A new study published in the most recent issue of the journal Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, and published online by theNational Institute of Health, has found that activation of the body’s CB2 receptors – something done naturally by the consumption of cannabis – can rescue the brain from alcohol-induced neural damage.

“Chronic alcohol exposure reduces endocannabinoid activity and disrupts adult neurogenesis in rodents, which results in structural and functional alterations”, claims the study’s abstract. “Cannabinoid receptor agonists [such as cannabis] promote adult neural progenitor cell (NPC) proliferation.”

The National Football League takes a dim view of cannabis use, with many arguing player punishments are excessive compared to those who commit much more serious offences.

A professor of Organizational Behaviour and Sports Law thinks the league should actually embrace cannabis - for medical purposes at least.

The reason: marijuana can reduce side-effects and even cure common traumatic brain injuries that can lead to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), argues Dr. Jason Belzer in a recent article for Forbes.

We may still be more than a year away from the 2016 elections, but it's plainly evident that marijuana is among the many hot-button issues set to play a critical role in helping Americans decide who should become our next president.

Anyone in a credit union considering offering banking services to marijuana businesses should take the time to make sure that their attorney is paying close attention to litigation between the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas and the Fourth Corner Credit Union of Colorado. (See Fourth Corner Credit Union v. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas, U.S. Dist Ct, CO, 15-cv-01644). This case has national implications. It may well clarify the legality of state efforts to legalize pot businesses.

With the continued discussion regarding the legalization of marijuana, I felt compelled to present some information regarding the enforcement of marijuana laws, position of law enforcement on legalization, and the cost of enforcement. 

Applying to receive medical marijuana as a patient can be a confusing process, especially for people who are sick, says pharmacist Mark Mandel.

In an effort to mitigate the problems patients might face in submitting applications for the Illinois Medical Cannabis Card, Mandel and pharmacist Joseph Friedman hosted an event Saturday to help patients apply for the card.

Medical professionals were on-site to answer patients' questions, help them fill out applications and provide fingerprinting and shoot passport photographs, which are both required pieces of the application.

The pair plan to open Buffalo Grove's first medical marijuana dispensary in November and want to make sure patients are getting the help they need.

Ah, the kit.

It’s a different variation for every smoker — some are simply just a joint and a lighter, others are overflowing with accessories. However dialed-in you keep your supplies, it’s always a buzz kill when you’re scrambling for something. So here at The Cannabist, our Smoker Supply Kit is here to prepare you for any occasion.

Chic cannabis accessories are finally becoming a reality, and for a night out on the town with your love or your crew, your ganja should look just as hot as you do. This #SmokerSupplyKit (show us yours!) leans toward the ladies, but dudes, you can class it up too. Pro tip: A vintage Dunhill lighter scores serious points.

Andrew Bernstein – The Case For Ending Drug Prohibition – Toronto – June 25, 2015

Andrew Bernstein holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Graduate School of the City University of New York. He is the author of The Capitalist Manifesto: The Historic, Economic, and Philosophic Case for Laissez-Faire (University Press of America, 2005), Objectivism in One Lesson: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Ayn Rand (Hamilton Books, 2008), Capitalism Unbound: The Incontestable Moral Case for Individual Rights (University Press of America, 2010), and Capitalist Solutions: A Philosophy of American Moral Dilemmas (Transaction Publishers, 2011).

VANCOUVER — A Colorado official has some sobering words of advice for Justin Trudeau if he fulfils his promise to legalize pot in Canada.

“It’s going to be a lot harder to implement than you think. It’s going to take a lot longer to do it. And it’s going to cost more than you think,” said Lewis Koski, director of the state’s Marijuana Enforcement Division.

Colorado is one of four U.S. states to fully legalize recreational bud. Their challenges — including how to regulate edibles like brownies and cookies and a rise in drug-impaired driving — could be instructive for Canada’s incoming prime minister.

Among the questions Trudeau’s government could grapple with are whether to allow people to grow pot at home or buy it in stores, and how much sales tax to charge.

In next year’s election, Montana voters could be deciding whether to legalize marijuana, ban marijuana completely or allow concealed handguns at schools.

Those are just a few of the many proposals for voter initiatives that are in the works for the 2016 election.

County election officials began accepting signed petitions for constitutional and statutory ballot measures Oct. 19. Signatures can be submitted until June 17 to make the ballot.

Measures that qualify will receive appointed committees in July to draft pro and con statements. The arguments, and the rebuttals, will be published in the official voter information pamphlet in October.

Legalize recreational marijuana