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. Read more
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. Read more
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... Read more
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... Read more
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... Read more
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... Read more
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... Read more
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... Read more
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... Read more
Feds Execute 26 Search Warrants on Medical Marijuana Providers in 13 Montana Cities Paul Marini | March 15, 2011 Helena, MT -- More than a dozen local and federal law enforcement agencies conducted aggressive criminal raids yesterday on 26 medical marijuana dispensaries and grow sites in 13 Montana cities, according to a press release issued today by U.S. Attorney... Read more