• Americans’ support for marijuana legalization is now higher than ever

    As younger people grow up and increasingly dominate politics, it’s going to be much more difficult for lawmakers to oppose relaxing marijuana laws
    Vox (US)
    Wednesday, October 12, 2016

    pew-cannabis-sep2016Five states will vote on whether to fully legalize marijuana in November. Supporters of those initiatives got some pretty good news: Support for marijuana legalization in the US has reached historic highs. A Pew Research Center survey of 1,201 US adults, conducted in late August and early September, found that 57 percent support legalization, while just 37 percent oppose it. That’s up from 53 percent support in 2014 and a near reversal from just a decade ago, when 32 percent backed legalization and 60 percent opposed it. (See also: Why is support for marijuana legalization hitting record heights?)

  • Pot stock hits record high as more U.S. states press ahead with legalization

    Adults living in states permitting recreational use would more than double to 23 per cent of the U.S. population if all five ballot questions pass next month
    The Globe and Mail (Canada)
    Wednesday, October 12, 2016

    cannabis-investingAs polls indicate California, Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada and Arizona are poised to approve referendums dramatically expanding legal U.S. cannabis use, investors looking for a play in the burgeoning legal U.S. marijuana industry are turning to a company known mainly for its lawn-care products. California alone could triple the nation’s $6-billion (U.S.) legal marijuana industry if voters there approve recreational use next month, according to a Sept. 12 report from Cowen & Co.

  • France's first injection room for addicts opens in Paris

    A similar room is set to open in Strasbourg soon, and more may be rolled out to other cities as well
    The Local (France)
    Tuesday, October 11, 2016

    France's first supervised drug centre or "salle de shoot" opened in Paris near the Gare du Nord train station. The area is a known hotspot for drug addicts, many of whom loiter around the nearby Gare du Nord and often shoot up in public toilets and car parks, leaving their syringes behind on the ground. It is expected to help 200 drug addicts a day, in a "safe" place where they can bring their own drugs and inject them under the watchful eye of healthcare professionals who'll provide sterile needles. (See also: France to open first safe-injection room for drug addicts)

  • Marijuana's Moment

    As many as five states could approve its recreational use this November, potentially signaling a point of no return for legalized pot
    The Atlantic (US)
    Tuesday, October 11, 2016

    legalize-cannabisMeasures to legalize and regulate the sale of cannabis are on the ballot in California, Arizona, Massachusetts, Maine, and Nevada, and recent polls show the “yes” vote is winning in all five states. Approval would mark the biggest advance yet for advocates in the decades-long fight over legalizing marijuana — one that they believe could ultimately force the federal government to end its prohibition of the drug. Recreational marijuana users can now legally light up a joint in states representing about 5 percent of the U.S. population. By the time Americans wake up on November 9, that percentage could be swelling to more than one-quarter.

  • Cannabis: un Français sur deux favorable à un débat sur la législation

    L’interdiction de la consommation et du commerce du cannabis largement perçue comme inefficace
    L'Express (France)
    Lundi, 10 octobre 2016

    Un sondage réalisé par Ipsos est présenté au Sénat, à l'occasion d'un colloque sur la législation du cannabis. Il révèle que 52% des Français sont favorables à une législation contrôlée de cette drogue. Ils sont, en revanche, 47% à y être défavorables selon cette enquête. Les Français s'accordent par ailleurs massivement (84%) pour considérer que la législation actuelle est inefficace, et cela pour toutes les tranches d'âge. 16% la trouvent utile. Dans ce contexte et malgré un débat public monopolisé par les questions de sécurité et d’emploi, une part importante de Français (52 %) souhaite que les candidats à l’élection présidentielle prennent position sur l’évolution de la législation sur le cannabis.

  • Dane faces 10 years for selling cannabis to cancer patients

    A Gallup poll found in June that 88 percent of Danes support legalizing cannabis for medical use
    The Local (Denmark)
    Wednesday, October 5, 2016

    denmark-moffeA Danish activist who openly provides cannabis to cancer patients and other Danes with serious medical ailments was arrested and faces up to ten years in prison. The initial court appearance was held behind closed doors, despite the defence’s wish to have information about the case shared with the public. A Gallup poll found in June that a full 88 percent of Danes support legalizing cannabis for medical use and of those who support legalization. Polls have also shown a slim majority in favour of legalizing cannabis for recreational use. (See also: Medicinal cannabis trial in the works in Denmark)

  • California marijuana legalisation faces unlikely foe: growers

    Some growers believe going legit would be less lucrative than selling to states where marijuana remains illegal
    Reuters (UK)
    Tuesday, October 4, 2016

    california-cannabis-cultivationThe executive director of the California Growers Association trade group, Hezekiah Allen has long sought an end to what he calls "prohibition". But he said he can't bring himself to vote for Proposition 64, a referendum on California's November ballot that would legalize cultivation, sale and recreational use of marijuana. Growers fear going legit will mean too much red tape and burdensome oversight. Some fear an onslaught of big business - and competition that could wipe them out. "I don't want to replace a criminal injustice with an economic injustice," Allen said.

  • Terra Nova veut légaliser le cannabis sur le modèle des jeux en ligne

    Selon le think tank de gauche, les comportements des consommateurs sont similaires dans les deux cas
    Le Monde (France)
    Mardi, 4 octobre 2016

    cannabis-plantLa création d’une « Autorité de régulation du cannabis (ARCA) » calquée sur l’Autorité de régulation des jeux en ligne (Arjel) permettrait la légalisation du cannabis en France, sur un marché contrôlé, estime le club de réflexion Terra Nova dans un rapport. Selon ce think tank classé à gauche, la problématique du cannabis se rapproche de celle des jeux connectés, les consommateurs ayant des comportements similaires. De plus, l’offre fait se côtoyer « offre physique et offre en ligne ». (Sondage: Les Français et le cannabis)

  • Canada faces choice on international drug treaties over legalized pot

    Legalizing pot will violate international treaties. What should Canada do?
    CBC (Canada)
    Monday, October 3, 2016

    canada-ottawa-cannabisAs Canada moves forward with its plan to legalize marijuana, government officials have at least one international conundrum to sort out: what to do about the global treaties Canada has signed that prohibit making pot legal? A senior government official said there are essentially two options available. On the one hand, Canada could take a "principled stand" in favour of the international legalization of pot. The other, quieter approach, would be to withdraw from the treaties and attempt to re-enter with a special exemption for legalized marijuana. (See also: Cannabis Regulation and the UN Drug Treaties)

  • Germany allows MS patient to grow cannabis in unprecedented case

    The cannabis is strictly for personal use
    Deutsche Welle (Germany)
    Monday, October 3, 2016

    A court in Germany has allowed a patient to cultivate cannabis for medicinal purposes. Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) confirmed that the patient will be allowed to grow a maximum of 130 cannabis plants a year. There are currently more than 900 patients in Germany who are permitted to use the drug for medicinal purposes. However, the cannabis must be purchased from the pharmacy and financial costs covered by the patient. One gram currently costs around 15 euros. Prior to receiving his permit, the patient had filed multiple lawsuits, arguing that he could not afford the monthly costs of around 1,500 euros.

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