IN THE NEWS: Skunk 'poses bigger psychosis risk than cannabis'

People who smoke potent skunk are more at risk of psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia than those who simply use cannabis, scientists suspect.

According to new research, regular users double their risk of psychosis but heavy skunk users increase theirs seven-fold.

Read full story »

Source: BBC News

NEW VIDEO: LB City Council Meeting, medical marijuana ordinance, Attorney Robert E Shannon

NEWS: Should Medical Marijuana Be Used to Treat Autism

There are some people who believe autism can be treated with medical marijuana. In fact recently there was a story in the news about a mother doing just that. But there are a number of issues in doing so and the need for more research.

Read full story »

Source: Digital Journal

IN THE NEWS Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa jumps on medical marijuana crackdown bandwagon

You can add the name of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to the list of Los Angeles area officials seeking to crack down on L.A.'s medical marijuana network. On Tuesday, Villaraigosa said that he wants to drastically reduce the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles, from the current estimated number of at least 800 down to 200 or less.

Read full story »

IN THE NEWS Villaraigosa urges limit on medical marijuana dispensaries

The Los Angeles mayor declines to say what the cap should be, but says it should be a level that can be adequately monitored by city officials and the Police Department.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa urged the City Council on Wednesday to adopt a medical marijuana ordinance that would put a limit on the number of dispensaries.

Read full story »

Source: Los Angeles Times

VIDEO: Long Beach City Council Meeting, Councilman Robert Garcia on medical marijuana

Councilman Ed Reyes Comments at the Los Angeles Council Meeting on Medical Marijuana Ordinance

A clip of Ed Reyes discussing behaviors of collectives and how the city will approach those collectives in violation of any ordinance that is passed. Also discussed are the privacy concerns of patients and collectives.

NEW! Sylmar Dispensaries, Collectives and Co-ops

Green Moon
12737 Glenoaks Blvd. Suite 15 [map]
Sylmar, CA 91342
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am to 8pm, Sunday 10am to 7pm
Phone: 818-367-1397

Covers the following zip codes in Sylmar, California: 91342, 91392

IN THE NEWS: L.A. council says pot shops could accept cash

Members also signal that they may cap dispensaries to between 70 and 200. The council plows through 50 proposed changes to its medical marijuana ordinance.

Dispensaries in Los Angeles could continue to accept cash for medical marijuana under a provision approved by the City Council on Tuesday, after it adopted language carefully crafted to maneuver past the city attorney's adamant position that state law bars the sale of the drug.

Read full story »

Source: Los Angeles Times

Greggory Moore speaks to Long Beach City Council regarding proposed draft ordinance for medical marijuana collectives (November 10, 2009)

IN THE NEWS: Medical Marijuana - The Bigger Picture

On November 10 the City Council took up the question of medical marijuana once again. Like so many other communities in California, Long Beach has necessarily been struggling with the minutiae of this challenge… trying to balance the medical needs of legitimate patients as defined by Prop 215 – as well as other legislation and case law – with the legitimate concerns of the rest of the community while trying to remain within the confines of other relevant laws concerning marijuana cultivation, possession, transfer and use.

Read full story »

WATCH VIDEOS: Individual video clips of members of the public addressing the Long Beach City Council at the meeting on November 10, 2009.

Source: LBPOST.com

LA City Council set to consider new rules for pot shops

The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday is expected to vote on a new ordinance regulating medical marijuana dispensaries.

Medical marijuana activists are closely following the LA City Council’s deliberations. (related videos)

“I am encouraged to see what direction the City Councils going right now," said Don Duncan, California Director of Americans for Safe Access.

Read full story »

Source: Los Angeles Times

Mr. Rockwell, medical marijuana collective ordinance discussions in Long Beach on November 10, 2009

'Get it Legal': Cheech and Chong debate 'buzzkill' Ann Coulter on legalizing marijuana

Promoting "change through laughter," and saying that marijuana laws are so ridiculous you have to laugh at them," Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong debated Ann Coulter on Geraldo at Large.

"That's what 'Up in Smoke' was all about!' says Chong. Geraldo suggests that they want to get the issue onto the front burner, so to speak. Chong says he would like to have marijuana changed from Schedule 1 to Schedule II- available only by prescription. Coulter says there are already problems with alcohol, namely alcoholics, and this would be like letting a genie out of a bottle.

Read Full Article

Source: Examiner.com

David Zink, Medical marijuana collective ordinance discussions in Long Beach on November 10, 2009

NEWS: District attorney issues sharp rebuke of L.A. medical pot proposal

Steve Cooley insists dispensaries that sell marijuana are violating state law and will be prosecuted. Of the City Council's effort to pass an ordinance, he says: 'Quite frankly we're ignoring them.'
[read more]

Mark Adams, Medical marijuana collective ordinance discussions in Long Beach on November 10, 2009

Mark Adams, medical marijuana collective owner and director of the Long Beach Chapter of the Medical Cannabis Association, speaks to the Long Beach City Council regarding proposed draft ordinance for medical marijuana collectives/dispensaries.

Mark Adams' collective website: http://www.herbalsolutionsca.com

TWITTER UPDATE: Specials from collectives in Long Beach, California

If you are following us on twitter (@dispensaries) and live in or near the Long Beach area then this may be for you. Over the next few days we are going to be transitioning all patient specials and announcements for Long Beach collectives ONLY to an account that will be dedicated strictly to that. The account for Long Beach collective's specials and announcements will be @lbcollectives.

We are doing this in an effort to enhance our communications and promote a positive web experience for all. There is no reason why someone in New York should have to receive Tweets about specials in Southern California. Hence our decision to dedicate a Twitter account strictly for that purpose.

Be sure to add @lbcollectives to your list of people you follow in order to continue to receive information regarding collectives and specials in the city of Long Beach.

We hope this change is a positive one for everyone! Comments are ALWAYS welcome with an open heart, spirit and mind.

Sierra Serhan from Belmont Shore Natural Care Speaks at Long Beach City Council Meeting - Nov 10, 2009

Belmont Shore Natural Care Website

ASA needs your help to stop Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich ban dispensaries

ASA needs your help to stop Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich from pushing an ordinance through the City Council that could effectively ban medical cannabis collectives in the city. On Monday, October 16, the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee and Public Safety Committee will consider this badly flawed draft ordinance. Can you take a moment to call the committee members before that meeting and tell them to reject the City Attorney’s ordinance?

A simple phone call can make a big difference! Just call the committee members and say, “I am a medical cannabis supporter calling to ask the Councilmember to reject the draft medical cannabis ordinance prepared by City Attorney Carmen Trutanich.” [more info]

................
Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research.

IN THE NEWS: Agents seize 1,300 pounds of marijuana at CA home used by Mexican drug cartel

LOS ANGELES—Authorities say San Bernardino County narcotics agents have seized 1,300 pounds of marijuana and arrested four men during a raid at an Ontario home.

The four suspects were booked at the West Valley Detention Center and face drug charges.

During Wednesday's raid, agents discovered about 1,200 pounds of marijuana inside two vehicles that were parked at the home and another 100 pounds inside the home.

Investigators say the home was used by a Mexican drug cartel and that the marijuana was grown in Mexico and was to be distributed across the U.S.
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Source: The Los Angeles Times

Long Beach, California Vice-Mayor Val Lerch's Position on Medical Marijuana - November 10, 2009

Long Beach City Council Meeting - TODAY at 5:00PM!

November 10, 2009: The City Council of Long Beach (California) will hold a meeting today November 10, 2009 at 5:00pm where one of the subjects on the agenda involves hearings on the following:

10. 09-1203 Recommendation to receive public input and discuss draft ordinance regarding medical marijuana.

If you can attend in person, then by all means do so and get involved in your community! The voices of patients need to be heard, but we all need to work together on this and in a respectable fashion.

If you can't make it to the meeting in person, the City of Long Beach has setup a "Live" broadcast of the meeting which can be accessed by going to this page: City of Long Beach, CA - City Council On Line.

Agenda for November 10, 2009

NEWS: Medical marijuana debate increases

SACRAMENTO, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- The growing number of medical marijuana clinics opening in California has ratcheted up the debate about both their legitimacy and worthiness, observers say.

California's Compassionate Use Act passed in 1996 allowed patients holding a valid doctor's recommendation to possess and cultivate marijuana for personal medical use. Those in favor of the act touted medical marijuana's benefit in patients with AIDS, chronic pain and cancer, The Sacramento Bee reported. [read more]

Source: UPI.com

NEWS: Patients flock to California doctors practicing pot medicine

In Mississippi, where Dr. David Allen worked as a heart surgeon, authorities seized his home and ranch this year after finding $800 worth of marijuana and $1,000 in hashish. A grand jury is to consider a cultivation charge that could net him 30 years in prison under Mississippi's drug laws.

In Sacramento, where he now lives, Allen is a legal, licensed member of a community of physicians that enables hundreds of thousands of Californians to lawfully consume or grow marijuana for personal use. [read more]

Source: The Sacramento Bee

LB City Council to consider ordinance to regulate marijuana dispensaries

On Tuesday, November 10, 2009 the Long Beach City Council will consider an ordinance drafted by City Attorney Robert Shannon to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. Last Tuesday, November 3, the council received a recommendation from the council’s Economic Development and Finance Committee on what the city can do to regulate the distribution of marijuana that is used for medicinal purposes [read more]

Source: Signal Tribune

NEW COLLECTIVE: Mid-County Patients Association

Mid-County Patients Association
3164 E. La Palma Ave. Suite P [map]
Anaheim, CA 92806
Phone: (714) 630-MCPA (6272)

Come down and support the movement! We offer Child Care while you shop, Compassionate Access Program, 12 different strain, edibles, tinctures and much more! $50 cap on all strains! Free 1/8 when you get an ounce!

NEW VIDEO: Los Angeles vs. Marijuana Dispensaries

Tax Cannabis 2010 Initiative Meeting TONIGHT NOVEMBER 5th, 2009 in Venice Beach, CA

VENICE BEACH, CA - There is an important Venice Town Hall Meeting tomorrow night, which will be discussing the Tax Cannabis 2010 Initiative.

This event is planned to start at 6:30 pm on Nov 5, 2009 at
Westminster Elementary School Auditorium
1010 Abbott Kinney Blvd. [map]
Venice, CA 90291

Francis Dellavecchia, the head of our Los Angeles efforts, will be representing our cause and we would love your support!

Let's have a strong presence and a strong voice!!! As always, please call or email me with any questions.
Thanks and hope to see you there!

Rochelle Harvey
951-660-1315

So-called patients are hijacking medical marijuana

After 25 years of lower back pain, Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez finally decided to take obvious step No. 1: get a physician’s recommendation for medical marijuana. Last week he took obvious step No. 2: write a column about it in the Times.

Lopez got his recommendation from a physician who advertised “superior professionalism” yet never laid a hand on Lopez. He identified himself as a gynecologist who knows nothing about back pain. He nevertheless charged $150 for no good and valuable service except certifying in writing that “Steve Lopez was evaluated in my office for a medical condition, which in my professional opinion, may benefit from the use of medical marijuana.”

What more do you need to know? The unscrupulous have hijacked the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, California’s medical marijuana law [read more]

Source: San Diego News Network

NEWS: Marijuana seizures quadruple in L.A. County

Los Angeles County, which has seen a whirlwind expansion in medical marijuana dispensaries this year, has notched another marijuana milestone. The county has moved to No. 5 for the amount seized in the state's annual eradication campaign, with 340,187 pot plants uprooted -- more than a fourfold increase [more]

Source: Los Angeles Times

Sticky Kush from Green Earth Center

STRAIN: Sticky Kush (Indica)
LOCATION: Green Earth Center; Long Beach, CA

NOTES: This pleasant strain started off as a mild-medium body high that slooooooowly crept up to my head. After I took a couple puffs (tasted slight hint of cinnamon), I took a deep breath in and slowly exhaled and closed my eyes. Just let my body relax.

The Sticky Kush is great for aches and pains. My whole body was aching beforehand from stress and running myself 14-16 hours a day running 2 companies. It gently took that pain away and I was able to rest and relax with minimal tension.

Available at the Green Earth Center in Long Beach, California [$20,$60,$110,$200,$375]

NEWS: Drug czar to Iowa officials: Look at problems with medical pot in California

DES MOINES — The White House’s drug czar said Monday that Iowa officials should look at the problems California has seen after allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes as they consider the idea here.

Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, specifically cited problems regulating the clinics in the Los Angeles area that dispense medical marijuana [more]

Source: Globe Gazette

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Marijuana Task Force Update: Keeping collectives at a safe distance

Last Friday, the city of San Diego Medical Marijuana Task Force held its second-to-last meeting for the calendar year. The meeting focused on what the permitting process should be for dispensaries and how far collectives and cooperatives should be kept away from schools and each other. [read more]

Source: San Diego Newsroom

NEW VIDEO: Why should Obama make pot legal?