Prohibition Act of 2011 (video included)

#cannabis cup2nd Annual High Times California Medical Cannabis Cup Winners Announced
#marijuana legalizationMarijuana legalization ballot initiative for 2012 filed in Washington State
#marijuana legalizationIntroducing HR 2306: Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011 (video included)


Prohibition's End

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Introducing HR 2306: Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011 (video included)




US House Bill HR 2306′s main goal is to allow the states to make their own marijuana laws. It matches the federal law passed which repealed alcohol prohibition. This is a big deal.

Sponsored by Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank and Texas Republican Ron Paul along with Reps. Cohen (D-TN), Conyers (D-MI), Polis (D-CO), and Lee (D-CA), the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011 removes marijuana from the five schedules of the United States Controlled Substances Act of 1970. If the plant (or THC) are not under that Act the feds cannot prosecute. HR 2306 seeks to federally deregulate the personal possession and use of marijuana by adults plain and simple.

The one thing this bill does make sure to keep in place is that trafficking between states would still be illegal. This makes total sense in that if one state doesn’t want it then it should be illegal to take it there. After all, it took many years for some states to join the end-of-alcohol prohibition bandwagon.

So, you can read the main article here on NORML’s website. It’s the exact same one that’s everywhere on the web right now.

Here’s a video of Congressman Steve Cohen speaking on the House floor about legislation he is cosponsoring that would end the federal war on marijuana and let states legalize, regulate, tax and control marijuana without federal interference. The legislation would limit the federal government’s role in marijuana enforcement to cross-border or interstate smuggling.



Here’s the first news story I found from ABC News 15 in Arizona:



We’ll get the full text of the bill up on Prohibition’s End as soon as it becomes available.





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Showing 14 of 15 comments




+TimothyHurley


Just gohead and legalize it and let us grow our beautiful plants for our health.


Like
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6 hours ago
1 Like


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Daddylopezman


It's about time some MEN stand up to the non sense!


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4 days ago
9 Likes


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Siggi


Legalize this wonderful plant


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16 hours ago
1 Like


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Hansen Tyler J


Legal marijuana means, less people in jail, advancement of medical science, and it would actually have an effect on organized crime. It would take away millions maybe billions from drug cartels. Also it would help end the recession, new industry means new jobs. And the revenue from taxes would be incredible.


Like
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4 days ago
8 Likes


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Guest

Chris


"How can you tax something that grows from the ground"?
Simple; look at the Lumber industry, Cotton, Tobacco, Corn, the list goes on and on. Remember not everyone has a green thumb; someone will have to supply it to these folks. You can bet your bottom dollar that big tobacco is watching this very closely as is the alcohol industry. These alcohol a_ _ holes are at congress as we speak buying votes to defeat every bill that puts them at risk of losing drunks to a safer alternative. And Phillip Morris is already buying up land in northern Cali. In fact early this year they bought 400 acres of prime farm land in Mendocino County. . Bottom Line: Barney Franks got it right when he said, “nothing worthwhile will pass in this congress”. Big business runs this country, not our elected, how much money do you want? sad but very true…


Matt B.


I don't smoke anything, never used drugs in my life, and I don't plan on it either. That is my personal choice and I don't judge anyone that does use pot. I say that because I don't want to be accused of wanting anything legal so I can do it without fear of prosecution. I don't have a bias is what I'm trying to say.

Anybody with half a brain can see why the war on drugs is such a dismal failure. No, don't legalize it just because you are loosing the war, but legalize it because it's the right thing to do.

Government already has it's nose way too far in our personal business. "Home of the free"? Doesn't look like it to me. Don't get me wrong, I love my country, and we have it better than other countries but do you want to settle for better? Being put in jail is better than being stoned to death but is that really better?


Like
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3 days ago
4 Likes


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dawna spears


i hope they pass this for all the people who marijuana can help medicaly like those who suffer with seizures


Like
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3 days ago
3 Likes


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bb54


Thanks from the bottom of my heart to Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank and Texas Republican Ron Paul along with Reps. Cohen (D-TN), Conyers (D-MI), Polis (D-CO), and Lee (D-CA),



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3 days ago
2 Likes


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freeamerica


so many benefits, of course we all know about the medical benefits of marijuana, but what about the economical benefits, the jobs legalization will create, construction workers to build smoke shops (similar to bars) and factories (similar to big business tobacco and alcohol) farmers to grow, employees to work in said factories and shops, etc, the tax revenue would be more than helpful to a struggling economy, legalization would also cut down on underage comsumption of marijuana, when i was a kid it was near impossible to get cigs or alcohol because of the age laws that are set, but getting weed was just a phone call away. legalization would end all black market violent drug cartels, (why call a dealer when you can just go to the store?). im a hard working american, i have 2 beautiful children who have everything they need,so after a hard days work, instead of a cold beer, what so wrong with enjoying a bowl? and that brings me to another rant and then im done, alcohol and tobacco (which are legal) have BOTH directly been the blame for HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of deaths every year, deaths DIRECTLY RESULTING FROM MARIJUANA USE.....ZERO. smoking weed doesnt make me a communist, saying im a criminal for smoking make YOU a communist.


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5 hours ago



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Ray Loper


Should Lamar Smith or one his family be affected by the medical problems , that smoking pot has proven to help, i believe he and many others would understand how important this bill is ! To Those in office that will be voting It is time to change ! And a doctor like RON PAUL who has an understanding and MR frank ! WE are behind you!


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Reply
9 hours ago



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Kevinwitzig


You hear that? That's the sound of heads starting to pop out of the ass's of the people WE elected


Like
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14 hours ago



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Mycamaroz280


It's not about taxes, its about the people of America making a choice


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1 day ago



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TuxedoMadness


Its not at all about that, when it comes down to it the majority of Americans are for legalization. The reason it was made illegal in the first place is a lack of information and understanding. For instance some idiots thought it turned you into a communist.


Like
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14 hours ago
in reply to Mycamaroz280



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1grandmomma


Marijuana was criminalized for all the wrong reasons So we need to get it legalized by any means possible. If screaming to the GOP that it saves tax dollars to stop the war on drugs or makes the borders safer Fine...if the Dems need to hear that it unfairly puts the poor in jails, fine...Just give me my freedom to choose, please!


Like
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10 hours ago
in reply to TuxedoMadness



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Prohibition’s End – Introduction of HR 2306 – Allow the States to Decide | THCWA Blog
06/23/2011 11:20 PM

[...] source This entry was posted in Federal & MMJ, News. Bookmark the permalink. ...





@ 2:34 pm on Jun 23, 2011 by Scott Nath

#barney frank
#Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011
#feds
#marijuana legalization
#Ron Paul
#US HR 2306
#US Representative Steve Cohen







Articles on #us-hr-2306
Full Text of bill: HR 2306: Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011
Video: Ron Paul talks medical marijuana, Barney Frank legislation, prohibition





About Scott Nath
Scott is an actor and web developer living in New York City. He maintains Prohibition's End to disseminate news about the twilight of drug prohibition.
View all posts by Scott Nath →


← Video: Ron Paul talks medical marijuana, Barney Frank legislation, prohibition

Full Text of bill: HR 2306: Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011 →






Prohibition's End

: Morning Star, August 17 2010:Draconian Penalties : Essex Chronicle, March 25 2010

PRESS ARTICLES




Scotland: Make all cannabis users apply for licences, says drug expert: The Herald, September 19 2010

: Morning Star, August 17 2010
Pro-cannabis Activists Slam 'drug bust waste': Morning Star, August 17 2010

Draconian Penalties : Essex Chronicle, March 25 2010

Don Speaks on Radio City Talk: November 17 2009

Schizophrenia link to cannabis denied : The Sentinel, AUGUST 27 2009

Cannabis is good for you (if you're a pensioner) : The Scostman, August 14 2009

Cannabis is Ruining Our Children’s Lives: Wales on Sunday, October 5 2008

Plea to Repeal Cannabis Laws: Essex Gazette, March 27 2007

Use Real Cannabis in Trials: Essex Gazette, February 12 2007

Holiday Girl Gets Sack After Drugs Test Failure: Hemel Today, January 10 2007

Sick People And Those Who Help Them Will Still Face Arrest And Possible Imprisonment: Hunts Post, Dec 27 2006

Cannabis Damages Your Brain Campaign Slammed: Norwich Evening News, October 24 2006

Can You Listen Without Prejudice?: Evening Telegraph, October 21 2006

Drugs Policy Discussed At The Highest Level: Essex Gazette, March 9 2006

Clarke Agrees To Meet Cannabis Group: Evening News, Norwich, March 4, 2006

Cannabis reclassification: Legalise Cannabis Alliance: Reclassification: politics.co.uk, January 9 2006

Government Should 'Get Real' Over Plans To Regrade Cannabis.: Essex Inquirer, January 12 2006

Cannabis meeting: Evening News, Norwich, June 2, 2005

'I'll Smoke Cannabis Despite What Courts Say': Lincolnshire Echo, May 28, 2005

2005 Election Special; Meet your Norwich South Candidates, Use Your Vote: Concrete, May 4, 2005

Don Barnard, 63, Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA): Evening News, Norwich, May 3 2005

Size Isn’t Everything: Eastern Daily Press, April 30, 2005

About The Candidates: Don Barnard: Eastern Daily Press, April 27, 2005

Vote Dope: Concrete, April 21, 2005

Candidate Calls For Votes: The Advertiser, Norwich, April 15, 2005

Clarke's Concern Over Cannabis: Evening News, Norwich, March 19, 2005

Cannabis Campaign: Evening News, Norwich, March 12, 2005

Cannabis Campaign: Evening News, Norwich, March 11, 2005

Pro-Cannabis Conference: Evening News, Norwich, Feb 22, 2005

Drugs Activist Takes Debate To The Election: Essex Chronicle, Feb 17,2005

Cannabis Candidate: Evening News, Norwich, Feb 16, 2005

Challenge to Charles Clarke: Essex Gazette, Feb 15, 2005

Cannabis Alliance: Listen to us Clarke: Evening News, Norwich,, 28 Jan 2005

Cannabis Poses No Great Risk: East Anglian Daily Times, July 9, 2004

The Cannabis Debate: A Question Of Choice?: Sunderland Echo, May 21, 2004

Police To Remain Strict On Cannabis: Cherwell-on-line, 6 Feb, 2004

Turning Over A New Leaf: Herald and Post, Jan 29, 2004

Cannabis Downgrade Is 'Sign Of The Times' Says Labour MP: Essex Enquirer, Jan 29, 2004

Legalisation Is The Only Way Forward: Essex Chronicle, Jan 29, 2004

Cannabis Law 'Confusion Slammed: Essex Gazette, Jan 29, 2004

Mass Confusion' Claim On Cannabis Law Change.: Braintree & Witham Times, Jan 29, 2004

Roll Up, Roll Up!: Zoo magazine, Jan 24 2004

Campaigner Takes Cannabis Fight To Home Secretary: Braintree & Witham Weekly News, Jan 22., 2004

British Doctors Warn Against Marijuana Declassification: CNS News, Jan 21, 2004

Cannabis Campaign: Essex Gazette, Jan 14, 2004

Was It Right To Charge Cannabis Campaigner?: Hull Daily Mail, Jan 10, 2004

Cannabis Conundrum: Essex Gazette, Dec 31, 2003

Legalise Cannabis Website 'Blocked' By County Council: Essex Enquirer, Nov 20, 2003

Time For Drug Rethink: Essex Gazette, Nov 5, 2003

Cannabis Downgrade Is A ' Waste Of Time' Say MP's: Essex Gazette, Oct 30, 2003

Cannabis Issue Deserves Debate: Braintree Times, Oct 23, 2003

Can These Punishments Be Justified?: Evening News, Norwich,, Oct 16, 2003

Call For Debate on Council Drug Policy: Braintree Times, Sept 18, 2003

Case For Cannabis: Essex Gazette, Sept 8, 2003

Police Persecute Cannabis Users: Disability Now, Sept 1, 2003

MP Joins In Cannabis Row: The Argus, Worthing, Aug 29, 2003

Hospital In Cannabis Research: East Anglian Daily Times, Aug 21, 2003

Choosing To Take Just An Extra Risk: Evening News, Norwich, Aug 11, 2003

Cannabis Killed My Son: East Anglian Daily Times, July 17, 2003

Cannabis Campaign Highlights MS Victim: The Scotsman, July 16, 2003

MP Eric Pickles Has No Compassion: Essex Enquirer, July 10, 2003

Overdose Drama As Biz Charges Dropped: The Orcadian, July 3, 2003

Campaigner Urges Essex MP's To Support Cannabis: Essex Enquirer, June 26, 2003

Cannabis Warnings: Essex Gazette, Sept 12, 2002

What Is The Hidden Agenda Of The New Cannabis Laws?: East Anglian Daily Times, Sept 9, 2002

Southend Cannabis Cafe Is Planned: Essex Enquirer, Sept 2, 2002

Many Questions Still To Be Asked: Evening News, Norwich, Aug 8, 2002

Confused Over Smoke Signals: Essex Gazette, July 19, 2002

Campaigner Believes Plant Can Benefit Health: East Anglian Daily Times, July 11. 2002

More Cannabis Cafes To Open: BBC, May 31, 2002

Pressure Group Plans to Open Cannabis Cafe In Leicester: Leicester Mercury, May 29, 2002

Cannabis Grown To Ease Pain: Lincolnshire Echo, April 20, 2002

Listen To The Minority Too: April 16, 2002

York Cannabis Cafe: We Will Have To Wait And See: April 15, 2002

Cafe Debate Highlights Rights Issues: Essex Gazette, April 3, 2002

Braintree: Candidate Calls For Drugs Cafes : Essex Gazette, Jan 16, 2002

Six To Contest By-Election: Essex Chronicle, Jan 10, 2002

Candidates Have Their Say: Braintree & Witham Times, Jan 10, 2002

Police Consider Enforcing Law At Cannabis Party : Anaova, Sept 3, 2001

Cannabis Party In The Park: Essex Chronicle, Aug 31, 2001

Storm Brews Over Firms' Proposed New Drug Policy - Testing Plans Breach Human Rights: Evening Gazette, Aug 10

Policy Needed on Hemp AS Building Material: Braintree & Witham Times, May 10, 2001

They Need The War On Drugs : Essex Courier, May 2, 2001

Harmful Drug Or A Herbal Medicine For Pain Relief : Braintree & Witham Times, April 26, 2001

Questions About Cannabis: Colchester Evening Gazette, April 20, 2001

Debate Will Clear The Haze About Cannabis: Braintree & Witham Times, April 19, 2001

Legalising Cannabis Is Difficult : Colchester Evening Gazette , March 30, 2001

Abuse And Misuse: Oldgam Evening Chronicle, March 29, 2001

Urine Screening Tests Unsafe : Essex Chronicle, March 23, 2001

Debate To Help Us With Cannabis Controversy: East Anglian Daily Times, March 1, 2001

Cannabis And Laws: Colchester Evening Gazette, Feb 28, 2001

What A Waste Of Money : Colchester Evening Gazette, Dec 13, 2000

Cannabis Hemp Could Revive The Rural Economy : East Anglian Daily Times, Dec 6, 2000

Expensive Waste Of Time: Braintree & Witham Times, Nov 2, 2000

Cannabis And The Law: Colchester Evening Gazette Nov 1, 2000

Issues Of Legalisation: Colchester Evening Gazette, Oct 24, 2000

End This Wasteful War on Cannabis: Essex Courier, Oct 21, 2000

Joint Confession Is Tip Of Iceberg: Evening News Norwich, Oct 18, 2000

Fancy a Debate?: Colchester Evening Gazette Oct 17, 2000

Change The Drug Policy: East Essex Evening Gazette Oct 9, 2000

A Case For Cannabis: Colchester Evening Gazette, Aug 30, 2000

Drug Controls Are Backfiring On Police: Essex Gazette, Aug 18, 2000

Drug Tests Are A Worry : Essex Chronicle, Aug 8, 2000

Why Continue Failed Policies?: Mid Essex Evening Gazette,April 15, 2000

Wrong Way to Deal with Drug Issue: Colchester Evening Gazette , April 11, 2000

Unfounded Fear Cutting Off Drug Debate: Braintree & Witham Times, April 6, 2000

Legalising Isn't Surrender: Mid Essex Evening Gazette, April 5, 2000

Deregulating Cannabis Is Not Giving Up On Law And Order: Evening Telegraph, Peterborough, March 31, 2000

Cannabis Case Proved The Need for Trial By Jury: East Anglian Daily Times, March 19, 2000

Let's Hear All Sides Of the Drugs Debate: East Anglian Daily Times, March 1, 2000

Drugs Talk Ban Would Be Sadistic: Evening News, Norwich, Feb 29, 2000

Drug Tests Can Go Too Far: East Anglian Daily Times, Jan 11, 2000

Drug-Drive Testing Over The Top: East Anglian Daily Times, Dec 6, 1999

Will Essex Police Be Tested?: Braintree & Witham Times, Sept 23, 1999

Pro-Cannabis Campaigner's Plea On Report: Mid Essex Gazette, Sept 11, 1998

Marijuana A Chronicle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbzu6bvVMG8&feature=player_detailpage

Noelle Bush Busted

Noelle Bush, duaghter of Florida Governor Jeb Bush, was arrested in Tallahassee for allegdly impersonating a doctor and lying to police in an illegal scheme to get hold of an addictive , potentially deadly prescription sedative named Xanax. After being released from police custody, Noelle checked into a re-hab center; she'll likely incur no criminal or civil penalties.

Thwe Family claimed that Noelle's crimes were private medical matter, & for the most part the mainstream media stoped reporting the story of her arrest.

Good thing Noelle wasn't caught with marijuana. The Bush brothers back mandatory jail, torture chamber drug treatment centers, loss of college financial aid, confiscation of personal property, hefty fines, and lifelong shaming for students in possesion of even the the tiniest amounts of cannabis.

Noelle's cousin's-the twin daughters of the president - were busted last year for underage drinking.

Taken from Cannabis Culture - June, July 2001 (page 31)

irrahayes

Comment; The Bush brothers back mandatory jail, torture chamber drug treatment centers, loss of college financial aid, confiscation of personal property, hefty fines, and lifelong shaming for students in possesion of even the the tiniest amounts of cannabis.

Well that is just dandy, what a hypocritical statement. If it were the children of any voting citizen the book would be thrown at them. irra

Russia Plans to open stores for medicinal cannabis in accordance with the law.

-------------------------------------------------------------
IACM-Bulletin of 24 April 2011
-------------------------------------------------------------

* Russia: Plans to open stores for medicinal cannabis in accordance
with the law
* Rwanda: Plans by the government to allow the medical use of
cannabis
* USA: The governor of Montana vetoed a bill that would have repealed
the medical cannabis law
* Canada: Cannabis law unconstitutional, an Ontario court ruled

1.

Russia: Plans to open stores for medicinal cannabis in accordance
with the law

The first store to sell cannabis for medicinal purposes will be
opened in Nizhny Novgorod. Persons under 18 years of age and pregnant
women will not be allowed to purchase the products. The opening is
planned for June 2011. Currently, the store chain management is
holding negotiations with suppliers. It is intended to open a network
of similar stores later in Moscow, Irkutsk and Samara.

As of December 2010, it is allowed by law to sell cannabis to the
severely ill in Russia. The State Duma approved a project to
distribute these psychotropic substances for medical purposes.
Cannabis is also known as an analgesic, antiepileptic, antispastic,
antiemetic and appetite improving medicine.

(Source: http://www.newsbcm.com of 1 April 2011)

2.

Rwanda: Plans by the government to allow the medical use of cannabis

In June last year, Rwanda took the initial steps in allowing cannabis
strictly for medical purposes, the first country in Africa to do so.
The proposed law provides that cannabis will only be administered in
health institutions to relieve pain and other severe diseases. The
Minister of Health, Dr Richard Sezibera, while presenting the draft
law to Parliament, said that the objective of the Bill was to
contribute to the protection of the population while "ensuring that
drugs and psychotropic substances are exclusively available for
scientific and medical purposes".

If the Bill passes into law, Rwanda will join the ranks of countries
such as The Netherlands, Israel and Canada, where, with a doctor's
prescription, patients are allowed to possess a small amount of the
drug to alleviate chronic debilitating symptoms such as neuropathic
pain and side effects of chemotherapy.

More at:
http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Ill+and+need+marijuana+Head+south
+to+Rwanda/-/2558/1145978/-/5alxgv/-/index.html

(Source: East African (Kenya) of 18 April 2011)

3.

USA: The governor of Montana vetoed a bill that would have repealed
the medical cannabis law

On 13 April Governor Brian Schweitzer vetoed a bill that would have
repealed Montana's voter-approved medical cannabis law, saying it
would have gone against the will of the people. Of the 15 states and
the District of Columbia that have medical cannabis laws, almost all
have struggled with how to adequately regulate a drug that the
federal government deems dangerous and addictive but said it would
not prosecute as long as users follow state law.

But the Montana Legislature took the unusual step of passing a bill
to completely overturn the 2004 law that was approved by Montana
voters. Republican leaders in the state Senate and House of
Representatives say the drug cannot be regulated safely because the
drug attracts criminal gangs and addicts the state's youth. Governor
Schweitzer said he agreed the medical cannabis law was written
broadly with unanticipated results, but that had to be balanced with
the medical needs of Montanans. "I believe the proper resolution of
this unanticipated outcome is not outright repeal, but amendment to
serve the original intent," he said.

More at:
-
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MEDICAL_MARIJUANA_MONTANA?SI
TE=FLTAM&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=news_generic.htm
- http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/13/us-marijuana-montana-
idUSTRE73C6WQ20110413

(Sources: Associated Press of 13 April 2011, Reuters of 13 April
2011)

4.

Canada: Cannabis law unconstitutional, an Ontario court ruled

An Ontario court has struck down Canada's laws against possessing and
growing cannabis as part of a ruling that found the country's
medicinal cannabis program is failing to provide access to the drug
for those who need it. However, the government will appeal the ruling
before a higher court.

The Ontario ruling stemmed from the constitutional challenge of
Matthew Mernagh, a man who relies on medical cannabis to ease pain
brought on by fibromyalgia and scoliosis. Health Canada's medical
cannabis program regulates and approves growing and regulates how
much patients can buy and how much they're legally allowed to use for
their treatment. More than 9,800 Canadians are legally permitted to
possess medicinal cannabis, according to Health Canada. Nearly 5,600
people hold a personal grower's licence and 1,837 people hold a
licence to grow for one other person. However, Justice Donald Taliano
wrote in his decision on 11 April that Mernagh has been unable to get
a doctor to sign off on a medical cannabis licence. Other patients
run into the same problem, the judge noted, and that forces some
seriously ill people to obtain cannabis illegally.

More at:
http://stage.www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/marijuana-law-
unconstitutional-ontario-court.html?device=mobile

(Sources: Reuters of 13 April 2011, Winnipeg Free Press of 14 April
2011)

5.

News in brief

***Economy: GW Pharmaceuticals
On 11 April the British company GW Pharmaceuticals announced that it
has entered into an exclusive licence agreement for Novartis Pharma
to commercialise the cannabis extract Sativex in Australia and New
Zealand, Asia (excluding Japan, China and Hong Kong), Middle East
(excluding Israel/Palestine) and Africa. Under the terms of the
agreement, Novartis will have exclusive commercialisation rights to
Sativex and will also be responsible for regulatory filings.
(Sources: Press release by GW Pharmaceuticals of 11 April 2011,
Reuters of 11 April 2011)

***Czech Republic: Sativex
The cannabis extract Sativex has been approved in the Czech Republic
as a treatment for spasticity due to multiple sclerosis. This
approval is following the approval in the UK and Spain. Other
European countries are expected to follow in the coming months.
(Source: Press release by GW Pharmaceuticals of 15 April 2011)

***Science: Workshop on medical use
On 8 July 2011 during the ICRS Meeting the CCIC (Canadian Consortium
for the Investigation of Cannabinoids) organizes a symposium on
cannabinoids in medical practise. The speakers are Cecilia Hillard,
Linda Parker, Donald Abrams, Sachin Patel, Diego Centonze, William
Notcutt, and Mark Ware. More information at: www.ccic.net/symposium.
(Source: Personal Communication)

***Jamaica: Recommendations for legalization
The government will review recommendations to decriminalize
possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal and religious
use. They will evaluate a 2001 report by the National Commission for
Ganja - as cannabis is known locally. The commission appointed by the
government argued that the drug was "culturally entrenched" in
Jamaica and that moderate use had no negative health effects on most
users. (Source: Associated Press of 12 April 2011)

M25 Artificial Cannabis Caper Exposed

M25 Artificial Cannabis Caper Exposed

Back in 2010 the newspapers were full of a new and unusual cannabis caper which was carrying on around stretch's of the M25 motorway north of London.

Police had been called by a farmer who was growing industrial hemp. According to the farmer cars were pulling up to his crops, the occupants would then jump out and cut down as much of the cultivated hemp plants as possible, and then make off before 'the rozzers' arrived.

The farmer claimed to have lost hundreds of kilo's of plant matter which was worthless unless you wanted to make hemp yarn, or hemp based cosmetics.

Local police were at a loss to why people would want to steal something which whilst it may look like cannabis, thats where the similarities end.

A police officer who was called to the scene explained "People think they can get high on hemp".

"It looks like cannabis, it even smells like cannabis, but without the psycho active THC crystals which gather on the female cannabis plant, (which the industrial hemp plant has none of), industrial hemp is absolutely useless as a recreational drug!?

So why would people go to such length's to steal it?

The answer was mentioned in the text above. Industrial hemp looks, smells and feels just like the humble cannabis plant. The only bit missing is the bit that gets you stoned.

Enter JWH-018

JW Huffman is an organic chemist from the United States. In the last decade or two scientists like he have been able to manufacture synthetic cannabinoids. That is, the bit of the cannabis plant which brings with it the high, as well as all the medical benefits.

Now THC as we know it consists of a soup consisting of over 400 different substances, and differs markedly from plant to plant let alone from species to species. So try as they may, the pharmaceutical industry has been unable to synthesize whole-plant THC. But they can recreate little bits of it. One of the most popular little bits is called JWH-018, (named after its creator Dr JW Huffman of Clemson University).

Jwh-018 was recently 'outed' as being the active component in Artificial cannabis products marketed under the brand names of Spice and K2, as well as a great many others.

These synthetic marijuana products are said to mimic the effects of cannabis whilst at the same time being upwards of 10x more potent than regular smoked cannabis.

A lab in Germany revealed JWH-018 was the secret ingredient in Spice type products and almost overnight a legend was born.

Clever boffin types were using solvent evaporation technique's to infuse their chosen vegetable matter with man made cannabinoid JWH-018, creating in the process a synthetic version of cannabis.

The problem was of course, finding something which would burn readily when dried whilst at the same time mimicking the taste and smell of cannabis.

Then, a gang of drug dealers happened upon a field of industrial hemp. A field full of 12 foot cannabis plants. Can you imagine?

It didn't take long to figure out how well the solvent extraction method would work on the dried hemp, and soon after wards North London and the rest of the UK was flooded with an artificial form of cannabis which was being grown for the gangsters by a local farmer, albeit unwittingly.

Any that was intercepted would be destroyed as being regular cannabis, and no one was any the wiser. Not the Police, nor the cannabis buying public. Until now!

Good home-grown cannabis should always come with a coating of crystals.

If the cannabis you are buying doesn't have a healthy coating of what looks like sugar then chances are you're smoking something which came not from a natural plant, but out of a Chinese or American laboratory.

You have been warned.

Cannazine Cannabis News

Cannabis and Pain Management

Wellness
With Every Breath We Take
Marijuana and Pain Management
By: Bill McCarberg, M.D.
Millions of people in the United States suffer from chronic pain, and much of that suffering cannot be relieved adequately by existing treatments. Patients are in desperate need of new pain management approaches. Cannabinoid medicines appear very promising, although the subject often is obscured by controversy, prejudice, and confusion in part because cannabinoids have some relation to the cannabis plant – also known by the slang term marijuana.

What scientific reasons do doctors have to think that cannabinoids actually work? Do they provide genuine symptom improvement, or do patients become intoxicated and merely think that their symptoms are reduced?

Basic research conducted over the past 20 years provides us with many answers. In the early 1990s, researchers identified the cannabinoid receptor system. This system is found in some of the most primitive animal forms on earth – it is also the most widespread receptor system in the human body.

The cannabinoid receptor system has two types of receptors:

CB1 receptors are found primarily in the brain, spinal cord, and periphery.
CB2 receptors are on the immune tissues.
Specific molecules (called endocannabinoids) are produced by the body that interact with these CB1 and CB2 receptors, much like endorphins interact with the body's opioid receptor system. These findings initiated a new era of scientific interest and research in cannabinoids.

Numerous studies have now established that cannabinoids help lessen pain and affect a wide range of symptoms and bodily functions. Such research has also demonstrated that cannabinoids may work together with opioids to enhance their effectiveness and reduce tolerance.

This body of research has allowed cannabinoids to be informally classified into three types:

endocannabinoids (produced by the body)
phytocannabinoids (produced by the cannabis plant)
synthetic cannabinoids (produced in the laboratory)
Each type is being studied aggressively, but because endocannabinoids are quickly metabolized and probably cannot be patented, they have not yet been researched in humans.

What progress is being made toward developing cannabinoids as prescription pain relievers? Some cannabinoids are unstable and many are insoluble in water, which makes them difficult to research and turn into modern medicines. Patients react very differently to cannabinoids. Data from recent clinical trials are encouraging, but somewhat mixed. Looking closely at the results suggests that composition and delivery route (i.e., how a medicine is administered) are extremely important to the viability of cannabinoid medicines.

The Delivery Route

When taken orally, cannabinoids are not very well absorbed and often have unpredictable effects. Patients often become sedated or have intoxication-like symptoms when tetrahydrocannabinol (THC – the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis) is metabolized by the liver. A small number of studies with Marinol (synthetic THC in sesame oil in a gelatin capsule) and Cesamet (synthetic THC analogue) have shown some effectiveness in pain relief, but optimal doses that relieve pain often cannot be achieved because of unpleasant psychologic side effects.

Inhaling cannabinoids, especially THC, also may cause problems for many patients. Blood levels rise suddenly and then drop off sharply. This rapid on-off effect may produce significant intoxication, particularly in patients who are new to cannabinoids. This may pose the risk of abuse potential. Smoking cannabis produces this effect, which is the very reason that recreational users prefer the inhaled route. Patients, however, generally wish to avoid psychologic effects, and it is unclear how difficult it might be to find a dosing pattern that enables them to have pain control without side effects.

A new product, called Sativex, was approved by Health Canada in June 2005 for marketing as an adjunctive medicine for central neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis. Adjunctive therapy means taking two or more medications to help control pain.

Sativex has a different delivery system – an oromucosal/sublingual spray absorbed by the lining of the mouth – that, according to the manufacturer, generally allows patients to gradually work up to a stable dose at which they obtain therapeutic pain relief without unwanted psychologic effects.

In the United States, Sativex is being studied in large randomized trials in cancer pain that has not been adequately relieved by opioids. Three early and six pivotal controlled studies in the United Kingdom demonstrated positive results treating chronic pain of various origins including neurologic pain, various symptoms of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer pain. Initial results show improvement in pain for more than one year despite lack of effectiveness of the opioids. Common adverse effects of Savitex have included complaints of bad taste, stinging, dry mouth, dizziness, nausea or fatigue.

Additional research also may uncover other ways of avoiding the problems associated with oral or inhaled delivery. Ajulemic acid, a synthetic cannabinoid, binds to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, and has shown benefit in a small neuropathic pain trial. It may have reduced psychologic effects and is being studied for the treatment of interstitial cystitis.

The Interplay of Cannabinoids

The use of herbal cannabis – usually smoked – has received considerable media attention since California and Arizona passed "medical marijuana" initiatives in 1996. Despite numerous anecdotal reports of effectiveness, very few controlled studies have been published in the pain area. Little is known about the number of patients who actually experience some degree of benefit or side effects.

Furthermore, herbal cannabis is neither standardized nor monitored for quality. The cannabinoid content can vary a great deal, and cannabis sold at dispensaries may be contaminated with pesticides or mold. Dosing is uncertain, depending on the preparation or method of use. So-called "vaporizers" do not eliminate all the contaminants. Without clinical trial data and an assurance of product quality, physicians lack the information necessary to assist patients in making informed therapeutic decisions. Both the FDA and Institute of Medicine have stated that there is no future for herbal cannabis as a prescription medicine.

Nevertheless, there may be some truth to the idea that there is pain relief potential in phytocannabinoids (plant-based cannabinoids) and that such potential may be affected by the interaction of THC with other botanical components, particularly with other cannabinoids. Modern strains of cannabis have been bred to maximize the THC at the expense of all other cannabinoids, most of which do not have psychologic effects. Some of those cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have been demonstrated to have important therapeutic value, particularly on pain and inflammation.

Concluding Thoughts

The possibilities for cannabinoid medicines are very promising, and much exciting research is proceeding at a rapid pace. As new FDA-approved cannabinoid products become available, physicians and patients will have a solid scientific foundation from which to assess their appropriateness. Hopefully, robust scientific data will soon allow cannabinoids to take their place – along with opiates and other pain relievers – in the modern medical supply for treating chronic pain.

Bill H. McCarberg, MD, is founder of the Chronic Pain Management Program for Kaiser Permanente, San Diego, and assistant clinical professor in the Department of Family Practice at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine. He has served on the board of directors of the American Pain Society and currently is co-president of the Western Pain Society and a National Pain Foundation Advisor.
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Effects of Cannabis & Cancer

Effects of Cannabis & Cancer



Cannabis has been found to help cancer patients with pain and nausea, and recent research indicates it has tumor-reducing and anti-carcinogenic properties as well. It has proven highly effective at controlling the nausea associated with chemotherapy, and its appetite-stimulation properties help combat wasting. Cannabis can also help control the pain associated with some cancers, as well as that resulting from radiation and chemotherapy treatment.

Cannabis and chemotherapy side effects

One of the most widely studied therapeutic applications for cannabis and the pharmaceutical drugs derived from cannabinoids is in the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. Numerous clinical studies have reported that the use of cannabis reduces nausea and vomiting and stimulates appetite, thereby reducing the severity of cachexia, or wasting syndrome, in patients receiving chemotherapy treatment.

The 1999 Institutes of Medicine report concluded: "In patients already experiencing severe nausea or vomiting, pills are generally ineffective, because of the difficulty in swallowing or keeping a pill down, and slow onset of the drug effect. Thus an inhalation (but, preferably not smoking) cannabinoid drug delivery system would be advantageous for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea."[58]

A 1997 inquiry by the British Medical Association found cannabis more effective than Marinol, and a 1998 review by the House of Lords Science & Technology Select Committee concluded that "cannabinoids are undoubtedly effective as anti-emetic agents in vomiting induced by anti-cancer drugs. Some users of both find cannabis itself more effective."[59, 60]

In the last three years, there have been major advances in both cannabinoid pharmacology and in understanding of the cancer disease process. In particular, research has demonstrated the presence of numerous cannabinoid receptors in the nucleus of the solitary tract, a brain center important in control of vomiting.

Although other recently developed anti-emetics are as effective or more effective than oral THC, nabilone or smoked cannabis, for certain individuals unresponsive to conventional anti-emetic drugs, the use of smoked cannabis can provide relief more effectively than oral preparations which may be difficult to swallow or be vomited before taking effect, as the IOM report notes.

The psychoactive euphoriant effects of THC or inhaled cannabis may also provide an improvement in mood. By contrast, several conventional medications commonly prescribed for cancer patients, e.g. phenothiazines such as haloperidol (known as "major tranquillizers"), may produce unwanted side effects such as excessive sedation, flattening of mood, and/or distressing physical "extrapyramidal" symptoms such as uncontrolled or compulsive movements.

While clinical research on using cannabis medicinally has been severely limited by federal prohibition, the accumulated data speaks strongly in favor of considering it as an option for most cancer patients, and many oncologists do. Survey data from a Harvard Medical School study in 1990, before any states had approved medical use, shows that 44% of oncologists were then recommending cannabis to at least some of their patients. Nearly half said they would do so if the laws were changed. According the American Cancer Society's 2003 data, more than 1,300,000 Americans are diagnosed with cancer each year.[61] At least 300,000 of them will undergo chemotherapy, meaning as many as 132,000 patients annually may have cannabis recommended to them to help fight the side effects of conventional treatments.

As the Institutes of Medicine report concluded, "nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety … all can be mitigated by marijuana."

Research on cannabis and chemotherapy

Cannabis is used to combat pain caused by various cancers and nausea induced by chemotherapy agents. Over 30 human clinical trials have examined the effects of cannabis or synthetic cannabinoids on nausea, not including several U.S. state trials that took place between 1978 and 1986.[62] In reviewing this literature, Hall et al. concluded that ". . . THC [delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol] is superior to placebo, and equivalent in effectiveness to other widely-used anti-emetic drugs, in its capacity to reduce the nausea and vomiting caused by some chemotherapy regimens in some cancer patients."[63] A 2003 study found "Cannabinoids—the active components of Cannabis sativa and their derivatives—exert palliative effects in cancer patients by preventing nausea, vomiting and pain and by stimulating appetite. In addition, these compounds have been shown to inhibit the growth of tumor cells in culture and animal models by modulating key cell-signaling pathways. Cannabinoids are usually well tolerated, and do not produce the generalized toxic effects of conventional chemotherapies."[64] Authors of the Institute of Medicine report, "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base," found that there are many cancer patients for whom cannabis should be a valid medical option.[65]

A random-sample anonymous survey conducted in the spring of 1990 measured the attitudes and experiences of oncologists concerning the antiemetic use of cannabis in cancer chemotherapy patients. Of the respondents expressing an opinion, a majority (54%) thought cannabis should be available by prescription.[66]

Cancer-fighting properties of cannabis

Recent scientific advances in the study of cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids have produced exciting new leads in the search for anti-cancer treatments. More than twenty major studies published between 2001 and 2006 have shown that the chemicals in cannabis known as cannabinoids have a significant effect fighting cancer cells. We now know cannabinoids arrest many kinds of cancer growths (brain, breast, leukemic, melanoma, phaeochromocytoma, etc.) through promotion of apoptosis (programmed cell death) that is lost in tumors, and by arresting angiogenesis (increased blood vessel production).

There is growing evidence of direct anti-tumor activity of cannabinoids, specifically CB1 and CB2 agonists, in a range of cancer types including brain (gliomas), skin, pituitary, prostate and bowel. The anti-tumor activity has led in laboratory animals and in-vitro human tissues to regression of tumors, reductions in vascularisation (blood supply) and metastases (secondary tumors), as well as the direct destruction of cancer cells (apoptosis). Indeed, research on the complex interactions of endogenous cannabinoids and receptors is leading to greater scientific understanding of the basic mechanisms by which cancers develop.

The findings of these studies are borne out by the anecdotal reports of such patients as Steve Kubby, whose cannabis use is credited with keeping rare, terminal cancers in a state of remission for decades beyond conventional expectations.

Research on Tumor Reduction

Although cannabis smoke has been shown to have precancerous-causing effects in animal tissue, epidemiological studies have failed to link cannabis smoking with cancer.[67-68] If smoke inhalation is a concern, cannabis can be used with a vaporizer, orally in baked goods, and topically as a tincture or a suppository.

Cannabinoids, the active components of cannabis, have been shown to exhibit anti-tumor properties. Multiple studies published between 2001 and 2003 found that cannabinoids inhibit tumor growth in laboratory animals.[69-73] In another study, injections of synthetic THC eradicated malignant brain tumors in one-third of treated rats, and prolonged life in another third by as much as six weeks.[74] Other journals have also reported on cannabinoids' antitumoral potential.[75-81] Italian research teams reported in 1998 and 2001 that the endocannabinoidanandamide, which binds to the same brain receptors as cannabis, "potently and selectively inhibits the proliferation of human breast cancer cells in vitro" by interfering with their DNA production cycle.[82-84] Cannabis has been shown in recent studies to inhibit the growth of thyroid, prostate and colorectal cancer cells.[85-87] THC has been found to cause the death of glioma cells.[88-89] And research on pituitary cancers shows cannabinoids are key to regulating human pituitary hormone secretion.[90-93]

In 2004 an Italian research team demonstrated that the administration of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) to nude mice significantly inhibited the growth of subcutaneously implanted U87 human glioma cells. The authors of the study concluded that "… CBD was able to produce a significant antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo, thus suggesting a possible application of CBD as an antineoplastic agent (an agent that inhibits the growth of malignant cells.)"[94]

More recently, investigators at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute reported that the administration of THC on human glioblastomamultiforme cell lines decreased the proliferation of malignant cells and induced apoptosis (programmed cell death) more rapidly than did the administration of an alternative synthetic cannabis receptor agonist.[95]

.'High' holy men downed by Nepal cannabis ban .

.'High' holy men downed by Nepal cannabis ban .
Wednesday, 02 March 2011 14:05 Mohideen Mifthah .
KATHMANDU, March 2, 2011 (AFP) - Police in Nepal on Wednesday cracked down on the sale of cannabis at a major religious festival where the drug is smoked legally by thousands of long-haired holy men to honour a Hindu god, an official said.
Marijuana is illegal in Nepal, but under an ancient legal loophole authorities allow holy men -- known as sadhus -- to smoke it during a night of often wild celebrations in honour of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.
Thousands of pilgrims travel to the sprawling Pashupatinath temple complex in Kathmandu every year from all over Nepal and India to mark the occasion, which is known as Shivaratri.
At one time the government even used to provide marijuana for the occasion, but authorities said they decided to enforce a ban on holy men selling the drug because of complaints they were dealing to local people.
“The holy men are free to use the drugs for themselves. But they can't sell it to others,” said Narottam Vaidhya of the Pashupati Area Development Trust, which looks after the temple complex.
“Not all the sadhus are holy men and some come with bad intentions. Our aim is to prevent people from posing as holy men in order to break the law,” he told AFP.
Vaidhya said armed police, some of them in plain clothes, had been deployed to the area to look out for anyone breaking the law ahead of Wednesday's celebrations.
“As of today, we have arrested seven sadhus for selling drugs,” he added.
Sadhus, who renounce all worldly possessions and usually live in caves or temples, have been coming to Kathmandu for hundreds of years to celebrate the festival.
They mark it by smoking cannabis because Hindu mythology suggests Shiva himself enjoyed the drug.
Shivaratri is a public holiday in India and Nepal, where all government offices and schools are shut for the day.
Huge camps are set up to accommodate the visiting sadhus, many of whom arrive weeks ahead of the celebrations.

New Medical Marijuana Bills Proposed; SB170 and HB429Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on February 25th, 2011As medical marijuana laws sweep across the US, states are trying to figure out just exactly how to implement. I recently reviewed a few of the new laws being proposed and wanted to share some thoughts.
SB170 proposed by Senator Jeff Essman, R-Billings states that any recommendation given by a physician must be approved by an independent panel of three physicians.
HB429 by Rep Berry states that after a doctor recommends cannabis to a patient is must be approved by a judge.
The former seems like over-kill. The latter is absolutely absurd. READ ON…
Posted in medical Marijuana Law Comments (0)Should Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Be Taxed?Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on February 24th, 2011As cities try to come up with a standard ordinance that regulates how medical marijuana dispensaries operate the same questions comes up every time: Should dispensaries be taxed over and above what they would normally pay?
I emphatically say NO. READ ON…
Posted in medical Marijuana Law Comments (0)Typical Medical Marijuana Patients In Orange County; A Doctors ListPosted By Dr. Sean Breen on February 16th, 2011Today in Irvine I took care of a patients from all walks of life and with very different illnesses and complaints. Here is a sample of the types of patients that came in to see me today. If you are wondering if medical marijuana is right for you simply give us a call and come in.
A 67 year old man came in with his wife because he has no appetite as a result of chemotherapy to treat a bone marrow disease called Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Since September 2010 he has had no appetite and is losing weight. They were giving him marinol pills but they were not helping. He also has end stage kidney disease and is on dialysis 3x per week.
READ ON….
Posted in disease treatment Comments (0)Medical Marijuana Gets Teen Expelled From High School; Colorado SpringsPosted By Dr. Sean Breen on February 12th, 2011Apparently a high school student who uses medical marijuana to help prevent seizures has been expelled from school as a result of their zero tolerance drug policy. This is yet another example of policy having to catch up to medical marijuana laws. Clearly this teen has a medical need to use this medication. The patient lives in Colorado Springs. The story did not list his name or the name of the school. READ ON…
Posted in medical Marijuana Law Comments (0)Medical Marijuana and Peripheral Neuropathy;Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on February 11th, 2011This week I was contacted by the director of operations for The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy in Chicago because of the feedback they are getting from patients about how much it helps them. Unfortunately Illinois does not have a medical marijuana law on the books so the patients there are frustrated and want relief. The women I spoke with reached out to me because I have blogged about the success I have had using medical marijuana to treat neuropathic pain. READ ON….
Posted in disease treatment Comments (0)Medical Marijuana and Castleman’s Disease; A Rare Disorder and a Common TreatmentPosted By Dr. Sean Breen on February 10th, 2011Today I evaluated a 56 year old women who had multiple medical problems; Hepatitis C, Systemic Lupus, Diabetes and a very rare disorder called Castleman’s Disease. I must admit that when I was taking her medical history I told her I had probably studied it at one point in medical school but have not thought of it since. Nor had I ever seen or heard of a case when I was doing my residency training. Interestingly this patient told me that medical marijuana was helping her cope with her diagnosis, prognosis and overall improved the quality of her life. READ ON…
Posted in disease treatment Comments (0)Medical Marijuana and Paranoia; What is the deal?Posted By Dr. Sean Breen on February 7th, 2011This week I had a patient contact me as a result of experiencing extreme paranoia after vaporizing three doses of medical marijuana using a vaporizer. He explained that within a few minutes he started feeling “not in control of my body.” He said he kept thinking that he was going to swallow his tongue and actually sat for 30 minutes holding the tip of his tongue. He also was fixated on the fact that his heart was beating much faster and he was thinking that he was going to have a heart attack. He said the paranoia laster for a solid hour until he just fell asleep. It is difficult to say exactly what percentage of patients that use medical marijuana experience paranoia but I estimate it at about 6%. READ ON…
Posted in Risks of Cannabis, disease treatment Comments (1)Praying With Your Patients; A Doctors PerspectivePosted By Dr. Sean Breen on February 4th, 2011In all of my medical school and post-graduate training I never heard one doctor talk about the power of prayer when it comes to healing the sick. We have all heard of the “placebo”affect; telling a patient that they are getting the most powerful and useful drug and instead giving them water pills and watching them heal. The reason is because the mind literally believes it is getting a medicine and the immune system gets supercharged… and the patient gets better. This has been demonstrated in surgery as well as with medicine. BUT WHAT ABOUT PRAYER??… READ ON
Posted in disease treatment Comments (0)Medical Marijuana and DrivingPosted By Dr. Sean Breen on February 2nd, 2011It is pretty frightening to think how many people are driving on our roads completely medicated. Whether it is marijuana, valium, oxycontin, alcohol or any other drug, it is unbelievable how many people risk the safety of others by driving impaired.
Today in Irvine I had a 57 year old man come into my office to pick up some replacement recommendations just wreaking of marijuana. My entire office smelled like a college frat party. Clearly he was highly medicated. I had asked him how he got to the office and he said he had a ride from a friend. However when he left I watched him get into his car and drive off completely oblivious to what was going on around him
Posted in medical Marijuana Law Comments (0)Follicular Lymphoma and Medical Marijuana; Medical Marijuana Cards and DoctorsPosted By Dr. Sean Breen on February 2nd, 2011Today in Irvine I took care of a 32 year old man who was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, a specific type of non-hodgkins lymphopma. It is a cancer that typically effects older men (mid 50’s) but he was diagnosed a month ago. he was in my office because of a lack of appetite, difficulty sleeping and general malaise. He had been using medical marijuana with good results and wanted safe access to the medicine. This is fairly common with my patients. They try it first and get good results and then come into the office. READ ON….
Posted in disease treatment Comments (2)

Sir Mick Jagger: Rolling Stone calls for 'marijuana to be legalised on Isle of Man'

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After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back. Sir Mick Jagger: Rolling Stone calls for 'marijuana to be legalised on Isle of Man' Andrew Hough The Telegraph Thursday 20 May 2010 Sir Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones lead singer, has called for cannabis to be legalised on the Isle of Man to gauge whether it prevents drug-related violence. The 66 year-old British rock star, who was convicted of possessing narcotics in the 1960s, suggested a trial scheme should be carried out on the channel island "to see what happens". In an interview on American television, Sir Mick urged officials to legalise cannabis only on the island, and only for a limited time, to test whether such a ban would work. "The whole question of legalising drugs is fraught," Sir Mick told the Larry King Live show on CNN. "You usually try these things out in very small places. You know, like you try a new product out in a small kind of society or an island somewhere. "In England they always try out new mobile phones in the Isle of Man. They've got a captive society. So I said, you should try – you should try the legalisation of all drugs on the Isle of Man and see what happens." Sir Mick, who is now known for his fitness rather than recreational drug use, insisted his proposal would help prevent violent crime that is normally associated with narcotics trade. He said young people would always experiment with substances despite the obvious negative side effects. "Human beings seem to have a propensity to want to take drugs in some form. "It seems to be the propensity of human beings to want to use them. I think you have to take that as read, you know. "But then what do you do when it affects so many people's lives, and not in a good way? And then also you get a lot of violence at both ends of the scope. So you get violence in some countries." "That's the part that speaks to some sort of legalisation. Because that, you would hope, would help the violence from both ends of the supply line." Sir Mick admitted his amphetamine conviction in 1967, quashed later on appeal, still caused him problems when travelling through America. Sir Mick this week attended the Cannes Film Festival for a special screening of Stones in Exile, a documentary about the making of the Rolling Stones 1972 album Exile on Main Street. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/celebritynews/7743788/Sir-Mick-Jagger-Rolling-Stone-calls-for-marijuana-to-be-legalised-on-Isle-of-Man.html After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.

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US: Obama's Drug War Hypocrisy

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After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back. Scott Morgan Stop The Drug War Wednesday 26 May 2010 The president lacks the moral authority to lock people up for behavior he engaged in as a young man. Still, political realities being what they are, we can't expect him to declare a total cease-fire in the drug war. To his credit, Obama has at least reversed the Bush policy of prosecuting medical marijuana cases in states where it's legal. But Obama may soon be presented with an unwelcome test of character. In November, Californians will likely approve a ballot initiative legalizing recreational pot use. Will Obama ignore the people's will and continue to prosecute marijuana users in our largest state? Well, not if he knows what's good for him. I assure you, the new administration's more tolerant approach to medical marijuana didn't happen because Obama is particularly concerned about the plight of seriously ill patients caught in the drug war's indiscriminate crossfire. It happened because it's no longer politically viable to overturn the will of voters in the war on marijuana. Sure, we'll continue to hear the drug czar whining from time to time about the perils of legalization, but if Californians decide to go through with it, don't expect a federal occupation in the streets of Oaksterdam. Obama's base is decidedly supportive of marijuana reform, thus he has nothing to gain and a considerable hassle to endure should he be foolish enough to stand between Californians and their cannabis. Of course, while I highly doubt Obama will interfere in any meaningful way with the legalization effort in California, I am curious as all hell what he'll say about it if asked. Thus far we've heard the President address marijuana policy in as few words as humanly possible, even when doing so made him look ridiculous. He won't speak one word about any of this unless he's forced to, and it's only a matter of time until that happens once again. Maybe you should be practicing, Mr. President, because another one sentence explanation isn't going to cut it next time around. http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle_blog/2010/may/25/obamas_drug_war_hypocrisy After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.

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Oprah Turns Her Back - Legalities of Hemp Cure

This is not a Drug issue, not even a legal issue, it is a people issue! A man named Rick Simpson approaches the Canadian government after discovering a product that has cured many different illness's including cancers.
One would think, that a man who is sane and respectable, and approaches the authorities of his Country with a cure for cancer, well one would believe, or like to believe, that there would be some type of interest. Then scientist's would find out about this possible cure for cancer.

Basically, Rick was naive to some extent, he was honest and had already told the authorities what he was doing i.e. making the hemp oil from his own plants. But nothing happened and he carried and made his medication which actually cures most cancers.

When Rick went to trial in Canada he had 10 people who no longer had cancer and were there to give testimony & six of these people were accompanied by there doctors who were also to give testimonials, however the Judge dis-allowed them from giving evidence.

Rick was not sent to prison. In November 2010, he was invited to Amsterdam to accept the award for 'freedom fighter' of the year. While in Netherlands the police again raided his home, taking plastic bowls and other things that they did not take at the last bust. They also took his security camera's but luckily his eldest son arrived at the house and filmed the raid from outside the house.
Rick Simpson is still in exile in Europe.

Cannabis effective in treating different cancers.

Source: ABC News October 18 2009by

Dave Stancliff

Marijuana proven effective in treating different types of cancers

Marijuana opponents in the federal government are up against the wall and the wall is crumbling. The feds have fought marijuana use fordecades, disregarding its medicinal applications, in a senseless waragainst the herb.The demonized killer weed is turning out to be anything but that. Asmyths about this ancient herb are dispelled, scientists are using itto treat everything from chemotherapy-induced nausea to differentcancers.In August, The British Journal of Cancer published the results of astudy that found THC (the main active component in marijuana) iseffective in fighting prostate cancer. Reportedly, pot attacksprostate cancer cell types that do not respond to the usual hormonetreatments.A recent study by a team of Spanish researchers discovered THC killsvarious brain cancer cells by a process known as autophagy. Michigan'snew law regarding marijuana use went into effect in April. Patients,with doctor's prescriptions, get a state-issued ID Card (a lot likeCalifornia's) which allows them to grow and use marijuana to treatpain and other symptoms of cancer and multiple sclerosis.In October 2003, the University of California, San Francisco,released the results of a study that said pot was effective when usedin combination with opiate pain medications. Dr. Donald Abrams, MD,UCSF professor of Clinical Medicine and chief of theHematology-Oncology Division at SF General Hospital Medical Center,told the press, “Marijuana uses a different mechanism than opiatesand could augment the pain relief of opiate analgesics.”The Marijuana Policy Project recently reported on a study thatsuggests moderate amounts of marijuana use reduces risk of head andneck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study suggests cannabinoidshave potential anti-tumor properties.A study released in July, “White matter in adolescents with historyof marijuana use and binge drinking,” says marijuana use actuallyprotects brain cells. The study involved adolescents with alcohol usedisorders.One group had just alcohol-drinking teens. The other group drankalcohol and used marijuana. The report said that binge drinkers whoused marijuana retained more white matter than the other group. Inother words, alcohol destroyed more brain cells when a person didn'tuse marijuana.How many times have you heard someone say, “Pot destroys your braincells”? If that's true, what about this study? Why do doctors usemarijuana to fight brain cancer if it destroys brain cells? Rememberthe Spanish study?In April of 2007, Harvard University researchers released the resultsof a study that concluded THC cuts tumor growth in common lung cancersand reduces the ability of the cancer to spread.A study conducted by UCLA's medical school in June 2005 concludedsmoking marijuana did not cause lung cancer. That impressive piece ofnews, along with the Harvard study, seems to have been ignored by mostmass media outlets.Fred Gardner, editor of the medical marijuana research journal,O'Shaughnessy's, recently wrote an article, “Smoking Marijuana DoesNot Cause Cancer,” about this groundbreaking UCLA study that barelymade headlines.Gardner reported that an investigative team was contracted with theNational Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in 2002 “to conduct a large,population-based, case-controlled study that would prove definitivelythat heavy, long-term marijuana use increases the risk of lung andupper-airway cancers.”Guess what? This study backfired! It turned out that increasedmarijuana use did not result in higher rates of lung and pharyngealcancer. The study also concluded that tobacco smokers who also puffedon pot were at a slightly lower risk of getting lung cancer than thosewho didn't!Perhaps the icing on the cake is the fact that UCLA Medical professorDonald Tashkin led the investigation. Tashkin has led governmentstudies on marijuana since the 1970s and is well known for his beliefthat heavy marijuana use causes lung and upper-airway cancers. To hiscredit as a professional, he ended up disproving his own originalhypothesis.Despite the government's efforts to keep it illegal, it's apparentthat marijuana does offer help in the battle to treat cancer. Thefacts about marijuana's medical potentials are finally causing cracksin the government's wall of lies built up over the years.As It Stands, it's time to bring down that wall.Dave Stancliff is a columnist for The Times-Standard. He is a formernewspaper editor and publisher. Comments can be sent torichstan1@suddenlink.net <mailto:richstan1@suddenlink.net> or www.davesblogcentral.com <http://www.davesblogcentral.com/>http://www.times-standard.com/othervoices/ci_13588713--If you do not want to receive any more newsletters, http://www.lca-uk.org/lists/?p=unsubscribe&uid=dd7fc5f7e9918311b5e63b09a52b6921To update your preferences and to unsubscribe visithttp://www.lca-uk.org/lists/?p=preferences&uid=dd7fc5f7e9918311b5e63b09a52b6921Forward a Message to Someonehttp://www.lca-uk.org/lists/?p=forward&uid=dd7fc5f7e9918311b5e63b09a52b6921&mid=46--Powered by PHPlist, www.phplist.com --

In Spain several interesting models for legal cannabis cultivation have been developed.

Pannagh (Bilbao)

In Spain several interesting models for legal cannabis cultivation have been developed.

The supreme courts of both Catalonia (1997) and the Basque Country (2006) have sentenced in favour of Spanish versions of the ’cannabis social clubs’.

Pannagh has 70 members. The club has rented a green house, where cannabis is cultivated and harvested.

The association monitors the entire process of cultivation, makes the necessary purchases (seeds, growing material etc.) and controls the plantation.

Every member has a right to receive a fixed amount for personal consumption: 3 gr. for medicinal users, 1 gr. for others. The cannabis is sold to medicinal users for 3 euro/gramme and to others for 4 euro/gramme. Nobody receives more than what he/she considers as for personal consumption. Non-members have no access to the harvest of the club.

Members oblige themselves not to pass on cannabis to third persons. The association is their safe source of cannabis, and they are not interested to risk loosing it. The authorities can be sure that cultivation and distribution of cannabis takes place in a controlled way.

On 14 March 2006, the Section 6 of the Provincial Court ( Audiencia Provincial) of Bizkaia (Basque Country, Spain), decided to close the case against three members of the association Pannagh and the owner of the field which this association had hired. These persons had been detained on 3 October 2005 during the harvest of these plants that the association has grown for the personal use of its members. The closure of the case is now definitive, as the attorney has not presented any appeal against the decision.

1. The legal trial

The Provincial Court has sentenced that there is no indication for any crime, as this plantation fulfills the requirements set by the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court in order to be considered as ’shared use’, in other words, the previous condition of the participants, the closed circuit model that avoids the entrance of third persons and the absence of commercial purposes. Besides, the Court considers the fact that Pannagh is a legally constituted association excludes the clandestinity that is supposed to belong to a criminal organisation dedicated to illicit drugs trafficking. The facts go back to 3 October 2005, when the Municipal Police of Bilbao, after having detected our plantation in connection with an investigation into presumed drugs trafficking, ordered an intervention to seize all plants and to detain the the people harvesting on the terrain. The seized plants amounted to a weight of 150 kg bruto. After the case was dismissed the plants remained at the disposition of the court. Apparently, they were dried and non-psicoactive parts were removed, as when they were submitted to the analysis of the Governmental laboratory of Bizkaia, their weight had been reduced to 17,400 kg.

Pannaghs defense had requested the closure of the case, alleging that the plants had been destinated for the consumption of the members of the association and not the illicit trade. The attorney refused to close the case, although he recognised that the destination of the marihuana had effectively been social consumption and accepted to drop the charge of illicit trafficking which had been part of the accusation in the beginning.

2. What to learn from this case

Pannagh wants to express its satisfaction with the decision of the Provincial Court, whereas our activities are legal and directed only towards the necessities of our members. In the framework of current drug policies, it is perfectly possible to create a closed circuit without commercial purposes in order to be able to dispose of cannabis (or other psychoactive plants or substances). We denounce the disproportionate character of the measures that were taken against us. It is absurd to detain people who are perfectly identifiable and whose activities are public. It would have been enough to send us an invitation in order to receive our declarations. Neither do we understand the seizure of plants without previously having considered if there was a criminal offence. We claim the return of the seized plants.

In its sentence, the Court recognises the medicinal use that would have been made with the seized plants, so it is incomprehensible that ill people cannot obtain a plant that is useful to reduce their pains. For those who were not using for medicinal purposes, the paradoxical result has been that they are now obliged to supply themselves on the illegal market. 3. Legal security for cultivation Pannagh exceeds once again the end of legal insecurity with regards to cultivation for own use. It is absurd to see hundreds of detentions and cases against small growers which then end up closed. This situation increases the arbitrariety and violates the rights of those who grow for own use in order not to depend on the illegal market.

Therefore, the Italian member of European parliament Giusto Catania, member of the Committee of Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, author of the the report on EU drug policies in december 2004, presented a written question to the European Commission concerning Pannagh. Catania asked the Commission if it did not consist an incoherence, apart from an attack to various rights that are recognised by European legislation, that in a nation where personal use of drugs is depenalised, and where a legal association of consumers can be formed, legal action can be taken against this association for growing for personal use.

The reply of the Commission to Catania was very clear: the European Union does not have any competence on the regulation of activities related to posession and consumption. The Member States are abliged by the UN and EU legislation to persecute everything that has to do with commercial distribution of illicit drugs. But this obligation disappears in the case of cultivation for own use, as this, according to Commisioner Frattini, is not covered by the Framework Decision of the Council. Cultivation of cannabis for personal use is defined by national laws. The Spanish Government is therefore competent to regulate the cultivation for own use like is the case of other EU Member States, determining the amount of plants that each person may possess for own use.

LATEST NEWS:

Pannagh gets cannabis back from police after confiscation. Cannabis Social Club recognised as a legal association in Basque Country

On Wednesday 25 april 2007 the Bilbao Cannabis Social Club Pannagh received the cannabis that was confiscated from them by the police on 3 October 2005. Pannagh is a legal association of cannabis consumers who have established a collective plantation meant for their own personal consumption. In full harvest time in 2005, the police intervened in the green house and took the plants. Three members of Pannagh, among them Martin Barriuso, were arrested. The Provincial Court of Vizcaya filed the case, as it acknowledged the legally constituted association that had nothing to do with a criminal organisation dedicated to drug trade. After many months of trial, Pannagh has obtained the return of the confiscated cannabis. The verdict is historical as there are no precedents of the return of cannabis to people from who it was confiscated in the jurisprudence. This verdict is a recognition of the Freedom to Farm for personal consumption and of the entire cannabis movement.

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