Another Montana cultivator convicted by feds

Posted on January 19th, 2013 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , .

cannabisMedical marijuana patient, cultivator and former University of Montana Grizzlies quarterback Jason Washington was convicted Jan. 17 in federal court of two felonies, "conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana" and "possession with intent to distribute marijuana," but was acquitted of another felony possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-related crime. Washington claimed to be in compliance with Montana's medical marijuana law but, as is typical with such federal cases, was denied a defense. He is facing a five-year mandatory minimum sentence, up to 40 years in prison, and more than $10 million in fines and forfeitures.

California high court denies review of landmark dispensary case

Posted on January 17th, 2013 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , .

medical marijuanaThe California Supreme Court on Jan. 16 denied review of a landmark medical marijuana dispensary case. The Fourth District Court of Appeal for California issued a unanimous ruling on Oct. 24 in the case of People v. Jackson, reversing the conviction of former San Diego dispensary operator Jovan Jackson and establishing a clear defense for Jackson and other medical marijuana providers similarly prosecuted in state court. The state supreme court turned down requests to depublish the appellate court decision from the League of California Cities and an amicus brief supporting the high court's review of the case from district attorneys in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Sonoma counties, as well as the Los Angeles city attorney.

Texas student who refused to wear RFID chip loses appeal

Posted on January 15th, 2013 by Bill Weinberg and tagged , , , .

Shadow WatchA true American freedom fighter has her day in court—and loses. This is a blow against freedom, but at least Andrea Hernandez stood up for her rights—and those of all of us. Win or lose—always worthwhile. From the BBC News, Jan. 9:

Honduras: police seize $50,000 gold-plated AK-47

Posted on January 14th, 2013 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , .

Central AmericaAuthorities in Honduras on Jan. 7 announced the seizure of a gold-plated, jewel-encrusted AK-47 assault rifle, complete with two silver magazines. The rifle, estimated to be worth more than $50,000, turned up in a raid along with other military equipment at a ranch in Choloma, some 300 kilometers from Tegucigalpa, where two security guards were detained. Authorities said the gold-plated rifle had an engraving associated with the Malverde drug gang, which is allegedly in league with Mexico's notorious Zetas. "It's an exclusive design and a fine carving," said National Police chief Leo­nel Sau­ce­da.

Medical advocates hail San Diego mayor's decision to stop cannabis crackdown

Posted on January 11th, 2013 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , .

medical marijuanaAdvocates applauded the recent actions of San Diego Mayor Bob Filner in trying to put an end to the years-long crackdown on access to medical marijuana in the city. Two days after announcing at a local chapter meeting of Americans for Safe Access (ASA) that he was going to direct city authorities to stop shutting down dispensaries, Mayor Filner delivered on that promise by sending letters Jan. 9 to San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne and Neighborhood Code Compliance Director Kelly Broughton.

Americans for Safe Access gets DC contract to train dispensary, cultivation staff

Posted on January 10th, 2013 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , .

medical marijuanaThe country’s leading medical marijuana advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) was awarded a permit by the District of Columbia Department of Health last week to implement its compulsory training for cultivators and distributors licensed by the District. ASA Foundation was selected to be the Medical Marijuana Certification Provider based on its longstanding experience providing such trainings across the country. The four-hour long training course, a requirement under the District's Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Amendment Act of 2010, will cover the basics of medical marijuana, including an overview of its clinical applications, safety and operational protocols, as well as participants’ rights and responsibilities under local and federal laws.

Patient advocates respond to Rep. Patrick Kennedy's anti-cannabis campaign

Posted on January 9th, 2013 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , , .

medical marijuana In response to public comments made against marijuana reform by former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy, patient advocates wrote to Kennedy inviting him to attend a national conference on medical marijuana scheduled for Feb. 22-25 at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in Washington DC. Kennedy announced on Jan. 9 the formation of a new group, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), which claims to take a different approach than either legalization advocates or government drug warriors. However, advocates argue that SAM's supposed pro-public health approach ignores the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant and is simply using a new narrative to make the same arguments used by marijuana opponents for years.

Federal judge says Harborside Health Center can stay open

Posted on January 8th, 2013 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , .

OaklandOn Jan. 7, Chief Federal Magistrate Maria-Elena James in San Francisco ruled in favor of Harborside Health Center, and denied motions by Harborside's landlords asking the court to order an immediate halt of medical cannabis sales at their properties in Oakland and San Jose. Judge James also declined to grant a motion from the City of Oakland to enjoin the federal government's legal efforts to close Harborside, but scheduled a hearing later this month for further arguments in Oakland's suit.

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