Salem-News.com Articles written by Bonnie King

New Initiative for Regulated Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Bound for Oregon Ballot

Sick and dying patients in Oregon may soon have an option to “growing their own”.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Sponsors of a new medical marijuana initiative announced that they have collected nearly 130,000 signatures on petitions to place Initiative #28 on Oregon’s November 2010 ballot.

The new initiative would add a regulated supply system of dispensaries and producers to the current medical marijuana law, which requires patients to produce their own medicine.

Oregon Hospitals Abuse the Homeless (UPDATE)

Booting homeless sick American mothers into the street; welcome to Oregon.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A homeless person with a young child has almost no chance of being properly assisted in Oregon's hospitals.

We are following the story of Amber Morales, a young indigent woman who was born to a mother addicted to heroin, kicking off her challenging life.

Vortex 2: Festival of Life, Peace for Prosperity (and Rock Music!)

Vortex 2 is POSTPONED. A NEW DATE IS FORTHCOMING.

(SALEM, Ore.) - THIS FESTIVAL INFORMATION HAS CHANGED. THE FESTIVAL DID NOT OBTAIN THE REQUIRED PERMIT(S) AND IS NOT SANCTIONED BY THE STATE OF OREGON PARKS & REC DEPT, MANDATORY IN SECURING THE LOCATION.
DO NOT GO TO MILO MCIVER STATE PARK THIS WEEKEND EXPECTING TO SEE A FESTIVAL. VORTEX 2 HAS BEEN POSTPONED; A NEW DATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED ASAP.

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In Oregon, the land of grassroots organizations and hippies old and new, a festival is being organized to rock the world in more ways than one.

Dutchman Van der Sloot Confesses to Slaying in Lima

The suspect is apparently "coming clean" in this case.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Monday, a high-ranking Peruvian government official told NBC News that Joran van der Sloot confessed to the slaying of a 21-year-old woman in a Lima hotel room.

Mavi Mamara Audio Released by IDF Appears to be Forged

Listen to the two released clips, and see if the pieces (or audio edit points) fit.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Israel released audio on Friday that it claimed was a conversation between Israeli naval vessels and the Turkish-owned ship Mavi Marmara. The recording is said to have been made prior to the Israeli assault that killed at least 9 passengers on that ship, and injured dozens more in the early hours of 31 May.

Oregon Citizens Rally Against Arizona Immigration Law

Thousands across the state came together in solidarity for immigration rights.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem hosted one of forty rallies across the United States today in reaction to Arizona’s new immigration law, advocating for realistic immigration reform.

Medical Marijuana Video Q&A with Dr. Phil Leveque

The doctor is in, and you can always send your questions in for a future segment.

(SALEM, Ore.) - One of our regular features at Salem-News.com, are the question and answer videos about medical marijuana and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Dr. Phillip Leveque.

He is one of the nation's most well known experts on the subject. In addition to being a retired Osteopathic Physician, Dr. Leveque is also a Professor of Pharmacology and a Forensic Toxicologist.

A Mother`s Nightmare: Oregon Judge Holds Canadian Child Without Cause

“You can't imagine the pain of not being able to hold your child on Mother's Day, knowing that you may never be able to hold him again.”

(SALEM / CALGARY) - Some stories are so far-fetched, so incredible, that they are hard to believe at first look, even though they ring of truth. The arduous journey of 12-year old Noah Kirkman is one such story. An unfinished story.

The Funeral of Jack Herer, American Cannabis Warrior

Cannabis activists joined together with family and friends to celebrate the life of Jack Herer in southern California.

(MISSION HILLS, Calif.) - What a life. The journey of Jack Herer was one of struggle and uncertainty, exhilaration, passion, generosity, appreciation- and happiness. He joined this earth June 18, 1939, and passed through the door to eternity on April 15, 2010. He was a legend, an icon, a good American.

Hemperor Jack Herer is Laid to Rest (Photos)

Photos tell more than a thousand words; here is a slideshow of this historical event.

(MISSION HILLS, Calif.) - Jack Herer, 70-year old noted author and leader in the worldwide hemp/cannabis movement was laid to rest at 1:00 pm April 25th, at Eden Memorial Park in Mission Hills, CA.

The ceremony was open to the public and attended by hundreds of family, friends, followers and others that wished to pay their respects to the most well-known hemp activist in the world.