The Battle of the Bulge: The Surprising Last Stand Against State Marijuana Legalization

Although marijuana possession remains a federal crime, twenty-three states now allow use of marijuana for medical purposes and four states have adopted tax-and-regulate policies permitting use and possession by those twenty-one and over. In this article, I examine recent developments regarding marijuana regulation. I show that the Obama administration, after initially sending mixed signals, has taken several steps indicating an increasingly accepting position toward marijuana law reform in states; however the current situation regarding the dual legal status of marijuana is at best an unstable equilibrium. I also focus on what might be deemed the last stand of marijuana-legalization opponents, in the form of lawsuits filed by several states, sheriffs, and private plaintiffs challenging marijuana reform in Colorado (and by extension elsewhere). This analysis offers insights for federalism scholars regarding the speed with which marijuana law reform has occurred, the positions taken by various state and federal actors, and possible collaborative federalism solutions to the current state-federal standoff.

The Big BIM battle: BIM adoption in the UK for large and small companies

As BIM adoption continues, the goal of a totally collaborative model with multiple contributors is attainable. Many initiatives such as the 2016 UK government level 2 BIM deadline are putting pressure on the construction industry to speed up the changeover. Clients and collaborators have higher expectations of using digital 3D models to communicate design ideas and solve practical problems. Contractors and clients are benefitting from cost saving scheduling and clash detection offered by BIM. Effective collaboration on the project will also give speed and efficiency gains. Despite this, many businesses of varying sizes are still having problems. The cost of the software and the training provides an obvious barrier for micro-enterprises and could explain a delay in adoption. Many studies have looked at these problems faced by SME and micro-enterprises. Larger companies have different problems. The efforts made by government to encourage them are quite comprehensive, but is anything being done to help smaller sectors and keep the industry cohesive? This limited study examines several companies of varying size and varying project type: architectural design businesses, main contractor, structural engineer and building consultancy. The study examines the barriers to a truly collaborative BIM workflow facing different specialities on a larger project and a contrasting small/medium project. The findings will establish that different barriers for each sector are actually pushing further apart, thus potentially creating a BIM-only construction elite, leaving the small companies remaining on 2D based drawing.

Father Abbey's Will, undated

Handwritten copy of Father Abbey's Will, on one leaf of unlined paper. The Cambridge verse is written on the front of the document, and the New Haven verse is written on the verso. The document is attached to a second leaf of blank paper bearing the handwritten title "Copy of Old Ballad" on the verso.

Father Abbey's Will Cambridge, Dec. 1731. Some time since..., [ca. 1780]

Goodspeed 5, Ford 615.

Father Abbey's Will, Cambridge, Dec. 1731. Some time since..., [ca. 1780]

Goodspeed 6.

Father Abbey's Will, To which is now added, a letter of courtship to his virtuous..., undated

Goodspeed 9, Ford 609.

Father Abbey's Will. To which is now added, a letter of Courtship to his virtuous..., undated

Goodspeed 14.

Father Abbey's Will. To which is now added, a Letter of Courtship to his virtuous..., [ca. 1800]

Goodspeed 15.

Father Abbey's Will. Cambridge, Dec. 1731. Some time since..., undated

Not included on Goodspeed's list.

Father Abbey's Will. To which is added, a letter of Courtship, to his virtuous..., undated

Not included on Goodspeed's list.

Photostat copy of Father Abbey's Will. To which is now added, A Letter of Courtship to his virtuous..., [ca. 1780]

Goodspeed 7, Ford 612.

Photostat copy of Father Abbey's Will. To which is added, A Letter of Courtship to his virtuous..., undated

Goodspeed 8, Ford 608.

Photostat copy of Father Abbey's Will: Cambridge, December 1730. "Some time since..., 1797

Goodspeed 12.