The Stoner Army

Sacramento Bee, 09 May 2010 - The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 is far from the "rational course" suggested by Oakland City Attorney John Russo in his misguided opinion piece, "It's time to legalize and regulate pot" (Viewpoints, May 1). This is a Trojan horse that will change our communities forever, kill our struggling economy and hurt public safety. Despite its name, this initiative does not regulate or control marijuana. And, despite the hype, it creates no new taxes and no help for California's budget. Let me repeat it does not create any new taxes.

State Journal-Register, 09 May 2010 - A few minutes of smoking marijuana give Ana DeVarose hours of relief from the pain and nausea associated with multiple sclerosis so the 22-year-old Springfield woman doesn't have to take a handful of prescription medicines every day. But because using marijuana, even for medicinal purposes, is illegal in Illinois, the availability of cannabis on the black market can be spotty, its quality and contents often are unknown, and users risk arrest.

The Times Herald, 09 May 2010 - DEBATE INTENSIFIES ABOUT THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA Joe started taking prescription drugs in the 1970s after he hurt his back in the military. As the pain got worse, his prescriptions got stronger. Before he knew it, he was addicted.

The Observer, 09 May 2010 - In the 60s hippies fled to the backwoods of northern California to grow pot. There they have been joined by growers of 'medical marijuana' - available with a doctor's recommendation - as well as by Mexican drug cartels. With cannabis now its largest cash crop, the state will soon vote on whether to legalise it fully - and even Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is thinking the enormous tax revenues might just solve his budget deficit... 'When I see that, it's like looking at a shed full of cows. I see a whole lot of work," says Jim Hill, opening the little gate into his humid greenhouse in which a forest of marijuana grows, and from which a pungent, heady scent exudes at gale force.

Guelph Mercury, 08 May 2010 - GUELPH - People hoping to fill their prescription for legally prescribed marijuana at the Medical Cannabis Club of Guelph were out of luck Friday. A number of patrons arrived to find the club locked and a sign on the door that read Closed Friday, May 7, Family Emergency. There was no indication when it will reopen.

The Observer, 08 May 2010 - A local man who hasn't received government approval to use marijuana medicinally was sentenced to 45 days house arrest and fined $200 Friday. Glenn Dionne, 45, of Sarnia pleaded guilty to marijuana possession Feb. 6 and September 30, 2009 in Sarnia.

Manteca Bulletin, 08 May 2010 - Maggie Gutierrez was concerned that Manteca's new laws restricting marijuana use would make it illegal for her husband to get the only "medicine" that has been effective at easing pain from a severe back injury that used to keep him bed ridden. Larry Teunissen was worried that the new city laws would make it impossible to grow medicinal marijuana in his back yard.

Nanaimo Daily News, 08 May 2010 - Bob Estes hopes to avoid police scrutiny by selling his organic pot only to people with a Health Canada licence The owner of a medical marijuana compassionate club launched in Oceanside this week claims he is providing a much-needed service to the community.

The Citizens' Voice, 08 May 2010 - WILKES-BARRE - Kenny Brown understands the issue of legalizing medical marijuana might be a non-starter in Pennsylvania, but he spent Friday trying to change a few minds. Along with 70 supporters, the 21-year-old spent the afternoon rallying on Public Square to share stories, information and a petition for sanctioning the drug for medicinal use. While supporters understood residents' hesitation to the idea, they said the movement's goal isn't solely to legalize the substance outright and is grounded in giving patients another treatment option.

Daily Camera, 08 May 2010 - City Law Could Require All Wind, Solar Power for Dispensaries A state bill that would set broad regulations for the burgeoning medical marijuana industry would likely have the unintended side effect of forcing all dispensaries in Boulder to use 100 percent wind or solar energy.

North County Times, 08 May 2010 - Revised Proposal Addresses Only Land Use Provisions; Other Rules to Follow The county's Planning Commission on Friday will consider a medical marijuana dispensary ordinance that is markedly stripped down from the draft released in March.

Times Leader, 08 May 2010 - State Rep. Phyllis Mundy Has a Bill Which Allows the Use of Marijuana in Treatment. WILKES-BARRE - Thomas Chewey is eager to discuss challenges of his four-year battle with cancer, bi-polar disorder and hypertension.

Denver Post, 08 May 2010 - Pro-pot activists were self-righteous, dishonest and boorish, but in the end even their antics couldn't discredit legislation to legalize medical-marijuana dispensaries in this statea tribute to lawmakers such as Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, and Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, who kept their eyes on the ball. "This has been a long, strange trip," Romer said of the nearly finished effort to offer patients in severe, chronic pain with another option for possible relief. House Bill 1284 will also drive bad actors out of the business, closely monitor the source of the plants, and preserve the right of local communities to ban dispensaries altogether.

The Republic, 08 May 2010 - CHICAGO -- In about a dozen states, you can smoke a joint if you have cancer or HIV and meet certain conditions, like having a doctor's note. In California, you can light up if you have just about anything -- headaches, anxiety, epilepsy -- and a physician's okay.

Chico Enterprise-Record, 07 May 2010 - It's hard to separate people who really need medical marijuana from people who just want to use an illegal drug. Pity the poor Chico City Council, which is trying to make sense of a nonsensical law. Last fall, fearful residents asked the city to address the problem of stinky and dangerous pot-growing operations in neighborhoods. The marijuana was being grown by people with medical marijuana prescriptions, which means they have a legal right to grow it, but the plants smell like a skunk at harvest time in the fall, and armed confrontations sometimes erupted as pot pirates attempted to steal the backyard weed.

Denver Daily News, 07 May 2010 - Activist Group Looks to Change Image of Marijuana Supporters On the eve of Mother's Day weekend, a group of women held a press conference at the State Capitol in hopes of changing the face of the pro-marijuana movement.

Northumberland News, 07 May 2010 - Neighbours Up in Arms Over Health Canada-Approved Pot Grow Business PORT HOPE -- Port Hope resident Lee Winfield is petrified about the prospects of living near a marijuana grow operation. Ever since news came last month that the municipality may soon become home to a such a facility, Mr. Winfield has been pressing council to stop his neighbour, Jacob Tapiero, from producing the Health Canada-approved weed sought after by chronic pain sufferers.

Daily Express, 07 May 2010 - A SHERIFF has shown mercy to a cannabis-hoarding teacher after hearing she used it to treat multiple sclerosis. Sheila Phillips, 62, was caught red-handed with almost half a kilo of the class B drug, valued at UKP700.

The Press Democrat, 07 May 2010 - All four candidates running for Mendocino County's 5th District supervisor seat favor a November ballot initiative that would expand marijuana legalization beyond medicinal use to include personal use for all adults in California. "I probably will vote for it," Mendocino business consultant Wendy Roberts said during a Thursday night candidates debate in Ukiah.

Maple Ridge Times, 07 May 2010 - A new medicinal marijuana dispensary on 224 Street in Maple Ridge already has 18 people signed up as members in the first week of operation. However, Michael Joinson, director of The Always Growing Green Society (TAGGS), which runs the dispensary, is nervous the District of Maple Ridge or the Ridge Meadows RCMP might shut the operation down before it really gets off the ground.