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State pushes forward to legalize marijuana
Some legislators would rather write the proposed law themselves rather than have activists do it
The Boston Globe (US)
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Legislators in Massachusetts are working on a marijuana legalization proposal, in part as an effort to short-circuit an expected 2016 ballot push. Advocates have long planned an initiative petition to legalize the recreational use of the drug for adults, and political analysts have expected that measure to pass in the next presidential election year. But some lawmakers are balking at the prospect of activists unilaterally writing a law that would have such a profound effect on the state. The legislators would rather write the proposed law themselves, allow for lots of public input, and have final say on the scope and details. -
The rise of cannabis farms in Switzerland
Indoor cannabis cultivation is on the rise in Switzerland. Many are professionally-run operations
Swissinfo (Switzerland)
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
The cultivation, trade and consumption of high volumes of cannabis with more then 1% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a prosecutable offence in Switzerland. Despite this, the federal police estimates that 75% of the cannabis is produced domestically. This is reflected in the fact that the number and size of indoor cannabis plantations are on the rise. In 2014 around 3,000 were discovered by federal police. Of these around 1,000 were highly organised ventures with more than 100 plants and professional equipment. -
Italy: Motion to legalize cannabis receives bi-partisan support
Turin became the first major city to vote in favor of legalizing medical marijuana
Herald-Tribune (US)
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Lawmakers in Italy are pushing forward a planned bill to legalize cannabis, according to the ANSA news agency and the International Business Times. The proposal, introduced by Sen. Benedetto Della Vedova, is being backed by 60 politicians, mostly from the ruling center-left Democratic Party but with some support from the right. Della Vedova said that "in view of the failure of prohibitionism" the group will draft a "pragmatic, non-ideological" bill regulating the use of the weed, thereby siphoning profits away from organized crime. -
The cannabis question
Walid Jumblatt’s call for the legalization of cannabis cultivation fits into a global trend, from the USA to Uruguay
Now (Lebanon)
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Given the dynamics of politics in Lebanon, Jumblatt’s call in and of itself is unlikely to provide the gravitas for an effective change in the legislation. Smoking cannabis is not something we learned from the ‘corrupt’ West. Consumption of psychoactive substances is a long-established tradition in the Near East, including Lebanon. Cannabis cultivation in the Bekaa Valley can be traced back to Roman times, according to some sources. Treating personal consumption of cannabis as a minor offense would allow a better allocation of law enforcement resources towards more serious crime. -
Can Washington’s gift economy in marijuana work?
Supporters of the Washington approach hope the city will enjoy the benefits of legalization without creating a well-organized commercial machine
The New York Times (US)
Friday, March 20, 2015
In Washington DC it’s now legal to possess marijuana, to grow it, to smoke it and to give it away. But you’re not allowed to trade in it. You can give your neighbor up to an ounce, but if he gives you money or even bakes you a pie in exchange, that’s illegal. The District of Columbia has legalized marijuana — but is trying not to create a market in marijuana. It’s aiming for a gift economy. The district’s lawmakers aren’t happy about the process, but maybe they should be pleased about the outcome. -
Das sind die Cannabis-Pläne der Grünen
Erwachsene sollen künftig 30 Gramm für den Eigenbedarf kaufen können
Die Welt (Germany)
Freitag, 20. März 2015
Der Entwurf der Grünen für ein Cannabiskontrollgesetz wird in erster Lesung im Bundestag behandelt. Er sieht vor, dass Erwachsene künftig 30 Gramm Cannabis zum Eigenbedarf kaufen oder drei Cannabispflanzen an- bauen und abernten können. Jugendlichen sind Erwerb und Besitz vollständig verboten. Bundesregierung und Unionsfraktion lehnen die geforderte Legalisierung von Cannabis entschieden ab. (Google translation | Mehr dazu: Pressekompass | Dope im Bundestag | "Die abschreckende Wirkung des Verbots ist gleich null" | Hansestadt prüft Cannabis-Freigabe) -
Farmers encouraged to make use of ganja opportunities
Jamaica Observer (Jamaica)
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Small ganja farmers across the island are being encouraged to make use of the opportunities that will be available in the medicinal ganja industry. Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister, Phillip Paulwell, said the “small man” must ensure that he becomes a major player in the new industry. The minister said efforts will be made to ensure that the small ganja farmers who have been in the system a long time are not squeezed out by persons with wealth. -
War on dagga puts rural people at toxic risk, specialists warn
A weedkiller used on marijuana plants is said to pose a danger to the health of communities where subsistence farming is the mainstay
Mail and Guardian (South Africa)
Thursday, March 19, 2015
The climate in the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape in South Africa has made cultivating dagga (cannabis sativa) popular since people settled here centuries ago. Dagga is a staple of traditional medicine, used as medicinal tea and given to sick people and livestock for a variety of ailments. 500 hectares of cannabis fields in villages have been sprayed with the herbicide Kilo Max. The active ingredient in Kilo Max is glyphosate. "The helicopters came and sprayed something here that is making our people and livestock sick." (See also: Police helicopters destroy dagga plantations and communities) -
Jamaica to lead charge to change int'l treaties on marijuana
Jamaica Observer (Jamaica)
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton, says Jamaica intends to lead a charge in the United Nations to effect changes to the international treaties concerning marijuana. The aim is to change the schedule class of marijuana in light of scientific studies that have proven its therapeutic benefits and medicinal value. "Jamaica intends to participate, and to lead, if necessary, a process in the United Nations to have those treaties amended," Hylton said. -
Survey finds strong majority in support of marijuana legalization and decriminalization
The poll shows some of the highest support for marijuana legalization and decriminalization to date
The Huffington Post (US)
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
A new national survey of American voters has found a strong majority in support of marijuana legalization and an even larger majority in support of decriminalization of the drug in the US. The "Beyond the Beltway" report released by Democratic-affiliated Benenson Strategy Group and SKDKnickerbocker found 61 percent of Americans in favor of marijuana legalization and 72 percent in favor of decriminalization. The drug remains illegal under federal law. (See also: Could pot be a game changer in 2016?)
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