The issue of legalizing cannabis is one that has been on going since the discovery of the healing properites of the plant. If there were no positive effects the issue would be moot. The human body and its funcutions are one that will never be understood in its entirety, yet time has educucated us on the complexities to a great degree, from nerve recpetors to the firing of dentries, which differ from one individual to another. Enately the decision on what benifits our bodies is a concious one, just as what we wear or we we choose to live. Yes, for every rule there are exeptions--if we cannot consiouly decide, there are instruments that assist us--medically speaking. We rely on doctors who have the knowledge and power to do what is best suited for any given situation. The right passed down by our founding fathers allows each person to make a concious choice to live as we see fit as long as it is not endangering others. Why should that inate right be taken from us? It may be that the hippocratic oath needs to be reaccessed. The faith that we have in healthcare providers is blind. The goverment issues the right to take control of our needs when nesssery, but far from be it to allow the goverment to infinge upon the right to live a life that the consitution gave us in the first place. The issue of medical use and personal use are truely seperate entities. I hope that regulations continue on what power and abuse of a PHD gives, but I find it utterly contradictory to allow my right as a citizen of the United States to be regulated. I was given the right to have a private dweelling which is protected from all others, unless permission granted. It should go hand in hand that in my home I may choose to put whatever substance in my body. Futhermore if it is benificial then it's in the boundaries to my pursuit of happiness. Each and every day our rights are being infingrd upon. What will America be to my grandchildren if we don't take a stand and fight for our rights that our government has deemed to be the very fibers that make up this great nation that homes the free and the brave. The world is in crisis and much bigger issues are at hand, but if we allow one consitutional right to be bent the ends are boundless. If you want to smoke pot for whatever reason, then smoke it!

A Medical Miracle

"Cannabis is a 'wonder drug' capable of radically transforming the lives of very sick people, according to the results of the first clinical trials of the drug."

Here's someone's story about how medical marijuana changed his life:

Tyrone Castle, a former publican, started suffering from multiple sclerosis when he was 21 and became so incapacitated he needed two helpers to winch him out of bed. He also suffered from uncontrollable spasms. Cannabis has transformed his life.
'It has really helped sort out my spasms. It helps me sleep because I don't spend the night jumping about. The difference in my legs is unbelievable - they are no longer stiff as a board,' he said.

Stories like this are impossible to ignore. The fact that marijuana can give someone their life back is unbelievable. Who are we to deny people from living without pain? If smoking marijuana works for them, then let them do it! I don't think anyone deserves to live in pain and not be able to function on a day to day basis. "Life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness" These are the words from our founding fathers. Smoking marijuana allows people to have life, liberty, and happiness.

Marijuana in the Work Force

California: In an important victory for medical marijuana patients, the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment last week approved Assembly Bill 2279 in a 6-2 vote. The measure will now go to the Assembly floor. If passed, AB 2279 would protect patients from employment discrimination on the basis of their state-licensed medical cannabis use in off-work hours. (The bill exempts workers in safety-sensitive jobs, including law enforcement). Californians are strongly encouraged to contact their Assemblymembers via NORML’s online advocacy system.

Found this on NORML's website--this is a website dedicated reforming marijuana laws. If someone is legally perscribed a medical marijuana license, they shouldn't be discriminated at work. They have a license because they have an illness of some sort that requires them to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. The work place has no right to invade the privacy of one's personal medical records. HAPPA laws prohibit any and all medical information without with a signed concent from the patient. US laws don't allow any form of discrimation, so why are they getting away with this discrimination in this particular field? I think this is unfair and goes against our civil liberties.

Myths and Facts about Marijuana…

It’s always nice to know what the real deal! So here are some facts about Mary Jane…always good to know what you’re getting into before you dive in and enjoy! I want to clear some things up and lay the facts on the line. You think you know, but you have no idea.

Myth: Marijuana can cause permanent mental illness
Fact: There is no convincing scientific evidence that says marijuana causes psychological damage or mental illness, but some people experience anxiety or paranoia after ingesting it.

Myth: Marijuana is highly addictive. Long term users experience physical dependence and often need professional drug treatment to break the habit.
Fact: Most marijuana smokers only smoke on occasion. Less then 1% smoke every day. People who smoke daily usually have no problem quitting, but some do seek medical treatment. It does not cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms, if any, are mild.

Myth: Marijuana is more potent today then it was in the 1960s and 1970s. Adults think today’s youth are using a stronger and more dangerous drug.
Fact: Today’s youth are smoking the same drug as adults did back in the day. Data shows that there is no increase in the average THC content of marijuana. Even if the potency did increase it wouldn’t necessarily make the drug more dangerous.

Myth: Marijuana is more damaging to the lungs than tobacco. Marijuana smokers are at high risk of getting lung cancer, bronchitis, and emphysema.
Fact: Moderate smoking causes minimal damage to the lungs. Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke does contain certain irritants, but marijuana smokers don’t smoke as much as tobacco smokers. Over time, they inhale less smoke then tobacco smokers. There are no reports of lung cancer directly caused by marijuana smoking. In a 2006 study, heavy users of marijuana didn’t have any increase risk of lung cancer. This is because marijuana smoke doesn’t obstruct the lung’s small airway.

http://www.mjlegal.org/gateway.html

Marijuana a Gateway Drug?!...

Gateway Theory: “Some people claim that using marijuana will make you want to use other drugs, like heroin, cocaine, LSD, amphetamines, and ecstasy. They argue that marijuana acts as a stepping stone, or a gateway, that leads people to harder drugs. They support their argument with statistics that show that most people who use hard drugs have tried marijuana before.”

My Opinion: I really don’t think marijuana is a gateway drug. It really doesn’t make you make bad decisions. I can honestly say that I’ve made some of my worst decisions while I was drinking. Drinking makes your perception or view on things distorted. Alcohol definitely alters your mind a lot more then marijuana does.
Driving stoned isn’t a good thing to do, but it’s not as bad as driving drunk. Driving drunk can cause harm to you and those around you. I think I drive better when I’m stoned-I’m more aware of what’s going on around me and I’m not in any kind of rush. I’m pretty sure there are more accidents caused by drunk drivers then by drivers who are stoned.
http://www.mjlegal.org/gateway.html

Punishment for possession or selling of marijuana varies from state to state. In California, if you’re caught with less than 28.5 grams, you get a misdemeanor, no jail time, and a $100 fine. So basically, you get a slap on the wrist. Anything over that, you will most likely get 6 months in fail and pay fine of at least $500 and have a misdemeanor on your record.
Selling any amount of marijuana is completely illegal. It’s a felony and you’ll get 2-4 years in jail. If a minor is selling and gets caught they’ll get a misdemeanor and no jail time. Any amount sold to someone under or over 14 years of age get 3-7 years in jail and a felony record.
If you’re caught growing any amount of marijuana you automatically get a felony and will spend up to 3 years in jail. I mean like that doesn’t seem like that big of deal. If people are so against it and it’s so wrong, you’d think they make it a really bad punishment or something.
With the “War on Drugs” and all concern for how marijuana is connected to crime and violence, the government sure doesn’t give too harsh of a punishment. It’s almost like its okay to have it on you, but you really shouldn’t because it is illegal.
I mean…not that I’m going to wave my pot around or leave it out in the open for people to see, whether I’m at my house or in my car or wherever, but I’m not going to be so worried about keeping it hidden or too obvious—assuming what I’ve got is under the “legal” amount!!!

Legal Information brought to you by: Legal Match

More Shenanigans...More Denial...

Marijuana is one of the most studied plants in history and “one of the safest therapeutic agents known to mankind,” direct words from DEA administrative law Judge Francis Young. He ruled that marijuana has been proven to have medical benefits in 1988.
The UN World Health Organization reported that marijuana is safer than tobacco or alcohol. There isn’t one recorded death from a marijuana overdose in medical history, but a over-the-counter drug, approved by the government known as Aspirin kills about 1,000 people a year in the United States.
Even with all this evidence, federal officials still think that we need more “recognized studies” before they can stop arresting sick people. Another problem is that they also refuse to acknowledge existing studies and have blocked repeated attempts to perform new studies. Yet they still claim that marijuana causes harm, even though all claims are hypothetical and have no proven evidence to back them up.
UuuMM…this is sounding all too familiar—my last post about the FDA denying studies like it’s their job! How can you deny something that’s been tested and proven to help people medically?

~For More Info: http://www.hr95.org/medicalmarijuana.html

FDA Denys Medical Benefit of Marijuana…

In an article in the New York Times, the FDA said that there are “no sound scientific studies” that support the medical use of marijuana, which just happens to contradict a study done in 1999 by a number of highly regard scientists.
The FDA is directly dismissing the review made by the Institute of Medicine, which is considered the nation’s most prestigious advisory agency. The review stated that marijuana is “moderately well suited for particular conditions, such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and AIDS wasting.”
2006 Representative Maurice D. Hinchey, who is a New York Democrat that supports medicinal uses of marijuana, thinks the FDA is being influenced and pressured by the DEA to help them fight against the drug.
~ I’d give the address and tell you to check out the article, but it’s way too long and you need to log in. So…If you have a membership or account with the New York Times log on to their website and check out the article.

I don’t understand why the Institute of Medicine—“the nation’s most prestigious advisory agency” and “the adviser to the nation to improve health” —isn’t being taken seriously considering its credibility?! It’s an agency that the government looks to for answers when concerning health issues. The government needs to take what the institute is trying to say into some consideration.

Some useful information...

The issue of legalizing marijuana for both medicinal and recreational use is a controversial topic for a lot of people. According to NORML, only thirteen states in the US have made it legal for medical purposes. Some of the states include California, Hawaii, Arizona, and Nevada. The state laws say that marijuana can only be used to treat diseases such as arthritis, cancer, chronic pain, HIV or AIDS, seizure disorders, and muscle spasticity disorders.
The legal status of these measures is very debatable and the US government has challenged the California law several times. California’s federal law does not recognize the medical use of marijuana. They believe it’s illegal under any circumstance.
So if the federal law doesn’t think it’s legal for medical purposes, then why is medical marijuana legal? Make a decision.

~Some information brought to you by http://ask.yahoo.com/20030718.html

I've got somethin to say yo!

So I was having a convo with some friends and we saw one of those anit-marijuana commercials...so we started talking about how the commercials always make ALL stoners and pretty much anyone who smokes pot are completely useless and just become lazy pieces of you know what!! Well...I have to disagree...it's false advertising in my opinion!

Clearly I'm what they call a "stoner"...you could say I've had some experience-wonderful and quite fabulous experiences--anywayz...When I started smoking, you could say that I was taught well when it came how to smoke. I had to learn to be functional--functional and stoned at the same time! It's not that hard. In fact it's quite easy and don't understand why people can't do it!

Smoking doesn't make you completely useless...you can easily do things while being stoned--be in class, do homework, driving, family dinners, parties, being in public, etc.... you know what I couldn't do at most of those events--be buzzed or be drunk! Drinkin alcohol doesn't let you function--very well!

Point of my story or points of my story...not ALL stoners are pieces of s**t and super lazy and we (they) can function! Advertising should be a lil more realistic or maybe not discriminate against stoners. And I guess the other point I was trying to make or hint at was the whole theory behind pot being the "gateway drug"--cuz the name of that is alcohol!

Pot and Prison

About one third of the prisoners in jail are in for drug-related violations. Most of these prisoners have prior records including violent crimes and other drug violations. First time offenders don’t usually go to jail for possessing marijuana, it’s the repeat offenders who spend time in jail. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission in 1998, only 33 people sentenced for federal drug crimes involving marijuana were convicted for less then 5,000 grams. Also during 1998, 1,299 people were convicted for possessing between 100,000 and 2,999,999 grams.

To make the numbers at bit easier to understand (or in other stoner terms):
5,000 grams = 10.9 pounds = 9,965 joints
100,000 grams = 219 pounds = 199,500 joints
2,999,999 grams = 6,563 pounds = 5, 985, 285 joints

The US spends $30 billion a year on state prison systems. Drug law enforcement costs the US $20 billion a year. This “War on Drugs” is costing a lot of money, but I feel like it shouldn’t be almost as much as our prison system.
http://www.isp.state.id.us/investigations/marijuana.pdf

One small step for stoners...

Things are moving right along in Congress for stoners thanks to Representatives Barney Frank (MA) and Ron Paul (TX). According to NORML, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Frank and Paul have introduced H.R. 5843, an "Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults to the House of Representatives.

This measure, if passed, would strip the federal government of its authority to arrest responsible adult cannabis consumers. NORML founder and Legal Director Keith Stroup worked extensively with Frank’s staff to write this important legislation, which represents the first cannabis decriminalization measure introduced in Congress in 24 years.Under current federal law, the penalty for cannabis possession is up to one year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.

So in honor of this introduction and help it pass, I’m asking and so is NORML to take some time to write your local representative and ask them to support this bill. To make life easier-NORML has the letter already written and can be emailed or printed out for mailing.
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=11280301&type=CO

Cops are Hypocrites

Talk about hypocritical…this cop got busted for stealing pot from criminals, goes home and makes brownies for him and his wife, calls 911 and claims that they are overdosing and might be dying. So after all of that, the cop resigns and doesn’t get in trouble of course. The article stated that “The AP reports that Sanchez managed to avoid criminal prosecution, even though he admitted taking the marijuana and, with his wife, baking it into brownies.”

If I did the same thing I’d probably go to jail or least have to pay the wonderful government a decent amount of money. “It’s fair to say that many people who face similar circumstances in this country see a substantially different outcome, including arrest, court, prosecution, fines, jail and prison time. Then there is always probation, and private corporations offering counseling that a person is mandated to attend and pay for.” I mean really, what is that about? SO NOT FAIR!!!
Check out the news video and read this article:
http://salem-news.com/articles/may182007/cop_brownies_51807.php

Medical Marijuana Vending Machine

This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. How awesome would that be to buy marijuana out of a vending machine?! I think it’s a great solution and it makes life easier for those who need to purchase, especially if it’s in the middle of the night. It’s completely safe and takes precautions: personal card, video, photograph, etc. This way the store can keep track of their customers and not just anyone can use it. Now if only marijuana was legal and this vending machine was out on the streets—instead of buying a can of soda, I’d be buying cannabis. Cannabis is much healthier then a can of soda anyways!

It's about time Massachusetts

Massachusetts is finally joining the pot-smoking team and planning on passing a bill to remove penalties for possession and small amounts of marijuana. They’ve finally come to this conclusion because they realize how far behind they are from the rest of the country. Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank is the one proposing the bill.

The bill is being proposed for the following reasons according to local Utah news The Spectrum:
~We need a federal bill because we need to put an end to this fruitless, expensive prohibition once and for all.
~We need a federal bill because of the growing number of people across the nation who are clamoring for the legalization of marijuana for medicinal and recreational uses.
~We need a federal bill because the prohibition of marijuana is rooted in racism, fear and greed, not science.

“This bill is based on the 1972 National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse study commissioned by then-President Richard Nixon, which reported that "the use of drugs for pleasure or other non-medical purposes is not inherently irresponsible; alcohol is widely used as an acceptable part of social activities," and added, "the actual and potential harm of use of the drug is not great enough to justify intrusion by the criminal law into private behavior.”

http://www.thespectrum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080329/OPINION/803290319

4/20 Rules!! Especially in Denver

Every year on 4/20 at 4:20pm, marijuana activists gather in parks and college campuses around Denver to smoke pot! How wonderful is that?! Where are these gatherings in Southern California? I was too hung-over to really celebrate 4/20 the right way this year, but did put in a little bit of effort. I think I would have put in a little bit more had there been one of these gatherings, at least I’d going to it for a good cause—well two good causes!

Denver is one of places where one is allowed to possess the drug, but not allowed to smoke it. That doesn’t make much sense to me? If I can’t smoke it, then why would I have it.

And something else that is confusing: “Most the time officers just stand by and watch for major disruptions, but they don’t have the manpower to arrest everyone. This year’s rally in Denver was peaceful, and while several people were cited, no one was arrested.” This was stated in the article from Denver News Channel 7.

If the US is so against marijuana being illegal, the police, at any level, wouldn’t allow for this to happen. The cities of the US wouldn’t allow something like this happen. They’re basically giving us an “OK” to smoke pot, which I’m not going to pass up, but it’s a on the hypocritical side.

Check out the website and watch the video of the rally!! Stoners are fabulous!!!

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/15939390/detail.html

Death and Marijuana

Key for Chart

*white=deaths in auto accidents NOT due to alcohol and/or drugs

*blue=deaths in auto accidents due to alcochol

*purple=deaths in auto accidents due to smoking marijuana

--Note how you can't see the purple!!

So you know those commercials that say smoking marijuana can affect your driving? Well here’s a fabulous chart I found on a website that shows some evidence disproving this claim. I’ve been a believer that smoking doesn’t affect driving skills. In fact, I can say that I’m a better driver when I’m high! I drive slower and I’m more aware of my surroundings. This chart also shows that driving under the influence of alcohol is more dangerous. But I think most of already know that! I mean like DUH!!

Yet this website completely disproves what I just said. Then again it is a government website. You be the judge, but I bet the person who came up with is stuff never drove high!!
Q: How does marijuana affect driving?
A: Marijuana has serious harmful effects on the skills required to drive safely: alertness, concentration, coordination, and reaction time. Marijuana use can make it difficult to judge distances and react to signals and sounds on the road.Marijuana may play a role in car accidents. In one study conducted in Memphis, TN, researchers found that, of 150 reckless drivers who were tested for drugs at the arrest scene, 33 percent tested positive for marijuana, and 12 percent tested positive for both marijuana and cocaine (1). Data have also shown that while smoking marijuana, people show the same lack of coordination on standard "drunk driver" tests as do people who have had too much to drink (8).

http://www.nida.nih.gov/MarijBroch/Marijteenstxt.html#driving

That's what I'm Screamin!!!

This man knows where it's at. This is one of my arguments about legalizing marijuana. Having it be legal would benefit the economy and we all know how much help our economy could use right now! Having marijuana legal would allow both parties-economy and users/smokers-to benefit: the economy would benefit by making a profit and users/smokers would start paying a lower price on the streets! That would be nice for college students like myself!

Cool Video--Even Montel Williams is down for the cause!!

Awoo for Minnesota

FuN WeeD FaCT of the DaY!
In 1974, the average THC content of illicit marijuana was less than one percent. Today most commercial grade marijuana from Mexico/Columbia and domestic outdoor cultivated marijuana has an average THC content of about 4 to 6 percent., although some samples have tested as high as 25 percent THC.

~brought to you by justthinktwice.com. A wonderful site thanks to the DEA!

So I was in a GooD MooD and decided to find some articles and some photos about this blog of mine. Here's one worth mentioning.

Check it http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/17829419.html

Minnesota is the 13th state in the United States to join the fight and helping to legalize marijuana for medical reasons-it's a step closer to maybe, hopefully, have it be legal for all reasons!! That would be nice!

Q & A of the Day

Q: Is marijuana sometimes used as a medicine?

A: There has been much talk about the possible medical use of marijuana. Under U.S. law since 1970, marijuana has been a Schedule I controlled substance. This means that the drug, at least in its smoked form, has no commonly accepted medical use.THC, the active chemical in marijuana, is manufactured into a pill available by prescription that can be used to treat the nausea and vomiting that occur with certain cancer treatments and to help AIDS patients eat more to keep up their weight. According to scientists, more research needs to be done on THC's side effects and other potential medical uses.

~Brought to you by: National Institute of Drug Abuse