Contrary to what everyone – even potheads – think about marijuana, a new study shows that the drug has “minimal” effects on the brain. Conducted by a team of investigators from the United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, Switzerland and Australia, the “systematic literature review”, recently published online by Psychological Medicine, combines 41 different studies from around the world of marijuana’s effect on brain function. And after thorough review, the researches concluded that its effects are nearly nonexistent. (more…)

Supporters of legalization and decriminalization of marijuana received a boost from Capitol Hill Tuesday, as Massachusetts Congressman, Barney Frank introduced a bill to the House of Representatives, which, if passed, would decriminalize marijuana on the federal level.

The bill, labeled H.R. 2493, the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2009, would remove federal penalties for personal possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana (roughly 3.5 ounces), and would reduce the penalty for smoking pot in public to a mere $100, echoing Massachusetts’s similar (though controversial) marijuana law, which passed last November. (more…)