Marijuana soda for sale this month in Colorado

Canna Cola is marijuana soda for medical marijuana users containing between 35 and 65 grams of THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. The product line is being designed for those who do not enjoy smoking. Several flavors will be available:

• Cola-flavored "Canna Cola"
• Dr Pepper-like "Doc Weed"
• Lemon-lime "Sour Diesel"
• "Grape Ape"
• "Orange Kush"

Medical marijuana has been legalized in 15 states, as well as Washington, D.C. These states would also be candidates for marijuana soda sales. However, each state's marijuana laws differ, and marijuana for any purpose is still illegal under federal law. Due to the federal laws, marijuana products must be manufactured and sold within states that allow medical marijuana use. Transportation across state lines is not allowed. For example, soda sold in California must also be manufactured in California.

The company anticipates launching in Colorado this month, priced between $10 to $15 for a 12-ounce bottle. They will tentatively be available in California medical marijuana dispensaries later this spring.

Medical Marijuana Legal in Washington DC

A democratic Congress did not overrule the Washington, D.C. Council bill allowing the district to establish up to eight medical marijuana dispensaries where patients can purchase the drug. Congress had 30 legislative session days to review the bill that was approved by the D.C. Council in May of 2010. Now that the bill has cleared Congress, patients will likely have to wait several months for Mayor Adrian M Fenty and the D.C. Department of Health to establish marijuana dispensary licensing regulations.

The law passed by the District of Columbia allows allows patients with cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS and other chronic ailments to possess up to four ounces of the drug. Patients will not be allowed to grow their own marijuana for medical use. Medical marijuana will need to be purchased from licensed companies once a patient has obtained a doctor's permission. Patients who prove financial need will be eligible to purchase medical marijuana at reduced cost, or receive it free of charge.

Medical marijuana sales are also subject to the district's 6 per cent sales tax.

Washington, D.C. residents voted to allow medical marijuana use in a 1998 referendum. Until last year, Congress blocked the city from enacting that referendum.

This announcement comes just a few days after the startling news from the Department of Veterans Affairs that will formally allow veterans being treated at its hospitals and clinics in states that have legalized use of medical marijuana to use it. The directive, expected to take place during the week of July 26, 2010, is designed to clarify conflicts between federal laws outlawing use of marijuana and the 14 states that currently allow medicinal use of the drug. The new policy will not permit VA doctors to prescribe marijuana, but alleviates the concerns of VA patients who use the drug and are concerned about losing access to all prescription pain medications if caught.

Doctors may still modify a treatment plans if a veteran is using marijuana, or opt to discontinue other pain medicine if there is a risk of interactions, but the decisions will now be made on an individual basis. Veterans have fought for this change for many years, citing marijuana's positive effects on physical and psychological pain, as well as its role in diminishing side effects of specific medical treatments.

Los Angeles Says No to Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Legalization of marijuana in California began in 1976 with the passage of the Moscone Act, introducing the change of possession charges of less than one ounce to a misdemeanor, no jail time and a $100 fine. The Compassionate Use Act was later passed to allow for medical marijuana use and regulatory ID cards to verify one's qualifications. This legislation paved the way for collectives, non-profit dispensaries that cultivate and sell marijuana for medicinal purposes.

After more than 2 years of debate, the Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance that limits the total number of medical marijuana dispensaries within its city limits to 70. Formerly one of the most relaxed environments for medical marijuana use, the new ordinance implements restrictive zoning measures that will govern where the establishments can be located.

Zoning requirements will require that dispensaries operate at least 1,000 feet from schools, parks, libraries and other dispensaries. They will also be prohibited from turning a profit and be required to
maintain detailed records while submitting to independent audits on an annual basis.

Hundreds of dispensaries within Los Angeles will be forced to close due to their locations not meeting the new zoning requirements, leaving approximately 150 legal operations in business. Still well
over the 70 unit cap.

The new rules also limit hours of operation to between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Those running dispensaries can operate no more than one location. Patients and caregivers, meanwhile, can retain membership in only one marijuana collective.

To take effect, the measures must be signed into law by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Although a spokesperson for the Mayor declined to say if he plans to sign the 17-page ordinance, Villaraigosa has voiced his support for laws limiting the number of dispensaries as well the enforcement of “buffer zones.” Once the Mayor signs the ordinance, the Council will need to approve a fee for the dispensaries to cover expenses related to monitoring their activities and enforcing the new ordinance.

Medical marijuana advocates, including a number of those who operate dispensaries, have vowed to fight the new measures in court.

However, just to make the scenario a bit more interesting, the California Assembly for Public Safety Committee passed "Assembly Bill 390," which proposes that the legalization and regulation of marijuana be structured similar to governmental regulation of alcohol. If the bill passes the full state assembly, California will become the first state to fully legalize marijuana use.

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Medical Marijuana headed to the nation's capital?

Fourteen states have legalized medical marijuana in the 14 years since California became the first to do so; several more are working on legislation now. DC City Council Member has introduced Initiative 59 with the co-sponsorship of nine of 13 fellow council members. According to Catania, the evidence suggests a legitimate medical use for the stimulation of appetite and reduction of pain.

Policy details such as how many marijuana dispensaries to allow, whether the dispensaries will be nonprofit or private, which diseases prescription marijuana will cover, and where medical marijuana will be grown remain to be worked out. A DC city council spokesman says the bill is likely to get through the council by late spring, and is expected to be approved by Congress by the end of summer.

Studies have found medical cannabis to be effective in alleviating nausea, stimulating the appetite in AIDS and cancer patients and acting as a general pain reliever. The American Medical Association "calls for further adequate and well-controlled studies of marijuana and related cannabinoids in patients" in a policy statement that takes a cautious position on the issue.

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