Washington Okays Medical Marijuana

Washington's city councillors voted unanimously on Tuesday to allow the US capital to join 14 states in allowing medical marijuana. 'Medical' marijuana is intended to be used to treat certain chronically ill patients.

Under the new law, which has to be signed by Mayor Adrian Fenty and then survive a 30-day period of review by Congress before taking effect, physicians will be able to prescribe medical marijuana to patients suffering from illnesses including HIV/AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis and glaucoma.

Limits On Medical Marijuana Termed Unconstitutional
The Californian Supreme Court has struck down as unconstitutional the state's limits on how much medical marijuana a patient can possess.

Mike Meno of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) envisaged no problems with Congress passing Washington's medical marijuana law.

Up to eight licensed dispensaries would be set up for patients to go to get their marijuana, said Meno.

The dispensaries would in turn get their marijuana from licensed growers in the capital, each of which will be allowed to grow up to 95 plants at indoor facilities.

Los Angeles Restricts Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Los Angeles city authorities passed an ordinance restricting the number of medical marijuana dispensaries, which have grown to almost 1,000

"DC's law doesn't allow personal cultivation," Meno said.

According to MPP, which is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States, ballot initiatives in November in South Dakota and Arizona will ask voters there to choose whether or not to allow medical marijuana in their states.

Medical Marijuana Use Restrictions to be Eased in the US
Federal prosecutions for the use of medical marijuana in states where the substance is permitted by law for the treatment of illness will be eased

Another dozen states are mulling similar laws.

Source-AFP
TAN

Michigan Begins Issuing Medical Marijuana Cards
Michigan in US has begun to medical marijuana patient ID cards. The state Department of Community Health will send 150 cards in the first instance. About 700 others are awaiting approval.