Hemp News

The debate over medical marijuana is nothing new, but it has been picking up momentum lately, as more states move towards legalized control over the system. If you want to learn more about the medical ethics, benefits and uses of marijuana, as well as the research and court cases surrounding legalization, check out these 30 blogs.

Legal and News

Get state news, national regulation concern, and other news about the legal and business side of medical marijuana.

1. NORML Blog: The campaign to reform marijuana laws is tracked and promoted on this blog. Recommended posts: "I Gots Mine: Dispensary Owners Against Marijuana Legalization" and "California’s Prop 19: A Word-for-Word Analysis."

By Steve Elliott, Toke of the Town/Special to Hemp News

Joseph Casias said on Tuesday that it was unfair of WalMart to fire him for legally using marijuana to treat his cancer pain.

With the backing of state and national branches of the American Civil Liberties Union and his attorney, Daniel Grow, Casias said he filed a lawsuit Tuesday morning in Calhoun County Circuit Court against WalMart Stores Inc for wrongful termination last November, reports the Battle Creek Enquirer.

The 30-year-old Battle Creek, Mich, cancer patient had undergone a routine drug screening after hurting his knee on the job last year. The test showed that Casias had marijuana in his system and he was fired, even though he is registered as a legal medical marijuana patient in Michigan.

Joseph Casias: "They threw me away after all I did"
"I really cared and I wanted to become something there," Casias told Toke of the Town. "I gave them everything. Anything they asked me to do, I did. More than they asked me to do."

"I tried my best; I gave all I could to them and they always talked about 'family.' And they threw me away after all I did," Joseph told us.

"For some people, working at WalMart is just a job, but for me, it was a way of life," Casias said. "I came to WalMart for a better opportunity for my family and I worked hard and proved myself. I just want the opportunity to continue my work."

"I feel like I'm being treated like a felon," he said.

By Michael Bachara, Larry L.K. Kirk and Nick Scranton, Hemp News Staff

On Saturday, June 26, organizers from across the state celebrated the 1st Annual Tacoma Hempfest at Wright Park.

The weather was perfect for a day out as thousands converged and brought attention to the cannabis plant, as well as highlighting the injustice done to Canadian citizen Marc Emery who many feel is wrongly incarcerated in the United States for selling seeds.

"Free Marc Emery" was the chant that could be heard throughout the day in opposition to his incarceration.

Musical acts and keynote speakers such Seattle Hempfest core member Vivian McPeak also inspired the crowd with moving dedications to fallen warrior Jack Herer, by declaring, "Every generation that comes along, it becomes necessary for somebody to step forward who can articulate a message of freedom and hope and show us a pathway away from tyranny to liberty. For this generation that was Jack Herer." He went on by stating, "Jack literally gave his life to the cannabis movement; he refused to stop!"

Source: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1357235412964

Source: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1350444443194

Source: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1344511694879

Hemp News - There is a truth that must be heard!


D. Paul Stanford - THCF/CRRH
http://www.hemp.org



Melodie Silverwolf - THCF
http://hemp.org




Anna Diaz - Oregon NORML/NORML Women's Alliance
http://ornorml.org


Michael Bachara - THCF/CRRH
http://www.hemp.org




Urb Thrasher - Urbage Designs/Urb Thrasher
http://www.urbagedesigns.com & http://urbthrasher.com




Stephanie Bishop - Seattle Hempfest/HeartBrain Hemp
http://heartbrainhemp.com




David Piller - Hemp for Humanity
http://hempforhumanity.blogspot.com




Phillip Leveque M.D. - THCF/Salem-News
http://salem-news.com




Larry Kirk - THCF/Oregon NORML
http://ornorml.org




Michael Kirk - THCF/Oregon NORML
http://ornorml.org




Nick Scranton - THCF/Oregon NORML
http://ornorml.org




Ms. Sylence Dogood - CRRH
http://www.crrh.org




Steve Elliott - Toke of the Town
http://tokeofthetown.com




Bonnie King - Salem-News
http://salem-news.com




Tim King - Salem-News
http://salem-news.com




Paul Benhaim - Hemp Building Consultant
http://www.thehempbuilder.com




Jon Marsh - Hemp Consultant
http://www.thehempconsultants.com

By Ms. Sylence Dogood, Hemp News Staff

A distinct variety of the plant species Cannabis sativa L., the hemp plant is harvested for its fibers, seed, seed meal and seed oil. Marijuana is a group of flowering plants that includes three species of Cannabis, all indigenous to Central Asia and surrounding regions, but both Hemp and Cannabis can be readily grown in many regions throughout the world.

There have been over eight million Cannabis arrests in the United States since 1993, including 786,545 arrests in 2005, and Cannabis users have been arrested at the rate of 1 every 40 seconds. Statistics show that about 88% of all marijuana arrests are for simple possession, not manufacture or distribution, according to FBI Uniform Crimes Report. Large-scale marijuana growing operations are frequently targeted by police in raids to attack the supply side and discourage the spread and marketing of the drug, though the great majority of those who are in prison for cannabis are either there for simple possession or small scale dealing.

Because hemp is the ultimate cash crop, producing more fiber, food and oil than any other plant on the planet.

By Paul Stanford, THCF/CRRH

According to the Notre Dame University publication, The Midland Naturalist, from a 1975 article called, "Feral Hemp in Southern Illinois," about the wild hemp fields that annual efforts from law enforcement eradication teams cannot wipe out, an acre of hemp produces:

1. 8,000 pounds of hemp seed per acre.

* When cold-pressed, the 8,000 pounds of hemp seed yield over 300 gallons of hemp seed oil and a byproduct of
* 6,000 pounds of high protein hemp flour.

"It seemed like hemp needed a voice, we figured we'd be it." Folk Uke

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Staff

Folk Uke is an eclectic acoustic folk duo comprised of Cathy Guthrie and Amy Nelson featuring unique harmonies and sharp, often biting wit. The chemistry that flows between these two musically gifted individuals is obvious and their families contributions have helped to shape our nation.

You may not hear Folk Uke on the radio, since their songs have been described as inappropriate, off-color, explicit, not ready for mainstream and NSFW(Not Safe For Work). Nevertheless their fan base is growing daily and put on an entertaining set. Their humor is contagious and their self depricating banter keeps the crowd thoroughly entertained. The songs they sing may be explicit, but they are intelligent and entertaining.

This extraordinary duo were inspired by many of the greats of the Folk, Country, and Americana genres. Their favorite chords are C, F, and G. So, if you'd like to play along, well, its that easy.

"We must go beyond the arrogance of human rights. We must go beyond the ignorance of civil rights. We must step into the reality of natural rights because all of the natural world has a right to existence and we are only a small part of it. There can be no trade-off." John Trudell

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Staff

The following video slideshow is a compilation of animated photographs taken at the Hemp and Cannabis Foundation's Medicinal Gardens in October 2009. The slideshow is accompanied by the soft cadence of the song "Grassfire" by John Trudell and his band Bad Dog.

Fruitful Harvest Shared Among Patients Seeking Natural Alternative to Prescription Medicine

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Staff

Hemp News recently made a visit to experience a legal medical cannabis garden managed by the Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (THCF) in Portland, Oregon. We spent some time with growers, patients, and community members, in an attempt to shed light on the subject of medical cannabis, and to document the THCF's efforts to help medical cannabis patients in the community.

"It took courageous people to stand up and question the prohibition against alcohol." Rick Steves, Marijuana Conversation

By D. Paul Stanford & Michael Bachara, Hemp News Staff

Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp (CRRH) and Oregon NORML have finished gathering the 1000 sponsorship signatures needed for the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2010 (OCTA) & Oregon Cannabis Tolerance Act 2010 (OCTA Light) petitions. These were turned in to the Oregon Secretary of State's office on September 21, 2009. We are currently waiting for official ballot titles from the state and should have them in the next few weeks. After polling, we will begin circulating one of the petitions across Oregon. We will need 100,000 valid signatures by July, 2, 2010 to qualify for the November 2010 election.

Activists had previously filed OCTA in 2008, but withdrew it when polling showed antipathy about the previous version placing cannabis sales in existing state liquor stores. Activists went back to the drawing board and came up with two versions.

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Staff

Hemp Activism Icon Jack Herer suffered a heart attack after delivering this passionate speech on stage at the Portland Hempstalk festival. There has been a fund set up at US Bank to help the Herer family in this difficult time. Simply go to any US Bank and advise the teller you are depositing into the JACK HERER DONATION FUND. Send Jack your energy, he will feel it!

Related:
Letter to Salem-News.com Jack Herer: 'My Wonderful Fortune'
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/september212009/laur_jack_9-20-09.php

Hemp Guru Jack Herer's Condition Critical But Stable http://www.salem-news.com/articles/september192009/jackherer_bk_09-19-09...

By Madeline Martinez for Hemp News

PORTLAND - A compelling mix of upbeat music, a cannabis law reform message and a focus on industrial hemp as the answer to many of our practical needs, the fifth annual Portland Hempstalk is set for 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, September 12th and 13th at Kelley Point Park, located at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.

Co-sponsored by The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation, Oregon NORML and Oregonians for Cannabis Reform, the event is free to attendees of all ages. With more than 15,000 people expected to attend, it will wrap up the summer festival season with a bang.

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Staff

Three events are taking place this weekend that give a glimpse into how far we have come in the fight for the freedom of Hemp and Cannabis. First, this Friday, August 14th marks the 500th episode of the show Cannabis Common Sense (CCS), the show that tells the truth about marijuana and the politics behind its prohibition.

Over the years, CCS has featured such guests as Josh Tickell, Filmmaker; Keith Stroup, Founder of NORML; Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director of NORML; Madeline Martinez, Director of Oregon NORML; Russ Belville, NORML Outreach Coordinator; Elvy Musikka, Medical Marijuana Activist; John Trudell, Musician/Activist; Jack Herer, Hemp Activist; Dr. Tod Mikuriya; Dr. Phillip Leveque; Dennis Kucinich, US House of Representatives; Tim Pate, Musician/Activist; and more.

CCS airs Friday nights at 8pm PST live from Portland Community Media in Portland, Oregon (channel 11), also rebroadcast across Oregon, Washington, and Colorado, and brought to you by The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (also the main sponsor of this weekend’s Seattle Hempfest— http://hempfest.org) and our political committee Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp (CRRH), advocating decriminalization of marijuana for medicinal, industrial, and recreational use. CRRH has developed a legislative model to legally regulate marijuana production and sales to adults called the Cannabis Tax Act.

By Ms Sylence Dogood, Hemp News Staff

Members of Oregon NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) and THCF (The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation) worked together recently, contributing to Oregon’s community outreach program Adopt-a-Highway.

Taking on the 2.5 mile stretch of Oregon Highway 26 in Gresham, from the intersection at Burnside and Powell to Stone Road, the group of volunteers cleaned up litter of all kinds, and bagged it for proper disposal.

Groups who participate in the Adopt-a-Highway cleanup program are recognized by their name displayed on signage marking their designated stretch of road. Oregon NORML now graces two signs on Highway 26, and believes this is just another step in achieving a closer connection to their community.

“Participation in the Adopt-a-Highway program gives us a great feeling of accomplishment,” said one of the Oregon NORML community outreach team members. “We hope that this inspires others in our area to continue good work in their own neighborhoods by not only cleaning up streets, but changing attitudes and defeating stereotypes. We do this because we care about our state.”

Fox speaks out about responsibility, collaboration, and legalization as a solution to the drug war raging in North and South America

By Ms Sylence Dogood, Hemp News Staff

Will the debate about the legalization and regulation of marijuana finally come to a breaking point? Will we actually see the freedom of choice to consume Cannabis restored? Not only are United States leaders beginning to talk drug law reform, but now the Latin American leaders are joining with the discussion. According to CNN, former Mexican President Vicente Fox and other members of the Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy have called for a renewed conversation between the United States and Mexico about the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. Realizing that the "drug war" is raging and the escalating violence is not the way to continue, Fox wants to move the way of American alcohol prohibition and re-legalize marijuana, taking the power out of the hands of the black market.

By Ms Sylence Dogood, Hemp News Staff

Get your bicycles ready and pack a few spare tubes and tires, because the 2009 Tour for Compassion is about to begin, and it’s gone international. Beginning May 15th, 2009 in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, the group plans to ride across the United States by bicycle to raise awareness about Medical Cannabis Patient Rights and Freedoms.

Group organizer Ken Locke hopes the ride will educate people to the benefits of the Cannabis plant. Locke, a Medical Cannabis patient himself, has shared his personal story of dealing with a life-altering injury and how Cannabis has helped him live a functional and healthy life, free from prescription medications. He states in his story, “My personal experience has convinced me that the Cannabis plant must be for the use of all mankind. To this end, I ride across the United States of America. I hope that my bike ride will bring about awareness of the beneficial and healthy effects of medical marijuana.”

It is Locke’s belief (shared with a growing number of Cannabis supporters around the globe) that the past 70 years have been filled with false education and misinformation about the Cannabis plant. It is his goal to show the United States that there is a place for Cannabis in our society, but believes a re-education must take place. He hopes that the 2009 Tour for Compassion will have even more impact than the last ride.

Oregon's largest city joins the state's third largest, in officially getting behind state laws on medical marijuana.

Oregon NORML Executive Director Madeline Martinez met with Portland Mayor Sam Adams to receive his signature on a proclamation by the City of Portland that May is Medical Marijuana Awareness Month. ( Download PDF ) This proclamation follows an earlier one by Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy proclaiming Medical Marijuana Awareness Week in that city.

The event was recorded by NBC affiliate KGW for the evening news broadcast. Reporters spoke with Madeline about the proclamation.

The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program is now closing in on 25,000 patients, plus caregivers and growers, who are not threatened by imprisonment for helping people treat themselves with "the safest therapeutically active substance known to man"*.

By Ms Sylence Dogood, Hemp News Staff

This editorial is in regards to the video (posted above) of the debate about the Legalization of Marijuana between Congressman Ron Paul (R) and Actor Stephen Baldwin.

When can we find someone who will debate against medical marijuana and/or legalization and regulation of marijuana for adults who actually has actually read any research, studies, and statistics which back up their arguments? This time the chosen spokesperson is the actor, Stephen Baldwin. Wait, what? Stephen Baldwin? Is he an expert in anything other than sophomoric comedy?

Kitsap County prosecutors begin their trial to imprison medical marijuana patient Bruce Olson. All concerned Washington citizens are invited to bear witness to this circus of horrors.

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Staff

Dear President Obama,

Governor Chris Gregoire, Washington

Alison Holcomb, Drug Policy Director WA ACLU,

Allen St. Pierre, Director, NORML

and all compassionate individuals,

Re: Bruce Olson v. Kitsap County

First, thank you for reading this letter; I understand your time is important. I am a concerned medical marijuana patient from Oregon, who has witnessed a great injustice to Bruce Olson and his entire family (Bruce Olson v. Kitsap County), and wanted to alert you to the deviant tactics being played by Kitsap County Deputy Prosecutor Alexis Foster, as well as ask for your help in this matter.

After reading about the case for months, and since I too am a medical marijuana patient, I decided to make the 200 mile trip to Kitsap County to show a fellow patient support. This case struck a chord with me because of the injuries involved to the family’s black Labrador dogs in carrying out the raid by the members of the WestNET drug task force, and also because the prosecution is full of deceit.

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Staff

The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that helps qualified medical marijuana patients inform and empower themselves to become legally protected.

THCF Medical Clinics have helped thousands of patients in eight states qualify for medical cannabis programs. Our medical doctors and knowledgeable, caring support staff can help you inform yourself about all aspects of your state's programs and laws, and negotiate through the process of becoming a certified medical cannabis patient.

Under state law in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, California, Nevada, Montana, Michigan and Hawaii, the following conditions qualify for medical marijuana permits: Chronic Severe Pain, Chronic Muscle Spasms, Multiple Sclerosis, Glaucoma, AIDS/HIV, Cancer, GERD, IBS, Asthma, Arthritis, Cachexia, Hepatitis C, Crohn's Disease, Chronic Nausea, Seizure Disorders, Parkinson's Disease and many others.

Before you visit the clinic – BECOMING A PATIENT

Our physicians require that each patient have current medical records that document the existence of one of the conditions for which medical marijuana is authorized under their state law. You must either obtain your medical records yourself (which may involve a fee) and bring them in to us, or you may authorize that your medical records be faxed or mailed to one of our offices.

By Lanny Swerdlow, THCF

January 17 marks the one year anniversary of the opening of the THCF Medical Clinic - the first cannabis therapeutics clinic in the Inland Empire. Since the first day, the clinic has provided medical marijuana recommendations to over 500 patients, effectively and safely treating a variety of ailments from arthritis to depression to chronic pain.

Located at 647 Main St. in Riverside, the clinic is centrally located within the Inland Empire and has become the center of medical marijuana activism in the region. On the first Wednesday of every month, a meeting of a medical marijuana patient support group organizes patients to protect their rights under California state law, works to make medicine more accessible and furthers public understanding of medical marijuana law.

The clinic offers a free seminar to the general public every Friday at 8 p.m. entitled The Anti-Aging and Health Benefits of Marijuana. The clinic also sponsors the first and only marijuana radio show ever to be broadcast over the nation’s airwaves on radio station KCAA in San Bernardino.

To celebrate the one year anniversary, the THCF Clinic is hosting a one year anniversary party on Saturday, Jan. 17 open to the general public. The highlight of the celebration will be the presentation of plaque of honor to California medical marijuana pioneer Anna Boyce.

Cannabis Common Sense - Featuring Allen F. St. Pierre Executive Director, NORML and The NORML Foundation

By Michael Bachara, Hemp News Staff

In this episode of Cannabis Common Sense (#473) guest Allen St. Pierre of NORML, Tim Pate and host Paul Stanford hold an intellectual conversation on the changing face of cannabis reform in America.

Allen is the Executive Editor of NORML/The NORML Foundation's reports, publications and webpage as well as the organizations' archivist and has been a speaker at our own Hempstalk Festival. It was an honor to have him attend the show and speak his mind about marijuana politics in our nation.

We look forward to having him as a guest in the future.

Guests:
Paul Stanford THCF/CRRH
Madeline Martinez, Oregon NORML
Tim Pate, Musical Activist