Massachusetts

Big pharma, alcohol fund anti-legalization drives —surprise!

Posted on October 26th, 2016 by Bill Weinberg and tagged , , , , .

Shadow WatchWho do you think is pouring money into the campaigns against the legalization initiaves that will go before the voters in five states next month? Well, an Oct. 22 exposé in The Guardian newspaper will confirm your most cyniical suspicions. In August, the pharmaceutical company Insys Therapeutics became the biggest donor to the campaign to defeat Arizona's Proposition 205, making a $500,000 donation to Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy (ARDP). In making the donation, Insys cited concerns for child safety. But The Guardian points out the delicious irony: Insys manufactures Subsys, a prescription painkiller derived from fentanyl—a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more powerful than morphine. And the Phoenix New Times adds that Insys is under investigation in four states, including Arizona, for marketing practices related to Subsys that have allegedly resulted in patient deaths.

Massachusetts nixes DeAngelo's Boston dispensary over pot conviction

Posted on June 28th, 2014 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , .

SteveDeAngeloOn June 27, Massachusetts' Department of Public Health rejected an application from Green Heart Holistic Health and Pharmaceuticals to operate a dispensary in Boston, despite giving the company initial approval. The reason stated for the denial is Steve DeAngelo's criminal record. Controversy over the Green Heart dispensary, awarded to Andrew DeAngelo, erupted when Steve's participation as the financial backer and "strategic adviser" was revealed. Since Steve wouldn't be physically working at the store, his name was not included in the application. DeAngelo pleaded guilty on Aug. 6, 2001 of possession of cannabis with intent to distribute and received a five-year suspended sentence and three years' probation.

Patient advocates and herbal medicine industry team up to enhance product safety

Posted on January 24th, 2013 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , , , .

medical marijuanaThe Cannabis Committee of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) issued recommendations this week to regulators of dispensaries in California, Colorado, and Massachusetts, and will make similar recommendations in other medical marijuana states over the next days. The committee, in cooperation with Americans for Safe Access (ASA), has over the past year coordinated the development of best practice protocols in several areas, including cultivation; manufacturing, packaging and labeling; laboratory practice; and distribution.

Electoral advances for cannabis —but legal battles loom

leafCannabis is set to become legal in Colorado and Washington after voters passed historic ballot initiatives on Nov. 6. In Washington voters approved Initiative 502, allowing possession and distribution of cannabis through a state licensing system of growers, processors and stores, where adults will be able to buy up to an ounce of dried cannabis; up to a pound of a cannabis-infused product, such as brownies; or up to 72 ounces of cannabis-infused liquids.. The Colorado initiative actually introduces Amendment 64 to the state constitution, allowing adults over 21 to possess up to an ounce and to privately grow up to six plants—although public use will be banned. In Oregon, the similar Cannabis Tax Act Initiative or Measure 80, failed by approximately 55-to-45% of the vote.

Barney Frank barnburner at Boston Freedom Rally

Posted on September 18th, 2012 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , .

Barney FrankSpeaking before a crowd on the Boston Common at the 23rd Boston Freedom Rally Sept. 15, US Rep. Barney Frank said using cannabis is an individual choice that should not be criminalized. Frank said he has "been fighting for some time for a measure that will reduce crime very substantially," and will actually "make money for the government." Frank told the crowd: "We can reduce the crime rate by stop treating people as criminals because they have made the decision to smoke marijuana personally."

Amherst Extravaganja smokes out on town common

Posted on April 28th, 2012 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , .

cannabisThe 21st annual Extravaganja festival was held April 28 on the town common of Amherst, Mass. Sponsored by the UMass Amherst Cannabis Reform Coalition, the event featured six live bands and several speakers in addition to many vendors selling everything from glass pipes to hemp food products. Police said 33 people were cited for possession of under an ounce of marijuana, a civil offense that carries a $100 fine in Massachusetts. Town authorities turned down organizers' request for a permit for a two-day event, which had been granted last year on an experimental basis for the festival's 20th anniversary. (The Republican, Springfield, April 28; The Republican, April 12)

Massachusetts to vote on medical marijuana?

Posted on April 11th, 2012 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , .

medical marijuanaWith Massachusetts lawmakers deadlocked over medical marijuana legislation, the question seems more likely to go before the commonwealth's voters in November. Two bills before the Public Health Committee on legalizing medical marijuana (S 1161 and H 625) have been sent to "study"—a move that almost always ends the chances of a bill passing. A ballot measure on the issue will only be averted if backers fail to collect 11,485 certified signatures by July 3 or if they drop their effort in deference to a plan in the legislature to pass an alternative proposal—neither of which now seem probable. (Statehouse News Service, April 10)

Cannabis genome cracked

Posted on August 21st, 2011 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , , .

cannabisA small Massachusetts-based company called Medicinal Genomics has announced the sequencing of the entire genomes of the species cannabis sativa and cannabis indica, opening the way for more research into the therapeutic effects of the plant—including its potential for treating cancer and inflammatory diseases. The company published the genetic code Aug. 18 on Amazon.com's EC2 cloud-computing system.

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