A parliamentary committee is backing a plan by a cross-section of senators to make medical cannabis available to Australians.

The Senate's legal and constitutional affairs committee recommended the Greens bill to set up a regulator of medical cannabis be passed.

The regulator would be "responsible for formulating rules for licensing the production, manufacture, supply, use, experimental use and import and export of medicinal cannabis".

The committee unanimously recommended the bill's passage, with amendments to ensure scientific evidence is accessed to determine suitably of treatments.

It also wants amendments to ensure medical cannabis products are made available in Australia in line with international obligations.

TRENTON — A teenage girl in Maple Shade on Tuesday lost another legal battle in her quest to use medical marijuana in school to help control her seizure disorders as an administrative law judge ruled it would violate state laws designed to ban drug use in school zones.

The Maple Shade school district and the Larc School in Bellmawr "are mandated to comply with the Drug Free School Zone Act," according to Administrative Law Judge John S. Kennedy.

Roger Barbour, the father and attorney for his daughter, 16-year-old Genny Barbour vowed to appeal the case, which is believe to be the first court challenge of its kind in the country.

Here's an alphabetical list of Countries and States that have legalized treating yourself with the natural plant, cannabis: 

The first up is Argentina where it's legal for personal use in small amounts (in private).

Australia: Illegal (decriminalized in some states) One or two plants may be privately grown for personal use in the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia. Personal grows of up to two plants are decriminalized in the Northern Territory.

Belize: Illegal, but mostly tolerated.

Bolivia: Illegal (but decriminalized).

Botswana: Illegal, but mostly unenforced.

It could generate $79.8 billion a year and Africa is already the biggest cannabis producer in the world.

THE buzzword in relation to Africa is that the continent is rising and one of the key pillars championed to keep it rising is agriculture. 

Take the 2003 Maputo Declaration target for example, African governments pledged to allocate 10% of their national budgets to the sector, but the continent could be missing out on a potential cash crop that could transform the lives of smallholder farmers and economies dramatically: marijuana.  

Marco Rubio says as president he would enforce federal law against states that have legalized marijuana.

“Absolutely,” he said Sunday on Meet the Press. “I believe the federal government needs to enforce federal law.” (That part of the interview was short so Rubio's ideas on how far to go are not clear; he's also championed states' rights on various issues.)

But the Florida Republican also said he is open to medical marijuana, provided it goes through the FDA approval process and has true medicinal benefits. “I’m not in favor of legalizing marijuana. I’m not. I never have been.”

As a reporter focused on drug policy, I used to be skeptical of marijuana legalization. So it wasn't a sure thing that covering this issue over the years would make me less cautious — and more supportive — of legalization. But it has.

One of the most troubling aspects of current marijuana policy in this country, even in those states that have legalized marijuana, is the continuing job discrimination faced by those who smoke marijuana.

In 49 states (Arizona is the sole exception), a private employer is legally free to fire anyone who tests positive for THC in their system, without the slightest suggestion the individual came to work in an impaired condition. It is a relic left over from the “reefer madness” days when marijuana smokers were considered bad people, and employers were anxious to identify smokers and get rid of them.

ANCHORAGE -- The Marijuana Control Board presented the final set of proposed regulations at a meeting Monday, a chapter some pro-pot advocates consider controversial because it includes an article banning marijuana social clubs.

“It was the campaign to regulate marijuana like alcohol so we’re taking a hard look at our alcohol rules and statutes and see whether or not they fit,” said Cynthia Franklin, director of the ABC Board.

The language is based on an alcohol regulation.

“It’s been a law for over 30 years, that someone cannot open a place for people to come together, drink and pay an entry fee, and not be a licensed liquor establishment, by virtue of inviting people from the public and pay a free to come and drink with them,” said Franklin.

If the bill becomes law, D.C. could regulate marijuana

Senate Appropriations Committee also votes to allow banks to provide services to state-legalized marijuana stores

[Press Release] A key Senate committee passed a bill [July 23] allowing the nation’s capital to establish regulated marijuana stores and let banks provide financial services to state-legalized marijuana dispensaries. These are just two of several marijuana reforms advancing in Congress.  Meanwhile sentencing reform is gaining steam, and the U.S. is shifting towards treating drug use as a health issue instead of a criminal justice issue.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A man serving a life sentence for non-violent marijuana offenses is now being released from prison, according to his son. According to a WDAF-TV report Jeff Mizanskey should be released within 10-25 days.   He was told Monday morning that he has been granted parole.

Mizanskey has served more than 20 years in prison for repeat marijuana offenses. He is now 62-years old. Governor Jay Nixon commuted his life sentence in May.

He was arrested during an undercover drug bust in Sedalia in 1993. He was sentenced in 1996 under the state’s Prior and Persistent Drug Offender Law, which is a three-strike system.