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July 5, 2014 - July 5, 2014, The Afro-American
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Volume 123 No. 8
SEPTEMBER 27, 2014 - OCTOBER 3, 2014
Bill to Seal Pot Criminal Records Gains Support
Medical Marijuana Expansion Stalls Patients’ Needs
By Valencia Mohammed Special to the AFRO
As expected, the numbers
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By James Wright Special to the AFRO
Courtesy photo from DC Metropolitan Wellness Center
DC’s expansion of its medical marijuana plan has caused a shortage in many of the products to treat for pain, cancer and other medical problems. It also allows patients and their physicians to determine if using medical marijuana is more beneficial than conventional medications for treatment, and provides a sliding scale for qualifying patients – those with income equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. “The increase in patient access has significantly increased the demand for both raw flowers and concentrates. We’ve also
seen an increase in edibles. District Growers is currently ramping its production to accommodate demand across all types of products,” said Corey Barnette, president and CEO of District Growers, the only Black-owned medical marijuana grower and distributor on the east coast. “It is impossible to grow and harvest this quickly. We had no chance to prepare for the increase. We need more time.” Continued on A3
A D.C. councilmember’s bill to close the criminal records of District residents who have had marijuanarelated offenses, has received widespread support from city activists and political leaders. David Grosso (I-At Large) is the chief sponsor of “The Record Sealing for Decriminalized and Legalized
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David Grasso, a D.C. councilmember, wants to seal pot criminal records.
“Often, people don’t realize that even something as minor as a marijuana possession charge can keep residents from obtaining employment, housing, or scholarship aid for higher education.” –David Grosso Offenses Amendment Act of 2014,” bill. This legislation would ensure residents with a non-violent misdemeanor or felony possession of marijuana conviction as their only prior criminal Continued on A3
The AFRO Announces Expanded Social Media News Service Coverage of Congressional Black Caucus Events One of the oldest and most prestigious minority newspapers companies in the nation, the AFRO American Newspapers Company, has made a move to further increase its social media influence within the African-American market. The AFRO American Newspapers Company announced that it has retained Global Social Media News Service to assist in providing “real time” social media coverage of the 44th Annual Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Legislative Conference, Sept. 24-27, in Washington, D.C.
Global Social Media News Service, a Washington, D.C. based company, will provide a cadre of dedicated social media news reporters to supplement and assist the AFRO’s news team in covering the extensive number of legislative and social CBC events that take place during the four-day CBC conference period. Such coverage will span the CBC conference’s opening press briefing Continued on A4
See a full schedule of CBC Conference events on A4.
One Year Later: Remembering the Victims of the Navy Yard Tragedy By Linda Poulson Special to the AFRO The community, government officials, business leaders, and sponsors paid homage to those who died at the Navy Yard compound Sept. 16, 2013 in Southeast D.C.’s Canal Park. “You shared what it means to be a community and we thank you,” Vice Adm. William Hilarides, commander of Naval Sea Systems Command. “Today is a day of remembrance.” After he read from a list of victims, he said, “Gatherings like this keep
“Today is a day of remembrance.” – William Hilarides
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for medical marijuana users significantly increased since the D.C. Council passed the Medical Marijuana Emergency Expansion Act of 2014 in July. As of Aug. 29, there were 1,011 registered patients , 686 males and 325 females. More than 600 new patients signed up during the first 30 days of the less restricted program. There are also 24 registered caregivers to obtain prescriptions for incapacitated patients. “The increase is having a drastic effect on patients, like myself. I haven’t been able to get my favorite type for weeks that really does the most for the pain in my back and muscles,” said Olivia Johnson, a medical marijuana patient suffering from a degenerate spine and disc disorder. The Council-approved Medical Marijuana Expansion Amendment of 2014 paved the way for medical marijuana cultivation centers to increase the number of plants from 95 to 500.
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their memories alive.” The event was held approximately one year after Aaron Alexis killed 12 people and injured three. “This is a tragic thing to happen; you want to remember like 9/11. This should happen year after year,” Detroit, Mich. native Seaman Jason Davis, a color guard at the ceremony, said. U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) named those the fifth district residents killed and said, “We gather in remembrance today of 12 lives taken from our communities, and from our country on Sept. 16, 2013 at 8:20 a.m. – 12 years and five days since 9/11.” “We remember them as we also recall the heroism of the first responders who answered the call that day to end the
Continued on A4
The health and fitness event included yoga and zumba activities.
Courtesy Photo
X Generation Inspired to Get Up and Move By Tiffany L. Johnson Special to the AFRO It is common to see people around you with some sort of electronic gadget at hand. In this high tech society smart phones, iPads, and video games have overshadowed physical exercise. According to first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move website, nearly 40 percent of African-Americans and Hispanics are considered obese or overweight. Issues like obesity or the lack of awareness about proper nutrition are impacting young AfricanAmerican girls between the ages of 11 and 17 according to Shantelle Dockett, founder of The Society for Girls. Dockett said the current generation will die before their parents because of the lack of exercise and proper nutrition. “We looked at some of statistics around young girls, and young children in
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general from 11 to 17, and realized that a lot of them were overweight and were unhealthy,” Dockett said. The Society for Girls, a non-profit organization designed to help young AfricanAmerican girls reach their full potential. The group is comprised of 25 volunteers who travel throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. to educate and empower young AfricanAmerican girls to make a positive impact in society and themselves. “The society was started five years ago. All of my friends were young professionals and we just wanted to do something to give back to minority women and girls,” Dockett said. She said she started by using a How to start a Nonprofit for Dummies book. “I went through every checklist on that, and it just so happens that it kept growing and growing.” The group hosted a health and fitness Continued on A3