Posts Tagged ‘Medical Marijuana’

D.C. Expects Medical Marijuana by 2012

Posted on: August 2nd, 2011  |  No Comments

Like the neighbor to the North, New Jersey, the District of Columbia is still without a functioning medical marijuana program, despite passing the law over a year ago.

Now D.C. officials are expecting to roll out the program by the summer of 2012.

The District, like the other states with a medical marijuana law, have paid great attention to “The Justice Department Memo”. The memo offers no clear guidance to states wanting to protect its citizens, and its businesses.

…prosecution of individuals with cancer or other serious illnesses who use marijuana as part of a recommended treatment regimen consistent with applicable state law… is unlikely to be an efficient use of limited federal resources. On the other hand, prosecution of commercial enterprises that unlawfully market and sell marijuana for profit continues to be an enforcement priority of the Department.



The Justice Department further alludes that state licensed dispensaries may be used to conceal illicit drug trafficking efforts, and a claim of compliance with state laws should not deter federal law enforcement officials.

D.C. officials are hopeful that they will be able to implement a program wherein the dispensaries that are critical to the program will be able to function legally, and without federal interference. There will be as many as 10 dispensaries under the D.C. law.

Read the full story at The Washington Post »

New Jersey Medical Marijuana Law Finally Showing Signs of Life

Posted on: August 2nd, 2011  |  No Comments

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has indicated that he is now prepared to allow New Jersey’s medical marijuana law to move forward, after receiving indication from the Federal government that Justice Department is not looking to prosecute users of medical marijuana that are in compliance of state laws regulating the substance. New Jersey has one of the more stringent of the sixteen programs in the country.

While this announcement is a boon for patients waiting for relief from medical marijuana, by the time they get their first prescription filled, they will have waited for almost two years. Christie opponents have criticized the Republican governor for stalling the process. Gov. Christie, however, says that the delays were necessary to ensure that New Jersey citizens were not subjecting themselves to federal prosecution.

Once the program is up and running at full speed, patients will be able to access marijuana from one of six state sanctioned dispensaries, and must suffer from a narrow class of specific diseases.

Read more at The New York Times »

Medical Marijuana: Good for your Health, Bad for your Career?

Posted on: August 30th, 2010  |  No Comments

On August 29, The New York Times highlighted a growing concern among those who legally use medical marijuana to treat a variety of illnesses in states that allow such treatment:

“The current state of affairs puts employers in a very difficult situation,” said Barbara L. Johnson, an employment lawyer in Washington. “But the reality is that there are no federal guidelines like there are when dealing with other types of prescription medications.”

Some workers have learned about this legal quandary first-hand, at the cost of their jobs.”

Employees who need help with confronting unfair workplace practices involving the use of medical substances or any other concerns may consider hiring a reputable attorney.

How far will this progress? Will legal marijuana smokers not longer be able to drive? Can they work at a day care center? Will they lose their security clearance?

Read the full story at The New York Times »

Colorado works to legitimize a quickly expanding Medical Marijuana industry

Posted on: August 9th, 2010  |  No Comments

Read article at the Washington Post

Colorado chief revenue enforcer, Matt Cook, seeks to set the national standard for Medical Marijuana regulation. Colorado has one of the biggest Medical Marijuana industries in the country, with hundreds of dispensaries (proposed legislation in D.C., for example, will permit up to eight dispensaries in the district). Extensive paperwork and expensive licensing requirements will soon be part of the Colorado marijuana landscape, and while it will likely put a number of small dispensaries out of business, many in the industry believe the regulations will bring stability and respectability.

The Colorado model may be the standard looked to by a quickly growing number of states that are enacting medical marijuana laws.

Download a pdf version here