#NORML #News Source: @norml @WeedConnection Posted By: norml@weedconnection.com media :: news - Tue, 08 Mar 2016 04:20:21 PST
Canadian Court: Government Can't Prohibit Patients' Rights To Grow Cannabis
Vancouver, British Columbia: A federal court in Canada has ruled that government officials cannot prohibit physician-authorized patients from growing their own supply of medical cannabis.
The decision, Allard et al. v Her Majesty the Queen, strikes down regulations enacted in 2013 that sought to take away patients' longstanding authority to grow personal use quantities of cannabis. The court opined that the regulations unduly infringed upon patients' liberties and that they were "not in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice."
The ruling provides Parliament with six months to create new rules governing the regulation and distribution of medical cannabis in a manner that no longer requires patients to obtain medicine solely from federally licensed, private third party providers.
NORML Canada's John Conroy served as lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the case, while NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano served as an expert witness and filed an affidavit in the case.
Canadian officials first legalized the physician authorized use, possession, and home cultivation of medical marijuana in 2001. Those regulations were significantly amended in 2013 in a manner that sought to prohibit qualified patients from continuing to receive cannabis from Health Canada or from growing it themselves.
Last year, newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to amend Canada's marijuana laws in a manner that regulates the plant's use and sale for all adults.
Australia: Parliament Votes To Permit Medical Marijuana Production
Canberra, Australia: Australian lawmakers approved legislation last week to permit the licensed production and distribution of cannabis to qualified patients.
The measure amends the Narcotic Drugs Act of 1967 to allow "for the cultivation and production of cannabis and cannabis resin for medicinal and scientific purposes," and to authorize "a state or territory government agency to undertake [in the] cultivation and production of cannabis and [in the] manufacture of medicinal cannabis products."
The move by Parliament follows recent efforts by several Australian territories to provide patients participating in clinical trials with access to the plant.
"This is an historic day for Australia and the many advocates who have fought long and hard to challenge the stigma around medicinal cannabis products so genuine patients are no longer treated as criminals," Minister for Health Susan Ley said in a statement. "This is the missing piece in a patient's treatment journey and will now see seamless access to locally-produced medicinal cannabis products from farm to pharmacy."
Government officials still need to develop and approve regulations for the new program before any production licenses can be issued.
Colorado: Denver NORML Files Ballot Measure To Permit Marijuana Social Clubs
Denver, CO: The Denver Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Denver NORML) filed a municipal initiative this week to authorize the establishment of private, licensed marijuana clubs within the city of Denver.
"Denver residents and visitors alike need places other than private homes to legally and responsibly enjoy legal marijuana with other adults," said Jordan Person, executive director of Denver NORML.
Proponents will need to gather just under 5,000 signatures to place the measure before a public vote this November.
If approved, the measure would permit licensed establishments and social events to allow for the consumption of marijuana by those age 21 or older. Authorized facilities would not be permitted to sell or dispense cannabis. Bars, nightclubs and restaurants would not become eligible to become private marijuana clubs under the proposed ordinance.
More information @ responsibleusedenver.com
Poll: 60 Percent of Likely California Voters Support Initiative Effort To Legalize Adult Marijuana Use
Sacramento, CA: A majority of likely California voters say they intend to vote 'yes' this November for an initiative to regulate the retail production and sale of marijuana by adults, according to the results of a Probolsky Research poll.
Sixty percent of respondents say that they will vote in favor of an initiative this November "that would legalize marijuana for recreational use under California law and allow government to tax" its retail sales. Thirty-seven percent said that they would vote 'no.'
Support was strongest among those between the ages of 18 to 34 (80 percent) and self-identified Democrats (69 percent). Republicans (38 percent) and those over the age of 65 (46 percent) were least likely to express support.
The Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), which is expected to appear on the November ballot, permits adults to legally grow (up to six plants) and possess personal use quantities of cannabis (up to one ounce of flower and/or up to eight grams of concentrate) while also licensing commercial cannabis production and retail sales. California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is backing the measure, as are the California Medical Association and the state chapter of the NAACP.
On February 20, the NORML Board of Directors endorsed the AUMA, along with separate initiatives that are anticipated to appear on the November 2016 ballot in Massachusetts, Nevada, and Arizona, as well as medical use initiatives expected to appear on the ballot in Missouri and Florida.
