Tobacco News

IT was recently reported that a Gold Coast rugby league player became the first Australian sportsman to be banned for life for cannabis use. The Queensland Rugby League banned the player from not only playing but also from being associated with the sport in any way, including training, coaching, managing or acting in any support role. It is the first Australian case to involve an athlete committing a third anti-doping rule violation, which under the World Anti-Doping Agency code can result in a lifetime ban. The player had previously received two bans for the presence of cannabis as a member of Touch New Zealand, the first over five years ago and the second of which resulted in a two-year ban. Ream more »

The campaign behind the California ballot initiative that would legalize, tax and regulate marijuana has released its first television advertisement, one that seeks to convey a simple message: the current approach is not working.
“Let’s be honest,” Joseph D. McNamara, a former San Jose police chief, says in the commercial for Proposition 19. “The war against marijuana has failed.” Ream more »

When voters head to the polls in just nine days, medical marijuana will be one of the big issues on the ballot. It’s a measure many think has a good chance of passing, which means cities have to be ready to distribute it.

This could be a brand-new industry, but could there be negative consequences? Where will the 120 dispensaries that would be allowed set up shop? Ream more »

Former LSU linebacker and former NFL player Ali Highsmith was arrested late last week, accused of possession of marijuana, a Baton Rouge police spokesman said today.

Highsmith, 25, was arrested at 10 a.m. Friday after letting narcotics detectives with the Baton Rouge Police Department and State Police search his home at 10720 Linkwood Court, Sgt. Don Kelly said.
Ream more »

There is a disturbing study out about children and drug use. More kids and teens are smoking marijuana and at younger ages. According to a study by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, from 2008 to 2009 there was a nine-percent increase to 7.3-percent of all people ages 12 and older. The average age for first-time pot smoker dropped to 17. Ream more »

PORT ANGELES, Wash. — Port Angeles city officials say a proposed medical marijuana dispensary meets regulations and will be permitted. Richard Pharr of Port Angeles tells the Peninsula Daily News he plans to apply for a building occupancy permit Monday. He wants to open Olympic Canna dispensary in the next month to serve Clallam and Jefferson counties. Ream more »

Then out of nowhere, with his conversation with reporters apparently over, Artest added, “Even if they legalize marijuana (with a California ballot initiative Nov. 3), I won’t be smoking marijuana.”
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He’s suddenly become a Saint. Ream more »

Marijuana is thought by some to be a gateway drug among young people who eventually go on to try stronger substances. But that may be the exception rather than the rule, a new study finds.
Researchers from the University of New Hampshire looked at data from a random group of 1,286 children, teens and young adults who were in Miami-Dade public schools in the 1990s. Ream more »

Police found a hand-rolled cigarette, believed to be a joint, in Paris Hilton’s vehicle following her arrest last Friday (27.08.10) for cocaine possession. Police found a suspected cannabis joint in Paris Hilton’s car shortly after her arrest on Friday night (27.08.10).

The socialite – who was arrested for cocaine possession after being pulled over by cops in Las Vegas with her boyfriend Cy Waits – reportedly had a hand-rolled cigarette in the vehicle, Ream more »

Medical Marijuana has been a hot and controversial topic in Rhode Island. Now a man licensed to grow medical marijuana is in trouble with the law for allegedly growing too many plants. According to press release State Police arrested 65 year old Louis Magiera of Scituate after discovering 20 marijuana plants at his home, by state law licensed medical marijuana growers are only allowed to possess 12 plants. Ream more »