The Right to Know. The Right to Grow.
Puff on the Ballot Says OK Lawmakers
Oklahoma’s attempt to get marijuana legalization onto November’s ballot is moving forward this Monday. The state’s more conservative proclivities, along with a 90-day window to collect the necessary 160,000 votes and limited funding to get the petitions out effectively, mean that proponents for the initiative should be ready for a fight.
However, should it make it onto the ballot and then into the law books, the proposed measure would be sweeping with legalization of growing marijuana, possession, and distribution all covered in the legalization effort. Additionally, Oklahoma would export marijuana as a cash crop to other states where it is legal.
PTSD Research Suffers Setback
It seems that medical marijuana research is set to lose one of its brightest stars. Huffington Post is reporting that medical marijuana researcher and advocate, Sue Sisley, has been declared a surplus to University of Arizona requirements and will not have her contract renewed next year.
It is curious that Sisley’s dismissal comes hot on the heels of her dust up with Arizona Republican state senator, Kimberly Yee, who blocked a proposal that would infuse $6million of state-collected fees taken from medical marijuana dispensaries and patients into medical research.
Florida Medical Marijuana Gets Substantial Green Injection
Money continues to flow in from different quarters as pro- and anti-medical marijuana legalization campaigns heat up in Florida. Most recently, the Marijuana Business Daily reports that John Morgan, a lawyer and chief proponent of the measure to get medical marijuana legalized, has dropped another $4 million on a “Yes to 2” advertising campaign for Amendment 2.
The recent sum eclipses the $2.5 million given by Sheldon Adelson to block the amendment. With polls suggesting that 88% of Floridians support medical marijuana, it could be $4million well spent.
Oregon Up and Running
Regulate it. Legalize it. Tax it. Oregon’s pro-legalization campaign is gearing up after New Approach Oregon opened its headquarters recently. The efforts have been backed up with the launch of its advertising campaign. Should their labors prove successful, the Beaver State is hoping to get marijuana legalized on the 2014 ballot.
Evergreen State Struggles to Get Green
It might be legal, but it looks like it might be tough to come by in Washington State. The Associated Press is reporting that a slew of stops and starts in laying the infrastructure critical to recreational marijuana sales are hampering the efforts to get product to market.
Inundated with marijuana growing applications (over 2,600 reportedly) which have to be approved in order to stock stores, and snafus (both by officials and applicants) in opening the stores, means that there will more than likely be a shortage of both product and places to buy it when July 8 (Opening Day) rolls around. Maybe Oklahoma will be able to bale them out…
Two More to Tango
Two more powerful voices have spoken up regarding different marijuana legalization efforts. Federal Judge Richard Posner has weighed in, insisting that marijuana (as well as other Schedule I and II substances) should be decriminalized, regulated and taxed.
Former President, Bill Clinton, has also given his opinion, stipulating that enough evidence exists for an argument in favor of legal medical marijuana, but regulation should be observed as well as the states’ rights to enforce whether or not they decide to allow it.
Think we missed something important this week? Comment below, let us know. Happy 4th of July, everyone!
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