New Study Hits Home Run

According to Norml, a new study indicates some interesting data regarding the effects of marijuana on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS aka Lou Gehrig’s disease). According to the report:

“Based on the currently available scientific data, it is reasonable to think that cannabis might significantly slow the progression of ALS, potentially extending life expectancy and substantially reducing the overall burden of the disease.”

 Beyond this, I found it interesting that the paper is also quoted saying, "From a pharmacological perspective, cannabis is remarkably safe with realistically no possibility of overdose or frank physical addiction." Which is basically what us in the end prohibition movment have been saying for years.

Marc Goes To Jail

So the government is finally allowing the US to extradite Emery. Sure pot activists are protesting, but its too late for Marc really, he will stand trial.

Now I know, those who read my blog, are probably all for Emery being released, and probably are already doing something to do so. But for those few of you out there who aren't doing anything yet I urge you to take a stand. Cry out for justice.

Is Marc guilty, well quite frankly sure he is. While normally you wouldn't find me arguing for the release of a guilty man, even if I think the crime should not be a crime. The issue I have is that the Canadian government should have refused to extradite Emery. Under the terms of the the Extradition Treaty we have the the United States, the U.S. must meet certain guidelines in order for extradition to be granted, the fact is Marc's case does not fit these guidelines.

In earlier posts I mentioned that really all Canada had to do was charge Emery with the crime give him a slap on the wrist as is standard punishment here, and send him on his way. This would mean that the U.S. could not legally charge Marc with a crime for which he already served time. However this wouldn't really work if the U.S. Government demanded that Emery serve time under the U.S. Judicial system while sentencing was still being carried out.

As I stated earlier Marc's case does not fit the extradition guidelines under the treaty between Canada and the United States of America. The reasons for this are; the arrest is politically motivated, this can be ignored if the crime is violent in nature, but as of yet no one is claiming Marc is a violent offender; the second reason is that in order for an extradition to be carried out the charge must be reviewed to see if it would stick in Canada, since Mr. Emery committed the crimes here in Canada and Canada has refused to charge him then it is apparent, to me at least, that the charges are not sufficient enough to warrant an extradition order.

So what can you do to help free Marc Emery? Go to http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/articles/4639.html they give you some useful tips.

Best of Luck to Ganga Gourmet

According to CBS4 in Denver a medicinal marijuana dispensary opened with a twist. Ganga Gourmet is a full service restaurant that serves marijuana laced foods to discerning medical marijuana patients. This is definitely a unique way to provide the marijuana patients with their weed, I wish them the best of luck.

Marijuana and Autism

Good Morning America's website featured a story about a mother who has been giving her child marijuana in order to combat the effects of autism on her son. Her son was losing weight and they could not get him to eat, he was violent and a danger to himself and everyone around him. Marijuana calmed him down and made him want to eat again.

I highly recommend everyone read the article. For an American news program it is surprisingly well balanced, despite some factual errors.

Factual errors:

Statement:

"It can cause psychosis, may lead to schizophrenia."

Truth:

There has been no studies that found any causality links between either psychotic episodes nor schizophrenia and marijuana.

Statement:

"And while marijuana may be available in pill form"

Truth:

THC is available in pill form marketed under names such as marinol, however this is not the same as marijuana. While they did point out this later on in the article to some extent I still felt it was misrepresented as THC does not equal marijuana, THC is just one of the active ingredients of marijuana. And a point they did miss out was the dose of THC is not as easy to control with marinol since each pill is considerably higher dose than you would normally get with a single joint or some pot brownies.

Best Halloween Costume Evah!

Ok I agree, I sound so insincere when I say "evah" I promise not to use it again. But seriously folks check this out. It is by far the best Halloween costume I have seen. The guy deserves a prize for that one. Kudos to the person who made that costume, now if his date went as a bong it would be just a match made in heaven.

Marijuana growers upend hard-luck California town -- latimes.com

This is an interesting article that really seems contradictory. In it pot growers are BLAMED for increasing property values, bringing industry and an economic boom to this small town. And when I say blamed, I mean they are actually blamed. The article portrays marijuana growers as evil while pointing out that land value in the small town has increased tenfold, and businesses are profiting from the growers buying local. So where is the problem? Oh ya kids are openly talking about growing marijuana might be a viable career choice after high school, which I think is better than there options before growing became a growth industry here, which was they had not options other than leave.

Marijuana growers upend hard-luck California town -- latimes.com

Federal Eye - DEA identifies 3 agents killed in Afghanistan

Federal Eye - DEA identifies 3 agents killed in Afghanistan

Ok I am not going to say that these DEA agents had it coming or anything extremist like that, but I do have to wonder what these guys were doing in Afghanistan. DEA is a police agency, they have no rights to be in other countries period. It bothers me when I hear about DEA offices in countries other than the USofA, especially here in Canada. DEA stay on your own turf, get out of the business of trying to police the world, you have no rights to do so.

Son leads police to father's marijuana operation - WHIO Local News on newstalkradiowhio.com

Son leads police to father's marijuana operation - WHIO Local News on newstalkradiowhio.com

Ouch, that hurts, ratted out by your own kid. Well he was dumb enough to grow pot with such a young kid in the home while the law is still so strict, I guess he had it coming.

And no I don't believe this guy really had it coming. I don't think people should be arrested for such things, but as long as it is illegal people have to be careful.

Legalized Marijuana? We May Already Be on the Way - ABC News

Legalized Marijuana? We May Already Be on the Way - ABC News

ABC is reporting that Obama appears to be headed towards legalization of marijuana. While I wish it were true, because any step in this direction will free up Canada to do the same (once we oust W. Bush Jr aka Harper from his throne), I highly doubt it.

Sure Obama is refusing to attack people who are using it medically, but come on, is refusing to prosecute sick people for using medicine that has been proven effective really the same thing as legalizing the medicine for anyone to use. The whole thing is a farce. Obama has no interest in legalizing marijuana, and is just as anti-drug crazy as any other american politician.

Sheriff Indicted For Selling Marijuana On Duty Won't Lose Job Unless Convicted

Sheriff Indicted For Selling Marijuana On Duty Won't Lose Job Unless Convicted

I can't say that I agree with this article, it makes it sound like the Sheriff should be fired. At this point in time he is only accused of selling marijuana. If they keep him on after he is found guilty, well that's another matter, but you shouldn't be able to fire someone because they have been accused of a crime, but rather if they are found guilty of said crime.

Brave But Stupid Student Smokes One For the Team

I am always glad to hear of a new Weed Warrior dedicated to the task of the Legalization of Marijuana, so when I read this story on the net part of me said "Alright dude, that's the way to show them", the other more rational side said, "Doh!". On one hand what this student did is great for the legalization of marijuana movement, more press = more sympathy, that being said he got himself arrested. As the local pig spokesman said "If people want that law changed, they need to go about it the right way."

Ok for those of you who don't want to read the article let me give you a quick recap. A 17 yr old boy, who's name cannot be released from Tacoma Washington gave a speech in school, his topic, Legalizaton of Marijuana, by all accounts his speech was eloquent and well argued. At the end of the speech, to prove his point, he took out a joint and smoked it. Even some who were opposed to the movement praised him for his actions, one such student stated "He took action in what he believes. ... I do not condone the action, but I commend the passion."

I too commend this boy's passion. If the movement had more people like him perhaps marijuana would already be legal. However, when all is said and done he is a seventeen year old boy with a record, a drug offence at that. I wish him luck and hopes he continues the good fight.


Wash. student caps class essay reading by lighting joint | News Bizarre | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Denver Political Issues Examiner: Drugs like marijuana: the no-brainer!

Denver Political Issues Examiner: Drugs like marijuana: the no-brainer!

I highly recommend reading this article, the author is bang on.

Marijuana potency surpasses 10 percent, U.S. says - CNN.com

Oh my, pot potency is on the rise claims CNN. CNN, you should be ashamed, this article is something Fox would pull. The only thing its missing is a "won't somebody please think of the children" rant, oh wait there it is, "The children I'm most worried about are children who are heavy users ... people who use it on a daily basis," said Dr. Lawrence Brain, a child psychiatrist in Maryland. Well Dr. Brain, why not actually think of the children and try to limit the number of children who have easy access to marijuana, why not advocate legalization and regulation.

"I'm not advocating the use of marijuana at all," he said. "But in some ways, it is out there. ... Telling them it's 10 percent -- three times more potent than what their parents smoked -- is not an argument they are likely to buy into or to even utilize in any constructive sort of way.

"I think they do what they do today. I don't think they consider or reflect on what it might have been like 30 years ago."

Gee, really? You think you will have trouble convincing people of the imaginary dangers of more potent pot? Well I wonder why that is, perhaps because they aren't all completely moronic.

Increasing potency is leading to higher admissions to emergency rooms and drug treatment programs, officials say.

What complete and utter nonsense. There is no evidence to this. Sure there has been an increase in the number of emergency room admissions where marijuana was a factor, would you like to know the real reason for this? Simple Doctor's were not asking, now they are required to ask and report any emergency room admission where the person being admitted revealed that they had used marijuana as an admission where marijuana was a factor.

And what about the claim about potency on the rise. Their claim is that in 2008 the average marijuana seized was 10.1% THC, and in 1983 it was reported at 4%. What does this tell us? Diddly squat. Strains are, and have always been all over the map, and not everything seized was being tested back in the 80's. Fluctuations wide or small in the average potency of marijuana happen due to waves of strong or weak depending on where the crops come in best, and who floods the market with cheap weed.

These type articles pop up from time to time, every now and then someone pipes up about the dangers of super powerful weed. They completely ignore all known facts about marijuana and claim our children are in immediate danger of being hopelessly addicted to these super potent strains. Just once I'd like to see main stream media counter these claims.

Marijuana potency surpasses 10 percent, U.S. says - CNN.com

Man dropped marijuana bag in court - UPI.com

Oh my, can people really be dumb enough to bring their marijuana to court with them? Desmond Kelly, 28, showed up to a New York State court house for a traffic violation. When the judge asked to see the ticket he riffled through his pockets and ended up dropping a bag of ganga on a cops shoe.

The police officer saw the bag and immediately arrested Kelly. He was arraigned right there and then. Ok in my opinion no one should be arrested for simple possession, that being said, this guy deserved it. Marijuana is illegal, to bring it to court with you, for a traffic violation of all things, is just the epitome of stupidity.

Man dropped marijuana bag in court - UPI.com

Infant Dies At Unlicensed Daycare - Nashville News Story - WSMV Nashville

This is an absolute tragedy, no doubt about it. An infant died while being cared for at an unlicensed daycare in Tennessee. I feel for the parents, and I feel for everyone involved.

The reason this story is being posted to this board... well "Edna Murray," the proprietor, "tested positive for marijuana when they arrived at the center." What does marijuana have to do with this case... no idea. Why was she tested for marijuana, no idea. Except that a tip was given to police years ago that marijuana was smelt near Murray's home. This is more fear mongering by the marijuana war fans. They are using this travesty to justify that marijuana is evil, despite the fact that no evidence has been given to suggest marijuana played any part of this tragic stiuation.

Infant Dies At Unlicensed Daycare - Nashville News Story - WSMV Nashville

The Canadian Press: Supreme Court of Canada won't hear appeal of medical marijuana case

The Supreme Court of Canada is refusing to hear an appeal by the Government to overturn the decision by the Ontario Supreme Court stating that the Medicinal Marijuana Access Regulations are invalid. This mean that compassion clubs and dispensaries could be something we start seeing here in Canada shortly.

Under the current law only the government is allowed to grow for more than one patient, however since it is known that the pot the government provides is little better than ditch weed and they can't seem to keep pace with demand it was deemed that it violates the Charter of Rights to limit other growers, who can do a much better job than the government, to just grow for one patient. This opens the door for commercial growers to start growing for multiple patients.

Now its up to the government to figure out how they are going to fix the current regulations to allow more commercial growers. Considering Harper's stance on drugs, they will probably respond by ignoring the courts which will open up more lawsuits against the government.

The Canadian Press: Supreme Court of Canada won't hear appeal of medical marijuana case

Police arrest 2 fifth-graders on drug charges - WTHR | Indianapolis

Two fifth graders were arrested for dealing marijuana and possession of marijuana in Indianapolis. Parents from the area are shocked, one said "Why does your child have drugs? That's crazy." The reason kids have access to drugs, even at 10 and 11 is that drug dealers (real dealers not a couple of punk kids trying to be gangsta) don't care if they sell it to a 10 year old or a 20 year old, cash in hand is all they require.

I have said it many times, but I think it is worth saying again, if you want to keep marijuana out of the hands of kids the ONLY to do this with any sort of effectiveness is to legalize and regulate marijuana. Currently kids report having a much easier time getting their hands on marijuana than alcohol. With proper controls in place and hefty fines on stores that sell marijuana to underage kids marijuana use amongst kids will plummet.


Police arrest 2 fifth-graders on drug charges - WTHR | Indianapolis

The Associated Press: Mexican Congress debates legalizing marijuana

The Associated Press: Mexican Congress debates legalizing marijuana

Once again a discussion on legalizing marijuana, this time out of Mexico, and like so many others before it doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell. That being said discussion on the merits is ALWAYS good. The more people discuss legalization, the more people will realize that legalization won't bring more violence, but rather help curb it.

From the above article I notice that they are only talking about decriminalization really, not true legalization, and that is the problem. Decriminalization will do nothing to stop the violence, only legalization and regulation will do that. Decriminalization will keep the supply in the hands of the cartels, where legalization would put the supply in the hands of the people. Gangs wouldn't disappear, but they'd fade and be forced to find other businesses, perhaps ones that are easier to track.

Mexico should learn from history, and the examples set by the USA, they shouldn't worry that relations will be strained with the US, that would be a short term fall out. Eventually, as the Mexicans could focus on illegal distribution across the boarder exporting of marijuana from Mexico to the States would die down, and in the long run this would be good for both countries. Plus the tourism in Mexico would skyrocket as American's and Canadian's flocked down to Mexico to be able to legally spark up in public without fear of reprisal.

Officer's lost wallet contained marijuana

Officer's lost wallet contained marijuana

Time for this guy to join LEAP. I hate to see anyone arrested for simple possession, but when its a cop, I can't help but suppress a giggle. Hopefully this helps to push back the stereotype of the stoner who sits around all day. And who the heck was the knucklehead who mailed the wallet back with 6G's of weed in it, why not just keep it and spark up, or at least sell it?

Wash. man gets life term for pot slayings

Wash. man gets life term for pot slayings

The above article talks about a man who was convicted of murder and sentenced for life in prison for his part in execution style murders at a grow op in Snohomish County Washinton. Good, put him away for life. Murder should be a life in prison scenario. That being said, violence like this needs to stop. The only way to stop violence like this is to legalize, and regulate the sale and use. As long as it is illegal it is worth it for criminal scum like this to control, steal, and murder for marijuana.