Global Ganja Report

A North San Diego County medical marijuana provider, James Stacy, whose Vista dispensary was raided on Sept. 9 by a multi-agency narcotics task force, will be the first such case to go to trial since the Justice Department issued its new enforcement policy in October. Stacy's trial date is to be scheduled this week at a hearing where Stacy said he will argue that under the new policy he's entitled to admit evidence of compliance with state law—something routinely denied federal defendants.

Four California medical marijuana users who argue that bans on Orange County pot clinics violate the Americans with Disabilities Act appealed their case to the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Matthew Pappas, attorney for the users, said he will argue the case based on an interpretation of the equal protection clause in the 5th Amendment, and pointed to a 2009 congressional decision based on the clause that lifted a ban on medical marijuana in Washington DC.

A crowd of over 150 assembled May 14 at the Little Lake Grange in Willits, Calif., for the Mendocino Medical Marijuana Advisory Board's community forum. The event, entitled, "Medical Cannabis: State of Our Laws, Now and in the Future" featured County Supervisor John Pinches and Sheriff Tom Allman, as well as physicians, attorneys and activists. MMMAB advisory panel member Pebbles Trippet responded to audience questions fielded by supervisorial candidate and moderator Dan Hamburg. Following the forum, the three candidates for District Attorney answered questions.

Rick Morse, operator of the Medmar Clinic in Fresno, CA, is behind bars after a judge ruled that he violated a court order not to sell cannabis. During a court appearance May 14, Morse told Fresno County Superior Court Judge Donald Franson that he was still distributing cannabis. With the admission, Morse was handcuffed and ordered to spend 15 days in jail. He was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. Judge Franson also approved a request by Fresno's deputy city attorney to file a motion to shut down the dispensary. (AP, May 14)

Medical marijuana advocates in Montana are condemning recent arson attempts against two local dispensaries. Two separate attempts to set fire to medicinal cannabis dispensaries occurred last week in Billings. At both locations, the words "Not in Our Town" were spray-painted on the storefronts. These acts of intimidation come as the city is considering a temporary ban or moratorium on new dispensaries, in order to allow for the development of a regulatory ordinance.

The Missouri state legislature passed a bill May 13 banning the popular incense known as K2, which is said to mimic the effects of cannabis. If Gov. Jay Nixon sign the bill, the incense will be illegal to smoke, buy or sell in the state. Kansas passed similar legislation in March. Small businesses selling the K2 oppose the measure. While a May 13 account in The State Column refers to K2 as "synthetic marijuana," the blog What Is K2 calls it an "herbal smoke blend."

Cannabis Medical Solutions Inc., a leading company specializing in both physical-world and online payment solutions and financial security products for medical marijuana dispensaries, on May 13 announced that the company is in negotiations to acquire and open at least two medical marijuana dispensaries within the state of California.

New York State Sen. George H. Winner Jr. (R-Elmira) plans to renew efforts to pass legislation creating a state-level drug dealer registry that would require convicted felony drug convicts to register with the state Division of Criminal Justice Services for up to 10 years. The effort was prompted by several high profile felony drug arrests across the state's Southern Tier, along with input from local law enforcement officials, Winner said. The registry would be similar to one that is already in place for convicted sex offenders.