Medical marijuana is finally happening—but distributing it may be the least of New Mexico’s worries. Such was the conceit of the International Drug Policy Reform Conference, which began just days after New Mexico’s Department of Health approved four new medical marijuana producers to field demand from the state’s 755 patients. ... Given the statistics, drug activists’ optimism is hardly baseless. An Oct. 19 Gallup Poll finds that 44 percent of Americans support legalizing marijuana, the highest figure ever; in 2003, another poll found that 75 percent support allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana. And in Colorado, according to Sensible Colorado Executive Director Brian Vicente, the number of medical marijuana dispensaries jumped from 4,000 to more than 30,000 in 2009 alone. (November 18, 2009)

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. on Tuesday directed the state's medical-marijuana dispensaries to pay sales tax and obtain retail-sales licenses, bringing the once-taboo product closer to mainstream respectability. Colorado is now the second state, behind California, to tax and regulate medical-marijuana sales, medical marijuana to the states. Fourteen states have legalized medical marijuana, but California and Colorado are unique in their use of storefront dispensaries. Three other states - Maine, New Mexico and Rhode Island - are now moving to license providers, said Bruce Mirken, a spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project. "Certainly California and Colorado are the only states where it's happening on a large scale," Mr. Mirken said. (November 18, 2009)

In an opinion that could generate more revenue for cash-strapped governments and give additional legitimacy to a fledgling industry, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said Monday that the state can collect sales tax on medical marijuana. "Medical marijuana is tangible property that is generally subject to state sales tax," Suthers, a Republican, wrote ... The opinion also said medical-marijuana dispensaries must obtain retail-sales licenses from the state to do business. "I think the community is willing to pay taxes if it will help prove the legitimacy of their efforts," said Courtney Tanning, executive director of the Colorado Wellness Association, which represents medical-marijuana dispensaries and the patients and doctors who deal with them. (November 17, 2009)

Two Los Angeles City Council committees rejected the advice of the city attorney and voted Monday to approve an ordinance that allows marijuana dispensaries to continue to sell the drug to people with a doctor's recommendation. The city attorney's office has maintained for a year and a half that Los Angeles has no choice but to ban sales because state law and court decisions are clear that collectives can only cultivate marijuana. That opinion had stalled the council's deliberations because dispensary operators insisted it would force them to close. Four hours into a raucous hearing, frustrated council members decided to replace the provision with one that authorizes cash contributions as long as they comply with state law, which prohibits collectives from making a profit. (November 16, 2009)

Three years ago, former U.S. Attorney John McKay was somewhere near the front lines of the nation's drug war. ... "I think there has to be a shift in the paradigm," said McKay, now a professor at Seattle University. "The correct policy change would be a top-to-bottom review of the nation's drug laws." McKay joined a panel as part of an effort by [travel author and decriminalization activist Rick] Steves and the American Civil Liberties Union to, in their view, return rationality to discussions about the nation's drug laws. ... While the panelists did not agree on all points, each said they see the need for substantive change in the way marijuana is regulated and offenders are punished. They also each spoke about the fears, or lack of courage, of elected officials in addressing issues surrounding the drug. (November 16, 2009)

This week's [The Economist] examines international attitudes on the drug war, and argues that because of the cost, the difficulty, and the complications, many countries are wearying of it, including the United States .... What's changed? There have been a few movements at the federal level, such as the administration's decision not to target federal dispensaries. As the drug-policy reformers generally get less attention or even lip service than the other groups mentioned above, they may be happier with smaller gains. There have also been several victories in the states, and there is a growing belief here that, because of congressional and presidential shirking of the issue, any national reform will be driven by momentum from the states. ... Aaron Houston, the director of government relations for the Marijuana Policy Project, said that he's been trying to convince congresspeople (even among the Republicans and the Blue Dogs) that if they just come out in favour of reform they will tap a great silent source of votes. (November 14, 2009)

The American Medical Assn. on Tuesday urged the federal government to reconsider its classification of marijuana as a dangerous drug with no accepted medical use, a significant shift that puts the prestigious group behind calls for more research. ... n changing its policy, the group said its goal was to clear the way to conduct clinical research, develop cannabis-based medicines and devise alternative ways to deliver the drug. ... "They're clearly taking an open-minded stance and acknowledging that the evidence warrants a review. That is very big," said Bruce Mirken, a spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project. "It's not surprising that they are moving cautiously and one step at a time, but this is still a very significant change." (November 11, 2009)

In October, the Obama administration announced that the federal government will not prosecute users or distributors of medicinal marijuana as long as they follow state laws, the latest part of a trend that has seen several states, including Minnesota, take an increased interest in the issue. ... The Minnesota Legislature passed a medical marijuana bill this year, but Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed it. ... The bill’s author said he will likely propose it again this spring. (November 9, 2009)

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. ... State officials put the wholesale value of this year's eradicated marijuana at $17.8 billion. ... Bruce Mirken, spokesman for the ... Marijuana Policy Project, ridiculed the effort. "Let me guess, they set a record number of plant seizures and marijuana has now been eradicated from California?" he quipped. Mirken said the campaign has caused growers to move from private lands into wilderness areas. "This is an annual exercise in futility. Not only does it not do anything meaningful, it actually makes the problem worse," he said. (November 5, 2009)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Marijuana Policy Project, America’s largest marijuana policy reform organization, will look back on 15 productive years of improving marijuana laws at a January 13 gala that will feature guest speakers such as talk show host Montel Williams. The star-studded host committee includes Melissa Etheridge, Tom Robbins, Bill Maher, Ben Taylor, Steve Buscemi, Susan Sarandon, Lewis Black, Nicole Atkins, Margaret Cho, Mark Leno, Hal Sparks, Ani DiFranco, Garry Trudeau, and Medeski, Martin and Wood, along with many other prominent supporters. When MPP was founded in 1995, medical marijuana was illegal in all 50 states. Since then, 13 states have passed medical marijuana laws, with Michigan becoming the 13th state in November 2008, when Michigan voters passed MPP's ballot initiative by a 63% to 37% margin. By the end of 2010, MPP is hopeful that medical marijuana will be legal in 15 states (with passage in New York and New Jersey). (November 19, 2009)

HOUSTON, TEXAS — In a move considered historic by supporters of medical marijuana, the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates today adopted a new policy position calling for the review of marijuana’s status as a Schedule I drug in the federal Controlled Substances Act. The old language in Policy H-95.952 had previously recommended that “marijuana be retained in Schedule I,” which groups marijuana with drugs such as heroin, LSD and PCP that are deemed to have no accepted medical uses and to be unsafe for use even under medical supervision. The revised policy, adopted today, states, “Our AMA urges that marijuana’s status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines, and alternate delivery methods.” It goes on to explain that this position should not be construed as an endorsement of state medical marijuana programs. (November 10, 2009)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The most exhaustive collection of data ever on U.S. marijuana arrests, penalties and related information, released today, finds no relationship between marijuana arrest and use rates, while penalty structures act as a price support mechanism that boosts the illegal market. (November 5, 2009)

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA — Today the Iowa Board of Pharmacy held the last of four hearings to examine the medical value of marijuana, receiving testimony from a range of medical experts, patients who have benefited from medical marijuana, and many others who asked that Iowa allow doctors to recommend the medical use of marijuana for seriously ill patients. More than 80 people in total testified at hearings in Des Moines, Mason City, Iowa City and Council Bluffs. Almost no one testified against medical marijuana. Among those who spoke out in favor of medical marijuana were state Sen. Joe Bolkcom (D-Iowa City), Dr. Stephan Arndt, director of the Iowa Consortium for Substance Abuse Research and Evaluation, and Raphael Mechoulam, the Israeli scientist who in 1964 discovered THC, marijuana’s main psychoactive component. (November 4, 2009)

(November 3, 2009)

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA — Raphael Mechoulam, the Israeli scientist who in 1964 discovered THC, the main psychoactive component in marijuana, will testify by telephone in support of medical use of marijuana at Wednesday’s Iowa Board of Pharmacy hearing. Mechoulam, considered the world’s leading expert on marijuana and cannabinoids, will join other medical experts and patients in the last of four hearings to examine the medical value of marijuana and whether its classification under state law should be changed. After this final hearing, the Board of Pharmacy will make a recommendation to the state legislature regarding the scheduling of marijuana and what further steps are necessary. (November 3, 2009)

AUGUSTA, MAINE — In a landmark vote, Maine voters today approved Question 5, making the state the third in the country to license nonprofit organizations to provide medical marijuana to qualified patients and the first ever to do so by a vote of the people. With 49 percent of the vote tallied, the measure was cruising to an easy win with 60.2 percent voting “yes” and 39.8 percent voting “no.” Under the measure, the state will license nonprofit organizations to provide medical marijuana to qualified patients and set rules for their operation. While 13 states permit medical use of marijuana, only Rhode Island and New Mexico have similar dispensary provisions, both of which were adopted by the states’ legislatures. Maine’s original medical marijuana law was passed in 1999. (November 3, 2009)

In a letter addressed to New Hampshire state officials today, musician, songwriter and cancer survivor Melissa Etheridge asked state lawmakers to vote to override Gov. Lynch’s veto of H.B. 648, in order to protect from criminal prosecution seriously ill patients who ease their symptoms through marijuana. A breast cancer survivor, Etheridge writes in her letter that marijuana helped alleviate the pain and nausea that she experienced as a result of chemotherapy: “All of my doctors said the same thing, from oncologists to surgeons, every one of them told me that marijuana was a very good and effective way to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy: “All of my doctors said the same thing, from oncologists to surgeons, every one of them told me that marijuana was a very good and effective way to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy. ..." (October 27, 2009)

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA — On Wednesday, the California Assembly Public Safety Committee will hold a historic hearing on the implications of taxing and regulating marijuana similarly to alcoholic beverages. The informational hearing marks the first time California’s legislature has considered ending marijuana prohibition since California first banned marijuana in 1913. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), chair of the committee, is author of AB 390, the Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act. A press conference will precede the hearing. (October 27, 2009)

CONCORD— One day prior to the final vote on HB 648, patients and advocates will hold a Tuesday morning press conference urging legislators to end the uncertainty and pass this bill into law when they vote Oct. 28. Additionally, half-page newspaper ads have been slated to run Tuesday in the Concord Monitor and the New Hampshire Union-Leader urging support for the override. HB 648 passed the House and Senate June 24, but was subsequently vetoed by Gov. John Lynch. If it becomes law, New Hampshire would become the 14th state to protect seriously ill patients from arrest for using medical marijuana if their doctor recommends it. (October 26, 2009)