Yesterday, Chris Christie officially dropped out of the race for President. Although many would argue that his showing in New Hampshire, at just about 8%, was good enough to warrant a continuation of his campaign, Christie’s chances of reaching the GOP nomination were always stacked against him.

I will never forget the watershed moment when, in December 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to completely legalize marijuana on a nation-wide level.

I was away from my home country, so I couldn’t take part in the celebrations. Due to the fact that I missed the moment perhaps, I kept some healthy dose of skepticism while still being happy that something new was about to be implemented. Uruguay was finally going to embark on a revolutionary alternative to the world-wide and decades-long failed war on drugs.

A proposal to legalize marijuana advanced from the Senate Rules Committee Wednesday morning, in a fashion that even a key supporter found surprising.

Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, presenting marijuana legalization to the Senate Rules Committee.

The Senate Rules Committee initially voted against a do-pass motion, which would send the proposed constitutional amendment to the Senate Judiciary Committee with a recommendation to pass. The vote was on party lines with Democrats in favor and Republicans against; there were an equal number of each in the committee Wednesday.

Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D-Albuquerque, then asked for a do-pass with no recommendation. Sen. Ted Barela, R-Estancia, joined all Democrats present and voted for the legislation.

A petition for a proposed ballot measure that would legalize marijuana in North Dakota was submitted Wednesday to the secretary of state’s office.

The committee’s petition for the statutory measure was received by the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office at about 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Group members are looking to remove from North Dakota Century Code all references to marijuana and substances deriving from cannabis as being illegal drugs as well as possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

If approved, the measure would also set a legal age of 21 for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia as well as the growing of it. Taxation of marijuana by local or state government would be capped at 20 percent sales tax.

Australia appears set to legalize the growing of marijuana for medical use nationwide. A bill introduced to parliament Wednesday (Feb. 10) by the Liberal Party would amend the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967. It looks guaranteed to become law, as the main opposition party immediately pledged support for it.

Under the proposal a national licensing and permit scheme would be established for supplying medical cannabis to patients with painful and chronic conditions. It’s expected to become law by the end of March.

By Anthony Johnson

The federal government is introducing legislation to parliament to allow the cultivation and use of medicinal cannabis under a national framework today.

The move follows Victoria’s announcement last year that it will legalise the drug for medical use in 2017. NSW is also currently conducting trials into a cannabis-based drug, Epidolex, with a focus on children with epilepsy, and leading the state-based focus on medical marijuana.

The patients seeking medical marijuana inquire almost daily with Dr. Rahul Khare at his storefront health care clinic in Lincoln Park.

They come with cancer, spinal cord diseases, rheumatoid arthritis. Some have been turned down for a cannabis referral by the doctors they see regularly, not because they might not qualify, Khare contends, but because many physicians are hesitant to refer anyone for marijuana.

Khare, who said he has been writing marijuana referrals for only a few weeks, sympathizes with doctors who don't want to put patients on pot but believes some are unfairly withholding a drug that could bring relief to many.