Many veterans believe that plant-based medicines are a much better option for treatment in comparison with opioids, which are easily addictive. However, most are having trouble accessing medical cannabis, even in states where medical use of the herb is legal. Currently, 36 states in the country have established medical marijuana programs while 18 states have legalized the recreational use of cannabis; in addition Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the District of Columbia have legalized the substance. Despite the existence of these programs, physicians at VA Medical Centers aren’t allowed to prescribe this plant-based medicine. This comes at a time when bipartisan measures to change this haven’t been advanced in Congress, including a measure that was introduced by Senator Tim Kaine. Senator Kaine plans to change this prohibition by broadening eligibility in VA hospitals. This legislation would also direct the Veterans Administration to study how marijuana could decrease opioid abuse and assist veterans in managing chronic pain, as well as establish a temporary safe harbor protection for veterans who use medical cannabis. Similar initiatives have been introduced in Congress in the last couple of weeks. However, VA leadership recently declined to expand eligibility in hospitals because of the current federal prohibition on cannabis.

CannabisNewsWire, 11/23/2021 04:20:00

Open article: https://www.cannabisnewswire.com/420-with-cnw-veterans-continue-having-trouble-accessing-medical-cannabis-despite-its-legality/

It might not be the first country in the general region to legalize cannabis at all, as that designation goes to Georgia. But Germany is still the largest market in the EU, and has the potential to be a massive recreational market. Now, with talks between the leading parties from the 2021 election, Germany has been inching closer to legalized recreational cannabis. It’s about time Germany legalized recreational cannabis, and it looks to be getting very close with negotiations among top parties. If it happens, Germany will join places like the US, where not only is cannabis legal in many states, but where an entire market of cannabinoids has opened up outside of regulation. This means compounds like delta-8 THC, THCV, and even hemp-derived delta-9, are available to consumers. Right now, Germany is technically between leadership, as no coalition government has yet been formed. But they’re working on it, and the result of the coalition might result directly in Germany creating a market for legalized recreational cannabis. According to a representative from German publication, die Funke Mediengruppe, who spoke directly with coalition negotiators in regards to a partnership between the SPD, the Green party, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), an unnamed spokesperson made this statement on behalf of the so-called ‘traffic-light’ coalition: “we’re introducing the controlled distribution of cannabis to adults for consumption in licensed stores. This will control the quality, prevent the transfer of contaminated substances and guarantee the protection of minors. We will evaluate the law after four years for social impact.”This goes in line with a report put out by Bloomberg a week and a half ago which stated: “Negotiators for the Social Democrats, Greens and pro-business Free Democrats are hammering out the details, including conditions under which the sale and use of recreational cannabis would be allowed and regulated, according to people familiar with the talks, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.”

Sarah Friedman, CBD Testers, 11/20/2021 19:00:00

Open article: https://cbdtesters.co/2021/11/21/germany-closer-to-legalized-cannabis-with-top-parties-discussing-legislation/

Ohio activists say they will have enough signatures to force the legislature to consider legalizing marijuana by the end of this month. And a lawmaker who is sponsoring a separate reform proposal feels the citizen-led effort could help build momentum for a legislative approach to ending prohibition. At an event hosted by Ohio State University’s (OSU) Drug Enforcement and Policy Center on Friday, panelists discussed the legalization ballot proposal being spearheaded by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CTRMLA), as well as a reform bill that Rep. Casey Weinstein (D) introduced this summer. While it’s only been a few months since Ohio officials cleared the campaign to collect signatures for its measure, CTRMLA spokesperson Tom Haren said that the initial wave of signature gathering “will be completed probably about the end of November.” The measure that legislators would then be required to consider would legalize possession of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis for adults 21 and older, and they could also have up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrates. Individuals could grow up to six plants for personal use, with a maximum of 12 plants per household. Activists must collect 132,887 valid signatures from registered voters for the statutory initiative during this first phase of the effort. If they succeed, the legislature will then have four months to adopt the measure, reject it or adopt an amended version. If lawmakers do not pass the proposal, organizers will then need to collect an additional 132,887 signatures to place the proposal before voters on the ballot in November 2022.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 11/22/2021 08:48:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ohio-marijuana-activists-almost-have-enough-signatures-to-force-lawmakers-to-consider-legalization/