HUD Agrees to Give Medical Marijuana Patients a Second Chance

An agreement has been reached in the case of Colorado licensed medical marijuana patient Bill Hewitt and The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreement allows for the reinstatement of Mr. Hewitt’s federal housing voucher provided he agrees not to engage in the illegal use of a controlled substance as defined under state and federal law.

Mr. Hewitt, who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy, had his housing voucher rescinded shortly after being featured in an article in the local newspaper (read here) regarding his use of medical marijuana. Then, after speaking with the staff of Sensible Colorado Mr. Hewitt and his attorney, Bradley Switzer, filed a discriminatory complaint against the Montrose Housing Authority and the Colorado Division of Housing alleging that by rescinding his housing voucher they had failed to make reasonable accommodations for his disability.

This precedent setting case is very important to medical marijuana patients who are receiving federal housing assistance and unknowingly violate the terms of their housing agreement by using medical marijuana in their homes. Thanks to Mr. Hewitt and Bradley Switzer, medical marijuana patients who are receiving federal housing assistance now have second chance!

Medical marijuana shop raided in Spokane

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Spokane police have raided a medical marijuana dispensary, shutting down the business and arresting the owners on drug charges.Police said Thursday it was the first time in the state that medical marijuana distributors had been arrested on a change of delivery of a controlled substance.Law officers searched a store called "Change" on Spokane's north side, plus four private residences.Arrested were "Change" co-owners Scott Q. Shupe and Christopher P. Stevens. They were booked into the Spokane County Jail for delivery of marijuana.Police said the business was selling marijuana to more than 1,000 customers.

Link to Barney Frank's H. R. 2835

In Washington, you need to get a doctor's authorization in order to use medical marijuana. Depending on your condition, your own doctor may not feel comfortable with authorizing you to use medical marijuana.If you need a medical marijuana authorization, please call the Hemp & Cannabis Foundation's Medical Clinic at 1-800-723-0188. 

Chapter 69.51A RCW Medical marijuana Complete Chapter

Federal resolution to end marijuana confusion

Last month Barney Frank (D-Mass.) introduced HR 2835, the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act. In an act of brilliance which was co-sponsored by 13 representatives from around the country, Frank is asking for medical marijuana to be re-scheduled, among further clarification in state’s rights. In addition to the re-scheduling of marijuana from schedule I to schedule II, the bill also asks for:

*Prescription and recommendation terminology clarification
*Clarification of “authorized patient’s” ability to carry, obtain, and produce his/her own medicine
*Clarification of a caregiver’s role, and authorizations to act on behalf of the “authorized patient”
*Pharmacy and distribution center clearance to distribute medicine to “authorized patient”

These items are all defined under the Controlled Substances Act; the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and made clear to have no impact on smoking prohibition in public areas.

HR 2835 was introduced only months after Attorney General, Eric Holder announced the “official” stance of the Obama administration on the raiding of medical marijuana dispensaries. No other word or clarification has been released by Obama or Holder since the most recent March announcement that the administration would not pursue criminal charges against any medical marijuana dispensaries, collectives, and co-ops abiding by state law.

U.S. to yield marijuana jurisdiction to states
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is sending strong signals that President Obama -
who as a candidate said states should be allowed to make their own rules on
medical marijuana - will end raids on pot dispensaries in California.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Perhaps only in the sometimes hazy world of medical marijuana could higher taxes be considered good news.

But sure enough, supporters of medical marijuana were pleasantly pleased Wednesday after Oakland voters overwhelmingly approved a huge tax increase — 15 times the former rate — on sales at the city’s handful of permitted medical marijuana dispensaries. Believed to be the first of its kind, Measure F received nearly 80 percent of the vote, a landslide that pot professionals hailed as a significant step in the legitimization of the cannabis industry. “It’s one more victory in a big war,” said Richard Lee, president of Oaksterdam University, a downtown storefront where the aroma of marijuana pervades the sidewalk. “It’s a lot better than being arrested and thrown in jail.”