Marijuana policy is changing the way Congress thinks and acts.

Like most new areas of policy—or policies new to Congress—it is not happening through a ground-breaking, fast moving, all-encompassing policy shift. Instead, through small steps—small victories for marijuana supporters—Congress is showing signs of change, at least in regard to medical marijuana, that depart dramatically with the institution’s historical support for the war on drugs.

International branding agency Siegel+Gale on the need for marijuana to transcend its brand mis-identity

As we push ever forward into the 21st century, so too do progressive notions around certain lifestyle choices, specifically the topics of drugs and drug use. One of the major cultural shifts of the 20th century drummed up a conflict that has raged some 60-plus years: the War on Drugs.  Around that same time, Americans were living in the golden age of advertising and the rise of “the brand” market as we know it, where it influenced habits of conspicuous consumption. A perfect storm of great potential, speculative energy, and massive change if there ever was one.

With the total retail value of all hemp products sold in the U.S. exceeding $620 million in 2014, the Hemp Industry Association (HIA) and Vote Hemp will look to use the sixth annual Hemp History Week as an opportunity to grow and promote the hemp industry.

Throughout the country on June 1-7, Hemp History Week will be the host to more than 1,100 events that will involve documentary film screenings, cooking demonstrations, retail promotion, educational outreach, spring hemp plantings and hemp home building courses, according to the press release.

Clark County, NV — In an emotional courtroom display Friday, Steven Ficano, 65, embraced his attorney and his wife after the jury read their verdict of “not guilty.”

In 2012, Ficano’s house was raided by heroes protecting the citizens of Nevada from the horrors of marijuana plants. For the next three years, Ficano anxiously lived his life thinking that he could live out the rest of his golden years in a cage for the “crime” of treating his pain with a plant.

However, the three years that passed since his arrest were undoubtedly a benefit for Ficano in this case. The leaps and bounds that have taken place in regards to America’s acceptance of marijuana legalization had a lot to do with the jury’s verdict.

Pot intercepts dropped 12 percent as Colorado and Washington opened stores.

The amount of marijuana detected in the national mail system surprisingly declined in 2014 as the world's first licensed recreational marijuana stores opened in two Western states, appearing to dash at least some predictions of chaos as other jurisdictions move to legalize the drug.

Data provided to U.S. News by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service show the number of marijuana parcels seized by inspectors fell more than 12 percent in fiscal 2014, with a coinciding decrease in the collective weight of contraband cannabis.

The media is filled with stories of distraction that keeps our 30 second sound bite society busy wondering about nonsense while our military families and our Veterans are suffering because of political gamesmanship .

http://www.ibtimes.com/va-stops-releasing-data-injured-vets-total-reaches-grim-milestone-exclusive-1449584  

The United States has likely reached a grim but historic milestone in the war on terror: 1 million veterans injured from the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. But you haven't heard this reported anywhere else. Why? Because the government is no longer sharing this information with the public. 

If at first you don't succeed, try and get medical marijuana legislation on the ballot a second time.

The group Oklahomans for Health is trying to make that happen.

FOX25 News reports the group will be launching a petition to allow the use of medical marijuana in our state.  This would be for people with documented proof they need the drug.

A similar petition failed, last year.

FOX25 News reports the group would need to get around 130,000 signatures in order to get the measure on the ballot.  The signatures need to come from registered voters.

Oklahoma for Health will start gathering signatures in August.  The group will have until October to get the necessary signatures.

As a resident of Washington state, I've witnessed some big changes over the past decade -- but perhaps none bigger than the legalization of marijuana on a recreation basis.

Why legalize?
Approved by voters in the Nov. 2012 elections, Washington state joined Colorado as the first two recreation-legal states in the country. Since then, Oregon and Alaska, along with Washington D.C., have joined in legalizing marijuana for recreational, adult-use purposes.

The legalization of marijuana for recreational and medical purposes is significant for Americans for a number of reasons, but those reasons differ depending on whom you ask.

The new visibility of police violence toward African-Americans in the United States has stoked public debate about policing: What about body cameras? Should we reform police training? Perhaps we should go slow on all that military gear?

I find it almost impossible to sit through any of this while the underlying issue goes unaddressed: It’s the drug economy, stupid.