On this:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/denver-man-arrested-on-suspicion-of-murder-in-wifes-death/

They forgot to mention the guy had taken multiple painkillers before his smoke.  For what that's worth.


Also, sorry for lack of updates.  But I'm still here!  Just working on something big!

Medical Marijuana in Nevada goes live today!

While in some counties, it's still a long way off to be able to purchase from a dispensary, the state's legislation allowing medical marijuana is now in effect.  While dispensaries are still several months away from being opened, the fact remains that as of today, such operations are legal in Nevada.

The interesting part of this legislation is that the legislation calls for a system of taxes to be implemented.  The wholesale from growers to dispensaries will be taxed (% at this time is unknown).  The purchase of medicine by patients at a dispensary will also be taxed (2%, as well as state sales tax).  No other state with a legal medical marijuana program taxes its patients (although Massachusetts plans on doing so, if my memory serves me correctly), and in states with legal recreational marijuana, citizens with medical marijuana cards don't even have to pay state sales tax, let alone a flat tax just because they're buying marijuana.

Fascinating legislation, however.

D.C city council votes to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana

What's interesting is that due to D.C laws, Congress has the right to review the bill and veto it or pass it if they see fit.  If this is put into law, and certain congressmen vote in favor of it, but vote against marijuana initiatives (such as funding cannabis research on veterans suffering from PTSD), or come from states that oppose cannabis initiatives, or even are members of the party that is against cannabis 200%, this November could become VERY interesting.

Some congressmen will have an extremely difficult question to answer come election time, should this go through.

Maryland legalizes medical marijuana

Yesterday Maryland's senate passed a legalization bill for medical marijuana.  A few weeks back, the state's house of representatives passed a similar bill, and now representatives from both bodies will meet to sort out the differences between the bills and present it to Democratic Governor Mark O'Malley.

I'm tempted to say that the dominoes are starting to fall at a much quicker rate than I'd anticipated.

political update

so there have been a few things going on politically that needs to be posted here, that I've found out:

1. Utah has legalized medical marijuana - partially.  Between this July and December 31st of next year, it is legal to possess CBD oils if you are the parent of a child who is documented as having severe epilepsy.  Prescriptions can only be written by a neurologist, which then is sent to the state's department of health, who in turn allows potential patients to apply for a wavier to pay the state a $400 hemp extract fee.  They are then placed on a waiting list.  The extract must have at least 15% CBD, and no more than .03% THC.

Author's note: As I don't provide my own opinion on political matters, I will not comment on the glaring holes in the law.  However, I can state that since the bill did not establish any sort of growing program (in theory, parents of said children would procure the oil from nearby Colorado) and instead is only legalizing patients the ability to actually possess or use it, those transporting the legalized oil across state lines will still be subject to Federal law.  How that isn't legal due to hemp being legal (and strains with very small traces of THC can technically be classified as hemp), is anyone's guess.  

2. New Hampshire's house of representatives last year voted to write a legalization bill, before turning over it to the state's tax committee.  The committee recommended against passing the bill, due to it not giving the state enough controls to properly regulate the distribution of the plant.  In a 192-140 decision, the house of representatives rejected the bill.  Last week, the same house voted to decriminalize small amounts (under 1 ounce), but that will more than likely be vetoed by the governor, who has vowed to veto any pro-marijuana legislation that arrives at her desk.

3. Also, the US House of Representatives voted against funding the research on medical marijuana for veterans.  After a University of Arizona psychology professor was granted permission to conduct said research last week, Arizona's own representative lashed out at the proposal, and it was ultimately defeated.

New Jersey state senator introduces recreational legalization bill

Not to take a break from the investments post (which is already huge and growing), but today marked another landmark in the movement to get recreational marijuana legalized throughout the US.  New Jersey state senator Nicholas Scutari announced a bill to legalize marijuana, tax it, and regulate it like alcohol - meaning it would be legal for those 21 and older.  Individual counties and towns would be able to ban storefronts selling the plant.  No word yet on the tax the state would place on the purchase, but Scutari's plan revolves around the tax revenue such legislation would create, pointing to Colorado's recently announced revenues from legal sales in January as a reason to legalize the plant.

Naturally, Governor Christie, a longtime advocate of the war on drugs and GOP presidential hopeful, has come out against the bill (naturally), and will try to stop it from being passed.

University of Arizona researcher receives federal approval to research the use of marijuana for suffers of PTSD

The investments post is coming.  I promise.  But...I saw this this morning on Google news and I had to re-post it, being an alumnus of said University and all (Bear Down, Cats!).

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/03/marijuana_news_feds_approve_un.html

What's interesting is that there is already a school that is allowed to research medicinal marijuana, the University of Mississippi (Ole' Miss).  However, they are severely limited in what they can do.  Also, the fact that it's illegal for anyone to transport anything across state lines (even extracts) really limits the impact the lab can have.   

But more on this later.  Back to the investments post!