Articles Posted in California Marijuana

Farmers and distributors in North Dakota will soon be able to grow, produce and sell industrial hemp. This is yet another victory for those who have been pushing for an entry for local production in the U.S. market. Last year, the Hemp Industries Association estimated the plant, which has a host of valuable purposes, ranging…

California voters may have declined a single proposal of marijuana reform in 2010, but next year, it seems likely they will have their pick of four alternatives for legalization of recreational use and sale. Last year, the Marijuana Control, Legalization and Revenue Act of 2014 failed to generate enough signatures to make it onto the…

Marijuana advocates are fighting back in court against a ban on medical marijuana cultivation in Clearlake. Plaintiffs in Spittler and Farnham v. City of Clearlake, before the Superior Court of California for Lake County, allege the ban is illegal under California law, which legalized the drug for medicinal use. The litigation is supported by Cal…

The marijuana reform bill introduced by a trio of high-profile U.S. senators is being called “historic” for the way in which it would pave a path toward the drug’s legitimacy nationwide. It’s a first for the Senate, and advocates are praising it for the fact that it is comprehensive. Even the Drug Policy Alliance was…

As legalization of marijuana rapidly expands throughout the country, it has opened the doors to a host of questions and areas of concern regarding insurance coverage. It’s not just about the possibility of civil forfeiture action or criminal arrest so long as the drug remains illegal at the federal level. Among the areas in limbo:…

There was a time when conservatives were among the most vocal in terms of blocking access to marijuana – regardless of the purpose. That dynamic is changing, and the evolution has been rapid in recent years, evidenced again recently with the introduction of a Republican-drafted bill to end marijuana prohibition in Texas. Rep. David Simpson’s…

The patchwork of state laws pertaining to marijuana continues to be subject to even more stitching. When California passed its medical marijuana law in 1996, it was historical and revolutionary. Now, nearly two decades later, nearly half of all states have followed suit, four states plus the District of Columbia have allowed for the legalization…

One of the primary and ongoing conflicts in marijuana law is the stark opposition of state laws and the federal position. While some states continue to outlaw pot for medicinal or recreational use, an increasing number of states are following California’s lead in medical use marijuana, or Colorado’s lead in recreational use marijuana. While Obama…

As states are decriminalizing marijuana possession and sales and making recreational use legal, it is important to remember marijuana sale and cultivation is still a federal offense. Drug crimes continue to be prosecuted and defendants are still being sent off to prison for conspiracy and distribution being investigated in Colorado, Washington and Colorado. According to…

Growing pot at home and in residential areas is posing serious health and property risks in Colorado. According to lawmakers, firefighters, and industry experts, amateur growing of marijuana in kitchens and basements has resulted in the rise of home explosions. Laboratories use flammable chemicals to extract potent drops of concentrate called “hash oil,” and can…