Victoria and Queensland have joined New South Wales in taking part in a clinical trial for the use of medicinal marijuana.

The three largest eastern states will decriminalise the use of cannabis oil for the treatment of conditions like chemotherapy-related nausea, drug-resistant severe epilepsy and in palliative care.

Demanding the FDA to make determinations regarding the safety and efficacy of marijuana is politically unfeasible ["Iowa lawmaker: Medical marijuana is an FDA decision," April 9].

JUSTICE MINISTER Senator Mark Golding says the Government is aiming to create an inclusive framework for the operation of the medical marijuana industry.

He said the system would be designed in a way to allow for small farmers to operate within a lawful industry.

"We don't want a design which is going to be prohibitive in terms of its requirements that would exclude especially small farmers from participating. That is where we think that there (will) be tremendous economic benefits," he said.

The justice minister was addressing the Rotary Club of Kingston's luncheon held on Thursday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

One year ago, UBC nursing professor Lynda Balneaves and PhD student Rielle Capler launched the Cannabis Access Regulations Study, (CANARY), to investigate how the end of homegrown medical marijuana would affect patients. One year later, with federal regulations on medical marijuana tied up in the courts, Capler discusses what they have learned about how patients are accessing cannabis.

What is the CANARY study?

It’s the largest study in Canada looking at the early impact of the new regulations on patient access to medical cannabis. There were about 450 patients nationwide that completed the survey, and a subset of about 30 that we interviewed to get a more nuanced understanding of the patient experience.

DENVER (AP) — Breaking from decades of "Just Say No"-type messaging about marijuana use, Colorado law enforcement officials are starting a new campaign designed to promote safe marijuana use.

The revised campaign starts this weekend, when tens of thousands are expected at public rallies and concerts in observation of the 4/20 marijuana holiday. A few things to know about the new effort, along with some backstory:

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GOING TO THE SOURCE

The Colorado Department of Transportation is taking its campaign to the demographic most likely to use pot and then drive, according to surveys. That's men aged 21 to 34.

A pungent cloud of marijuana smoke will be wafting over many parts of Canada on Monday. Yes, it’s 4/20 again, the unofficial holiday that openly celebrates pot, reefer, ganga, weed, Mary Jane or whatever you like to call it.

In most places, though, you’re unlikely to see police swooping in to corral the tokers. Even though pot possession remains illegal, the narcs probably won’t be busting anyone except dealers.

Part of the reason is practical; charging dozens, if not hundreds of people is a logistical nightmare. Another part is a reflection of the times, the increasing tolerance, if not acceptance, of marijuana as a part of mainstream culture. It’s no longer on the fringe.

The state’s medical marijuana czar is stepping down.

Bob Morgan, a lawyer who runs the state’s medical marijuana program, will leave his post May 6.

“It has been an incredible honor to serve the state and the patients of the medical cannabis program. I am grateful to Gov. [Pat] Quinn for his initial appointment of me, and to Gov. [Bruce] Rauner for retaining me in my role during this transition period,” Morgan said in a text message. “While I will be moving into private legal practice, I plan to continue advocating for Illinois patients with debilitating medical conditions and have confidence in the long-term success of the pilot program.”

A spokesman for the governor’s office could not immediately comment on who will replace Morgan.

Recreational marijuana is now legal in Washington, D.C. and four states, a multi-million dollar legal industry is emerging, and marijuana’s mainstreaming is the topic of dozens of daily news stories, but there are very few photos that reflect this changing environment.  To combat the outdated (yet still predominant) stereotypic images of people who use marijuana, and encourage news outlets to instead run photos that reflect real modern-day marijuana consumers, the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is releasing new stock photos today.  These brand new images are available open license and free of charge for non-commercial editorial purposes.

The author of a bill that proposes to legalise marijuana for medical use in the CNMI says there's a need to find an alternative to expensive medical treatments for terminal diseases.

The Northern Marianas Senator Sixto Igisomar says he was prompted to introduce the bill after Guam voted in favour of allowing the use of medical marijuana last year.

Mr Igisomar says marijuana for medicinal use can help alleviate the pain and suffering associated with debilitating conditions such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.

In all of recorded history, not one person has ever died from consuming marijuana, says a public interest litigation that objects to the ban on cannabis or marijuana in India, saying that the move is not backed by scientific evidence.

Marijuana should therefore be legalised in the country so as to help patients, says the petition filed by Aditya Barthakur, a 34-year-old lawyer.

Barthakur added that marijuana has several “benefits” including helping cancer patients by easing their pain.

A small, yet significant development in his case, the petitioner says, is the Bombay High Court’s recent issuing of notices to the Central and state governments.