Cannitrol – Cannabis Control Agent

Marijuana news from around the world

Amsterdam

This is what the coffeeshop-culture in The Netherlands is like

Almost every one associates The Netherlands, and Amsterdam in particular, with coffeeshops and marijuana. And while there are a lot of coffeeshops in Holland, the dutch don’t really share this view. In this article we’re exploring what the cannabis-culture is like in the Netherlands.

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Buddha’s Sister Marijuana Strain Review

Strain Overview The Scoop: This Amsterdam classic and true Hybrid developed from a skunky, hazed out Reclining Buddha, and a tropically-flavored Afghani Hawaiian to become the famous coffeeshop classic, Buddha’s Sister. Providing an elevated mindset and a zen-like perspective, Buddha’s Sister is great for relieving stress caused by those daily activities, otherwise known as existing in the modern world. The […] Thanks to marijuana.com

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Lady Gaga Adds Marijuana To Her List of Causes

lady gaga

It may be easy to mock high profile entertainers and actors when they decide to take a public stand.  Sometimes stars have been known to get themselves in over their heads when engaging on social issues.  The most recent case and point may be Clint Eastwood’s debate with a chair that should have been a far easier conversation for “Dirty Harry” to win.  However, there are times where stars use their notoriety push issues forward.

Marijuana has caused many famous individuals to come out of the shadows.  It appears Lady Gaga will be joining this group.  The famous pop star has traveled the world performing songs such as “Born This Way” and come across many different cultures.  She seemed to be embracing Amsterdam’s culture in a recent tour stop.  She was handed a joint on stage and lit up saying “I want you to know it has totally changed my life and I’ve really cut down on drinking.  “It has been a totally spiritual experience for me with my music.”

Lady Gaga has an extremely loyal and engaged fan base worldwide.  This is not to say fans will start smoking marijuana around the world but many may be encouraged to get the real facts on marijuana.  Additionally Lady Gaga has a history of caring about social causes.  In order to protest the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy (President Obama has ended the controversial policy) Lady Gaga donned the now famous “meat dress” at the 2010 MTV Music Awards.  She has also donated large sums of money to many charities has also created The Born This Way Foundation, which according to the foundation website, was designed “to foster a more accepting society, where differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated. The Foundation is dedicated to creating a safe community that helps connect young people with the skills and opportunities they need to build a kinder, braver world.”

This is not to say that Lady Gaga or any entertainer can bring about marijuana reform alone.  However, the chorus of those who support reform is growing louder.  The issue has built up momentum and supporting marijuana in public is no longer a scarlet letter.  Normally we see a wedge between entertainers and the working class, however, as marijuana gains acceptance we may bear witness to one of the few times where the two are aligned.

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Lady Gaga Adds Marijuana To Her List of Causes

lady gaga

It may be easy to mock high profile entertainers and actors when they decide to take a public stand.  Sometimes stars have been known to get themselves in over their heads when engaging on social issues.  The most recent case and point may be Clint Eastwood’s debate with a chair that should have been a far easier conversation for “Dirty Harry” to win.  However, there are times where stars use their notoriety push issues forward.

Marijuana has caused many famous individuals to come out of the shadows.  It appears Lady Gaga will be joining this group.  The famous pop star has traveled the world performing songs such as “Born This Way” and come across many different cultures.  She seemed to be embracing Amsterdam’s culture in a recent tour stop.  She was handed a joint on stage and lit up saying “I want you to know it has totally changed my life and I’ve really cut down on drinking.  “It has been a totally spiritual experience for me with my music.”

Lady Gaga has an extremely loyal and engaged fan base worldwide.  This is not to say fans will start smoking marijuana around the world but many may be encouraged to get the real facts on marijuana.  Additionally Lady Gaga has a history of caring about social causes.  In order to protest the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy (President Obama has ended the controversial policy) Lady Gaga donned the now famous “meat dress” at the 2010 MTV Music Awards.  She has also donated large sums of money to many charities has also created The Born This Way Foundation, which according to the foundation website, was designed “to foster a more accepting society, where differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated. The Foundation is dedicated to creating a safe community that helps connect young people with the skills and opportunities they need to build a kinder, braver world.”

This is not to say that Lady Gaga or any entertainer can bring about marijuana reform alone.  However, the chorus of those who support reform is growing louder.  The issue has built up momentum and supporting marijuana in public is no longer a scarlet letter.  Normally we see a wedge between entertainers and the working class, however, as marijuana gains acceptance we may bear witness to one of the few times where the two are aligned.

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Marijuana Name Game Still Hazy

hazy sky

Last year marijuana.net published an article titled “The Marijuana Name Game.”  While the article takes on a light tone in the beginning, it does highlight some big problems with medical marijuana.  The article cites a quote from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (The Balcony Scene Act 2-Scene 2) where Juliet says “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.”

Although we are proud of our own efforts of The Werc Shop and Marijuana.net in trying to make sense of the name game, there still is so much work to be done.  Marijuana is fun, but popular culture typically only focuses on “stoner” humor, forgetting that cannabis is a wonderful medicine providing relief to so many in need.  Without a true labeling and classification system set in place by state governments, it can be difficult for patients to know exactly what medicine is ideal for them, especially based on the names alone.  What exactly does OG Kush mean to someone with chronic pain.  Green Crack actually sounds like it may be more harmful than helpful.

We recently learned that a strain named Elephant Crush was recently created but was initially based on a fictional strain included in the novel “Baked,” by Mark Haskell Smith.  In the book, the fictional character Miro Basinas, a botanist creates elephant crush and wins the Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam.  The character has grown tired of supposed tasteless hybrids and creates Elephant Crush to have a sweet mango taste.  Waterfall Wellness now actually is carrying a strain named Elephant Crush and it is said to be based on the strain from “Baked”.  Columnist David Downs recently wrote an article titled “Smell the Truth” which describes his trip to Waterfall Wellness.  Downs inquires about the genetics of Elephant Crush, but the budtender has no answers and says the genetics are a mystery.  We have to ask, would a shrug of the shoulders be considered an acceptable explanation for what is included in conventional medicines?

This is not the first time we have seen strains take on names from fictional works.  Pineapple Express is one of the most famous examples of this as the strain did not exist before the Seth Rogen and James Franco movie was released.  There is nothing wrong with having some fun with medical marijuana but the focus needs to be on genetics and science.  With a proper labeling system, silly and fun names could continue to be the norm if the necessary genetic information was included.

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Hashish

Hashish

The cannabis plant is consumable in many forms.  One of the most storied and controversial preparations of marijuana is hashish.  Hashish is a compressed and purified form of the resin that grows in the trichomes of the cannabis plant.  Historically, bud harvests were pressed between palms or other plant leaves until all excess plant matter, save the resin, was rubbed away.  This left a much finer substance, varying in consistency from fine powder to a paste of oily substance.  The final product has a much higher cannabinoid content than regular bud clippings.  Today, there are numerous ways of preparing hash, from mechanical tumblers, to ice baths, chemical separation treatments, and even vacuum distillation.  This can result in powdered hash, hard blocks, nuggets of goo (for lack of a better description), or even a resiny oil, often called “honey oil”.  These preparations can range from 30-90% in THC content, as opposed to untreated buds (up 27% THC).  Although, as marijuana research and development has progressed, growers are now using high CBD strains to produce hashish that offers medical benefits to a greater diversity of patients.

Though hashish has been found frequently in historic sites throughout the Near East, Middle East and Indian subcontinent, many historical sources tie the name “hashish” to the word assassin and the story of al-Hassan bin al-Sabbah, a warlord from the mountainous region south of the Caspian Sea.  In a nutshell, Hassan used hashish preparations in training and maintaining the loyalty of his warriors, often sent out to kill (assassinate) his enemies.  This story came to the West, compliments of Marco Polo’s travels in the late 13th Century.  This is the most accepted tale, but many scholars refute this story’s accuracy.  From the 13th through 18th centuries, the use and spread of hashish stayed mostly in the East.  But in the late 1700’s it began to spread West as Napoleon’s conquests into Egypt exposed his troops to it.  Despite his prohibition, use of hashish continued and expanded, finding its way to the New World.
By the start of the 20th century hashish production and trade was widespread, with centers in the Middle East, Chinese Turkestan, and on the Greek/Turkish borders.  However, as time marched on, many laws prohibiting hashish production and trade were passed across the world.  As quickly as it had risen to prominence, it was quickly blacklisted.  Today it can be found, in many places but is still castigated in others. In Amsterdam (home of the Ice-olater production method), many kinds of hash can be found, or in India and Nepal as “charas.”  In California, Colorado, and other compassionate use states, it can be found at dispensaries. And these cultivators are some of the pioneers pushing the strains in new directions to help benefit patients whose afflictions leave them with few treatments.

On the other end of the spectrum, Oklahoma recently passed a bill including sentencing for anywhere from two years to life for production, sales or distribution of hashish.  House Bill 1798 names a mandatory 2-year minimum sentence, as a felony, for first time convictions.  Subsequent offenders face sentences without leniency or parole to a lifetime sentence.  This is a newly-minted law for a cannabis-based product, not heroin, crack or cocaine (although those laws are just as strict).  By the way, Oklahoma and Colorado share approximately 100 miles of border.  At the same time, Colorado is looking into DUI laws for cannabis.  This may not be welcome news to most patients, but it is a key part of regulation and acceptance.  Most people rail against sobriety check points (for alcohol), but they deter drunk driving and therefore save lives. Hopefully Colorado’s legislators will spend time to review the science behind the detection of cannabis in the body. It is not as simple as a test as for alcohol inebriation.

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History of the Cups

Denver Cannabis CUp

[caption id="attachment_14659" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Denver Cannabis CUp"][/caption]

It is finally time for the Denver Medical Cannabis cup.  If you are in Denver this weekend, please come and visit us as we will be one of the sponsors of the event!  We are sure patients will gather for another safe event as they have in the past.  But first, a quick look on how we got here…

The first Cannabis cup was organized by Steven Hager, of High Times Magazine.  In 1987 Amsterdam was the most famous of cities for legalized consumption of marijuana. So it was held there, in a great smoke-off to find the finest marijuana that a person could smoke.  In 25 years the contest has matured; there are multiple categories, seeking the best strains, hybrids, consumables, seeds and so forth.  It has also developed into a massive trade show, where builders of bongs can showcase their latest pipes, vaporizers, and novelty papers.  Vendors also bring in t-shirts and other apparel and all other kinds of accessories.  As the Cup has grown, it has incorporated other elements that have accompanied marijuana use.  It has embraced spirituality and the counterculture ideas of the late 60’s and 70’s.  Also, as politics have shifted across the world, so have the ideas espoused by the Cup’s sponsors and attendees.

 

Today, the United States is host to four of High Times’s Medical Marijuana Cups.  In Detroit, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco.  The First one was the San Francisco Cup in 2010.  Last year saw the inaugural events for Denver and Los Angeles also.  These are not just pothead toke-fests as conservative demagogues would paint them; they’re not dens of sin, iniquity and crime, or doorways to destruction.  These are modern affairs, full of people with honorable agendas seeking to help people who are suffering from various ailments. For many of these patients, cannabis holds the best treatments they can hope to receive.  New categories include judging for high CBD (cannabidiol) strains, which the medical community now agrees hold the key to treating many neuromuscular disorders.  One of the largest growing segments of the Cup community is for political activism.  Most major events now have devoted sections to increasing political awareness.  On a national stage most politicians won’t touch the topic of marijuana; there are few candidates, like Ron Paul and Gary Johnson, who are willing to discuss it.  But on state and local levels, many politicians are eagerly discussing with their constituents.  Also, there are many active groups like NORML, LEAP and ASA who attend these gatherings and try to increase awareness and activism.  For years the pro-marijuana lobby was small and quietly ignored.  Now attitudes are turning from universal recreational use (like alcohol and tobacco)  to a focus more on compassionate care and medical use, at least in enough cases now to be taken more seriously.    Also, by highlighting the many failures of the 40 year-old “War on Drugs” people have realized that change, on a federal level, is necessary for the health of the Union and its people.  All of this has helped the Cups to grow from crowds of hundreds to tens of thousands of supporters.

The Seattle HempFest is another event that has grown from very humble roots.  The first one was held in Seattle in 1991, with only 500 people in attendance; last year’s event estimated close to 300,000 attendees!  At each of these events people have gathered peacefully for several days.  Recently, Cannabis use, in public, has been tolerated with no ill effects.  Alcohol sales are banned at Hemp Fest, too.  And in that wake, there have been no riots, no fights, no dangerous crimes committed.  This is a far cry from the mighty fears that Henry J Anslinger stirred up when he pushed to have marijuana made illegal in the 1930’s.  In 1991, there were no laws anywhere for compassionate use.  Then, in 1998 Washington State passed their medical marijuana legislation.  In 2003, Seattle made marijuana its lowest police priority and in 2008 the city stated it “would no longer prosecute simple possession cases.”  This year, the state legislation approved patient cannabis gardens and an ordinance for cannabis collectives.  With perseverance and patience, even the smallest of groups can hope to accomplish great deeds.

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The Entire Year in Review

2011

As you may know, 2011 would be a wild ride year for marijuana reform.  While there have been much talked about occasions like the Federal raids in California and Montana, there have been also many positive developments.  Allows recap the lengthy year:

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We found that indoor marijuana growing accounts for approximately 1% from the U . s . States overall electric consumption.  This interesting fact will hopefully cause us to become eco-friendly, about being eco-friendly.  Get more information at more.

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Medicinal Marijuana formally surpassed the A Million offered mark.  What is the news was a watch opener for a lot of and shows that it’s no more a fringe group.  Take a look at our previous coverage.

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While claims were already available regarding marijuana’s benefits toward helping with Post traumatic stress disorder, official studies launched confirmed this.  Because of so many soldiers yet others going through distressing occasions, what is the news was heralded.  Take a look at our article about this problem.

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Israel introduced that they are likely to significantly improve their medicinal marijuana program.  The best minister’s office designed a statement we frantically are awaiting within the U . s . States, “The Cabinet today approved plans and supervision concerning the way to obtain cannabis for medical and research uses. This really is in recognition the medical utilization of cannabis is essential in some cases. The Ministry will – in coordination using the Israel Police and also the Israel Anti-Drug Authority – oversee this and you’ll be accountable for supplies from imports and native cultivation.”  Additional coverage.

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This season provided us positive news regarding medicinal marijuana states visiting a significant decrease in DWI’s and overall traffic deaths.  The entire year also demonstrated more teens are trying to find marijuana, but it’s a general trend and no greater in states with legalized medical cannabis.  More the following.

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Holland made the decision to outlaw marijuana sales to vacationers.  They raided the still legal High Occasions Cannabis Cup.  They postponed the brand new limited laws and regulations.  Now they don’t appear sure.  Was a fascinating year for Amsterdam as you would expect, we’re certainly confused.

In a lot of ways, Colorado demonstrated us that medicinal marijuana could be controlled, which condition government will really attempt to safeguard patients.  Colorado released the very first ever condition license for medicinal marijuana.

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New Approach Washington come up with the very best and many much talked about legal cast with former and current U.S. lawyers and idol judges, within their efforts to possess marijuana controlled like alcohol.  Take a look at more

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Delaware approved their medicinal marijuana program.  Take a look at more about that.

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Many states including New You are able to and Ohio have medicinal marijuana bills pending.  Here’s more about pending states.

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We discovered that marijuana use might help to combat weight problems and it is generally utilized by individuals with greater intelligence.

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We’d quite an eventful political year for marijuana.  Candidates expressed their sights on marijuana and Newt Gingrich stole the head lines together with his comments.  Ron Paul supported his previous claims and Gary Manley, the so known as “marijuana candidate” was excluded from debates.  Ron Paul also became a member of Barney Frank yet others by presenting legislation that will legitimize the with tax breaks for care providers and solid legal status.

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2011 saw marijuana’s acceptance achieve its modern high water mark.  Polls show roughly 50% of the nation is perfect for legalisation and as much as 85% support medicinal marijuana.  Very couple of if any political issues come with an 85% consensus.  Read this article.

Sadly, the unsuccessful fight against drugs switched 40 this year.  A lot on the planet has transformed since that time, but Richard Nixon’s Fight Against Drugs remains a continuing.

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Sythetic Marijuana put their hands up on everyone’s radar.  2011 saw many cities attempt to regulate the underground community, possibly not enough past too far.

Copenhagen made the decision they no more wanted a underground community for marijuana and required major steps toward legally controlling it. Take a look at our coverage.

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Calls were noisy and obvious for any deleting of marijuana.  Two prominent governors lead the charge.

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Michigan citizens demonstrated they’d not buckle when confronted with the infamous anti-marijuana condition Attorney General, Bill Schuette.  Not just did Kalamazoo voters make marijuana enforcement its cheapest priority, they’re also on the road to voting on repealing marijuana prohibition.

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Regrettably, California’s earliest dispensary, Marin Alliance For Medicinal Marijuana Closed it’s doorways.

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We can’t wait to know what you think regarding your ideas regarding 2011.  Leave us comments on these tales or make reference to highlights that didn’t appear here.  Marijuana.internet is searching toward talking with you.  Be safe while you celebrate 2012.

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Not Too Fast! Nederlander Break The Rules Prohibit on Marijuana for Vacationers

dutch coffee shop

Its individuals people whose excitement was cleaned away with devastation in the news from the approaching Nederlander marijuana tourist prohibit, don’t unpack your bags at this time.  The planned attack around the popular tourist friendly coffee houses continues to be formally pressed back until 2013.

The Connected Press reported that Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten established that the delay was because of “practical difficulties.”  Clearly this explanation leaves the way forward for the prohibit open ended.  Captured, it had been introduced the Netherlands could be banning vacationers from acquiring marijuana.  Rather, a people only program for grown ups over 18 could be solely open to Nederlander citizens.  Formally marijuana is against the law within the Netherlands, however clients are allowed to buy as much as five grams within the coffee houses.

The timing and insufficient an thorough explanation will probably belong to scrutiny by experts.  Many have forecasted terrible economic systems allowing this to continue holland when they were to create a move that will endanger their thriving tourist economy.  Actually, recently the financial news had been harmful to the Nederlander economy as media shops reported the economy had been slowing down and may possibly face contraction in approaching quarters.  It was only some of the concern as numerous citizens concerned about re-opening the underground community for marijuana.  If vacationers still came, are they going to be seeking marijuana from street suppliers instead of a controlled setting?  Nederlander politics have moved more toward the best recently, however the suggested attack from the marijuana industry was still being shocking to a lot of.

Possibly experts have developed some fear in Nederlander political figures.  To create this type of move as the economy has already been battling could cause unemployment for a lot of chosen authorities if financial conditions would deteriorate further.  Furthermore, the move leaves Nederlander leaders open for other critique.  Tobacco enforcement is becoming more poor within the Netherlands, unlike the relaxation around the globe.  This past year the Nederlander government allowed some bars to be exempt from following certain smoking limitations.   Based on the Connected Press 27% of Nederlander citizens smoke tobacco items, that is a greater rate than Britain or even the U . s . States.   This relaxed posture toward tobacco would water lower any arguments that health is the first concern.  A delay within the marijuana prohibit may provide sufficient thinking here we are at political figures to ponder if they would like to take their economy, jobs, and safety in danger.  When the prohibit continues to be to occur eventually, next year’s High Occasions Cannabis Cup may be the final in Amsterdam.  Tourist money produced in the event might have a fascinating method of forcing Nederlander political figures to re-think their positions.

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Nederlander Police Raid Cannabis Cup 2011

dutch police

In the World Cup, towards the Stanley Cup, towards the Ultimate Goal, cups have loved a dominant role in history.  Most are presented towards the victorious within an honorable and ceremonious manor.  Using the 24th Annual High Occasions Cannabis Cup now, participants from around the globe were wishing for any fun competition.

Unlike the upbeat vibe associated the prior occasions, the atmosphere was tossed off target when a large number of police demonstrated to conduct a raid.  The big event was split up and all sorts of participants were needed to depart.  High Times’ site reported on Wednesday (11/23) the event would resume.  The website also continued to state that reviews indicated there is a quarrel on the permit application.  There has been no updates since, therefore we not able to verify when the event began support.

While there’s been a change in Nederlander lawmaker’s sentiment on marijuana enforcement, the very first raid within the event’s 24 year history is surprising.  The Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam seems to possess bumpy road later on too.  New laws and regulations are going to result in the purchase of marijuana within the Netherlands illegal to non Nederlander people.  This appears basically assured to place the event’s worldwide appeal in serious risk.

Even though the cup may face some uncertainty in Amsterdam, the big event will certainly survive.  Location isn’t likely to derail the large worldwide enthusiasm produced in the Cannabis Cup.  A town somewhere would like for hosting the affair and reap the economical advantages of vacationers.  Even when the big event remains in Amsterdam, format changes may have the ability to keep your spirit from the Cannabis Cup intact.  Furthermore, political actions frequently are available in waves.  If reduced tourism is caused by the brand new marijuana laws and regulations, it could actually come with an adverse impact on a previously slowing down Nederlander economy.  Momentum could swing rapidly toward rebuilding the cup’s tradition.

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