Atlanta — Medicinal marijuana is now legal in Georgia, but state Rep. Allen Peake is upset over the hurdles that ailing patients have to go through in order for them to avail themselves of medicinal cannabis.

The medical cannabis registry in the state officially opened Tuesday, and Peake, who created it, is upset that federal prohibition had made it necessary for the state to even have one in the first place.

In Georgia, the federal law prohibits the possession of marijuana and everything that’s made from it, and carrying of which across the state borders is actually considered smuggling.

It wasn’t that long ago that expressing support for marijuana reform was considered to be political suicide. That’s not to say that there weren’t political candidates that supported marijuana reform in the past, because there certainly were. However, those candidates were considered to be so far in the minority that they were on the fringe at best. That all changed in 2012. In 2012 two states legalized marijuana, and the game changed forever.

Surveys show nearly three quarters of the population wants the nation's drug laws to change, and politicians across the political spectrum from the Prime Minister down are lining up to agree with them. So what's stopping thousands of sick and dying Australians from getting legal access to cannabis medication? Scott Hannaford meets those pushing hard for change.

There is certainly more to learn about medicinal cannabis, but we know more than enough to act now 

Medical Journal of Australia

The boxes were piled high in the reception area of Richard Di Natale's Parliament House office and a picture hook still hung empty on the wall from the recent move as he folded his laptop, stuffed it into his hand luggage and headed for the door.

For Salem Dispensary, Mass. Issues One-Time Waiver From Marijuana Safety Tests

BOSTON Massachusetts’ first medical marijuana dispensary will be allowed to open, but for limited sales, while the state reviews safety standards.

A number of state legislative sessions recently adjourned leaving several new cannabis bills awaiting governors’ signatures. Two states in particular—Louisiana and Texas—made moves towards legalizing cannabis. Their bills have a lot in common. They are highly restrictive, CBD only, and allow access for a very limited number of conditions. Most importantly, they suffer from the same fatal flaw—they require doctors issue “prescriptions” for medical cannabis.

The government is to mount a public education campaign aimed at discouraging irresponsible ganja smoking and protecting vulnerable persons.

Justice Minister Mark Golding says the the National Health Fund (NHF) and the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) have already finalised details of the programme, which is expected to get under way shortly.

Golding says the campaign will discourage ganja use by children, pregnant women and persons with certain mental disorders.

He also reiterated that the smoking of ganja in public spaces or within five metres of such areas is prohibited in a manner similar to cigarettes.

Legally regulated cannabis is a concept that is supported by many South Africans, young and old alike. The cannabis movement is one of the largest social movements on the planet and has widespread support through all classes of society, especially in South Africa.

Cannabis activism is a daunting task, especially in South Africa with its conservative background and scars from Apartheid. Our democracy has yet to mature to the point where it is able adequately protect the rights of its people. Until then activists face an uphill battle as the vanguards of a mostly impassive and unassertive movement.  

Father's Day produces a complicated mix of emotions for the thousands of fathers in the U.S. who are imprisoned.

"Father's Day is a uniquely difficult time of the year for me," dad and prisoner Bruce W. Harrison wrote in a note sent to The Huffington Post via nonprofit organizationFamilies Against Mandatory Minimums. "It reminds me of the fact that I've served more than 20 years in federal prison. Decades of my life spent behind bars instead of time I should have been spending with my family."

Harrison and three other dads shared their feelings of pain, remorse and hope with HuffPost in the heart-wrenching notes below, which have been edited for length and clarity.

Indiegogo Campaign: Needed to build website and create youtube video on why it is not good to use marijuana in pregnancy

There is mass confusion in the public over the use of marijuana in pregancy. It is contraindicated by reputable scientists and yet I saw a poll last week that showed roughly half of women polled thought it was

The cannabis factory at Larch Road was found by local officers and detectives from Reactive and Organised Crime Branch on Saturday.

Detective Chief Inspector, Colin Gillis, said: “Officers acting upon information received, attended the house in Dungiven shortly after midday on Saturday afternoon, to discover a sizeable number of cannabis plants being cultivated at the property.

“At this stage I would estimate the street value of the cannabis plants recovered at around £250,000.

“No arrests have been made at this stage, however, officers remain at the scene carrying out a detailed forensic analysis of the premises.”