The cache of cannabis [found in a tomb in China] is about 2,700 years old and was clearly "cultivated for psychoactive purposes," ... says a research paper in the Journal of Experimental Botany. ... "To our knowledge, these investigations provide the oldest documentation of cannabis as a pharmacologically active agent," says the newly published paper, whose lead author was American neurologist Dr. Ethan B. Russo. ... "It certainly does indicate that cannabis has been used by man for a variety of purposes for thousands of years." Russo, who had a neurology practice for 20 years, has previously published studies examining the history of cannabis. (November 28, 2008)

California saw a record increase in the number of marijuana plants eradicated this year. Nearly 5.3 million plants were seized from private and public lands through the combined efforts of several state and national drug control departments in 2008. ... "The solution is to regulate and tax marijuana like alcoholic beverages," said Bruce Mirken, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project. "You don't hear about gangs trying to grow vineyards in national parks. These eradications are all a part of a pattern - a pattern that is detached from reality and drives prices up, enriching and empowering criminals." (November 25, 2008)

A senior fellow at the George Mason University School of Public Policy, Dr. Jon Gettman's recent study, Consistent, Persistent and Resistant, Marijuana Use in the United States - funded by the Marijuana Policy Project Foundation - finds that the "Bush Administration anti-drug policies have been unsuccessful in reducing the demand for and use of marijuana and other illegal drugs." ... In the absence of a strategy that can both win the drug war and pass Constitutional and affordability tests, police departments, prison operators and hundreds of thousands of prison guards keep themselves busy wasting money on non-performing programs and arresting more low level drug offenders. (November 25, 2008)

Someone who supplies marijuana to a patient who has a doctor's approval for it can be prosecuted for dealing drugs, the state Supreme Court ruled Monday in a narrow interpretation of California's medical marijuana law. ... Lawrence Gibbs, attorney for the Santa Cruz County man who appealed his marijuana-dealing convictions, said the court "made it much, much more difficult for qualified patients to get their medical marijuana." Although patients can turn to cooperatives or clubs, Gibbs said, the resulting centralization of cultivation and supply will make raids and prosecutions much easier for federal authorities ... The ruling is the second time this year the state Supreme Court has limited the scope of Prop. 215, which allowed patients to grow and use marijuana with a doctor's recommendation. (November 25, 2008)

Michigan voters said yes to medical marijuana by a ratio of nearly 2-1. ... Michigan is the 13th state to allow medical use of marijuana. ... Massachusetts voters on Nov. 4 approved the first statewide measure to decriminalize marijuana ... Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project ... said the efforts in Michigan and in Massachusetts demonstrate a "sea change" in public attitudes ... "Last year an American was arrested on marijuana charges once every 36 seconds, which is more arrests for marijuana possession alone than for all violent crimes combined." Kampia said in a press release. "Voters have loudly said, 'Enough!' ... "Marijuana prohibition is about to take its place next to alcohol Prohibition on the ash heap of history." (November 16, 2008)