Toke Signals Radio 37: Study Says Marijuana Changes Brain! Holder Smoked Weed! Man Gets 13 Years For 2 Joints!

Find out what you need to know about the week in cannabis/marijuana news, in just 26 minutes!

Marijuana Use Changes The Brain, New Study Says

(Hemp News)

Young adults who smoke marijuana occasionally show changes in two key areas of their brains related to emotion, motivation and decision making, with the degree of changes related to the amount of cannabis used per week, according to a new study by researchers in Boston. Other scientists quickly pointed out that the research was partially sponsored by the federal agency charged with keeping marijuana illegal.

Holder 'Cautiously Optimistic' About Legalization; Admits He's Tried Weed

(Hemp News)

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said he is "cautiously optimistic" about marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington state, but added it's tough to predict where legalization will be in 10 years. In the same interview, Holder, the nation's top law enforcement official, admitted he had tried pot in college.

Louisiana Man Given 13 Year Prison Sentence For Two Joints

(Hemp News)

The Drug Policy Alliance on Wednesday filed an amicus brief urging the Louisiana Supreme Court to review the egregious prison sentence of Bernard Noble, a 48-year old man who was sentenced to 13.3 years of hard labor in prison without the opportunity for parole for possessing the equivalent of two marijuana cigarettes.

Illinois Nixes Proposed Rule; Would Have Barred Medical Marijuana Patients From Having Guns

(Hemp News)

A proposed rule that would have barred medical marijuana patients from getting Firearm Owner's Identification cards has been nixed.

Nearly 80 Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Now Open In Arizona; 126 Allowed

(Hemp News)

More medical marijuana dispensaries are open in Arizona than ever before, with nearly 80 shops now open throughout the state. The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act allows for up to 126 dispensaries to open.

Many more dispensaries plan to open in 2014, according to AZmarijuana.com, a medical marijuana industry website.

Florida Medical Marijuana Campaign Manager Blasts CPS Investigation Of Advocate

(Hemp News)

The campaign manager of Florida's medical marijuana ballot drive has expressed outrage after a woman last week was abruptly visited by Child Protective Services on an anonymous tip that she had been giving marijuana to her son, who suffers from a rare form of severe epilepsy.

 Illinois Medical Marijuana Entrepreneurs Say Fees Too High

(Hemp News)

Prospective medicinal cannabis businesspeople in Illinois say the high cost of entry will prevent many with expertise from entering the new industry. Under proposed rules for the new law legalizing medical marijuana in Illinois, would-be cannabis farmers need a $2 million surety bond, $250,000 in liquid assets, $25,000 for an application fee, and $200,000 for a permit fee, as well as an approved site.

 Top 10 Reasons Dispensaries Beat Going To A Marijuana Dealer

(Toke Signals)

We’ve all been there. A 7/11 parking lot, late at night, where every Slurpee-buying shopper looks like an undercover cop. Or you’ve just parked your buddy’s car near an apartment downtown where all the neighbors know why you’re walking towards that particular door.