The Australian government will now accept licence applications for groups wanting to grow cannabis for scientific and medical purposes. But there’s still a lot we don’t know about this complex plant.
Millions of Americans in nine states will vote on Nov. 8 for the right to do this.
Robert F. Bukaty/AP
Nine states are deciding whether to legalize marijuana. Yet the drug’s prohibition at the federal level has created an unstable financial environment for producers and retailers.
A variety of medical marijuana strains are seen at a dispensary in Denver in 2011.
Rick Wilking/Reuters
There is strong evidence that cannabis is useful for treating a range of conditions. Legalising small-scale cultivation is a start to helping those in need.
Legalisation of cannabis for therapeutic use is happening slowly in Australia.
from www.shutterstock.com.au
An era of prohibition may soon be over for marijuana, and powerful players are watching. A legal expert explains how smaller, local producers can keep their pot in the game.
In some states this is medical marijuana.
Anthony Bolante/Reuters
The Commonwealth plans to legalise local production of cannabis for medical and research purposes; as do Victoria and NSW. But what laws need to change for all of this to work?
Throughout history, most people have used marijuana to escape the toils of everyday life.
'Joint' via www.shutterstock.com
At present, cannabis is fully legalized in Colorado and Washington and will soon be fully legalized in Oregon and Alaska. Additionally, medical cannabis is legal in 23 states. The writing is on the wall…
In states like Massachusetts, heroin overdoses have skyrocketed in recent years.
vidguten/Shutterstock
In the 1930s, Harry J. Anslinger, the first head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, embarked on a fierce anti-marijuana campaign. Highlighted by the 1936 anti-marijuana film Reefer Madness – where marijuana…
Will the feds raid this Christmas tree?
Rick Wilking/Reuters
Abraham Lincoln said that those who shape public opinion exert an even greater influence than judges and lawmakers. In recent years popular sentiment – on issues like marriage equality and legalization…
Legalised programs may be underused if doctors do not support them.
boodoo/Flickr
A bill to permit medical cannabis use in Australia is set for debate in Senate. If medical cannabis use is legalised, doctors could become gatekeepers between patients and a controversial drug. Lessons…
Many people simply don’t know what legalization means.
Gary Cameron/Reuters
The United States is experiencing a drastic change in attitudes towards marijuana and marijuana policy. Four states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana use and more than…
Prop 91 - just one of three ballot initiatives on marijuana decriminalization
Steve Dipaola/Reuters
Editor’s note: There were 146 state-wide ballot measures up for consideration by voters in this week’s midterm elections, covering all manner of controversial issues – from abortion and guns to minimum…