In the last 10 years, the landscape of marijuana reform in the United States has transformed drastically; It’s much more green. There are now 18 states, including Washington, D.C., that have legalized medical marijuana in one form or another. Thirteen states have decriminalized it, and two have legalized the recreational use of marijuana.
(Photo Credit Jessica Palombo / WFSU-FM)
Progress has brought about change. Voters are now more informed than ever, and the majority support legalization. Research has debunked the propaganda made popular by the war on drugs, and with more than a third of the United States having some form of marijuana legalization or decriminalization, prohibition proponents can no longer argue that widespread marijuana use will bring about some sort of moral apocalypse. Whether you talk to doctors, legislators, cops, or voters, it seems that more and more agree; it’s just not that bad.With public approval for legalization at an all time high, government officials are being forced to reconsider their stance. Just ask Pam Bondi, Florida’s attorney general. The Cannabis Action Network, a marijuana advocacy group, sent her a petition requesting that she reclassify marijuana so that it would no longer be a Schedule I Drug. If Bondi chooses to reclassify it, Florida legislature will be forced to pass new laws regulating its usage, and marijuana advocates are hoping that will lead to the legalization of medical marijuana.
Florida law gives Bondi 30 days to reply. A spokesperson has stated that she has not yet made a decision, which indicates that their request is being considered. Of course, it should be; Denying terminally ill patients medicine that has been proven to help relieve pain and discomfort could be viewed as a poor career choice.
Bondi has three choices: She can accept the request, deny it or send it to the court of public opinion. In reality, however, it’s already in the public’s hands. While groups like The Cannabis Action Network are already mobilized, it is the duty of all people who support legalization to get involved. The Florida attorney’s general office and all of the United States government need to know; This is the United States, the land of the free, and true patriots will no longer stand for denying sick people access to medicine in the interests of lobbyists and corporations. Call, write or email the Florida’s attorney general office today, and support the reclassification of marijuana!
Florida has been one of the least progressive states when it comes to marijuana reform. We continue to prosecute a large number of possession cases, and have not caught up to the national trends of medical marijuana acceptance, decriminalization, and now legalization in 2 states.
But our activist community is engaged, and we hope Floridians will soon join the 21st century trends in this important area of civic freedom.
this is a no brainer…
US PATENT 6630507- Cannabinoids (aka cannabis) as antioxidants and neuroprotectants
ASSIGNEE- ***The United States of America*** as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6630507.PN.&OS=PN/6630507&RS=PN/6630507
Federal Register- Nov 1, 2010: DEA Schedule III Change- To include formulations having naturally-derived THC.
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2010/fr1101.htm
Establishment of a New Drug Code for Marihuana Extract
http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/07/05/2011-16800/establishment-of-a-new-drug-code-for-marihuana-extract
The United States NIH Office of Technology Transfer- Licensing & Royalties- Patent 6630507
http://www.ott.nih.gov/Technologies/abstractDetails.aspx?RefNo=396
Grant of Exclusive License: Development of Cannabinoid(s) and Cannabidiol(s) Based Therapeutics To Treat Hepatic Encephalopathy in Humans.
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/11/17/2011-29726/prospective-grant-of-exclusive-license-development-of-cannabinoids-and-cannabidiols-based
just make it legal