Some dude outside my supermarket just asked me to sign a petition to legalize marijuana. Apparently he was so high that he forgot he’s in California, where pot is already more legal than budget-balancing. Last year I was granted a medical-marijuana license, even though I’m healthy and I don’t smoke weed. I went to a doctor’s office that consisted of a desk, a TV, two cans of air freshener and a man wearing a Hawaiian T-shirt. I told Dr. Magnum P.I. about my constant anxiety, insomnia and headaches–two more conditions than any previous patient had bothered to mention. He freaked out and gave me a pot license for only six months until I saw a psychologist. My lovely wife Cassandra, however, got a full year’s prescription by claiming she was afflicted with a condition called “menstruation.” Looking back, I’m pretty sure I could have used that too.

There are more medical-marijuana dispensaries in L.A. than Starbucks. Most are like nice tea shops, where salespeople behind a counter open glass jars so you can smell the Sugar Kush, look at the Purple Urkel under a magnifying lens and ask about the effects of Hindu Skunk. At the Farmacy, I spun a wheel to determine my first-time-buyer gift and was handed a pot lollipop. If the pot-dispensary people ran General Motors, the recession would be over. Although GM cars would be engineered to just stare idly at the road for hours. Which is more than they’re good for now.

The vast majority of that Sugar Kush is still in our house, mostly because Cassandra found an even more effective solution to menstruation called pregnancy. But also because shopping for pot in California is more fun than using it. So when Attorney General Eric Holder declared that the Federal Government would quit busting dispensaries, removing even the hint of consequences for medical-marijuana use, my heart ached for small-time American pot dealers. They can’t compete on price, selection, customer service, quality control or not-getting-arrestedness, and they have no skills that translate into another industry. They’re almost as bad off as journalists.

Of all the potheads I know–did I mention I live in Los Angeles?–only one still uses a dealer. He hasn’t made the logical switch from purchasing illegal drugs to committing medical fraud partly because he doesn’t want his name on a dispensary list for professional reasons, partly out of loyalty to his dealer and partly because to motivate a stoner, the invisible hand of capitalism first has to endure a long, boring conversation about how cool it would be to have an invisible hand.

But competition, it turns out, improves capitalism, even among the members of society least capable of doing math. “The dispensaries have really made my drug dealer step up,” my friend told me. Not only is the dealer now charging $100 for a quarter ounce, compared with the $120 he’d charged for decades, but he has also started offering home delivery instead of shady parking-lot meetings. “He got more reliable. He used to be, ‘Yeah, I can’t do it today. Maybe tomorrow.’ Sometimes you’d page him, and he’d never call you back. Now I’m like, ‘I’m going to be at my house at 4 p.m.,’ and he’s like, ‘I’ll be there.’”

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Drug Czar is REQUIRED to OPPOSE the Legalization of Medical Cannabis

Every time the Drug Czar opens his month about medical cannabis and the media reports on it, I always send an email similar to the one below. Monday the Drug Czar was in Iowa where they are considering legalizing cannabis for medical purposes. So far 3 media outlets covered the story and I sent a similar message to all three. I heard back from one that wanted to contact me in the future as she continues to cover this story. Here’s one of the emails:

I just read the article: “Drug czar: Look at problems with medical pot in California” and would like for you to be aware of and inform you reader that the Drug Czar and his office are required (by Congressional mandate) to OPPOSE any effort to legalize any schedule 1 substance, including cannabis, for ANY reason, including medical.

I’m a medical cannabis patient in Los Angeles and I can say that Kerlikowske misrepresents what’s happening here to further his objective to oppose all legalization of cannabis, even for medical purposes. The reason LA is having difficulty in regulating “dispensaries” is because the city council has stalled on regulations for over 2 years now.

Any problems that LA has are due to lack of regulations and actions by the city. Studies show regulations reduce crime and complaints around medical cannabis dispensing collectives/cooperatives.

Kerlikowske mentions a paper written by the Police Chief’s Associations but he fails to mention papers written opposing that stance. Americans for Safe Access (ASA) which is the largest organization focused on the medical aspect of cannabis has step-by-step guidelines for helping cities, counties, and states with sensible regulations for medical cannabis.

Also the Greater Los Angeles Collective Alliance (GLACA) has written their own white papers about LA dispensing collectives. Properly run and regulated nonprofit storefront medical cannabis dispensing collectives/cooperatives can be successful for patients and the community.

See for yourself in this video and look at the reason why Kerlikowske is required to say what he said:

According to Title VII Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998: H11225:

Responsibilities. –The Director– [...]

[responsibility #12]: (12) shall ensure that no Federal funds appropriated to the Office of National Drug Control Policy shall be expended for any study or contract relating to the legalization (for a medical use or any other use) of a substance listed in schedule I of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812) and take such actions as necessary to oppose any attempt to legalize the use of a substance (in any form) that–

1. is listed in schedule I of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812); and
2. has not been approved for use for medical purposes by the Food and Drug Administration;

And that is the unfortunate reason he said what he said in Des Moines Monday and the reason Walters was an idiot and McCaffery was no better .If they don’t lie, they don’t have a comfy DC job anymore.

Don’t believe me?
http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/stories/ … ByLaw.html

I really wish this would get mentioned a lot more in the media so that people can start to understand why the highest drug office in this country says outrageous things about cannabis. Please tell everyone you know. I think this ONDCP Act is being renewed in Congress this year…with a push we can eradicate this nonsense for good.

As far as “smoke” cannabis having medical value, there are 4 FDA-approved studies that say it does:

~A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial of Cannabis Cigarettes in Neuropathic Pain
~ Dosed-dependent Effects of Smoked Cannabis on Capsaicin-induced Pain and Hyperalgesia in Healthy Volunteers
~ Cannabis in painful HIV-associated sensory neuropathy
~ Smoked Medicinal Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain in HIV: A Randomized Crossover Trial

3 of those studies are posted on a government website and there would be more FDA studies if the federal government would stop obstructing medical research into the medical cannabis.

Please cover the whole story. Patients need safe and affordable access to medical cannabis. The black market is not only dangerous, it’s degrading. Iowans deserve better than that.

Use of cannabinoids (marijuana) could assist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder patients. This is exposed in a new study carried out at the Learning and Memory Lab in the University of Haifa’s Department of Psychology. The study, carried out by research student Eti Ganon-Elazar under the supervision of Dr. Irit Akirav, was published in the prestigious Journal of Neuroscience.

In most cases, the result of experiencing a traumatic event – a car accident or terror attack – is the appearance of medical and psychological symptoms that affect various functions, but which pass. However, some 10%-30% of people who experience a traumatic event develop post-traumatic stress disorder, in which the patient continues to suffer stress symptoms for months and even years after the traumatic event. Symptoms include reawakened trauma, avoidance of anything that could recall the trauma, and psychological and physiological disturbances. One of the problems in the course of treating trauma patients is that a person is frequently exposed to additional stress, which hinders the patient’s overcoming the trauma.

The present study, carried out by Dr. Akirav and research student Eti Ganon-Elazar, aimed to examine the efficiency of cannabinoids as a medical treatment for coping with post-traumatic stress. The researchers used a synthetic form of marijuana, which has similar properties to the natural plant, and they chose to use a rat model, which presents similar physiological responses to stress to that of humans.

The first stage of the research examined how long it took for the rats to overcome a traumatic experience, without any intervention. A cell colored white on one side and black on the other was prepared. The rats were placed in the white area, and as soon as they moved over to the black area, which they prefer, they received a light electric shock. Each day they were brought to the cell and placed back in the white area. Immediately following exposure to the traumatic experience, the rats would not move to the black area voluntarily, but a few days later after not receiving further electric shocks in the black area, they learned that it is safe again and moved there without hesitation.

Next, the researchers introduced an element of stress. A second group of rats were placed on a small, elevated platform after receiving the electric shock, which added stress to the traumatic experience. These rats abstained from returning to the black area in the cell for much longer, which shows that the exposure to additional stress does indeed hinder the process of overcoming trauma.

The third stage of the research examined yet another group of rats. These were exposed to the traumatic and additional stress events, but just before being elevated on the platform received an injection of synthetic marijuana in the amygdala area of the brain – a specific area known to be connected to emotive memory. These rats agreed to enter the black area after the same amount of time as the first group – showing that the synthetic marijuana cancelled out the symptoms of stress. Refining the results of this study, the researchers then administered marijuana injections at different points in time on additional groups of rats, and found that regardless of when exactly the injection was administered, it prevented the surfacing of stress symptoms.

Dr. Akirav and Ganon-Elazar also examined hormonal changes in the course of the experiment and found that synthetic marijuana prevents increased release of the stress hormone that the body produces in response to stress.

According to Dr. Akirav, the results of this study show that cannabinoids can play an important role in stress-related disorders. “The results of our research should encourage psychiatric investigation into the use of cannabinoids in post-traumatic stress patients,” she concludes.

SOURCE University of Haifa

Prohibition Fails Every One, Every Time

Prohibition has never worked, for any substance. It is clear that the prohibition of alcohol brought with it an underground criminal lifestyle that even politicians took pleasure in assuming and expanding. Marijuana Prohibition has been met with the same subset of criminal behavior, leaving many honest and hardworking marijuana users to deal with shady underhanded thugs in order to get their smoke. Prohibition takes the drugs (or alcohol) out of the hands of those who can sell it responsibly and into the hands of people who will sell it to anyone with the money to buy it,including children. This includes all prohibited drugs even the dangerous and life threatening type. Take the dope out of the hands of dealers and treat it like the social health issue it really is.  Why do we continue the charade of prohibition when it clearly does not work?

People like to get high, its a fact of life.

Since the first accidental trip, humans have been trying to reach a higher level of thinking than ever felt before.  This motivation has led to countless discoveries in science and health, leading the world in a positive direction. It is simply human nature to use drugs and go out of your mind for a little while. Don’t think you do it? Have you had your cup of coffee this morning, to help change your dreary perspective on a snowy Monday morning? Case Closed. People like to get high but prohibition has led to the stigmatization and demoralization of those who cannot control themselves, they should be treated with addiction counseling and emotional support not locked up in our private prisons. The reasons people have for getting loaded on any substance, is generally an emotional problem that needs to be treated with something other than drugs. Again, this is a public health issue, not an issue for the legal system.

If we are to move forward, we must put the past behind us.

Many people assume that marijuana was outlawed based on scientific research and studies, when in reality it was a racially fueled attacked on Latin Americans and the Black Jazz Musician community. No, really. Marijuana was outlawed on the basis that it “influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men’s shadows and look at a white woman twice.” The lies told by Anslinger and perpetuated with Reefer Madness sentiment are appalling to read today.

He stated:

“There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others.”

“Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.”

“Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.”

“…the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races.”

“Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing”

“You smoke a joint and you’re likely to kill your brother.”

“Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind.”

Knowing the plant was outlawed on the basis or race infuriates me. It is time to put this type of thinking to rest, and to educate others on the facts. Harry J Anslinger wasn’t running for office spouting bogus ideas about drugs, this was the Director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics for all of America.  Would you stand to let this man make racially charged decisions on your behalf today? Why do we continue to allow his insane laws to control our thinking?

Drug use is a social responsibility, left unchecked.

Without acknowledging the social reasons people use drugs, we are denying them a healthy lifestyle. Refusing to deal with the millions of addicts has left our streets full of dealers, our prisons full of addicts and our schools empty of students. Without addressing these very real issues we are doomed to continue on the path of being the most widely imprisoned nation in the world. We are putting sick people in jail, for crimes we have imagined they have committed.  I am all for having people tossed in jail for using drugs and hurting people with their actions. The trendy model who snorts cocaine and then slams her car into an intersection of innocent people, deserves to see a cell for driving under the influence. The banker who gets sauced and steals money from clients, should be prosecuted for his actions of stealing, not for a drug.

Irresponsible people should weigh the consequences of drug addiction and prison with the overwhelming freedom sobriety brings, if they are hurting other people, they should be locked up. If they are addicted, they should be treated for their addiction, but their crimes should be addressed as well.

Drugs are unregulated, by anyone but criminals

As it stands, you get marijuana in the same place you get heroin. From shady drug dealers who don’t care and can’t educate. Drug dealers don’t check ID, Drug dealers dont make sure you are 18 and drug dealers certainly don’t look for medical marijuana licenses. Its common knowledge that a bag of weed is easier for a  to get than beer and cigarettes, the socially acceptable ways to get loaded. To legalize all drugs would kill the drug market, leaving drug dealers without income, leaving cartels without buyers. Thousands of lives would be saved and billions of dollars would be made from the legalization and regulation of every drug. Let’s take the power out of the hands of criminal enterprise and handle this ourselves.

Its okay, we can handle it.

Reposted by POT Staff on November 04, 2009
By Clarke Canfield, Associated Press Writer
Source: Associated Press

Maine — Voters approved a referendum making Maine the fifth state to allow retail pot dispensaries, but medical marijuana advocates say it won’t become like California, where hundreds of marijuana shops have popped up and come under critical scrutiny.

California, Colorado, New Mexico and Rhode Island allow for places where medical marijuana patients can legally buy pot. Maine voters gave their approval Tuesday, 59 percent to 41 percent.

Referendum opponents pointed at Los Angeles as proof that cannabis outlets are a bad idea. There, the district attorney has vowed to crack down on places that are selling the drug to people who don’t qualify.

But Ethan Nadelmann of the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance said there’s no chance Maine would become like Los Angeles, which he called the “wild west West” of medical marijuana, because of stricter provisions.

Maine law requires that dispensaries be licensed by the state, while California law does not, he said. Maine law also narrowly defines medical conditions for which patients can be prescribed pot, while California allows doctors to recommend it for virtually any ailment.

“You aren’t going to see hundreds of dispensaries popping up all over Maine,” Nadelmann said. “You’re going to see a more regulated system.”

Nonetheless, the director of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency said the language of the Maine referendum lacks proper oversight and control. The potential exists for a dispensary to become “nothing more than a storefront for the criminal activity of drug dealing, which is the experience in California,” said Roy McKinney.

“If there isn’t sufficient oversight, inspection, audits, etc., the potential is there for criminal activity to flourish,” he said.

Fourteen states have laws allowing some use of marijuana for medical purposes. Maine’s medical marijuana law, first approved in 1999, allows the use of pot for debilitating conditions such as cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis.

The original law allows patients to possess up to 2 1/2 ounces of pot and up to six marijuana plants, but many of those patients don’t have a legal way to obtain it. The new law will give them places where they can buy it.

The number of dispensaries has exploded in California and Colorado. Los Angeles alone has up to 800 of them by some estimates, and Colorado has about 100. New Mexico has one and Rhode Island doesn’t have any.

While many cannabis clubs have sprouted in Los Angeles, most California towns and cities have rules that regulate them on the local level and reflect the local values and attitudes, said Allen St. Pierre of the National Organizatoin for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

In Maine, dispensaries are more likely to show up in liberal-leaning cities and towns, he said.

“Obviously, the Portlands of the world will have more than Aroostook County,” he said, contrasting Maine’s largest city with the state’s conservative northernmost county.

More states could adopt measures to allow for marijuana dispensaries with the recent announcement that the Obama administration would not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers under federal laws as long as they conform to state laws, said Bruce Mirken of the Marijuana Policy Project.

“I think it’s a signal to the states, to voters and state legislatures, that this is something we can do without getting into a fight with the federal government, which nobody wants,” he said.

Source: Associated Press (Wire)
Author: Clarke Canfield, Associated Press Writer
Published: November 4, 2009
Copyright: 2009 The Associated Press