By David Segal
Source: New York Times

Boulder, CO -- Anyone who thinks it would be easy to get rich selling marijuana in a state where it’s legal should spend an hour with Ravi Respeto, manager of the Farmacy, an upscale dispensary here that offers Strawberry Haze, Hawaiian Skunk and other strains of Cannabis sativa at up to $16 a gram. She will harsh your mellow.

“No M.B.A. program could have prepared me for this experience,” she says, wearing a cream-colored smock made of hemp. “People have this misconception that you just jump into it and start making money hand over fist, and that is not the case.”

By Michael Riley, The Denver Post
Source: Denver Post

Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Jared Polis on Thursday quizzed Attorney General Eric Holder about federal enforcement of marijuana laws in states such as Colorado, which have approved it for medical use and are seeing a growing number of dispensaries.

In his first appearance as a new member of the House Judiciary Committee, the Boulder Democrat, who recently held a "coffee with your congressman" event at a coffee shop adjoining a dispensary in Nederland, quizzed Holder about comments from a federal Drug Enforcement Administration agent suggesting the Justice Department was planning to raid dispensaries in Colorado.

By Robert McCartney
Source: Washington Post

Washington, D.C. -- The risk with the District's new medical marijuana law isn't that the city will become another California with hundreds of pot shops and doctors who'll approve it for people feeling just jittery or blue. Instead, the worry is that the statute is so restrictive that there won't be enough legal weed to meet demand.

Fearful that Congress might kill the law, the D.C. Council approved what cannabis advocates say is probably the least permissive measure in the country. No growing at home. Only five to eight "dispensaries" to sell it. Licensed cultivators are limited to 95 plants.

By Amanda Bronstad, The National Law Journal
Source: National Law Journal

California -- Medical marijuana dispensaries have filed lawsuits against California cities, including Los Angeles, challenging ordinances that effectively threaten the existence of their businesses.

Besides the dispensaries, the plaintiffs include medical marijuana users and organizations that promote the use of medical marijuana. Vincent Howard, founding partner of Howard | Nassiri, based in Anaheim, Calif., who represents at least 10 dispensaries in Los Angeles, expects more suits to be filed.

By John Manganaro, Assistant News Editor
Source: Pitt News

Pennsylvania -- One state senator wants to bring a new kind of green innovation to Pennsylvania — medical marijuana reform.

Sen. Daylin Leach’s new legislation, officially known as Senate Bill 1350, would allow people with some medical conditions to apply for a registry identification card that would permit them to possess up to an ounce of marijuana. Appropriate conditions for medical marijuana use include cancer, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, according to the bill. Marijuana would be taxed and distributed at “Compassion Centers” run by the state Department of Health. Card holders could also grow their own marijuana — up to six plants at a time.

By Colleen Slevin, The Associated Press
Source: Associated Press

Denver -- Colorado lawmakers passed legislation to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries on Tuesday despite threats of a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality.

The House grudgingly agreed to accept changes made in the Senate and readopted the bill just a day before the end of the session, sending it to Gov. Bill Ritter.

By Heath Urie, Camera Staff Writer
Source: Daily Camera

Colorado -- A state bill that would set broad regulations for the burgeoning medical marijuana industry would likely have the unintended side effect of forcing all dispensaries in Boulder to use 100 percent wind or solar energy.

House Bill 1284, which appears to be on its way to the governor's desk this week, would contain a provision requiring all dispensaries to grow at least 70 percent of the marijuana they sell.

By Colleen Slevin, The Associated Press
Source: Associated Press

Denver -- A push to regulate the state's medical marijuana dispensaries appears to be nearing the finish line.

The Colorado Senate passed the proposed regulations in a 26-9 vote on Thursday, sending them back to the House to review changes made to the bill. The lack of controversial changes makes it likely that lawmakers will be able to pass regulations before they must adjourn next week.

By Heath Urie Camera Staff Writer
Source: Daily Camera

Colorado -- After months of contentious debate, the Boulder City Council late Tuesday night voted for a second time to approve a sweeping set of regulations for the medical marijuana industry.

But the decision still isn't final.

In a rare move, the council decided to hold a third public reading of the proposed ordinance, which would create a licensing system for marijuana businesses and set various operating requirements. That hearing is scheduled for May 18.

By Kim Skornogoski, Tribune Staff Writer
Source: Great Falls Tribune

Montana -- Prescription drug regulations span literally thousands of pages in state and federal statutes, as well as Federal Drug Administration rules. Pharmacists must go to college for six years, spend a year in the field and pass tests proving they mastered both medicine and Montana law before they can sell prescription medication.

Pharmacies also are required to keep detailed records and be audited annually.

By Katherine Gregg, Journal State House Bureau
Source: Providence Journal

Providence, R.I. -- They are on the front lines of the marijuana debate, the ones who decide who should be allowed to smoke, ingest or inhale what is still an illegal drug in Rhode Island without fear of arrest.

They include neurologists, oncologists, infectious disease specialists, more than one family clinic doctor, the medical director of a drug-abuse addiction center and a psychiatrist running for mayor of Providence who is a conservative on most other issues, but not the politics of marijuana for a patient prone to nausea, anxiety and panic attacks.

By Sara Juliet Fruman
Source: CU Independent

Boulder, CO -- Dr. Reefer walks into his work every day, ready to harvest, bake and sell medical marijuana. He is ready to sell what he knows most about. He is ready to sell marijuana to his various patients who come in with a card and cite various forms of pain for their reasons to inhale or eat.

Before Pierre Werner became Dr. Reefer, he ran a medical marijuana referral service in Las Vegas. But before that, Werner said he was jailed for two years for growing and selling marijuana. One of his roommates was also in for growing and selling, but for recreational marijuana. The Dr. Reefer dispensary opened Nov. 2, 2009.

By John Ingold
The Denver Post

Marijuana activists and law enforcement officials sparred Thursday as the bell rang on the fight over medical-marijuana dispensary regulations at the state Capitol.

The first committee hearing on House Bill 1284 — which would require dispensaries to be licensed by both state and local governments and is the more controversial of the two medical-marijuana bills at the Capitol — stretched into the evening. Lawmakers said late Thursday that they would not vote on the measure until another date.

By Diana Hefley, Herald Writer
Source: Herald News

Washington State -- Turns out growing marijuana plants indoors under artificial light without soil may be easier than sorting out the state law that allows sick people to use the stuff.

Since Washington voters passed the medical-marijuana law in 1998, patients have been frustrated over how to get marijuana and abide by the rules. Police officers must juggle how to leave authorized patients to their bongs and brownies without letting drug dealers walk.

By Amanda Pino
Source: Diamondback

Annapolis, MD -- A litany of testifiers — from cancer survivors to scientists to police officers — showed their support for a bill that would make this state the 15th to legalize medical marijuana in a joint house-senate hearing in the state legislature Friday.

Although some said the proposed bill was too restrictive, lawmakers pointed to loopholes and potential consequences as cause for amending the bill. If approved, the legislation, which was co-sponsored by Delegate Dan Morhaim (D-Baltimore) and Sen. David Brinkley (R-Frederick and Carroll), would give patients with serious medical conditions the right to purchase medical marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries or pharmacies.

Commentary
Source: News Tribune

Tacoma, WA -- Medical marijuana advocates made a deal with the voters in 1998 with Initiative 692: no sales, no shops, no dispensaries, no co-ops, nothing that would even vaguely resemble a legalized dope industry.

The year before, Washingtonians had rejected a loophole-riddled initiative that would have abetted the loosey-goosey quasi-commercialization already seen in California. I-692 included a crucial safeguard: authorized patients could use marijuana, but they had to grow their own supply or have it provided by a caregiver. No money was to change hands.

By Tony Leys
Source: Des Moines Register

Des Moines -- State regulators offered some hope Wednesday for people who want to use marijuana for medical purposes. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy voted unanimously to recommend legislators reclassify the drug in a way that could allow people to use it for pain, nausea and other symptoms from diseases such as cancer, AIDS or multiple sclerosis.

If that happened, Iowa would join 14 other states that have legalized medical marijuana. But Iowans should not expect legal marijuana shops to open soon. Legislators probably will not consider the idea until at least next year.

By John Hoeffel
Source: Los Angeles Times

California -- With an innovative but little-known state program to study medical marijuana about to run out of money, researchers and political supporters said Wednesday the results show promise.

"It should take all the mystery out of whether it works. We've got the results," said former state Sen. John Vasconcellos, who led the effort to create the 10-year-old Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research.

By Tony Leys
Source: Des Moines Register

Des Moines -- Nearly two-thirds of Iowans think patients should be allowed to use marijuana as medicine if their doctors approve, a new Iowa Poll shows. However, fewer than a third of Iowans want to make the drug legal for people who just want to get high, the poll shows.

Fourteen states have decided to allow medical uses of marijuana. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy plans to decide on Wednesday whether to recommend that the Iowa Legislature follow suit.

By Chris Joyner
Source: Clarion-Ledger

Oxford, MS -- It's the smell - pungent and slightly citrusy- that first greets visitors to Mahmoud ElSohly's office on the University of Mississippi campus.

Next are pictures lining the hallways of the bright green plants ElSohly has researched for 35 years as chief cultivator in the nation's only legal marijuana farm. The University of Mississippi Marijuana Project provides marijuana by the bale to licensed researchers throughout the nation.

By Robert Allen, Summit County Correspondent
Source: Summit Daily News

Frisco, Colo. -- A lively public discussion on medical marijuana recently reflected the belief that, regardless of personal opinion, society is becoming more accepting of the drug — and statewide legalization is no pipe dream.

“We kind of follow the trends of the state of California,” Summit County Sheriff John Minor said. California has a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana set for this fall. Minor said that if it passes, Colorado could follow.

By Heath Urie, Camera Staff Writer
Source: Daily Camera

Colorado -- Boulder's 80 or so medical-marijuana dispensaries might soon have to shell out $5,000 each to the city for new business licenses, install security equipment and limit their hours of operation.

Since November, Boulder has required the dozens of medical-marijuana dispensaries that have popped up in recent months to operate under an emergency set of rules that keep them from clustering together or doing business within 500 feet of a school or day care.

By Daniel Chacon
Source: Gazette

Colorado -- A proposal to regulate the burgeoning medical marijuana industry in Colorado Springs received a mostly favorable reception when it was previewed today before the City Council.

Monitored alarm systems and security cameras at pot dispensaries were among the host of conditions included in the proposed ordinance, drafted by a task force that included medical marijuana providers.

By The Associated Press
Source: Summit Daily News

Denver -- Medical marijuana dispensary owners lined up before 7:30 a.m. Monday to apply for operating licenses.

Penny May, Denver's director of excise and licenses, said her office had processed 22 licenses by 11:30 a.m., with many more to go. May said as of a week ago, 477 sales tax licenses had been issued to medical marijuana dispensaries in Denver.

By David Klepper, The Star’s Topeka Correspondent
Source: Kansas City Star

Topeka -- The peaceful plains of Kansas wouldn’t seem to be fertile ground for medical marijuana. After all, Kansas was the first to embrace Prohibition, and one of the last to end it. Even today, you can’t find full-strength beer on a grocery store shelf.

Yet in the same week that state lawmakers voted to make Kansas the first state to outlaw a synthetic form of pot, a Wichita legislator introduced a bill to legalize marijuana with a doctor’s prescription.

By John Ingold
Source: Summit Daily News

Denver -- State lawmakers today unveiled a bill that would make major changes to Colorado's medical-marijuana industry, allowing retail-style dispensaries to remain open, but forcing them to re-organize as licensed, non-profit "health centers."

The bill would also place an 18-month moratorium on new commercial dispensaries. The bill also would require dispensaries to grow the majority of the marijuana they sell, thus eliminating freelance growers.

By Kelly Brewington and Meredith Cohn
Source: Baltimore Sun

Baltimore, M.D. -- Even as a proposal to legalize medical marijuana emerges in Maryland, a backlash over the burgeoning industry has developed in other states - and is likely to influence legislation here.

Last week, the Los Angeles City Council tried to rein in the growth of marijuana dispensaries, limiting the number to 70 and imposing tight restrictions on where and how they can operate. And in Colorado, towns are trying to shutter some of the hundreds of dispensaries that have popped up.

By Christian Thurstone
Source: Denver Post

Denver -- Colorado's public policies regarding the use of medical marijuana are a complete mess — and as the medical director of a busy adolescent substance abuse treatment program in Denver, I get to contend with this mess every day.

Take, for example, the 19-year-old whom I have treated for severe addiction for several months. He recently showed up in my clinic with a medical marijuana license. How did he get it? Easy, he said. He paid $300 for a brief visit with another doctor to discuss his "depression." The doctor took a cursory medical history that certainly didn't involve contacting me.

By Korie Wilkins and Bill Laitner, Staff Writers
Source: Detroit Free Press

Michigan -- Christopher Frizzo of Royal Oak said marijuana helps him battle symptoms of his multiple sclerosis. But during a routine traffic stop Jan. 11, police took his medical marijuana and refused to return it, said Frizzo, 47.

Although he was approved by the state to use medical marijuana, he didn't register for a state-approved caregiver to be his supplier, Frizzo admitted. His state registration card is stamped "No Caregiver."

By Barry Massey, Associated Press Writer
Source: Associated Press

Santa Fe, NM -- A proposal to tax medical marijuana in New Mexico ran into strong opposition on Friday and a House committee shelved the measure. House Bill 186 would impose a 25 percent tax on the value of marijuana grown for medical purposes.

A 2007 law allows people with certain medical conditions to get relief by using marijuana. About 1,000 patients are registered with the state.