In recent marijuana news the fight to change people's misconceptions about weed struggles on. Studies on medical marijuana are shedding light on crime rates, congress is dealing with weed and taxes, and the city of Boston unites in defense of marijuana. Throughout the country the debate over marijuana is intensifying on both sides of the issue.

When medical marijuana dispensaries first began to open the argument against them was always increased crime. Opponents to medical marijuana insisted that the easy access to drugs and cash in these places would greatly increase the crime rates in the area. In a recent study by the Rand Corporation this claim has been proven false. Crime rates have been shown to dramatically drop near marijuana dispensaries. The study focused on an area of Los Angeles that was forced to close nearly 100 medical marijuana shops in 2010. The crime rates of this area were examined before and after the pot shops were closed. This study found that as early as 10 days after the closures, crime rates within a quarter of a mile went up by 59%. Crime rates within half a mile went up 24%. They concluded that the marijuana dispensaries presence in a neighborhood actually lowers crime rates, rather than raising them. Police dismissed the results and insisted that the crime they are trying to stop is illegal dispensaries selling illegal marijuana.

In other medical marijuana news, members of congress have petitioned the IRS regarding unfair tax policies for medical marijuana dispensaries. This issue regards a tax policy that prohibits businesses that deal in controlled substances from claiming any business expense tax exemptions. So medical marijuana business are essentially being taxed on their gross income. Although the states with medical marijuana laws don't recognize weed as a controlled substance, the federal government still does. Whether or not the feds choose to enforce the criminal law, the IRS says the tax law is clear. This forces medical marijuana businesses to try and find ways around these laws and risk losing their business. The IRS has yet to respond to the claims of unfair tax policies, and has no intention of making changes at this time.

The city of Boston made cannabis news last week with its annual Hempfest celebration. This event celebrates the 2007 decriminalization of marijuana in Massachusetts, which made it legal to have up to 1 ounce of pot. Thousands of people gathered on the Boston Commons to smoke, listen to live music, and protest the federal prohibition of marijuana. As attendees openly smoked pot during the five hour festival the Boston Police casually monitored the scene. Presidential candidate Ron Paul made an appearance at the festival to show his support for the cause. Ron Paul has spoken out against the drug war and overzealous federal government for years, and he continued to spread this message. This years Hempfest allowed people to celebrate weed culture and their community while fighting for a political cause that is important to them.

The state of current marijuana news shows that the fight for legal marijuana is continuing on all fronts. People are getting organized and their message is finally starting to reach our political leaders. Marijuana legalization is no longer a stoned fantasy, it's becoming a reachable goal.