Cannabis News

[Tranquility]

As part of the Obama administration's fight against medical marijuana, they included state-legal dispensaries in what was then known as "Operation Choke Point". (There have been other named iterations of similar policies in that administration as well.) Choke Point basically, um, "suggested" to banks they shouldn't outta be dealin' with "those" people. By "suggested", think of governmental bank regulators telling bankers they have an awful nice bank here--it would be terrible if something happened to it. Bent-nosed thugs working for da boss could not have said it better. Banking became unavailable to disfavored businesses. (To be fair, it was not just dispensaries and the like. It included gun sellers and payday loan companies and other businesses the Obama Administration wanted to snuff out.)

One good thing of the Trump Administration recently did was end the Operation. http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-ends-obamas-operation-choke-point/article/2631944

One result of the "choke" is to get California's Legislature to look at opening non-federally associated banking to take care of the dispensaries' banking problem.
https://www.shareable.net/blog/could-the-marijuana-industry-bring-public-banking-to-california

Marijuana-related businesses in California could play a role in shaking up the U.S. banking sector. Earlier this month, California's state treasurer John Chiang called a meeting to explore the issue of banking access for businesses in the marijuana industry — and the possibility of doing it through a publicly-owned bank.

Chiang said that interest in public banking was gaining traction due to "a deep public dissatisfaction with our private banking system."​

 

[Baron23]

As part of the Obama administration's fight against medical marijuana, they included state-legal dispensaries in what was then known as "Operation Choke Point". (There have been other named iterations of similar policies in that administration as well.) Choke Point basically, um, "suggested" to banks they shouldn't outta be dealin' with "those" people. By "suggested", think of governmental bank regulators telling bankers they have an awful nice bank here--it would be terrible if something happened to it. Bent-nosed thugs working for da boss could not have said it better. Banking became unavailable to disfavored businesses. (To be fair, it was not just dispensaries and the like. It included gun sellers and payday loan companies and other businesses the Obama Administration wanted to snuff out.)

One good thing of the Trump Administration recently did was end the Operation. http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-ends-obamas-operation-choke-point/article/2631944

One result of the "choke" is to get California's Legislature to look at opening non-federally associated banking to take care of the dispensaries' banking problem.
https://www.shareable.net/blog/could-the-marijuana-industry-bring-public-banking-to-california

Marijuana-related businesses in California could play a role in shaking up the U.S. banking sector. Earlier this month, California's state treasurer John Chiang called a meeting to explore the issue of banking access for businesses in the marijuana industry — and the possibility of doing it through a publicly-owned bank.

Chiang said that interest in public banking was gaining traction due to "a deep public dissatisfaction with our private banking system."​

Yeah, I'm no fan of Trump and Sessions, but many forget that Obama had 8 years to remove MJ from Schedule 1 and he did nothing about it. Yeah, Cole memo....tip toeing around the issue. So what. Yeah, the appropriations amendment...oh, yeah...that was done by Congress not Obama.

Yes, Sessions is our enemy. But no, Obama was not he friend that you thought he was.

I note, he had no problem trying to fight for, and jam down our throats, other initiatives he felt strongly about. But MJ...he took a pass.

 

[turk]

Yes, Sessions is our enemy. But no, Obama was not he friend that you thought he was.

I note, he had no problem trying to fight for, and jam down our throats, other initiatives he felt strongly about. But MJ...he took a pass.[/QUOTE]

...absolutely true...democrats have had MANY opportunities to do many things...on many levels...but...they were too busy running for their next office...and chasing campaign money...because...it's really all about them...

 

[Baron23]

they were too busy running for their next office...and chasing campaign money...because...it's really all about them

As they all (as in all politicians) are.

I'm not sure if I can feel more contemptuous of our professional political class than I do currently. Not sure I would let one of these SOBs into my house, tell the truth. I would have to count the silverware when they left.

 

[turk]

...baron23 ....we have different outlooks you and I my friend...but on this issue we are completely simpatico ....I'm 65 now...as I examine my 6 decades on the planet...a couple of salient points jump out at me....the quality of the character of the individuals who aspire to "public office" is atrocious ...I've have never interacted with so many self serving...narcissistic ...self-centered twits in my life...politicians used to stand for something...these people stand for themselves...they give us words...(they didn't write them....their speechwriters did)...slogans..cliches...and they just collect money...to run for another office..time and time again...and we keep electing them...
...yes trump is the worst ...(so far)...but if anyone believes the problem is limited to him....or republicans..you are delusional...I'm with baron23 I wouldn't trust any of these people to take out the garbage....

 

[Chicken Charlie]

An arm of the White Houses' anti drug office (The National Marijuana Initiative) has asked my home state (Massachusetts) and several others where medical marijuana is legal to release information relative to its 40,000 registered patients. It's important to note that the agency requesting the data is not an adjunct of the Department of Justice (rather) it reports directly to Trump's White House. This has triggered a debate among Massachusetts officials and lawmakers whether it should cooperate with an administration that appears hostile to the drug.

 

[macbill]

Opinion:
Make Pot Legal for Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury

The explosion that wounded me during a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan in 2010 left me with a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. In 2012 I was medically retired from the Marine Corps because of debilitating migraines, vertigo and crippling depression. After a nine-year career, I sought care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

[Vapor_Eyes]

How the Booming Israeli Weed Industry Is Changing American Pot

 

[CarolKing]

Congress gives medical marijuana users a good reason to be paranoid
By Trey Williams
Published: Sept 7, 2017 1:18 p.m. ET



Senator Patrick Leahy introduced a similar amendment that could still uphold protections granted to patients and medical marijuana providers in states where it is legal

Getty Images
Card-carrying medical marijuana patients at Los Angeles' first-ever cannabis farmer's market at the West Coast Collective medical marijuana dispensary
The legal medical marijuana market took a major hit on Wednesday, after the U.S. House Rules Committee blocked an amendment for medical marijuana protections from the House’s 2018 budget bill.

In 2014 Congress passed the Hinchey-Rohrabacher Amendment, prohibiting the U.S. Department of Justice from spending federal dollars to enforce the federal prohibition laws in states where medical marijuana has been legalized — now 29 states plus the District of Columbia.

That amendment is set to expire on Sept. 30.

Check out: Marijuana industry could be worth $50 billion annually by 2026

Read: The Marijuana industry aims to undo the harm caused by the war on drugs

The amendment introduced in the House budget plan by Reps. Dana Rohrabacher (R-California) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) would similarly prevent the Justice Department from using federal funds to target medical marijuana patients and providers in states where it is legal.

Despite the growing acceptance of legal marijuana, it is still illegal at the federal level, labeled a Schedule I substance along with heroin and LSD.

What every cannabis investor should be paranoid about

The amendment was voted “out of order,” and is now dead. Rohrabacher and Blumenauer said in a statement on Thursday that blocking the vote puts millions of patients relying on medical marijuana treatment at risk, and that the decision goes against the will of the American people.

“There’s no question: If a vote were allowed, our amendment would pass on the House floor, as it has several times before,” the statement read.

This is what happens when the wrong people are in office. Cannabis has made big strides we can't lose the momentum. Folks need to speak out.
Vote these assholes out of office.
CK

 

[grokit]

“One treatment option I have advocated for years would be placing nondealer, nonviolent drug abusers in a secured hospital-type setting under the constant care of health professionals. Once the person agrees to plead guilty to possession, he or she will be placed in an intensive treatment program until experts determine that they should be released under intense supervision. If this is accomplished, then the charges are dropped against that person. The charges are only filed to have an incentive for that person to enter the hospital-slash-prison, if you want to call it.”

– Congressman Tom Marino (R-PA) in testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee May 18, 2016 (the quote is over a year old, but this week President Trump announced his appointment of Marino as director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, or “White House Drug Czar,” as it’s informally known)

https://www.leafly.com/news/pop-cul...sale-of-marijuana-the-week-in-cannabis-quotes

 

[turk]

...we need a "new" party...until that happens ...we are just whistling dixie....you wanna be governed by the rich pricks in group a...or group b....

 

[grokit]

Along those same lines...

House Committee Blocks Medical Marijuana Protections

Two days of lobbying by Rep. Rohrabacher (left), seen here with Rep. Jared Polis, couldn't save his amendment.

In a significant blow to medical marijuana advocates, patients, and cannabis companies around the nation, the House Rules Committee has blocked protections for MMJ patients and banks that want to serve state-legal cannabis businesses.

The Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment (a spending bill amendment that prevents the Department of Justice from using its budget to arrest or prosecute people acting in accordance with state medical marijuana laws), and a number of other proposals, including one to protect banks serving legal cannabis businesses, were rejected by the committee in a Wednesday session that stretched into the night. The actions mean the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment, a version of which has protected MMJ patients since 2014, will not proceed as part of the spending package to a vote by the full House. Previous versions of the same medical marijuana protections have passed with wide margins in the House; the current version of the amendment is scheduled to expire at the end of September.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, the California Republican who has long championed the rights of medical marijuana patients, spent much of the past two days lobbying his fellow Republicans to support the measure. As Molly Hooper reported in The Hill earlier today:

At a Wednesday morning closed-door briefing of House Republicans, California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher(R) implored his GOP colleagues to press House leaders to allow a vote on his amendment. Fellow Californian Rep. Duncan Hunter told The Hill that after Rohrabacher “talked about it this morning in conference,” GOP leaders said “it splits the conference too much so we’re not going to vote on it.”​

Rohrabacher’s Washington Post op-ed. headlined “My fellow conservatives should protect medical marijuana from the government,” ran in the paper’s Tuesday edition. The conservative lawmaker wrote about the schism between some in his party over the issue:

Unfortunately, my longtime friend Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, has urged Congress to drop the amendment, now co-sponsored by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.). This, despite President Trump’s belief, made clear in his campaign and as president, that states alone should decide medical marijuana policies.

Rohrabacher followed up with an impassioned pitch to his colleagues on the House floor on Tuesday night. Without the amendment, he said, “we’re changing the status quo in a way that undermines the rights of the states and the people” to set their own cannabis policies...

https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/house-committee-rejects-medical-marijuana-protections

 

[C No Ego]

Because of the Hurricane they decided to put money where it is really needed and not funding drug wars... for a few more months anyway...

Trump-Dem Budget Deal Extends MMJ Protections to Dec. 8

https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/trump-dem-budget-deal-extends-mmj-protections-to-dec-8

 

[Baron23]

“One treatment option I have advocated for years would be placing nondealer, nonviolent drug abusers in a secured hospital-type setting under the constant care of health professionals. Once the person agrees to plead guilty to possession, he or she will be placed in an intensive treatment program until experts determine that they should be released under intense supervision. If this is accomplished, then the charges are dropped against that person. The charges are only filed to have an incentive for that person to enter the hospital-slash-prison, if you want to call it.”

– Congressman Tom Marino (R-PA) in testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee May 18, 2016 (the quote is over a year old, but this week President Trump announced his appointment of Marino as director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, or “White House Drug Czar,” as it’s informally known)

https://www.leafly.com/news/pop-cul...sale-of-marijuana-the-week-in-cannabis-quotes

Well, sheeeeit, why don't we just sterilize them while we are at it. WTF is this guy talking about?

 

[macbill]

How to Win a War On Drugs

Decades ago, the United States and Portugal both struggled with illicit drugs and took decisive action — in diametrically opposite directions. The U.S. cracked down vigorously, spending billions of dollars incarcerating drug users. In contrast, Portugal undertook a monumental experiment: It decriminalized the use of all drugs in 2001, even heroin and cocaine, and unleashed a major public health campaign to tackle addiction.

Portugal may be winning the war on drugs — by ending it. Today, the Health Ministry estimates that only about 25,000 Portuguese use heroin, down from 100,000 when the policy began.

 

[cybrguy]

Cannabis smokers 'incapable of walking' rescued from England's highest mountain

Cannabis smokers had to be rescued from Scafell Pike in Cumbria's Lake District Credit: Alamy
24 September 2017 • 12:14pm
A group “incapable of walking” after smoking cannabis had to be rescued from England’s highest mountain, police say.

The four climbers sparked a three-hour mountain rescue operation after getting stuck on Scafell Pike in Cumbria’s Lake District yesterday afternoon.

Cumbria Police said “words fail us” after mountain rescue, air support and ambulance crews had to be dispatched to the 978 metre (3,209 ft) peak when the walkers got a lot higher than they expected.

Persons stuck on mountain, after taking cannabis. Having to deploy M'tain Rescue, Air support and Ambulance to rescue them.....

— Cumbria Police (@Cumbriapolice) September 23, 2017
Police received an emergency call from the “incapacitated” group who said they were stuck on the mountain after taking the Class B drug.

“Now having to deploy mountain rescue, air support and ambulance to rescue them,” Cumbria Police posted on social media.

“Persons rescued after becoming incapable of walking due to cannabis use. MRT volunteers putting themselves at risk to prevent harm.”

The group were brought down to safety by the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, a group of volunteers that support the emergency services in the area, at 9:45pm.

Cumbria Police warned walkers about the dangers of taking alcohol or any other impairing substances onto a mountain.

“We received a 999 emergency call at approximately 6:30pm” a Cumbria Police spokesperson said.

“Unfortunately a group of four people who were on Scafell Pike had run into difficulty.


“Cumbria Constabulary liaised the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team who were able to bring them down to safety at 9:45pm.”

Persons rescued after becoming incapable of walking due to cannabis use. MRT volunteers putting themselves at risk to prevent harm.

— Cumbria Police (@Cumbriapolice) September 23, 2017
North Cumbria Superintendent, Justin Bibby, warned walkers to “never underestimate the mountain and always prepare before setting out”.

He added: “Mountain safety is your responsibility, bring the right equipment and food, and know how to use it. Our priority is your safety.

“The mountain rescue team had a particularly busy day yesterday dealing with this incident.

“They are volunteers, they do an amazing job and are always there to assist those who get into difficulty.

“Taking alcohol or any other substance that could impair your judgement significantly increases your risk of getting into trouble. It has no place on a mountain.”

The Lake District Search And Mountain Rescue Association (LDSAMRA), the umbrella body for mountain rescue teams in Cumbria, said such callouts were “becoming a joke”.

Social media users have criticised the “idiotic” group, with one posting on Cumbria Police’s Facebook page: “There should be a mandatory financial charge for this sort of thing.”

I find it hard to believe that they are completely unable to walk because of cannabis use. Like blaming someone’s morning coffee for 1/2

— NIBLO (@niblomusic) September 23, 2017

That's what the group rang and told the police and MRT agree seems an excessive incapacitation

— Copeland Police (@CopelandPolice) September 24, 2017
Alison Mortimer wrote: “Surely when there is culpability, the emergency services are able to charge for their services? All credit to those who get called out tonight to ‘rescue’ these idiots.”


“Really? What bloody idiots. They should pay you for rescuing them in these circumstances,” commented another.

 

[Adobewan]

How to Win a War On Drugs

Decades ago, the United States and Portugal both struggled with illicit drugs and took decisive action — in diametrically opposite directions. The U.S. cracked down vigorously, spending billions of dollars incarcerating drug users. In contrast, Portugal undertook a monumental experiment: It decriminalized the use of all drugs in 2001, even heroin and cocaine, and unleashed a major public health campaign to tackle addiction.

Portugal may be winning the war on drugs — by ending it. Today, the Health Ministry estimates that only about 25,000 Portuguese use heroin, down from 100,000 when the policy began.

Multi-like!

 

[BabyFacedFinster]

Cannabis smokers 'incapable of walking' rescued from England's highest mountain

Cannabis smokers had to be rescued from Scafell Pike in Cumbria's Lake District Credit: Alamy
24 September 2017 • 12:14pm
A group “incapable of walking” after smoking cannabis had to be rescued from England’s highest mountain, police say.

The four climbers sparked a three-hour mountain rescue operation after getting stuck on Scafell Pike in Cumbria’s Lake District yesterday afternoon.

Cumbria Police said “words fail us” after mountain rescue, air support and ambulance crews had to be dispatched to the 978 metre (3,209 ft) peak when the walkers got a lot higher than they expected.

Persons stuck on mountain, after taking cannabis. Having to deploy M'tain Rescue, Air support and Ambulance to rescue them.....

— Cumbria Police (@Cumbriapolice) September 23, 2017
Police received an emergency call from the “incapacitated” group who said they were stuck on the mountain after taking the Class B drug.

“Now having to deploy mountain rescue, air support and ambulance to rescue them,” Cumbria Police posted on social media.

“Persons rescued after becoming incapable of walking due to cannabis use. MRT volunteers putting themselves at risk to prevent harm.”

The group were brought down to safety by the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, a group of volunteers that support the emergency services in the area, at 9:45pm.

Cumbria Police warned walkers about the dangers of taking alcohol or any other impairing substances onto a mountain.

“We received a 999 emergency call at approximately 6:30pm” a Cumbria Police spokesperson said.

“Unfortunately a group of four people who were on Scafell Pike had run into difficulty.


“Cumbria Constabulary liaised the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team who were able to bring them down to safety at 9:45pm.”

Persons rescued after becoming incapable of walking due to cannabis use. MRT volunteers putting themselves at risk to prevent harm.

— Cumbria Police (@Cumbriapolice) September 23, 2017
North Cumbria Superintendent, Justin Bibby, warned walkers to “never underestimate the mountain and always prepare before setting out”.

He added: “Mountain safety is your responsibility, bring the right equipment and food, and know how to use it. Our priority is your safety.

“The mountain rescue team had a particularly busy day yesterday dealing with this incident.

“They are volunteers, they do an amazing job and are always there to assist those who get into difficulty.

“Taking alcohol or any other substance that could impair your judgement significantly increases your risk of getting into trouble. It has no place on a mountain.”

The Lake District Search And Mountain Rescue Association (LDSAMRA), the umbrella body for mountain rescue teams in Cumbria, said such callouts were “becoming a joke”.

Social media users have criticised the “idiotic” group, with one posting on Cumbria Police’s Facebook page: “There should be a mandatory financial charge for this sort of thing.”

I find it hard to believe that they are completely unable to walk because of cannabis use. Like blaming someone’s morning coffee for 1/2

— NIBLO (@niblomusic) September 23, 2017

That's what the group rang and told the police and MRT agree seems an excessive incapacitation

— Copeland Police (@CopelandPolice) September 24, 2017
Alison Mortimer wrote: “Surely when there is culpability, the emergency services are able to charge for their services? All credit to those who get called out tonight to ‘rescue’ these idiots.”


“Really? What bloody idiots. They should pay you for rescuing them in these circumstances,” commented another.

They got the chronic heebie jeebies, panicked and pushed the button. They should have put on some Allman Brothers, chilled out and walked back down.

Kids can't hold de smoke.

 

[Krazy]

Thanks for the news links everyone.

...traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress... debilitating migraines, vertigo and crippling depression....I sought care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Crap, that's me!

England's highest mountain...Cannabis smokers had to be rescued from Scafell Pike... 3,209 ft peak

If I went down 3,209 ft I would still be higher than England's highest mountain, lol,.

 

[His_Highness]

Cannabis smokers 'incapable of walking' rescued from England's highest mountain

WTF!?!?! I've been using cannabis for more than 4 decades and never experienced anything like not being able to walk. Not wanting to walk...sure. Not being able to walk...never. And never had a case of the "paranoids" so severe I was incapacitated. Hell...I've used LSD back in the day and even that couldn't mentally stop me from walking. What the heck were they smoking? Was elevation a factor somehow?

Geez...I hate it when something like this makes us cannabis consumers look so stupid.

 

[CarolKing]

I could see that happening with edibles. These folks must be newbies to weed.

I've never heard a story like this in WA state where I live. They mountain climb here too and cannabis is legal.

 

[His_Highness]

I could see that happening with edibles. These folks must be newbies to weed.

Good point on the edibles ... I saw the term "smoking" and did ass-u-me that was the method used.

 

[CarolKing]

September 26, 2017
Acting DEA chief Rosenberg is stepping down


Chuck Rosenberg, who has been the acting administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration since 2015, said Tuesday he’ll be leaving the job.

That means President Donald Trump will get to appoint a successor.

It also means the DEA could reverse course on a cannabis-related policy announced in August 2016 to grant more research permits to scientists who want to study marijuana.
That along with several other policy points, has led Rosenberg to butt heads with other members of the Trump administration, The Washington Post reported.

Just last month, news broke that the Justice Department, led by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, has been stifling the issuance of those cannabis research permits that the DEA promised over a year ago.

Although it’s not clear who will succeed Rosenberg, one strong possibility is Col. Joseph Fuentes, head of the New Jersey State Police, the Post reported.

Daily News | Briefs | National Medical Cannabis Business & Marijuana Legal News

Im assuming he will appoint someone who is anti cannabis. That's what he's done with every other appointee. He's made sure it was the worst choice possible. Like the secretary of Education and the head of the EPA. Expect the worst and hope for the best IMO.
CK

 

[psychonaut]

Pot Brownie Scare Prompts Call For Air Ambulance At Modesto School

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2017/09/26/modesto-school-pot-brownies/

 

[BabyFacedFinster]

Pot Brownie Scare Prompts Call For Air Ambulance At Modesto School

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2017/09/26/modesto-school-pot-brownies/

One student was left practically paralyzed? Makes you wonder if there was more in those brownies besides pot.

Plus, the article reads like it was written by a middle school student.