Making it past airport TSA screening with that illegal substance that does not harm your lungs and has never killed anyone, is difficult but not impossible. But 43-year-old Adam Blumenkranz was arrested on a JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale to Newark for allegedly smoking dope. Crew members told the AP that they gave Blumenkranz the stink eye after he "dropped a clear plastic bag in the cabin." more ›

New Jersey's once-lauded medical marijuana initiative, which passed in 2010, is now indefinitely ensnared in bureaucracy. Initially supposed to begin this summer, governor Chris Christie put off launching the non-profit dispensaries for three months for the health department to investigate, and now it's uncertain when they'll open. The Star-Ledger seemingly crippled the opening of one clinic thanks to its ties to a Ponzi-schemer, and now they report that the Foundation Harmony dispensary cites bogus diplomas from dubious universities and has a medical advisor who once faced fraud allegations in New York. more ›

Remember when President Obama's "Drug Czar" Gil Kerliokowske said that it was time to end the "War on Drugs?" Yesterday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation released the country's annual uniform crime report and in 2010, 853,838 people were arrested for marijuana-related offenses, or 97.5 people per hour, the highest ever reported. 52% of all drug arrests in the US are marijuana-related, 46% of those are for possession. more ›

New Jersey legalized medical marijuana last year, but Garden State resident and multiple sclerosis-sufferer John Wilson, 37, faces a five-year prison sentence for growing pot plants in his back yard. Wilson was busted back before the state legislature legalized weed for medical purposes, but despite pleading for clemency with Governor Chris Christie, Wilson will do time for "drug manufacturing." Yesterday an appellate court panel rejected Wilson's appeal, ruling that someone accused of manufacturing a drug cannot claim "personal use." more ›

A group of NY State politicians has banded together to sponsor a bill to legalize medical marijuana, through a "registered dispensing facility" with doctor approval. And State Sen. Diane Savino made a personal appeal to Governor Cuomo yesterday in a letter in which she invokes the memory of her parents, who both died of cancer, and calls out NY for falling behind NJ. "As someone who has lost both parents to cancer, I know first-hand what it is like to see a loved one in pain and not be able to do anything about it," she wrote. more ›

A month ago, employees at Dr. Toothy’s Dental Office in Chinatown were shocked when they received a delivery of a 31-pound brick of marijuana, we assume from the Marijuana Fairy. Now, two Pennsylvanian residents have also received surprise packages with pounds of marijuana, worth $22,400 each on the street. So what the heck is going on with dealers? Is this becoming a trend? And is there any way we can win this lottery? more ›

Like many roads in New Jersey, the road to medical marijuana is turning out to be a bumpy one. The state legislature yesterday voted 22-16 to reject Governor Chris Christie's proposed pot plans, sending them back to his office to be rewritten. Christie's rules, they felt, were too strict. Speaking against Christie's rules, State Senator Nicholas Scutari said the gov needs to work toward "a real compromise so people who want to be in the business, and sick people who desperately need this medicine can get together in a way that is legal and viable." The delay means that pot probably won't be peddled legally starting in July as previously planned. Harsh, man. more ›

Carl Paladino may be a (possibly) racist, homophobic, Manhattan-hating moron, but he does have one thing on Andrew Cuomo: he said he wanted the issue of medical marijuana to be put to a referendum, according to the Daily News. Cuomo, on the other hand, recently told reporters that under his administration legalization wouldn't stand a chance. "The dangers of medical marijuana outweigh the benefits," said Cuomo. "I don't think the bill passes." But is the risk of Paladino in office worth the chance at a legal smoke? more ›

Rutgers may be the Garden State's state university, but the school has declined Governor Chris Christie's request that it grow all of New Jersey's medical marijuana. The idea for Rutgers to be the sole grower—and for hospitals to be distributors—allegedly helped "minimize some of Christie’s concern about the program posing a security and safety threat." But Rutgers' School of Environmental and Biological Sciences dean pointed out the Star-Ledger that "almost every aspect of the school’s business - from providing financial aid, to obtaining research grants, to seeking immigration visas for visiting professors and other guests - is tied up in federal funding." Robert Goodman said, "Higher education is infinitely tied to the federal government, operating under the presumption we are not violating federal law." more ›

Earlier this week NYC's special narcotics prosecutor Bridget Brennan (website: SPECNARC.org!) fired off a letter to state legislators considering a bill that would legalize marijuana for medical purposes. Among her concerns, she feels that the bill would create a situation similar to LA, where pot dispensaries supposedly outnumber Starbucks. That's what we call Utopia, but it's Brennan's nightmare, and she thinks the New York bill is "far too loosely drawn, and offers no safeguards to protect the health of those who use it, and the safety of the communities where marijuana dispensaries would be located." more ›

When asked during his 2001 mayoral campaign if he ever smoked marijuana, Mayor Bloomberg replied, "You bet I did. And I enjoyed it." And over the weekend, he dressed up like a hippie and clowned around with cast members from Hair. But don't be fooled! Nanny Bloomberg is still a prohibitionist; when asked about a coming marijuana legalization referendum in California, Bloomberg said, "I would vote against legalizing marijuana." The Mayor explained that the stuff "keeps getting stronger and stronger" and could lead to "greater use of drugs, which isn't good." Meanwhile, the New York State Senate is preparing to vote on a bill that would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana for medicinal purposes in New York. more ›

After New Jersey legalized medical marijuana in January, patients who suffer from chronic illnesses like AIDS, Lou Gehrig's disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis are getting ready to acquire the drug without fear of imprisonment. But change came too late for multiple sclerosis-sufferer John Wilson, 37, who was sentenced to five years in prison last week for growing 17 marijuana plants and psilocybin mushrooms in his backyard. more ›

New York State's tax on cigarettes could soar to a national high of $3.75 per pack, under one proposal being considered by the Assembly. The $1-per-pack increase in the state's cigarette tax is likely to be included in the budget resolution Democrats plan to unveil soon; one lawmaker tells the Daily News, "It's the least bad choice among all the revenues." The added tax could generate more than $200 million in revenue, which would help restore about $600 million of the $1.1 billion in school aid cuts that Governor Paterson proposed. And speaking of the budget, the Senate included a resolution in their bill legalizing medical marijuana. But Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says they don't "look at [medical marijuana] as revenue-raiser." more ›

Voters across New York State are overwhelmingly in favor of ending prohibition on medical marijuana, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. 71 percent of those polled said medical marijuana is a "good idea," with the poll finding support "among all political, racial and regional groups." Even a majority of Republicans (55 - 41) are in favor of turning on medicinally. "Voters of every age have entered the Age of Aquarius," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "It hasn't attracted a lot of attention, but New York State voters would like to emulate their New Jersey neighbors and approve medical use of marijuana." So what the hell's stopping us from biting Jersey's style? more ›

Following New Jersey's decision to legalize medical marijuana, New York cannabis activists say now is the time to push for similar legislation in the Empire State. Though New York City might be the marijuana arrest capital of the world, the state has "relatively liberal possession laws and actually passed a medical-marijuana law in 1980 but never put it to use," according to the Times. And considering the fact that 14 other states have already given medical marijuana the greenlight, Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) says there's no reason why it shouldn't be New York's turn. more ›

NY pot smokers are already rubbing their hands together in anticipation of bridge and tunnel medical marijuana trafficking, but there's one group that's not happy about New Jersey's new law—pot dealers! "As I smoker, I think it's great. But from a business aspect, it's going to cut a lot of people," said one illegal purveyor of the drug. more ›

Former New Jersey Governor John Corzine's hand must be cramped—on his last day in office he signed 54 bills into law, including one to legalize medical marijuana. And though he's letting state residents with chronic illnesses toke up, he also wants to discourage the munchies. Yesterday he followed New York's lead in making calorie postings mandatory at fast-food restaurants. more ›

New Jersey voted yes to medical marijuana for those suffering from chronic illnesses this week, but promised to make laws governing the drug the least chill in the nation. This means no home growing, no driving high and no more than two ounces per month. The marijuana will only be available at state-regulated dispensaries, which may be expensive to open and operate. With the red tape piling up, will all these restrictions keep weed from those in need? more ›

New Jersey will become one of a small batch of East Coast states to legalize medical use of marijuana. The measure has made it through both state houses of legislature and awaits Gov. Corzine's signature. Just nine months from now patients who suffer from chronic illnesses like AIDS, Lou Gehrig's disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis will be able to get their hands on the green stuff at one of six locations, says the Times. According to the NY Post, ID cards will be handed out to patients with "debilitating medical conditions." The cards can be used to collect marijuana and to ward off suspicious cops. And though they call it the Garden State there won't be any home growing or toking up in public; New Jersey's medical marijuana practices are set to be some of the most stringent in the nation. more ›

A New Jersey man on trial for growing 17 marijuana plants on his property was found not guilty yesterday of the most serious charge against him, that of operating a drug production facility, which carries a potential 20-year sentence. But multiple sclerosis-sufferer John Wilson, 37, still faces the possibility of five to 10 years in prison, because the jury found him guilty of second-degree manufacturing and third-degree drug possession. It's possible that Wilson avoided conviction on the most serious charge because he cast doubt on the credibility of state troopers who arrested him in August 2008—with a little help from the National Guard. more ›

37-year-old John Ray Wilson has multiple sclerosis, and he's found that smoking the leaves of a certain plant helps alleviate his symptoms. So he grew 17 of the plants in the ground on his property. But the government of New Jersey believes that plant is evil and must be driven from the earth, so the Attorney General is trying to send Wilson to prison. For twenty years. The plant, obviously, is marijuana, and America, obviously, is really screwed up. The most serious charge against Wilson is that he was operating a drug production facility, and unfortunately for him, the judge has forbidden his lawyers from making any mention his illness during the trial. more ›

The Marijuana Policy Project [MPP] has produced two new TV ads for media markets in key New York Senate districts. The commercials feature patients who have benefited from medical marijuana, but you won't see them here in NYC, because uptight Eisenhower-era local affiliates of ABC, CBS and Fox have declined to broadcast them. Because reefer drives people into homicidal rages, or something! However, one local network, WNBC, has bravely accepted the group's money and is showing the spots, which includes testimonials from radical freaks like Conservative Party member Joel Peacock of Buffalo, who suffers from chronic pain as the result of an accident. In the ad, he says, "It took away the pain. It took away the nausea. I didn't have stomach cramps. I slept. It just did everything my medicine doesn't do. Please, ask your senator to have compassion." Whatever, hippie! In 2007, the state assembly passed a bill to legalize marijuana for medical purposes, but it never made it through the Senate. Watch the ads below: more ›

It may be 4/21, but two state lawmakers are introducing legislation to legalize medical marijuana. Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) and State Senator Thomas Duane (D-Manhattan) were to introduce a bill today. Gottfried, who previously sponsored a similar bill that passed in the Assembly but was stalled (of course) in the Senate, said, "I think we've got by far the best chance we've ever had." The Daily News has some details: "Under the bill, people suffering from specific diseases such as cancer or HIV-related ills could obtain a certification from their doctor that would allow them to possess up to 2-1/2 ounces of marijuana and up to 12 plants." Governor Paterson's spokesman said, "if the bill successfully passes both houses and reaches the governor's desk, the administration will seek input from interested parties before the governor acts." Ganja Grannies and Gramps are crossing their fingers. more ›

While SFist cringed at the fatal dose of crime littering the Bay Area, it found solace in Hillary Clinton's San Francisco campaign headquarters opening, which featured loads of exposed mammary glands. In other news, SF Taxi Commission ruled that Satan's cab must keep its (in)famous medallion number, 666; and in an un-fashion-forward frenzy, San Francisco Fashion Week (chortle) bars bloggers from covering and getting smashed at their shows and parties, respectively. Also, they found a picture displaying the woes of cruising in a tacky limo on the streets of San Francisco. more ›

Happy Father's Day! For those of you who have dads, are dads, or know dads, this one's for you, from all of us at the Gothamist network." more ›

Photograph by dietrich on Flickr more ›

Can it be? The Sun reports that the Assembly "could pass a medical marijuana bill" this week, and the Senate will do the same. The lead sponsor of the Assembly's bill is Manhattan Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, who said, "There are thousands of New Yorkers who suffer from serious medical conditions who could have a better quality and longer life." more ›

The law can be very cruel, even to cancer-stricken 71-year-olds. The Daily News has a feature on Barbara Jackson, who was arrested last month after she bought some bags of pot in her Bronx neighborhood. Jackson was diagnosed with colorectal cancer eight years ago, and tells the News she's been smoking for the past seven to restore her appetite.

"The marijuana calmed me down and gave me back my appetite. My taste buds are gone, but the marijuana helps me get the food down." more ›