New York Medical Marijuana Society

Marijuana Smokers Need To Come Out of Closets

2009-05-31T15:13:00.001-07:00

It's Sunday afternoon, and I am back from a wonderful weekend out at camp which is just outside of Woodstock New York. In some ways, camp is one of those beautiful places where those who have been fortunate in life and career spend their weekends during the summer living a priviledged life, have a chance to escape from the rat race, ride around in their golf carts while their Lexus is parked in the shade next to their screened in room beside the Fifth Wheel camper or Recreational Vehicle, the flat screen TV keeping the kids (who don't want to be there) amused. My fellow neighbors out at camp own businesses, are bankers, corporate executives, venture capitalist, and smokers of the illicit Class A drug known as Cannabis or Marijuana.

Don't get me wrong, I love camp, the array of wild birds (Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, even the common robin), the friends I've made, the campfires on Friday and Saturday nights, and the people stopping by my TIKI bar for a shot of the latest Organic Vodka. What I find troubling, is how many of these friends of mine bring their little stash up to camp, stop by to get a buzz on, but hide who they are Monday through Friday, hide their truth from their friends in the gated communities in which they live. What upsets me, is the cops I've watched who get stoned sitting around campfires who think it is OK when on duty to arrest, even imprison those who are guilty of nothing more than what they themselves regularly do every time they come up to camp.

We have around 300 million citizens of the world living here in America. Of those, approximately 25 million get stoned. Start doing the math, and we are talking a adult voting block that is bigger than almost any other...yet, our silence, our apathy, or perhaps our fear sees us remain silent, sees us keeping our use of Cannabis hidden from family,friends and coworkers. That silence contributes to the very sad reality that some 350,000 Americans were turned into criminals last year for nothing more than being in possession of some Marijuana. Be honest, examine your own behavior as a secret recreational user of Marijuana, and you have to admit that you helped turn those citizens into criminals. United our voices cannot be denied, but when those voices are hidden in closets, we remained oppressed and shamed.

Isn't it time that Marijuana Smokers come out of the closet? Isn't it time that we start putting some of our money and efforts into winning the fight to LEGALIZE Cannabis? Don't tell me a million pot smoker march on Washington would not wake up our elected members of Congress. A quality quarter ounce of pot can cost some serious change...how much did you pay for say your last ounce of premium smoke? Now, tell me how much you have contributed to those fighting the good fight to legalize Marijuana...in too many instances, the answer to that last question is NOTHING, a big ZERO! Imagine if every one of the 25 million pot smokers here in America donated just $100 per year to the cause of Legalizing Marijuana...do you know how much clout we could have with $2.5 Billion a year parked in a LEGALIZE MARIJUANA PAC? How much money did President Obama spend to become President of the United States?....not even a fifth of that amount. We have the ability to effect change, but only if we plug in and get involved, put our money where our hearts are.

Please fellow American Pot Smokers, come out of the closet, put the real face on Medical and Recreational Marijuana use, instead of letting the FDA, DEA and self serving politicians paint us out as Drug fiends and monsters. Isn't it time we dispel the myths created in the 1937 film Reefer Madness? Isn't it time to end the lie that Marijuana is a gateway drug, and that any one who smokes Marijuana is a societal misfit, a loser that society needs protected from. Isn't it time that American realizes how many of us are leaders, attorneys, business owners, doctors, and even politicians. (Our last three presidents have all INHALED no matter what Bill Clinton said.)

Please, if you are a user of either Medical or Recreational Marijuana, plug into the fight, get involved in some fashion...make a donation to my small efforts, or to those of NORML or other groups (except MPP) if you have to stay in the closet out of fear for your job, but doing nothing is unforgivable, can no longer be allowed. Pot smokers of America, it is time that we Unite, time that we win this war and decriminalize Marijuana...please, for yourselves, and for those Americans who use Marijuana responsibly come out of the shadows. I beg you to become a part of this battle, begging you to help us stop the WAR ON CITIZENS, PEOPLE, PARENTS who are being turned into criminals for doing nothing more than smoking the occassional joint.

Just an Afternoon Update

2009-05-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

For those who have wondered what happened, and where I have been...camp! The bad news is I have no INTERNET at camp...the good news is they are working on the problem, and with a bit of luck, the problem will be resolved some time next week, which will resolve my frequent dissappearing acts of late. Going to do some laundry, and get up on Twitter here shortly...look for a good article later this evening, or some time tomorrow.

CNN Mouth Piece For Federal Government (DEA/DARE) Marijuana Propaganda?

2009-05-14T07:33:00.001-07:00

War on Drugs (Marijuana) Heating Up as CNN Puts Out Reefer Madness 2009 Style Propaganda

Just in on CNN (May 14,2009) is a story on the increased potency of Marijuana these days. Seems that the pot smoked today is twice as strong as the pot I smoked as a teenager/young man. What disturbed me about the story was its presentation that smacked of the same insanity that was/is the classic 1937 Propaganda Piece of fame and legend, "Reefer Madness" More disturbing is doing a GOOGLE search and finding out CNN has been rehashing and reissuing this same basic story FOR YEARS...any one care to ponder the WHY OF THAT? Is our Government paying BIG MEDIA to run these story, or DICTATING to them? Notice the DATES!

CNN.com - Transcripts

May 2, 2002 ... PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: And the "Big Question" this morning at 25 after the hour , is today's pot more dangerous than the marijuana people ...

www.cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0205/02/l... - 24k - Similar pages

http://www.cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0205/02/ltm.19.html

CNN.com - Transcripts

May 27, 2003 ... And also the fact that today's marijuana is a lot more potent than the marijuana we're used to with THC levels sometimes up to 30 percent ...

www.cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/03... - 29k - Similar pages

[ More results from www.cnnstudentnews.cnn.com ]

Marijuana – Paging Dr. Gupta - CNN.com Blogs

Jun 25, 2008 ... A study released last summer compared pot being smoked today with what was smoked back before 1992 and concluded it is 175 percent more potent, ... Experts believe marijuana causes more damage to the respiratory system ...

pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/category/marijuana/ - 62k - Similar pages

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/category/marijuana/

CNN.com - Transcripts

May 27, 2003 ... ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: The maple leaf on the Canadian flag is ... And also the fact that today's marijuana is a lot more potent than ...

edition.cnn.hu/TRANSCRIPTS/0305/27/se.16.html - 30k - Similar pages

First, Marijuana/Cannabis/Reefer is not Devil Weed, nor is it a GATEWAY DRUG. Secondly, why is major medica becoming the mouth piece of the Federal Government, continuing to put out propaganda pieces that seem to have been written by the DEA, DHS and the FDA. Legalization is coming, we are almost to the natinal TIPPING POINT, and it is criminal that the DEA and our Federa Government are escalating the War on Drugs, a last minute orgy of arrests and prosecutions before we closed the book on the decades old failed Marijuana Prohibition Policy responsible for ruining the lives of millions of innocent Americans.

Chicago Area Cops Gone WILD, Kick Car Chase Suspect In Head

2009-05-13T23:40:00.000-07:00

Earlier today I saw a car chase on the news, and gave it little thought. Was the typical car chase with crash at end, suspect trying to run, then realizing the game was over laying down on the ground and surrendering...but it seems there is FAR MORE that was not shown in that original report I saw. Watch the video, watch the suspect lay on the ground and spread eagle, then watch the cop run up, gun drawn and KICK THE GUY IN THE HEAD LIKE HE WAS KICKING A MELLON! Can we say Police Brutality? Quick, someone call internal affairs, and get this guy an attorney...he maybe be doing some prison time, but the officer doing the kicking needs brought up on charges, and the city of Chicago needs to write this criminal out a BIG CHECK with some zeroes in it!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcchicago.com/video.

Space and Lighting Primer

2009-05-13T23:30:00.000-07:00

Thought I would put up a primer on grow space and lighting for the Newbie Grower...

Space and Lighting Primer

So your state has legalized Medical Marijuana, and as a patient you want to grow your own. To grow your own, you have to pick out a space to grow your plants, and you need to figure out your lighting. For this article let us assume you live in the city, and are going to grow your stash in your apartment or flat in a small space...small being a relative term, I am thinking about a closet.

Some good news for all you Medical Marijuana Newbie Growers...there is a very basic formula you can use in helping you pick a space, and decide how much light you are going to use. You need at least 25 WATTS of light per square foot of space, and can have a maximum amount of WATTS of 44 per square foot. IE, if you have a 3x3 foot closet you need at least 225 WATTS of light, and can have a maximum WATT total of 396 (you can round this off to 400 WATTS).

The lower the WATTS, the lower your final yield is going to be, regardless of the strand you are growing.

As you can see, a closet (or old refrigerator) will giving you plenty of growing space for a personal stash. That said, you now want to find out a few things about your space.

For best growing results, you want your grow space to maintain a temperature of 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit (25-30 Celsius) when the lights are on. Temperatures outside this optimum range will decrease yield, and higher temperatures could make your plants more susceptible to mites.

So, you have your space, have your light WATTS all figured out, and the temperatures issues have been taken care of (perhaps with the inclusion of a fan to create a gentle breeze, and the temperature in the desired range. Now you want to make sure that no light is sneaking in or out of the space you are using...which is why I like an old refrigerator (or two or three).

Lets assume a closet is the chosen space, and after standing in the space looking out you realize there is some light leakage. You don't want light sneaking out, and during Bloom Time, you do not want light sneaking in when the plants are sleeping, so lets get some white/black poly to line the space with, thus assuring you of good light reflection when the lights are on, and a light tight space when the lights are off.

A couple of tips:

1. Hang the light in a fashion that you can raise it up or down, as a good rule of thumb is too keep your light about two feet ABOVE the tops of your plants.

2. Having a light tight space is very important during Bloom Time, as light sneaking in when your lights are off will greatly reduce your yield.

3. DO NOT grow your pot in a closet that other people have access to, consider using a padlock...we do not want the DEA having some flimsy excuse to arrest you on some phony trumped up charges.

You can have a really sweet growing space for your Medical Marijuana with a budget of around $450. With good lights, a nice growing space and the right seeds (or clone), you can expect (with a little luck) to get between 16-32 ounces (dry yield) of quality Cannabis. Hopefully this primer gives you enough information to get you started on your Medical Marijuana grow project, helps you to pick out and equip your growing space.

Marijuana Grow Basics (the book)

NORML's Daily Stash Takes Exception With This Blog

2009-05-13T12:42:00.000-07:00

Connecticut NORML's Seat at Table TAKEN AWAY.

Seems that the folks over at NORML are upset with this blog's stand on their decision to throw the Connecticut NORML Chapter under the bus of political correctness. (see their rebuttal) The long and the short of their rebuttal was blah, blah, blah...political correctness, damage control, blah, blah and blah. There were the usual hints of PREVIOUS PROBLEMS with the chapter that we/I could know nothing about, a claim the chapter is so new that it was best to kill the chapter and START ALL OVER AGAIN in the fall, coupled with a complaint that I should have used spell check.

Said it yesterday, and will say it again today...NORML was and is wrong to trash the entire Connecticut chapter for the actions of ONE MAN, and further what happened to the, "innocent until proven guilty" concept of justice, and the concept of Freedom of Speech?...let me guess, does not apply to the inner political workings of the NORML organization? NORML Chapter genocide is OK in the name of protecting political correctness, in the name of staying on the good side of politicians? What happens if the criminal complaint is dismissed, or the man charged WINS his case? Will NORML apologize and reinstate the chapter...we all know the answer too that rhetorical question.

Curious...could it be that the now DEAD decriminalization bill in Connecticut could have made it out of committee if NORML had been working behind the scenes in Connecticut instead of doing their best to KILL A CHAPTER? Further, just how far has NORML's National Agenda gotten us in all these years? Maybe it is time for a bit of confrontation, time for a National Marijuana Legalization March, time for us to take more of a "too the streets civil rights approach" to this war? After all, we have seen how many millions of Americans have been made into Criminals as NORML's national strategies have failed over the decades to decriminalize marijuana? Where were grassroots activists being deployed to a sit in of the office of the New Canaan Republican bill killer yesterday...surely NORML saw the filibuster coming?

I seem to recall reading a while back that some 20 million Americans have faced some kind of criminal charges related to Cannabis since 1985, yet we have not seen much real change in NORML's approach too legalization in that time. Where is a NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION? Illegal Aliens put 500,000 in the streets of LA, and hundreds of thousands more into the streets in other cities in the name of their AMNESTY AGENDA, and it propelled them onto the national news almost every night, but we have 20 million Marijuana Smokers nationwide and get maybe a few hundred folks to show up at protest events...those are not the kinds of numbers that can claim a mandate for change. If NORML got every Marijuan smoker to make a one time donation of $100 to a Marijuana PAC, that would be a $2.5 Billion dollar WAR CHEST. That kind of a war chest would allow us a WORLD CLASS public service announcement campaign that would end DARE, and expose the DEA for the Gestapo like secret police organization that they are...as example, they are paying out reward money to our high school students, encouraging them to snitch out their friends...Drop A Dime on them, repackaged, alive and well in 2009.

One person made a very unfortunate mistake in sending a letter that should not have been sent. That person RESIGNED his position with the Connecticut NORML, and that should have been enough, but NORML has shown their smallness of heart in abandoning the Connecticut Chapter, tossing them under the bus...lets hope that the other state and local chapters are watching closely, waking up to the reality that THEY COULD BE NEXT. Maybe, just maybe it is time for the ENTIRE NATIONAL NORML BOARD TO TURN IN THEIR RESIGNATIONS so that we can bring fresh faces and views to this fight, bring in soldiers willing to take to the streets to replace appeasers willing to sell out to politicians for small victories that amount to nothing in the big picture of ending the War on Drugs.

NORML Over Reacts In Dropping Connecticut Group

2009-05-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

OK, a Connecticut NORML Vice President over reacted in an email sent to an elected official, stepped over a line that should not have been crossed...said Vice President has resigned. So why is the National NORML now abandoning the folks in Connecticut, effectively trashing the organization, disowning them in full. One person makes a mistake so you throw and entire chapter under the bus? NORML, you greatly disappoint me! To the folks in Connecticut NORML...we would gladly take all of you into our fold, would love to have everyone of your members as Budding Bloggers. On a day when a sleaze bag, tighty whitey New Canaan Republican deliberately killed the bill that would have decriminalized Marijuana, NORML choose to throw your chapter under the Political Correctness bus instead of growing a set of balls and standing by you in your time of need...they should be ashamed of themselves.

Looking to Invent the Hempmatoe!

2009-05-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

OK, we need some super hipster young college brainiacs looking for an adventure...imagine putting THC in Oranges so that you can get high drinking a glass of Orange Juice...it's been done. So, if it has been done with oranges, it only makes sense that it could be done with other plants, other fruits and vegetables...seems to me, that a THC organic salad would be just the way for our 20/30 somethings to start their evening, a great way for us Boomers to fend off our aches and pains. So, I would love to find some adventuresome people to do a bit of high tech DNA magic to create Tomatoes, Cucumbers and watermellon with THC...one of the reasons I am choosing these three specific fruits/vegetables, is they are a staple in juicing, a constant in almost every salad, and imagine how many seeds the first successful generation of seeds once the host plant has accepted the change into its genome, and passes the now inherited THC DNA down to each successive generation. What's the DEA and the FDA going to do when the THC found in Marijuana is now available in a HOST OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES we eat on a daily basis!

Biochem 101: How to design a Cannabis-equivalent citrus plant

Step One:
Biochemically isolate all the required enzymes for the production of THC.

Step Two:
Perform N-terminal sequencing on isolated enzymes, design degenerate PCR (polymerase chain reaction) primers and amplify the genes.

Step Three:
Clone genes into an agrobacterial vector by introducing the desired piece of DNA into a plasmid containing a transfer or T-DNA. The mixture is transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a gram negative bacterium.

Step Four:
Use the Agrobacterium tumefaciens to infect citrus plants after wounding. The transfer DNA will proceed to host cells by a mechanism similar to conjugation. The DNA is randomly integrated into the host genome and will be inherited.

Jo Jo's NO NO in NYC...Dude, How Stupid Are You?

2009-05-12T06:39:00.000-07:00

Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons nephew Jo Jo Simmons was BUSTED for possession of marijuana...perhaps the headline should read, "How STUPID CAN YOU BE?" According to the Celebrity Stoner, Jo Jo (who's father co-founded Run DMC)was rolling a blunt in his BMW...snip...give us a break there Jo Jo, you are making all of us look bad with that kind of, "I am ABOVE THE LAW" egotistical stupidity. You think with your father and your uncle that you can just sit in your car, out in public rolling blunts and not have it catch up to you?

I am all for legalization of marijuana, both medical and casual use, but I also feel we need to be smart in how we exercise our use of marijuana as long as it remains an illegal substance that can find us on the wrong side of the long arm of the law. Then when caught YOU RAN?...maybe you need to change your name to Dork Dork.

Monday, 11 May 2009 00:44

Joseph "Run" Simmons' son Jojo was busted for marijuana possession and resisting arrest on May 7. Caught rolling a joint or blunt in his BMW at 7:30 pm on Wadsworth Ave. in New York's Washington Heights section, the 19-year-old co-star of Run's House on MTV allegedly bolted from the car and fled. When police caught up to him, he got into a altercation with them.

JoJo's father co-founded Run-D.M.C.. His uncle is hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.

Then we have this update from another article...

The teen - who was behind the wheel of a BMW on Wadsworth Avenue when cops
approached - slammed his car in reverse and smashed into vehicles parked behind
him, police said.

He then took off on foot, cops said.

But JoJo - who heads his own rap group called Team Blackout - didn't run fast enough. Police said that when they caught up with him, he started throwing punches. (Where is assault on a police officer?)

He was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, marijuana possession and criminal use of drug paraphernalia.

See what happens when you have RICH INFLUENTIAL RELATIVES? This BUTT TERD makes us all look bad, smashes up a car, makes a run for it, throws punches at officers and has the judge basically give him a free pass on the most serious charge of reckless endangerment which is a felony...this kid needs to spend some time in prison as someone's bitch...sorry, but as a Stoner I cannot condone what he did, nor can I condone the judge dropping the felony charge because he's the child of a famous person.

Medical Marijuana Inc (MJNA)...All Sizzle and No Meat, Or Worthwhile Stock Investment

2009-05-12T05:36:00.000-07:00

Part of me wants to jump up and down excitedly at the fact Medical Marijuana Inc. (MJNA) is trading on the NASDAQ (over the counter)...the more practical side of me is a bit leery after having done a bit of snooping.

First, not sure that MJNA's touted products are all that valuable...do we really need an accounting/tax tracking method designed specifically for the Medical Marijuana industry, or instead is it more cost effective to hire a book keeper, accountant, or invest in some other basic small business accounting software program? Their other product, Certified Testing and Gradation Solutions I see as being somewhat problematic as well. How many small Medical Marijuana dispensaries, care givers or growers can afford Certified Testing, and further, Certified Testing paints a rather bleak picture of a Medical Marijuana industry owned and controlled BY BIG BUSINESS, and I am not convinced that this industry and Medical Marijuana patients are best served by a BIG BOX business model for the industry...see the CEO's comment that he wants Medical Marijuana Inc. to be the McDonalds of Medical Marijuana...can we say FRANCHISING anyone?

Should you invest...that's your call based on your own stomach for risk. The 10/1 stock split has me leery...that said, the price is right, and if you have some mad money you can afford to toss in the pot as it were, this might be a company worth picking up some shares in. Below is some information on the company...going to keep and eye on them here, but not prepared to put them into our Top Medical Marijuana stock picks over on Medical Marijuana Society investments page even with the LIMITED number of investments currently available.

Medical Marijuana Inc-They might want to find a long time blogger that is hemp friendly to do their blogging for them, but that's just my own personal opinion as a blogger.
http://medicalmarijuana-inc.blogspot.com/

Medical Marijuana Home-There is NOT a lot of information to go on here, but thought I would share the link.
http://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com/site/

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/stock.jsp?Ticker=MJNA

Medical Marijuana, Inc. ("MMI") (OTC: MJNA), an Oregon Corporation, was founded in March 2009 for the purpose of providing advanced business solutions to the rapidly expanding Medical Marijuana industry.

We provide integrated tax oversight and collection solutions to local, state and federal governments, while also providing business management solutions to the industry that will confidently ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations.

MMI will also soon provide Certified Testing and Gradation Solutions to establish and maintain high-level quality control of potency, strain and contaminants.

MMI provides fully compliant turn-key management solutions to Independent Operators of Medical Marijuana collectives, co-ops and dispensaries, allowing investors to confidently enter this arena in full compliance from the start.

investorrelations@medicalmarijuanainc.com

MMI is in discussions to acquire an institutional level testing and grading solutions company and its products.

MMI intends to provide testing and grading products and services to the Medical Marijuana Industry, from personal test kits for safety to institutional level testing and grading to determine quality and potency, as well as to identify potential contaminants.

MMI testing equipment and services will soon be available to individuals, growers, dispensary operators and government institutions for public safety.

MARINA DEL REY, CA, Apr 27, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Medical Marijuana, Inc., formerly Club Vivanet (PINKSHEETS: CVIV), received today from NASDAQ its new symbol MJNA which will become effective April 28, 2009 at open of market including the 10-for-1 forward split. This means that anyone holding 1 share of CVIV today will own 10 shares of MJNA tomorrow.

The company also announced that the payment for spin-off of two of its subsidiaries, (Florida) and MyNewPedia Corp (Colorado), share for share is today, April 27, 2009 based on a record date of April 13, 2009.

About the Company

Medical Marijuana, Inc. is positioned to take advantage of opportunities as they appear in the emerging legal medical marijuana industry through an enhanced payment gateway introducing verifiable levels of enhanced security. A trend is in place that clearly indicates medical marijuana is quickly becoming a legal enterprise in need of various solutions in numerous areas.

http://clubvivanet.net/cms1/

Medical Marijuana Business Workshop in Los Angeles May 23-24, 2009

2009-05-07T19:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Cannabis Career Institute Workshop May 23-24

The Cannabis Career Insitute is going to be hosting a workshop on May 23 and 24, 2009 on how to safely own and operate a Medical Marijuana Dispensary. As the Charles Lynch case has shown us, the DEA seems intent on ignoring State's Rights, and the laws passed by states who have legalized Medical Marijuana. With 14 states having legalized Medical Marijuana, and with several others (including my own state of New York), it is imperiative that Medical Marijuana growers, suppliers, caregivers and patients have reliable sources of information so that they can take every step possible to be safe against the DEA's war on Medical Marijuana, which amounts to a war on innocent American Citizens. The Cannabis Career Institute is helping to fill a void that needs to be filled.

If you cannot make this workshop, they have a online course available through their Cannabis Career Institute web site.

Medical Marijuana Dispensary/Business Work Shop

Time: May 23, 2009 at 11am to May 24, 2009 at 11am
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Organized By: George Grimes

Event Description:

Learn what it takes to safely own and operate a medical marijuana dispensary business and enjoy all the benefits of the medical cannabis industry.

For Additional Information Join the Weedworks Network.

Cannabis Career Institute

Twitpic as Online Photo Storage? Could Be.

2009-05-07T18:02:00.000-07:00

This is not really a Medical Marijuana story, but in some ways it is as I look for new ways to use various resources to activate and build a grassroots army. I have uploaded some pictures today through Twitpic to Twitter. In doing that, I found out I can post those pictures to my own blogs by pasting and cutting some HTML which Twitpic provides with the photograph...which got me to thinking...what if I were to create a Twitter/Twitpic Account that all my Budding Bloggers had access to that we all used to upload and create a 420 Photo/Clip Art file that we could all share and use in our blogs. I would love to hear what some of our bloggers think of this or a similiar idea...I like Twitpic, as it is fully and completely FREE with no limits that I have found so far.

Stand By Me Begging For Change...This IS WHAT WE NEED For Medical Marijuana

2009-05-04T20:24:00.000-07:00

Have Anderson Cooper to thank for bringing this video to my attention...Stand By Me Me...Begging for change is a must see video, and you should watch the whole thing. That said, think of the message, "Stand by me begging for change!" That is the Medical Marijuana movement, this video in some strange way IS OUR MOVEMENT...Stand By Me!

A Medical Marijuana Legal Question For The Experts

2009-05-04T18:49:00.001-07:00

OK...here is a question...

Marijuana is a Class One drug which by my simple understanding means it has NO REDEEMING VALUE, and more importantly, has no medical use/benefit whatsoever. The DEA, the enforcement arm of the FDA has waged a JIHAD against Marijuana (thus a defacto war against human beings that use/smoke it)for over 70 years now based on the FDA's ascertion that Marijuana has no Medical use.

Enter Nabilone a synthetic form of marijuana, significantly reduced pain and anxiety in fibromyalgia patients, according to a first-of-its-kind study published in the Journal of Pain. This statement got me to thinking...and researching. Nabilone, sold under the brand name Cesamet, is one of two oral marijuana-based compounds, known as cannabinoids, and was approved by the FDA back in 1985.

Synthetic form of marijuana...cannaboids...FDA approval...OK, my question. With this information, doesn't this mean that the FDA has through their licensing of Nabilone, proven their own statements and decisions aboutMarijuana as a Class One Drug are false? Further, do these facts thus mean that the DEA, DOJ and the FDA have lied to the Federal Courts, and that the courts are thus WRONG in denying defendents the right to RAISE A MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEFENSE?

Friday Night Ramblings...

2009-05-01T20:16:00.000-07:00

Greetings readers...sorry for my absense, but in the process here of trying to get camp open for the summer...a task made more difficult by the fact I have decided to move our site, which means a lot of extra work that I had not planned on. Further complicating things...our camp Internet it turns out is NOT turned on until opening day which is tomorrow. So, I have bee missing in action here.

I am volunteering at a 10K Run tomorrow morning, which means I have to be up in five hours, so this post is going to be short. I know...I wanted to pop on briefly to encourage everyone to really work hard, as we are SO CLOSE (I think) to tipping the scales and seeing our best hope at getting Medical Marijuana legalized nationally, and perhaps even seeing decriminalization of pot. That said, I caution those living in states that have already approved Medical Marijuana to be VERY CAREFUL...there are too many horror stories of innocent citizens being persecuted by the Federal Government which so far seems intent on ignoring state's rights, and state law that contradicts the Federal War on drugs. Even worse, governors in these 14 states refuse to TAKE A STAND, refuse too order the DEA out of their states until they can respect state laws and state's rights.

As example, look at Michigan...just as the state was taking its first steps as a Legal Marijuana state the DEA stepped in and busted a couple even though they (he) were legally entitled to grow medical marijuana for personal medical use.

The Charles Lynch Interview...Medical Marijuana Must Watch TV

2009-04-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

Up on YouTube and embedded here is an interview with Charles Lynch. It is worth the watch, and I would ask each you, "Is this the kind of man that deserves prison?" Judge Wu is on the cusp of DOING THE RIGHT THING, or doing as close to the right thing he can when his hands are tied. Let's push for freedom for Charles Lynch, and this continue to push Obama for two things...1) a full and complete pardon for Charles Lynch and all those who are in a similiar situation, and 2) much clearer and WRITTEN guidelines on his administration's Medical Marijuana policy.

Beginning of End of Marijuana as Class 1 Drug?

2009-04-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

Dudes and dudettes, as well as all those very serious 420 folks in the Medical Marijuana community, we may have some very big news this evening. We think of Iowa as a midwest state heard from and focused on once every four years during the Presidential Primaries...that may be changing as the entire United States focuses in on the state, and their Pharmacy Board.

A Polk County judge has orderd the State Pharmacy Board to re-examine the classification of Marijuana as a Class One drug. In the small picture, such a review by the State Pharmacy Board, a ruling that Marijuana needs to be reclassified could clear the way for Iowa's elected lawmakers to make Medical Marijuana legal in the state.

However; in the bigger picture, this current court ruling, the potential ruling the Pharmacy Board could make creates what could be the FINAL SHOWDOWN in the Medical Marijuana fight...the DEA cannot let such a decision stand, would be left with no choice but to file suit to overturn the Pharmacy Boards reclassification, potentially creating a face off in the United States Supreme Court.

Court ruling orders pharmacy board to review marijuana classification
Friday, April 24, 2009, 7:21 PM
By Pat Curtis
A ruling from a judge in Polk County could clear the way for Iowa lawmakers to potentially approve marijuana use for medical purposes. The ruling forces the Iowa Pharmacy Board to examine whether marijuana should continue to be classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under Iowa law. Attorney Randall Wilson argued the case for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa. "What it does is it reopens the official discussion about marijuana policy in Iowa," Wilson said of the ruling.
Four petitioners asked the Iowa Pharmacy Board to review the drug's classification last year. The board ruled that the petitioners had to prove that the drug lacked a high potential for abuse before it would be reclassified. The ACLU of Iowa appealed the decision. Wilson says the judge's ruling only "unfreezes" the debate and does not legalize medicinal marijuana use in the state. "Only the legislature can make that decision ultimately," Wilson said. "The (pharmacy) board can't move marijuana from Schedule One, but the legislature told the board...when a substance no longer meets the criteria for being in Schedule I, you will recommend to us that it will be placed somewhere else."
Currently, under Iowa law, narcotic drugs like opiates and cocaine can be prescribed for medical use. Wilson believes Iowa should join other states that have added marijuana to the list of drugs available for medical purposes. There are currently 13 states in the U.S. that allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes under a doctor's supervision. Wilson says the drug can help people that are battling such diseases as cancer and AIDS. "There are a lot of people out there who have very debilitating conditions that seem to be only served or helped by using marijuana," Wilson said. "In view of that fact, medical marijuana use is going to go on underground...it would be better to get it out in the open and have it supervised by doctors and established criteria for who really needs to be using marijuana and who shouldn't."

To Beat Your Opponent Know Your Opponent-Defeating The DEA

2009-04-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

This article supports a few things. First, pleased to announce that we have launched a new page on Medical Marijuana Society that kicks off a new project. Operation Out DEA...the concept of this operation is simple. The DEA cannot continue busting our Medical Marijuana dispensaries without our help, albeit unintentionally. DEA agents scope out and do undercover investigations of these Medical Marijuana facilities, including sending their OWN PEOPLE into the store. This means store owners need to have doors to buzz customers into the main area...inconvenient, but an extra layer of security.

My thinking...two doors. The first door brings you into a reception area (anyone can enter) where there is NOTHING TO SEE. There the customer must show PROPER ID, and sign a FULL DISCLOSURE FORM that says they are not working for Law Enforcement, or NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT, and are not undercover snitches. If they refuse to sign the paper, and your surveillance camera records that fact, you ask them to LEAVE the premises (make sure to tell them they are NOT ALLOWED BACK so that you can have them arrested if they try to return at a later time to do their surveillance...just call the cops, show them the video), they are NOT given access to the inner sanctum. If they sign paper and then bust you later, they used entrapment I would surmise.

Visit Operation Out the DEA web page.

Next, it is recommended that ALL Medical Marijuana facilities invest in outside surveillance cameras...in this fashion, you can A) Keep an eye out for suspicious behavior, B) notice perhaps that the DEA has you under surveillance. You could then have an activist team you call to immediately show up and surround said DEA agents vehicle asking for ID...also, have this team start taking photographs of the DEA...we will post these pictures on our Operation Out DEA page. I am talking peaceful CONFRONTATION HERE, talking about taking the DEA out of the shadows...no shadows, they loose their ability to conduct UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIONS.

Lastly, educate yourselves about your opposition, know how they operate. To help you with that, here is the link to download the 2002 DEA Operations Manual...it has not changed that much in the past seven years. DOWNLOAD HERE.

Do you like this blog? Want to be one of our Budding Bloggers, a member of our Grassroots Cannabis React Team (GCRT)? Email me today and let me get your blog ready to roll and you can be a Budding Blogger bringing the 420 news from your end of the world...or just tell us about your getting stoned...this is all about community.

So Friday Medical Marijuana Buzz

2009-04-24T05:59:00.000-07:00

Going to attempt camping up by Woostock this weekend, so wanted to get an article up on this blog while I had the opportunity...if I do not get back before Snday night, everyone have a GREAT last weekend in April.

There is a lot of BUZZ going around the Medical Marijuana community as our movement to legalize gains more and more momentum. Judge Wu postponed Charles Lynch's sentencing until June 11th so we are hoping there is good news being worked on there. We have FOURTEEN STATES now working on legislation or ballot initiatives to Legalize Medical Marijuana, or to simply decriminalize all Marijuana. Meanwhile, in big breaking news, seems we have a heavy hitter in Washington, DC putting Legalization on the table as a part of PRISON REFORM...we currently have over 500,000 Americans in prison on small marijuana violations.

In a FRIDAY GOOD NEWS story, it seems that there is at least one judge who gets it. Judge Darryl Ferguson ordered county sheriffs to return a Medical Marijuana patient's pot...ALL 12 pounds of it...sweet. Richard Daleman, who had all the appropriate doctor letters to grow and use medical marijuana was acquitted in March of this year, and the Sheriifs were hoping to KEEP some of this man's premium bud...the judge was having NO PART OF IT.

BY DAVID CASTELLON • dcastell@visalia.gannett.com • April 23, 2009

It was the last thing you'd expect to see outside the Tulare County Courthouse in Visalia: a man and his lawyer carting out glass jars filled with marijuana.

The marijuana belonged to Richard Daleman, who on March 27 was acquitted by a jury of growing and selling marijuana.

A judge ruled last week that the medical marijuana confiscated from him in December by Tulare County sheriff's detectives had to be returned.

Daleman, 61, and his county public defender, Andy Rubinger, retrieved the marijuana Wednesday from the courthouse evidence room. It came out to just more than 12 pounds, Daleman said.

"There were about 3 ounces missing," he said.

Earlier in the day, Daleman had collected growing lights and other equipment from a sheriff's facility north of Visalia.

Daleman, who had a doctor's recommendation to grow and use marijuana to treat severe pain from arthritis and old injuries, was all smiles as he rolled his marijuana from the courthouse to the parking lot — using carts provided by court personnel. He emptied it into plastic trash bags before weighing it.

Medical Marijuana News Updates.

2009-04-23T19:19:00.000-07:00

The biggest case all of us in the Medical Marijuana community are watching it the Charles Lynch out in California...Judge Wu has again postponed his sentencing until June 11th...the not knowing has to be hell on Charlie, but if he is STILL FREE, we still have a chance to see REAL JUSTICE done, see his charges dismissed by the DEA and DOJ, or for the hand of Barack to grant him a full and complete pardon. Sure Charlie's attorneys have already looked into this, but I seem to recall someone can't be charged with breaking the law if one body of the government (even state government) granted him a license for the business he was running, basically sanctioned his activities unless you ALSO CHARGE the State of California chief executive, as well as the mayor of Morro Bay as accessories. Just thinking aloud here...late night brain storming.

Chronic City: The Sad Case of Charlie Lynch

By Steve Elliott in Breaking News, Business, Chronic City, Crime, Government, Health, Law & Order, Local News, Media, Politics

Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 5:32PM

New Times

Charles Lynch

Medical marijuana dispensary operator Charles Lynch, 47, is facing a government-recommended five years in federal prison -- even though he meticulously followed state and local laws. Under federal law, Lynch could receive up to 100 years. At a hearing late Thursday afternoon, the judge in the case indicated a decision on sentencing will be delayed until June 11.

When he opened Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers, in Morro Bay in 2006, Lynch was welcomed by the mayor and chamber of commerce in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. He paid his taxes and he carefully went by the rules.

Lynch's business license clearly stated "medical marijuana dispensary." He even called the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 2005, months before opening, to inquire about the law. An agent told him "it's up to the cities and counties to decide how to handle that." So he opened the business.

Despite Lynch's meticulous adherence to city, county, and California law, the federal DEA raided his business and home on March 29, 2007, seized his medicine and money, and charged Lynch with unlawfully distributing marijuana under federal law. Draconian federal sentencing guidelines dictate a five-year mandatory minimum in Lynch's case.

Complicating Lynch's defense is the fact that he sold to a "minor" (person under 21) by federal definition, thus "enhancing" his sentencing guidelines. The person in question was a teen cancer patient with a legal, valid medical marijuana card, and who used medical pot with the permission and approval of his parents.

After a long legal struggle, during which the defense wasn't permitted to mention the fact that medical marijuana is legal in California, he was convicted on federal charges on Aug. 5, 2008. Both the mayor and city attorney of Morro Bay testified on Lynch's behalf as a law abiding citizen.

President Barack Obama's Department of Justice refused to budge on the case, even though both the President and Attorney General Eric Holder have reaffirmed that the DEA will no longer conduct raids on medical marijuana suppliers in states where it is legal.

In a distressing lack of backbone, Obama's DOJ is maintaining that Lynch's prosecution "falls within the guidelines" of cases they pursue. Never mind that it's complete bollocks -- Lynch has the paperwork to prove he was operating completely legally under California law. If Lynch didn't qualify as "following state law," it's difficult to see who would.

Lynch's lawyers said they would appeal immediately after sentencing.

Who's in charge here?

• California voters? They weighed in 13 years ago, legalizing marijuana for medical use.

• Local police? Local police had a good relationship with Lynch and his dispensary, and often had friendly visits to the location.

• Morro Bay Mayor Janice Peters? Mayor Peters had personally given her business card to all the businesses surrounding CCCC and asked them to call if they ever had an issue relating to the dispensary. She testified that she never received one complaint.

• San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department? Sheriff Pat Hedges is no fan of marijuana, medical or otherwise. The sheriff reportedly watched Lynch, his employees, his patients, and his dispensary for 11 months, trying to catch Charlie doing something -- anything -- outside the law, and was unsuccessful (it was a frustrated Sheriff Hedges who ultimately called in the DEA to arrest Lynch on federal charges).

• State officials? No problem; Lynch was legally licensed.

• California Attorney General Jerry Brown? The AG's office has issued legal "acceptable practice" guidelines for dispensaries, and is not interested in prosecuting Lynch, who followed the rules.

• Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger? The Governator, a former toker himself, has been silent on the issue, refusing to stand up to the Feds for the laws and people of California.

• Federal Judge George H. Wu? Wu, a Bush-appointed judge hearing his very first federal case, sought guidance from the Department of Justice, since federal medical marijuana policy has changed since the case began. But the DOJ continues to insist Lynch was violating both state and federal law -- despite a complete lack of evidence of the former.

That leaves ultimate culpability to President Obama.

At least two dozen more defendants in California are in the same situation as Lynch. Will Obama and AG Holder be content to continue the failed marijuana policies of the Bush administration? If so, how many more law-abiding men like Charlie Lynch must go to prison?

For more information on the Charles Lynch case, visit the Friends of Charlie Lynch at: Friends of CCL

Tags: cannabis, dea, doj, lynch, medical marijuana, obama

In news closer to the home front here in New York...the Medical Marijuana bill is looking good so far. The folks in Albany are giving it more than a 50/50 chance of passing in both the chambers this time around, and the Governor has indicated he would sign the bill if it comes to his desk.

So...anyone out there willing to fund my training as a Medical Marijuana Caregiver? We need $300 to take a course from Cannabis Career Institute (CCI) out of California. Also, would like to find a Pro-Bono attorney to help me set up a Not For Profit corporation for this purpose.

Joel Peacock, shown in 2007, says marijuana would be cheaper and more effective." href="http://media.buffalonews.com/smedia/2009/04/22/07/311-0422peacock_bw.standalone.prod_affiliate.50.jpg" rel=lightbox[group]>

Joel Peacock, shown in 2007, says marijuana would be cheaper and more effective.

file photo

Updated: 04/22/09 07:37 AM

Approval predicted for medical marijuana

State legislators likely to act this session

By Tom Precious

NEWS ALBANY BUREAU

ALBANY — Long-stalled efforts to permit the medicinal use of marijuana in this state appear to have a good chance of passage before lawmakers end their session in June. It would make New York the 15th state to legalize the drug for medical reasons.

Advocates say they believe the Democratic- controlled Senate and Assembly have the votes to pass legislation permitting qualified patients to grow their own marijuana plants, or obtain the drug on the streets or through a state-sanctioned dispensary.Gov. David A. Paterson also is said to be supportive of the legalization.

“It’s looking pretty darn good,” Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried, a Manhattan Democrat and Health Committee chairman, said of the bill’s chance to become law this session.

The lawmaker, who has sponsored the measure for years, renewed a public push Tuesday, using the cases of two New Yorkers who have turned to marijuana to relieve their chronic pain as evidence of the need for the bill.

“I’m looking for all the help we can get to get this passed,” said Joel Peacock, a Buffalo resident and self-described conservative, who turned to the drug in the past to help with severe pain he still feels from a 2001 car accident.

The effort was jump-started by the Obama administration’s decision in February to stop raids on marijuana-dispensing centers in California, where medical marijuana is legal. U. S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. signaled that federal prosecution would cease in states that legalize medical marijuana, even though U. S. law bans the drug’s use.

The Assembly is considered certain to pass the measure. Advocates are working on the Senate Senate, where control switched in January to Democrats from Republicans.

In 2007, the measure had the backing of a half-dozen Republicans. Supporters say they fear as many as four Democrats, including Sen. William T. Stachowski, D-Lake View, might oppose it. That would require GOP help to get it passed in a chamber where Democrats hold a thin, 32-30 majority. Stachowski could not be reached to comment Tuesday.

Paterson’s office said the governor is not taking a stance on the bill, but sources described him as very supportive and said he even offered to introduce his own legislation legalizing medical marijuana.

Proponents say marijuana helps to relieve pain from such diseases as multiple sclerosis and to calm nausea, as well as to aid the appetite of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The measure has the backing of groups representing physicians, nurses and hospices.

The association representing the state’s district attorneys has not taken a formal position on the bill, said Daniel Donovan, the Staten Island district attorney and president of the group.

Speaking for himself and not his organization, Donovan, said a number of other drugs — from methadone to oxycondone — have been legalized to help with such things as relieving pain. “I’m not opposed to the idea. I’m open to the idea of seeing studies — and will trust the medical field,” he said.

The most vocal opposition comes from the state’s small but influential Conservative Party, which helped to kill the 2007 bill in the Republican-led Senate.

“If this passes, this is the beginning of a slippery slope that opens the door to legalize drugs,” said Michael R. Long, the party’s chairman.

Long said patients have plenty of alternatives to marijuana for pain relief. He claimed a lack of controls to prevent marijuana prescribed for a patient from getting into the hands of the patient’s children or from being sold on the streets.

“This is not helpful to our society,” Long said.

But Peacock, the subject of a 2007 profile in The Buffalo News, said his pain medications cost him and his insurer $39,000 a year. Pulling a package of painkillers from his pocket Tuesday — which cost $26 a dose — Peacock said marijuana would be both cheaper and more effective.

Peacock, who is enrolled in the Conservative Party, used marijuana during a construction job in Louisiana several years ago and then in Florida. He does not use it now because it is illegal in this state. “It took the pain away. I was absolutely amazed,” he said Tuesday at a news conference in Albany.

Joe Gamble, a Liverpool resident, a former Army paratrooper and commercial pilot, turns to marijuana now to relieve his pain from multiple sclerosis. He called for “a little compassion.”

“It’s not for everybody, but it certainly does work for me,” he said.

Backers say this is the first time the Assembly and Senate have had the same versions of medical marijuana bills. They note its Senate sponsor — Sen. Thomas K. Duane, a Manhattan Democrat — is chairman of the Health Committee, which has oversight of the matter.

Duane predicted the bill will pass with Democratic and Republican backing, saying: “This is about compassion. This is about medicine. This is not about politics.”

The bill would make marijuana legal for those sanctioned by a physician with a “serious condition,” defined as a “severe debilitating or life-threatening condition or a condition associated with or a complication of such a condition or its treatment, including but not limited to inability to tolerate food, nausea, vomiting, dysphoria or pain.”

It permits the possession of up to 12 marijuana plants or 2z ounces of marijuana. Those approved for the program can grow the plants from seeds purchased in the illicit drug market or through state-approved dispensing centers. The centers also could dispense marijuana.

The bill calls for the state Health Department to play a role in regulating entities that produce and sell marijuana to eligible patients. Patients that violate the terms of the bill would be subject to stricter penalties than someone now caught possessing marijuana.

Those eligible to legally smoke the drug for medical reasons would be given a card good for a year before requiring new approval by a physician or an approved caregiver. Doctors could not prescribe marijuana for themselves.

Patients deciding to grow their own marijuana must keep it in a locked, enclosed area, such as a greenhouse or closet accessible only to the patient or caregiver. Patients could not smoke the drug in a public place, and no caregiver could be responsible for more than five patients approved for medical marijuana.

The bill allows the state to charge dispensers a fee, and the entities could be anything from a pharmacy to a hospital clinic to a registered marijuana producer. It does not require insurers to cover the treatments.

Critics have said wording that lets eligible patients get the drug on the streets will only encourage the illegal drug trade.

A growing number of states, including Minnesota, Illinois and New Jersey, are considering medical marijuana laws, especially after the Obama administration’s policy change on the issue. In November, voters approved the drug’s use in Michigan and Massachusetts.

tprecious@buffnews.com

From North Dakato State University...these folks need $100K (one hundred thousand) to grow two arces of experimental Hemp...most of the cost is a direct result of the DEA absolutely INSANE security measures around the two acre plot.

NDSU still looking for funds for industrial hemp research site

By SUE ROESLER, Farm & Ranch Guide
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3:04 PM CDT

Time is running out on North Dakota State University having time to plant and develop industrial hemp varieties this spring, but the university continues to work toward that goal.

D.C. Coston, vice-president for Agriculture and University Extension at NDSU, said they haven't found the funding yet to start a research plot.

“We're searching for a sponsor to get the structure built,” Coston said last week. “I don't know if we'll be able to find funding sources in time to get it up this spring.”

He estimates it would cost from $80,000 to $90,000 to put in a couple of acres of field plots surrounded by the type of security the Drug Enforcement Administration requires.

Some of those requirements include a high fence with barbed wire on top, and electronic monitoring equipment so that no one could gain entry without being detected.

“We need a large enough structure with at least 2 acres of actual planting area to do that kind of research,” Coston said.

The DEA notified NDSU in November 2007 it could begin research after a judge hearing oral arguments in an industrial hemp lawsuit brought my two North Dakota producers admonished the DEA for not acting on NDSU's request.

NDSU had sent the DEA an application in September 1999, after the North Dakota Legislature ordered NDSU to begin industrial hemp seed cultivation.

According to court documents, the DEA continued over the years to ask questions of Burton Johnson, NDSU associate professor of sunflower, minor, and new crop production, requesting such things as specifics on the security designs.

But Johnson never received any DEA approval after answering questions and submitting designs.

In 2003, NDSU submitted a request to the North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC) for fencing and security system funding and it was approved.

Court documents say DEA instructed Johnson to spend the funding, construct the fence and put the security measures in place. The DEA wanted to come out after all the security devices were in place to inspect it, but the agency refused to give NDSU the assurance that they would then allow the research.

The facility was never built, and the funds stayed with APUC for other projects.

Coston is now looking for research funding sources, and APUC may be among them.

But after a long winter and snow and water still standing in NDSU fields this April, it is doubtful there will be time to get the structure built and inspected in time for planting season.

Coston said when research begins, there will be several places he could obtain plant material from to begin breeding.

“I'm sure Manitoba will be one of those,” he said. “You would think if industrial hemp can grow well in Manitoba, it will grow well here.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress began action on a federal industrial hemp bill last week.

According to VoteHemp, an organization that promotes hemp production, a bill was introduced in the House on April 2 that would remove restrictions on industrial hemp cultivation.

HR 1866, “The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2009” was introduced by U.S. Reps. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Ron Paul, R-Texas, along with nine other Republicans and Democrats.

“It is unfortunate that the federal government has stood in the way of American farmers, including many who are struggling to make ends meet, from competing in the global industrial hemp market,” said Paul. “Indeed, the founders of our nation, some of whom grew hemp, would surely find that federal restrictions on farmers growing a safe and profitable crop on their own land are inconsistent with the constitutional guarantee of a limited, restrained federal government.”

Eric Steenstra, VoteHemp president, said he hopes under a new administration, the DEA will “prioritize hemp's benefits to farmers.”

He said in this economic downturn, jobs could be “created overnight,” because now several companies import hemp raw materials to make products that are “worth many millions of dollars per year.”

At the same time, North Dakota State Rep. David Monson, Osnabrock, and Wayne Hauge, Ray, N.D., are awaiting a decision from their appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

They appealed dismissal of their 2007 lawsuit in November 2008, and are waiting for a decision sometime this year.

According to Adam Eidinger, of VoteHemp, they based their appeal on the assertion there was no possibility the hemp crop could be diverted into the market for drugs because it will be grown and the seed extracted right on the farm.

In addition, the North Dakota producers asserted that the Commerce Clause does not allow DEA to regulate industrial hemp farming in North Dakota.

According to court documents, the DEA again attempted to assert that the appeals court should not hear the case.

The appeals court disagreed.

The court again admonished the DEA for not acting on the North Dakota producers' application, just as a former court in Bismarck, N.D., did in 2007.

VoteHemp said the question before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals is “whether or not federal authorities can prosecute state-licensed farmers who grow non-drug oilseed and fiber hemp pursuant to North Dakota state law.”

“If (the appeal) is successful, states across the nation will be free to implement their own hemp farming laws without fear of federal interference,” Eidinger said.

Cannabis Career Institute

2009-04-22T21:33:00.000-07:00

OK folks, watch the You Tube video, as I am very serious here...how many of you would be willinig to sign up for training aimed at having a career in the budding Medical Marijuana Industry? (cost will be around $300) As we all know, California is the leader here in America in paving the way forward with the full legalization and distribution of Medical Marijuana, and they continue that trend with the Cannabis Career Institute. The institute is talking about bringing thier curriculum to other Major Cities, and I thought I would start posting their video in our 50 state blogs to gauge interest. Starting here in New York, and would like to find 25 or more people in each of the cities, Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany and New York City interested in this valuable training as I believe that number of participants would make it worthwhile to bring these seminars into a city. Please email me with your interest, and the city that you would want to attend classes in. With a Medical Marijuana law introduced April 21st, this is a good time TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.

Here are some of the other benefits of attending the Cannabis Career Institute:

Train to be a state approved caregiver, grow the best medicinal marijuana for your patients, learn how to grow Aeroponics, Hydroponics and Organic marijuana.
Find out how to form a Collective and a non-profit corporation so you can legally distribute medical marijuana to patients.
Learn from highly skilled instructors how to make state compliant edibles such as cookies and cakes, Concentrates like hash, kief, oils and waxes and also Tinctures like ointments and derivatives.
You will hear about all the laws and legal issues from attorneys who specialize in medical marijuana law, ask them any questions you may have.
Interact with people in your field and make new contacts.
And a lot more...

My Thoughts Go Out To Medical Marijuana Martyr Charlie Lynch This Evening

2009-04-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

Sitting here this evening in a very blue mood as I ponder the fate of Charlie Lynch, wonder what he is doing with what might be his last night of freedom for the rest of his life. I am angry at a government and a court system that could even think of putting this man behind bars for his *supposed* crime. I am angry at a apathetic public that has allowed this drug war to go unimpeded now for over seventy years as 20 million of our citizens have been convicted of Marijuana related criminal charges. I am upset that Governor Arnold is letting this happen in a state that has declared Medical Marijuana Legal. My greatest wraith is reserved for the 90 Million Americans who have smoked pot including President Obama, President Bill Clinton, President George Bush, and every current cannabis smoker who is not doing anything to see this man set free...hello 420 Community, we have 25 Million pot smokers in America, and there is hardly a whisper about what is being done to Charlie Lynch. How hard would it be for each of you to write a PERSONAL LETTER TO, and MAIL President Obama demanding a full pardon for Charlie Lynch and every other Medical Marijuana storefront owner and caregiver currently facing DEA charges related to activities that are legal within the confines of state law.

If Charlie Lynch is out there this evening and reading this...if you are sentenced to prison and need a pen pal, I will gladly volunteer for the job. If you want the story of your life behind bars shared with the world, I'll start a blog and see that your story finds its way into the light of day. You sir are a brave and noble man, and I admire your bravery in this dark hour as you count down the minutes until tomorrow at 3:00Pm when Judge Wu hands down your sentence. Not sure that I could muster up the courage necessary to face what you have so far endured, and what you are about to endure.

Judge Wu...you have a duty to hand down justice...what justice is served in sending this man to prison? What justice was there in keeping him from mounting a adequate defense. Simply stated, I do not respect you, I have no problems here and now labeling you, the entire United States Department of Justice, and every law enforcement agent at the DEA scum...there is something terribly wrong with our Justice system, something terribly wrong with our law enforcement when men like Charlie Lynch are looking at life in prison, yet officers of the law look the other way when illegal aliens and those that hire them snub their noses at the so called "Rule of Law" in America.

Police officers want to know why we no longer respect them...just look at this case, look at the hundreds more just like it, look at the INNOCENT PEOPLE you so callously throw into a rat infested prison in the name of a War on Drugs, in the name of good relations with Mexico...FUCK YOU SIR. You want a clue...with every case like this, America's respect for law enforcement takes another hit, our willingness to be there for you lessens...do members of law enforcement really 25 percent of America's population HATING THEIR FUCKING GUTS, shrugging in a, "who gives a rats ass" manner when one of them is shot? That is where these kinds of wrongful prosecutions are taking us. At this point, at the age of 53 I would not walk out on my front porch to help out a police officer in desparate need...why should I?

To those much closer to ground zero...please take the time to be there for Charlie Lynch tomorrow afternoon. Give him the honor and dignity of knowing he is supported and loved for his ultimate sacrifice in this battle. Make sure that Judge Wu hears your voices...

God's speed Charlie, and my prayers are with you.

Earth Day Thoughts

2009-04-22T11:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day everyone...trying to be up, jovial and pleased that on this ONE DAY OF THE YEAR people are acting like they care about Mother Earth and the Environment. Sadly, people do not care enough to actually make SIGNIFICANT life changes to save our planet. Here is a little factoid folks...at our current rate of population growth and consumption of goods, by the year 2050 we will need two planets earths to meet our consumption and use of Natural Resources.

Yet does anyone want to talk about world wide population control? Anyone want to talk about learning to live without massive quantities of material goods and services? By the way...we recently found a planet that MIGHT support human life. A) Why are we looking unless government knows something they are not sharing, and B) That planet is 20 light years away, so if you are counting on that to help us by 2050, FORGET ABOUT IT. We need Negative birth growth until we reach a world wide maintainable population of around 2.4 Billion.

Sorry, no latest and greatest cell phone, no TV for every kid in the family, and no you do not need to live in a 6800 square foot house (not counting the finished basement). Ladies...find a new hobby besides SHOPPING as it is not good for the environment. How many of you today on this Earth Day still had your Starbucks, or ate lunch at a fast food place? How many of you drove three blocks to get a few things from the grocery store, or to pick up a pack of cigarettes...CAN WE SAY WALK? How about banning cell phones, or limiting it to ONE PER FAMILY. Same with cars, televisions and family pets. One dog, or one cat, you do not get to have one of each. Here's a clue...think Globally, but BUY LOCALLY...shipping crap in from China contaminates the world environment, is not good for Global Warming.

Since this is a Cannabis/Medical Marijuana blog, curious here how many of you are fine with the Government war on Marijuana? Have you bothered to look at the ENVIRONMENTAL benefits of Hemp? Did you know that Hemcrete is stronger than Concrete? Did you know that Bath University has found a composite material made from Hemp and lime that has a negative (less than zero) carbon footprint...that's right, Hemp Siding is good for the environment. Did you know that Hemp can be used for bio fuel. is great for various textiles and plastics, and can help in cooling the planet. Hemp paper saves trees...trees and their canopy cover are Mother Natures world air conditioning system. But you are fine with Mother Nature's miracle plant being outlawed here in America, accept government propaganda without question...and you call yourself GREEN?

This Earth Day, if you want to really do something wonderful for the planet, how about taking a reality pill, how about realizing that Mother Earth is in crisis...buying your child cookies with Green icing does not count as a EARTH DAY ACTIVITY, try doing something REAL for a change, like changing your entire lifestyle to one that is EARTH FRIENDLY. One other thing...Michele Obama, you are a hypocrite and a liar....your White House garden has cost us taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars, and is not an ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY GARDEN. You calling your garden green is like Al Gore justifying his obscene energy use by saying, "but I buy carbon offsets"...fuck you Al Gore, you are an inconvenient truth, a perfect example of the over consumption that is killing this planet.

Next time you reach for that latest toy, or want to buy that fourth computer when there are only three people living in the house, ask yourself, "Do I really need that, or would the Earth be better off if I did without."

Is Legalized Medical Marijuana Coming To New York, and Will DEA STAY THE FUCK OUT?

2009-04-21T18:17:00.000-07:00

On the unofficial Cannabis day of 4/20 the final negotiations put the polish on a Medical Marijuana Bill that was introduced today in the New York State legislature. Have not seen the bill, but its my understanding that patients could grow up to twelve plants, and be in possession of 2.5 ounces of dried Medical Marijuana. Growers would have to keep the plants in a fenced in locked area...wondering here if the state would/will consider licensing Medical Marijuana growers?

Some people just cannot grow things, have a proverbial black thumb when it comes to plants of any kind. A qualified, licensed grower and dispensaries make a LOT OF SENSE from my perspective. But then, I also think that legalization and taxation of Cannabis makes sense, as does the decriminalization of Hemp for industrial purposes. From the business end of everything, I am annoucing right now that I would like to work with people from California in getting the JUMP in opening up the first Medical Marijuana CARE CENTERS here in the state of New York...please contact me if you are interested in developing something.

In the article, it is pointed out that State Senator George Maziarz opposed the bill. He needs a wake up call on Medical Marijuana...either VOTE to allow patients this valuable medication, or WE WILL DO ANYTHING IN OUR POWER TO SEE YOU DEFEATED when you run for re-election. Yes, I am suggesting WE TARGET every Senator that OPPOSES Medical Marijuana...if you want to call that a witch hunt, I am fine with that...after all, President Bush had a Pro-Life litmus test for his Supreme Court Picks.

The most worrisome thing about this development...will the DEA respect our state rights, our right to self determination when it comes to Medical Marijuana? If not, should the DEA be kept out through the use of CITIZEN MILITIA? When you consider Charlie Lynch's situation, the situation of hundreds of other law abiding citizens in California, it is a serious question. The DEA, Eric Holder and our President seem bent on IGNORING States Rights in their wrongful WAR ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA, so maybe the only way to protect dispensaries from DEA harrassment is with the use of STATE SANCTIONED citizen militia.

Many private groups have created their own organized citizen militias. In the United States, some people think of these groups as extremist anti-government organizations, but some of them actually work extensively with their local governments and their activities are supported by the states in which they work. For a government, a well organized citizen militia is a useful tool, since it an be used to provide a pool of trained and dedicated individuals in the event of need.

Joel Peacock heads to Albany, years after a bad car accident. It left him in so much pain that when he was on a trip for work, and ran out of his prescription, he tried marijuana, to battle his discomfort.

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"I think anyone who is in chronic pain, who has terminal problems, could benefit greatly from this," said Peacock.

He is going to Albany to advocate for medical marijuana, on the day when several lawmakers introduce a bill to legalize growing and using medical marijuana under certain circumstances. Some medical professionals maintain it is an effective treatment for pain and nausea, and is used by some cancer patients. Other medical professionals seeing it differently, saying there are other medications that can achieve the same results. Ellie Martinez, the campus director at the Renaissance campus, a treatment campus for chemically dependent teenagers, thinks legalizing medical marijuana is a bad idea.

"If you have people who are going to be growing it for medical purposes, how are we going to enforce or monitor that they are in fact growing it for themselves and not the whole neighborhood," said Martinez.

The bill calls for plants to be in a fenced in area with a security device, available only to the caregiver or patient. But there are still many questions about this bill and enforcement. Legislation in favor of legalizing medical marijuana has passed in the assembly in the past, but not the senate. Joel Peacock hoping it is a different story this time around.

"It could lower health care costs. As I said earlier my prescription drugs are 32 thousand dollars a year. That is more money that some people make, just to keep me functioning," added Peacock.

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt is a multi-sponsor of the bill. State Senator George Maziarz, who is against it, does not know if it has the votes to pass in the senate. Governor Paterson's office released this statement toady, which said, "If the bill successfully passes both houses and reaches the Governor's desk, the administration will seek input from interested parties before the Governor acts."

See Also:

It may be 4/21, but two state lawmakers are introducing legislation to legalize medical marijuana. Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) and State Senator Thomas Duane (D-Manhattan) were to introduce a bill today. Gottfried, who previously sponsored a similar bill that passed in the Assembly but was stalled (of course) in the Senate, said, "I think we've got by far the best chance we've ever had." The Daily News has some details: "Under the bill, people suffering from specific diseases such as cancer or HIV-related ills could obtain a certification from their doctor that would allow them to possess up to 2-1/2 ounces of marijuana and up to 12 plants." Governor Paterson's spokesman said, "if the bill successfully passes both houses and reaches the governor's desk, the administration will seek input from interested parties before the governor acts." Ganja Grannies and Gramps are crossing their fingers.

At 53, Tired of Living In Shadows

2009-04-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

Just posted the below article in my National blog...by the way, we are still looking for Budding Bloggers if any of you Hempsters are wanting to volunteer to write on a state or a city level, please email me. Perhaps the whole border/drug war thing with Mexico is refocusing certain things for me, but am I the only one that finds it odd that President Obama calls for compassion when it comes to Illegal Aliens, says it is time for them to be allowe to come out from the shadows, but he has no similiar feelings of compassion for 25 million American Citizens who are forced to live in the shadows, forced to hide the fact they occassionly enjoy smoking a bit of bud?

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

4/20 Day After Reflections

First thing I found interesting about 4/20 was the almost exclusive blackout of NEWS COVERAGE of the day and events. When you think about it, think about how much marijuana and the drug war have been in the news lately, and all of a sudden yesterday, there was NOTHING about 4/20 day. You hate to say planned media black out, but it does seems as if that was the case. I will qualify that by admitting I do not watch local news. To all my fellow smokers, those who do it recreationally, and those that do it for medical reasons...how can we ever win this fight, get Cannabis legalized when so much APATHY exists? Illegal Aliens are on the brink of getting AMNESTY because they MARCHED. Gays are starting to get their civil rights, Gay Marriage almost a reality...can we say Gay Pride Day parades? Equal Rights would NOT HAVE HAPPENED without MARCHES AND PROTESTS. Ending the Vietnam War...same thing, protests and marches. Peaceful protests, exercising our civil rights and having large enough events that the MEDIA HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO COVER THEM is what we need.

Was fun being on Twitter with other smokers...made the day less isolating, as I do not live in a community where I can walk down the street to my friend's house and get my BUZZ on. At 53, I am tired of having TO HIDE who I am, tried of having to hide the fact that I smoke from my neighbor's and many of our friends, and tired of having to feel ashamed because I like to get high every once in awhile. It is funny, but how can President Obama talk about illegal aliens being given Amnesty, being allowed to come out from the shadows, but he is fine with making 25 million pot smokers live in the shadows. Why should be have to feel like criminals, why should we have too hide our behaviors...seriously, how many of you have your little STASH hiding place at home, freak out now and again when you forget to put STUFF AWAY and suddenly a neighbor stops by and you are rushing to stuff your pipe in the coffee table drawer?

I am working on a BIG painting job here in my house, so need to finish this article up, swig down my last gulp of coffee and get to work. Hope every one has a nice 420 day, and hope everyone does something in the coming year to move us close to the day when we can come out of the shadows.

420 Community CALL TO ACTION

2009-04-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

Monday, April 20, 2009

Obama White House, Eric Holder's Department of Justice Targeting a Holocaust Against Medical Marijuana Caregivers, Growers, Suppliers and Users.

The Department of justice has made it official that they intend on cracking down on anyone involved in the Medical Marijuana industry, regardless of the states laws on Medical Marijuana.

Needless to say, this is seriously bad news...question is, can the Medical Marijuana Movement do anything if we continue to sit on our hands...letter writing is NOT WORKING, while media coverage WILL WORK. We wrote letters, contacted our elected officials, prayed, and that DID NOT END THE VIETNAM WAR...taking to the streets, being in the NEWS EVERY FREAKING NIGHT ended that war. It will take that same effort to end the wrongful WAR ON DRUGS, and the sooner we come to this realization, the better off we will all be.

We have 25 million cannabis smokers across America...it is my belief, my contention that we are not going to get any POSITIVE forward movement on Medical Marijuana or on cannabis legalization any time soon unless we organize and MARCH, and I am talking in LARGE NUMBERS. You put half a million people on the streets in say five major cities...New York, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago would work...and you will see movement and action. You have smaller groups of us picking up our protest signs and taking to the streets, and we will get action. You call a million person Woodstock like SMOKE IN down on Washington, DC, and YOU WILL PUSH THE ISSUE.

How many more people need sent to prison before we all wake up to the reality that drastic actions are required here? The war on drugs has lasted SEVENTY YEARS because WE HAVE ALLOWED IT TO LAST. If states have voted to have LEGAL Medical Marijuana, then they have a duty to PROTECT those citizens in their states that did everything by the books according to state law, and that includes using local, state police, and if necessary the State National Guard to evict the DEA from their cities, to chain shut Federal Court Houses. Arnold has the ability in California to DRAW THE LINE IN THE SAND, but he does not have the balls to do it. That leaves it up to the 420 Community to demand real change, to MARCH FOR OUR CIVIL RIGHTS.

Showing up for sentencing on the 23rd of Charles Lynch...that is all nice and well, but it is NOT GOING TO DO ANY GOOD, he is still going to be handcuffed, dragged up to prison for up to ONE HUNDRED YEARS...chain shut the court house, encircle it in PEACEFUL PROTEST with so many people that the courthouse has no choice but to SHUT DOWN, that will get attention on this issue, give these victims of the goosestepping agents of the DEA a fighting chance for justice. Face it people...in WAR YOU FIGHT, OR YOU LOSE.

Obama is not scaling back the war on drugs, HE IS TURNING UP THE HEAT, the DEA and Eric Holder's Department of Justice are looking for the easy to pluck low hanging fruit, and that low hanging fruit makes every Medical Marijuana user, grower, supplier and caregiver A TARGET in all 13 states that have laws allowing Medical Marijuana use. Charles, Tom Kikuchi, Stephanie Landa, Dustin Costa...how many more of your friends, your compatriots are going to be scooped up by the BLACK HAND of the DEA before you realize this is a HOLOCAUST aimed at and against ten percent of Americans Citizens?

We have how many Pot Smokers on TWITTER? Where are my Budding Bloggers, at least one in every state so that we can network and have INSTANT communications to get stories out? Where is every smoker on Twitter joining up and participating in the Medical Marijuana Society Network? We need to GET SERIOUS PEOPLE, and I hope this Blog Message is the start of a NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION.

Sign up, volunteer, get involved...we need ACTIVIST, and being an ACTIVISTS MEANS DOING SOMETHING BESIDES LIGHTING UP A BLUNT.

Places You Can PLUG IN TOO...we can build the tools, but if 420 Folk do not join and use them, what good are they?

Medical Marijuana Society
Medical Marijuana Society Network
Medical Marijuana Message Board
Budding Bloggers
NORML
ASA (Americans for Safe Access)

Track Marijuana News...follow us on Twitter!

Sigh Our Petition

Link to this message, cut and paste it to your blogs!

Before you say you are too busy to get involved...what if you are next on the DEA's list as they TARGET OUR COMMUNITY? Short on time...then GIVE MONEY, as it takes money to organize and advertise! Think about it...if every Pot Smoker in America DONATED TEN DOLLARS A MONTH TO THE CAUSE, we would have $250 Million EACH MONTH to wage war against our oppressors...that buys a lot of advertising, hires a lot of lobbyists, and could FUND OUR MARCHES! Yes, I am ANGRY...this war has lasted seventy years, and it is time WE END IT.

President Obama, Eric Holder Sell Out Medical Marijuana Distributor Charles Lynch In California, HAVE LIED TO AMERICA

2009-04-17T18:26:00.000-07:00

On April 11th I asked people in the Bloggosphere and on Twitter to write letters of support for Charles Lynch, a Medical Marijuana Shop owner who has wrongfully been STALKED by the DEA, even though he was in full compliance WITH ALL CALIFORNIA LAWS. It was the hope of many within the Medical Marijuana community that the Obama Administration's public statement on Medical Marijuana would see victims of criminal persecution by the DEA would see their cases dismissed. In a letter just released, the DOJ basically tells subordinates that Eric Holder is fine seeing this man hung up by his balls as an example to every other Medical Marijuana Care facility in America...the 13 states that have LEGALIZED Medical Marijuana are encouraged to take a stand, encouraged to ORDER DEA out of your states even if it requires ordering out your State Highway Patrol and State National Guard troops to accomplish the eviction, order all Federal Courts chained shut until such time as this important State's Rights issue is resolved in favor of the states. (DEA Propaganda...you people are cocksuckers, plain and simple.) (Judge for yourselves...newspaper article.)

In this breaking news just out we have learned that President Barack Obama, Eric Holder and the entire United States Department of Justice are back stabbing two faced, snake tongued sleaze bags who are promising to leave states who have made Medical Marijuana legal alone, while in reality turning up the heat and attempting to visit a Holocaust upon the Medical Marijuana Caregivers in the hopes of killing this budding industry,leaving millions of patients suffering in the wake of this Federal Persecution of Business people and Medical Marijuana Caregivers who have gone to GREAT EXTREMES to operate within the FULL EXTENT of their local and state laws, including paying their taxes.

For the 420 Community, this is a Ruby Ridge level crisis...Charles Lynch, a law abiding citizen of the state of California (which has legalized Medical Marijuana) and hundreds of other citizens just like him are facing up too 100 years in Prison because of an unfair and unjust DEA Witch hunt. If there was ever a time where citizens should exercise their First Amendment Rights, that time is April 29th in the Courtroom of Judge Wu, on the steps of his Federal Courthouse, and in the front of EVERY DEA OFFICE IN CALIFORNIA...take your digital cameras, and get photographs, put the faces of the DEA agents online, identify them, know them, keep them OUT OF YOUR SHOPS, OUT OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS. Once you identify them, protest in front of their homes until this DEA, Department of Justice sanctified WITCH HUNT IS PERMANENTLY STOPPED through the full nationwide legalisation of Medical Marijuana.

Seeking 420 Community Advice on Forward Direction

2009-04-17T16:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Twitter, had a very interesting Email exchange with a major player in the movement to Legalize Medical Marijuana. Got some really great technical advice on tracking my posts, measuring the success of my message which I am looking forward to implementing as I learn these new found tricks of the trade. (Will start my homework later this evening.) Also received were suggestions on Medical Marijuana Society and the presentation of the site. The advice suggests I need too get rid of some of the Joe Toker, social marijuana smoker feel and information on my site, and instead zoom in on and specifically address ONLY MEDICAL MARIJUANA if I expect the major players (such as NORML and ASA) to take me seriously. (420 Hemp Energy Drink)

Not discounting the advice, though will admit to being a bit saddened by it. It would be my hope that the casual smokers, the Cannabis DUDES and DUDETTES, 420 hempsters if you will and the more serious folks who are concerned only about, or primarily with Legalization of Medical Marijuana all realize working for one goal helps accomplish the other, and to reach our long range hopes and targets, we must work together, two halves of a whole? Am I wrong in that assumption?

Part of the reason for my own little Medical Marijuana Society, for the Budding Blogger Network was to create a means to A) activate the grassroots, and make them feel more hands on actively involved in the movement for legalization, and B) create a active, vibrant ground force of Cannabis Activists capable of not just pushing news stories out onto the world wide web, but by joining them into a group being capable of making the news, shaping local, state and federal politics with our ability to be on top of a story, having the capabilities to push a story or Cannabis Political news into being mainstream news on the nightly Network and Cable channels.

Obama laughed off the feat that our Cannabis Community accomplished when we laid siege to the White House web site, and pushed the Legalization of Marijuana question to the top of the boards. Publicly, he and FOX News might have laughed that feat off, attempted to label us as Internet Trolls, but secretly behind closed doors they are both impressed, and more than a little scared that the Cannabis Community is finding its collective voice...or at least I like to think we are finding our collective voice. This event in some ways drove my decision to launch a group of Cannabis Blogs all linked together, thus the Budding Bloggers Network.

With today's advice, find myself hesitating, trying to gather my thoughts before moving forward...it is as if I have come to a fork in the road much sooner than I had imagined was possible. Can I blend together some of the fun that is the Social Smokers reality, incorporate some of their approaches to Legalization with the much more conservative Medical Marijuana agenda and its very conservative approach and create a Medical Marijuana Society that sees Legalization of Medical Marijuana as one of the train stops along the way, but not the ultimate destination, and in doing so marry together the two camps? Is it possible to find 500 or even 1000 Budding Bloggers to join up and Blog for Legalization as part of a TEAM? Would love to see a discussion on this, as I could really use some direction this evening.

One voice crying in the wilderness will not be heard, but if all those singular voices join together in song, we can move moountains.

Just a Couple of Friday Hemp Factoids

2009-04-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

The Cannabis Community is all abuzz as we approach April 20th (4/20) and the various and assorted planned activities around that day. Myself...I am leery as I watch the American News media beating a rather ugly sounding anti Marijuana Drum since Barack Obama took office...I see it as a "Custer's Last Stand" on the part of the DEA who does not want to lose what has been a very profitable enforcement run for them...as example, legalization of Medical Marijuana would see enforcement issues and inspection handed over to the FDA, and Industrialized Hemp oversight would probably go to the USDA. The just say no message is being tweaked and amped up, and we have some heavy hitters (Hillary Clinton, Janet Napolitano, Eric Holder) in the Obama administration blaming the Mexican Drug War on American Pot Smokers.

Some Factoids (Hemptoids)

1. At least 2/3's of American Marijuana Consumption (both legal and illegal) is grown right here in America, and we could easily grow 100 percent of our consumption if Cannabis and Hemp were legalized.

2. The Drug Cartel's and their war is not really about Marijuana, but instead is about Heroin and Cocaine and the routes needed to get their products into America.

On 420, have fun, CELEBRATE OUR DAY, but I would ask each and every one of my fellow Budsters out there in 420 land to remember the goal of Legalization, and consider signing up to do some volunteer work for the cause. We need state and city bloggers ourselves. ASA (Americans for Safe Access) and NORML probably have lots of volunteer work waiting for a set of hands that wants to pitch in.

We cannot realize our dream without every Cannabis Friendly American doing their part for the cause, and while we are on the subject, lets not forget that our friends in Canada are dealing with many of the same issues and harrassments we ourselves face.

Tags: 420, cannabis, dea, friendly, hemp, legalization, marijuana, medical, obama,

Hemptoids-small, sometimes rarely known facts about Hemp and Cannabis.

Our Federal Government Should Use Sound Science In Putting Forth Public Policy and Information on Medical Marijuana

2009-04-15T18:33:00.000-07:00

But what happens when they do not? What and where is the accountability when politics is allowed to extinguish the flame of truth, when propaganda rather than sound science is allowed to rule the day, dictate policy and shape public perception? Propaganda is a strong word, and therefore one I wish to define...from my perspective, for the purpose of this article, Propaganda is selectively omitting or employing facts to persuade members of the general public to hold a specific view point. All this may not make sense if you are unaware of ASA's (Americans for Safe Access) court case in the Ninth Circuit Court that was heard yesterday. At question...the Federal Government's wrongful position in public discourse that there are no Medical Benefits to be found in Cannabis (marijuana).

In the immediate case, the ASA's challenge of Marijuana being called a Class 1 drug (which means it has no medical value) is relying upon a little known law (Data Quality Act (DQA)) that requires governmental agencies to rely upon Sound Science in effecting/shaping the governments public views/statements on any given topic. You would think this case is a closed book...we all know (even those who oppose legalization) that there is Medical Value to Marijuana. Here's the catch...it is the contention of our government (Eric Holder, Department of Justice, and most specifically, the DEA) that this law does not give citizens the right to CHALLENGE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION they believe to be inaccurate, based on faulty or unreliable data, or simply false as in the case of the DEA routinely putting out Public Service Announcements wrongfully portraying Marijuana as a drug with no social medical value to it.

The ASA's immediate lawsuit does not seek to change law, nor does it challenge the legal classification of Marijuana. What it seeks, is correction of false or misleading information that effects their clients who include seriously ill persons who have been dissuaded and/or discouraged from using Medical Marijuana by the US Department of Health and Human Services long held position that Marijuana/Cannabis the drug has no Medical Value. Interestingly, Health and Human Services declined to respond to the suit under the guise that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) was/is still considering the advocacy group's (ASA) 2002 request to reconsider the status of Marijuana...if the DEA has not been capable of making a decision on a simple request in seven years, they (for political reasons) are not going to make a decision on the request. Further, there is supposed to be a certain autonomy within the various agencies of the Federal Government. A request pending with one Agency should not necessarily negate the duties and responsibilities of another agency to put forth to the public honest, sound medical information that is based upon sound science. More importantly, a request seeking to have the status/classification of a drug changed is UNRELATED to a formal request made to an agency to correct false or incorrect information.

Further, does President Obama's Executive Memo on Scientific Integrity now require the Department of Health and Human Services to correct false material facts about the Medical uses of Marijuana, and if so should ASA be allowed to move for Summary Judgement in the immediate case?

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of
the Press Secretary
_________________________________________
For
Immediate Release March 9, 2009

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND
AGENCIES

SUBJECT: Scientific Integrity

Science and the scientific process must inform and guide decisions of my Administration on a wide range of issues, including improvement of public health, protection of the environment, increased efficiency in the use of energy and other resources, mitigation of the threat of climate change (Think Hemp Biofuels and Composite Hemp building materials such as Hemcrete), and protection of national security.

The public must be able to trust the science and scientific process informing public policy decisions. Political officials should not suppress or alter scientific or technological findings and conclusions. If scientific and technological information is developed and used by the Federal Government, it should ordinarily be made available to the public. To the extent permitted by law, there should be transparency in the preparation, identification, and use of scientific and technological information in policymaking. The selection of scientists and technology professionals for positions in the executive branch should be based on their scientific and technological knowledge, credentials, experience, and integrity.

A Justice Department lawyer on Tuesday put forth the position that the law relied upon in the case does not allow citizens to seek correction of government misinformation through the judicial process, but instead lays down a perception that administrative remedies were the intended means of seeking redress and correction of misleading or fraudulent information put out by an agency of our Federal Government. It is the position of Alisa Klein, and by PROXY President Barack Obama that the Information Policy Act passed in 2000 requires only that a Federal Agency review such requests from the public. That is not exactly true...if you look at the act, it spells out certain duties and responsibilities:

(B) establish administrative mechanisms allowing affected persons to seek and obtain correction of information maintained and disseminated by the agency that does not comply with the guidelines issued under subsection (a); and

(i) the number and nature of complaints received by the agency regarding the accuracy of information disseminated by the agency; and

(ii) how such complaints were handled by the agency. (Simply reviewing and dismissing them is inadequate.)

The language as written shows it was and is the intent of the law/statute to give citizens a means to have incorrect information CORRECTED...in essence, without specifically stating so, it envisions citizens being able to SEEK AND OBTAIN correction of information by whatever steps necessary, and if citizens are unsuccessful in getting an agency to voluntarily correct misinformation, then they are or should be free to take whatever steps necessary to obtain correction, including Legal Action. If you look at the Department of Health and Human Services actions, their own decision to SIMPLY IGNORE a request to have information corrected, the affected clients that ASA represents were left with no recourse but to take further legal action in preserving their rights as outlined in the words, "allowing affected persons to seek and obtain correction of information" memorialized above. If President Barack Obama were an honorable man, he could easily resolve this issue, make the legal case mute by ordering the Department of Health and Human Services to correct the information. He so far has not done so, leaving no choice but to assume he is a dishonorable man.

The case, from my perspective turns on this...The DOJ wrongfully claims their client's duties and responsibility under the law in question end with a REVIEW OF SUCH REQUESTS (emphasis added), while the above passage makes it abundantly clear that our Congress expected Agencies to take whatever steps were necessary in correcting incorrect information.

The attorney, Alan Morrison, for ASA rightfully argued that the governments contention would defacto make the law meaningless, a red herring with no teeth...I would argue the teeth are clearly there, would state it is the intention of Congress and the law to allow citizens LEGAL RECOURSE if necessary in having false or inaccurate information corrected. It is noted here, that the Department of Health and Human Services did not conduct a review of the information in question, nor make any effort to correct any misleading, inaccurate or untruthful information, thus putting them in violation of the law/statute.

President Obama in his memo spells out certain duties and responsibilities for Federal Agencies, and has gone further in public statements in defining his expectations as America's Chief Executive Officer.

We expect the National Institutes of Health to keep America at the forefront of medical research, and work toward a cure for cancer in our time. And for as long as I am President, these agencies will be led by exceptional individuals who stand on the side of the American people; who push politics aside in favor of proven science; who eschew stale ideology for sound ideas and a focus on what works.

This and other comments by the President have supposedly changed the playing field, seem to put a duty and responsibility on Federal Agencies to come clean, to bring forth and shed light on truth, even when it comes to Medical Marijuana. In this world, at this important time in history, the lies about Marijuana and Industrial Hemp cannot stand. We need to pull back the curtain, need to put Medical Marijuana on the table as we seek to cure cancer, need to look at what Hemp has to offer in solving Global Warming and in creating a sustainable world. The President has called his agencies to action, dictated that they restore public faith by being forthright and honest in their public discourse, in the information they put out to the masses. The Data Quality Act provides a valuable took in seeking out truth, for only with truth can we have Justice and Liberty for all.

Win or lose in the Ninth Circuit Court, one thing is certain...the law requires, in fact MANDATES that false information be corrected. Let us hope that the case in question is reinstated, but if it is not, the Medical Marijuana Community (420) needs to drown various agencies of the Federal Government in citizen requests until such time as this wrong is righted. 25-50 million Americans smoke marijuana at least once a month. If each and every one of us wrote a letter demanding correction of false statements, we have the power to bring the entire Federal Government to a grinding halt until they CORRECT THE RECORD. We talk about a revolution...here is the truth...with our pens, we can START THE REVOLUTION. Even one million certified letters a month coming into Federal Agencies WOULD CRIPPLE THEM!

Example of Government Propaganda That Should Come Back To Haunt Our Government...Border Patrol Fights Mexican Marijuana Infestation

2009-04-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

Just in from our Medical Marijuana Society Network site (yes, we are slowing expanding) an interesting little blog entry...imagine a Propaganda Comic from the 1930's, its cover capturing todays Border Patrol battle against the demon drug Marijuana.

Demon Weed and Our Border Patrol

A big issue in the news right now is Mexico, and the drug war heating up along our Southern Border with Mexico. If you listen to Janet Napolitano, Eric Holder and even President Barack Obama, it's our fault as weed smoking demon spawn addicted to the evil Death Smoke MARIJUANA. The fact that Mexico does NOTHING in the way of Border Enforcement is beside the point. Even the reality that two thirds of Marijuana consumed in America is grown in America is beside the pot...WE ARE ADDICTED TO DRUGS, and we as Americans need to address the issue by giving up our Second Amendment Rights, and keeping guns form going South, while also stopping drugs (actually, the big drugs from Mexico are Cocaine and Heroin) from coming North, specifically and most often featured in the news MARIJUANA, the DEMON WEED. OK, where am I going with this? Have a look at a VINTAGE 1930's era comic...Maybe, just maybe it is time for THAT FENCE? Maybe it is time to LEGALIZE growing both Hemp and Marijuana here in America so that we kill the Market for Marijuana coming into America from Mexico?

Tags: border, cannibis, cartels, drug, marijuana, medical, mexican, patrol, pot, wars

Government Must Rely On SOUND SCIENCE In Public Medical Marijuana Statements

2009-04-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

GOT BUD?

Today is a huge day for the Medical Marijuana community. (ASA) Americans for Safe Access will be in the Ninth Circuit Court arguing an interesting case that could begin unsnarling the nasty bale of entwined lies that is the government's Medcial Marijuana Propaganda Campaign. There is a little known law called the Data Quality Act (DQA) which requires public information to be BASED ON STRONG SOUND SCIENCE.

We all know that the government's position that Marijuana has no medical benefits is not supported by sound science. A court ruling in favor of ASA could send shock waves through the War On Drugs community, would require them to rethink their strategies...meanwhile, with some major fund raising drives, the Legalization Community could blitz the airwaves with THE REAL TRUTH

Can you imagine forcing your elected officials to offer up letters to their constituents admitting that Marijuana has medicinal value. Here is the way I see it. ASA wins this case in the 9th Circuit Court. The 420 community using case sites write our Elected Officials with a "Dear Member of Commerce...blah, blah, blah, based on Case# xxxx the government must publish true and accurate information, and I notice you have publicly issued statements embracing governmental positions on Medical Marijuana that are not based upon Sound Science.

We should all be keeping and eye on this case. Here is the article I found on the issue.

I find myself wondering...could we force the government to PAY FOR AN AD CAMPAIGN to correct their lies? A PSA or three paid for with government funds that hails the virtues of Medical Marijuana.

Ninth Circuit Court hearing arguments tomorrow on the accepted medical use of marijuana in the United StatesMonday, April 13th, 2009 at 7:20 pm By: Radical Russ

Americans for Safe Access
For Immediate Release: April 10, 2009
Contact: ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford 415-573-7842 or ASA Media Liaison Kris Hermes 510-681-6361

Federal Position on Medical Marijuana Put Before Ninth Circuit Tuesday
Federal hearing is latest battle on whether policy is based on science or politics

San Francisco, CA — Medical marijuana advocates will get to argue before the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday, April 14th, the right to challenge an outdated position held by the federal government: “marijuana has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.” The national advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) filed a lawsuit in February 2007 demanding that the federal government cease issuing misinformation and correct its statements on medical marijuana. “We welcome the Obama Administration’s recently stated commitment to making policy decisions based on science, not politics,” said Joe Elford, Chief Counsel with ASA. “This case is designed to ensure that the federal government’s policy on medical marijuana is not politically motivated.”

What: Oral arguments in a case before the Ninth Circuit that challenges the government’s position on medical marijuana

When: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 9:30am

Where: Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Courtroom 4 at 95 Seventh Street, San Francisco, CA

In order to challenge the government’s position, advocates are using a little-known law called the Data Quality Act (DQA). The DQA requires federal agencies such as Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to rely on sound science when disseminating information to the public. One of the main issues in the case is whether citizens have a right to challenge government information believed to be inaccurate or based on faulty, unreliable data.

“The science to support medical marijuana is overwhelming,” said ASA Executive Director Steph Sherer. “It’s time for the federal government to acknowledge the efficacy of medical marijuana and stop holding science hostage to politics.” On March 9, 2009, President Obama issued a memorandum to the heads of executive departments and agencies stating that, “The public must be able to trust the science and scientific process informing public policy decisions,” and calling for “transparency in the preparation, identification, and use of scientific and technological information in policymaking.”

Join NORML In New York To Present IRS With $14 Billion Dollar Check!

2009-04-13T18:46:00.001-07:00

Do you live in the New York Metro area? Are you a Medical Marijuana advocate, or perhaps just a 420 Stoner working/grass rooting for Legalization? If you fit any of these descriptors, head down to the General Post Office in Midtown Manhattan and be a part of NORML's festivities as they present a ceremonial TAX check for $14 billion to the US Treasury Department. Here is their press release on the events of the day...one at eight in the morning, and the other at four in the afternoon.

From NORML.ORG:

Marijuana Consumers Demand to Pay Taxes!
$14 billion dollar check presented to US Treasury represents "tax and regulate" boost to economy

New York, NY: On April 15, better known as Tax Day, at 8:00 AM representatives and supporters of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), including the organization's national director Allen St. Pierre, will stand on the steps of the General Post Office in Midtown Manhattan and present a check for $14 billion to the US Treasury Department.

The check total is an estimate of what American taxpayers spend every year to maintain marijuana prohibition. According to the report "The Budgetary Implications of Marijuana Prohibition in the United States", Americans spend some $6 billion on law enforcement costs related to enforcing marijuana laws. Taxing and regulating the production and sale of cannabis like alcohol products would reduce these costs while raising an estimated $8 billion in new tax revenue. That's according to Nobel Prize Winner Milton Friedman and over 500 other accredited economists.

"On a day when so many Americans lament having to pay state and federal income taxes, we're representing America's millions of otherwise law-abiding cannabis consumers—as well as supportive non-consumers—who're ready, willing, vocal and able to contribute this huge sum to our struggling economy, while providing truly 'green' jobs and allowing police to focus on more important priorities," says Allen St. Pierre, NORML's Executive Director. "All we ask in exchange for our $14 billion is the right to smoke our pot responsibly and in peace—just in the same way as the millions of daily consumers of alcohol products in our country."

WHO
Representatives of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, including NORML's national director Allen St. Pierre

WHAT
American cannabis consumers and anti-prohibitionists present a $14 billion check to the US Treasury.

WHEN
April 15th, 2009 at 8:00 AM (press conference with mock check) and 4:20 PM presentation of check with NORML supporters.

WHERE
The steps of the General Post Office in Manhattan
441 Eighth Ave
New York, NY

CONTACT FOR INTERVIEWS:

Allen St. Pierre, NORML, 202-483-5500, media@norml.org

Ruth Liebesman-Martinuk, Esq., NY NORML, 212-804-5740, NewYorkNorml@aol.com

David Bienenstock, author of 'The Official High Times Pot Smoker's Handbook' and a senior editor at the magazine, 212-387-0500

References regarding the economics of cannabis legalization:

http://www.canorml.org/background/CA_legalization2.html

http://www.drugscience.org/Archive/bcr4/exec_summ.html

http://www.cantaxreg.com (See: Revenue Potential and Economic Analysis, and Background Materials.

420 Letter Writers Needed ASAP...Let's Help Ronald Bradley Naulls

2009-04-13T17:00:00.001-07:00

Copied below is a letter posted to one of the Marijuana advacacy groups I belong to on Yahoo. I would ask you to read this man's letter, and then sit down and write a letter on this behalf that can be sent to A) the court, B) Attorney General Eric Holder, and C) President Barack Obama. Ronald is a victim first, seriously injured in a car accident. He played by all the rules, and now he faces losing everything. Worse, his wife and children face losing a husband, a father, and the family provider. Please find the time to write and mail a letter today...a man's life depends upon it.

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Ronald Bradley Naulls; I am a twenty-nine year old African American male, married 9 years and blessed with four beautiful daughters. In 2001 I suffered a fractured clavicle resulting from a motor vehicle accident; subsequently I was prescribed various medications and rehabilitative treatment which failed to produce significant relief. Consequently, I suffered further physical injury from symptomatic infections, not uncommon as side effects of the harsh pharmaceuticals I was prescribed.

Medication and chiropractic therapy failed to improve my state of health, relief was diminutive and inadequate, and I was unable to work or provide for my family. At the advice of my chiropractor I sought consultation with a physician specializing in the medicinal applications of marijuana and found that I was an appropriate subject for the use of medical marijuana. Through the medical use of marijuana I was able to eliminate other adverse prescription medications from my treatment and found the relief I needed to continue working and providing for my family. Although I found medical marijuana to be beneficial to my health, I struggled to safely and effectively obtain my medicine.

In 2006 I formed Healing Nations Collective, a storefront facility with the purpose of facilitating the safe and secure access of medical marijuana for California residents who have been recommended the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Healing Nations Collective was organized under California law as a Non-profit organization, founded with the counsel of attorney Robert Raich (Gonzalez v. Raich, 545 U.S. 1 (2005) and approved and incorporated by the California Secretary of State. The Collective maintained a valid Seller’s Permit from the State Board of Equalization and contributed $123,070.00 in tax revenue to the State of California. Healing Nations was a prominent contributor to the community supporting a number of local charities and organizations. In addition, the Collective was a recognized member of the Corona Chamber of Commerce.

On July 17^th, 2007 Healing Nations Collective, my home and all unconnected organizations were raided by the Drug Enforcement Administration. During the raid they confiscated our family vehicles, savings and checking accounts and all related and unrelated business accounts. My three daughters were ripped from their parent’s arms and placed in the custody of Riverside County Child Protective Services. I was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury, arrested, and thrown in Federal prison. My parent’s put their home up for the bond to secure my release and I have spent the past 18 months on house arrest trying to put my life back together.

I have endured and suffered political persecution, racism, civil and human rights violations; a political prisoner caught in a war between state and federal governments. This tragedy has brought an undue and unprecedented amount of pain, distress and misfortune to my family.

I hope this letter encompasses the struggle which I have faced and continue to fight. I hope you will consider helping me to raise awareness for this matter, for myself and others like me. I am not alone; the enumerated powers of the Federal government were not designed to impede the rights of States to govern themselves. At this moment there are countless victims of Federal enforcement in instances where individuals were acting on State’s rights. Please help me to bring light to this issue and save my children the loss of a father to a failed system of archaic drug policy.

Sincerely,

Ronald Bradley Naulls
3 Vista Ripalti
Lake Elsinore, CA 92532

FYI Everyone,

I sent this letter to US AG Eric Holder and Pres. Barack Obama at the addresses listed below:

US AG Eric Holder
950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001

Pres. Barack Obama, The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Ronnie,

For the benefit of those who are unfamiliar with your case, can you relate your story here?

Thank you,

Charles Monson
http://www.wheelsofmercy.org/
(714) 538-6400

From: Ronnie Naulls

Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 11:01 AM

To: Undisclosed recipients:

Subject: [OCNorml] Updated Dates

I wanted everyone to have the updated court dates handy just in case. If anything changes of course you will be the first to know. Address of the courthouse:

Central District of California Federal Courthouse & Bankruptcy
3470 Twelfth Street, Room G122
Riverside, CA 92501

03/12/2009	60	STIPULATION to Continue Trial Date from March 23, 2009 to May 26, 2009 filed by Plaintiff USA as to Defendant Ronald Bradley Naulls (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Stacy, Robert) (Entered: 03/12/2009)
03/13/2009	61	ORDER by Judge Stephen G. Larson as to Defendant Ronald Bradley Naulls, re Stipulation to Continue 60 . ( Jury Trial continued to 5/26/2009 at 09:30 AM before Judge Stephen G. Larson. Pretrial Conference continued to 5/18/2009 at 02:00 PM before Judge

http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner11102007.html

The Naulls Case

Psychological Torture in the Name of Family Values

By FRED GARDNER

Which psychological torture would you rather not have to endure (bearing in mind that you don't know how or when it will end):

1. Being made to wear panties and chained to a heap of fellow prisoners while rude foreigners insult you. Or,
2. What Ronald Bradley Naulls endured after his house and his Corona, California cannabis dispensary were raided by the DEA July 17?

Naulls's torment was amplified because his wife Anisha was put through it, too, and their children were the very instrument by which it was applied. On the day of the raids Aaliyah, Amaiyah, and Aryanna Naulls -ages 5, 3, and 1, respectively- were taken from their home and placed in foster care at a location undisclosed to their parents. In the name of "family values" these healthy, well-cared-for little girls - impressionable, frightened little girls- were taken from their mother and father because the raiders had found edible marijuana stored in a refrigerator in the Naullses's garage.

Just a Real Feel Good Video

2009-04-13T16:40:00.000-07:00

Even activist and activist bloggers need some feel good items now and then...putting one of those feel good things here this evening, a YouTube video...let us sit the state. Brittain, the English equivalent of American Idol. 47 year old single woman living at home with her cat, has never been kissed is about to sing...take a listen, you will be amazed....

@ Yahoo! Video

Legalizing Pot, Point-Counter Point on CNN

2009-04-13T05:19:00.001-07:00

I woke up this morning to CNN...nothing new there. What was new, was hearing two different segments on Marijuana. The first report was fluff...discussion of Snoop Dogg Shaking and Baking on Twitter, actually getting stoned for the whole world to see. Waves to Snoop Dogg who I follow on Twitter. Sadly, instead of having a serious discussion based on Snoop Dogg's willingness to bring the issue to the forefront by going on Twitter, the conversation was nothing but a fluff piece meant to poke fun at Snoop Dogg...shame on you CNN. (see embedded video below)

CNN Video

The second piece was more hard hitting. A Harvard Economics Professor, Jeffrey A. Morin was championing the legalization of marijuana, and ALL DRUGS. He made some very good points. (see his editorial piece below) For the opposition was a mean spirited, angry cantankerous former DEA Agent who looked like he's not smile since the day he was born, Robert Strang...wonder if he dropped the E? Robert did nothing more than beat the same old tired drums that our government hss been beating since the 30's. There is your commentary folks...A SEVENTY YEAR WAR ON DRUGS HAS NOT WORKED, why continue a war you have not won in 70 plus years?

The host stepped in briefly and pointed out how much drug abuse is costing American taxpayers. She quickly tossed in the figure of $140 Billion when she saw the DEA agent was floundering. How much are we spending on Drug Enforcement? Over a half TRILLION DOLLARS each and every year! How much are we spending locking up people for possession of drugs? Lealizing marijuana and other drugs would create a surplus as we eliminate enforcement and instead turn our efforts towards control of distribution and taxation.

It is obvious that the War on Drugs is heating up. Yesterday I saw a new Anti Drug commercial on television targeted right at Marijuana. This is a clear sign that the Federal Government realizes it is LOSING GROUND, and are scrambling to shore up their crumbling defenses. 90 Million Americans have tried Marijuana. 50 Million Americans smoke dope at least once a month...WE ARE NOT ALL ADDICTS, though the DEA Agent this morning tried to make that argument. Other nations are winning the research wars as more and more Medical uses for Cannabis are found...what happened to us here in America being leaders on the cutting edge of medical research and discovery, especially where Cancer is concerned. With Global Warming a reality, can we afford to ignore the numerous contributions that Hemp can make to solving the issue? Hemcrete is stronger than Concrete, and Bath University has developed a very good composite building material that has a LESS THAN ZERO carbon footprint. So why the war to keep Marijuana criminalized?

We can put the Mexican Drug Cartelss out of business in ONE GROWING SEASON if we legalize Marijuana/Cannabis/Hemp. Cancer research centers like Sloan Kettering could quickly become leaders in finding cancer cures using Medical Marijuana as they began isolating and investigating various cannaboids. Farmers could be growing Hemp to be used as biofuels, for home and commercial green building materials, while food companies could start marketings healthy hemp centered foods, oils and even home care products. The media could be leaders in changing public perceptions, in dispelling the propaganda that has been put out by our government over the last seventy years, or they can continue working with government to turn pot smoking citizens and medical patients into criminals. Lets end the war, just say no to the criminalization of marijuana. Make Cannabis Legal, unchain its potential.

Editor's note: Jeffrey A. Miron is senior lecturer in economics at Harvard University.

Economist Jeffrey Miron says legalizing drugs would greatly reduce violence.

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Over the past two years, drug violence in Mexico has become a fixture of the daily news. Some of this violence pits drug cartels against one another; some involves confrontations between law enforcement and traffickers.

Recent estimates suggest thousands have lost their lives in this "war on drugs."

The U.S. and Mexican responses to this violence have been predictable: more troops and police, greater border controls and expanded enforcement of every kind. Escalation is the wrong response, however; drug prohibition is the cause of the violence.

Prohibition creates violence because it drives the drug market underground. This means buyers and sellers cannot resolve their disputes with lawsuits, arbitration or advertising, so they resort to violence instead.

Violence was common in the alcohol industry when it was banned during Prohibition, but not before or after.

Violence is the norm in illicit gambling markets but not in legal ones. Violence is routine when prostitution is banned but not when it's permitted. Violence results from policies that create black markets, not from the characteristics of the good or activity in question.

The only way to reduce violence, therefore, is to legalize drugs. Fortuitously, legalization is the right policy for a slew of other reasons.

Prohibition of drugs corrupts politicians and law enforcement by putting police, prosecutors, judges and politicians in the position to threaten the profits of an illicit trade. This is why bribery, threats and kidnapping are common for prohibited industries but rare otherwise. Mexico's recent history illustrates this dramatically.

Prohibition erodes protections against unreasonable search and seizure because neither party to a drug transaction has an incentive to report the activity to the police. Thus, enforcement requires intrusive tactics such as warrantless searches or undercover buys. The victimless nature of this so-called crime also encourages police to engage in racial profiling.

Don't Miss

Prohibition has disastrous implications for national security. By eradicating coca plants in Colombia or poppy fields in Afghanistan, prohibition breeds resentment of the United States. By enriching those who produce and supply drugs, prohibition supports terrorists who sell protection services to drug traffickers.

Prohibition harms the public health. Patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma and other conditions cannot use marijuana under the laws of most states or the federal government despite abundant evidence of its efficacy. Terminally ill patients cannot always get adequate pain medication because doctors may fear prosecution by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Drug users face restrictions on clean syringes that cause them to share contaminated needles, thereby spreading HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases.

Prohibitions breed disrespect for the law because despite draconian penalties and extensive enforcement, huge numbers of people still violate prohibition. This means those who break the law, and those who do not, learn that obeying laws is for suckers.

Prohibition is a drain on the public purse. Federal, state and local governments spend roughly $44 billion per year to enforce drug prohibition. These same governments forego roughly $33 billion per year in tax revenue they could collect from legalized drugs, assuming these were taxed at rates similar to those on alcohol and tobacco. Under prohibition, these revenues accrue to traffickers as increased profits.

The right policy, therefore, is to legalize drugs while using regulation and taxation to dampen irresponsible behavior related to drug use, such as driving under the influence. This makes more sense than prohibition because it avoids creation of a black market. This approach also allows those who believe they benefit from drug use to do so, as long as they do not harm others. iReport.com: Do you think it's time to legalize marijuana?

Legalization is desirable for all drugs, not just marijuana. The health risks of marijuana are lower than those of many other drugs, but that is not the crucial issue. Much of the traffic from Mexico or Colombia is for cocaine, heroin and other drugs, while marijuana production is increasingly domestic. Legalizing only marijuana would therefore fail to achieve many benefits of broader legalization.

It is impossible to reconcile respect for individual liberty with drug prohibition. The U.S. has been at the forefront of this puritanical policy for almost a century, with disastrous consequences at home and abroad.

The U.S. repealed Prohibition of alcohol at the height of the Great Depression, in part because of increasing violence and in part because of diminishing tax revenues. Similar concerns apply today, and Attorney General Eric Holder's recent announcement that the Drug Enforcement Administration will not raid medical marijuana distributors in California suggests an openness in the Obama administration to rethinking current practice.

Perhaps history will repeat itself, and the U.S. will abandon one of its most disastrous policy experiments.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jeffrey Miron.

As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton continues high-level talks with Mexico's leaders this week, her comments about responsibility in the U.S.-Mexico drug trade have struck a chord with officials familiar with U.S. anti-drug efforts.

Mexican federal police have been deployed openly in Ciudad Juarez, which borders El Paso, Texas.

Clinton said the United States' "inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border" was a major contributor in Mexican violence along the border. She went on to say that the United States has "a co-responsibility."

In an interview Wednesday on "American Morning" with CNN anchor John Roberts, former Drug Enforcement Agency special agent Robert Strang talked about the three-pronged approach needed to curb drug use in America and the need to bust distribution rings. Strang is also CEO of Investigative Management Group.

The following transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity:

John Roberts, CNN anchor: Everybody's blaming Mexico for [the U.S. drug trade], but the secretary of state yesterday said, 'Hey, the United States shares a lot of the blame because of the pent-up demand here, the insatiable demand for drugs.' Do you agree with her? Watch Clinton say, "We have to do a better job" »

Robert Strang, former DEA special agent: Let's face it, the average first drug use is 12 years old in our country. That means kids that are in the sixth grade are trying drugs for the first time. Marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, all these drugs are coming across the border because we demand them. We have the cash to pay for them, and we really are pretty much the No. 1 consumer in the world for these drugs.

Roberts: Is the United States doing enough to try to curb demand? The Office of National Drug Control Policy, I don't remember much coming out of it during the Bush administration, and I haven't seen anything come out of it in the Obama administration.

Strang: We're trying all the time. I'm on the board for D.A.R.E. America, and that is teaching kids about the dangers of drugs and violence in schools. And constantly, we're trying to get money federally for this program and police officers go into the school. They teach the kids. It's a wonderful program in those trouble years, the fourth, fifth and sixth grade especially, and we need to have a little bit more money in this area.

amFIX: React to Strang's comments about U.S. anti-drug effort

Don't Miss

There's three things, John: It's treatment, it's enforcement and it's education. And it's like a three-legged stool. If all three things don't work, it's going to fall down. So, we can send all of the agents in the world down to the border. We can seize all the coke, heroin, methamphetamine that we want. If we don't have treatment on demand, and if we're not educating our kids in our country about the dangers of drugs, the problem's going to grow.

Roberts: When you see the Department of Homeland Security prepared to spend these hundreds of millions of dollars on border security, what do you think?

Strang: I'm happy that they're doing something. This is a small piece of the enforcement operation. The best thing to do is like the case that we saw three weeks ago, when the DEA announced 750 arrests involving 250 cities between Mexico and the United States, mostly in the U.S., this huge distribution network.

Because when you dismantle those networks that constantly are putting drugs from the cartels to the street, when you can put those guys in jail, when you take their assets, then you have an impact. Watch how drugs from Mexico enter U.S. »

Roberts: But would you like to see them take some of that money, and you know, they take, I think, what, $700 million, and they throw it at the border. Would you like to see them take some of that money, maybe even just a fraction of it, and throw it into prevention programs?

Strang: Absolutely. Instead of going to some of the financial institutions, I'd like to see it go for the drug problem. I'd like to see enforcement, treatment and prevention. I'd like it to be evenly divided, and I really think we could have an impact on the problem. We've got to look at this a different way. And I think that it's a combination of these things, and we're moving in that direction. Let's hope that we make some headway here.

Please Help Charles C. Lynch...April 29th Deadline

2009-04-11T18:17:00.000-07:00

Rather than tell the story myself, shall post the article I stumbled across (thanks to Twitter) in the hopes it will get some of us motivated this Easter Weekend to write a personal letter to Judge Wu on behalf of Charles C. Lynch. A lot of people wrote letters, but they were FORM LETTERS, and that is not going to help Charles C Lynch who was the former owner and managing Caregiver for Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers in Morro Bay. His crime...doing what the local community said he was entitled to do, help sick patients, act as a caregiver, and dispense Medical Marijuana. He faces sentencing on April 29th, and some letters from the heart could greatly HELP HIS CAUSE.

If you wish to write a letter of support regarding sentencing please use the Letter salutation "Dear Judge Wu" and then send the letter to:

Reuven Cohen
Federal Public Defender
321 East 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012-4702

Here are some pointers on what you might want to put in this letter...the real key to helping Charles C. Lynch is appropriate personal experiences, and a letter WRITTEN FROM THE HEART.

Mention the recent change in Federal Policy mentioned by Eric Holder.
If comfortable, touch on, "The conflict of State vs Federal Law".
Mention the 10th Amendment of the Constitution, states rights and how lawmakers swear to uphold the constitution.
Discuss your belief that the harsh mandatory minimums meant for drug king pins were not meant for medical marijuana providers who in effect are Health Care Providers.
Your own personal experiences as a patient or with a friend, son, daughter, brother, sister or relative of somebody you know that benefits from the medicinal use of marijuana.
Talk about the thirteen states that have legalized medical marijuana. Michigan just came on board as a Medical Marijuana State.

A front line leader in the Medical Marijuana is facing some very serious prison time, and your letter could be the one that touches Judge Wu's heart, gets him to take a serious look at California's laws and their position on Medical Marijuana, and hand down a just ruling, even if that means going against the Federal Sentencing guidelines. Charles took at stand for every Medical Marijuana patient in America by opening up his storefront, and in his hour of need we in the 420 community need to come to his aid.

Home

Welcome to Friends of CCL

Charles C. Lynch is the former owner and managing Caregiver for Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers in Morro Bay.

The dispensary opened on April 1 2006 with the blessing of the city and even joined the Chamber of Commerce. In July 2006 the dispensary was granted a Conditional Use Permit from the City of Morro Bay to include a Medical Cannabis Nursery at the dispensary.

The Dispensary operated for almost one year without any major problems or complaints to the owner. On March 29, 2007 the Local Sheriff and DEA agents raided the Dispensary and Home of Charles Lynch. Lynch was not arrested at the time and reopened the dispensary on April 7 2007 with the blessing of the City of Morro Bay. A week after reopening the dispensary the DEA called the Landlord and threatened him with Forfeiture of his property unless he evicted the Dispensary from the building. On May 16, 2007 the Dispensary closed permanently.

On July 17, 2007 Lynch was arrested at his home and charged with Federal Marijuana Distribution. Lynch pleaded not guilty and went on trial July 22, 2008 in Los Angeles. Lynch was not allowed to discuss state law or mention 'medical marijuana' during the trial. Also large amounts of evidence including Lynch's compliance with State and Local laws could not be considered as factual by the jury. Before opening the dispensary Lynch called the DEA and asked about thier policy regarding medical marijuana dispensaries. The DEA told Lynch it was up to the Cities and Counties to decide how to handle the matter. This was Lynch's only defense in Federal Court and is called entrapment by estopell when a government agent says something is ok when in fact it might not be. Click here for more information.

On August 5, 2008 Lynch was convicted in Federal Court for operating the Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers. On January 6, 2009 Lynch appeared before Judge Wu to request a new trial on the grounds that he was not allowed to get his defense before the jury and other new evidence. The request was denied. Charles has been out on a $400,000 bail posted by his loving and trusting family and was under house arrest for over nine months.

During March 2009 United States Policy regarding Medical Marijuana changed in favor of states as long as the dispensary complied with state law. Lynch's dispensary complied with all state and local laws during the time it was open. Click here to read the San Francisco Chronicles report of the new policy. On Friday March 13, 2009 John Stossel and ABC News 2020 aired he story of Lynch on National Television. On Sunday March 15 Al Roker did a documentary entitled Marijuana Inc. Al Roker reporting and focused in on the case of Charles C. Lynch.

Sentencing which was scheduled for March 23, 2009 was postponed because the judge requested information from the Government regarding the New Policy regarding medical marijuana dispensaries. Despite the recent policy changes Charles C. Lynch will be sentenced on April 30, 2009 at the Federal Court House in Los Angeles. Supporters who wish to write a letter of support regarding sentencing should use the Letter salutation "Dear Judge Wu" and then send the letter to:

Reuven Cohen
Federal Public Defender
321 East 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012-4702

Join In National Hemp DARE Day 2009

2009-04-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 10, 2009

Operation Strikeback-National Hemp DARE Day 2009

OK, I admit I might be just a tad to over the top, or maybe this latest herb is a bit better than I realize at the current moment as I listen to Janis wailing out of my speakers about having only ONE DAY. Talk about a fabulous Friday Afternoon! Not sure about the rest of you, but Obama's declaring April 9th National DARE Day has not set well with me...as in it seems to me that 25 million supporters of Legalization need to STRIKE BACK...I offer the Twitter and Blog community a way that we can take back the word DARE, put and end to the DARE Propaganda machine by taking the word and the premise for our own.

Do

A

Reefer

Event

NATIONAL Hemp D.A.R.E. DAY, 2009 May 5th,
2009

Invite your friends, order in some really CHOICE Mexican Smoke (it is also Cinco_De_Mayo day), maybe order in a couple cases of Corona!

So, Obama wants to distance himself from the Medical Marijuana issue, wants to side step the Legalization question put forward to him during OUR INTERNET TOWNHALL. He basically slaps 25 million American Pot Smokers in the face by declaring April 9th DARE DAY...well, it is time for that Double DARE SMACK DOWN!

Tuesday (after work) May 5th, 2009, a super TWOFER Tuesday event. Start spreading the word, invite your friends to come join you in a moveon.org style citizen action event, lets fill our American Living Rooms with the smell of Nature's Best as we celebrate National Hemp DARE Day 2009!

DARE-Do a reefer event! That's right, lets take back the word DARE, lets give it a WHOLE NEW MEANING with the FIRST ANNUAL Hemp DARE Day! Send a clear signal to Washington DC by holding your own small DARE DAY event, filming it and uploading it to YouTube...make sure you bring it to the attention of MarijuanaUSA so we can gather the videos in one place.

This only works if we all VIRALLY start spreading the word, so get your TWEETS in action and lets run with this! OH MY GAWD...we could all also be tweeting from our Hemp DARE Day events (Hey, I'll launch a new blog!...send me pictures), we could make May 5th National Twitter Hemp DARE Day, turning the day into the biggest VIRAL Legalize Medical Marijuana event on Planet Earth!

Twitter Hummingbird, The New Activist Tool of Choice

2009-04-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

Color me impressed. I have been giving Twitter a lot of thought lately as it seems the perfect tool for the Medical Marijuana Pro Legalization community to use. The two largest groups on Twitter are 20 somethings and Baby Boomers! Face it, those are the two groups most supportive of Legalizing Medical Marijuana, and the age groups we need to mobilize in a big way if we are going to reach the tipping point sooner rather than later. Question was, how could you reach those Tweeters on Twitter in large numbers? The answer fell into my lap today with (of all things) a tweet about a new software program known as Hummingbird.

Hummingbird for TWITTER Has Arrived

First, you can order Twitter Hummingbird by clicking on the links that say Hummingbird! Throw me some love and I will be so appreciative. Here is the skinny...

How many of you have been browsing Twitter Members, drooling over those that have 20,30 even 40 thousand followers? The Shaq (as in NBA great Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal)has over one million people following him on Twitter! OMFG...share the wealth Dude! Seems someone with far more tech ability than I had the very same thought, wanted to climb the ranks of the Twitter Elite. Some script, some testing and then more script and we now have Hummingbird, the software platform for Big and Small business owners (Or Medical Marijuana Society) to build a base of people they can reach out to with the click of the enter button as your message races out to a list of Twitter Followers numbering into the tens of thousands!

This is a COOL TOOL...anyone want to sponsor the cost of the program for Marijuana_news so we can build our activist army of supporters as we push to legalize marijuana? Six sales from the link in this post or on the side bar, and we have Hummingbird, so show us some love folks!

Zero Carbon Foot Print Homes...From Hemp!

2009-04-09T16:27:00.001-07:00

I have a certain familiarity with Green Home Products, as I used to work for a company that built Green Homes. So an article touting a home built with less than zero carbon footprint abilities caught my interest...to find out it's a HEMP HOME...PRICELESS. President Obama says all things that could contribute too solving Global Warming MUST BE ON THE TABLE. Well Mr. President, I challenge you to keep your word and fund research into HEMP BUILT HOMES...WOW...trademark time....American Hemp BUILT HOMES, American Hemp Construction, American Hemp Builders Association....THAT ONE GOES ON MY WEB SITE! All those in favor of funding for HEMP HOMES (trademarked) research leave a comment.

Would You Live in a Hemp House?

BY Ariel SchwartzWed Apr 8, 2009 at 5:11 PM

Hemp is useful for more than just summer camp necklaces and niche clothing items, according to researchers at the University of Bath. The university's BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials has discovered that hemp bound together with a lime-based adhesive creates a building material with a "better than zero" carbon footprint. In other words, the material's energy-efficient properties combined with lime's low carbon footprint negate hemp-lime's carbon use.

It's easy to get the materials for hemp structures, too. University of Bath researchers say that it takes an area the size of a rugby pitch only four months to grow enough hemp for a typical three-bedroom house. If adopted on a large scale, the homes could bring big business to hemp farmers.

The three-year, $1.1 million (£750,000) project will provide further information about the strength, durability, and feasibility of hemp-lime homes. One catch here: Industrial hemp has to be made legal if we want cheap hemp structures in the U.S. Under current federal law, industrial hemp can be imported but can't be grown by American farmers.

It's Official and Legal in Michigan, Legalaization That Is.

2009-04-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

In a, "How Cool Is That" moment...people are lining up in Michigan to get their permits to legally have Medical Marijuana.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

It's OFFICIAL, Michigan Begins Registering People For Legal Marijuana

This past Monday morning, Michigan officially because a Medical Marijuana state as the first people stood in line to get registered as patients. Hugging, kissing, rejoicing, and that's just at my house, and I live in New York. Seriously though, here is the press release from the fine folks at THCF.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Announcement: Monday, April 6, 2009, Michigan Medical Marijuana Program Begins

Today, Monday, April 6, 2009, is the first day the state of Michigan Community Health Department's new Medical Marijuana Program office will begin accepting applications and fees for a state permit to legally possess, use and grow medical marijuana.

THCF Medical Clinics has approved 400 Michigan patients with qualifying conditions for medical marijuana permits since the law went into effect on Dec. 4, 2008.

Some of THCF Medical Clinics' patients will be meeting in Lansing on Monday morning to first prepare their paper work to turn in to the state, then they will go to the Health Department's door at 9 am to be the first to complete Michigan State’s new medical marijuana application process.

Fifty patients will be meeting to complete their paper work at 8 AM, Monday, April 6th at:

Gone Wired Cafe

2021 East Michigan Avenue

Lansing, MI 48912

At 9 AM, patients will be turning in their medical marijuana application forms, their physician's statement and a fee of $100 to:

Michigan Medical Marihuana Program

Bureau of Health Professions

Department of Community Health

611 W. Ottawa Street

Lansing, Michigan 48933

THCF staff will be available at both locations to answer questions and provide information regarding the new Michigan Medical Marijuana Program.

THCF Medical Clinics contact info: Paul Stanford, Executive Director, THCF Medical Clinic; Phone: 800-723-0188

Website: http://www.thc-foundation.org/

Press Release .doc http://www.thc-foundation.org/press/thcf-press-release-040609.doc

Press Release .txt http://www.thc-foundation.org/press/thcf-press-release-040609.txt

Scholarship Opportunity...Aspen Conference!

2009-04-06T22:11:00.000-07:00

OK, I cannot afford to go...even with the scholaship money, but thought I would share this information with my readers.

Medical Marijuana News

Scholarship Available...

Just found compliments of NORML's twitter account...a great scholarship opportunity for someone that can afford airfaire and a rental car, but not the hotel fees in Aspen! I spent some time years ago just up the road from Aspen, and June is a WONDERFUL time to be in the Aspen area. Don't miss the hot springs in Glenwood Springs. Here's the information you need to apply.

Free Scholarship: NORML Seminar In Aspen For Marijuana Activists And Attorneys

April 4th, 2009 By: Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director

Colorado NORML is pleased to announce the second annual Hunter S. Thompson Scholarship to attend the NORML Aspen Legal Seminar!

The NORML Legal Committee’s Annual Aspen Conference (which is a continuing legal education seminar for practicing lawyers) is scheduled for June 4th and 5th, 2009, at The Gant. Colorado NORML, is presenting the scholarship, which covers three nights lodging and the conference registration fee, to an attorney or cannabis law reform activist who, by written submission, demonstrates 1) a desire to improve public advocacy and/or trial skills related to representing cannabis consumers in the courts (criminal, medical, and more), 2) a demonstrated need for financial assistance to attend this year’s Aspen Legal Seminar.

The value of the scholarship is approximately $1000.00.

Some of the finest defense attorneys (and cannabis law reform activists) in the United States have been coming to NORML’s Aspen seminar for many years to learn, enjoy the inspired environs of beautiful Aspen in early summer–and to do so at VERY reasonable rates. This year’s seminar focuses on state and federal medical marijuana laws, and is a MUST educational opportunity for medical marijuana patients, providers, cultivators, as well as for criminal defense attorneys (and public defenders, who receive a discount to attend).

Check out this year’s informative and interesting schedule here. The social events, including a great, private dinner catered by Cache Cache’s Chris Lanter, are included with the scholarship.

Criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, cannabis law reform activists, medical marijuana patients and their providers from the 13 states with medical cannabis laws are strongly encouraged to attend (HI, AK, WA, OR, CA, NV, NM, CO, MT, MI, RI, VT and ME).

Submission for this year’s Hunter Thompson Scholarship is by fax, mail or email. The scholarship is awarded by the CONORML board of directors, please direct your submissions ‘Attn: Steve Wells’ at: swells@conorml.org, (303) 725-0774 (f) by April 15, midnight Rocky Mountain High time–and we hope to announce the recipient of the scholarship on April 20th, 2009.

MPP...Please, Get Us a Better Lobbyist

2009-04-03T21:40:00.000-07:00

OK, maybe I am being to harsh here...so, I want every STONER that happens to stumble into this blog, would be appreciative if every patient on Medical Marijuana would watch the video below from Arron Houston, the paid LOBBYIST for MPP, and tell me if you think this guy is the right man for the job. No being political correct, I am wanting some Steven Cobert truthiness here.

Here is Part of The Problem

This is one of those WTF were you thinking moments. I don't want to put anyone down, but what is MPP doing sending this dweeb Mark Foley wannabe up to The Hill to speak on behalf of Legalization?

Rob Kampia, do us a favor...you want us to support your work on Capital Hill, get us a better LOBBYIST! This guy has DORK written all over, and from this old hippies perspective is doing MORE HARM than good in the fight to Legalize Medical Marijuana. Look at his office in the video...that is not the office of someone that gets, or has gotten high...if he has not gotten high, how can he really speak for us on Capital Hill?

Yesterday, MPP's Aaron Houston testified before Congress, urging lawmakers to rein in the DEA. You can read his testimony (posted on the House Appropriations Committee's Web site) here, or watch him discuss it below.

Each year, Congress passes a spending bill that funds the Justice Department, including the DEA. At yesterday's hearing about next year's budget, MPP asked Congress to tell the DEA to:

Stop interfering with state and local law enforcement in California and other medical marijuana states;
Immediately stop the practice of sending letters to landlords of state-legal medical marijuana dispensaries, threatening to seize their assets; and
Stop blocking medical marijuana research and approve the application for a medical marijuana research facility at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

MPP was the only reform organization to provide expert testimony at the hearing yesterday. In fact, MPP is the only marijuana policy reform organization with a full-time lobbyist on Capitol Hill. Would you please support this important work by making a contribution today? We appreciate anything you can give.

Thank you,

Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.

P.S. As I've mentioned in previous alerts, a major philanthropist has committed to match the first $2.35 million that MPP can raise from the rest of the planet in 2009. This means that your donation today will be doubled.

P.P.S. You can opt out of receiving fundraising mentions in the e-mail alerts I send you in 2009 by visiting http://www.mpp.org/2009optoutpreference at your convenience.

We Boomers Seem To Be Thinking The Same Thoughts

2009-04-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

Joe Klein has a very well written piece in Time Magazine that I will not spoil here, other than to send you in that direction. All I will say Joe, is we are thinking along similiar lines. I am wanting to find a bunch of really RICH investors to go in on a chain of retirement villiages for Old Hippies...there is GOLD in those old Boomers, but the retirement communities of today are not going to work for us.

By Joe Klein Thursday, Apr. 02, 2009

Illustration by Stephen Kroninger for Read more TIME stories on marijuana

Lawrence Welk-Marijuana Jesus, and One TOKE Over The Line

2009-04-03T16:23:00.000-07:00

You have to watch this Lawrence Welk music video all the way through...he describes one toke over the line as a Modern Spiritual...can I have a "Thank You Jesus"? If marijuana was good enough for Lawrence Welk, it's GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.

Medical Marijuana Shows GREAT Promise Against Certain Cancers

2009-04-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

In a well written article from Bruce Mirken on the MPP web site, a recent report is again showing Medical Marijuana's potential in the fight against cancer. This past year (almost one year to today) my wife was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. We discovered her cancer early (Phase 0), her lumpectomy was a success, and the radiation seems to have worked. That said, she is not out of the dog house for five years. Being Estrogen Dominant, we had her female parts taken out this past December. Her surgery was done at Sloan Kettering in New York. Anyone that opposes Medical Marijuana should spend a few days at that hospital...we were on the 10th floor. I met several families who had a loved one that was terminal, spent time in the lounge talking to people who were dying, or had a loved one that was dying...if Medical Marijuana took away some of their pain, or maybe let them feel good for a few hours, who are we too take that away from them. If Medical Marijuana can cure, or abate certain cancers, who are we to deny them that hope?

More Evidence on Marijuana and Cancer

by Bruce Mirken

The evidence continues to mount that cannabinoids — the unique, active components in marijuana — fight cancer. The latest such study , just published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, shows that THC can kill glioma cells through a process known as autophagy. Gioma is a particularly deadly form of brain cancer that afflicts, among others, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.).

The good news is that this study got a decent amount of media attention. The bad news is that much of the coverage lacked context or presented information in a confusing or misleading way. Case in point: the April 1 story from the Reuters wire service.

Reuters reporter Michael Kahn presents the finding as if it were something brand new, failing to note the extensive evidence accumulated since the 1970s that cannabinoids fight various types of tumors. It reports that “studies have suggested” that marijuana may cause cancer, omitting the fact that the largest, most well-controlled studies have found precisely the opposite.