-------------========= Marijuana News SUPER THREAD! ==========---------

[LittleDabbie]

Student accused of bringing marijuana suckers to school

A Hudson High School student is facing disciplinary action after he was found to have candy suckers infused with marijuana in his backpack last week.

According to Hudson Police Department school liaison officer Jon Grass, the 16-year-old student left campus during the day on Oct. 9 without a pass. When he returned, he was questioned about his absence by school administrators and his backpack was searched.

Grass said that two suckers were found that were not packaged the way candy suckers usually are. The suckers were in vacuum-sealed packages that included both the candy and the stick.

Grass used a field test kit and the candy tested positive for marijuana. Grass said the student did admit to purchasing the marijuana-laced candy.

Grass said the suckers are available online for purchase. Recipes to make the suckers are also available online. They cost around $5 each according to several online sites.

“We want parents to be aware of this and if they see something like this, it might not just be candy,” said Grass.

 

[LittleDabbie]

Economist: Marijuana benefits outweigh societal costs

PORTLAND, Ore. — A University of Oregon economist says tax revenue estimates for Colorado's marijuana legalization program were vastly overstated, but pot's social benefits may outweigh its societal costs.

Economist Ben Hansen said Thursday at the Oregon Economic Forum that legalizing marijuana increases the supply and reduces the price, so consumers tend not to notice the tax burden.

Hansen says state and local taxes on pot in Colorado and Washington will amount to more than 40 percent. Oregon taxes are expected to be less than half that.

While police agencies will no longer arrest or fine people caught with marijuana if it's legalized, Hansen says that taxes function as a kind of fine for marijuana consumption.

Hansen says he doesn't anticipate a dramatic impact on the alcohol market if recreational marijuana is legal.

 

[LittleDabbie]

Medical groups buck medical marijuana bill

MANILA, Philippines—Citing that the proposed medical marijuana bill is a health and safety risk, medical doctor groups said Thursday that they are opposing its passage.

In a statement signed by doctors, they said that House Bill (HB) 4477 or the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Bill authored by Isabela Representative Rodolfo Albano III, will not ensure the well-being of Filipinos.

“HB 4477 is contrary to the policy of the state to safeguard the well-being of its citizenry particularly the youth from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs,” the statement said.




Several groups of doctors are not keen on supporting a bill in Congress seeking to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. AP FILE PHOTO



The bill seeks to “legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis which has been confirmed to have beneficial and therapeutic uses to treat chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition.”
The doctors said that although they understand that some patients will be able to benefit from the legalization of medical marijuana, their opposition to the bill is part of their “moral and ethical responsibility” to ensure the safety of their patients.

The statement was signed by members of the Philippine Medical Association, Philippine College of Physicians, Child Neurology Society of the Philippines, Group of Addiction Psychiatry of the Philippines, Pain Society of the Philippines, Philippine League Against Epilepsy Inc., Philippine Neurological Association, Philippine Psychiatric Association, Philippine Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology and the UP-PGH National Poison Management and Control Center.

Philippine Cannabis Compassion Society, a non-government organization of medical marijuana advocates, has a Change.org petition asking the public support for the passage of HB 4477. Out of their targeted 1,000,000 signatures, they have only obtained 2,767 signatures as of posting time.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/645255/medical-groups-buck-medical-marijuana-bill

 

[LittleDabbie]

Colo. Springs edibles firm settles suit over Hershey look-alike candy

The small Colorado Springs-based producer of marijuana edibles sued in June by candy giant The Hershey Company for allegedly breaching a number of design and name patents quietly settled the dispute.

In a settlement penned in late September, TinctureBelle agreed to recall and destroy all edibles it sold that looked like the famed chocolate company's products, or with names that played on their brands.

Though the edibles company said it had long-ago stopped making products that appeared like those produced by Hershey — including well-known names such as Reese's, Almond Joy and Heath — long before the federal lawsuit was filed in June in U.S. District Court in Denver, the settlement makes sure it won't happen again.

TinctureBelle owner Char Mayes couldn't be reached Thursday, nor could a spokesman for Hershey.

The settlement also requires TinctureBelle not to use the product names Hashees, Ganja Joy, Hasheath, Hasheats, Thingamajiggy or and Reefers, nor to use the name Reefer for any candies that contain either peanut butter or its flavorings. The company also agreed not to make packages with brown, yellow and orange colors, which are those used by the Reeses brand, according to a copy of the settlement.

Hershey had said TinctureBelle's products harmed their brand name and could be confused for regular candy by children.

TinctureBelle neither admitted nor denied any of the allegations in the lawsuit as part of the settlement.

Products from Hershey on right, compared to marijuana edibles on the left. ( | )




http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_26741590/colo-springs-edibles-firm-settles-suit-over-hershey

 

[LittleDabbie]

Pennsylvania medical marijuana proposal dead for now

Pennsylvania efforts to create a medical marijuana program have been vaporized, for now.

The state House of Representatives is unlikely to take up the measure passed in September by the House, with only one voting day remaining in the 2013-14 session, according to a spokesman for House Republican Majority Leader Mike Turzai. House leaders have too many questions, and want to hold at least two hearings.

"No, there is no intention of bringing that legislation up for a vote," the spokesman, Steve Miskin, said Thursday.

The state Senate voted 43-7 on Sept. 24 to pass its medical marijuana legislation -- SB 1182 -- that would legalize vaporized and edible cannabis for medicinal use. It needed to be approved in the House before going to Gov. Tom Corbett for his consideration.

The Senate has no further voting days scheduled, and the House scheduled one additional day of votes Monday, Miskin said.

With session days dwindling after the Senate vote, a western Pennsylvania lawmaker tried an end-aroundto get the measure passed in the House. Rep. Ed Gainey, D-Allegheny, offered up an amendment to SB 405, an act dealing with generic prescription drugs, to include the medical marijuana language backed by the Senate.

"They did not bring the bill up at all on the floor for second consideration," said Stephanie Dicks, a spokeswoman for Gainey.

Because a Senate concurrence vote would have been needed on the amended bill, that medical marijuana effort has also been stymied.

"It's dead but hopefully next session we'll be able to start the dialogue again and get something going," Dicks said, noting that the 2015-16 session convenes Jan. 6.

Under the Senate proposal, state residents would need an access card from the state Health Department after proving they have a practitioner-patient relationship and written confirmation of a qualifying medical condition. A handful of drug delivery methods that do not involve smoking it would be permitted, including extracted oil, edible products, ointments and tinctures.

Qualifying medical conditions would have included cancer, epilepsy and seizures, Lou Gehrig's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, spinocerebellar ataxia, severe fibromyalgia, wasting syndrome and traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome.

Dicks said some proponents of cannabis for medical use felt the program as proposed would have been too restrictive. But having already passed the Senate, this version carried the best chance of approval this session, she said.

According to Turzai's office, House members wanted to hold at least two hearings on the proposal, to hear perspectives on the issue from federal authorities, law enforcement, medical professionals, the pharmaceutical and cannabis industries and families who would be impacted.

"The members and the public need an education of specifically of what that legislation is," Miskin said. "For instance, a lot of members are concerned and don't think it's appropriate that massage therapists and veterinarians would be allowed to prescribe what some consider medicine for humans. The House wants and deserves to hold fair hearings. ...

"People were giving these families false hope by saying the House would just rubber-stamp (the bill) and that the House didn't need to have hearings 'because we the Senate held hearings,' he said. "That was a travesty knowingly passing that along."

Medical marijuana programs are in place in 23 states, including a program in New Jersey that has drawn strong criticism, and the District of Columbia.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bre...2014/10/pennsylvania_medical_marijuana_2.html

 

[LittleDabbie]

Medical Marijuana Presentation Creates Backlash

They do charity work throughout the community including helping with medical issues like vision and hearing loss.

But some members of the Tallahassee Lions Club didn't want to hear a presentation on the medical marijuana amendment on the November ballot.

"I understand there's going to be differences of opinion. If you wish to leave you're welcome to it," Lions Club President John Ross told his members.

"This has no place in the club tonight and all the media coverage, we don't need that," said Lions Club Member Joe Davis.

Davis, a former law enforcement officer and other members walked out before the presentation began.

Club secretary Ray Malloy called it his most embarrassing moment as a Lion.

But he and other members refused to let the presentation go up in smoke.

Only Tallahassee Attorney Reggie Garcia was originally scheduled to speak supporting of the measure.

But due to the controvery, attorney John Reid, who also favors the amendment, spoke against it to give the program balance.

"This is an issue that should be dealt with by the Florida legislature. And the legislature has already passed medical marijuana use," Reid argued.

Last session, lawmakers approved limited medical marijuana use for children who suffer from epileptic seizures.

Legal challenges to implementing that law are currently taking place.

The amendment calls for medical marijana use for 9 specific debilitating diseases including cancer, but also for other conditions at a doctor's discretion.

"There may be new diseases in the future that have a different name. My goodness we're dealing with an Ebola outbreak right now," argued Garcia.

"This isn't really about medical marijuana, it's about the legalization of marijuana," said medical marijuana opponent Barney Bishop.

Bishop says if medical marijuana is legalized, children and teens will get easier access to it like they do with cigarettes and alcohol.

Voters will have their chance to decide November 4th.

Sixty percent of voters will have to approve the medical marijuana amendment for it to become law.

 

[LittleDabbie]

Hamilton woman connected to hash oil explosion pleads guilty

A Corvallis woman charged in connection with an explosion caused by the production of hash oil pleaded guilty Wednesday to criminal possession of a dangerous drug.

Mariah Marie Smith, 20, agreed to accept a plea bargain agreement that dropped three additional charges in Ravalli County District Court.

Smith and her boyfriend, Howard Wease III, were arrested in May following an explosion at a Hamilton home that sent a juvenile to the hospital with severe burns to his hands, feet, head, neck, shoulders and chest.

That 17-year-old, Ryan Matthews of Hamilton, is now being charged as an adult with felony counts of conspiracy to criminally produce dangerous drugs and conspiracy to operate an unlawful drug lab, as well as criminal endangerment.

Matthews was flown to a Seattle hospital following the explosion for treatment of his burns.

Under terms of the plea bargain, Smith will serve a three-year commitment with the Montana Department of Corrections. Her sentence will also include 40 days in jail, which she’s already served.

Smith will be sentenced Nov. 12.

Wease pleaded guilty earlier to criminal production and possession of dangerous drugs, both felonies, as well as two misdemeanor charges of possessing drug paraphernalia.

His plea bargain agreement includes a recommended sentence of 12 years with the Montana Department of Corrections, with seven years suspended.

Wease and Smith were at the home of the juvenile’s father when the explosion occurred in the early morning hours of May 6.

The father told an officer later that he was awakened by the sound of an explosion inside his home. When he entered his office, he found the room on fire and his son injured.

The father told Wease and Smith to take the juvenile to the hospital while he fought the fire. The couple dropped Matthews off at the emergency room and left the scene.

When Wease was arrested later, he said he was in pain and an officer noticed that skin was falling off his burned lower arms and hands.

http://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_8e59fc60-54d0-11e4-90f3-6f358653bed7.html

 

[LittleDabbie]

Delawareans pro pot according to UD poll

A majority of Delawareans support fully legalizing marijuana according to a new poll, but the issue’s political future isn’t quite as certain.

56 percent of state residents are in favor of it, compared to 39 percent opposing the issue according to the University of Delaware poll.

State Rep. Helene Keeley (D-Wilmington South) initially sponsored legislation doing just that without a tax or regulation structure behind it, but it was later amended to simply decriminalize the drug. It passed out of committee late in the session, but never made it to the House floor.

Keeley says the legislature likely isn’t ready to fully legalize pot and that further studies on Colorado and Washington State need to be performed for an informed decision, citing concerns over possible access for minors and predatory marketing initiatives.

“We don’t want them to get alcohol, we don’t want them to get cigarettes, we sure don’t want them to be able to get a hold of marijuana either,” said Keeley.

But she says she would “love” Delaware to be the first state in the Mid-Atlantic to benefit from a new tax base.

“It would be wonderful to be able to have that. If you think about it from the perspective of even the racino industry, I mean, we were the first. We benefited for many, many years.”

State Sen. Bryan Townsend (D-Newark), another prime sponsor of the decriminalization bill agrees, but also notes it shouldn’t be a revenue stream to lean on.

“We need to be very careful not to assume that revenue from this would always be there and that it would flow freely,” said Townsend, noting the continuing decline of the gambling industry. But he says there will be a more important savings by jettisoning those nonviolent marijuana offenders from the criminal justice system.

From January to August, Colorado has raked in $45 million in tax revenue. Recreational sales there in August pushed past medicinal sales at $34.1 million.

A demographic breakdown of the poll didn’t yield any surprises.

68 percent of those under 30-years-old approve of legalization, with support dipping slightly as residents age. The starkest contrast is among those older than 60 — 37 percent of whom disapprove of legalizing the drug.

Those who further their education also support the move up to a point. Delawareans who attain some education after high school responded positively at 63 percent, but those with a four-year degree or more are split at 50 percent.

But Delaware has yet to open its first medical marijuana dispensary after approving legislation in 2011.

State Department of Health and Social Services officials signed a contract with First State Compassion Center in August with sales expected to start in early 2015. But First State Compassion Center and former political operative Mark Lally are being sued by former business partners over allegedly breaking a consulting contract.

Townsend says he doesn’t want to see a similar lag when it comes to fully legalizing marijuana.

“It makes little sense to me that we should follow that kind of unfortunate delay with even more delay on moving towards much more common sense drug policies,” said Townsend.

Gov. Jack Markell (D-Delaware) has said he would veto such legislation, but is continuing talks over decriminalization.

Keeley plans to file a new decriminalization bill in December should she win reelection.

 

[LittleDabbie]

New Mexico: Appeals Court Says Medicinal Marijuana Costs Covered By Workers' Comp

Santa Fe, NM--(ENEWSPF)--October 16, 2014. Employers and insurance companies are legally obligated to cover the expense of medical cannabis for employees injured on the job, the New Mexico Court of Appeals has affirmed.


Writing for the court in Vialpando v. Ben's Automotive Services, Judge James Wechsler opined that the use of marijuana for pain management for injuries suffered while on the job constituted "reasonable and necessary care." The Judge determined that services specific to the use of medicinal cannabis are eligible for compensation even though the substance remains classified as a schedule I drug under federal law and may not be legally obtained at a licensed pharmacy.

The New Mexico Court of Appeals ruling is one of the first favorable court decisions involving cannabis and workers' rights. To date, the Supreme Courts of three states - California, Oregon, andWashington - have determined that state laws authorizing the physicians-supervised use of medical cannabis do not exempt patients from being fired for their off-the-job cannabis use. The Supreme Court for the state of Colorado is expected to rule on a similar matter imminently.

Source: http://norml.org

 

[LittleDabbie]

MARYJANECOIN PRICE ON TRIP TO THE MOON

MaryJaneCoin launched in late September with the goal of becoming the premiere cryptocurrency for the medicinal marijuana sector. Over the past week, the MaryJaneCoin price exploded by more than 2000%. CCN examines this altcoin price explosion to help traders make informed investing decisions.

MaryJaneCoin hopes to usurp other pot-themed coins–such as CannabisCoin and Potcoin–by introducing an aesthetically-pleasing design, offering anonymous transactions, and introducing services designed to reduce the learning curve for ordinary users.

Investors seem bullish on MaryJaneCoin’s potential. The coin’s BitcoinTalk thread exceeded 50 pages in less than a month, and the coin’s proponents have a strong social media presence. Most notably, the MaryJanecoin price has surged over the past week.

CCN: World's Largest & Leading Independent Bitcoin News Source

Can MaryJaneCoin become the premiere cryptocurrency for pot transactions?

On October 9, the MaryJaneCoin price was 170 satoshis. By October 14, the MaryJanecoin price had quadrupled in value, approaching 700 satoshis early in the day. But the MaryJaneCoin price rise was only just getting started.

Within 24 hours, the MaryJaneCoin price had quadrupled again, exceeding 2,800 satoshis. Before the day was over, the price reached 3,700 satoshis. On October 16, the MaryJaneCoin price declined a bit. At press time, the MaryJaneCoin price was 3,581 satoshis–a weekly rise of more than 2,100%.




In the past week, the MaryJaneCoin price increased more than 2,000%, which launched the coin into CoinMarketCap’s top 75. The current MaryJaneCoin price is 3,581 satoshis.

MaryJaneCoin currently holds the 75th-highest cryptocurrency market cap with a total valuation of ~$236,000.


Analysis
When a coin rises as quickly as MJC has, it is easy to get caught up in the hype. However, massive price rises almost always precede rapid dumps and widespread FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt). Every altcoin community believes their coin is different, which results in novice investors losing large amounts of money. MJC could prove successful over the long-term, but investors need to remain highly cautious during its early days. If marijuana-themed altcoins are your niche, CannabisCoin still seems like the “sweetest” investment route.


What do you think of the MaryJaneCoin price rise? Do you think it is sustainable?

Disclosure: The author is paid in and holds investments in bitcoin. He is not invested in or affiliated with any of the altcoins discussed in this article. Any advice contained in this article is solely the opinion of the author and does not reflect the views of CCN. Neither the author nor CCN is liable for your investing decisions, so do your homework and never invest more than you are willing to lose.

Image from MaryJaneCoin BitcoinTalk thread; other images from Shutterstock.

 

[LittleDabbie]

Denver council panel approves revised hash oil restrictions


Proposed restrictions on amateur hash oil production cleared a Denver City Council committee Tuesday after changes were made to accommodate alcohol-based extraction.

The measure, aimed at preventing home explosions, would ban the use of butane or other gases in extractions of oil from marijuana, except by licensed businesses that take precautions. Amateurs who make hash oil at home still could use safer water- and food-based methods.

Responding to concerns expressed last month, including by a father who makes cannabis oil to treat his daughter's severe epilepsy, the Safety and Well-Being Committee added the exemption for alcohol- and ethanol-based extractions.

But unless they obtain a permit from the Denver Fire Department, people using those methods would have to refrain from using heat produced by fuel or electricity and must limit the amount of alcohol or ethanol used each time to 16 ounces.

The committee approved the proposal, and it will be introduced in coming weeks in the full council.

Brian Wilson, the father of the epileptic girl, said he still is concerned that some parents might be fearful to obtain a fire permit that's considered a public record.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_2...-panel-approves-revised-hash-oil-restrictions

 

[LittleDabbie]

Film Review: ‘The Culture High’

A serious-minded two-hour documentary consisting of wall-to-wall talking heads isn’t the typical definition of stoner cinema, but “The Culture High” has a sincere aim to impact the ongoing debate over marijuana legalization. Unfortunately, the film’s haphazard structure and freewheeling arguments only serve to reinforce tired pothead cliches — it’s paranoid, prone to starry-eyed dorm-room philosophizing, and it doesn’t know when to quit. Director Brett Harveypreviously delved into the topic in his 2007 debut, “The Union: The Business Behind Getting High,” and that pic’s cult fanbase should spark to this long-winded but ultimately optimistic follow-up. But without a more rigorous edit, any chances of breaking out to a wider audience in an Oct. 17 VOD release will quickly go up in smoke.

Harvey and co-writer Michael Bobroff appear to view weed as a jumping-off point to discuss, well, just about anything. Militarized police, the proliferation of prescription drugs, a complacent news media, lobbying as a form of tacit bribery, the NSA’s snooping on U.S. citizens, and prisons run for profit are just a few of the numerous subjects touched on at some point during “The Culture High,” as the film leaps from topic to topic like a particularly ADD member of the debate club. Everything is meant to fall under the general umbrella of what stands in the way of legalizing marijuana, even for medicinal use, but not all the dots connect quite so cleanly, and most of the talking points won’t surprise anyone with cursory knowledge of any given subject.

Given that the film is little more than a long series of soundbites, audience interest will fluctuate wildly depending on whoever happens to be onscreen at the moment. The scores of talking heads range from insightful (former Baltimore police detective and “The Wire” co-creator Ed Burns) to kooky (author Howard Bloom) to totally far out (charming former international pot smuggler Howard Marks), with a few gratuitous celebs (Snoop Dogg, Richard Branson, rant-happy comedian Joe Rogan) on hand simply to lend name value to the promotional campaign. No matter who’s speaking, Harvey and editorStephen Green have an annoying habit of illustrating their observations with thuddingly obvious archival and stock footage that’s frequently downright cheesy.

Slightly more effective but no less shameless are the handful of horror stories from people whose lives have become collateral damage in the war on drugs. Harvey opens with footage of a Missouri SWAT team raiding a home and killing a family’s dog in a bust that ultimately resulted in a $300 fine. Later comes the story of a young man who suffered from a rare food allergy and died in prison after being jailed for failing to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge for pot possession. And substantial time is devoted to the tearjerking tale of Jason David and his young son Jayden, who suffered debilitating seizures from a very young age and found relief only through medical cannabis.

Politically, the pic initially lays the blame exclusively on conservatives — singling out Richard Nixon, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush and even Mitt Romney for scorn with vintage clips — but eventually works its way around to criticizing President Obama’s brashly political appointment of Michele Leonhart as head of the DEA, and the administration’s crackdown on medical marijuana. Bill Clinton is also admonished for coming out in favor of legalizing marijuana only after leaving office. In contrast with many contemporary docs, the goal here isn’t to divide viewers down partisan lines, but to unite them with a common-sense approach to solving the ongoing problems of the drug war.

To that end, instead of building what’s become a commonplace argument against the folly of marijuana prohibition, perhaps more time would have been warranted exploring the ways in which the discussion has progressed in recent years. It’s not until the film’s final minutes that marijuana legalization in both Washington and Colorado earns a mention, while continued changes in popular opinion and promising political momentum go largely unexplored. Then again, Harvey doesn’t hide his intentions to motivate viewers to keep fighting for a change in drug laws rather than giving them permission to sit back and assume everything will work itself out.

Still, “The Culture High” doesn’t feel rousing so much as redundant, especially when Rogan points out the “constant stream of books, documentaries, blog posts and podcasts” advocating for legalization. As the pic’s experts almost unanimously agree, change will come. And when it does, there won’t be any need for docs like this.

Film Review: 'The Culture High'
Reviewed online, West Hollywood, Oct. 14, 2014. Running time: 120 MIN.
Production
(Documentary) An Entertainment One Films release of a Phase 4 Films presentation of a Score G Productions, BKS-Crew Productions and Sophia Entertainment production. Produced by Adam Scorgie. Executive producers, Andrew Napier, Bianca Barnhill, Kieran Maguire, Rocky Mudaliar, Nolan Pielak, Todd McCormick, Scorgie. Co-producers, Michael Bobroff, Don Metz.
Crew
Directed by Brett Harvey. Written by Michael Bobroff, Harvey. Camera (color, HD), Harvey; editor, Stephen Green; music, Steve Badach, Michael Champion; line producer, Green; associate producers, Jason Reed, Andrew Holmes.
With
Ed Burns, Cenk Uyger, Cara Santa Maria, Howard Bloom, Gabor Mate, Annie Machon, Stephen Downing, Howard Marks, Lester Grinspoon, Todd McCormick, Joe Rogan, Snoop Dogg, Richard Branson, Wiz Khalifa, Jason David.

http://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-the-culture-high-1201331644/

 

[LittleDabbie]

Pot Playing Little Role in Tight Colorado Contests

Colorado has seen feisty debates this fall, with candidates in close races for governor, Senate and the U.S. House arguing over abortion rights, energy policy and the death penalty. Just don't expect any of them to talk much about the biggest news of the year: legal pot.

While the state's 10-month-old marijuana retail experiment has received worldwide attention and sales of recreational and medical pot have generated more than $45 million for state coffers, most voters have collectively shrugged. Predictions that they would go scrambling back to the polls to repeal the legal pot law they passed in 2012 haven't yet materialized.

Instead, the political landscape has changed, with some candidates, including the governor, accepting tens of thousands of dollars in donations from people within the fledgling pot industry.

Now, the only ones bringing it up on the campaign trail are third-party and independent hopefuls — all backers of legal pot. Many of them take issue with the state's high pot taxes — more than 30 percent in many jurisdictions — or with regulations they consider onerous.

"I don't know why politicians aren't talking about this," said independent gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunafon, a long-shot candidate who is touting endorsements from rappers Snoop Dogg and Wyclef Jean because of his embrace of the drug.

Maybe it's because the major-party candidates almost universally agree. They say when asked that they personally opposed making the drug legal but respect the voters' wishes. And while the marijuana rollout has not been without problems, including concerns about children getting potent edible pot, there have been no public-safety problems widespread enough to focus voters' minds on a repeal effort.

"The people of Colorado have made their decision," said Republican Rep. Cory Gardner, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Mark Udall in a race that could determine whether Republicans pick up enough seats to take control of the chamber.

Gardner and Udall were asked about pot this week in their final debate.

"I opposed it when it happened," Gardner said of the 2012 marijuana vote. "But the founders always intended the states to be laboratories of democracy, and right now we are deep in the heart of the laboratory."

Udall agreed. "We need to work together as a delegation to make sure the federal government butts out and lets us continue this experiment," Udall said at the Denver debate.

Marijuana isn't playing a big role in the tight governor's race. Both Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper and Republican Bob Beauprez oppose legal marijuana.

After an Oct. 6 debate in which the governor jokingly called the pot vote "reckless," Hickenlooper's aides reached out to marijuana industry workers — a move that underscored the sensitivity with which officials are dealing with a nascent industry that is generating revenue and making campaign donations.

A single pot-industry fundraiser for the governor raised some $40,000 last summer. The industry has also given at least $20,000 this year to congressional candidates.

Pressed at another debate to clarify whether he thought marijuana legalization should be repealed — an action that would require another public vote — the governor took a milder tack. "I'm not going to go as far as to say we should lead an effort to make it illegal. I think that that would be premature," he said.

Beauprez has said legal pot should be reconsidered, but stopped short of saying he'd lead a repeal effort.

Politicians' marijuana hesitance reflects voters' indifference on the topic. A September NBC/Marist poll asked residents about the law allowing adults over 21 to buy recreational pot. Thirty-three percent said they opposed the law but were "not actively trying to have it overturned." Eight percent said they were working to overturn it.

Third-party and independent candidates, however, are sometimes making pot the hallmark of their campaigns, even in local races.

In a western Colorado state Senate contest, Libertarian candidate Lee Mulcahy has been throwing free dinners serving marijuana-infused foods. Voters have to show they're 21 before noshing on foods like yellowtail crudo with coconut-ginger sativa oil and a salad tossed in marijuana-infused vinaigrette.

"It's so fascinating, the reluctance of my opponents to even say the word cannabis," he said. "Voters want to be talking about this, but the major-party candidates have to tow the party line. They've all been coached to not say anything. I'm simply amazed."

 

[LittleDabbie]

Carson City medical marijuana business fee hurdle cleared

Medical marijuana establishments will pay business license fees topping out at $25,000 in Carson City due to final action Thursday on an ordinance by the Board of Supervisors.

Voting 3-1 with Supervisor Jim Shirk dissenting and Mayor Robert Crowell gone, the board adopted the business licensing ordinance as the majority had earlier signaled it would despite Shirk’s desire to charge more. Shirk called the business license fees “extremely low.”

A testing laboratory for medical pot, if one located in Carson City, would have to pay $5,000. A facility to produce medical pot edibles or infused products would pay $15,000. A cultivation unit, also known as a grow facility, would pay $20,000, Dispensaries are set to pay the top amount at $25,000. Two dispensaries are allowed by state law in Carson City.

An additional ordinance provision requires anyone owning at least 5 percent or more of a Carson City medical marijuana establishment shall be named, with the percentage listed, with the information “a part of the standard business license application and (it) will be subject to public record review.”

A couple of weeks ago, about the same time the board voted 4-1 preliminary approval of the ordinance, Nevada’s State Health Division had received 11 applications for proposed dispensaries in Carson City. In addition, there were eight applications to grow medical marijuana in the capital city and four to produce edible medical pot products.

Altogether 519 applications to operate medical marijuana establishments across the state were received, with the bulk of them in Las Vegas-dominated Clark County.

In other action, the board in Thursday’s shorter-than-usual meeting engaged Sherman & Howard as bond counsel to Carson City in connection with the anticipated $13.6 million bond issue to finance various capital improvement projects, among them changes to Carson Street’s downtown business core streetscape. The downtown streetscape project’s conceptual design goes before the board Nov. 6 and bonds are expected to be issued in December.

The board approved a contract with Lumos & Associates to provide professional services for a wastewater reclamation facility project. The contract is for an amount not to exceed $158,000 to handle design services for drainage and roadway improvements on the east and west sides of the wastewater reclamation facility, as well as general site landscaping with emphases on the North 5th Street frontage area.

Also approved was final payment to Briggs Electric, Inc., and acceptance of the work involved as completed, for the Fuji Park electrical infrastructure project that cost a total of $112,175. The electrical upgrade for the park and fairgrounds preceded the Nevada 150 Fair, also known as the Nevada Sesquicentennial Fair, that was held last summer.

The abbreviated Board of Supervisors meeting also was shorter even than it seemed, given that it was recessed and then reconvened to hold an intervening session of the Board of Health. The health panel consists of the city’s governing board members and two others — Dr. Susan Pintar, Health Board chairwoman and city health officer, and Sheriff Ken Furlong.

 

[LittleDabbie]

Planners look to extend pot moratorium another year

The clock will strike midnight on the town’s medical marijuana moratorium Oct. 18, but the Planning and Zoning Commission isn’t worried about a dispensary shop or growing facility opening in town any time soon.

“The state isn’t issuing any more licenses right now so there’s no crisis,” said Town Planner Betty Brosius at Tuesday night’s meeting. “We won’t be seeing any applicants because the state isn’t allowing them.”

Nonetheless, the commission will have a public hearing on Nov. 5 when it will listen to public comment on the issue before voting to extend the moratorium another year.

Ridgefield approved a one-year moratorium Oct. 22, 2013, to give itself a year to create regulations for medical marijuana facilities that are permitted under state law. Ms. Brosius said that to extend the moratorium the commission will need to adopt an amendment to its zoning regulations.

The state has approved licenses for dispensaries in six towns — Bethel, Branford, Bristol, Hartford, South Windsor, and Uncasville.

The shops in Hartford and Uncasville opened for business this year. Both are considered as-of-right uses, similar to pharmacies, and did not require a special permit.

The state has also approved licenses for production facilities in four towns — Portland, Simsbury, Watertown, and West Hartford. The facilities in Portland and Watertown are operational and are located in buildings that used to house manufacturing and painting companies, respectively.

Simsbury does not permit dispensaries, but did approve growing use in non-residential zones with the approval of a special permit. West Hartford has permitted growing use in its industrial zone and is still deciding on regulations for dispensaries.

Other towns, like Ridgefield, with expiring moratoriums this fall include Ansonia, Berlin, Farmington, Madison, Monroe, New Canaan, Shelton, Trumbull, Westport, and Windsor.

Because the state is no longer accepting license applications, Ansonia’s town planner, Ozzie Inglese, has recommended that the town’s moratorium expire and that future action be postponed.

“Some towns are still wary about it; others are sitting back and waiting to see what happens,” Ms. Brosius said. “Some have cautious eyes on it; others do not.”

The decision to have a public hearing and extend the moratorium another year in Ridgefield stemmed from a conversation the commission had Tuesday night about the town of Wilton’s proposed regulation that would permit licensed medical marijuana dispensaries and production facilities based on a special permit application.

Wilton referred its proposed regulations to Ridgefield before adopting them.

Included in the regulation is the requirement for a 1,000-foot separation from schools, churches, playgrounds, day care or another licensed facility.

The commission liked that requirement but wanted to add another separation.

“I say we recommend that Wilton not place any dispensary or growing facility within 1,000 feet from our town border,” said vice chairman Patrick Walsh.

That recommendation was approved 6-1 in a commission vote.

Wilton is one of seven towns that have adopted or will adopt regulations that will allow dispensaries and growing facilities.

The other six towns are Bridgeport, Haddam, Plainville, Middletown, Southington, and Torrington.

The regulations for each town are different. For example, Haddam allows dispensaries wherever pharmacies are permitted and growers are allowed to harvest wherever agricultural uses are allowed.

Southington is limiting dispensaries to its central business zone and production facilities to its industrial zone — both subject to special permit applications.

Plainville, like Wilton, would like to see shops and growing facilities be separated by 1,000 feet from schools, churches and other public places.

 

[LittleDabbie]

CannLabs Selected for Inclusion in the MJIC Marijuana Index and THCbiz.com Directory of Stocks

DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2014 / CannLabs, Inc. (OTCQB: CANL), Colorado's leading provider of proprietary cloud based analytics, scientific and testing methodologies today announced it has been selected for inclusion in The MJIC Marijuana Index (www.marijuanaindex.org) and THCbiz's (www.thcbiz.com) directory of stocks.

"Both The MJIC Marijuana Index and THCbiz provide accurate, up to date news and intelligence to aid investors and the public in making informed decisions about the cannabis industry," said Mark Mirken, Chief Executive Officer of CannLabs. "We are pleased to have both leading sources tracking CannLabs and look forward to the increased visibility," added Mr. Mirken.

About CannLabs:

CannLabs, Inc., serves the cannabis industry with proprietary cloud-based analytics and scientific methods. It has served as a respected authority and advisor to various government, educational, and commercial interests regarding this growing business segment. Through Carbon Bond Holdings Inc., CannLabs provides testing laboratories with the necessary business intelligence and technology required to serve the cannabis industry.

CannLabs enables growers, dispensaries and edible makers to implement best practices and product advancements. In addition, the CannLabs website allows consumers to easily locate certified tested products to meet their specific needs.

CannLabs has been at the forefront of educating the public, and serving as a reliable information resource to state and local governments as more states legalize marijuana for various uses. The Company provides client education to ensure safe cultivation and identify contamination problems. Additionally, CannLabs consults on legal cases and the reformulation of cannabis products throughout the U.S. and Canada.

For more information visit www.cannlabs.com.

http://www.baystreet.ca/viewarticle.aspx?id=421657

 

[LittleDabbie]

Doctor certified patients for medical marijuana use without evaluations, records show ( Michigan )

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A Grand Rapids doctor has admitted he certified medical-marijuana patients and caregivers without providing medical evaluations.

In some cases, Dr. Gregory Kuldanek met with groups of prospective patients and caregivers in restaurants and signed certifications around a common table. He even signed certifications without the patients present.

The allegations are contained in a plea agreement Kuldanek signed that calls for him to plead guilty to conspiracy to manufacture fewer than 50 marijuana plants. He is among 10 arrested for allegedly growing marijuana in homes and apartments in Kent County.

Many of the defendants contended they acted within guidelines of the state’s medical marijuana law.

Kuldanek, who agreed to surrender property at 13350 Seven Mile Road NE in Belding, faces up to five years in prison, $250,000 in fines, and two years to life on supervised release.

Kuldanek, of East Paris Internal Medicine, acknowledged in the court document that he did not properly certify medical marijuana patients.

Among the requirements to properly issue a card are that the physician has a bona fide relationship with the patient and that there is complete and full assessment of the patient’s history. The doctor also has to determine that the patient has a debilitating medical condition and is likely to receive therapeutic benefit from marijuana.

In 2012, Kuldanek believed that Betty Jenkins, who is also facing charges, was a compassionate woman who helped those with serious medical conditions. He conducted cursory evaluations of patients he met through Jenkins.

“In many cases, he did not have a bona fide physician/patient relationship, did not conduct a full assessment of their medical records and did not anticipate follow-up care, but he did believe that they suffered from a debilitating medical condition that was obvious to him,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Courtade wrote in court documents.

By 2013, he no longer conducted assessments before certifying patients, and in many cases, didn’t receive pay, Courtade said. He was aware that Jenkins was recruiting patients and caregivers so that her organization would manufacture 12 marijuana plants per patient and sell the marijuana, he said.

He knew that Jenkins could only legally have five registered patients, and “would have no reason for bringing him the dozens and dozens of ‘patient’ certifications she had asked him to sign over time,” Courtade said.

In October 2013, Jenkins and another defendant, Phillip Walsh, allegedly recruited Kuldanek’s life partner to become a caregiver, the plea agreement said.

Despite knowing that Jenkins was under investigation by state and federal law enforcement, and having declined to participate in growing marijuana, Kuldanek and his partner agreed to rent the Belding property to Jenkins to allow manufacture of marijuana, the plea agreement states.

He continued to sign patient certifications, knowing that Jenkins intended to use the certifications to justify the illegal growing and sale of marijuana, Courtade said.

“Dr. Kuldanek acknowledges that his willingness to certify (medical marijuana) ‘patients’ was integral to the scheme and artifice used by Jenkins, Walsh and the other conspirators to manufacture marijuana and distribute it in violation of Michigan and federal law,” Courtade wrote.

Under the plea agreement, the government will not bring charges against Kuldanek’s partner.

The government obtained names of 66 patients and caregivers linked to the alleged drug organization by issuing a grand-jury subpoena to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Kuldanek had provided medical certifications to most of them, investigators said.

Police used search warrants at a home on Forest Hill Avenue SE and two four-unit apartment buildings in Gaines Township. Police say marijuana was also grown in Kuldanek’s Belding property and on Alden Nash Road in Lowell Township, records showed.

Police said 467 plants and 18 pounds of processed marijuana were seized.

Jenkins attorney, J. Nicholas Bostic, contends that police sought federal charges because his client acted within state law. He has said his client was in “full compliance” with the state’s medical marijuana law.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/10/grand_rapids_doctor_certified.html

 

[LittleDabbie]

CannabisCoin Officially Redeemable for 1 Gram Starting October 20 – Interview with Founder

Back in June, CoinTelegraph reported on CannabisCoin (CANN) - a PoW (proof-of-work) peer-to-peer digital currency that is intended to be used for legally purchasing cannabis from registered dispensaries.

CANN is based on the Bitcoin protocol but slightly different in that it can be efficiently mined with consumer-grade hardware since it is the “only X11 Coin that is cannabis specific,” according the CannabisCoin Dev team.

The CANN team is striving to bring the issues of cryptocurrencies and cannabis into the light by promoting wider acceptance and spreading knowledge about the benefits of cannabis and cryptocurrencies.

We had the chance to speak with CannabisCoin founder and developer known as DeltaNine, D9 or “Ty” about the latest developments with CANN, the recent upward price swing on exchanges and how the fixed 1:1, 1 CANN to 1 gram ratio will work in practice.

CoinTelegraph: The CannabisCoin team has been very active in the space and is getting ready to host a series of cannabis-cryptocurrency events in an effort to raise awareness and promote the cryptocurrency in the cannabis industry. What was has the feedback been like so far?

D9: The date is on 10/20. It will be ONE of MANY events. The feedback has been very inspiring. The thought of growing (mining) your medicine from a computer was one of the questions that were brought up from medical marijuana patients.



CT: Could you explain the ‘Yes We CANN’ movement and what you hope to achieve?

D9: The Yes We CANN movement is about medical marijuana dispensaries and shop owners that participate in providing safe, affordable, quality medicine (cannabis) at a significantly reduced rate utilizing CannabisCoin. This movement is a way for dispensaries and shop owners to show their appreciation to their customers and providing a simple reward.

It's simple actually. For example, a dispensary or shop owner sets aside a supply of medicine called "CANNdy" where the patient may purchase 1 gram of medicine for 1 CannabisCoin. Of course there will be limits on purchases per patient per day or until supplies last. Dispensaries may also take CannabisCoin for full payment of medicine at the current exchange rate for CANN, which is the symbol for CannabisCoin on crypto exchanges.

CT: What do you mean when you say ‘CANNDy’ plant?

D9: Meanings of "CANNdy" are cannabis strains grown specifically for CannabisCoin purchases by growers, and other strains designated by growers or merchants for the 1 CANN to 1 GRAM ratio.

CT: The price for your coin recently skyrocketed following your announcement that people will have the opportunity to buy Cannabis with CannabisCoin at the 1:1 per gram price at ‘Yes We CANN’ events. Why did you decide to do this?

D9: Because CannabisCoin and the Yes We CANN movement were built by the community for the community. The CannabisCoin team comprises of industry professionals, cannabis growers, and patients.



CT: What other dispensaries can we expect to see hosting these upcoming ‘Yes We CANN’ events?

D9: The team is primarily in Phoenix, Arizona. We have been contacted from all over the world regarding the movement and future events. Herbal Wellness Center is our first host and we will be announcing the others as we go along. We've physically been in California and Nevada for industry talks of future adoption and with Colorado in the books as well. Expect to see the Yes We CANN movement in your area.



CT: Is this strictly for promotional purposes or are you looking to make the coin officially redeemable for cannabis across CannabisCoin accepting dispensaries in the future?

D9: This has been a life long project for the CannabisCoin team. It will be officially redeemable starting October 20th, 2014. It is not promotional and will continue to be accepted.

CT: Besides the Herbal Wellness Center, have you got any other dispensaries on board? What has been the biggest challenge to this so far?

D9: We have other dispensaries lined up but Herbal Wellness Center is the pioneer of this movement. The biggest challenge is the training of staff and implementing a point of sale process that meets regulation and laws in the state.



CT: Other similar Cannabis-themed coins on the market like Potcoin are not very different from a technical standpoint. So does the competition depend on who can best foster community support or are there any other factors involved?

D9: We have always said we respect other related coins. Community is the factor in everything when it comes to cannabis coins. You cannot have an entity in a world that largely prohibits cannabis use without a good community.

CT: There has been a lot of discussion in regards to how cannabis would be regulated and tracked from seed to consumer/patient in states where marijuana is legal for both medicinal or recreation purposed such as Colorado. Do you think the blockchain could be used for cannabis provenance sometime in the future?

D9: Yes definitely, we have a lot of things happening and a lot of help from the community. Every state has its own laws and regulations regarding medical marijuana tracking and management. We will sometime in the near future begin to implement our own medical marijuana point of sale system that will work with existing technologies already created by using blockchain technology.

CT: What is your vision for CannabisCoin? (Especially if cannabis legalization spreads across the US, the world)

D9: CannabisCoin has already raised awareness within the crypto community. It’s now time for the rest of the world to understand both Cannabis and Crypto. Yes We CANN!



Instantly buy Litecoin, Dogecoin, Peercoin, and Darkcoin at ShapeShift.io *No account needed*

http://cointelegraph.com/news/11274...am-starting-october-20-interview-with-founder

 

[LittleDabbie]

Medical Marijuana Sites Proposed for Wicker Park, Mayfair, Pullman

CHICAGO — A Chicago company seeking to enter the medical marijuana market is betting on senior citizens as a key client base.

IL Grown Medicine is trying to secure three medical marijuana dispensary licenses in the city, and has partnered with a California-based dispensary to target elderly customers in Wicker Park, Mayfair and Pullman.

The company hopes to open dispensaries at 4739 W. Montrose Ave., 1300-1308 W. North Ave. and 11040 S. Langley Ave.

Lester Hollis, CEO of IL Grown Medicine, said zoning difficulties have limited the possibilities on the South Side.

"From the beginning of this process, [the South Side] was where we wanted to be. If we had to choose one area, that was where we would have prepared to be," Hollis said, because "that's where African-Americans are and we think we can be most impactful there."

The North Side locations were much easier to secure along with support from the aldermen and local officials, he said.

"They just kind of worked out for us from a zoning perspective," he said.

IGM partnered with California-based Harborside Health Center to ensure that its dispensaries would be operated with the experience of industry leaders, Hollis said. Harborside has been operating for eight years.

Sue Taylor, a consultant from Harborside, visited senior communities in South Chicago and Bronzeville to talk to them about medicinal marijuana and its benefits.

"It's the seniors who benefit most from the cannabis, so I've been educating the people in the community about the benefits, about what it does. Because what's lacking is the education. People don't know that education is the missing piece," Taylor said.

Taylor said most seniors are on medication, taking a number of pills daily.

"When they find out that a lot of these pills can be eliminated just by using the cannabis they become very interested because they're still taking those pills and they're still not feeling any better," she said. "Actually they're feeling worse and getting sicker so to know the cannabis might eliminate some of those pills they're very open."

The seniors seemed interested because "we're not trying to convince anyone of anything — we're just trying to bring information about the healing components of the plant," Taylor said.

By educating the seniors about the healing components of marijuana "we're helping to dispel that stigma that surrounds it," Taylor said.

Only individuals who've received a patient registration card from the Department of Public Health, or their designated caregiver, will be allowed to access the dispensaries.

This proposal is among numerous proposals to open medical marijuana dispensaries across the city, including others in Wicker Park, West Loop andUptown.

According to the city, dispensaries must be 1,000 feet from schools and day care centers and can't be in residences.

The state is granting 60 dispensary licenses, and only 13 of them can be located in the city. A public hearing is held before the city's Zoning Board of Appeals before a permit is issued.

As of Thursday, more than 200 appliations have been filed. The state plans on notifying applicants whose licenses have been approved before the end of the year.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2014...oposed-for-wicker-park-jefferson-park-pullman

 

[LittleDabbie]

Dem operative to lobby for medical marijuana dispensaries

A top Democratic operative and the campaign manager of a November ballot effort has registered as a lobbyist. The move comes two months after she participated in meetings with Boston City Hall officials and a company seeking to open a medical marijuana dispensary.

Clare Kelly, a former aide to Gov. Deval Patrick who is managing the campaign aimed at expanding the bottle deposit law and working part-time for Beacon Strategies Group, registered as a lobbyist on Oct. 8.

Mike Bergan, principal with the Beacon Strategies Group, called the two August meetings between city officials, Kelly and medical marijuana company executives "short" and "introductory," and said they did not constitute as lobbying as defined under the state's statute.

"In addition, Clare, who began consulting part-time to BSG three months ago, also did not meet the threshold of needing to register as a lobbyist, a threshold which requires more than 25 hours of legislative lobbying during any reporting period and receiving more than $2,500 during that same reporting period," he said in a statement.

Bergan said she registered as a lobbyist "in anticipation of taking a full time role with Beacon Strategies Group after the November elections."

MassMedicum Corp., a Beacon Strategies Group client, is seeking to locate dispensaries in Boston and Taunton.

In 2012, Bay State voters approved a ballot question allowing up to 35 nonprofit dispensaries across the state, with a limit of five per county. The licensing process has hit numerous stumbling blocks, frustrating the law's supporters who are still waiting for the first dispensary to open.

According to a log of contacts with officials that was submitted as part of the company's bid for a license, Kelly participated in two meetings that included two people she's worked with in the past. Kelly is a senior public affairs consultant at Beacon Strategies Group and the former executive director of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

The first meeting, on Aug. 4, included two MassMedicum officials, Kelly and the city of Boston's Health and Human Services chief, Felix Arroyo. Kelly, who served as Arroyo's campaign manager when the former city councilor at-large ran for mayor in 2013, set up the meeting.

According to Arroyo, the meeting, which included a presentation, lasted about 20 minutes. Kelly didn't speak during the meeting, and he told the company's executives to talk to neighborhood groups, he said.

The second meeting, on Aug. 25, included one MassMedicum official, Kelly and Councilor Tito Jackson, who is also a former Patrick administration aide. Jackson said the meeting was an informational one, and they did not ask for his support for a dispensary.

"Councilor Jackson expressed his belief that the City required a truly 'medical' focus in this type of industry, and indicated that he favored dispensing in a 'pharmacy' setting," the company's log of the contact said.

The log added: "The parties further discussed MassMedicum's security plans and plans for use of excess revenues to benefit the local community."

MassMedicum Corp. was among four applicants that scored high in the first round of medical marijuana licensing earlier this year but were not selected. The state Department of Public Health invited them to reapply for a license in seven counties that do not have an approved dispensary, including Suffolk County and Bristol County.

Two other companies are eyeing Boston: Patriot Care Corp., which has listed Delaney Policy Group as helping them with medical marijuana efforts, and JCS Holdings Inc., which has retained O'Neill and Associates for the open county application process, and is doing business as The Haven Center.

The applications are currently under review, and an announcement could come in early November.

One client of Beacon Strategies Group already has a provisional license: In Good Health, Inc., which received approval this summer to open a dispensary in Brockton.

MassMedicum's meetings were part of efforts to obtain a letters of "support or non-opposition" from Boston City Hall officials.

The founder of Beacon Strategies Group, Michael Morris, also participated in meetings between MassMedicum executives and elected Boston officials. Morris, a registered lobbyist, is a former director of government affairs for Gov. Patrick.

Morris was part of MassMedicum's meeting with City Councilors At-Large Stephen Murphy and Michael Flaherty on July 30, an Aug. 21 meeting with City Councilor Matt O'Malley and a meeting the same day with City Councilor At-Large Michelle Wu.

Other meetings were just between MassMedicum officials and city officials.

Coastal Compassion, Inc., which is listed as a Beacon Strategies Group client as well as a Delaney Policy Group client on the state's lobbying records site, is applying for a dispensary in Fairhaven, located in Bristol County, an open county.

The deadline for the open county applications was Aug. 29.

In the August application submitted to the Department of Public Health, MassMedicum said it had met with city officials, including 10 of the 13 city councilors, and understood that Boston Mayor Marty Walsh hadn't taken a public position on the siting of a medical marijuana dispensary.

The company "concludes that neither the Mayor nor the Boston Public Health Commission will issue any letters of support or non-opposition for a specific [dispensary]," MassMedicum said in the filing.

The Boston City Council, as a body, did not discuss the siting of a medical marijuana dispensary before the August application deadline.

MassMedicum said in its application that the meetings with city councilors were "productive and extensive." "MassMedicum explained the reasons why it will ultimately be successful in obtaining all necessary approvals from the City of Boston," the company said.

The company added, "MassMedicum's presentation of its team's experience in extracting pure materials from plants allowed the Boston city leaders to fully comprehend the medical quality of the products to be dispensed."

Suffolk became an open county after two companies -- Good Chemistry of Massachusetts and Green Heart Holistic Health and Pharmaceuticals -- were informed by DPH in June that they would not be moving forward. The move came after the companies courted controversy by claiming they had the support of Boston city councilors, which the councilors disputed.

http://www.dotnews.com/2014/dem-operative-lobby-medical-marijuana-dispensaries