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Vaporizing:
The vaporizer produces THC-vapor at a temperature of 200
C. (392 F.) while completely eliminating three measured toxins
benzene, a known carcinogen, plus toluene and naphthalene.
Carbon monoxide and smoke tars were both qualitatively reduced
by the vaporizer
Read more >>
A chronology of cannabis
Read more >>
Cultivating cannabis:
Read more >>
2005 Symposium on the Cannabinoids June 23rd - 28th, 2005
The International Cannabinoid Research Society is dedicated to research in
all fields relating to the Cannabinoids, from receptor studies and medicinal
chemistry to treatment and prevention of marijuana abuse.
Read more>>
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Medicinal Cannabis: USA
Medicinal Cannabis: USA
Federal: Legislation, Court Decisions and Commentaries
State Legislation, Petitions and Programs
Federal: Legislation, Court Decisions and Commentaries
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
Drug Policy Alliance
Medical Marijuana ProCon.org
Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Center for Drug Evaluation
and Research
Federal Legislation
USA Court Decisions
Summary
of Active State Medical Marijuana Laws
Currently
[as of 11/3/04] twelve states have enacted
laws that permit the medical use of marijuana. Below
are the particulars of those programs:
|
State
|
Program Particulars
|
Contact Info
|
Alaska |
Ballot Measure 8 -- Approved 11/3/98 by 58% of voters.
Effective: 3/4/99.
Removed state-level
criminal penalties on the use, possession and
cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess
written documentation from their physician advising
that they "might benefit from the medical use
of marijuana."
Approved Conditions:
Cachexia, cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy and
other disorders characterized by seizures, glaucoma,
HIV or AIDS, multiple sclerosis and other disorders
characterized by muscle spasticity, and nausea.
Other conditions are subject to approval by the
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
Possession/Cultivation:
Patients (or their primary caregivers) may legally
possess no more than one ounce of usable marijuana,
and may cultivate no more than six marijuana plants,
of which no more than three may be mature. The
law establishes a confidential state-run patient
registry that issues identification cards to qualifying
patients.
Amended: Senate Bill 94
Effective: 6/2/99
Mandates all patients
seeking legal protection under this act to enroll
in the state patient registry and possess a valid
identification card. Patients not enrolled in
the registry will no longer be able to argue the
"affirmative defense of medical necessity" if
they are arrested on marijuana charges.
|
Application information
for the Alaska medical marijuana registry is available
by writing or calling:
Alaska Department
of Health and Social Services
P.O. Box 110699
Juneau, AK 99811-0699
(907) 465-5423
Attention: Terry Ahrens
terry_ahrens@health.state.ak.us
|
Arizona |
Ballot Proposition 200 -- Approved 11/5/96 by 65%
of voters.
Effective: 12/6/96
Measure mandates
alternative sentencing for non-violent drug offenders,
and seeks to establish legal protections for seriously
ill patients by allowing doctors to "prescribe"
schedule I controlled substances such as marijuana.
However, because federal law ultimately forbids
physicians from prescribing such drugs, this statute
does not adequately protect patients from state-level
criminal penalties, as do similar state laws that
only require patients to possess a physician's
"recommendation" that medical marijuana therapy
may be beneficial.
Not Amended:
House Bill 2518, which was signed by the governor
on April 21, 1997, sought to repeal Proposition
200's medical marijuana provision by requiring
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to first
approve marijuana before allowing state physicians
to prescribe it. The bill was placed on the November
3, 1998 ballot as a referendum, where voters rejected
it by a vote of 57 percent to 43 percent.
|
No state program,
no contact info |
California |
Ballot Proposition 215 -- Approved 11/5/96 by 56%
of voters.
Effective: 11/6/96
Removes state-level
criminal penalties on the use, possession and
cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess
a "written or oral recommendation" from their
physician that he or she "would benefit from medical
marijuana." Patients diagnosed with any debilitating
illness where the medical use of marijuana has
been "deemed appropriate and has been recommended
by a physician" are afforded legal protection
under this act.
Conditions covered:
"cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity,
glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness
for which marijuana provides relief."
Amended: Senate Bill 420, effective 1/1/04
Imposes statewide
guidelines outlining how much medicinal marijuana
patients may grow and possess.
Possession/Cultivation:
Under the guidelines, qualified patients and/or
their primary caregivers may possess no more than
eight ounces of dried marijuana and/or six mature
(or 12 immature) marijuana plants. However, S.B.
420 allows patients to possess larger amounts
of marijuana when such quantities are recommended
by a physician. The legislation also allows counties
and municipalities to approve and/or maintain
local ordinances permitting patients to possess
larger quantities of medicinal pot than allowed
under the new state guidelines.
Senate Bill 420 also
mandates the California Department of State Health
Services to establish a voluntary medicinal marijuana
patient registry, and issue identification cards
to qualified patients. To date, however, no such
registry has been established.
Senate Bill 420 also
grants implied legal protection to the state's
medicinal marijuana dispensaries, stating, "Qualified
patients, persons with valid identification cards,
and the designated primary caregivers of qualified
patients ... who associate within the state of
California in order collectively or cooperatively
to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, shall
not solely on the basis of that fact be subject
to state criminal sanctions."
|
No state program due
to budget restraints. No contact info. |
Colorado |
Ballot Amendment 20 -- Approved 11/7/00 by 54% of
voters.
Effective: 6/1/01
Removes state-level
criminal penalties on the use, possession and
cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess
written documentation from their physician affirming
that he or she suffers from a debilitating condition
and advising that they "might benefit from the
medical use of marijuana." (Patients must possess
this documentation prior to an arrest.)
Approved Conditions:
cachexia; cancer; chronic pain; chronic nervous
system disorders; epilepsy and other disorders
characterized by seizures; glaucoma; HIV or AIDS;
multiple sclerosis and other disorders characterized
by muscle spasticity; and nausea. Other conditions
are subject to approval by the Colorado Board
of Health.
Possession/Cultivation:
Patients (or their primary caregivers) may legally
possess no more than two ounces of usable marijuana,
and may cultivate no more than six marijuana plants.
The law establishes a confidential state-run patient
registry that issues identification cards to qualifying
patients.
Patients who do not
join the registry or possess greater amounts of
marijuana than allowed by law may argue the "affirmative
defense of medical necessity" if they are arrested
on marijuana charges.
Not Amended
|
Application information
for the Colorado medical marijuana registry is available
online or by writing:
Colorado Department
of Public Health and Environment
HSVR-ADM2-A1
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246-1530
Phone: 303-692-2184
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/
hs/medicalmarijuana/
marijuanafactsheet.asp
|
Hawaii |
Senate Bill 862 -- Signed into law by Gov. Ben Cayetano
on 6/14/00
Effective: 12/28/00
Removes state-level
criminal penalties on the use, possession and
cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess
a signed statement from their physician affirming
that he or she suffers from a debilitating condition
and that the "potential benefits of medical use
of marijuana would likely outweigh the health
risks." The law establishes a mandatory, confidential
state-run patient registry that issues identification
cards to qualifying patients.
Approved conditions:
cachexia; cancer; chronic pain; Crohn's disease;
epilepsy and other disorders characterized by
seizures; glaucoma; HIV or AIDS; multiple sclerosis
and other disorders characterized by muscle spasticity;
and nausea. Other conditions are subject to approval
by the Hawaii Department of Health.
Possession/Cultivation:
Patients (or their primary caregivers) may legally
possess no more than one ounce of usable marijuana,
and may cultivate no more than seven marijuana
plants, of which no more than three may be mature.
Not Amended
|
Application information
for the Hawaii medical marijuana registry is available
by writing or calling:
Hawaii Department
of Public Safety
919 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 594-0150
|
Maine |
Ballot Question 2 -- Approved 11/2/99 by 61% of voters.
Effective: 12/22/99
Removes state-level
criminal penalties on the use, possession and
cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess
an oral or written "professional opinion" from
their physician that he or she "might benefit
from the medical use of marijuana." The law does
not establish a state-run patient registry.
Approved diagnosis:
epilepsy and other disorders characterized by
seizures; glaucoma; multiple sclerosis and other
disorders characterized by muscle spasticity;
and nausea or vomiting as a result of AIDS or
cancer chemotherapy.
Possession/Cultivation:
Patients (or their primary caregivers) may legally
possess no more than one and one-quarter ounces
of usable marijuana, and may cultivate no more
than six marijuana plants, of which no more than
three may be mature. Those patients who possess
greater amounts of marijuana than allowed by law
are afforded a "simple defense" to a charge of
marijuana possession.
Amended: Senate Bill 611, signed into law on 4/2/02. Increases
the amount of useable marijuana a person may possess
from one and one-quarter ounces to two and one-half
ounces.
|
No state program has
been established. |
Maryland |
Senate Bill 502, The "Darrell Putman" Bill -- Resolution
#0756-2003 -- Approved in the state senate by a
vote of 29-17. Signed into law by Gov. Robert L.
Ehrlich, Jr. on 5/22/03.
Effective: 10/1/03
Applies to defendants
possessing less than one ounce of the drug who
can prove they used marijuana out of medical necessity
and with a doctor's recommendation. For others,
the maximum penalty is one year in prison and
a $1,000 fine.
Not Amended
|
No state program,
no contact info |
Montana |
Initiative 148, -- Approved 62% - 38% by a popular
vote on 11/2/04.
Effective: 11/2/04
Approved Conditions:
A) "cancer, glaucoma, or positive status for human
immonodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency
syndrome, or the treatment of these conditions;
B) a chronic or debilitating
disease or medical condition or its treatment
that produces one or more of the following:
- cachexia or wasting
syndrome;
- severe or chronic
pain;
- severe nausea;
- seizures, including
but not limited to seizures caused by epilepsy,
or
- severe or persistent
muscle spasms, including but not limited to
spasms caused by multiple sclerosis or Chrohn's
disease; or
C) any other medical
condition or treatment for a medical condition adopted
by the department by rule.
Possession/Cultivation:
"A qualifying patient and that qualifying
patient's caregiver may not possess more than
six marijuana plants and 1 ounce of usable marijuana
each."
Not Amended
|
No state program yet
established -- no contact information. To be developed
by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. |
Nevada |
Ballot Question 9 -- Approved 11/7/00 by 65% of voters.
Effective: 10/1/01
Removes state-level
criminal penalties on the use, possession and
cultivation of marijuana by patients who have
"written documentation" from their physician that
marijuana may alleviate his or her condition.
Approved Conditions:
AIDS; cancer; glaucoma; and any medical condition
or treatment to a medical condition that produces
cachexia, persistent muscle spasms or seizures,
severe nausea or pain. Other conditions are subject
to approval by the health division of the state
Department of Human Resources.
Possession/Cultivation:
Patients (or their primary caregivers) may legally
possess no more than one ounce of usable marijuana,
and may cultivate no more than seven marijuana
plants, of which no more than three may be mature.
Registry: The
law establishes a confidential state-run patient
registry that issues identification cards to qualifying
patients. Patients who do not join the registry
or possess greater amounts of marijuana than allowed
by law may argue the "affirmative defense of medical
necessity" if they are arrested on marijuana charges.
Legislators added a preamble to the legislation
stating, "[T]he state of Nevada as a sovereign
state has the duty to carry out the will of the
people of this state and regulate the health,
medical practices and well-being of those people
in a manner that respects their personal decisions
concerning the relief of suffering through the
medical use of marijuana." A separate provision
requires the Nevada School of Medicine to "aggressively"
seek federal permission to establish a state-run
medical marijuana distribution program.
Amended: Assembly Bill 453, effective 10/1/01. Created a state
registry for patients prescribed the drug by a
licensed physician and the Department of Motor
Vehicles would issue identification cards. No
state money will be used for the program, which
will be funded entirely by donations.
|
Application information
for the Nevada medical marijuana registry is available
by writing or calling:
Nevada Department
of Agriculture
P.O. Box 948
Carson City, NV 89707-0948
(775) 684-5333
(Attention: Jennifer Bartlett)
|
Oregon |
Ballot Measure 67 -- Approved 11/3/98 by 55% of voters.
Effective: 12/3/98
Removes state-level
criminal penalties on the use, possession and
cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess
a signed recommendation from their physician stating
that marijuana "may mitigate" his or her debilitating
symptoms.
Approved Conditions:
cachexia; cancer; chronic pain; epilepsy and other
disorders characterized by seizures; glaucoma;
HIV or AIDS; multiple sclerosis and other disorders
characterized by muscle spasticity; and nausea.
Other conditions are subject to approval by the
Health Division of the Oregon Department of Human
Resources.
Possession/Cultivation:
Patients (or their primary caregivers) may legally
possess no more than three ounces of usable marijuana,
and may cultivate no more than seven marijuana
plants, of which no more than three may be mature.
Patient Registry:
The law establishes a confidential state-run patient
registry that issues identification cards to qualifying
patients. Patients who do not join the registry
or possess greater amounts of marijuana than allowed
by law may argue the "affirmative defense of medical
necessity" if they are arrested on marijuana charges.
Amended: House Bill 3052, effective 7/21/99
Mandates that patients
(or their caregivers) may only cultivate marijuana
in one location, and requires that patients must
be diagnosed by their physicians at least 12 months
prior to an arrest in order to present an "affirmative
defense." This bill also states that law enforcement
officials who seize marijuana from a patient pending
trial do not have to keep those plants alive.
Last year the Oregon Board of Health approved
agitation due to Alzheimer's disease to the list
of debilitating conditions qualifying for legal
protection.
In August 2001, program
administrators filed established temporary procedures
further defining the relationship between physicians
and patients. The new rule defines attending physician
as "a physician who has established a physician/patient
relationship with the patient; . is primarily
responsible for the care and treatment of the
patients; . has reviewed a patient's medical records
at the patient's request, has conducted a thorough
physical examination of the patient, has provided
a treatment plan and/or follow-up care, and has
documented these activities in a patient file."
|
Application information
for the Oregon medical marijuana registry is available
online or by writing:
Oregon Department
of Human Services
800 NE Oregon St.
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 731-4000
http://www.dhs.state.or.us/
publichealth/mm/index.cfm
|
Vermont |
Senate Bill 76 -- Approved 22-7 & House Bill
645, approved 82-59. Gov. James Douglas (R),
allowed it to pass into law unsigned on 5/26/04.
Effective: 7/1/04
Approved Conditions:
Only patients suffering from AIDS, cancer and
multiple sclerosis.
Possession/Cultivation:
Limits the amount of marijuana that can be possessed
and grown to three ounces and seven plants. It
also requires that the marijuana be grown in a
secure indoor facility, and the law would sunset
in 2006.
Not Amended
|
The law establishes
a mandatory, confidential state-run registry that
issues identification cards to qualifying patients.
This program has not yet been established (as
of 9/10/04) |
Washington |
Ballot Measure 692 -- Approved 11/3/96 by 59% of voters.
Effective: 11/3/98
Removes state-level
criminal penalties on the use, possession and
cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess
"valid documentation" from their physician affirming
that he or she suffers from a debilitating condition
and that the "potential benefits of the medical
use of marijuana would likely outweigh the health
risks."
Approved Conditions:
Cachexia; cancer; HIV or AIDS; epilepsy; glaucoma;
intractable pain (defined as pain unrelieved by
standard treatment or medications); and multiple
sclerosis. Other conditions are subject to approval
by the Washington Board of Health.
Possession/Cultivation:
Patients (or their primary caregivers) may legally
possess or cultivate no more than a 60-day supply
of marijuana. The law does not establish a state-run
patient registry.
Amended: 2001
by Washington's Medical Quality Assurance Commission,
which approved Crohn's disease, Hepatitis C, and
"any disease, including anorexia, which results
in nausea, vomiting, wasting, appetite loss, cramping,
seizures, muscle spasms, and/or spasticity, when
these symptoms are unrelieved by standard treatments."
|
The law (and amendment)
did not include a provision for any state agency
to write rules to implement the medical use of marijuana.
No contact information is provided. |
Note: Thanks
to NORML and California NORML for their assistance in
this compilation.
medicalmarijuanaprocon.org
In most cases the evidence is limited to individual experiences.
So don't put your expectations to high. A physician is allowed
to prescribe cannabis for different indications than above.
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Europe:
Read more >>
Canada:
Read more >>
USA:
Read more >>
Australia:
Read more >>
2005 IACM 3rd Conference on Cannabinoids in Medicine:
in Leiden, on 9-10 September 2005, The International Association for Cannabis
as Medicine in cooperation with the Office for Medicinal Cannabis of the Dutch Health
Ministry and the University of Leiden would like to invite you to participate
in the 2005 Meeting of the IACM on September 9-10, 2005 at Leiden University, The Netherlands.
Read more>>
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