Press Releases

Governor O'Malley Signs Bill as Maryland Becomes '15th and a Half' Medical Marijuana State

Paul Marini | May 11, 2011

Annapolis, MD -- Governor O'Malley signed Senate Bill 308 into law yesterday, making Maryland the "15th and a half" medical marijuana state according to advocates. The Maryland legislature passed SB 308 in April attempting to improve upon the current Darrel...

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Medical Marijuana Advocates Stage National Day of Action Against Federal Interference

Paul Marini | May 02, 2011

Washington, DC -- Patients and their supporters rallied at the Justice Department in Washington, DC today to protest increased federal interference in medical marijuana states. More than 200 supporters also rallied today in Sacramento for medical marijuana patients Dr.

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Obama DOJ Conducts Aggressive Medical Marijuana Raids in Spokane as Bill Hits WA Governor's Desk

Paul Marini | April 29, 2011

Olympia, WA -- The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted aggressive SWAT-style raids yesterday on at least three distribution facilities in Spokane, Washington, that provided medical marijuana to qualified patients. Earlier this month, numerous facilities shut down after U.S.

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Medical Marijuana Advocates Threaten to Sue if San Diego Fails to Amend Flawed Ordinance

Paul Marini | April 28, 2011

San Diego, CA -- Medical marijuana advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) threatened to file suit against the City of San Diego today if it doesn't amend a recent ordinance that patient advocates are calling a de facto ban...

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Medical Marijuana Report Card Gives Obama Failing Grade for Broken Promises & Half-Measures

Paul Marini | April 21, 2011

San Francisco, CA -- The patient advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) issued a report card today giving President Obama a failing grade for his record on medical marijuana. The report card highlights broken promises, half-measures, and a general...

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Clemency Sought for Medical Marijuana Patient, Cancer Survivor Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

Paul Marini | April 20, 2011

Sacramento, CA -- A clemency petition was filed this week in the federal Eastern District Court of Sacramento and sent to President Obama in an effort to avoid or shorten the imprisonment of Dr. Mollie Fry, a physician, breast cancer...

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Maryland House Passes Watered Down Medical Marijuana Affirmative Defense Bill

Paul Marini | April 11, 2011

Annapolis, MD -- The Maryland House voted 82-51 Saturday to pass medical marijuana legislation in an attempt to improve upon current law, the Darrel Putnam Compassionate Use Act, which allows for a "medical necessity" defense but still results in a...

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California Medical Marijuana Employment Rights Bill Approved by Senate Committee

Paul Marini | April 05, 2011

Sacramento, CA -- The State Senate Judiciary Committee voted 3-2 today, approving a bill that would protect medical marijuana patients from discrimination at the workplace. Senate Bill 129, introduced by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) in January is an attempt...

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Federal Agency Recognizes Marijuana's Medical Benefit for People Living with Cancer

Paul Marini | March 29, 2011

Washington, DC -- A change to the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) website earlier this month has caused a stir in medical marijuana and public policy circles, noting that the federal agency has uncharacteristically crossed a line in recognizing the medical...

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Maryland Senate Passes Medical Marijuana Bill Giving Affirmative Defense to Patients

Paul Marini | March 24, 2011

Annapolis, MD -- The Maryland State Senate voted 41-6 to pass a bill today that would give an affirmative defense to qualified patients who are arrested and prosecuted for possessing or growing medical marijuana. Senate Bill 308 amends the 2003...

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