federal law does not always trump state law, declined to initiate the process to reschedule marijuana and reaffirmed his commitment to granting clemency to low-level nonviolent drug offenders with unduly harsh sentences.

Suquamish Tribe Approaches Washington State About Marijuana Sales

(Hemp News)

The Suquamish Tribe of Washington state is exploring the idea of selling marijuana on their reservation at Port Madison.

South Carolina Democrats Will Ask Voters For Opinions On Medical Marijuana On June Ballot

(Hemp News)

The South Carolina Democratic Party will ask voters on the June primary ballot whether they support legalizing medical marijuana, in a non-binding referendum. Party leaders made the announcement to push a medical marijuana bill currently in the Legislature.

Majority Of New Hampshire Adults Support Legalizing Marijuana, Treating It Like Alcohol

(Hemp News)

The annual WMUR Granite State Poll released Wednesday by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center shows a growing majority of New Hampshire adults support making marijuana legal and regulating it like alcohol.

Boston Mayor Says He Will Block Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

(Hemp News)

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh this week moved to block the opening of two medical marijuana dispensaries in the city, saying he's "dead set" against the shops at a forum in Dorchester and then sending a letter to state officials urging "swift action" if any problems are found with the companies' applications.

Oregon Grassroots Cannabis Campaign Gathering Signatures

(Hemp News)

Two cannabis legalization measures in Oregon are gathering signatures around the state. Initiative Petitions 21 and 22, the Oregon Cannabis Amendment and The Oregon Cannabis Tax Act, are in the race for the July 3 signature deadline. Initiative 21 would end criminal penalties for cannabis, while Initiative 22 regulates and taxes cannabis, including hemp for industrial and agricultural uses.

Texas Woman Jailed After Calling Cops To Complain About Low Quality Marijuana

(Hemp News)

There aren't many good options when you buy a bad sack of black market marijuana. As Evelyn Hamilton of Lufkin, Texas, found out on Monday, calling the cops is one of the worst.

Toke Signals Must Read of the Week

Top 10 Things I Miss About Old School Weed Dealers

By Jack Rikess

Of the supposedly 43 million Americans who smoke marijuana, there is such a small percent of us that are allowed to have safe and easy access to our drug of choice, that to complain seems to be a little elitist and even downright spoiled. Having a medical marijuana card has changed my life for definitely the better and not to be redundant, and it’s made scoring much safer.

But if you’re of a certain age and generation, because of the nature of prohibition, the only way to score our pot was to go to someone’s home.

As much as I love having a card and going to the Pot Shop, or having it delivered, I miss the interaction of the old daze.

 

Toke TV/Toke Radio = a joint production
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Toke Radio 35: Americans Want Legal Marijuana! Doctors Want Medical Cannabis! DEA Wants You To Go Away!

Find out what you need to know about the week in cannabis/marijuana news, in just 21 minutes!

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Poll Shows Increased Support For Making Marijuana Legal In U.S.

(Toke Signals)

A poll released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center showed that for the second year in a row, a majority of Americans — 54 percent — support making marijuana legal. This represents a two percent increase in support from 2013. Only 42 percent support keeping marijuana illegal.

Two-Thirds Of Doctors Favor Medical Marijuana In New Poll

(Hemp News)

More than two out of every three physicians in the United States -- 67 percent -- say that medical marijuana should be an option for patients, according to the results of a new WebMD/Medscape poll.

DEA Head Tells Congress Her Agency Is 'Fighting Back' Against Administration's Tolerance Of Marijuana Legalization

(Hemp News)

Drug Enforcement Administration head Michele Leonhart apparently has no problem trash-talking her boss. The administrator of the DEA repeatedly criticized the Obama Administration at a Wednesday hearing on the DEA’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

D.C. Mayor Signs Bill Decriminalizing Marijuana Possession In Nation's Capital

(Hemp News)

Washington D.C. Mayor Vince Gray on Monday signed a bill decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana in the nation's capital.

Illinois Poll Shows More Than 60% Support Removing Criminal Penalties For Marijuana Possession

(Hemp News)

Supporters of a bill that would remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana in Illinois on Thursday released the results of a statewide poll showing strong support for such legislation. The Illinois House Restorative Justice Committee approved the bill last week, and supporters are now calling on members of the House to approve the proposal.

Washington Liquor Control Board Announces Lottery Process For Marijuana Store Licenses

(Hemp News)

The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) on Wednesday approved staff’s recommendation for a lottery that will select the "apparent successful applicants" for marijuana retail licenses.

New Jersey Prosecutors Endorse Marijuana Legalization Bill Introduced In Legislature

(Hemp News)

State Senator Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden) has introduced a bill that would legalize marijuana in New Jersey, creating a taxed and regulated system of distribution like the one in Colorado. The bill on Monday was endorsed by the New Jersey State Municipal Prosecutors Association, the president of which called it "silly" to spend money on marijuana cases.

Toke TV Must Read of the Week

Worth Repeating: The Cannabis Enlightenment, 2014

(Toke Signals)

The worldwide historic rebirth of cannabis and cannabinoids is underway. The future is now.

“We stand in front of a treasure”

The intolerable situation of cannabis prohibition is over. No more deception, no more prisoners, no more restricted medical access, no more shame. No more cannabis control by elites. Cannabis is the people’s medicine; it’s our culture, and we will be respected at the polls.

Toke TV/Toke Radio = a joint production
of Toke Signals and Indie Media Weekly

Check out this episode!