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.

By Colleen Slevin, Associated Press Writer
Source: Associated Press

Denver -- A bill aimed at preventing recreational pot users from skirting the law to obtain medical marijuana won initial backing in the Senate on Friday. The measure, Senate Bill 109, bars doctors from writing recommendations inside dispensaries that sell medical marijuana.

It requires that doctors review a person's medical history and give them a full exam before recommending that they become a legal user of medical marijuana. Those between 18 and 21 would have to get the approval of two doctors, which is already required for patients under 18.

By Dave Perry
Source: Aurora Sentinel

Colorado -- Here’s the dope, Aurora: Mary Jane is coming, and it looks like she’s going to stay. While Denver and much of the rest of the metro area has been inflamed by the medical-marijuana controversy, Aurora officials have decided to take a look-and-see attitude about the whole thing.

Not any more. Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates this week waved the red flag in front of apathetic city officials, making it clear that like it or not, the medical marijuana controversy is going to boil over at the state Capitol and spread right into our very own medical-marijuana-free community.

By Michael Polson, In These Times
Source: AlterNet

USA -- In the warm, luminescent glow of the dust encrusted light fixture, the carpeted and dank hallway disappears into unvacuumed recesses. Darren grabs an unobtrusive handle along the wall's flimsy wood paneling, pulls, and a crack of light pierces the gloom. Pushing aside a black screen of Hefty bags intended to block light and trap heat, he reveals his miniature grow closet. A heavy, supple branch tumbles out. It brushes my hand, leaving a telltale streak of sticky, stinky moistness. The resin goes away with a bit of water. The smell stays.

By John Ingold, The Denver Post
Source: Denver Post

Colorado -- A bill that would tighten regulations for patients seeking medical marijuana and the doctors approving it for them passed its first test at the state Capitol today. "This is the beginning of the end of the wild west" for Colorado's medical-marijuana industry, bill sponsor Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, said.

The 6-1 thumbs-up from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee came with the support of law enforcement groups eager for the state to crack down on what they say are abuses in the state's medical-marijuana system.

By Colleen Slevin, Associated Press Writer
Source: Associated Press

Denver -- Colorado lawmakers have an unlikely ally in their first attempt to curb the state's booming medical marijuana industry: owners of the some of the shops that sell pot.

Many dispensary owners say they're on board with regulations if they give them uniform guidelines and avert a more severe crackdown like one approved this week in Los Angeles. Hundreds of Los Angeles pot shops face closure after the City Council voted Tuesday to cap the number of dispensaries in the city at 70.

By Sam Jewler
Source: Time Magazine

Washington, D.C. -- It has been years in the making, derailed by Congress three times in about as many years, but medicinal marijuana could soon be heading to the nation's capital.

In 1998, voters in Washington put themselves near the forefront of the budding medical-marijuana movement when they voted nearly 7 to 3 for doctor-prescribed dope — a greater majority than those in any of the other eight statewide ballot initiatives that have passed around the country.

By Kelly Brewington
Source: Baltimore Sun

Baltimore, M.D. -- Hoping to make Maryland the 15th state in the nation to legalize medical marijuana, legislators introduced a pair of bills Tuesday in the General Assembly that would let doctors approve access to marijuana for their patients and sanction dispensaries, and even pharmacies, to distribute the drug.

The legislation would allow the use of marijuana by patients who have a "debilitating medical condition," such as seizures, severe chronic pain or severe nausea as a result of cancer treatment. They would have to register with the state and obtain marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries and pharmacies that might be interested in supplying it.

[b]Opinion
Source: New York Magazine

New York -- Now that New Jersey has legalized medical marijuana, will New York follow suit? Manhattan Assemblyman Richard Gottfried thinks so. Gottfried sponsors legislation to legalize medical marijuana nearly every year and each time it fails. He's hoping that changes this year now national momentum finally seems to be behind legalization. Gottfried's bill, which is similar to another in the state Senate, would allow the use of marijuana to treat illnesses like cancer, arthritis or H.I.V.

By Jennifer Steinhauer
Source: New York Times

California -- The Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance on Tuesday that shutters roughly 80 percent of the nearly 1,000 medical marijuana dispensaries in the city and makes the use of marijuana in the remaining outlets illegal.

The vote amounts to a major setback for backers of medical marijuana and a victory for community groups that have long complained about the proliferation of the dispensaries near residential neighborhoods, schools and parks. Los Angeles has more of the outlets than any other city in the states that allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

By Jessica Fender, The Denver Post
Source: Denver Post

Colorado -- A medical marijuana bill months in the making could see more changes Tuesday when state lawmakers for the first time take up the complicated task of regulating the quickly growing industry.

In Senate Bill 109, sponsor Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, focuses on more closely linking doctors and their pot-seeking patients by breaking links between doctors and dispensaries, requiring doctors recommending marijuana to have licenses in good standing and requiring a bonafide doctor-patient relationship.

By John Romero
Source: KDVR Denver

BOULDER, Colo. - In a college town like Boulder, fake ID's are nothing new. But this is: people using fake documents to get medical marijuana.

At the Dr. Reefer dispensary, they were already on the look out for fake forms when two guys came in this morning with suspicious documents. Two doctor's recommendation forms that are used by medical marijuana patients until they get their official ID cards from the state.