Global Ganja Report

A new drug made from cannabis has been licensed in the UK. Sativex, a tincture of extracts from the plant, is sprayed under the tongue up to 12 times a day, as a treatment for the stiffness and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis. The Home Office has rated it as having zero abuse potential. Britain is the first country to give the drug full regulatory approval, although Canada gave Sativex a limited license to treat neuropathic pain in 2005. It is made from plants grown at a secret location in southern England by GW Pharmaceuticals, whose shares have risen 60% in the last six months in anticipation of the new product.

Months after Iowa's pharmacy board recommended the state approve a medical marijuana law, progress is stymied as a legislative leader and a board official each say the other needs to act.

Territorial Sen. Rory Respicio June 16 revised and reintroduced his bill that would allow for the medicinal use of marijuana on Guam. Among changes to the Compassionate Health Care Act, now Bill 423, language was added to state that doctors cannot write prescriptions for cannabis, but can recommend its use and certify that recommendation.

Oregon on June 16 became the latest state and the first in many years to officially reclassify cannabis from its status as a dangerous drug with no medical value. The Oregon Board of Pharmacy (BoP) voted 4-1 to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II. The Oregon BoP decision comes after many months of deliberation and input from the public.

The California State Assembly Committee on Health voted 10-3 on June 15 to pass a resolution urging the federal government to end medical marijuana raids and to "create a comprehensive federal medical marijuana policy that ensures safe and legal access to any patient that would benefit from it."

Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. signed two bills into law on June 7 intended to increase oversight of Colorado’s medical cannabis industry. Under the new legislation, municipalities can ban dispensaries.

A new Los Angeles ordinance went into effect June 7, requiring that more than 400 unauthorized medical marijuana dispensaries to immediately close their doors. A Superior Court judge rejected a last-minute legal bid to delay implementation. The targeted dispensaries all opened after November 2007, when the LA City Council approved a widely-ignored moratorium on new medicinal cannabis outlets. An estimated 130 dispenasires which were open before then will be allowed to stay open—but will have to register with the city and be subject to inspections. (Vertex News, June 8)

In San Jose's first public discussion on crafting an ordinance regulating medical cannabis dispensaries, ideas were shot down and applauded at an emotionally charged City Hall meeting June 7. Parents and teachers expressed fears about the proximity of the dispensaries to schools, while patients and operators dismissed the city's proposals as too restrictive.