Sacramento News & Review, 04 Apr 2013 – Medical pot’s legal in California, so can I bring some on the plane when I fly to Los Angeles? – -Jet-Set Jeff Yes. Over the past 20-plus years of bringing weed with me dang near everywhere I go, I have had no real problems.

DrugSense

DrugSense

Appeal-Democrat, 28 Mar 2013 – There need to be stricter regulations on medical marijuana. In 2012, the Yuba City Council passed an urgency ordinance banning residents form growing medical marijuana outdoors. Even though this reduces the smell and crime by a small amount, it still affects local neighborhoods.

Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar 2013 – John Melvin Walker is expected to plead guilty to drug and tax evasion charges. The marijuana shops evoked health and homeopathic care, with names like Dana Point Safe Harbor Collective, Belmont Shore Natural Care, Alternative Herbal Care and Costa Mesa Patients Assn.

Sacramento News & Review, 28 Mar 2013 – I haven’t done any smoking for more than 40 years. I do, however, have an old cane that converts into a pipe/hash pipe. Due to the residues and my lack of knowledge of paraphernalia laws, I would be afraid to offer it on eBay or even keep it in my house anymore. Any suggestions? – -Model Citizen Cane

The Record, 27 Mar 2013 – Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., believes that Congress is "about 10 years behind the public." So Paul said on "Fox News Sunday" as he argued against incarcerating marijuana users. Paul sagely suggested the Republican Party should employ such thinking to "appeal across the left-right paradigm." Paul has put his money where his mouth is. Last week, Paul co-sponsored legislation with Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt. Their Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013 would grant judges greater flexibility in the federal mandatory minimum sentencing system.

DrugSense

Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar 2013 – In a Case Involving a Search by a Drug-Sniffing Dog, the Supreme Court Sides With the Homeowner. In his opinions on abortion and gay rights, Justice Antonin Scalia has taken an offensively narrow view of the Constitution’s guarantees of due process and equal protection of the laws. But when it comes to the 4th Amendment’s more specific protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, Scalia has been a strong voice for individual rights. That was the case again Tuesday. Writing for a 5-4 majority, Scalia came down hard on police in Florida who, without having obtained a warrant, deployed a drug-sniffing dog at a homeowner’s front door.

Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar 2013 – It may be surprising, but no state is required to have a law making possession of marijuana, or any drug, a crime. Therefore, any state can legalize some or all marijuana possession if it chooses. The federal government, if it chooses, can enforce the federal law against its possession and use, but it is up to each state to decide what to criminally prohibit, based on the 10th Amendment. This basic insight has been lost in the public discussion about whether the initiatives legalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana passed by Colorado and Washington voters in November are preempted by federal law. The two states will soon finalize regulations to implement those initiatives, including how to tax and regulate marijuana. U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. told a recent meeting of state attorneys general that the Justice Department review of the initiatives was winding down, suggesting an imminent decision as to whether it intends to challenge the initiatives as being preempted by federal law.