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Republican Governor John Kasich signed House Bill 523 in June 2016, making the Ohio the 25th state to allow patients to use medical cannabis. About 90 days later, patients were legally allowed to using cannabis medicines. Where patients would get the cannabis was another question, since dispensaries are still not allowed in the state yet a year later, but nevermind the disconnect (In June 2017, Ohio will begin accepting applications that will allow 24 winners to grow medical cannabis). HB 523 stipulates that cannabis can be recommended by doctors for 20 conditions, which are similar but not identical to the conditions approved by other states. Ohio’s qualifying conditions are: HIV/AIDS Alzheimer's disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Cancer Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) Crohn's disease Epilepsy or another seizure disorder Fibromyalgia Glaucoma Hepatitis C Inflammatory bowel disease Multiple sclerosis Pain that is chronic and severe, or intractable Parkinson's disease Post traumatic stress disorder Sickle cell anemia Spinal cord disease or injury Tourette's syndrome Traumatic brain injury Ulcerative colitis READ MORE

Though approved by 70% of FLA voters, incident is “another reminder that we’re dealing with people’s lives.” While members of the Florida House and Senate debated on April 18th about ways to implement the new cannabis law that was approved by 70% of voters in November, Michael Bowen, who relies on medication to control his seizures, fell to the floor in convulsions. "This is what happens to epileptics whose medicine doesn't work for them anymore and they can't get access to the one medicine that does actually work," Stephani Scruggs said, as medical providers and Capitol police crowded around her husband. Bowen was eventually removed from the committee room. After the meeting, Senator Rob Bradley, a long time cannabis supporter, told reporters that Bowen's seizure "is another reminder that what we're dealing with is people's lives." Bradley said later, "Hopefully what happened here today will remind everybody that what we are talking about is patients and what we are talking about is access to a drug that is now guaranteed under the Constitution." READ MORE

Cannabis Canard of the Day: "Teens ordering chocolates laced with cannabis off the dark Web"... The paint-by-number elements of this Cannabis Canards are easy to spot: “... teens are ordering...” The thought that unsupervised teenagers can order drugs online - from their computers or their phones - is scary. It preys on the fear that all parents of teenagers secretly harbor: their lack of control and discipline could lead to ruin. "...chocolates laced with cannabis..." It is true, edible medicinal cannabis products have been developed for patients who don't like or can't tolerate other methods of ingesting. Many contain only CBD, the medicinal and pain relieving component of cannabis, and not THC, the psychoactive component. The idea that teens would be attracted to chocolate treats AND want to get high... We knew it all along… candy and cannabis is a tempting and dangerous combination! The best possible solution for keeping cannabis out of the hands of kids: legalized distribution through licensed dispensaries selling only to patients and/or those of legal age. Sell to minors, lose your license plus plus plus... Legal owners will follow these regulations - drug dealers? Not so much. Number 3 is that “American teens are using the “dark web” to buy cannabis edibles from Europe.” R-i-i-ight. The dark web is extremely difficult to access. And why buy from Europe when it's made in America? Would teens really put a credit card online to drug dealers in Europe? Would they risk shipping it where it could be intercepted by law enforcement? FIRST POSTED ON The Daily Star Sunday edition: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/604022/chocolates-ordering-chocolates-laced-cannabis-marijuana-young-stoners CATEGORY Alarmist

According to multiple reports from the State of Colorado, more than $1.3 Billion in legal cannabis products were sold in the state in 2016. This figure includes both medical and recreational cannabis. What this means? In basic economic terms (supply and demand), Colorado’s proven demand for legal cannabis is more than $1 Billion per year. Because these legal sales are tracked, they are taxed to the tune of “… about $199 million in tax and fees revenue for the calendar year.” Lastly, because the $1Billion of cannabis products was produced in-state, sold in-state, and accounted for – including taxes paid – that’s $1Billion in illegal drug traffic that street dealers, black marketeers, and “Mexican and Russian gangs” are NOT making in Colorado. Similar effects can be created in the 28 states and the District of Columbia, where cannabis sales are legal (some state programs are not operational yet). Deeper Benefits It’s important to look closely at the benefits to the state more deeply. Of the taxes raised, the first $40 Million is promised for capital school construction. Additional funds went to the Marijuana Cash Fund, which provided funding for, among others: $9.5M for Education $15M for Human Services $18M for Public Health and the Environment $30M to the General Fund. Because legal cannabis is not allowed to move across state lines, Colorado has a $1Billion industry that is totally captive – all dollars, taxes, jobs, stay in the state. As an example, the previous year’s sales were $996M, and generated 18,005 jobs and $2.39 Billion in total economic impact. Brian Vicente, principal of Vicente Sederberg Law in Denver, summed up the benefits of Colorado’s cannabis industry succinctly. “The impact is really felt at the local level. Some counties have done 20 years of infrastructure work in just one year's time,” he said. “They've provided lunch for kids who need it. These are powerful things,”

Throughout the 100+ years of cannabis prohibition in the United States, which became a federal law with Harry Anslinger's Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, and was super-charged by Richard Nixon with the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, cannabis propaganda has been clear and consistent around seven themes. These common tropes, which we call the "7 Cannabis Canards", were initiated by the political designers of the anti-drug campaigns, and have been propagated in the media. The entertainment industry has had a particularly powerful role in developing Americans' fearful and negative opinion of cannabis and its effects. In books, films, and news media, hundreds or perhaps even thousands of pieces have contributed to the general fear and misunderstanding of cannabis and its potential medicinal benefits. The "7 Cannabis Canards" can be used singly or in combinations. Readers will recognize many of these immediately. The American Cannabis Report will try to call these out whenever we see them: "Cannabis Users are Possessed by Satan." Cannabis has been called "The Devil's Weed" for decades, with "roots in hell", etc.; a powerful statement in simpler times. This cannabis canard leads to the sadly pathetic "The Devil Made Me Do It" defense that criminals are still using today. "Cannabis causes incurable insanity." A sideshow-barker catch-phrase of Anslinger which was prominently featured in the Hearst production of "Reefer Madness", cannabis has been linked with insanity, psychotic behavior, schizophrenia, and hallucinations. While it is true that cannabis is used by people suffering from mental illness, we have yet to find any evidence that it's causative - it seems more likely cannabis is a substance that suffering people seek out for relief. "Cannabis causes uncontrollable sexuality." We were surprised/not surprised to find a whole paperback book series titled "Marijuana Girl" as an example of the canard that cannabis will cause women (i.e. your sister, your girlfriend, your WIFE!!!) to lose control and throw herself at other men. This canard is also commonly used racially, or in time of war. "The Dusky Races Do It." A quote often attributed to Anslinger summarizes this one: "There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most of them are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others." "Cannabis Causes Shocking Violence." Another fave phrase of Anslinger, the idea that cannabis causes "shocking violence" is quaint to anyone who knows the real effect of ingesting the plant - quite the opposite from violence, the result is mellowness, relaxation, etc. But "Reefer Madness" depicted 'shocking violence and immorality' and people were affected by the powerful images that seemed so real in a Hollywood film. "Cannabis puts OUR whole community in danger." This cannabis canard says all of us must be on guard against cannabis, or it "may reach for your son... or daughter..." our "our race..." "Cannabis is a Gateway Drug." The often-cited theory that cannabis use "leads to hard drugs" (followed by ruin, violence, and death) has been debated for decades. Though there is no definitive study that says cannabis is NEVER A PART of an addict's use experience, most studies we've reviewed are in agreement that even if cannabis is on an addict's timeline, it is not exclusively CAUSATIVE. Addiction is complicated. A person's home and neighborhood environment, mental health, availability of substances from alcohol to prescription meds to sugar and a host of other factors can all contribute. But the idea that cannabis is a gateway drug has been discredited. In many studies, alcohol is cited as the real culprit.