Cannabis Legalization
Australia Allocated $3m Fund for Medical Cannabis Research

The Australian Federal Government allocated A$3 million (US $2.03 million) for medical cannabis research in the country. Greg Hunt, the Australian health minister, made the announcement last Sunday, October 6, 2019, alongside Grease star Olivia Newton-John in a wellness walk held in Australia.
Research in the field aims to address the growing number of cancer patients within the nation and the potential ability of cannabis to provide relief and cure to these patients. The research will build upon existing studies to gauge the effectiveness of the plant in pain management and its potential side effects on users.
The government’s decision to fund research comes as more than 11,000 patients have been approved for medical marijuana use.
In a statement, Hunt said that “there have only been a limited number of well-designed clinical studies on medicinal cannabis, and we need to increase the evidence base to support medical professionals.” In line with the safety and security measures observed by the Australian government and its healthcare institutions, individuals who are given access to cannabis medication are required to only obtain these from accredited medical professionals.
Despite more than 10,000 individuals being given access to medical marijuana, the Grease star voiced her disappointment for other patients and individuals having little to no access to cannabis. She said “I’m a great proponent of it, for general health, for pain, for sleep, for anxiety. I really believe it is important in my journey”. Olivia Newton-John had been diagnosed with cancer, and she has admitted to using cannabis to manage her pain.
Newton-John spearheaded the annual Wellness Walk and Research Run held in Melbourne, Australia. The actress supported the event in the hopes of raising awareness about the plant and the wealth of benefits and possibilities that could come from using it. In a statement, the Grease actress said “they’ve discovered it hasn’t caused all the problems that people are afraid of. People need to let go of that old hippie thing,” when asked about the lack of advancement and accessibility of medicinal marijuana in the nation.
ACT Cannabis Law
While the Australian federal government is providing funding for medicinal cannabis research, recreational use is still largely prohibited on a federal level. However, through the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), six states and two main territories have filed to legalize the recreational use of the plant.
The ACT Law is slated to start on January 31, 2020, with some of its provisions conflicting with the current laws in place.
Cannabis Legalization
Joe Biden Withdraws Previous Stance on Marijuana Being a “Gateway Drug”

Days after Joe Biden expressed his opposition to legalizing marijuana and calling the substance as a “gateway drug,” the 2020 presidential candidate has retracted his assertions, insisting even that he had never made such a claim.
In a press conference call with reporters, the former Vice President rolled back his stance, saying he had never said that marijuana is a “gateway drug” in the first place.
“I don’t think it is a gateway drug. There’s no evidence I’ve seen to suggest that,” Biden told Nevada Independent reporter Megan Messerly.
“I didn’t [say that it was],” he added. “I said some say it’s a gateway drug.”
Joe Biden and his Stand on Marijuana
According to the 2020 front runner, he believes that marijuana should be decriminalized and that anyone who has been previously convicted for marijuana use should have his or her record wiped clean.
“With regard to the total legalization of it, there are some in the medical community who say it needs to be made a Schedule II drug so there can be more studies as not whether it is a gateway drug but whether when used in other combinations may have a negative effect on people overcoming other problems, including in fact on young people in terms of brain development, a whole range of things that are beyond my expertise,” Biden explained.
Earlier this month, Biden caught fire from other Democratic contenders following his controversial reasoning to not legalize marijuana on a federal level.
“The truth of the matter is, there’s not nearly been enough evidence that has been acquired whether or not it is a gateway drug,” Biden said at a town hall in Las Vegas on Saturday. “It’s a debate, and I want a lot more before I legalize it nationally. I want to make sure we know a lot more about the science behind it.”
This is not the first time that Biden expressed his strong opposition against the legalization of marijuana on the federal level. In 2010, the former Vice President told ABC News he thinks marijuana use leads to other addictions.
“I still believe it’s a gateway drug. I’ve spent a lot of my life as chairman of the [Senate] Judiciary Committee dealing with this. I think it would be a mistake to legalize,” he asserted at the time. “The punishment should fit the crime. But I think legalization is a mistake.”
Cannabis Legalization
Brazil OKs Medical Cannabis, Rejects Cultivation

Brazil’s pharmaceutical regulator Anvisa recently expressed its approval of the proposed regulations for medical cannabis use in the country. This covers the use of cannabis-based products for medicinal and pharmaceutical purposes. However, a separate vote turns down the proposal to allow cultivation of marijuana.
In an announcement, Anvisa said that the new rules can be read in Brazil’s official gazette in the next few days. The approved proposal will take effect as law 90 days after.
To ensure that the industry will be well-regulated, the Anvisa released a specific set of rules of manufacturing, importing, selling, packaging, marketing and quality control of cannabis products. An Anvisa spokesman said that Brazilian companies that want to enter the nation’s marijuana market will need to import inputs from other nations.
Medical Cannabis in Brazil
The approval of medical marijuana rules is seen as a positive development in the country’s situation related to drugs. It is important to note that Brazil has been suffering from drug-related violence. Anvisa’s decision is believed to be a sign that the country is now shifting its perception of the plant with related top drug policies.
This decision is part of the global shift in the perception of cannabis. This development is focused on the medicinal and therapeutic value of the plant. The current Brazilian leader, far-right- President Jair Bolsonaro, has previously expressed support of the application of marijuana for medicinal purposes so long as there are no “loopholes in the law.”
Marijuana Cultivation
However, the refusal to allow domestic plantations shows that the country is not yet ready to make the move that its Latin American peers including Colombia and Uruguay made.
Uruguay is the very first country in the world to make marijuana fully legal. Both countries are now at the forefront of a growing multibillion-dollar market not only in the region but around the world.
Meanwhile, Colombia, which had suffered from a deadly drug war in the past, has also made cannabis legal. Mexico has expedited the process of making the plant legal. According to some reports, Mexico’s supreme court has “ordered the country’s health ministry to speed up its issuance of medical marijuana regulations.” Recreational cannabis is also on the table.
With regards to Brazil’s development, Anvisa clarified that only licensed pharmacies will be able to carry medical products infused with cannabis. Moreover, patients who are looking to access such medical treatments can only do so with a prescription.
Cannabis Legalization
MORE Act Bill Passes Congress in a 24-10 Vote

In a historic 24 to 10 vote by the House Judiciary Committee last November 20, 2019, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement or known as MORE Act of 2019 has passed the Congress. The committee approval moves marijuana use and consumption legal on a federal level.
The bill’s approval is considered a monumental time in American history, particularly as this is the first time the congress saw the passing of a marijuana legalization bill. The bill was spearheaded by Jerrold Nadler, House Judiciary Committee Chairman.
More about MORE Act Bill
The MORE Act of 2019 is also known as the House Resolution (H.R.) 3884. Under the legislation, marijuana will finally be removed from the Schedule 1 list of the Controlled Substances Act.
Moreover, the regulation provides states access to implement their own cannabis legalization policies. H.R. 3884 also extends the right to thrown out criminal records for individuals charged with low-level marijuana offenses prior to passing the bill.
With the aim to boost the economic sector and the cannabis industry, the bill will also levy 5 percent tax on cannabis products. Taxes imposed on these products will be reportedly allocated towards additional job training and legal assistance
Should the ruling pass its final stage, cannabis industries and businesses may obtain loans and financial support. The ruling is also slated to give physicians within the Veterans Affairs system to give medical cannabis prescriptions to patients.
The bill was expected to pass the hearing following the overwhelming number of Democratic representatives in the voting chamber. In total, 234 seats were taken by the party.
Only two Republican representatives voted to pass the bill, namely Matt Gaetz from the state of Florida and Tom McClintock from the state of California.
What Lies Ahead
However, the news site anticipates more challenges as the legislation advances to the Senate, given that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell from the Republican partylist goes against the legalization of the marijuana.
Even Republican representatives think so, with Colorado rep Ken Buck saying, “I don’t think a majority of the Republicans will support this bill. It is even less likely that the Senate would take it up. Therefore, I would just suggest that we deal with other bills that we can get a much larger bipartisan support from.”
Despite the surprising turn of events, numerous supports and legislators think this is only the first step. To date, there are currently over 50 co-sponsors, making it a strong contender to enter the Senate.
-
Cannabis Blogs10 months ago
How Cody Alt Emerged in the Cannabis Market
-
Benefits of Medical Marijuana10 months ago
How CBD Helps Hasten Wound Healing
-
Cannabis News9 months ago
Top High-Paying Jobs in the Cannabis Industry
-
Cannabis Blogs9 months ago
Living the Pot Life: 4 PC Games that Lets You Live and Breathe Weed
-
Cannabis & Technology9 months ago
4 Awesome Cannabis Farming Mobile Games You Should Check Out
-
Benefits of Medical Marijuana10 months ago
Under the Influence: Cannabis in the Time of Love
-
Cannabis & Technology9 months ago
5 Marijuana Mobile Apps You Need to Install
-
Benefits of Medical Marijuana1 year ago
Types of Cannabis: Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid