California Medical Marijuana Study Calls Government Claims B.S.

A new Study from the Center for Medical Cannabis Research at UC San Diego calls the federal government out for promoting false claims that cannabis has no medical value or that safety information is lacking. Those engaged in L.A. medical marijuana defense couldn’t agree more.

The L.A. Weekly reports that the study, “Medical Marijuana: Clearing Away the Smoke,” which was published in this month’s Open Neurology Journal, found there are plenty of legitimate uses for medical marijuana, including “treatment of painful peripheral neuropathy and muscle spasticity from conditions such as multiple sclerosis.”

The study noted an oral THC — the active ingredient in marijuana — is legal and is used to control nausea and promote weight gain in patients with very serious illnesses, like cancer and HIV.

A number of interested parties have pushed the government to re-examine its classification of marijuana. Under federal law, marijuana is a Schedule I narcotic — a class reserved for hardcore drugs, like heroin. According to the federal government, cannabis has “no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.”

Meanwhile, the feds have used such willful ignorance to justify cracking down on legally operating business that are engaged in the distribution of medical marijuana to patients in California in accordance with state law. Voters in California in 1996 legalized the use of medical marijuana for medical purposes.

Just last month, Reuters reported the feds arrested six people associated with a chain of medical marijuana shops in Southern California.

The truth of the matter is that all marijuana collectives and dispensaries can benefit by sound legal advice. Having an experienced L.A. marijuana defense firm in your corner is vital to protecting your business interests and can even be vital to protecting your freedom. From your articles of incorporation and paperwork for non-profit status, to dealing with municipal ordinances and restrictions, it’s those dispensaries that invest in sound legal help that will have the best chance to survive and thrive.

G3 Holistic Inc. had three marijuana dispensaries in the Inland Empire region, which is located in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, east of Los Angeles. Defendants face a host of charges, including conspiracy to manufacture and possess marijuana.

Researchers contend marijuana more closely resembles a Schedule III narcotic, such as codeine. These medicines, while controlled, have recognized and legitimate medical uses.

Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have approved medical marijuana.

However, after initially saying enforcement of federal law would not be a priority in state’s where medical marijuana is legal, the Obama Administration has taken a tougher stance. In the last year, federal authorities throughout California have used a number of tactics to pressure marijuana operators, including threatening landlords with property seizure, challenging a collective’s non-profit status, pressuring banks to stop doing business with marijuana-related businesses, and using the Internal Revenue Service to add pressure.

The CANNABIS LAW GROUP offers experienced and aggressive representation to the medical marijuana industry in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California — including growers, dispensaries and collectives, patients and those facing marijuana charges. Call 949-375-4734 for a confidential consultation to discuss your rights.