Washington

Seattle Hempfest draws mainstream politicians

Posted on August 22nd, 2011 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , , .

hempfestThe 20th annual Seattle Hempfest drew an estimated 300,000 the weekend of Aug. 19-21—including some big-name politicians. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) exhorted from the stage, in an apparent reference to the 1999 World Trade Organization protests: "Seattle you shook the world once; can you shake it again, I ask you!" He urged support for such issues as withdrawal of US military troops from around the world, gay rights and universal health care, as well as an end to the war on drugs. Mike McGinn became the first Seattle mayor to address the Hempfest crowd. Other speakers included state representatives Roger Goodman and Mary Lou Dickerson, and Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes.

Gov. Christie pledges to "begin work immediately" on New Jersey medical program

Posted on July 20th, 2011 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , , , , , .

medical marijuanaNew Jersey Gov. Chris Christie held a press conference July 19 to announce his plans to "begin work immediately" on his state's pending medical marijuana program. "We're moving forward with the program as it was set up," said Christie, with the expectation that licensed Alternative Treatment Centers could be up and operating as early as the end of 2011. Christie said he believed "the need to provide compassionate pain relief to these citizens of our state outweighs the risk we are taking in moving forward with the program." Christie's announcement comes in spite of threats from US Attorneys on the issue and a June 29 memorandum from Deputy Attorney General James Cole.

Medical advocates hold national day of action

Posted on May 2nd, 2011 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , , , .

Patients and their supporters rallied at the Justice Department in Washington DC on May 2 to protest increased federal interference in medical marijuana states. More than 200 supporters also rallied in Sacramento for medical marijuana patients Dr. Mollie Fry and her husband Dale Schafer as they surrendered to federal authorities to serve out five-year prison terms. Last week, the DEA raided several distribution centers in Spokane, Wash., as a state bill to license such facilities was vetoed the next day by Gov. Christine Gregoire. The Spokane actions are the latest in a string of more than 100 aggressive SWAT-style federal raids carried out since President Obama took office.

Feds raid Spokane dispensaries as medical bill hits Washington gov's desk

Posted on May 1st, 2011 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , , , .

cannabisThe DEA conducted aggressive SWAT-style raids April 29 on three distribution facilities in Spokane, Wash., that provided medical cannabis to qualified patients. Earlier this month, numerous facilities shut down after US Attorney Michael Ormsby threatened  landlords in Spokane with seizure of their property if they continue to let their tenants provide medical cannabis. These actions come as the state is trying to pass Senate Bill 5073, which modifies its current medical marijuana law to set up a licensed distribution system.

White House intimidates Seattle Times over pro-pot editorial

Posted on February 26th, 2011 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , .

cannabisSeattle's The Stranger alterno-weekly reported Feb. 25 that immediately after the Seattle Times ran an editorial last week supporting a bill to tax and regulate cannabis, the newspaper got a phone call from White House Office of National Drug Control Policy director Gil Kerlikowske. The Drug Czar apparently wanted to fly to Seattle to talk personally the paper's full editorial board.

Medical clubs sprout in Washington state

Posted on February 6th, 2011 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , , , .

cannabisIn the past seven months, cannabis dispensaries have sprouted across Washington state, exploiting a loophole in the state's medical marijuana law that neither explicitly allows nor prohibits them. State tax officials estimate at least 120 are open, mostly in the Puget Sound area. Dozens more likely remain underground. Under pressure from all sides to "clear the haze," the Legislature is considering a bill, SB 5073, that would legalize, regulate and tax dispensaries and create the state's first authorized commercial cannabis farms. (Seattle Times, Jan. 29)

Pro-pot prosecutor for Snohomish County?

Posted on June 3rd, 2010 by Global Ganja Report and tagged , , .

United StatesThe man who would be Snohomish County's next prosecuting attorney wants to legalize cannabis for adults. Jim Kenny on June 1 endorsed Initiative 1068, which would legalize use, possession and cultivation across the state of Washington.

Marc Emery pleads guilty

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

CanadaVancouver's "Prince of Pot" Marc Emery, extradited from his native Canada, pleaded guilty in US District Court in Seattle on May 24 to conspiracy to manufacture marijuana. As part of a plea bargain, Emery, 52, must serve five years in prison for selling seeds to US customers through his business, Marc Emery Direct. He will remain in custody at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac until sentencing.

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