Hemp is a plant that has been cultivated in parts of the world for 10-12,000 years – possibly longer – and is estimated to have between 25,000 to 50,000 uses, with 5,000 uses in the textiles industry alone. Hemp has had a bad rap in the United States, supposedly thanks to the protectionist policies of a powerful few people in government and industry who had investments in key industries including pulp and paper. Hemp was lumped together marijuana usage, and used to pass the Marijuana Tax Act, partially by misinforming Congress and leveraging racial politics of the 1930s.

With just 12 weeks left before Parliament shuts down for an election, the federal Conservative government is still considering introducing a bill to let police issue tickets to people caught with small amounts of marijuana, instead of laying criminal charges.

The potential legislative change is in the hands of Justice Minister Peter MacKay, who has spoken strongly about the dangers of marijuana use, particularly by young people.

The government has not made a final decision on the proposed change. As well, it isn’t clear – with time running short – if it would introduce a bill in the current Parliament, which ends in June, or make it a campaign promise in the fall election.

Channel 4’s Drugs Live programme, broadcast last night, promised to examine what cannabis does to the brain. Many of us had already seen the clips of Jon Snow struggling after a massive dose of high strength marijuana (the equivalent of forcing a teetotaller to down a bottle of vodka and then asking him how he feels).

But beyond the effects of cannabis on the brain, isn’t it time for a wider discussion on the potential effects of safe, regulated cannabis consumption on society?

How much is cannabis worth these days? According to the Institute for Economic and Research, up to £900m could be raised annually through taxation of regulated cannabis market.

WASHINGTON -- Twelve sheriffs from three states said in a lawsuit filed Thursday that Colorado's law legalizing marijuana for recreational use creates a "crisis of conscience" by forcing them to uphold state law when their oath of office also includes a promise to uphold the federal Constitution.

Uruguay's new president has pledged to continue the marijuana legalization policies left by his predecessor, but has also decided to postpone the implementation of public sales of cannabis, a key part of outgoing president Jose "Pepe" Mujica's weed legalization plan.

With just a few days in office, Vázquez is moving more cautiously on the revolutionary law aimed at completely regulating the production and sale of marijuana in the small South American nation.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Activists are hoping a new administration focused on creating jobs will see the legalization of marijuana as an opportunity to do exactly that.

The head of Regulate Rhode Island says a system to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol would create hundreds of jobs and bring in new revenue.
Gov. Gina Raimondo has repeatedly said creating jobs is a top priority.

Raimondo spokeswoman Marie Aberger says the governor believes if there’s a way to legalize marijuana with proper regulations so Rhode Islanders don’t get hurt, then it’s something lawmakers should look at.

A third group is taking Colorado to court over its decision to legalize pot.

A group of sheriffs and prosecutors from Colorado, Nebraska and Kansasfiled a lawsuit Thursday centered on twin claims. Those within the state say the law — passed by voters as a constitutional amendment in 2012 — forces them to choose between the state and federal constitutions. Those out-of-state law enforcers charge that the Colorado law is doing them undue harm.

“I, my deputies and all of law enforcement in Colorado that are subject to the oath both to the United States and to the state of Colorado are in an untenable position,” Chad Day, sheriff of Colorado’s Yuma County, said at a Thursday morning press conference.

For the first time, the General Social Survey -- a large, national survey conducted every two years and widely considered to represent the gold standard for public opinion research -- shows a majority of Americans favoring the legalization of marijuana.

In interviews conducted between March and October of last year -- when the legal marijuana markets in Colorado and Washington were ramping up -- researchers asked 1,687 respondents the following question: "Do you think the use of marijuana should be made legal or not?"

Fifty-two percent said pot should be legalized, 42 percent opposed it, and another 7 percent were undecided. Support is up 9 percentage points from 2012, the last time the survey was conducted.

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state Senate has passed a bill to forbid selling marijuana through a drive-through window or in a vending machine.

In a 47-0 vote Monday, Senators voted to add the new restriction to the state’s legalized trade in recreational marijuana, which is restricted to sales in state-licensed stores. Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, said the bill would keep marijuana-laced edible products from being supplied in parks, football games and in coffee shop drive-through windows.

Senators also voted 45-3 to create a marijuana research license so the drug’s effects can be legally studied by researchers working with the University of Washington and Washington State University.

Both bills will next move to the state House for consideration.