A Weekly Roundup of Stories We Found Interesting – From The Profound To The Profane

Virginia Lawmakers Kill Marijuana Decriminalization Bill
In Virginia, where 85 percent of voters support medical cannabis, and where new Governor Ralph Northam supports decriminalization, a bill to allow sick people to access cannabis passed the state Senate before a deadlocked vote meant it died in the state House.

Dennis Peron, Father of Medical Marijuana in California, Dies at 72
Dennis Peron, the man known as “the father of medical marijuana,” died over the weekend in a San Francisco hospital. He was 72. The activist is known for his five decades of dedication to the cannabis movement, having almost single-handedly created, funded and organized the campaign for America’s first medical marijuana law.

San Francisco Erases Thousands of Marijuana Convictions
San Francisco will dismiss more than 3,000 misdemeanor marijuana convictions in the city dating as far back as 1975 and review nearly 5,000 felony cases for possible action.

A Country that Punishes Drug Traffickers with Death is Investing in Medical Marijuana
Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) this month (Jan. 10) announced that it would develop synthetic cannabinoids, or chemical compounds found in the marijuana plant, as part of a broader S$25 million ($19 million) investment by the body into synthetic biology. The initiative will help boost Singapore’s push to develop a “bio-based economy,” and grow new industries and create jobs in a sustainable way.

The Dirty Secret of California’s Cannabis: It’s Dirty
In California, many growers, legal and illegal, are using rodenticide to avoid damage from rats chewing through irrigation lines and plants. What’s bad for the rats can’t be good for the barred owl.

Oregon’s Top Prosecutor Holds Marijuana Summit to Address ‘Massive’ Pot Surplus
Oregon’s top federal prosecutor will hold a marijuana summit Friday to hear how the state, law enforcement, tribal and industry leaders plan to address a pot surplus that he says has wound up on the black market in other states and is fueling crime.

Synthetic Marijuana Is Killing American Soldiers
Since January, more than 90 soldiers and Marines have been treated for “serious medical issues” after using vape or e-cigarette products marketed as containing cannabidiol, or CBD, oil. Two of those died from seizures related to the use of the faked weed.

Two Toronto Cops High on Marijuana Edibles, Called for Backup
Two cops from Toronto got themselves in a lot of trouble on Sunday when they allegedly ate some marijuana edibles while on duty, got really stoned, and were forced to call for help.