A 1970 federal law classified marijuana as a drug akin in seriousness to LSD and heroin. As such, criminal penalties for possession and sale have been extremely harsh. The move has long been criticized and is becoming even more problematic as states legalize marijuana for medicinal and recreational use. One…
Growing pot at home and in residential areas is posing serious health and property risks in Colorado. According to lawmakers, firefighters, and industry experts, amateur growing of marijuana in kitchens and basements has resulted in the rise of home explosions. Laboratories use flammable chemicals to extract potent drops of concentrate…
Selling legal marijuana has different implications than selling marijuana on the black market. Similarly, distributing medical marijuana has different requirements than from selling recreational-use marijuana. According to Business Week, pot sellers in Washington State are lobbying against a marijuana market. Though the state legalized recreational marijuana last year, a 1998…
Patchwork marijuana laws have made the U.S. feel like two different countries–one where legalization has paved the way for recreational use, and another where local law enforcement agencies continue to invest in the investigation and prosecution of marijuana crimes. A well-known and respected travel writer who is also a proponent…
Critics often claim newer strains of marijuana are much stronger and potentially more dangerous. In a recent case, a state appellate court in Sacramento recently ruled that “concentrated cannabis” qualifies as marijuana for purposes of medical use. The decision was made unanimously by a three-justice panel. The Third District Court…
Medical researchers are investing significant time and resources to study the advantages of marijuana treatments. In a recent study, two cannabis components have been found to have a significant effect on the size of cancerous tumors in the brain. The treatment is especially effective when combined with radiotherapy, according to…
Native American tribal lands are not held to the same standards as state and even federal lands, but are they permissible to grow marijuana? According to reports, the first tribally-sanctioned marijuana cultivation operation in Northern California, and perhaps the nation, was announced this month. This follows the Obama administration’s new…
One of the primary issues for marijuana legalization opponents is the potential public health risks, including addiction. While four states have now legalized pot for recreational use, others have decriminalized possession and paved the way for medical use. But is pot really addictive? Does it have chemically additive quality? Is…
In California and nationwide, the world’s most powerful entrepreneurs and innovators are getting behind the marijuana business. According to recent reports, co-founder of Paypal, Peter Theil, is investing millions of dollars in a Seattle-based marijuana venture. Even though marijuana is still considered illegal under federal law, entrepreneurs have seen their…
Marijuana is a leading treatment to help prevent epileptic seizures. In addition to research on the benefits of marijuana use, scientists are also studying how to predict when someone with epilepsy could have a seizure. According to reports, researchers won a contest for data scientists after studying brain activity to…