United States

Patient advocates launch effort to oppose Steve Cooley

Posted on October 30th, 2010 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , .

CaliforniaThe medical marijuana patient advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) stepped up its campaign this week to oppose Steve Cooley in his bid for California attorney general. Hoping to convince Californians against voting for Cooley, ASA has launched the website www.NotCooley.com to highlight the ways in which Cooley would be bad—not only for patients and their providers but also for those who are concerned about the environment, equal rights, and criminal justice issues.

Giants fans "smoke weed" in bleachers!

Posted on October 29th, 2010 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , .

Sports reporter Newy Scruggs of local NBC news in Dallas/Fort Worth is cheerfully aghast at San Francisco's AT&T Park to find that Giants fans in the bleachers are openly "smoking weed"! The intrepid Scruggs is so mock-scandalized that he feels obliged to repeat this observation several times. Thanks to Internet Today.

Ayahuasca shaman faces federal charges

Posted on October 28th, 2010 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , .

On Oct. 19, while en route to leading traditional ayahuasca ceremonies in Oregon, indigenous Colombian healer Juan Agreda Chindoy was arrested at Houston International Airport by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for possession of his traditional medicine. He is being charged as a federal criminal and faces up to 20 years in prison.

Global Ganja Report hosts Oakland forum on Prop 19

Posted on October 26th, 2010 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , .

Chris ConradWill Proposition 19 really erode California's medical cannabis laws? On Saturday Oct. 30, Global Ganja Report will host a forum on Proposition 19 in Oakland, featuring leading California cannabis crusader Chris Conrad and his longtime activist wife Mikki Norris of West Coast Leaf, who will respond to the arguments of "Stoners Against Legalization."  Global Ganja Report editor Bill Weinberg will moderate.

Americans for Safe Access issues voter guides

Posted on October 26th, 2010 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , , , , , , .

United StatesThe country's leading advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) issued voter guides Oct. 26, highlighting several important races in the upcoming elections, including ballot initiatives establishing two new statewide medical marijuana laws in Arizona and South Dakota, and an expansion of Oregon's law to include licensed cannabis dispensaries. At the local level, voters in California and Colorado will be deciding on dozens of local medical marijuana initiatives, including banning distribution and imposing new taxes on patients. The race for California attorney general, however, may represent the greatest threat to patients this November. ASA strongly opposes AG candidate Steve Cooley, Los Angeles District Attorney and a longtime adversary of the state's medical marijuana laws.

George Soros gives $1 million to Prop 19

Posted on October 26th, 2010 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , .

CaliforniaBillionaire financier George Soros has thrown his support behind California's Proposition 19 legalization measure with a $1 million donation just one week before the vote. The contribution is the single biggest donation from an individual other than Prop 19's main sponsor, Oakland medical cannabis entrepreneur Richard Lee.

Colombia's president warns against Prop 19

Posted on October 26th, 2010 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , , .

ColombiaColombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos warned Oct 25 that approval of California's Proposition 19 could force nations worldwide to rethink their anti-drug policies. He also said legalized cannabis in California would make the fight against drug cartels tougher throughout Latin America. "Tell me if there is a way to explain to a Colombian peasant that if he produces marijuana we are going to put him in jail and that the same product is legal [in California]," Santos said during a radio interview. "That's going to produce a comprehensive discussion on the approach we have taken on the fight against drug trafficking." (AHN, Oct. 25)

Mexico divided on California cannabis vote

Posted on October 24th, 2010 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , .

MexicoCalifornia's referendum on legalizing cannabis is dividing Mexico's political establishment, The Guardian reports Oct. 24. President Felipe Calderón is leading critics of Proposition 19, who see it as a dangerous experiment that would undermine efforts against the cartels. He has repeatedly accused the US of hypocrisy in pressuring Latin America to confront the cartels, while doing little to rein in stateside consumption. The Guardian fails to note that Calderón himself signed a national decriminalization bill into law last year.

Who's new

  • Baba Israel
  • Karr Young
  • John Veit
  • YosephLeib
  • Peter Gorman