A recent study that was published in the Psychiatric Research Journal is shaking up claims made by drug prohibitionists’ that cannabis usage is responsible for psychotic episodes in teenagers. As it turns out, that simply isn’t the case. Sorry, anti-cannabis crowd, science wins again.

Dr. Mechoulam is the Israeli scientist who identified THC as the psychoactive compound in marijuana, and decades later he discovered the brain's endocannabinoid system and the endogenous neurotransmitter anandamide. He is one of the most respected Israeli neuroscientists and has been a senior advisor to the Israeli government on marijuana policy and the ethics of research with human subjects. He discussed his experiments demonstrating the neuroprotective effects of the endocannabinoid system in mice that have had traumatic injuries to the brain. He believes the neuroprotective effects of marijuana may eventually have applications for other neurological and psychiatric conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

CASPER, Wyo. — After more than a year of writing and rewriting, organizers behind a medical marijuana ballot measure believe they’re close to finalizing the proposal.

The initative needs only a few minor changes before the Wyoming Secretary of State staff gives it preliminary approval, said Chris Christian, of the Wyoming chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Approval would allow supporters across across the state to begin gathering more than 25,000 signatures required before Feb. 8, the deadline for it to appear on the November 2016 ballot.

The Wyoming Secretary of State’s staff could not say whether NORML will obtain the preliminary approval, since it has yet to review the latest version.

SEATTLE (AP) - With Washington state overhauling its medical marijuana law, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray says the city is planning to shutter dozens of dispensaries.

Murray on Tuesday announced plans to require a new special business license for marijuana establishments, akin to those required for taxi operators and pawn shops. Under the mayor's plan, the businesses will be required to obtain the licenses by July 2016.

But just as the state's new medical marijuana law gives priority in licensing to dispensaries that were in operation before Jan. 1, 2013, so does Murray's proposal. Seattle officials say that by their tally, 54 of the city's 99 medical marijuana storefronts opened after that date or have been operating without a city business license.

A South Dakota medical marijuana supporter hopes to begin gathering signatures within a month to put a proposal on the 2016 ballot to allow people with serious medical conditions to use marijuana.

Melissa Mentele, an activist from Emery, South Dakota, said Tuesday that the ballot language she’s been working on is now under review at the state Attorney General’s office. Mentele and other organizers need 13,871 signatures by Nov. 8 to get the proposal on the 2016 ballot.

Mentele, 38, said she’s attempting to help patients similar to herself - she suffers from reflex sympathetic dystrophy - who have debilitating medical conditions ranging from cancer to post-traumatic stress disorder.

The future of cannabis is progressing by leaps and bounds -- D.C.’s recreational legalization seems to have created a loophole for the black market, Massachusetts is revamping the dispensary licensing process, and Nevada could begin selling medical marijuana as early as next month! Check out this week’s legalization update to catch up on the latest in cannabis legislation from your region:

U.S. Updates

CALIFORNIA

State Sen. Fred Mills, R-Parks, will bring no shortage of firepower when he presents his amended medical marijuana bill to the House Committee on Health and Welfare on Wednesday morning, if facts, testimony, thoughtful compromise and momentum create firepower.

This bill ought to pass.

Mills, a pharmacist and former leader of the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, should have the power of the facts on his side, as medical marijuana has been used with good effect in treating some specific ailments and maladies including epilepsy, nausea, headaches and “brain situations.”

It has been used to some good effect for people with HIV or AIDS, for pain treatment and spasticity.

Israel Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino is convening a team to examine possible changes to the police’s approach regarding marijuana users.

By Aaron Burke

Patients, activists, lawmakers, and citizens around the country have worked hard to get people who need it and want it, legal access to marijuana. Somewhere between legislators, regulators, and healthcare professionals, every professional marijuana business has a great opportunity and responsibility to fill a big gap by:

ALBANY, N.Y. — The 10-year-old girl stood smiling at the governor's side as he signed a medical marijuana bill into law last July.

Amanda Houser was so excited for the event, her mother said, her health problems — a rare form of epilepsy — were nearly forgotten for the day. And the photo from the New York City event of Amanda bashfully holding her cheeks next to Gov. Andrew Cuomo is one of the more memorable images from his time in office.

But the good feelings from the event have gradually subsided, and ill patients are increasingly frustrated that, nearly a year later, they still can't access medical marijuana in New York.