Medical Marijuana in California

December 6, 2014

New Drug Could Curb Chronic Marijuana Use?

Medical marijuana proponents have found countless ways that properties of the plant can be used to treat physical and mental conditions. With more funds being invested into treatment potential, more patients are being offered medical marijuana alternatives to pharmaceuticals. What about a drug to treat marijuana dependence? With all of the talk about the benefits of medical marijuana, many still see the drug as hazardous with the potential to create dependent and addicted users. According to research, a new medication may become available to induce a natural marijuana high, in effect curbing marijuana use.

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According to reports, medical researchers are developing a medication useful in replenishing the supply of a molecule that activates cannabinoid receptors in the brain. In addition to becoming an alternative to the use of marijuana, proponents of the drug say that it may also be an answer in relieving mood, anxiety, and other emotional disorders. A team of researchers at Vanderbilt argue that the drug could help marijuana users who are dependent on the drug.
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December 4, 2014

Marijuana Can Help Fight Alzheimer’s

By Cannabis Law Group

Every year, Alzheimer’s impacts the lives of millions of Americans. In addition to the victims of Alzheimer’s, the families and loved ones of patients are devastating by the effects of the debilitating disease. Medical researchers, patients, and their loved ones, are growing enthusiastic about the potential for the treatment of Alzheimer’s with cannabis. New research has also bolsters claims that the compounds in cannabis can be effective in the treatment of Alzheimer’s. In the September issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s, a recent study was published with support for previous evidence that THC can be therapeutic in treating the disease.

According to public health reports, more than five million American’s suffer from Alzheimer’s. More than one in three seniors will die with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. The disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and cost the nation approximately $203 billion in 2013. Due to the significant impact that the condition has on patients and their families throughout the nation, a significant amount of attention has been paid to potential methods of treating or curbing the effects of Alzheimer’s.
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December 3, 2014

Tips for California Marijuana Entrepreneurs

By Cannabis Law Group

Nationwide, marijuana enthusiasts and smart entrepreneurs are looking in to cash-in on the growing pot industry. Depending on the state, some of these individuals and entities have already been laying the groundwork, using states like Colorado and Washington as models for potential successes and failures in the marijuana industry. For-profit ideas have included food and other marijuana products, delivery services, bed and breakfasts, and other businesses in a variety of industries, including service, real estate, and retail. In California, marijuana is still not available for medical use, but those in the business–or those who want to be a part of the business–can begin to take advice from leaders in the industry. They should also still be wary of the potential for criminal liability in the marijuana business, even if it is decriminalized in the state.

Those considering joining the industry have come from all walks of life, from successful business persons to truck drivers, service workers, and executives. Some want to launch online businesses, others are looking to create skin care and beauty products. With more possibilities and growing consumer awareness of the potential benefits of marijuana products, individuals and entities nationwide are working to learn the tricks of the trade. What are some of the important secrets for would-be cannabis businesses owners? Here are a few tips:
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November 29, 2014

New Study Linking Addiction and Marijuana

By Cannabis Law Group

There are many drugs that are known for their highly addictive qualities: cocaine, pharmaceuticals, alcohol, even cigarettes. Addiction and chemical dependency are dangerous and can threaten the health and quality of life for users, but diagnosing and treating physical addiction can be complicated. Critics of marijuana legalization and other public health organizations have raised concerns about addiction. According to new research, their concerns may be valid. A recent study shows that those who have used marijuana daily for four years or more could undergo certain changes to the area of the brain commonly associated with addiction.

The research looked at the brains of 48 chronic marijuana users and compared MRI images to 62 persons who do not use marijuana. According to the investigators, those who had been smoking marijuana every day, for at least three times a day, had a smaller volume of grey matter in the orbitofrontal cortex and also showed greater connections between different parts of the brain, known as connectivity (a measure of how well information travels between different areas of the brain). After examining data, the researchers pointed out that, not only is there a structural change, but also a change in the connectivity of the brain. Lost brain volume could also be linked to the increased connectivity in other areas of the brain.
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November 25, 2014

Flying with Pot: Is it Legal?

By Cannabis Law Group

Drug sniffing dogs at the airport and other security measures to prevent illegal trafficking and smuggling make flying with drugs seem like an unquestionably illegal activity. But, now that more states have legalized marijuana, residents where pot is legal may be wondering, can you bring marijuana on the airplane? Even if it is illegal for national or international flights, can you fly in-state with marijuana? What about various forms of marijuana? The answers to these questions are not as easy to find out as you might think.

Now that Oregon and Alaska, have joined Colorado and Washington as states where recreational use of marijuana is legal, passengers, airlines, and other authorities will have to consider the implications of these evolving regulations. Beyond the four states where recreational pot has been legalized, there are an additional 23 states where medical marijuana has been legalized. For those passengers who have a legal prescription to possess and use medical marijuana, federal laws could interfere with transport. Patients who are allowed to possess marijuana in their own state are likely to have questions about whether those drugs can be transported, either by car or air.
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November 23, 2014

New Bill Lifts Ban on VA Doctor Medical Marijuana Recommendations

By Cannabis Law Group

Veterans returning from combat may suffer a host of physical, emotional, and psychological ailments that may be relieved with the use of medical marijuana. A new bill introduced by Congress could help veterans who live in states where medical marijuana is already legal, but where VA doctors have previously held silent on the issue due to federal drug laws. The Veterans Equal Access Act was introduced in mid-November by representatives from Oregon and California with 10 bipartisan cosponsors. Essentially, the law would lift the current ban on VA doctors issuing opinions or recommendations about the use of medical marijuana by veterans.

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According to research, veterans who suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are among the patients who could benefit from medical marijuana. Veterans advocates assert that the psychological and brain traumas associated with combat can be even more damaging that physical ailments. They can impact the veteran’s ability to manage day-to-day tasks, seek gainful employment, or even assimilate back into home life with their families. The new bill would give wounded veterans access to medical marijuana to help them cope and thrive in a post-combat environment.
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November 21, 2014

Sparc: The Designer Dispensary in San Francisco

By Cannabis Law Group

As the marijuana market develops in California and nationwide, so will the myriad ways that companies brand and market their retail capabilities. “Sparc” is a leading medical marijuana dispensary in San Francisco and is known for its high-end décor, selection, and designer “Apple-esque” vibe. The dispensary was founded in 2009 and now serves a broad and diverse clientele, up to 400 buyers per day. Many of the customers will pay up to $300 for an ounce of marijuana. Sparc has become the hot-spot for marijuana lovers throughout San Francisco for its cutting-edge design, lighting, and community feel.

Some reviews of the dispensary suggest that it feels more like a wine bar than a pot shop. While you might picture a small-enclosed room with dark lighting in an old warehouse as a pot shop, Sparc is an open space with large tables, windows and warm lighting. It has also been lauded for its award-winning design and unique atmosphere. For those who want high-end services, Sparc has become the premier pot shop for buyers in San Francisco. According to the owner, the business model seeks to meet the same standards as other service industries. When you enter a restaurant or retail shop, you want to feel welcome and that customer service is important. Sparc has kept the bar high to make their customers happy.
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November 19, 2014

Chilean Moms Break Laws to Help Epileptic Children

By Cannabis Law Group

Marijuana has been known to cure help manage the symptoms in epileptic children. Now hundreds of parents in Chile have been knowingly breaking the law and growing marijuana as a last resort to help their epileptic children. According to reports, marijuana has helped alleviate pain and reduce epileptic seizures. Where traditional medications have not been of use and cost up to 8 times as much as growing marijuana, parents have been driven to grow pot illegally. One mother reported to the Associated Press that she was so distraught over the condition of her child, that she was seconds away from driving herself and her daughter off of a cliff. Her medication had stopped working to alleviate the excruciating pain associated with the condition.

For many parents, watching a child in pain is enough of a motivation to take any action–even if illegally. Under Chilean law, the use of marijuana is legal, but it is illegal to grow or produce marijuana plants. The small group of parents in Chile have started a collective known as “Mama Cultiva” to promote the use of medical marijuana to treat epilepsy in children. The group of mothers know that they are at risk of criminal prosecution and jail time, but believe that fighting for their children’s access to medical marijuana is more important. In addition to growing their own marijuana for medical use, the group aims to educate others in the cultivating the plants. The purpose of the grow operation is to extract cannabis oil, a component that has been proved scientifically to help alleviate symptoms associated with epilepsy.
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November 16, 2014

12-Year-Old Arrested for Pot Brownie Distribution

By Cannabis Law Group

For opponents of marijuana legalization, one of the concerns is the potential abuse of marijuana or accidental ingestion of edibles by children and teens. In cases of intentional distribution or consumption of edibles by children, there is the potential for severe criminal charges. This is true even when the distributor is a youth himself.

In a recent case, a California seventh-grader was allegeldy caught selling marijuana-laced brownies at school. Now, the 12-year-old is facing expulsion as well as serious criminal charges. According to media reports, the student accessed the brownies through his older brother, who holds a valid California medical marijuana card.

School authorities discovered the student was distributing marijuana after one of the other students got sick. A parent took her unconscious student to the hospital where medical professionals determined that the student had ingested pot. School administrators sought out the student with pot brownies and found a container of individually wrapped brownies in a plastic container. According to the police department, it’s not uncommon for youth to have access greater to marijuana where the drug is legal. The student who got sick is in the recovery process while the 12-year-old is now facing criminal drug charges.

If it’s later determined the boy’s brother failed to keep the drug in a safe place away from children, he might at some point face civil liability for injuries to other students.
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November 11, 2014

Two Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Raided by DEA in L.A.

By Cannabis Law Group

Marijuana dispensary owners must always be wary of regulatory and compliance issues, as well as unlawful search and seizure. A search and seizure by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration can result in serious criminal charges and penalties. According to media reports, two legally-authorized medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles were raided, even though staff members vehemently insist they were in compliance with state drug laws. This case is another example of the patchwork state and federal laws related to medical marijuana. To make matters more confusing, any citizen can still technically be hit with federal criminal charges despite being in compliance with local and state laws.

After an initial investigation, the Department of Justice confirmed the raid was based on a search warrant executed on the two dispensaries. According to a representative from the DEA, the warrant was sealed and would not be made public. Reports indicated several DEA raids initiated in two separate locations in L.A.

Authorities raided properties, seizing money, marijuana and computers. The West Hollywood staff members said no arrests were made, adding there was significant confusion about why the raids took place. The dispensaries have been established in the community for over 10 years, and operators insist they are “100-percent” state-compliant, abiding by cultivation, sale and tax laws.
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